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[taalismn]

Paladin Steel Colter Rover


“Ah Jeez! We get a COLTER!? Why couldn’t they have issued us a Megabago, for cryin’ out loud!? We’ll never get anywhere this glorified golf-cart! Ain’t nothing good about these boxes!”
“Look, greenie, I had a Megabago go sour on me in the middle of the Amazonia Planitia...no hoverjets, no com...had to WALK half the way to Mons Olympus before anyone picked up our suit coms and came to get us! I would have LOVED to have something as simple as the Rover!”
“*Snort* I still say it’s like driving a garbage dumpster! ‘Intrepid Explorers of the Final Frontier’ indeed!”

“Wanna waste an evening? Try cataloguing all the option variants possible on a Colter Rover...start with the off-the-shelf add-ons, then the factory refits, then the battlefield improvizations...cancel your social life, because you’ll be at it for awhile...”
----Goggie Howler, ‘The Mech Medic’, Operator

“I was on the ‘Inferno’ expedition...pole-to-pole dash through the equatorial regions of a planet gone greenhouse. Balmy two hundred seventy degrees celsius average...plus acid rain and hurricane-winds in the upper latitudes....Even with our specially fitted vehicles, we almost melted our wheel bearings crossing the equatorial zone...Anybody would been flashfried the minute they stepped out to fix them if they’d broken down...As it was, the extendable airlocks that were supposed to allow our convoy to link together when we were parked got cooked...the flexible gaskets melted in the heat...That meant I got stuck inside my Colter for the better part of a month, sharing air, sweat, and smell with my partner...Fortunately, the expedition vehicles were self-contained, and we had enough food and water packed inside in case of just such a contingency...Though the water re-filters were starting to look a little green by the time we got to the other pole, and I was mighty sick of protein-chalk...Fortunately, the two of us refrained from swapping life stories on the way...
And fortunately the trip was worth it....the crystals we found at the other end were as good as predicted, and we had another bit of good luck when base camp finally managed to get a sub orbital HLV to remote control land through the perpetual polar hurricane...Getting back was ANOTHER story, however, but that’s for the next round of drinks...”
--- Kal Gorman, Planet Scout, Greater New England Corps of Exploration.

Basic APC, a slab-sided, boxy, armored landrover, the Colter(named for the pre-Rifts mountain man and explorer John Colter), is a real contender for the ugliest, most utilitarian, vehicle produced by Paladin Steel. It’s smaller than the standard PS utility ground vehicles like the Camper Van, but it is just as rugged, and is much more compact, lightweight, and inexpensive. It’s surprisingly well-armored for its size; built as it is of heavy armor plates and ceramic armor, while the wheels are spun-wire, variable tension, all-terrain types, each fitted with its own drive motor and mounted on its own ‘grasshopper leg’(said to have been inspired by pre-Rifts Moon and Mars rover designs) that can extend out to almost absurd lengths(perfect for clearing debris and getting over trenches). Its boxy and often begrimed appearance have tagged it with the nickname ‘Dumpster Jeep’(rumor has it, it IS engineered from debris municipal sanitation containers). Supposedly the angular main hull is based on the ‘armored egg’ of old U.S. military mine-proof vehicles....whatever the origins, the design has proven itself in blunting IED explosions, and in making the vehicle somewhat amphibious. Simple, efficient, short-range transport without a whole lot of bells and whistles(and, dignity, it’s claimed). Its compact size, simple construction, and light weight make it beloved of quartermasters and supercargoes, and resented by the more glamor-minded adventurers.
The Colter has two weapons hardpoints, one a top-pintle mount, and the other mounted up front, usually fitted with a light energy cannon and a rail gun respectively. As an exploration vehicle, its roof is typically festooned with all manner of sensors; air samplers, motion detectors, mini-radar, camera mounts, audio surveillance gear, magnetometers, etc., as the expedition profile dictates.
Internally, it’s not much bigger than an SUV or sports van...There’s just enough room for a person to stand up and move from seat to seat, and to stretch out to sleep on the rear seats. However, the environmental system is well-tested and reliable, and the interior well-protected.
The Colter has become pretty well ubiquitous in all walks of VFS life; despite its (undeserved) poor reputation, the vehicle is common with the Explorer Corps, VFS military, private, and commercial sectors owing to its economy. Sometimes called a ‘Kumpfelwagon’ due to its short, squat, boxy resemblance to a pre-Rifts vehicle of similar utility and lack of esthetics.
Type: PS-S-ATV17
Class: Light Utility All Terrain Vehicle
Date of Introduction: 106 PA
Crew: One, plus 1-3 passengers
MDC/Armor By Location
Main Body 280
Wheels(6) 20 each
Top-Mount Cannon 60
Rail Cannon 50
Length: 16.2 ft (14 ft folded for storage) W/ ‘legs’ at full extension, the Colter can stretch out about 19 ft.
Width: 9 ft (7.6 ft folded for storage) W/ ‘legs’ at full extension, the Colter can span up to 12 ft.
Height: 9 ft (7.8 ft folded for storage) W/ ‘legs’ at full extension, the Colter can tower up to 13 ft.
Weight: 8.5 tons
Cargo: Can carry up to a ton of cargo, and haul up to 3 tons in a trailer
Powerplant: Liquid-fuel, electric, super-solar electric(same as described in Rifts Source Book One and SB1 Revised), or Nuclear-Fusion w/ 20 energy life
Range:600 miles for liquid fuel or electric, Effectively unlimited for super-solar or nuclear powerplant
Speed: 80 MPH
(Water) As is, the Colter can ford fairly readily, and can putter along on the water’s surface at a humble 8 MPH. The hull is stress-tested for dives down to 300 ft.
Market Cost: 36,000 credits for the basic vehicle, 40,000 credits for electric, 200,000 for super-solar, and 1.3 million credits for nuclear
Systems of Note:
All standard Robot Sensors & Features, plus:
*Solid/Run-Flat Megadamage Mesh and Coil Tires
*Nose & Trail Winches---w/ 60-ft of cable each
*Trailer Hitch
*External Tool Racks
*Headlights--Normal and Infrared
*External Loudspeaker/Sirens---90 decibels
*Prism/Periscope Vision Blocks---The nose, rear, and hatch have periscope arrays that permit excellent vision, without compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle.
*Laser/Satellite Communications---Top mounted dome antennae and laser pointer-projector; 7,000 range of line-of-sight.
*Angular Hull---The Colter’s ‘angular egg’ design gives some improved resistance to mines; takes HALF damage from explosions underneath the hull.
*Folding Legs---The suspension pylons and wheels can be turned and semi-folded, making the vehicle slightly more compact for stowage aboard ships, aircraft, and spacecraft.

Weapons Systems:
1)Heavy Plasma Cannon---This fairly simple and unimpressive weapon is mounted on a turret-top pintle with 360-degree arc of fire, and can be fired by remote control from inside the vehicle.
Range:2000 ft
Damage: 1d4x10 MD per blast
Rate of Fire: EGCHH
Payload:Unlimited

2) Rail Gun---This weapon is mounted under the angled prow of the ‘dumpster’, has 60 degree traverse side to side and up-down, and is a standard PS-100 rail gun of proven reliability.
Weight: 300 lbs
Range: 4000 ft
Damage: 1d4 MD single rd, 1d6x10 MD 60 rd burst
Rate of Fire:EPCHH
Payload:12,000 rd drum(200 bursts)

3) Pintle-Mount Laser Rifle
An energy rifle, rail gun, or other weapon can be mounted on this pintle mount, and can be remote controlled from inside the vehicle.

