Ex-Solider | Ex-Spy | Doctor
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION- Intent: To create a cat droid for civilian and military use
- Image Source: http://voguishness23.rssing.com/chan-12833372/all_p2.html. Original artist unknown. Image edited.
- Canon Link: N/A
- Restricted Missions: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: Avery Designs
- Model: Machina Feles
- Production: Mass-Produced
- Affiliation: Closed Market
- Modularity: No
- Material: Durasteel
- Classification: Third Degree
- Weight: 7 kg
- Height: 30 cm from top of head to ground, 50 cm from nose to tail, 16 cm wide.
- Movement: Quadrupedal movement
- Armaments: Retractable claws in each paw
- Misc. Equipment: Removable plastic vials in each leg, droid controller (separate)
The Machina Feles droid comes with two main factory settings, which must be set at the time of purchase:
- Civil mode – This mode is designed for civilian use. The droid uses sophisticated software to imitate organic cat behavior. In this mode, the droid is non-hostile and user-friendly. See description for more details.
- Stalker mode – This mode is designed for military use. The droid uses software to match and identify targets. The droid can then be ordered to follow and observe targets or to attack. The main draw of combat using this model is use of poison dispensed through the claws. See description for more details.
- Fleet-footed: The droid is capable of moving at significant speeds (estimated 35 km/h) due to strong durasteel legs. These strong legs can withstand greater pressure than organic cats, making the droid version faster.
- Leaper: Large spings in the legs allow the droid to leap large distances (estimated 2.5 metres). Additionally, the droid can fall 4 metres without significant damage.
- Poisoned Claws: Poison is dispensed through pores in the droid’s claws. Vials are replaced in the legs and can hold 5 mL of liquid in each leg.
- Unarmoured: The use of articulating parts and delicate hardware leaves little room for armour. Therefore, the Machina Feles is weak to most forms of physical damage.
- Short Circuit: Damage to the motherboard (e.g. via water exposure) may short circuit the droid and cause behavior modifications. The droid may swap between the behaviours of the civil and stalker modes. This may pose a danger to civilian use of the droid.
- Leakage: Leaving vials in the legs for extended periods may cause leakage from the vessels. This occurs do to the close proximity of moving parts in the leg. The vials should be checked often for damage.
The Machina Feles (or ‘Machine Cat’) is the third droid produced by Avery designs. The model was produced with both civilian and military contracts in mind. This style is common among Avery Droids; however, it is first of its kind to adhere to a singular behavior on purchase.
The droid does not need to eat and does not produce any waste; however it must be charged every 3 months and the battery must be replaced annually. To avoid irregularities in behavior and programming, please perform memory wipes every 3 years.
Upon purchase of the Droid, the buyer must select one of two modes.
The Civil mode is designed for civilian use of the droid. In this mode, the droid will imitate the behavior of a living cat. Motors in the body mimic the classic sway, while the vocabulator produces realistic ‘purrs’ and ‘meows’. The software learns to identify owners and familiar faces, and produce responsive reactions to actions such as: returning home, patting and carrying. If the behavior modification is not to the owner’s liking, the ‘learning’ can be disabled from the droid controller and a set behavior activated. The droid is non-hostile in this mode and cannot be programmed to harm in any aspect. The claws are retracted and it is advised to avoid tampering with the paws.
The Stalker mode is designed for military use. In this mode, the droid can be programmed to identify a pre-programmed target and follow, observe and attack. Target data is uploaded to the droid via the droid controller as well as: a square of land to search, time before returning to the controller and whether to observe or attack. The droid will then leave and attempt to locate the target. If the target is not found before the time elapses (or it is recalled using the droid controller) the droid returns to the controller. If the droid identifies its target, it will stay hidden and observe until the time elapses or it will attack. The primary method of attack is with poison claws, in which a scratch can send poison straight into the bloodstream. However, liquid in each vial typically lasts only one attack. The droid also relies on stealth to attack, and will not hold up in a prolonged fight.
Avery Designs advocates civilian and military use of the droid. We do not approve of using the droid for illicit activities. It is advised that prospective customers have a clean criminal record before purchase.
