The following material is originally from THE Third INVID War, a fan supplement by Dave DEITRICH and Chris MEADOWS, adapted to the UGC environment by permission. All they asked was that I give proper credit to them and did not claim that it is my own material; It's not, any more than gunbelt gear is my original idea (though I may be the First in the Palladium system to cover it as thoroughly as I did). Please feel free to use, copy, distribute, abuse, alter, adulterate, or otherwise annoy me as you see fit. However, comments and suggestions are NOT welcome. I don't write by committee.

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United Galaxies Council.	VR-117 Firefly Cyclone.		United Galaxies Council.
The VR-117 Firefly Rescue Cyclone is another non-combat specialty cyclone used as a support vehicle for the REF military. Designed during the Cyclone Redesign Project of 2039, VR-117 Firefly Cyclone. the Firefly is a "light" cyclone intended for use in medical and rescue missions. Based loosely on the VR-120 Ferret combat cyclone, the VR-117 is designed to be light and agile while retaining the strength and protection that makes it ideal for rescue missions and damage control. The Firefly is commonly found on REF starships and bases assigned to maintenance and damage control teams, and are commonly issued to REF Combat Paramedics for use in the field. The VR-117 Firefly is somewhat similar to the VR-120 Ferret but is slightly heavier and has heavier shielding. In Battloid mode the differences are even greater, with the Firefly having heavy plates, search lights, and various containers mounted on the chest and torso areas. The super-hard materials used in the construction of the VR-117 make it nearly impervious to damage from fire and debris, and special chemical coatings on the armor plates provide protection even from high-level radiation and nuclear fires. The Firefly has performed admirably under the worst conditions both in space and on land, and has become a valuable addition to both military and civilian rescue services. The only downside to the cyclone is the high cost of the special heat shielding the Mecha uses. Like the VR-112 Samson, the design for VR-117 Firefly became commercial property when the design team that worked on the new generation Cyclones retired from the REF after the Third Invid War. The design has changed little over the years since 2039, and is currently produced by several mecha construction companies under license from Samson Industries based on Tirol. The VR-117 is now extremely common both on Earth and on Tirol, as most fire-fighting departments own at least one of the rescue mecha. Of special interest is the CA-106 Cyclone Medical Sidecar. This piece of equipment was developed specifically for this Mecha, which is really nothing more than a hard-shell version of Life Bags (bodybags that had been modified to keep wounded troops Warm and protected from most debris during the Global Civil War), and would, in turn, lend itself to the development of the Life Pods used in the M/G-8 Phantom Guardian (in fact, the LP-7 really is the center shell of the CA-106). The CA-106 can be used with other Cyclones and motorcycles/hovercycles, with minimal effort, of course, but were not originally designed for them. It is a minor surprise to those not terribly familiar with militry service how common the VR-117 is; About 1 in 8 to 1 in 10 Cyclones are Fireflies. It's also a minor surprise to many that Combat Medics are as heavily armed as they are; They carry H-90's, T-21's, EP-37 60MM Beam Cannon, EP-40 40MM Pulse Beam, FN P90's, Tluaza Milldiem 281's, M-35's, M-36's, 9MM "Wolf" and M-6 Laser Pistol's, M-18/-21's, MT-261's, and even Z-31's- In other words, they carry almost all the same weapons that any other infantry carry, with very few exceptions (only weaps restricted even from general infantry issue are restricted to VR-117 pilots). Even though medics are 'classified' as "Non-Combatants" doesn't mean, for a second, that they can't or won't fight to defend themselves, their team mates, and other friendlies. Indeed, usually the WORST place for enemies to be is in the sights of the medics- After all, their medical training means they know precisely where to shoot to do the most damage the fastest (they upside being, you're dead before you even know you've been shot- A quick and relatively painless way to go). A demilitarized version of the Firefly is in common service with Police Departments, Paramedic Services, and Fire Departments due to it's design, which lends itself to fire fighting, EMS, and to a limited degree to civilian law enforcement (though the Rifleman Power Armor is