Chapter 7: Anzio Imperium
Overview
The Anzio Imperium is a lot larger and richer than its reputation suggests. Even Miho compliments its dramatically improved attitude and perspective on life. It now seeks to assert itself in this brave new world known as Alterra. Unlike San Gloria or Saunderia, Anzio avoided most of the onslaughts of curses from the Cratonic Empire, thus allowing it to prosper, except for one problem, which was resolved.
It originates from the Anzio Girls High School, famous for their lavish parties, regardless of outcome of a battle, even in war. They are now even more "Italian" than ever, but now have more Roman "common sense," while having some aspects of the Vatican City. Anzians still retain their very friendly and impulsive nature, but are now more cultured, with a greater sense of wisdom. Indeed, they are now even more capitalist and freedom-loving, and are now seeking to improve their status in Atlerra. They now operate much like other Senshazons, with more clear, thought-out plans. However, they still like to use baiting and ambush tactics; recently, Anchovy has managed to better discipline them (somehow) and they are more willing to put up more defensive tactics. Only four are confirmed to be Virago:
-Anchovy: the Royal Commander of Anzio, she is the de facto leader of her state.
-Carpaccio: the official President of Anzio, she is responsible for the intricate matters of politics in Anzio.
-Pepperoni: the co-commander alongside Carpaccio of Anzio, she is responsible for fast-strike units and even tourism.
-Amaretto: the newest to join the Virago
Gelato and Panettone, however, are believed to be potentially Virago, because Amaretto is associated with them, and she is now Virago.
INFANTRY
Like any Senshazon state, Anzio has its own infantry types.
-Fanteria: the main infantry units
-Granatieri: the Anzian grenadiers, they are both heavy-duty infantry units and bodyguards.
-Legionaries: heavy infantry units, they wear heavy but futuristic body armor, and act as tankers.
-Bersaglieri: light infantry units, they are specialty skirmishers. They are distinct for their fast jog pace, even in parades.
-Paracadutisti: airborne troopers, they use jet packs to move around.
-Lagunari: amphibious troopers, they specialize in underwater movement.
-Condottieri: Anzian mercenary troopers, they are technically free company soldiers, but are loyal to the Anzian Virago.
-Carabinieri: military police of Anzio
-Hierophants: religious infantry units, they are the main healers and spellcasters.
TANK
Known to Anzians as the Carristi, the tank force of Anzio is average. It is not super-strong, but definitely good. As usual:
-Main battle tanks have a 155-mm gun.
-Light tanks wield a 140-mm gun.
-Heavy tanks wield a 195-mm gun.
Ariete A2
Crew: 4
Weight: 56 t
Hull length: 8.59 m
Width: 4.6 m
Height: 3.5 m
Maximum Road Speed: 195 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 130 km/h
Type: Main battle tank
The Ariete A2 is the Anzian version of the Ariete of Italy. It is quite average, but relatively cheap to make. This is an improvement of the Ariete A1, hence the name.
Ariete A3
Crew: 3
Weight: 58 t
Hull length: 8.61 m
Width: 4.6 m
Height: 3.7 m
Maximum Road Speed: 204 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 136 km/h
Type: Main battle tank
The Ariete A3 is the Anzian version of the Ariete Mk.2 of Italy. Like it, it has modular armor, an autoloader, and other improved systems. Other than that, it is quite an average tank.
Cavallo
Crew: 4
Weight: 59 t
Hull length: 8.91 m
Width: 4.9 m
Height: 4 m
Maximum Road Speed: 210 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 140 km/h
Type: Main battle tank
The Cavallo is an Anzian invention. It is meant to be a genuinely good tank, but it looks weird. It mates a new tank chassis with the turret of a B1 Centauro, so it raises an eyebrow in the eyes of even some Anzians. However, the chimeric model worked fantastically, as its 155-mm gun worked well, while the chassis moved with ease.
