Steppers high

The Science & Technology Polytechnic Research Incorporated (STPR Inc.) Automated Walker is a medium/heavy assault vehicle with a reputation for being highly customizable and amazingly versatile in extreme combat situations, gained during its tenure as the preferred means of transportation during the war. Automated Walkers, referred to as ‘STPRs’ or ‘steppers’ in most official documents, consist of an upper chassis akin to that of a tank, with wheels or treads (depending on the model) designed with roughest terrain in mind. In this vehicle form, it travels at modest speeds, and is not particularly maneuverable.

This is counterbalanced by a pair of mechanical legs built into the underside of the stepper, which deploy at will and allow it to travel at much greater speeds and, most importantly, leap to incredible heights and distances when upgraded appropriately. This makes the stepper an invaluable asset during combat, as it can negotiate most geographic obstacles; compounded with the vast array of equipment of available for installation (including radar, flamethrowers, automatic weapons and mortars), it is a force to be reckoned with. However, such add-ons also require the appropriate leg upgrades, to avoid compromising its vertical capabilities and lower the possibility of tipping over (a notorious flaw in early prototypes).

For years, steppers were sold exclusively to the military at lucrative prices, and rarely made public appearances; with the escalation of the war, however, the media became aware of their existence. STPR Inc. responded with the release of Automated Walker Mk. IV, a civilian model of the stepper that lacked advanced armor plating and weapons systems, but boasted more advanced hydraulics, giving it greater jumping capability over the military version. It became a mainstay in construction yards and mining sites around the world, gaining such popularity that the government proposed upgrading the military steppers to match the Mk. IV, though this idea was later abandoned due to a lack of funds. To date, the Kazoku Police Department possesses the only stepper equipped with the best of both versions.