BattleMech Technical Readout
Name/Model: The StarQuake (True Name Unknown) [Model Unknown]
Designer: Alisa Wolfstein
Source(s): Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology: Inner Sphere
Technology Rating: E
Tonnage: 200
Configuration: Superheavy Biped BattleMech
Era/Year: Republic / 3129
Rules (Current): Advanced
Rules (Era): Advanced
Rules (Year): Advanced
Total Cost: 44,969,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 3,659
Structure: Endo Steel
Power Plant: 200 Fusion
Walking Speed: 10.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 21.6 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Standard
Armament:
3 Gauss Rifles
3 Heavy PPCs
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown
================================================================================================
Overview:
This 'Mech is nick-named after the most cataclysmic explosion in the universe - a phenomenon
which occurs in Neutron Stars called "Starquakes". The most powerful ever observed released
more energy than the sun emits in over 150,000 years (all within a fraction of a second).
This massive, 200-ton, Superheavy 'Mech is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece in defensive power.
Its battery of 3 Heavy PPCs and 3 Gauss Rifles can cripple all but the most heavily armoured
of assault 'Mechs in just one Alpha Strike, whilst having the capacity to sink the heat from
all its weapons. If you come up against this monstrosity in a BattleMech lighter than 80
tons, pray for a miracle - because it's the only thing that can save you.
[THE FOLLOWING FLUFF IS AN ANECDOTE: relating to the creation of the StarQuake, and Arctic
Silence's problematic relations with the Lyran Commonwealth]
To this day, the true name of the so-called "StarQuake" is unknown, with this knowledge only
being possessed by a handful of the most senior members of Arctic Silence - the mercenary
organisation which designed and constructed this BattleMech in complete secrecy to the
outside world over a period of 45 years - from the end of the Jihad in 3084 through the
entirety of the Age of the Republic; with the design's first rumours of existence spreading
like wildfire through the Lyran Alliance in 3129, before slowly becoming more widely known
across the Inner Sphere in the years which followed.
The reasons for its creation are simple: Arctic Silence is based on Págos, a tiny moon
within the York system, which is part of the Lyran Commonwealth. To ensure the Lyran
government didn't want to interfere with their space colony on said moon (which only pays
tax on exports and imports and could, therefore, be a target on which to empose the Archon's
will upon) they implemented several measures. The first was to sign a treaty with the
Commonwealth which states the relationship between the Lyrans and Arctic Silence (which is
that they are "neutral allies"), the second was to be productive to the Lyran Military by
producing BattleMechs from their moon colony (which also provides a lot of income) and the
third was to construct the StarQuake.
The only feasible way any organisation the size of Arctic Silence could build a functional
200-ton BattleMech was to do it slowly, with a comparatively tiny budget (which was still a
decent portion of the group's income). First, they sent agents to Terra to salvage as much
information on the Omega (a 150-ton Superheavy 'Mech which was produced by the WoB there
until the liberation of Terra when all the Omega prototypes were destroyed) as possible.
Using the best engineers and scientists at their disposal, Arctic Silence then set about
designing the 'Mech, and whenever any information about Superheavy BattleMechs surfaced,
they had someone there to report back to HQ about it. Almost 30 years later, the fine
tunings to the design had been completed, and construction of the 'Mech began in a
top-secret facility under the moon's surface. When at last the 'Mech was finished, in early
3127, tests were conducted to ensure the finished product met all the expectations. In
mid-3129, with those expectations surpassed, information was deliberately leaked to the
media. The Lyran Commonwealth finally knew what they were dealing with when they looked at
Arctic Silence; and were glad they were on their side, but were angry that they had
underestimated the power of the organisation and hadn't intervened before it was too late.
By this point the moon colony was all but impenetrable, and with most of said colony being
safely underground, an orbital bombardment would achieve little. Arctic Silence had become a
major (but passive) power within the Lyran Commonwealth.
[END OF ANECDOTE]
From a visual perspective, the StarQuake is terrifying. Standing at 22m high, it is more
than twice as tall as some assault 'Mechs. On its torso, the three Heavy PPCs and three
Gauss Rifles are arranged in two straight horizontal rows across the chest, and fire in
trios: first the Gauss Rifles and then the Heavy PPCs to reduce recoil; which when followed
shortly after by the explosion of a 'Mech whose centre torso no longer exists, causes quite
a dent in enemy morale. Furthermore, if a small 'Mech or vehicle ends up too close to the
StarQuake, each leg is easily capable of crushing the unfortunate unit, destroying it
instantly. The StarQuake is fitted with a cowl to protect its only weak spot - the head.
