Euros/Anansi Medium Quadvee.Part of Clan Hells Horses continuing commitment to the slowly growing Quadvee Programme the Euros was actually the centre of a short, one sided disagreement between the Warrior and Scientist Castes, all over its name.
Whilst the other Quadvee’s are named after mythical stallions from Greek and Macedonian legends the Warrior’s disagreed with the official name of Euros. This was due to the new Quadvee’s somewhat stylized features such as the various sensor panels around the driver’s cockpit resembling eyes, whilst other stylistic choices certainly invoked an insectoid and clearly spider like design.
Some TankWarrior’s started calling the new machine’s Tarantula’s but that didn’t last long due to it possibly sharing a name with an Inner Sphere quad design. Other unofficial names were tolerated by Star Commanders before the name Anansi started becoming more popular. It fitted with the spirit/deity names of the others but also suited the spider aesthetic.
The Scientists in charge of the production and design of the Quadvee disagreed and said that the now established naming convention should be used. It took Galaxy Commander Saul Delaurel, who’s Iota Galaxy had the largest concentration of Quadvee’s on its ToA to ‘convince’ the Scientists to accept the name Anansi, although on paperwork, the Quadvee is still called the Euros.
Continuing the trend of the Boreas and Notos, the Anansi features a split cockpit after it was found that in the Gen 1 Quadvees, the dual cockpit raised the Quadvee’s profile and could lead to the gunner or driver being disorientated by rapid shifts in the torso compared to where they wanted to shoot or drive. And like the Notos, the Anansi is fully modular, and can accept any and all weapon mounts that its hull can carry.
However the Scientist Caste also improved upon the Notos’ layout and finally managed to incorporate an ejection system for both pilot and gunner. Ejecting though must be done correctly. When the ejection system is fired, the turret will automatically traverse to point forwards, clearing the head room over the drivers’ cockpit of any obstructions like overhanging weapons. At least that is the theory, but in battle, the Anansi’s turret/torso can be jammed in position or the system can sometimes not activate and the pilot risks hitting the Mech’s weapons upon ejection. This has led to several injuries and one death thus far but as this is deemed within acceptable parameters by both Scientists and Warriors’ it is seen as an ‘on the job hazard’ by crews.
Unlike the Arion the Anansi vehicle mode motive system is wheels which improve the Mech’s performance on roads but the weight of the massively reinforced wheels and their associated fittings necessary to withstand the rigors of combat and the necessary conversion equipment drove the Quadvee’s weight up into the Medium class at 40 tons.
One unique feature though is that the Anansi is technically a ‘trike’ in vehicle mode. Instead of four wheels, there are two front wheels and one large wheel at the rear. Gyroscopically stabilized the rear wheel gives the Anansi a very short turning circle, allowing it to turn within its own length, the large rear mounted wheel also reduces ground pressure at the back of the Quadvee when in vehicle mode, helping reduce the risk of it bogging down and having to convert into a Mech to move over difficult terrain.
Considerably better protected than the Arion the Anansi is not much better armed and is only faster on roads but its modular nature and better protection make it more popular with the TankWarrior’s who crew it.
Variants:Prime – Built to be a skirmisher and provide EW support the Anansi Prime is armed with a pair of Medium Pulse lasers and a pair of ER Medium lasers. A TAG laser designator and ECM suite help it mark targets for Horse Artillery Stars and help it foul hostile C3 systems. Although slow for a scout by modern standards the Quadvee’s flexibility and surprising durability are an asset.
Anansi Prime
Clan advanced
40 tons
BV: 1,348
Cost: 7,141,400 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 240 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 75 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 128/153
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso 12 16
Center Torso (rear) 5
Right Torso 10 13
Right Torso (rear) 4
Left Torso 10 13
Left Torso (rear) 4
Front Right Leg 10 16
Front Left Leg 10 16
Rear Right Leg 10 16
Rear Left Leg 10 16
Weapon Loc Heat
----------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser LT 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
Medium Pulse Laser LT 4
Medium Pulse Laser RT 4
Clan TAG HD 0
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Wheels RLL
ECM Suite CT
Alfa – Similar to the Arion, the A is a long-range sniper built around an ER large laser. A pair of ER Medium lasers provide more firepower at shorter ranges whilst an AMS helps keep it safe from hostile missile fire. A light TAG allows the Quadvee to also act as a scout in a pinch, although most A crew use the TAG as an incentive to keep hostile units out of range for fear of being targeted by a laser guided Arrow IV missile. Thanks to the lasers range and the wide arc of fire offered by the Quadvee chassis the A can provide fire support where and when needed.
Anansi A
Clan advanced
40 tons
BV: 1,378
Cost: 7,082,600 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 240 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 75 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 128/153
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso 12 16
Center Torso (rear) 5
Right Torso 10 13
Right Torso (rear) 4
Left Torso 10 13
Left Torso (rear) 4
Front Right Leg 10 16
Front Left Leg 10 16
Rear Right Leg 10 16
Rear Left Leg 10 16
Weapon Loc Heat
----------------------------------------
ER Large Laser LT 12
ER Medium Laser RT 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
AMS HD 1
Light TAG CT 0
Ammo Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
AMS Ammo LT 24
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Wheels RLL
Bravo – The Anansi B is built for close range engagements where its Improved heavy large laser can hit with devastating force, especially against lighter units. A pair of SRM-4’s is also fitted to allow the B to barrage a foe who’s had its armour breached. Where Zellbringen is not in force, B pilots often use inferno ammunition against Spheroid opponents, earning the B a vicious reputation in the short time it’s been in service. Often paired with an A, the two Quadvee’s can cover each other and take down larger foes when working as a team.
