ESSAYS
Battloid, Battletech, Robotech
By Khyron_Prime...14 June 2004
In a recent chat with fellow Robotech fans, the discussion of Robotech 3000 arised, much to my enjoyment. As is the current state of fandom, it was only me and my good friend Legioss (http://www.legioss.net) who had invested much thought into the series, but nonetheless, a particular statement was made by one fan which I feel may be helpful in the vision of Robotech 3000's military forces:
"Robotech 3000 looked more like Battletech than Robotech to me."
Naturally, I would like to counter that statement in an effort to ensure the series' connection with the full Robotech storyline, but it would be foolish to deny the truth inherent in this statement: Robotech 3000 only explicitly shows us two mecha capable of small-craft combat (Brent Hawkins' Miner-Mech and the renegade Veritech Excavator), both of which appear to be exclusively battloid-types--a defining characteristic of Battletech's designs.
Before I go any further, I would like to mention that my knowledge of Battletech is next-to nil. I am currently researching in order to alleviate this problem, but if you're a Battletechie and would care to lend me a hand, I would much appreciate your contacting me.
With the battloid designs of 3000 in our heads, I believe the best question to ask is how to run with it. Make note that I am not saying "Make Robotech 3000 a story without transformable mecha," but more suggesting that, if the forces of the Interplanetary Alliance use battloids much-more than the RDF, REF, ASC, or Reclamation Forces ever did, then how is their military-mecha system structured, including both variable and non-variable machines?
To counter any foul-criers, remember that there is precedent for the use of non-transformable machines in Robotech. The Destroids, though slow and bulky, served a purpose in their strength of firepower. A more manuverable machine was the VF-series Veritech equipped with its Armor Packs--a non-transformable battloid that made the best uses of the VF's battloid mode. The Armies of the Southern Cross also enjoyed the strengths of a non-transformable battloid throughout their forces: The Global Military Police, Tactical Corps, Cosmic Unit, and Civil Defense Corps are all known to have utilised battloids for purposes ranging from reconnaissance to riot control. So, in short, despite the fan-popularity of veritech mecha, there were always a large host of less-fortunate pilots behind the scenes in the cockpits of strong-armed battloids.
So when we look at the forces of the Interplanetary Alliance, it is logical that, due to the widespreading of Robotech mecha in the year 3000, a natural design would be to hold the non-transformable machines as efficient workers as well as close-quarters warriors. In the absence of war, the use of Robotech mecha spread amongst such a wide amount of people (civilians and military alike, spanning the Alliance's member groups) would almost necessitate the use of battloids, as by nature, transformable machines drain protoculture resources far quicker than their non-transformable counterparts. In the end, with a lasting peace amongst the peoples of the Interplanetary Alliance of six-hundred years, the war-inspired Veritechs would be used only in specific situations, and thus, in less percentages than the wartime distribution seen in the Robotech Wars.
Note at this time that the Interplanetary Alliance's use of non-transformable mecha does not exclusively apply to battloids, but also to reconnaissance jets, air defense fighters, and even non-combatant vehicles such as Lorna Halliwell's dune buggy and other transport vehicles.
If Veritech mecha is in short production, what situations would require the use of this mecha in the year 3000? Most likely are events where combat is possible and all defense options must be executed:
The Interplanetary Alliance uses Veritechs for:
1) Civil defense, such as tremendous sporting events or conventions
2) Interplanetary escort, particularly that of politicians who run an exceptional risk of assassination attempts
3) Government defense, including government buildings and gatherings
4) Assault, in case an enemy is detected and deemed sufficiently dangerous so as to warrant a pre-emptive strike.
If battloid mecha is in general production and widespread use, then many situations would be regular to place this type of mecha in the year 3000. As the Interplanetary Alliance is a peaceful society with particular interest in exploration and discovery, the battloids are often used by Alliance forces in travelling groups:
The Interplanetary Alliance used battloids for:
1) Heavy labor, such as moving of cargo and waste disposal
2) Demolitions, including weaponry fire and clearance of areas
3) Crowd control, in situations where the most dangerous possibility lies in the crowds themselves
4) Excavation, including removal of geologic bodies and mining
5) Security, in particular defense at military and science installations
The Robotech fan, however his opinion, has always known the transformable mecha to be the most superior small war-machine of Robotechnology, and thus, the changes presented in the Interplanetary Alliance's designs are major. However, logically speaking, the government's decision to utilise both Veritech and non-transformable battloid mecha is indeed sound, as the new age holds two variables unbeforeseen in the previous generations of Robotech: Peace, and a widespread use of protoculture-powered mecha. As such, the future of Robotech holds wonders for the separate forces of both machines.
Now...The question arises!
"If the Interplanetary Alliance were to suddenly face war, how would they evolve as a military force?"
Wonderful.
