Talaria
Mass: 30 tons
Chassis: Talaria
Power Plant: Fusion 240 XL
Cruising Speed: 86.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 130 km/h (173 km/h with MASC)
Fixed Jump Jets: 0
Armor: CI 94 Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
1 New Kent Technologies Active Probe
9 tons of Pod Space
Manufacturer: Ernst OmniMech Production Complex
Primary Factory: New Kent
Communications System: CI-Com 6
Targeting and Tracking System: CI-X4
The Talaria was the first Light OmniMech. Produced beginning in 2859 at the brand new Ernst OmniMech Production Complex on New Kent (along with sister facility Richard OCP), the Coyote Scientist Caste realized that their current OmniMech-equipped units lacked vital scouting, anti-infantry, armor hunting, and hunter-killer specialists. Rather than produce new configurations of the Coyotl, the Coyotes decided a dedicated light OmniMech would be cheaper, and provide a cost-effective dueling option for Bloodright Trials. They could produce this ‘Mech in numbers, which would allow it to perform many crucial battlefield roles, albeit with less opportunities for honorable dueling combat. A pair of OmniMechs designs went into production simultaneously, with the Talaria beating the Piasa to the field by 3 months. The Talaria was named for the winged-sandals worn by Hermes, and was a nod to the Omni’s inspiration, the Hermes BattleMech. It is strange, or maybe fitting, that the Roman equivalent of Hermes, Mercury, should have played such a foundational role to OmniMech development.
Capabilities
The Talaria massed 30 tons and stands 8.76 meters tall. It was conventionally jointed, and had wide, winged feet. Designers claimed the alternative contact structures on the feet aided in traction, but no evidence for this has ever become publicly available. A 240-rated XL Fusion Engine gave the Talaria great speed, the primary armor since this light mounted a modest amount of Ferro-Fibrous. An NKT Active Probe was standard on all models, and provided a steady stream of income for this otherwise reclusive neighbor. Even in configurations mounting jump jets, the Talaria ran rather cool, too.
The Primary Configuration was designed as a hunter-killer for infantry and tanks, and with a 240-meter jump, little could stop it in this role. “A” was a duelist, combining a targeting computer with ER Lasers and flamers. “B” could manage as a skirmisher, with over-under slung ER Large and ER Medium Lasers, and the punch of an SRM4. “C” was designed for electronic countermeasures, but still mounted 5 ER Medium Lasers. “D” allowed commanders to direct artillery, and replaced 3 of “C’s” ER Mediums with just 2 ER Small Lasers. “E” was a fire-support light, with 30 LRM tubes, while “F” replaced these LRMs with an absurd number of SRMs and an ER Medium Laser. “G” was the grand daddy of all electronic warfare configurations, with ECM, TAG, Active Probe, plenty of Narc Pods to guide the munitions of Starmates, and a trio of ER Medium Lasers.
Deployment
Blazingly fast even among the Clans, the Talaria ruled light warfare in the Kerensky Cluster for more than a decade, and was especially common in Gamma and Epsilon Galaxies. But the Talaria’s time of dominance came to a sudden halt, in a minor Trial of Possession in 2868 over a production run of OmniPods between Clan Coyote and its ally, Clan Wolf. The Wolves fielded a single Star of light BattleMechs and one Stars of newly deployed Battle Armor infantry. The Talaria MechWarriors, disregarding the infantry, focused on dueling the ‘Mechs, believing the infantry would be easy targets later, and willing to accept hegira. As the duels unfolded, Coyote MechWarriors took down 3 of the BattleMechs while the Battle Armor deployed. Suddenly, the Battle Armor opened fire on the Coyotes, damaging all 5 Talaria in the first salvo. The confused Coyotes struck back against the Elementals, but none were lost in the counter attack. At this point, Wolf Star Commander Filip offered hegira to the irate Coyotes, only to be refused. All 5 Talaria and their MechWarriors were taken as isorla and Bondsmen for surkai in refusing hegira, but all 5 Warriors became abtakha of Clan Wolf within 7 weeks, a surkairede the Coyotes accepted for their humiliation.
Clan Coyote’s engagement between the Talaria and Battle Armor infantry forced the Coyotes to significantly rework their tactics and adjust their configurations. While the Talaria was well suited to its former roles, it could not conduct operations with impunity as before. Accordingly, Talaria configurations were all reworked to allow for new primary or secondary missions in most operations, including the rapid deployment of Battle Armor infantry.
