Grappler

## Grappler (Giiba)

The **Grappler** (**Giiba**) is an Invid special use Mecha deployed during the invasion and occupation of Earth.

## Background

While the full history of the development and implementation of Invid Mecha will likely never be known, there is a lot that we can broadly assume based on records and eyewitness accounts. Broadly speaking, the Invid's Mecha designs can be divided into two groups, based on a combination of design elements, technologies used in their construction, the period in which they were first deployed and so on. The first early group includes the Scout, Trooper and Soldier. The second later group has the Enforcer and Command Battloid. While there are other designs that have appeared in the Invid's arsenal over the centuries, they usually fall into these two groups.

However, the Grappler is an interesting exception to the rule. The Mecha has elements that are common to both periods of Invid design, but also ones that are found on neither. Furthermore, its deployment and use is one that is decidedly at odds with the Invid's usual methodology.

There is no solid evidence as to when the Grappler first entered service with the Invid's forces, but fragmentary records indicate that the Zentraedi were aware of the design and had fought it in past.
On Earth during the occupation, the Grappler remained a decidedly rare sight, partially due to the way in which it was employed. While the design did appear during the initial invasion, it would remain largely unseen throughout the occupation. It was only during the second battle of Reflex Point where it was seen in any numbers, both on Earth and in space. However, even then it was massively outnumbered by other types.

What made the Grappler unusual was the way that it was employed. Usually, the Scout and Trooper would be deployed as swarms. And while it was rare to see more than one Commander or Enforcer at a time, those Mecha would still be leading swarms of the less advanced types. Conversely, the Grapper was usually deployed alone in its operations, functioning as the closest thing the Invid had to a special operations Mecha. Grapplers were used for surgical strikes, covert raids and to protect-otherwise hidden facilities. Furthermore, they were also used for targeted abductions directed at resistance leaders or other persons of interest.

Finally, the Grappler was known to act as a headhunter against enemy leaders. This role was what gave the design its code-name, as Grapplers would directly grapple with enemy Mecha, pinning them in place before destroying them or extracting their pilot. In these cases, it can be assumed that the Grappler was being directed by a more highly-evolved Invid that had the ability to distinguish individual humans (claims of Invid being able to 'mark' targets notwithstanding).

These operations are very much at odds with the Invid's usual approaches, which mostly amounted to overwhelming a target with superior numbers. It is possible that the Grappler was developed as an attempt to diversify the Invid's tactical options. Another possibility is that the Grapper was developed as a counter-insurgency weapon after the Invid began occupying worlds in the Local Group and subjugating populations rather than simply wiping them out. Finally, it is also possible that the Grappler was developed with a different role in mind and then found a new niche.

As mentioned above, there is no indication of when the Grappler entered service with the Invid. It was known to have taken part in the Invid Invasion of Earth in January 2031, but appeared to be quite rare at that point. However, the design became more common (or at least was more commonly sighted) after the failed first battle of Reflex Point in 2038 where it was used to hunt down survivors of the failed attack and other resistance fighters. Weather this was due to a change in tactics by the Invid, or simply due to their having greater access to Protoculture supplies is unknown. Grapplers continued to be used throughout the occupation, up to fighting on the front lines during the battle of Reflex Point in 2044. All extant examples of the Grappler left Earth with the Invid in 2044.

## Capabilities

Compared to the more insect or crab-like designs that are typical for Invid Mecha, the Grappler features a decidedly different shape. Its body is longer than it is wide, a unique feature among Invid Mecha. The long legs are reverse-articulated in a way that is more in keeping with the design of the Enforcer than anything else. Conversely, the arms feature the oversized claws that are more akin to the Trooper. However, portions of the armour are squared off, a stark contrast to the rounded forms common to other Invid Mecha. The reasoning behind this divergence is unclear, but it is possible that the Grappler was originally designed as a testbed for alternative armour construction techniques. If so, it was likely unsuccessful as the later Commander reverted to the more traditional rounded armour designs.