better suited to law enforcement, and equally suited to fire fighting). In theory, the VR-117 is a non-combatant, and therefore unarmed and brightly colored to distinguish them from combatants so that they are not incidentally shot at; In practice, even the best-intentioned of groups incidentally fire on them, and they always draw attention when not in proper colors. As such, when operating in a purely Rescue And Assistance role (such as with the Patrol), they are, in fact, brightly painted (specifically to draw attention), but when operating in a combat zone are camouflaged to protect them and those around them. These are then highlighted in blue and orange trim and marked with symbols to make it clear to observers that these are medical vehicle. Some enemies (such as Fehran and most T'sentraedi Malconts) respect this status; Some publicly claim to, then ignore it whenever they think they can get away with it (such as Tiresian Malconts), and some ignore it outright (such as Invidia Malconts). For over 200 years, only FBX 21555320 malconts (both Drug Lords and Ascension Supremacy) openly target VR-117 (and other medical personnel) deliberately, but in recent years more and more malconts have made suspiciously direct strikes on medical equipment and personnel (such as the Syhith's attack on the ESTEP-Class TAH CGC RECOVERY), then issued trite apologies within an unreasonably short time (in the RECOVERY'S case, before the task force had even finished their rescue efforts). As the UGC long ago authorized the REF to use Reflex weaponry in response to attacks on medical equipment and personnel, this may scale back soon- Task Force Amber of 271ST Fleet did in fact respond to the RECOVERY in exactly this fashion. Model: VR-117 Firefly Class: Second Generation M.O.S.P.E.A.D.A. Rescue Vehicle Crew: One M.D.C. By Location: Motorcycle Mode:
(1) Main Body Headlight Front Tire	225 5 5	Rear Tire Storage Box (2) Thrusters (rear)	5 2 each 50
Battleloid Mode:
Main Body Tires (2, rear) Thrusters (rear)	225 5 50	Forearm Shields (2) Leg Shields (2) Head	50 125 50
Notes: Depleting the M.D.C. of the Main Body will shut the mecha down completely. Depleting the M.D.C. of the body armor will destroy it and very likely kill the wearer (10% chance of survival). The Second Generation Cyclones are equipped with laser resistant ceramic armor, so laser weapons do only HALF damage. This does NOT include any other energy attacks such as particle beams or ion blasts, nor does it help against explosives. CVR-4C Heavy Armor is incompatible with the VR-117 Firefly. Speed and Statistical Data:
Motorcycle Mode: Maximum Speed: 210 mph (336 kmph); Cruising Speed: 80 mph (128 kmph); Turbo Boost Fwd: 40 ft (12 m) horizontal; Turbo Boost Up: 20 ft (6 m) vertical. Battloid Mode: Running: 60 mph (96 kmph); Flying: 180 mph (288 kmph); Leaping: 20 ft (6 m); Thruster Leap: 100 ft (30 m). Height: Battloid: 7.0 ft (2.1 m); Motorcycle: 3.6 ft (1.1 m). Width: Battloid: 3.4 ft (1.0 m); Motorcycle: 1.6 ft (0.5 m). Length: Battloid: 3.1 ft (0.9 m); Motorcycle: 5.0 ft (1.5 m). Weight: 200 lbs (90 kg). Cargo: The VR-117 has detachable cargo boxes that are connected to the rear of the bike like saddlebags. The size of each container is 18 inches tall by 20 inches wide by 18 inches deep. The VR-117 can hold 200 lbs (84 kg) in addition to the rider. Reduce maximum speed by 20% for every additional 25 lbs (11 kg) over the limit and add -1 to dodge. Unlike its predecessors, the storage boxes of the new cyclones do NOT drop off when they convert to battloid mode. Instead, the boxes are shifted to the lower back, just below the thruster packs and covering the butt of the pilot. The passenger, however, isn't so lucky. Powerplant: FF-600 Fusion/Protoculture Engine; Range: 2 protoculture cells will power the cyclone for approximately 12 months before needing refueling. The backup system can operate on 1 protoculture cell for 6 months at no penalty. Constant flying will drain the protoculture cells twice as quickly for all models. As a final backup, the cyclone can run on fusion power alone for up to 400 miles on a full tank of fuel, but maximum speed is reduced 15% and constant flying is impossible. The fusion engine runs off hydrogen, so any hydrogen-rich liquid (like water or ammonia) can be used for fuel. Extra gas from the fusion engine is released through an exhaust port. Flight System: Grav pods.Thrust System: Tractioning drives.		Powerplant: Type 400 Fusion Reactors (non-Protoculture). Fuel Supply: One year supply of fuel for the fusion reactor. Cost and Availability: Around 6 millioncredit. Routinely available. Black Market Cost and Availability: Generally the same.
