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An interesting double your pleasure entry, thanks LordGrayson!

Iron Mongoose

Mass: 45 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: 4,481,406 C-Bills
Battle Value: 740

Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 270 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 64.8 km/h
Maximum Speed: 97.2 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    14.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown
Overview:
Cloud Cobra scientists, using the Shadow Hawk IIC plans acquired from the
Diamond Sharks as a template, created a new OmniMech to help rebuild their
depleted forces following the military setbacks at the hands of the Coyotes and
Smoke Jaguars. It uses the Shadow Hawk IIC's chassis and powerplant and
increases the armor to the maximum that the chassis can carry. This leaves the
new OmniMech with a top speed of 97kph and fourteen tons of pod space once the
jump jets were stripped from the Shadow Hawk IIC.


Named the Iron Mongoose by Lead Scientist Hannah(a direct descendant of a
former Clan Mongoose Mechwarrior) as a direct affront to Clan Smoke Jaguar, the
is a very capable Mech that will be used to bolster frontline clusters. This
allows the secondline cluster to be improved as secondline equipment from
frontline cluster filters down as it is replaced.


The use of a proven chassis cut development by more than half as protoypes were
fielded within a one year of the project's start and by the Ilkhan issued his
Quicksilver edict, the Iron Mongoose was ready to enter production. Once the
demands of the touman have been met,s believed that the Cloud Cobras will
make this design available to their erstwhile allies, Clan Burrock and Kindraas Payne
and Faraday-Tanaga of Clan Fire Mandrill.


Variants:
The Prime configuration features an LB 5-X autocannon with two tons of
ammunition. It is backed up by a trio of Er medium lasers and a brace of ER
small lasers


The A configuration features a battery of energy-based weapons made up of a
pair each of ER large lasers and medium pulser lasers. Two heat sinks have been
added to deal with the heat issues that have arisem.


The B configuration features a fifteen-tube LRM launcher with two tons of
ammunition. A large pulse laser and a rear-mounted small pulse laser are
mounted as secondary weapons. A anti-missile system is used to engage missles
that are fired at the Iron Mongoose.


Used as a striker and scout, the C configuration features an electronic suite
that allows it to sniff out the enemy, while making hard for the enemy to
detect it. Armament consist of an ER PPC backed up by pulse lasers and a pair
of flamers.


The D Configuration is the brawler armed with six-tube short-ranged streak
launchers, ER medium and medium pulse lasers. All of which are mounted in
pairs.



================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                    75 points                2.50
    Internal Locations: 1 LT, 2 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Engine:             Fusion Engine                270                      14.50
    Walking MP: 6
    Running MP: 9
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0.00
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 153                  8.00
    Armor Locations: 2 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     14           21       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  7         
                                           L/R Torso     11           17       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  5         
                                             L/R Arm     7            14       
                                             L/R Leg     11           22       



================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime                                          Cost: 5,511,541
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 1,472

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CASE Locations: RT                                                     0.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB 5-X AC                                    RA        1         4         7.00
ER Medium Laser                              RA        5         1         1.00
2 ER Medium Lasers                           LA        10        2         2.00
(R) ER Small Laser                           CT        2         1         0.50
ER Small Laser                               HD        2         1         0.50
@LB 5-X (Cluster) (20)                       RT        -         1         1.00
@LB 5-X (Slug) (20)                          RT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 24

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 15
6          3       3       1       0      2     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: A                                              Cost: 5,466,863
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 1,734

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             12(24)                    2.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LA, 1 RA
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser                               RA        12        1         4.00
ER Large Laser                               LA        12        1         4.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           CT        4         1         2.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           HD        4         1         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 25

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 17
6          3       3       2       0      2     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: B                                              Cost: 5,511,359
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 1,553

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CASE Locations: LT, RA                                                 0.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-15                                       RA        5         2         3.50
Large Pulse Laser                            LA        10        2         6.00
Small Pulse Laser                            CT        2         1         1.00
Anti-Missile System                          HD        1         1         0.50
@LRM-15 (16)                                 RA        -         2         2.00
@Anti-Missile System (24)                    LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 27

