Aestavalis - Space Unit

Name: Aestavalis - Space Species: Human Technology: Robot

Background

The Space Unit is a robot built exclusively for combat in Space, it is built on the standard Aestavalis chassis  but with additional armour, thrusters and environmental capabilities.

In order to function in outside of a gravitational field, and in a hostile environment, the Space Unit has been built with additional thrusters for maneuvering in a vacuum, it also has enhanced environmental systems to protect its pilot from the extreme cold and radiation found in space.

As with the Flight Unit, which has to withstand fire from multiple angles, the Space Unit is fitted with additional armour. this armour provided partial protection from cold and radiation with the rest of the radiation shielding being built into the pilots cockpit. The constant use of thrusters to maneuver further reduces the Space Units' endurance when separated from its Graviton Power Beam, giving it only eight minutes of power at near minimum activity, after this the pilot is left with only basic life support. Fitting chemical engines to the Aestavalis would serve only to reduce its maneuverability, and would tie it to a maximum flight duration.

The Space Unit's siphons engine draws energy from a graviton power beam from a command cruiser. The power beam has a set radius and if the Aestavalis goes outside of it, or if something jams the beam, then it must use internal batteries for power.  The Space Unit can not fight inside a enemy vessels using Graviton Power Beam and has to rely entirely on its internal batteries. Heavy use of shields or thrust engines only serves to increase the consumption of battery power and to reduce its flight length.

Armour

The Aestavalis relies solely on the ceramic and plastic armour fitted. The Space Unit's armour is slightly enhanced and can sustain more fire than the standard armor, the Space Unit's armour protects its pilot from the increased levels of radiation found in space, and is sufficient to repel all light laser and conventional weapons and can sustain moderate fire from Jovian semi guided rockets. However, without the restrictions of an atmospheres to add resistance and drag, most Jovian projectile weapons inflict increased damage when used against a target in space. The Space Unit's armour is approximately equal to the armour of the Flight Unit, when  comparing the protection offered by the two levels of armour 

Defensive Field

The Space Unit carries a standard Factory fitted distortion field capable of repelling moderate rocket fire and light fire from Heavy Graviton Weapons.

Weaponry

The Aestavalis can be equipped with all standard light weaponry though because of weight restriction and the requirement to remain mobile they are often equipped with minimal weapons

Rocket Forearms (standard).
Assault Rifle (optional).
Combat Knife (optional).
Field Penetration Halberd/Lance (optional).

Additional Components

Enhanced Environmental Systems.
Radiation Shielding.
Enhanced Armour.
Enhanced Thrusters.
Space Based Navigation and Targeting Systems
Long Range Communications Devices.