Popular Mechanicks, Issue #2

New Armored Aethersuits Rumored!

  Rumors of a new armoured suit for aetherial exploration are beginning to surface. Originally developed for undersea exploration and salvage operations, the self-contained air-breathing system would also work in the Aether. These suits would allow our brave Royal Aethermarines to more safely board enemy vessels while in transit between Earth, Mars and Venus.

  Pictured above is the Iron Lung Mk. I Undersea Exploration suit. Our inside sources at Horse Guards and the Royal Artillery tell us that a second model is being built at this time, optimized for use in the aether. The biggest stumbling block is the development of a suitable propulsion system. Due to limitations of oxygen supply, the power source will most likely have to be handwavium. The scarcity of that strategic mineral will, naturally, limit the number of suits that Her Majesty's forces will be able to construct. Trials are hoped to begin this spring, with the first operational suits perhaps being ready for issue in the summer.

[Editor's Note: I just stumbled upon these Mage Knight figures. My immediate thought was VSF Divers! Then I thought, oh wait, they would be perfect (with the addition of a propulsion pack) for boarding parties in the Aether. So, I have ordered some on eBay. No one else may steal this idea until I have obtained 10 of them, though. Bid against me and suffer my wrath!  I think the conversion will be a short and simple one: new base, weapon swap, some sort of propulsion unit on the back. Done. Handwavium powered, of course!]