Swiftstorm Front View

Code Name: Swiftstorm
Model Number: VXV-03S Swiftstorm
Model Type: Prototype High Speed Attack Vasteel
Manufacturer: Virgo Corp.
Pilot: Katrina Malcolm
Head Height: 20.5 Meters
Weight: 400 Tons
Propulsion Systems: Experimental Virgo Corp Antimatter Beam Core Drive x1 (Long Distance vacuum flights) 4x Mega Rocket Thrusters (Atmospheric Flight) Adjustment Verniers x12 (Atmospheric and Vacuum Flight) Graviton Deflectors X2.
Shielding: Yes. Layered Plasma, 600 Hour charge.
Armor Thickness: 2 Ft of Composite Nano alloys, 1 Ft. of Composite Titanium alloys
Power Plant: 3rd generation experimental Virgo Corp. compact Matter/Antimatter annihilation reactor.
Estimated Performance Statistics:
Armor Rating: 60
Long Range Offensive Capability: 60
Melee Range Offensive Capability: 100
Maneuverability: 90
Power Plant Performance: 80
Speed: 90
Weaponry:
4x Wing Blades
6x Swords, stored in sword housings in shoulder armor.
2x Beam Blades, stored in sword housings in shoulder armor.
6x Wrist Blades
2x Ankle Blades
1x Head Blade, mounted on helmet.
4x Beam Vulcan cannons, mounted on helmet.

Humanity spread throughout the solar system and divided itself into three political factions. The Earth United Nation, and The Inner and Outer Colony Federations. Ten years ago, all three factions were devastated in a war against an out of control AI named VIGO. 87% of humanity perished in the war, and all three factions have settled into an uneasy, but much needed peace. But the fragile peace is quickly threatened ten years later when a fleet of alien ships appear on the outskirts of OCF space at the tip of the Kuiper belt. The presence of the aliens makes the OCF a target for it's enemies, and so Virgo Corp., the very organization believed responsible for the creation of VIGO over a decade ago, violates the 'Fall of VIGO' Treaty, and seeks to build a new generation of all powerful Vasteels to quickly do away with the aliens who's very presence threatens to shatter the solar systems fragile peace.

As one of the five machines built, Swiftstorm was designed by Virgo Corp. to be as effective at melee range combat as possible. It's equipped with weapons designed to rapidly mow down large waves of lightly armored/shielded enemies while at the same time sporting enough vernier boosters and rocket thrusters to allow it to out maneuver and avoid virtually all types of weaponry, save for laser weaponry. Swiftstorm's network of rockets and boosters grant the Vasteel unrivaled speed and maneuverability. This deadly speed is kept from crushing it's own pilot by an ingenious cockpit system that siphons off much of the deadly forces generated by acceleration. When coupled with Swiftstorm's rotating/moveable frame design, the Vasteel is able to perform it's trademark 'Blade Storm' maneuver, a high speed, tornado like whirl of destruction that utilizes the majority of The Vasteels bladed weapons to slice anything caught in it's spin to ribbons. The moveable frame is a great advancement as far as Vasteel mobility and articulation goes, but Swiftstorm does suffer from unusually thin armor as a result of the frame, a problem somewhat offset by it's incredible agility. To land even a shot on Swiftstorm from long range before it closes and slices the enemy apart would be quite a feat indeed. Swiftstorm's only long range weapons are also 4 Beam Vulcans mounted in it's helmet. Despite it's incredible destructive force at close range, it's long range damage is only roughly on par with that of a standard fighter craft due to this. Katrina Malcolm, a woman who like many her age, saw her family dwindle away under the ravages of VIGO was selected to serve as Swiftstorm's Pilot. Swiftstorm itself is equipped with a system unique amongst Vasteels, or any other form of machine for that matter. The cockpit uses a system named RCRSX. (Refined Combat Reckoning System Experimental) After the war with VIGO, countless nanomachines were scattered by it across the solar system. These nano machines could potentially infect a Vasteel (as well as a number of other machines) and cause the revival of VIGO and extinction of mankind. This is why Vasteels were banned. But the RCRSX system works in concert with the NSI (Neurological Stimulus Implants) that a pilot is equipped with to directly connect a pilot's brain to A Vasteel Heart. This mix of human and machine creates a device that VIGOs viruses cannot presently overcome, and allows the control system to use the powerful computer that is the human brain to achieve VIGO level performance. NSI Implants however, must be grafted to the pilot's nervous system, and thus the brain and spine. Not only does the installation of the implants leave the user with unsightly NSI Receivers protruding from their shoulder blades, the actual installation of the receivers is an extremely painful proccess that anesthetics fail to dull due to the direct implanation into the nervous system. That Katrina survived the procedure to implant The NSI receivers is testament to her fortitude and dedication to her mission.

Related Imagery:
Swiftstorm Rear View

Pilot, Katrina Malcolm:


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