Kataphrak
Character
[SIZE=10pt]Intent:[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] To provide the body for Kataphrak, an A.I. to be inducted into the Confederacy of Independent Systems as a player character. Created from a mixture of the desire to play a unique looking droid character as well as one reminiscent of the Dark Trooper design adapted and diversified from being an exact copy of the [/SIZE]Dark Trooper project.
[SIZE=10pt]Development Thread: To my knowledge of the rules it is unnecessary, though certainly will abide by any RPJ ruling. [/SIZE]
Manufacturer: Collaborative efforts of Geonosian Industries and the Confederacy's Research & Development Department
Model: Kataphrak Stage I Prototype
Affiliation: Confederacy of Independent Systems
Modularity: Yes
Production: Unique
Material: Durasteel, copper, wiring, all sorts of fun silicons and whatnot for the internals of a computer.
[SIZE=10pt]Classification: [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Class Three and Four, Sentience Programming[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]Height:[/SIZE] [SIZE=10pt]2.82 meters or 9'3''[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]Weight: [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]~1000kg (1 metric ton)
Movement: Bipedial and/or rocket propulsion.
Armaments: Liquid flamethrower, repeating blaster cannon. (detailed below)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]Misc. Equipment: [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Optical sensors (zoom, night and thermal vision), [/SIZE]local communications antennae/sensors, rocket thrusters, siren ducts, modular ports, and repair and power ports.
[SIZE=10pt]Description:[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]The Kataphrak A.I. Assault Platform, short hand the Kataphrak, was designed and laid out by the Confederacy of Independent Systems as a multipurpose droid. The research put into the creation of the device and the great lengths made to enhance the artificial intelligence to the proper levels drove the cost to astronomical levels. What had started as a blueprint to replace the elite droids of the C.I.S. has turned into an attempt to create a war droid to match the ferocity of the great war machines of the past. It has become a spiritual successor to: the great assassin droids of old, the Dark Trooper project, the Yuuzhan Vong Hunter One combat droid, and to mechanical monsters of Grievous and Vader. The droid will eventually take technology from many of the successful platforms to combine them into a war machine created by a joint venture of the Confederacy of Independent Systems' industrial powers. With the great costs, the device has been kept under top security and the blueprints lay with a select few who are restricted to the facility and left off the grid for external communication. The Kataphrak's purpose has transformed from only being a hard hitting and lethal elite unit to attempting to make technological strides in artificial intelligence for future war droids to benefit from. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]The Kataphrak is designed perform in junction with flesh and blood special forces to better coordinate droids for missions, able to coordinate lesser droids that are otherwise incapable of performing the required battlefield needs. The platform itself is light on advanced sensor equipment to keep all available space for weaponry and more battle needed equipment. Instead short range communications are provided to help coordinate it and gain better battlefield awareness. It can be augmented through additional attachments and equipment to provide long range communications and become more specialized depending on the needs of the mission. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]The Kataphrak is limited by it's current levels of technology during the prototype development and will need further stress testing and/or battlefield experience to solve the extra demands the frame may take. It is also prototyping a concept of additional modification kits to allow it to be more flexible in combat situations. These modifications are still in the early stages of development and will be applied to the Kataphrak's arsenal upon competition and as the need arises. [/SIZE](Additional Technology Submissions)
[SIZE=10pt]The Kataphrak was designed to incorporate a draconic appearance for sociological and intimidation tactics, as well as providing a versatile platform for weaponry and aerial equipment to be implemented. It has been designed to be a visible war machine with the intent to cause highly visible havoc to draw attention to itself. The Kataphrak is designed with shock tactics and :[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]Kataphrak head:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]The Kataphrak head is largely one solid object. While it does retain hinges to open the mouth, it is rarely done so unless the devices stored inside are necessary as funds spent on visual moving parts during communication seemed unnecessary. The jaws are capable of providing industrial strength crushing power when necessary. There are two extensions to either side of the head that are referred to as horns and provide additional storage for internal components. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]· [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Optic Mounts: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Standard optical sensors with zoom capabilities[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Night vision[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Thermal vision[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]· [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Oral Mounts[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Liquid Flamethrower[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]· [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Horns[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Flamethrower fuel packs[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Local communication antenna/sensors[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]Kataphrak wings:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]The Kataphrak’s wings are designed primarily for short sprints of high speed or short range flight and maintaining a hovering position rather than long distance travel. These can be augmented with the appropriate kits to allow for prolonged flight, space combat, aerial reconnaissance and insertion. The standard wings are flexible at the shoulder mount and a meter in. The break a meter in allows for the Kataphrak to change the wing configuration and to retract or fold the wings in tighter corridors. The default kit’s wings provide a span of 6 meters when fully extended. They usually rest folded over and vertical to limit the amount of space when not in use. In an emergency, the wings can be explosively removed to provide a surprise attack on an opponent or an opportunity to get away.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]· [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Wings[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Built in rocket thrusters[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Fuelcell storage[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]Kataphrak Tail:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]The Kataphrak’s tail gives an excellent platform for the C.I.S. to further augment the Kataphrak’s offensive and defensive capabilities. The length stretches out to 3 meters and it is flexible enough to be used as an offensive weapon in close quarters. The end of the tail splits open to reveal a modular weapon port and the length of it can have equipment strapped onto it. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]· [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Tail Length[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Melee weapon[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Repeating blaster canon in tail end[/SIZE]
Kataphrak Core:
The body of the Kataphrak holds the battery systems and A.I. programming that allow the Kataphrak to perform. Within it is a black box that can be recovered in the case of destruction of the A.I. platform. The various ports for recharging power cells and regular maintenance are covered by a retractable chest mount that can only be accessed by the A.I. or opened manually during a powered down state. Beside housing critical functions for the actions of the A.I. and the body, the Kataphrak's core houses the mounts for the specialization kits that are to be further developed as the Kataphrak's testing continues. There are two chest mounted ducts that help for cooling during high speed and upon activation, can reroute some of the air through sirens for physiological effects of an impending assault. This is particularly effective in low visibility situations.
[SIZE=10pt]· [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Torso[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Cooling and siren ducts[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE]A.I. processors and other related equipment
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Repair and power ports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]o [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]Modification mounts[/SIZE]
As of this time, the Kataphrak is in an early release stage designed for testing an emergency combat situations or training against low level opposition to test basic functions. The large size of the Kataphrak makes for a easy target for heavy weaponry when on the ground and struggles in close quarter combat where the walls and ceiling are too strong to easily push through during combat. Smaller, more nimble opponents can take advantage of this and draw the device into tight quarters where they could get the device wedged into a corridor and attack at their leisure. As a droid, the Kataphrak is also vulnerable to ion based attacks as it doesn't currently have any built in shielding to counter such assaults.
A tactical recommendation is to keep the Kataphrak out in the open for combat and to allow for quick and precise assaults before withdrawing and allowing other infantry to take the field. If a prolonged engagement in close quarters is expected, the Kataphrak should be accompanied by a commando unit or smaller droids to defend the flanks and rear of the platform from quicker opponents.
*It should be noted that the Kataphrak's internal machinery is not silent. The sound of the machinery moving appendages can be heard as the unit moves about.
