Blue Heliad Sciences: The SS-1 Tortuga

[Sir Sporktimus]

For years, the Blue Heliad Sciences corporation has been operating on the outer skirts of the Brikverse, searching for a breakthrough that might allow it the power - military or economic - to establish a reputation in the core systems. Specializing in advanced robotics and high-tech combat weaponry, the corporation was forced to defend itself from raiding mercenaries and space pirates. It was during a fearsome battle with a raiding ship that a Blue Heliad Skirmisher was damaged, and veered helplessly off course to collide with the minor planetoid Azure. Hailed as a hero and king by the primitive inhabitants of the world, the pilot maintained connections with Blue Heliad Sciences while using his technological knowledge to begin a new age on the medieval world, founding the Royal Azure Imperium.



Today, Blue Heliad maintains a strong alliance with the Royal Azure Imperium, supporting the empire's expansion into space as a valuable opportunity to assert its destructive power and influence across the stars, whilst remaining itself a primarily scientific corporation. Nevertheless, Blue Heliad Sciences is not frequently without confrontations of its own, and as such employs its most capable employees to combat any threat, deployed in tight-knit, powerful squadrons.



The primary ground force of the 1st. Division is comprised of two armored Heavies with 2" guns, an Scout with twin laser blasters, and a Sentinel Drone armed with 4 Machine Guns and a cunning artificial intelligence.



At the head of the deadly crew, a pinnacle in the fields of looking stylish and Employee of the Month the last forty-nine months in a row, Commander Lance Amadeus Silversun. Armed with a heavy-grade concussion blaster and a detachable beamsaber for a bayonet, he's as capable a mechanic as he is a soldier. He's also equipped with cybernetic enhancements, granting him a d6 and d10 SN dice with the powers of advanced technology.



The HV-1 Dragonfly is a relatively new development by Blue Heliad, serving as a speedy hover-vehicle with a vicious sting. Armed with a laser cannon connected with the central turbine, it''s also equipped with two advanced spearmissiles based on Clarke's Third Law. The Dragonfly has a fatal flaw, however - if the engine complex is damaged beyond repair, the internal combustion reactor will overheat and detonate with a devastating explosion.



Finally, the pride of Blue Heliad Sciences, the MW-1 Daedalus. Armed with dual machine guns and a powerful laser cannon, the Daedalus is designed to act as a mobile turret, equally matched against infantry and vehicle alike.



Blue Heliad Sciences continues to expand on the economical sphere of the universe as the Royal Azure Imperium does on the military one, allowing the organization to wage a war on two fronts. With a cost of almost 200CP for a squadron this size, they don't come cheap, but they wreak corporate destruction with a highly-paid vengeance.



Battles Participated in:

Spoiler

Show

Bend of the Line, Episode 1 - 25/2/2015: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13462 - A solitary Heliad Gunboat encounters interstellar travelers, including the indomitable Ms. Imperial Brown.
No Human Sacrifices Until Further Notice: - 24/3/2015viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13560 - A Blue Heliad battle squad is deployed to extract a powerful Red Transparent crystal, with disappointing results.
Gold Rush - 27/3/2015: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13570 Blue Heliad's First Division attempts to recover a gold shipment for their ally, the Royal Azure Imperium, going head-to-head with Ms. Imperial Brown and a collection of other enemies.
Battle of Clamberson's Field: - 28/3/2015 - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13575 - The First Division, allied with two other factions, meets victory against overwhelming odds. Captain Lance Silversun eliminates the last six minifigs in an enemy force with one shot of his Blastgun.
Blue Heliad petitions to join the Intermarium Coalition: - 12/4/2015 - viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13644&p=302983#p302983 - Not a battle, but a broadcast.

Unit List:
GV-1 Arion
GV-2 Pallasphere
HV-1 Dragonfly
LW-1 Mantis
MW-1 Daedalus
OG-1 Rubberduck
SS-1 Tortuga

Unit Designation Key:
GV- Ground Vehicle
HV - Hover Vehicle
LW - Light Walker
MW - Military Walker
SS - Starship
OG - Oceanic Gunboat

[Sir Sporktimus]

Although Blue Heliad Sciences prefers to utilize units that rely on the styles and technologies they've become renowned for, they believe the bounds of creativity should never be brought to heel by the limitations of a color scheme. Inspired by the haphazard Strider units used by various groups of space pirates and mercenaries as a light-footed, powerful supplement to traditional ground forces, Blue Heliad Sciences has designed a light-grade walker for scouting and reinforcement to heavier units: The LW-1 Mantis.



Born of a paradoxical curiosity about the applications of Green Transparent Ore and a desire for stealth, the LW-1 Mantis is by definition a light unit. Without heavy armor or close-to-ground stability, it relies primarily on its 3" Cannon for protection. The upper leg partitions can also be equipped with explosive warheads, though these can become a tempting target for enemy soldiers. The Mantis' strength lies in its speedy movement and untapped potential for hit-and-run strikes, and also when it acts as a support unit for the heavier-duty Military Walkers, or MW's.



