21/12/3049. Day 28, 23:35 (Ares Time))

A distress call was received by the Strata military on Daedalus continent, sent by an Eisen Mining expedition north of Argyre in the lowlands. The information was relayed to Strata Military Command on Ares continent. The distress call seemed to indicate an attack, but was cut-off. The automatic distress beacon of the vehicle remained active.

Hpt. General Lucius Morgan and Lt. General Elisa Hayes had been waiting just such an opportunity to justify deploying military personnel into Eisen Mining territory. To gain information on events in Eisen Mining territory, and in particular the events behind the distres call, they cited their military authority to deploy investigators.

22/12/3049. Day 29, 00:30 (Ares Time))

Hellstrom’s Hellions were hastily deployed, without their battlemechs, to Waystation 86 which was the closest outpost to the distress call and maintained a helipad. The flight left at 00:30 and was 11 hour flight by Ferret VTOL.

The Hellion’s battlemechs, and Lt. Sarah Richter’s lance, were to be deployed to Argyre to collect the Hellion’s support personnel still stationed there and then to rendezvous at Waystation 86. The total time to deployment was estimated at 120 hours, 5 full days.

22/12/3049. Day 29, 11:30 (Ares Time)), 05:30 (Daedalus Time))

Hellstrom’s Hellions flight landed at Eisen Mining Waystation 86 in the lowlands. They received a gruff welcome by Dr Gregory Thompson, second in command of the outpost and head of the medical staff. Waystation 86 was used to service and repair landtrains and other convoys to and from Argyre, and contained a medical facility used to treat any injuries from nearby mining camps.

Lt. Samara Hellstrom and Ruin Dmitar then met with the outpost chief, Madyson Cartwright, and her communications officer Imogen Swan. They reluctantly acknowledged military juristiction, and established some secure frequencies for Layne-Lars Kinnesson to contact Waystation 86 on.

They gained some information about the survey mission that had come to distress. It had been composed of Five Iveco Burro II trucks (three standard, two modified with two foot infantry bays each) and one smaller Iveco Burro I truck.

While in the control tower Lt. Samara Hellstrom also discovered a second convoy of Eisen Mining vehicles and personnel was en route, to investigate, and were due at Waystation 86 in approximately 10 hours.

22/12/3049. Day 29, 06:15

Lt. Samara Hellstrom requisitioned an Iveco Burro I truck (a small four person truck) and Hellstrom’s Hellions set out to find the distress beacon and aid any survivors, and investigate what happened.

At this time only Ruin Dmitar was well rested. The other three slept during the trip while he drove.

22/12/3049. Day 29, 08:00

The expedition reached the Iveco Burro II truck sending the distress beacon. Communications officer Quin Tyler was found dead at the door to the truck, which had been left open. Quin Tyler had had his throat slit, but the attacker had not cancelled the distress beacon. At this time it had been 14.5 hours since the distress call was initiated.

The group continued to investigate and found the first Burro II had been used as a communications relay on the higher ground, the other four had proceeded down approximately two kilometres. There the mechwarriors discovered four more slain vehicle crew, one had been strangled, one bludgeoned with a wrench, the other two killed with vibrodaggers.

Tracks led forward, foot traffic as well as two smaller wheeled vehicles. One matched the expected Burro I truck, the other was a different model of small wheeled vehicle and had not been in the provided information.

Following the trail the mechwarriors encountered a crazed individual with a vibrodagger who appeared to be terrified of something up ahead. Jacques Dubois subdued the man, who was a technician from the expedition. He did not appear to be the one who had killed the five victims found thus far.

Looking ahead using the scope on his rifle Ruin Dmitar made out a crashed ship ahead. The ship was much larger than a dropship, so it had to be some type of jumpship. He made out two docking collars for dropships, and the solar collection sail of the ship appeared to have been destroyed during reentry. The ship was the DCS HI NO KAZE (Fire Wind), a Draconis Combine ship. Due to the conditions in the lowlands, vision enhancement gear was required to make out the vessel which was less than 1km away.

22/12/3049. Day 29, 09:00

Lt. Samara Hellstrom and Layne-Lars Kinnesson returned to the Burro II convoy to use the communications gear. This was several kilometres, through the harsh conditions of the lowlands. They informed their relief team from Argyre to rendezvous at the distress beacon not at Waystation 86. During this communication, Layne-Lars Kinnesson detected and foiled attempts to intercept and decrypt the transmission. Following this they drove the truck to rendezvous with the others at the ship.

While the others went back to make contact, Ruin Dmitar led Jacques Dubois forward to the ship. They approached a crack in the hull of the ship, rent open in the crash, where they saw another survivor of the expedition cutting his own eyes out with a vibroblade. They snuck up quietly and knocked him unconscious before entering the vessel.

Inside the ship was without power, but the investigators had rigged up portable lights. Sounds of crazed people could be heard echoing through the ship. Ruin Dmitar headed towards the bridge, where they discovered the ship’s captain had activated a ‘final countermeasure’. They hurried back to the entrance but by this time Ruin Dmitar was beginning to hallucinate, and realised he was under the influence of the same chemical that had affected the expedition.

Ruin Dmitar told Jacques Dubois, and as his condition worsened Jacques was forced to knock Ruin out. He carried Ruin back to the entrance.

