OBT Forum

Andurien, 6th of August 3052

To: Deputy AD Active Analysis
From: Regional Director Active Analysis, Andurien Sector

I know you prefer me to go straight to the point, so let me tell you we have a major leak somewhere.
I don’t care what few data IG got or what the main office on Atreus is saying, there is something going wrong here. If you don’t believe me, just look at the video linked to this report or the note with some technical data we received courtesy of someone in the Capellan Confederation. I know you all think it is a plot within a plot within a plot from the Maskirovka and it sound like it but I believe there is some truth in it.

I think it is time for CI to closely look at the Andurien industry.

Yours,

AS M

From the live ceremony of the 44th Magestrix’s Birthday broadcasted by Mindstar Entertainment Network

A dark screen that turns on a  TC presenter in his grey suite
And welcome back on MEN after this small commercial break. Today you are on our live broadcast for what is likely to be the main event of this year: the Birthday of our beloved Magestrix: Emma Centrella, 17th Magestrix of the Magistracy of Canopus.

You have just seen the latest documentary by Mindstar Enterprises on her beloved Magestrix’ life and how she fought against the Capellans aggressors (remember the Scarborough incident) nearly losing her life to defend the Magistracy and our allies, the Anduriens.
 
After a small break, we will get back on Canopus IV and the moment you are all waiting for: the parade of the gifts.

Dark screen

[1 hour and 10 commercial breaks later]

Palace of the Magestrix
The throne room with a queue of people waiting and getting one by one to before the throne

Getting back to the palace, we are seeing Lord Gavin Priest-McDonogh, CEO of Majesty Metals and Manufacturing, coming in front with a small thing in his hands. I am sure you are as impatient as I am, to see what MMM has in stores for the Magestrix but let’s see and hear him.

Change of view with a camera focusing on a man in a high quality business suit that bows before the Magestrix

Your Highness, may I congratulate you on this special occasion and bring you the best wishes for you and the Magistracy for this year and the years to come?
As a small gift from Majesty Metals and Manufacturing, I bring you this...

From his hands appears a small hologram of a ‘Mech that starts spinning around.

I think you might be interested in this brand new prototype: a Vulcan, the VLT-5TMC. Our testing grounds are open are yours to test it and let me tell you that we are ready to produce it for the defence of the Magistracy.


Anonymous note received from the Capellan Confederation

You don’t need to know who I am or what is my position. Let’s just say that I do believe our both nations could benefit from the info I am sending you.

I just wanted to let you know something brought to the attention of the Chancellor by Comrades, something about the “new” ‘Mech designed by Majestic Metals and Manufacturing.

To be truly honest, this ‘Mech is more a retrofit than anything else. But the Canopians are being honest about it as they just added MC at the end of what it is: an upgraded VLT-5T.
Not much has changed, except that it has turned into a real recon ‘Mech. Don’t worry, it still doesn’t pack any real advanced electronical devices, they had to insure it would remain in service if it was damaged.

The recon package is adapted to the Periphery and courtesy of Precision Instruments of Luxen Ltd are made of a remote sensor dispenser and a recon camera. The Vulcan should be able to monitor troops going against the Magistracy and call for massed LRM fire. Even if for now the MAF isn’t known for such tactics, it could be a sign that a new doctrine is coming along the way.

But this isn’t what is more disturbing. Its weapons and armour were upgraded with materials from the Free Worlds League: 7.5 tons of good old Jolassa-328 from the good old Hermes produced by IMBU and replacing the traditional Machine Gun with a Small Pulse Laser produced by Magna Metals Inc. And all this without dropping one single Medium Laser, which is impressive since this Vulcan is by no mean meant to fight in a direct confrontation that is.

I am sure you are now beginning to wonder how did MMM get their hands on such items. If I were you, I would begin now to really worry.
Remember when the Capellan Confederation gave the Free Worlds League the TSM they had perfected? [Note from AA: to be crossed-checked to see who could have access to this information. The way of writing is also to be checked as there is sometimes a dissociation between the writer and the Capellan Confederation.] Well, someone else has access to it, the VLT-5TMC has a brand new TSM built within it and is ready to use it to increase its mobility.

