THE VR-117 FIREFLY

BACKGROUND

The VR-117 Firefly is somewhat similar to the VR-120 Ferret but is slightly heavier and has heavier shielding. In battloid mode the differences are even greater, with the Firefly having heavy plates, search lights, and various containers mounted on the chest and torso areas. The super-hard materials used in the construction of the VR-117 make it nearly impervious to damage from fire and debris, and special chemical coatings on the armor plates provide protection even from high-level radiation and nuclear fires. The Firefly has performed admirably under the worst conditions both in space and on land, and has become a valuable addition to both military and civilian rescue services. The only downside to the cyclone is the high cost of the special heat shielding the mecha uses.

Like the VR-112 Samson, the design for VR-117 Firefly became commercial property when the design team that worked on the new generation Cyclones retired from the REF after the Third Invid War. The design has changed little over the years since 2039, and is currently produced by several mecha construction companies under liscense from Samson Industries based on Tirol. The VR-117 is now extremely common both on Earth and on Tirol, as most fire-fighting departments own at least one of the rescue mecha.

SCHEMATICS

RPG STATS

M.D.C. BY LOCATION:

    Motorcycle Mode                  Battlesuit Mode
    ----------------------------     ----------------------------
    Headlight           5            Tires (2, rear)        5
    Front Tire          5            Thrusters (rear)       50
    Rear Tire           5            Forearm Shields (2)    50
    Storage Box (2)     2 each       Leg Shields (2)        125
    Thrusters (rear)    50           Head                   50
(1) Main Body           225      (1) Main Body              225

 (2) CVR-4 (Standard Military Armor)                      70
 (2) CVR-3 (Standard Military Armor, Support Personnel)   50

1. Depleting the M.D.C. of the Main Body will shut the mecha down completely.
2. Depleting the M.D.C. of the body armor will destroy it and very likely kill the wearer (10% chance of survival).

CVR-4C Heavy Armor is incompatible with the VR-117 Firefly.

SPECIFICATIONS

Motorcycle Mode:

Maximum Speed: 210 mph (336 kmph)

Cruising Speed: 80 mph (128 kmph)

Turbo Boost Fwd: 40 ft (12 m) horizontal

Turbo Boost Up: 20 ft (6 m) vertical

Battloid Mode:

Running: 60 mph (96 kmph)

Flying: 180 mph (288 kmph)

Leaping: 20 ft (6 m)

Thruster Leap: 100 ft (30 m)

Height:

Battloid: 7.0 ft (2.1 m)

Motorcycle: 3.6 ft (1.1 m)

Width:

Battloid: 3.4 ft (1.0 m)

Motorcycle: 1.6 ft (0.5 m)

Length:

Battloid: 3.1 ft (0.9 m)

Motorcycle: 5.0 ft (1.5 m)

Weight:200 lbs (90 kg)

The VR-117 has detachable cargo boxes that are connected to the rear of the bike like saddlebags. The size of each container is 18 inches tall by 20 inches wide by 18 inches deep. The VR-117 can hold 200 lbs (84 kg) in addition to the rider. Reduce maximum speed by 20% for every additional 25 lbs (11 kg) over the limit and add -1 to dodge.

Unlike its predecessors, the storage boxes of the new cyclones do NOT drop off when they convert to battloid mode. Instead, the boxes are shifted to the lower back, just below the thruster packs and covering the butt of the pilot. The passenger, however, isn't so lucky.

Main Engine: FF-600 Fusion/Protoculture Engine

Range:

2 protoculture cells will power the cyclone for approximately 12 months before needing refueling. The backup system can operate on 1 protoculture cell for 6 months at no penalty. Constant flying will drain the protoculture cells twice as quickly for all models. As a final backup, the cyclone can run on fusion power alone for up to 400 miles on a full tank of fuel, but maximum speed is reduced 15% and constant flying is impossible. The fusion engine runs off hydrogen, so any hydrogen-rich liquid (like water or ammonia) can be used for fuel. Extra gas from the fusion engine is released through an exhaust port.

Color Scheme:

The standard color scheme for the VR-117 Firefly is red, orange, and yellow, which makes them easy to spot in disaster areas where there is lots of rubble and smoke. Since this color scheme does not work particularly well in combat situations, VR-117 cyclones in the field are usually painted in a camouflage pattern based on where they are stationed. Desert Cyclones are usually painted in a tan camouflage, Arctic Cyclones are painted a flat white, etc. The Firefly is then streamlined in light blue and orange, and is marked with crosses and other medical symbols in an attempt to make it clear to observers that the VR-117 is a non-combatant medical vehicle (of course the Invid rarely take notice of this fact, unfortunately).

WEAPON SYSTEMS

1. GR-103LT MINI-MISSILE LAUNCHER (2). Like the VR-120 Ferret, the VR-117 Firefly is equipped with a smaller version of the classic GR-103 shoulder missile launchers. The payload for the GR-103LTs are 3 missiles per launcher, giving a total of 6 mini-missiles in the shoulders. Like the standard GR-103s, the 103LTs have been updated with newer technology which makes them more resilient to damage and easier to repair (+20% to repair rolls). In motorcycle mode, the two missile launchers are side by side in the nose of the cycle. In battloid mode, the missile launchers are divided, with one on each shoulder of the mecha.

