'Mechs of FanFic Tribble #968 - Atlan's BugMechs AU

[Giovanni Blasini]

So, Atlan came up with a pretty nifty AU idea in the BT FanFiction Tribble Emporium #3 thread.  The link is above but, to summarize, in the First and Second Succession Wars, the demolishing of 'Mech factories across the Inner Sphere is as bad or even worse than in canon...except for BugMech factories.  The problem is that, in this particular AU, the BugMechs weren't originally envisioned as BattleMechs.

So, now the Inner Sphere powers are scrambling to convert their Wasp, Stinger and Locust WorkMech production lines into something that can be used on the battlefield.  Atlan had the idea to build them out as unarmed BattleMechs with tools to start with, but MegaMekLab doesn't always let you play with all the neat industrial tools if you do that, so I started out purely as industrial.

First up, an Industrial Wasp, with environmental sealing, 5/8/5 movement, and a spot welder.  A fuel tank gives you fuel to use when doing microgravity welding.  I kind of envisioned this as being a Battletech take on the VT-1 Battroid Work

Code: [Select]

Wasp IndustrialMech

Mass: 20 tons
Chassis: Industrial Industrial Biped
Power Plant: 100 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
     Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Commercial
Armament:
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2780
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-D
Cost: 1,025,255 C-bills

Type: Wasp
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 20
Battle Value: 167

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure            Industrial              4
Engine                        100 Fusion              3
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sink                     10                      0
Gyro                                                  1
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Commercial)     48                      2

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    3         4     
     Center Torso            6         6     
     Center Torso (rear)               4     
     R/L Torso               5         6     
     R/L Torso (rear)                  2     
     R/L Arm                 3         4     
     R/L Leg                 4         5     


Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand

Weapons
and Ammo                    Location  Critical   Heat    Tonnage
Environmental Sealing     HD/CT/RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1    -       2.0   
Jump Jet                       LL        1        -       0.5   
Jump Jet                       CT        1        -       0.5   
3 Heat Sink                    RT        3        -       3.0   
Jump Jet                       RT        1        -       0.5   
3 Heat Sink                    LT        3        -       3.0   
Jump Jet                       LT        1        -       0.5   
Liquid Storage (0.5 tons)      LT        1        -       0.5   
Jump Jet                       RL        1        -       0.5   
Spot Welder                    RA        1        -       2.0   

I also envisioned using the Wasp as a firefighting 'Mech, with a trio of Sprayers and a ton of water.

Code: [Select]

Wasp FireMech

Mass: 20 tons
Chassis: Industrial Industrial Biped
Power Plant: 100 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
     Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Commercial
Armament:
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2780
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-E-D
Cost: 949,655 C-bills

Type: Wasp
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 20
Battle Value: 158

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure            Industrial              4
Engine                        100 Fusion              3
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sink                     10                      0
Gyro                                                  1
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Commercial)     48                      2

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    3         4     
     Center Torso            6         6     
     Center Torso (rear)               4     
     R/L Torso               5         6     
     R/L Torso (rear)                  2     
     R/L Arm                 3         4     
     R/L Leg                 4         5     


Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand

Weapons
and Ammo                 Location  Critical   Heat    Tonnage
Environmental Sealing  HD/CT/RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1    -       2.0   
Jump Jet                    LL        1        -       0.5   
Jump Jet                    CT        1        -       0.5   
3 Heat Sink                 RT        3        -       3.0   
Jump Jet                    RT        1        -       0.5   
3 Heat Sink                 LT        3        -       3.0   
Jump Jet                    LT        1        -       0.5   
Liquid Storage (1 ton)      LT        1        -       1.0   
Sprayer                     LT        1        -       0.5   
Jump Jet                    RL        1        -       0.5   
2 Sprayer                   RA        2        -       1.0   



[Giovanni Blasini]

Next up, some Stinger takes.

First one I thought of was something along the lines of the Chaffee, where it's providing emergency service response.  Like my Wasp FireMech, two sprayers and a ton of liquid storage help it fight fires, but a set of paramedic equipment in each leg lets rescuers on the ground have another spot they can go for supplies to treat wounded.

Code: [Select]

Stinger ServiceMech

Mass: 20 tons
Chassis: Industrial Industrial Biped
Power Plant: 100 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
     Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Commercial
Armament:
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2780
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-E-D
Cost: 966,035 C-bills

Type: Stinger
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 20
Battle Value: 158

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure            Industrial              4
Engine                        100 Fusion              3
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sink                     10                      0
Gyro                                                  1
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Commercial)     48                      2

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    3         4     
     Center Torso            6         6     
     Center Torso (rear)               4     
     R/L Torso               5         6     
     R/L Torso (rear)                  2     
     R/L Arm                 3         4     
     R/L Leg                 4         5     


Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand

Weapons
and Ammo                 Location  Critical   Heat    Tonnage
Environmental Sealing  HD/CT/RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1    -       2.0   
Paramedic Equipment         LL        1        -       0.25 
Jump Jet                    CT        1        -       0.5   
3 Heat Sink                 RT        3        -       3.0   
2 Jump Jet                  RT        2        -       1.0   
Sprayer                     LA        1        -       0.5   
3 Heat Sink                 LT        3        -       3.0   
2 Jump Jet                  LT        2        -       1.0   
Liquid Storage (1 ton)      LT        1        -       1.0   
Paramedic Equipment         RL        1        -       0.25 
Sprayer                     RA        1        -       0.5   



Along with that, a Stinger that can work construction, carrying a trio of nail/rivet guns:

Code: [Select]

Stinger IndustrialMech

Mass: 20 tons
Chassis: Industrial Industrial Biped
Power Plant: 100 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
     Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Commercial
Armament:
     3 Nail/Rivet Gun
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2780
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-E-D
Cost: 970,550 C-bills

Type: Stinger
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 20
Battle Value: 165

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure            Industrial              4
Engine                        100 Fusion              3
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sink                     10                      0
Gyro                                                  1
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Commercial)     48                      2

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    3         4     
     Center Torso            6         6     
     Center Torso (rear)               4     
     R/L Torso               5         6     
     R/L Torso (rear)                  2     
     R/L Arm                 3         4     
     R/L Leg                 4         5     


Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand

Weapons
and Ammo                    Location  Critical   Heat    Tonnage
Environmental Sealing     HD/CT/RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1    -       2.0   
Jump Jet                       CT        1        -       0.5   
3 Heat Sink                    RT        3        -       3.0   
2 Jump Jet                     RT        2        -       1.0   
Nail/Rivet Gun Ammo (300)      RT        1        -       1.0   
Nail/Rivet Gun                 LA        1        0       0.5   
3 Heat Sink                    LT        3        -       3.0   
2 Jump Jet                     LT        2        -       1.0   
2 Nail/Rivet Gun               RA        2        0       1.0   



[Daryk]

Heh... you even deleted the Hand Actuator on the Wasp... nice work! :)

[Giovanni Blasini]

My first Locust take is a bit awkward, trying to make it into an AgroMech:

Code: [Select]

Locust AgroMech

Mass: 20 tons
Chassis: Industrial Industrial Biped
Power Plant: 100 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: None
     Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Commercial
Armament:
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2780
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-D-D
Cost: 860,825 C-bills

Type: Locust
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 20
Battle Value: 174

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure            Industrial              4
Engine                        100 Fusion              3
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sink                     10                      0
Gyro                                                  1
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Commercial)     60                    2.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    3         8     
     Center Torso            6         10   
     Center Torso (rear)               2     
     R/L Torso               5         7     
     R/L Torso (rear)                  2     
     R/L Arm                 3         4     
     R/L Leg                 4         7     


Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm

Weapons
and Ammo                     Location  Critical   Heat    Tonnage
Heat Sink                       LL        1        -       1.0   
Cargo (1 ton)                   CT        1        -       1.0   
2 Heat Sink                     RT        2        -       2.0   
Combine                         LA        4        -       2.5   
2 Heat Sink                     LT        2        -       2.0   
Heat Sink                       RL        1        -       1.0   
Lift Hoist/Arresting Hoist      RA        3        -       3.0   

Second attempt was as an IndustrialMech with sealing:

Code: [Select]

Locust IndustrialMech

Mass: 20 tons
Chassis: Industrial Industrial Biped
Power Plant: 100 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: None
     Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Commercial
Armament:
     2 Nail/Rivet Gun
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-D
Cost: 801,658 C-bills

