starcolonelkatrinamoon

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

Hey. Wait. Why are we catching flak here? We have been nothing but restrained during this engagement.

FrankenMechs.

Xerxes hates them.

You are blitzking right I do. *grumbles in MechTech* - Xerxes

Personally I find them interesting in their eccentricity and variety.

"Eccentricity"... That is certainly one of the words you could use. - Xerxes

You don't seem to mind These Boots. That thing is half Marauder, one quarter Timber Wolf, and one quarter Orion, after all.

Aff, but that is because I was able to ensure it had few issues. - Xerxes

So you do not mind FrankenMechs when you are the one making them or maintaining them?

Aff. Call it perfectionism. If I am responsible for it, I will make sure the damn thing works. Most techs that make FrankenMechs do not bother. - Xerxes

Most who make FrankenMechs are desperate.

Skill issue. - Xerxes

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

Violet Cheetah V

Overview

The Violet Cheetah is not a new 'Mech. Instead, it is a conversion kit of the Iron Cheetah. Much of the armor geometry is redesigned and the weapon distribution is shifted.

Capabilities

The Violet Cheetah is primarily a generalist 'Mech designed for operation in command units. The ER PPC of this 'mech allows it to reach out and punch holes in armor while the ER medium lasers provide it some brawling ability. An LB 10-X autocannon rounds out the offensive completement. Providing utility to the Violet Cheetah is a quadruple threat of a C3i computer, a targeting computer, an Angel ECM system, and finally a Bloodhound Active Probe. These systems, when crosslinked to other 'Mechs in a unit, permit it to sniff out the enemy and enable pack hunter tactics. A laser AMS on the left arm finalizes the defensive armament. Included in the conversion pack is a full set of jumpjets allowing for 90 meters of movement.

Deployment

The Violet Cheetah is only known to operate with the Jaguar's Shadow independent drop cluster, who originated the design, though other elements of Clan Smoke Jaguar, most prominently Khan Prohaska Moon, have expressed interest in the design.

History

Produced as a refit kit for the Iron Cheetah OmniMech in 3153 during Operation TOUCHDOWN, the Violet Cheetah was designed and named by Star Colonel Katrina in honor of her lover and abtakha Violet Marigold, who was killed in the initial combat drop onto Helios.

Variants

There are two known variants of the Violet Cheetah conversion kit. The V type mounts an Angel ECM and a Bloodhound Active Probe. The M type exchanges the Angel and Bloodhound for the Clan equivalents of standard Active Probe and ECM systems, while using the saved weight and space to increase the amount of ammunition for the LB 10-X.

Notable MechWarriors

Star Colonel Katrina Moon: the product of an experimental Clan Smoke Jaguar sibko that attempted to replicate the results of the Totem Warrior project, Katrina was present for the Battle of Huntress in 3060 as a young sibcadet. Evacuated from the planet and joining the nascent Fidelis, Katrina would go on to participate in numerous secret raids on enemies of the Republic of the Sphere as part of their campaign of false flag operations. By 3153, as part of the recently reconstituted Clan Smoke Jaguar, and after winning the presdigious Moon Bloodname, Katrina would be tapped to lead a Fidelis-inpsired independent drop cluster, the Jaguar's Shadows. It was with this unit that she deployed to Helios as part of Operation TOUCHDOWN.

(Full TRO under cut; 'Mech originally designed by @starcolonelkatrinamoon / @buttsandboltguns ; art by @theurbanmechcomesforthee )

Mass: 100 tons

Chassis: DSAM Endo 4

Power Plant: 400 Model SF-3 XL

Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph

Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph

Jump Jets: Standard

Jump Capacity: 90 meters

Armor: Composite A-4 Ferro-Fibrous

Armament:

39.5 tons of pod space

Manufacturer: Manufacturing Plant SFF

Primary Factory: Itabaiana

Communication System: TJ6 Bell Integrated Communication System

Targeting & Tracking System: Series III OPT

Introduction Year: 3153

Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-X

Cost: 41,824,167 C-bills

Type: Violet Cheetah

Technology Base: Mixed (Standard)

Tonnage: 100

Battle Value: 3,278

Equipment Mass

Internal Structure Endo Steel 5

Engine 400 XL 26.5

Walking MP: 4

Running MP: 6

Jumping MP: 3

Double Heat Sink 16 [32] 6

Gyro 4

Cockpit 3

Armor Factor (Ferro) 307 16 Internal Armor Structure Value Head 3 9 Center Torso 31 48 Center Torso (rear) 14 R/L Torso 21 32 R/L Torso (rear) 10 R/L Arm 17 34 R/L Leg 21 42

