Hitotsume Kozo

Hitotsume Kozo
Production information
Manufacturer	Luthien Armor Works
Model	HK-1F
Class	Medium
Technical specifications
Mass	55 tons
Chassis	Luthien Class 52 Endo Steel
Armor	New Samarkand Teppeki Hardened Notes: Hardened Armor reduces Running MP by 1.
Engine	Hermes 330 XL
Speed	86 kph, 108 kph with Triple- Strength Myomer km/h
Jump Jets	Icarus 81
Armament	1 Lord’s Light 3 Heavy Particle Projection Cannon 2 Diverse Optics Type 20X Extended-Range Medium Lasers
BV (2.0)	1,967

Description

As the Combine’s unofficial cultural rebirth took hold, LAW engineers developed a stylized medium BattleMech for the Dragon’s more aggressive samurai. Similar to the Rokurokubi in philosophy, it has found favor among rank-andfile DCMS MechWarriors in the decade since its debut.

Capabilities

Mounting advanced myomers once found among Davion and Capellan BattleMechs, the Hitotsume-Kozo, or “one-eyed dwarf,” uses its variable speed to quickly bring its blade into close quarters. Experienced pilots will carefully mix their energy weapon usage to build and maintain the Hitotsume’s heat curve, giving it a deadly blend of speed, damage, and maneuverability. When combined with lighter Rokurokubis, Hitotsumes often provide ranged cover fire as their lighter brethren charge into the fray.

Deployment

The first Hitotsumes were difficult to appreciate by the average samurai because of their advanced structure and finicky heat curve. As a result, the Procurement Department believed it a dud concept and shunted them to the Ghost regiments and other less-favored units. However, some enthusiastic officers—most notably former Warlord Katana Tormark—and the yakuza-samurai embraced the Hitotsume. Through extensive practice and raiding operations—as well as pairing them with Rokurokubis and other fast, closequarters ’Mechs—these samurai turned them into efficient killing machines. One event on Mara typifies the savage grace shown by a competent Hitotsume pilot. A mixed company from the First Ghost attacked a fortified bunker network defended by the Second Robinson Strikers. The Ghost force fielded five Hitotsumes and a smattering of Rokurokubis, Panthers, and Dragons. Moving along the edge of effective range, the Hitotsumes blasted the distant bunker walls and eventually breached them. The Hitotsumes then closed at a slow pace, providing cover fire for the sprinting Rokurokubis and slower Panthers. The Combine light ’Mechs forced their way into the hillside bunker and were swarmed by Striker battle armor. The battle raged outward as the Strikers committed their ’Mechs to the defense. The Davions were caught by surprise when the five Hitotsumes suddenly sprinted forward and waded into the tight confines of the complex. Expertly wielding their blades and feathering their heat, the five samurai cut down the remaining Davion defenders. With the bunker breached, the way was clear for the First Ghost to fall upon the planetary capital, Terrace. In the hands of an unfamiliar pilot, however, the Hitotsume is a deathtrap. Sho-sa Miguel Tanaka-Rheese of the Eleventh Ghost was on patrol during the Combine’s assault on Brookeland. The sho-sa moved out of position to investigate a sensor anomaly and found himself surrounded by a squad of Cavaliers and two Marksmen tanks. Unfamiliar with the Hitotsume’s temperamental heat curve and out of range of his lancemates, Tanaka- Rheese quickly overheated his ’Mech in firing on the Davion tanks. The Hitotsume shut down, allowing the Cavaliers to swarm his fallen BattleMech and take the sho-sa prisoner. Embarrassed by his obscene failure to properly wield his weapon, Tanaka-Rheese fashioned a crude dagger while in custody and committed seppuku.

Armament

• 1x Hatchet more like an Japanese Kama set.
• 2x ER Medium Laser
• 1x Heavy PPC

Variants

• HK-1P

LAW has provided the DCMS with one variant of the Hitotsume-Kozo. Exchanging its particle cannon for a heavy ultra autocannon Ultra AC/10 and upgrading its laser array, the -1P has been positively received by MechWarriors in the Ghost Regiments.

Notable Pilots

• Sho-sa Gerald Yamamoto

Commander of the bunker breaching operation on Mara, Yamamoto received the Bushido Blade for his actions. The sho-sa was responsible for two BattleMech kills that day. The sho-sa styles himself a brilliant strategist, along the lines of his famous ancestor Isoroku. While his strategies were helpful in the First’s conquest of Mara, they were not enough to bring him more than token acknowledgement from the regimental command staff. Yamamoto believes he is due a new Shiro, but his arrogant attitude has done nothing to endear him to Tai-sa Seijun Noketsuna, who believes the sho-sa a “pissant noble unworthy of his heritage.”

References

• Dragon Rising
• Mechwarrior: Age of Destruction
• Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine