The ebony and red 'Mech clicked and popped slightly as it cooled down, the air rippling around its heatsink exhausts as it bled off the heat from its TSM as the 75-ton 'Mech sat at rest. The specs were all in the green, even when pushed hard, hitting 112.8kph once the TSM was engaged, the speed of the 'Mech and her handling getting an excited roar from the Pilot as he took it through the range, engaging various static, mobile and holo targets.
Rumor was that the Maelstrom line was going to be altered to look like this, just not with the weapons pick or TSM, and the Tech had to agree it was far better looking, sleeker, more aggressive rather than stubby and somewhat rotund.
“So! How’d she handle?” Technician 1st Class Gunther Elsebrook said as he looked up at the ‘Mech towering over him, hearing booted footsteps crunching on the gravel coming up behind him.
"Like a dream, smoother than silk, you made quite a machine."
"Nah! You altered the specs, I just put it together, besides, you're the customer, well you and the boss, and you pay so you get a say."
The younger man grinned, sweeping a hand through short blond hair that framed a handsome face that had featured on quite a few magazine covers and holo-show interviews following The War of 3039.
"True but I do owe you and I'm a man of my word so...what will it be hmm?"
"Oh none of that Sir, i'm married and whilst I
know that's not stopped you in the past...I'd rather not be on the reciving end of Carole's wrath thank you very much."
The younger man grinned and chuckled "True...I've caused a scandal or three..but I do insist so how does a crate of Arcturian Brandy sound then, i've got some from 2950, a very fine vintage."
The tech blinked, that stuff was worth about 1k C-bills a pop, if you was lucky, it really did pay to be a Noble's son it seemed.
"Deal and i'll let the folks know and we'll have a drink to your good fortune, oh...got a name for her?"
The former Lyran noble tilted his head, thinking for a moment before smiling.
"Jah.
Hotspur."