That Time I Became A Dictator Of A Small Asian Communist Nation

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
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The nature of the sort of warfare seen in the European theater during World War 2 had shaped the design and engineering philosophies of the laufpanzer prototypes Guangchou had… inherited.

They were massive, even compared to the heaviest of the German panzer designs, capable of crushing a Tiger I tank underfoot. They were also wonderfully stable machines, rated to be effective in fighting in the uneven, forested terrains that could be seen in Europe. It was no wonder they initially had no means of righting themselves should they topple over. In addition, the long-ranged warfare inherent in the battles of that war did not leave much threat from close-in maneuvers. They simply had to be able to walk, maneuver over uneven and artillery-cratered terrain, and withstand impacts from return fire.

In short, there simply was no need, or rather there was simply no room to worry about falling down all that much.

Other things of note were the innovations and engineering marvels present in the 50 prototypes occasionally rumbling through the facility. Of greatest note was the powerful, highly fuel-efficient, and impossibly silent engine purring within each machine. The fuel mix was also a new innovation. Higher-octane than even the most premium of known fuels, the mix was even planned to be used for the German rocket program, though such plans never came to fruit, for obvious reasons. That both engine blueprints and fuel-mix recipe and chemical notes were both present amongst the documents the Great Leader had found had only boosted the research group's joy to new heights.

Furthermore, the laufpanzer prototypes even had an overpressure system, and their own enclosed environment complete with a robust filtration system with reusable components. This feature had prompted some of the research group to propose an aquatic variant. Those focusing on creating a civilian model were more than happy to adapt it to their mining variant.

One even suggested sending a suit into space, though that last one was after a particularly large alcoholic binge.

To that end, design philosophies and doctrine focuses were all over the place, as were the prototypes. Territories had been marked all across the hangars and conference rooms, denoting various factions and their own "mini-projects".

Fortunately, disagreements only resulted in a mild 29% increase in infirmary visits. And a miraculous 3% intensive care rate.

Really, it had been a wonder anything was getting done, though that was likely because of the Great Leader's regular visits to the facility, which had only increased as of late. More than one keen-eyed and sharp-minded engineer or scientist had noted him spending more time with Captain Jing Mai, though they were tactful enough to keep it to themselves. Or rather, keep it strictly to personnel within the compound. After all, stringent travel restrictions ensured high demand for gossip and particulary juicy pieces of intel.

Captain Ru Hiro's romantic, and ongoing, affair with one of his machine's assigned mechanic was a close second.

In general, however, the factions could be divided into two categories: highly ambitious and highly practical.

The more ambitious factions generally drew more attention from the militarists, especially in light of some of their projects. In particular, Captain Hiro's personal campaign to install rocket boosters to his personal machine had marked him as a firm supporter. Despite, of course, his machine simply being too heavy for any practical application, even with his being the smallest among the original 50. In any case, the engine and fuel mix had made the rocket booster idea a possibility, and had earned additional favor from those i the military favoring assault tactics.

Another idea from the factions had been the installation of a self-destruct mechanism. One group even advocating the possibility of mounting a nuclear warhead inside their "Nuclear Tiger" design. Justifications of preventing units from falling into enemy hands had been bandied about, as well as allowing for mutually-assured destruction. The military had liked that one too.

As for the more practical groups, they'd seen more support from civilian engineers and scientists. Even from Captain Mai as well. Their designs tended to be heavier but also more robust and conventional (and still within weight and height restrictions). One of their first proposals had been to design an engineering and maintenance variant, little more than a pilot harness and limbs connected to a smaller engine and fuel tank. The variant would be highly modular, able to equip loading claws, welders, cutters and even a towing cable. All while standing at 3 meters.

Modifying in an enclosed cockpit with filtration system, a jackhammer arm and a continuous track system instead of legs for reduced height and increased stability had given birth to a mining variant that would, in theory, reduce mining fatalities to zero.

Naturally, the true issue was miniaturizing the engines, though it certainly helped that the Nazis had theoretical designs for a smaller laufpanzer, albeit one designed for closed-in, tight, urban warfare. That also meant notes on how to possibly create a smaller engine with reduced but still considerable power and efficiency.

The last bit had also inspired calls to adapt the engines for conventional civilian and military vehicles. An easier prospect was to simply upscale an engine to serve as power generation for ship operations and propulsion. Meanwhile representatives from the air force had asked about adapting the engines to aircraft models and even rocket and missile applications.

While all still mostly in the planning phase, the individual projects were starting to shape into something approaching the creation of actual prototypes.

More recently, the Great Leader had asked the research group as a whole to begin finalizing the design for the first general prototype unit. With discrete assistance from the BFA institute, diverted power from the new power plant and the acquisition of more exotic minerals and ores purchased from China at a premium, the research group bombastically (but still within the compound, safe from prying eyes) unveiled the first, domestic Iron Tiger unit.

It was… something. It was something. Barely skirting both the height and weight limitations, the machine was a testament to the direction in terms of design philosophy. Or rather, multiple directions.

It was less a general prototype than a mishmash of prototypes welded together.

The fact that it stood at exactly 10.0000 meters in height was already impressive, the fact that it stood on two DIFFERENT leg components made it more so.

One stocky leg with a backwards-facing joint paired with a thinner leg more anatomically similar to a human's, it certainly made for one hell of a spectacle. According to the two groups in charge of assembling each leg, they were to be used in tandem in order to fire the massive artillery gun strapped (Jing Mai's request) to the back, with one foot forward, and the other back. Failing to include the contrasting legs would send the mecha toppling backwards, lacking the stability provided by the weight of the original models.

Meanwhile, on the same side as the thinner leg was a thick, bulky arm ending in what seemed to be the spiked ball of a morningstar, and only adding to the surprise was that the entire arm housed an intricate pressure-powered chain system that turned it into a flail that could propel the spiked ball by a short distance at considerable force and speed. Opposite it was an oversized jackhammer, similarly pressure-powered but also considerably thinner and lighter without the reinforced chain spooled within like that ball-arm.

All in all, the juxtaposing pairing of thick and thin limbs made for quite a sight. And while the torso didn't seem all that radical in design, having most of the features in the original laufpanzers simply miniaturized along with the cockpit, the lack of a head component made the entire machine look like a headless humanoid with a single atrophied arm and leg each.

Also, someone managed to sneak rocket boosters (probably at Captain Hiro's instigation) onto the back. In addition, someone had even placed a snorkel unit beside the prototype, citing that should it prove necessary, the prototype could theoretically submerge itself underwater, with the snorkel seeing to the engine's continued operations.

Yes. It was most definitely something.

Perhaps the most incredible part of the day, however, was the impressive poker face on the Great Leader's face as he calmly inspected the Thing and asked questions with regards to its features and capabilities. That it actually worked was also worth praising. Still, it was merely a prototype. And largely as a platform to exhibit new technologies, at that.

And so, the day closes on a, relatively, successful unveiling. Overall, notes were taken and lessons were learned. Particularly about increasing project oversight. And actually specifying a role and use rather than "make an Iron Tiger prototype".

But then, that's a whole other story.


Notes: Not sure how I feel about this one. Also, there's no way the prototype will ever be approved for mass production. This Thing, it scares me.​