[sg] Spider Drones

I thought that I saw something on the web about spider
mines for SG, but I could not find anything.

I've had an idea running through my mind for a little while
and thought that I would post it to the list and ask for feedback.

Spider Drones:
Spider Drones (SDs) are small autonomous robots. They
compact into a disc or hexigon about 15-20cm in diameter.
When deployed, they have 4 long legs that extend and give
the SD a maximum ground clearance of 1.5m (usually
maintains a clearance of 30cm-1m). SDs weigh about 2kg.
SDs have limited Artificial Intelegence (AI), and operate
independantly once an initial mission, opperating
perameters, and range is provided. SDs have multi-spectrum
EM sensors, auditory sensors, and tactile sensors. They are 
used primarily for recognizance or decoy missions. Cheap
and easy to make, they are considered expendable, but are
usually retrieved when possible. SDs work off of an advanced
battery system that can be recharged from any AC outlet in
about 4 hours. Each SD has an operational time between recharge of about
6
hours, and hold thier charge for 6 months 
if not used. While it is officially discouraged, SDs have been used for
mobile-mine warfare; programed to wait until an unidentified (through
IFF)
motile source is with in range and then charge and ignite a pack of C4
or
similar explosive attached to its casing (this process is discouraged
due to
the
primative AI of the SD and the number of noncombatants
and friendly forces that have been harmed by the practice).

Game Use:
SDs are usually deployed before the start of the game. If 
using counters to represent unidentified units or units in 
hiding. SDs will move like any other unit on the board.
They do not have the ability to perform combat of any type
(see notes about spider mines later), or perform a combat
move. They have no leadership or confidence ratings or 
markers. They cannot be suppressed (too stupid). They have
two actions that they can perform: 1) Move. 2) Observe
3) Report.
SDs may move while hidden as snipers or make normal
movement (6"). SDs can use an Observe action to try to
identify hidden units within 12". For this attempt, it has
a quality die of 6 and basic sensors (d6). SDs are set to send
an encoded burst communication at preprogramed
intervals. This interval should be noted at the begining of
the game (i.e. report every 4 turns). If an SD reports while
in LOS of an enemy unit, it should be revealed.  In addition,
if it is fired upon or encounters a motile, non-frienly unit
within 12", it will attempt to report. In either case, there
must be an EW specialist unit to recieve the
communications. The EW specialist may also reactivate the
SD as a leader (spending one of the EW specialist actions to
do so). If attacked treat SD as an unarmored  individual
figure (size 1). SDs do not check for morale. SD reports may
be blocked by EW, just as any other communicaiton attempt.

Spider Mines:
SDs can also be jury-rigged to ignite a small explosive charge
that can be attached to its hull. This practice is frowned upon
(as stated above). To simulate this, treat the SD as a 
command detonated mine with a range of 6" and an area of 
effect of 6".

Disclaimer: I play Stargrunt once a year at GZGECC. So weigh
my comments appropriately.

-----
Brian Bell
bkb@beol.net  
http://members.nbci.com/rlyehable/sg2/