Ryujin (Creature)

Ryujin are aquatic-use superheavy biomechanical infantry developed by the Imperial Science Academy to supplement the Empire of Japan's submarine fleet with a high-agility organic deep water combat unit, primarily to combat lingering creations of both the Vannai and the Engineers in Japanese waters. Ryujin are also particularly adept at engaging submersible vehicles and waterborne vessels; tests conducted in concert with the Japanese Imperial Navy resulted in a simulated mission success 16 out of 17 times against enemy submarines, and 10 out of 12 times against a surface fleet.
At 20 meters tall and weighing roughly 1000 tons, the Ryujin represents the largest BWO created by humanity in terms of overall size. It stands on two digitigrade legs ending in flat stubs and in place of arms has two large, flipper-like binders. These binders are the main source of underwater propulsion for the Ryujin and also contain its tertiary weapon system of three 12.7mm machine gun "fingertips" each. Because the binder must be rotated completely in order to aim these weapons, they are only usable above water. The secondary weapon system of the Ryujin is a series of anti-ship missiles fired from launch cells on the Ryujin's back. These missiles can be fired from underwater or above water so long as the correct missile type is loaded before mission start, and are typically the primary means by which the Ryujin actually engages its targets. The most significant and exotic of the Ryujin's  weapons are located in its "mouth" in the form of an ultra-high pressure water jet cutter. Although the Ryujin must get very close to its target to use this weapon, it can be used both under and above water and relies only on the Ryujin's power supply to function.
Initially, plans for the Ryujin called for a biocomputer-controlled craft similar to the Nobusuma, Isonade and Genshin. However, the Ryujin program called for even further leaps in mechanical engineering than previous ventures of the Imperial Science Academy; namely, the sheer physical size of a Ryujin at over 20 meters tall - four times the size of the ISA’s next largest creation, the Genshin. Although ISA scientists were confident these hurdles could be overcome, doing so would require time, testing and resources. Encouraged by the success of their biocomputers, radicals of the ISA suggested an unusual alternative: rather than simply place a biocomputer in an armored suit, a wholly organic creature could be grown and encased in a suit of control armor, circumventing the challenges of large-scale design and the procurement of various high-end components that would be necessary in such a design in favor of a more “””natural””” solution. Intrigued by the idea, Major Takamitsu gave his approval for the program.
Being a wholly organic creature encased in control armor, the Ryujin lacks a human sense of strategy, but benefits from strong natural marine predator instincts that, combined with outstanding agility underwater, make them very dangerous in their preferred environment.
Category:PACYOA: TE
Category:TE Species
Category:Japan