The latest and hottest release from Novyet Manufacturing is a heavy-duty, reliable hovercycle suitable for use in the winter and under arctic conditions — most traditional hovercycles have a tendency to stall, freeze (won't go until and cause avalanches. A special heat circulation and air cycling system keeps the engine and hover jets from freezing, while an enclosed and heated cockpit protects the driver. Heated locks keep them from freezing and an excellent defrost system keeps the glass of the cockpit and rear view mirrors from freezing. Field tests show that the Arctic Hoverbike can perform in sub-zero condi- tions up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit below zero (-90 C), and has performed with minimal stalling and freezing problems at tem- peratures down to 200 degrees below zero (-129 C). A muffled "soft-flow" hover jet system causes minimal noise and distur-
bance of the snow to help prevent avalanches and similar snow and ice slides.
If this excellent vehicle has a downside, it is its slow speed compared to conventional hovercycles, but faster speeds dra- matically increases the chance of snow slides.
Crew: One
Capacity: One human-sized passenger up to 7.6 feet (2.3 kg)
and 500 pounds (225 kg); suitable for partial and Light Ma- chine 'Borgs, but full conversion cyborgs and Heavy Ma- chines may be too large heavy to use this vehicle.
Cargo: Minimal; space for a rifle, survival kit, backpack, and a
couple of small items or packages. An additional 200 pounds (90 kg) can be strapped to the outside of the Hoverbike and it can pull up to an additional 300 pounds (136 kg).
Height: 4 feet (1.2 body; landing gear is three skis, two in the rear on the sides of the vehicle, and one centered under the front section.
Width: 3.6 feet (1.1 m); wide at the rear, tapers a foot (0.3 m)
toward the front.
Length: 8 feet (2.4 m) Weight: One ton.
Power Source: Internal combustion engine (alcohol gas- oline mix) or nuclear.
Range: Liquid fuel: 300 miles (480 km); nuclear: unlimited. Speed: Hover stationary to 100 (160 km), but cruising
speed is typically around 60 mph (96.5 km).
Leaps: Capable of assisted leaps 30 feet (9 m) high and 100 feet (30.5 m) across.
Ceiling: feet (76.2 m); capable.
Life Support: Air circulation and cleaning system with gas fil-
tration and toxic warning system. The bike can also be sealed tight and has an internal oxygen supply with one hour of air. Can withstand up to 200 Rads of radiation.
M.D.C.by Location:
* (6) — 22 each * Landing Skis (3) — 20 each * Headlights (2) — 3 each
Reinforced Windshield of the Cockpit — 60 Main
* Locations marked with a single asterisk are small difficult targets to hit. Thus, they can only be hit when a character makes a called shot and even then, the attacker is -3 to strike.
Depleting the M.D.C. of the entire main body will destroy the vehicle.
Cost: 90,000 to 120,000 credits (cost is higher in remote re-
gions) for the standard alcohol or gasoline mixed, internal combustion engine with a range of 300 km); good availability. 1.1 million credits for the nuclear powered bike with a 10 year life and effectively unlimited range; poor availability.
Note: The Sovietski has 20,000 with another 20,000 on or-
der; 5% are nuclear powered.
A low, sleek snowmobile usually fitted with a turbine engine that takes liquid fuel. It can operate over a fair range of terrain,
but is limited somewhat by very rugged landscapes and moun- tainous regions (needs a trail or path). The snowmobile operates by means of vector jets controlled by a computer system in the steering control, and has a retractable exhaust baffle. This al- lows the pilot to attempt spectacular stunts if desired by thumb- ing the booster at opportune moments. Forward braking jets in the underbelly and nose are used for sudden stops. The pilot must be careful when attempting leaps and other stunts because they could damage the chassis of the Jetsled. More than 30 M.D.C. taken in a single crushing fall (or attack) will knock out one of the jet engines and reduce speed by 30%.
Crew: One
Capacity: One human-sized driver and one human-sized pas-
senger up to 7.6 feet (2.3 kg) and a total of 600 pounds (270 kg); suitable for partial and Light Machine 'Borgs, but full conversion cyborgs and Heavy Machines are usually too large heavy to use this vehicle.
Cargo: Minimal; space for a rifle, survival kit, and backpack.
An additional 200 pounds (90 kg) can be strapped to the out- side of the Snow-Jetsled and it can pull up to an additional 200 pounds (90 kg), but speed is reduced by 20% and control (pilot skill)
Height: 2.5 feet (0.76 m) Width: 3 feet (0.9 m)
Length: feet
Weight: pounds (450 kg)
Power Source: Liquid fuel turbine, turbojet engine or nuclear. Range: 250 miles (400 km) for the liquid fuel engine, effec-
tively unlimited when nuclear powered.
