Standing in the BattleMech repair bay, newly Bloodnamed Star Captain Trebor Osis of Clan Smoke Jaguar watched in pride as the technicians finished up the work on his King Fisher. The new 90-ton OmniMech, gleaming under the work lamps, carried a slightly different mix of weapons than before. His abilities as a MechWarrior were well enough regarded that he had been awarded his choice of 'Mech. Choosing to stay with the King Fisher, he elected to modify the "Charlie" configuration. This configuration had enough heat sinks to fire both ER PPC's and all four ER Medium Lasers twice without ill effects, he felt he could improve on it, and now with his newly earned Bloodname and re-assignment to the Trinary Command Star, he could prove it.
His thoughts were interrupted as his commander, Star Colonel Randell Moon walked over to where he stood and said "I can appreciate the want for more weapons, however, if you fire everything, you will be dangerously close to shutting down Star Captain.
"Very true Star Colonel Moon", Trebor replied, hiding a scowl, "but by removing the eight high capacity heat sinks, I have the room for two Medium Pulse Lasers and a Targeting Computer. Besides, if you have ever piloted a Cauldron-Born, you cannot help but constantly juggle your weapons mix, especially in the "Alpha" or "Beta" configurations".
Looking askance at the Star Captain, Star Colonel Moon said "It would seem that you have a specific idea of how to fight with this 'Mech".
"Yes, Star Colonel, I do. Would you care to hear it?"
"Of course, Star Captain".
"It's very simple really. At long range, I will open up with my extended- range Particle Projection Cannons, to start opening up holes in my opponents armour. Then I lock onto the areas that I damaged and fire both the cannons and the medium pulse lasers to exploit what damaged I have done, still with minimum heat build-up. At that time I will switch over to firing circuit Alpha and fire with all of my medium lasers since I will now be at close range . If I concentrate all my fire to the BattleMechs torsos I can drop even a Dire Wolf within a minute under ideal conditions, two minutes worst. Of course, the mix of weapons that I fire depends completely on my range to target".
" It sounds like a good tactic, but what if we are fighting warriors of the Inner Sphere and you close with one only to get attacked by several of the surrats at once"?
"Well Star Colonel, I destroy the first as soon as possible., the PPC's should take care of him. Then I would turn and lock onto the closest 'Mech and fire all of my weapons which should cripple the second, or at least force it to back off . Then I will cut in all medium range lasers on the third . That will bring my heat down in short order while still maintaining a dangerous concentration of fire. That along with my speed and maneuverability will give me room to operate and I shall use my PPC's to finish them off."
"
"Very risky Star Captain Osis."
"Yes, but when is combat not," replied Trebor . "But I look forward to our fight with the Ghost Bears to prove what this 'Mech can do. Once I do that, if I may say so, you will have no problem convincing the Keshik to make this variant readily available . Once we do that we will teach Kahn Vlad Ward and his Wolves their proper place".
THE END
This months submission comes to us from Robert "Mutt" Motsinger once again.