The question that is going trough your mind right now is probably how? But you should rather ask yourself when? “When will we catch those giving our tech away?” Or who? “Who is friendly enough with the Magistracy of Canopus to give it access to our technology?”
Will you manage to catch them before or after the Magistracy has managed to become autonomous and began retrofitting more and more Vulcan (and perhaps other designs)? This is totally up to you.

Vulcan VLT-5TMC

Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3052
Dry Cost: 4 521 300 C-Bills
Total Cost: 4 521 300 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1 184

Chassis: MatherTech 500 Standard
Power Plant: Pitban 240 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 64,8 km/h (75,6 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 97,2 km/h (118,8 km/h)
Jump Jets: Model 9 Pitban
    Jump Capacity: 180 meters
Armor: Jolassa-328 Ferro Fibrous Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    4 Randell Medium Lasers
    1  Small Pulse Laser
    1 Firestorm Flamer
    1 Precision Instruments of Luxen Ltd/Tracers Dispenser I Remote Sensor Dispenser
    1 Precision Instruments of Luxen Ltd/Falcon Eye I Recon Camera
Manufacturer: Majesty Metals and Manufacturing
    Primary Factory: Canopus IV
Communications System: Hartford 2005
Targeting and Tracking System: Hartford 2005

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      67 points                4,00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                240                      11,50
    Walking MP: 6 (7)
    Running MP: 9 (11)
    Jumping MP: 6 Standard
    Jump Jet Locations: 2 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT                                   3,00
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             11                        1,00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LL, 1 RL
Gyro:               Standard                                               3,00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA    R: SH+UA+LA
    TSM Locations: 1 LT, 3 LA, 2 RA
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 134                  7,50
    Armor Locations: 8 LT, 6 RT

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     12           17       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  6         
                                           L/R Torso     10           15       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  5         
                                             L/R Arm     6            12       
                                             L/R Leg     10           19       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remote Sensor Dispenser                      HD        0         1         0,50
3 Medium Lasers                              RT        9         3         3,00
Recon Camera                                 RT        0         1         0,50
Medium Laser                                 LT        3         1         1,00
Flamer                                       RA        3         1         1,00
Small Pulse Laser                            LA        2         1         1,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 13

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 12
6j         2       2       0       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: TSM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


Very nice Ice!

From the Heart no doubt.

A little less than seven hours remaining in this contest. If there are any other competitors out there please get your designs in by the stroke of midnight Eastern US Time to qualify.


I finished work on Abele and my VL-6N entry for all those interested link below.

https://www.ourbattletech.com/forum/index.php?topic=3903.msg49667#msg49667

With only ten entries (2 Bradshaw, 1 Takiro, 1 Abele & Takiro, 2 Irose, 1 drakensis, 3 Ice Hellion) by six designers there was a noticeable drop in participation this time around. Most unfortunate seems to be the onset of acute forty-ton design apathy which even resulted in two designs not being fluffed out which is most unfortunate. This was easier for me to judge but I hope good concepts were not left out of this contest.

DISQUALIFIED

10. VT-5FC (Bradshaw)
This expensive model presumably from Federated Commonwealth featued a 240 XL (6/9) Engine with a MASC (12) and Jump Jets (6). While they are the most fiscally powerful entity around the cost would be pretty high for this Vulcan which gives me pause. This was the third Vulcan which featured a Large Pulse as its a main gun which made a lot of sense given its mission profile and two Medium Lasers are pretty solid in support. Two Machine Guns (100) and two Flamers round out the point defense or anti-personnel weaponry. I probably would have gone with two more Machine Guns and one less Flamer if I went this route. That would diminsh the heat generated and help the 10 (20) Double Heat Sinks do their job while slighly improving your firepower. Finally, six tons of ferro fibrous (107 factor) armor provides adequate protection. Unfortunately, without any fluff your designs aren't qualified for the rest of the competition.

