Dragonfly
Cybershell [Biomorphic]
Perhaps the most singularly popular flying cybershell, the Dragonfly is in many ways a marvel of engineering and biomimicry. The Shell dates back to the early days of the interplanetary period, where it first appeared to house engineer and technician AIs aboard microgravity habitats and in asteroid mines. The design proved so popular that it spread quickly from there, and become one of the go-to designs for AGIs and LAIs that were looking for a quick and easy way around some low gravity worlds. The shell can also fly under normal gravity as well, but on planets like Earth and Venus, there were more common shells than this that were used. Still, the Dragonfly had staying power, and even today, the shell is incredibly popular among spacers, explorers - really, any AGI that wants the freedom of flight while also possessing immense flexibility and technical capability.
The cybershell, as noted, is a fantastic demonstration of biomimicry, with the basic wing structure engineered to replicate how the wings of an actual dragonfly work; independently. In addition to being capable of independent operation, each wing can rotate around its axis as well, which means this shell can hover, have sudden bursts of speed, make hairpin turns, and the like. It's also a great deal more silent than on would image. This makes them excellent for surveillance as well as exploration and even stealth operations. Finally, the shell is a great deal more flexible than one might think looking at it, with the body capable of contorting in odd directions without accidentally damaging the wing structure. Modern tenth generation dragonflies are only better in this regard, with tough, flexible armor to boot.
The cybershell, as noted, is a fantastic demonstration of biomimicry, with the basic wing structure engineered to replicate how the wings of an actual dragonfly work; independently. In addition to being capable of independent operation, each wing can rotate around its axis as well, which means this shell can hover, have sudden bursts of speed, make hairpin turns, and the like. It's also a great deal more silent than on would image. This makes them excellent for surveillance as well as exploration and even stealth operations. Finally, the shell is a great deal more flexible than one might think looking at it, with the body capable of contorting in odd directions without accidentally damaging the wing structure. Modern tenth generation dragonflies are only better in this regard, with tough, flexible armor to boot.
Interesting Facts
- The cybershell not only features highly flexible winged flight, it has near silent turbo-fans that kick on when the cybershell is in a vacuum conditions, or in the event of a catastrophic blowout. This makes them popular with spacers, who can use them both inside and outside of their ships and habitats.
- Neo-avian digitals tend to avoid this cybershell, and much of it is because of the difficulty with flight and how different the wings work than from what they're used to.
Odonata-series Dragonfly 154 Points
Attribute Modifiers
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers Advantages Perks Disadvantages Quirks Skills Features Cost |
ST -1 [-10]; DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]
SM -1. Absolute Direction (Requires Signal, -20%) [4]; Cortical Stack [6]; DR 3 [15]; Flexible [5]; Flight (Winged, -25%) [30]; Flight (Newtonian Space Flight, +25%; Space Flight Only, -75%) [20]; Machine [25]; Photographic Memory (Recorded Data Only, -20%) [8]; Silence 2 [10]; Telecommunications (Cable Jack, XP +80%) [9]; Telecommunication (Radio; Reduced Range x1/10 -30%, Secure, +20%; XP +80%) [17]. Accessory (Cyberbrain), Accessory (Tiny Computer) [2]. Cybershell Body [-15]; Maintenance (Electronics Repair and Mechanic skill, 2 people, monthly) [-4]; No Legs (Aerial) [0]; Restricted Diet (Very Common, Power Cells) [-10]. +2 to Aerobatics, +2 to Flight [4]. Individuals of the same model resemble one another [0]. $154,000 + computer. LC 4. |
Dragonfly Variants and Family
While one might think a shell as popular might have a large number of variations, this is actually far from the truth. Many consider the shell to be about as perfect a flying shell as you can produce, which means that there are not many in the market looking for overt modifications, just small tweaks. However, never one to let sleeping dragonflies rest, there have been a small number of variants produced, as well as a handful of related shells that use a similar mechanism to fly, even if they aren't dragonflies at first glance (like the Buzzbot).
Odonata-series "Hawker" (+25 points):
Odonata-series "Shadow" (+15 points) |
The Hawker improves the base model by improving the sensory package, incorporating a number of impressive sensors in to its very large compound eyes, a unique feature among the Odonata-line (most Odonata don't have visible eyes at all; it was a purely stylistic decision to include compound eyes on the Hawker). Add Hyperspectral Vision [25].179 points.
How do you take what's already an impressive shell and make it better? Give it the ability to alter the exterior shell so it matches the background; the result is the Shadowdragon variant. They aren't military unites, but they do find frequent use in paramilitary service. Add Chameleon 3 [15]. 169 points. |
Aero-series Buzzbot |
-15 points |
The Aero-series "Buzzbot" is a model series produced by Design Aeronáutico, one of the more famous design houses for cybershells and robots in the Regency (although they're best known for the Odonata-series). They are small cybershells that are used for everything aerial surveys to photojournalism to package deliver. the DA version is a miniature helicopter with the body like a fly, two shrouded counter-rotating motors, a cluster of simple sensors, and a manipulating arm, but there are versions that have different features, although all of them feature sensors, some powered atmospheric flying mechanism, and a single manipulator. The insect-like body is one of the reasons why it's often lumped together with the Dragonfly, another insect like bot, even though the two are very different in terms of design goals. Also, the Buzzbot often doesn't have a cyberbrain and room for a cortical stack, and so doesn't come with either of these things.
Attribute Modifiers
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers Advantages Perks Disadvantages Features Cost |
ST-7 [-70]; HT+1 [10].
SM -2. Absolute Direction (Requires Signal, -20%) [4]; Damage Resistance 2 (Can’t Wear Armor, -40%) [6]; Filter Lungs [5]; Flight (Temporary Disadvantage, Noisy 2, -4%) [39]; Infravision [10]; Machine [25]; Telecommunication (Cable Jack; Video, +40%) [7]; Telecommunication (Laser Communication) [15]; Telecommunication (Radio; Video, +40%) [14]; Telescopic Vision 2 [10]; Temperature Tolerance 3 [3]. Accessory (Tiny Computer) [1]. Cybershell Body [-15]; Increased Consumption 3 (Requires refueling, 1 hour endurance) [-30]; Maintenance (Electronics Repair and Mechanic skills, 2 people, Monthly) [-4]; No Legs (Aerial) [0]; No Sense of Smell/Taste [-5]; One Arm [-20]; Restricted Diet (Common, any one hydrocarbon fuel) [-20]. Individuals of the same model closely resemble each other. $320 + computer. LC 4. |