IEC Dragoon

The modern battlefield sees many impressive weapons—remote-controlled drones, STOVL stealth fighters, minitanks, combat bikes, anti-tank vehicles, power-assisted infantry armor, and AV-type ground attack craft. However, the ultimate multi-role land-deployed combat unit is the "Dragoon" cybersystem. IEC, holders of the U.S. military cybernetics contract, designed the Dragoon to be the most deadly weapon any army could have. Variants of the Dragoon have, predictably, sold well overseas. Being a strictly military weapon, the Dragoon is absolutely impossible to buy on the open market, and even the most powerful of corporations have a hard time getting ahold of these (except for IEC, that is). Measuring over 8 feet in height, and weighing in at 620 pounds, the Dragoon is arguably the most powerful full conversion in existence.

The Dragoon's advantage over all other land-based combat units is its humanoid form. It is capable of taking maximum advantage of terrain, it can enter buildings, hold territory and perform every part of a military operation, from guerrilla warfare to anti-aircraft artillery. Its performance levels give it equal speed (and superior all-terrain capability) to a 4x4 combat car, while it can go where no car ever could: treetops, maintenance tunnels, even vehicle cockpits. Combined with this unbeatable mobility is the Dragoon's inherent toughness: its armor plating consists of a monocrystalline ceramic composite with an ablative layer of heat-displacing ceramics and foamed metal (full SP vs lasers, etc), while its critical system redundancies and raw ability to soak damage make it the rough equivalent of an AFV. In this respect, the Dragoon can easily function as a perimeter patrol and defense unit, as well as an anti-site fast-attack system. It is also a fearsome opponent to troops and vehicles.

As a military weapon, Dragoon has many subsystems which are vital on the battlefield as standard features. It has a wide array of detection, acquisition and designation systems, backup sensors, environmental scanners and communications gear which maximize its chances of getting that most precious of commodities: current data on your foe. However, the Dragoon is not a dedicated design; rather, its modular construction allows it to custom-tailor its equipment to suit almost any role. All four of its limbs are interchangeable, allowing it to mount almost any type of weapons, from a suppressed SMG for special ops to a heavy machinegun or railcannon for anti-vehicular combat. The Dragoon is also fully protected against nuclear, biological, chemical and electronic warfare, giving it greatly enhanced staying power in an extended engagement.

The most immediately obvious problem with such a full body conversion package is the almost guaranteed development of devastating cyberpsychosis. It is true that a human brain, implanted in such a body, cannot easily cope with so many new senses and capabilities. IEC overcame this problem: the Dragoon, being a restricted, combat-use body, comes with an interchangeable biopod. This biopod, which houses the cyborg's biosystems, normally inhabits an "off-duty body," usually an Alpha Class. The Dragoon is only fitted with the biopod, and the human mind within, when it is actively performing missions. To ensure reliable performance from the Dragoon, a Behavioral Inhibitor Program in the cyborg's on-board computer (operating in concert with a chemical injection system loaded with psychoactives) restrict the Borg's thought processes, turning it into a loyal soldier. Battle-proven in the Brushfire Wars of 2018, the Dragoon's prowess and dependability are assured.

Note: The Behavioral Inhibitor Program and its battery of psychoactives do, indeed, keep the cyborg from going cyberpsycho (in the conventional sense). Basically, anyone whose biopod is in this body will act like a robot, unimaginative and literal minded. The borg's commanding officer says "Do this," and the Dragoon says "Yes, sir..." and does it. Because Dragoons are so straightforward-thinking, they are given very specific orders with carefully-laid out parameters. They are also easy to trick, so truly sensitive work is still left to more human operatives. A common mission would be to send a Dragoon into a sector which has been cleared of friendly forces and have it kill anyone it finds, then return. Those soldiers who have been the "minds" of Dragoons are not comfortable with the experience, likening it to being in a dream (or nightmare).

Unsuccessful attempts by Arasaka to create an even better combat cybersystem than the Dragoon would lead indirectly to them developing the first interlocked cyborg body/ACPA, the DaiOni.

Sensor Options
Front Optic Mount with 5 cyberoptics: *23* Cyberaudio: Amplified Hearing (+2 Awareness) with Level Damper and Enhanced Hearing Range, Long-Range Radio (25km) with 6 frequencies and Scrambler, Radar Detector (automatically detects Radar beam, 40% chance of fixing source). *5*
 * 1) (Night-Vision Optic) Lowlight, Image Enhancement, Anti-Dazzle, Targeting Scope.
 * 2) (Thermal Optic) Thermographics, Image Enhancement, Anti-Dazzle, Targeting Scope.
 * 3) (Long-Range Optic) Teleoptics, Image Enhancement, Anti-Dazzle, Targeting Scope.
 * 4) (IR-Vision Optic) Infrared, Image Enhancement, Anti-Dazzle, Targeting Scope.
 * 5) (Heads-Up Display Optic) Times Square Plus, Anti-Dazzle.

