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Design Overview
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                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Psychopomp PHP-2D
Designer:           Redshirt
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  E
Tonnage:            100
Role:               Sniper
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Civil War / 3062
Rules (Current):    Standard
Rules (Era):        Experimental
Rules (Year):       Unavailable
Total Cost:         25,644,000 C-Bills
Battle Value:       2,152

Chassis:              Hollis Mark III Endo-Composite
Power Plant:          Vlar 300 XL
Walking Speed:        32.4 kph  
Maximum Speed:        54 kph    
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Aldis Plate with CASE II
Armament:             
    1 Heavy PPC
    2 LB 10-X ACs
    1 Krupp MML 9 w/ Artemis IV FCS
Manufacturer:         Norse-Storm BattleMechs Inc.
    Primary Factory:  Solaris VII
Communications:       Olmstead 840 with SatNav Module
Targeting & Tracking: Trinity Composite with Advanced Targeting Computer

================================================================================================
Overview:
    After action reports from Tukayyid illustrated handily the effectiveness of the KCG-001 King
    Crab. However, ComStar did not want to convert all of its King Crabs into the -001
    configuration, as this would deprive them of the unmatched close-range capability the King
    Crab offered. Instead, ComStar commissioned StarCorps to construct a new BattleMech that
    would be capable of similar long-range assaults.
    
    Visually, the Psychopomp appears like an amalgam of a King Crab and the Cougar XR prototype,
    with the Mech's arms angled upward to give its Gauss Rifles optimal fields of fire.

Capabilities:
    The Psychopomp, in its standard configuration would be armed with an ER PPC, Twin Light
    Gauss Rifles, and an MML 9, all linked by a Targeting Computer and C3i system, to make this
    machine deadly at extreme range.
    
    All models of the Psychopomp have the following Quirks: Overhead Arms and Narrow/Low Profile

Deployment:
    By 3058, development was entering the prototype stage, unfortunately, WoB would launch
    Operation ODYSSEUS at that time, halting development as the design team fled Terra with the
    only copy of the Psychopomp's specifications.
    
    ComStar would struggle to find a factory to produce the 100 ton behemoth, until they
    approached Norse-Storm Technologies, who agreed to produce the Psychopomp in the same
    Solaris Factory that biult the venerable Nightstar Battlemech. There were some troubles that
    arose during the final stages in design. ComStar refused to allow Norse Storm access to the
    C3i systems, providing only the dimensions of the unit to built around. Norse Storm
    engineers insisted that more information was required. The conflict nearly ended production
    before it began, until the ComStar representatives relented and allowed Norse Storm limited
    access to the required information.
    
    The production PHP-1B would prove wildly successful in its extreme-range fire support role.
    The mix of advanced Targeting Computers and C3i resulted in a 90% hit rate at maximum range,
    a figure that has only ever been matched by the Clan Warhawk Omnimech. The PHP-1B was also
    extremely efficient for such an ammo-heavy Mech, and its MML systems and Light Gauss Rifles
    put minimal strain on ComStar logistics. Rumors persist of ComStar Mechwarriors actively
    fabricating Gauss slugs for the Psychopomp using the Mech's own Gyro as a grinding wheel and
    scrap metal harvested from the battlefield. While fabricating a Gauss slug cheaply is
    certainly possible, Norse Storm insists the Gyro is not meant for, and should not be used
    for such purposes.
    
    Sadly, production would only last 9 years before the Blakists invasion of Solaris saw the
    Norse-Storm production lines destroyed. As such, the Psychopomp is a rare sight on the
    battlefield, rarer still in the employ of anyone outside of ComStar.

Variants:
    The initial preproduction prototype of the Psychopomp, the PHP-1A featured a full-size Gauss
    Rifle, paired with a Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle and MML-9. However, ComStar was concerned
    about the model's limited ammunition stores, and lack of energy-based backups outside of a
    single ER Medium Laser. The configuration was thus shelved in favor of the 1B.
    
