The 29th century boasted tremendously advanced technology, and the battlefield adapted to an exotic mix of advanced armor, force shields, and weaponry.
HERCULAN Flexors
The unique anthropomotive movement of a Herc depended on "flexor" technology.
A flexor consisted of a ceramic alloy cylinder containing a superdense nano-engineered
crystalline lattice that would expand almost instantly under an electrical charge. Conversely,
cutting the charge caused near-instant contraction as the lattice returned to its dense state.
A phased series of charges expanded and contracted the flexors in a pattern that drove the
Herc's legs. Herc engines channelled power to the flexor arrays.
"Cool Fusion"
Leaps in materials science and superconductor technology made an intermediate fusion reaction
possible in the late 25th century. "Cool" fusion provided huge amounts of energy quickly,
while reducing the hazard of a hot fusion reactor breach on the battlefield. A reactor explosion
still endangered nearby vehicles, but stopped far short of a thermonuclear level.
Armor
A variety of exotic armors protected 29th century combat vehicles. Metaplas, a light, durable
synthetic with seemingly limitless application, made up the primary component of most armor systems.
Anti-kinetic gels and ceramic-carbide alloys in honeycomb or laminate designs added immensely to
armor's capacity to absorb damage. Stealth materials deadened radar, and nanotech-animate metals
permitted limited reconfiguration of armor in the middle of combat.
Computers
Computers were a necessary evil from the standpoint of humanity, and never more so than on the
battlefields of the Starsiege. Without targeting assistance and interpretation of sensor data, no
human pilot would ever have been able to match a Cybrid counterpart. The NEXT, however treated
computers almost as a human would a smart dog, and many warforms seemed to develop a relationship
with their pilotforms.
Weapons & Shields
Before the advent of the Martian cache technology, armored warfare was a ballet of energy and ballistic weapons versus
shields and armor. Energy weapons were generally less effective against armor, but could weaken shields, whereas ballistic
weapons penetrated armor far more readily than they did shields. Adept pilots would therefore seek to drop shields with a
fusillade of laser of plasma fire a heartbeat before striking with missiles or armor-piercing autocannon rounds.
Pilot Interfaces
Pilots controlled their vehicles via a complex mix of virtual and solid controls. Although direct neural interface
(DNI) was possible, it carried serious medical risks. Instead, pilots used gauntlets incorporating force-feedback
mechanisms that permitted customization of a virtual control panel and operation of vehicles via macros and hologram
switches. Manual controls were also standard, but were considered less responsive than the virtual configurations.
Prometheus intends for the <Adjudicator> to terrorize humanity, and the design incorporates architecture and weaponry toward precisely that purpose. It is chiefly deployed against human civilian populations, but its heavy armament also serves it well on the battlefield.
COMMON COMPONENTS
A mainstay of the human forces during The Fire, the venerable and beloved "Apoc" is an outstanding design that the Empire has continued to upgrade for over two centuries. It serves as the TDF's main attack platform for ground operations.
COMMON COMPONENTS
Dubbed the Avenger for the spectacular effects of its standard ELFs on a target, this tank is a mainstay of the Martian rebels. The design comes from a modified heavy ore hauler. Freed from the weight of a loaded mining train, the Avenger proves to be surprisingly speedy.
COMMON COMPONENTS
A Terran Defense Force Basilisk sees action at Luna's Mare Imbrium. A heavier medium-weight Herc, the standard Basilisk offers above-average armor protection but is not noted for its agility. It serves best in the roles of fire support or escort duty.
COMMON COMPONENTS
<Choosers-of-Tactics> often mount radiation guns and tangler weapons on <Bolos> . In a style similar to the ancient Roman retarius, a <Bolo> will immobilize an enemy Herc and then kill the pilot with radiation bursts.
COMMON COMPONENTS
The latest tank in the Empire's "Combat Support Doctrine", the Distruptor tank is the only vehicle that can mount the Disruptor Cannon. The cannon fires a focused EM blast that inteferes with the propulsion systems of most Human and Cybrid vehicles, effectively immobilizing them.
