And now the TSM Axe (but with a mistake in the speed since SSW is not up-to-date on the TSM rules)
Overview
The Hatchetman was first and foremost an urban combat ‘Mech where its combo of mobility, firepower and hatchet was more than a match for most ‘Mech in its preferred fighting area but that was before the arrival of the Clans.
The Hatchetman was too slow, undergunned and not protected enough, while using a physical weapon was both a blessing (as the Clans didn’t use them) and a curse (as they thought of it as being a break of proper combat rules).
The HCT-5S while adapted to fight against the Inner Sphere had shown some serious limitations and it was time to turn out a successor. Luckily, Defiance Industries had begun working on one and was able to quickly produce the prototypes of what would become the HCT-5FC and send them for trials and tests by the AFFC.
Capabilities
Deciding to focus on what was the main advantage of the Hatchetman, i.e. its mobility and its hatchet, Defiance Industries redesigned the whole ‘Mech around a TSM, able to increase both the damage and the ground speed of the HCT-5FC.
This was a huge engineering problem as the heat balance had to be carefully thought to allow for the ignition of the system in most situation and keeping it active while giving it enough firepower.
The “ideal†simulated solution focused around a PPC and 6 Medium Lasers together with a jumping capacity of 150 meters.
However, there was no way to fit all that in the Hatchetman.
The solution came from the Draconis Combine. Thanks to the rescue of Hohiro Kurita by Victor Steiner-Davion, the relations between both realms had cooled a little and access to advanced gear was possible under conditions. Since the Draconis Combine had built a factory to produce a new engine, the 225 XL, with the aim of designing a new ‘Mech based on it, ‘Mech that was not yet operational, they agreed to sell at a good price a part of their production.
This new input gave Defiance Industries what they needed to finish their prototype, giving it a maximal ground speed a little under 90 KpH before activating the TSM.
The protection was not forgotten with 9.5 tons of standard armour, giving the HCT-5FC almost the maximum bearable for a ‘Mech of 45 tons and a Guardian ECM to neutralise the electronics of other ‘Mechs at short ranges where the Hatchetman is supposed to fight.
Battle History
During one of the raids on Timbuktu by the infamous Morrison's Extractors, a Hatchetman of the 11th Lyran Guards assigned to defend a convoy carrying germanium managed to hold a full Lance of Star League level Light ‘Mechs until reinforcements arrived and the convoy could escape.
In its after-action report, the pilot praised the responsiveness and the extra speed of the new Hatchetman as well as the might of its Hatchet.
Variants
A missile armed Hatchetman is said to be in the works but the main problem will be the ignition of the TMS system with ammo-based weapons, which in a long campaign could prove difficult.
Deployment
As a reminder of its origin, the first patch of Hatchetman was sent to the 10th Lyran Guards, the same unit that had allowed it to come into existence.
After that it spread into the whole AFFC becoming a favourite of ‘MechWarriors assigned to urban or restricted grounds.
Notable ‘MechWarriors
‘MechWarrior Maryvonne McKenzie was assigned a HCT-5FC upon her arrival in the 11th Lyran Guards and she has put it to good use her “Slasher†against Morrison’s Extractors. After her fight, she has been requested to train other ‘MechWarriors assigned a HCT-5FC into riding the “heat wave†like she did.
Hatchetman HCT-5FC
Mass: 45 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3052
Dry Cost: 8 359 540 C-Bills
Total Cost: 8 359 540 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1 596
Chassis: Chariot Type II Standard
Power Plant: VOX 225 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54,0 km/h (64,8 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 86,4 km/h (97,2 km/h)
Jump Jets: Luxor 2/Q
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Durallex Medium Standard Armor
Armament:
1 TharHes Industries/Donal PPC
6 Defiance Industries/B3M Medium Lasers
1 Defiance Industries/Defiance Type 3 Hatchet
1 Winston-CheerySeed Consolidated/CherrySeed Cloak Guardian ECM Suite
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Communications System: TharHes Ares-8A
Targeting and Tracking System: TharHes Thalia HM-22
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Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Internal Structure: Standard 75 points 4,50
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 225 5,00
Walking MP: 5 (6)
Running MP: 8 (9)
Jumping MP: 5 Standard
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LL, 2 RL 2,50
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 10(20) 0,00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT
Gyro: Standard 3,00
Cockpit: Standard 3,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
TSM Locations: 1 HD, 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 152 9,50
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 14 21
Center Torso (rear) 6
L/R Torso 11 16
L/R Torso (rear) 6
L/R Arm 7 14
L/R Leg 11 22
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Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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2 Medium Lasers RT 6 2 2,00
Guardian ECM Suite RT 0 2 1,50
PPC LT 10 3 7,00
Medium Laser LT 3 1 1,00
Hatchet RA - 3 3,00
3 Medium Lasers LA 9 3 3,00
Free Critical Slots: 13
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 5 Points: 16
5j 3 3 1 0 2 1 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: TSM, MEL, ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
