Here are the two corporate drones depicted in the Serenity: Better Days graphic novel.
The graphic novel doesn't specify which corporation developed these drones, and their unnamed designer is killed as the story unfolds, so the current status of the drone program is open to speculation. The drone designations are my invention, since the story doesn't give us their names, but everything else in these write-ups is based upon abilities that they actually demonstrate in the graphic novel.
I wrote one drone classification up as an "Extra Heavy Major GMC," a thing that doesn't really exist in the Firefly Role-Playing Game, and the other classification is presented as a "Light Major GMC."
CC-71 "Behemoth" Target Acquisition and Pursuit Drone, Extra Heavy Major GMC
Attributes
Mental D10
Physical D12
Social D8
Skills
Drive D10 (Ground)
Focus D8
Know D12 (Local Area)
Move D12 (Rocket flight)
Notice D12
Shoot D12
Survive D10
Treat D6
Distinctions
Corporate Drone D8
While our remote operators are highly trained and skilled, the drones themselves are capable of a surprising degree of autonomous action.
[*]Gain 1 Plot Point when you roll a D4 instead of a D8.
[*] Remote Operator Mode. Spend 1 PP to double the drone's Move or Drive Skill for a single roll. Step down Notice for the rest of the scene.
[*] Adaptable to Air, Land, and Amphibious Operations. The drone's default mode of transportation is to Move using powered flight, but it may take an action to configure itself to "become" a land or water vehicle using its Signature Asset ratings.
Sophisticated Logic Core. D8
Engagement protocols update in real time, escalating according to any hostile response.
[*]Gain 1 Plot Point when you roll a D4 instead of a D8.
[*]Programmable threat matrix. Spend 1 PP to step up the drone's Heavy Weapons Pod Asset after it takes a Complication representing battle damage.
[*]Eliminate or Apprehend? Spend 1 PP to create a Target Acquired D6 Asset. Choose a target who is currently in your presence. You may use this Asset in any rolls related to killing or capturing this target for the rest of the scene. You may only have one Target Acquired Asset at a time.
Lethal killing machine. D8
All it requires is someone stupid enough to attract its attention.
[*]Gain 1 Plot Point when you roll a D4 instead of a D8.
[*]Industry-leading ballistics protection. Spend 1 PP to step down an opponent's weapon Asset for one roll.
[*]Weapons platform. Gain 1 PP whenever the drone's massive size prevents it from following an opponent or target into a building or structure.
Signature Asset: Ground/water vehicle stats (Body/Hull 12, Handling/Maneuverability 6, Speed/Power 10), Heavy Weapons Pod D6
The CC-71 "Behemoth" is a huge military drone, about the size of a large truck or van. In the graphic novel, it responds to a burglary being perpetrated by the Serenity crew and quickly gives pursuit-- but it turns out that Mal's 'real' job was to steal the drone itself. The crew was able to capture the drone by leading it into a confining tunnel where it was unable to maneuver.
LM3-3 "Interdictor" Drone, Light Major GMC
Attributes
Mental D6
Physical D8
Social D4
Skills
Fight D8
Move D10
Notice D8
Shoot D8
Sneak D8
Survive D6
Distinctions
Tactical battlefield drone. D8
"Missiles not exploding makes me uncomfortable, sir."
[*]Gain 1 Plot Point when you roll a D4 instead of a D8.
[*]Rapid deployment. Double Sneak for one roll after the drone is introduced into a Scene by being launched there in a missile.
Force multiplier. D8
"They're easy enough to take out, one-on-one, but they work together as a combat unit with machine precision."
[*]Gain 1 Plot Point when you roll a D4 instead of a D8.
[*]Fully networked and integrated. Spend 1 PP after a LM3-3 drone makes a successful Shoot attack against an opponent to allow all other LM3-3 drones within line-of-sight to make a free Shoot attack against that same target.
Follows Orders. D8
"All that matters is the job they've been programmed to do."
[*]Gain 1 Plot Point when you roll a D4 instead of a D8.
Signature Asset: Laser-targeted Machinegun D6, Razor-sharp grasping claw D6
The LM3-3 is an 8-9' bipedal military android. Its right arm terminates in a razor-sharp grasping claw and its left arm houses a laser targeted machine gun. In the graphic novel, three or four LM3-3s were missile-deployed against the Serenity crew while they were negotiating with Alliance officers. By working together, the crew and Alliance personnel were able to dispatch them without too much difficulty-- but not before Alliance forces had taken a few losses. While the LM3-3's body is heavily armored, its head contains delicate equipment which is susceptible to damage-- and Shepherd Book was also able to decapitate one with a samurai sword.
Design Notes:
For purposes of designing an "Extra Heavy Major GMC," I sort of assumed it would look something like the following, which is extrapolated from the progression curve of the various Major GMC types presented in the core rulebook.
I tried to somewhat balance the CC-71 "Behemoth" by requiring Plot Point expenditures for most of its Trigger abilities, but even so it's a pretty fearsome beast.
"Extra Heavy Major GMCs" using these guidelines make for really, really nasty Game Master Characters and I'd be hesitant to throw something like this at my crew casually.
[*] Attributes start at D10.
[*] 3 Distinctions, 5-6 Additional Triggers
[*] 19 Additional Skill points beyond those granted by the highlighted skills.
[*] 11 Specialties or Signature Assets with a D12 Signature Asset cap.
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