BackgroundOne of the 3085 machines that rumbled into the light as part of the RAF's inventory and a major part of their inventory the Prefect, named after a Republic military Rank was built to replace post jihad wrecks and make the RAF more homegenous. It was also designed to be an attempt at sweet talking the Krupps arms firm after Krupps decided that clearly the people freeing Terra from the WoB's control was a bad thing and sued the Republic for damages done to their many Terra facilities. Exarch Stone ordered a new mech to be built on Terra to try and sweet talk Krupps and other arms firms that had 'suffered' during the Liberation. That idea fell flat on its face as they still sued much to Exarch Stone's teeth grinding frustration.
Firepower and PerformanceThe 75 tonne Prefect is a formidable heavy and quite a technology demonstrator built for medium to close range brawls. Designed as a heavy raider that would have minimal ammo concerns after Stone's experience the mech is a energy laser rave but only mounts four guns. With a 5/8 movement curve and Light engine the engineers threw everything they had into saving weight at the expense of space, with both an endosteel and ferro-fiberious skeleton and skill as well as an XL gyro there's little room for weapons but with the space conservative energy weapons mix this isn't that big a problem. The styling is also somewhat iffy. It looks rather like an Archangel Celestial Omni that someone cut the jutting 'beak' off and then trimmed weight. Considering that some of the manufacturers involved in the machines design were also involved in Celestial production and design one can imagine that it was inevitable.
The machine's main punch comes in the form of a formidable Heavy PPC, which is long ranged enough for most engagements and hits as hard as the much feared Clan ER PPC. Backing this up is a pair of ER Medium Lasers and a Snub-Nosed PPC for up close encounters. This somewhat limited array of weapons still has enough throw weight and 17 double heatsinks can control the heat without too many issues. The fast ground speed also help the machine dictate the range and bring its firepower to bare against all but the most elusive mechs.
VariantsThus far one main variant exists and this could become the primary combat model. Retaining the heatsinks, armour and movement of the 1R the R2 swaps its weapons. Instead of the weighty Heavy PPC and the two ER Mediums it trades them in for a pair of Light PPCs and another Snub Nosed PPC. I suppose its more personal preference for what you want, do you want flexibility or the big knock down slap of the Heavy PPC.
ThoughtsAsthetics aside the Prefect is a formidable machine, fast, well protected and with a punch that can't be ignored. Its high speed also allow it to flank and support heavier and lighter elements where a slower machine might be left behind, lending a heavy punch to a Medium Lance as well as acting as a formidable bodyguard for a Command Mech.
[Commando] So Prefect..I hear you're a Celestial now?
[Prefect] We've been over this before. Not a Celestial...can you please stop bringing it up.
