Technical readout 2866 Rise of the Scavengers

WVR-6Rx Wolverine
History:
Released in 2575 by Kallon Industries, few ‘Mechs have
as long and successful a track record as the 55-ton
Wolverine. Originally designed as a fast strike or heavy
reconnaissance BattleMech, the Wolverine’s blend of
speed, jump capacity, and firepower make the ‘Mech a
success in just about every role on the battlefield.
Equally at home with a 20-ton Stinger as with a 75-ton
Marauder, the Wolverine has been put to the test in
every major conflict from the Star League Reunification
Wars to the current Succession Wars. One of its many
keys to success is its use of the Tek BattleCom
communications suite and Tek Tru-Trak targeting and
tracking system. Found originally on Orguss’ Industries
45-ton Phoenix Hawk, the Tek electronics are ideal for
reconnaissance work and with the BattleCom’s ability to
coordinate communications at the company level, many
commanders also select this BattleMech for their own
personal use.
Armed with a detachable GM Whirlwind Class 5
autocannon carried in the ‘Mechs right arm, the
Wolverine can begin engaging opponents almost 550
meters away, giving it longer range than most other
scout ‘Mechs while allowing it provide direct fire support
to advancing friendly ‘Mechs. In addition, the weapon
can be dropped if damaged or to free up the hand for
physical attacks and it may even be carried in the left
hand for MechWarriors who prefer it. The ammunition is
carried in a “clip” attached directly to the weapon and it is
even possible for a MechWarrior to reload this weapon
himself provided another “clip” is available. At closer
ranges, the Wolverine can bring its Harpoon SRM-6 and
Magna Mk II medium laser into play as well.
The design is not without a few flaws, notably the
Northrup 12000 jump jets. While capable of leaping up
to 150 meters, a full jump places a serious strain on the
exhaust ports. Operating the jump jets at full thrust for
extended periods is known to cause premature failure of
the ports, often caused by the partial melting of the vents
themselves. In addition, the ball-turret mounting of the
medium laser can occasionally cause damage to the
‘Mech itself if the MechWarrior is not careful. While it
originally provided a full 360 degree firing arc, when the
Harpoon-6 and electronics blister were later added, the
ability to fire in the rear arc was interrupted.
The Wolverine has been around long enough that a
number of variants have been developed over the years.
The first, the -6K introduced by House Kurita in 2598,
eliminates the high maintenance jump jets, as well as the
autocannon, in favor of a heavy laser, a second medium
laser, and a small laser. Two more heats sinks are
added as well, giving it a total of 14, and the armor is
changed to the much heavier Valiant Lamellor often seen
on the Marauder.
In 2770, during the thick of the Amaris Civil War, the
SLDF turned to Kallon Industries for a “Royal” version of
their trusty Wolverine. The WVR-7H, often called the
“Wolverine II,” was a quick but effective upgrade of the
original. Built on an Endo-Steel chassis and utilizing
Ferro-Fibrous armor, the original Whirlwind was replaced
by a Kawabata Weapons Ultra Class 5 autocannon.
With fully twice the rate of fire as the old autocannon, the
ammunition capacity was doubled as well. The
Harpoon-6 was enhanced with the Artemis IV Fire
Control System, and the medium laser replaced by a
medium pulse model. It carries 10 double strength heat
sinks, nine tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor and is protected
with CASE.
The last variant to be developed was the -6M by House
Marik in 2816. With the “Royal” variant nothing but a
ghost as this point, Kallon engineers on Thermopolis
also chose to replace the autocannon of the -6R, this
time with a Magna Mk III heavy laser. Switching to a
significantly lighter weapon system and eliminating the
associated ammunition allowed the engineers to also
install a second medium laser, two more heat sinks, and
upgrade the protection by a full ton.
Notable ‘Mechs and MechWarriors:
Captain Jochen “E3” Vettel
A captain with the Eleventh Arcturan Guards, Captain
Vettel originally piloted a TDR-5S Thunderbolt, which
he’d taken to calling “Alison.” In fact, Vettel was so
deeply in love with the traditionally Capellan ‘Mech, that
he had the unit chaplain conduct a marriage ceremony,
following his Lutheran upbringing, where he pledged, “I
will respect, trust, help, and care for you; I will share my
119
life with you; through the best and worst of what is to
come, and as long as we live."
Unfortunately, nine months later the First Oriente
Hussars attacked Dixie in hopes of wrestling the planet,
and it’s long since looted Castle Brian, away from the
Lyran Commonwealth. Leading a valiant counterattack
that blunted the advance of the Hussars and allowed the
Guards enough time to reform their shattered lines,
“Alison” was destroyed. But not before scoring a lance
worth of kills against the Hussars, claiming a Wolverine,
Trebuchet, Hermes II, and a Vulcan before finally
succumbing.
Seeing the heartbroken Captain Vettel grieving the loss
of his “wife,” but having saved the Eleventh Arcturan
Guard from a humiliating defeat, Colonel Tobias
Henreich ordered the Arcturan technicians to do anything
and everything possible to bring “Alison” back to life.
Upon examining the remains, it was discovered the
structure of the T-Bolt was so thoroughly destroyed no
amount of work, short of an entirely new chassis, was
going to be able to bring it back. If fact, more than one
technician observed just how amazing it was that the
Captain had even survived.
Turning their sights on the salvaged Marik Wolverine,
one particularly gifted technician remarked she thought it
might be possible to transform the 55-ton ‘Mech into a
miniature Thunderbolt. Pulling off “Alison’s” remaining
weapons, the Arcturan engineers began bolting, shoving,
stuffing, and cramming them into the Crucis-A chassis,
stripping out the troublesome Northrup 12000 jump jets
in the process. Scavenging an old DAV 220 fusion
engine from an ancient Star League era Demon fighting
vehicle, they replaced the original CoreTek 275, adding
three more heat sinks and a half ton of armor in the
process.
A grateful Captain Vettel kissed each tech, then greeted
his “wife.” He has slept in the cockpit ever since refusing
to be parted ever again.
Alpha Strike Statistics
TP: BM SZ: 2 TMM: +2
MV: 8” Role: Brawler
Damage S: 3 M: 3 L: 1
OV: 0
Armor: O O O O O
Sructure: O O O O O
Special: IF1, LRM 0*/1/1