"So, on armaments. The Mark 9 currently has two ballistic weapons available, and two missile options available. The missile options are simple. A pick between 65mm anti armor or anti air. For ballistics, a 20mm chain gun is available, as well as twin linked 40mm autocannon's." The tech said.

  He pulled up images on in the front, giving us visual examples for the weapons. "The chain gun is specifically designed for the MK9, while the autocannons come from the M808B2, colloquially called the sun devil."

  Ah, that made much more sense. I had seen sun devils in action and by God could they chew through anything given time. They were supposed to be anti air guns, but on an M808 chassis? It could aim down well enough to mulch just about anything.

  A tried and tested design that gun. Plus with the guns usage in many theaters of the war, ammo would be much more available, so it made a great choice.

  "Now, survivability. The MK9 is surprisingly armored for the maneuverability that we extracted from it. It also has experimental Shielding technology that was developed specifically for the vehicle. With its armor, it is expected to be able to take multiple 90mm HV rounds!"

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  We, that is the people in the class, clapped rather uproariously. That was fucking fantastic! Actual Shielding? Enough armor to stop a tank? That sounds fucking great! Better then great!

  "On the matter of maneuverability. On forwarde and back first. Forward you can expect 56mph or so. Backwards, you get 32ish. Side to side is where it is not up to snuff. Due to its nature, it can get limited mobility in the horizontal aspects at about 10mph."

  That was nice. While the side to side speed could be better, it could be worse too, and with all the armor and weapons on the thing, I couldn't complain.

  "On its extremities, armor is lighter as one might me expected. But a note on the legs. Due to their design, you can stomp down in a melee like attack. Like a hydraulic press really, but at vicious speeds." He said.

  He pulled up a video showing the thing walking up to a concrete block. Suddenly, one of its legs raised higher then normal, then it came slamming down on the block, sending concrete and steel flying in all directions.

  A yellow film of energy appeared and blocked the shrapnel from hitting the chassis. The main body turned outward, and we see a target down range. The chain gun opens up first, stitching tracers on target. The thrum of the gun was honestly lovely, she had to admit.

  Next some missiles streaked out, impacting with explosions directly on target. It was beautiful enough to make a hardened Sargent major cry.

  Another video popped up of a different mantis with the 40mm guns showed next. The staccato booms of the larger 40mm were, in her own opinion, much nicer. The damage per shot was also much higher, so that was a plus.

  The difference in fire rate though... She looked at her pad, quickly finding the info. The chain gun had a fire rate of 1300rpm, while the 40mm had a fire rate of 750, the standard for that gun type.

  While the lecture went on, I continued to think on the vehicle, and each weapons pro's and cons. Which would I want? What would I get to use?

  I must admit I was excited to find out.