Simple suggestion. See thread title. Add Converted Hangar to the Colossus Mk.III as a built-in hullmod, giving it two fighter wings and a refit/replacement penalty. (I presume the 'can install' restrictions don't affect built-ins. If they do, disregard.)
My reasoning:
- The carrier capabilities of the ship is anemic, especially for a cruiser. Even a Gemini or Condor-D is more capable.
- This at least gives it a decent first-strike ability, or the possibility to field some escort fighters for a pirate fleet.
- The ship doesn't really have much going for it, even compared to its sister class the Colossus Mk.II.
- The refit penalty prevents it from being too effective.
- This is makes pretty good sense with the ship's blurb.
And the blurb, for reference:
Spoiler
The Colossus was first adapted for war by Pather militants, but enterprising pirates soon followed their lead. A similarly haphazard process sees most cargo decks collapsed and re-welded to form thick armour dotted with numerous weapons emplacements. The primary cargo bay was left open, however, and converted into an ersatz fighter launch bay with the addition of a micro civilian forge-vat intended for the manufacture of machine parts hacked to accept fighter LPC chips. The forge is poorly integrated with the hull's base power system, resulting in unreliable overall performance.
The Colossus heavy freighter formed the core of Domain frontier supply fleets before it was outmatched by the brutal economic efficiency of the Atlas superfreighter. Thicker than strictly necessary hull plating provides protection against cosmic hazards both natural and human.
Did I put way too much thought into this simple suggestion? Maybe.