9. VT-AT (Bradshaw)
I liked this model slightly better than your other one because it was cheaper thanks to the 240 (6/9) Engine with Jump Jets (6) and easier to accomplish if a refit. While Pulse Lasers are limited in regards to range the four Small Pulses you utilized here is quite appropriate for the Vulcan. Combined with the Large Laser, two Medium Lasers, and a Flamer this a solid approach for an anti-infantry Mech. It could still run hot even with 10 (20) Double Heat Sinks but I think that is manageable with bracket firing techniques. The EndoSteel chassis might be the most difficult to incorporate but works nicely along with five and a half tons of ferro-fibrous (98 factor) for protection. Again, without fluff you can't really contend which is a shame.

CONTENDERS

8. VLT-5TMC (Ice Hellion)
This Magistracy of Canopus new recon build from Majesty Metals and Manufacturing really changes its role. Using a Remote Sensor Dispenser and a Recon Camera this machine is more of a scout now but retains its Flamer and adds a Small Pulse to deal with infantry. For all else there are four Medium Lasers which makes up the remainder of its arsenal which is a lot closer a fighter than other versions. Seven and a half tons of ferro-fibrous (134 factor) armor do an excellent job at providing almost full protection while 11 Single Heat Sinks do a pretty solid job of cooling heat generated. The core of the design remains the same with a standard chassis, 240 (6/9) Engine and Jump Jets (6) which is fine but I thought the Triple Strength Myomer (7/11) was a bridge too far. Perhaps on a singular model which is experimental the Canopians could pull that off but not full-scale production. I just don’t think they have the industrial capacity for that yet however this was a very intriguing concept.

7 & 6. VLT-5S Hart (Ice Hellion)
This hart to hart combination is a solid pairing which compliments each other nicely. One has a Beagle Active Probe while the other a Guardian ECM Suite. One has a larger main energy weapon (ER PPC vs ER Large) while the other jump jets (4). Aside form that they are identical with EndoSteel structure, 240 XL (6/9) Engines with MASC (12), 13 (26) Double Heat Sinks, and 7.5 tons of standard armor (120 factor). Even the secondary weaponry of three Medium Lasers, Small Pulse, and a Flamer matches up. I do have concerns however that the increased cost of such a project would tamp down massive refits or new builds. Rather they make a good unique pair of Vulcans which I will try to keep in mind for the Salient Horizon universe. What were the other Easter Eggs bud?

NEAR MISSES

5. VL-5K (drakensis)
I went back and forth on this Kurita Elemental killer built with the assistance of Marik following the Outreach Conference in 3051. Using standard chassis, the 240 (6/9) Engine, and Jump Jets (6) much remains the same with this Vulcan as its forebearers. An ER Large makes for a solid main gun with good range but wouldn’t a Pulse be better against Elementals? More of a anti-Clan war machine with better reach would probably be more accurate. Three Medium Lasers, a Flamer, and two Machine Guns (100) round out the arsenal which is cooled by 10 (20) Double Heat Sinks. While a jumping Alpha Strike is out of the question it can operate pretty effectively and has five tons of ferro-fibrous (89 factor) armor for protection. I could certainly see Lapida II facility producing this Mech or at least considering it for expansion but I think the Combine has other anti-Elementals which are better suited than this Vulcan.

4. VL-6M (Irose)
This intelligent redesign of the TRO3050 version which addresses the lack of a CASE and poor armor protection of the original lostech upgrade. The switch to five tons of ferro-fibrous (89 factor) armor instead of standard is solid as is the addition of a CASE thanks to halfing of the Machine Gun ammo (100). The redesign also drops a 'freezer' to mount the base 10 (20) Double Heat Sinks to add a Medium Laser which is nice to have in support of the Large Pulse Laser. That makes the Medium Pulse more acceptable and the Flamer is just a necessary signature of the Vulcan. Other than that, most of the VT-5M remains with the EndoSteel chassis, the 240 (6/9) Engine, and Jump Jets (6) making up a nice core. This one comes very close to making the winner's circle but I liked one other design better. Perhaps if you replaced the Machine Gun with a Small Pulse I would have given it to you.