22/12/3049. Day 29, 10:15

The group reunited. Rather than break the enviroseal of the truck Jacques Dubois held on while carrying Ruin Dmitar until they had reached a safe distance.

Fearing that the interference Layne-Lars Kinnesson had detected was a enemy battlemech in the area, Lt. Samara Hellstrom chose to take the Burro II near the engineering section of the ship for the cover it might provide.

While Layne-Lars Kinnesson and Jacques Dubois tried to treat Ruin Dmitar, Lt. Samara Hellstrom kept watch. As she did, she made out a small vehicle moving in the fog. She fixed the Burro II’s light on it, and in response it charged. Lt. Samara Hellstrom fired on it with her laser rifle but didn’t stop the driver. When he got out of the car he did so brazenly in ballistic plate armour and readied a vibrosword. But Lt. Samara Hellstrom was faster, and sliced through his sword-arm. This incapacitated the man, who was captured and restrained. Layne-Lars Kinnesson treated his wounds as best she could.

The vehicle was a Swift Wind Scout Cat, equipped with powerful communications gear and with sensor equipment equal to a battlemech. The scout car still bore Draconis Combine markings dating back to the Invasion of Strata and it had recordings of the crash landing of the DCS HI NO KAZE.

Commandeering this unit allowed the option of communicating securely further afield. Since a jumpship was of incalculable value, Lt. Samara Hellstrom decided to risk the communication being intercepted to report it to headquarters. Layne-Lars Kinnesson established secure communications and once the situation was reported, this allowed Hpt. General Lucius Morgan and Lt. General Elisa Hayes to act unilaterally.

Three platoons of infantry were dispatched to the Hellstrom’s Hellions location immediately by Karnov UR Transport VTOL, along with requested medical gear and hazmat equipment.

22/12/3049. Day 29, 11:00

Lt. Samara Hellstrom and Jacques Dubois began collecting the other Burro II trucks and their original Burro I and bringing them to the base camp set up near the engineering section of the DCS HI NO KAZE. The Burro I assigned to the expedition was not be located.

Other chemical effected survivors of the Eisen Mining expedition haunted the salvage trips and base camp. A security officer had to be subdued also, and another person leapt to their death from the top of the ship. Others were wandering the fog, trapped in their hallucinations.

During this time, the chemical affected man who had cut out his eyes made his way to the camp by feeling his way along the hull. He seemed unaffected now, despite still containing the compound in his system. He couldn’t clearly describe the time he was under the influence of the drug, but identified himself as Technician David Curran, confirmed the composition of the expedition, and that they had opened the doors fore and aft in the ship, which had released the hallucinogen. By the time the expedition realised something was wrong, they had all been affected. One side-effect was that affected persons would resort to more instinctive methods of defence, which is why unarmed attacks, blades and clubs were used not firearms.

22/12/3049. Day 29, 14:30

The relief forces arrived. The VTOLs could not land but the troops were able to rappel down and to secure the cargo. The circle of armoured trucks was to be used as a base camp.

Ruin Dmitar and Technician David Curran were treated for their exposure, though the technician would need a proper medical facility to fit cybernetic eyes.

This is a preliminary document, as the process of optimisation continues.

1. Design Philosophy

I direct your attention to Lt. Hellstrom’s Battlemech Dissertation. Lt Hellstrom’s dissertation deals primarily with light battlemechs, but is an excellent starting point for medium mech design optimisation.

Unlike a light battlemech, it is more difficult to give high manoeuvrability to a medium mech. This in turn makes it more difficult for a medium mech to dictate the combat range. This necessitates planning for contingencies where a light mech could apply more speed as a solution. In practice this points towards the need for a primary and secondary weapon set, which may or may not enjoy compatible ranges. Contrary to the axiom “A weapon that is not fired is a weapon wasted”, lacking the appropriate weapon and firing an inappropriately ranged weapon instead is the waste for a medium or heavier battlemech.

Furthermore medium mechs form the rank and file of many armed forces, being heavy enough to get the job done but fast enough to get to the right place at the right time. Neither scoutmechs not heavier battlemechs have the balance required to be the backbone of a modern military force, though each have their own roles.

Conversely, these factors indicate medium mechs should be used as a lance using coordination, setting up converging fields of firing, and covering one another to compensate for the limited manoeuvrability of the individual medium battlemechs. Battlemech design, and battlemech selection, must also take into account the composition of the entire lance.

2. Weapon Prioritisation

A weapon that is not fired is a weapon wasted. A weapon lacked is an opportunity wasted.

A tactical medium battlemech must be capable of handling varied combat situations. Specialist medium battlemechs, such as the hunchback, must remain focused upon their individual niche and are an exception.

Thus far, a battery of medium lasers has proven effective and efficient as a secondary weapon set, also possibly considered a backup weapon set. For primary weapons, the Dervish uses LRM racks, the Hunchback uses a heavy autocannon, the Hatchetman uses a hatchet, and the Centurion uses a long range autocannon and LRM rack.

2.a) Determine engagement ranges, and responses.

A medium battlemech must be proactive or reactive depending upon its payload and intended role. If properly prepared, and properly positioned, the medium battlemech should engage as intended. If improperly equipped, or out-positioned, the medium battlemech should attempt to evade enemy fire while repositioning.