Options:
The Colter is a brick waiting to be used and modified. The roof equipment racks can be expanded to carry all manner of additional cargo, light power tools, additional sensor gear, experiment canisters, drone launch/recovry racks, and aerials. Too many to be listed here...
Armament-wise, few soldiers bother mounting anything heavier than infantry weapons on the Rover, but improvised armored fighting vehicles have been seen in the field mounting everything from light gauss cannon turrets to calliope-style rocket launchers and MRM launch rails.
The wheels of the Colter are another popular swap-out, depending on the anticipated terrain. Over-inflated balloon tires, for instance, allow Colters some amphibious travel ability in wet and swampy terrain, while oversized studded tires allow for easier going in rough terrain. Other options include replacing the wheels with independently-sprung snow-cat treads for traveling over snow. Extended life support configurations are also common, especially in Explorer Corps vehicles.
Several Colters have been known to have been outfitted as remote piloted vehicles, for exploring environments that are too hostile for living crews. These ‘Robo-Rovers’ have rather simplistic robotic brains, a simple manipulator or two, and large instrumentation complements.

A few sample options:
(note: any of the appropriate extras offered by GAW in the Mercenaries Sourcebook are available at the PS factory, typically for 10-20% less. )

* Applique Armor---Additional armor plates can be hooked, welded, or epoxied on. For the sake of calculating movement penalties, three armor weight categories are used; Light, Medium, and Heavy, and several armor options are offered.
*Light----Adds 10-100 MDC main body, + 1-2 tons, without movement penalties
----Cost: 15,000 credits per 10 MDC
*Medium---Adds 110-200 MDC main body, +2-4 tons, but with a reduction in top speed of 15%
----Cost: 16,000 credits per 10 MDC
*Heavy----Adds 210-360 MDC main body, +4-6 tons, but with a reduction in top speed of 25%
----Cost:18,000 credits per 10 MDC
*Laser Ablative Armor(Option)---PS laser-ablative ceramic, based on alien materials. Lasers do HALF damage. VFLs can NOT adjust to compensate. As an added bonus, Arkhon triphase weapons do 1/10 less damage.
----Cost:+800,000 credits(Rarely available to outsiders)
*Thermal Resistant Heat-Refractory Tile Armor(Option)---Special heat-resistant materials designed originally for reentry vehicle shielding. Heat and plasm-based attacks do HALF damage
----Cost: +1 million credits
*Chemical Resistant Armor(Option)----PS’s patented chemically inert armor that sheds the effects of corrosive chemicals and stick’ums. Acids and chemical weapons do NO damage.
----Cost: +1.1 million credits
*Advanced Radiation Shielding---This shields the vehicle against even the sort of radiation to be expected in the close vicinity of a breached nuclear reactor. Adds 20% to weight.
----Cost: +1.3 million credits
*Jettisonable Armor(Option)---Special pre-cut division channels, break points, and integral explosive bolts allow the vehicle crew to jettison the applique armor, shedding it, usually to restore mobility(in the case of medium- and heavy-armors), lose contaminated outer plates, or shed unwanted riders. Once jettisoned, the applique armor CANNOT be re-attached without extensive reconstruction and refurbishment(if anything is left at all of the original material)....Essentially, one has to re-buy the applique and/or jettisonable armor option to regain its benefitts.
OPTIONAL: The explosive bolts, at the GM’s discretion, can explode off with enough force to do 1d6 MD to an 15 ft radius around the vehicle, due to flying armor fragments.
Cost: +4,000 credits+cost of armor

*Magshield---This is an adaptation of Orbital magnetic shields that generate a low-power localized magnetic ‘envelope’ that deflects cosmic rays and other harmful particles. It also HALVES the damage from particle beams.
Cost: 90,000 credits

*Roll-Cage---This is a set of curved external bars (+80 MDC) that allow the vehicle to actually ROLL with impacts and impact damage(as well as roll-overs, crashes, and falls) and roll upright again, ready to get moving on. +2 to Roll.
Cost: 50,000 credits

*Electro-Shock Security System----Special contacts in the skin of the vehicle can be electrically charged to deliver a taser-like shock to anyone attempting to break into the vehicle. Alternatively, the system can be set to dump most of its power into a vaporizing megadamage shock blast, though this tends to drain the batteries far faster. CANNOT be mounted on top of Applique Armor.
Range: 3 ft
Damage: 3d6 SDC plus Humanoids struck with this weapon must save
vs. coma or be shocked unconscious for 1D6 minutes.
(MD ) The higher end setting does 1d6 MD per shock
Payload: 20 SDC (2 Megadamage charges) charge battery(recharges off the conventional powerplant at one SDC blast per 5 minutes), or unlimited if linked to a nuclear powerplant.
Cost: 3,000 credits

*Fletchette Packs----Located around the hull are special ‘reactive armor’ panels that can be also be triggered as anti-personnel grenades.This is one of several similar systems currently in service/under development by PS.
Range: 100 ft
Damage: 5d6 MD to a cone swath roughly 50 ft long, by 10 ft wide.
Used as reactive armor against plasma and armor-piercing missiles, the computerized firing system acts as a PARRY, rolling to match or better the missile’s strike roll...a successful counter means that the missile damage is HALVED, while a failure means the tank takes full damage. Note: when dealing with volleys, one reactive armor pack can match TWO missiles in a volley, so in order to effectively counter a five missile volley, the tank must expend 3 reactive armor packs...two packs would roll twice to defeat their respective missiles, the third would only roll once. If the enemy missile launcher has a line of sight on the tank, they can target a spot on the hull which has no packs covering it (a called shot), in which case the remaining reactive armor is -4 to cover the gap.
Rate of Fire: One at a time or can be simultaneously fired in volleys of 1-3
Payload: Up to six plates can be fitted to each side of the Colter’s hull, for a total of 24.
Cost: 3,000 credits for system, explosive plates cost 800 credits each

*Stabilization Jacks---Tired of being knocked over by concussion blasts, or being rolled over by a giant’s kick? This interesting little system uses Glitterboy-style pylon technology to las and hydraulically drive six stabilizer jacks up to 5 ft into the ground, even through concrete and metal gratings, within 5 seconds, affixing you like a barnacle, and able to stay upright in even hurricane-force winds. System can disengage in 2 seconds, for that speedy getaway.
Cost: 80,000 credits

* Swamp Tires---These oversized wheels (roughly 6 ft wide and 5 ft in diameter) allow the vehicle to practically walk (reduce top speed by 10%) over soft, marshy ground that would suck down conventional vehicles. It also allows the vehicle to ‘waterstride’ over open water, although speed is reduced by 50% and the water must be calm(otherwise the vehicle is in danger of capsizing).
Cost: 60,000 credits per set of four

*TracCat Treads---This replaces the original wheels, each with a triangular tread unit with three bogie wheels. Top road speed is reduced by 25%, but the vehicle has superior traction and performance on soft surfaces like sand, bog, or snow(no reduction in speed to travel over these surfaces)
Cost: 36,000 credits

*Stabilization Jacks---Tired of being knocked over by concussion blasts, or being rolled over by a giant’s kick? This interesting little system uses Glitterboy-style pylon technology to las and hydraulically drive six stabilizer jacks up to 5 ft into the ground, even through concrete and metal gratings, within 5 seconds, affixing you like a barnacle, and able to stay upright in even hurricane-force winds. System can disengage in 2 seconds, for that speedy getaway.
Cost: 80,000 credits



*---Walker Legs---Replaces the wheels of any of the aforementioned variants with robotic legs. Each leg has 60 MDC, and the vehicle’s top speed is 60 MPH, but it has superior rough terrain handling. Cost: Cost is 30% of the Colter’s variant cost.

