[Quite right wolfcannon, it was correctly pointed out by Sir Chaos above that the participants should be piloting war machines that reflected the vote of the Council. As Kotare won the vote he elected to remain with his Warhawk and the rest were lighter based off that. Enjoy the report below folks as always your opinions are welcomed.]
Lootera Plains, Huntress
February 28, 3053
Four combatants awaited the order to begin approximately nine hundred meters (30 hexes) apart on the vast plains of the Smoke Jaguar homeworld. Rain swept the field as Khan Lincoln Osis observed the candidates from his armor along with the rest of the Bloodnamed assembled. saKhan Lamar Kotare had selected to utilize his personal Warhawk as the winner of the election as was his right. By Clan tradition the elder Loremaster could have chosen another 'Mech to defend his position like a Dire Wolf but years of combat experience had best prepared him for what the InnerSphere called the 'Masakari' on this day. Configured into a modified 'C' with another Large Pulse Laser replacing an ER PPC and an ER Small Laser replacing the Flamer he stood the greatest chance of success with overwhelming accurate firepower.
His opponents were forced to choose from tonnage equivalent to their voting totals in respect to Kotare's. This meant that Star Colonel Devon Osis would get to pick from the sixty-five ton OmniMech category. While this presented him with four possibilities there was really only one choice, the Ebon Jaguar, and thanks to his support within the Clan one was readied specifically for his personalized use. By placing a Gauss Rifle in the right arm and an ER PPC with a Large Pulse Laser in the left technicians had carefully balanced the heat concerns so often experiences by Mechwarriors when using the design. Two LRM-5s placed in the torsos rounded out the custom configuration which was geared for distanced combat.
The third place finish that Star Colonel Erik Furey received entitled him to receive an OmniMech massing forty-five tons. There were three designs available for his use from which he selected the Shadow Cat. Supporters among the Clan allowed him to build a custom configuration around an ER PPC placed in the right arm, two LRM-10s placed in each torso, and an ER Medium Laser in the left arm. Adding three Double Heat Sinks helped deal with extra weapon heat generated by this arsenal. Rounding out the competition was a forty ton Batu OmniFighter piloted by Star Admiral Nahuel Montizima which his allies in the naval service equipped with twin Large Pulse Lasers and an ER Medium Laser all linked to a Targeting Computer.
Satisfied all was ready he roared "begin" instantly launching the participants into action with the highest vote winners having the honor of going first. Kotare deliberately walked toward the middle of the battlefield, while Osis charged hard at the very same center as Furey swung his war machine around at Osis. All the while Nahuel Montizima lofted above it all gingerly guiding his fighter at the newly elected saKhan. Lamar gauged his greatest threat as the Ebon Jaguar which he engaged at distance leaving Furey to fight Montizima even though their initial lateral movement took them well outside effective combat range. Of the three Large Pulse Lasers and the ER PPC he fired only a single laser volley found its mark on his opponent’s left torso. Devon returned fire from his main guns electing not to fire his missiles with almost equal results, a Large Pulse striking his opponents torso.
Furey seemed to get the edge on his rivals activating his Shadow Cat’s MASC to charge forward at the only unengaged combatant Montizima. Osis now aware who his adversary was slowed his pace forward intending to use the range of his weapons to the greatest effect. Acknowledging Kotare and Osis as engaged Montizima slowly turned his craft to face Furey but both warriors remained out of range. Perhaps it was old age that caught Kotare watching the actions of his opponents as he ramped the speed up on his Warhawk closing distance with the Ebon Jaguar. The blinding flash of light from Osis’ weaponry was the last thing the would be saKhan could remember as a Gauss slug from his rival tore his Warhawk’s head off. Luckily the automatic ejection system had functioned properly carrying the wounded Loremaster safely to the ground.
Cheers went up from the Clan Council as even the Khan caught himself smiling thankful to be rid of such a radical threat to the Jaguars. As the pilotless Warhawk tumbled backwards onto the ground Osis fresh from his victory sprinted at the yet unengaged combatants. Cursing them for their tepid approach to battle he fired on Erik Furey who had just come into range of Nahuel Montizima. Angered at this interference Furey responded in kind with a furious volley of his own all the while the aerospace pilot overhead watched. Keen on maximizing his maneuverability against such a heavy foe Furey attempted to trigger his MASC for a second time but there was no response as the legs of his Shadow Cat locked up. Both warriors fired again but unable to move Furey’s ‘Mech was knocked to the ground by withering fire from Devon Osis.
Furey whose Shadow Cat had fallen face down refused to eject firing defiantly backwards with his still working ER PPC in his right arm which could flip three hundred sixty degrees. Star Admiral Montizima had seen enough recognizing his time was at hand he fired into the Ebon Jaguar’s chest with his lasers. Outraged and now reeling from damage inflicted by three opponents Osis returned fire but only hit the Batu with a single Large Pulse Laser in the fighter’s nose. As a sort of Grand Melee ensued with Furey refusing to bow out Osis and Montizima furiously maneuvered for advantage. Now in at close range the ‘Aztec’ whipped his fighter around for the kill executing a tight combat turn which he successfully pulled off, albeit barely. Osis struck by Furey and Montizima now struggled to hit his aerial rival with a full out alpha strike but could only manage a single LRM strike to the nose.
A crippling volley by Montizima struck the Ebon Jaguar’s Gauss Rifle causing a massive explosion. Osis circled around Furey’s downed Shadow Cat where he could not be struck by his ER PPC and prepared to fire again on the Batu but the Star Admiral was too fast. Another laser volley tore through Osis’ torso disabling his engine and ending his participation in the combat Trial. The grounded Shadow Cat below did manage to make one single hit on the Batu’s wing above but today’s duel had already been decided. It was only a matter of time till Montizima finished off the immobile Furey below. Two more volleys of lasers from above were enough to finally destroy the last of his ground based adversaries. The assembly watch Khan Osis who was happy to be rid of the troublesome Kotare even if his preferred candidate did not win the day.
While Montizima’s opportunistic tactics and supremacist politics were questionable the Clan needed to come together. There would be no more talk of radical liberal reforms among his people and Osis was convinced he could work with the extremist to unite the Jaguars. Finally, they could focus on rebuilding the Touman and getting back to conquering the InnerSphere as they should be. Keying his microphone the Khan Osis announced ‘All hail saKhan Naheul Montizima!’
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