mass: 25 tons chassis: York II XT power plant: 125 York XL cruising speed: 54 kph maximum speed: 86 kph Jump Jets: Clan Series Type I Light
Jump capacity: 150 meters armor: Compound 6A
armament:
1 Series 7J Extended Range Large Laser 1 Series 7K Extended Range Large Laser manufacturer: Manufacturing Plant DSF-IT1
primary factory: Itabiana
communications system: Able-Seven Sensor Suite targeting and tracking system: Multi-Spread 9 overview
Initially conceived and designed by Blood Spirit sci-entists, the Crimson Hawk was plagued incessantly with internal problems, system malfunctions, and a decided lack of resources. During the Star Adders’ blockade of the Blood Spirit Clan on York, the Spirits suffered a slow con-striction of resources, components, and morale. As the siege wore on, it became apparent that the Adders were keeping the Spirits from complete Annihilation only so they could be used as a ready-made crucible for their own warriors’ development.
This became evident when the Adders stopped challenging other Clan merchant caste vessels from
approaching and leaving York. During one such trip in 3069, an observant Diamond Shark commander noticed a partially built Crimson Hawk in an out-of-the-way hangar.
Intrigued, he issued a Trial of Possession for it. Shocked and outraged, the Spirits defended the Trial with a Binary of ’Mechs in the hellish Morgrave Swamplands. The battle was well fought, but the Sharks emerged from the swamps triumphant; only two Spirit warriors survived.
The Crimson Hawk and the entire Spirit technical and scientist team were then transferred to Itabiana, arriving in 3070. Safe outside the escalating warfare and confusion in the Homeworlds, the Sharks continued the development of the light ’Mech design in relative secrecy.
In 3073, Combine spies observed the Diamond Sharks loading eight Overlord-Cs with Crimson Hawks and subse-quently disappearing on the Titanic. This tidbit was ignored until a chance rumor snagged from a Ghost Bear Watch intercept indicating that the Titanic had “run a vigorous Adder blockade and escorted several DropShips to the planet below before being split in half by a large WarShip, suspected to be the Sovereign Right or Absolute Truth.”
capabilities
The Crimson Hawk is a ’Mech of contradictions. Though the standard weapons are two extended-large lasers, they are not the same models. The ’Mech was designed with subterfuge in mind—clearly the Sharks’ contribution—with the Series 7J and its massive cooling sleeve mounted to the top of the torso on a hinge mount reminiscent of the old Shadow Hawk’s “stow and go” autocannon. The Series 7K on the right arm is stripped to its essential mountings and at first glance looks exactly like the Series 3K extended-range medium laser. The confusion is apparently intentional, as the mounting plates and connections can easily house the Series 3K, allowing the possibility of other mission equip-ment or weapons mounted elsewhere to pack a surprise for opponents.
Deployment
The Crimson Hawk has been eagerly snapped up by Falcon merchants, possibly due to the persistent rumors
of severe internal attacks that have devastated the Clan’s Touman within the Falcon OZ. The Exiled Wolves have begun negotiations with the Sharks for the design and possibly a production facility.
variants
Only two variants of the Crimson Hawk are known.
The O5P observation team noted that the Hawks loaded on Itabiana mounted heavier-style lasers. Due to intel gathered after Operation Serpent indicating that the Blood Spirits have a fascination with the heavy laser design and that the weapon is an easy match in tonnage and power allotment for the Series 7 lasers, it is reasonable to assume that these Crimson Hawks mounted them instead of the standard extended-range versions.
The other variant seems to be a modified redesign being tested by the Wolves (in Exile) for possible produc-tion. Because it mounts heavier jump jets that give it twen-ty percent more distance, its internal structure appears to have been reinforced. The Series 7K large laser is replaced with a smaller Series 3K extended-range medium, making the now very maneuverable Crimson Hawk decidedly heat-efficient and more deadly as a scout ’Mech.
notable MechWarrior
galaxy commander stephan faulk: A skilled Diamond Shark warrior who possesses the mind of a merchant, Faulk was the warrior who spotted the Spirit’s first Crimson Hawk prototype and fought a successful Trial for it. The Spirits have since refused to deal with any other Diamond Shark warrior or merchant during the Shark’s dwindling presence among the Homeworlds, respecting his battle prowess, if not his shrewdness. It is rumored among the merchant caste that it was at Faulk’s insistence that over a Cluster’s worth of Crimson Hawks was shipped to the Spirits, even after the Clan had departed the Homeworlds for good. What he has given up for such an odd request may never be known; he was last reported seen by the O5P boarding a shuttle bound for the Titanic when it left Itabiana.
