When the Wolf Empire took over Solaris VII, alongside the gladiatorial arenas, the Empire inherited the ruins of the Norse-Storm Technologies factory that had produced the Nightstar assault mech and Maelstrom heavy mech in the years before the Jihad. After decades of lean production under the misguided direction of Khan Vlad Ward in the former Wolf Occupation Zone, the ilKhan was more interested in the Norse-Storm facility than the arenas. With investment and technical assistance from the Wolf Empire, Norse-Storm would resurrect its Solaris VII operation and produce a highly survivable, Clantech version of the Nightstar called the Blacksun. The Blacksun (or Nightstar IIC), alongside other projects like the Fearsome (Awesome IIC) and Fomorian (Banshee IIC) and purchases of the Slaughter (Stalker IIC) and Wargod (Battlemaster IIC) from Clan Sea Fox, would form the bulwark needed to protect the Empire and the armored spearheads necessary to conquer Terra.
The Blacksun takes a layered approach to survivability, incorporating a Chameleon Light Polarization System, 24 tons of Hardened Armor, and a chassis made of Reinforced Structure. Hard to hit, hard to penetrate, and hard to damage, the Blacksun’s battlefield longevity is unparalleled. Despite such heavy investment in the Blacksun’s defensive capabilities, Norse-Storm and the Wolf Empire did not shirk the Blacksun’s offensive potential. Dual Clan-grade ER PPCs and a Clan-spec Gauss Cannon deliver heavy armor penetration and decapitations at long ranges that complement the Blacksun’s low mobility. With 19 freezers, the Blacksun can fire its trio of main guns while cruising with its Chameleon LPS engaged, without heat buildup. Twin Clantech ER Medium Lasers and a Pulse Micro Laser provides backup and anti-infantry firepower.
Ironically, Lyran attempts to retake worlds from the Wolf Empire have foundered on the “wall-of-steel” tactics employed by the Blacksun and similar Wolf “super-assault” mechs. Likewise, after the Blacksun’s success on Terra, especially in comparison to the suboptimal Alpha Wolf, the ilClan is considering an omnimech based on the Blacksun and the early retirement of the Alpha Wolf.
BattleMech Technical Readout
Name/Model: BLACKSUN (NIGHTSTAR IIC)
Tonnage: 95
Configuration: Biped BattleMech
Technology Base: Clan (Mixed)
Era/Year: ilClan/3154
Rules: Advanced
Chassis: Norse-GM Heavy Reinforced USR
Power Plant: 285 Extralight
Walking Speed: 32 kph
Maximum Speed: 43 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Durallex Hardened w/ Chameleon LPS
Armament:
1 Gauss Cannon
2 ER PPC
2 ER Medium Lasers
1 Pulse Micro Laser
Manufacturer: Norse-Storm Technologies, Inc.
Primary Factory: Solaris VII
Communications: Tek BattleCom
Targeting & Tracking: DLK Type Phased Array Sensors
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Equipment Mass
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Internal Structure: Reinforced 19.00
Engine: 285 Extralight 8.50
Walking MP: 3
Running MP: 4
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: 19 (38) 9.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Armor Factor: 192 (384) 24.00
Type: Hardened w/ CLPS
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 30 25
Center Torso (rear): 10
R/L Torso: 20 21
R/L Torso (rear): 8
R/L Arm: 16 20
R/L Leg: 20 25
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Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
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ER PPC RA 2 6.00
ER PPC LA 2 6.00
ER Medium Laser RA 1 1.00
ER Medium Laser LA 1 1.00
Gauss Cannon RT 6 12.00
Ammo (Gauss) 16 CT 2 2.00
Pulse Micro Laser H 1 0.50
Chameleon Light Polarization System ** 6 0.00
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**CLPS occupies one crit slot each in RT, RA, RL, LT, LA, LL.
