taalismn wrote:“How the hell did those things get ahead of us?!”
“Great, just freakin’ great. Now we got ninja-bots after us.”
Expanded Micro-Dee Series
The Expanded Micro-Dee Series, also known as the Series-2s, are an expansion on the Micro-Destroid line.
The REF-2 Destroids are smaller and lighter than the original Miocro-Dees, and arguably less powerful, but they are also (slightly) less expensive, and many are faster.
In order to distinguish the newer models from the older line, without constantly resorting to constantly prefixing ‘REF’ or ‘UEEF’, Paladin Steel felt it necessary to give the new Micro-Dees secondary(if hardly more convenient) names, after Roman gladiator types for most of the second generation MIcro-Dees. However, slang names are used just as often.
Micro-Dee REF Excalibur/Thraex
(aka “Ex-Cal”, “Min-X”)
#“Stop! In the Name of the Martial Law of Greater New England! Failure to Comply Will Be Regarded as Resisting Arrest and Treated Accordingly! Consequences Start at Severe Beat-Down Up to Total Vaporization! Just Try It, Punk! This Unit Guarantees You Won’t Like It!”#
This is a smaller, lighter, but faster, and more agile robot unit based on the later generation of REF/UEEF Destroids. Though not as well-armed or armored, the REF-2 MicroDee Excalibur is arguably a better guerilla fighter than its lumbering, weapons-heavy cousin, with more flexible joint articulation translating into greater mobility.
The Thraex is marketed as a light, fast, raider or commando robot. Deployed defensively, it acts as a rapid-response unit, harrying an intruder while the heavier and slower First-Gen Micro-Dees maneuver to trap the enemy.
Type: PS-RTC-SDR-04-XIV(m) Excalibur
Class: Infantry Assault/Security Robot
Crew: Robotic AI
Height: 6.7 ft
Width: 4.7 ft
Length: 2.8 ft
Weight: 380 lbs
Weapons Systems:
1) Particle Beam Cannon Arm(1)----A modified PSPBW-7 in rifle mode takes up most of one arm, but provides the micro-destroid with a hard-hitting energy attack.
2) Shoulder Micro-Missile Launchers(2)---Each shoulder/pectoral compartment conceals two 25-shot micro-missile cassettes, ready to fire.
3) Shoulder-Mount Grenade Launchers(2)---The ‘snorkels’ above each shoulder are really 30mm grenade launchers.
4) Triple-Head Lasers(3)---Based on laser pistols, these three barrels can track independently or fire in synch as one. Alternatively, they can be replaced with an ion ‘arc-gun’.
5) Retractable Vibro-Blade(1)---The arm not holding the particle beam cannon, instead can be fitted with a retracting vibro-blade that slides out of the forearm.
Variants:
*SDR-04-XIV(m)(Mc)---MicroScale Smallkin variant, intended to be manually piloted by 1 Size Level 1-2 sentient.
Micro-Dee REF Gladiator/Cestus
(aka ‘Pugilist’)
“GET HER!”
*”AHEM!”*
“I and my mechanical associate would beg to differ with you.”
STompSTompSTomp.
“AFFIRMATIVE.”
“Gentlemen, you may wish to reconsider your decision to attack my client.”
*CLICKCLICK whirrrrrrrrrr*
“This, pointed at you, is the five-point-five-six millimeter six-barrel ‘Peacemaker’ crowd-control weapon, loaded with rubber bullets.”
“DID NOT BRING RUBBER BULLETS.”
”Ah...you didn’t?”
“NEGATIVE.”
”You’re loaded with tazer rounds?”
“DID NOT BRING TAZER BULLETS.”
“You have live ammo?”
“AFFIRMATIVE.”
”...You do have non-lethal weapons available to you, correct?”
“THE FLAME-THROWER IS NOT IMMEDIATELY LETHAL. TARGETS HAVE AN AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF 1.78 MINUTES AFTER IMMOLATION. THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE IMMEDIATE LETHALITY.”
“I see...So, any of you people willing to risk writhing agony and horrible death for a shot at my client? No? Nobody? Well, they seem to all have buggered off.”
“MAY I PURSUE?”
”Negative.”
“BUGGER.”
The REF-2 MicroDee Gladiator is a smaller, faster, more agile version of its better known older sibling. The ‘Cestus’ sacrifices missile armaments for direct fire weaponry, though it still carries a substantial amount of ballistic weaponry, relocated to a center body launch bay and the lower legs. Programmed as a grappler, the Cestus uses its superior speed to rapidly close with its opponent, peppering them with energy weapons fire, then hammering them at close range.
