Ad Securitas Per Unitas: The Republic of the Sphere

[False Son]

You know, I hate to say it, but if you are fighting an insurgency in the Republic, this is one of those situations where armed industrialmechs are a good fit.

[Weirdo]

Oh, definitely. They've got all the firepower you need to take out other IndyMechs and many light BattleMechs, and the fact that you're using machines that are at least 80% civilian gear means they'll look at least somewhat familiar tromping down the streets. An IndustrialMech walking around is a familiar and reassuring sight, even if it does have an autocannon where the lift hoist used to be. A BattleMech of any kind wandering around means serious trouble, and everyone that sees it immediately knows that they're about 0.5 seconds away from transitioning from 'bystander' to 'tragic casualty'.

I'd also recommend Rifle Demons, since they're mostly effective against the support vehicles that will be a true insurgency's bread and butter(to say nothing of battle armor). Even better, they're dirt cheap, allowing you to stock a LOT of the things and flood the countryside with 'em. Defeating an insurgency is all about total ground coverage, even if you're covering the ground with crap. You want boots on the ground and eyes on the streets, and if you have enough, it limits the ability of an insurgent to move secretly from one hidey-hole to another, whith in turn greatly limits his ability to...uh...insurge. And even if you don't catch him, if you negate his ability to do real damage, then you're winning.

[False Son]

I was less concerned with the insurgency's PR and more about their resources.  Say what you will about Industrialmechs in the Dark Age, they make sense for low level rebellions and such.  Foot infantry alone isn't going to be much of a treat to the listed force.  Something with a little oomph is needed.  Industrials are good enough to perform physicals, smash building and other such things.  Not going to spook hardened battlemechs, but will also provide you with some targets for your big guns without having to level the whole city to kill some PBIs.

[Weirdo]

A bit confused. Are you advocating WorkMechs for the insurgents, or the insurgent hunters?

[False Son]

The insurgents.  They are the militia technical of the 32nd Century.

[Weirdo]

Ah. That makes more sense.

[False Son]

I mean, you're right, as well.  If a Copper showed up, you might think it was a large scale law enforcement situation.  If a tank or mech rolled down the street you would know there is serious violence afoot.

But if the Capellans are involved, I would almost want them to have invested more in the revolt.  Guerilla and irregular war are Capellan specialties, so I wouldn't be surprised if pro-Capellan insurgents suddenly sprang up with Inner Sphere Standard battle armor or something else that couldn't be directly traced back to the Cappies.  Or, some Industrialmechs is ready-made arms packages.  That kind of sneaky stuff seems like a golden opportunity.  I don't know which side i'd rather be on!

[Nav_Alpha]

Oh, definitely. They've got all the firepower you need to take out other IndyMechs and many light BattleMechs, and the fact that you're using machines that are at least 80% civilian gear means they'll look at least somewhat familiar tromping down the streets. An IndustrialMech walking around is a familiar and reassuring sight, even if it does have an auto cannon where the lift hoist used to be. A BattleMech of any kind wandering around means serious trouble, and everyone that sees it immediately knows that they're about 0.5 seconds away from transitioning from 'bystander' to 'tragic casualty'.

I've considered giving both sides of the conflict Industrialmechs. It makes sense for the insurgents to train a small cadre of indi pilots and equip a some with weapons.

I'm also interested in what happens when a planetary government starts equipping Indi mechs. For starters - people get a bit concerned about the government suddenly arming what are pretty much their state owned digging/farming/building equipment.
Think about what you would do if the Federal government just rocked up and started pulling the local Bobcat and tractor into the military?
Also - the government can only have so many Industrialmechs, so they're going to quickly start forcibly grabbing locals' equipment. While this keeps them out of the hands of the insurgents and supplies your own troops it also rapidly pisses people off.

I'm figuring the Arboris government will start the campaign with about two companies of armed Industrialmechs as part of a massive campaign cracking down on civil liberties and requisitioning "equipment of planetary importance", further fuelling the fire of the revolution.

But if the Capellans are involved, I would almost want them to have invested more in the revolt.  Guerilla and irregular war are Capellan specialties, so I wouldn't be surprised if pro-Capellan insurgents suddenly sprang up with Inner Sphere Standard battle armor or something else that couldn't be directly traced back to the Cappies.  Or, some Industrialmechs is ready-made arms packages.  That kind of sneaky stuff seems like a golden opportunity.  I don't know which side i'd rather be on!

