Between the time
when the oceans drank Atlantis,
and the rise of the sons of Aryas,
there was an age undreamed of.
And onto this, Conan,
destined to wear the jeweled crown
of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow.
It is I, his chronicler,
who alone can tell thee of his saga.
Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LANHWwEjOAU&x-yt-ts=1422503916&feature=player_detailpage&x-yt-cl=85027636Crom
Overview"What is it this time, Ariel?" Ian Hawker asked as he was ushered into the Scorpion Khan's office on Strana Mechty. "If this is another 'joint' project, I told you the last time that your debt is too much for the Sharks to even consider such."
"And good morning to you as well, Khan Hawker," Ariel Suvorov said as she rose to greet her visitor. She waved at a chair . . . and the Shark snorted, but he sat.
"Actually, we do have a proposition for you," she continued.
Ian stood and shook his head. "Do you take me for a witless Burrock, Scorpion? A faithless Mongoose? There shall be no further collaboration between our Clans until your debt has been reduced . . .
NONE."
"Well, that is a pity," a third voice spoke as another Scorpion officer entered the office and closed the door.
"
Djerassi?" barked Ian. "What are you doing here?"
"He is here at my command, Khan Hawker," answered Ariel from her seat. "Nikolai, you are looking well."
"As are you, my Khan," the former Khan of Clan Goliath Scorpion replied. "As are you as well, Khan Hawker."
There was a moment of silence and then Ian Hawker sat once more as Nikolai Djerassi leaned against the Khan's desk and folded his arms.
"What do you two
want?" he snapped.
"A means to clear to our debt with the Sharks, Khan Hawker," Djerassi said soothingly. "One that will cost the Sharks
nothing if it fails . . . but if it succeeds?" Djerassi smiled. "Ah, if it is successful, then the Sharks will profit. And our debt will be diminished."
"How? You Scorpions do not even use vehicles?"
"We can read, Khan Hawker," Djerassi said with a chuckle. "And while we do not use vehicles, there are other Clans in our society which do. Clans which will need to acquire these new OmniVehicles of Ulric Kerensky from a supplier. A Shark supplier. That would be ideal for us both,
quiaff?"
"Aff. But your track record . . .," Ian began before Ariel interrupted him.
"Does not matter, Khan Hawker. We have a vehicle design ready to go for Quicksilver Phase Thirty-Three . . . one that meets all of the ilKhan's requirements and will require your Clan to contribute
nothing if the entry fails in the Trials."
"And if it succeeds?" Ian asked.
Djerassi nodded. "If it succeeds, the Scorpions produce the engine, comm systems, and the tracking & targeting array, along with the ferro-fibrous armor it requires. If our new
Crom is worthy, you need only produce the chassis, which is a modification of the SLDF Marksman."
"An artillery piece?" exclaimed Ian.
"It fits our requirements and was easily modified as an OmniVehicle. Now, we Scorpions cannot produce the chassis ourselves . . . well," he said after a pause, "we
could, but why stretch ourselves even farther when the Sharks can do so for us."
"That assumes that I am willing to cut a deal, Scorpion."
"You risk nothing and there are profits to be made, Shark," Djerassi answered with a thin smile. "I believe that we will make a deal today."
"Who is
Crom?" Ian asked, as he changed the subject. "I've never heard of any such god."
"Oh, he is old. Almost forgotten. Although I do remember a prayer to him," Djerassi chuckled and his face grew grim. "Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, Crom... so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!"
Ian stiffened and then he nodded. "A Warrior God, indeed."
"He values courage and tenacity, grants strength and endurance to his followers and has little patience for weakness. He judges those who enter his realm based on their valor; nothing more, nothing less."
"Fitting for the Clans, I must admit," Ian whispered.
"Fit for any Clan," Djerassi answered. "But only if the Sharks agree."
And Ian Hawker sighed. "What do you need?"
"Now?" asked Djerassi. "Nothing. But if we win this Trial, Khan Hawker, then we will need you and yours to produce the chassis. And for that, we will provide the engines and electronics and armor at cost . . . until our debt is paid in full. Afterwards? Afterwards, we get a portion of the profits."
"It will take years to pay off your debt, Scorpion," Hawker warned.
"Which is why we want to start doing so
now Shark," the former Khan answered. "Do we have a deal? Or should we be meeting with Khan Fletcher?"
Ian pursed his lips and then he nodded. "We have a deal."
"Bargained well and done, then," answered Djerassi. "Ariel will give you the details; I must return to my students. Khan Suvorov, Khan Hawker, good day to you both." And then he left.