The Hunchback and Dervish are classic examples. The Hunchback should manoeuvre for close range engagement and evade long range fire. The Dervish should employ its missiles at long range, and use is short range weaponry do deter any opponent who approaches inside the minimum accurate range of the LRM racks.

2.b) Balance heat generation and logistics.

Energy weapons, with enough heat sinks to manage the heat generation, are ideal. Accepting a two weapon set approach, this leads to the possibility of long range energy weapons such as the PPC supported by short range weapons such as the medium laser, with the intention to switch depending upon engagement range.

Ballistic and missile weapons require ammunition which necessitates logistic support. Ammunition dependence does not render such weapons inferior to energy weapons, however, since battlemechs require other logistical support such as replacement parts and especially replacement armour. It is my strong preference that all battlemechs have a battery of laser weaponry as a safeguard against ammunition depletion. Matching weapon systems aids the logistic support requirements.

3. Balance For The Role

In general it is preferable to protect a medium battlemech with the maximum armour the chassis can carry. In general it is also preferable to have as much speed as possible, and jump capability is preferable. Lastly it is preferable to have a heavy payload of weapons, ammunition, and heat sinks. Unfortunately these three factors must be balanced.

A light mech ideally has enough speed to outmaneuver an opponent. A medium mech typically only requires enough speed to optimise its attack options and make use of the available terrain.

The medium battlemech lance must also be balanced. Different battlemechs can attempt to compensate for the weaknesses of the other battlemechs in the lance. Rather than each medium battlemech being a jack of all trades, a team of disparate specialist units operating together can be more effective in each individual role than a lance of generalists.

4. Case File: Centurion SR1 and Centurion SR2

Mass: 50 ton
Category: Medium
Role: Command unit and mixed fire support

The Centurion SR1 is an upgrade from the Centurion CN9-D, swapping the LBX Autocannon 10 for a Ultra Autocannon 5 to maintain the same damage potential at greater range, converting to double heat sinks, and adding additional armour. The LRM10 rack and artemis is retained.

The subsequent Centurion SR2 design removes the LRM10 and artemis in favour of three LRM5 launchers. The added launch capacity and ability to target up to three separate opponents was considered advantageous. The elimination of the sophisticated artemis system is an advantage in itself.

5. Case File: Dervish LS1 and Dervish AH2

Mass: 55 ton
Category: Medium
Role: Missile support unit

The Dervish LS1 is an minor upgrade from the Dervish, DV-7D.

The subsequent Dervish AH2 follows the design principles outlined above, removing the SRM launchers in favour of doubling the medium laser armament, and upgrading these to the new ER versions. Due in part to the conversion from artemis equipped LRM10 on the Centurion SR2, the two LRM10 racks were replaced with six LRM5 launcher systems. This simplification of the weapons loadout allowed electronic warfare equipment to be installed in the more suitable Dervish AH2, hence the pilot reassignment.

6. Case File: Hunchback AH1 and Hunchback LS2

Mass: 50 ton
Category: Medium
Role: AC20 carrier

The Hunchback AH1 saw the upgrade of the AC20 to a new LBX20, and installation of electronic warfare equipment. The primary disadvantages of this design were the incompatible operating range and style of the electronic warfare requirements and an AC20 carrier.

The Hunchback LS2 was no longer required to carry the lance’s electronic warfare equipment (now carried in the Dervish AH2) allowing the upgrade to an Ultra AC20, addition of one medium laser, addition of jump jets for added manoeuvrability, and upgrading of the medium lasers to extended range models.

7. Case File: Hatchetman JL1 and Hatchetman JL2

Mass: 45 ton
Category: Medium
Role: Close combat unit

The Hunchback JL1 is a redesign of the Hatchetman HCT-5S, removing the LBX10 in favour of a Ultra AC5 for the same reasons as the Centurion SR1. The ferro fibrous armour is removed to match the logistical requirements of the other medium battlemechs in the lance.

The Hunchback JL2 has 50% greater manoeuvrability than the JL1. Speed was deemed a critical shortcoming of the JL1 and previous Hatchetman designs. The under performing Ultra AC5 was removed in favour of two LRM5 racks.

8. Lance Composition

Each unit in the lance has roles as an individual operator, and duties within the team. Independently the Centurion is a long range combat unit, the Hunchback is a close combat high damage unit, the Hatchetman is a jump capable close combatant, and the Dervish is a missile support unit.

In a lance the Centurion and Dervish provide long range firepower, and covering fire for each other and the close support units. The close support units are to deter opponents from closing, and guard the long range units.

8.a) Fire Teams

Dividing the lance to achieve separate objectives or to conduct operations on different sections of the combat zone is commonly required. Planning for operation with a divided lance is required. In this case one long range unit and one close range unit are paired in each case.

Using Mk1 designs, the Centurion SR1 and Hunchback AH1 lacked jump jets and formed one fire team. The Dervish LS1 and Hatchetman JL1 were both jump capable and formed the second fire team.

Using Mk2 designs, the Centurion SR2 and Hatchetman JL2 form one fire team due to similar speed, despite the Centurion SR2 lacking jump capability. The Dervish AH2 and Hunchback LS2 are slower and form the second fire team.

