...This is the second attempt at my version of an iconic mech for my AU Clans, having lost the original design and fluff somewhere in the house. I just bought a copy of Word, so I'm trying to clear the backlog of handwritten stuff and thought I'd post the fluff. For your information, it uses a couple of homebrew tech systems; a modular arm-mounted pod system (think a nail in the wall - you can switch pictures depending on your mood) that takes advantage of the ability of a mech with hands to lift 10% of its weight in its arms, and a sort of stilt or extended IS (I got the idea watching drywallers walking around on those two-foot stilts they strap on).
I don't have the design yet - have to do it again tomorrow - but the descriptions are ok from what I remember.
*-Found a couple bad grammar spots, 'frustrate' and 'that' I'll get rid of later.
CARNORAPTOR CAR-O-1
ORIGIN
Having chosen the Star League’s Guillotine design as the basis for a new, excusive design for the Warrior Caste of Clan Carnoraptor with elements of established and experimental construction techniques and technology, Khan Alexander was forced to share its specifications with the rest of the New Clans to gather the political and military support necessary to begin production when the Clan failed to gather the resources needed by the Scientist Caste. Requiring an expensive XL engine and Endo-Steel to reach its full potential, IlKhan Lawrence McEvedy approved the addition of OmniTechnology to the design with the enthusiastic support of both Warriors and Technicians assigned to the prototypes during their Trials.
Approved for production in 2915, the design was christened the Carnoraptor by the IlKhan both for its designers and its fearsome speed and ferocity.
CAPABILITIES
Where cavalry units traditionally trade endurance and protection for speed, New Clan Scientists used experimental technologies developed since the Legacy Cluster’s Civil War to offset this effect. As a result, beside the Endo-Steel skeleton and Extra-Light Engine combination common to the Star League-era ‘Mechs engineers have found room in the Guillotine’s roomy chassis for the New Clan Limb Extensions and Hardpoint system. Able to reach 87.4 kph (69.2 kph before Extensions) without assistance, the ‘Raptor updates and expands the Guillotine’s classic payload and electronics while simultaneously carrying the near-maximum armor rating of its frame.
Assigned to Pursuit and Assault roles, the Prime substitutes a dezClan ER-PPC for its main weapon and mixes ER- and Pulse lasers for the remainder with a pair of SRM-6(ST) in each Torso while its arm-mounted Hardpoints commonly carry a mix of Heatsinks and Lasers. With the Prime’s new role comes an expanded electronics suite, centered around a Beagle AP and Guardian ECM system to locate and frustrate the enemy while frustrating the enemy’s ability to respond, and a New Clan-manufactured ER-TAG to direct artillery fire from supporting vehicles. Finally, a 120-meter Jump radius and MASC system allow the design to reach a desired range or flee before heavier units with ease.
Developed by the Warrior Caste of Clan Carnoraptor, the A Configuration removes the standard weaponry in favor of a pair of one the heaviest weapons available, the Ultra AC/20. Taking advantage of the Hardpoint system to provide backup weaponry, the A uses the risky MASC system and Supercharger in tandem to reach speeds in excess of 150 kph, with enough ammunition to spend nearly two minutes at maximum-rate fire. When that ammunition is finally exhausted, the ‘Raptor relies on the ER-Medium Lasers carried in each Hardpoint, allowing it to retreat to rearm or continue fighting. The design has since become the most common Heavy unit in the Carnoraptor Touman, able to destroy lighter units in a single salvo of the massive guns.
Considered a failure, the B Configuration carries a selection of missile launchers to take provide support to the faster A Configurations. The expense and wasted potential of such a unit has relegated it to the simpler export version available to the Cluster’s Civil Government, while Stars of fast hovercraft with heavy missile armaments have become frequent sights accompanying Assault Stars of ‘Raptors.
Barely accepted among front-line Units, Freeborn Warriors have traditionally accompanied them with the ‘Raptor’s C Configuration, using the space reserved for the massive Ultra AC/20s to carry the Arrow IV artillery system to provide missile fire for the Prime’s ER-TAG systems. Besides the standard- or TAG-equipped ammunition, recent developments have allowed the system to carry Anti-Aircraft munitions as well as the Tandem-Charge ‘Golden BBs’, making the design more flexible and thus more acceptable to front-line units. Normally refused the honor of closing to join the remainder of their unit in an assault in favor of returning to reload, several front-line New Clan units have been permanently assigned standard export versions modified for artillery support. One or two of these units have managed to overcome the stigma associated with artillery support, serving as official members of front-line units, albeit with Freebirth Warriors.
BATTLE HISTORY
Since its introduction, the Carnoraptor has captured the attention of New Clan Warriors; its speed and firepower have made it a natural for aggressive MechWarriors. Perhaps the most famous event in the ‘Raptor’s history occurred soon after its introduction, as Clan Carnoraptor’s elite 1st Strike Cluster struck the opening blows in the infamous Heartforge assault. Depending on the ‘Raptor’s incredible speed to reach the pumping stations ready to flood the low-lying swampland around the Heartforge facility, entire Trinaries burned out their fragile MASC systems with the demands placed on them. As the remaining ‘Raptors reached the banks of the dam and began to overrun the surprised defenders, the massive Ultra Autocannons proved their worth, opening massive rents in the fortifications and armor of the defending units.
As the 102nd Strike began a hot drop on the defenses, the defenders realized the defenses were almost overwhelmed and began to blow the dam and surrounding fortifications before they could be captured, allowing the crumbling concrete of the dam and pent-up water to avenge their losses with the decimation of nearly a Galaxy of troops and several DropShips.
The ‘Raptor has proven its ability on the defensive, as well – Civil Government forces in standard ‘Mechs proved that although the B- and C Configurations had been overshadowed by the Prime and A variants, their combination of multiple deep ammunition bins and variety of munitions suited a wide variety of roles. Forced to fight Clan-style Trials for the right to participate in the IlKhan’s Joint Development Program to develop new weapons and technology, a Trinary of mixed Star League and exported Clan designs met a slightly smaller Wolverine force on Lever. Unable to match the Wolverine’s skills or technology, the CG forces retreated to the edge of the field where two ‘Raptor-Bs began preparing layered minefields and the long-range punch of the single –D variant began firing to support slower units in danger of being trapped outside the minefield.
The Trial ended with the CG ‘Raptors shooting themselves dry before engaging, having sacrificed the Assault units inside the mines to distract the lighter Clan ‘Mechs and cripple them by forcing them to repeatedly move through the minefields to attack and evade retaliation.
VARIANTS
Having become an icon and symbol of the New Clan military, the standard (or export) version of the Carnoraptor has been produced by for second-line forces by most of the New Clans involved in the JDP, especially those Clans who have been unable to muster the resources to manufacture the advanced version. Known variants include the standard configurations, as well as several experimental versions used by the IlKhan’s JDP.
NOTABLE WARRIORS
Star Captain Fergus, 1st Carnoraptor Strike
Fergus was one of the few to avoid burning out the delicate MASC equipment during the Heartforge Assault – and one of the few to reach the top of the dam, then move past it into the fortifications on the North side of the artificial lake. Trapped when the fortifications were abandoned, Fergus made his way into the rear of the onrushing defenders to launch a successful Headhunter strike, depriving them of their Star Colonel and the opportunity to concentrate on salvaging the units lost in the rush to surprise the defense.
Able to reclaim over twenty units with various degrees of structural damage and MASC burnout, the Clan was able to reconstitute the survivors into a viable force, saving the Clan from having to temporarily withdraw the 1st from service.
