OBT Forum

The disappointment or surprise of seeing the Naga here may shock the Quicksilver Design Teams but perhaps they can’t see the bigger picture. Designed by Clan Wolf it was the third OmniMech inspired by the Woodsman and like its cousins, the Timber Wolf and the Gargoyle, the Naga first took the field in 2945. Unlike those two frontline combatants the Naga while strategically useful had little tactical application on the battlefields of the Kerensky Cluster. Often bid out or engaging the most dishonorable foes in lopsided engagements it provided Mechwarriors little opportunity for personal glory. As a result, Trueborns shunned the Artillery OmniMech leaving aged Solahma or Freeborns to pilot it even in the Wolf Clan.

First appearing in the Wolf Clan Sourcebook a total of 28 Nagas were deployed in total for Tukayyid. Two Alpha Galaxy Clusters utilized them directly in combat although this may be in part due to Golden Keshik being detached from service to serve as the ilKhan’s bodyguard unit. Binary Artillery in the 328th Assault Cluster was entirely made up of Nagas with 2 of its pilots KIA and 5 WIA at Tukayyid. Meanwhile Trinary Command of the 4th Wolf Guards had two stars of these Mechs (10) with 2 KIA and 5 WIA. In a much more reasonable fashion IMO the rest were all attached to Galaxy Command assets. Beta’s Silver Keshik had 9 Nagas in its Trinary Support [2 KIA, 4 WIA], while Gamma’s Bronze Keshik features 9 Nagas in its Trinary Support [7 WIA], and Epsilon Galaxy Command also possessed 9 Nagas in its Trinary Support [5 WIA, 1 KIA]. Only Delta’s Red Keshik eschewed these Artillery OmniMechs for additional OmniFighter support.

Technical Readout 3055 indicates that this war machine saw limited deployment in the mid-2900s which I can certainly believe. Spreading slowly from its Wolf Clan creators is again believable to me as zellbrigen and ritualized combat doctrine forbids or at least discourages such weaponry. While it also points to the Wolves exceptional use of these assets during the Battle of Tukayyid especially in the aftermath of taking Skupo the text then errors in part. Stating Hell’s Horses, Snow Raven, and Star Adder only began using them afterwards contradicts Operation Revival Trials Random Access Tables (RATs). According to Operation Revival Trials Random Access Tables (RATs) the Naga made up 11% of the Hell’s Horses, Snow Raven, and Star Adder Assault forces in 3048. Even Ice Hellion had 5.5% of its Assault forces composed of Nagas while Steel Viper and Wolf each had 3%.

I tend to believe the later source regrading deployment because the Naga works well in all those cases except maybe Steel Viper. Hell’s Horses and Snow Raven both have an air of desperation to them which lends credence to their use of the Naga. Plus, the teamwork aspect of TAG delivered Arrow IVs works well in the Horse Clan in particular. Likewise, the Star Adder Clan would see the obvious military applications of the design and being somewhat pragmatic in their approach to war would no doubt use the Naga. Ice Hellion also has the need to use Artillery given the light weight nature of their Touman which is frequently overextended in addition to their ‘PackZell’ tendencies. The cunning Wolves who created it and, in my view, use their legacy as Kerensky’s heirs to justify their liberal ways would certainly be fine with the Naga. Steel Viper is all over the place in general and with such a low percentage of their Assault force being composed of the Naga I really don’t have a problem with it.

Eleven Clans (Blood Spirit, Burrock, Cloud Cobra, Coyote, Diamond Shark, Fire Mandrill, Ghost Bear, Goliath Scorpion, Jade Falcon, Nova Cat, Smoke Jaguar) did not deploy the Naga whatsoever. Either they were far too conservative in their battlefield practices to even consider fielding such an Artillery OmniMech or lacked the resources to invest in the concept. TRO 3055 has both the Cloud Cobras and even the Jade Falcons utilizing the Naga in ‘extremely limited numbers’ following Tukayyid which I could see. Especially given the Cobras holdings on Tanis which maybe under assault by dishonorable bandits and the Falcons defending themselves from dezgra troops of the Federated Commonwealth.

