Nike
OverviewFresh from winning the VTOL Gunship category of the ilKhan's Project Quicksilver with their
Fenris, Clan Wolf made the decision not to participate in any further OmniVehicle projects. The Clan chose instead to focus on improving and streamlining production of their current OmniMechs, OmniFighters, and their new OmniVehicle rather than devoting additional resources for new (and untested designs).
But that decision (made by a vote of all Blood-named Warriors of the Clan rather than the Wolf leaders) left Natasha Kerensky in a quandary.
More than forty years of experience in the Inner Sphere style of warfare had taught her valuable lessons about the necessity and usefulness of having a wide array of vehicles to support 'Mechs and infantry . . . and she was determined to force the Clans to address this problem, even if it meant fighting Trials herself and dragging her fellow Warriors kicking and screaming forward.
Chief among the designs that the Wolf Khan wanted to see converted by the Clans was the ancient
J Edgar light hover tank. Just 25-tons in mass, this two-man hovertank was fast-moving, relatively well-protected, and featured a decent weapons array (for such a light IS vehicle, that is). Natasha was convinced that a full Clan rework of the design would do better . . . and with the weapons concentrated in the turret in the original design, this made the
J Edgar a perfect candidate for conversion to an OmniVehicle.
Her efforts were cut short, however, when the ilKhan ruled against her request for a Trial to overturn the decision of Wolf Warriors; Ulric Kerensky was concerned that such an action would exacerbate the Crusader/Warden split within the Clan; in private talks, he convinced Natasha to forgo the Trial.
She did, but refusing to let the project drop, she approached Khan Cassius N'Buta of the Star Adders. Although a Clan of Crusaders, and quite conservative in many areas, the Adders were one of the few Clans that held appreciation for the role that vehicles could play on the battlefield.
The idea intrigued N'Buta . . . a fast-moving, hard-hitting light vehicle manned by a civilian driver and a single Warrior (as a combination of vehicle commander and gunner), yet a design that remained relatively inexpensive to produce and maintain. However, he noted the rarity of this design and the lack of a facility to produce the required 145-rate Standard Fusion engines. The armor, communications system, and tracking & targeting arrays, he agreed that these systems could all be pulled from existing
Asshur vehicle production lines on Sheridan.
But the engines? The vehicle frames? These were not common in the Clan Homeworlds.
Natasha smiled at Cassius. "You
do remember that the SLDF used the
J Edgar in vast numbers,
quiaff?"
The Star Adder Khan frowned. "No . . . I was not aware of that. Was the design not predominately used by the Periphery?"
"It was produced by Alphard Trading Company . . . which had many
factories in the Periphery," Natasha answered. "But ATC was originally a
Free Worlds League corporation and when the
J Edgar was introduced in 2722, the SLDF signed contracts to acquire a large number of examples. Primarily to . . .," and she smiled again, "sooth the Captain-General's feelings over the lack of FWL designs within the Regular Army. Oh, these little tanks never got much glory within the SLDF, but they served in independent Regiments, as well as the Armored Brigades attached to Infantry and BattleMech Divisions . . . and within the handful of Armored Divisions that the SLDF retained."
N'Buta slowly nodded. "Even so, how many survive to this day? I cannot account for any that I have seen, or heard, used in Clan Toumans?"
The Wolf laughed. "That is because their current owner is a band of spiteful idiots, Cassius! Exactly
one Armored Division survived the Amaris Coup and the Liberation of Terra to accompany the SLDF on the Exodus: the 238th Armored Division. Which is one of the units that General Kerensky disbanded when he down-sized the SLDF after arriving in the Pentagon."
"That unit seems familiar; I feel as if I should know it," Cassius muttered.
"It was the unit in which the parents of both Osis blood-lines served," Natasha answered.
"
Jaguars," the Adder snarled.
