HERCS

As I conclude this report, Danli, I feel it appropriate to end with a short discussion of HERCULANs in the wilderzone. Though the tribes focus the bulk of their strategy and tactics on the use of the Scarab-clad tribal warrior, the truth is that the larger tribes--especially the Four--have Herc-equipped forces on every major world. These forces are small, but they are organized so as to be highly mobile and available to transfer quickly to a battlefield somewhere on the Hyperweb. They are clearly meant more to safeguard the most important worlds, but they are also the tribal answer to the threat of a full-scale Imperial annexation. If the reassertion of Imperial authority beyond the nominal claims currently tolerated ever comes to pass, the Tribes of Man will have Hercs to help counter Imperial heavy armor. Tribal Hercs are a generation behind modern Imperial designs, but they may be catching up fast. The Blood Eagle and the Diamond Sword in particular seem to be engaged in HERCULAN mobilization at the moment. The Children of Phoenix and even the Starwolf are soon to follow.

Tactical Role
Hercs bring Armageddon to the battlefield, weaponry with the firepower to penetrate thick stahlplast walls and destroy heavily-shielded grav tanks in mere moments. The light models are vehicle-killers, whereas heavy ones are assigned to assault bases and heavily-armored stationary targets. All Hercs can be used in an anti-personnel role, but a fireteam of well-equipped tribal warriors armed with anti-vehicle weapons offer a serious challenge to a Herc.

Mobility
Gravitic boosters and inertial dampeners combined with fast-twitch exo-muscle systems of polybraided neurocrystal make modern Hercs far more agile than older generations of Hercs. Staying in motion is still a vital part of any pilot's strategy, but Hercs carry enough protection to weather heavy fire. When faced with tribal infantry, a Herc can pause for a few moments to take better aim. Tribals who attack Hercs must learn to move quickly, use teamwork, and take great advantage of the surrounding terrain. Confronting a Herc in the open is suicide.

Anti-Herc Weaponry
Anti-matter tipped tactical warheads and powerful anti-vehicle mines are the primary mobile infantry weapons used against Hercs, in tandem with targeting lasers and motion sensors. My sources report that tribal militaries may be experimenting with grav tank "Herc hunter" platoons and flyers armed with gravitic implosion torpedoes. Heavy plasma and blaster batteries combined with ELFs provide tribals with formidable defenses against HERCULAN assault. It's no secret that most of these measures are directed at the scenario of a full-scale invasion by the Empire. I believe tribal strategy would be to cause any such conflict to cost the Empire as many lives and as much equipment as possible.

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