Ambra
Crew: 4
Weight: 59 t
Hull length: 8.81 m
Width: 4.8 m
Height: 3.9 m
Maximum Road Speed: 210 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 140 km/h
Type: Main battle tank
Another Anzian invention, this one is designed to look like a more futuristic version of the Ariete of Italy. However, its appearance is reminiscent of the Ariete, the Leone (below), and even the Leopard 2 of Germany. It is designed with a wide variety of ultra-advanced technologies, such as a force field projector. Compared to the Cavallo, it is superior in firepower and defense, but inferior in mobility and it is expensive.
Leone
Crew: 4
Weight: 54.3 t
Hull length: 8.09 m
Width: 5.19 m
Height: 3.92 m
Maximum Road Speed: 216 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 144 km/h
Type: Main battle tank
The Leone is an Anzian version of the Leonardo M50A3 of Italy. It is distinct in being the lightest of all M60 variants in use, due to the use of parts from the Centauro vehicles. It is surprisingly cheap and good to make, so it became quite a hit.
Dardo Blaster
Crew: 3
Weight: 25.8 t
Hull length: 7.7 m
Width: 4 m
Height: 2.75 m
Maximum Road Speed: 210 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 140 km/h
Type: Light tank
The Dardo Blaster is based on the Dardo IFV of Italy, but modified into a light tank. Its 140-mm gun is equipped with a semi-silencer, which works really well.
Dardo Bomber
Crew: 4
Weight: 26.8 t
Hull length: 7.7 m
Width: 4 m
Height: 3 m
Maximum Road Speed: 210 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 140 km/h
Type: Light tank
The Dardo Bomber is just like the Dardo Blaster, but slightly bigger, and wields a 155-mm gun!
Carro Gattino
Crew: 3
Weight: 10.7 t
Hull length: 5.7 m
Width: 3 m
Height: 2.5 m
Maximum Road Speed: 246 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 164 km/h
Type: Light tank/tankette
The Carro Gattino is an Anzian invention, the first Anzian tankette! Inspired by the designs of the Puma 4X4 and Dardo IFV of Italy, the Carro Gattino is designed with nostalgia in mind; many Anzians, especially those of the oldest generation, missed driving their tankettes. This was the result. Despite its size, it is very fast, and its turret is modular, allowing for a variety of weapons, with the heaviest being a 105-mm gun.
Ariete Gigante
Crew: 3
Weight: 74 t
Hull length: 10.61 m
Width: 6.6 m
Height: 5.7 m
Maximum Road Speed: 180 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 120 km/h
Type: Heavy tank
The Ariete Gigante is the only heavy tank in Anzio. However, it is extremely advanced, with a wide variety of systems within. Other than that, it is a typical heavy tank armed with a 195-mm gun.
ARTILLERY
Known to the Anzians as the Artiglieria, this category includes some vehicles designed for indirect bombardment. However, there is one category that is so distinct, that it is in a separate category; this comes later.
Pelican
Crew: 5
Weight: 46 t
Hull length: 8.27 m
Width: 4.35 m
Height: 3.87 m
Maximum Road Speed: 195 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 130 km/h
Type: SPG
The Pelican is an Anzian take on the Palmaria of Italy. Unlike the original, however, the Pelican is a truly advanced model, with its 210-mm gun hitting very hard and accurately. At the same time, it is relatively cheap to make.
Great Pelican
Crew: 5
Weight: 50 t
Hull length: 8.57 m
Width: 4.65 m
Height: 4.17 m
Maximum Road Speed: 195 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 130 km/h
Type: SPG
An improvement of the Pelican, this SPG carries a 265-mm gun! It hits very far and very hard.
Arco
Crew: 4
Weight: 9.6 t
Hull length: 10.8 m when traveling, but 18.43 m in combat
Width: N/A
Height: N/A
Maximum Road Speed: N/A
Maximum Off-Road Speed: N/A
Type: Towed artillery
The Arco is the Anzian version of the FH-70 of UK/West Germany/Italy. It is a typical towed artillery unit, but the Anzian version has a special enchanting system, which causes the impacts to emit smokescreens or flashes.
Razzolini
Crew: 3
Weight: 17.3 t
Hull length: 8.5 m
Width: 3.5 m
Height: 4 m
Maximum Road Speed: 225 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 112.5 km/h
Type: MLRS
The Razzolini is a light rocket artillery system, loosely inspired by the FIROS-25/30 of Italy. Mounted on a 6X6 truck chassis, this system is an Anzian invention, designed with a single turret, which holds only one rocket pack at a time. In return, the Razzolini has additional secondary armaments for self-defense.
