BOLO MK XX (Tremendous)

The reign of the Mark XIX was shorter than anyone had anticipated primarily because no one had anticipated the psychotronic breakthrough. (Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that no one had expected the High Command to accept the psychotronic technology as quickly as it did.) The Mark XX (Tremendous) was the first truly self-directing (and self-aware) Bolo. Defensive capabilities remained unchanged from the Mark XIX, but the internal volume demands of the Mark XX's psychotronics forced the main armament to be downsized, and the Mark XIX's single 50cm Hellbore was replaced by two 30cm weapons, twin-mounted in a single turret. In addition, the Mark XX/M (unofficially referred to as the "Mosby") was a unique departure. Designed for independent deployment to raid an enemy's logistics and rear areas, the XX/M was essentially a refitted Mark XIV hull. The considerable mass of its first-generation Hellbore, along with its turret, was deleted, which freed up sufficient internal volume (barely) to permit installation of a somewhat less capable version of the Mark XX's psychotronics. Although self-aware, the Mark XXs had relatively simple (and bloodthirsty) personalities, and full self-awareness was specifically limited to battlefield applications. Except in carefully defined combat-related areas, the Mark XX's software suppressed its volition, effectively prohibiting it from making any action without direct orders from designated human command personnel. Weight and speed data for the Mark XIX apply to the Mark XX. The Mark XX's great opponents were the Yavac heavies of the Deng, but not even the Yavac-A/4 could survive against a Mark XX Bolo without numerical superiority of at least 3.25-to-1.

Some BOLO MK XX units

Among nine other Bolos Unit Jason was sent to the rural world of New Sierra to defend. The fanatical Army of tne New Messiah, a religious faction dominating the nearby world of Deseret was attempting to spread its influence by military force.

Jason had not yet been assigned mission orders or a permanent commander, and the other Bolo units had not been brought online before the ANM landed on New Sierra and began to set up fortifications for an invasion on the Capital City New Denver.

As soon as he was brought online, Unit Jason was entering a world of confusion. He discovered that he was no longer in the Dinochrome brigade, and his new human supervisors were slow to inform him on the situation, and to give him orders after he found out the dire situation New Sierra was under. Jason was also puzzled as to why New Sierran government delayed so long to deploy him.

The New Sierra government was not sure where to put their best defenses because they were not sure where the ANM would attack from, and also their Coordinator did not trust Bolos or Terrans, including Captain Fife. The ANM began attacking New Sierran forces and Captain Fife tried to help and begged the Coordinator to deploy Jason, but in his distrust the Coordiator was slow to respond.

Unbeknownst to anyone at the Capitol, there were traitors in the New Sierran Army, and the 'friendly fire' that one of them inflicted on CANS forces and Jason helped weaken the New Sierran forces and caused confusion, especially for the Coordiator who initially thought it was unit Jason who was attacking friendly forces.

By the time Jason intercepted, the CANS forces at Hot Springs Pass where nearly whittled to nothing. He helped the few CANS that were left, and began pounding ANM forces moving in.

Jason took down enough enemies to hold them back until reinforcements arrived to finish off those remaining, allowing him to disengage and shut down most systems due to the heavy damage the enemy forces inflicted upon him.

The New Sierrans did not know how to repair Jason, and knew it would also be highly costly if they tried, and so the decided to deactivate him and relieve him of his painful wounded state, but only after awarding him with the New Sierra Legion of Merit Award.