Initially, I think we're keeping the insurgents to infantry with limited armour support - the CapCon have been providing advisors and light equipment to the insurgency but until early 3135 Arboris is too deep to start sneaking heavier stuff in.
We'll quickly move things up to the landing of the House mech lance - who'll probably bring with them the heavier stuff.
Maybe:
- three/four squads of old Theseus suits (enough of a Cappie flavour but they're cheap and a couple generations behind)
- some upgraded armour (maybe a couple lances of Po HVs, etc)
- enough upgrade kits for maybe a lance of Industrials, along with the technical advisors to do the work

[Xtrahmxwohld]

though it'll never supplant my beloved Marksmans. {>{>

oh yes, the Marksman is my favorite too. :-)

[Stormlion1]

Just noticed something. Always assumed Jonah Levin piloted a Atlas II like Devlin Stone, but then I remembered his Atlas on Warrenborn. Is it possible it isn't a Atlas II but a Atlas III?

[roosterboy]

Just noticed something. Always assumed Jonah Levin piloted a Atlas II like Devlin Stone, but then I remembered his Atlas on Warrenborn. Is it possible it isn't a Atlas II but a Atlas III?

That's Levin original 'Mech. He later got an Atlas III.

http://www.warrenborn.com/Unit.php?ID=VG085

[Stormlion1]

Interesting, that either means the RoTS has a number of Atlas III's for there own use, or have a factory producing a variant for there own use.

[False Son]

Depends on how much you want to push the historical ties between the Republic and the FedSuns.  That old dubious line of not making it, but having access to them.

This would be so much easier with some sort of outright statement about the Republic's manufacturing capabilities, ala an Objectives book.  Guess we'll never know.

[Kitsune413]

Its also possible the Lyrans build Atlas III's, right?

[Nav_Alpha]

Its also possible the Lyrans build Atlas III's, right?

You'd think so. Or maybe they've developed their own. Maybe there's a Atlas IV out there...

[Stormlion1]

They probably use the Atlas II or the Atlas looking design like the AS7-K2. Probably with heavy modification and re arming of course.

[Nerroth]

There is that Atlas III shown escorting an Ares Colossal on page 118 of Era Report: 3145 (and in the old MW:DA/AoD clip shown here).

And as for the -K2, I think the version on the ER:3145 front cover looks that little bit better, especially with the "teeth" compared to what you see above. (But then, on closer inspection, I'm not a hundred percent sure about the "teeth" in that pic, either.)

[Stormlion1]

Always think it looks like something from Futurama myself.

[Nav_Alpha]

Always think it looks like something from Futurama myself.

Ha! Yeah, it really is an ugly looking bit of art.

Big fan of the one of the front of the Era Report though.

[Istal_Devalis]

There is that Atlas III shown escorting an Ares Colossal on page 118 of Era Report: 3145 (and in the old MW:DA/AoD clip shown here).

They outright state they have a use for the Atlas III too, so my guess is they produce their own version of it.

[False Son]

But if TRO 3145 CC is any example, it would list all the planets producing the Atlas III.

[Stormlion1]

If they do produce there own variant of the Atlas III a good bet its made on Terra or Mars. Plenty of factorys there to produce parts and assembly lines to do there magic.

[Pa Weasley]

Are the Atlases pulled out of a giant top hat?  ::)

[False Son]

Do you have a problem with our procurement process?

[Stormlion1]

I'm trying to figure out what's going to come out from behind the Fortress walls when they come down myself.

[Pa Weasley]

Do you have a problem with our procurement process?

Nope, but the Jackalope seems more appropriate. The size of the magic wand must be awe inspiring!

[False Son]

The Jackalope is what happens when you screw up the trick and can't put the two halves of the beautiful assistant back together.


I know McKinnon had an Atlas.  I wonder if he got that from his familial connects to the FS, or if it was one fo the big tooth Atlases produced at Defiance.

[Stormlion1]

Don't forget a few of the mechs, like Mckinnons Atlas may predate. The RoTS itself and be a former FedSun or Lyran mech.

[False Son]

Now that I think of it, wasn't Levin's personal ride an Atlas as well?  I remember someone leading an attack on a pirate hideout in an Atlas...

[Istal_Devalis]

From the Fed Suns TRO:
Still rare, Atlas IIIs are assigned to battalion and regimental commanders in the AFFS and RAF—including the personal ’Mech of Exarch Jonah Levin.