18/12/3049. Day 25, 03:00

An anonymous tip was phoned in regarding the missing sensor-scans of the prototype battlemechs developed by the Hellstrom’s Hellions, reporting them to be at East Seventeen Logging Camp. Layne-Lars Kinnesson investigated the message and determined it had been ‘spoken’ by a children’s speak-and-spell (an educational toy), which had been run through a voice-modulator (also a toy). The recorded message was constructed and sent using a prepaid mobile phone.

18/12/3049. Day 25, 06:00

Lt. Samara Hellstrom was briefed and decided to mobilise her lance. This required requisitioning Jacques Dubois back from the ministrations of Professor Anna Morozov.

18/12/3049. Day 25, 09:00

The lance arrived in the target zone at East Seventeen Logging Camp, and Lt. Samara Hellstrom sent Ruin Dmitar forward on foot to do reconnaissance. Ruin Dmitar easily evaded the attention of the logging teams and discovered the camp had five Crosscut-S3 Forestrymech’s assigned to it. One was for Foreman Grant, the other four were for a lance of cadets doing intermediate level mech piloting training.

Ruin Dmitar then discovered that Cadet Allen had been bushwhacked and stashed in a storage area, raising the question of who was piloting his assigned mech for the training exercise?

18/12/3049. Day 25, 11:00

Ruin Dmitar returned to his mech and the lance advanced on the base. Foreman Grant challenged them, saying he’d told other cadets that morning not to do manoeuvres in his work zone. Lt. Samara Hellstrom pulled rank and commanded the cadets to line up for inspection, knowing one cadet was an impostor.

Layne-Lars Kinnesson detected four approaching battlemechs, the same four hunter-killer units that had ambushed the Hellstrom’s Hellions earlier.

During the fighting Layne-Lars Kinnesson used indirect LRM fire and electronic warfare to support her lancemates. Ruin Dmitar operated as a sniper, and scored a lucky head-shot against the main enemy threat, the Whitworth missile carrier. The shot hit the cockpit and killed the pilot, but leaving the rest of the battlemech undamaged. Lt. Samara Hellstrom and Jacques Dubois used the ‘close and burn’ tactic to great effect, isolating and eliminating the two enemy Clint mechs. The lead mech, an Assassin, escaped.

The impostor was subdued by the three remaining cadets in a brutal Crosscut chainsaw gang-brawl.

18/12/3049. Day 25, 12:00

Two heavily damaged Clint battlemechs and a virtually intact Whitworth battlemech were salvaged, the downed Crosscut was returned to East Seventeen Logging Camp for repairs. The Assassin escaped with damage to its left arm.

The survivors were Clint pilots Julius Hoffman and Olaf Keller, and the impostor posing as Cadet Allen, Adel Weiss. Adel Weiss was the son of the deceased Whitworth pilot Elli Weiss.

18/12/3049. Day 25, 14:00

Military police arrived at East Seventeen Logging Camp to take the prisoners.

During interrogation the survivors revealed information. They belonged to a mercenary outfit named Scholz Streikende, and the pilot of the assassin was Henrik Scholz, leader of the mercenary force.

Scholz Streikende had been contracted by Kommandant Esra Leandros to take Lt. Samara Hellstrom dead or alive. They all described her as ‘the traitor’ but did not elaborate why. The mercenaries claimed the contract was sanctioned by the Lyran armed forces.

Lt. Samara Hellstrom did not know who Kommandant Esra Leandros was.

The captured members of Scholz Streikende claimed (in separate interviews) that their leader was contacted and given a specific place but not specific time (only the day) that the Hellstrom’s Hellions would be. Possibly this was an attempt by the group with the mech design data to throw off pursuit.

Adel Weiss swore vengeance against Ruin Dmitar for murdering his mother.

The captives were taken to the base’s brig, however their legal status is in question. The mercenaries are not authorised to operate on Strata however their target Lt. Samara Hellstrom was not a citizen of the planet or the Federated Suns. And their contract’s validity is in question, but not dismissed. Though he strongly objects to their actions, Hpt. Kommandant Dieter Herrman has been directed to treat the mercenaries as Lyran citizens and attempt to secure their release through legal channels.

16/12/3049. Day 23, 08:00

The day after returning to base, Layne-Lars Kinnesson hit the firing range and worked on her accuracy with small arms and her physical fitness.

16/12/3049. Day 23, 19:00

Jacques Dubois was covertly invited for another meeting of the fight club. He was accompanied by Ruin Dmitar. During the event Jacques Dubois noted the arrival of Professor Anna Morozov and talked with her. She claimed to be running the fight club shortly before Jacques Dubois threw a punch. It was his belief that all visitors of the fight club were on the cards as eligible fighters, including her.

Professor Anna Morozov showed a lot of heart as well as toughness, strength, and fighting skill, but could not prevail against Jacques Dubois who was physically superior. She did, however, stand and fight, and hold her own for a time. She also got a spectacular black eye from the surprise opening strike.

Following this fight the other fight club members were stunned by Jacques Dubois’s boldness and/or ignorance.

17/12/3049. Day 24, 10:00

Lt. Samara Hellstrom was ordered to meet Lt. General Elisa Hayes in the command center. She was given a cryptic message about the probable need for her lance to engage in an unspecified covert operation soon and a warning that Jacques Dubois was being headhunted by Professor Anna Morozov.

