Chassis d'Bataille

Origins

Chassis d’Bataille or Battle Frames are some of the more eccentric weapon concepts that Qwere developed using Off Plane technology. Its initial development is somewhat of a mystery, but according to popular belief, it was the d’Acedemy Aeronotique that developed the first prototype of the CB-1. The Academy burnt down around the time the Allies marched into Paris to arrest Emperor Bonaparte, so little is known of its early development or what inspired it. Early development The first Chassis d’Bataille saw service in the clandestine Imperial Penal Legion. Under the direct supervision of RA, the legion was allowed to develop experimental weapons under the condition these were only allowed to counter Outsider incursions. But even the French Empire wasn’t enthused about the idea. It was experimental, expensive, high maintenance, and considered to be a coffin on legs. Also highly uncomfortable, being cramped and very warm due to the combustion engine. The operation range was also minimal. But as more battles with the Outsiders were fought, the traditional ways of war turned out to be ineffective. Infantry, often untrained, undisciplined prisoners inclined to revolt, needed close weapon support. Vehicles, although these had their uses, had problems traversing rough terrain, and the crew’s view was limited, reducing their effectiveness even further. Outsiders come in all shapes and sizes, caring little whether you can bring toys along when they come out to play. So, the French commanders realized they needed something different they hadn’t tried before. Something Experimental. Thus the mothballed prototypes were brought to bear and refitted for just that purpose. Image

CB-2

The CB-2 was a two-seated box on legs. It had a pilot and a gunner on top, operating a single weapon ranging from mitrailleuse to Gatling guns and even flame throwers. But its gunner was to vulnerable, and its firepower to limited to justify the expense. But, it proved its flexibility on rough terrain, being able to follow the infantry where vehicles could not, proving its potential.

CB-3

This lead into the creation of the CB-3. These were single pilot weapon platform with weapons integrated into the chassis itself. Its legs now allowed its frame to lay low and aim up and down more freely. The first series would have two weapon hard points, allowing a wide range of weapons or to be converted into highly specialized vehicles. Some didn’t even have weapons, but utilities like lights. Others would have lighter armor and be mounted with periscopes to serve as hazard scouts. Suffice to say the CB-3 was the experimental vehicle the French Command hoped it would be, and its many variants would serve as inspiration for most CB’s to come.

Casket Girls

The pioneers of CB handling were women known as coffin or casqette girls. French command chose women because, the penal legion being a penal legion, it wasn’t wise to keep females close to the male prison population. They also had the benefit of generally being smaller, making them natural candidates for the cramped machines. Being protected by armor and being deployed behind the infantry didn’t make their jobs any safer. Being a large machine with big guns made them a priority target. Then you are sitting in a machine with a lot of heat buildup, loaded with explosive munitions and flammable liquids… Lets just say there were some incidents involving sudden fires and big explosions. However, these women were the first CB pilots and after being released from the legion’s custody, were taken on as instructors after the collapse of the French Imperial legion and would find employment as mercenaries and even become the first CB Company Commanders.

CB-3

After the Collapse, despite being as experimental as it was, the CB-3’s simplicity made it something of a legend, though highly overestimated in its abilities. But they were easy to produce and modify. This made it beloved by militias and fiefdoms on a budget. Therefore there is no such thing as a standard CB-3. Most of them have been refitted to serve a particular niche in their respective environment.

CB-4

The CB-4 was designed to be a general-purpose CB. However, it development cycle was plagued with problems and delayed because of the discussion about the meaning of General purpose. In the end it was a CB-3, but bigger, more complex, and teaming with production issues that took many years to iron out. It also lacked the flexibility that made the CB-3 so beloved. However, the development of the CB-4 was a important stepping stone in the development of CB’s as a whole.

Renault CU-1C

CU-1C’s development was the opposite to that of CB-4. Renault was ordered to develop a CB that could be deployed as a recovery vehicle and support other engineering tasks in the field. Equipped with a low torque high power engine its a slow but powerful beast strong engine to pull a locomotive from a river on top of a muddy bank aided by claws that allow it to lodge itself into many surfaces. This concept, like the CB-3 made it another great platform that would inspire a generation of specialized CB’s which didn’t require much mobility.

CB-5

The CB-5 was what you get when you know what you're doing. It was developed from the lessons learned of the CB-4, but was also designed with the new Neuro-technology in mind allowing for even more freedom of the moment. CB-3 and 4 with Neuro-tech did exist but lacked the articulation to make full use of it. CB-5, therefore, changed the nature of CB-warfare drastically into what its original creators intended.

by Eldon Crowder