Topic: Quicksilver Central (Read 34877 times)

marauder648 · « **Reply #60 on:** December 11, 2018, 10:26:35 AM »

Crossbow

It is said that â€˜during the Golden Century the Viper Khans lacked the foresight to recognize the value of the OmniMechâ€™ and my research would seem to confirm that. The story of Sanra Mercer is the first to give me insight as in 2860 she was nominated to the post of saKhan by Khan Jacob Masters an aerospace pilot. This greatest of Viper leaders used a Highlander (possibly IIC) lending credence to the Clanâ€™s lack of modular technology. As Jade Falcon and Wolf were the first to seize this innovation in 2863 it may be more accurate to blame Jacob Masters singularly for the failure to realize the value of this new tech.

Whatever the truth of the matter Sanra Mercer would continue to use her Highlander through her death in 2906 against the hated Jade Falcons. There is also the development of the fearsome Storm Giant during the Golden Century which had a 400 XL Engine. While we do not know exactly what this design had as the Scylla fluff eludes to it replacing the weaponry, electronics, and adding jump jets this 100-ton BattleMech would be quite a deadly investment in its own right. It is likely that the Storm Giant was a terrifying opponent even against OmniMechs despite its fixed equipment. With such a large power plant this massive menace would have been a significant investment by the Vipers soaking up much of their resources.

The Crossbow itself was first deployed by Clan Steel Viper in 2870 during their successful Trial of Possession for Firebase Climax on Homer versus the Smoke Jaguars. It was only after the Vipers captured Snow Raven scientists that development of this OmniMech moved forward. This implies that this rival Clan had access prior to the Vipers who seem to be one of the last to field the OmniMech. This design in particular seems to have been inspired by the Lyran Age of War BattleMech with which it shares many design similarities. While this first generation omni did have some design limitations (arm mounted pod space only - a fluff limitation) it served the Clan well for almost one hundred and eighty years.

According to Operation Revival Trials RATs by the time of the invasion only four Clans fielded the Crossbow. Aside from its Steel Viper (39%) creators only Blood Spirit (47%) fielded them in any appreciable numbers. I suspect that any salvaged models say by the Snow Ravens and perhaps others were in fact sold to the tech starved Spirits. Burrock (14%) and Diamond Shark (11%) utilized far fewer in their Toumans likely rounding out their Heavy front line forces. It proved unpopular with the other thirteen Clans despite its good speed and survivability likely because of its low amount of pod space and arm mounting restrictions.

Remember, the Steel Vipers have long embraced â€˜Zombieâ€™ designs in order to best protect their elite warriors. As seen by its low casualties on Tukayyid and low warrior turnout annually the Clan is much more averse to pilot safety then say the Smoke Jaguars whose reckless aggression makes them feared. While no one dare match individual skill against the warriors of the Viper Clan the time to develop these crack troops makes the Clan very mindful of any potential losses. They are therefore geared to the rugged survivability of Zombies (like the Crossbow) as opposed to faster Werewolves or more offensive Vampires which can take much less damage.

The ilKhanâ€™s decision to endorse the Crossbow as the 65-ton Zombie early on in the Quicksilver Program was controversial but ultimately saved valuable resources. Proven and reliable Viper scientists set out to make what simple improvements they could to the existing design. Thanks to their efforts technicians were able to modify existing models to allow them to mount weaponry and equipment in locations other than the arms. These modifications learned from studying the Battle Cobra upgrade bolstered the case for this venerable OmniMech with some other Clans. The Kindraa of Fire Mandrill in particular became fans of the new Crossbow likely in part to their Blood Spirit allies who continue to favor this 65-ton design to all others. While Burrock and Diamond Shark have both shifted their priorities away from the Crossbow neither Clan can simply afford to cache their remaining numbers.

Clan Steel Viper were late to adopt omnitechnology and the Crossbow, their first venture, is a simplistic design that has endured the centuries. Because it was effectively uncontested for the 65 ton zombie slot in the Quicksilver trials, the Steel Vipers devoted little resources to it. In hindsight this may have been an error as a modified chassis with advanced structure and armour would have increased the weapon payload by thirty percent. Unfortunately development has stalled due to the diversion of resources to unsuccessful prototypes and it's not clear if the Crossbow II will ever be completed.

It was during these field tests that the Crossbow was sighted by Inner Sphere MechWarriors. Elements of the 2nd Legion of Vega saw several Mechs when raiding Adder holdings shortly after Tukkayid and it was called â€˜Enenraâ€™ a monster made of smoke, which came from the fact it was usually shrouded by weapons smoke.

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Author Topic: Quicksilver Central (Read 34877 times)