17/12/3049. Day 24, 11:00

After Lt. Samara Hellstrom reported back to the other Hellstrom’s Hellions, Layne-Lars Kinnesson urged the group to acquire civilian clothing. The group requisitioned a jeep from the motor pool and set out for the nearest town.

Following the main route to the town the pilots spotted a partly concealed mech in a small pine plantation. It was identified as a 30 ton Valkyrie light mech, armed with a LRM10 rack as the primary weapon. The location, mech type and colouration were reported to base. The mech was crouched in the standard position for a shut-down humanoid mech and did not move before the jeep moved out of range.

Ruin Dmitar was convinced the mech was a Comm Guard unit but had difficulty convincing his lancemates. After reaching the town he continued to monitor communications while the others began shopping. After confirming the rogue battlemech was not part of any training operation, test, or drill the order to get satelite reconisance was given. Immediately after this all military freqiencies went down.

Lt. Samara Hellstrom decided to return to base with her lance. The base was on full alert. They took side roads rather than risk the main road. Upon arriving at the base they were informed that by the time the network had been restored that the rogue battlemech had moved, and had evaded detection by the recon units sent after it.

Layne-Lars Kinnesson investigated the technical details of the system intrusion. Meanwhile in the confusion Jacques Dubois was spirited away by Professor Anna Morozov for DNA samples and physical testing.

09/12/3049. Day 18, 15:00

The accelerated timeframe for completion of the Jaguar design bore fruit and a working prototype frame and musculature were ready for field testing.

Like the infamous Scorpion quad mech the Jaguar proved a very stabile firing platform but extremely unstable (and uncomfortable for the pilot) in motion. This was judged far from acceptable and remedied by urgent implementation of the ‘quadruped gait’ more similar to a dog or cat than the ‘spider gait’ used by the mark one prototype and the Scorpion.

10/12/3049. Day 19, 10:00

The two Super Locust LCT-S1E prototypes were fully armed and armoured, and subjected to rigorous testing. The mobility of the battlemechs checked out but during the weapons test power-supply problems were detected when attempting to fire all medium lasers in rapid succession.

The flaw was discovered and redesign of the power distribution system commenced.

12/12/3049. Day 20, 10:00

The Raven RVN-3XML was fully armed and armoured, and subjected to rigorous testing. The design checked out completely.

14/12/3049. Day 22, 10:00

The redesigned Jaguar was fielded to test the stability of the unit. A mock patrol was organised using the entire Hellstrom’s Hellions lance and powered down weapons on all battlemechs. The Jaguar checked out.

During manoeuvres Layne-Lars Kinnesson detected a hoverbike in the training area and a ghost-reading nearby. The ghost reading turned out to be a spy in a Sneak IR/ECM suit who was attempting to scan and transmit data on the new mech designs. The suit made the spy almost invisible to mech sensors but not to visual detection.

Jacques Dubois closed and opened fire, a spectacular but harmless light show. Lt. Samara Hellstrom became suspicious when the spy did not ‘play dead’ in response, indicating he was not part of the training operation.

When Jacques Dubois attempted to grab the spy the man attempted to rappel down to the ground (and waiting hoverbike) but Jacques found his line and made him drop into a nearby river. Jacques later exited his mech and dived into the water to chase the escaping spy.

Lt. Samara Hellstrom and Ruin Dmitar searched and discovered one additional spy, who Samara succeeded in catching with her mech, and Ruin shot the sensor-unit from the spy’s hand from the roof of his disarmed battlemech. He had initiated a data download to a receiver in the midlands before it was interrupted.

The first spy and Jacques Dubois fought underwater, until Jacques wrestled the breathing gear from the spy, and in response was stabbed in the arm with a vibrodagger. Lt. Samara Hellstrom intervened, attempting to fish the spy from the water, but due to bad luck on the spy’s part he was caught under the mech’s hand and crushed against the river bed.

THe second spy was attempted to threaten his captors with a grenade, which Ruin Dmitar shot from his hand (along with the hand). He was then subdued and his wound treated. The gruesome remains of the deceased first spy were collected.

14/12/3049. Day 22, 14:00

The unit returned to base with the prisoner. He was rushed to the medical area. Lt. Samara Hellstrom and Ruin Dmitar interrogated the target and received a series of lies and half-truthes, after which the lieutenant left the room and Ruin used harsher methods. Ruin easily made the man confess to being part of Commstar, but when the obvious deception continued Ruin fired on the prisoner’s foot. When Samara returned the prisoner attempted to deceive her into believing Ruin had tried to coerce him to say he was from Commstar, but Samara had enough trust in her officers (and distrust of the prisoner) to fall for that. Ruin expressed his gratitude to his commanding officer, whose trust was a welcome change from Ruin’s previous superiors.

Some additional threats convinced the prisoner to reveal their rendezvous information, a warehouse in a midlands logging town.

During the interrogation Layne-Lars Kinnesson began working on the damaged sensor unit. Jacques Dubois attempted to retrieve the data from the undamaged sensor unit and triggered a boobytrap which erased the unit’s memory and triggered an incendiary charge, which Jacques narrowly avoided.

14/12/3049. Day 22, 14:00

Layne-Lars Kinnesson finished retrieving information from the damaged sensor unit, and discovered the sensor data for the raven had been successfully transmitted.