Twin Sensory Booms: *6*

(Right) Optic with Video Transmitter (transmits what the optic is seeing, live), Audio with Audio Transmitter (transmits what the mike is hearing, live). *2*

(Left) Optic with Video Imager (can show video images from recordings, transmissions and through Interface Plugs), Audio with Tight Beam Transmitter (unjammable within line of sight). *3*

"Sniffer" - Built into the head, consisting of an Olfactory Booster (which adds +2 to smell Awareness rolls, and has a 50% chance of picking up a scent and adding +2 to Shadow/ Track skill) and a Chemical Analyzer (which can analyze chemical traces in the air and break them down into their components). Data is displayed on the Times Square Plus. *4*

Sonar Scanner - Built into the skull, this ultrasound sensor accurately measures distance to, and dimensions of, the nearest solid object. It also serves as a motion sensor with a 120m radius. Data is displayed on the Times Square Plus. *4*

Radar Sensor - This I km range sensor has its emitter in the skull, and its receiver in the chest area. Data is displayed on the Times Square Plus. *2*

Radiation Detector - Built into the torso, this unit has a 10m range. Data is displayed on the Times Square Plus. *2*

Weapons Subsystems
None installed, but all four limbs have Quick-Change Mounts, allowing the Dragoon to suit its weapon suite to its mission; anything from a .22 pistol to a grenade launcher or railcannon can be mounted. *8 *

Others Options
Interchangeable Biopod - This allows the cyborg's biosystems to inhabit different bodies for different purposes. The Dragoon body is only inhabited by a biopod when it is active, and a Behavioral Inhibitor Program keeps the semi-cyberpsycho borg from getting out of line. *3D6*

Chipware Socket - If a Dragoon cyborg needs any extra skills in the battlefield, it's able to use them without filling up its Interface Plugs. *1*

Pain Editor - Cuts out heat, cold and pain on command. *2*

Ambidexterity Sub-Processor - This allows Dragoon to use either arm with equal effectiveness, and at the same time. *1*

Combat Crystal - This system allows 5 or more Dragoons to coordinate their actions; making sure that their vision covers 360°, covering each other, and generally using teamwork. This does not promote much individual action, but it grants maximum efficiency. When used, it adds +1 to Initiative and Attack rolls, +2 to Awareness and Defense rolls. *4*

Chronometer - Dragoon has a built-in timekeeping unit with stopwatch and alternate time-zone functions, displayed on the Times Square plus. *0*

IR Thermal Dam - This system absorbs IR emissions until they can be safely bled off; this is done in a random pattern, so that it does not appear to come from a humanoid source. This translates into a -5 to any IR-based Awareness rolls. *2*

Black Box Recorder - This is a built-in Braindance recorder, recording on chip everything the 'Borg experiences during its mission. It is used for post-mission analysis and debriefing, and it records what happened to those borgs who didn't make it. *1*

Environmental Assimilation System - Dragoon's exterior patterning and coloration can be selected. Internal memory stores 24 different camouflage patterns (desert, urban, snow, etc) as well as Rat black and olive drab coloration, selectable by the 'Borg. Observers are at -2 Awareness if the wearer remains still, -1 if they're moving (This bonus compounds for each 10 meters of distance between the wearer and the observer). *2*

Autoinjector - This is a small, refillable drug injector which can dose the brain with psychoactive drugs. Black Lace derivatives are a common choice. *1*

Ammo Hopper - This is a back-mounted ammo container with an electrically-powered belt feed. It can be modified to carry almost any type of ammo, and holds 20x the weapon's standard magazine capacity. *2*

Locator Beacon - a radio signal unit with a 100km range, because you want to protect your investment. *1*

IFF Transponder - This emits a coded, Identify Friend-or-Foe signal so that friendly patrols, smart mines, and air support won't mistake a Dragoon for the enemy. *0*

Satellite Link - This high-powered microwave communication system (which Uses "rabbit ears" as antennae) allows communication with friendly satellites, giving instant access to battlefield data, intelligence, and updated orders. It also has a Global Positioning System which can pinpoint Dragoon's True Earth location to within 5m. *3*

Micro-Computer - An on-board fuzzy-logic sub processor with capabilities equivalent to a pocket computer of EBM PCX. *2*

Shielding - Dragoon is fully protected against electromagnetic Pulse, electrical surges and microwave attacks. *6*

Humanity Cost: 42D6+3 (19D6+141)

Trivia

 * According to Mike Pondsmith, Adam Smasher uses a heavily modified Dragoon hulk as his main body by 2077.