In space
1st August 3053
To Anastasios Goronwy
Precentor XXIII-Rho
My dear Master,
I know you dislike this title I gave you but how else should I call you? Mentor? Teacher? If you want my advice (and since I am writing this letter, I will give it to you anyway) both seems even more ridiculous at our ages. But since I have only a few hours left before my arrival on Strana Mechty and I want to be able to send you this document as soon as I arrive, I will get to the point and tell you about one of my discoveries during my trip to Clan Ice Hellion (by the way, they are as their reputation made us believe they would be and their Watch is a joke).
As you might remember, you ordered me to watch for signs of rearmament from the Clans and although I don’t see the whole picture yet, there are some little things going on that show that they are up to something. The question is what exactly?
I found out during my stay on Hector that some old designs are being retrofitted, which with the advantages provided by the OmniPod system is rather easy to do but was never really done by people so traditionally minded as the Clans, which revert tradition and what their forefathers did to a point that we will never understand. This is why the way the Linebacker was retrofitted is worthy of attention.
The man behind the project, if I might call him so, is a bondsman (for a definition, see file Rho-125/30500115) from Clan Goliath Scorpion (another minor Clan like Clan Ice Hellion) taken by Clan Ice Hellion during some of the Clan internal fights known as the Hellion’s Fury. I wasn’t able to get all the details but it seems that this former Warrior proposed to his bondholder to help a Clan Ice Hellion team with his experience to work on the upgrade of a ‘Mech and that if the results were not meeting the expectations of Clan Ice Hellion, he would serve forever without asking for anything. Still struggling to rebuild from the past actions of their Clan, the Khan and saKhan decided to give this proposal a chance.
Focusing on both the preferred tactics of both Clan Ice Hellion and Clan Goliath Scorpion, they all agreed that a fast heavy-weight ‘Mech would be needed (something if you remember my previous analysis of Clan Ice Hellion forces that is not that common among this rather light oriented Clan). This is why the 7th Attack Cluster attacked Wolf Clan Site #2 and launched a Trial of Possession for some prototypes of the Linebacker, the newest and fastest Heavy OmniMech of Clan Wolf, a profile that meet the bills (and for once it seems they managed to make a decent intel job). In spite of once again taking casualties, they managed to get what they had come for and headed towards Hector.
Hard-pressed by the time and unwilling to face the wrath of Clan Wolf without using their newly acquired prize, the team decided to skip the complete rework they had planned and to focus on reworking the Configurations to improve them while setting up the first production runs of their newest ‘Mech. And let me tell you that these new Configurations are where the influence of the bondsman really shows.
For Configuration Prime, the design team decided to retain the heavy punch of the twin ER PPC (even if according to some reports I saw, there was some debate about whether or not these two weapons were making the ‘Mech run too hot) but in the end, they decided to keep them) but dropped the different missiles for 6 ER Medium Lasers in the torsos, a choice of weapons that provides the same heat as the twin ER PPC at closer range but for a damage potential of almost 50% more. The last touch was to make the rear firing ER Small Laser face forward.
Like Configuration Prime, Configuration A was optimised for a specific role: the fire-support one. Deciding to use LRM to weaken its opponent armour before unleashing the firepower of the two ER Large Lasers, the design team went for the best firepower/endurance ratio for the free weight they had and selected two LRM-10 with two tons of ammo. Obviously the 14 Double Heat Sinks don’t allow all the weapons to be fired together but careful selection should prevent anything dramatic to happen. Almost as a last thought, an ER Small Laser was also added.
The old Configuration B had at its core a Gauss Rifle but the new one exchanged it for an ER PPC, offering the same firepower but with far more endurance. This allowed one more ER Medium Laser to be added, for a total of 4. All these weapons tied to a Targeting Computer for increased precision. The next choice was rather surprising for the Clans and might perhaps hint to an evolution of their tactics after their first intent at invading the Inner Sphere; indeed, they put a Narc Launcher with two tons of homing ammo, on a ‘Mech that has no missiles at all as the remaining tons are dedicated to 4 Machine Guns equally split with half a ton of ammo. This mix of weapons is somehow surprising for the Clans and could point to a design made to get in combat at closer ranges than usual to help others reach their targets. But no one has ever used such tactics in Clan space, which make for now my idea pure speculations.