Talaria production continued steadily for nearly a century. But in 2950, improvements in Clan OmniMech compatibility allowed Coyote Scientists and technicians to experiment with upgrades. Within a couple years, the Talaria's primary production facility, Ernst OPC on New Kent, began closing some of its lines to retool for a new, modified Endo-Steel Talaria chassis. Even though these new Endo-Steel chasses had to be delivered from outside the New Kent system, the initial production run of the upgraded Talaria, named the Petasos, was so successful, plans were made for constructing a new orbital facility above New Kent to manufacture the Endo-Steel, and Technicians at Ernst OPC itself began preparing for a massive expansion.
With the flurry of activity at Ernst OPC, and the wild new performance of the Petasos, Clan Ice Hellion thought it saw an opportunity to enhance its touman. On 19 March 2954, Clan Ice Hellion declared a Trial of Possession for Ernst OPC. With Clan Coyote distracted by the ongoing expansion of Ernst OPC and its punitive Trials again Clan Cloud Cobra on Homer, Brim, and Babylon, the factory was guarded primarily by lesser Warriors, even though it was responsible for 75% of all the Talaria in service, and the only facility that produced the Talaria’s Gyro. This oversight was likely because the lighter, faster 'Mechs in the Coyote touman were often overlooked by the Warden majority of Clan Coyote. After terms for the Trial were settled and both sides were bid their forces, the Ice Hellions quickly broke zellbrigen with their pack tactics, with predictable consequences. The Hellions’ dezgra tactics reinforced the Coyote resolve, and the Trial turned against the Hellions. In response, Star Captain Travveris rashly ordered his Hellions to disengage the Coyotes and target the complex instead. Though the Coyotes managed to prevent total destruction, all of the Petasos lines were damaged beyond repair, while a single Talaria line was operational.
Two months later, seeing a trickle of Talarias walking off the production lines, Clan Ice Hellion again Trialed for Possession of Ernst OPC. This time, the Coyotes only provided token resistance to the Ice Hellions, and quit the field after a few minutes. After the Trial, the reason for the meager resistance became apparent to the Hellions. The damage from the first Trial had destoyed all Gyro production; all recent Talaria were being produced with stockpiles of older Gyros. Full production would be impossible without significant reinvestment in the factory. In light of this new information, the Ice Hellions abandoned the factory but took the remaining Laborers and Technicians. The factory has never been rehabilitated. The Talaria’s demise removed the last obstacle to Clan Smoke Jaguar’s Mist Lynx becoming the premier Light OmniMech among the Clans.
While the death of the Talaria might have seem like a moderate loss to the powerful Clan Coyote, some could argue it was precedent setting. Alone, it would have just been the loss of a ‘Mech - shift production elsewhere, and design a successor to the Talaria to compete with the Mist Lynx. But the loss of the Talaria was the first of a series of losses occurring in just 13 years, beginning with attrition from continuous Trials against Clan Cloud Cobra, the loss of the Starnake to Clan Steel Viper, and the self-inflicted casualties of the Blood Scandal. These events lost Clan Coyote lost nearly 20% of its Warrior Caste genetic material and personnel, its standard frontline Light ‘Mech, and its most iconic Assault ‘Mech. While the Thunderbird II was more than adequate as a replacement for the Starnake, the lowly Piasa was too fragile, and incapable of replacing the Talaria. In response, Clan Coyote reverted to its tendency for large and lumbering heavier ‘Mechs.
A slow death overtook Clan Coyote, a stagnation of frontline ‘Mech tactics, political ideology, and a sudden 20% reduction in Warrior numbers and genetic diversity. The agents responsible for these losses were not the most powerful Clans, for instance Clan Coyote’s allies Clan Wolf, nor Clan Coyote’s enemies Clans Smoke Jaguar or Jade Falcon. Instead, the Coyotes’ downfall came at the hands of their feud rivals, the average Star Adders and Cloud Cobras, and second-tier Clans like the small, impulsive Ice Hellions, or the caustic Steel Vipers. The Coyote losses left the Clan again with a propensity for ponderously heavy ‘Mech assets and defensive or juggernaut tactics, and a unflinching determination to the Warden cause no matter the outcome. The once mighty Coyotes had begun their path to twilight and mediocrity:
The story of the death of the Talaria checks out from multiple sources, except that it does not explain the large number of rumors related to the Trial. The specificity of the destruction at Ernst OPC appeared to be less than random. The Trial occurred during a lull in production, and some Hellion Scientists speculated the astrobleme may have been an ideal location for a materials testing site. This may have something to do with the seemingly wild capabilities of the upgraded Petasos OmniMech Clan Ice Hellion desired. Whatever the truth, the century since Trial has likely removed any remaining clues.
