Here's a thought ( SPOILERS ):

First, consider pirates. The best example, in Star Wars, at least, is Hondo. Other than being an immensely entertaining character, he is described as a pirate, and designed to reflect this visually. But what does he do? I can think of four major events in The Clone Wars (spoilers be here): 1, he kidnapped Dooku and held him ransom, and then engaged in some unscrupulous kidnapping, 2, he attacked a village on Felucia to steal and later sell valuable medicinal plants, 3, he smuggled guns at the behest of Obi-Wan to Onderon and 4, he attacked the Jedi ship hoping to swipe some rare goods, then progressed onto slavery. There's other things, but that's what I remember distinctly. END SPOILERS

The short and long is he's a pretty consummate opportunist. He's a pirate, but the nature of his work is whatever will get him money. And he has resources; his own planet, pretty much, enough ships that he can lose several and not slow down, tanks and speeder bikes that he loses in equal measure, plenty of underlings, notoriety and booze. What more can a pirate as for, really?

I think any GM trying to build an interesting pirate organization, or any PCs attempting to operate as one, sell themselves short when they think that pirating begins and ends with Captain Hook. Unless ham and cheese is the name of the game, in which case, bring on the space square rigger. Anyway, point is: work is work; smuggling, ship-jacking, kidnapping and ransom, whatever; money is money, work is work.

Second, consider Fly Casual. Particularly, page 74, talking about the Imperial Customs Office. True, it's mostly written with Smugglers and smuggling in mind, but there is a lot of overlap between piracy and smuggling (see above). Related, y'know? Father and son. I would look into that. If you don't have it, but you plan to feature lots of spaceship shenanigans, it would be an invaluable resource.

For extra reference, find WEG's Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters and read the section on the Minos Cluster, the Minos Campaign and the characters. Pirates and smuggling, and one of the major antagonists is Imperial Customs, with their ships and MO.

Why has no one mentioned the VT-49 Decimator from Fly Casual? Am I the only one who plays X-Wing? It's a beast of a ship for a sil 4. 2 shields front and back with 4 armor. Handling and speed aren't so great, and the armament is geared more towards anti-fighter (quad-lasers and concussion missiles). It does have a free hard point though, so you could upgrade weapons, speed, or something else. The lore on the ship is that it's often the first command of junior officers and it's the perfect thing for hunting smugglers with. I think this is exactly what the OP was looking for.

I like the Decimator, I really do, but I don't think it's perfect for this. The OP makes the Nemesis sound like he's got some pull (not much, but some), and was looking at having fighters. The Decimator really doesn't have that going for it, sadly, and it will be lacking in the boarding party category. It's a great patrol craft and deterrent for smaller smugglers, but pirates who are worth the name and who tend to board ships (as there's more money in that), will be at an advantage thanks to the passenger capacity capping at 6 (which means maybe 6 troopers against up to 10 on a Ghtroc, with no prisoner space). Not to mention the Decimator is pretty slow and not so agile in comparison to fighters.

One alternative, which isn't ideal but still an option, is to look at the Guardian-class Light Cruisers (the standard or 344). The original lacks a boarding party, but it CAN have 10 TIE fighters attached to the outside. You can argue that, of the 20 crew assigned to a Guardian, you need only 2 pilots running the ship, 4 gunners, and 10 pilots for the TIEs, so with your Nemesis running the show, this leaves the last 3 as guards/troopers, or possibly even as engineers. Not ideal, but still an option (especially if you reduce the fighter complement and have more troops).

The Guardian was a favorite of mine that didn't see much use in my games due to lack of opportunity. I did stat it up last summer, but the crew breakdown was pure speculation. It could be a fun little ship to use, honestly.

That said, I've had the Imperial Nemesis of my players in past games command smaller capital ships that only need a few hundred people to operate it; the Empire isn't about to commit a Star Destroyer to hunt down a single freighter across the galaxy, after all.

Tell that to Han.

Where are people getting the idea that the OP wants the ship to hunt down corvettes? He mentions taking on light freighters and fighters. Did I miss something here?

That's the thing, though.

Would the Empire be sending out anyone special to hunt down lowly pirates that only use light freighter sized ships, instead of just relying on the regular sector forces in the area?