The REF-2 MicroDee Gladiator hasn’t done nearly as well in sales as the original RDF Micro-Dee, largely because the protruding shoulder weapon barrels often interfere with the ‘bot’s ability to shoulder loads and move around inside homes and businesses. Many buyers elect to have the cannons removed, sacrificing firepower for utility.
Still, as a basic stock model with a wide array of accessories, the Gladiator-Cestus is expected to do well in the market.
Type: PS-RTC-MBR-07-III(m)
Class: Infantry Assault/Security Robot
Crew: Robotic AI
Height: 6 ft
Width: 3 ft
Length: 2.53 ft
Weight: 250 lbs
Weapons Systems:
1) Shoulder Lasers(2)---Standard configuration mounts two modified Pulse Laser Rifles, one on each shoulder. Can be replaced with other energy rifle types, or light rail guns.
2) Center Torso Micro/Mini-Missile Launcher----Can hold and fire either micro-missiles or mini-missiles.
3) Chest-Mounted Light Pulse Lasers---A small twin-barreled ‘chin’ energy weapon turret, meant primarily for antipersonnel duty. Soemtimes replaced with ion weapons or a flamethrower.
4) Leg-Mounted Grenade Launchers(2)---Rather than the leg missile launchers of the original design, the REF Micro-Gladdie mounts a set of 40mm grenade launcher tubes. These are typically used to deploy smoke rounds, but can also fire fire suppression, chemical, or antipersonnel grenades.
Variants:
*MBR-07-III(m)(Mc)---MicroScale Smallkin variant, intended to be manually piloted by 1 Size Level 1-2 sentient.
Micro-Dee REF Raidar-XL/Velite
(aka ‘Veli’, ‘Trident-Arms’)
“Meet Your Newer, Faster, More Effective Mobile Bug Zapper!”
The Micro- REF Raidar XL is a faster, more agile, and more compact variant of its heavier and slower older sibling. In addition to the signature laser arms, the XL sports a close-in laser for self-defense, and an array of surface-to-air missile launchers to give it versatility. Its sensors and programming are also nearly identical to the RDF version, albeit tweaked to factor in the XL’s greater mobility.
The most oft-voiced complaint about the Raidar XL is that its main weapons lack the range and striking power of the older and stodgier RDF Raidar, but this lack of long range weapons fire is balanced by the XL’s faster speed, agility, and response time.
Type: PS-RTC-ADR-04-Mk XI(m)
Class: Mobile Air/Perimeter Defense Robot
Crew: Robotic AI
Height: 6.5 ft
Width: 4.6 ft
Length: 3 ft
Weight: 350 lbs
Weapons Systems:
1) Triple-Barrel Laser Cannon--- The laser-arms are adaptations of the Southern Cross HLW-6 Heavy Laser Squad Support Weapon, modified with the barrel assemblies of the PS-RFL2-33 ‘Blazer’, permitting longer range. In the alternative, the laser arms can be placed by triple-barrel versions of the PSIC-02 Infantry Ion Cannon.
2) Chest-Mounted Short Range Laser(1)---This short range pistol-scale weapon is meant for close-in defense.
3) Back-Mount Missile Launchers(2)---Used to hold either 30mm Micro-Missiles or short-range Black Talon LSAMs.
Variants:
*ADR-04-Mk XI(m)(Mc)---MicroScale Smallkin variant, intended to be manually piloted by 1-2 Size Level 1-2 sentients.
Micro-Dee REF Spartan/Retiarius
(aka ‘Retty’, ‘Shark’, ‘Orca’)
“Faster, sleeker, sexier, but none the less effective at annihilating your enemies.”
The REF Spartan Micro-Dee almost didn’t come to be as a result of the success of its predecessor. As a long range weapons platform, the Spartan didn’t see or need much improvement in the eyes of most customers, and applying the apparent REF policy of ‘faster, leaner, and smaller’ to the Spartan meant in the eyes of many a robot with less ammunition capacity. However, PS decided to go ahead and produce a Micro-Dee anyway. Instead of scaling down the Spartan XIII to be smaller than the previous mark, they kept the same size, reduced the armor, upped the speed, and added more options. The result is a slightly more expensive, but even more effective, combat robot.