WINNERS

3. VL-5P (Takiro)
When Irose came out with his VL-6M this design was only a glimmer in my eye so to speak. Hell, I hadn’t even looked at the TRO3050 model which we all (Irose, myself, and Bradshaw) seemed to channel in this contest. Everyone used an EndoSteel chassis, the 240 (6/9) Engine, Jump Jets (6), and a Large Pulse Laser as a core but that is where the similarities ended. I went with a Small Pulse over Machine Guns because it eliminated ammunition concerns even though it generated more heat. To that end I retained 11 (22) Double Heat Sinks which Irose lowered for a Medium Pulse while I went with a second Medium Laser. Here I can honestly give a small advantage to Irose because of the ‘Mechs anti-infantry role. I was thinking better support for the Large Pulse with longer range. My design featured 5.5 tons of ferro-fibrous (98 factor) armor which was slightly better though and for a combination of all that I went with this ComGuard Clan Elemental Buster. Sorry Irose, incredibly close.

2. VL-6S (Irose)
I really liked this slower big gun Steiner version which just fits them so very well. Downgrading to a 200 (5/8) Engine with Jump Jets (5) and correspondingly smaller gyroscope (2 tons instead of 3) this Vulcan uses the LB 10-X AC (20) as its main weapon which is excellent. Its scatter shot rounds can be effective against infantry while the rest of its weapons [Medium Laser, Flamer, Machine Gun (200)] remain unchanged. One minor change I would make is stripping half a ton of Machine Gun ammo for another Machine Gun. But the EndoSteel chassis, 10 Single Heat Sinks, and 5 tons of ferro-fibrous (89 factor) with CASE all make for a very solid design which the old LCAF would appreciate. Silver medal!!

1. VL-6N (Abele & Takiro)
From the start of the contest I really loved this NARC Vulcan concept from Abele which I fluffed up. Uprating the power plant to a 280 XL (7/11) Engine with Jump Jets (7) improved the overall movement factor of this Mech allowing it to deliver Narc Missile Beacons to threats for greater friendly missile fire. The EndoSteel and 11 (22) Double Heat Sinks were already there from the 5M along with the Medium Laser and Flamer. Seven and a half tons of standard armor (120 factor) provide excellent protection for this Vulcan which can drop back to range and hit with its ER Large Laser. Very nice this may become the premier NARC delivering 'Mech for the FWLM. Gold medal to the team of Abele and Takiro!!!

Congratulations to the winners.

8. VLT-5TMC (Ice Hellion)
but I thought the Triple Strength Myomer (7/11) was a bridge too far. Perhaps on a singular model which is experimental the Canopians could pull that off but not full-scale production. I just don’t think they have the industrial capacity for that yet however this was a very intriguing concept.

You believed too much in what the Maskirovka said or not. Who knows how much TSM the Canopians did receive?
I note that you believe my little Liao spies (or whoever it was) 

7 & 6. VLT-5S Hart (Ice Hellion)
I do have concerns however that the increased cost of such a project would tamp down massive refits or new builds. Rather they make a good unique pair of Vulcans which I will try to keep in mind for the Salient Horizon universe. What were the other Easter Eggs bud?

For once that I didn't try to stick with costs and logical upgrades 

For the Easter Eggs, you found one, the most obvious one and how about the Wolverine/Blood ones?
The scientific behind the project is named after a WarShip of Clan Wolverine,
The Hart is an old name for a Stag and the quote "according to legend, whoever caught the beast would have their wishes granted." links it to the White Stag. And if you look at it, it is a Stag or Vulcan II (it is intended for the same role).

Did Clan Wolverine or the Blood infiltrate the Lyran Commonwealth and the Inner Sphere? Are they the powers behind the thrones in the fight against the Clans?

https://youtu.be/hAAlDoAtV7Y