*Smoke/Grenade Launcher Clusters---These mini-multi-tube grenade/smoke launcher clusters can be added to the sides of the vehicle. Up to 4 can be added...two forward and two aft.
Range: (light) 1,200 ft (heavy) 2,000 ft.
Damage: Varies by chemical/smoke/grenade used 'Light' grenades are equivalent to those used by NG rifle launchers. 'Heavy' grenades are the equivalent of hand-thrown types.
Rate of Fire: Volleys of 1-3
Payload: Each launcher has 12 light or 6 heavy grenades each, for a total of 36 light grenades or 18 heavy grenades
Cost: 28,000 credits for both light and heavy varieties(grenades cost extra)

*Sensors---Many buyers/operators reconfigure the sensor suite, adding additional sensor mounts or installing wholly new ones.
a)Sensor Cluster--Small sensor dish on a turntable
MDC: 25
Sensors: Mini-Radar--5 mile range
Motion Detector--200 ft range
Laser Illuminator-----12,000 ft range, Designates targets for laser-guided munnitions/weapons
Laser targetting System(+1 to strike)
Cost: 20,000 credits

b) Lance Scanner---Looks like a long lance protruding from the front of the craft. The Lance Scanner contains a magnetometer(MAD) and a short-range microwave radar for groundsearching minefields(in theory, the ground radar sound be able to detect even non-metallic mines, but takes twice as long).
Range: The magnetometer has a range of 4,000 ft and can detect vehicles and other metallic structures with 80% accuracy
The ground radar has a range of 3,000 ft, and has a 90% chance of detecting metal-cased mines, 60% chance of detecting non-metallic ordnance.
Cost: 40,000 credits

c) Aura Scanner---For detecting and identifying PPE concentrations
Range: 2000 ft
Cost: 35,000 credits

d)Bio-Scanner---Has a molecular analyzer, enhanced radiation detector, high-powered accoustic ‘shotgun mike’(3,000 ft range), and thermo-imager optics(3,000 ft).
Cost: 10,000 credits

e) Optical Cluster---Mini-optics turret similar to those mounted on helicopters and aerodynes
Sensors: Telescopic (2 mile accuity, 4-10x50 magnification)
IR/UV(2,000 ft)
Thermo-Imaging (3,000 ft)
Audio-Video-Survellance System w 48 hour recording capability
Laser Illuminator---’Paints’ targets for laser-guided weaponry. Range of 2 miles and gives a +1 to strike for L-G ordnance.
Cost: 18,000 credits

*-----Mine Detector-----A detection coil can be installed in the bow, and uses a variety of magnetic, chemical, and ground sonar detection systems to sniff out mines and buried ordinance. 85% accuracy. Cost: 3,500 credits

[taalismn]

Reposting this for people who need hovercraft...

Paladin Steel DL-100 ‘Drom’ Heavy Duty Hover Utility Platform
(Aka ‘Flying Flatbed’, ‘Flathead’, ‘Hover Bedstead’, ‘Tennis Court’, ‘Land Raft’, ‘Mobile Mesa’)

“The Drom’s another in Paladin Steel’s large line of basic heavy transport vehicles that allow you to outfit your ride to your heart’s content...This particular rover’s a ground effect truck with lots of space for those oversized consignments. Don’t buy a Drom if you’re not planning on spending some time, money, and risk building a team to look out for you and help protect the expedition....the Drom’s hardly a battle craft or quickstart speedster that will get you out of trouble on a moment’s notice, and it’s bit too big for effective urban maneuvering, unless you don’t mind crashing through buildings...on the other hand, if you’re planning on moving a lot of bulk through open territory that allows you to see trouble coming, in advance, then the Drom’s a good inexpensive ride for the job.”
-----Gabby Delacorte, Trucker, Damnation Alley Hauling.

“This baby’s a favorite with Crazies and jetbike gangs....The thing’s got the capacity for a full hovercycle garage aboard, and its open roof has plenty of space for landing...Though more than a few rookie hoverbandits wipe out trying to land on a moving Drom back...The Crazies make it look easy, but they tend to paint the landing target on the pads rather more colorful and eccentric than anybody else(note: if buying a Drom, DON’T let the M.O.M. do any decorating...I’ve seen the roof done in everything from polkadots and tennis courts to an anatomically correct depiction of...I’d better not go there...). So more than a few commercial DL-100s have ended up as mobile bandit roosts, and that’s another reason why land-pirates like taking these things intact, and another reason why mounting some ‘insurance’ is always a good idea.”
-----Callista Nomad-Rose, High Plains Justice Ranger.

The DL-100 ‘Drom’ (for ‘Dromedary’) is a basic, heavy-lift ground-effect bulk mover ‘landship’ aimed at construction and caravan companies looking for a cheap, fast, heavy cargo capacity, ride. Compared derisively to a ‘giant air hockey puck’ or a ‘beercoaster on steroids’, the Drom was developed from PS’s LCAC-GEV-05 LCAC Landing Craft/Ferry, itself an adaptation of pre-Rifts USMC ground effect landing craft, only the Drom is designed more for overland operations(though it can travel most effectively over open, calm, water). The Drom is a rather drab, utilitarian flattened rectangular, or square, craft, with a central deck area, crew accommodations openning off a central corridor running from a control room in the front, flanked by access and observation balconies, to a rear loading deck. The living quarters are themselves flanked by machinery spaces, structural reinforcement pylons, and cargo platforms. The central deck is in turn sandwiched between a lower shockabsorbered chassis, supported by four semi-articulated armored hoverpad ‘feet’(basically tuned-up hover units from PS’s discontinuedTangura artillery mover ‘bots), and an upper open cargo deck that has a slight overhang of the lower vehicle body. To the historically-minded observer, the Drom looks like a smaller, faster, version of the pre-Rifts NASA Super-Crawler transport once used to carry fully erected orbital rockets to the launch pad, only the Drom is faster and carried on hoverjets instead of crawler treads. Additional heavy cargo can be strapped externally to the upper deck, or the deck can be left open and uncluttered for crew observation or vehicle parking(can accommodate light VTOLs/helios, hovercars, cycles, or ground vehicles either hoisted up or driven up deployable ramp-rails). Two standard ‘crow’s nests’ platforms rise above the upper deck at the middle of its length, and can be used for observation and weapons mounts(though no weapons systems come standard). The perimeter of the vehicle is lined with external lighting bays and trainable maneuvering jets. Armor is modest and lightweight, but can be upgraded with bolt-on applique panels and coamings. The most common upgrades include new engines, additional armor, point defense weaponry, living quarter improvements, top deck cargo loading and salvage gear, service gantries, winches, sensor towers, a-frame cranes, and auxiliary machine/compressor gear.
The Drom is hardly graceful, and steers heavily, but overall, the vehicle is fast for a cargo carrier, and is relatively unimpeded by swamp and morass ground conditions, though it does have trouble negotiating heavily varigated terrain, and tends to mow down trees and tall vegetation, rather than go around it. This has made the Drom a poor choice for transport in hilly New England, but an excellent vehicle for the open plains and desert of the American Midwest and the coastal plains.
Armament-wise, the Drom, depending on how much its operators are willing to spend outfitting the weapons tubs, can fairly bristle with firepower, though this is typically limited to light- to medium-weight weaponry. Despite experiments with outfitting the hovercraft with heavier weapons(and several in military service being seen as prime movers for super-heavy artillery pieces and missile launchers), the Drom is NOT considered by most military experts to be a good choice as an effective frontline combat machine. Most military militia operators use the Drom in a stand-off capacity, using them to move troops and equipment up to the front, but disembarking combat units well before the front lines, and using the Droms’ armaments strictly for self-defense.
Like many other Paladin Steel ‘mass mover’ designs like the UV-07 Walking Truck Transport, DL-600 ‘Clysdale’ Multi-Purpose Truck, and MagLev Modular Train System, multiple Droms can be hitched end to end together and slaved to a common control car, to form larger serpentine ‘trains’ (many merchant-adventurers debate the usefulness of this feature, though other mass-caravaners swear by the ‘landship’ or ‘landtrain’ idea). The Drom also comes with the option of a ‘dumb’ trailer that can be attached for extra cargo capacity, albeit at the cost of some speed and maneuverability.
Despite its relative lack of glamorous features, the Drom has proven quite popular with caravans, mercenary logistics, salvage companies, and other small operators with heavy transport needs. The Greater New England military uses the Drom as a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) support unit, vehicle recovery craft, and logistics transport(a favorite modification to to use the Drom to carry 6-8 Mule VTOL RPV ‘mini-carriers’ to supply squads and platoons in the field, while another tactical land air-carrier is equipped to launch, direct, recover, and maintain up to 8 PSQF-2 ‘Firebee’ robot recon/fighter jets in the field).
Type: PS-DL-100 GEV
Class: Heavy Duty Heavy Lift Ground Effect Transport Platform
Crew: 2, with accommodations for 1-8 passengers
MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Body 400
Upper Deck Platform 200
Hoverjet Pads(4) 80 each
Maneuvering Jets(8) 20 each
Height: 18 ft
Width: 35 ft
Length: 60 ft
Weight: 100 tons
Cargo: Can carry up to 25 tons in the internal spaces, and up to 80 tons on the upper deck without reducing performance; 100 tons if top speed is reduced by 30%, and 160 tons maximum, but reduce speed by 60% and impose a -1 to dodge due to the burden.
Powerplant: Rechargeable Solar/Fuel Cell-Electric w/ 200 mile range(off batteries only), or Nuclear Fusion w/ 20 year energy life
Speed: 120 MPH maximum(Cruising speed is 50 MPH) 1-5 ft off the ground. Can move over calm water at up to 70 MPH
Market Cost: 8 million credits for basic vehicle, 12 million tons for nuclear
Systems of Note:
*Standard Cabin Accommodations---The central living quarters area features a small head/bathroom facility, kitchenette, 250 gallon water tank, and 4 cabins(buyers using the Drom for local ‘day trip’ runs frequently use these cabins as additional cargo and storage space).
Weapons Systems: None standard, but most buyers fit 2-4 weapons platforms on the upper deck, and additional weapons ‘gun tubs’ on the central deck fore-and aft-’balconies’. Ramming objects is possible, doing about 4d6 MD on a full speed ram, but not recommended, owing to possible structural stress damage to the hover carrier itself.