The Grappler's mobility appears to be similar to that of the Enforcer. Its highest recorded flight speed is in the high subsonic range, while its ground speed is approximately 100 km/h. Like all other Invid Mecha, it is capable of vertical take-off and landing, as well as indefinite hover. It has been observed walking more often than other designs, usually while making more discrete approaches towards an objective where flying would give away its presence. Primary propulsion is a pair of large engines mounted on the back of the mecha. Continuing the theme of divergence from Invid technological norms, the Grappler mounts secondary engines in the feet. Examination of wreckage showed that the Grappler used twelve standard Protoculture cells for power, considerably more than the Shock Trooper. This usage may have been a factor in its limited deployment.

A booster variant (Giiba-da) is also known to exist, similar to that used by the Mobile Scout for use in space operations. However, it needs to be said that this is not the optimal operational conditions for the Grappler and as such it was rarely deployed. The only confirmed encounters were during the second battle of Reflex Point, at which point the Invid were largely throwing any Mecha into action against the UEEF fleet.

While the Grappler possesses the same main sensor eye as other Invid, it is proportionally smaller on the body than any other Invid Mecha. However, the Grappler also has a smaller, secondary sensor located under the main eye. It appears that this was an effort to separate the various Invid sensory systems out into multiple units, but the point of this exercise is unclear. Furthermore, the Grappler mounts a cluster of smaller sensors under the body, the exact functions of which are unclear; however, this array is entirely unique to the design and not seen on any other Invid Mecha. It is known that the Grappler possesses the same Protoculture sensors as other Invid Mecha. Based on observation, it also appears that the Grappler possesses more extensive secondary sensors than other Invid Mecha, possibly including optical detection and tracking options to allow it to better locate its targets. The Grappler likely lacked any conventional communications system, instead being telepathically linked to nearby Hives.

From examination of their behaviors and examination of destroyed examples, the Grappler was usually piloted by a Stage III Warrior-Caste Invid. However, given their use in independent operations and targeted attacks, it is also possible that some were operated by Stage IV Keeper-Caste Invid instead. The pilot sat inside a self-contained nutrient bath located in the torso that provided full life support functions. The mecha was fully environmentally sealed and could be operated in space and hostile environments with no loss of capability.

The armor of the Grappler is composed of a composite of metals, ceramics, and organics unique to Invid manufacture. The armor stops all small arms, heavy infantry weapons fire, and light mecha-mounted weaponry, and provides fair to good resistance to medium mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the GU-11 55mm APFSDS round. In addition, the armor is highly sloped, and rounds that hit at oblique angles are very likely to glance off it without penetrating.

Note: The sensor eye is highly susceptible to damage, and any hit there will disable the mecha by penetrating the cockpit and killing the pilot.

## Weapons and Equipment

* 2 **Plasma Cannons:** Mounted on the upper body, recessed into the frame. This pod stores plasma and discharges it in discrete packages ('annihilation discs'). The weapons can store sufficient plasma for 25 seconds of continuous fire, and replenish this at 10 seconds per minute.

* 4 **Plasma Pulse Cannons:** Mounted on the lower body. These cannons are versions of a cannon also seen in the gunpods for the Scout mecha. The cannon stores plasma and discharges it in discrete packages ('annihilation discs'). The weapons can store sufficient plasma for 10 seconds of continuous fire.

* 2 **Three-Taloned Anti-Mecha Claws:** Mounted on the forearms.

## Mobile Grappler - Variant

While not normally used in space, where needed, the Grappler can be equipped with a space booster similar to that used by the Mobile Scout. This greatly increases its acceleration and performance without compromising its systems.

* **Designation:** Giiba-da
	+ **Speed - Space:** 1800 kph / 1.5 km / 6 Space Units

### Specific Features

* **Space Booster:** The Mobile Grappler's legs are removed for space operations. As such, it cannot walk, and takes penalties when operating in an atmosphere. The Booster has the capability to escape 1.5 Gravitational Units.

* **Hardwired:** The Space Booster takes hours to install or remove and restore the Grappler's legs.

## Notes

* Design Notes
* Image Gallery