The Behemoth has been much maligned by many people but Rachet, the main owner of Metalworks Incorporated, realized that there was many uses for the vehicle. Because is was a robot and not a tracked vehicle, it is more useful on all terrains than most APCs are. He had several ideas for different jobs for the Behemoth and more were added by the designers at his company and the second major owner of the company named Vixen. The engineers came up with another feature as well. The vehicle has modular sections instead of being fixed at the factory. The final product, has designed for it sections for the roles of: Cargo Vehicle, Command Vehicle, Mobile Hospital, Personal Vehicle, Repair and Maintenance Vehicle, Research Vehicle (like the original Behemoth), and Troop Transport. Metalworks has just began production of the robot vehicle and several went to Vixen's Mercenary Companies.

For a vehicle to be able to operate in combat environments, the most important feature is weaponry and armor, two items that were lacking in the original Behemoth. Even with the additional weapon systems, the robot is not designed for heavy combat and purchaser are warned of this prior to any purchases being made. The armor is only slightly thicker than the original Behemoth but is constructed from more advanced alloys and can withstand more damage. The sensor systems have been moved to the sides of the observation area to make room for the missile launchers. While the vehicle has some close in weapon systems, the main weapon system are medium range missile launchers. These allow the robot to protect itself while staying at a good range.

The module for cargo is simply a large cargo bay to carry cargo. The vehicles cost makes the Behemoth unpopular for this role. The vehicle does have quarters for up to 10 passengers

The command section is mainly a communication vehicle and allows for the monitoring of large scale battles for senior officers. This means that the vehicle is taken up mostly by various radios, laser communication systems, sensor systems, and computers. The vehicle has spacious quarters for up to five senior officer and has quarters for both twenty communication/sensor operators and thirty security personnel

The personal vehicle is much like a very huge recreational vehicle (RV) and has space for up to 20 passengers in incredible comfort including a hot tub, swimming pool, high quality entertainment equipment, and exercise areas. Surprisingly, this module is selling quite well indicating that there are more wealthy individuals interested in travel than many believed.

The Troop Transport version simply is set up to carry a large number of troop with some relative protection although it not really designed for battlefield operations. Some have called the robot vehicle an armored bus. It does have sleeping areas for the vehicles troops.

The Mobile Hospital Version has a full medical facilities with two full operating rooms, one laboratory, bunks for patients, storage for blood, medical supplies, and other items need for medical treatment. The vehicle even includes equipment for cybernetic implants. While surgery can be attempted while the vehicle is moving, this is only done in emergencies. Normally, the medical personnel will wait until the vehicle is stopped.

The Research Version carries the same equipment as the original Behemoth and has three laboratories and has ten separate living quarters that can house 30 to 40 people (or 80 if cramped).

The Repair and maintenance version carries full equipment to repair vehicles, weapons, and equipment. The vehicle also has quarters for up to 20 technicians/operators and can fit up to 40 if cramped

Model Type: M.I. EX-5M (Modular)
Class: Mobile Multi-Purpose Robot Vehicle
Crew: Three (one pilot, co-pilot, and communication officer) for operation of vehicle.
Module Crew / Passengers: The number of passengers the vehicle can carry depends on the section that the vehicle is fitted with.
Cargo Module: 10 passengers
Command Section Module: 5 Senior Officers, 20 Communications/Sensor Operators, and 30 Soldiers
Mobile Hospital Section: 15 Medical Personnel and 120 patients
Personal Vehicle: 20 passengers in comfort but could easily carry 80
Repair and Maintenance Vehicle: 20 technicians/operators (40 if Cramped)
Research Module: 30 to 80 passengers / researchers
Troop Transport: 280 Troops

M.D.C. by Location:

	Vulcan Laser cannon turret (1, rear top)	450
	Medium Range Missile Batteries (2, rear top):	300 each
	Mini-Missile Launchers (4, Sides):	200 each
	Upper Arms/Shoulder (2):	180 each
	Forearms (2):	250 each
	Hands (2, Large):	80 each
	Hands (2 Small, Retractable):	30 each
	Legs (2):	325 each
	Side & Arm Searchlights (6):	5 each
	Top Mounted Searchlights (2):	10 each
	[1] Sensor Mounts (2, sides of observation area):	40 each
	Pilot's Compartment:	250
	Observation Deck:	400
	[2] Main Body:	750

Notes:
[1] Destroying both Sensor Mounts reduces the sensor range by half but backup systems will give some sensor abilities. The mounts are relatively small and difficult targets to hit and have a strike penalty of -1 to hit on a called shot.
[2] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is completely shut down and unsalvageable, but crew and troops may survive in their reinforced compartments.

