For Southern Cross & Invid Invasion
(An adaptation of the MR-02 Protector from The Magic of Palladium Books #2)
By: Stan Bundy
The Merchant Republic of Patagonia began to coalesce into a single nation, following the announcement of the REF's impending departure for Tyrol. Prior to 2020, it had been a collection of small independent states. But, by 2024, it was one of the five largest independent nations (not part of the United World Government power structure), and was receiving technical assistance from the E.B.S.I.S. This technical assistance led to the manufacture of the MR-02 Protector Battloid in the Merchant Republic in 2025, to serve in the defense of the Republic from threats both alien and human (such as the Southern Cross). The MR-02 was in wide service with the Merchant Republic by January of 2029, when the Robotech Masters' fleet arrived, but saw very little action, since the Republic didn't take offensive action against the Masters' forces the way the Southern Cross did, and in addition was far removed from the ruins of New Macross City (whose capture was the only real objective for the Tyroleans).
Half-way through the conflict that was raging in space and the nations to the north, the government of the Republic realized that they would have a golden opportunity to seize the rest of South America at war's end, as both sides were blatantly throwing everything they had into a meat grinder, the likes of which hadn't been seen on Earth since WWI's trench warfare. To spearhead the growth plan, they would need a mecha designed for offense, unlike the Protector, and it was unlikely that the E.B.S.I.S. would help. So, the Republic turned to two retired RDF mecha designers who had settled in the Southlands; professors Miles Anderson and David Karloff.
The week before the climatic battle that destroyed both the Masters and Monument City, the first production model of a new mecha rolled out. Called the MR-03 Rapier, it was Anderson & Karloff's first, stop-gap action to increase the firepower of the Republic's mecha. Essentially a Protector up-armed with knock-offs of the SC EU-11 rifle and the missile launcher of the E.B.S.I.S. Recon Destroyer Battloid, it would serve as the long-range firepower for the reconfigured MR forces, alongside both the Protector and the Durendal. The latter was a new heavy combat mecha; the first totally new design in over 6 years, and it entered service a few months after the Rapier. Rapier production completely replaced that of the Protector, and over 4000 were made before the arrival of the Invid.
Vehicle Type: Non-Transformable Combat Battloid
Crew: One; no passengers
M.D.C. by Location:
Head 100 Arms (2) 70 each Head Lasers (4) 30 each Hands (2) 20 each Head Spotlight (1) 10 Legs (2) 100 each Reinforced Pilot's Compartment 50 *Main Body 200 EU-MR: 75 Chest Missile Bay: 150
*If the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the mecha shuts down. If the head is destroyed the mecha is - 6 to strike, parry, and dodge.
Speed - Running: 80mph(128kmph), leaps up to 40 feet across or high.
Flight is not possible.
Height: 35 feet (10.7m) Width: 15 feet (4.6m) Length: 12feet (3.6m) Weight: 21 tons, fully loaded. Main Engine: KRT-66 Fusion Reactor
Weapon Systems:
1. L4 Quadruple Laser System is mounted into the face/head of the battloid. Each of the four lasers can fire separately or all fire simultaneously at the same target. The individual weapon appetures can rotate 45 degrees. A spotlight is located in the center of the face/head between the lasers.
Primary Purpose: Defense
Range: 4000 feet ( 1200m)
Mega-Damage: 2D6 per single blast,
4D6 per double blast (two lasers at same target),
1D4x10 per quadruple blast (all lasers).
Rate of Fire: Equal to the pilot's
combined hand to hand attacks (usually 4-6).
Payload: Effectively unlimited.
2. A Short Range Missile Pod is mounted into the chest of the battloid. The rectangular area in the center of the chest flips open to reveal a battery of missiles. The chest panel must be open to fire.
Primary Purpose: Assault/Defense Range: Varies by missile type Mega-Damage: Varies by missile type Rate of Fire: Singly, or volleys of 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8. Volleys count as one attack, regardless of number of missiles fired. Payload: 32 short range missiles.Note: This launcher is identical to the one on the E.B.S.I.S. Recon Destroyer Battloid.
3. EU-MR Energy Gun Pod: A hand-held weapon for the Battloid, it is a knockoff based on the EU-11 designs brought in by Anderson & Karloff. Other than the reduced M.D.C. of its casing, it is otherwise identical to the EU-11.
Primary Purpose: Assault Range: 6000 feet (1800m) MegaDamage: 1D4x10 Rate of Fire: Equal to the pilot's combined hand to hand attacks. Payload: Effectively unlimited.
4. Hand to Hand Combat - Punch does 1D6 MD, body block does 1D4 MD, stomp does 1D4 MD, or kick inflicting 1D6 MD. Uses the E.B.S.I.S. Battloids mecha combat skill for full mecha combat, Destroid Basic for basic mecha combat.