Sounds more like it would be a better fit to put in a Bounty Hunter operating in the area with a special penchant for taking down pirates.

I just don't see anyone that far down on the food chain, having that much autonomy in the Empire.

Have you considered the Imperial Raider? I'm salivating at the chance to use one in my game. A bonus too is FFG just released the miniature. While we wait for FFG to give us stats on the ship in their RPG, it shouldn't be too difficult to house rule up some temporary stats. Besides, if I saw that I'd run away anyway. So not having stats for it at this juncture may not be much of an issue.

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/x-wing/products/x-wing-imperial-raider-expansion-pack/

There's also the Gozanti if you'd like that instead, and we have rules for this one in the rpg;

https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/x-wing/products/imperial-assault-carrier/

That said, I've had the Imperial Nemesis of my players in past games command smaller capital ships that only need a few hundred people to operate it; the Empire isn't about to commit a Star Destroyer to hunt down a single freighter across the galaxy, after all.

Tell that to Han.

Arguably, in canon, it was Vader's Obsession (capitalized for emphasis) that those Star Destroyers were chasing the Falcon as he knew there would be worthwhile targets within the ship.

We also didn't see said ISD chasing him around the galaxy, just through a system because he couldn't escape.

Where are people getting the idea that the OP wants the ship to hunt down corvettes? He mentions taking on light freighters and fighters. Did I miss something here?

That's the thing, though.

Would the Empire be sending out anyone special to hunt down lowly pirates that only use light freighter sized ships, instead of just relying on the regular sector forces in the area?

Sounds more like it would be a better fit to put in a Bounty Hunter operating in the area with a special penchant for taking down pirates.

I just don't see anyone that far down on the food chain, having that much autonomy in the Empire.

All depends on which part of the Empire is being screwy. If it's a low-funded area in the Outer Rim, they're not going to have as many capital ships to use. There's also some high priority locations that need. . ."specialized protection," and things have to be different in those situations.

I also wouldn't see this as autonomy, but rather "Here's your sector while the Big Ships are elsewhere; do your job."

Now, if they were a specialized agent (see Agent Kallus, for example), part of a pet project (every bureaucrat has one!), or even just an anti-pirate branch of the Imperial Navy (considering the purpose of Force Escort , it would make sense).

Anyway, back to the OP: have you considered an Interceptor-Class Frigate ? Stats aren't out there, but it shouldn't be too hard to work with or create (I can probably do it in about 20-30 minutes, tops, with my books nearby). As it's literally a heavily modified Action VI, you can easily take the base stats and do one of the following:

1) Use Hard Points to make the modifications (not enough HP, I think)

2) Go the Dangerous Covenants route and just add one of the options there to make it battle ready.

3) Use the fluff of it being "extensively rebuilt" to be modified for the purpose at hand. (Note: the FarStar was modified by a Moff for use by the Imperial Navy while the Emperor still lived; see the link and you'll understand).

Personally, I like the last part. This lets you take the shape of any ship you want, give it some flaws to make up for the perks, and you're good to go.

I was looking at doing a list of guidelines to "gain" more HP (system strain, hull or armor loss, reduced maneuverability, reduced cargo, etc), but the math got really rough once you hit the capital ship range, so. . .I'd just hand-wave it to meet what you need without being overkill.

I'm just gonna go on record saying, "I really like the Vigil-class Corvette". Not sure if its the right ship for this job, but it has decent firepower (3 dual light turbolaser turrets, 3 dual heavy laser cannon turrets, and a medium tractor beam). Decent speed for a Sil 5 ship (@ speed 3). Stellar armor (5) and shields (2/2/2/1). Its ship complement is 200 officers, enlisted and troops so plenty of Stormies for boarding actions. It is tough as nails with 55 HT and 35 SS.

Really the only "drawback" is lack of hardpoints, but when you've already got all that listed above, do you really -need- to modify it? Plus, its like a little Pocket Star Destroyer, which is freaking awesome.

I'm just gonna go on record saying, "I really like the Vigil-class Corvette". Not sure if its the right ship for this job, but it has decent firepower (3 dual light turbolaser turrets, 3 dual heavy laser cannon turrets, and a medium tractor beam). Decent speed for a Sil 5 ship (@ speed 3). Stellar armor (5) and shields (2/2/2/1). Its ship complement is 200 officers, enlisted and troops so plenty of Stormies for boarding actions. It is tough as nails with 55 HT and 35 SS.