Lanciarazzi ("Rocket Launcher")
Crew: 3
Weight: 25.56 t
Hull length: 7.97 m
Width: 3.97 m
Height: 4.62 m
Maximum Road Speed: 195 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 130 km/h
Type: MLRS
The Lanziarazzi is the Anzian version of the MLRS Improved of Italy. Like other variants of this type, it carries up to four rocket packs. A distinct Anzian feature is its ability to quickly drop some of its "empty" pods, increasing its speed to 225 km/h on road, and 160 km/h off-road.
CENTAURO
If there is one thing that Anzio is famous for, it is this. Known to the Anzians as the Cavalleria di Centauro or the Centauria, this category is the most feared weapons system from Anzio. Multiple times, this system is the main reason for Anzio's victory against rivals in matches, and enemies in battle. Most variants, being so fast, can be used for tactical reconnaissance and territorial defense tasks. The official variants are:
Centauro 2X
Crew: 4
Weight: 30 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m
Height: 4.65 m
Maximum Road Speed: 315 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 157.5 km/h
Type: FSV
The Centauro 2X and its variants are infamous for their great firepower and mobility. In fact, they are better known than tanks! Indeed, in matches, whenever, the Anzians are allowed to field non-tank artilleries, even stronger foes dread facing the Centauro vehicles! This is the classic vehicle: an 8X8 wheeled "tank destroyer" with a 155-mm gun and great features. In fact, in general, the Centauro vehicles have more advanced systems than the tanks. Another interesting fact is this: the Centauro 2X is supposed to be the "baseline" vehicle by which other variants are made, but the Centauro 3 ends up being that.
Centauro 3
Crew: 4
Weight: 31 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m
Height: 4.75 m
Maximum Road Speed: 315 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 157.5 km/h
Type: FSV
The Centauro 3 makes history as being the very first fire support vehicle to wield a 175-mm gun! This is revolutionary, as all other fire support vehicles have a hard time wielding a gun of this size. Indeed, in its debut, almost all states dreaded it, as it soon became famous for destroying tanks as large as the Challenger 3 of San Gloria and the Merkava tanks of NOR! Its superb firepower and high mobility render it difficult for even tanks to target. Sure, its armor is limited, but it is dreaded nonetheless. It is also the baseline vehicle to make most variants.
Mannaro
Crew: 4
Weight: 31 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m
Height: 4.75 m
Maximum Road Speed: 315 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 157.5 km/h
Type: FSV
Anzians sure love their Centauro vehicles. This one is a bizarre invention; it is technically a Centauro 3 variant with a special gun, which can transition between a 155-mm gun and a 120-mm semi-autocannon! It is a very successful model.
Triplo
Crew: 4
Weight: 31 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m
Height: 4.75 m
Maximum Road Speed: 315 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 157.5 km/h
Type: FSV
The Triplo is technically identical to the Centauro 3, except that it wields THREE 140-mm guns! It is another experiment that actually worked.
Gnomo
Crew: 4
Weight: 25 t
Hull length: 8.4 m
Width: 4.1 m
Height: 3.7 m
Maximum Road Speed: 360 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 180 km/h
Type: FSV
The Gnomo is designed to be a "retro-improvement" of the Centauro. It is designed to be lighter and more mobile than the Centauro 2X. Instead of a 155-mm gun, the Gnomo uses twin 140-mm guns!
Porcupine
Crew: 2
Weight: 25 t
Hull length: 8.4 m
Width: 4.1 m
Height: 4 m
Maximum Road Speed: 300 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 150 km/h
Type: SPG
The Porcupine is also formidable. With its small crew, a high speed record, and a 210-mm gun, this is not an SPG to underestimate.
Great Porcupine
Crew: 2
Weight: 27 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m
Height: 5 m
Maximum Road Speed: 275 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 125 km/h
Type: SPG
Like the Centauro 3, this one caused quit a stir. It is a Centauro 3-based vehicle that wields a 240-mm gun! Sure, it is not as strong as the 265-mm guns in other artilleries, but its speed and maneuverability render it the "Death Whisper"!