Anansi B
Clan advanced
40 tons
BV: 1,180
Cost: 7,080,500 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 240 XL
Heat Sinks: 11 [22]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 75 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 128/153
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso 12 16
Center Torso (rear) 5
Right Torso 10 13
Right Torso (rear) 4
Left Torso 10 13
Left Torso (rear) 4
Front Right Leg 10 16
Front Left Leg 10 16
Rear Right Leg 10 16
Rear Left Leg 10 16
Weapon Loc Heat
----------------------------------------
Improved Heavy Large Laser LT 18
SRM 4 RT 3
SRM 4 RT 3
Ammo Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
SRM 4 Ammo RT 25
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Wheels RLL
Charlie – The Anansi C is a fire support unit and one of the rarer variants in common use. Armed with a pair of LRM-10’s, each with their own ton of ammunition for agreeable battlefield endurance, the C provides long range direct and indirect fire for its Star-mates. A single Improved heavy medium laser is the C’s only defensive weapon, making it vulnerable to close assaults, but still has a potent bite if it brings all three weapons to bare.
Anansi C
Clan advanced
40 tons
BV: 1,118
Cost: 6,889,400 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 240 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 75 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 128/153
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso 12 16
Center Torso (rear) 5
Right Torso 10 13
Right Torso (rear) 4
Left Torso 10 13
Left Torso (rear) 4
Front Right Leg 10 16
Front Left Leg 10 16
Rear Right Leg 10 16
Rear Left Leg 10 16
Weapon Loc Heat
----------------------------------------
LRM 10 LT 4
LRM 10 RT 4
Improved Heavy Medium Laser CT 7
Ammo Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
LRM 10 Ammo LT 12
LRM 10 Ammo RT 12
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Wheels RLL
Delta – The D variant of the Anansi is built more to engage hostile infantry forces and Battle armour. A trio of ER Medium lasers and a single ER small allow it to engage hostile battle armour outside most of their weapons ranges and give it adequate firepower against hostile Mech’s and tanks. A pair of AP Gauss rifles with a shared ton of ammo let it rip infantry apart with volleys of hypersonic flechettes. An AMS protects it against the most common battle armour long ranged weapon, at least in Clan service whilst an active probe lets it hunt for ambushers and gun them down.
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Anansi D
Clan advanced
40 tons
BV: 1,297
Cost: 7,228,025 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 240 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 75 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 128/153
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso 12 16
Center Torso (rear) 5
Right Torso 10 13
Right Torso (rear) 4
Left Torso 10 13
Left Torso (rear) 4
Front Right Leg 10 16
Front Left Leg 10 16
Rear Right Leg 10 16
Rear Left Leg 10 16
Weapon Loc Heat
----------------------------------------
AP Gauss Rifle LT 1
AP Gauss Rifle LT 1
AMS HD 1
ER Small Laser LT 2
ER Medium Laser RT 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
Ammo Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
AMS Ammo RT 24
AP Gauss Rifle Ammo LT 40
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Wheels RLL
Active Probe CT
Echo – The E variant is more akin to the Prime, but with heavier firepower but less electronics. A pair of ER medium lasers and a pair of SRM-6’s each with their own 1 ton ammo bin give it good medium to short range firepower whilst a pair of ER small lasers provide additional punch at short range. ATM’s were considered but the weight of the launchers and their associated ammunition was felt to be too prohibitive and instead the SRM’s were installed. The E and Prime are seen as the general-purpose combatants of the Anansi chassis and are the most commonly encountered ones thus far.
Anansi E
Clan advanced
40 tons
BV: 1,227
Cost: 6,861,050 C-bills
Movement: 6/9
Engine: 240 XL
Heat Sinks: 10 [20]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 75 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 128/153
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso 12 16
Center Torso (rear) 5
Right Torso 10 13
Right Torso (rear) 4
Left Torso 10 13
Left Torso (rear) 4
Front Right Leg 10 16
Front Left Leg 10 16
Rear Right Leg 10 16
Rear Left Leg 10 16
Weapon Loc Heat
----------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser LT 5
ER Medium Laser RT 5
ER Small Laser LT 2
ER Small Laser RT 2
SRM 6 LT 4
SRM 6 RT 4
Ammo Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
SRM 6 Ammo LT 15
SRM 6 Ammo RT 15
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Wheels RLL
DeploymentCurrent production levels indicate that the Anansi is on track to displace the older Ares and Zorya tanks to PGC and Second line forces. Seen in Striker Clusters in Iota Galaxy, the Anansi crews have struck up a friendly rivalry with the crews of Enyo strike tanks. Both tank and Quadvee often form part of the same Nova when deployed and complement each other with speed and firepower.
Art by the amazing Matt Plog, fluff and design by me with input from Dragon Cat where this thing will eventually feature in the distant future. Thoughts and comments are most welcome!