    After three years of producing the 1B, and struggling to keep up with deliveries of spares,
    Norse Storm developed the PHP-3C. This model mounted a Gauss Rifle in the left torso, an ER
    Large Laser in the center torso, and replaced the Light Gauss weapons with twin MML-9
    launchers, fitted with Artemis IV fire control and supplied with four tons of CASE
    II-protected ammunition. This model was better suited to close-range engagements, and could
    act as a "heavy" C3 scout, sending targeting data to lighter support elements while
    delivering precise fire thanks to its onboard Targeting Computer.

Notable MechWarriors:
    Adept Rico Adkins was the commander of a ComStar Heavy Level 2 during the strike to liberate
    Donegal from WoB forces. He was tasked with defending his fellow ComGuard from the advancing
    Blakists, and his actions kept the WoB Elite tied down while Lyran forces overran vital
    Blakist positions elsewhere. Though his superiors might have placed him and his men out as a
    target, Rico Adkins was a commander who took care of his men. Adept Adkins had his Medium
    Mechs concentrate on moving, evading the Elite WoB forces charging their position while
    Adkins and his PHP-1B used their targeting data to rain fire on the WoB Celestials,
    eliminating the notoriously durable mechs with concentrated fire on the center torso
    sections. He prioritized targets based on the threat they posed to his exposed Medium Mechs,
    often ignoring threats to his own position.
    
    When the fighting quieted down, a ComGuard infantry platoon moved in around the Adepts Mech,
    determined to save Rico from his own carelessness. Unknown to Adept Adkins and his men, the
    field was quiet because the Blakists were withdrawing from the planet. When the Blakists
    detonated their Nuclear devices. Rico, his mech crouched in defilade, was spared the worst
    of the impact, but the rest of his formation was destroyed in the nuclear fireball, as were
    the infantry dug in around him. Nuclear shadows scarred the upper half of his Mech, but
    Adept Adkins refused to have it repainted.
    
    Adept Adkins would volunteer himself and his machine for deep-strike missions and raids
    against WoB forces. When on these missions, he would use the range of the PHP-1B's arsenal
    of weapons to lure Blakist patrols to his position where his fellow Warriors would ambush
    them. He deliberately chose close-range Mechs for his lancemates, such as the venerable King
    Crab, which made these ambushes all the more deadly. One of his favorite tactics was to
    cripple the legs of larger BattleMechs mid-sprint, increasing the chances of a fall. Adkins
    would then, if the enemy was close enough, emerge from concealment to slowly approach, and
    cave in the cockpit with his Mech's foot. His dedication to ComStar, and the utter
    destruction of the Word of Blake, was so intense that the formerly devout Adept referred to
    himself as a "Staunch Athiest" by the time he was promoted to Demi-Precentor.
    
    All records of Rico Adkins, and his PHP-1B "Fallout" end with the assault on Terra by
    Coalition forces. It is known that he participated, but that is all. Stories suggest that
    Adkins lead his troops in an assault on Hilton Head Island, and that it was his efforts that
    destroyed Hilton Head and prevented the Blakists from devastating the Sol system with
    cobalt-laced Nukes. this story, while perhaps a fitting end to the tale of Rico Adkins, is
    likely a tall tale.
    
    
    Kyle Donovan was a test pilot for Norse Storm, and was at the factory on Solaris VII when
    the Blakists began OPERATION SHOWTIME. While Norse Storm corporate security and the local
    ComStar Level II assigned to protect the facility held back the Blakist onslaught, Kyle and
    Norse Storm techs rushed to get one of the nearly complete Psychopomps ready for combat. By
    the time they were finished, the factories defenders were all but dead, and Blakist forces
    were regrouping for another attack. However, many of the "destroyed" units around the
    factory still had power, and were transmitting C3 data. Thanks to this, Donovan was firing
    his weapons the moment he was clear of the factory doors. He is credited with at least 6
    confirmed kills against the Blakists 25th Division, and 3 more crippled. Eventually,
    rienforcements from what remained of the ComGuard 56th Division arrived, with Donovan's
    Psychopomp transmitting data from point blank range as Blakist forces finally caught up to
    him. The indirect fire from the ComGuard Mechs-combined with the short-range firepower of
    the Psychopomp-saved Donovan and his Mech from destruction. However, the Blakists, sore
    losers as always, sortied a Grand Titan Vengance, which eliminated the ComGuard
    reinforcements and blasted the factory in half with Thumper-launched Nukes.
    
