Gemini Fantasy Mecha By Damien Valentine#885659

Before and during the First Galactic War, a mech's A.I. suite was its second most expensive component...and certainly its most problematic, as demonstrated in the Calliope Incident.  The easiest solution was to simply remove its A.I., and load sub-sentient software onto its neural net instead.  This, of course, would severely compromise future combat performance.

In the first year of the war, a new class of Mecha appeared in planetary battalions associated -- one way or another -- with the factory-world of Lem.  Dubbed the Gemini, these light Mecha (apparently known as "skirmish" or "scout" Mecha at the time) featured seats and life-support systems for two pilots.  While this is reminiscent of the Shogunate's new Megazomes, the reasoning was very different: the co-pilot was meant to compensate for the computer's shortcomings, not to enhance the skills of the primary pilot.  Though records of the First Galactic War are extremely scarce, Gemini squadrons evidently served with such distinction that production continued well into the Second Galactic War, despite the adoption of modern A.I. by that time.  The blueprints were lost with the fall of Lem at the end of the war, and the only surviving Gemini is on display in the Grand Museum of Britomart, a planet rediscovered only in 3297.

By today's standards, the Gemini is distinctly peculiar, and it is difficult to see how it could compete on the modern Mecha market.  Most likely, its availability to even the lowest-level pilots -- rookie-veteran teams were quite common in the Galactic Wars -- would tempt many to buy a single Gemini in place of two Red Ants.  But once the more versatile WarHorse became available, the temptation would quickly pass...especially since Geminis can support fewer upgrades than any modern mech, and have no shield slots at all.  (This was an almost universal failing of "skirmish" Mecha.)  Archaeological evidence from Lem and Britomart indicates these Mecha were armed with rapid-fire projectile or laser weapons, and deployed against infantry platoons and light vehicles.  Hypothetically, Geminis could still be fielded to good effect in battles with low-tonnage "infantry" Mecha, like the Hegemony's "20-Minuters" or the Shogunate's "Hivemind".  However, their lower-than-average armor would ensure they were still restricted to skirmishes and reconnaissance-in-force.

COST

Ferrite: 350
Bioptics: 300
Niodes: 30

STATISTICAL READOUT

Tonnage: 20 tons
Armor Points: 35
Start Weapons: 2
Minimum Level: 1
Levels per Weapon: 7
Manufacturer: n/a

ARMAMENTS

Proto Beam
Proto Beam

If purchased individually, these weapons alone would cost: 20 ferrite, 22 bioptics.

BONUSES

Build: Speed +6
Build: Precision (2)
Level 2: +1 cockpit slot
Level 2: +1 engine slot
Level 3: Projectile damage +5%
Level 4: +1 chassis slot
Level 7: +1 weapon slot
Level 10: Laser damage +5%
Level 11: +1 cockpit slot
Level 14: +1 weapon slot
Level 17: Projectile damage +5%
Level 18: +1 engine slot
Level 21: +1 weapon slot
Level 24: Laser damage +5%
Level 25: +1 chassis slot
Level 28: +1 weapon slot
Level 31: Projectile damage +5%
Level 32: +1 cockpit slot
Level 35: +1 weapon slot

Submitted by Damien Valentine#885659