Really the only "drawback" is lack of hardpoints, but when you've already got all that listed above, do you really -need- to modify it? Plus, its like a little Pocket Star Destroyer, which is freaking awesome.

Not going to lie, the Vigil is a sexy, sexy capital ship for it's size. Of course, it's reasonably expensive, it's a much sought after placement for officers (can only imagine the strings to pull for that), and if the game is set during the Rebellion, the Empire probably has better uses for it than policing backwater spacelanes and hunting small-time pirates.

Not going to lie, the Vigil is a sexy, sexy capital ship for it's size. Of course, it's reasonably expensive, it's a much sought after placement for officers (can only imagine the strings to pull for that), and if the game is set during the Rebellion, the Empire probably has better uses for it than policing backwater spacelanes and hunting small-time pirates.

OTOH, if someone was an Imperial officer and their family had lots of money or political power, that sounds like exactly the sort of thing that could be used as a sop, if they were more junior and their rank couldn’t warrant a larger/better equipped ship.

Imagine someone wanting to be the next Moff Tarkin, but who is snootier, better connected/financed, more ambitious, but less talented. What kind of ship might they kill someone for, if they could?

That said, I've had the Imperial Nemesis of my players in past games command smaller capital ships that only need a few hundred people to operate it; the Empire isn't about to commit a Star Destroyer to hunt down a single freighter across the galaxy, after all.

Tell that to Han.

Arguably, in canon, it was Vader's Obsession (capitalized for emphasis) that those Star Destroyers were chasing the Falcon as he knew there would be worthwhile targets within the ship.

We also didn't see said ISD chasing him around the galaxy, just through a system because he couldn't escape.

Where are people getting the idea that the OP wants the ship to hunt down corvettes? He mentions taking on light freighters and fighters. Did I miss something here?

That's the thing, though.

Would the Empire be sending out anyone special to hunt down lowly pirates that only use light freighter sized ships, instead of just relying on the regular sector forces in the area?

Sounds more like it would be a better fit to put in a Bounty Hunter operating in the area with a special penchant for taking down pirates.

I just don't see anyone that far down on the food chain, having that much autonomy in the Empire.

All depends on which part of the Empire is being screwy. If it's a low-funded area in the Outer Rim, they're not going to have as many capital ships to use. There's also some high priority locations that need. . ."specialized protection," and things have to be different in those situations.

I also wouldn't see this as autonomy, but rather "Here's your sector while the Big Ships are elsewhere; do your job."

Now, if they were a specialized agent (see Agent Kallus, for example), part of a pet project (every bureaucrat has one!), or even just an anti-pirate branch of the Imperial Navy (considering the purpose of Force Escort , it would make sense).

Anyway, back to the OP: have you considered an Interceptor-Class Frigate ? Stats aren't out there, but it shouldn't be too hard to work with or create (I can probably do it in about 20-30 minutes, tops, with my books nearby). As it's literally a heavily modified Action VI, you can easily take the base stats and do one of the following:

1) Use Hard Points to make the modifications (not enough HP, I think)

2) Go the Dangerous Covenants route and just add one of the options there to make it battle ready.

3) Use the fluff of it being "extensively rebuilt" to be modified for the purpose at hand. (Note: the FarStar was modified by a Moff for use by the Imperial Navy while the Emperor still lived; see the link and you'll understand).

Personally, I like the last part. This lets you take the shape of any ship you want, give it some flaws to make up for the perks, and you're good to go.

I was looking at doing a list of guidelines to "gain" more HP (system strain, hull or armor loss, reduced maneuverability, reduced cargo, etc), but the math got really rough once you hit the capital ship range, so. . .I'd just hand-wave it to meet what you need without being overkill.

But that's the thing, though.

The OP's description doesn't sound like anyone that's just got the responsibility of keeping peace in a sector.

It sounds like someone who's gotten the explicit job of hunting down pirates in a sector.

And they wouldn't do that unless they were a big problem.

