Combat Rover

(Version 1.02 - Last Modified: 06/30/2004)

When the colonists first landed on Chiron, they had few resources and no infrastructure. A large amount of what they would have needed to establish a functioning colony was either scattered across the planet or was destroyed with the SS Unity. However, one of the things that the colonists were able to save were the highly durable rovers that had been built specifically for the mission to Alpha Centauri. Designed to fill many early functions for the colonists, the rovers were versatile and easily adaptable, with multiple attachments for reconnaissance, scientific exploration, and even combat.

Without other means of fast transportation, the rovers became critical to the survival of the burgeoning factions. In order to expand their territory and explore the mysterious world around them, the factions unleashed small armies of Combat Rovers across the landscape, and when war broke out, such as between the Human Hive and Gaia's Stepdaughters, the Combat Rovers were at the fore front of the war.

As technology progressed, the armor and weapons on the rovers was improved and they became the main instrument of war for all of the major colonies. Although over a hundred years has passed since Humans first arrived on Chiron, the basic principles of the Combat Rovers have remained virtually unchanged. Although they still form the cornerstone of all land-based armies, the importance of the controlling the skies with needlejets and copters is often considered more important, so many more resources are dedicated to fighter and helicopter technology.

Although all of the main Human factions possess extensive production facilities to ensure their own survival, the nomad bands and most independent colonies do not have the industrial base to manufacture large numbers of rovers, so most groups purchase them from one of the factions that are willing to sell. The Human factions that are in the business of selling Combat Rovers to independents and nomads are Morgan Industries, the Free Drones, and the Human Hive.

Vehicle Information:

• Vehicle Type: High-Speed Multipurpose Vehicle
• Crew: 3, pilot and two gunners
• Troops: Up to four people in full combat armor can fit in rear compartment of the vehicle.

S.D.C. by location:

Ceramic Armor

• Primary Weapon Turret - 80
• Large Missile Launcher (Optional) - 70
• Secondary Weapon Turret - 40
• Small Missile Launcher - 50
• Airlock Access Hatch - 20
• Impact Wheels (6) - 15 each *
• Main Body - 250 **

Plasma Steel Armor

• Primary Weapon Turret - 120
• Large Missile Launcher (Optional) - 100
• Secondary Weapon Turret - 60
• Small Missile Launcher - 75
• Airlock Access Hatch - 25
• Impact Wheels (6) - 20 each *
• Main Body - 400 **

Silksteel Armor

• Primary Weapon Turret - 150
• Large Missile Launcher (Optional) - 120
• Secondary Weapon Turret - 80
• Small Missile Launcher - 100
• Airlock Access Hatch - 35
• Impact Wheels (6) - 25 each *
• Main Body - 600 **

Armor Rating: 10
Notes:

*

The vehicle's tires are designed to function even while punctured, but depleting the S.D.C. of a tire, will completely destroy that tire. Destroying one tire will reduce the vehicle's speed by 10%, destroying a second tire will reduce the vehicle's speed by 25%, destroying a third tire will reduce the vehicle's speed by 50%, but destroying three tires on one side or four or more tires will render the vehicle immobile.

**

Depleting the S.D.C. of the main body will shut down the vehicle, including life support, communications, weapons, and engine.

Speed:

• Drive: 120 mph (193.1 km/h)
• Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by drive system, but the vehicle generally carries supplies for only three days for the regular crew.

Statistical Data:

• Height: 6' (1.8 m)
• Width: 7' (2.1 m)
• Length: 18' (5.5 m)
• Weight: 7.3 tons (6.6 metric tons)
• Reactor System: Micro-Fusion Reactor with a life span of 5 years.
• Cargo: Rear compartment has fold down seats for four passengers, but can be used to hold up to 2 tons (1.8 metric tons) of cargo.
• Market Cost: 50,000 credits for an unarmed rover.

Weapon Systems:

1. Primary Weapon Turret
   Each Combat Rover is built with a primary weapon turret that houses a powerful version of the main weapon type used by the faction that built the Combat Rover. Each turret is located on the top of the rover and can rotate 360 degrees and has an arc of fire of 90 degrees.
   • Rate of Fire: The turret can fire three times per melee.
   • Payload: Effectively unlimited
   • Bonuses: +1 to strike
   
   
   Laser Turret
   The laser turret consists of a powerful, short range laser cannon and is deployed by police forces, Nomads, Free Drones faction, and the Cult of Planet faction.
   • Range: 1500' (457.2 m)
   • Damage: 1D6x10 per shot
   • Cost: 8500 credits
   
   
   Impact Beam Turret
   The impact beam turret is based off of the widespread Impact Beam technology. Powerful and with a longer range then laser cannons, the Impact Beam turret is used by all of the factions except those that use the laser turrets, gatling turrets, and the powerful chaos laser turrets.
   • Range: 2000' (610 m)
   • Damage: 2D4x10 per shot
   • Cost: 10,000 credits
   