COMMON COMPONENTS
Perhaps the most distinctive product of the Martian rebels' "patchwork" armory, the Dreadlock is retrofitted from a sturdy bulldozer design. The thick dozer blade provides excellent frontal protection and ramming capability. The Dreadlock can also take a combat engineering role, moving soil and rock to assist in fortification or to clear a site of debris.
COMMON COMPONENTS
A favorite of rebel pilots, the "Emanc" is descended from a cargo loader. It has earned a reputation as a reliable, tough machine, though not an agile one. It uses the cache weaponry to deadly effect, and forms the mainstay of the Martian force. Harabec is said to have a soft spot for the stubby Herc.
COMMON COMPONENTS
An <Executioner> engages the human\\animals on <Thrid-Planet's> moon. This Herc is a big, slow, and typically carried hideous firepower. It serves as a defensive unit or in occasional heavy assault missions where subtlety is not required. Human foes call it the "Potato Bug."
COMMON COMPONENTS
One of the most feared Cybrid Hercs, the <Goad> is one of the fastest ground vehicle on the battlefield. Here, a <Goad> assaults a communication relay settlement on Luna. <Goads> on the moon have learned to kick up dust to hide their movements. They seem to attract the most innovative Cybrid pilots.
COMMON COMPONENTS
An Imperial Knight Gorgon takes a stand at a subarcology on Venus. The Gorgon is designed as a heavy assault platform, and carries more firepower than almost anything on the battlefield. At close range, it demolishes its opposition. Lack of speed is its major weakness.
COMMON COMPONENTS
The Minotaur is the premier Imperial raider. Its versatile combination of firepower and mobility makes it a favorite of the Imperial Knights. Four hardpoints give the "Min" a punch sufficient to eliminate any light Herc foolish enough to tangle with it.
COMMON COMPONENTS
The mainstay of the TDF tank forces, the Myrmidon boasts impressive firepower and armor at a cost of speed and maneuverability. Typically considered a long-range weapons platform, it fills a fire support role extremely well.
COMMON COMPONENTS
In the last months of planning the Yoke Offensive, Martian strategists became aware that they needed a heavy Herc to support the smaller Emancipator. They designed the looming Olympian from a masssive cargo-loading Herc. Large enough to face the Gorgon, the Olympian boasts rugged construction that allows it to soak incredible punishment and keep functioning.
COMMON COMPONENTS
Originally conceived as a missle platform, the Paladin serves a variety of roles in the TDF. Here a Paladin on training exercises in the Pacific Rim displays the traditional configuration.
COMMON COMPONENTS
Harabec modified this vehicle directly from the alien cache. The anti-grav propulsion system makes it quite maneuverable over any terrain, and the combination of regenerative equipment and heavy offensive capability gives it resiliency and kick on the battlefield. It is Harabec's favorite "hunting" platform.
COMMON COMPONENTS
Infamous in human eyes for its deployment of the feared Arachnitron mobile mines, the <Recluse> also plays a light fire support role.
COMMON COMPONENTS
The swiftest of Cybrid Hercs, the <Seeker> serves Prometheus as a Cybrid scout and light attack Herc. The <Choosers-of-Tactics> often employ them in packs to bring down heavier enemy units. They provide excellent skirmishing units, and the bulk of their missions involves some combination of reconnaissance and raiding.
<Shepherds> earned their designation from their original role, wherein they provided convoy protection and executed defensive patrols. The <Shepherd> has respectable firepower and speed for its size, but is limited by a relatively low top speed.
COMMON COMPONENTS
The Starsiege Universe Assault Vehicle (aka Magic Bus) is the most powerful marketing weapon in the arsenal of the Dynamix Corporation. Equipped with the latest in entertainment technology, it's tactical command suite provides a decisive advantage in any combat environment.
COMMON COMPONENTS
Racing through an Arctic night in Earth's Denali protectorate, the Talon is the fastest of all Herc designs. Lightly armored, it excels as a scout or skirmisher. TDF also uses Talons to hunt down enemy scouts, a role Talon scouts relish.
COMMON COMPONENTS