"The Jaguars. Before General Kerensky's death, the few tank commanders retained in the SLDF wanted modern Hegemony designs . . . so the existing
J Edgars were reassigned to the 238th as the entire division was mothballed within a Castle Brian. The titular commander of the 238th remained loyal to Nicholas Kerensky and he locked down the cache before he joined
our Exodus to Strana Mechty." Natasha shrugged. "The Warlords that were left behind fighting the Pentagon Civil War weren't about to waste their time breaking into the mountain to get a bunch of light-weight Free World hover-tanks! At least not at first, and then after the initial years of the conflict, they no longer had the resources to excavate the cache. Three full
brigades, consisting in large part of
J Edgars, just sat there, until our ancestors launched Klondike and retook the Pentagon."
"Three
brigades?" croaked Cassius.
"More than
six hundred of these light fast hover-tanks, my friend," Natasha answered. "Plenty of existing frames and engines . . . that might need a
bit of work to refurbish. After we get the Jaguars to hand them over, that is. They have owned that particular Brian Cache since Klondike."
"The Jaguars are not going to just give us those vehicles, Natasha," Cassius warned. "They are against this entire project."
And Natasha Kerensky laughed again. "In that case, we will have to challenge them to a Trial and beat their Crusader asses into bloody pulp then . . . won't we?"
The TrialNeedless to say, the Jaguar leadership was incensed by the sheer audacity of Khans Kerensky and N'Buta when they received the call for a Trial of Possession of the 238th Brian Cache on Eden. Despite their anger, saKhan Howell managed to convince Khan Osis that given the current limitations of their Touman to instead avoid the Trial altogether.
Appealing to the ilKhan, the Jaguars insisted that the proposed Trail broke with the ilKhan Shower's ruling that the Homeworld Clans could not assault the holdings of the Invading Clans. Khan Osis demanded that ilKhan Kerensky censure Khan N'Buta and declare the Trial illegal.
They were quite shocked (and infuriated even further) when the ilKhan refused their request. Citing that it was Khan Natasha Kerensky of Clan Wolf who had issued the challenge, and that she was a member of an Invading Clan, the ilKhan found that there was no prohibition upon Invading Clans attacking one another either in the Homeworlds or the Occupation Zones. However, he did confirm that neither Khan N'Buta nor the Star Adders could issue such a challenge . . . but that Khan Kerensky of Clan Wolf was free to do so.
Using a command circuit assembled for the purpose of reinforcing the Wolf Occupation Zone, Khan Kerensky travelled back to the Homeworlds and landed on Eden . . . where she personally issued a challenge to the 10th Jaguar Regulars for possession of Brian Cache 238.
A second-line unit featuring a mix of OmniMechs and standard BattleMechs, the 10th Regulars were in the process of preparing for departure to the Jaguar Occupation Zone when Kerensky landed. Those preperations were immediately halted and Star Colonel Isiash Moon declared that the Jaguars would defend "the heritage of the 238th Armored Division with every Warrior under his command".
Whether he believed that he needed an entire Cluster to defeat one Warrior, or if he felt that Khan Kerensky would back down in the face of such odds is an open question . . . for Star Colonel Moon died during the subsequent battle.
Although she had landed alone, Khan Kerensky laughed at the Jaguar response and answered, "Bargained well and done!"
That was when the 417th Adder Sentinels landed. Also a second-line unit, the assault-weight 417th was a veteran formation that the Adders had used as part of their Opposition Force (Kappa Galaxy). Exquisitely trained and drilled, and honed through hundreds of combats against fellow Adder units, the 417th reported to Khan Kerensky as the elements of a 'contract bid', placing itself (temporarily) under the aegis of the Wolf Touman and her direct command.
Moon howled in protest, sending HPG transmissions to the ilKhan as well as Khan Osis . . . who personally travelled via command circuit to Tamar demanding (once again) that the ilKhan take action to stop this breach of Clan law!
Ulric Kerensky denied the request, as he noted that the Adders were not issuing the challenge . . . and that contract bids, while uncommon, were allowed under Clan law.
