2022 MERCENARY RECOGNITION GUIDE

[SteelRaven]

OP Notes:

I was a big fan Battletech 1988 and the community world building of that post so I decided to start with a spiritual sequel to that thread
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/fan-fiction/battletech-1988/

 Battletech 1988 went as far as it could go in the last decade of the Cold War Era without exploring a strange Twilight 2000 like alternative history where the Cold War somehow continued without the world nuking itself into a fine radioactive dust, which in many ways would be just as fantastic as Battletech proper. Instead, decided to explore a world closer to our own time line where the Cold Ware ended, many of same problem continued and said weapon have been re-purposed for the a new era of private wars.

I will need to be more diligent in avoiding Rule 4 as this topic will be be less alternative history and the last thing I want to do is to make light of real world issues and events but I believe continuing to explore the idea of Battlemechs somehow being a real world thing is a fun idea.

Now without further ado:

Introduction:

2022 Battlemech Recognition Guide

  Welcome to the world of private security contractors. While mercenaries have historically never been given a fair shake, our profession has become more of a necessity with each passing year, especially for mech jocks with more mechs hitting the open market but not nearly enough well trained mechwarriors.

  While most of you have served, there are allot of new makes and models hitting the private sector that  the may never have been part of you sit rep while in service. Many of these chassis are old titans from the cold war, proven designs that received retrofits for the modern battlefield (old dogs, new tricks) While some of these machine may be older than you, keep in mind they survived this long for good reason and it's best to educate yourself for your future career in the private sector as your new job will most liking ether have you in the cockpit of one or trading shots with one or more of these machines.

[SteelRaven]

WSP Wasp (addition to the original fluff by Scotty as BT 1988)

America's second Battlemech and one of the most proliferated battle chassis on the planet, the 20 ton Wasp has become a rock star, known the world over and like the Rolling Stones, refuses to die. First introduced during America's intervention in the Vietnam in year '72, the old war horse is showing it's age and slowly fazed out of American armed forces other than a few National Guard post but found a second life on the second market, especially in an age of counter insurgency.

There are many American allies who need a jump capable chassis who find the Wasp cheap price too good to pass up. The design has also become more versatile over the years with new weapon systems becoming lighter.

One surprising buyer has been law enforcement. The Japanese police force was one of the first to purchase a limited number of Wasp for 'riot duty' after the Yama–Ichi Yakuza conflict spilled into the streets in 1985. While many suspected this was the actions of certain members of Japanese Diet looking for a loop hole in the limitation building up the Japanese military during the cold war, the world took notice and started a trend. The LAPD was the first American police force to purchased Wasp them in the early 90's. While this drew plenty of criticism, other police forces soon follow acquiring Wasps as a 'tactical response mech.'

The Wasp remains popular with private contractor to this day, it's 20 ton designing makes it ideal for easy transport while prone and can preform multiple duties saving PMCs the cost of multiple vehicles.

[SteelRaven]

M90 Hanja or Flea (addition to the original fluff by WarGod as BT 1988) 

These little bastards are everywhere. When North Korea first introduced their first home grown mech, no one took it seriously... then they saw the numbers of the damn machines marching every military parade. Cheap, easy to build, apparently stupid easy to operate and maintain, it really should come as surprise the Flea has become one of the most common fighting vehicles in the world. If you have a fighting outfit that can afford to refit a Toyota into a Technical, then chances are you can afford a Flea.

The Flea hasn't change much over the years as it's big selling point is it's simplicity. Usually uses the same V-36 diesel engine as those old T-62 tanks though many have suspected Fome leas using a bigger or more modern engines clock well over 100 KPH. Cant say for sure as the little tin cans have never had much armor so one good hit from a decent gun leaves little to be examined other than scrap metal and maybe some actuators.

Still: fast, nimble in the right hands and usually seen groups makes the bastards a nightmare for infantry with little more than a AK without armor support so kill them as fast as you can before they have the chance to turn your buddies into paint.   

When fighting these guys: Remember to lead your shots as most Flea pilots have learn that their maneuverability is their best armor so most will be running full throttle attempting to dodge your shots. Also remember they never fight alone (unless that mech jock is insane) so if you see one Flea thats not running away, then good chance two of his buddies are flanking to shoot you in the back.

[wolfgar]

interesting premise, what are your rules for submissions?

[Shadow_Wraith]

Looking forward to more updates!