| “ | We'll treat them fairly. - USA POW Truck cutoff quote |
” |
The American POW truck is a vehicle partially cut from Generals 1 and Zero Hour.
Background[]
The War Against the GLA proved to be a difficult conflict for the United States; they and their ally China were pitted against an enemy who utilized an extremely decentralized structure, high mobility, and extensive stealth technology that ensured that they would be able to rally from and prepare a counterattack against any move made against them. It was difficult to know when and where the GLA would strike without prior knowledge, and though their followers were not one to lightly betray the cause, they were the best hope for any precognition of the GLA's plans and agenda. To that end, the US deployed these POW Trucks to safely and securely transport prisoners of war from the battlefield and between bases.
During Operation: Guardian Angel, an American general was tasked with providing covering fire for a retreating US convoy. Notable among these fleeing troops were several POW Trucks that held important prisoners of war. Needless to say, under the watchful eyes of the general and their Comanches and Stealth Fighters, these transports and their precious cargo made it through unharassed by the GLA forces pursuing them.
They and their occupants were sometimes transported via sea to further, better-suited installations. Two POW Trucks were waiting in an American naval base when the chemical ICBM attack preceding Operation: Global Security struck the base. Alongside the rest of the base, the two trucks were decimated in the blast.
Game Unit[]
During the development cycles of both Generals and Zero Hour, there intended to be a prisoner-of-war system that would have allowed players to subdue enemy infantry and bring them to certain structures to grant special abilities. The American POW Truck was to play an important role in that design; once enemy infantry had been subdued by Rangers' flash-bang grenades, it would have fallen upon the transport to safely bring them to the Detention Camp, where they would have allowed the American general to access the CIA Intelligence support power. Ultimately the function was unable to make it to release both times, however, and though some units and functions remain within the game's code their existence is not referenced in the finished game.
As it is, the POW Truck have been reduced to little more than dynamic scenery. If made to be buildable (through INI editing), they are not impressive units in any respect. Unarmed, and of moderate speed and armor, they also cannot carry infantry, captured or otherwise. As a comment left by a developer states, "It can't do anything interesting other than move and get blown up".
Selected Quotes[]
| “ | Prisoner pickup. - When selected |
” |
| “ | Always by the book. - When selected |
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| “ | I'll transport the detainees. - When selected |
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| “ | You have an assignment? - When selected |
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| “ | Where are the fugitives? - When selected |
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| “ | We'll treat them fairly. - When selected |
” |
| “ | You got any more? - When moving |
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| “ | We're heading over. - When moving |
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| “ | We'll be there soon. - When moving |
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| “ | We'll be right there, General. - When moving |
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| “ | Following procedures. - When moving |
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| “ | Carrying out the law. - When moving |
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| “ | You will not stand between me and the law! - When ordered to run over |
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| “ | Passing through! - When ordered to run over |
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| “ | We're in a hurry! - When ordered to run over |
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| “ | They aren't going anywhere. - When picking up POWs |
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| “ | Yeah should be enough room for 'em. - When picking up POWs |
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| “ | Alright, let's bring them in! - When picking up POWs |
” |
| “ | Hold them 'till I get there. - When picking up POWs |
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| “ | They will be in our custody! - When picking up POWs |
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| “ | Let's bring them in for questioning. - When taking in POWs to the Detention Center |
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| “ | Lock 'em up! - When taking in POWs to the Detention Center |
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| “ | Under close supervision. - When taking in POWs to the Detention Center |
” |
Trivia[]
- Though unarmed, in the game files the POW Truck is listed as able to gain veterancy.
- Like the ECM Tank, its only means of gaining experience would be running infantry over.
- The POW Truck's model and cameo lacks a turret, but there is one among the debris textures.
See also[]
- Chinese POW truck, Chinese counterpart
- GLA POW truck, GLA counterpart
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