FIRE ANT
Overview
Why any scientist assigned to the Star League Defense Force would seek to genetically manipulate and then release into the wild a new strain of solenopsis xyloni (aka, the fire ant species native to the southern provinces of North America) remains a mystery, but c'est la vie.
On Circe, one scientist did just that. Fascinated with ant species of all kinds, the Circian Fire Ant was just one of nearly two hundred species that he had created and planned to distribute throughout the Pentagon and the Kerensky Cluster. His hopes were dashed, however, when after a dozen Warriors of Clan Mongoose were swarmed by the (now FAR larger) insects and fatally envenomed.
As the species had never before been encountered, Khan Mitchell Loris ordered his own scientists to investigate; the new species was found to have a rapidly expanding range . . . but nearly in the dead center of that range was the isolated complex where the scientist (whose name has been removed from history) did his work.
Mongoose Warriors stormed the complex and upon discovering the menagerie of horrific insects that the madman had created, they incinerated the complex . . . with the scientist and his creations locked inside. But the damage had already been done and despite desperate attempts to control this invasive species, the Circian Fire Ant has thrived and multiplied.
The Fire Ant was selected by Kindraa Leader Garret Sainze as the name for his entry into the 35-ton category of Project Quicksilver.
Development
Never a wealthy Clan, the divided Fire Mandrills exacerbated this by bickering among themselves. The inability of the Kindraa to act in unison has prevented the Clan (as a whole) from producing and developing many of the OmniMechs in common use in their Touman . . . forcing the Kindraas to purchase OmniMechs from the Sharks or launch Trials of Possession to gain much needed equipment.
Neither option was much favored by Garret Sainze. When ilKhan Kerensky announced the project, Sainze began a series of meetings with his Chief Scientist and senior Mandrill Bloodnamed of his Kindraa. In desperate need of a new low-cost OmniMech (so that more advanced war-machines could be assigned to the Kindraa's front-line forces), these leaders selected the 35-ton 'Zombie' category as the slot to produce their entry.
Garret Sainze was absent from the meeting when this decision was made . . . but upon his return he considered it to be a means to honor the first Khan (and founder) of Clan Fire Mandrill: Raymond Sainze. This samurai from the Draconis Combine had been one of Kerensky's volunteers . . . and Aleksandry Kerensky himself had asked Sainze to join the SLDF on the Exodus.
More than that, Sainze had piloted one of the Combine's most noteworthy decisions . . . the JR7-D Jenner.
Noting that the Jenner was also 35-tons, Kindraa Leader Sainze turned the entire project into a means to honor the Founder. The new Fire Ant would be true to its lineage, and yet remain an OmniMech, something that Jenner IIC produced by Clan Nova Cat was not. Not to mention that the new design would be far less costly with its standard engine than the Nova Cat second-line BattleMech with its extra-light engine.
Some scientists on the design team argued that demanding a walking speed of 75.6 kilometers per hour would detract from pod-space . . . others pointed out that the difference was a mere three tons and that the increased speed would be needed in a light garrison unit such as the proposed Fire Ant.
But in the end, the committee agreed with Sainze and a 245-rate standard fusion engine was selected. Unfortunately, Kindraa Sainze soon found themselves in a quandary. The Clan archives (and the Kindraa archives) contained no design schematics or blue-prints for the old Jenner . . . or even the Nova Cat's Jenner IIC. Nor did Kindraa Sainze possess a factory that produced the 245-rate engine or one large enough to be converted to production of the future Fire Ant.
Reluctantly, Sainze turned to Master of Instruction Nicholas Djerassi of Clan Goliath Scorpion and asked him for his assistance.
Intrigued by the project, Djerassi lobbied Khan Ariel Suvorov into supporting Kindraa Sainze . . . in exchange, if the design was accepted, then the Scorpions would have full production rights. BUT, Djerassi warned, neither the Scorpions nor the Mandrills had the liquid funds or resources necessary to complete the project and outfit a production factory. It would be necessary to bring in a third Clan . . . or do the unthinkable.