Options:
*Engine Upgrade----A more powerful engine can be added, improving overall speed, but at greater expense; these souped-up vehicles are often called ‘dust-hounds’ or ‘scream-kings’ from the dust and racket kicked up by the engines......
Speed: Can improve top speed by up to 40%
Cost: +100,000 per 10% for hoverjet systems(actually simpler to upgrade GEV systems past the initial high cost by adding more/bigger jet thrusters).

*Amphibious---This improves the Drom’s performance on water by adding deployable rubberized skirts to the hoverjets and underside, better water=sealing on the underside, and extendable inflatable emergency flotation pontoons(i.e. ‘camels’) for catamaran operations on the water. This makes the Drom capable of open ocean operations(essentially turns it into a high speed hover-raft).
Speed: 90 MPH on the water(reduce land speed by 10%), and doesn’t risk immediately sinking if it stops moving/jet-blowing
Cost: +80,000 credits

*Blower Trailer---This is a lower-slung, longer(50% longer), stripped down version of the Drom, with the same size, but without the central accommodation deck(has a large open deck instead), no controls, and no powerplant. It is intended as a flatbed trailer that is easier to load, with greater bulk cargo capacity, that is hitched to the rear of the Drom. Its ground effect blowers are powered by the onboard reactor of the tow vehicle, with the power conduits leading through the tow connection. The Blower Trailer does have a small engineering station that allows an onboard crewmember to adjust the hoverjets, cut the connection, and help brake the trailer to a halt, if necessary. The Trailer allows Drom operators to haul particularly large and oversized cargos without cluttering the external space on the main vehicle....many adventurer groups prefer to pull supplies and salvage on a trailer, while using the internal space on the Drom ‘mothership’ for essentials and accommodations, and the upper deck space for crew recreation and auxiliary vehicle parking.
Note: Up to two Trailers can be attached, but adding a second reduces top speed by 25%
MDC: Main Body 250
Hoverjet Pads(4) 80 each
Maneuvering Jets(8) 20 each
Weight: 45 tons
Cargo: Can safely accommodate up to 250 tons of cargo, but anything over 100 tons will reduce the overall speed of the Drom by 30%, and -12% to Hovercraft skill.
Cost: +400,000 credits

*Weapons Turrets---As noted, up to eight weapons turrets/positions can be fitted to a Drom----up to four ‘gun towers’ or ‘gun tubs’ on the upper deck, and one on each corner of the lower crew deck(though these positions’ arc of fire may be limited by the overhang of the upper deck). Most buyers tend to maintain only the two upper ‘crows nest’ positions with swivel-mounted weapons, and maybe gunshielded pintle mounts on the lower decks, but a few more paranoid(and wealthy) operators spring for fully enclosed turrets with multiple weapons for the role.
*Light Turret(Base MDC of 100. Can be fitted with 1-2 infantry-scale weapons up to light rail guns, energy weapons, heavy machine guns, and light missile/rocket launchers)
Cost: 70,000 credits
*Medium Turret(Base MDC of 180 . Can be fitted with 1-4 light weapons, or up to 2 heavy weapons such as short- to medium-range missile launchers, light to medium autocannon/railguns, or vehicular energy weapons)
Cost: 100,000 credits

*PS-L-CIWS Vulcan Chain Guns(aka “Button Guns”)---This installation was originally developed as a mecha turret gun and for shipboard use as PS’s standard light maritime weapons system. The system is a very compact and neat installation that takes up little space, and has been compared to the pre-Rifts Russian ADMG-630 30mm Gatling CIWS that saw extensive service aboard Russian warships. The PS-L-CIWS is often called the “Button Gun” because of its squat, flattened dome-like turret. It is a favorite installation on the DL-100 ‘landship’ because of its cheap cost and compact size.
Range: 4,000 ft
Damage: 1d4x10 MD per 20 rd burst(can only fire bursts)
Rate of Fire: EGCHH, as an automated defense system linked to a radar/sensor system, the “Button Gun” has a +2 to strike, and four attacks per melee.
Payload:8,000 rd drum(200 bursts)
Cost: 95,000 credits

[Arnie100]

Well, if you're going that big, why not really scare people and make a 100mm (is that possible) anti-material rifle!

[Aramanthus]

I agree about Iron Man! Best Hero movie I've ever seen.


And now for something completely different......... Back on topic! PS produces some of the great gear! I'm always happy with it!

[Aramanthus]

A hover version is something that will sell nicely. Please hurry on getting this to us!

[Aramanthus]

Ah so you finally have established PS as a group from a parallel dimension! Sounds great! I'm looking forward to getting more gear from them.

[Aramanthus]

Maybe PS could make a product to keep them free of fleas and ticks! I'm ducking here into a bunker and sealing the door after I get in!

[Aramanthus]

Elves as long as they aren't kebeler elves!

So elves and dwarves are working for PS? That is interesting. As they Asgardian elves and dwarves?

[Aramanthus]

I definately see PS having a serious presence in Merctown. I can see them selling a lot of wares there!

[Aramanthus]

As PS improves things thanks to suggestions they can then market the 2.0 versions and so on.

[Aramanthus]

Cool! It sounds like another product from PS is being worked on! I can't wait to see it!

[Aramanthus]

Excellent new vehicle! The options are pretty awesome! That always makes PS stuff more valuable. We can sell a large number of them.

[Aramanthus]

Cool vehicle! I definately see this vehicle as something mercs would want. I'm sure Merctown would sell quite a few of them!

[Aramanthus]

Just make that 88 a hyper velocity weapon. You could still mount it on some of the vehicles that PS builds.

[Aramanthus]

I know. I'm looking forward to seeing my muse come back from the dead!

[Aramanthus]

I do too. I have NPCs who love to sell PS material to PC's.

