While the Domino Dog and Grit are counted as relative successes in Karma's eyes the designers of the company always strive to outdo themselves. One up-and-comer proposed the concept that there was still a niche to be filled in Stormers to help 'pacify' the Cannibal Sectors. While the Domino Dog excelled at close combat, it had no range advantage, and while the Grit could dominate in both ranged and close quarters combat, it was heavily reliant upon equipment to maintain this advantage. Thus, the designer suggested, why not combine the self-sufficiency inherent in the Domino with a more humanoid platform like the Grit? What eventually stalked out of the vats is perhaps one of the stranger and more alien designs yet. Effeminate and asymmetrical, they were cutting edge in the manipulation of genetic material.

Nowhere is this more inherently obvious than in the very artistic yet mechanically functional bow-arm. The dorsal hood of the Rancor act as additional muscle anchors for the bowing muscles of the arm. This allows huge projectile velocities through a combination of muscle, tendon tension, and leverage on a level not normally attainable via standard materials. The ammunition is actually grown on the Stormer in the form of wiry quills along the hips. An orifice in the bow assembly secretes an enzyme that stiffens the stringy 'hair' and sets off a molecular transformation into polycarbonate protein fibers with the strength of steel. The organic nature of the 'arrows' allows them to break down overtime, disallowing them to fall into the hands of subversive elements that might reuse such ammo.

Despite the functionality, many in Karma argued about the validity of it. The arm, while truly impressive, was still reliant upon being drawn, and many pointed out a similar effect might be achieved by simple muscle contractions in a tube or even explosive chemical reactions. Still the lead designer could not be swayed and the distinctive archer format of the Rancor remained though it is likely that future Stormer designs based upon the Rancor could follow these suggested alternatives.

The string-drawing arm features Dual Mantis Blades mounted on the right forearm. Not only useful for drawing the bow arm and retracting the appendages flush when not in use, the small insect-like arms automatically adjust position in order to quickly parry strikes or deliver a slash that might have originally missed. They can also effectively grapple and entangle an opponent. The hand also features retractable claws.

The dorsal hood partially extends skin flaps across the upper face of the Stormer, though it actually sees via a series of advanced surveyor transition optics, often referred to as 'Snake Eyes' for the distinctly snake like appearance and secondary 'tongues' that they can flick out to act as advanced chemical sniffers. The Snake Eye sight is set mostly in the infrared spectrum of light as, like the Domino, normal vision was considered mostly disadvantageous. However, a single eye in the forehead offers basic optical information in case the Stormer found it necessary to relay visual data that might provide clues to their objectives not distinguishable in infrared. The facial hood can retract to show the special organelles of the face. Specialized bio-luminescent cells fluctuate and pulse in a variety of spectrum as a number of sonic transmitters in the plated throat create bursts of ultrasonic sounds. The combination of this induces a dizziness and disorientation within a radius around the Rancor. This is meant more as a self-defense mechanism when opponents get too close to the Stormer.

The legs are long and feature an extra joint like a dog’s, designed to quickly traverse over the varied terrain of the CS. While the toes are actually hoofed, the middle toe has become a fused tarsal and metatarsal blade of bone. When retracted the back half of the blade extends from the heel. This same portion is retracted into the foot when the blade is extended.

More familiar features of previous Stormers can be seen, though with some modification, such as the Xeno's armored skin and flesh pockets. Like the Grit, it was decided not to include the chameleon effect. Instead the circulatory system was reworked to better disperse heat and thus better conceal its thermal signature. The Spite's advanced central nervous system was added in a lesser fashion to help sort out the information from the Snake Eyes.

The Rancor is given the exact same training as a Sector Ranger automatically and their personality matrix is only a few steps up from the basic Hunter Killer program. Many have made comparisons to the Rancor having the same mentality of a Wraithen at times. This is partly true, as the predatory instinct of a Rancor is augmented. For them, they do not partake in 'missions' against 'targets'; they hunt prey. Of course, the techniques the two use differ. The Rancor fires from cover and distance and uses its speed to break off from any short range combat. While fully capable of holding its own in close combat, the specialized and somewhat delicate nature of its bow arm keeps it from regularly engaging in hand-to-hand to avoid risking damage to it.

“Ya know how some Wraithen go a lil too feral and start hunting Stormers for the challenge? I think they just made a Stormer to hunt them back with.”
-Spear, Brain Waster

“Accepted.”
-Chern, Wraith Raider

“Truly the artistry and unusual shape of the Rancor speaks volumes of Karma's mastery of genetics.”
-Anonymous Karma Employee

NB:  I must say the design is heavily lifted from Thomastapir's ‘Amazon Roughs’. Check out his gallery on DeviantArt for some absolutely stunning designs and ideas.

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