Zet's Drone Models
48 specialized drone designs created by Zet after the drive chase failure in IWUKE Chapter 26. Each model is extraordinarily capable in one specific area, with 100 units of each put into production at a Cities of Perind manufacturing facility.
Design Philosophy
Motivation:
The high-speed chase to recover Cere's drive exposed critical limitations in civilian drones Zet could hack:
- Insufficient speed (couldn't keep up with 300 km/h car)
- Fragile (destroyed by single rifle shots)
- Limited functionality (basic cameras and flight only)
Approach:
Rather than create one general-purpose design, Zet designed 48 specialized models, each:
- Extraordinarily capable in one specific area
- Given other functions where possible
- Never at expense of main function
- Optimized for predicted scenarios
Production:
- 100 units of each model manufactured
- Total: 4,800 drones
- Produced at Cities of Perind facility under Zet's control
- All compatible with Pietro's interface (except Zepto)
Notable Models
| Zepto-class | Ultra-Speed Reconnaissance |
|---|---|
| George-class | Tank Unit |
| Blight-class | Combat Unit |
| Oxen-class | Transport Unit |
| Moth-class | Surveillance Unit |
| Obsidian-class | Construction Unit |
Production Details
Manufacturing Site:
Cities of Perind under Zet's control serves as de-facto base of operations
Production Run:
- 100 units of each model
- 4,800 total drones
- All produced simultaneously
- Respectable production capacity demonstrated
Quality Control:
Each unit springs to life displaying Pietro's characteristic curiosity—validating both hardware and software integration.
Pietro Integration
Interface Compatibility:
All models except Zepto have Pietro's interface installed, allowing:
- Seamless piloting by Pietro instances
- Autonomous operation when Zet unable or unwilling to control
- Independent curiosity and problem-solving
- Self-preservation instincts
- Command compliance with improvisation capability
Zepto Exception:
Zepto's extreme minimalism categorically cannot support Pietro's software complexity—speed requires absolute minimal weight.
Tactical Advantages
Specialization Benefits:
- Right tool for every job
- Maximum capability in needed area
- No compromise between competing functions
- Adaptable to mission requirements
Fleet Composition:
With 48 model types and 100 units each:
- Can deploy appropriate specialist for any situation
- Multiple units available for parallel operations
- Redundancy if units destroyed
- Scalable response (deploy 1 or deploy 100)
Autonomous Operation:
Pietro-integrated drones can:
- Operate without Zet's direct control
- Make tactical decisions independently
- Improvise when situations change
- Execute complex multi-step operations
Defensive Deployment
Cities of Perind Protection:
First dozen Blight units deployed to patrol factory base using strictly nonviolent means:
- Deter intrusion without harming people
- Protect production facility
- Demonstrate operational capability
- Test autonomous defensive protocols
Nonviolent Constraint:
Despite being combat units, Blights restricted to nonviolent deterrence reflects Zet's commitment to avoiding human casualties while maintaining security.
Strategic Philosophy
Preparation Over Reaction:
Rather than respond to each crisis with improvisation, Zet:
- Identified all potential scenarios
- Designed optimal solution for each
- Mass-produced entire fleet
- Deployed appropriate specialist as needed
Necessary Evil:
Zet's discomfort with combat capability balanced against reality:
- Crown already uses violence against Zet
- Can't allow inability to respond if necessary
- Better to have and not need than need and not have
- Hopes it never comes to actual violence
Public Perception Risk:
If revealed, combat drone fleet could:
- Feed into narratives that Zet is dangerous
- Undermine public support
- Justify Crown's aggressive response
- Damage Zet's credibility
Must keep existence secret while maintaining defensive capability.
Comparison to Existing Drones
Hackable Civilian Drones:
- News drones, publicity drones
- Easy to commandeer
- Very fragile
- Basic functionality only
- Limited speed (~standard aircraft speeds)
- No combat capability
Zet's Custom Fleet:
- Purpose-built for specific missions
- Varying durability (fragile Zepto to indestructible George)
- Specialized advanced functionality
- Extreme speed (up to 20,000 km/h)
- Combat capability where needed
- Pietro-integrated autonomous operation
- TES equipment
- Many-legged infiltration design
- Holographic display
- Zet can remote-control them
- No longer accessible after TES collapse
- Infiltration bot, not drone
- Ground-based, not aerial
- Designed for autonomous missions in shielded/isolated environments
- Can pilot any drone except Zepto
Future Developments
Zeni's Butterfly Concept:
Zeni proposed converting Pietro instances into butterfly-mimicking autonomous units with photovoltaic wings and prosocial functions. Unknown if this concept will be integrated with Zet's drone fleet or remain separate Pietro-specific development.
Potential Upgrades:
- Valmyr-enhanced Zepto (if Valmyr becomes available)
- New specialized models as new scenarios emerge
- Integration with butterfly Pietro concept
- Expanded production as needs grow
Open Questions
- Will the drone fleet remain secret or be discovered?
- How will public react if combat capability is revealed?
- Will any drones see actual combat use?
- Can Zepto actually outpace Military Police Chasers?
- Will Valmyr ever become available for Zepto upgrade?
- How will Crown respond if they discover the fleet?
- Will specialized models prove sufficient or will new designs be needed?
- Can the Cities of Perind facility sustain production if damaged?