14/12/3049. Day 22, 15:00

The group set out on a hovercar to the rendezvous point with Ruin Dmitar wearing the captured Sneak IR/ECM and a plan for Ruin to attempt to masquerade as the prisoner.

14/12/3049. Day 22, 17:00

Hellstrom’s Hellions arrived at the rendezvous point and Ruin Dmitar approached the warehouse at the address the prisoner gave. Ruin introduced himself using the prisoner’s name, which the miscreants recognised as the name the spy was to give if captured. The Hellions fought through the would-be ambush and captured four of the five thugs alive.

The thugs were equipped with a wheeled jeep and a long range communications device, which was programmed to erase and overwrite its memory and communications logs to untraceably erase the information.

14/12/3049. Day 22, 20:00

The team returned home, and handed their prisoners over to the brig before performing the normal paperwork and also notifying the warehouse owners and local authorities of what transpired.

Subject captured by Lt. Samara Hellstrom and currently identified as Rene Bertrand of Tyche. Following the interrogation and his additional injuries, the subject was entrusted to my care. The injured foot could not be saved.

During the operation an anomaly was detected. The subject had high levels of a substance that I can only describe as an untruth serum. Medical scans revealed an implant in the subject’s brain which was the source of the substance. I can not see a way to remove the device without terminating the patient.

At this time my conclusion is that once triggered the implant is intended to render the carrier an unreliable source of information. Even the subject would be unable to control when they lie or tell the truth, and possibly to even determine themselves if they are telling the truth or not. This was demonstrated when the subject struggled to give information to satisfy Ruin Dmitar and Lt. Samara Hellstrom once an ultimatum was issued.

During interrogation, the subject showed a tendency to adopt certain details as fact and overriding the truth, including his assumed name Rene Bertrand and the suggestion of his involvement with Commstar. Based upon the interrogation record, connecting unrelated items into conspiracy theories is a hallmark of the substance or of this individual under the influence of the substance. The subject would seize upon a suggested detail to incorporate into their scenario.

One apparent weakness to this substance is that an isolated element of information that is not replaced by a false element can be extracted from the subject. The address of the rendezvous point appears to be one such item.

It is not clear at this time if a counter-agent can be fashioned or when the implant will cease activation.

I will continue my investigation and provide any further information in future reports.

Have been selected as test pilot / lead designer / project manager for the testing of an experimental advanced weapon and equipment platform.

Designs are based on captured RVN-3 Raven battlemechs and are intended to aid in the development of advanced Federated Commonwealth weapon systems and defensive technologies.

Plans to reverse-engineer and reproduce RVN-3 Raven battlemechs have not yet been approved, however work has already begun at Strata Military Academy with this aim in mind.

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Initial design work promising – RVN-3 platform is designed specifically to channel fusion plant energy to torso systems, and chassis layout supports numerous secondary torso mountings.

Lack of ‘arms’ allows for efficient layout and placement of weaponry and battle equipment to either side of main torso body.

ECM and communication systems are now being fitted to take advantage of these increased power levels, and weapon systems will be optimised to allow for long-range support.

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End Report

Project Officer – Ens. Layne-Lars Kinnesson

05/12/3049. Day 14, 07:00

Lt. Samara Hellstrom and her team arrived at the military airport in Perdix and were flown to Fort Enyo on Ares continent by fast VTOL. Their mechs were loaded into a cargo airship for later delivery.

The four pilots were driven through the complex by Private Gregory Brown, which gave them a brief tour of the Strata Institute of Science and the planet’s military academy.

05/12/3049. Day 14, 07:30

Lt. Samara Hellstrom and her lance were brought to the HQ of the base, which was built into a raised rocky outcrop (to attempt to protect against orbital bombardment). Two guard dogs at the entrance to the HQ complex took an immediate dislike to Jacques Dubois who fended them off and knocked one unconscious before the chagrined trainer got the second under control.

Following that unusual interuption the pilots were taken to Lt. General Elisa Hayes. The general introduced herself and quickly gave them their new orders which were to assist with the development of improved battlemechs using technologies that had recently become available.

05/12/3049. Day 14, 08:00

Private Gregory Brown drove the pilots to Testing Facility L1 in Fort Enyo where they met Lt Simon Clark, head officer of that facility. Lt Simon Clark was the epitomy of military scientist, an academic first and uncomfortable with the military structure that he was forced to work within. He took an immediate liking to Layne-Lars Kinnesson, a kindred spirit.

He filled the lance in on the plan, which was to use Hellstrom’s Hellions field experience to assist with the development of optimised light battlemechs, and to use them as test pilots.

Layne-Lars Kinnesson had been selected as the perfect tech pilot for one of the two captured Raven battlemechs, which was currently stripped of its weapons and some electronic warfare equipment. Lt Clark and Layne-Lars Kinnesson inspected the ‘mech and began some initial design before he let the subordinate technicians take over under Layne’s instruction. The team went on to pull an all-nighter but by morning had laid down the core plans for the Raven RVN-3XML design, and requisitioned the needed parts.

Lt. Samara Hellstrom and Jacques Dubois had been identified as ace pilots and experts of ‘close and burn’ tactics, and so were assigned to the project of making a ‘super locust’ heavy-recon battlemech. Two 35 ton locust-styled chassis were already made, but lacked weapons systems. With the assistance of the two pilots a simple plan for “more medium lasers” blossomed into a more complex approach and a final base plan for a mech with 8 medium lasers and enough double heat sinks to fire all eight while running without building up heat. Parts were requisitioned, mostly a truck load of medium lasers. The name weta was suggested for the super-locust mechs.

