Convergence Scout Walker

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A picnic ruined by a Convergence Scout Walker

The Convergence scout walker is first and foremost a terror weapon, designed to strike fear into the hearts of those unlucky enough to encounter it.  Deployed most heavily during the first and second Convergence wars, it was the harbinger and vanguard of the main battle forces of the Convergence. 

Technically, the scout walker is a Battleoid, based on height (about 15 meters) and movement type (walker); however, it varies from most battleoids insofar that it is piloted by six Greys joined in a common mind.  Typically, one pilot controls each of the main functions of the vehicle: the legs, the grabbers/ hands, the weaponry, communications, sensors, and navigation.

The control scheme of this vehicle does not lend itself to use by non-grey crews, although on rare occasions, captured scout-walkers have been retrofitted for use by non-grey pilots.  This was typically used as an infiltration tactic, and for every successful attempt, there were a large number of failures.

Armament

The Convergence Scout Walker is typically armed with a large infrared laser ("heat ray") powerful enough to incinerate most organic targets instantly, and ignite most conventional inorganic targets.  This weapon is generally used as a defensive measure, when the crew feels threatened. 

Common secondary weapons are typically non-lethal, and include tractor-beams, sonic cannons, and pulsed photonic emitters.  These are intended to instill panic and confusion in the walker's victims.

History

The Convergence scout walker was based on the design of the civil defense battleoid.  When the Convergence broke away from the Empire of 1,000,000 Suns, they took several civil defense battleoids with them, and many greys had experience with those machines from their time as scavengers and trash collectors in the empire.

The Maenads of Troniac

The Maenads of Troniac (named after the maenads from Greek mythology) are humans (or other intelligent life-forms) who have been parasitisedby specially engineered virobots.  First deployed during the robot wars of late Era-0 and early Era-1, they were developed by the forces of General Zarlok, and saw their fullest use by the Engine of Negation in their ongoing attempts to rid the galaxy of organic life.

Instead of having their hosts build more virobots, the virobots used to create maenads are designed to drive their hosts into a berserk rage, focused on injuring or killing intelligent life.  Mostly used as a weapon of terror, maenads occasionally played bigger roles in thinning out the populations of cities before a direct attack.  This was generally accomplished by aerial bombardment, using munitions stuffed with virobots that could be scattered in population centers.

Tardigrade Powered Armor

The Tardigrades were a unique organization that filled a search and rescue role early on, that became more focused on disaster recovery, and the defense of outposts and colonies as time went on.  As a result, they developed a distinct set of equipment that would assist in their many efforts. 

Tardigrade armor was well-insulated from a wide array of environmental hazards, and included a mechanical-assist system that could substantially boost the wearer's strength.  It also included an extensive set of utility functions, enhancing the wearer's senses, increasing mobility, and facilitating communications.

Variants

The Tactical variant was the lighter version, and was used in cases where mobility and flexibility were essential.

The heavier "Water Bear" variety was used in situations where heavy resistance was expected.

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Tardigrade Tactical Powered Armor was relatively light, while still providing solid defensive capabilities. (helmet not shown)

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Water Bear armor was designed for maximum durability and strength.  Few battlefield weapons could breach it.

Revenants

The Holy Empire of Man, in its quest to conquer the galaxy used every means available.  One of the more disturbing of these was the creation of Revenants.  When the forces of the Empire would find one of the Emperor's enemies on the battlefield, either brain-dead, or severely brain-damaged, but otherwise alive, Imperial surgeons would often remove the casualty's head, and replace it with a neuro-cybernetic controller, and some basic sensors.  Then, they would release the Revenant, either guided by artificial intelligence, or under remote-control, as a psychological warfare agent.

See:  Tail of the Toad God

Cargo Robots

Description

Cargo robots, commonly known as mules, are specialized in carrying around heavy loads.  They can often be seen making deliveries, accompanying explorers, and following armies into battle as logistics units.  Those who enjoy camping and other outdoor activities make frequent use of these robots to carry supplies. Mules are also a common accessory for those who don’t drive their own car as away to carry extra luggage. For any occasion where you’d like to have a robot to carry around your stuff, there’s a cargo bot ready for the job.