   
   Gatling Beam Turret
   The gatling beam turret is a specially modified version of the impact beam turret that has been developed by the Spartan Federation. Instead of firing a single shot, the cannon is designed to fire a burst of multiple shots in rapid succession. Although each shot is less powerful then a regular Impact Beam blast, the combined volley is even more powerful.
   • Range: 2000' (457.2 m)
   • Damage: 1D4x10 per shot or 2D6x10 per volley of three shots.
   • Rate of Fire: The turret can fire nine single blasts or three volleys per melee.
   • Cost: 12,000 credits
   
   
   Chaos Laser Turret
   The chaos laser turret consists of the powerful Chaos Laser recently developed by the University of Planet. The Chaos laser is a special type of laser that is hotter and stronger, giving it longer range and causing more damage. Shortly after being deployed by the University of Planet, the Cybernetic Consciousness stole the designs for the weapon and has begun to deploy it on its own vehicles.
   • Range: 2500' (762 m)
   • Damage: 2D6x10 per shot
   • Cost: 15,000 credits
2. Large Missile Launcher (Optional)
   Some models of the Combat Rover have a large missile launcher instead of a primary weapon turret. This provides a good form of anti-aircraft fire and long range bombardment capability. This launcher uses medium-range missiles instead of the mini-missiles used in the smaller launcher.
   • Missile Design: General Purpose Missile
   • Missile Type: Multipurpose
   • Missile Guidance Systems: Select two guidance systems.
   • Missile Warhead: Armor Piercing, Fragmentation, High Explosive, and Plasma / Napalm only.
   • Range: 80 miles (128.7 km)
   • Speed: 1800 mph (2897 km/h)
   • Damage and Blast Radius: Varies with type of missile warhead.
   • Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 3, 4, or 6 missiles.
   • Payload: 6 medium range missiles
   • Cost: 10,000 credits for the launcher, missiles must be purchased separately.
3. Secondary Weapon Turret
   Along with the Primary Weapon Turret, each Combat Rover is equipped with a single secondary weapon turret located at the front of the vehicle, which is controlled by the the gunner. The weapon had a very limited arc of fire, and can only fire forward with an arc of fire, both up and down and side to side, of of 30 degrees.
   • Rate of Fire: The turret can fire four times per melee.
   • Payload: Effectively unlimited
   • Bonuses: +2 to strike
   
   
   Laser Turret
   The laser turrets consist of a short range laser cannon and is deployed by police forces, Nomads, Free Drones faction, and the Cult of Planet faction.
   • Range: 1000' (310 m)
   • Damage: 3D6 per shot
   • Cost: 4000 credits
   
   
   Impact Beam Turret
   The impact beam turret is based off of the widespread Impact Beam technology. Powerful and with a longer range then laser cannons, the Type 2 turret is used by all of the factions except those that use the laser turrets, gatling turrets, and the powerful chaos laser turrets.
   • Range: 1300' (396.2 m)
   • Damage: 4D6 per shot
   • Cost: 6000 credits
   
   
   Gatling Beam Turret
   The gatling beam turret is a specially modified version of the impact beam turret that has been developed by the Spartan Federation.
   • Range: 1300' (396.2 m)
   • Damage: 2D6 per shot or 5D6 per volley of three shots.
   • Rate of Fire: The turret can fire twelve single blasts or four volleys per melee.
   • Cost: 7500 credits
   
   
   Chaos Laser Turret
   The chaos laser turret consists of the powerful Chaos Laser recently developed by the University of Planet and is used by that faction and the Cybernetic Consciousness.
   • Range: 1500' (457.2 m)
   • Damage: 6D6 per shot
   • Cost: 8000 credits
4. Small Missile Launcher
   In the rear of the Combat Rovers is a small missile launcher. Equipped with only mini-missiles, the Combat Rover's launcher does not pack a huge punch or have a large range, but they are sufficient against small targets, especially infantry.
   • Missile Design: General Purpose Missile
   • Missile Type: Multipurpose
   • Missile Guidance Systems: Select one non-autonomous system.
   • Missile Warhead: Armor Piercing, Fragmentation, High Explosive, and Plasma / Napalm only.
   • Range: 1 mile (1.6 km)
   • Speed: 500 mph (805 km/h)
   • Damage and Blast Radius: Varies with type of missile warhead.
   • Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2 or 4 missiles.
   • Payload: 4 mini-missiles
   • Cost: 4000 credits for the launcher, missiles must be purchased separately.

