compiled overview of the 35
ton OTT-7J
Ostscout 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
The
Ostscout was designed for
one purpose:
scouting. Its
maneuverability,
high speed, and
jump capacity allow it to avoid trouble easily. Poorly
gunned and armored, it can only engage the lightest of
'Mechs with a reasonable assurance of victory.
Enhanced
sensor arrays and a
hi-res targeting and
tracking system supply a constant stream of data about its surroundings.
Powerful narrow-band
communications equipment allows the
Ostscout to report from
deep inside enemy
territory.
With a maximum speed of 129.6
kilometers per hour, the
Ostscout can cover ground quickly. Specialized equipment allows it to map as it goes,
recording
environmental, hydrological, and
geological information. Unusual features are automatically noted and brought to the
pilot's attention by the
onboard systems.
To avoid
interference from the
magnetohydrodynamic systems, the sensor arrays were installed outside the main
chassis. The OTT-7J uses its
actuator
systems to aim its sensor arrays.
The
Ostscout often travels slowly through interesting areas, waving the arrays in
seemingly random patterns. During these periods of
maximum-intensity scanning, the OTT-7J is vulnerable to attack because it is accumulating data faster than it can process it. The approach of enemy units
often goes unnoticed until they open fire. However, if the first
salvo does not cripple the
Ostscout, it will very likely escape.
Not only is the
Ostscout equipped with a jump capability of 240 meters, but it also has sufficient
heat sink capacity to dissipate all the heat that such
maneuvers generate. If it jumps only 210 meters, the
Ostscout can also fire its
laser without overheating. The OTT-7J's ability to jump and fight allows it to
escape from trouble quickly. Although technicians have developed a variety of plausible strategies to trap
'Mechs such as the OTT-7J,
there seems to be a
substantial gap between theory and practice.
Because the
Ostscout has a history of avoiding
firefights whenever possible, many are in mint condition and still possess their original
Star League
sensor arrays and data evaluation systems. Because these systems are nearly unique today, commanders have consistently attempted to keep the
Ostscout
out of battle.
The
Ostscout often contributes invaluable information. A successful scouting mission can eliminate most
guesswork required for any
offensive.
Exact information about
topography and enemy disposition are vital. The history of the
Ostscout is a list of daring missions deep behind enemy lines
accumulating such information. During the Rebellion of 3010,
Janos Marik used
Ostscouts extensively to gain information on rebel movements and
strengths. In 2950, OTT-7Js were used on Thule to hunt down the last members of one of Valasek's raiding parties. All through the winter of 3001,
Ostscouts scoured the surface of Kasai IV, looking for a
Star League parts deposit, and finding only empty
bunkers.
In early September of 3021, four
Ostscouts were dropped over New Ivaarsen by
Draconis Combine DropShips. Their mission was to scout
possible landing sights for a
Kurita invasion force. Throughout the following five weeks, the OTT-7Js were on the run from
Davion patrols and search
parties. Despite this near constant pursuit, the
Ostscouts managed to accumulate all necessary information and signal the invasion fleet. Of the four
scouts, only one was slightly damaged.
The Thousand Kilometer Chase took place in 3024. Due to a computer error, an
Ostscout was dropped nearly a thousand kilometers behind enemy
lines.
MechWarrior Mary Finn of the Chesterton Reserves earned her nickname of '
Hopscotch' because of her incredible success in avoiding the three
regiments of Smithson's Chinese Bandits massing there for an offensive. During the ten-hour ordeal, Finn managed to accumulate enough information to
allow
the Capellan Confederation to launch an effective counter-attack.
Note: Information used here was the domain of FASA before they split the rights between Wizkids LLC and Microsoft (table-top gaming and video games respectively). Copyright of the fluff text is in limbo, but names of persons, places, & things are without any doubt the property of Wizkids LLC. Use of any terms here related to the BattleTech trademark are not meant as a challenge to Wizkids LLC's rights.