Configuration C was obviously an urban fighter but plagued with several problems, ranging from strange choices in weapons to their facings. Priority was obviously given to controlled heavy firepower, one perfectly suited for fighting in cities forever. The big guns for afar are a Large Pulse Laser and an ER Large Laser. Once things gets closer and more personal 3 ER Medium Lasers, 2 Small Pulse ones and one Flamer are added to the mix to allow all kind of targets to be dealt with. An Active Probe was added to deal with hidden units.
I must confess that Configuration C puzzles me. First, it is an urban fighter but without the needed Jump Jets to add some extra mobility that is key to success in cities. Second, there is a Configuration C Second that replaces the Active Probe by an ECM Suite. Why make an official Configuration when you could just the modularity provided by the OmniPods? Also why make two Configurations obviously designed to work together when Clan Warriors are so individualistic? I guess their ways are still alien to us.
Configuration D retains the idea of the original but goes for raw firepower with 10 SRM-4 (that can be fired without problems as one Double Heat Sinks was added) and 4 tons of ammo. The back-up weapons are provided by 2 ER Medium Lasers and an ER Small one.
One cannot wonder when looking at this Configuration if it was meant to work with Configuration B, as by simply replacing the 4 tons of normal ammo by Narc compatible ammunitions is such an obvious way to increase its efficiency. But no one has never seen the Clans work this way.
Configuration E is the same as D but with 3 LRM-15 (and again 4 tons of normal ammo), one of them in the Right Arm. As backup weapons, it has 3 ER Medium Lasers, a respectable punch for any foe coming too close.
Configuration F seems a bit like the J6M-A JagerMech but one that would have made the choice of smaller LRM racks with 4 LRM-5 (and only one ton of ammo, it seems some lessons will never be learned) and 2 Large Pulse Lasers.
Configuration G seems like a mix of different ideas or one designed by a committee. An ER Large Laser and an ER PPC are there for the long range sniping, an even more efficient tactic since they are both linked to a Targeting Computer. The other weapons are 3 SRM-6 with one ton of ammo. What advocates for the committee idea (or perhaps some “philosophical†problems in the design team) is that there are several ways to use this Configuration and that none seems the right or the best one.
Configuration H is the one that should be expected by every Clan Warrior: packing one Ultra AC/20 and 3 ER Small Lasers, it has the punch to quickly end any one vs. one fight. The Linebacker speed should allow it to get into range against most targets. Those faster and thus able to stay out of range will be harassed by a LRM-5.
Configuration I seems to have been inspired by the tactics of the 40th Hellion Lancers that use their OmniMechs to flank their opponents while providing a ride to Elementals. This Configuration is trying to do that in all kind of settings, providing support for the rides by packing a Large Pulse Laser and 2 Medium ones together with a Targeting Computer for selected shots. An Active Probe linked to an AMS lies in the Left Arm while an ECM Suite is in the Right one, probably because of possible interferences in the 3 systems. The final touch comes from 2 Jump Jets to give it some extra mobility.
According to some testimonies (that I was unable to confirm since I didn’t met all the involved parties), it seems that the first production runs were quickly launched to allow the Touman to be rebuilt following the Furry Campaign and some other (and from what I have heard usual) internal fights. One of the first unit to receive the new Linebacker was the 33rd Striker Irregulars that after their fight on Marshall were being rebuilt using only Heavy and Assault ‘Mechs.
In retaliation for the attack on their facility, the 352nd Assault Cluster from Clan Wolf launched a surprise attack for the possession of the first production run of the Linebacker. However they landed too late as the 33rd Striker Irregulars had already been equipped and moved with them to defensive positions.
In spite of their usual display of talent, the lighter Clan Wolf forces were no match against the fast-moving heavy units from the Clan Ice Hellion and decided to retreat and to wait for a better moment.
During my stay among Clan Ice Hellion, I have found at least two peculiar ‘MechWarriors worth of attention that are using this new version of the Linebacker.
