The following material is from THE THIRD INVID WAR, a fan supplement by Dave Deitrich and Chris Meadows. Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as you see fit. All we ask is that you give proper credit to us and do not claim that it is your own work. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

THE VR-120 FERRET

BACKGROUND

The VR-120 Ferret is a new cyclone variant that places an emphasis on speed and agility, rather than strength and firepower like the VR-152 or VR-141. Smaller, lighter, and less armored than its cousins, the Ferret is capable of an amazing 240 mph (384 kmph) on open roads in motorcycle mode, and a 215 mph (344 kmph) air speed when flying in battloid. This speed combined with the phenonemal agility possed by all cyclones makes the Ferret ideal for reconnaissance and scouting missions. The speed does come at a price, though; as mentioned above, the armor on the Ferret is reduced and some armaments have been cut (compared to other newer Cyclone designs) to reduce the overall weight of the cyclone. Usually Ferret pilots do not engage in direct combat with enemy forces. Instead they use speed and agility to avoid detection and relay information to their command, which can then call in appropriate forces to deal with the threat.

The VR-120 Ferret is the smallest of the new cyclones, closely resembling the old VR-038-LT at first glance. The nose is larger, however, and weapon systems are mounted on the front wheel hub. The Ferret is popular with scouts and nomads among the resistance on Earth, who value its ability for speed and stealth. Ferret Pilots usually wear the standard CVR-4 body armor.

SCHEMATICS

Click on the icon to the left to view some pictures from the REF Cyclone maintenance guide, document REF-8834-149-1775.

RPG STATS

Model: VR-120 Ferret
Class: 2nd Generation M.O.S.P.E.A.D.A. Reconnaissance Mecha
Crew: One

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)        100
    Thrusters (rear)    50           Head                   70
(1) Main Body           180      (1) Main Body              180

M.D.C. OF BODY ARMOR:

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

NOTES:

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

The Second Generation Cyclones are equipped with laser resistant ceramic armor, so laser weapons do only HALF damage. This does NOT include any other energy attacks such as particle beams or ion blasts, nor does it help against explosives.

CVR-4C Heavy Armor is incompatible with the VR-120 Ferret.

SPECIFICATIONS

Motorcycle Mode:: Maximum Speed: 240 mph (384 kmph); Cruising Speed: 100 mph (160 kmph); Turbo Boost Fwd: 60 ft (18 m) horizontal; Turbo Boost Up: 40 ft (12 m) vertical
Battloid Mode:: Running: 75 mph (120 kmph); Flying: 215 mph (344 kmph); Leaping: 30 ft (9 m); Thruster Leap: 120 ft (36 m)
Height:: Battloid: 6.8 ft (2.0 m); Motorcycle: 3.4 ft (1.0 m)
Width:: Battloid: 3.2 ft (0.9 m); Motorcycle: 1.4 ft (0.4 m)
Length:: Battloid: 3.0 ft (0.9 m); Motorcycle: 4.8 ft (1.4 m)

Weight:100 lbs (45 kg)

Special Bonuses:: The VR-120 Ferret has a +1 bonus to initiative, parry, dodge, and roll, due to its greater speed and agility (from lower weight) than normal Cyclones. This bonus is in addition to any other bonuses the pilot may possess based on skill or training.
Cargo:: The VR-120 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-152 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:: Following the new painting scheme for most REF mecha, the VR-120 cyclones are colored based on where they are stationed. Desert Cyclones are usually painted in a tan camouflage, Arctic Cyclones are painted a flat white, etc. This is especially important in the case of the Ferret, as its missions typically call for the mecha to remain concealed and spy on enemy forces at close range. Each cyclone is streamlined in a color corresponding to the position of the pilot. Enlisted Pilots have their cyclones streamlined in Blue, Aces and low-ranking Officers in Red, and Platoon Leaders in Green.

WEAPON SYSTEMS

GR-103LT MINI-MISSILE LAUNCHER (2). Although based on the older VR-038-LT Cyclone, the VR-120 Ferret was equipped with GR-103 shoulder missile launchers like its newer bretheren to give it more punch. However, due to the need to keep the Ferret's weight low, the payload for the GR-103s had to be halved to 3 missiles per launcher, giving a total of 6 mini-missiles instead of the normal payload of 12 for VR-1XX cyclones. 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. Armor-piercing missiles are typically issued to Ferrets.
- Primary Purpose: Assault
- Secondary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft, Anti-Mecha
- Missile Type: Any type of REF Mini-missile EXCEPT Plasma. Armor-piercing are standard-issue for the VR-120 Ferret.
- 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.
GR-187 HIP MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2). A new addition to modern cyclones, the VR-120 Ferret 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.
- Primary Purpose: Assault
- Secondary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft, Anti-Mecha
- Missile Type: Any type of REF Mini-missile EXCEPT Plasma. Armor-piercing are standard-issue for the VR-120 Ferret.
- 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.
MODULAR WEAPON SYSTEMS. As with all REF Cyclones, the arm shields of the VR-120 Ferret 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-120s are assigned two GR-215 BEAM/LASER CANNON units, or two GR-220 BEAM CANNON/SMG units, though different weapons may be assigned if necessary or desired. Click HERE for a complete listing of cyclone weapon modules.
Hand-to-Hand Combat. Punch does 1D4 M.D. Kick does 1D4 M.D. (The VR-120 Ferret has an equivalent strength of PS 35) Leap Kick does 2D4 M.D. Body Flip or Body Block does 1D4 M.D.
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 to Range: 10 mile (16 km).
MISCELLANEOUS INDICATORS: Altitude, Speed, Power status, Time, Date, Direction, etc. All controlled by on-board computer.

SPECIAL SENSORS AND EQUIPMENT FOR VR-120 FERRET CYCLONES

THERMAL IMAGER: A special optical heat sensor that converts infrared radiation given off by warm objects into a false-color image for the pilot. It enables the pilot to see in darkness and through smoke, as well as providing a +30% bonus for detecting traps or ambushes. Range: 200 ft (60 m).
NIGHTVISION CAMERA: A low-light amplification camera that allows the pilot of the VR-120 to see clearly in normal darkness. The camera will NOT work in pitch-blackness and can be blinded by bright lights such as flares or weapon discharges. Range: 400 ft (120 m).
FIBER-OPTIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM: The VR-120 is equipped with a communcations system that can transmit audio and video signals to a command base via fiber-optic cable laid along the ground. The advantage of this system is that it allows clear communications even in heavy static or jamming situations, and that the communication signal is virtually undetectable by enemy sensors. The disadvantage is that the fiber-optic cable must remain intact for the system to work. Range: equal to the length of the cable; up to 2 miles.

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deitrich@mcs.net Last Updated: Friday, 18-Jan-08 02:59:14 PST