[Aramanthus]

I know what those are for too. I Have a friend who used one in the Rangers. I know they are good weapons.

[taalismn]

Think 'land-borne mini-flattop'...

[taalismn]

With serious exploration starting up again, that's exactly what we intend to do...sell lots of them...

[taalismn]

There is always something running around in that brain of his.

Usually screaming in panic and scratching at the walls...

[taalismn]

Nope...Our elves are the pragmatic, sniper rifle-packing, forward-thinking, we-earned-our-livelihoods-the-hard-way-and-we-intend-to-keep-it, types of elves...Behind all that elaborate forest architecture is a backing of megadamage armor, state of the art home security systems, and a list of allies/contacts they can call on for support(including close air support)...

[taalismn]

Maybe PS could make a product to keep them free of fleas and ticks! I'm ducking here into a bunker and sealing the door after I get in!

Rifts already has 'em as part of basic equipment.....electronic flea collars...very useful for man AND beast...

[taalismn]

:lol: Well, if you're going that big, why not really scare people and make a 100mm (is that possible) anti-material rifle!

Some of the lower caliber German anti-tank guns(like 45 mm) were later turned into giant RGLaunchers by fitting an external bomb over the barrel and firing a blank cartridge, just like a smaller rifle grenade....that has to be considered....range would suck, but without fitting the projectile down the barrel, you could get some pretty absurdly big shells with the concept...

Another idea I'm leaning towards is the squeezebore...tapering the big 88 down to maybe 75 with tungsten(or other exotic MD material) for a truly hellacious armor-piercing spitball form hell....

[taalismn]

Seems too munchkin for me, and the cost is too low. Great concept and descriptive text though!

All in good bloodthirsty fun...

Plus I have rampaging interdimensional hordes to arm on the cheap...

[taalismn]

Marvel made their screen debut almost flawlessly. Although what flaws in the film are I couldn't tell. Plus the fact that Downey loves playing Tony Stark and is willing to play him in future films shows on screen. Bring on War Machine and whatever menace might necessitate having both suits in action. Am I the only one who thinks some of the folks at Rifts might like to take notes from this on how power armors could be?

The CGI 'cartoon' series Roughnecks is also worth looking at, since it did with CGI what the Starship Troopers live action movie was unable to do....bring Heinlein's Mobile Infantry power armors closer to life...

[taalismn]

Parallel or parallelogram?

Rhomboid, actually...

[taalismn]

I know I find his stuff useful, at least potentially.

Thanks...even if I'm providing background dressing and set pieces, I'm grateful...

[taalismn]

With a suite of booths across from the Naruni

"Hey, hey, HEY!!! That looked like a knockoff of one of OUR designs they just sold!!!"

[abtex]

Cars with stealth body socks.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/lotus-ea ... ts/663683/
http://www.gizmag.com/bmws-gina-concept ... dy-p/9483/

Cheap easy way to make that recycled 21Sin wreck into near new lightly armored runabout. Unzip a couple places, reshape the frame, add a new section and you go from coupe to station wagon. SUV to open bed pickup. Stealth options are not needed. Fiber op cables for lights and cameras. One way windows or flexable video screens, inside and out. Unzip, Collapse and hide fold away your vehicle.

Someone add to this I am tried and near brain sore.

[taalismn]

The forgettable movie 'Superbug, Super Agent' had one good idea worth repeating; foam camouflage. It would generate a shell of quick-setting polymer foam that could be hue- and texture-matched, and could be left behind as a temporary shelter/blind...
Nifty, but rather expensive of consummables...I imagine cheaper aerogels could also be used...

[taalismn]

Then, we shall try to serve it...

[Aramanthus]

And I think we can help these little beauts make it to Center too! We have a nice permanent connection to near there.

[Aramanthus]

It still has these fairly large horns for impaling!

[Aramanthus]

It's not all that cheap. And their (PS) has very good quality control. I've never had any trouble with their gear!

[Aramanthus]

Sounds like a great con to go too! Maybe someday! Then we can all use PS material there!

[Aramanthus]

I know that we can use this piece of equipment down in the Federated States! And I know we can sell it too.

[Aramanthus]

I'm sure PS could make one better with a heck of lot more options!

[Aramanthus]

Sounds like a crew that are very honorable people! Sort of figured they would totally loyal to PS!

[Aramanthus]

Until you let it out! After that it is seen and appreciated by us!

[Aramanthus]

I've got that too Taalismn! It is a great show!

[Aramanthus]

An aerogel version? When can we expect this? Those are some cool pics Abtex! Thank you for sharing the links!

[Aramanthus]

That is the way competition happens in the dimensions that they both operate in.

[Aramanthus]

Sounds great to me! So when can we expect this new version?

[abtex]

You already have the spray mechanism. Change the way it sprays and add a different polymer or three to it. PS would have some different options for us to purchase. Even a quick spray Laser Ablative goop or like.

*Spray Cannon---High powered water cannon for spreading a steady stream of liquid agent, or can be modified to spray an aersol mist for wide area applications.
Range: 300 ft
Damage:Varies by chemical carried; Some examples:
(Water)None, if carrying water, but human-sized beings struck with the stream but roll versus the ‘cannon’s To Strike roll, or be bowled off their feet (lose 1 APM and initaive that melee for getting back up). Does 2d6x10 HP to vampires per blast

(Gloop) PS’s sticky goop---This quick-setting polymer material is used in constuction, as well as to firm up the walls of tunnels and damaged structures. It is also used to cocoon valuable and delicate objects for moving. Each half-gallon application of this quick-set plastic covers about 5 cubic feet, and to cover a human sized target completely, the attacker must roll a 12 or better on the Strike roll. Anyone caught in the goo must have a supernatural or robotic P.S. of 30 or better to escape; otherwise, the target is stuck until released by an outside agency. Gloop has 2d4 MDC per application, and breaks down after 1d4 days of exposure, unless treated with a special binder chemical, and allowed to cure for 1d4 hours, in which case it stabilizes and has an MDC of 2d6+1 per cubic foot. Gloop costs 70 credits per half gallon(single application)
A variant of this gunk, ‘Boro-Slime’, is a quick-setting slurry of lead-powder and boro-silicate glass suspension, which is sprayed on leaking radiation sources, forming a thick crust to simultaneously trap radioactive materials and seal it inside a crusting shell for later safe removal. Best used to contain small (power armor and vehicle) reactor breaches and water leaks; larger reactor leaks will require more drastic measures. ‘Boro-Slime’ is otherwise identical to standard Gloop, and costs 120 credits per half gallon (single application)

(Slip Spray)---Rather than trap, this makes it impossible for people and many vehicles to gain purchase. A single application (a tablespoon) will cover nearly four square feet. Slipspray is very nearly water-resistant----it takes ALOT of water, roughly 6-10 gallons, to wash away an ounce of slipspray---or regular industrial solvents will do the trick. Slip spray breaks down after 1d4 hours of exposure to air.
Effects: Anyone trying to move across slip spray must make a roll under their Physical Prowess at -8 or go out of control at full speed. Vehicles, power armors, and light robot vehicles travelling in ground contact across sufficently large patches of slipspray will be at -15% to their piloting rolls..failure means the vehicel goes out of control and takes on the chaarcteristics of a giant hockey puck. Depending on the hardness of the surface(must be a hard surface, not a permeable surface like dirt or gravel), certain heavy vehicles and robots(like the MAC II) will be unaffected, as they simply stomp the effected surface into the subterrane. Hovercraft are NOT affected either.
Cost: 40 credits per ounce(covers 8 square ft...so a gallon’s worth will cover 1,024 ft! Instant ice rink anyone?)
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: 100 gallon internal tank, or can be attached to a trailer holding up to 400 gallons
Cost: 6,000 credits

[taalismn]

