The ZI-250X Silent Strider is a redesign of the Triax XM-330 Phantom. The ZI-250X incorporates a HI laser and camouflage technologies purchased from Naruni Enterprises at their offices in the Mega-City of Center. The propulsion system and secondary weapon systems have been improved through Kittani science.

Model Type: ZI-250X Silent Strider MBT
Vehicle Type: Main Battle Tank
Crew: Five: Pilot, gunner, communications officer, navigator/sensors operator and commander

M.D.C. by Location:

	Main Cannon:	250
	Turret:	400
	[1] Laser Pulse Cannon:	80
	[1] Micro-laser turret:	100
	[1] Forward Pulse Laser Turrets (2):	120 each
	[1] Micro-Missile Launchers (2):	80 each
	[1] Headlight:	5
	[1] Main Sensor Pod:	20
	[1] Top Access Hatch:	150
	[1] Belly Hatch:	200
	Reinforced Crew Compartment:	300
	[2] Main Body:	850

Notes:
[1] Each of these hit locations is a small and difficult target to hit. An Attacker must make a called shot to hit and even then he is -3 to strike. Destroying both sensor systems means that the pilot must rely on his own vision with no enhancements such as radar.
[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:
Land: Hover to 300 mph (483 km/h) maximum.
Water: Hover to 120 mph (193 km/h) maximum over the surface, 60 mph (96.5 km/h) maximum when submerged.
Air: 180 mph (290 km/h) maximum when traveling more than 20 feet above a surface.
Altitude Range: Four to 500 feet.

Statistical Data:
Height: 9 feet (2.7 meters).
Width: 20 feet (6.1 meters).
Length: 35 feet (10.7 meters).
Weight: 48 tons (43.5 metric tons).
Power Source: Micro-Fusion Reactor, estimated life: 20 years.
Cargo Capacity: A small locker that can hold five rifles and survival packs.
Market Cost: 85 million credits

Weapon Systems

1. HI-750 High Intensity Variable Laser Cannon: This is a modified version of the medium HI-laser cannon that is usually mounted on starships. The cannon has a reduced power output to allow it to operate on a smaller unit then it is normally used on.
   Mega-Damage: 7D4x10
   Rate of Fire: Four blasts per melee
   Effective Range: 26,400 feet (8046.7 m)
   Payload: Effectively unlimited, the cannon cycles power through the capacitor every 3.75 seconds
2. Laser Pulse Cannon: The ion cannon was replaced with a dual laser mount of K-4 pulse lasers.
   Mega Damage: Single shot does 6D6+12 and a 3-shot pulse is 2D6x10+12.
   Rate of Fire: Equal to gunners hand to hand attacks.
   Effective Range: 3000 feet (914.4 m)
   Payload: Effectively unlimited
3. Forward Pulse Laser Turrets (2): The light rail guns were replaced by K-4 pulse lasers. The K-4's were chosen for their improved damage and unlimited payload, but the loss of the 1000 feet in range was counted as an acceptable trade off.
   Mega Damage: Single shot does 3D6+6 and a 3-shot pulse is 1D6x10+6.
   Rate of Fire: Equal to gunners hand to hand attacks.
   Effective Range: 3000 feet (914.4 m)
   Payload: Effectively unlimited
4. Low Profile Laser Turret: The light laser was replaced with a singe shot version of the K-4.
   Mega-Damage: 3D6+6
   Rate of Fire: Equal to gunners hand to hand attacks.
   Range: 3000 feet (914.4 m)
   Payload: Effectively unlimited
5. Micro-Missile Launchers (2): The original mini-missile launchers have been replaced with guided micro-missiles for their improved payload and guidance system.
   Mega-Damage: 6D6 to a 3-foot area.
   Range: Two miles (3.2 km).
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, six or 12 per launcher.
   Bonuses: +4 to strike and dodge, two attacks per melee.
   Payload: 72 total, 36 per launcher.
6. Special Features:
   • Silenced Engine and Propulsion System: No air cushion hover vehicle is truly silent but the Silent Strider is very quiet for its design. At ranges of 3.1 miles (16,400 feet / 5,000 meters) or greater, The Hover Tank is so quiet that it gets a prowl roll of 35% in daylight and 60% in darkness.
   • Turret: The entire main turret can rotate 360 degrees.
   • Camouflage System: The tank's exterior can change colors to match the surrounding terrain. The color change takes 1D4 melees, and the tank matches the predominant colors in the area. This makes the tank very difficult to spot (-20% to Detect Ambush and Detect Concealment rolls). The system also masks infrared and thermal emissions, making heat sensors useless. Also provides a +10% to prowl.

[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]
[Kittani, Triax and Naruni Enterprises are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

By Ki-Tarn Zilkia (Kitarn@netscape.net).
Copyright © 1998, Ki-tarn. All rights reserved.