After initially sneaking off to avoid Lt Clark, and then checking his quarters, Ruin Dmitar was ordered back by Lt. Samara Hellstrom and press-ganged into helping the development of a jump capable quad mech for a firing platform. Ruin Dmitar‘s experience as a sniper and pilot was critical. This was the project that was furthest behind, the ’super locust’ project was using conventional weapons on a platform that was essentially a enlarged locust, and the raven project was refitting a captured enemy unit. The jaguar project was finishing the design of a new quad chassis and troubleshooting any problems that arose.

Another lance of mechwarriors was present, Hellstrom’s Hellions opposite numbers from the Lyran Embassy Guards. Where Lt. Samara Hellstrom was assigned to optimise light mech designs, Lt. Sarah Richter and her lance were there improving medium mech designs using the new technologies available. The Lyrans were led by Lt Sarah Richter (Centurion Pilot), Albrecht Hahn (Hunchback Pilot) who was the communications officer and resented Layne-Lars Kinnesson being assigned the prized raven, Lara Schmidt (Dervish pilot) technical officer, and Jonas Lange (Hatchetman pilot) medical officer and a former lancemate of Lt. Samara Hellstrom.

05/12/3049. Day 14, 19:00

This was taken as the end of the work day. Layne-Lars Kinnesson remained at her post, lost in her work. She also discovered that the rivalry between the SIS and NAIS meant that some SIS staff considered her a hero for showing up the NAIS.

Lt. Samara Hellstrom also remained and oversaw some remaining matters.

Jacques Dubois and Ruin Dmitar headed out to explore the base and find the officer’s mess.

Lt. Sarah Richter took the opportunity to pull Lt. Samara Hellstrom aside and they spoke in private about INFORMATION CLASSIFIED.

05/12/3049. Day 14, 20:00

At this time Jacques Dubois gave up on the officer’s mess, which was closer to a gentleman’s club than to any of the drinking establishments he was used to. He sought out the gym and training area, and found the local equivalent to the fight-club he had found at the Drunken Rat Saloon in Argyre.

05/12/3049. Day 14, 21:00

At this time Lt. Samara Hellstrom returned to the barracks and encountered her former lancemate Doctor Jonas Lange. Dr Lange had recovered from the injuries he had suffered during the set-up intended to discredit Lt. Samara Hellstrom before she left Lyran space. Despite his severe injuries (requiring two cybernetic legs to rehabilitate him) he was fond of and grateful to his former commanding officer for getting the ambushes lance safely off-planet. He also informed her that INFORMATION CLASSIFIED.

05/12/3049. Day 14, 22:30

At this time Jacques Dubois returned to the barracks.

05/12/3049. Day 14, 23:30

Still at the officer’s mess Ruin Dmitar was slipped a note by an unidentified individual, and shortly afterwards he left the officer’s mess and avoided detection for the next 90 minutes.

06/12/3049. Day 15, 01:00
At this time Ruin Dmitar returned to the barracks.

1. Design Philosophy

Conventional wisdom in ’mech design is to balance offense, defense, mobility and weapon types and ranges to avoid having any particular weakness – essentially creating a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.

This is a prudent, if conservative, approach to designing a large battlemech intended for independent combat, as it essentially utilises the concept of ‘combined arms’ on an individual basis, and works within the limitations of heat dissipation.

When designing a battlemech to operate within a lance, such a philosophy is not only inefficient, but by designing out strengths from each battlemech, you limit the tactical options available to the lance as a whole. By homogenising ’mech lances, you ensure that regardless of range, performance will be sub-optimal and you turn victory into a question of who fielded the most tons.

This is most especially true for smaller ‘mechs, where the severe limitations on weapon load-out make generalisation particularly costly. A far more effective approach is to design the individual ’mechs within the lance to complement one another’s strengths and weaknesses, while optimising each for its respective role, resulting in far superior combat performance overall, with the caveat that the units are utilised appropriately.

2. Weapon Prioritisation

A weapon that is not fired is a weapon wasted.

Put simply, a good ’mech design should be capable of maintaining maximum usage of its weapon systems for an entire engagement as the first priority, and for the entire theatre as the second. Based on prior experience, my recommendations are as follows:

2.a) Decide on engagement range and stick with it.

In general, short range weapons offer the greatest offensive efficiency – as in, firepower per ton and heat generation, however, they also put the ‘mech at the greatest risk. Long range load-outs have less ’punch’, but are both less risky and tactically superior due to battlefield control.

It is often tempting to mix and match weapon systems ‘just in case’, however, this is not recommended, as it leads to a lot of wasted tonnage as insurance against poor battle tactics. The fact that this design philosophy is so prevalent could be taken as a commentary on officer tactical training quality.

2.b) Balance heat generation and logistics.

Energy weapons are a strategic godsend. Innumerable battles have been lost to broken supply lines denying ammo-dependant ’mechs the ability to use their primary weapon systems. They are also typically lighter overall compared to a ballistic weapon of similar performance. They do, however, have the disadvantage of generating significantly more heat.

