Cyclone Rider

The Cyclone is the latest achievement in human robotechnology. The mecha unit is a light, but heavy-duty motorcycle that can transform into a battloid mecha that's almost as formidable as the old Veritech Fighter. The veritech riding armour is composed of new super alloys that are incredibly light, making the creation of a heavily armoured, man-sized mecha possible. The mecha is so lightweight (200lbs/90kg) and compact that it can be folded down and placed inside a storage unit in an Alpha Fighter. Despite the fact that it is lightweight, the armour provides 200 M.D.C. protection, better than the Southern Cross' Logan and almost equal to the 40ft.(12.2m) VF series Veritech.

The Cyclone is designed to be the ultimate land combat system for the REF foot soldier. In motorcycle mode, the cyclone offers high mobility, manoeuvrability and speed. The motorcycle can travel over the worst terrain with minimal difficulty and is a much smaller target than a more conventional four wheeled vehicle. This makes the cyclone ideal for clandestine operations, reconnaissance and one-man missions, as well as for massive troop movements.

In battloid mode, the cyclone becomes a suit of protective power armour. The seven foot (2.1m) mecha provides a variety of devastating weapons, superhuman strength, superhuman speed and even limited flight. As power armour, the battloid is like a second skin that responds to the wearer's slightest movement. Combined with the unique bond between man and machine created by its protoculture power cells, the mecha can leap, roll and dodge with lightening speed.

To maximise the versatility of the Cyclone Veritech, the mecha can operate on both protoculture and gasoline. However, the limitations of liquid fuel prevents flight and inhibits its maximum speed and mobility. The liquid fuel is included as a back-up system to be used when the protoculture energy cells are running low or are unavailable.

A fully powered protoculture cell will last about two months of constant combat and riding. Moderate use of the motorcycle mecha can stretch that by two or three times. Flying depletes the energy twice as quickly. Cells not in use will stay at full power for decades.

The third type of veritech riding armour is the VR-038-LT (Light Combat Unit). The "38 Lite", as it is often called, is a lighter version of its predecessor (about 110lbs/50kg). It is designed specifically to accommodate the many valiant female soldiers in the RDF. The Light Combat Cyclone is less heavily armoured and does not come equipped with any type of missile system. However, the Light Combat Cyclone is even more manoeuvrable than the other cyclones. To compensate for its lack of built-in armaments, the 38-Lite comes equipped with the RL-6 Heavy Rocket Cannon, a sort of high-tech, multi-round bazooka. The weapon is hand-held and can be fired in the cyclone armour, or without the armour as a shoulder supported weapon like a LAW rocket launcher. Most cyclone designed weapon accessories are too heavy or awkward to be used without the cyclone armour.

Special Equipment

 * 1) Protoculture Engine: All cyclones have a protoculture powered engine. One protoculture energy cell will keep a cyclone running for about two months before needing refuelling. Flying and hovering will drain the protoculture cell very quickly (3 times as fast). But occasional bursts of flight, thruster assisted leaps will have minimal draining of energy. Game Masters use your own judgement in regard to when the cell is running low. Be certain to give players advance warning so that their characters will have an opportunity to scrounge up extra protoculture cells to refuel. NOTE: The energy cells can NOT be detected by Invid when motors are turned off/not running. The unusual energy can only be detected when a cyclone (or Gallant) is turned on. Turning an engine off will not necessarily make a character invisible to an Invid; they do have vision after all. A cyclone can NOT be turned off unless it is in motorcycle mode.
 * 2) Conventional Fuel Conversion System: All cyclones can use regular liquid fuel like a conventional motorcycle. This is provided as a back-up system. FUEL CAPACITY is four gallons. ESTIMATED RANGE: 200 miles (312km) without refuelling. MODIFIERS: Maximum speed: 150mph (240kmph). Hovering and flight are not possible.
 * 3) Short-Range Radar with Head-Up Display System (displays radar screen inside the helmet). Can identify and track up to 20 different targets. RANGE: One mile (1.6km)
 * 4) Computer Targeting System with infrared capabilities is located in the right shoulder of the cyclone in battloid mode. BONUSES: Adds +2 to strike with missiles, adds +1 to strike with other weapon systems (pistols, rifles, etc). RANGE: 4000ft (600m) by line of sight.
 * 5) Radio Communication System: Wide band and directional, with voice command actuation (4 digit code). Earphones are built into the helmet. RANGE: Two miles (3.2km).
 * 6) Miscellaneous Indicators for speed, height, fuel, time and date are standard for all models.

Weapon Systems:

 * None, but standard equipment is RL-6 Rocket Launcher