Equipment breakdown: ForgeIron Terrapin
The last of the steam tractor-based combat tanks.
It was manufactured by the now defunct “ForgeIron” company who produced a wide range of steam-powered farm implements before the Baker-Craine buyout. They won the much-coveted contract of unifying the disparate combat transport platforms that were plaguing the Cardinal Knights' logistics department. ForgeIron’s philosophy was to put the same level of dependability in their first military tank as they did their tractors so that the operators knew they could count on the vehicle when it mattered most. And that they did. The design was built on their most famous and dependable model, the FI Type-27 farm tractor, and branded the “Terrapin” to reflect its substantial armor.
This armor resulted in it being rather slow; however, and, with faster engines being built, the Terrapin is slowly being phased out. Many have been sold and stripped down to their base components for use as the farm tractors on which their original chassis is based. The remaining stock is being shipped to more remote regions as border patrol and riot vehicles.
Despite its bulky nature, the Terrapin managed to accrue a certain fondness from the crews who piloted them because their simple design resulted in breakdowns being rare and typically easy to repair in a pinch.
A Soldier's Fond Memories
The following is an excerpt from the diary of Lieutenant Earnest Lancewell of the 99th armored platoon during the Northern Revolt, shortly before the 99th’s disappearance. This shows the fondness, uncharacteristic of military hardware, soldiers had for the Terrapin during its last major conflict:
The 11th month of F.E. 273.
From what I can tell, the Northmen have all but surrendered. We recently found one holdout along the mountain range north of Taishchny, but he surrendered with minimal persuasion. Probably tired of spending so much time in the snow! There’s so much of it up here.
What surprised me is how well these cumbersome Terrapins move through the deep snow. I guess, when you have this much weight and a vaguely cone-shaped nose, there isn’t much you can’t move through! I’m still disappointed Burgfaust command is replacing them with the fickler “Archelon” tanks. The ever-present quest of the army to find a universal vehicle seems to always result in one that does nothing well. Personally, I very much enjoy having nearly 190mm of forward steel between myself and the outside world that wants me dead, but they complain it’s slow and outdated. I say just slap some new updates on it and send it out. I’m sure those new combustion engines can handle the weight. Either way, someone at the top probably made a bad investment and is seeking better returns in the defense sector, so I guess my crew and I will be footing the bill.
Tomorrow morning, we roll out again. We’ve been assigned a representative from the Council of Scholars in the intelligence division and have been instructed to make one last sweep toward the North-most regions. The Northmen seem particularly interested in protecting that area. I cannot comprehend why as it is a barren wasteland. We may pick up a couple more there. The captured Northman is convinced he can talk down anyone we find without a fight. I'll afford him a chance. Can’t hurt. For now, I am graced with the soothing sounds of glaciers shifting and crackling throughout the night. The Northman says, almost gloatingly, it means the Mountains are watching. If I had a nickel for every superstition these Northmen keep religiously, I would be at the Craine Amphitheater watching symphonies every weekend! We are looking forward bringing a swift end to this patrol and returning home.
-Lt. Earnest Lancewell, 99th armored platoon
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