Paladin Steel Asateague Light Hovercraft

“I’m a simple man, really, and I’m afraid I can’t wrap my mind around these new fangled gizmos and high-tech wonders you keep pumping out...like giant robots, or floating fortresses, or walking scarecrows...heck, no, that stuff is so intimidating I have a better chance of getting Mattie Pickens the Mankiller to date me than figger out how to run them things, let alone AFFORD them!
The Asateague? THAT I can understand...hardly more complicated than my cousin’s haybailer...and uses a lot of the same parts. Oh, the dashboard gizmos are still about as advanced as I can handle, but most of the electronics are all in sealed replaceable modules anyway, so repairing them’s a snap with some duct-tape and a screwdriver. You can clean out the duct fan with a rake, and the skirts can be patched real easy with just about any plastic mender. The liquid fuel version can run on moonshine, and the nuke model is so compact, swap-out in the field is easy. Field-strips down nice for working, and it’s as familiar as a birdin’ shotgun. My cousin once stated that his Asateague wasn’t any harder to fix than his sister-in-law’s electric vacuum cleaner...well, it isn’t THAT simple, but I understand where Danny’s coming from.
So it ain’t got speed, or heavy weaponry, or fancy wizbangs...it IS tough, reliable, easy-going, and adapts real nice to just about anything...like the folks in these parts...so the ‘teague’s a kindred spirit. “
----Hobart Kindell, militiaman

“The Asateague....Paladin Steel’s answer to the Bic disposable lighter...learned to hate these things when I was serving with Blauchard’s Butchers...’Butchers’ alright...Old Man Blauchard came up with the nice cozy observation that he could buy a gross of Assies and hire the newbies to drive ‘em for the price his opponents paid for a decent tank...figgered even if he took three to one losses against REAL tanks like Mountain Lions or Iron Hammers, he’d still make budget for the battle...don’t know HOW I survived, but I did, and lived to see the Old man fragged....”
-----Janton Hale, Headhunter

“Had a Coalition Mauler try to step on me once...had me cornered and my drive jet was burned out, but my lift fan was still blowin’, so he decided to play with me....foot came down and my Asateague squirted out from under it...tried to kick me, and I just sailed around like an air hockey puck.....by the time he figured he should use his guns to finish me off, he’d spun me around just right so I could let rip with my Hellshots...caught him in the legs and he almost fell on me....was dizzy as hell, but I got accredited with a Mauler kill...not bad for an armored beer coaster, no?”
----Jacques “BamBam’ VanDamme, Militiaman, Westly, New York

“Simple? Cheap? Slow? No WAY Jose! Lemme tell you..get yourself a ‘teague and spend some real money outfitting her....just like the Bug and the ‘Van, these things will take just about anything you can add to them...I fitted mine with a Thunder Drive I bought off a d-bee alchemist, an Armor of Ithan spell generator, the jumpjets, an invisibility cloak, and the Hellshots....and I just love to go billarding into them Coalition convoys, lit’rally bouncing from Deadboy to Deadboy, rippin’ armor and having a grand old time playing ‘Prosek Pinball’! What a rush for a ‘cheap’ little gev!”
-----Kookie Kudo, Crazy Mercenary

The Asateague is a new lightweight “lowtech” hovervehicle introduced by Paladin Steel to appeal to the mass market and low-end user (i.e. adventurers without much to spend, agricultural communities, common folk). While PS has of late been concentrating on more advanced projects, it has no desire to lose the market that has provided the bulk of its sales and good reputation, and the Asateague is part of their continuing line of ‘simpler, cheaper, more reliable’ products intended for the mass market. The Asateague is between true hovercycles and hovercars in terms of design and performance; smaller and faster than a standard hovercar, but with less endurance and room, larger and slower than a hovercycle, but mounting heavier armor. The Asateague resembles an ovoid plenum chamber with armored skirts, a fighter-style cockpit with roller bar assembly, with the main engine thruster directly aft(the drive ducting/housing is actually a section of heavy-duty MDC plastic pipe, while the internal jet turbine is a ceramic-bladed knockoff derivative of the same engines used in Northern Gun’s Flying Gun). It carries a single nose-mount light laser and can mount weapons and additional equipment on three hardpoints; one atop the cab, and one on either side in a fixed forward position.
The Asateague isn’t a spectacular performer, but it is reliable, cheap, and easy to maintain; a mechanic doesn’t need a heck of a lot of expertise or tools to fix the Asateague’s systems, and only a little more imagination to modify the things.
The Asateague is named for a hardy breed of wild ponies who inhabited the pre-Rifts islands of Asateague and Chicoteague, off the Carolina coast . These ponies were annually rounded up and swum across the channel to Chicoteague to be counted and tamed for market, and the animals had a reputation for stamina and endurance. Asateague and Chicoteague Islands no longer exist, having been deluged by the surfacing of Atlantis, but rumors perist that some of the animals may have survived, riding the waves to the mainland and spreading out from there.
(Post-110 PA Update: The Asateague was originally thought to be considered obsolete and due for retirement from PS/GNE service as more advanced designs became available, but the rapid expansion of the GNE and its market has kept the Asateague in production, with the line output increasingly going to the open market. The introduction of a navalized version for the expanding GNE Navy, has also kept the design alive in the eyes of GNE military men; the Regular Army has been shifting their Asateagues to rear-echelon and Reserve units, but the Navy is purchasing additional units for its small unit litoral-zone forces. Market sales have also been on the increase with the introduction of the greater capacity ‘Chicoteague’ commercial transport. Sales have also been made overseas to the New Roman Republic and Britain.)
Type:PS-LRV-ACV(LGERV)-03
Class: Light Ground Effect Scout Vehicle
Crew: One
MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Body 160
Pilot’s Cabin 100
Main Thruster 60
Height: 6 ft
Width: 6.5 ft
Length: 14 ft
Weight: 2 tons
Cargo: Small space behind the pilot, large enough for a survival pack, several sidearms, and some personal possessions.
Powerplant: Liquid Fuel( 300 mile range), Electric ( 400 mile range), or nuclear mini-pack(w/ 5 year energy life)
Speed: 200 MPH(max. altitude of 8 ft), 120 MPH over water(waves cannot be higher than 6 ft). The Asateague CAN float in an emergency, but can only putter along at 5 MPH.

Market Cost: 40,000 credits for the basic(liquid fuel/electric) vehicle; 250,000 credits for a nuclear version w/ 5 year energy life; comes with a basic tool kit, basic spare parts, 2 10-gallon(5 MDC) jerry cans for water/fuel, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and air filters. Paladin Steel is offering a 10-20% discount on vehicles and 20% discount on weapons systems for orders of 10 or more vehicles

Systems of Note:
Basic Vehicle Systems
Closed Cabin w/ 8 hour life support and air conditioning/filtration
Radio: 50 mile range
Headlights--Normal and Infrared
External Loudspeaker/Sirens---90 decibels

Weapons Systems:
1) Pulse Laser---Located in the center of the nose, with 60-degree movement side to side and up and down.
Range: 4000 ft
Damage: 6d6 MD per blast
Rate of Fire: EPCHH
Payload: 1000 dual blasts. Unlimited if nuclear powered

