Panzer Kunst Gruppe

Panzer Kunst Gruppe
Nicknames	Rusty Angels
Home Base	Grunthal, Mars
Population (2015 rough)	<90
Political Influence	Minor
Allies	Cyber Confederation
Stereotype	Cybers gone way too far towards the machine, and proud of it

Originally founded by Alita Gally in 2011 with the aim of defictionalising the cyborg martial art Panzer Kunst, the Panzer Kunst Gruppe are made up of those cybers capable of undertaking combat operations in open space without the use of a powered suit. As a result, the Kunstler are among the most cybernetically modified residents of Fenspace. Half of currently active Kunstler are more than 90% artificial, and all are above 70%.

Independent at first, they established their home base Grunthal, in the maze of canyons that make up Noctis Labyrinthus at the far western end of the Valles Marineris on Mars. After the beginning of the Boskone War they were assimilated into the Sabre Corps where they were most often called upon to tackle Boskone cyborgs and armoured troops along with near-vacuum combat. The Kunstler also found themselves doing everything from courier missions, to ship boarding, intelligence operations and blitz raids against Boskone bases. Notable actions include supporting Tango Shoes operations against Jusenkyou, the Battle of SerenityCon, the raid on Shipwreck Island and the Steelyard on 16 Psyche.

Individually, a Kunstler is among Fenspace most powerful fighters, however at any given moment there are only about thirty to forty active Kunstler, with the rest of the faction strength being made up of trainees. Of those 40, usually around half will be actually available to fight, with the others either resting, undergoing repair or maintenance, or training themselves or other Kunstler. This leaves between 15 and 20 Kunstler ready to fight at any giving moment. Of these, it's highly likely that some will already be engaged in operations.

Post war, the Panzer Kunst Gruppe have maintained some links with the Supers, with individual Kunstler filling roles on JLI teams that can’t yet be filled with biomods. The Gruppe also provides a training service to the power-armoured or cybernetic forces of other factions, provided they are capable of operating in the Martian atmosphere. The Gruppe also continues to support OGJ and Space Patrol operations against Zwilniks. Several Kunstler either have been, or currently are, troubleshooters with at least one being OF-8 grade.

For the most part, they follow the OGJ rank structure, mixed somewhat with rating system ranging from Anfanger(Beginner) at OF(D), to Krieger(warrior) at OF-6. A Kunstler’s rank depends on their experience, their skill and their overall physical power. The only Kunstler who regularly see action are those above Geselle rank.

Panzer Kunst

German for ‘Armoured Art’. A fictional martial art originating from the Battle Angel Alita manga, designed for use by cyborgs, Panzer Kunst teaches a cyborg how to live and fight in sync with their own body and its enhanced abilities, aiming towards a oneness between all senses.

Kunstler specialize in fighting armed and armoured opponents, as well as zero gravity and aerial combat. Panzer Kunst emphasizes speed and momentum along with distinctive vibration and shockwave based attacks that fracture bone and armour, and jelly flesh. The strongest members are known to be able to crack a truck’s engine block with a single punch.

Kunstler use a wide variety of weapons in the field, ranging from their distinctive and deadly Damascus Blades, to large calibre firearms and even internal body-mounted weapons. The choice is usually made by the individual Kunstler, based on their own preferences and fighting style.

Panzer Kunst teachings have unexpectedly found a wider audience among the recipients of unwanted or unexpected biomods. After all, one of the first lessons every Kunstler must learn is how to come to terms with their own bodies.

Kunstler Gruppes

Each Kunstler Gruppe consists of a number of Geselle, led by a Krieger responsible for both their training and their combat operations if and when they deploy together in the field.

Kammer Gruppe:
Led by: Yoko Rasierklinge
Specialise in heavy anti-armour operations, boarding actions and assaults, along with the use of internally mounted weapons. The Kammer’s are the most physically powerful Gruppe and are often the most visible Kunstlers. Each Kammer is usually a BNF in their own right. They are the most likely to work alongside the JLI.

Kugel Gruppe:
Led by: Ashen Tiger
The Kugel Gruppe was formed from Kunstlers who practiced the sport of Motorball. The second most visible Gruppe after the Kammers, since the end of the Boskone War they have been holding exhibition matches at various locations in Fenspace. While undoubtedly spectacular, the tendency for players to lose limbs has limited the sport’s uptake among most Fen who can’t easily replace a lost arm at a pitstop.

Engel Gruppe:
Led by: Jet Jaguar
Specialising in aerial and space combat, the Engels are Kunstlers capable of controlled and sustained flight. When operating alone, Engels are often couriers of important information. When operating as a Gruppe, Engels perform high speed raiding attacks or provide light air cover to ground assaults.

TUNED Gruppe:
Led by: Erwin Lee
The smallest Gruppe is often assigned ‘Special’ operations. Also the most likely Gruppe to work with the Space Patrol. Most members will often be officially assigned to another Gruppe while assigned to TUNED Gruppe.

AR Gruppe:
Led by: Einz
Though not officially ranked as Kunstler due to being fully artificial, in an emergency the ‘Alita Replica’ androids built by Daisuke Edo can deploy in the field either as their own Gruppe, or as part of Gruppe they commonly train with.

Krieger Gruppe:
Led by: Alita Gally
Should the Panzer Kunst Gruppe ever deploy in full, the Krieger Gruppe is formed from the leaders of all other Gruppes, in order to maintain proper situational control and command awareness. This has only happened once, during the Battle of SerenityCon. A member of the Krieger Gruppe is known to be an OF-8 troubleshooter.

Trivia

Constructed Artistry: In the original source, there were multiple schools of Panzer Kunst, Alita Gally chose the name Gebaut for her constructed school.

Artist’s blades: On reaching the rank of Geselle and being assigned to a Gruppe, a Kunstler receives a set of Damascus blades. Manufactured from pattern-welded handwavium-steel, these are extraordinarily sharp and resilient. The design of the blade depends on the preferences of the individual ‘’Kunstler’’, but most tend towards a single butterfly-handled sword, or a pair of elbow-mounted blades.

Grundlose deutschen : In order to distinguish the Panzer Kunst from eastern martial arts, German attack names, titles and some commands are used, which often causes actual speakers of the language to wince, since they were created using Babelfish.

Shaded eyes: Before going into combat, out of tradition, Kunstlers apply a distinctive eye-black to their cheeks. More often red rather than black, in actuality.