    Donovan quickly moved into the city, going underground and fighting a guerilla war against
    the Blakist occupation. His flat grey, unpainted Mech appeared black within the neon lights
    of Solaris City, and the citizens began to refer to the machine as "The Reaper". It is
    generally believed that Donovan worked on his own, or with a small resistance group. It is
    almost certain that none of his allies had a compatible C3 system for him to use. Yet, tales
    from Solaris insist that "The Reaper" could see around corners, use any camera or electronic
    device as a "scout", and engage targets beyond visual range with perfect accuracy.
    Regardless of the accuracy of these stories, it is known that Kyle Donovan fought and
    defeated another thirty Blakist Mechwarriors-and an unknown number of smaller ground
    forces-before the fighting ended. A week after the Blakists retreat, "The Reaper" was found
    standing in the wastes, standing atop a ruined WoB battlemech. Its armor was intact, its
    reactor powered up and weapons still active. Donovan was inside, having died due to
    untreated internal bleeding. it is believed that his Mech was pushed out of the factory
    before its environmental seals could be properly tested, and was subsequently irradiated by
    the Blakists nuclear attack.
    
    The fanciful stories attributed to The Reaper are generally believed to be an exaggeration,
    though there may be some merit to the idea that "The Reaper" was a modified Psychopomp. What
    little video evidence exists of the Reaper shows no MML-Launcher. Its possible that Donovan
    mounted some form of flexible communications and EWAR package in this space. While hacking
    satilites and ECM capability might explain some of the Reapers abilities, its long-range
    accuracy can only be attributed to Donovan's skill. That is, unless some form of prototype
    C3i was involved. Additionally, a cache of Clan-Spec Gauss Rifles had been sold at an
    underground auction a few days before, which may explain the lethality often attributed to
    The Reaper. Unfortunately, there is no way to know for certain, as Norse Storm associates
    absconded with the grey battlemech. This has lent some credence to the Clan Gauss Rifle
    theory, as Norse Storm would not want it to be publicly known that they purchased Clan
    weaponry at an illegal auction.

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                       Endo-Composite               7.50                     
Engine:                                       300 XL                   9.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 3                                               
    Running MP:                                 5                                               
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         12 [24]                   2.00                     
Gyro:                                        Compact                   4.50                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  296                    18.50                     
    Type:                                    Standard                                           

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      31             43       
    Center Torso (rear):                              10       
    R/L Torso:                         21             34       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  8       
    R/L Arm:                           17             34       
    R/L Leg:                           21             41       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heavy PPC                                                 CT                4         10.00             
Targeting Computer                                        RT                8          8.00             
MML 9 w/ Artemis IV FCS                                   LT                6          7.00             
CASE II                                                   RA                1          1.00             
LB 10-X AC                                                RA                6         11.00             
LB 10-X AC (Ammo 10)                                      RA                1          1.00             
LB 10-X AC (Ammo 10) [Cluster]                            RA                1          1.00             
MML 9 (Ammo 11) [SRM / Artemis IV]                        RA                1          1.00             
CASE II                                                   LA                1          1.00             
LB 10-X AC                                                LA                6         11.00             
LB 10-X AC (Ammo 10)                                      LA                1          1.00             
LB 10-X AC (Ammo 10) [Cluster]                            LA                1          1.00             
MML 9 (Ammo 13) [LRM / Artemis IV]                        LA                1          1.00             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 49
TP: BM,  SZ: 4,  TMM: 1,  MV: 6"
Damage: (S) 5 / (M) 5 / (L) 4,  OV: 0
Armor (A): 10,  Structure (S): 4
Specials: CASEII, FLK1/1/1, IF1
 
"Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win." - Bernadette Devlin
Copyright © 1995-2025 Scott Bukoski. All rights reserved.
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Code Release 2.25.5 (2025-11-01T16:12:58-04:00)