This one-of-a-kind piece of engineering halves all damage which hits the head (rounding
down). It has a matte black paintjob with metallic silver and deep-red highlights, which
only adds to the aura of fear which surrounds this 'Mech on the battlefield.
Capabilities:
With an Alpha Strike of 90 damage (consisting of 6 individual 15 point-damage hits) the
StarQuake can strip off 5 1/2 tons of armour with each salvo, every ten seconds, for over 5
minutes straight (at which point its gauss ammo will be exhausted). Since it can't move very
far from supply chains with its pitiful movement speed of 11 kph walking and 22 kph running;
the StarQuake can resupply fairly easily as well. It has also been designed with easy-access
ammo bins that can be replaced far faster than normal.* The StarQuake also has an advanced
targeting system which is designed to work better for a 'Mech as immobile as it is: if it
doesn't move it gains a -1 to-hit modifier, if it moves it gains an additional +1 modifier
on-top-of the standard movement modifiers.
With these factors in mind, it should be noted that the StarQuake is NOT ABLE TO, NOR
INTENDED TO, PARTICIPATE IN OFFENSE. It is STRICTLY FOR DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS, where it
excels. On the relatively flat surface of Págos, there is little cover from the terrain,
which allows the StarQuake's pilot to pick off the more important targets one by one. To aid
it further, its designers put three years into installing a special rotational system for
the torso, which allows it to rotate one hex-side further each way than is normally
possible.* Despite this, it is still unable to fire at anything in its rear arc without
turning its legs, meaning it is vulnerable to attacks from behind. As should be the case
with all slower assaults and Superheavy 'Mechs, the StarQuake needs to be accompanied by at
least one lance of competent medium 'Mechs to act as a body guard (as all the StarQuake's
weapons also have a minimum range).
*THE STARQUAKE HAS DESIGN QUIRKS if you want to use those optional rules (Yes it does make
it even better):
[Positive Quirks]
-Distracting
-Extended Torso Twist
-Fast Reload
-Improved Communications
[Negative Quirks]
-Difficult Ejection
-Oversized
-Unstreamlined
Deployment:
As of yet, the only time the StarQuake has been in a battle is in Arctic Silence's training
simulations. There is an internal debate within the group as to whether it should be used
for important missions which the mercenary organisation is part of, but the threat of Lyran
forces turning on them to capture the StarQuake is too great for it to see any action at the
moment. It does however have a custom-made dropship so that it is able to be transported
easily.
There are rumours that Arctic Silence is planning to build a second StarQuake, but that
wouldn't be ready until 3140 at the earliest.
Notable MechWarriors:
There have only been ever been ten people in the cockpit of the StarQuake, and only three of
those have piloted it. One was Arctic Silence's leader, Alisa Wolfstein, and the other two
are the StarQuake's two top-secret pilots. Most of the members of Arctic Silence don't even
know these pilot's faces. These two pilots are also some of the best in the organisation.
The seven others who have had the privilege of being inside this marvel are the head
designers, scientists and engineers who were in charge of creating and building the
BattleMech.
WHEN USING THE STARQUAKE IN A SCENARIO, the pilot should be listed as: "A.S. Ace Pilot"
(A.S.= Arctic Silence) and his gunnery/piloting skills should be 1/2 respectively.
================================================================================================
Equipment Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo Steel 20.00
Engine: 200 Fusion 8.50
Walking MP: 1
Running MP: 2
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks (Single): 48 38.00
Gyro: Superheavy 4.00
Cockpit: Superheavy 4.00
Armor Factor: 536 33.50
Type: Standard
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 4 12
Center Torso: 60 69
Center Torso (rear): 17
R/L Torso: 42 68
R/L Torso (rear): 16
R/L Arm: 33 66
R/L Leg: 42 69
================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauss Rifle CT 4 15.00
Heavy PPC CT 2 10.00
Gauss Rifle RT 4 15.00
Gauss Rifle (Ammo 48) RT 3 6.00
Heavy PPC RT 2 10.00
Gauss Rifle LT 4 15.00
Gauss Rifle (Ammo 48) LT 3 6.00
Heavy PPC LT 2 10.00
C3 Computer (Master) RA 3 5.00
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