Data: LMP-06F "Lancer" Mass Produced Infantry unit.
H: 6,5ft W: 200lb Unarmed, 350lb fully armed.
Armament: Lancer Long Rifle w/Bayonet, machete, power cables, grenades.

Before the enigmatic cybernetics corporation known as Longinus became a main player in mechanized private military contractor business there was a company called Panzermensch Industries. Known primarily for it's mass produced infantry drone bearing it's name, Panzermensch, PI originally planned to make killing sales in selling their highly specialized unit as security units and troops to war torn nations, especially the war torn Middle East during the Oil Wars. However, quality and quantity proved to be their downfall when their highly advanced soldiers proved to be ineffective against simple traps laid out for them by locals using outdated weapons and tactics. It couldn't be helped that their AI was no match for human ingenuity and it cost more to repair the units than they were being paid for. In the end, the company was bought out by Longinus and the Panzermensch armor design was implemented into their arsenal.

The Longinus variant dubbed the "Lancer" due to it's specialized rifle, the unit is very much similar to it's previous design externally save for a few modifications. It's the inside that was changed greatly. Removing the AI housing they installed a superior control system to control the deadly armor. A human brain protected in a hardened shell case. Installed into a socket and mated to the spinal column the Lancer is no longer a robotic drone but a cybernetic killing machine with human intelligence. Able to use tactics and judgement that it's predecessor's simple AI couldn't handle Lancers were sold in great numbers in the 2040s with great results.

Lancers are armed with a 'long-rifle' that has a 2 foot long machete like bayonet attached to the barrel that is unable to be detached. The rifle can fire 300 large AP rounds stored in a detachable drum on the underside and each unit has 10 of these drums attached to it's backpack, not including the one attached to the rifle. The rifle themselves are mated to the armor via a link in the grip to the palm of the unit, allowing accurate fire from the hip via targeting link programming. They usually carry 3 egg type grenades that can detonate remotely or via timer. As a side weapon each unit carries a 3 foot long hardened steel machete though they can also rely on hand to hand combat as well. They are very agile for a heavily armored unit due to specialized techno muscle systems built into the suit and light weight but sturdy armor. Each unit has a built in 'roller' system in the bottom of their feet which are highly powered tank treads, allowing the unit to quickly speed across surfaces, or use them as makeshift weapons. Lancers also have 6 high powered launcher cables on either shoulder and side of the hip and built into each wrist. Originally intended to help it in tight turns by firing them at a building or to help them scale or lower from buildings, they also use them as weapons against soft targets such as unarmored humans. Each unit also has a powerful radio system built into it's backpack and a smaller squad based communications system in its helm. The backpack also houses a booster system which gives the Lancer limited jump flight ability. Enough to scale a 2 story building but not much higher or to soften a landing.

It was only when several incidents in 2044 did the Lancer first get it's negative marks. The first was when a squad of 12 were purchased by a dictator of a small impoverished nation decided to show off his expensive new purchases to his 'loyal followers' who were not too happy to see their President for Life and his new toys. Forming a defensive perimeter around the President's convertible limousine, they kept most of the 2000 civilians at bay by their mere presence as they marched out the gates of the Presidential mansion. However, when a small stone thrown from the masses struck one of the Lancers in the head, the entire squad marked them as hostiles and opened fire. 300 people were killed in the first barrage and many more would be gunned down from behind as they fled. The President's human bodyguards panicked and drew their weapons, not realizing until it was too late that this would be classified as a hostile action and had the Lancers turn their weapons on them and open fire. In the barrage, the bodyguards, President and his family of 3 wives and 7 children were gunned down, added to the 1253 civilians killed as well. With the termination of their contractor, the 12 units withdrew to a nearby air base where a Longinus craft was awaiting, killing 73 guardsmen that got in the way as well as 15 more civilians as they departed, but not before fining the government a hefty fine for breech of contract. In their defense, the President failed to properly calibrate the Lancer's programming on how to deal with threats parameters as detailed in the operating manual, which he ignored to read. Had he done so, he could've prevented the massacre. Even though Longinus claimed to be 'not at fault' it severely dampened sales afterwards.

Added to that incident, Lancers have been prone to extreme acts of cruelty to their foes. Primarily in war zones and in 3rd world countries, they have been seen using overkill to the extreme in terminating their targets. Several vids on the net show a favored tactic they use by impaling a target onto their rifle, lifting them up, and blasting them with a 3 round burst. Some have been seen launching their cables at humans and dragging them back before either smashing them underfoot and grinding their heads to a pulp under their rollers or dragging them around still screaming. On occasion you might find one simply tearing a human in half using it's bare hands. They do not recognize women or children as non-combatants due to the conflicts in the middle east and will not hesitate to gun them down just the same. Due to their methods, they have been forbidden in American, European Alliance Nations, and Japanese territories. However, other nations still purchase them by the dozen, primarily multiple African and Middle Eastern nations, either by the governments or by warlords. It's been rumored that even mafia and drug cartels hire Lancers but Longinus refuses to confirm the claims.

They are purchased in units of 6, 12, or 30 and modified contracts are made for any more. They are supplied and maintained by a trained crew and transported by their own Hover-Aircraft. All that is needed from the buyer is a location to store their gear and the rest are self sufficient. Contracts can be as short as 1 month to as long as a year, with renewable plans. If a unit is damaged or, in the unlikely incident, destroyed there is no fine against the buyer. However, if the buyer attempts to do something that is breech of contract such as attacking a Longinus facility like one small nation did, units will not hesitate to turn on their buyers and kill each and every person such as what happened to the very small country of Hazakstan.

While Lancers have rarely been defeated by human opponents, they have met their match against Artemis units, mostly the specialized Beast units and the Alice unit, and on occasion Rogue units. However, their remains are either recovered or modified to self destruct if a non friendly unit nears so there isn't much to recover from destroyed units to learn much from them. It is rumored there may be at least 2 million units made, though the actual numbers may be higher.

Also comes in Commander/Officer variants, "Vulcan" flame throwing variants, "Goliath" Heavy Weapons variants, "Spectre" sniper/spy/'ninja' variant, and "Valkyrie" Airborne/Female variant.

Art by  paullucas