Theodore Gross

Theodore Gross in 3051
Theodore Gross
Character Profile
Born 3020[1]
Died 15 August 3062[2]
Affiliation DeLon Stables
Title(s) Solaris Grand Champion
Profession Arena Gladiator

Theodore Gross was the Solaris Games Grand Champion from 3059 to 3062 for the DeLon Stables.[3]

History[edit]

An expatriate from the Draconis Combine and longtime high-ranked contender for the Championship, by the early years of the Clan Invasion Theodore Gross had been slowly slipping down the ranks, with many considering his competitive days had long past. In 3051, he was ranked 9th of Solaris Top Twenty.[4] This changed with Coordinator Theodore Kurita's formal recognition of the Combine community and warriors on Solaris VII in 3056. Though he lost in 30 seconds to Kai Allard-Liao in one his Kai's first fights on his road to Championship,[5] Theodore, as all Combine fighters surged in the standings and began to steadily advance up the ranks again in 3057 and 3058, culminating in his unexpected defeat of Wynn Goddard in 3059, becoming the oldest Champion ever at age thirty-nine. Gross dedicated his first Championship not to the present Coordinator but his deceased father Takashi. For the honor Gross had shown his family, the Coordinator invited Gross to the Combine capital of Luthien as his guest, the invitation made an even more an rare honor as it came during Operation BULLDOG when the Coordinator was heavily focused on the defeat of Clan Smoke Jaguar.[1]

As if the visit home rekindled his passion for the arena, upon his return Theodore Gross was practically untouchable in his next two years of title defenses and championship wins. Gross dedicated his 3060 Championship to Coordinator Theodore Kurita, and his 3061 win to the Coordinator's son Hohiro. Coming less than a month after Theodore Kurita was elected First Lord of the Star League, Gross' 3062 win shocked many diehard Combine patriots when he dedicated it to the exiled First Prince Victor Steiner-Davion and honoring his role in the creation of the Star League even in such trying times in the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns. This dedication drew immediate and public appreciation from the Coordinator and his family, with a salvaged Clan Masakari sent to Gross under the Coordinator's signature.[1]

Fully aware how deadly his new 'Mech was, Gross used it sparingly, though announced plans to use in the next Grand Tournament against those willing to accept the challenge, even offering to turn off half the Masakari's weaponry to ensure a more even match.[1] Ultimately the Clan 'Mech would cost Gross his life, but not while at its controls in the arena. On the eve of the FedCom Civil War as factional tensions on Solaris erupted into open warfare on 15 August 3062, Gross was murdered for his Masakari by a former Clan Smoke Jaguar MechWarrior named Garrett who was incensed at the Combine warrior's use of a Clan OmniMech. While he was climbing to the cockpit of his 'Mech, he was shot by an autocannon burst from Garrett's Mad Dog on the waiting zone of Ishiyama.[2] With Gross the favorite to have won 3063 Championship, the Solaris Gaming Commission debated awarding him the Championship posthumously, but public outcry and the Commission's own bylaws prevented this.[6]

The 3064 Champion Evelyn Czerny would dedicate her Championship victory to Theodore Gross' memory and all the other warriors killed during the 3062 riots.[6]

Tactics[edit]

Theodore Gross favors a jumping fighting style, but he is also adept at using his impressive armament to bring him victory.

BattleMechs[edit]

In 3051, Theodore Gross was piloting a Katana.[4]

In 3062, he was gifted with a Masakari, though he piloted it sparingly.[2]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 MechWarrior's Guide to Solaris VII, p. 65: "A Brief History of Solaris VII - A Primer for the Solaris Games - The Champions - Theodore Gross"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Illusions of Victory, p. 115
  3. MechWarrior's Guide to Solaris VII, p. 85
  4. 4.0 4.1 Solaris VII: The Game World – Gamemaster's Book, p. 26: "The Top 20"
  5. Assumption of Risk, p. 18: "Recollect of Kai's past"
  6. 6.0 6.1 MapPack: Solaris VII, p. 14: "The Game World Revisited - Welcome to Solaris! - Let the Games Begin! - Recent Standings"

Bibliography[edit]