Surprisingly, the investment has paid off; the Retiarius is selling quite well to upscale property owners looking for some serious home security firepower. The REF Spartan’s sleek good looks and streamlined angles, especially in brushed-metal paint schemes, have endeared it to buyers looking for something other than boxy angular home robots.
Type: SDR-04-Mk XIII(m)
Class: Mobile Air/Perimeter Defense Robot
Crew: Robotic AI
Height: 6.8 ft
Width: 4.8 ft
Length: 3.9 ft
Weight: 320 lbs
Weapons Systems:
1)Missile Launcher Arms(2)---Each bulky drum-like arm is a multi-configuration missile launcher, fully compatible with a range of standardized PS missiles.
2) Torso Missile Launcher---The lower half of the ‘bullet’ nose opens up jaw-fashion to reveal another missile launcher.
Variants:
*SDR-04-Mk XIII(m)(Mc)---MicroScale Smallkin variant, intended to be manually piloted by 1 Size Level 1-2 sentient.
*SDR-04-Mk XIII(m)(RS)(aka ‘Hobby-Horse’, ‘Hobby-Shark’---A strange variant that replaces the searchlight tower with a high-backed chair, adds a saddle to the top of the ‘shark’s head’, and a set of motorcycle-style controls to the front, allowing for a single person to sit astraddle the Micro-Dee and pilot it like a robot horse. This variant typically removes the lower micro-missile launcher in favor of using the space for either chomping jaws or a cargo space(additional baggage is typically slung from the arms under the missile launchers).
*SDR-04-Mk XIII(m)(F/R)(aka ‘Watering Can’)-----Firefighting variant, with water-drums and sprayers. The ‘bot is also plated in fire-resistant armor.
Micro-Dee MAC-3 Monster/Essedarius Artillery Robot
(aka “Iguana”, “Gun-Sled”, “Goose-Gun”)
“HEEErrrrrrrreeee weeee coooommmmmeeee, to ruin your daaaayyyyyy!”
The ‘Iguana’ is a refinement of the MAC-2 Micro-Monster, and has a lower, squatter, and arguably sleeker body design, making it a harder target. Roughly the size of a small car, this Micro-Dee is a self-propelled battery of cannons and energy weapons.
The MAC-3 mounts no less than THREE 60mm breech-loading mortar-cannon, backed by a pair of rapid fire laser machine-guns. A missile launcher pod and a pair of demolition drones round out the weapons fitout.
The Iguana is still fairly slow, but its ability to bring heavy firepower to street level makes it a powerful fire support unit and a vehicle-destroyer. Iguanas frequently work as the fire support for smaller, faster, Micro-Dee units, laying down ballistic fire in advance of them. As community defenders, they are the mobile artillery, maneuvering to keep an enemy from advancing, and pinning them down with mortar fire.
Type: PS-RTC-HWR-00-Mk III(m)
Class: Mobile Artillery Robot
Crew: Robotic AI
Height: 5.7 ft
Width: 6.2 ft
Length: 7.9 ft, 10.5 ft w/ guns lowered
Weight: 2.7 tons
Weapons Systems:
1) 60mm ‘Snapfire’ Massdriver Cannon---The old Snapfire artillery weapon, now configured as a power armor weapon. The Iguana carries three of these weapons, allowing it to deliver devastating barrages. Like its cousin the Micro-MAC2, however, the Micro-MAC3 suffers the same problems of limited onboard ammunition supplies, and when operating away from ready resupply, it must ration its shells in protracted combat.
2) Heavy Laser Arms(2)---Replaces the original particle beam cannon arms of the original design with heavy infabtry pulse lasers.
3) Mini-Missile Launcher---Mounted in the nose, under the cannon, is a six-shot mini-missile launcher.
4) Bomb-Drones(2)----PS took a hint from the Mechanoids’ Weevil scout robots when adapting the demolition charges for the Iguana. Each wheel-shaped drum-bomb is actually a self-powered weapon that rolls at high speed, directed either by remote control or by a preprogrammed subroutine, to the target. The Bomb-Drones can also be used to scout ahead of the ‘bot, looking around corners, testing suspicious ground, and decoying enemy sensors.
Option: In the alternative, the drum bombs can have their explosives removed and replaced with a sensor package that can include radiation and chemical sniffers, ground-penetrating radar/sonar to sniff out mines and buried ordnance, motion detectors, and other sensor types.
Variants:
*HWR-00-Mk III(m)(Mc)---MicroScale Smallkin variant, intended to be manually piloted by 3 Size Level 1-2 sentients.