		Color Scheme:
		Standard	Combat
		The standard color scheme for the VR-117 Firefly is red (fire/rescue), orange (maritime and space rescue), and yellow (construction and woodland firefighting and rescue), which makes them easy to spot in disaster areas where there is lots of rubble and smoke. Since this color scheme does not work particularly well in combat situations, VR-117 cyclones in the field are usually painted in a camouflage pattern based on where they are stationed. Privately owned Fireflies are white with the owner's insignia on the shoulders and right breast plate, and often seen with private ambulance companies and medical transport companies.	Woodland: Green, black, and brown camouflage. Desert: A tan pattern camouflage. Artic Units assigned to the Arctic are painted a white with black marks. The Firefly is then highlighted in light blue and orange, and is marked with crosses and other medical symbols in an attempt to make it clear to observers that the VR-117 is a non-combatant medical vehicle. This "usually" works, due to the UGC's reputation for "psychopathic over reaction" to the deliberate targeting medical vehicles and equipment; Even the Tiresians and Atorians won't do this anymore.
Weapons Systems:
1. GR-103LT Mini-Missile Launcher (2): Like the VR-120 Ferret, the VR-117 Firefly is equipped with a smaller version of the classic GR-103 shoulder missile launchers. The payload for the GR-103LTs are 3 missiles per launcher, giving a total of 6 mini-missiles in the shoulders. Like the standard GR-103s, the 103LTs have been updated with newer technology which makes them more resilient to damage and easier to repair (+20% to repair rolls). In motorcycle mode, the two missile launchers are side by side in the nose of the cycle. In Battloid mode, the missile launchers are divided, with one on each shoulder of the Mecha. VR-117 Fireflies stationed on REF Starships and Bases (as well as civilian cyclones) are usually issued flame-retardant missiles for use fighting fires. VR-117s in the field are issued armor-piercing missiles as an anti-Mecha defense, however. Primary Purpose: Fire Suppression. Secondary Purpose: Anti-Mecha. Missile Type: Any type of REF Mini-missile EXCEPT Plasma. Armor-piercing are standard-issue for the VR-117 Firefly in the field. Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type. Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, or six. Remember, a volley counts as one melee attack regardless of the number of missiles. Range: Varies with missile type; 20 ft to 1 mile. Payload: 3 missiles per each launcher, for a total capacity of 6. 2. GR-187 Hip Missile Launchers (2): A new addition to modern cyclones, the VR-117 Firefly comes automatically equipped with a pair of GR-187s. These weapons are mounted on the hip/upper leg shields in Battloid mode and in the lower back of the cyclone in motorcycle mode. It appears as four small tubes built directly into the armored plate. The missiles can only fire in Battloid mode. Like the GR-103LTs, the GR-187s are usually loaded with flame-retardant missiles when the VR-117 is stationed on a spaceship or base. In the field however the GR-187s are usually loaded with smoke or tear gas missiles for use in concealment and for identifying an LZ (landing zone). Primary Purpose: Fire Suppression. Secondary Purpose: Miscellaneous. Missile Type: Any type of REF Mini-missile EXCEPT Plasma. Smoke/Tear Gas are standard-issue for the VR-117 Firefly in the field. Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type. Rate of Fire: One or two at a time. Range: Varies with missile type; 20 ft to 1 mile. Payload: 4 missiles per each launcher, for a total capacity of 8.		3. Modular Weapon Systems: As with all REF Cyclones, the arm shields of the VR-117 Firefly are designed to interface with one of the GR-series weapon modules. One weapon module can be mounted on each forearm shield, and it is not necessary to mount the same modules on each shield. The Cyclone's onboard computer system will automatically recognize which weapon module is installed and adjust the HUD displays on the pilot's helmet accordingly. Any GR-series weapon module can be used. Typical VR-117s are assigned two GR-117 Rescue Hook units if stationed on a base or spaceship, or one GR-117 unit and one GR-220 BEAM CANNON/SMG unit if in the field. Different weapons may be substituted if approved by a commanding officer. Click HERE for a complete listing of cyclone weapon modules. 4. Hand-to-Hand Combat: The VR-117 Firefly has an equivalent strength of PS 50. Punch does 1D4 MD Kick does 1D6 MD Leap Kick 2D4 MD Body Flip or Body Block 1D4 MD 5. Hand Held Weapons: Any type of hand-held weapon can be fired by the pilot while in cyclone armor, including the new Gallant 1000 Multi-Weapon System.
