When the Jade Hawk started entering production Star Captain Victor Malthus claimed one in a Trial of Possession before ordering the Tech's to refit the Mech to his specifications.
MechWarrior Victor had been one of (now) Khan Pryde's 'Child Soldiers' the many Warriors barely out of their Sibko's that were used in the assault on Ark Royal and other Lyran and Wolf worlds. Promoted to Star Commander because he'd survived and the near decimation of his Cluster's command structure and because of his fury in battle Star Commander Victor was sponsored for the Malthus BloodName when it came up. Defeating his opponents in a battle that wrecked his Shadow Cat II 3 he went on to claim a Flamberge 3, highlighting his love of close combat.
Some warriors joke behind the Star Commander's back that he's actually an Elemental who was put in the wrong Sibko by accident or on purpose, because at 6'8 he is big for a warrior. Others have said that he's actually of Smoke Jaguar stock, although the last Warrior to say this to his face was killed in unaugmented combat.
Ferocious and utterly loyal to now Khan Pryde, Star Commander Victor Malthus went almost a step too far with his alterations to his Jade Hawk, to the point that it was called a desecration of the Totem Mech's visual design. The changes caused two Trials of Grievance one augmented and one unaugmented where Star Commander Victor Malthus tore the throat out of his direct superior. Hands still wet with his opponents blood Star Commander Victor was promoted on the spot to Star Captain as there was now a 'vacant spot' in his Cluster by the Khan. He declared his reason for the changes was to cause more fear amongst the Spheroid lowborn they faced. That by land or by air, humans feared being hunted and stalked by clawed monsters, and that is what he had made his Mech, a ground hunter whilst the noble Falcons watched from above.
Knowing that this rebellious but loyal Clansman might still cause troubles, he was moved to the Turkina Keshik to be watched, or disposed of if needed. In battle Star Captain Victor Malthus' aggression and drive were assets and rumors flew about him and the Khan coupling. But no one would have the guts to ask, or question this.
Whilst the alterations to the Jade Hawk were mostly superficial there was some significant changes. The Partial Wing was removed although the impressive array of 'feathers' and wings remained, all-be-it locked into their travel configuration. The ER small lasers were removed and the tonnage used saved allowed them to be replaced with a quartet of ER Medium lasers. The under-arm SRM's were also moved to the shoulders to give them clearer arcs of fire and not to risk them being blocked from firing by the Mech's arms in a melee.
The result is a Mech that is more dangerous at medium ranges and utterly lethal at close quarters.
Jade Hawk JHK-03 'Sabretooth'
Mixed (Base Clan)
75 tons
BV: 2,779
Cost: 27,893,249 C-bills
Movement: 5/8(10)/5
Engine: 375 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 114 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 216/231
Internal Armor
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Center Torso 23 34
Center Torso (rear) 11
Right Torso 16 22
Right Torso (rear) 8
Left Torso 16 22
Left Torso (rear) 8
Right Arm 12 22
Left Arm 12 22
Right Leg 16 29
Left Leg 16 29
Weapon Loc Heat
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SRM 6 LT 4
SRM 6 LT 4
SRM 6 RT 4
SRM 6 RT 4
ER Medium Laser LT 5
ER Medium Laser LT 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
Ammo Loc Shots
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SRM 6 Ammo LT 15
SRM 6 Ammo RT 15
Equipment Loc
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Standard None
Claw (IS) LA
Claw (IS) RA
Supercharger CT
TSM LA
TSM RA
TSM LL
TSM RL
TSM RA
TSM LA
ECM Suite RT
Active Probe HD
Art of the Mech by the AMAZING Matt Plog. -
http://mattplog.deviantart.com/And yes this guy is a rather unsubtle nod to my favorite super-villain Victor Creed.
Drawn here by the superbly skilled
http://jinsonlygurl.deviantart.com/Thoughts and comments are most welcome.