Difference between revisions of "Rattlesnake"
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The '''''Rattlesnake''''' [[BattleMech]] was created for the [[MIIO]] by Dr. [[Robert Madson (31st c.)|Robert Madson]] as part of [[Project Trapdoor]] sometime after [[3042]].<ref name=VG>''Vengeance Games'', part 2 (in: ''Shrapnel'' magazine, issue #7)</ref><ref name=S9>''Rattlesnake II'' writeup in ''Shrapnel'' magazine, issue #9, pp. 53-55</ref> | The '''''Rattlesnake''''' [[BattleMech]] was created for the [[MIIO]] by Dr. [[Robert Madson (31st c.)|Robert Madson]] as part of [[Project Trapdoor]] sometime after [[3042]].<ref name=VG>''Vengeance Games'', part 2 (in: ''Shrapnel'' magazine, issue #7)</ref><ref name=S9>''Rattlesnake II'' writeup in ''Shrapnel'' magazine, issue #9, pp. 53-55</ref> | ||
| − | It is derived from the ''[[Jenner]]'' to the point of ultimately being (arguably) just an upgrade variant of it, and | + | It is derived from the ''[[Jenner]]'' to the point of ultimately being (arguably) just an upgrade variant of it, and even shares the ''Jenner'''s JR7 alphanumerical code. However, for the purpose of the Sarna.net [[BattleTechWiki]] it is considered a separate design and not a mere variant because it was treated as such in its original writeup. |
==Canonicity== | ==Canonicity== | ||
Revision as of 11:03, 9 November 2023
| |
| Rattlesnake | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Model | JR7-31[1] |
| Class | Light |
| Technical specifications | |
| 'Mech type | Inner Sphere BattleMech |
| Mass | 35 tons |
| Chassis | |
| Armor | Ferro-fibrous[2] |
| Engine | 245 XL engine[2] |
| Heat Sinks | 11 double[2] |
| Speed | 118.9 km/h |
| Armament | |
The Rattlesnake BattleMech was created for the MIIO by Dr. Robert Madson as part of Project Trapdoor sometime after 3042.[3][1]
It is derived from the Jenner to the point of ultimately being (arguably) just an upgrade variant of it, and even shares the Jenner's JR7 alphanumerical code. However, for the purpose of the Sarna.net BattleTechWiki it is considered a separate design and not a mere variant because it was treated as such in its original writeup.
Contents
Canonicity
Originally published in Issue #21 of BattleTechnology magazine, the Rattlesnake was then implicitly considered canon but was downgraded to apocryphal when periodicals were declared noncanon. With the Vengeance Games serial published in Shrapnel magazine, it has regained its canon status. The original BattleTechnology magazine article was alluded to as an in-universe publication that was rooted in fact yet "did not ring true", having been deliberately published as part of the Project Trapdoor psyops with the aim to mislead and deceive. The article thus straddles the line between apocryphal and being a canon rumor.
Description
The Rattlesnake was an upgrade to the Jenner, designed to make use of cutting-edge technology recovered from the Helm Memory Core while outwardly appearing as a standard Jenner.[3][1] As far as can be established, they were created by refitting existing Jenners as opposed to being built in a proper factory. As part of Project Trapdoor, the Rattlesnakes were deployed with an eye to sowing confusion and uncertainty among Draconis Combine forces, and they were also used for MIIO black ops. One mission which involved the destruction of a Warhawk (Masakari) OmniMech by Rattlesnakes was embellished and altered to an unspecified degree before being published as part of the psyops.[3][1]
Stated quirks for the Rattlesnake are "Rugged (2)" and "No/Minimal Arms".[1]
It is not known how many Rattlesnakes were built, but even at the height of Project Trapdoor, no more than 20 to 30 were deployed.[1] Operation Trapdoor was discontinued after around seven years,[1] and while the Trapdoor 'Mechs continued to be used, only few of them survived into the Jihad era.[1]
Weapons and Equipment
The original JR7-31 Rattlesnake from the 3040s reportedly featured cutting-edge technologies including Ferro-fibrous armor, an XL Engine and a Guardian ECM Suite. Its main armament are seven medium lasers. Its 11 double heat sinks are only just capable of keeping its heat in check. Two jump jets were added to the original five, for a total of seven.
No specific manufacturers are known for any of the components, probably because each Rattlesnake was effectively hand-built instead of a formal standardized production. Given that it is essentially a rebuild of the Jenner and deliberately trying to mimic the original design, it stands to reason that all components that it shares with the Jenner would in fact be the original Jenner components (by the respective manufacturers).
According to the BattleTechnology writeup, which is said to be both rooted in fact and also edited with the intent to deceive, the Rattlesnake was built by "Phoenix Industries" and features a Phoenix JR35 chassis, a Phoenix 245 XL engine, Phoenix J245 jump jets, Phoenix Cuirass 112 Ferro-Fibrous armor, Hammerstorm Mjolnia-5 {sic} medium lasers, a Hammerstorm Mjolnir-3 small laser, a Hammersorm Hugin Mk XIV {sic} communication system and a Hammerstorm Munin Mk IX targeting/tracking system.
Any of this may or may not be accurate, given the peculiar status of the only source.
Variants
Custom Variants
- JR7-31R (Gideon) Rattlesnake
- The personal 'Mech of Gordon Wozniak, after it passed to his son Gideon during his time on Solaris VII in 3084 it was fitted with Clan-grade ER medium lasers, a targeting computer and an Angel ECM suite.[4][3]
Notes
- The cover of Shrapnel, issue #9, depicts Gideon Wozniak's Rattlesnake in battle, a scene from the story found in this issue
- The original writeup in BattleTechnology issue #21 was for the JR7-31P. Besides the C3 Slave unit in the head it sports a small laser in the left torso which is not mentioned in the canonical writeup.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Rattlesnake II writeup in Shrapnel magazine, issue #9, pp. 53-55
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rattlesnake record sheet in Shrapnel magazine, issue #9, p. 58
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Vengeance Games, part 2 (in: Shrapnel magazine, issue #7)
- ↑ Shrapnel Issue 9, p.89-94: "RSN-1 Rattlesnake II"
- Shrapnel #9: Fight with Confidence (Rattlesnake Variants) - Rattlesnakes