Tactics and Secrets
The MHI Defense AA Tank is a respectable addition to any Bannson’s Raiders, Swordsworn, Steel Wolves, or Liao battleforce. Its anti-aircraft (AA) capabilities will strengthen each of the factions, especially considering its relatively inexpensive cost. The first three versions have 12 range values, so they can fire at VTOLs up to 24” away, while the Liao unit has a range of 10, allowing it to target VTOLs up to 20” away. With damage values of 4 or 5 and Armor Piercing in most cases, the MHI Defense AA Tank should be a real threat to anything in the skies. Reactive Armor or Heavy Armor just sweetens the deal.

History
“Next time I see me a worker from Michaelson I’m going to tear him a new one!” A huge belch erupted after the statement and pilot Greg Johanson swayed on the bar stool.

“And why would you feel the need to do something like that?” the barkeep responded, his obvious boredom barely hidden by the gallons of Stewart Brewmasters already imbibed. Then again, in the seedy establishment, lit by only a few bare bulbs that failed to keep the shadows at bay, the only two other occupants that filled the half-dozen tables were either even more drunk or passed out.

“’Cause those saps need to fly against the monsters they make. They think they’re just making a car or something. Slap goes the wrench. Tighten the last bolt. Send it out to the field. Don’t matter who buys it. They’ve done their work. Off to the brats and the chain, but stop off at the skin show first.” Greg tipped back and actually managed to defy gravity as his whole body leaned out alarmingly from the bar stool, and he slammed back the last of the thick liquid; the creek of the wood sounded as though sudden structural collapse was imminent.

“And they’re not making cars, I take it?”

“No! Vehicles to kill me. That’s what they’re making. There I was, my sweet Balac ripping at treetops and carving up Cat vehicles like cheese (hehehe, get it, cheese and a Cat), when suddenly I’m shaking like the Lord God Himself just grabbed my ’copter with His hand. First eye blink ’fore I could figure a #### defense tank was flaking me. Gone wet myself ’fore second eye blink, the dashboard lights up like a ##### painted for a deal, and then I’m crashing through trees. Next thing I know, sun’s up, hot as hell, Julia’s dead and already stinkin’ . . .”

Greg began to weep and banged the table for another drink. He began to talk again but it came out as drunken, incoherent blubber.

“Hey, buddy, what did you say?” asked the bartender, for once sounding like he actually cared.

Greg looked up through a scar-filled face, making no attempt to wipe away the snot and tears that marred his visage.

“I said, next time I see me a worker from Michaelson I’m going to tear him a new one!”

Design Notes
This is the first AA unit for Bannson’s Raiders, only the second for the Steel Wolves and Liao, and the third for the Swordsworn. These additions should increase the ability of these factions to cover the battlefield. And those pesky VTOLs will really have something to worry about when they see big Armor Piercing damage headed their way; no more of this 1 or 2 damage – now they have to worry about 4 or 5, which really ought to put a crimp in their style. Their defense values are respectable, starting at 19 to 20 with some defense special equipment in some cases, but damage is really where it’s at with these units.