Weight and Space Allocation

Location Fixed Space Remaining

Head None 1

Center Torso Endo Steel 1

Right Torso Endo Steel 7

2 XL Engine

2 Ferro-Fibrous

Left Torso Endo Steel 6

2 XL Engine

3 Ferro-Fibrous

Right Arm 2 Ferro-Fibrous 8

Left Arm None 10

Right Leg 2 Endo Steel 0

Left Leg 2 Endo Steel 0

Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm

Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm

Weapons

and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage

Jump Jet CT 1 - 2.0

Targeting Computer RT 4 - 4.0

Improved C3 Computer RT 2 - 2.5

Jump Jet RT 1 - 2.0

LB 10-X AC LA 5 2 10.0

Laser AMS LA 1 5 1.0

LB 10-X Cluster Ammo (10) LA 1 - 1.0

LB 10-X AC Ammo (10) LA 1 - 1.0

Jump Jet LT 1 - 2.0

Angel ECM Suite LT 2 - 2.0

Bloodhound Active Probe LT 3 - 2.0

4 ER Medium Laser RA 4 5 4.0

ER PPC RA 2 15 6.0

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

Please, call it the correct name.

It is Death and Glory. It is the Suicide Toboggan. There is no graceful slide into death here, it is simply one careening into their end at maximum velocity.

Just how we like it.

Hunchback vs Hunchback IIC

Lore for the 'Mechs can be found here:

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

Hunchback IIC

The Hunchback IIC is a Clan-tech refit of the venerable Hunchback. Its meager six tons of armor, coupled with paltry ammunition and lack of long-range weapons, led Inner Sphere observers to conclude that this 'Mech was a last-ditch effort for failed warriors to die with glory. In truth, the assignment of a Hunchback IIC was essentially a death sentence, as warriors given this machine were not expected to survive their next battle. However, despite the attrition rates expected for pilots of this BattleMech, the number of Hunchback IICs within all Clans has remained more or less constant, a surprisingly high 3% of the entire touman of each Clan.

The Hunchback IIC is armed with a pair of Devastator UAC/20s, one of the most powerful weapons in the Clan arsenal, backed up by a mere pair of Series 7J ER medium lasers. Completely eschewing long-range weapons and armor, the Hunchback IIC can scarcely expect to stand up in a pitched battle. Instead, it is designed for the one-on-one dueling that is so popular within the Clans.

After the actions of a Star of Clan Smoke Jaguar Warden MechWarriors, however, this 'Mech has become popular with Clan Jade Falcon sibbies during their first Trial of Position, as it often allows them one quick kill, though the practice is often derided by older Clanners. Perhaps the only bright spot in this design is the inclusion of jump jets that allow it to more easily traverse difficult terrain so that it can bring its mammoth guns into play.

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

Katrina Moon Codex Entry

NAME: Katrina BLOODNAME: Moon DECANTED: JUL-05-3052 PRIMARY GENETIC CONTRIBUTIONS: Moon, Paul; [REDACTED] LISTED TRAINING [SOURCE] - MechTech Certs [FIDELIS] - Equipment Technician Certs [FIDELIS] - Gunsmith Certs [FIDELIS] - Field Cook Certs [FIDELIS] - Infantry Basic (Unarmored) [FIDELIS] - Infantry Basic (Armored) [FIDELIS] - Commando Operations [FIDELIS] - SERE [FIDELIS] - Boarding Operations [FIDELIS] - Infantry 0G Operations [FIDELIS] - Battle Armor [FIDELIS] - Light Armored Vehicles [FIDELIS] - Main Battle Vehicles [FIDELIS] - Transport Vehicles [FIDELIS] - BattleMech Operation [FIDELIS] - Orbital Drop Insertion [FIDELIS] KNOWN PARTICIPATED OPERATIONS [ERROR, FILE PURGED] CONFIRMED OPERATIONAL STATS [Recording Begun mid 3130s] MECH KILLS - 197 (+158 shared, +85 probable) CV KILLS - 231 (+178 shared, +34 probable) BATTLE ARMOR KILLS - 79 (+37 probable) KNOWN INJURIES - Gunshot wound(s), various calibers (total est. 34). Treated. - Stab wound(s), various weapons (total est. 8). Treated. - Concussion(s), various sources (total est. 28). Treated. - Animal bite(s), serious, venomous (total est. 4). Treated with antivenin. - Animal bites, serious, non-venomous (total est. 11). Treated. - Damaged lower spinal column. Replaced with prosthetic. - Damaged left and right knees. Replaced with prosthetic. - Left arm removed in combat. Replaced with myomer bionic. - Right jaguar ear burnt away. Replaced with synthetic replica. - Right eye blinded by plasma pulse. Replaced with prosthetic. - Right index finger and thumb removed. Replaced with myomer bionic. CURRENT OPERATIONAL STATUS [Operational]

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

I can confirm. My warriors often will wear their piloting suits as casual wear, but many of them will include light tactical gear, even in safe environments.

