THE VR-141 SUPER SABER

BACKGROUND

The VR-141 Super Saber closely resembles its predecessor, the VR-041 Saber Cyclone, with the same smooth lines and curved nose, and the distinctive round CADS units on the front wheel hub. A closer look will reveal that the new VR-141 is slightly larger and better equipped than its predecessor, though. Super Saber Pilots usually wear the standard CVR-4 body armor.

SCHEMATICS

RPG STATS

M.D.C. BY LOCATION:

    Motorcycle Mode                  Battlesuit Mode
    ----------------------------     ----------------------------
    Headlight           5            Tires (2, rear)        5
    Front Tire          5            Thrusters (rear)       60
    Rear Tire           5            Forearm Shields (2)    75
    Storage Box (2)     2 each       Leg Shields (2)        125
    Thrusters (rear)    60           Head                   70
(1) Main Body           300      (1) Main Body              300

(2) CVR-4 (Standard Military Armor)                  70

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-141 Super Saber.

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: 3.6 ft (1.1 m)

Motorcycle: 1.8 ft (0.5 m)

Length:

Battloid: 3.2 ft (1.0 m)

Motorcycle: 5.2 ft (1.6 m)

Weight:200 lbs (90 kg)

Cargo:

The VR-141 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. A passenger can also ride seated behind the driver. The VR-141 can hold 300 lbs (140 kg) in addition to the rider. Reduce maximum speed by 20% for every additional 50 lbs (22 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...

Note that usually one of the saddlebags is replaced with a Comptech A-4 Portable Computer. (see below)

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 new military 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. Most of the Super Sabers assigned to the Icarus Mission were painted dark blue and battleship grey in color, though they are often repainted by resistance groups to match their terrain or tastes. 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

1. GR-103 MINI-MISSILE LAUNCHER (2). The main weapon of older cyclones has remained mostly unchanged in the newer models. The launchers 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. Both launchers hold 6 mini-missiles (usually armor-piercing).
   • 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-141 Super Saber.
   • Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type.
   • Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, six, or all. 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: 6 missiles per each launcher, for a total capacity of 12.

2. GR-187 HIP MISSILE LAUNCHERS (2). A new addition to modern cyclones, the VR-141 Super Saber 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. High explosive are standard-issue for the VR-141 Super Saber.
   • 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-141 Super Saber 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-141s are assigned either two CADS-2 Melee Units units, two CADS-1B Melee Weapon/Laser units, or one CADS-2 and one CADS-1B. Of course, different weapons may be assigned if necessary or desired. Click HERE for a complete listing of cyclone weapon modules.

4. COMPTECH A-4 PORTABLE COMPUTER. Usually one of the carrying bags on the VR-141 will be replaced with this extremely powerful portable computer. Ideal for espionage, this computer can double as an audio/video recorder and may be programmed with a variety of counterintelligence programs. The optical storage drive in the computer can record up to 6 hours of video and audio signal, 24 hours of audio-only signal, or 200 Gigabytes worth of computer information.

   GAME EFFECTS: In addition to its recording capabilities, the Computer provides the character with a skills pool of +30%, which can be split up any way desired; +30% for one skill, +15% for two skills, +10% for three skills, etc. Changing the computer's configuration requires a skilled Computer Programmer or Hacker, and 1D6+1 hours of uninterrupted work.

5. Hand-to-Hand Combat. Punch does 1D4 M.D. Kick does 1D4 M.D. (The VR-152 Battler II has an equivalent strength of PS 50) Leap Kick does 2D4 M.D. Body Flip or Body Block does 1D4 M.D.

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

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR VR-141 SUPER SABER CYCLONES
(In addition to normal equipment for all military cyclones)

• TELESCOPIC OPTICAL ENHANCEMENT: Range: 2000 ft (600 m). Field of Vision: 20 ft (6 m).
• THERMO-IMAGER: Range: 1000 ft (300 m). Special optical sensor that allows the infrared radiation of warm objects to be converted into a visible image. Enables rider to see in darkness, shadows, and through smoke.
• NIGHT VISION OPTICS: Range: 1000 ft (300 m). An image intensifier that is passive, meaning that it relies on ambient light and produces no light of its own. Night vision can NOT work in absolute darkness.
• EXTERNAL AUDIO/VIDEO PICKUP: Anything the rider sees and hears can be recorded by the onboard computer for future review.

STANDARD SENSORS AND EQUIPMENT FOR ALL MILITARY CYCLONES

• LASER-RESISTANT CERAMIC COATING: 1/2 damage from laser attacks.
• ENHANCED RADAR WITH HEADS-UP DISPLAY: Range: 10 miles. Can identify and track up to 40 different targets.
• 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 10 mile (16 km) range.
• MISCELLANEOUS INDICATORS: Altitude, Speed, Power status, Time, Date, Direction, etc. All controlled by on-board computer.

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

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