Phantom 'Mech

The Phantom 'Mech is the only canonical allusion to a possibly supernatural event or power within the BattleTech universe, and as such remains somewhat of an engima.

It refers to the conclusion of the famous duel between Morgan Kell and Yorinaga Kurita, which is never directly described in canon sources, but rather recounted by different people. According to the reports, Kurita's Warhammer fired all weapons at Kell's critically damaged Archer at pointblank range but miraculously missed with each and every weapon although his enemy did not even move. Conversely, Kell fired his long-range missile launchers. The missiles failed to detonate due to the very short range; their impact did crack open the canopy of Kurita's 'Mech, however. Kell (in his Archer) then respectfully bowed to his opponent. Kurita could not return the gesture because the full salvo had overheated his Warhammer. Ashamed, Yorinaga Kurita conceded victory to Morgan Kell and allowed the Kell Hounds to withdraw.

Kurita later claimed that he had had the Archer plain in his sights at very short range, but then Kell's 'Mech had inexplicably disappeared from all sensors all of a sudden, despite standing still, and the salvo missed.

This mysterious event has never been given a satisfactory explanation. Three distinct theories abound:

• Morgan Kell used some kind of LosTech ECM device or cloaking device
• Yorinaga Kurita, who had essentially won the duel, elected to spare Kell and even to concede victory to him for some reason (possibly following his own interpretation of the Code of Bushido)
• Morgan Kell used a supernatural ability

Although the latter possibility seems rather far-fetched, especially considering the technically oriented outlook of the BattleTech universe and the total absence of any Psi powers, magic, telepathy etc., a rare supernatural skill called "Phantom 'Mech" ability has been suggested. Wether or not such an ability exists at all is ambigous canon.