After their initial...

...brush with extinction, it became unspoken tradition among the remnants of Clan Smoke Jaguar to go prepared, at all times, to make either a final stand or a fighting retreat. Compact survival kits, wilderness gear and multitools became standard wear; sidearms and holdout weapons were also more frequent than they would be among the personnel of other Clans. Over time, this concept saturated their cultural conscience, so to speak, such that a Jaguar would feel under-dressed without a healthy helping of assorted tactical gear. Even their Scientist Caste proved vulnerable to this particular mania.

Today, among the Clans, you may see the traditionalists of the Jade Falcons in uniforms that barely stray a stitch from the original SLDF; many of the rest in the slight variations that suited their ways of life, like the sleek, universal, if spartan cut of the Hell's Horses or the cloaks and trophies of the Ghost Bears; and then, the reborn Smoke Jaguars, who will unabashedly sport the most tacticool atrocities of style that have ever been worn off an airsoft range, from chemlight holders to sniper veils. There are on occasion more respirators in a room of Jaguars than there are faces. Do you know how difficult it is to take somebody, even- or perhaps especially -an accomplished MechWarrior seriously when they have not one, but two tactical axes strapped to their (unnecessary) plate carrier like a brace of pistols on an ancient Terran pirate?

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

A small pause came to Katrina. Her expression became pensive as she examined Em's stillness, then Kim's face and body language. Then her expression drops to neutral, her eyes scrunching slightly and her eyes dilating, as if the room was too bright for her.

"Apologies. You are correct. COMGEN Hazen, please brief me on their background. It may serve useful for tactical consideration."

The STCOL turned towards Melissa, her eyes sharply snapping to the woman like a big cat stalking prey through the underbrush. She began to stalk back around the holotable, slipping up alongside Alariel and bumping her gently with an elbow.

@jaded-falcon

The light of Helios' distant star filters weakly through to the command center as two figures approach amidst a mid-afternoon flurry. One leads, clad in a weathered greatcoat the color of slate and bundled up beneath a dark green scarf. The other figure wears a strange contraption, almost similar to a military hardsuit apart from the wheezing noises emitting from vents in its neck. The first figure holds open the door for the second, ushering them into the bustling headquarters building. The pair makes their way to the large holotank in the center of the building, which serves as a table for briefings.

"Kim Ash and Em Blackwell reporting, General Hazen."

@is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not @starcolonelkatrinamoon

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

A wheezing, whistling sound of vague amusement escaped Katrina as she clasped her hands behind her back and started to practically stalk around the holotable towards Em and Kim. Her posture deteriorated to a mild slouch as she came around the table, each step THUNKing heavily on the floor. The immense woman brought herself close enough to the pair for the quiet humming from her power armor to be heard.

"You will be with my Command star, Alariel-" Katrina started, before she continued to speak towards Em.

"Yes, Em. You are correct. It was my clan that committed the atrocity of Turtle Bay. And for it we were used as an example." The woman stated, her tone remaining surprisingly passive. She drew her lips back in a bitter, hollow grin. Her fangs glinted in the light as a rattling rasp of a laugh started to pull its way from her. "We were... defeated. Beaten and pushed back to our homeworld. Huntress. And... then the 2nd SLDF put our planet to Annihilation."

Her grin receded and her expression grew taught. In the light, her eyes practically glowed, lit by a fire only held in a memory. Her memory of the last days of her homeworld.

"Warriors, slain to the last. Cities razed. The forests burned. A whole sibko of kits, struck down with an orbital bombardment. My own siblings torn away from me by inner sphere commandos. I was... lucky. I was part of the Fidelis, after that. Catalina, Kincaid... they and the rest of my sibko were not so lucky."

A soft sigh escaped Katrina as she let her eyes drift shut. Her face turned up towards the ceiling of the tent as she collected herself. After a moment she returned towards watching Kim and Em, a sad smile having taken its place upon her visage.

"I was eight, when I became one of the forever faithful. And... I will never allow such an atrocity to come to pass, ever again. There will be no more Turtle Bays. No more Huntresses. My hope-" She intentionally looked towards Kim's face, her gaze sharpening like a knife. "-is that I may be permitted to teach such a philosophy to the new generations. And that is why I wish to bring the two of you alongside my own operations. Miss Ash, you understand the gravity of what it is that I speak. And one day, Em may learn through instruction and teaching. Not as I have learned. Never again."

@jaded-falcon

The light of Helios' distant star filters weakly through to the command center as two figures approach amidst a mid-afternoon flurry. One leads, clad in a weathered greatcoat the color of slate and bundled up beneath a dark green scarf. The other figure wears a strange contraption, almost similar to a military hardsuit apart from the wheezing noises emitting from vents in its neck. The first figure holds open the door for the second, ushering them into the bustling headquarters building. The pair makes their way to the large holotank in the center of the building, which serves as a table for briefings.

"Kim Ash and Em Blackwell reporting, General Hazen."

@is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not @starcolonelkatrinamoon

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

"Spirit," Katrina grated out in bemusement once Melissa had finished, a section of skin around one eye crinkling to partially reflect the emotion. She turned her gaze towards Kim and Em. Taking in the appearance of the two a little more, she drew herself up.

"I am Star Colonel Katrina Moon, of Clan Smoke Jaguar. Independent drop cluster "Jaguar's Shadow", assigned local to the Helios assault. It is good to put faces to two names I have been keeping tabs on up to this point. You two will be assigned to my forces for the time being-"

She shot a pointed look towards Melissa, seemingly challenging her to say something to disagree with the statement. It wasn't particularly sharp.

"-with Em assigned to Beta star of Gamma Binary, under Star Commander Derrik Ott. I will vouch for his expertise, if necessary."

@jaded-falcon

The light of Helios' distant star filters weakly through to the command center as two figures approach amidst a mid-afternoon flurry. One leads, clad in a weathered greatcoat the color of slate and bundled up beneath a dark green scarf. The other figure wears a strange contraption, almost similar to a military hardsuit apart from the wheezing noises emitting from vents in its neck. The first figure holds open the door for the second, ushering them into the bustling headquarters building. The pair makes their way to the large holotank in the center of the building, which serves as a table for briefings.

"Kim Ash and Em Blackwell reporting, General Hazen."

@is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not @starcolonelkatrinamoon

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

As the two entered, an immense woman in heavily modified Nighthawk XXII powered armor turned to look towards them. Her expression was exhausted, as if she had gone several days on little to no sleep and was surviving purely on caffeine and spite. One of her jaguar ears - mildly translucent to the lights above and behind, indicating some level of synthskin - flicked while she regarded the newcomers.

Her armor was maintained, but poorly cleaned. Several of the contoured armor plates had recently been replaced with fresh ones, with no time taken to paint them to the scraped and grime covered Smoke Jaguar Alpha camouflage that the other panels were painted in. The forearms of the armor were stained a dark, flaking brown that was hard to tell if it was mud or blood - or both.

Around the woman were several members of her entourage. Another giant in a beige oilskin duster and dress shirt lurked by her side, jotting notes down on a small pad of paper. He was intently watching the sparse data already displayed in the holotank, seeking to elucidate some mysterious truth from it. To her other side was a lithe woman with long blonde hair and a passive expression on her face, poking at a dataslate. Off to the side, near one of the walls, were three other individuals - a giant woman, a Painfully Average Man, and a bottle blonde who was talking the Painfully Average Man's ear off.

"It appears more of the party have arrived." The woman in the power armor rasped, not even offering a smile.

@jaded-falcon

The light of Helios' distant star filters weakly through to the command center as two figures approach amidst a mid-afternoon flurry. One leads, clad in a weathered greatcoat the color of slate and bundled up beneath a dark green scarf. The other figure wears a strange contraption, almost similar to a military hardsuit apart from the wheezing noises emitting from vents in its neck. The first figure holds open the door for the second, ushering them into the bustling headquarters building. The pair makes their way to the large holotank in the center of the building, which serves as a table for briefings.

"Kim Ash and Em Blackwell reporting, General Hazen."

@is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not @starcolonelkatrinamoon

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

"Known forces?" Inquired the commando. She checked the magazine on the David light gauss as she maintained stride, satisfied with the remaining ammunition in the drum. Her other hand drifted to her tacbelt, removing a grenade from a pouch and preparing it.

As the two of them approached the security station, she hefted the David into a low ready.

"On your mark. Ready for breach."

RISING PULSE | FIRST LOOK

3130, January 3rd La Grave Clan Wolf Supply Outpost

The silence of the night was broken. The stuttering buzz of pulse lasers washed over the compound, right before the main gate exploded inwards. A wave of five Revenant drones burst through the opening, skittering and stumbling through the compound as they proceeded to wreak havoc upon the support vehicles parked about. The flames colored their white armor with a harsh orange glow, illuminating the sword painted on their center torso. Through the smoldering ruins of the gate slipped six individuals in power armor, immediately spreading out to head towards the corners of the outpost.

