Freelance
TravellerAeon Flyer Stinger G/Bike series
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2020 issue.
The Aeon Flyer Consortium specializes in high-performance stylish grav vehicles that are as much status symbol as transport machinery. The Stinger series of g/bike has been the premiere g/bike model line for more than two centuries.
The entry level SZ-100 is an old design, but the base unit costs more than twice as much as a typical g/bike. Among serious enthusiasts and celebrities, owners of the SZ-100 are considered to be posers and pale imitations of true Stinger riders. However, there exists a considerable subculture of SZ-100 riders who have heavily modified their bikes, improving the electronics and automation to the point where the vehicle can compare with a more advanced model in all but speed.
| Aeon Flyer Stinger SZ-100 G/Bike | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL | 12 | Armor | |||
| Skill | Flyer(grav) | Front | 4 | ||
| Agility | +4 | Rear | 4 | ||
| Speed (Cruise) | Subsonic (Very Fast) (1200|800 kph) | Sides | 4 | ||
| Range (Cruise) | 3000|4500km | ||||
| Crew | 1 | ||||
| Passengers | 0|0 | ||||
| Cargo | 0kg|0kg | ||||
| Hull | 2 | ||||
| Shipping | 0.5 | ||||
| Cost | 89,150 | ||||
| Equipment and Weapons | Traits | ||||
| Improved Controls, Autopilot(Basic), Communications system (improved, increased range), Ejection Seat, Navigation System (basic), Sensors (basic) | Autopilot (skill level) | +0 | Open Vehicle, Streamlined |
||
| Communications (range) | 5000 | km | |||
| Navigation DM | +1 | ||||
| Sensors DM | +0 | ||||
| Camouflage DM | +0 | ||||
| No weapon | Stealth DM | +0 | |||
The most current top-of-the-line Stinger model is the SZ-580Z, which carries a base price of more than Cr 200,000. The SZ-580Z is capable of supersonic flight and comes standard with an advanced autopilot and a sophisticated customizable personality unit. The vehicle can literally fly itself and can be instructed to perform complex tasks autonomously. Enthusiasts are loath to admit it, but the autopilot's skill is superior to most riders, and only a machine is capable of avoidance maneuvers at supersonic speed. The rider is more passenger than driver in most circumstances. The ability to exceed the speed of sound in most atmospheres is academic, as local regulations tend to limit supersonic flight to well-defined corridors and many jurisdictions require autopilot control and velocities below 200 kph in urban areas.
| Aeon Flyer Stinger SZ-580 G/Bike | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL | 13 | Armor | |||
| Skill | Flyer(grav) | Front | 4 | ||
| Agility | +6 | Rear | 4 | ||
| Speed (Cruise) | Supersonic (Subsonic) (2400|1200 kph) | Sides | 4 | ||
| Range (Cruise) | 4000|6000km | ||||
| Crew | 1 | ||||
| Passengers | 0|0 | ||||
| Cargo | 0kg|0kg | ||||
| Hull | 2 | ||||
| Shipping | 0.5 | ||||
| Cost | 202,750 | ||||
| Equipment and Weapons | Traits | ||||
| Advanced controls, Autopilot(advanced), Communications system (advanced, increased range, encryption), Computer/3, Ejection Seat, Entertainment System(HiFi), Fire Extinguisher, Navigation System(advanced), Sensors(advanced) | Autopilot (skill level) | +3 | Open Vehicle, Streamlined |
||
| Communications (range) | 10000 | km | |||
| Navigation DM | +4 | ||||
| Sensors DM | +2 | ||||
| Camouflage DM | +0 | ||||
| No weapon | Stealth DM | +0 | |||
All Stingers come equipped with a gravchute ejection system. Recommended rider attire is rated as a vacc suit, though most riders ensure their suits and helmets are suitably stylish, which often precludes carrying all but a minimal supply of oxygen. Common upgrades include the computer and entertainment systems and hull modifications to ensure that the vehicle uniquely stands out.