Tarantula ZPH-1A

         The recent success of the GOL-3M Goliath has prompted Corean Enterprises to take another look at four-legged ‘Mech designs. In an effort to avoid the kind of problems shown by the poorly regarded Scorpion, the designers decided on an entirely new purpose for the quad chassis. Intended to serve as a light recon ‘Mech, the Tarantula is the first four-legged design to mount jump jets.

         Corean designers decided to take advantage of the stability and maneurerability provided by a four-legged chassis to build an extemely agile recon ‘Mech. The resulting design combined the squat, four-legged look of the Scorpion with the sleek lines of the Mercury.
         A primary concern was to improve the pilot’s comfort, since quad ‘Mechs are notorious for giving MechWarriors a bumpy ride. Care was given to enlarging the cockpit and to installing a special seat that helps negate the jarring bounces that occur whenever the Tarantula crests a hill. The ‘Mech’s legs are equipped with sophisticated shock absorbers, which not only smooth the ride, but help absorb the enormous impact of a 240-meter jump.
         The Tarantula’s armor protection is good for a ‘Mech of its size, and also spread more evenly around the front and back than is usual. In addition, the ‘Mech’s legs are heavily armored and reinforced to prevent loss of the limbs during battle or landing.
         The Tarantula’s primary weapons are two Magna Mk II medium lasers, mounted in raised pods on the upper surface and the left and right torso. The Tarantula also sports a Hovertec Streak SRM-2 Pod in the center torso, directly below the cockpit.
         All the test pilots have commented on the noticeably comfortable ride, improved stability, and handling. In fact, once a pilot grows accustomed to the four-legged differences, the Taratula is clearly superior to a bipedal ‘Mech of similar specifications, such as the Spider.
         Naturally, there are many skeptics who doubt that a four-legged design can ever compete with the more traditional ‘Mechs. Old habits die hard, and it will be difficult for most MechWarriors to drop preconceived notions based on the old Scorpion design. Those who can will discover a startling new ‘Mech of unsurpassed agility and a low profile particulary well-suited to recon and surveillance.

         Because of this ‘Mech’s unusual nature, many pilots simply will not accept an assignment to it, preferring instead to enter the ranks of the Dispossessed. With this in mind, the Tarantula is assigned on a purely voluntary basis. Unit commanders are offered the ‘Mech, and they consult with their men for volunteers. Corean’s public relations department is busy working out a promotional holovid for distribution to appropriate units, utilizing actual battle footage and MechWarrior testimonials. It may take a long time, but Corean hopes to eventually erase the Scorpion form the minds of pilots, and replace it with the Tarantula.