The first one is named Misaki and is a rising star or Ristar as the Clans call them. What makes her special is that in spite of her obvious Aerospace Pilot phenotype (she displays all the external signs of such an heritage, being small, fragile but with the enlarged cranium and eyes typical of such phenotype), she has displayed an increased reaction time and an amazing coordination, rare even among ‘MechWarriors. Serving so far in the 40th Hellion Lancers, she is known for using with great efficiency the combined-arms tactics, typical of this Cluster and makes the best of the mix of firepower, speed and protection (as we were able to see on Tukayyid, this perfect mix is only from an Ice Hellion point of view) of her Linebacker, Hikaru. She is on a fast track to being allowed to compete in a Trial of Bloodright for the Bloodname Tyler.
The other one is nonetheless than the Goliath Scorpion Warrior that as a bondsman helped Clan Ice Hellion to design their upgraded Configurations of the Linebacker. Having earned through his help in this programm the right to become an Abtakha (a warrior captured but accepted in his/her new Clan), Everett Ar-Rashid has been assigned to the 175th Attack Cluster, one unit of the Zeta Prime Galaxy. What is strange is that in spite of his years of honourable fighting, he has shown no problem in adapting to his new posting in an unit famous for their regular violations of standard Clan rules of engagement. However what remains is the amazing precision typical of Clan Goliath Scorpion Warriors, at the command of his Zulkari, he usually uses its speed and his sniping skills to select a target and “dance with itâ€.
This is the end of my “report†to you my Master. As requested, I will try to get more intel on other Clans we didn’t face.
Oh, just one last thing before I forget. You know my Acolyte, Torhild Sjurd, don’t you? She hails from the Free Rasalhague Republic and she found a funny nickname for the Linebacker, she called it Sleipnir. I didn’t know she had some knowledge about old mythology but it seems that Sleipnir was the best and fastest horse around and that it belonged to the chief of the gods from one mythology on Earth. Together they travelled to and back the Underworld, while being alive.
I hope that this doesn’t turn into an omen or something.
May the Peace of Blake be with you,
Mawunyo Tushar
Precentor X-Rho
Linebacker
Mass: 65 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Biped Omnimech
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3052
Cost: 18 390 281 C-Bills
Battle Value: 916
Chassis: Type W4 Endo Steel Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Heavy Force 390 XL 390 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 64,8 km/h
Maximum Speed: 97,2 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Composite A-4 Ferro-Fibrous Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
17.5 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Khan Series (Type 3)
Targeting and Tracking System: Series V OPT
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 104 points 3,50
Internal Locations: 1 CT, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 390 23,00
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 14(28) 4,00
Gyro: Standard 4,00
Cockpit: Standard 3,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 192 10,00
Armor Locations: 1 HD, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 21 25
Center Torso (rear) 10
L/R Torso 15 22
L/R Torso (rear) 8
L/R Arm 10 20
L/R Leg 15 24
================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime Cost: 20 475 984
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 661
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Small Laser RT 2 1 0,50
2 ER Medium Lasers RT 10 2 2,00
3 ER Medium Lasers LT 15 3 3,00
ER PPC RA 15 2 6,00
ER PPC LA 15 2 6,00
Free Critical Slots: 23
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 27
6 4 4 2 0 3 3 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: A Cost: 19 916 841
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 075
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 16(32) 2,00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT
CASE Locations: LT, RT 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Small Laser CT 2 1 0,50
LRM-10 RT 4 1 2,50
LRM-10 LT 4 1 2,50
ER Large Laser RA 12 1 4,00
ER Large Laser LA 12 1 4,00
@LRM-10 (12) RT - 1 1,00
@LRM-10 (12) LT - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 18
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 21
6 4 4 4 0 3 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 1/1/1, IF 1
================================================================================
Loadout Name: B Cost: 20 198 888
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 574
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Machine Gun CT 0 1 0,25
ER PPC RT 15 2 6,00
Narc Launcher LT 0 1 2,00
Machine Gun LT 0 1 0,25
Targeting Computer LT - 2 2,00
2 ER Medium Lasers RA 10 2 2,00
Machine Gun RA 0 1 0,25
2 ER Medium Lasers LA 10 2 2,00
Machine Gun LA 0 1 0,25
@MG (1/2) (100) RT - 1 0,50
