These are stories about battles of
M-1 Main BattleMech. Setting is canon BattleTech universe. Production of the 'Mech itself numbers a dozen or less before Amaris nuked the factory. Stories are based on scenarios I play with MegaMek. I got an inspiration from novel Legacy, where 'Mech is canon Grasshopper.
Year 2766
Taurian Concordat
Planet Euschelus
"Replacement to Orion? That's a boast if I've ever heard one," said Major General Garland Hallestrøm, commanding officer of LXV Corps, as he looked up towering BattleMech in front of him.
"I am aware," said Senior Technician Jeff Finnegan. "But if you please would take a look at this data sheet summary..." Jeff's voice trailed off as he gulped, intimidated by General's words and expression. Or more precisely, his lack of expression. General's face looks like cut of stone.
Garland grabbed the offered paper and looked it over. "Weapons and associated equipment look all right, but armor is lacking." Then he handed paper over to Major General William Lundqvist, commanding officer of 368th BattleMech Division.
"Yes, we are aware," Jeff responded. "Much of the armament were chosen with consultation of retired Orion MechWarrior. He went on to much detail regarding combat against hovercraft and need to effective weapons against them. He likely had more problems against that types of enemy vehicles than BattleMechs. Armament reflects on that, and Pulse Lasers aren't light. And SLDF representative wanted less reliancy on ammunition." Jeff wipes his forehead with back of his palm. "Other weapons were considered, as well as increased armor with expense of the current weapons. Meetings leading to this 'Mech as it is now, were war... Or so I have heard. We leave it to you and your MechWarriors to decide have we reached the optimal compromise or are adjustments necessary before starting mass production. In the meantime we'll be building variants of this design with a gauss rifle, or a heavy energy weapon for the main gun with more armor, as well as completing the automatic production line."
William nods appreciatively. "Makes sense. But what's with this name, Main BattleMech?"
Jeff smiles, just a bit, before answering. "It's a reference to main battle tank concept from the 20th century. Up to mid-20th century, tanks could be very specialized. One tank type could be made to support advance of foot infantry and therefore be slow and well armored while another tank could be fast to exploit a breakthrough along with mechanized infantry, but be less armored. Main battle tank was created to find the optimal solution for speed, armor, and firepower to work in most combat situations. With the newest and most advanced weapons available today, we aim to make Main the modern BattleMech equivalent of the main battle tank before someone else gets a working idea to upgrade Orion."
William smiles at Jeff's words, but Garland's expression remains unchanged like a stone mask. "458th regiment is in need of replacements."
Garland turns to William. "They can have them."
William turns to Jeff with a slight smile. "458th is an independent Battle Regiment attached to my 368th Division. Independent regiments have more leeway with their unit composition. Main should fit right in."
Jeff let out a breath with look of relief as he thrust his hand forward. "Then I'm looking forward to working with you and 458th."
William grasped Jeff's hand and shook it. "Likewise."
Year 2766
Taurian Concordat
Planet Euschelus
BattleMech moved steadily under control of MechWarrior Kameela Shahaab. After many years of struggling in Taurian Concordat against rebels backed by local government, Star League Defense Force was finally striking back with renewed vigor. This would be Kameela's first battle, and she was eager to prove herself in control of SLDF's newest BattleMech, Main M-1. Intel had reported an understrength mixed company of various ground vehicles, and at least one helicopter and two BattleMechs. Main with Lubian Ballistics autocannon and Medium Pulse Lasers is the perfect choice against such diverse force. Unfortunately local terrain with its many hills, numerous patches of woods, and small lakes and swamps here and there were against Main's advantages. Kameela felt that jump capable 'Mechs, like Catapult or Griffin, would be more ideal for this type of terrain. But she had been told repeatedly that even in the best of times in war, warriors had to fight in less than ideal conditions.
"Enemy contact" Kameela heard Lieutenant Christian Vera say over the radio. Looking at her sensor display, Kameela saw Christian's 'Mech stand on top of a hill. Sensor display also marked locations of enemy forces: four ground vehicles, two 'Mechs, and a helicopter.
Kameela's own 'Mech was half kilometer to south from her commander, separated by long body of water. She was following her senior MechWarrior, Sergeant Glenn Lou.
"Kameela, this is Glenn. Stay close for now and remember your training. You'll do fine."
"Copy that, Sarge" Kameela replied while dividing her attention between sensor display, main view screen, and 'Mech controls. Rebel forces seemed to be advancing towards them which prompted Christian and his pair, Corporal Evelin Clay, to take overwatch position on the hill.
"Lance, regroup" Christian said over the radio. "Glenn, Kameela, find a crossing and get over here."
"Copy" Glenn and Kameela answered almost in unison. Meanwhile rebel force seemed content to stay out of the firing range, and at least part of it was heading North, circling around the SLDF lance.
Ahead of Kameela, Glenn entered the lake at its narrowest point. Speed of his 'Mech slowed down considerably as it descended into the water. Kameela entered the water herself as Glenn's 'Mech climbed up and out of it. Kameela focused her all on piloting in order not to trip up and fall down under the water.
"Lance, advance" Kameela heard Christian say as she was climbing up and out of the waterline. Quick glance to sensor display showed to her that rebel 'Mechs were falling back. First the 'Mechs had crossed the lake by jumping over it, and now they had jumped back, placing the lake between them and SLDF lance.
"Keep up, girl" Kameela heard Glenn say over the radio. Little annoyed to the way being talked to, she didn't bother to respond.
All four Main BattleMechs were in pursuit of retreating rebel force. Suddenly blue light shot through the air. Kameela recognized it as a shot from particle projector cannon, or PPC for short. Because SLDF's entire lance had the same 'Mechs, which weren't armed with PPC, Kameela knew immediately the shot was fired by the enemy. Then she saw a flight of long range missiles fly across the sky towards the enemy.
"Be advised" Kameela heard Evelin say over the radio, "enemy 'Mech is armed with extended range PPC." Though her voice was barely above normal speaking level, Kameela detected a hint of surprise in it. Kameela herself was shocked. Extended range PPC was among the newest weapons in existence, and she couldn't believe that a 'Mech armed with such a weapon could have made it to another armed force outside of SLDF, let alone a rebel force in the Periphery, even if unofficially backed by the government.
"Now girl" Kameela heard Glenn say. "Lieutenant will fire over the lake while we go around it. Keep it up."
"Copy" Kameela answered.
Around they went, closing in on the enemy 'Mechs. Ground vehicles that were spotted earlier, were nowhere to be seen. As her lance commander exchanged fire with enemy 'Mech, Lynx LNX-9Q, she was nearly in the range of her long range missiles. As Christian and Evelin began making their way around the opposing side of the lake, enemy Lynx jumped backwards, turned in the air, and immediately after touching down, began to sprint at full speed.
"Lance, regroup" Kameela heard Christian say over the radio with a sigh.
"Don't we pursue?" Kameela asked.
"Look, girl" Glenn said. "You saw the helicopter circling around us well outside the range, yeah? Even though we have new 'Mechs the enemy shouldn't have any intel until now, the helicopter was likely analyzing us. Even visual inspection alone should reveal our armament is remarkably similar to Orion, and experienced observer would identify our weapons with better accuracy. And so enemy commander decided they are at disadvantage. Lynx and the other 'Mech delayed our advance for ground vehicles to make their escape. Since both their 'Mechs are jump capable, and likely faster than ours, we can't catch up to them. The rebels here don't commit to battles they consider unwinnable."
"Anticlimatic" Kameela answered with a sigh.
She heard a chuckle over the radio. "You'll get used to it" she heard Evelin to say.
