Infestor

Vessels that have on board the biotechnological nanite entity can launch delivery devices with these within them onto enemy ships. Ships hit with them will suddenly be contaminated by the nanite, which will quickly reproduce and swarm over the ship, turning it into an infested vessel under the control of the owner. It is definitely more effective than hacker frigates' subverter nanite launcher. The only recourse is to intercept the delivery device. An improved version can simply beam the infection nanites directly onto enemy ships, greatly improving delivery speed and reliability as the delivery device intermediate stage may be skipped. There is often not enough time for the crew on board a newly infected frigate to even order the scuttling of their own ship. There is also the slim chance that at any time, such a subverted unit may break away from the 'brood' and establish independence, quickly posing a serious threat in their own right.