2) Hardpoints(3)---The Asateague mounts three hardpoints, one on each side of the cabin, and one in a rotating turret atop the main cabin. Each hardpoint can accomodate ONE of the following
a)Pulse Laser
Range: 1600 ft
Damage: 2d6 MD single shot, 6d6 MD triple pulse burst
Rate of Fire: EPCHH
Payload: 1000 shot battery. Unlimited if nuclear powered
Cost: 24,000 credits

b)Plasma Cannon---Originally, the Asateague was to be fitted with Northern Gun-style knock-off plasma projectors, but Paladin Steel is now pushing a modified, heavier version of the Paladin Steel ‘Nimro’ Plasma Rifle with variable settings. The Nimro-B has less range, but it can be set to fire an area of effect plasma ‘bomb’.
Range:(Standard)2,000 ft
(Nimro-B)(Stream) 1,500 ft
(Popper) 1,000 ft
Damage:(Standard)1d6x10 MD per blast
(Nimro-B)(Stream) 1d6x10 MD per blast
(Popper) 5d6 MD to 10 ft blast radius
Rate of Fire: EPCHH
Payload:(Standard) 100 shot batteryUnlimited if nuclear powered
(Nimro-B) 100 shot battery,Unlimited if nuclear powered
Cost:(Standard) 80,000 credits
(Nimro-B) 35,000 credits

c)Ion Cannon---PS got the plans for these things from trade with Tritonia. The original versions were too large and powerful to mount on the Asateague’s light frame, but PS scaled the weapons down.
Range: 3000 ft
Damage: 1d4x10 MD per blast
Rate of Fire: EPCHH
Payload: 50 shot battery, Unlimited if nuclear powered
Cost: 100,000 credits

d)Grenade Launcher--Standard PSAGL-40B rapid-fire AGL
Range: 7,000 ft
Damage: (Fragmentation) 4d6 MD to 12 ft blast area single shot, 1d6x10 MD to blast area of 20 ft per 5 shot burst
(Armor Piercing)1d4x10 MD to 3 ft blast area single shot, 2d6x10 MD to blast area of 6 ft per 5 shot burst
Rate of Fire: EPCHH
Payload: 80 rds
Cost:60,000 credits

e)Micro-Missile Launcher---Uses PS’s Pattern-1A-C Micro-Missiles
Range:
Pattern-1A 5,700 ft
Pattern-1B 6,000 ft
Pattern-1C 6,000 ft
Damage/Bonuses:
Pattern-1A---1d4 MD to 2 ft blast radius
Pattern-1B---1d6 MD to 5 ft blast radius
Pattern-1C---4d6 MD to 4 ft blast radius, or 1d4 MD to a 10 ft blast radius in fragmentation mode
Bonuses:
Pattern-1A (None) Spin-Stabilized
Pattern-1B (None) Gyro-Compass Chip
Pattern-1C (+1 to strike, in addition to W.P. Heavy bonuses. The Pattern-1C can also be set to be a ‘beam rider’, following a laser illuminator ‘painted’ on the target for an extra +2 to strike. However, this requires expediture of an extra attack per melee on the part of the gunner to keep the laser illuminator on target) Gyro-Compass Chip, Laser-Sensor Microchip, Radar Trigger Chip.
Rate of Fire: Volleys of 1,2, 4, 6, or 10
Payload: 30
Cost: Basic launcher costs 10,000 credits(missile costs seperately)
Pattern-1A 25 credits per McM
Pattern-1B 32 credits per McM
Pattern-1C 60 credits per McM

f)Mini-Missile Pod--Can use any of the power-armor standard MMPods, or a modified PS-CM22a Launcher. Like the Hellshot cannons, the PS-CM22as can be dismounted by infantry or power armor and used as support weapons
Range:Varies by Missile Type
Damage:Varies by Missile Type
Rate of Fire:(80MM) Volleys of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6(all)
(80MM-B) Volleys of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10(all)
(PS-CM22a) Volleys of 1, 2, or 4
Payload:(80MM) 6
(80MM-B) 10
(PS-CM22a) 20
Cost:(80MM) 30,000 credits
(80MM-B) 45,000 credits
(PS-CM22a) 50,000 credits

g)Short-Range Missile Pod
Range:Varies by Missile Type
Damage:Varies by Missile Type
Rate of Fire:Volleys of 1, 2, or 4
Payload: 4 per hardpoint
Cost:Basic launcher costs 20,000 credits(missile costs seperately)

h) Heavy Hitter Anti-Armor Missile Launcher
Range:Varies by Missile Type
Damage:2d4x10 MD
Rate of Fire: Volleys of 1,2, or 4
Bonus: +6 to strike
Payload: 4 per hardpoint
Cost:Basic launcher costs 20,000 credits(missile costs seperately)

i)Medium Range Missile
Range: Varies by Missile Type
Damage:Varies by Missile Type
Rate of Fire: Volley of 1
Payload: One per hardpoint
Cost: Basic launcher costs 20,000 credits(missile costs seperately)

j) 45mm Hellshot Rail Cannon---Simply the power armor weapon mounted on a vehicle; in fact, a power armor can dismount these weapons and use them as rifles.
Range: 3,300 ft
Damage: 3d6x10 MD
Rate of Fire: Single shot, EPCHH
Payload: 12 per cannon
Cost: 120,000 credits per cannon, 800 credits per rd

k) Light Rail Cannon---Standard PS/IH-pattern light rail guns
Range: 4,000 ft
Damage: 1d4 MD per single shot, 1d4x10 MD per 40 shot burst
Rate of Fire: EPCHH
Payload: 8,000 rd drum(200 bursts) per gun
Cost: 40,000 credits

l) Light Autocannon-----12.7mm PS-MRG03 Snub-nose Short Gatling Gun --- This high-powered four-barreled gatling rail cannon features enormous damage potential, and fair range in a small package.
MDC: 30
Range: 2000 ft
Damage: 1D6 MD single round, 1D6x10 MD per 10 round burst,
2D6x10 +60 per Full Melee Burst of 40 rounds
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot
Payload: 500 rounds; the forearm magazine can hold an additional 200 rds.
Market Cost: 12,000 credits

m) Flamethrower Pod---Modified from the pod used on the Mongol Light Tank, with multi-fuel capability technology developed with the ‘Firewaller”.
Range:(Direct-Stream Mode) 230 ft
(Pellet Launcher): 1000 ft
Damage:(Direct-Stream Mode)
(Gasoline/Alcohol) 1d4x10 SDC
(Napalm) 1d6x10 SDC, plus does 5d6 SDC per melee for 1d4 minutes
(MD Fluid) 1d4 MD per blast, 1d4 MD per melee for 2d4 minutes
(Incendi-Gel)2d6 MD, 2d6 MD per melee for 1d6 minutes
(WI Napalm-P) 3d6 MD per blast, 1d4x10+10 MD per concentrated burst(counts as two attacks). 2d6 MD per melee for 1d4 minutes.
Note: The flamethrower can also be used to cover an area with fluid: up to 10 ft per attack used. Used with Super-Napalm, this does 1d4 MD, Incendi-Gel does 1d6 MD, and with Napalm-P, this does 2d6 MD.
(Pellet Launcher)(SDC) 1d4x10 SDC to 10 ft area
(MD) 3d6 MD to 5 ft radius(Regardless of fuel-type)
Rate of Fire:(Direct-Stream Mode) Standard
(Pellet Launcher) Standard
Payload:(Direct-Stream Mode
(Gasoline/Alcohol) 20 blasts
(Napalm) 60 blasts
(MD Fluid) 100 blasts
( Incendi-Gel) 120 blasts
(WI Napalm-P) 200 blasts per tank(much more concentrated than the regular gasoline/alcohol).
(Pellet Launcher) 25 pellets in the chamber
Cost: 50,000 credits
(Gasoline/Alcohol) Typically 5-30 credits(depending on availability)
(Napalm) 50 credits per tank
(MD Fluid) 800 credits per tank
(Incendi-Gel) 1000 credits per tank
(WI Napalm-P) 2000 credits per tank
Pellets cost 5 credits apiece

n) Sensor Cluster--Small sensor dish on a turntable
MDC: 25
Sensors: Mini-Radar--5 mile range
Motion Detector--200 ft range
Laser Illuminator-----6,000 ft range, Designates targets for laser-guided munnitions/weapons
Laser targetting System(+1 to strike)
Cost: 12,000 credits

