MechAngel

The **MechAngel** was a unique suit of power armour used by Lyss Gruaca, a mercenary and bounty hunter.

## Background

The origins of the MechAngel lie with its operator, Lyss Gruaca. Originally a part of the Quadrano Battalion and then a member of the UEDF's 23rd Veritech Squadron, she chose to remain behind on Earth following the departure of the Expeditionary Fleet. After that, she worked with Zade Patane and Bomar Garux, two other former members of the 23rd as a scavenger across the Americas. During this time she was hired by Doctor Elgin Frost to perform tasks for him, ranging from kidnappings and attacks to grave robbing. However, Frost and the others then betrayed Lyss and left her for dead.

However, that was not the end for her by any means. Having survived, she formed an alliance with several technicians who had also run afoul of Frost. They worked together to build a suit for her to use in order to track down and eliminate their common enemy who, at that point, had become a major player in the Monument City underworld and, as such, was difficult to get to and well-protected. Equipped with the completed suit, Lyss went to work as a mercenary and bounty hunter, using her career and her new arsenal to track down her enemies. For example, Zate Patane had turned to banditry and raiding, leading to Lyss being hired to eliminate him. Thus she achieved her personal aim while also being paid for it, while at the same time getting closer to Frost.

Following her own infiltration of Monument City's Gauntlet district in 2026, Lyss was able to find Frost. After her early efforts located Frost, he took measures to eliminate the threat she represented, including sending Bomar Graux after her. This proved to be unsuccessful, with Lyss killing Bromar. Seeing that she was not going to be stopped, Frost took matters into his own hands and used a salvaged VF-1S Veritech to try and kill her. Instead, Lyss proved to the the superior pilot, and shot Frost's Veritech down, killing him.

Lyss Gruaca's fate after that point is unknown. While there are no verified sightings of her or her unique suit, There are unconfirmed reports of the MechAngel, presumably being controlled by her, being used against Bioroids during the Second Robotech War. Similarly, there are claims that she (or at least someone wearing the suit) survived the Invid Invasion, and used it to fight against the Invid. Among the surviving Zentraedi of North America, the MechAngel is today considered to be something of a folk hero, one who's exploits have been doubtless exaggerated over time.

## Capabilities

The MechAngel suit was a unique design, built specifically for Lyss Gruaca to her specifications. While visually striking, it was based mostly on conventional technologies, clearly taking inspiration from the older Cestus battlseuit. However, unlike that suit (and the Female Power Armour that Lyss Gruaca would have used when full sized) the MechAngel was fully 'worn' by its pilot. The user's limbs extended all the way into the suit's limbs, in a manner akin to that of the Invid Soldier or Cyclone. Because of its construction, the suit was equipped with full humanoid mobility, including fully articulated hands. However, it likely had a far lower ground speed than the Cestus due to the smaller size and construction of its legs. While not confirmed, it can be assumed that the suit was powered by a standard Protoculture cell.

As a part of its design, the MechAngel suit was capable of full flight. It was driven by a setup similar to that of the Cestus, with a large main engine on the back and two smaller ones in the legs. It is unclear if the parts were scratch-built or salvaged from some source. Aerodynamic control was provided by a pair of variable-geometry wings on the back which could be reconfigured to suit different situations. In addition, the wings could be folded for storage or to reduce the suit's size when on the ground, both to offer a smaller target and to allow it to access smaller spaces then it would usually be able to access.

The exact sensor suite of the MechAngel suit is unknown, but several elements have been confirmed. The helmet is known to have contained a heads-up display tied to multiple imaging options including low-light, thermal and infra-red tracking. Likewise, it is usually accepted that the suit possessed some sort of laser designation or other targeting system for its missiles. The function of the two 'wings' on the side of the helmet is unclear. While they may have been for decoration, it is also possible that they served as some sort of sensory system. As expected, the suit was fully environmentally sealed and provided full NBC support for the pilot.

Based on observations and likely technologies used, the MechAngel's armour was likely made from a combination of conventional materials and advanced technologies derived from the SDF-1. The armour is immune to small arms fire, and provides fair to good protection against heavy infantry weapons (such as a 12.7mm machine gun round) and moderate protection against heavier weapons (such as a Zentraedi 22.3mm autocannon round).

## Weapons and Equipment

* 2 **Light Laser Cannons:** The MechAngel's main weapons were a pair of light laser weapons mounted on the forearms. The weapons were effective against personel and protection up to light-weight Mecha armour, but their effectiveness against anything heavier would have been hampered by their small size. The lasers could fire up to 60 times per minute, but could also be overloaded to improve their output. However, doing such risked damaging the weapons.

* **Mini-Missiles:** The MechAngel was equipped with a quartet of Mini-Missiles mounted on the legs. These weapons gave the suit some anti-armour capabilities. The missiles appear to have been **Scorpion** or **Recluse** models.

Due to its size, the MechAngel could hypothetically use common handheld small arms, even if it was never observed doing such.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** NA

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Light:** 8
	+ **Structure – Light:** 4
	+ **Resist**: 1
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Running:** As User + 2 Ground Units
	+ **Speed** – **Flight:** 450 kph / 750m / 75 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **Dual Light Lasers:** The MechAngel's main weapon is a pair of light lasers mounted on the forearms. While only light, the weapons can operate without the need for ammunition. The weapons have a Range of Medium, but can fire further. They deal x5 Light damage and ignore 2 points of Armour. [E][H][P2]

* **Mini-Missiles:** The MechAngel is armed with a quartet of mini-missiles on the legs for use against enemy ground targets. While the payload is only limited, it still gives the MechAngel some anti-armour capability that enemies often do not anticipate. These weapons can only be used through an Equipment Suite. [H]

* **Hand Held:** The MechAngel may hold any standard or heavy handheld weapon, and when the weapon is operated by the suit, it counts as being braced. Infantry 2-handed weapons, such as assault rifles, may be operated by a single hand without penalty

* **Punch:** The MechAngel's hands can be used as a weapon. They inflict Light-Class damage and ignore 1 point of the target’s Armour. [M][P1]

### Features

* **Indexing Hands:** The MechAngel has fully functional hands built into the suit. They have a sensitivity of .1 kg

* **Atmosphere Only:** The MechAngel can only be used in an Earth-like atmosphere.

* **Distinctive Styling:** The MechAngel is unique; there is no mistaking it for anything else

### Equipment Suites

* **Mini-Missiles:** The MechAngel mounts a quartet of mini-missiles on the legs for use against armoured targets. They can be used up to Medium range and inflict Mecha-scale damage. [B3]
	+ **Uses:** 2
	+ **Skill:** 3

* **Agile And Elusive:** Only lightly armoured, the MechAngel relies on its small size and mobility to allow it to evade enemy fire. Use this skill when flying or in open terrain to avoid and dodge incoming fire, redirect enemies and confuse them with rapid movement.
	+ **Uses:** Unlimited
	+ **Skill:** 2

* **Avenging Angel:** The MechAngel uses the combination of her striking presence and weaponry to intimidate her opponents. She will focus on an opponent and bring them down. When sustaining fire at one target you may take advantage of this Skill, but when the last use is expended, the weapon is exhausted.
	+ **Uses:** 2
	+ **Skill:** 2

## Notes

* Design Notes
* Image Gallery