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 16
6          3       3       2       0      2     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: OMNI, AMS, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1


================================================================================
Loadout Name: C                                              Cost: 5,925,697
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 1,669

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flamer                                       RA        3         1         0.50
ER PPC                                       RA        15        2         6.00
Flamer                                       LA        3         1         0.50
Medium Pulse Laser                           LA        4         1         2.00
ECM Suite                                    CT        0         1         1.00
(R) Small Pulse Laser                        CT        2         1         1.00
Active Probe                                 HD        0         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 27

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 17
6          3       2       2       0      2     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, PRB, RCN, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA


================================================================================
Loadout Name: D                                              Cost: 5,626,363
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 1,796

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CASE Locations: LT, RT                                                 0.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser                              RA        5         1         1.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           RA        4         1         2.00
ER Medium Laser                              LA        5         1         1.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           LA        4         1         2.00
Streak SRM-6                                 RT        4         2         3.00
Streak SRM-6                                 LT        4         2         3.00
@Streak SRM-6 (15)                           RT        -         1         1.00
@Streak SRM-6 (15)                           LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 23

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 18
6          5       5       0       0      2     1   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA

Wow, 12 designs by 8 different designers which marks the high water mark of our Quicksilver design contests thus far. Very awesome gang! Special thanks to those four designers who have doubled their work load. New designers are always welcome of course but get those new submissions in by tomorrow midnight eastern time.

Take a bow gang, a dozen entries by eight different designers marks a high water mark for Quicksilver Program which thanks to you is developing nicely. Many story lines you have created are taking on a life of their own that I hope I can adequately expand upon for the Clarion Call setting. Thank you all for your participation! Now onto the review;

N/A. Sabre Kraken (Fitzgerald)
Well were can I start with this review. I have more questions then answers which is a good thing, I think. This tripod (!) submitted by rogue scientist is another Society side show which will add immeasurably to the story line. Add in a full head ejection system and this entire design is full of surprises. The Sabre Kraken’s 225 Fusion Engine propels it along at a 5/8 movement clip and combined with 5 jump jets it is a pretty agile design. I’m really not sure if the 153 armor factor provided by its advanced Ferro fibrous is the max protection but it is pretty darn good. 13.5 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment ain’t too bad either. Rather than scolding fitz for producing a design that didn’t even qualify for this contest I’d like to thank him. It was a bold entry that had no chance but hey you never know and you just might see it again in a Clan Level 3 Test Range somewhere. Nice job!

11 & 10. Castor & Pollux (LordGrayson)
I thought the Dioscuri was an odd choice of names although they the nomenclature was part of the SLDF as well as two important Hegemony planets. While an alliance of five Clans (Blood Spirits, Fire Mandrill, Diamond Shark, Goliath Scorpion and Hell’s Horses) was interesting the idea proved too much for me. I think you tried to do too much without delving into the specifics. Each twin was supposed to have two separate mission statements but what are they? One is the jumper and the other has a MASC. Put it altogether add in the fact I was looking for just one OmniMech when both would have to be accepted just didn’t make good to me. I liked the bit about fooling opponents because the Twins are so alike. Both had the max armor protection (153) thanks to ferro fibrous and each used the 225 Fusion Engine to achieve 5/8 movement. With 16 and 16.5 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment each was adequate but one without the other doesn’t seem to make sense as presented. Sorry LordGrayson.

9. Dagger Claw (Drakensis)
This quad was another interesting concept using existing material for a real FrakenMech feel. It’s 160 armor factor while a half ton short for max protection sure did take up a lot of mass because of its standard nature. The 270 Fusion Engine which propel the war machine ahead at 6/9 movement rates was pretty high end for this contest. However there is only 6 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment! Pretty low and mixed tech is not something I really want to get into with a potential front line (yeah I know it is a Zombie I said potential) Clan OmniMech. Also some of your configurations were illegal because InnerSphere Extended Range Lasers (Medium and Small) are not available for another 5 years. It is easy enough to trade them for their standard model but this wouldn’t be something the ilKhan would be looking for. I did like the implication about Diamond Shark trying to sell this though, interesting.

8. Trickster (Dragon Cat)
First off it was good having you throw a hat into the ring Dragon Cat. Two things I couldn’t get passed with your submission. The most significant was the name – the Trickster is not very Clan like in my opinion. Advertising such deception in the 3052 Clan era is just a no go for me. The 4/6 movement provided by the 180 Fusion Engine is a violation of the design criteria but I understand this choice better than the name. 18.5 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment is a lot for a medium Mech of this size. The concept was very interesting as the Clans are looking to hold territory and it is one of the aims of the Zombie type. This Mech could certainly go toe to toe with InnerSphere opponents and the max 153 armor factor provided by ferro fibrous make it a nasty opponent. Overall nice job and I sincerely hope to see you back for more design contests bud, good first try.

7. Fire Grenadier (Shadow Wraith)
Nothing wrong with the name Shadow Wraith but the Fire Grenadier just didn’t  do it for me or grab my attention. This one was a three Clan effort (Blood Spirit, Goliath Scorpion and Diamond Shark) and I like the Wyvern as a basis for the design. Plans for the 225 Fusion Engine coming from the ancient Kyudo was not a good idea. I look for existing power plants either in production or salvageable from cached designed. The 5/8 movement factor provided by the 225 is adequate and the addition of a MASC gives a nice tactical boost. The 153 armor factor provided again by ferro fibrous is the maximum for weight class which is solid. The 16.5 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment is pretty darn good so a nice design overall. Work on the fluff angles next time around and a good name will take you a long way.

6. Nimrod (Abele)
This one is my biggest disappointment. It had everything I was looking for a good name. Maybe I am screwed up by watching too much Bugs Bunny as a kid but Nimrod has negative vibes to me. Could it have positive vibes to the Clans? Yes but would they name a OmniMech after an ancient figure? No. Other than that the design is a winner. Using the Mongrel (Grendel) as a basis for a new design was a great touch. I loved the 225 Fusion Engine that goes 5/8 along with a MASC (10 MP possible) and has 5 jump jets for fantastic mobility. While the 144 armor factor was one ton of ferro fibrous shy of max protection it still had good protection. 14.5 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment was pretty nice. Overall I loved except for the name!

5. Knave (Drakensis)
Showing up the Shadow Cat is a plus angle and I enjoyed how the Coyotes were doing so in order to show up the Nova Cats in their favored Assailant role. Very nice! I did not like the name at first as it had something of a roguish connection but it did grow on me a little when you consider the Knave as a journeyman or someone who has not mastered his craft. This seems to apply as back handed way of chiding their opponents. Equipped with the 225 Fusion Engine the Knave makes the 5/8 minimum which isn’t although that impressive. The 153 armor factor (Ferro fibrous) is the max protection for this weight class and considering the 18.5 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment. I also like your configurations especially the one with four LRM 15s, very nice fire support. Good enough for fifth place bud.

4. Way Seeker (JP Arbiter)
The concept behind this OmniMech is very solid even though it violates the design criteria. This inexpensive war machine that can incorporate components from other Mechs bigger and small is very extra attractive for the Scorpions. Even the amenities offered by the “Inner Sphere” cockpit layout is perfect for Seekers involved in a long term quest. Unfortunately I was looking for more than just a Seeker Mech for this contest and the 180 Fusion Engine that goes 4/6 is too slow for general Clan service. Likewise the 128 Armor factor (standard plating) could use another ton and half for max protection. However the 20.5 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment is very impressive. Configurations were nice too – I love the combination of a big ballistic weapon with a big energy weapon. It gives you excellent range and manageable heat. I just think this Mech is too niche JP, so your right outside the medals this time around. However, I’d like to keep this design as standard BattleMech used by the Seekers and some Cloud Cobra warrior monks.

