WARDEN / CRUSADER IIC
Mass: 65 tons
Chassis: Crucis-b
Power Plant: Magna 260
Cruising Speed: 43 kph
Maximum Speed: 65 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Alpha Compound Delta VII Ferro-Fibrous with CASE
Armament: 2 XV “Crossbow” LRM-15s
2 Type VI SRM-6 Streak Launchers
2 Series 2h Extended Range Medium Lasers
2 Chi Series Small Pulse Lasers
Manufacturer: Auxiliary Production Site #4
Primary Factory: Strato Domingo
Communications System: S9R Beta Series Communications with ECM Suite
Targeting and Tracking System: Able Seven Sensor Suite
OVERVIEW
The profitable journey from Crusaders to Wardens that the Diamond Shark Clan has undertaken in order to open lucrative new markets of the InnerSphere appears to be entering a new phase. The fall of Ian Hawker and the rise of Jonathon Clarke have ushered in a new era of commerce where the ever-avaricious Sharks are looking to make a kill. Some in their Merchant Caste have apparently pitched the development of weapon systems geared toward sales in the Successor States. However, the new Warden Khan intent on rebuilding after Tukayyid balked at these plans as too audacious. Naturally concerned about the reaction of his fellow Clans in the Grand Council and aware that the Great Houses are already increasing their military capabilities he suggested an alternate project. Repurposing salvaged BattleMechs like the Crusader could not only help bolster second line Clan formations in the Occupation Zone but capture the attention of both political powers in the Kerensky Cluster with the proper name. Hence was born the Warden which other Clansmen have dubbed the Crusader IIC.
CAPABILITIES
The Warden (or Crusader IIC depending on your side of the political spectrum) retains many of the old Crusader’s core components like the venerable Crucis-b internal structure and Magna 260 Fusion Engine. While continued use of these older parts do make for a slower BattleMech it does keep the cost down and allow for the refurbishment of existing models salvaged from InnerSphere battlefields. Diamond Shark techs have actually designed manufactured refit kits for this exact purpose which merchants are counting on cashing in on from other Clans. The first step in this modernization process is the removal of the twelve tons of Riese-500 armor plating for new Clan tech. This includes as a final step the addition of eleven tons of Alpha Compound Delta VII Ferro-Fibrous with CASE which provides full armor protection to this sixty-five-ton ‘Mech. These features all combine to make the Warden an extremely durable war machine capable of taking extreme levels of damage before being rendered completely inactive. Both Magna Longbow-15 LRM Launchers were replaced with arm mounted XV “Crossbow” LRM-15s each linked to Artemis IV FCS. These smaller cutting edge Clan models saved on space and mass allowing for the addition additional equipment. This includes double the amount of LRM ammunition from the original InnerSphere model. The trademark leg mounted Harpoon-6 SRM Launchers from the Crusader were swapped for Type VI SRM-6 Streak Launchers vastly improving heat management, range, and missile accuracy. Likewise, the Intek Medium Lasers were removed in favor of twin Series 2h Extended Range Medium Lasers now mounted in the center torso. These weapons insure the Warden remains in the fight until completely destroyed and they provide further ranged damage than there low tech predecessors could hope too. Finally, two Chi Series Small Pulse Lasers replace the Machine Guns and their ammunition for close in anti-infantry operations. A dozen Double Heat Sinks replace the original ten single models which cools most of the garrison ‘Mech heat generated. Continued running Alpha Strikes can result in overheating if bracketing fire is not properly executed. The Garret electronic systems were also removed to make room for modern Clan upgrades which could more easily integrate with the unusually sophisticated equipment used on the Warden. Most second line Clan BattleMechs do not include such high tech targeting and tracking devices like the Artemis IV FCS and Streak systems or the ECM Suite which it also has to protect them. It is believed that their inclusion not only benefits the Warden’s operations but is in part a clear statement to the Grand Council that the Sharks intend this product to be solely a Clan one.
DEPLOYMENT
Clan Diamond Shark have already used salvaged Crusaders uprated to Wardens in order restore their battered Omega Galaxy. In the wake of Tukayyid and their successful defense of Nyserta from recent Ghost Bear attacks this has enabled them to quickly reform battered commands ensuring the Reserve Clan will not be pushed out of the InnerSphere entirely. This quickly drew interest from the Wolf Clan who purchased the concept for their own garrisons in the Occupation Zone. Fervent Warden support from Coyote, Cloud Cobra, and Goliath Scorpion followed rapidly touching off a sales run that merchants hoped to generate. As Khan Clarke correctly guessed both the Jade Falcon and Smoke Jaguar Clans insisted that the Mech be dubbed the Crusader IIC. While other Homeworld Crusaders such as the Blood Spirits, the Burrocks, and the Star Adders have back the assertion none have refused to utilize the Shark design. Clarke has even fostered the antipathy as challenges have flown back and forth between Clans resulting in increased usage all boosting the bottom line. Steel Viper, Hell’s Horses, and the Fire Mandrill Kindraa all seem to be similarly divided internally as to what name should prevail. Somewhat surprisingly, Ghost Bear and Nova Cat have also accepted the Warden appellation without protestation perhaps signaling a shift in political thinking or just recognizing its value. The only two Clans thoroughly uninterested are the Shark’s commercial rivals in the Snow Raven Clan which may have colored their opinion and the Ice Hellion Clan who think it is too slow.
Type: Warden / Crusader IIC
Technology Base: Clan Level 2
Tonnage: 65 tons
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure: 6.5
Engine: 260 13.5
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 0 0
Heat Sinks: 12 (24) 2
Gyro: 3
Cockpit: 3
Armor Factor: 211 11
Internal Structure Armor Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 21 32 / 10
R/L Torso 15 23 / 7
R/L Arm 10 20
R/L Leg 15 30
Weapons and Ammo: Location Critical Mass
LRM-15 Right Arm 2 3.5
Artemis IV FCS Right Arm 1 1
Ammo (LRM) 16 Right Torso 2 2
Small Pulse Laser Right Torso 1 1
Streak SRM-6 Right Leg 2 3
Ammo (Streak SRM) 15 Right Torso 1 1
CASE Right Torso 0 0
LRM-15 Left Arm 2 3.5
Artemis IV FCS Left Arm 1 1
Ammo (LRM) 16 Left Torso 2 2
Small Pulse Laser Left Torso 1 1
Streak SRM-6 Left Leg 2 3
Ammo (Streak SRM) 15 Left Torso 1 1
CASE Left Torso 0 0
2 ER Medium Lasers Center Torso 2 2
ECM Suite Head 1 1
Cost = 7,524,111 C-bills