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criMson hawk
Type: crimson hawk Technology Base: Clan Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 1,285
equipment mass
Internal Structure: 2.5
Engine: 125 XL 2
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 10 [20] 0
Gyro: 2
Cockpit: 3
Armor Factor: 89 5
Internal Armor Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 8 12
Center Torso (rear) 4
R/L Torso 6 9
R/L Torso (rear) 3
R/L Arm 4 8
R/L Leg 6 12
Weapons and ammo location critical tonnage
ER Large Laser RA 1 4
ER Large Laser RT 1 4
Jump Jets RT 2 1
Jump Jets LT 2 1
Jump Jet CT 1 .5
ocelot
mass: 35 tons
chassis: CurtissFox Ocelot
power plant: 210 General Systems XL cruising speed: 64 kph
maximum speed: 97 kph Jump Jets: Leaper Model L6
Jump capacity: 180 meters armor: Forging FF01 Ferro-Fibrous armament:
2 Series 2d ER Medium Lasers 1 Model X Heavy Large Laser
1 Irecian “Squealer” Light Active Probe manufacturer: Irece Alpha
primary factory: Irece
communications system: Raldon R1
targeting and tracking system: Dalban HiRez II overview
During their Abjuration and subsequent flight from Clan space, Clan Nova Cat, in an attempt to bring with them everything of value to their new home in Combine space, acquired a group of Smoke Jaguar scientists as isorla. Having had a vision about them being key to the Cats’ need for a symbol of their rebirth, Khan Santin West assigned a pair of lead Nova Cat scientists to the team and charged them to immediately produce a viable design.
Despite reservations from those suspicious of any-thing to do with the former Clan Smoke Jaguar, the group was able to design a BattleMech that could be manufac-tured quickly and put on the firing line immediately.
capabilities
Taking after Clan Wolf (in Exile), who had been surviv-ing on the Inner Sphere side of the OZ border much longer, the Nova Cats designed a light chassis that could be pro-duced in large numbers with sparse resources. Its main ar-mament is a torso-mounted heavy large laser, providing a hefty mid-range punch backed by a pair of extended-range medium lasers. Designers first wanted to mount a single weapon, a Clan ER PPC, but only a few were available, as most were being sent to rebuild the already devastated Touman. Though also unable to produce any significant quantity of the Model X heavy large lasers—one of the few weapons the scientist team deemed necessary for a viable weapon system—a chance encounter with a Diamond Shark Trading Fleet provided them with a sizeable stock-pile from which to draw until an in-house manufacturing source could be created. Originally mounted on the shoul-der like the Wolves’ Pack Hunter, the laser’s focusing difficul-ties forced them to move it into the main torso cavity with shock absorbers to deal with the swift movements of the design in combat.
Unfortunately this had the side effect of limiting the over-all fire arc, forcing many pilots to twist the ’Mech’s torso more so than other designs—even occasionally in mid-air during evasive maneuvers—to bring the laser to bear, occasionally making this twist in mid-air during evasive maneuvers. To com-pensate for the awkward weight changes and chassis instability, the designers implemented a “stub wing” design for the jump pack to help keep the BattleMech balanced while jumping.
Deployment
Despite protests from many hard-line MechWarriors within Clan Nova Cat, the Ocelot was put into mass produc-tion and pushed to several frontline Clusters, while others allowed remaining OmniMechs in second-line units to be reassigned to frontline Galaxies.