o) Lance Scanner---Looks like a long lance protruding from the front of the craft. The Lance Scanner contains a magnetometer() and a short-range microwave radar for groundsearching minefields(in theory, the ground radar sound be able to detect even non-metallic mines, but takes twice as long).
Range: The magnetometer has a range of 4,000 ft and can detect vehicles and other metallic structures with 80% accuracy
The ground radar has a range of 3,000 ft, and has a 90% chance of detecting metal-cased mines, 60% chance of detecting non-metallic ordinance.
Cost: 40,000 credits

p) Aura Scanner---For detecting and identifying PPE concentrations
Range: 2000 ft
Cost: 35,000 credits

q)Bio-Scanner---Has a molecular analyzer, enhanced radiation detector, high-powered accoustic ‘shotgun mike’(3,000 ft range), and thermo-imager optics.
Cost: 10,000 credits

r) Optical Cluster
Sensors: Telescopic
IR/UV
Thermo-Imaging
Audio-Video-Survellance System
Cost: 10,000 credits

s) Smogger---This system feeds the chemical agent directly into the airstream of the plenum chamber, resulting in the agent billowing out from underneath the hovercraft. Great for crowd control.
Range: 30 ft radius
Damage: Varies by chemical agent used
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: 30 shots(60 gallon reservoir)
Cost: 5,000 credits

Other Options
a) Extended Cabin---The crew cabin can be extended to accomodate two people(an additional passenger).
Cost: 5,000 credits

b) Jumpjet Modification---Adds a rechargeable JATO bottle system that allows the Asateague to make powered leaps.
Range: 1,000 ft across/ 500 ft up
Rate of Deployment: Once per melee
Bonus: +1 to dodge
Cost: 100,000 credits

c) Ejector Seat-----Cost: 4,000 credits

d) Maneuvering Jets---Adds an extra set of forward and lateral ducted thrusters that allow for greater stability and maneuvering ability.
Bonus: +5% to piloting skill, +1 to dodge
Cost: 30,000 credits

Variants:
*ACV(LGERV)-030C Chicoteague Civil Variant
The Chicoteague is a slightly larger and heavier version meant for light transport and cargo carrying. It is slightly longer and wider to accommodate the larger cockpit, which has enough room now for 1-2 passengers(or additional cargo/bedding for the pilot). The Chicoteague also sports slightly less armor, and retains only one weapons hardpoint on the roof. The two lateral hardpoints have now been converted into semi-enclosed cargo bins. Speed and all other performance stats remain unchanged.
Changes/Modifications:
Crew: 1+1-2 passengers
MDC/Armor By Location:
Main Body 120
Height: 6 ft
Width: 9 ft
Length: 18 ft
Weight: 3 tons
Cargo: Up to 500 lbs behind the pilot, and 500 lbs in each side bay(roughly 6 ft long x3 ftx 3 ft deep)(1,500 lbs total)

*ACV(LGERV)-03N ’Kelpie”---A navalized version of the Asateague, immediately distinguishable by its designed hull, with additional armor, a built-up forward hull with two outrigger ‘waterblades’ for increased stability in rough seas. The Kelpie has better open-water performance, and is commonly deployed as a ‘sea fighter’ fast patrol boat in coastal waters. The Kelpie’s superior performance to the larger Black Eel Torpedo Boat, and CS Waverider hydrofoils has made the hovercraft increasingly popular with the GNE Navy and other smaller kingdom forces as a picket-fighter against pirate and CSN raids with the fast craft.
Changes/Modifications:
MDC/Armor By Location:
Main Body 180
Outriggers(2) 60 each
Width: 11 ft
Length: 17 ft
Speed: 160 MPH over water(waves cannot be higher than 10 ft)
Armament:
1) Blue-Green Laser---The nose laser is modified to a blue-green frequency for better water penetration. Otherwise unchanged

2)Hardpoints(5)
The Kelpie adds an additional 2 Hardpoints to the outriggers. These hardpoints are identical to the standard hardpoints. In addition, the lower four hardpoints can each carry a short range torpedo.

*ACV(LGERV)-03G “Bobcat” Tankhunter Variant
The Tankhunter rebuilds the Asateague; the crew cabin is offset to one side and lowered, one hardpoint and the nose laser are removed, the frontal armor is beefed up, and a heavy 120mm cannon and autoloading ammunition supply is installed on a centerpoint mount. A pair of smoke mortars are added, and a rear spoiler added for stability when firing the main gun . The resulting craft is lower in profile, more heavily armored, and has a powerful anti-armor punch.
‘Bobcat’ pilots have acquired a reputation for daredevil tactics and daring-do far in excess of(or because of) the relative fragility of their vehicles; one of the more infamous and difficult maneuvers seen practiced among Bobcat jockies is the ‘Bobcat SpinClaw’, typically engaged when the GEV is running away from a pursuing opponent. When moving at high speed in a relatively straightforward direction, the pilot can cut forward thrust and, while still coasting at speed, spin the vehicle around on its axis to bring its forward-fixed weaponry bear behind it as it turns, then spin back and resume forward flight. This is an extremely difficult maneuver, requiring split-second timing(-15% to Pilot Hovercraft skill), and only one attack is possible before the vehicle spins out of alignment, but that attack will have a +2 to initiative(or +1 to strike).
Changes/Modifications:
MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Body 180
Pilot’s Cabin 150
Main Thruster 80
Main Gun 120
Height: 5 ft
Length: 18 ft
Weight: 3 tons
1)PS-B 120 mm Autocannon--The same weapon used on the old Iron Heart Armaments Iron Fist Medium Tank
Range: 6000 ft
Damage:High Explosive(HE): 1d6x10 MD to 20 ft blast radius
High Explosive Anti-Tank(HEAT): 2d6x10 Md to 10 ft blast radius
Armor Piercing(AP) 1d4x10 MD, no blast radius
APSD: 2d4x10 MD, no blast radius
Rate of Fire: 3 times per melee
Payload: 35 rds

2)Smoke Mortars(2)
Range: 500 ft
Damage: None, smoke(chemical agents such as tear gas can be substituted) in 10 ft radius.
Rate of Fire: Volleys of 1,2,3, 4, or 6
Payload: 6 smoke grenades per launcher, 12 total

3) Hardpoints--The Tankhunter Asateague retains TWO hardpoints, one on the left hull and the other on the cabin roof, for additional weapons/systems.

Cost:100,000 credits for the basic(liquid fuel/electric) vehicle; 480,000 credits for a nuclear version w/ 5 year energy life

[taalismn]

So all you budding chemists with new concoctions you want sprayable...step right up!

[taalismn]

Revamped an old design; the Asateague....should suit some light hover needs...

[taalismn]

That's good to hear. Although the wolfen is a kind of a runt at only 7'6" tall. The kankoran is almost an amazon at 5'6" tall and I forget how tall I made the coyle woman. And yes the three are friends with benefits. Some more than others.

You know, there are so many responses to that...

& none of the ones I can think will have a chance in heck of getting past the censors...

As I said: Flea Timeshare...

[taalismn]

There needs to be a vehicle book for Rifts. Even if you put stuff in like the towers and embankments I still see where there could be a need for it.

Definitely need at least a Paladin Steel book (even if only a netbook), & a vehicle book.

Come to think of it, what we really need is some artwork for the PS catalog.

I'd contribute, but my artistic abilities tend to be limited to geometric shapes & sticklike people (i.e. 1 step up from stick figures, but only barely recognizable as humanoid).

I'm currently busy doing superhero art for one library, and travel display humor art for the other...Plus I haven't finalized the visual image for many of my vehicles.....I want them to be both conventional and yet...slightly exotic/futuristic...

[taalismn]

I'm very sure that quality control is fantastic at PS. I've never heard a complaint about their products.

I dunno...I kinda like to think we get LOTS of complaints from people on the WRONG end of our products..
Them that are in any condition to complain, or in the few moments before they are unable to complain, that is...