Speed:
Running: 45 mph (72.4 kph)
Leaping: Due to mass of vehicle, cannot leap.
Underwater Capabilities: It can also walk along the bottom of the sea at about 25% of its normal running speed.
Maximum Ocean Depth: 2000 feet (610 m).

Statistical Data:
Height: 64 feet (19.5 meters)
Width: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
Length: 84 feet (25.6 meters)
Weight: 1550 tons not including modules.
Physical Strength: Equal to a robotic P.S. 50
Cargo: Depends on Module Carried, these are in addition to standard equipment
Cargo Version: 1000 tons
Other Versions: 200 tons
Power System: Nuclear; Energy Life of 35 yrs.
Black Market Cost: 80 million for a new and undamaged fully powered robot complete with all weapon systems. Modules cost extra. Armored Personnel Carrier Module and Cargo Module cost 5 million. Repair andMaintenance Module cost 20 million Command, Hospital, and Research Modules cost 35 million

Weapon Systems:

1. Vulcan Laser Cannon Turret: The turret is mounted near the rear of the vehicle between the two medium range missile launchers but at a higher level to give a full 360 arc of fire. The turret can also fire at angles up to 90 degrees and is used against aircraft as well as ground targets. This cannons are a copy of the IH-44L Vulcan Laser on the Iron Hammer Tank that was manufactured by Ironheart Industries. The laser cannons pull power directly from the fusion reactor of the fighter.
   Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).
   Mega Damage: 3D4x10 for an instantaneous burst from all six barrels of the cannon
   Rate of Fire: Up to six times per melee but is restricted to the pilots number of hand to hand attacks.
   Payload: Effectively Unlimited (Draws Power off the main engines).
2. Medium Range Missile Batteries (2): These batteries are similar to some mounted on ships and they are located near the rear of the vehicle.. The systems can launch up to 24 simultaneously each and automatically reloads the launcher after each firing. This acts as the ships middle point defense and is normally used to engage incoming air targets and missiles. The launcher tilts down to accept reloads from an internal magazine.
   Range: As per medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega Damage: As per medium range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of fire: One at a time or in volley of two, four, six, twelve, or twenty four (Each launcher operates independently)
   Payload: 48 medium range missiles per launcher for a total of 96 medium range missiles
3. Four (4) Mini-Missile Launching Systems: Each launcher has a 30 Mini-Missiles. They are located on the sides of the Robot vehicle. Missiles are usually 50% AP and 50% Plasma. Each launcher operates independently
   Range: As per mini-missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega Damage: As per mini-missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of fire: One at a time or in volley of two, four, six, or twelve (Each launcher operates independently)
   Payload: 30 missiles each launcher for a grand total of 120 missiles.
4. Optional Hand to Hand: Treat as normal hand to hand combat except increase the damages as listed.
   Restrained Punch: 1D6 M.D.
   Full Strength Punch: 4D6 M.D.
   Crush: 2D6 M.D.
   Power Punch: 1D6x10 M.D.
   Stomp: 2D6
   Body Block: 2D6 M.D., 70% chance of knocking one's opponent down.

Special Systems:
The Behemoth has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:

• Infrared and Ultraviolet Optics:
• Radar: Standard Radar Unit. Has a 100 mile (160 km) range and can track up to 96 different targets
• ESM: Can detect another radar system at 125% of the range of the transmitting radar.
• Thermal Imager: Range: 2000 feet (610 meters).
• Infrared Searchlights: Range: 500 feet (150 meters).

[Coalition TM, Phase World TM, and Triax TM are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]
By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).

Copyright © 1999, Kitsune. All rights reserved.