In smaller ’mechs, where heat dissipation is excellent, energy weapons are ultimately superior. The heat generated is easily compensated for, and the lack of ammo-dependency eliminates a strategic weakness.

As ’mech sizes increase, however, weapon load-out capacity increases far faster than heat dissipation, requiring the designer to reconsider their approach. In essence, the concept is to design the ’mech to utilise energy weapons as its primary offensive capacity, complemented by ammo-dependant weapons, as heat generation allows.

Any ammo-dependant weapons should also have reasonable inbuilt capacity, with CASE. A recommended amount is between two and three engagements worth.

In summary: Don’t design a mech that cooks itself if it tries to fire all its weapons for more than a couple of rounds, but don’t design a ’mech that becomes a walking target after a few rounds of unloading all its ammunition.

3. Balance For The Role

Once a role and weapon system has been chosen, other design parameters such as armor and speed should be optimised.

In general, the closer range the weapon systems, the more speed and armour the ‘mech needs. All the lasers in the world won’t help a pilot that can’t close to use them.

4. Case File: Super Locust LCT-S1E

Mass: 35 ton
Category: Light
Role: Fast-Attack ’Mech

The Locust LCT-1E and LCT-1T scout ’mechs have a distinctive combat style, relying on mobility and flanking with others of the lance to whittle down the enemy with laser fire.

While an entire lance of them suffered to lack of tactical versatility and insufficient maneuvering room on many battlefields, the use of a combined arms lance consisting of two long range ’mechs and two close range is expected to significantly improve combat performance.

To this end, the Super Locust has been designed and readied for field testing.

Massing at 35 tons, the Super Locust sports an endosteel structure and 280XL engine to match the incredible speed of its 20ton counterpart. In keeping with the signature weapon systems of the LCT-1E and LCT-1T the Super Locust brings a total of 8 medium lasers to bear, with 13 double heat sinks dissipating the considerable heat generated.

Optimum armor, speed and close-range firepower.

Two of these models have been assigned to my lance, and field testing data will be provided as available.

5. Case File: Jaguar-4R

Mass: 35ton
Category: Light
Role: Heavy reconnaissance and long range support

Quad ‘mechs are an unusual beast. While heavily armoured and highly maneuverable, however the loss of the arms restricts overall load-out capacity – tonnage isn’t a problem, just finding somewhere to fit the equipment.

Sgt C. Dmitar submitted this design to me for review and approval: Jump jet capable, reasonable mobility, excellent armour for a ’mech of this size and sporting a vicious ER PPC as a primary weapon, with a minor array of backup weapons.

Lt. Hellstrom’s commentary: Agreed. Speed and the mobility of the jump jets are crucial for performance as heavy reconnaissance. Ideally I would prefer to fit dual-PPCs for superior long-range firepower, however the quantity of armor required to be stripped off to achieve this is unacceptable for any ’mech required to operate independantly.

Tactical Advisory: During combat against enemy ’mechs, recommend utilising mobility to maintain medium range with ER PPC and provide battlefield control.

Performance data will be provided when available.

6. Case File: Raven RVN-3XM

Mass: 35ton
Category: Light
Role: CLASSIFIED.

Experimental ’mech. Design parameters CLASSIFIED.

Assigned to En. Kinneson for repair and optimisation.

Performance data CLASSIFIED.

Welcome to SNN, it’s December fourth, thirty forty nine. I am Paul Donahue.

Interstellar News: Technological Renaissance

New research and recovered Star League technologies have led to a technological renaissance. Advanced research facilities like the New Avalon Institute of Science (NAIS) and our local Strata Institute of Science (SIS) are leading the way to realise these technological wonders, bringing amazing new military and civilian technologies to all the people of the Federated Commonwealth.

The head of the Strata Institute of Science, Lt. General Elisa Hayes made a statement earlier today announcing significant breakthroughs in battlemech technology were now entering field testing.

The future of the Federated Commonwealth is in safe hands, with the heroic men and women of the AFFS soon to be equipped with such advanced military hardware.

Planetary News: Lyran Embassy Guard Manoeuvres.

In celebration of the anniversary of the opening of the Lyran Commonwealth embassy here on Strata, the embassy guards put on a demonstration showcasing the military hardware made by our Lyran allies.

The viewing audience got a rare opportunity to see the pinnacle of Lyran military technology, a mighty Zeus assault class battlemech, piloted by the leader of the embassy guards Hpt. Kommandant Dieter Herrman himself.

Daedalus Local News: Daring Rescue under Heavy Fire.

This just in, Lt. Samara Hellstrom and her lance, Hellstrom’s Hellions, saved a landtrain that had been ambushed by a lance of unidentified terrorist battlemechs. With no fear the Hellions charged the enemy, who outmassed their mechs by over two to one!

Under Lt. Samara Hellstrom’s brilliant leadership, the hellions pulled off a daring rescue and saved the landtrain and passengers without losing a single one to the terrorist attackers.

Preliminary reports indicate this was a reprisal attack against Lt. Samara Hellstrom personally, but the indomitable lieutenant won through again. Despite the mismatch, Hellstrom’s Hellions drove off their attackers and once again protected the people of Strata.

Who were these terrorists? I am sure we will find out soon with Lt. Samara Hellstrom on the job!