Features:
Hearing Amplification: Can amplify sounds as quiet as 1 decibel at 1,000 feet, and in the ultra- and sub-sonic ranges. HUD (in visor): Displays maps, radar, targeting information, and any OTHER information the wearer wants directly in front of the user. Video Recorder: Records from sensors and the cockpit itself. 500 hours of recording available. Radar: Combat grade radar. Range: 200 miles, can track up to 250 individual targets. 95% reliability (24% against unfriendly stealthed vehicles). FLIR/SLIR: ForWard and Side Looking Infrared. Allows pilot and weapons officer to get visuals on targets at night. ESM: Radar Detector. Passively detects other radars being operated. AJP: Active Jamming Pod. Causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all radar guided weapons. Full Range Sensory Suite: Infrared, ultra violet, Magnification, night sight, color filters, thermal imager. Range is about 2,000 miles for MOST sensors. Motion Detector: Activates a loud wailing when an object is coming at the user fast, and a soft ringing if it's coming slowly. Activation ranges must be specified by the pilot. Blue Force Tracker: Identifies Friend from Foe. Overlays the information on both the radar and HUD, ensuring that friendly forces are not accidentally targeted. GPS: Standard tracking device. Virtual Map: Displays a continuously-updating map of local terrain for the pilot. Effective land navigation of 85% as updates come. Good to 50 miles. Specific range can be adjusted in 1 mile increments. Anti-Jamming System: Reduces Electronics Countermeasure by 25% (decrease skill level appropriately). Electronic Counter Measures (ECM): These systems disrupt enemy radar and tracking systems, making it difficult for them to lock onto the ship with weapons. The countermeasures give the Mecha a +3 to dodge, +2 to strike and +1 on initiative in combat. Loudspeaker: Amplifies voice 1 to 100 times. 100 foot in normal crowds. CBR Protection: Complete chemical, biohazard, and radiological protection. Vacuum Seal: Permits the Mecha to be used in hard vacuum (such as outer space), and other hostile environments. Laser-Resistant Armor: 1/2 damage from laser attacks. Mine Detector (in feet): Gives effective 85% Detect Mine/Trap OR increases skill by 10% for pilots that have that skill (whichever is more). Works on density composition, so non-metallic objects cant hide, and displays a visual assessment and danger probability (based on a mathematical formula) for the pilot on request. Magnetic Feet: Electro magnets in the pads of the feet allow the unit to adhere to the hulls of Warships and the exteriors of SOME buildings. Belt Keepers: Used to hold gun and other belts (normally the oversized, 2.5" wide variety) to the suit. Telescopic Arms: The hands can actually telescope out of the arms up to 3.5 feet to grasp small, distant objects. The hand will fit in pipes/holes up to 6" across in the open (wider) position. Toggle Sight: A targeting computer with full-range capabilities is located inside the right shoulder. Bonus: +2 strike with missiles and other weapons linked into the sight. Variable Tint Helmet Visor: Adjusts tinting to light conditions, up to an including a black dot if the sun is directly on the pilots face (only covers eyes). Heavy Heat Shielding: The Firefly's armor is chemically treated and can resist heat up to 500 degrees centigrade. Normal fires do no damage, and plasma and nuclear fires do only 1/2 damage. This armor is VERY expensive, and is only standard issue on the VR-117. Fire Resistance: Fires external to the Mecha are not felt at all.		