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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,
The VR-117 Firefly uses the same base frame asn the VR-051 but with lighter armor. In Battloid mode the differences are even greater, with the Firefly having 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 other power armors 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 THRID 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 60ᴍᴍ Beam Cannon, EP-40 40ᴍᴍ Pulse Beam, FN P90's, Tluaza Milldiem 281's, M-35's, M-36's, 9ᴍᴍ "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 271 3500 Update: The development of the Cemuh Drive was as much a boon for the Firefly as anyone else. The Firefly can of course use them, but they can also carry one man emergency drive generators that can hold a target for however long the battery lasts with pre-programed RTB Orders that can engage automatically upon activation and detection of a base to return to. This became a major force multiplier in the Firefly's world; They could effect dozens of rescues in moments whereas before they had to take survivors to their ship and then return to find more survivors sometimes having to find the wreck on the way back. The one man emergency generators are also small enough that a half dozen can fit into a mag pouch, meaning one man could carry dozens of generators with very little space and essentially no weight. "Deactivation" of the generators places it into standby mode; Once it detects there's no one around it for 5 inches in all directions it will return to owner allowing them to repeat the process endlessly. 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 (336kph); Cruising Speed: 80 mph (128kph); Turbo Boost Fwd: 40 ft (12m) horizontal; Turbo Boost Up: 20 ft (6m) vertical. Battloid Mode: Running: 60 mph (96kph); Flying: 180 mph (288kph); Leaping: 20 ft (6m); Thruster Leap: 100 ft (30m). Height: Battloid: 7 ft (2⅒m); Motorcycle: 3⅔ ft (1⅒m). Width: Battloid: 3⅖ ft (1m); Motorcycle: 1⅔ ft (½m). Length: Battloid: 3⅒ ft (⅘m); Motorcycle: 5 ft (1½m). 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"×20"×18". 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 6M€. Routinely available. Black Market Cost and Availability: Generally the same. | ||||
| 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): 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. Generally speaking a Firefly won't carry any weapons outside of combat and switch these out with more SAR equipment such as grapples and winches. Patrol Fireflys do carry at minimum the H-100A often with a stock in a carrying rack on the back of the unit.  | ||||
| Weight: 2¼ lbs. (1.1 kg); 4 lbs. with stock. Damage: By Setting: Setting 2: Stun; 100% chance of stunning anything under 300 lbs. (16 to save). Larger targets can still be stunned, but it requires rapid deployment (1 shot per 400 lbs. in total weight). Setting 3: 5D6 S.D. per shot; 15% of stunning someone in MDC armor. Setting 4: 3D6 M.D. per shot. Setting 4: 5D6 M.D. per shot. | Range: Setting 1: Up to 10 miles, but does not injure or damage. All other settings: 2000 ft (610 m). Rate Of Fire: Per user's attack per melee. Payload: By Setting: Setting 4: 4 shots, or 12 with Rifle Stock. | ||||
| Features: | |||||
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. Rate of Fire: Once per melee. Payload: 6 chaff/flares. MDC By Location: Pod: 50 Fiber Optic Cable: 10 Effect: Extends range of any sensors 10× (or defeats other penalties in a 5 mile area). | |||||