Speed: Top speed is 150 mph (240 km), but cruising speed is
usually around 70 mph km). Note: I don't
know how many of you have driven snowmobiles, but mph better be reserved for flat-out open spaces like the steppes! Traveling through woodlands or rugged terrain will reduce maximum speed by 50-70%; to go faster is suicide (will crash into something).
Leaps: Capable of thruster assisted leaps 15 feet (4.6 m) high
and 50 feet m) across.
M.D.C. by Location:
Rear (2) — 25 each
* Small Jets (4) — 6 each * Snow Skis (2) — 25 each
* Headlights (2) — 3 each Reinforced Windshield —
* Locations marked with a single asterisk are small difficult targets to hit. Thus, they can only be hit when a character makes a called shot and even then, the attacker is -3 to strike.
** Depleting the M.D.C. of the entire main body will destroy the vehicle.
Cost: 45,000 to 60,000 credits (cost is higher in remote regions)
for the standard alcohol or gasoline mixed, turbine engine with a range of 250 miles (400 km); excellent availability. One million credits for the nuclear powered bike with a 10 year life and effectively unlimited range; rare.
Note: The Sovietski has 40,000 of these vehicles; 2% are nu-
clear powered.
This small, three-man vehicle has a pair of treads/tracks in the rear and a pair of large M.D. wheels in the front, each with independent suspension for travelling over rugged, uneven ter- rain. The front wheels can be replaced with sturdy skis in the
winter to navigate on top of deep snow. The vehicle is designed
for short-range exploratory missions and personnel transport. Its small size allows the Landcrawler to navigate narrow streets and trails, stairs, and fairly steep hills and mountains. The Landcrawler can ascend inclines of up to maximum (30° to 45° is optimum). The pilot's compartment is comfortable, if not overly spacious.
Crew: Two with space for two passengers; two could also ride
on top of the vehicle.
Capacity: another human-sized passenger can squeeze in if necessary.
Cargo: Up to 1,000 pounds (450 kg), set in "saddlebag" com-
partments on the sides; up to three tons can be pulled. Height: feet
Width: feet
Length: 9 feet (2.7 m) Weight: 3 tons
Power Source: Choice of gasoline, electricity/solar batteries
(both with a 250 mile/400 km range on one tank or charge) or nuclear. Note: The electric/solar version can recharge itself outdoors using a built-in solar panel array. It takes 10 min- utes of daylight to recharge the batteries for one mile.
Speed: Top speed is 72 mph (120 km), cruising 42 mph (70
km); half under treacherous conditions.
Sensors: The landcrawler has a digital HUD with passive
and auto-range-finding, feet (457 m) each, and radio to miles km).
Internal Life Support: hours internal oxygen with gas filtra- tion, withstands up to 500 Rads of radiation.
M.D.C. by Location:
Windows (6) — 25 each * Headlights (2) — 2 each Rear Treads (2) — 60 each
* Forward Wheels or Skis (2) — 45 each Reinforced Pilot's Compartment — 50
Main
* Locations marked with a single asterisk are small difficult targets to hit. Thus, they can only be hit when a character makes a called shot and even then, the attacker is -3 to strike.
** Depleting the M.D.C. of the entire main body will destroy the vehicle.
Market Cost: Universal credits; add one million to the cost for a nuclear powered Landcrawler, but also add 40 to the M.D.C.
Note: As many as two light weapon systems can be built into the vehicle at extra cost, and up to 80 M.D.C. at a cost of 10,000 credits per 20 M.D.C.
Note: The Sovietski has 10,000 of these vehicles, with an-
other 2000 on order; 30% are nuclear powered.
The Explorer is a large and heavily built, four tread vehicle. There is a small pilot's compartment with room for the driver and 2-3 passengers. Behind the pilot's compartment is a trailer or cargo area that can be used for hauling cargo or turned into a spacious passenger compartment capable of accommodating eight human-sized passengers in reclining seats and still have room for two computer stations, a large storage cabinet, a 20 gallon water cooler, mini-grill, and a small bathroom with sink
and toilet (100 gallon flush tank). However, most (65%) Ex- plorer-Sku see the back cargo bay turned into a field laboratory with 3-4 bunk bed style sleeping areas, a refrigeration unit, specimen cabinet, mini-laboratory, audio and video recording station, a small communications/sensor station, and mini-kitchen with a small grill and range, a storage cabinet, sink with a 100 gallon water tank, as well as two computer stations, water cooler and bathroom.
The Explorer can take on the toughest of the unforgiving Eurasian landscape and looks good doing it. It can drive through snow blizzards and ride atop deep snow. The Explorer's system also makes it suitable as an all-purpose trans- port, cargo hauler and it even does an adequate job at farming, and construction.
Crew: 2-4
Capacity: Can transport 6-8 passengers comfortably, 14
cramped, depending on the configuration and use of the rear bay. It can carry 20 tons and pull an additional 20 tons (although max. speed is reduced by half).