The Quicksilver Trials however left this unique Artillery OmniMech without any Clan willing to place it into full scale production or challenge for such a place. Comparing it to the Gargoyle really was not even fair for the 80-ton Werewolf manufacturing slot not to mention technological improvements allowed for modular mounting of Arrow IV Systems on OmniMechs like the Mad Dog. Development of Zombie OmniMechs powered by cheaper and more compact Fusion Engines allowed several new Quicksilver Heavy and Assault designs to modularly mount Arrow IVs in their cavernous side torsos. These ‘Zombie’ war machines were also held in lower esteem by many Clans and given their poor status were better fits for front line Artillery service. This left the Naga a design already viewed with a great deal of skepticism in the Clans in limited production by the Wolves and Star Adders. These secondary assembly lines would create two dozen or so new models a year but how long that continues was unknown. The Naga’s days could well be numbered.

Khan Cassius N’Buta and Adder’s Adjutant Virgilia Truscott have other plans however. Given the fact that the Naga composes a significant portion of the Star Adder Touman and that every war machine will be necessary to achieve victory in the upcoming Trials they have ordered you to repurpose existing Nagas. Stripping them of their fixed Arrow IV Artillery Systems at Forward Refit Facilities on Absalom should be possible. As should an upgrade that could potentially create a better Werewolf OmniMech then the Gargoyle (Man O’War) thanks to the Naga’s EndoSteel internal structure. Likewise, a useful Zombie OmniMech could be created using a 320 Fusion Engine which could modularize the Arrow IVs. Either way you are ordered to explore these possibilities while maintaining the strictest security given Operation Symphony. A new design name will also be required to differentiate your creation from others. We suggest one of the Naga Kings of ancient Terran mythology of which there are several to choose.

To be fair the possibilities could also come from Hell’s Horses, Snow Raven, or Wolf but I wanted to give you all a tantalizing glimpse of what Star Adder is up to and the chance to participate. What I can tell you though is the Adder’s Deep Periphery Base World called Absalom makes a huge difference as it lies outside the bounds of the unified manufacturing program that is Quicksilver. If Hell’s Horses, Snow Raven, or Wolf take a whack at this you’ll need to think of how they are getting around the shared resource initiative to make this Mech. Not impossible granted as it is a refit not currently in production but tough. Please show where you are getting components from to make this refit as well!

This contest will be a little different though as you will be judged on best overall design and perhaps runner up given there could be two very different entries (Werewolf or a Zombie). Why no Vampire - because it would be too similar to the Glaive and replacing the 4 ton gyro with a 3 ton gyro might take a little too long. So yes I am looking for the best design but judging will also focus on time and effort which means the more changes you make the less likely you are to win. Please explain why your design is the best, what role it plays with your modifications, etc. Remember I love fluff. Clan Level 2 is the tech level for this contest just after Tukayyid so no ATMs, AP Gauss, Heavy Lasers, Light Active Probes, Remote Sensor/Dispenser or B-Pods!!! Teamwork is also very welcomed so if you have an idea (say somebody loves a concept designed by someone else and wants to jump on board with a few configurations) please collaborate. Best design concept wins!

Criteria
Design: (??) [formerly the Naga] Assault OmniMech
Era: 3052, just following the Truce of Tukayyid
Tech: Clan Level 2
Mass: 80 tons
Internal Structure: EndoSteel (4 ton)
Engine: 400 XL or 320 Fusion
Movement: 5/8 or 4/6
Heat Sinks: 12 (24) or more?
Gyro: (4 tons)
Cockpit: (3 tons)
Armor: Standard or Ferro-Fibrous
Armament: ?? tons available for pod space

Please have your entries in by Friday November 9th, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, good luck!!