Technical readout 2866 Rise of the Scavengers

HBK-4Mx Hunchback
History:
Built as a collaboration between Komiyaba and the
prominent fusion engine manufacturer, Nissan General
Industries, the Hunchback was manufactured not for the
Star League, but for sale directly to the Great Houses as
well as any Periphery power with enough money to buy
them. Consequently, the Hunchback was never fitted
with advanced technology and the Star League was
never interested enough in the design to commission an
upgraded version.
This turned out to be its saving grace, as production of
the Hunchback continued uninterrupted even after the
fall of the Star League and the subsequent loss of its
advanced military secrets. When the Komiyaba
assembly planet was destroyed during the ongoing
Succession Wars, Kali Yama Weapons quickly bought
the rights to the design and began producing it out of
their factory on Kalidasa. Traditionally a part of the Free
Worlds League, Kalidasa is currently occupied by forces
from the Lyran Commonwealth.
Unleashed in 2572, the 50-ton HBK-4G Hunchback is
infamous for its massive Tomodzuru Class-20
autocannon. One of the largest weapons ever built, the
Tomodzuru by itself weighs 14 tons and takes up almost
the entire right torso. So much space, in fact, that the
ammunition for the huge cannon had be located on the
opposite side of its chest.
Backed up by a pair of Ichiba 2000 mediums lasers and
a Diverse Optics Type 10 light laser, the Hunchback is
strictly a close range fighter. Considered one of the
deadliest urban combat ‘Mechs, the narrow streets and
limited range of city fighting suit its armament perfectly.
By itself, the Class-20 autocannon can cripple or even
destroy another light or medium ‘Mech with a single shot.
Thickly armored with 10 tons of Starshield, the same
amount carried by the vaunted 70-ton Warhammer, the
Hunchback has also proven itself incredibly durable. Its
thirteen heat sinks also allow it to effectively dissipate the
heat from its immense shoulder mounted autocannon
while also allowing for the simultaneous use of its twin
medium lasers. The Hunchback is also equipped with a
pair of powerful battle fists for physical attacks.
The Hunchback’s shortcomings are as well-known as its
devastating autocannon. Powered by a Nissan 200
fusion engine, it tops out at just 64.8, making it one of the
slowest medium class BattleMech ever built. If the
Hunchback is caught out in the open, enemy ‘Mechs with
long range capability can often disable it before it can
bring its deadly autocannon into play.
For this reason, the Hunchback is often deployed
alongside fire support ‘Mechs that can effectively cover
its advance, or assigned to the second wave of an
attack. It is also commonly deployed as a bodyguard
‘Mechs for commanders, forcing an enemy ‘MechWarrior
who wishes to close to face the Hunchback’s devastating
autocannon first.
When Kali Yama Weapons took over production of the
‘Mech, they changed a number of components used by
the design. While functionally equivalent, the Kali Yama
version of the -4G is built on a Crucis V chassis, and
uses their own Kali Yama Big Bore Class 20
autocannon. The medium lasers are Hellion-V models,
and the cockpit electronics have also been swapped out,
leaving only the Diverse Optics Type 10 unchanged from
the original specifications.
In 2819, the first of two variants appeared. The HBK-4H
exchanges some of the autocannons raw power for
increased range. Using a Kali Yama Class 10 instead of
the Class 20, the -4H has an almost 70% increase in
range when compared to the -4G. Two additional
medium lasers have also been added to the -4H, making
its total damage potential equal to that of the original.
The HBK-4J, build in 2856, is such a radical departure
from the original, it is often referred to as a Swayback.
Dropping the enormous autocannon entirely, the -4J
actually looks significantly different from either the -4G or
the -4H. Carrying two LRM-10s in the right torso instead
of the autocannon and adding three additional medium
lasers also to the right torso, it is both an effective
medium fire-support ‘Mech as well as a dangerous close
range fighter. The -4J is often assigned to protect fire
support lances
Notable ‘Mech and MechWarriors:
Thomas “The Dragon” Lagemann
Currently the Class Five reigning champion on the game
world of Solaris VII, Thomas “The Dragon” Lagemann’s
modified Hunchback is a legendary arena fighter.
Retaining the original Tomodzuru autocannon, his
Hunchback, named after his beautiful Kuritan wife,
Nadja, is a technological marvel.
Capable of jaw-dropping bursts of speeds of up to 108
kph, Lagemann is known for quickly closing with his
opponent and reducing them to scrap within seconds
using his ‘Mech’s lethal autocannon.
Speculation is rampant as to how he accomplishes such
blinding speeds with a ‘Mech known for its slow plodding
nature. The most credible theories center around a
heavily modified Nissan 200 fusion engine. While the
use of a supercharger is certainly likely, a supercharger
alone cannot explain the incredible acceleration of his
‘Mech.
The only other likely source for this speed would be a
lostech Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry system.
However, MASC was only available to the Star League
and the secrets of its production were thought to have
been lost with the fall of the Terran Hegemony.
Furthermore, the only known BattleMech to carry the
system was the 20-ton MCY-99 Mercury. While the
Eridani Light Horse was known to possess a company of
them, they were all reported lost during fighting on
Sendai in 2798.
If Lagemann has indeed found a way to salvage and
adapt and MASC system and to combine it with a
supercharger, it could explain his ‘Mechs terrifying
speed. However, both systems are known to be
inherently unstable, so it remains to be seen how long
“Nadja” can last before suffering an immobilizing failure.
Alpha Strike Statistics
TP: BM SZ: 2 TMM: +1
MV: 12” Role: Brawler
Damage S: 3 M: 3 L: 0
OV: 0
Armor: O O O O O
Sructure: O O O O
Special: AC 2/2/-
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