Height: 8 feet (2.4 Width: feet
Length: 22 feet (6.7 m) Weight: 7 tons
Power Source: Liquid fuel combustion engine (plus independ-
ent laboratory generator) with a range of 700 miles km), or nuclear (about a 50/50 split are manufacturers).
Speed: Top: 70 km), with a typical cruising speed of 40 mph (64 km). Deep snow and treacherous terrain may re- duce speed to under 20 mph (32 km).
Life Support: Air circulation and cleaning system with gas fil-
tration and toxic warning system. The vehicle's cab/pilot's forward section and rear cabin can be sealed independently and have an air purification, purge and circulation system (with an 8 hour supply of oxygen) that can clean and recycle breathable air for approximately days. Can withstand up to 400 Rads of radiation.
Sensors: The Explorer has a digital HUD with passive
and auto-range-finding (1,500 m each), and all standard, large vehicle sensors and features.
M.D.C. by Location:
Forward Windows (3; front cab) — 25 each * Headlights (4) — 2 each
* Rear Lights (4) — 2 each * Spotlight top of cab) — Hatches (2 front, one top) — 85 each Large Bay Door rear) —
Tractor Treads (4) — 70 each
** Main Body: Forward Cab Section — 230 ** Main Body: Rear Section —
* Locations marked with a single asterisk are small difficult targets to hit. Thus, they can only be hit when a character makes a called shot and even then, the attacker is -3 to strike.
Depleting the M.D.C. of the entire main body will destroy the vehicle.
Market Cost: 565,000 Universal credits for a basic cargo Ex-
plorer with a liquid fuel system.
Add one million to the cost for a nuclear powered vehicle (+40 additional M.D.C.).
Add 20,000 for a fully outfitted living quarters for eight. Add for the laboratory and research cabin.
As many as four light weapon systems can be built into the vehicle at extra costs. However, since the vehicle is not intended for combat, most street version have no weapons or just one.
Note: The Sovietski has 2,300 of these vehicles equipped
with one MK "Saber" Quad-Rail Gun Turret, one Kharkov M9 Manned Rail Gun Turret and a launcher (64 missile payload); 60% are nuclear powered, 70% are lab versions.
Bear ATV
A thick-bodied ATV with large, wide, balloon tires similar to the Big Boss ATV (from the Rifts® The Bear is larger than the Big Boss and the front tires are somewhat larger than the rear ones, enhancing the "bear" similarity. The front of the vehicle is also wider, taller and bulkier than the rear. The ATV has four-wheel drive, with favoring the front
wheels in case of steep grades. With most of the weight in the
front, hill climbs become somewhat easier.
The vehicle seats six comfortably and has room for two in
the pilot's area. It also comes with a tow hitch (100 m)
and built-in winch (equal to a robot P.S. of 30).
Crew: One driver
Capacity: 6-9 additional human-sized passengers.
Cargo: Up to two tons (900 kg), plus it can pull an additional
five tons.
Height: 10 feet m) in the front, 7.6 feet (2.3 m) in the rear. The tires are four feet m) in diameter.
Width: 8 feet (2.4 m)
Length: feet
Weight: 6 tons
Power Source: Liquid fuel system with a 500 mile (800 km)
range, or nuclear.
Speed: 95 mph km) maximum, with a typical cruising speed of 50 mph (80 km). The Bear handles well on ice and snow up to three feet (0.9 m) deep. Snow deeper than that presents a danger of getting stuck.
Life Support: Air circulation and cleaning system with gas fil-
tration and toxic warning system, and can handle up to 300 Rads of radiation.
Sensors: Nothing special except
M.D.C. by Location:
Forward Windows (3) — 25 each
Side windows (4; two on each side) — 25 each Rear Window large) — 25
Headlights each * Rear Lights (4) — 2 each
* Hatches (2 section) — 55 each Side Cargo Doors (2, one on each side) — 60 each Rear Cargo Door (1) — 70
Balloon Tires (4) — Front: 35 each, Rear: 30 each Main
* Locations marked with a single asterisk are small difficult targets to hit. Thus, they can only be hit when a character makes a called shot and even then, the attacker is -3 to strike.
** Depleting the M.D.C. of the entire main body will destroy the vehicle.
Market Cost: Universal credits for a basic Bear with a liquid fuel system.
Add one million to the cost for a nuclear powered vehicle (+40 additional M.D.C.).
Add 10,000 credits per 20 additional M.D.C. up to 80 extra, maximum.
As many as three light weapon systems can be built into the ve- hicle at extra costs. However, since the vehicle is not intended for combat, most street versions have no weapons or just one.
Note: The Sovietski has 2,100 of these vehicles, equipped
with one Kharkov M9 Manned Rail Gun Turret and a mini-missile launcher (32 missile payload); 33% are nuclear powered.