Quote

"My teeth can chew a Shaktar in half and these claws can slice up a Wraith. I've been designed purely as a killing machine, even my skin can hurt you."

Razor, 716 Cuda, 901 SD.

Insight

Waking up with a pool of green liquid by your feet you watch as cables are retracted from your arms, legs and spine by a scientist in a large black power armour with a reflective visor. Looking at you own reflection as he careful sees to the cables, you tilt your head marvelling at row upon row of sharp incisors that fill your gaping mouth. Stretching out your arm you retract the claws from your fingertips. Just as sharp as your teeth, but not as deadly. Definitely a back-up weapon. As the scientist finishes he backs way slowly towards another creature like you. Glancing around you see several others like you, all being tended to by protected scientists, all with the same bar code on their arms: 716.

As the latest 716 tries snapping at the scientist you realise why they wear such heavy armour as the teeth sink deep into his helmet. Diving towards your target you realise others from the room have also followed your attack. The failure tries to defend itself with its claws but your teeth separate its hand even through its tough skin. Another of the 716s instinctively goes for the second hand whilst a third goes for his throat. A few minutes later and the creature is no more, ripped apart methodically by you and the other 716s. The scientists are all standing around nodding visibly in their power armour. Even though the creature was one of you, he acted against SLA Industries and so he had to be put down. Loyalty and Team Work, those are your main thoughts as you stand back in your position, waiting for the scientists to finish their work

Background:

Created on the distant planet Mare Infinitus, the 716 was designed to guard and protect the Karma researchers there. Based on the Acetic Leviathans that patrol the ocean world, they have inherited many of their traits; from their razor sharp teeth and armoured skin, to their sense of team work and blood thirsty nature. The 716 is a relatively new Stormer variant which has benefited from the recent advances in the Stormer gene-code, primarily those of coding additional abilities. Several of the initial designs allowed the 716 to function in the ocean environment of Mare Infinitus, including webbed hands and feet and gills for underwater breathing. However the final version has none of this abilities and is primarily designed for more urban environment.

Originally planned as an alternative to the 330 Gator, the potential for full Operative status was quickly realised. Whereas the initial design specification was for a variant capable of enhanced guard duty, the 716 showed a creativity about its actions, learning easily in simulated combat situations and analysing the best methods for group attacks. The initial training for the 716 is primarily combat training, with most being trained in Death Squad or Strike Squad packages, however the potential for other packages is to also be evaluated.

Appearance

The 716 is a little over human height, but is approximately three times its bulk. Likened to the Gator, the Cuda has a strong skeletal structure, assisted by ample amounts of muscle. The head is broad and sits low onto the torso. The most noticeable part of the Cuda is its wide mouth which is filled by several rows of razor sharp teeth which are barely concealed by its lips. The mouth appears to always be a grin, which combined with its teeth tends to give quite a frightening appearance to the Stormer. The eyes are large and without eyelids. They are covered in a moisture layer which keeps them refreshed and also allows them to see underwater. The nose appears quite small but is remarkably effective. The skin is relatively thick and quite abrasive, requiring the 716 to only wear clothes made of heavy materials.

Interaction

716 on;

Humans:

"Intelligent, not strong. That's why they've built me and that's why I defend them."

Frother:

"Almost as deadly as me. Almost. When they're on drugs."

Ebon:

"Ebb's not something I understand. I don't think the Ebons really do either. "

Brain Waster:

"So similar to us yet so different. I respect them for what they are and what they have to put up with."

Shaktars:

"Good fighters, but honour gets in the way of true teamwork. Very loyal though."

Wraith Raider:

"Faster than me, but my bite's deadlier."

Stormers:

"They know loyalty to Slayer as well as I do."

Game Stats

Blood Frenzy

The one drawback with the 716 Cuda is its overwhelming blood frenzy that it has inherited from the Acetic Leviathans of Mare Infinitus. This causes the Cuda to enter a berserk like status when ever it smells or sees blood in an area. Luckily the Cuda retains enough awareness of his loyalty to his friends and SLA Industries that he can resist attacking certain targets.

If the Cuda smells or sees blood then the player must roll a Negative CONC test. That is 2d10-CONC with the desired roll being under 11. This is the same way that the Fear test is done with the COOL stat. Additional modifiers can be applied to this roll by the GM depending on the situation, for example if the blood is a few drops then the Cuda is likely to get a -1 to his roll, if it is arterial spray from ten recently decapitated bodies then the Cuda will get a +10 to his roll. If the roll is under 11, then the Cuda has resisted any frenzy.

If the Cuda has failed the roll then he is frenzied for a number of rounds equal to the amount over 10. Whilst frenzied the Cuda will gain 1 additional attack, +2 to damage, impervious to pain (no PHYS rolls) and damage cut by 25%. The Cuda is also immune to Fear (no COOL rolls). Whilst frenzied the Cuda will attack any nearby threat to either itself or those it is loyal to. It will continue to fight until the frenzied state has worn off, or an outstanding COOL test is done (2d10+COOL, needs 20+). The Cuda does not attack stupidly whilst frenzied, using tactics and team-strength to his advantage. However, the Cuda is unlikely to use any sort of projectile weapon during this time, preferring to use close combat weaponry instead. The Cuda can make an Evaluate Opponent roll each round to determine who is most likely to be a threat and then concentrate on attacking them exclusively.