During the disastrous attempt to retake Luthien in 3072, several Stars from Xi Galaxy, which included three Ocelots, were able to avoid being captured by Word of Blake forces. The massive punch of the heavy lasers downed sev-eral Blakist BattleMechs attempting to surround the sur-viving units before they could make it to their transports, allowing a portion of the remaining ground forces to make it to safety.
variants
The Ocelot 2, mounting a now more common ex-tended-range PPC instead of the heavy laser, sacrifices a heat sink, a half-ton of armor, and the active probe. This is mostly a MechWarrior preference and is an easy field modi-fication, having being initially tested by engineers at the manufacturing plant.
The Ocelot 3, presently undergoing trials, replaces the heavy laser and the extended-range mediums with two heavy medium lasers in the arm and an extended-range large laser in the torso. Both a targeting computer and an ECM suite are added at the expense of three heat sinks to aid in long-range sniping and defense. Instead of manufac-turing the electronics, Clan Nova Cat is in negotiations with the Diamond Sharks to provide a steady stream of both pieces in exchange for a certain percentage of Irece Alpha’s output, though the details have yet to be finalized.
notable MechWarriors
saKhan Karl devalis: Not initially impressed with the Ocelot, saKhan Devalis insisted that he take the prototype out on the live-fire range in a mock Trial of Position. Within minutes, he had downed three light ’Mechs—an Adder, a Kit Fox, and the design’s inspiration, a Pack Hunter. Afterwards, he commented to the scientist team, which still included the former Smoke Jaguar scientists who now wholeheart-edly embraced their new Clan, “Agile as a Jaguar, swift as a Panther, deadly as a Nova Cat. Though our warriors are su-perior in soul, it is good to have the weapon of the Jaguar. I welcome the Ocelot to the Clan so that we may merge the warrior spirit with the claws of battle.”
137
ocelot
Type: ocelot
Technology Base: Clan Tonnage: 35
Battle Value: 1,439
equipment mass
Internal Structure: 3.5
Engine: 210 XL 4.5
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 6
Heat Sinks: 15 [30] 5
Gyro: 3
Cockpit: 3
Armor Factor: 119 6.5
Internal Armor Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 11 16
Center Torso (rear) 6
R/L Torso 8 12
R/L Torso (rear) 4
R/L Arm 6 12
R/L Leg 8 16
Weapons and ammo location critical tonnage
Heavy Large Laser LT 3 4
2 ER Medium Lasers RA 2 2
Light Active Probe H 1 .5
Jump Jets LT 3 1.5
Jump Jets RT 3 1.5
“pariah”
28 tons of pod space available manufacturer: Unknown
primary factory: Unknown communications system: Unknown targeting and tracking system: Unknown overview
[EDITOR’S NOTE: We received this report from our Diamond Shark contact on Itabiana. It’s quite pieced to-gether; considering the fact that the Sharks don’t men-tion anything about their Homeworld dealings anymore, it’s a miracle we got this much out of them. What I’m not understanding is why the Sharks are so upset by this new OmniMech. I’ve scoured it numerous times and added my own observations to this file. –PA]
In early 3072, the Diamond Shark enclave on Babylon was subjected to a nighttime assault that came out of no-where. Leading the charge was a BattleMech design com-pletely unrecognizable to any of the Clan’s warriors. The only thing that was obvious was the Clan Coyote emblem emblazoned on its chest.
The Coyote force, which consisted of scores of these new ’Mechs, ProtoMechs, and battle armor, rolled over the Shark enclave in a matter of minutes. Though the elite war-riors of the 39th Strike Cluster put up a valiant defense, it proved fruitless.
Across Babylon, the same scene replayed itself out at the Cobra and Hellion enclaves. Within twenty-four hours, the planet was in Coyote hands. While many Shark, Cobra, and Hellion lower castemen were able to leave if they chose, very few of these Clans’ warriors made it offworld.
