The HERMES I is passed off as an "experimental mecha" by its owners, Nazgul Squadron (RDF), mostly to hide the fact that they have a Stinger. The Stinger in question actually belongs to the wife of the squadron XO, a former Scavenger. One of the reasons she returned to human society was that there was a threat to both her group and to the Terrans that was greater than their threat to each other.
The threat in question is another group of Malcontents known as the Night Demons, after an old Zentraedi Legend. The Night Demon leader has forsaken his Zentraedi name for a human one he finds more proper - Vlad Dracul; this is a good indication of his mentality. "Vlad" is insane; alas, he is also very intelligent. His goal is destruction of all humanity and those Zentraedi who have joined it, even temporarily. Thus, he hates Breetai, Exedore, Miriya and even Seloy, leader of the Scavengers, as she has a half-human son. Vlad is also the last of his series of clone; of all people, KHYRON tried to exterminate the cell line as he considered it too unstable and dangerous to continue! This should be an indication of how dangerous "Vlad" really is. The Night Demons assisted in the construction of the bomb that destroyed Oasis; they also have in their possession a mega-nuke designed for use in deflecting an asteroid that might collide with Earth. All the bomb needs to be operational is the fuel material, and it is a race against time to stop the Night Demons before they can arm and use the bomb. Unfortunately, no one believes Nazgul except for the Scavengers, who sent it to them.
The HERMES I, a customized Malcontent Stinger based on the Officer's Pod.
Crew: 1, with room for up to three passengers.
Cargo: 250 lbs., up to 1000 lbs. total without passengers.
M.D.C. by Location:
Main Body: 200 Pilot's Compartment: 150 Arms(VHT*): 200 each Arm-mounted Ion Cannon: 120 Hands: 60 each Particle Beam Cannons: 50 each Legs: 100 each Feet: 60 each Sensor Array: 40 Autocannons: 25 each Engine Thrusters: 50 each Center Booster/ML: 200
* Arm shields/sleeves have been removed.
Speed - Running: 200 MPH, Flying: 2345 MPH, Space: 3518 MPH.
Height: 55 feet; Length: 33 feet; Width: 36 feet.
Weight: 45 tons fully loaded.
Main Engines - Power Supply: From Veritech Hovertank;
Thrusters: OBP Thrusters replaced by salvaged Beta prototype thrusters, with a Super VT FAST Pack mounted between them in the spot where the old PBC was located, for additional bursts of speed and as further armament (the missile launcher is intact).
Standard Equipment: AS RDF Destroids, but with Raidar X radar.
Weapon Systems:
1. Dual Particle Beam Cannons(2): Both are identical to the on originally found on an Officer's Pod, but have been relocated to mounts on the engine housings, to make room for the Super VT booster. They have a 60o up/down and 45o left/right firing arc, and are fire linked (both can fire at same target as one attack).
Primary Purpose: Assault.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft.
Mega-Damage: 5D10+25 for one, 3D4x10+30 if fired together.
Range: 10,000 feet.
Rate of Fire: Each can fire twice per melee, either singly or volleyed.
Payload: Conditionally Unlimited (see #2 below).
2. Right Arm Ion Cannon: This weapon came from the same mecha as the arms, but was relocated to the right arm. The arm shields have been removed, and the new manner of mounting has resulted in a different ROF and Payload.
Primary Purpose: Assault.
Mega-Damage: 3D4x10 per blast.
Range: 8000 feet.
Rate of Fire: Can fire twice per melee, if payload allows.
Payload: Conditionally Unlimited. Both weapons 1 & 2 draw from the same energy reserve. This energy reserve holds 25 charges, and recharges 6 charges an hour (1 charge/10 minutes), provided neither the PBCs nor the ion cannon are fired during this time. A single PBC shot does not drain any charges, but a dual PBC blast drains one charge, as does one ion cannon blast. If the reserve is depleted, then the mecha is limited to single PBC shots, with dual PBC and ion cannon shots not possible.
3. Short Range Missiles: The rebuilding of the Pod for a micronized pilot allowed more room for missile storage. However, the firepower increase in other areas means that the SRMs are primarily used in a defensive role.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Missile Defense.
Secondary Purpose: Assault.
Mega-Damage: Usually 1D6x10 per missile (Plasma or HE).
Range: Varies by missile type, usually 2-3 miles.
Rate of Fire: 1 or volleys of 2.
Payload: 12 missiles.
4. Autocannons - These are the original weapons on the body, except that their payload has been increased.
Primary Purpose: Anti-personnel.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Missile Defense.
Mega-Damage: 2D6 singly, 4D6 volleyed together.
Range: 4000 feet.
Rate of Fire: As pilot's combined hand to hand.
Payload: 50 bursts each.
5. Center Booster Medium Range Missile Launcher: This is mounted between the two engine housings, and is the standard launcher found on Super Veritech boosters. While the booster gives the HERMES excellent speed, its missiles are the mecha's longest ranged weapons.
Primary Purpose: Assault.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Aircraft.
Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 per missile.
Range: Varies; usually 40-80 miles.
Rate of Fire: Singly, or volleys of 2 or 4.
Payload: 20 missiles.
6. Optional Use of Hand to Hand Combat: Included in Officers Pod Mecha Combat (either version), except that punches do 2D6 MD.
7. Optional Use of the Officer's Pod Armored Vehicle.
8. Optional Use of any hand-held Gun Pod.
9. Optional Use of any Zentraedi Rifle.