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How does this amalgamation of three separate designs strike you?

Mass: 70 tons
Chassis: Corbine III EndoSteel
Power Plant: Redline 350 XL
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86 kph, 108 kph with MASC
Jump Jets: None
   Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Alpha Compound Ferro Fibrous
Armament: 1 Type DDS “Kingston” Extended Range PPC
   1 Kolibri Delta Series Large Pulse Laser
   1 Series 7NC ER Large Laser
   2 Series 2NC ER Medium Lasers
   1 Series 1NC ER Small Laser
Manufacturer: Barcella Alpha
   Primary Factory: Barcella
Communications System: TransComm Gamma with ECM Suite
Targeting and Tracking System: TransComm Delta with Active Probe

OVERVIEW
   One of the Quicksilver Program’s greatest successes was born out of the failure of three different design proposals. The first of these was the Stormbringer which appeared during the 8th Quicksilver Trail. Here the Diamond Sharks attempted to create a smaller Clan version of the larger Star League Black Knight. While tests showed their submission did meet or exceed performance expectations enormous heat problems were also quite evident. The 11th Quicksilver Trail saw Ice Hellion go rogue from a joint Clan effort and enter their own design, the Nova Lance. This fast entry did little except to draw in the Nova Cats who eventually became fascinated with the project.
   Finally Blood Spirit, Fire Mandrill, and Snow Raven put forward their version of the SLDF Royal Excalibur. This legacy design that proudly tied the Clans to their glorious heritage was narrowly defeated for the prized OmniMech slot by the Crazy Horse. However, the ilKhan was so impressed by this Clan standard bearer that he urged the participants to pool their resources. Such an important symbolic presence among the descendants of Kerensky would provide a morale boost to all Clansmen in the campaigns to come. And so the six Clans that began with three similar ideas for the Quicksilver Trails came together to create the Blood Knight.

CAPABILITIES
   Drawing heavily on neo-chivalric Star League designs like the Black Knight and the Excalibur the imagery of the Clans as the inheritors of Kerensky’s blood legacy can clearly be seen. With themes from both designs visible a new Clan EndoSteel chassis was carefully crafted to evoke the utmost honor. Engineers lovingly copied and improved upon the venerable TransComm electronic systems which made the Black Knight such a superb command ‘Mech. Together with an ECM Suite and Active Probe the Blood Knight surpasses its predecessors leadership capacity much as the Clans claim to.
   The popular Redline 350 XL Engine from the Summoner and now also used on several Quicksilver designs was chosen to power this war machine. This large fusion plant together with a total of twenty Double Heat Sinks enables the BattleMech to dissipate heat quickly. Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry (MASC) added by Ice Hellion engineers allows Mechwarriors to exceed one hundred kilometers per hour for short bursts, blinding speed for a seventy tonner. With eleven tons of Alpha Compound Ferro Fibrous armor plating the Blood Knight features maximum design protection that when combined with its rapid movement makes for a hard to kill opponent.
    Nova Cat scientists were able to assemble a potent energy arsenal based on the Royal Black Knight. An Extended Range Large Laser, two Extended Range Medium Lasers, and an Extended Range Small Laser   were gleaned from the production lines of Griffin IIC and the Shadow Hawk IIC. These venerable weapons were supplemented by an Extended Range Particle Projection Cannon from the Blood Kite and a Large Pulse Laser from the Oro Heavy Tank. While these non ammo based armaments greatly eased any logistical concerns their nature also made them ideal for limiting collateral damage around urban infrastructure.

DEPLOYMENT
   With the design phase complete each Clan eagerly moved to see who would win the honor of producing this exceptional BattleMech. An intense rivalry had built up during the testing phases with Snow Raven, Blood Spirit, and Nova Cat emerging as the top contenders. In a three way battle for the ages Mechwarrior Slade of the Kostas Bloodhouse, Star Commander Fiona of the Vardanyan Bloodhouse, and Star Commander Pylyp of the Drummond Bloodhouse squared off. In the end only Pylyp remained standing, despite losing an arm, winning the right of primary possession for Nova Cat.
   The first Blood Knights went to work immediately serving as ceremonial guards at Clan Blood Chapels. Others were presented as gifts to Blood House Champions or second line officers who were expected to advance to front line service quickly. Their initial appearance and effectiveness were boosted by a Diamond Shark-Snow Raven ad blitz that effectively marketed the war machine to all the Clans. This promotion was a stunning success and despite only being a mere BattleMech drew peak interest from four other Clans.
   Coyote, Goliath Scorpion, and Jade Falcon were driven by the powerful imagery of the Blood Knight. Their founders Dana Kufahl, Ethan Moreau, and Elizabeth Hazen respectively had all piloted a Black Knight. Warriors from each of these Clans fought to possess it as merchants attempted to procure the design. Star Adders realizing the military potential of the Blood Knight quickly acquired manufacturing rights to this superb Command Mech for its Pursuit Stars composed of Rangers and Assassin IIC.
   Wolf on the other hand has commented positively about the Blood Knight but politely declined its use. The Clan of Kerensky instead proudly points to the Orion IIC which fills many of the same roles in its Touman. Ghost Bear remains customarily cautious concerning the Blood Knight as does Steel Viper who is wary of such a BattleMech which has been embraced so quickly by its adversaries. Smoke Jaguar still smarting from a defeat inflicted by Diamond Shark Blood Knights led by Star Captain Lionel on Vinton has yet to express any interest.
   Some poorer Clans led by Burrock think the Blood Knight is an expensive extravagance and have thus far refused to purchase or field any. No doubt their hatred of the Blood Spirits has influenced this assertion which thus far only Cloud Cobra and Hell’s Horses seem to agree with. These sour grapes have done little to slow its growing importance among the Clans.

Type: Blood Knight
Technology Base: Clan Level 2
Tonnage: 70 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:       EndoSteel            3.5
Engine:            350 XL            15
   Walking MP:         5
   Running MP:      8 (10)
   Jumping MP:      0               0
Heat Sinks:            20 (40)            10
Gyro:                              4
Cockpit:                           3
Armor Factor:         211               11

            Internal Structure      Armor Value
   Head            3            9
   Center Torso        22            33 / 11
   R/L Torso         15            22 / 7
   R/L Arm         11            21
   R/L Leg         15            29

Weapons and Ammo:      Location      Criticals   Mass
ER PPC             Right Arm      2      6
Large Pulse Laser         Left Torso      2      6
ER Large Laser         Right Torso      1      4
ER Medium Laser         Left Torso       1      1
ER Medium Laser         Right Torso       1      1
ER Small Laser         Center Torso    1      .5
ECM Suite            Center Torso    1      1
Active Probe          Head          1      1
MASC               Left Arm      3      3