The 10th Regulars fought bravely and with great zeal in the subsequent battle, but the firepower and experience of 417th was simply too much . . . not to mention the direct leadership and expertise of Khan Kerensky. While the battle raged for six days in the jungles of Eden surrounding Brian Cache 238, the end was never truly in doubt.
On the sixth day of the battle, Star Captain Dane (an Warrior lacking a Blood-name, but the senior surviving Jaguar) asked for, and received,
hegira. Less than eight Stars of Jaguar Warriors accompanied him back to the Jaguar port.
The 417th did not survive unscathed, however. Close to forty percent of the formation's Warriors were either dead or critically injured; but the Brian Cache (with the stockpile of
J Edgars within) was now owned by Khan Kerensky.
She then presented Brian Cache 238 to Khan N'Buta, in exchange for the right of Clan Wolf to purchase (at a signficant discount) the new OmniVehicles that they would create based on the
J Edgars mothballed inside. She did insist upon one last matter before the transaction was concluded, however.
Having learned that Clan Hell's Horses under the direction of Khan Fletcher (a man whom Natasha despised) were designing a new light tracked Omni-tank, Khan Kerensky insisted that Khan N'Buta file their submission immediately . . . using the name
Nike. The name that her sources told her was the project identifier for the new Clan Hell's Horses' vehicle.
"After all," she added, batting her eyelids at the Adder, "The goddess of
Winged Victory is better associated with our fast light hover than a ground-crawling tread tank,
quiaff?"
Laughing, Khan N'Buta agreed.
In the end, the Adders recovered some six hundred and seventeen
J Edgars from the Brian Cache, along with nearly three hundred other SLDF and Inner Sphere vehicles dating back to the SLDF of old. More than enough to provide the engines and frame for their new
Nike design.
And in the process, both Khan Kerensky and Clan Star Adder earned the utter enimity and hatred of the Jaguars . . . who vowed to exact their revenge for this series of insults piled upon insults.
Capabilities and ConfigurationsMassing 25-tons, the
Nike is heavily based upon the
J Edgar light hover-tank of old. The two share the same frame (refurbished and restored to like-new condition) as well as the same 145-rate Standard Fusion engine. Outfitted for a two-man crew, the driver (typically a civilian Technician caste) sits in an isolated cockpit on the left-hand side of the chassis, while the turret (containing the Warrior who commands the vehicle and operates the weaponry) is placed on the right-hand side. Although this asymmetric configuration is unusual, the
Nike's control computers ensure that the hover-tank has a smooth ride despite the tonnage imbalance.
Armor has been upgraded to ferro-fibrous plating (derived from the current
Asshur production line on Sheridan) and is slightly less thick than the original
J Edgar design (4.5 tons of Compound JX3 versus 6.0 tons of standard plating). This was deemed as adequate, however, as the armor distribution allows the
Nike to resist a single Class 20 autocannon burst on the front, sides, and turret . . . although the rear is only able to absorb a single Inner Sphere Medium Pulse Laser strike before suffering penetration.
However, this did allow the Adder engineers to retain the original engine which allows for a cruise speed of 118.8 kilometers per hour and a flank speed of 183.6 kph.
And it provided a full six tons of pod-space within the newly converted turret (massing a half-ton in and of itself). The communications system and tracking & targeting array were also 'borrowed' from the
Asshur production line, ensuring that the Adders could produce this vehicle 'in-house' without any difficulties.
Faster than a
Fire Moth (except when that OmniMech uses sprint mode), better protected, able to carry and deploy five Elementals as easily as the OmniMech, and possessing just a half-ton less pod-space, the
Nike promises to make an extraordinary contribution to the Star Adder Touman (along with other Clans who will happily purchase this inexpensive little vehicle). Costing less than half the price of the aforementioned
Fire Moth, the
Nike is easily affordable by even the poorest Clan.