3. Golden Eagle (Fitzgerald)
First off I love the name and while the fluff is thin compared to others this Coyote / Goliath Scorpion project is pretty solid. I like the basis on the old Phoenix Hawk and getting the 270 engine from the Highlander IIc is a nice touch too. Another 6/9 this design can move pretty well and has the max armor protection (153) thanks to ferro fibrous. 12 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment is a bit light mainly cause of the integral mounting of an Active Probe and ECM Suite. I did like your configurations but they did lack the big guns of some other designs. Nice job fitz, third place and the bronze medal is yours.

2. Iron Mongoose (Abele)
I liked the fluff of this Cloud Cobra entry a lot with the chief designer tracing her legacy back to the Mongoose Clan. The Cobras grabbing some Mongoose blood legacies for use in their own Clan important to remember and the angle was very well done. I hope to see Scientist Hannah again with another entry in future contests, nice job. Using the Shadow Hawk IIc for a basis of a new OmniMech design is another great job as doing so would ease of deployment thanks to the existing machines. With the venerable 270 Consolidated Fusion Engine it goes 6/9 and has ferro fibrous armor that produces a 153 max armor factor. 14 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment is alright and the configurations are pretty good, C the Scout Striker is my favorite. Unfortunately Abele you get the silver this time around as I liked one design better.

1. Sand Devil (Master Arminas)
Well this design looks a lot like the other medalists with its 270 Fusion Engine that goes 6/9 MP, a max armor factor (153) provided by ferro fibrous plating, and 14 tons of pod space available for weaponry and equipment. What makes it special is the name and the fluff. Take a look at Master Arminas past names and this one for great examples of Clan like names with stellar background. They just grab you and say we are the Clans. Then you have a fantastic storyline which goes from Goliath Scorpion designers to Diamond Shark facilitators. First couple of days I looked at this design I kept asking myself why not just base it on the Mongrel (Grendel)? I really disliked the Scorpions stealing the Wolves design by way of the Ice Hellions but you know what, it was Clan. I loved the political angle right away of screwing the Wolves and their stupid Quicksilver Program. Thinking about it using the Ice Ferret as a basis would make deployment and maintenance of this design somewhat easier. So great job and another gold medal goes to Master Arminas.

I just wanted to include a quick word in closing especially given the similar nature of our medalists. Essentially Fitzgerald, Abele, and Master Arminas have the same design but their names and fluff makes them to me very different machines to me. All were presented by differing factions with unique agendas and angles. Truth be told I wanted to select the highly mobile Nimrod but just couldn’t get passed the name which dropped it below the Knave and Way Seeker which had better back stories. Don’t get me wrong designs are important but even if they are identical it is the name and fluff that sets you apart in my contests.

Thanks again to everyone who participated and congrats once again to Master Arminas. On we go to the next design contest which will finish up Clan middle weights!

I may blush . . . congrats, Fitzgerald and Abele.    Thank you all.

Here are the latest standings:

Master Arminas:  3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Abele:  2 Gold, 2 Silver, 0 Bronze
Drakensis:  1 Gold, 0 Silver, 4 Bronze
Fitzgerald:  1 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze
JPArbiter:  0 Gold, 3 Silver, 0 Bronze
Lord Grayson:  0 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze

To date, Master Arminas and Drakensis are tied for the lead in the medal count with a total of 5, trailed by Abele at 4, JPArbiter with 3,  and both Fitzgerald and Lord Grayson with 2.

Master Arminas:  5
Drakensis:  5
Abele:  4
JPArbiter:  3
Fitzgerald:  2
Lord Grayson:  2

MA

Hah and so far two Boondoggles for me!   

Congrats MA your fluff was impressive and winning

Now for the next round!

Yeah congrats

Just a note my designs name had nothing to do with being a deceptive design it's a Coyote design trickster is related to the Coyotes traditional place in Native American mythology (wiki) considering the Coyote Clan culture I didn't think it was a bad mix