Strike started life as one of Junkman's two dueling gears, Hopper. This particular Gear, a Ferret, was Junkman's choice for such games as Block and Tackle, or those involving two Ferrets against one larger Gear. Hopper was originally armed with more or less standard weaponry, including a LAC and a light rocket pack. Like all dueling Ferrets, Hopper was designed from the start with improved walking capabilities for rough terrain to counterbalance the Ferret's rather poor walking maneuverability and speed. This was quite an advantage in restricted dueling circles with any sort of obstacles or impediments.
However, now that Ilan is in the Black Talons and had the capabilities and equipment to do so, he rebuilt Hopper as a stealth infiltration Gear. The non-essential dueling systems were removed and replaced with a quite advanced stealth system and target designator. The standard Ferret sensors were also replaced, this time with an Obelisk Electronics MERIT 1000 system similar to those installed on the Southern Iguana. In this configuration, Junkman renamed the Gear: Hopper became Strike.
The standard weapons were also removed. Strike alternates between a heavy rifle and a sniper laser cannon; his rocket pack was replaced with an anti-personnel mortar. Despite his somewhat aggressive name, Strike is not intended for direct combat. He was designed for stealth infiltration missions into the many trenches on Caprice. As a result, many of the weapons mounts are fitted with useful systems for this, such as rock-climbing apparatus on the forearm mounts, the aforementioned target designator, and a smoke launcher. A high capacity computer is included for mobile storage of mission data, and a dueling-style trideo linkup allows the other members of the team to see through Strike's eyes. What weapons are included are long range for their purposes... just in case. The one exception is a short range digging cannon; since Strike was built to operate in the trenches, if need be, he can cut his own hand-holds. The cannon is also a useful mining tool.
The one really interesting system aboard Strike is his engine. The V-engine was removed and replaced with a long range superconducting coil and battery packs originally designed for the Snakeye Black Mamba. This makes Strike nearly silent to operate and gives him an unprecedented range. Like all Ferrets, though, Strike is vulnerable to any sort of damage, particularly to this engine or the unusual walker movement system Junkman designed into it.
If Strike is discovered, his hope and strength are in evasion and avoidance... not combat. Strike's pilot would do well to remember it.
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