@Narc (Homing) (12) LT - 2 2,00
Free Critical Slots: 13
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 26
6 5 5 2 0 3 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, SNARC, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: C Cost: 20 317 688
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 227
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe CT 0 1 1,00
Flamer RT 3 1 0,50
2 Small Pulse Lasers RT 4 2 2,00
3 ER Medium Lasers LT 15 3 3,00
Large Pulse Laser RA 10 2 6,00
ER Large Laser LA 12 1 4,00
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 22
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 22
6 4 4 2 0 3 2 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: C Second Cost: 20 317 688
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 291
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECM Suite CT 0 1 1,00
Flamer RT 3 1 0,50
2 Small Pulse Lasers RT 4 2 2,00
3 ER Medium Lasers LT 15 3 3,00
Large Pulse Laser RA 10 2 6,00
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1,00
ER Large Laser LA 12 1 4,00
Free Critical Slots: 22
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 23
6 4 4 2 0 3 2 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: D Cost: 20 234 466
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 820
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 15(30) 1,00
CASE Locations: LT, RT 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Small Laser CT 2 1 0,50
5 SRM-4s RT 15 5 5,00
5 SRM-4s LT 15 5 5,00
ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1,00
ER Medium Laser LA 5 1 1,00
@SRM-4 (25) RT - 1 1,00
@SRM-4 (75) LT - 3 3,00
Free Critical Slots: 10
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 18
6 6 6 0 0 3 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 5/5/0
================================================================================
Loadout Name: E Cost: 20 312 325
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 266
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT, RT, RA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser CT 5 1 1,00
LRM-15 RT 5 2 3,50
LRM-15 LT 5 2 3,50
LRM-15 RA 5 2 3,50
2 ER Medium Lasers LA 10 2 2,00
@LRM-15 (8) RT - 1 1,00
@LRM-15 (16) LT - 2 2,00
@LRM-15 (8) RA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 16
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 23
6 5 5 3 0 3 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 3/3/3, IF 3
================================================================================
Loadout Name: F Cost: 19 485 984
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 098
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: RT 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 LRM-5s RT 4 2 2,00
2 LRM-5s LT 4 2 2,00
ER Small Laser LT 2 1 0,50
Large Pulse Laser RA 10 2 6,00
Large Pulse Laser LA 10 2 6,00
@LRM-5 (24) RT - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 23
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 21
6 4 4 4 0 3 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1
================================================================================
Loadout Name: G Cost: 20 060 906
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 385
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRM-6 CT 4 1 1,50
SRM-6 RT 4 1 1,50
Targeting Computer RT - 2 2,00
SRM-6 LT 4 1 1,50
ER PPC RA 15 2 6,00
ER Large Laser LA 12 1 4,00
@SRM-6 (15) LT - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 24
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 24
6 4 4 3 0 3 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 1/1/0
================================================================================
Loadout Name: H Cost: 19 731 422
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 1 777
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT, LA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra AC/20 RT 7 8 12,00
ER Small Laser LT 2 1 0,50
2 ER Small Lasers RA 4 2 1,00
LRM-5 LA 2 1 1,00
@Ultra AC/20 (10) LT - 2 2,00
@LRM-5 (24) LA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 16
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 18
6 5 5 1 0 3 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: I Cost: 20 299 022
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-A BV2: 2 082
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumping MP: 2 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT 2,00
CASE Locations: LA 0,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Pulse Laser RT 10 2 6,00
Medium Pulse Laser LT 4 1 2,00
Targeting Computer LT - 2 2,00
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4 1 2,00
ECM Suite RA 0 1 1,00
Anti-Missile System LA 1 1 0,50
Active Probe LA 0 1 1,00
@Anti-Missile System (24) LA - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 19
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 21
6/1j 3 3 2 0 3 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, AMS, PRB, RCN, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Author
Topic: Quicksilver Upgrades #23: Linebacker (??) 65 tons (Read 1837 times)