V5.00( Teleporter Teleporter pI`CC`A@MM 3 3 2 1 1 7J    8 (Unknown)8 (Unknown)9 (Unknown)5 (Unknown)88  88  5 9 }Ever hear that joke? The one that was cruel and funny enough that you never forgot it? That's what killed the Teleporter project. The Teleporter was unveiled at the beginning of 2771 as part of the new years eve parade on Solaris VII. "Teleporter" Mike, ran the mech down Main street as a demonstration. Heated by fireworks displays, the triple strength myomer kicked in unexpectedly. He skidded through the t-junction end of main-street and crashed into the glass wall of the Centennial building. A flaw thought corrected, the ejection system then fired, sending Mike through two floors, the glass wall and back out onto the street. The corporate owner of the Centennial building sued for damage to the building, lost income, medical expenses, and threw in emotional distress with a smile. 275 civilians sued for minor glass-related injuries. 425 civilians jumped on the band wagon, suing for emotional distress. Most of the latter were thrown out of court, the judge citing the more violent daily broadcasts but the successful suits ruined the design team who had not properly insured their prototype. The Teleporter team declared bankruptcy and their equipment was sold at auction. The six prototypes were snatched up by various military factions. The Star League acquired the plans. The Teleporter never officially went into production. Mike Crichell disappeared from the hospital and the design team was believed to have vanished into obscurity. They were never seen again after November 2784. The teleporter was designed as a reconnaissance and sabotage mech. It is a fast mech with excellent jump capabilities and reasonable firepower at close range. Downgrading the 320 engine to a 280 was a crushing blow to the design team but getting access to the triple strength myomer re-invigorated the project. The lighter engine also reduced the weight of the gyroscope and allowed for the addition of the jump jets, greatly increasing its maneuverability. The final weapons layout was carefully planned to synergy with the triple strength myomer. Many weapon layouts were suggested but they all included four medium lasers as the reliable and efficient bulk of the mech's firepower. The small laser was added purely for the purposes of balancing the heat. The flamer was debated but included in the final prototypes for intimidation and the reliable ability to start fires behind enemy lines. The mech was almost renamed the Tele-arsonist. Five of the prototypes saw use as scout mechs in various militaries for several years. Reliable and fast, the Teleporters earned a good reputation among the four military units that had them but it was never enough to repair their good reputation enough to demand a production run of the mechs. Also, the plans had long since vanished. All of the prototypes, except the fourth model, were eventually destroyed and scavenged for parts. The fifth and sixth prototypes saw service for the longest time, well cared for by their owners for almost three generations. The torso of the fifth Teleporter found its way to the Draconis Combine where it was forgotten in storage until a Jade Falcon unit captured the storage depot. It now rests in a museum on Strana Mechty. >Each of the prototypes is different. The first model includes the original 320 engine at an extra 6.5 tons. The jump jets, flamer, small laser and 1.5 tons of armor are not included but the mech moves as fast as the models with triple strength myomer active. Unfortunately this model is poorly armored. Poor combat results were the reason the 280 engine was finally chosen. The second model changes to the 280 engine. It does not have the jump jets, flamer or small laser but mounts 2 extra medium lasers and 3 extra heat sinks. It has slightly more firepower but it is the slowest of the prototypes which makes it less effective and hardly deserving of the name Teleporter. It was referred to as the "Tele-walker". The third model has all the features of the final model, but no Triple Strength Myomer. It did not arrive in time and standard myomer was used. This prototype allowed the design team to test the heat buildup and coolant systems. The heat control systems were changed in this model to more accurately control the heat levels. Unfortunately it was plagued with the ejection problem. Whenever this mech takes a critical hit, the pilot ejects. The fourth model was the infamous "Main street Teleporter". It is on display in the lobby of the Centennial building. It has an extra medium laser instead of a flamer and the ejection problem of model three but is otherwise identical to the final model. The damage to its armor has not been repaired. It has about 5 points of damage to each location. The fifth and sixth models were built before the accident on Solaris VII. They resemble the final model. The heat control system was completely rebuilt based on the original two prototypes and there is no ejection system problems. A seventh prototype was under construction but was later scrapped for repairs on the other prototypes. Mike Crichell test piloted all of the Teleporters. Although he was not the only test pilot, he was the best known. He survived the accident on Solaris VII but wore a mask from then on, to hide his scars. He had been chosen because of his skill in piloting light and medium mechs. He worked many years previously as a mercenary scout before moving to Solaris VII for a higher income and relatively safer employment. He fell into semi-retirement as a test pilot for mech designers. His skill in pushing mechs to their limit earned him the nickname "Dasher" until his accident. That name is still painted below the cockpit of the fourth prototype.   ?C:\Program Files\HeavyMetal\Pro\mechs\Teleporter Teleporter.hm-Star League Weapons Research Solaris VIIWarner 1/Star SlabStar League HO-01aO/P 3000 COMSETStarlight LX-1Vicore Thrust-Masters Model L