Ian shook his head. "Too old to be a Warrior . . . why do you keep him around, Ariel?"
"He has his uses, Khan Hawker," she answered with a smile as she stood. "Now, do you wish the
Crom with your own eyes . . . old man?"
And she laughed as Ian Hawker bristled.
Capabilities and ConfigurationsThe
Crom is a Goliath Scorpion design for a Universal Weapons Carrier that is based upon the modified chassis of the SLDF
Marksman vehicle. The Scorpion design team utilized the Fusion 260 standard engine from their existing
Fire Scorpion BattleMech line on Roche; other elements of the
Fire Scorpion incorporated into the design include the JNE Integrated Comm System and the TRTTS Mark II Targeting & Tracking Array.
The
Crom masses 65 tons, for which the Fusion 260 provides enough power to generate a cruise speed of 43.2 kilometers per hour and a flank speed of 64.8 kph. Slower than front-line Clan OmniMechs, this is nonetheless a respectable rate of speed for a Weapons Carrier. A one-ton remote unmanned turret is included on the design with a fixed weapons array consisting of two ER Medium Lasers, two Machine-Guns, and a half-ton of machine-gun ammunition. Seven tons of ferro-fibrous armor plating gives the design good defensive protection, with the turret and both flanks able to resist hits from Class 20 autocannon. The front is heavily protected and able to absorb
three such strikes; unfortunately, this protection comes at the expense of the rear which can only stop two Clan Medium Laser hits before suffering internal penetration.
However, this left 24.0 tons of pod-space available on the
Crom. All pod-mounted weapons are emplaced firing out of the forward arc of the vehicle, limiting somewhat the flexibility of the new combat unit. But as a Weapons Carrier, this was deemed acceptable.
The
Crom Prime features a Gauss Rifle with two tons of ammunition alongside an LRM-20 with Artemis IV FCS and three tons of ammunition. An ECM Suite provides additional defensive coverage.
Configuration A is armed with twin LB-10X autocannon and four tons of ammunition.
Configuration B has been fitted with an Ultra AC-20 autocannon (five tons of ammo) and two Streak sRM-6 launchers (sharing a single ton of ammunition).
Configuration C has two Ultra AC-10 autocannons and four tons of ammunition.
Configuration D features three LRM-20 launchers with Artemis IV FCS sharing a total of six tons of ammunition.
Configuration E has seven Streak SRM-6 launchers with three tons of ammunition.
Configuration F has an Arrow IV launcher and seven tons of ammunition, plus two Streak SRM-4 launchers with a shared ton of ammunition.
And finally, Configuration G has a Sniper Artillery piece with four tons of ammunition.
Crom
Mass: 65 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Motive Type: Tracked OmniVehicle
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E
Production Year: 3052
Cost: 3,175,031 C-Bills
Battle Value: 709
Power Plant: Fusion 260 Standard 260 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 43.2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64.8 km/h
Armor: Forging FF722 with CASE Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
2 ER Medium Lasers
2 Machine Guns
24.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Roche QuadPlex Alpha
Primary Factory: Roche
Communications System: JNE Integrated
Targeting and Tracking System: TRTTS Mark II
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 35 points 6.50
Engine: Fusion Engine 260 20.50
Cruise MP: 4
Flank MP: 6
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Control Equipment: 3.50
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 134 7.00
Armor
Factor
Front 60
Left/Right 20/20
Turret 20
Rear 14
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 7
4 2 2 0 0 3 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE
================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime Cost: 5,148,156
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,609
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauss Rifle FR 1 1 12.00
LRM-20 FR 6 1 5.00
Artemis IV FCS FR - 0 1.00
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
ECM Suite BD 0 1 1.00
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
@Gauss Rifle (16) BD - 0 2.00
@LRM-20 (Artemis) (18) BD - 0 3.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 16
4 4 4 3 0 3 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, CASE, IF 1
================================================================================
Loadout Name: A Cost: 4,889,031
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,125
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 LB 10-X ACs FR 4 2 20.00
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (20) BD - 0 2.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (20) BD - 0 2.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 11
4 3 3 2 0 3 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, FLK 1/1/1
================================================================================
Loadout Name: B Cost: 4,814,031
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,600
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ultra AC/20 FR 7 1 12.00
2 Streak SRM-6s FR 8 2 6.00
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
@Ultra AC/20 (25) BD - 0 5.00
@Streak SRM-6 (15) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 16
4 3 3 0 0 3 4 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE
================================================================================
