Yen-Lo-Wang

Revision as of 20:23, 6 September 2015 by Wrangler (talk | contribs) (adding notes, there no stats for the mech described in number of novels where this mech was invented.)

Yen-Lo-Wang, named after the Chinese god of death, is a famous individual BattleMech.

History

Justin Xiang Allard

Yen-Lo-Wang was originally an old regular Centurion that Justin Xiang Allard purchased in 3027 with funds provided by Kym Sorenson during his exile on Solaris VII and his Solaris Championship run.[1] He modified the 'Mech to carry an Autocannon/20, which gave him a surprise advantage in his first match using Yen-Lo-Wang where he defeated Peter Armstrong. At some point he placed titanium "nails" on the 'Mech's hand actuators, a feature put to good use in a fight against Billy Wolfson where the autocannon jammed.

Following his meteoritic rise to Solaris VII champion, he used the 'Mech during his subsequent career with House Liao's Maskirovka immediately prior and during the Fourth Succession War.

When Justin Xiang Allard was extracted from Sian at the climax of the Fourth Succession War, Yen-Lo-Wang was also taken along.

Kai Allard-Liao

Justin Xiang Allard gifted the 'Mech to his son, Kai Allard-Liao, when Kai first joined the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. There, Kai served with distinction and saw action in the 'Mech during the Clan Invasion. Hanse Davion personally had the 'Mech modified with Star League-era technology after Kai refused to accept a Wolf's Dragoons-produced Daishi assault OmniMech, officially presenting the upgraded Yen-Lo-Wang to Kai on 21 September 3050. The weapons had been replaced with a Von Ryan Gauss Rifle in place of the autocannon and Spitfire Medium Pulse Lasers, two on the arm, one on the torso and one on mounted on the back. Additionally, the 'Mech was refitted with a new generation of Triple Strength Myomer that did not burn when exposed to gas, the Miata 200 extralight engine, and three additional, switchable Heat Sinks[2]. The 'Mech was briefly lost behind Clan Jade Falcon lines on Alyina, but Kai later recovered it.

Notably, Kai Allard-Liao would not pilot Yen-Lo-Wang in his arguably most famous combat action: He was separated from his 'Mech, which was transported on another DropShip, and thus borrowed a Hatchetman for the fighting on Twycross. There, he ended up self-destructing the Hatchetman and using its Full-Head Ejection System to save himself and Deidre Lear, who was riding shotgun, while demolition charges buried his enemies in a canyon.

Later, he used the 'Mech as he followed in his father's footsteps as Solaris VII Champion.

Yen-Lo-Wang saw service again with Kai in the final assault of New Avalon island in 3067, protecting Victor Steiner-Davion from harm. In the first stages of the battle, however, it was piloted not by Kai but by Thomas Sherwood and deployed in a diversionary attack with Archer's Avengers to reinforce the impression it was the real main assault.[3]

Though long retired from the battlefield, Kai would pilot Yen-Lo-Wang a final time during the Capellan Crusades, the unmistakable 'Mech cutting a bloody swath through the CCAF like its namesake as its pilot sought vengeance for his deceased daughter Melissa Allard-Liao. Facing off against the combined might of the elite Red Lancers and Death Commandos sent to kill him personally on Sakhalin, Kai would ultimately fall on 14 January 3113 after a stray missile strike hit Yen-Lo-Wang in the head. As a sign of respect for Kai's legacy, the Death Commandos chose to leave Yen-Lo-Wang right where it fell rather than claim it as salvage, attaching a beacon so that the Republic of the Sphere forces could locate and retrieve it. [4]

Danai Liao-Centrella

Feeling a kinship with young Danai Liao-Centrella, among Kai's final word would be his desire that Yen-Lo-Wang be bequeathed to her. By the time she had come of age, Yen-Lo-Wang had fallen in disrepair and needed extensive restoration. In the early 3120s, when Danai was old enough, she journeyed to gather parts to restore the 'Mech. She then used it on Solaris VII, where she competed in the games and won the Solaris Open with it. She and Yen-Lo-Wang went into service with House Liao's Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry as part of the 3130s incursion into the Republic of the Sphere.[5] [4]

Armament & Configuration

In its original form as purchased by Justin Xiang Allard, Yen-Lo-Wang was apparently an old regular Centurion (implicitly a CN9-A model). It was then refitted with a bigger autocannon at the cost of secondary armament, to what seems to be CN9-AH specs.

At some point Yen-Lo-Wang was armed with an Autocannon/20 in place of the Centurion's Autocannon/10, two Medium Lasers and a Hatchet. This variant was referred to as CN9-YLW, though it remains unclear if that denomination refers to the specific 'Mech or to its specific configuration.[6]

It was also noted that, because of its background as a high-profile champion 'Mech from the Solaris Games, Yen-Lo-Wang was equipped with additional diagnostic and telemetry systems, though these did not grant any immediate advantage in combat.

Clan Invasion Era Refit

During the Clan Invasion Era, Yen-Lo-Wang was upgraded with a Gauss Rifle in place of the Autocannon/20, three Medium Pulse Lasers and TSM. This was referred to as CN9-YLW2.[7]

Dark Age Era Refits

Refurbished as Kai prepared for his berserker drive against the Confederation, at the time of his death Yen-Lo-Wang was armed with a Gauss Rifle, an LRM launcher and a brace of ER Medium Lasers.[4]

After passing to Danai Liao- Centrella, the ancient 'Mech was refitted with a Heavy Large Laser, an LRM-20 with Artemis IV, a Hatchet, and a Shield.[8]

Gallery

Notes

It should be noted in the original Warrior series novels done by Michael Stackpole, that the Yen-Low-Wang featured in Warrior: Coupé was noted it was refitted with form of Nails. These nails were considered to be cosemetic however, they notably used pierce opponent's back torso armor. However, these nails mounted on the arm lack stats in current Total Warfare rules. A hatchet was has been stated in it's place.

In the novels Fortress Republic and Principles of Desolation, the refitted Yen-Lo-Wang piloted by Danai Liao-Centrella is descriped what it is armed with and was provided a dossier card showing some of it's featured weapons. However, as of this writing there is no canon record sheet provided for this version of this unique 'mech.

References

  1. ↑ Warrior: En Garde, pp. 138-139
  2. ↑ Blood Legacy, p.??
  3. ↑ The Longest Road, pp. 26-27
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Historical: Wars of the Republic Era, p. 7 "Righteous Vengeance - 1919 Hours"
  5. ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 87
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: 3025 & 3026; Record Sheets: 3039, p. 121
  7. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 124
  8. ↑ Principles of Desolation, pp. 78-90 & 98-99

Bibliography

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