Internal temperature and humidity control: Automatically maintains users desired heat, humidity, and other personal comfort settings. Combat/Targeting Computer: Records all enemy and friendly activity over the course of time; Can replay that activity for the pilot, assign target designation numbers, and track likely damage based on mathematical formulas (ie "Right leg red" badly damaged/destroyed, "head green" not damaged, etc). Displays this information as a pop up in the HUD as requested by the pilot. Survival Pack: A pack of simpler emergency survival supplies: Pup tent; Sleeping bag; Black light; GPS; First aid kit (bandages, gauze, bandage tape, pads, antiseptic/analgesic); Plasma torch (for small repairs and starting fires), repair kit (with MDC Repair Spray); Sewing kit (a small spool of thread and 5 needles); 7 star flares (250 foot apogee); 2 white parachute flares (1,500 foot apogee); 100 feet of black or brown parachute cord (150 lbs tensile strength); 2-5 days rations, 2 gallons water, water purification kit- good for about 10 gallons. Oxygen Rebreather System: Extends pilots air supply to 100 hours; Cartridge MUST be replaced after that period of time. EXTENDED OXYGEN SUPPLY: Extra supplies of breathable air in the armor can allow the pilot to survive up to 48 hours in a vacuum, or can be supplied to others through several tubes in the back of the mecha. There is also a reservoir of pure oxygen available for treating victims of smoke inhalation. Decoys: Specially modified Mini-Missiles used as decoys; Burning globs of magnesium/aluminum alloy to confuse both radar AND heat sensory systems, as well as creating a lot of smoke to obscure the Mecha. Note: Though the modified mini-missiles combine smoke flares, AMC/FDs, and LDP's, they aren't powerful enough for use with Destroids/Guardians/Etc. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (add +20% to rolls for smart missiles). Effect: 01-50: Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missiles are all destroyed. 51-75: Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in wrong direction (may lock onto another target). 76-00: No effect, missile is still on target. Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind nearby heat sensors (and optically based sensors at night) for 1 melee. They will suffer the following penalties: Reduce melee attacks/actions, and combat bonuses by half. Also, a cloud of smoke approximately 25 cubic feet. Duration: 1D4 melee rounds. Rate of Fire: Once per melee. Payload: 6 chaff/flares. MRA 6 Radios: Allows real time, continuous radio link up with friendly forces in the area via satellite relay over laser radio signals, preventing jamming, and automatically encrypts/decrypts same to prevent eavesdropping. Type-11 wide band radios: Effective 10 mile range, auto encrypt/decrypt. Works on standard radio band wavelengths, so it can still be jammed (if the enemy knows the frequencies). XTNDR RADAR/Radio Antenna Extender: A simple, 2 cubic feet helium balloon lofts a 10 lb. pod 100 feet into the air. Hanging from this payload is a fiber-optic cable that relays the data collected from the XTNDR Pod to the Vehicle/Mecha/Vessels computers. Note that using this system under heavy foliage will allow the radar, etc to work there, at no penalties, but it will not break the canopy either. MDC By Location: Pod: 50 Fiber Optic Cable: 10 Effect: Extends range of any sensors 10 times (or defeats other penalties in a 5 mile area). RESCUE EQUIPMENT: The carrying bags of the Cyclone are always filled with a variety of rescue equipment, such as extra line, MDC cutting gear, flashlights, etc.
Combat Bonuses from Firefly Power Armor Combat Elite: Because the Firefly is, in theory, a non-combatant power armor, it was, at first, highly limited as to it's abilities. The debacle of FBX-2155320 set those who foolishly thought this was a good idea straight, even though the War was over by several years at that point. 3 additional attacks per melee One additional attack per melee at levels 3, 6, and 9. +3 leap dodge; This is an automatic dodge. +3 regular dodge. +4 strike. +8 roll with punch, impact, explosion.