Like the rest of the Eldar ships classified by the Imperial Navy very little is known of the Aurora class. The vessel mimics the design of the larger cruisers with the same sail configuration and hull design. It is a light cruiser and so logic dictates that it fulfils the same purpose as the Dauntless serves to the Imperial fleet. The most noted example of the deployment of the Auroras came during the closing stages of the Gothic War. An uneasy alliance was formed between the Imperium and the many Eldar pirate fleets of the sector after the Battle of Gethsemane. This seemed to spur the appearance of many previously unseen Eldar vessels such as the mighty Void Stalker and Aurora light cruisers. The Aurora’s first significant engagment recorded in Imperial annals was during an encounter between a fleeing Traitor fleet and a large (and rare) Eldar-Imperial battlegroup deep in the Graildark Nebula. As the Imperial and Traitor fleets ponderously closed in on each other, the Eldar typically peeled off and speed past the Chaos fleet. Admiral Vortigue, who was controlling the Imperial force, was convinced they had done a runner! Shortly after the first long ranged lances began to fire the Eldar reappeared. The majority of the Eldar fleet was directly behind the Traitor ships, however, roughly a third (containing a number of escorts but mainly Auroras) attacked from the flank. The flanking force sped into action flying straight at the Chaos barges, making suicidal strafing runs against the Chaos cruiser hulls.  The Chaos fleet was thrown into confusion, ships began to break off formation as their corrupted captains began to take evasive action. A second Eldar squadron approaching from behind then opened fire. Caught facing the oncoming Imperial fleet the Chaos ships could not return fire. Unlike the flanking force a third Eldar squadron held in the rear did not engage up close but maintained a perimeter, to make sure the more manoeuvrable Chaos ships could not turn and escape. Vortigue took his cue and presented his broadsides to the now shambolic Chaos fleet and crossed the ‘T’ to deadly effect. The Traitor fleet was trapped between two fleets and with a fast and manoeuvrable force taking the Chaos ships close up it was only a matter of hours before the Traitors were utterly destroyed. Even though Eldar cruisers are fast the Aurora has the added benefit of the speed and manoeuvrability of an escort but carries firepower to match a cruiser. In recent times the Aurora class has been seen throughout the Gothic sector and beyond. Whether on patrol routes or guarding convoys it is a ship many Imperial Captains would think twice before going into combat with.
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