Interplanetary Flatfoot Sounds Better Than Space Dick!

As implied a few posts earlier here's some of the more interesting pieces of gear used by Dick Tracy. At one point it looked like the Major Crime Unit could take on a banana republic and win. Most of this gears is from the Moon Era where Chester Gould wanted to make Tracy a 'space cop.' This period is either loved or despised. There is no middle ground. I found it fascinating,and maybe it's time to give it another look since many of its themes are more relevant today. Tracy began dealing with a variety of foes who used high tech to commit crimes. Some inventions like the space coupe had devastating potential in the wrong hands and Tracy often had to guard them from crooks. Finally humans were discovered living on the far side of the Moon in a habitable valley and the possibility of crime coming to their utopian world caused no end of twists in this first contact.

Yeah I know people on the Moon. Assume it was the doing of the Ancients. They were human too because Junior Tracy knocked boots with one with the result of a baby girl. Oh yes, they had horns that stored solar energy they could fire in blasts that could nix an armored car!

The stats are according to Mongoose Traveller which I'm now convinced can run ANYTHING. Now I want to play a few games dealing with the MCU trying to bust a dope smuggling ring the Apparatus is using to entrap some Moon people into doing their evil bidding. (Oh Hell just check out the strip, it's on gocomics.com and you can find a million wikis with further information.)

Space Coupe (‘Sparkle Plenty’ SI-003) http://www.bucwheat.com/dicktr2.jpg
Component Notes dTons MCr
Hull 70 dTons Code S7 Std.
1/1 Hull/Struc. 1.7 MCr.
Structural Reinforcement 4 points 7 0.17MCr.
Radiation Shielding +1000 rads/ 6 pts. 17.5 MCr.
M--Drive sJ 2 Thrust 9 15 MCr.
Power Plant sJ Fission-2 14.4 21 MCr.
Control Cabin 2 Crew 1 Passenger 9 0.35 MCr.
Computer Model 2 0.16 MCr.
Airlock 1 0.1 MCr.
Basic Civilian -2 DM 1 0.05 MCr.
1 Turret Single Blaser Mount 0 MCr.
6 Cabins 9 0.45 MCr.
Library 4 MCr.
Cargo 15.6 MCr.
Expert Software 0.1 MCr.
Totals 70 61.58 MCr.

The first space coupe was a versatile and robust vehicle. Its control system was very simple allowing anyone with piloting background to handle it in routine operations (operate it at skill 0 if you have any pilot or flyer skills.) The coupe had fission batteries giving it nearly unlimited range and it was capable of 2 gees continuous acceleration. On at least one occasion a coupe was armed with a laser cannon to take down a tank being operated by a gang of thieves. It was not usually armed perhaps as a precaution given the many people trying to steal one!

Mini Coup (“Mysta” SI-002)
Component Notes dTons MCr
Hull 40 dTons Code S4 Std.
1/1 Hull/Struc. 1.4 MCr.
Radiation Shielding +1000 rads/ 6 pts. 10 MCr.
M--Drive sD 2 Thrust 4 5.25 MCr.
Power Plant sD Fission-2 8.4 18 MCr.
Control Cabin 2 Crew 1 Passenger 9 0.35 MCr.
Computer Model 2 0.16 MCr.
Airlock 1 0.1 MCr.
Basic Civilian -2 DM 1 0.05 MCr.
1 Turret Single Blaser Mount 0 MCr.
6 Cabins 9 0.45 MCr.
Cargo 7.6 MCr.
Expert Software 0.1 MCr.
40 36.86 MCr.

The smaller version of the space coupe was retained by Smith Industries for years after the Moon severed all ties and the rest of the space fleet was scrapped. Some models installed a docking clamp which was capable of lifting a small armored vehicle. This model was a frequent target of crooks.

Small Air Car
TL 8
Agility +2
2 spaces
1/1 Hull/Structure
225 kph/ 135 mph
Range 1000 km
Armor 12
Cost 140,000 cr.
One pilot and one passenger (cramped.) Optional windshield (no armor.)

The first generation air cars were built with Moon people technology. Magnetic propulsion allowed them to function with the speed, range, and versatility of a helicopter but without the noise or down draft. The flying bucket usually held one operator though in a pinch two could squeeze in. The air car was open topped and had a detachable windshield. It was controlled with two crutch-like sticks the operator gripped, though one could be operated with one hand at slow speeds. 

Large Air Car
TL 8
Agility +2
5 spaces
2/2 Hull/Structure
225 kph/ 135 mph
Range 1000 km
Armor 18
Cost 427,000 cr.
One pilot and up to 3 passengers (cramped.) Enclosed. Smoke dispenser (can carry tear gas.) Standard sensors. Cargo 1/2 space. 

The larger second generation air cars were big enough for an operator and three passengers. Bulletproof and fully enclosed they were slower than the smaller air cars but just as maneuverable. A smoke dispenser could emit smoke to camouflage the car of tear gas. Three gun ports allowed the passengers to use firearms while a fourth gunport consisted of a downward facing tube for dropping stun or tear gas grenades. Unlike the earlier cars this version had a dedicated sensor suite. 

Unfortunately soon after its debut all the air cars were pulled from service due to negative effects of magnetism.

2-Way Wrist Radio I
This was the first communications device built for the police by Smith Industries. A flexible antenna from the comm is taped down along the forearm to increase the range. The deivce is powered by a small atomic battery. The communications are encrypted. It was built at TL8 as prototech at TL 9. The radio has a range of 500 km. Cost 50,000 cr. 

2-Way Wrist Radio II
The wrist radio was uprated increasing its range and durability.. It was uprated to continental range but externally almost identical.  Range is 5000 km. Cost 5,000 cr.

2-Way Wrist TV
Smith Industries took their experience with the 2-Way Wrist Radio and produced the
2-Way Wrist TV. The device allows face to face communication as well as videotaping and photographing. The range is the same as the 2nd generation wrist radio. It was built at TL 8 as prototech at TL 9. Range is 5000 km. Cost 25,000 cr.

Wrist Wizard
The latest evolution of the wrist comms, the wizard offers all the features of the wrist tv and much more. An integrated projector allows visual displays and control screen to be projected. A small computer runs a database and a Security program/0. This is normally Routine to disable however most people have access to TL 7 computer systems imposing a -4 DM resulting in a Difficult task. Range is 5000 km. Cost 50,000 cr.

These costs are based on the open market. Black market devices command several times the amount. The MCU receives its gear directly from Smith Industries and the cost  is about 1/10 of these values. 

Heavy Riot Gear
This suit was invented by the late Officer Groovy Grove. The suit consists of a ballistic cloth body suit with semi-rigid staves along the limbs. The undersuit is Protection 4. An improved Flak Jacket is added and a visored helmet raising the total to Protection 8. An officer wearing the suit is -1 ro tasks requiring Dexterity. The suit comes with an extendable baton and a collapsible shield for dealing with rioters. Extending or collapsing either is a minor action. The baton can be used as a stave or club depending on how far it is telescoped. The boots are steel-toed and soled with heavy duty composites allowing the wearer to kick for +1 damage. 

Officers are rarely issued a full suit anymore. The invention is regarded as overkill. The helmet, baton, and boots remain popular. The helmet by itself provides Protection 5 against head shots and Protection 2 overall. 





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