Overview:      The Mortus is a new TOG medium grav APC currently under study by TOGSOG. Designed around two infantry bays, the Mortus borrows a page from the Commonwealth's Trojan Horse APC in mounting more than one platoon per vehicle. Designed by the Crixxus-V Military Equipment Consortium, the Mortus is not being marketed as a replacement for the Horatius or Reumus, but rather as a new breed of combat vehicle for the changing times. Using this strategy, the board of directors at Crixxus-V hope to avoid any political maneuvering that might force their new tank into the wastebasket. Capabilities:      The main element of the Mortus is, of course, its infantry, of which it carries two squads. It is intended that legions assigned the Mortus do not reduce the number of vehicles they have, but instead increase the amount of infantry to fill the hulls of the new APCs. This will bring more flexible firepower to the front, a tactic that will work very well against the Renegade forces, who, due to frequent shortages of vehicles, depend very heavily on their own infantry. The Crixxus-V MEC team considered several variants of the Mortus, to try and discover the optimum carrying capacity. The squad capacity ranged from 2 to 5 squads, with differing weapon mixes on each. In the end, two squads was determined to strike the best balance between the advantage of more squads verses the disadvantage of having them all killed off if the vehicle was destroyed. Furthermore, above two squads, the Mortus lost too much of its weaponry and armour to be considered a viable combat machine.      As a fighting vehicle, the Mortus is not a spectacular machine, but an APC, it is quite well armed. With a single hull mounted Rapper-Inc GMDC 5 and a turret mounted Ave! 1.5/6 laser as its primary weapons, the Mortus does not pack much of a direct-fire punch, enough really only to engage softer targets. It's support weapons, however, help to make up for this difference. With two turret mounted TVLG 4 systems and one hull mounted TVLG 6 rack, all manufactured by BlazingTrails Ordinance, the Mortus can bombard an enemy target for a respectable amount of time. As well, coupled with the new Anti- Infantry TVLG munitions, the Mortus has the capability to support it's two infantry squads against other units. Further aiding this role, the Mortus carries two Piercing-Hell Anti-Personnel Laser systems, one on the hull and the other turret mounted. Together with the missiles and the GMDC-5, the infantry carried by the Mortus has perhaps one of the best anti-infantry vehicles to back it up.      The two squads are also well defended while riding into battle. Realising the criticism that would arise from placing two infantry units in the same chariot, the engineers at Crixxus-V MEC were determined not to let their new vehicle, and the troops inside, be easily destroyed in combat. 50 tons of Durri-Steel Interlokk armour cover the Mortus, making it even better armoured than the Romulus. Shield ratings are also high, with 70s all-round, save the front with an 80 rating, and of course the bottom, with it's standard 50 rating. Five Crixxus-V MEC-SHLD-VSTRs shield generators provide the shielding, and despite the occasional erratic unit, have a reputation as rugged units. Capping off the defensive component is a Vulcan III antimissile system, the same tried and true model as used on the Romulus. Overall, the Mortus is far better protected than the Horatius and many other medium tanks. Deployment:      Weighing in at 198 tons, and costing 1,157,100 credits, the Mortus is but a little heavier and more expensive than the Romulus, and far less so than the Horatius. This is proving to be a good selling point, and TOGSOG is currently leaning in favour of its acceptance. The design is still, however, in testing, and it will be a couple of years before combat units begin to see this APC in any number, assuming it is accepted. The chance of rejection is slim, however, and it may not be long before the Commonwealth itself is "Trojaned" into a defeat.

Class: Md Grv Armoured Personnel Carrier Dig Cannons: Yes Mass: 198 tons Infantry Squad: Yes(2) Cost: 1,157,100 Scenario Pts: 12 Rating Power Mass Cost Engine 1800 1800 40 450000 Thrust: 7 Shields Rating Front 80 96 2 40000 Right 70 48 2 35000 Left 70 48 2 35000 Stern 70 48 2 35000 Bottom 50 12 2 25000 Armour Points Front 90 0 9 450 Right 80 0 8 400 Left 80 0 8 400 Stern 90 0 9 450 Bottom 50 0 5 250 Turret 90 0 9 450 Hull Weapons Hull # GMDC 5 1 2 6 75000 AP Laser 1 5 5 60000 TVLG 6 2 0 9 30000 Turret Weapons TVLG 4 0 6 20000 TVLG 4 0 6 20000 1.5/6 10 10 120000 Vulcan III 12 12 46000 AP Laser 5 5 60000 Turret 1 2 2000 Crew and Targeting Crew 3 3 300 Infantry 2 16 16 1600 Digging Cannons # Of Charges 4 9 18 1800 Anti-Grav Drive 196 2 98000 Power Mass Cost Totals: 511 198 $1,157,100 Excess Power: 1289------------------------

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