Zi-025 Gustav
Type: Isopod
Length: 14.76m
Height: 9.36m
Weight: 68.0T
Speed: 135km/h (80km/h Maximum Reliable Load)
Equipment:
Twin Mine Detector Antennas
Retractable GPS Radar and Radio Surveillance Compound Sensor
Shock Resistant Armor Shell
Traction Platforms x2

Armor Description:
The Gustav is famous for being one of the toughest Zoids for its size on the planet. In fact, it’s so tough and resilient that some experts believe it to be a hybrid of the Tricheoniscus woodlouse (a type of crustacean) and the chiton family of armored gastropods. It has been documented that the Gustav can survive a blast from the Geno Saurer’s Charged Particle Cannon and still remain operational, a feat the Empire capitalized on with the new composites found in the Malder and, to a lesser degree, the Killer Dome.

Mobility and Power Source:
Also famous is the Gustav’s ability to pull heavy loads of cargo behind it on its traction platforms. Reliably, the Gustav produces enough power to haul up to 250 tons behind it at a speed of 80 km/hr or lower for any distance. It can haul more, as well as travel faster, but this will most likely cut down on its endurance. Still, it’s an excellent transport, evidenced by its worldwide popularity. Should it need to, the Gustav is fairly maneuverable on its own, able to turn in place well, as well as accelerate nicely away from trouble.

Logistics:
The Gustav’s shell is constructed of amazingly strong materials for its age, and as a result, Gustavs are slightly expensive for the average buyer. Still, it’s the consummate entry-level transport, and it will serve you well should you decide to purchase your own. Inside its shell, the Gustav has a small bunk for one, and enough floor space to (un)comfortably sleep up to two more. It also has a small head (bathroom) and enough room for a mini-fridge and a tiny cook-top for those long journeys. Its primary means of transportation are the large traction platforms behind it, each capable of carrying one Blade Liger-sized zoid, or, if one is creative, two small Zoids such as Molgas or the like. It should be noted that the Gustav initially comes with two standard traction platforms, capable only of transporting Zoids, not repairing them in the field or re-arming them.

Weaponry and Equipment:

Twin Mine Detector Antennas
The Gustav’s antennae use a combination of ground-penetrating magnetic detection and sound-detection equipment to sense any foreign objects buried in the ground up to 50 meters down. A relic from the wartime days where supply routes were often mined, the Gustav had to be able to avoid these dangers to continue their journey. Needless to say, these are popular with pilots for detecting both mines and burrowed Zoids, as well as geological teams for mapping the composition of the ground.

Retractable GPS Radar and Radio Surveillance Compound Sensor
The most noticeable feature of the Gustav, after the thick shell, is the radar “tower” mounted behind the head. It’s enormous due to being a fairly powerful system for its age, and has two features. The surveillance function can monitor most radio communications within a 16-kilometer bubble, useful for avoiding bandits that prey on transports. The GPS radar uses a satellite uplink that gives the Gustav unparalleled radar coverage within a 20-kilometer bubble. The triangulation of the satellites’ scanners actually give the Gustav a reasonable shot at detecting cloaked Zoids, something few other radar scanners can boast. The stock Gustav issued by the ZBC does, however, not feature equipment that can transmit this to your teammates, save for good old radio communication.

Shock Resistant Armor Shell
Something that’s already been touched upon. Small pun intended. The Gustav’s shell, while not quite as advanced as the alloys found on the Malder’s shell, is quite a bit thicker to make up for it. It’s more than capable of surviving a blast from the Charged Particle Cannon and only losing one or more articulated plates. That’s something that not every Zoid can boast. The articulated plates are mass-produced these days, and easy to come by, and have been standardized across the world for easy refit should something happen to your Gustav. Finally, the shell is excellent at blocking the electromagnetic blasts that paralyze most Zoids, rendering the Gustav nearly immune to such weapons.

Traction Platforms x2
The stock Gustav, as previously mentioned, comes with two “traction platforms” capable of carrying one Blade Liger-sized Zoid apiece. Of note is that each platform has a strong set of motors of its own, and drives its own caterpillar treads. The motors are more to reduce the net drag of the platforms, and are powered by the Gustav itself via a thick conduit running out the rear of the shell near the pintle connector. The Gustav, of course, still has to exert additional energy to pull the platforms, and significant damage to this conduit will render that platform (and all following it) inoperable, reducing the speed at which the Gustav can pull its load. A favorite target of bandits, it’s advised to protect your energy conduit with an escort.