The Intergalactic Highway

So, since there is plenty of time on such a subject..

What would you guys propose for a Maximal Transport?

The main ideas that pop into my head would be something well suited for cargo,preferably enclosed, something large enough to carry a R tank or chamber as a option. Probably have tools and a few Auto guns on board.

How the craft moves also comes to mind, but anything is really a option with Beast wars technology. From tank tracks,wheels, or screws to hover equipment, rockets,jet engines and things in between.

So feel free to post some ideas if you have any you would like to submit on the subject. Tech isn't really that much of a limit as.. well between Rhinox, Orcariner,and Icebreaker to a degree that's more then enough to build something of that scale.

I still find it funny that the Predacons have more tech types.. Around 8 or 9 of them.

Well I had a couple of ideas.



We have this, it can fit four people inside and 1 on the guns (of course for the maximals it will be a little bigger and more advanced tech) and we can put like chains on the back or a second bed to carry things. Kind of like a Uhaule type thing.

Logically, we'd have to worry about protection first and foremost. Scorponok and Megatron are two canon characters that come to mind who are capable of causing harm to an unprotected Axalon. They're equipped with missiles, acid cutters, fusion cannons, etc. which could easily put a Maximal transport out of commission within seconds. Steelclaw is the only OC that I can think of at the moment who has a firepower rating that could put any vehicle/character at risk. Basically, I'm just saying that we need armor and a lot of it.

The second thing the Maximals will need is the means of transportation. Flight may be difficult so ground movement with treads or lifts may work. Think of the tanks from War for Cybertron. I believe they were supported by gravity lifts that allowed them to even strafe. Weapons shouldn't be a problem, since Icebreaker and Optimus Primal are outfitted with warhead launchers and Rhinox has two chainguns. If the Maximals do need a more powerful turret, then maybe it can be operated from the inside. That way the gunner won't be put at risk.

Oddly.. it wouldn't really be that difficult for them to build something that flies, but probably want to stick to gravity lifts since if it becomes damaged in the air, the crash could be.. bad.

And yes, that is true. the Predacon heavy units are Scorponok, Megatron, and Steelclaw. Steelclaw's Partcle projection cannon probably being one of the scarier guns as he can destroy a wall in the axalon in seconds by disrupting the atomic structure hit by the beam.. he truly is a one man army.


In the case of such things, besides heavy armor.. probably putting a defense field on the transport would be a good idea. Similar to how the Predacons have. But maybe something that works a bit differently.

Possible design for Maximal Transport I scribbled up in Paint.net tonight..

The Nomad






The Nomad in basic, is a heavy armored transport mobile base meeting all the requirements of cargo, defense, and long missions away from base. The armor of the ship is extremely thick, especially among the sides. The front of the transport has a recessed cargo door hatch which leads to a vast cargo bay with some equipment in the back, most notably a large CR tank. A elevator allows access from the cargo bay up to the second level, which contains the Bridge, core computer, weapons locker, seating, and even a small barracks with bunkbeds and storage. Strangely the craft does have a decontamination area for cleaning or biological issues. (Er.. apparently Maximals can go to the bathroom or get motion sick, I'm not getting into it. It's just there so they don't have to park and scrap it off the side of the ship later..)

Sides of the transport contain two small side decks which bellow contain multiple exterior storage lockers for tools for mining or other activities like repairs, these decks can be accessed by the side doors. Top deck of the craft contains very little for use other then standing and landing on, it has access through the lift elevator and has a textured rubbery surface attached to prevent slipping, however if the craft is moving at speeds exceeding 60 mph risk of falling off is possible.

The bridge at the center front of the craft gives a wide view of the front and has a small window in the back to see the top deck, it has seating for the operating crew but mostly is only used by the driver. The craft has controls for the Autoguns, a engineering display (information on the grav lifts, haul, thrusters, or anything else breaking), and the crane controls for heavy cargo or other utilities. The bridge also houses the Communication center, which is equipped with a powerful radio receiver, as well as long range laser communicator.

The Nomad's main form of defense is two armored twin fire linked double barreled Axalon class Autoguns (similar to the ones on the bridge of the Axalon, they appear to have tons of those things considering they set up hidden guns around the base for some episodes..), as well as the extremely heavy armor. Extra defense is provided by the crew armed with their own weapons, or Maximal personnel armaments (Riot shields, scoped assault weapons like Dinobot seems to enjoy), the craft also appears to carry uniquely "Frost shot" pistols, a weapon with a firepower rating of 4, on it's primary function it fires a jet of vapor to extinguish fires if they happen on the ship, the secondary mode projects small bolts of cryofield energy forming ice on contact.

Propulsion is through multiple Grav lifts attached to the haul of the ship on independent stabilizers which can be altered in the bridge depending on terrain or for use in low speed movements. The craft is capable of very high speeds using it's rear thrusters and side wing stabilizers, but this is only performed over flat surfaces (desert terrain) or over water due to risk of life or possible damage to grav lifts smacking into too many objects (trees, rocks, animals) and breaking off.



So, anything anyone would like to add to it or have a better idea?

Maybe a quick repair kit in the cargo bay. If anyone gets their arm blown off, someone could help patch it back on just to let the Maximal transform back into beast mode. It's by no means a replacement for the CR chamber, but it's useful for temporary fixes.

***EDIT***

Scratch that, you already covered it. I'm reading this without my contacts (and glasses broke a week ago) so I'm overlooking a lot of things lol.

Heh. Well it's come time for one.. and yet idea wise still kinda stumped other then the dual barreled Autogun being a good idea. I did look to BW the second for some ideas since they had the Octopus Tank(Takotank) for the Maximals..almost kinda makes sense to make it seem like a giant animal..like a tracked beetle or massive dinosaur or something.. But a hover vehicle could also be an option. They also had a landing craft in BW II that looked like a flying horseshoe crab sorta.. no legs on it though..

I actually like the one you designed a couple posts up. The Nomad sounds like a neat name as well so I wouldn't mind if we rocked that.

Okay. We can use that then!

If I may humbly make a suggestion...

Orcanoch
Arachnid