Draco
Crew: 3
Weight: 35 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m
Height: 5 m
Maximum Road Speed: 300 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 150 km/h
Type: FSV
Unlike other Centauro variants, this one is based on the Draco of Italy, which is an anti-aircraft gun system. Unlike it, however, the Draco of Anzio is a literal tank destroyer, wielding a single 105-mm rapid-fire autocannon. It fires almost as fast as a machine gun, despite firing tank shells! In fact, it fires so fast, that many shells literally look like flaming bullets!
Orco
Crew: 4
Weight: 31 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m (5 m if including the rocket packs)
Height: 4.75 m
Maximum Road Speed: 315 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 157.5 km/h
Type: MLRS
The Orco is an Anzian invention, marrying the Centauro 3 chassis with a M270 rocket pack or two! With one, it can fire and move very quickly. With two, it trades a little speed for greater firepower. Regardless, this is a proven design.
Centauro Mortar
Crew: 4
Weight: 30 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m
Height: 4.75 m
Maximum Road Speed: 315 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 157.5 km/h
Type: Mortar carrier
The Centauro Mortar is the mortar carrier variant of the Centauro family. It is designed to fire on the move, despite its 155-mm or 175-mm mortar.
Ultra Freccia
Crew: 3 + 20
Weight: 29 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m
Height: 4.25 m
Maximum Road Speed: 330 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 165 km/h
Type: IFV
The Ultra Freccia is the IFV version of the Centauro family. It is designed to work alongside other Centauro FSVs and vehicles.
Freccia APC
Crew: 3 + 28
Weight: 27 t
Hull length: 8.75 m
Width: 4.38 m
Height: 4.05 m
Maximum Road Speed: 315 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 157.5 km/h
Type: APC
The Freccia APC is essentially the Ultra Freccia, but modified as an APC. Hence, it has weaker weapons, but can carry more troops.
TROOP CARRIER
Perhaps due to its high reliance on the Centauro and multi-function vehicles, there is a lack of pure troop carrier vehicles:
HyperAV
Crew: 2 + 30
Weight: 15-24 t
Hull length: 8.92 m
Width: 4 m
Height: 3.51 m
Maximum Road Speed: 315 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 157.5 km/h
Amphibious Speed: 50 km/h
Type: APC
The HyperAV is based on the IVECO SuperAV of Italy. The original then became the ACV of USA. It is designed to be an amphibious 8X8 APC.
Dardo Improved
Crew: 3 + 18
Weight: 21.7 t
Hull length: 7.7 m
Width: 4 m
Height: 2.75 m
Maximum Road Speed: 210 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 140 km/h
Type: IFV
The Dardo Improved is an effort to keep the Anzian version of the Dardo of Italy in good condition. It is an average tracked IFV, but it has its uses.
MULTI-FUNCTION
Anzio, like others, has its own multi-function vehicles:
Puma Lesser
Crew: ?
Weight: 7 t
Hull length: 5.76 m
Width: 3.09 m
Height: 2.67 m
Maximum Road Speed: 330 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 165 km/h
The Puma Lesser is the Anzian version of the Puma 4X4 of Italy. Unlike the original, the Puma Lesser is a multipurpose AFV:
-General utility: 2 + 6
-APC: 2 + 10
-Missile carrier: 3
-Mortar carrier: 4, with a 125-mm mortar
-Reconnaissance vehicle: 4
-FSV: 4, with a 90-mm gun
-Ambulance: 3
-Repair vehicle: 3
-Power orb carrier: 4
Puma Greater
Crew: ?
Weight: 8.2 t
Hull length: 6.07 m
Width: 3.09 m
Height: 2.67 m
Maximum Road Speed: 330 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 165 km/h
The Puma Greater is the Anzian version of the Puma 6X6 of Italy. It is technically a bigger version of the Puma Greater. Variants include:
-General utility: 2 + 12
-APC: 2 + 20
-IFV: 2 + 10
-Missile carrier: 3
-Mortar carrier: 4, with a 125-mm or 140-mm mortar
-Reconnaissance vehicle: 4
-FSV: 4, with a 105-mm or 120-mm gun
-Light SPG: 4, with a 140-mm gun
-Ambulance: 4
-Repair vehicle: 4
-Power orb carrier: 4
Ursa Lesser
Crew: ?