In July of 3052, Kindraa Leader Sainze held a private meeting with Khan Elias Critchell of Clan Jade Falcon; his offer to share the project was met with a stern rebuke, leaving Sainze with but one option. He took out a loan from the Falcon bankers.
Securing enough resources and funding to complete the project, Sainze was also faced with a strict repayment schedule . . . and the Falcons demanded (as the Scorpions had done so prior) that if his design was a success, their Clan would have full production rights . . . without paying any royalties to Kindraa Sainze.
Wincing at the terms of the contract, Sainze nonetheless agreed and soon hard currency and fresh resources was flowing into the Sainze compound on Shadow.
With the assistance of Scorpion historians and engineers, the design team made rapid progress. In order to achieve the necessary speed (while using a standard fusion engine), the design would require using an Endo-Steel II internal skeleton and the protective armor would have to be formed from Ferro-Fibrous plating. Six tons were set aside, giving the Fire Ant 96.63% of maximum coverage for a 35-ton bipedal OmniMech design. Double-strength heat sinks were mandatory with the base ten included in the core chassis.
Nine tons remained for pod-space on the design, which was progressing rapidly in computer simulations. In August, Sainze ordered construction to begin on the first five prototypes . . . these had to be constructed by hand as work on the factory had only just broken ground. Still, the configurations needed to be structured, assembled, and tested . . . and indications were that this phase would not be complete until October at the earliest.
Configurations
The Fire Ant Prime closely resembles the Jenner piloted by Raymond Sainze during the Amaris Coup (and that he continued to pilot under after Operation Klondike). Each arm (lacking lower arm and hand actuators and so able to 'flip') carried two lasers: an ER Medium and an ER Small. Two missile racks (both six-tube SRMs) were fitted to the center torso, fed by a common ton of ammunition (for a total of fifteen missile salvoes). This heavy SRM battery potentially made the Fire Ant Prime extremely lethal against vehicles . . . and the prospect of a 'golden BB' in every salvo of a dozen missiles warmed the cold recesses of Garrett Sainze's heart. The Scorpion contributors argued for the installation of a one-ton Targeting Computer, and graciously the Kindraa leader allowed them to install one in the cockpit. The final ton was used for one additional double-strength heat sink.
Configuration A was to be armed with the most effective weapon in the Clan inventory: an Extended-Range PPC in the right arm, supported an ER Medium Laser in the left arm. An 11th DHS was installed to allow the design to run heat neutral, and an ECM Suite mounted in the cockpit to provide additional protection.
Configuration B has two sub-variants, differing only in the electronics suites. Both are armed with four Medium Pulse Lasers (two in the center torso and one each in the right and left arms). The model B-1 is outfitted with an Active Probe, while B-2 instead carries an ECM Suite. Intended for assignment to garrison forces, the number of highly accurate pulse lasers helps to negate the lower quality of Warriors assigned to such units. Despite the intentions of the Clan Scientists (and Kindraa Leader Sainze), Configuration B-1 and B-2 have proven very popular amongst even Warriors assigned to front-line units who praise its simplicity and sense of lethal purpose.
Configuration C returns to a missile-heavy theme, with a center-torso mounted LRM-15 launcher fed by two tons of ammunition (sixteen missile salvoes, one ton each in the right and left torsos). Each arm carries an ER Medium Laser, while the right arm is also fitted with a TAG artillery designator system. The left arm carries a Flamer to assist in anti-personnel operations as well. Although Kindraa Sainze only rarely uses artillery, Garrett Sainze personally insisted upon the addition of the TAG after reviewing battle-ROMs of Tukayyid in detail.
Another Scorpion based design, Configuration D features the ER Medium/ER Small Laser combo of the Prime in each arm. But this time, the missile battery has been replaced with an ER Large Laser. A two-ton Targeting Computer in the right torso ensure accuracy, but with just ten double-strength heat sinks, the cooling systems are overburdened on a full running Alpha Strike. Still, this configuration possess outstanding firepower, is quite accurate, and has an extended reach.
The final configuration is the Fire Ant E. This version adds seven jump jets (three right torso, three left torso, one center torso) to the chassis for a 210-meter jump capability. Armament consists of two ER Medium Lasers (right arm/left arm) and an SRM-6 launcher in the center torso fed by a single ton of ammunition. Both lasers are tied into a head-mounted one-ton Targeting Computer to compensate (in part) for reduced accuracy when jumping.
Deployment
Although the prototype development process took far longer than Kindraa Leader Sainze would have preferred, by December of 3052, the first shipment of hand-built Fire Ants had arrived on Strana Mechty for testing and evaluation. So far, Warriors assigned to the new OmniMech have been pleased with the speed, armor protection, and firepower giving Kindraa Sainze high marks. Unfortunately, quality control problems resulted in two of the five OmniMechs breaking down in the middle of testing . . . to which Kindraa Leader Sainze was apoplectic when told. Eighty-seven Technicians and Laborers were executed, along with their families, to serve as an example to other civilians.
The ilKhan, on the other hand, dismissed the teething problems as exactly that, noting that NO prototype is ever developed in such a short period of time without experiencing some unforeseen difficulties.
In the meantime, Sainze and his Kindraa (and both the Scorpion and Falcon backers of the project) await the ilKhan's decision with great interest. Interest that continues to daily accrue, much to the chagrin of Sainze.
Fire Ant
Mass: 35 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Biped Omnimech
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E
Production Year: 3052
Cost: 3,592,969 C-Bills
Battle Value: 610
Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 245 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 75.6 km/h
Maximum Speed: 118.8 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
9.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown
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Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 58 points 2.00
Internal Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 2 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Engine: Fusion Engine 245 12.00
Walking MP: 7
Running MP: 11
Jumping MP: 0
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 R: SH+UA
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 115 6.00
Armor Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 2 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 11 16
Center Torso (rear) 6
L/R Torso 8 12
L/R Torso (rear) 4
L/R Arm 6 10
L/R Leg 8 16
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Loadout Name: Prime Cost: 4,282,313
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,442
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 11(22) 1.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT
CASE Locations: RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1.00
ER Small Laser RA 2 1 0.50
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1.00
ER Small Laser LA 2 1 0.50
2 SRM-6s CT 8 2 3.00
Targeting Computer HD - 1 1.00
@SRM-6 (15) RT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 25
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 14
7 3 3 0 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 2/2/0
================================================================================
Loadout Name: A Cost: 4,581,844
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,611
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 11(22) 1.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 1 LT
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER PPC RA 15 2 6.00
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1.00
ECM Suite HD 0 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 29
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 16
7 3 3 2 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: B-1 Cost: 4,335,469
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,409
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4 1 2.00
Medium Pulse Laser LA 4 1 2.00
2 Medium Pulse Lasers CT 8 2 4.00
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 30
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 14
7 4 4 0 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: B-2 Cost: 4,335,469
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,477
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4 1 2.00
Medium Pulse Laser LA 4 1 2.00
2 Medium Pulse Lasers CT 8 2 4.00
ECM Suite HD 0 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 30
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 15
7 4 4 0 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: C Cost: 4,424,063
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,364
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT, RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAG RA 0 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1.00
Flamer LA 3 1 0.50
LRM-15 CT 5 2 3.50
@LRM-15 (8) RT - 1 1.00
@LRM-15 (8) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 27
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 14
7 3 3 1 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, TAG, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1
================================================================================
Loadout Name: D Cost: 4,272,188
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,734
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1.00
ER Small Laser RA 2 1 0.50
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1.00
ER Small Laser LA 2 1 0.50
Targeting Computer RT - 2 2.00
ER Large Laser CT 12 1 4.00
Free Critical Slots: 28
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 17
7 4 4 1 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: E Cost: 4,678,031
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,402
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Jumping MP: 7 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 3 LT, 3 RT 3.50
CASE Locations: RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1.00
SRM-6 CT 4 1 1.50
Targeting Computer HD - 1 1.00
@SRM-6 (15) RT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 23
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 14
7j 3 3 0 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Author
Topic: Quicksilver Program #6: 35 ton Zombie OmniMech (Read 1951 times)