A common feature or modification is to equip a mule with an arm so it can even load and unload its self.

One common cargo robot is the PK-5 from Ares Systems, also known as the "Pack Mule".

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Another is the Mark-0, manufactured by Pegasus Cybernetics:

Magnetically Amplified Plasma (MAP)

Invented late in Era-0 in human dominated space (and independently invented in the E1MS long ago), Magnetically Amplified Plasma (MAP) technology is the basis for much of the galaxy's weaponry.  

The main feature of the technology is to take the same plasma that forms the exhaust of most space drives, and use magnetic fields to intensify and constrain it.  MAP is commonly used in weapons because the high temperature of the plasma can burn most targets, and its electrical charge has a chance of disabling electrical systems.  MAP technology generally takes two forms:

MAP Beams focus plasma into a coherent beam which is fired out of a gun or cannon.  This forms a brightly glowing beam with a great deal of energy.  The high speed with which the plasma is fired gives it substantial impact momentum as well, even though the amount of material being fired is small.

Plasma Blades are the other main application of MAP technology.  A plasma blade is constructed of two main components.  The generator holds the power source, and generates the plasma, and the antenna (which contains a nano-engineered electromagnet) acts as a guide and holds the hot plasma in place.

Impact Ships

Description

Impact ships are designed to collect and launch asteroids or comets to impact with a planet.  Generally this is accomplished by landing thruster-drones on the object in order to dock it to a powerful railgun attached to the ship.

The technology was developed to terraform a planet by adding mass and desired chemicals (such as water and oxygen) to its environment.  This can boost a planet's gravity, improve its atmosphere, and even create oceans.

Unfortunately, the more cruel leaders and commanders also learned to use impact ships to rain destruction on whole planets.  The democratic societies of the galaxy see this later use of the technology as a crime, while the more despotic and Machiavellian see it as a means to an end.

During Era-2, the Holy Empire of Man included a large number of impact ships in its "Purification Fleet".

Battleoids

Description

Battleoids are large (between 5 and 20 meters in height), piloted walking vehicles.  In contrast, suits of powered armor  are worn like clothing, and are typically less than 5 Meters tall.  Their larger cousins, the Titans, are usually over 25 meters tall, and are always piloted by a crew as opposed to the single pilot of a battleoid. 

Battleoids are commonly used in warfare where they combine the flexibility of infantry with the firepower and durability of an armored vehicle, as well as a big advantage in size.  Battleoids also have peaceful uses, primarily in heavy construction and civil engineering functions.  Battleoids typically have fully sealed life-support systems, and find use in a variety of hostile environments from underwater to deep space.

There are two main types of control systems for a battleoid.  The first is used in most mass-produced models, and has a traditional cockpit with control panels, heads-up displays, and a pilot's seat.  This control scheme relies on artificial intelligence algorithms for most of the coordination and agility needed to perform its tasks.  The other control scheme interfaces directly with the pilot's nervous system, and is often found in high-end or custom-built battleoids.  These units are typically tailored to their pilots, and give much more precise control than the standard interface.  The trade-off of better control is the risk of feedback to the pilot if the battleoid's systems are damaged.  Also, there is further risk of damage to the pilot in the event that he or she needs to eject out of the cockpit while still engaged with the neural link.  Elite warriors often die with their machines, rather than ejecting in cases of catastrophic damage.

History

The first battleoids were developed for entertainment.  They crushed cars, breathed fire, and fought each other in packed arenas for the amusement of an audience.  Later, the design was adapted to use in construction and earth-moving, before making its way into the military.

Types of Battleoid

The Empire of 1,000,000 Suns uses civil-defense battleoids to protect cities.

The Convergence Scout Walker is a fearsome terror-weapon.

The John-Henry is a heavy-duty battleoid designed for construction applications.

The Holy Empire of Man used the Retribution-class battleoid extensively in military operations.

The Strider was made by Danforth Galactic and widely used across the galaxy as a mobile watchtower.

Famous Battleoids

Shinigami is a legendary battleoid that was built in the E1MS, used by pirates during Era-1, and rebels during Era-2.