Standard Systems:

1. Short Range Radar
   The vehicle is equipped with a short range radar. Radar system has a range of 30 miles (48.3 km) and can identify and track up to 48 targets.
2. Combat / Targeting Computer
   System calculates, stores, and transmits data onto view screens in the vehicle's cockpit. The computer assists in the tracking of targets. The system also has a data base of targets and has the ability to identify most common targets. Vehicles operated by the same faction are designed to share data automatically and act as fire control for other vehicles as well. As a final feature, the computer creates a map of the area based on sensor data.
3. Laser Targeting System
   The system is designed to assist in the selection and focusing on a specific target. The system gives a bonus of +1 to strike using long range weapons but must have line of sight. As well, most mini-missiles are designed to follow the laser beam to the target.
4. Spotlight
   The vehicle is equipped with two normal spotlights in addition to regular headlights. Range: 600 feet (182.9 meters).
5. Visual Magnification
   This system allows magnification of x2 to x16 and it displays on a view screen in the cockpit. The vehicle also has data recording equipment for 48 hours at the highest resolution and 144 hours at lowest resolution.
6. Thermo-Imager
   Range: 2000' (610 m). Finds the infrared radiations of things that are warm. Also enables the pilot to see in smoke, shadows and darkness. System has the disadvantage of being able to be detected.
7. Nightvision Optics
   Range: 2000 ft (610 m). Uses light amplification to make a picture. Emits no light but will not work in absolute darkness. System can be dazzled by sudden bright lights but does not physically blind the pilot.
8. Infra-Red / Laser Detector
   The system is designed to detect any infrared or laser beams which paint or target the vehicle. The vehicle has special sensors built into the exterior every few inches. Sensors gives the strength of the signal and the computer can often determine if they have been detected from the signal strength.
9. Radar Detector
   System is designed to passively detect other radars being operated. System give information such as relative strength and number of signals. Sensors gives strength of the signal and the computer can often determine if the vehicle has been detected from the strength of the signal.
10. Internal Active Jamming Gear
    Causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/ bases can detect that they are being jammed, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to strike to all radar guided weapons.
11. Compass and Clock Calendar
    In addition to other features, the vehicles is fitted with a compass, high quality digital maps, and a clock calendar. The vehicles has an inertial navigation system where the computer plots the location of the vehicle based on last recorded location and speed and course of travel. The computer will attempt to use recorded data from other sensors to refine the location. The computer also can use star positions for navigation purposes. location.
12. Radio Communication
    The vehicle is equipped with a long range directional communication system. The system has an effective range of 500 miles (804.7 km). The vehicle is also outfitted with a short range directional radio. Short range radio has a range of 20 miles (32 km). The Vehicles is also fitted with a radio scrambler to prevent others from easily listening in on communications. The vehicle is equipped with a loudspeaker with an output of 80 decibels and an external audio pickup.
13. Advanced Life Support
    The crew compartments in the vehicle is reinforced to protected the crew from attacks. The compartment is air tight and is suitable for use in most hostile environments including underwater, with a maximum depth of 500' (152.4 m). The vehicle has a computer controlled life support system with artificial air circulation, gas filtration, and humidifier. The system is designed to be able to recycle the air to keep a breathable atmosphere for up to four weeks. The vehicle also has an independent oxygen supply which automatically engages and purges the interior in conditions of contaminated air environment inside of vehicle. The vehicle carries a twelve hour emergency oxygen supply. The vehicle displays present atmospheric conditions including toxins in the air and amount of oxygen back to wearer. The vehicle has an internal cooling system and temperature control and it can be set for wearer preferences. The system displays temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.
14. High Temperature Insulation
    The vehicles is made from high temperature materials that are designed to resist temperatures up to 400 degrees centigrade. Normal fires inflict no damage but extremely high temperature fire, such as plasma and magic fire, inflict full damage.
15. Radiation Shielding
    The vehicles has radiation shielding which is far more effective than what is found on body armor. As well, the vehicle's armor is equipped with sensors to monitor the amount of radiation that the vehicle is exposed to. This is displayed to the pilot of the vehicle.
16. Protective Optics
    The vehicle is designed with optics which are designed to protect the crew against blinding. All pilot compartment windows are polarized to quickly darken and the crew can also look through video displays.

Faction Modifiers:

1. Spartan Federation
   Although not the most technologically advanced faction on Chiron, the Spartan Federation is in the unique position of having access to most of the leading edge technologies and having the natural ingenuity to apply those technologies to their war machines. Increase the speed of the vehicle to 150 mph (241.4 km/h), increase the life span of the reactor to 7 years, and the vehicle gains a bonus of +1 to dodge due to its increased maneuverability.
2. Free Drones
   The Free Drones faction is behind in technology, so their vehicles are not as capable as the vehicles built by other factions. Decrease the speed of the vehicle to 100 mph (160.9 km/h) and decrease the life span of the reactor to only 3 years.