The command carrier's rotating gun structures make a secondary weapon shape the whole hull, contradicting both its carrier and command functions. Its large size and logistical capacity are more convincing, especially if parasite craft must conduct multi-day patrols rather than short fighter sorties. A ten-day mission may need more than one crew member, and separate craft may need to patrol in mutually supporting pairs. The carrier must also be able to investigate quickly or rescue a patrol that runs into trouble. A missing scout could be the fleet's first warning of an approaching enemy, making delayed reporting much more serious than an overdue peacetime return.
Chapter · 48:46-52:26
Farscape's command carrier fights its own mission
A command carrier should remain protected, yet Farscape builds its hull around direct-fire weapons and exposes it to the kind of engagement it should avoid.