The
Nike Prime is armed with a single ER Large Laser mounted in the turret, with two additional heat sinks to deal with the heat production. Possessing an excellent reach, this weapon allows the lightly-armored
Nike to utilize its speed to the highest extent, staying at range and sparring from a distance few other weapons can respond.
Configuration A is very similar, but sacrifices some range for greater accuracy. A Large Pulse Laser is the sole weapon in this version.
Configuration B has proven somewhat unpopular, mainly due to the lack of onboard offensive munitions. The main gun is an LRM-10 with a ton of ammunition (12 salvoes), supported by an ER Medium Laser for close-range combat. An Anti-Missile System has also been fitted (with a ton of ammunition as well) to protect against hostile missile strikes. However, the lack of firepower on this design (concentrated firepower) has been an issue.
Configuration C features twin ER Medium Lasers supported by a Streak SRM-6 launcher (and a ton of ammunition). Forgoing any effort to fight at the longest ranges, the
Nike C is able to utilize its high speed to close rapidly and savage hostile forces with missile and laser fire from behind.
Configuration D likewise has twin ER Medium Lasers, but these are tied into a Targeting Computer for increased accuracy. This version also carries an ECM Suite, an Active Probe, and a TAG target-designation system making it a superb light recon tank and artillery forward observer.
Configuration E has twin Medium Pulse Lasers and an Active Probe, along with two Machine-Guns for anti-personnel work (with a half-ton of ammunition).
And finally, the
Nike F is intended for point-blank range combat. The main gun is an ER Medium Laser, supported by four ER Small Lasers and the three additional heat sinks required to deal with the heat produced. Capable of inflicting more damage than any other
Nike configuration, the F has to get into knife-fighting range and stay there . . . increasing the risk to the crew dramatically. A fact which appeals to many Clan Warriors.
Nike
Mass: 25 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Motive Type: Hovercraft OmniVehicle
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E
Production Year: 3052
Cost: 795,312 C-Bills
Battle Value: 265
Power Plant: Standard 145 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 118.8 km/h
Flanking Speed: 183.6 km/h
Armor: Compound JX3 Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
6.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Sheridan LM VA 11-43
Primary Factory: Sheridan
Communications System: Consolidated Type 2R
Targeting and Tracking System: Consolidated Type V
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 15 points 2.50
Engine: Fusion Engine 145 7.50
Cruise MP: 11
Flank MP: 17
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Control Equipment: 1.50
Lift Equipment: 2.50
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 86 4.50
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 20/20
Turret 20
Rear 6
================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime Cost: 1,177,813
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 905
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 12 2.00
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser T 12 1 4.00
================================================================================
Loadout Name: A Cost: 1,123,438
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 949
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Pulse Laser T 10 1 6.00
================================================================================
Loadout Name: B Cost: 1,352,313
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 914
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser T 5 1 1.00
LRM-10 T 4 1 2.50
Anti-Missile System T 1 1 0.50
@LRM-10 (12) BD - 0 1.00
@Anti-Missile System (24) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 9
11 2 2 1 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: OMNI, AMS, CASE, IF 1
================================================================================
Loadout Name: C Cost: 1,374,313
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,165
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
Streak SRM-6 T 4 1 3.00
@Streak SRM-6 (15) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 12
11 3 3 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE
================================================================================
Loadout Name: D Cost: 1,957,813
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,033
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe T 0 1 1.00
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
TAG T 0 1 1.00
ECM Suite BD 0 1 1.00
Targeting Computer BD - 1 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 10
11 2 2 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, TAG, ECM, ENE
================================================================================
Loadout Name: E Cost: 1,414,563
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 877
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Medium Pulse Lasers T 8 2 4.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
Active Probe T 0 1 1.00
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 9
11 2 2 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, CASE
================================================================================
Loadout Name: F Cost: 1,040,937
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 864
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 13 3.00
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser T 5 1 1.00
4 ER Small Lasers T 8 4 2.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 9
11 3 3 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE
Author
Topic: Quicksilver Program #31: Clan Hover Hellraiser (Read 25140 times)