Post by Colodie on Aug 31, 2005 20:06:03 GMT -5
Military Armaments Research Systems (MARS)
Overview
MARS was originally created as ARES (Advanced Research Experimentation Systems), a research and development orgnisation by a now defunct city-state located on the Darklonia plateau in the north-west of the continent. ARES was charged with the task of discovering, researching and deciphering the technologies of ancient (pre-cataclysm) times, but with a focus on Zoid technologies. The founders of ARES believed that through rediscovery of the past, they could build a better future.
However, the Darklonia region was overrun and conquered by the forces of the Gigardo Empire, and incoperated into the Empire itself. Gigardo seized control of ARES and its research. However, rather then dismantle the organisation, they found a use for it. Gigardo was making great strides in advanced technologies with the newly developed Bio-Zoids; however, they knew that the Bio-Zoids power paled in comparison to the Zoids of ancient times.
ARES was renamed to MARS (Military Armaments Research Systems) and given a new task. While they were still to research ancient technologies and to redevelop them, their focus was changed to purely Military technology, and Zoids technology in specific. Gigardo felt that, through MARS and their research of ancient Zoid types, they would be able to develop newer and more powerful weapons to expand their own power.
The majority of the ARES research and development teams were retained within MARS, but were now forced to work for Gigardo; all their research wound up in the Empire's hands, and were being channeled towards their army. Over time, Members of the MARS team began to resent this missaproation and redirection of their work, feeling that they should have complete control over what they were doing,
To this end, a second group formed within MARS aimed at eliminating the Gigarado control over the organization. This enclave of researchers and technicians began work on developing their own weapons from technologies that they had kept secret from the Gigarado empire. Through careful research, they succeeded in duplicating several of the key elements of Zoid core and structural technology.
The MARS team reasoned that the Zoid technology that they had developed could be used to gain their freedom from their masters. Under the guise of an "advanced research project", the MARS team began work on creating a new Zoid design of their own to use against the Gigarado forces. The team began by studying various Zoids commonly used; from their research they found a considerable amount of data on one of them, the Command Wolf, and elected to use it as a basis for their research.
Personnel:
Chief of Operations: Rick “Deadborder” R.
Chief of Development: JAff
Illustrated here is the standard male duty uniform (The female uniform is identical), worn by agents and operatives in the field. The uniform is made of a lightweight composite mesh based off the best clothing technology that MARS has been able to recover. The uniform is lightweight and flexible, and provides a small degree of protection from the elements and injury. All operatives carry a MARS 9mm Automatic pistol and a portable communicator.
This illustration depicts the standard female Member of MARS base staff. The male uniform is similar, but with pants (obviously). The uniform is made of regular materials and had no special features.
MARS’ excellent technicians are the backbone of the organization and are key to their work. While the scientists reverse engineer systems, it requires the technicians to actually build them. The Technicians assigned to the secret Zoid development project are the most skilled and trustworthy of all MARS staff.
The standard MARS pilot suit is based on a pre-cataclysm design that MARS scientists were able to duplicate. The suit is fully environmentally sealed and features a self-recycling independent air supply, as well as special bladders to improve the pilot’s circulation and resist G forces from acceleration and sudden turns. The helmet features a built in communicator as well as a light amplification and thermal optical system. The suit is also armored and offers a fair degree of protection both from blunt trauma and firearms.