Loadout Name: C Cost: 4,543,031
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,295
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Ultra AC/10s FR 6 2 20.00
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
@Ultra AC/10 (40) BD - 0 4.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 13
4 3 3 2 0 3 2 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE
================================================================================
Loadout Name: D Cost: 5,700,656
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,777
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 LRM-20s FR 18 3 15.00
Artemis IV FCS FR - 0 3.00
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
@LRM-20 (Artemis) (36) BD - 0 6.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 18
4 3 3 2 0 3 4 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, IF 2
================================================================================
Loadout Name: E Cost: 5,069,531
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,684
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Streak SRM-6s FR 28 7 21.00
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
@Streak SRM-6 (45) BD - 0 3.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 17
4 3 3 0 0 3 4 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE
================================================================================
Loadout Name: F Cost: 4,603,406
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 1,401
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrow IV Missile FR 10 1 12.00
2 Streak SRM-4s FR 6 2 4.00
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
@Arrow IV (Cluster) (5) BD - 0 1.00
@Arrow IV (FASCAM) (5) BD - 0 1.00
@Arrow IV (Homing) (5) BD - 0 1.00
@Arrow IV (Illumination) (5) BD - 0 1.00
@Arrow IV (Non-Home) (10) BD - 0 2.00
@Arrow IV (Smoke) (5) BD - 0 1.00
@Streak SRM-4 (25) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 14
4 3 2 0 0 3 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ARTAC, CASE
================================================================================
Loadout Name: G Cost: 3,826,781
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 853
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sniper FR 10 1 20.00
2 ER Medium Lasers T 10 2 2.00
2 Machine Guns T 0 2 0.50
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
@Sniper (Cluster) (10) BD - 0 1.00
@Sniper (Cprhead) (10) BD - 0 1.00
@Sniper (Flechette) (10) BD - 0 1.00
@Sniper (10) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 4 Points: 9
4 3 1 0 0 3 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ARTS, CASEClan ReactionUlric Kerensky frowned as he approached the Clan Wolf Command Center on Tamar. The guards posted the doors were . . .
nervous and kept looking over their shoulder at the closed doors. Doors through which the manacial laughter of Khan Natasha Kerensky emerged.
Seeing the ilKhan, they snapped to attention and opened the doors . . . and the ilKhan stode inside. To see Natasha laughing as she watched an ancient and ragged film projection and its primeval combat with swords and axes.
"Natas- . . .," he began, but the Black Widow shushed him.
"This is the best part," she said as she patted the seat next to her. Ulric sat and he turned his attention to the screen where a Valkyrie in shining silver armor suddenly appeared, distracting the obvious villan as the hero cut him down.
"Do you want to live forever?" the woman said, and then she vanished.
"Natasha," Ulric growled. "You've made your point . . .
Crom isn't a real-life god of war and the Scorpions are trolling the rest of the Clans."
"Well," a third voice spoke up and Ulric glared at Phelan Ward as he finished chewing a piece of popcorn. "Strictly speaking none of the ancient Gods and Goddesses are real. And this Crom fellow certainly seems like a diety that the Clans would like!"
Ulric counted to ten and then shook his head. "That isn't the point! And you just
had to show him this film,
quiaff, Natasha?"
"Damn straight, Ulric.
You were not locked up in a DropShip with Cranston Snord and other crazy Scorpions for
eighteen months
en route to the Inner Sphere. I've seen this movie at least two hundred times . . . although it has been
decades since I sat through it."
"Pretty good, in a mind-numbing, turn-your-brain-off, oiled pecs sort of way," added Phelan.
Natasha sighed. "Yeah. He's got real good pecs, Phelan. And biceps and thighs and . . .,"
"When the other Clans find out . . .," Ulric began, but Natasha laughed again.
"Who is going to tell them? The Scorpions? I doubt it," Natasha snapped. "Us? Why would we? If the Jade Idiots and Smoked Jack-offs can't bother to look up Crom for themselves, then why would we tell them?" She sighed and sat up, brushing butter and kernels from her uniform. "I say we let it happen and watch. Bound to be fun one way or the other, Ulric."
"You
always say that . . . when you are not wanting to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!" Ulric barked.
And now Phelan sat up. "You've
SEEN this?"
"I am a Wolf, Phelan. Damn right I have seen this," Ulric paused and he shook his head. "Fine.
Fine. Let the Scorpions have their joke. But there will be
hell to pay if certain Crusaders find out."
"All part of the fun, ilKhan, Sir," answered Natasha. "Now shut up and pass the popcorn. I love the ending."
Author
Topic: Quicksilver Program No 33: Universal Weapons Carrier (Read 11387 times)