   VR-117 Fireflies stationed on REF Starships and Bases (as well as civilian cyclones) are usually issued flame-retardant missiles for use fighting fires. VR-117s in the field are issued armor-piercing missiles as an anti- mecha defense, however.

   • Primary Purpose: Fire Suppression
   • Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha
   • Missile Type: Any type of REF Mini-missile EXCEPT Plasma. Armor-piercing are standard-issue for the VR-117 Firefly in the field.
   • Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type.
   • Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, or six. Remember, a volley counts as one melee attack regardless of the number of missiles.
   • Range: Varies with missile type; 20 ft to 1 mile.
   • Payload: 3 missiles per each launcher, for a total capacity of 6.

2. GR-187 HIP MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2). A new addition to modern cyclones, the VR-117 Firefly comes automatically equipped with a pair of GR-187s. These weapons are mounted on the hip/upper leg shields in battloid mode and in the lower back of the cyclone in motorcycle mode. It appears as four small tubes built directly into the armored plate. The missiles can only fire in battloid mode.

   Like the GR-103LTs, the GR-187s are usually loaded with flame-retardant missiles when the VR-117 is stationed on a spaceship or base. In the field however the GR-187s are usually loaded with smoke or tear gas missiles for use in concealment and for identifying an LZ (landing zone).

   • Primary Purpose: Fire Suppression
   • Secondary Purpose: Miscellaneous
   • Missile Type: Any type of REF Mini-missile EXCEPT Plasma. Smoke/Tear Gas are standard-issue for the VR-117 Firefly in the field.
   • Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type.
   • Rate of Fire: One or two at a time.
   • Range: Varies with missile type; 20 ft to 1 mile.
   • Payload: 4 missiles per each launcher, for a total capacity of 8.

3. MODULAR WEAPON SYSTEMS. As with all REF Cyclones, the arm shields of the VR-117 Firefly are designed to interface with one of the GR-series weapon modules. One weapon module can be mounted on each forearm shield, and it is not necessary to mount the same modules on each shield. The Cyclone's onboard computer system will automatically recognize which weapon module is installed and adjust the HUD displays on the pilot's helmet accordingly. Any GR-series weapon module can be used.

   Typical VR-117s are assigned two GR-117 RESCUE HOOK units if stationed on a base or spaceship, or one GR-117 unit and one GR-220 BEAM CANNON/SMG unit if in the field. Different weapons may be substituted if approved by a commanding officer. Click HERE for a complete listing of cyclone weapon modules.

4. Hand-to-Hand Combat. Punch does 1D4 M.D. Kick does 1D6 M.D. (The VR-117 Firefly has an equivalent strength of PS 50) Leap Kick does 2D4 M.D. Body Flip or Body Block does 1D4 M.D.

5. Any type of hand-held weapon can be fired by the pilot while in cyclone armor, including the new Gallant 1000 Multi-Weapon System.

STANDARD SENSORS AND EQUIPMENT FOR ALL MILITARY CYCLONES

• LASER-RESISTANT CERAMIC COATING: 1/2 damage from laser attacks.
• ENHANCED RADAR WITH HEADS-UP DISPLAY: Can identify and track up to 40 different targets. Range: 10 miles.
• TARGETING COMPUTER: Uses helmet display instead of retractable sensor of older models. Provides the pilot with +3 to strike with missiles and +2 to strike with other weapon systems (Beam Cannons, Lasers, etc.). Range: 4000 ft (609 m).
• RADIO COMMUNICATIONS: Boosts standard radio in CVR-series armors. Range: 10 mile (16 km).
• MISCELLANEOUS INDICATORS: Altitude, Speed, Power status, Time, Date, Direction, etc. All controlled by on-board computer.
• TINTED HELMET VISOR

SPECIAL SENSORS AND EQUIPMENT FOR VR-117 FIREFLY CYCLONES

• HEAVY HEAT SHIELDING: The Firefly's armor is chemically treated and can resist heat up to 500 degrees centigrade. Normal fires do no damage, and plasma and nuclear fires do only 1/3 damage. This armor is VERY expensive, and is only standard issue on the VR-117.
• EXTENDED OXYGEN SUPPLY: Extra supplies of breathable air in the armor can allow the pilot to survive up to 48 hours in a vacuum, or can be supplied to others through several tubes in the back of the mecha. There is also a reservoir of pure oxygen available for treating victims of smoke inhalation.
• HEAT-SHIELD BLANKETS: The Cyclone is equipped with two man- sized blankets of a remarkable material that is non-combustible and resists heat up to 200 degrees centigrade. These blankets can be used to protect victims while extracting them from the fire.
• SEARCHLIGHTS: The Firefly contains two powerful searchlights mounted on the front of the cyclone in motorcycle mode and on the chest in battloid mode. These lights can illuminate up to 600 ft (180 m) away and can penetrate light smoke and dust. Very useful for finding victims in dark places or rubble.
• RESCUE EQUIPMENT: The carrying bags of the Cyclone are always filled with a variety of rescue equipment, such as extra rope, an MDC crowbar, flashlights, etc.

http://www.mcs.net/~deitrich/index.html deitrich@mcs.net

Last Updated: Friday, 18-Jan-08 02:59:14 PST