BattleMech Technical Readout

Type/Model:	Hatchetman HCT-3F
Tech:	Inner Sphere / 3025
Config:	Biped BattleMech
Rules:	Level 1, Standard design
Mass:	45 tons
Chassis:	Chariot Type II Standard
Power Plant:	180 GM Fusion
Walking Speed:	43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed:	64.8 km/h
Jump Jets:	4 Luxor 2/Q Standard Jump Jets
Jump Capacity:	120 meters
Armor Type:	Durallex Medium Standard

Armament:

1 Defiance Killer Type T Autocannon/10

2 Defiance B3M Medium Lasers

Manufacturer:    Defiance Industries of Hesperus II

   Location:    Hesperus II

Communications System:    TharHes Thalia HM-22

Targeting & Tracking System: TharHes Ares-8a

Overview:

         The HCT-3F Hatchetman is a very unusual 'Mech. Built to provide covering fire, the 'Mech possesses a Class 10 autocannon that provides accurate and deadly fire at a distance. The Hatchetman's 'hatchet' is a deadly tool when used in city fighting.
         The 'Mech's origins are uncertain. Currently, the Lyran Commonwealth is the only Successor State to produce the 'Mech. Nevertheless, rumors say that it was designed by none other than the enigmatic Dr. B. Banzai and Team Banzai of the Federated Suns.
         Commissioned into the Commonwealth forces in 3023, the Hatchetman is presently used to supplement units garrisoning larger cities.

Capabilities:

         The Hatchetman suffers severe disadvantages if employed in a front-line unit in open terrain. Its light armor and thin legs make it very susceptible to well-placed shots. Though it has average speed, sometimes it is not fast enough to elude pursuers in open country.
         The Hatchetman was designed to cover the retreat of friendly forces out of a city. Once its allies have deserted the city, the Hatchetman blends into the city streets and play a deadly game of cat and mouse with enemy 'Mechs. The 'Mech's killer autocannon is well-suited to this task. Reliable and efficient, the weapon is placed in the 'Mech's right torso to protect its workings. The Hatchetman carries 20 rounds in two ten-shot clips, much like the Federated Suns' Enforcer, which lends credence to the rumors about Dr. Banzai.
         The Hatchetman's hatchet is actually a hand held club. The club makes the 'Mech a slightly more powerful fighter in hand to hand combat. This still does not overcome the light armor and general frailness of the Hatchetman.
         The Hatchetman's versatile Ares-8a battle computer can track approaching AeroSpace Fighters and advise its own MechWarrior how to direct fire at them. The system's sensors are mounted in the globe attached to the left side of the 'Mech's head. As it is heavily armored, the 'Mech is less vulnerable than it might appear.
         The most unusual feature of the Hatchetman is its ejection system. Leery of leaving their 'Mechs to scavengers, many MechWarriors choose to remain and die with their incapacitated machines, doubling their unit's loss. The Hatchetman's revolutionary ejection system was designed so that the ejecting pilot could save at least a portion of his 'Mech. If compelled to leave his damaged 'Mech, the pilot tilts his 'Mech's head backward, then ignites rocket motors mounted under the head, which disconnect the entire head assembly from the damaged 'Mech. Having dumped its original program, the battle computer controls the two vanes at the back of the head, which can direct the head's flight. The computer also works with the communications system to find a command center or other safe point near friendly units.
         The rockets last only 30 seconds, but should lift the head enough so that the computer or MechWarrior can guide the descent. As the descent resembles that of a falling rock, many MechWarriors leave control to the computer. Once over its destination, the vanes slow the head enough to allow parachutes to be released. Upon landing, the head is ready to be mounted on another machine body or back on the original, if salvaged. The only drawback to this ejection system is that the wounded 'Mech must be either standing, kneeling, or sitting with its head upright, and the flight path must be free of obstructions.