Weight: 20 t
Hull length: 7.5-8.6 m
Width: 3.53 m
Height: 3.85 m
Maximum Road Speed: 270 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 135 km/h
The Ursa Lesser is based on the VTMM "Orso" of Italy, also known as the Iveco MPV or the GFF4. In Anzio, it fills the role of a medium multi-function vehicle, with modular compartments. Unlike it, however, this is a 6X6 wheeled vehicle with extra systems and protection. Variants include:
-Default APC: 1 + 20
-Extended APC: 1 + 30
-Ambulance: 4
-Repair vehicle: 4
-Mortar carrier: 4, with a 155-mm or 175-mm mortar
-FSV: 4, with a 125-mm or 140-mm gun
-Power orb carrier: 4
Ursa Greater
Crew: ?
Weight: 25 t
Hull length: 9.5-10.6 m
Width: 3.53 m
Height: 3.95 m
Maximum Road Speed: 270 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 135 km/h
The Ursa Greater is an 8X8 wheeled version of the Ursa Lesser. Due to its larger size, it has more roles:
-Default APC: 1 + 28
-Extended APC: 1 + 48
-Ambulance: 4
-Repair vehicle: 4
-Bio-repair vehicle: 4
-Mortar carrier: 5, with a 155-mm, 175-mm, or even 210-mm mortar
-FSV: 4, with a 140-mm or 155-mm gun
-Missile carrier: 4
-Long patrol vehicle: 3 + 14, with a 125-mm gun
-SPG: 4, with a 210-mm gun
-Power orb carrier: 4, with TWO power orbs!
Lince A2
Crew: ?
Weight: 6.5 t
Hull length: 6.5 m
Width: 3.05 m
Height: 2.95 m
Maximum Road Speed: 390 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 195 km/h
The Lince A2 is an upgrade of the Anzio's older model, based on the Iveco LMV of Italy. A tactical 4X4 vehicle, it looks like the Italian version of the Humvee. It is the lightest multi-function vehicle in Anzio, with the following variants:
-General utility: 1 + 8
-APC: 1 + 12
-Missile carrier: 3
-Mortar carrier: 4, with a 125-mm mortar
-Power orb carrier: 3
Iena
Crew: ?
Weight: 43.4 t
Hull length: 9.7 m
Width: 4.5 m
Height: 3.75 m
Maximum Road Speed: 195 km/h
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 130 km/h
The Iena ("Hyena") is the tracked multi-function vehicle in Anzio. Based on the designs of both the Dardo of Italy and the Lynx of Germany, but more of the former, it is designed for ventures too risky for smaller, wheeled vehicles. It has a modular design, so that it is flexible:
-Default IFV: 3 + 18
-Heavy IFV: 3 + 14, with a 90-mm gun
-APC: 3 + 24
-Heavy APC: 3 + 20
-Fortress IFV: 3 + 30 (raised and with more weapons)
-Missile carrier: 4
-MLRS carrier: 4, with up to two rocket packs
-Mortar carrier: 5, with a 210-mm or 265-mm mortar
-Ambulance: 4
-Repair vehicle: 4
-Bio-repair vehicle: 5
-Power orb carrier: 4
OK, Anzio has dramatically improved. It is interesting to note that WWII somehow has influenced the designs of vehicles even to the present day. For example, the original Anzio focused on tankettes and smaller vehicles for Senshadou. Even now, the modern Italy is famous for its Centauro vehicles, which are fast but strong.
Hence, the current Anzio Imperium has a wide variety of Centauro vehicles, which are fast and strong. However, since they are not tanks, Anzians mostly focus on guerilla and hit-and-run tactics.
Shout-out to commanderstarscream123 for some grammatical checks.
Next up: Katyusha's faction.
Katyusha: Katyusha will purge everyone!
Me: Hold my beer, or kefir.