And a big problem requires a big sollution (well, according to the Empire... they're kinda like Texas that way, bigger is better)

One thought that comes to mind is the infamy of the pirates being hunted, and/or the lawless reputation of the area being patrolled.

These two factors could influence the resources available for any Imperial Pirate hunter operating in the area.

Here's an idea... if the PC's are the pirates, or undertake some piracy, have them capture or rescue a (previously damaged) shuttle.

The PC's think they hit it big until they discover the sole passenger is a Moff's daughter who ran away from home.

Secretly, she dislikes her family and what the Empire has become. Maybe even open to joining the Rebels.

As a GM, you can have that Moff give anything to an Imperial Captain to get his daughter back safely.

Now... the terrorist, kidnapping, scum PC's have a Star Destroyer coming after them.

And the Star Destroyer is commanded by an ambitious, young captain looking to make his reputation at the expense of the PC's.

Misunderstandings can ruin your day.

Semper Fi

Very nice idea, Sarge, i like it. And I'm going to improve it and suggest that with some slight modifications it could turn into Lady Blackbird

Ha. Glad you liked it. Thanks for the link to Lady Blackbird too. That looks pretty amazing.

Ever since I wrote that idea my mind has been racing with possibilities.

What if the Moff's daughter is pregnant? Who's the father? Is there a father... Ha!?

Is she related to the young Imperial captain coming to 'rescue' her? Uncle? Brother? Fiance?

For the group to keep her around and get involved, what does she have to offer them? Money? Info?

For such a high profile kidnapping, will an Inquisitor get involved? Suspect an inside job or help?

Perhaps the Moff (father) knows privately his daughter is a traitor and secretly wants her dead.

It's just better for the family if an 'accident' occurs and the troublemaker of the family dies.

Publicly, he orders the young Imperial captain to do everything possible to bring her back alive.

But privately, he sends / approves the Inquisitor after her to kill her and the PC's.

Lots of possibilities here. I'd be interested to see what direction you go in and how it all works out.

Semper Fi

I don't think an Inquisitor would get involved even if it's a Moff daughter, i think a well trained Intelligence agent could be enough (imagine the Operative from Serenity and you'll get the idea). Now if the party was F&D characters or had a sufficient number of prospective Jedi, that would certainly interest an Inquisitor, and the party would find it morally diffcult to refuse aid to the desperate daughter

Very nice idea, Sarge, i like it. And I'm going to improve it and suggest that with some slight modifications it could turn into Lady Blackbird

I freaking loved the concept behind Lady Blackbird. Good connection, and good thoughts there, SemperSarge!

Ha. Glad you liked it. Thanks for the link to Lady Blackbird too. That looks pretty amazing.

Ever since I wrote that idea my mind has been racing with possibilities.

What if the Moff's daughter is pregnant? Who's the father? Is there a father... Ha!?

Is she related to the young Imperial captain coming to 'rescue' her? Uncle? Brother? Fiance?

For the group to keep her around and get involved, what does she have to offer them? Money? Info?

For such a high profile kidnapping, will an Inquisitor get involved? Suspect an inside job or help?

Perhaps the Moff (father) knows privately his daughter is a traitor and secretly wants her dead.

It's just better for the family if an 'accident' occurs and the troublemaker of the family dies.

Publicly, he orders the young Imperial captain to do everything possible to bring her back alive.

But privately, he sends / approves the Inquisitor after her to kill her and the PC's.

Lots of possibilities here. I'd be interested to see what direction you go in and how it all works out.

Semper Fi

I don't think an Inquisitor would get involved even if it's a Moff daughter, i think a well trained Intelligence agent could be enough (imagine the Operative from Serenity and you'll get the idea). Now if the party was F&D characters or had a sufficient number of prospective Jedi, that would certainly interest an Inquisitor, and the party would find it morally diffcult to refuse aid to the desperate daughter

I'm with Lareg; and Inquisitor wouldn't exactly be common for a situation like this, as they tend to be focused. Hell, even the Emperor's Hands had specific goals in mind (although one of them stepping in for "personal reasons" wouldn't be TOO impossible).

Go with a well-trained ISB/assassin/Operative kinda character, or even a Bounty Hunter (hire one on the side as an official "tracker" but unofficial killer) and watch the fur fly.