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

It would swiftly hit her like a freight train, allowing her to move off to the snoozefest of lala land.

When Amber woke up, her body would feel heavy and sluggish. She would be in a different section of the medical region, with strongly dimmed lights. A few MedTechs would be about, checking on individuals in various states of wakefulness from surgical anesthesia.

Amber excitedly bounced in her medbed, as she waited for the medtechs. She had been slowly losing her mind trapped in the bed, yeah she had visitors to keep her company, but she meeded to move. Stillness means death, even out of her mech, this thought stewed in the back of her head the entire time she had been trapped, giving her endless anxiety.

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

Ignoring the statement, the commando instead decided to start marching off down the hallway. She brought the David up to bear and activated the Tornado's stealth systems, beginning to meld with the surroundings poorly as she went on the move.

"We head for the reactor. Keep up."

Less a command and more a general statement, as if the commando really didn't care either way. As she continued down the hall, a Clan Wolf soldier jumped out and she squeezed the trigger of the David, blowing a hole through the warrior with little fanfare.

RISING PULSE | FIRST LOOK

3130, January 3rd La Grave Clan Wolf Supply Outpost

The silence of the night was broken. The stuttering buzz of pulse lasers washed over the compound, right before the main gate exploded inwards. A wave of five Revenant drones burst through the opening, skittering and stumbling through the compound as they proceeded to wreak havoc upon the support vehicles parked about. The flames colored their white armor with a harsh orange glow, illuminating the sword painted on their center torso. Through the smoldering ruins of the gate slipped six individuals in power armor, immediately spreading out to head towards the corners of the outpost.

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

"I see."

Finishing pushing the anesthetic, Bob handed the syringe back off.

"Your recovery will be difficult, SaKhan. It would be most efficient for you to ask for help. Though the SLDF will have experts in recovery, after you are discharged to their care, you may ask for our assistance if you desire it. We have plenty of experience with myomer bionic recovery."

Amber excitedly bounced in her medbed, as she waited for the medtechs. She had been slowly losing her mind trapped in the bed, yeah she had visitors to keep her company, but she meeded to move. Stillness means death, even out of her mech, this thought stewed in the back of her head the entire time she had been trapped, giving her endless anxiety.

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

"You tried to escape when drugged up with painkillers. We are not having this argument."

Taking a syringe from a tray that was presented by one of the medtechs, Bob uncapped it and started to slowly push the anesthetic to the main IV line.

"Once this is in the line, you can expect to be out within about five minutes."

Amber excitedly bounced in her medbed, as she waited for the medtechs. She had been slowly losing her mind trapped in the bed, yeah she had visitors to keep her company, but she meeded to move. Stillness means death, even out of her mech, this thought stewed in the back of her head the entire time she had been trapped, giving her endless anxiety.

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

Bob swiped his hand across the tablet, opening up the control and selection menu for the myomer Black Box system. He began to check options, visually sizing up Amber for a moment before gesturing one of the other MedTechs over and handing them the tablet. Finally, the blocky man grasped the side rails of the hospital bed and leaned on them. They groaned softly, but held. "First, we will put you under. That will prevent most of the potential complications. When you wake up, we will have injected a temporary nerve block so that your body has time to adjust to the new signals from the bionic. It will take several hours to wear off. Then, from there we will be discharging you to the SLDF medical teams. They will handle your rehab. And I will get some sleep."

Amber excitedly bounced in her medbed, as she waited for the medtechs. She had been slowly losing her mind trapped in the bed, yeah she had visitors to keep her company, but she meeded to move. Stillness means death, even out of her mech, this thought stewed in the back of her head the entire time she had been trapped, giving her endless anxiety.

[starcolonelkatrinamoon]

The stoic medtech who had originally saved Amber from the fields of battle stepped into the tent, carrying a tablet. He was followed by several other medtechs, each outfitted in combat paramedic's gear. Then, he stopped next to her bed.

"SaKhan Amber Ryder. I did not introduce myself previous. I am Senior MedTech Bob. You have been prepped the best you can be for best chances. Are you prepared to receive your myomer bionic?"

Amber excitedly bounced in her medbed, as she waited for the medtechs. She had been slowly losing her mind trapped in the bed, yeah she had visitors to keep her company, but she meeded to move. Stillness means death, even out of her mech, this thought stewed in the back of her head the entire time she had been trapped, giving her endless anxiety.