Jovian APAworks Issue - Volume 1, Number 4: "Gloria et mors mortis"

>transmission on....security uplink online<
>Personal Recorder Log<
>Agent Tango-Alpha-007<
>Time Index: 19:35:35, 13-12-2212<
>Project Sasqatch Intelligence Report<

Greetings HQ. I have been successful in stealing test data and relevant information off the Republican AresWerks base in the northern region. However, I have been discovered and am trying to escape to the South. I don't dare cross the desert to the border from this latitude. There are too many patrols. Given my exposed status and the limited means available, I have had to transmit this limited report encrypted over the public lines on this south-bound magtrain to Acheron. I must make sure that this information reaches HQ to save our valiant soldiers in the coming war. I can only hope that this information reaches you securely. Gloria et....

>message begin<
>To: Chief Engineer Gallager H. Fischer
>From: Colonel Ramsy McClowska
>Re: Project Sasquatch

As you well know, the Republic has always anticipated the advent of full-scale conflict against the Federation. Given the large, attritional armed forces available to the Federation, AresWerks has been requested by this command to devise smarter and better weapons, allowing our forces to fight effective and devastating tactics of maneuver against the Federation Army. With the deployment of the Hellwind Hovertank and the Hellwind-Mount Sand Stalkers, we have been able to field the first part in a new generation of military power. We were pleased when we received your preliminary design and test reports on the new Bloodhound II Disposable Missile System and the SARI poncho suit. The first phase of Project Sasquatch looks to be well under way. We look forward to seeing the final field simulations and tests in the next week. My command staff and I will be arriving before that time to inspect the facilities. Please make scheduling arrangements with my administrative assistant as soon as possible.

>message begin<
>To: Chief Engineer Gallager H. Fischer
>From: Design Engineer Gregory Pelum
>Re: Bloodhound Sand Stalker

As you requested, here are the final specification modifications for the Bloodhound Sand Stalker for next week's field tests. Testing Logistics is finishing up the automated systems for the hovertank targets. They aren't Abdiels, but I have been assured that performance and armor will closely match. Also, our final prototypes have passed initial refit tests. We should be able to retrofit any Sand Stalker at the Colonel's request as part of the demonstration.

Bloodhound Sand Stalker

Remove: Grenade Launcher Add: Bloodhound IIDP Missile System, SARI Poncho Suit* Change: Sensors -1/2km TV Changes: OS+227, MS+220 Final TN: 612 TV Qty Name Arc DM BR Acc ROF Ammo Special

1 Bloodhound IIDP F x30 5 -1 - - Mis, SD, AE2, IF, Clumsy, Heavy MR5, Rad-Homing *Adds +2 Stealth. The poncho has some resilience as a fabric, but doesn't provide any protection to the exo-suit. All damage is taken by exo-suit normally. Any heavy damage done against the exo-suit reduces the SARI's stealth rating by one point.

I must say that the team and I are pleased with the results thus far. In addition, we were able to bring this to production readiness under budget. I only hope that Ranger Command is as impressed as we are.

>recording begin<
>Time Index: 21:00:35, 11-12-2212<
>Project Sasqatch Briefing<
>audio transcribing beginning....online<

Welcome gentlemen. I am Gallager H. Fischer, Chief Engineer at AresWerks. I am pleased to have you here for this final testing in the first phase of Project Sasqatch. The technologies that you will be witnessing this evening are the latest advances in Republican exo-suit technology. We hope that you are as pleased as we have been in following the preliminary tests. And now if you would just watch the screen, then we will begin. Harry, dim the lights. ...Thanks.

As many of you know, the Federation is capable of fielding a much larger, trained force than we could ever hope to. The strategy is to overpower a position with superior firepower and manpower. With limited production resources and smaller numbers of trained personnel in our militias, we need to have a cheap and effective means of increasing the functionality of our current exo-suit forces. That has been the preliminary goal of Project Sasquatch, a three phase project to give our Ranger force the tactical edge that they need to defend our borders. The three areas of this first phase focus on stealth, improved sensors and firepower.

With respect to firepower, the Republican Rangers need a weapon that can provide effective field and artillery support to its ground forces, while still only requiring a minimum of field personnel. In this manner, the weapon has to be easily deployable and needs to deliver crushing explosive power over a large area. Looking toward conventional solutions used in bomb technologies, we have devised the Bloodhound II Disposable Missile System, a single shot missile delivery system that carries a Fuel-Air Explosive, or FAE, warhead.

Expensive yet highly effective, the Bloodhound II is capable of producing a heavy downward concussion blast on ground units by covering an area of 250 meters in diameter with a highly combustible vapor and then igniting it. The resulting concussion blast will crush anything beneath it, crippling ground forces, hovertanks, and even underground bunkers. The system is disposable, freeing the exo-suited soldier from fire support duties to continue the offensive or retreat unhindered by a bulky launch mechanism. As will be demonstrated in tonight's field tests, a small team of Bloodhound Sand Stalkers under escort by standard Sand Stalkers can quickly eliminate an area of enemy forces, then just as quickly occupy the cleared terrain. At the same time, they could provide massive fire support to other ground forces spotting in the field.

In addition to the new Bloodhound II Disposable Missile System, the SARI poncho suit is easily fitted to the frame of any standard Sand Stalker, providing added stealth within the red sands of Mars. As you can see on the video screen, we are currently outfitting the Sand Stalkers that the Colonel brought in for this testing as we speak.

The Stealth and Anti-Radiation Insulator, or SARI poncho suit, is a special poncho that fits over a Sand Stalker that provides excellent stealth even on open terrain. The shroud was specially designed to allow uninhibited mobility, including the Stalker's jumpjets. The suit is secured by attaching under the arms and legs of the Sand Stalker.

The poncho is a double layered fabric. The interior is layered with heat baffling fibers, while the exterior is covered with radar absorbing polymer fibers. The SARI reduces a Sand Stalkers sensor profile by up to 33%. This is enhanced by a colored hatch pattern covering the exterior polymer that confuses electronic light enhancement sensors against the red sands of Mars

Now, gentlemen, if you will follow the camera to other Sand Stalker, we can demonstrate the ease in upgrading the Sand Stalkers Sensor suite with our new wideband-based technolo... >break<

Modified March 10, 2001

"Gloria et mors mortis"

by Dennis D. Kirkpatrick

Bloodhound Sand Stalker

Modified March 10, 2001