Type: Locust
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 20
Battle Value: 170

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure            Industrial              4
Engine                        100 Fusion              3
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sink                     10                      0
Gyro                                                  1
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Commercial)     60                    2.5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    3         8     
     Center Torso            6         10   
     Center Torso (rear)               2     
     R/L Torso               5         7     
     R/L Torso (rear)                  2     
     R/L Arm                 3         4     
     R/L Leg                 4         7     


Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm

Weapons
and Ammo                     Location  Critical   Heat    Tonnage
Heat Sink                       LL        1        -       1.0   
Environmental Sealing      HD/CT/RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1    -       2.0   
Nail/Rivet Gun Ammo (150)       CT        1        -       0.5   
2 Heat Sink                     RT        2        -       2.0   
Lift Hoist/Arresting Hoist      RT        3        -       3.0   
Nail/Rivet Gun                  LA        1        0       0.5   
2 Heat Sink                     LT        2        -       2.0   
Heat Sink                       RL        1        -       1.0   
Nail/Rivet Gun                  RA        1        0       0.5   


I still feel I'm just not really hitting the right vibe on these, though.

[Daryk]

The first one gives me some Industrial Urbie vibes (from Tex's Urbie Derby)... ;D

[Giovanni Blasini]

The first one gives me some Industrial Urbie vibes (from Tex's Urbie Derby)... ;D

Yeah, that's the whole problem: they don't feel Locust enough, but what do you do with an Industrial BugMech with a bigger engine, no arms, and a name like "Locust"?

[Daryk]

It's just sad you can't fit a Lift Hoist centerline... :/

[Giovanni Blasini]

It's just sad you can't fit a Lift Hoist centerline... :/

Right?  And Combines can only be torso-mounted on Quad 'Mechs, which is also frustrating.  Slowing it down to add any appreciable amount of gear also takes away from its character even more than something like, say, a Mercury.

[Daryk]

Wait a second... a compact gyro (or engine) could let you put a Lift Hoist where it belongs! ;D

[Atlan]

Changing the Gyro or the Engine goes against the whole premise. I was thinking 'one generic basic model of mech, with different stuff attached'

Like, when I was envisioning the Locust, I was thinking things like 'a model with a crane for an 'arm'', or 'a towbar with chains for pulling things' or 'a rapid-response cargo carrier' or 'a forestfire-fighting model with a small laser in the torso mount for making firebreaks' or 'has cables everywhere to be a mobile power station'.

The Locust's premise was 'for jobs you have to get to very quickly, or which require large amounts of engine power for dragging heavy things or emergency powering something'.

[Giovanni Blasini]

Changing the Gyro or the Engine goes against the whole premise. I was thinking 'one generic basic model of mech, with different stuff attached'

Like, when I was envisioning the Locust, I was thinking things like 'a model with a crane for an 'arm'', or 'a towbar with chains for pulling things' or 'a rapid-response cargo carrier' or 'a forestfire-fighting model with a small laser in the torso mount for making firebreaks' or 'has cables everywhere to be a mobile power station'.

The Locust's premise was 'for jobs you have to get to very quickly, or which require large amounts of engine power for dragging heavy things or emergency powering something'.

Originally, there was a bunch of gear that just couldn't be mounted on BattleMechs.  That's been loosened-up considerably, evidently.

That said, the problem I keep running into with the Locust is the lack of arms and its symmetry.  Makes it incredibly difficult to work with.

[Giovanni Blasini]

I had a wonderfully dumb idea I'm way too tired to act on tonight: make them OmniMechs, though that's at term they haven't invented, instead thinking of it as extended modularity.

For the difference between the Wasp and Stinger, have the Wasp carry fixed jump jets, while the Stinger doesn't. Client customization is a piece of cake, and may change week to week depending on their needs on a particular say.

For the Locust, you could even merge it with the Mercury, and have fully-articulated arms be an option.

[truetanker]

I've built a mech class known as the Hymenoptera-class, which is generally a 5/8/5 Industrial 20-ton class armed with a Pod mounted Lift Hoist, the arm weapons are pod Mounted as well in a Centurion fashion. If need be, I can Swap out the Lift Hoist for more combat options.

TT