Battle History:

         The Hatchetman has faced enemy forces in only one battle thus far. To test the Commonwealth forces, elements of Kurita's Fourth Proserpina Hussars raided a minor city on the Lyran planet of Sevren. Defending that city was Colonel Kester's battalion from the 26th Lyran Guards.
         Using his Hatchetmen as a diversion, Colonel Kester managed to evacuate a hospital and university complex that was in the enemy's path. Then the battalion, many of which were Hatchetmen, lured the attacking forces into a huge industrial park filled with towers, alleys, and dark hiding places. For fear of damaging the factories, the Hussars hesitated again and again whenever one of Kester's 'Mechs presented itself as a target.
         It was then that the Hatchetman earned their name. As enemy 'Mech units sought to flush out the Lyran Guards, a Hatchetman would appear from hiding and either shoot at point-blank range or cleave a 'Mech in two.

Variants:

         Rumors abound of a Draconis Hatchetman prototype being tested on Luthien. Whether the Draconis Techs can reproduce the unique ejection system remains to be seen, however. To prevent other Houses from learning the 'Mech's secrets, all new Lyran Hatchetmen are equipped with a destruct system timed to explode if its gyros tilt or if any of its actuators are moved beyond a certain point.
         Certain Comstar officials have secretly confirmed that huge, empty transports from the Federated Suns have passed Sol on their way to the Lyran Common wealth. They speculate that the ships will return with a full load of Hatchetmen. Perhaps the Lyran Commonwealth is building them for House Davion as part of the new pact between them. Davion's own 'Mech factories are already operating to full capacity.

Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors:

Lieutenant Helimar Senton
         A member of Colonel Kester's battalion, Lieutenant Senton is the first MechWarrior to get a confirmed kill in a Hatchetman. As his victim was an officer and because the 'Mech's gruesome cleaving was captured on camera by a local news team, Senton became a local hero.

Mech Warrior Malgathwan Selfrana
         Another member of Colonel Kester's battalion, Malgathwan got three confirmed kills in the confines of the industrial park on Sevom. She accomplished two by well-placed shots with her autocannon and the third with the hatchet. Unfortunately, a laser immobilized her Hatchetman, and she ejected. The Draconis Combine presently has her 'Mech's body.

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Type/Model:	Hatchetman HCT-3F
Mass:	45 tons

Equipment:		Crits	Mass
Internal Structure:	75 pts Standard	0	4.50
Engine:	180	6	7.00
Walking MP:	4
Running MP:	6
Jumping MP:	4
Heat Sinks:	11 Single	4	1.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 2 LT, 2 RT)
Gyro:		4	2.00
Cockpit, Life Support, Sensors:		5	3.00
Actuators:	L: Sh+UA+LA+H, R: Sh+UA+LA+H	16	.00
Armor Factor:	104 pts Standard	0	6.50

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		Internal	Armor
		Structure	Value
	Head:	3	6
	Center Torso:	14	14
	Center Torso (Rear):		4
	L/R Side Torso:	11	14/14
	L/R Side Torso (Rear):		4/4
	L/R Arm:	7	11/11
	L/R Leg:	11	11/11

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Weapons & Equipment:	Loc	Heat	Ammo	Crits	Mass
1 Autocannon/10	RT	3	20	9	14.00
(Ammo Loc: 2 CT)
1 Medium Laser	LA	3		1	1.00
1 Medium Laser	RA	3		1	1.00
1 Hatchet:	RA			3	3.00
4 Standard Jump Jets:				4	2.00
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LL, 2 RL)
TOTALS:		9		53	45.00
Crits & Tons Left:				25	.00

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Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:	3,129,390 C-Bills
Battle Value:	769
Cost per BV:	4,069.43
Weapon Value:	539 / 539 (Ratio = .70 / .70)
Damage Factors:	SRDmg = 17; MRDmg = 7; LRDmg = 1
BattleForce2:	MP: 4J,   Armor/Structure: 3/4
	Damage PB/M/L: 4/2/-,   Overheat: 0
	Class: MM,   Point Value: 8

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