Prometheus (BattleMech)

Revision as of 02:24, 18 February 2010 by Cyc (talk | contribs) (→‎Description)
Prometheus (BattleMech)
Prometheus
Production information
Manufacturer NAIS Dark Mirage Facility, Hyde
Model None/Unique
Class Heavy
Cost 19,395,249 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 75 tons
Chassis Clan Endo Steel
Armor Clan Ferro-Fibrous
Engine Clan 375 class XL Engine
Speed 80 km/h
Jump Jets None
Armament

1 x Clan ER PPC
1 x Clan Large Pulse Laser
1 x Clan Medium Pulse Laser
2 x Clan LRM-15s
2 x Clan SRM-6s
6 x Clan Machine Guns


Constructed at the secret New Avalon Institute of Science Dark Mirage facility on Hyde, the Prometheus was a one-of-a-kind BattleMech developed to gain a better understanding of Clan technology. While a frightful waste of (then) rare Clan salvage, the design served as a deadly testbed for the Direct Neural Interface system.

Description

As the AFFC began to win battles against the Clans, every scrap of advanced Clan technology recovered was quickly shipped to the NAIS for study. While much was retained for direct reverse engineering and investigation, portions were made available to all NAIS facilities to integrate and investigate the benefits of advanced technology on their military research projects. While the NAIS was not yet able to replicate OmniMech technology of the invaders, with the Draconis Combine's first proof of concept OmniMech (the Raptor) yet to enter operation testing at this point, the Dark Mirage engineers were able piece together a functional if ungainly Succession War style "FrankenMech" combining the abilities (and parts) of the Loki, Mad Cat, Thor and Vulture.

While advancing engineering know-how, the Prometheus was a technological dead-end and would have eventually faded into history had Professor Burke Kale not secretly appropriated the design for the installation of a torso mounted Virtual Reality Piloting Pod control system compatible with his controversial and banned Direct Neural Interface system. Serving as the initial test subject, Kale quickly became enthralled and addicted to the sensation of the Prometheus as a direct extension of his body. Increasingly paranoid, Kale quickly fled with the design to Solaris VII, leading to the Prometheus's famed run in the arenas.

The combination of then unusual Clan-tech weaponry and the unrivaled control offered by the DNI allowed the non-combat trained Kale to claim a sizable amount of victories in the Solaris arena circuit. However these advantages masked the flaws of Prometheus. Like many makeshift designs, the 'Mech lacked the structural integrity of production or even prototype BattleMechs and was unduly susceptible to damage suffered in combat and soaked considerable resources to stay in operation. The patchwork and makeshift nature of the Prometheus also indirectly acted as an inhibitor on the DNI link. While Kale saw this as a disadvantage and led to his creation of the Epimetheus, the "impure" link prevented Kale from completely losing himself in the 'Mech.

Armament

Just as the "body" of the Prometheus was captured Clan-tech, the weapon array features a powerful combination of energy weapons and missile launchers. Despite being taken from salvaged OmniMechs, the weapon pods are "hardwired" into the design. When the Prometheus saw service in the Solaris arenas, Clan-tech was still an unusual rarity, even without the benefits of the DNI these gave Kale a large advantage against his opponents.

While more powerful than comparable Inner Sphere components, the weapon array suffers from the same patchwork problem as the rest of the Prometheus and minor armor hits would disable or impair their function. Further, when originally constructed, no thought was given to resupply of the missile and machine gun ammunition as it was never intended to see true continuous combat use.

References