Due to a need for a multi function drone which could not only accompany a landing party, but could also automatically repair the ship it occupies without direction from the main computer, the “Mobile Spanner Drone was created. This 'bot is able to assess minor damage within a ship and repair it autonomously. Also carrying many functions crucial to a landing party, this drone is exceedingly useful.

On the surface, it is simply a box on omniwheels. (Omniwheels are wheels with smaller rotation parts in the same line as the rotation. Look it up if you don't know what they are.) These omniwheels are housed partially inside the drone and their smaller bits of rotation are located on a single flexible shaft, so that if a destabilization occurs, then the sideways motion is able to be stopped, until, of course, the drone finally topples. With many compartments, this drone would look much like a frankenbot, except for the lines that denote each compartment are extremely fine. This makes the robot's surface look smooth and without marks. A camera, detached from the main frame while aboard the ship and fixed atop the frame when planetside. The detached camera mode is allowed via a small gravity manipulator and powered by the ship's electrical field.

Invented by Galar Vanatosk, the “Mobile Spanner” drone is manufactured in a Zen Armaments factory on Yamatai for use in both Yamataian, Nepleslian, and ships of the UOC.

• Length: 2 ft
• Width: 2 ft
• Height: 2.5 ft
• Mass: 40 lbs
• Range: Unlimited, while aboard a vessel (1-2 months, full operation on sunny planetside location)
• Lifespan: Unlimited, while in a vessel (2 years planetside)
• Cost: 300 KS

Using its gravity manipulators stored inside, the “Mobile Spanner” is able to maintain perpendicular to the surface it is working on. It can also use this function to float and reach places it would not have been able to otherwise.

Utilizing high energy particles, the drone can weld together armor plates and other machinery that needs fixing. Can also use this to escape or as a weapon, if told by the main computer onboard the ship to do so. It has no tracking system of its own, so it relies on the computer for this.

Along with the camera, which is not simply one camera, but many, including Thermal, Optical, UV, Infrared, and a sound intensity meter. Also included in this spherical object is a mini gravitational manipulator, which, as mentioned before, allows this to hover around the 'bot, giving it the needed data.

Equipped with a high-powered communications device, this drone is able to send data back to the main computer, crew aboard the ship and to other ships throughout the nearby systems. It also contains a telepathic device, which projects the communications sent to it to the squad it accompanies on the planet's surface. It also is a conduit, through which the squad is able to draw upon data that the ship's computer has in its database. This is especially useful during raids where a new target has become mandatory and no one in the squad has the floorplans. This function allows much smoother missions undertaken by forces not inside a Star Army craft.

A useful tool inside this robot is the multitool, which, in essence, is a “swiss army” spanner. This tool unfolds and reshapes itself slightly to match the part needing fixing. Basically, all this tool is, is a couple different types of tools, which are able to expand and contract to fit the parts.

A high density battery is utilized when planetside. This battery allows the robot to function for up to a week without recharging. Recharge time on the field with a conventional charger is three hours, however, if aboard a Star Army vessel, it takes a mere ten minutes due to the energy field.

Operating at about 45 percent efficiency, these cells allow the robot to keep its battery recharged nearly indefinitely without needing recharging. This, of course, requires the robot to rest every hour or so for fifteen minutes to let the batteries charge via the sun. These unfold out of the top, giving the robot an interesting hat-like look, which is very disconcerting to some.

Having a comprehensive computer database of the known universe is a handy tool for a “Mobile Spanner” to have. On civilian ships, this functions as a navigator or sorts. Pertinent information is available for telepathic download or direct download.

Extending out of the body of the “Spanner” is a data port which has tiny servos that rearrange the pins on the connector to fit the other component. This can connect to nearly all systems with little delay and with high efficiency.

Authored by Zephyrite and approved by Wes on March 6, 2008¹⁾