Sagebrush can be found anywhere in the west. On Rifts Earth, roads in most places are very primitive if existing at all and vehicles must be constructed in such a way as to be able to handle all types of terrain. The sagebrush is designed to take this terrain with a vengeance. This is because the sage brush is constructed with a special active suspension that gives far better traction than might be expected from a motor. The bike was designed to look like an old pre-rifts style motorcycle from around the time of world war two. The Design is built by Iron Armory, a company that specializes in taking United States Pre-Rifts combat vehicles and weapons and rebuilding them for use. This design is an attempt to diversify their products.

The Bike is very tough with a strong MDC frame and solid rubber tires although the motorcycle is not as fast as some other designs. Standard vehicle comes with long range radio and mini-disk system but can be upgraded to have all the systems that are in a suit of light power armor. Due to being a open compartment, the vehicle does not have the life support systems. The bike is fairly large and is about the size of a touring motorcycle. The bike can carry a fair amount of cargo and has space for a passenger. A sidecar attachment is also available. The secret to the vehicle high traction is that fact that both wheels are powered and the computerized active suspension. The Sagebrush is available with a conventional internal combustion engine, electric engine, fuel cell version, and finally fusion. The fusion reactor design is pulled from those in light power armors. The fuel cell systems are purchased from Metalworks Inc and some believe that Iron Armory is a subsidiary of them. There has been no proof, so at the moment it is just speculation by some. The technology for the fuel cell design was purchased by Metalworks Incorporated from Archangel "Heavy" Industries who got the designs of fuel cells from pre-rifts records. The fuel cells operate by pulling the electrons off of an H₂ molecule, splitting it into 2H⁺ molecules and 2 electrons. The electrons pass through the "load" (engines, weapons, avionics, etc.) creating current and powering the systems. Meanwhile, the 2H⁺ molecules pass from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte. At the other "end", the electrons then recombine with the 2H⁺ molecules and Oxygen (from the air) and are release as water from the rear of the vehicle.

The vehicle is available in both an armed and unarmed version. The armed version has eight mini-missiles and two laser cannons. The laser cannons are designed to draw power from a battery, fuel cell, or directly from a fusion reactor.

Model Type: I.A. GP-04
Vehicle Type: Motorcycle
Crew: One (Can carry one passenger and sidecar can carry an additional passenger)

M.D.C. by Location:

	[1] Headlight (1)	10
	[1] Mini Missiles Launchers (2)	40 each
	[1] Light Laser Cannons (2)	30 each
	[2] Main Body:	150
	Wheels (2):	20 each

Notes:
[1] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a "called shot;' but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the unit down completely, making it useless.

Speed:
Ground: Cruising speed on land is 120 mph (193.1 kph) on roads and 90 mph (144.8 kph) off road maximum
Maximum Range: With gas or electric, 600 miles (965.6 km), with fuel cells, 700 (1,126.5 km), and with fusion, effectively unlimited.

Statistical Data:
Height: 3.5 feet (1.1 meters)
Width: 2.2 feet (0.7 meters)
Length: 9.5 feet (2.9 meters)
Weight: 920 lbs (12.5 metric tons)
Power Source: Four versions. Nuclear with 5 year fusion reactor, Electric, Conventional liquid fuel that uses aviation gas, and Fuel cell version that uses Hydrogen as a fuel to produce electricity.
Cargo Capacity: 200 lbs (90.7 kg) in cargo behind drive without a second passenger and 400 lbs (181.4 kg) in side car if no passenger
Market / Black Market Cost: 35,000 credits with Internal Combustion engine, 40,000 with Electrical engine or fuel cell power system, and 210,000 for fusion with a 5 year life. Sensory / Communication upgrade costs 12,000 credits. Weapon systems cost 40,000 credits extra.

Weapons Systems:

1. Twin Light Laser Cannons: These laser cannons are fairly powerful but have a fairly short range. They can be fired together to inflict greater damage. These light laser cannons are mounted on either side of the headlight. These weapons are copies of the Wilk's 237 "Backup" Pulse Laser Pistol fitted into the vehicle.
   Mega-damage: One laser: 3D6 per single blast and 6D6 per double blast. Both lasers: 6D6 per single blast and 1D6x10+6 per double blast.
   Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks (usually 4-6).
   Maximum Range: 500 feet (152 meters)
   Payload: Nuclear Reactor: Effectively unlimited. Other versions: 200 shots (bursts use 2 or 4 shots)
2. Mini-Missile Launchers (2): The missile launcher systems are side by side in the nose of the cycle. Both launchers hold four (4) mini-missiles for eight (8) total.
   Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Damage: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, or all (8). Can be fired equal to the pilots combined hand to hand (usually 5 or 6).
   Payload: Four (4) Mini-Missiles each launcher for a total of eight (8) mini-missiles

Bonuses: +2 to dodge and +10% to all piloting rolls.

[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).

Copyright © 1999, Kitsune. All rights reserved.