The Sharks seem strangely obsessed with the entire inci-dent; it is unclear as to why, since by all appearances it was standard Clan warfare as we understand it. It is quite pos-sible the Coyotes might be challenging the Shark’s market, though this conjecture makes little sense considering that the Clan’s standard doctrine has little to do with the mer-chant caste.
capabilities
The footage provided from technicians who observed the Babylon assault have led the Sharks to call this new me-dium-weight design the “Pariah”. Though upon first glance it appears to be as dysfunctional as it is ugly, the performances of these ’Mechs on Babylon prove otherwise. Analysts have tagged them with the standard Omni nomenclature accord-ing to the frequency variants are seen on Babylon.
The “Pariah” Prime is something that should give many Star Commanders pause when faced with a full group of them (one observer saw seven Primes drop a Kingfisher in less than five seconds). The fact that this is the most com-mon version with such a powerful new weapon seems to have disturbed the Sharks, who are arguably the biggest Clan supplier of the weapon.
The version tagged as the A configuration appears to be a flexible support version. The B configuration seems to be an anti-battle armor and ProtoMech killer; it is highly mobile with pod-mounted improved jump jets and was observed to be a devastating urban fighter.
The “Pariah” C appears to be geared toward vehicle and battle armor hunting. The triple plasma cannons that are included should give many warriors pause, especially if their ’Mechs are heat challenged.
The D appears to be either a command ’Mech or a flanking or support machine. Few of these were spotted on Babylon; most communication traffic seemed to be emanating from them during the attacks.
Deployment
Currently, the “Pariah” has only been seen among Clan Coyote forces; however, this information is at least three years out of date.
Internal Structure: Endo Steel 3
Engine: 275 XL 8
Center Torso (rear) 7
R/L Torso 13 18
R/L Torso (rear) 7
R/L Arm 9 18
R/L Leg 13 24
Weight and space allocation
Location Fixed Spaces Remaining
Head None 1
Weapons and ammo location critical tonnage Primary Weapons Configuration
HAG 40 RT 10 16
Ammo (HAG) 12 LT 4 4
ER Large Laser LT 1 4
Targeting Computer LT 4 4
139
“pariah”
Alternate Configuration A
3 Heavy Small Lasers RA 3 1.5
ATM 12 RT 5 7
Ammo (ATM) 15 RT 3 3
Double Heat Sink RT 2 1
3 Heavy Small Lasers LA 3 1.5
ATM 12 LT 5 7
Ammo (ATM) 15 LT 3 3
Double Heat Sink LT 2 1
Double Heat Sink CT 2 1
Double Heat Sink RL 2 1
Double Heat Sink LL 2 1
Battle Value: 1,935 Alternate Configuration B
Small Pulse Laser RA 1 1
Double Heat Sink RA 2 1
Large Pulse Laser RT 2 6
Double Heat Sink RT 2 1
2 Improved Jump Jets RT 4 2
Small Pulse Laser LA 1 1
Double Heat Sink LA 2 1
Large Pulse Laser LT 2 6
Targeting Computer LT 3 3
2 Improved Jump Jets LT 4 2
Small Pulse Laser H 1 1
Improved Jump Jet CT 2 1
Improved Jump Jet RL 2 1
Improved Jump Jet LL 2 1
note: Does not have Lower Arm or Hand Actuators Battle Value: 2,310
Alternate Configuration C
2 Medium Pulse Lasers RA 2 4
Plasma Cannon RA 1 3
4 AP Gauss Rifles RT 4 2
Ammo (AP Gauss) 40 RT 1 1
4 Machine Guns RT 4 1
MG Array RT 1 .25
2 Medium Pulse Lasers LA 2 4
Plasma Cannon LA 1 3
Ammo (MG) 100 LT 1 .5
4 AP Gauss Rifles LT 4 2
4 Machine Guns LT 4 1
Machine Gun Array LT 1 .25
Plasma Cannon H 1 3
Ammo (Plasma) 20 CT 2 2
Double Heat Sink RL 2 1
Battle Value: 2,227
Alternate Configuration D
Ultra AC/20 RT 8 12
Ammo (Ultra) 10 RT 2 2
ER PPC LT 2 6
3 ER Small Lasers LT 3 1.5
Targeting Computer LT 4 4
Jump Jet CT 1 .5
2 Jump Jets RL 2 1
2 Jump Jets LL 2 1
Battle Value: 2,718