*HWR-00-Mk IIID(m) EMMD Enhanced Mobility Micro-Destroid-This variant is more of a traditional self-propelled light artillery piece than anything else; the bomb-drones are replaced with wheels, the legs are redesigned to fold back into a more conventional artillery piece ‘trail’, and a third powered wheel added to the rear. The MAC3 can reconfigure itself into a roadable wheeled vehicle for quicker movement, engaging its legs only for clambering over rough terrain. Also, provision has been made for two folding seats on the Micro-Monster’s back, allowing it to be used/driven as a light combat vehicle.
*HWR-00-Mk IIIN(m) EMMD Enhanced Mobility Micro-Destroid, Naval---The ‘Marine Iguana’. Naval version of the EMMD-D, modified for naval operations. Instead of wheels, though, the lower legs are modified to deploy hydrothrusters and hydrofoils. The EMMD-N can swim underwater as a submarine or ride on the surface like a hydrofoil, going to legs when on dry land. The EMMD-N features a sonar system(20 mile range), the lasers are modified for blue-green frequencies, the cannon equipped to fire supercavitating ammunition, and the mini-missiles typically replaced with mini-torpedoes. The drum bombs are typically replaced by a pair of depth charges or short-range torpedoes. Both (Mc) and regular manned version of this vehicle are available.
Micro-Dee Micro-Regult
(Aka ‘Mini-Regult’, ‘Popcorn Bot’, ‘Gun-Hopper’, ‘Cyber-Hare’)
“Ewwwwww!!! Whole formation of skelebots coming ‘round our flank! Wanna see whose minion-bots are better?”
“Unleash the ‘bots of war! Mwuhahahahahaahahahahhh!!!”
“You’re getting entirely too deep in this ‘Nutron the Kneebiter’ schtick, you know that?”
For those who absolutely MUST have a horde of disposable mook-mecha; a scaled-down model of the ubiquitous Zentraedi Battlepod. The unit is known as the ‘popcorn mech’, because it ‘pops up and gets munched’.
Ironically, in its Micro-Dee form, the Mini-Regult is SHORTER than its Destroid counterparts. The Micro-Dee is built as cheaply as possible, using as many off-the-shelf components as possible. The main body is made of injection-molded composites, the thruster systems came off Juicer Jump Boots, the legs based on copies of Kittani drones, the sensors cribbed from studies of Triax ‘Cyclops’ headgear, and the weaponry based on either existing small arms designs or cyborg forearm blasters.
The lack of hands limits the utility of the Mini-Regult greatly, so they’re best deployed as skirmishers, perimeter security, and scout units. They work best when deployed in large numbers, ideally with a Micro-Glaug ‘Minron’ overseeing them.
Micro-Regults are purchased primarily by those who want quantity over quality, and like to throw swarms of relentless minions at an enemy, or who like to have hordes of tireless defenders patrolling their grounds.
Type: PS-RBT-TBP-01(m) Micro-Regult
Class: Light Infantry Robot Drone
Crew: Robotic AI
Height: 5 ft
Width: 2 ft
Length: 1.6 ft
Weight: 220 lbs
Weapons Systems:
1) Particle Beam Cannons---Replaced with open-sourced particle beam rifles, cyborg forearm blasters, or ion pulse rifles.
2) Chin Machine Guns---Replace with .22 caliber SMGs.
3) Rear Lasers---Substitute w/ Light Cyborg Forearm Lasers
Variants:
*LA-TBP01(m) Light Artillery Pod---Replaces the top laser turret with a dual-pod micro-missile launcher, each pod holding a dozen rounds.
*HA-TBP01(m) Heavy Artillery Pod---Replaces the top laser turret with a dual-pod two-shot mini-missile launcher
*OV-TBP01(m) Scout Pod---Unarmed sensor platform. Carries a normal light/IR search light(500 ft range) and a compact Lance Scanner with ground-penetrating radar.
*OVECM-TP01(m)---Jammer variant of the Scout Pod, that loses the Lance Scanner in favor of a compact dual-mode jammer pack.
*GPB-TBP01(m)---Unarmed drone bomb. Its RTG powerplant is only good for a year before needing replacement. It is meant to carry a medium-class missile warhead to a target, then kamikaze. Typically assigned to penetration missions into enemy facilities where missiles and artillery cannot get to.
oza:"Now where's my check book?"
Say it ain't so, man! 