In short, the Mantis, although surprisingly dangerous on its own, is a strong addition to the Blue Heliad Sciences Military Divison.

[Sir Sporktimus]

Honestly, this design was just made from messing around with the extra pieces in my collection. Didn't turn out half bad, though, I think.

Although Blue Heliad Sciences Corp. prefers to rely on light, one-man gunboats for their naval missions, there comes a time when heavier reinforcements are necessary. Particularly when hostile forces are riding the waters, or dangerous wildlife lurks beneath. In these situations, Blue Heliad turns to the stronger ships in its armament - for instance, the OG-1 Rubberduck, a versatile but heavy-hitting gunboat recently redesignated from OG-1 Pontus on behalf of the insistent crew.



Equipped with a 2" Blastgun and a 2" Pulse Cannon, with a crew of one Pilot and one Gunner equipped with Heavy Armor, the OG-1 Rubberduck makes up for its exposed nature with a reinforced chassis and powerful damage capability.

[Duerer]

I like that GT on the Mantis, as well as the design of the Pontus. Good job.

[Sir Sporktimus]

I like that GT on the Mantis, as well as the design of the Pontus. Good job.

Thanks.. GT and black are fun to work with.

[Zupponn]

I like that GT on the Mantis, as well as the design of the Pontus. Good job.

Thanks.. GT and black are fun to work with.

And the factions that use that color combination are usually the best.

[Sir Sporktimus]

I like that GT on the Mantis, as well as the design of the Pontus. Good job.

Thanks.. GT and black are fun to work with.

And the factions that use that color combination are usually the best.

Indeed. It's hard to maintain color coordination with a small part selection, but I'll likely continue to do more with it in future designs.

[Valiant]

Honestly, this design was just made from messing around with the extra pieces in my collection. Didn't turn out half bad, though, I think.

Although Blue Heliad Sciences Corp. prefers to rely on light, one-man gunboats for their naval missions, there comes a time when heavier reinforcements are necessary. Particularly when hostile forces are riding the waters, or dangerous wildlife lurks beneath. In these situations, Blue Heliad turns to the stronger ships in its armament - for instance, the OG-1 Pontus, a versatile but heavy-hitting gunboat.



Equipped with a 2" Blastgun and a 2" Pulse Cannon, with a crew of one Pilot and one Gunner equipped with Heavy Armor, the OG-1 Pontus makes up for its exposed nature with a reinforced chassis and powerful damage capability.

Please, could you rename this to 'Rubber Ducky'? It totally fits it (and it's the first words that popped into my head whence I saw it).

[Sir Sporktimus]

Please, could you rename this to 'Rubber Ducky'? It totally fits it (and it's the first words that popped into my head whence I saw it).

I actually like that better... it has more personality, rather. So let it be written, so let it be done.

[Kalvinator]

I love the Rubberducky!!

Also the mech is really cool. Different than a lot of mechs seen around the forum.

[Sir Sporktimus]

Thought I'd create some new units for Blue Heliad Sciences Corp., what with the Intermarium Coalition's increasing activity. So, without further ado..

The SS-1 Tortuga is Blue Heliad's first starship, a single-person fighter designed for space combat, but also to be capable for reinforcing ground units.







The GV-1 Arion is a light scout vehicle, designed to get around fast. However, they are each equipped with a powerful lasercannon, which can be a deadly combination with the Arion's mobility.



The GV-2 Pallasphere, on the other hand, is a much heavier vehicle, designed to be a virtually impenetrable armored vehicle with tank-like firepower.



The new Blue Heliad assortment, with the MW-1 Daedalus.

[Duerer]

These are some nice additions to the army. Btw, what standard troopers do they use? Thinking about building a small squad of them.

[Kommander Ken]

Oh man that Tortuga is beautiful. Love the rounded design and color scheme. It looks sort of Sub-like, and in fact much of the stuff here overall has an aquatic look in my opinion.

[Valak87]

Tortuga and Pallasphere are awesome. Perfect and cool design.

[Sir Sporktimus]

These are some nice additions to the army. Btw, what standard troopers do they use? Thinking about building a small squad of them.

Well, the official explanation is that because Blue Heliad is a science organization, they don't employ a standardized soldier, but rather allow each agent to customize their own armor and weaponry for maximum efficiency. In truth, I simply don't have a whole lot of the same parts in my collection, so soldiers vary from battle to battle. In general, most white, orange, blue, grey combinations work perfectly fine. However, here are some troop photos to give you ideas anyways:



A scout and two light soldiers, armed respectively with twin laser blasters and chainblades.



Stronger troop varieties, with a gunslinger, a sniper, and a Heavy with a BTC-Launcher.



Pilots for the Daedalus, Pallasphere, and Tortuga, respectively.



Heroes, being Halberd Silversun and his sons Lance and Corbin Silversun. However, most Blue Heliad heroes aren't from the Silversun family, and might tend to be special operatives or scientists enhanced with awesome creations.