compiled overview of 20
tons of
shit, the
fucked-up Cossack 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
After the success of their latest
'Mech designs, the leaders of the
St. Ives Compact Military were eager to bring newer and lighter designs into their noticeably heavy
arsenal. In an effort to create a
'Mech that would be popular with
pilots, Commander
Caroline Seng brought together her
regimental commanders and an
engineering team to agree on basic
specs for the new machine. Initially, the design team called for the fastest recon
'Mech that
Ceres Metals Industries could build. After some deliberation, however, they settled for a moderately fast recon unit with significant
firepower.
The involvement of more offices and departments in the St. Ives Military led to four more design revisions, and Ceres engineers received requests for several more changes even after the prototype began combat trials.
Caroline Seng tried to end the influx of conflicting requirements by officially contracting with Ceres for a
'Mech based on the
first redesign, the well-armed recon unit. Even as the first
'Mechs began to enter service, however, whole new sets of requirements continued to flood Ceres’ offices on
Warlock.
The
Cossack is a relatively
inexpensive design intended to fill a number of roles in the expanding
roster of the
St. Ives Compact Military. Even with the expense of its extralight power plant, the design is still extremely affordable. As a scout, the
Cossack performs only adequately. Its
Pitban LFT-65 jump jets allow it to quickly pass over rough terrain, but a top speed of just under 100 kph leaves it too slow to escape many of the leading enemy scout elements it will face. Likewise, its armor is not sufficient to protect it while making a fighting retreat.
In line
regiments, however, the
Cossack might make an excellent harasser. Teamed with similarly armed
'Mechs and/or vehicles, it will be dispatched to finish off battlefield stragglers. Its
MilDouglas "Duke" SRM-6 Launcher,
Kajuka Type 2 "Bright Blossom" Medium Laser, and pair of
Jackson Model 12 Small Lasers give it the firepower to effectively undertake such missions. But if the
Cossack pilot encounters heavier resistance than expected,he
damn well better use the
Endicott Type 22 Maser Communications System instead and
cry for help.
The
Cossack’s true destiny may lie in the Home Guard units scattered across the
St. Ives Compact. It costs little more than most other light
'Mechs, making it an ideal choice for the limited
budgets of militia units. While the
Cossack cannot hope to stand alone against most of the
'Mechs it might face in combat, 2
lances of
Cossacks can produce a rain of fire that few
MechWarriors would wish to weather.
Named for
Khorsakov’s Cossacks in honor of that
mercenary unit’s faithful service, the first
Cossacks will be a gift to their
namesake unit. Others are tentatively, assigned to the
St. Ives Academy Training Cadre.
With relations between the
St. Ives Compact and the
Capellan Confederation rapidly deteriorating, the
Cossack is likely to receive its
trial by fire far sooner than its creators anticipated.
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