Schrek

Schrek
Production information
Manufacturer	Aldis Industry
Mission	Long-range heavy fire support
Type	Tracks
Technical specifications
Mass	80 Tons
Armor	ArcShield VII Mk 5 Standard
Engine	240 Fusion
Speed	54.0 km/h km/h
Crew	6 Members
Armament	3 HellStar PPCs

Description

Overview:

For many years, both enemy vehicles and 'Mechs considered the Demolisher to be one of the most awesome heavy tanks on the battlefield. The Demolisher's main guns had the side effect of generating unbearable amounts of heat, however, requiring its crew to wear specially designed coolant suits. Even the coolant suits could not protect the crewmen during a sustained fire fight, and they would die either from the super-hot temperatures or the inability to continue fighting.

Ten years and hundreds of coolant suits later, Aldis Industries announced that they had developed a vehicle comparable in size and firepower to the Demolisher, but without the heat problems. This vehicle was the Schrek PPC Carrier.

Utilizing the latest innovations in particle projector technology, the Schrek is capable of literally vaporizing the armor off of any 'Mech with one shot. However, many potential buyers are put off by the cost and the use of a viable fusion power plant. Many argue that they can purchase a much more effective 'Mech for the price. Only time will prove the commercial viability of this deadly vehicle. Capabilities:

On the battlefield, the Schrek's main function is to act as long-range heavy fire support to vehicles and 'Mechs. Its three HellStar PPCs allow the vehicle to engage and destroy practically any unit in combat. Light 'Mechs may be able to close with the Schrek, but one hit from its PPCs can usually disable or kill anything under 20 tons. The heavier 'Mechs do not have the speed to engage the Schrek before its PPCs cause major damage. The greatest threat to the Schrek are medium 'Mechs, for they combine both speed and firepower.

The Schrek's fusion plant has given the Aldis sales force some unexpected problems. Currently, there are very few combat vehicles using fusion power plants. Consequently most of the Techs assigned to vehicle units are trained to maintain conventional internal combustion engines. While the Techs were supposedly retrained, many Schreks started to break down as the result of improper maintenance on their engines. Aldis has responded by offering a free training program to anyone who purchases ten or more vehicles. However, the response to this program has not been as favorable as expected.

One advantage of the Schrek over the Demolisher is that the Schrek was built mainly for defilade fire, or fire from prepared, hidden emplacements. The Schrek's high-angle, sloped armor and low profile make it a difficult target to spot and destroy. In addition, the Schrek's two treads create less ground pressure than the Demolisher's four, allowing it to move over softer terrain.

The Schrek's greatest limitation is its lack of close-range attack capability. The PPC has difficulties concentrating a particle stream at ranges of less than 120 meters, and so the Schrek must avoid closing with the enemy. When it is in a favorable battle position, however, the vehicle's heavily armored turret and front slope give it the protection needed to fight well. Battle History:

On one occasion, an undisclosed invader attacked Butte Hold, home world of Periphery Bandit King Redjack Ryan. While Ryan and his troops were away from the planet, the unknown attackers began to raid several outposts. Once they had stolen enough of Ryan's equipment and supplies, they set up a semi-permanent campsite jug outside a major city. It was obvious to the city forces that an attack was being prepared.

Fortunately, the city defense force had acquired several Schreks, and so they were not totally unprepared. After a day of setting up dug-in firing positions for the Schreks and other vehicles still in working order, the defenders believed they could hold out until Ryan's return.

The invader's force consisted mostly of light and medium 'Mechs, but also included several AeroSpace Fighters. Though the attack began as an attempt to overwhelm the city defenders, the five Schreks had totally decimated the enemy units within a half an hour. This included the Cyclops piloted by the enemy leader. Within five minutes of the start of the attack, the concentrated firepower of the Schreks had reduced the assault 'Mech to a slag heap.

Armament

3 HellStar PPCs

Variants

There have been very few variants of the Schrek over the years. Sometimes, however, troops do mount the Schrek with external machine guns or small lasers if they believe that a small enemy raiding force may be near, but even this is rare.

References

SOLARIS7: VEHICLE TECHNICAL READOUT: ARCHIVE ID #1131