Maelion Liates
Terminatrix
Stecher Wasp Droid
Image Source: Here. By Kythan on Deviant Art.
Intent: To develop a small mechanical scout and assailant for Archangel. This small droid is designed to avoid normal detection and allow spying on the target, or an attack with a stinger. Such a droid is a niche design and easily defeated if caught.
Technology for this is almost available today. Smallest drone is less than 2 inches square. Smallest transmitter is less than an inch long, and processors only 14nm wide. This one suspects that advanced Star Wars technology will make this not even especially revolutionary.
Development Thread: YES. Maelion and [member="Moira Skaldi"] use the wasps to sedate Eldorai for processing. Ten relevant posts.
Manufacturer: Archangel Research & Design
Model: 00000111
Affiliation: Archangel
Modularity: Yes. Injector can be swapped for camera/microphone in Observer Model. Colour and outer shell of unit can be changed to blend in with organic insects which may be present.
Production: Mass Produced.
Material: Plastoid carapace, aluminium skeleton, standard injector, repulsor motor and droid brain components.
Classification: Class 4/5
Weight: 300 grams
Height: 1.5cm. 7.5cm long, 1cm wide.
Movement: Six legs, flying. Though it has wings, they are only for show. In reality it has a miniature repulsor engine such as those found in speeders inside it.
Armaments: Swarm Model features retractable 2cm injector. Whilst not usually dangerous by itself and used for delivery of drugs or toxins, it could be used to stab an opponent in the throat or face and in numbers could overwhelm an enemy.
Observer Model is unarmed.
Misc. Equipment:
Swarm Model:
- Retractable 2cm stinger able to apply 25ml of liquid.
- Basic infrared vision.
- Camera mounted inside head.
- Transmitter in body with 10km range.
- Basic encryption protocols.
Information is power, and never is this truer than for the genocidal droids at Archangel Research & Design. Knowledge from a wide variety of sources allows them to make precise moves in their plans to purge all organics.
For this reason the Wasp was created. Utilising light internal structures and a changeable outer shell to blend in with real insects, the Wasp can go where no other droid can. Being so light and agile it is also rather difficult to swat, though this fragility means that any serious impact will disable it.
Observer Model
When slicing existing cameras or infiltrators cannot be used though, something needs to give the vital information. Thus the Observer Wasp was created. The camera in the head allows the tiny droid to record up to one hour of video and audio which is stored in the ‘abdomen’. This part can be removed easily on a return to base to be processed or kept. The Wasp also contains a transmitter to broadcast live feeds – though at a less than stellar resolution. Recorded data is encrypted using basic level protocols which could be sliced by an experienced operator.
Swarm Model
Acquiring organics for processing or performing inconspicuous assassinations can sometimes be out of the reach of conventional droid models. Thus the Swarm Wasp replaces the camera, transmitter and encryption for better vision and a retractable stinger. This stinger can easily penetrate humanoid skin and inject up to 25ml of liquid. This stinger is completely ineffective against tough hide or anything tougher than class 3 armour. The liquid injected may be customised for the mission. Powerful sedatives can be used to capture targets, whilst a variety of poisons and toxins can be used for more fatal applications.
The Swarm Wasp is used en masse, with several targeting each enemy to deliver their payload. Even a tough or resilient individual can be worn down and overwhelmed by multiple stings.
Both models share some basic characteristics, as well as strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths:
- Evasive. The small size, almost silent running and camouflage makes the Wasp extremely hard to spot. If disguised like native fauna the Wasp is indistinguishable at anything but the most detailed inspection from the real thing.
- The Swarm. Cheap, easy to produce and able to get through narrow cracks, they can overwhelm an opponent. The Swarm Model can deliver stings from many angles, whilst the Observer Model can provide such a blanket coverage that even an alert enemy cannot destroy them all.
- It Came From Above. With their little repulsorlift engines, the Wasp is able to fly up to ten metres above any solid surface. Whilst it is best used at about ground level, it can scale solid surfaces or fly upwards along a building wall.
- Deployment. As droids, the Wasp can be packed into canisters tightly and released en masse. Up to 100 can be deployed from a single such canister.
Weaknesses:
- Fragile. If actually caught or struck the Wasp is not able to stand up to punishment. It can be disposed of by being stepped on like a normal insect or smashed/shot/crushed etc.
- Ion. Like all droids, an ion pulse or bomb will short out any in the radius and send them to earth.
- Sealing Up. Though they can get into small gaps and spaces, the Wasp cannot phase through solid objects. A sealed room or bunker makes one proof against them.
- Barriers. Other than regular glass the Wasp cannot break through any barrier as it lacks the tools to do so. Thus, whilst a small grill may not stop it monitoring, it cannot break its way through.
- Basic. Mass production and small size means that the droid intelligence behind the Wasp is very basic indeed. Able to comprehend basic commands, and find means to either spy or attack a target, they are otherwise very basic and unable to significantly alter their orders.
Primary Source: N/A