Talaria (2859)
BASE
Talaria
Mass: 30 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Biped Omnimech
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X
Production Year: 2859
Cost: 6,189,625 C-Bills
Battle Value: 457
Chassis: Talaria Standard
Power Plant: Fusion 240 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 129.6 km/h (172.8 km/h)
Jump Jets: Unknown
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: CI Ferro-Fibrous Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
9.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Ernst OmniMech Production Complex
Primary Factory: New Kent
Communications System: CI-Com 6
Targeting and Tracking System: CI-X4
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 51 points 3.00
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 240 6.00
Walking MP: 8
Running MP: 12 (16)
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 10(20) 0.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 RL
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 76 4.00
Armor Locations: 1 CT, 3 LA, 3 RA
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 10 10
Center Torso (rear) 5
L/R Torso 7 8
L/R Torso (rear) 3
L/R Arm 5 7
L/R Leg 7 8
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 36
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 5
10 0 0 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
CONFIGURATIONS
================================================================================
Loadout Name: Prime Cost: 7,037,550
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 945
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumping MP: 8 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 4 LT, 4 RT 4.00
CASE Locations: RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
Flamer RA 3 1 0.50
2 Machine Guns RA 0 2 0.50
2 ER Small Lasers RA 4 2 1.00
Flamer LA 3 1 0.50
2 Machine Guns LA 0 2 0.50
2 ER Small Lasers LA 4 2 1.00
@MG (200) RT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 13
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 9
10/8j 4 2 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, -0, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: A Cost: 6,792,175
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,804
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 13(26) 3.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
2 ER Medium Lasers RT 10 2 2.00
Flamer RT 3 1 0.50
2 ER Medium Lasers LT 10 2 2.00
Flamer LT 3 1 0.50
Targeting Computer LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 19
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 18
10 4 4 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, -0, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: B Cost: 6,939,400
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,528
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 11(22) 1.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LL, 1 RL
CASE Locations: LT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
2 SRM-4s LT 6 2 2.00
ER Large Laser RA 12 1 4.00
ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1.00
@SRM-4 (25) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 26
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 15
10 3 3 1 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, -0, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 1/1/0
================================================================================
Loadout Name: C Cost: 7,314,613
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,659
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumping MP: 6 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 3 LT, 3 RT 3.00
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 11(22) 1.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
2 ER Medium Lasers RT 10 2 2.00
ER Small Laser RT 2 1 0.50
ER Medium Laser LT 5 1 1.00
ER Small Laser LT 2 1 0.50
ECM Suite LT 0 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 18
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 17
10/4j 4 4 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, -0, ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: D Cost: 7,213,863
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,308
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumping MP: 8 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 4 LT, 4 RT 4.00
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 11(22) 1.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LL, 1 RL
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser RT 5 1 1.00
ER Small Laser RT 2 1 0.50
TAG LT 0 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser LT 5 1 1.00
ER Small Laser LT 2 1 0.50
Free Critical Slots: 17
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 13
10/8j 3 3 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, TAG, -0, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
================================================================================
Loadout Name: E Cost: 6,933,550
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,360
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT, RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
LRM-15 RT 5 2 3.50
LRM-15 LT 5 2 3.50
@LRM-15 (8) RT - 1 1.00
@LRM-15 (8) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 26
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 14
10 2 2 2 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 1/1/1, IF 1
================================================================================
Loadout Name: F Cost: 7,002,125
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,331
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT, RT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser LT 5 1 1.00
2 SRM-6s RA 8 2 3.00
2 SRM-6s LA 8 2 3.00
@SRM-6 (15) RT - 1 1.00
@SRM-6 (15) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 29
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 13
10 4 4 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, -0, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 2/2/0
================================================================================
Loadout Name: G Cost: 7,242,300
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-D-X-X BV2: 1,406
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE Locations: LT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
MASC CT - 1 1.00
3 ER Medium Lasers RT 15 3 3.00
ECM Suite LT 0 1 1.00
TAG LT 0 1 1.00
Narc Launcher LT 0 1 2.00
@Narc (Homing) (12) LT - 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 24
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 14
10 3 3 0 0 1 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, ECM, TAG, SNARC, -0, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA