DVO-10S Freedom
Overview
The first Falcon Incursion was only stopped by the timely intervention of the ilClan War, though you wouldn't hear many in the Lyran Commonwealth say so. Media trumpeted the success of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces in stopping the Clan invaders cold yet again. However, when demoralized front-line veterans were reassigned to other postings or released from service, the story of yet another brave victory against the Clans began to fall apart.
The Freedom was rebranded late in production to be the "ultimate clanfighter." Press attached the name of every possible successful politician and warrior to it. Its gauss rifle and trio of autocannons were touted as being as the first of a new generation of technology, ready to revolutionize warfare “for the next thirty years.” It was a desperate hope that enough carefully crafted photo ops and edited battle ROMs could reinvigorate the LCAF and the Lyran people to fight ever harder against The Jade Falcons.
The Skye Autonomy Accords put an end to those hopes. While it remains a venerable BattleMech, its association with rebellion and origins within a de facto foreign power make it useless as a tool of national pride.
Capabilities
The Freedom was designed for a front-line role, but its lack of firepower often places it in a backfield support position. To many, it’s another assault without the dedication to role of a Berserker or Fafnir nor the potent versatility of an Atlas.
Some units have found a use for them as command ‘Mechs. Its gauss rifle and array of light autocannons allow it to contribute to a battle without being in the thick of combat. The versatile autocannons give it the ability to tailor its weapons for the day’s combat while the gauss rifle lends what some have termed a “command presence” to solve problems on the battlefield as they emerge.
In addition, the Freedom was made with the idea of salvaging Clan technology in mind. The chaos and battle of the past twenty-five years have seen industry shrink and once common technologies of war cut from budgets, pushing advanced Clan weaponry further from the grasp of the average armies of the Inner Sphere. However, the Freedom was designed to more easily integrate with advanced systems salvaged from the Clans. That ease of integration and maintenance have, despite some misgivings, moved them to the top of most units' list of recipients for such gear.
Battle History
The collapse of the Terran Protectorate in 3075 created small governments around Terra, each eager to learn from the mistakes of the Chaos March, covering bad governance with fingers pointed outward and conspiracy theories. Raids on Lyran planets, such as Thorin, were the result. Tharkad’s response, tempered by concerns over drawing too many troops from the Falcon border, was considered tepid by citizens of area and discontent began rising.
Tired of the ineffective shuffling of militia units, and no doubt keeping an eye on greater political gains, Gregory Kelswa-Steiner took a production run of Freedoms and elements of the Fourth Skye Rangers to launch an assault on Zurich. The assault kicked off the chain of events which created the Skye Archonette just three years later.
The Accords dictate most Freedoms are exported to the Commonwealth and although it’s proven itself in combat against the Falcons, there is still some stigma attached to it. Besides the day-to-day affairs of state, Archonette Kwelsa-Steiner still nominally commands the 4th Skye Rangers, which boasts a full command lance of Freedoms despite their current understrength status.
Variants
Given the popularity of designs like the Cerberus, Pillager, and Devastator, it’s no surprise that the first Freedom variant underwent a major overhaul to accommodate the inevitable two pairs of LBX autocannons.
Interest in seeing their flagship ‘Mech do everything has pushed the Skye Archonette to create the -12X, which carries a massive extralight engine and MASC system, pushing the model’s speed to nearly 90kph. According to holovids from Skye, it can act as a medium skirmisher with the firepower of an assault. In reality, the expensive changes push the chassis beyond its limits. Only six have been produced.
The Freedom’s ability to easily integrate Clan technology has resulted in a number of battle variants with upgraded Clan technology. Combined with its survivability, that feature has been one of the few Inner Sphere ‘Mechs the Falcons have seen fit to salvage and field.
Most Clan technology field modifications replace the primary weaponry with Clan equivalents. The light autocannons are often upgraded to ultra models, trading versatility for firepower and range.
Most Clan technology field modifications replace the primary weaponry with Clan equivalents. The light autocannons are often upgraded to ultra models, trading versatility for firepower and range.
DVO-10S Freedom
Type/Model: Freedom DVO-10T
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3075
Config: Biped BattleMech
Manufactured: Skye Archonette
Fielded:
Skye Archonette (Common)
Lyran Commonwealth (Uncommon)
Jade Falcons (Uncommon)
Mass: 100 tons
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 14 5.00
152 points
Engine:300 Fusion 6 19.00
Walking MP: 3
Running MP: 5
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: 14 Double 6 0.00
(Loc: 1 LT, 1 RT)
Gyro: 4 3.00
Cockpit: 5 3.00
Actuators: 16 0.00
L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H
Armor Factor: 0 18.50
296 pts
Internal Structure Armor Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 31 49
Center Torso (Rear): 12
L/R Side Torso: 21 31/31
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 11/11
L/R Arm: 17 32/32
L/R Leg: 21 39/39
Weapons and Equipment Loc Crits Tons
---------------------------------------
ER Medium Laser HD 1 1.00
ER Large Laser CT 2 5.00
2 Light AC/2s RT 2 8.00
Gauss Rifle RA 7 15.00
LB 5-X AC LA 5 8.00
ER Large Laser RL 2 5.00
2 ER Medium Lasers LL 2 2.00
@Light AC/2 (22) RT 1 0.50
@LAC/2 (Flechette)(22) RT 1 0.50
@Gauss Rifle (8) RA 1 1.00
@LB 5-X (Cluster) (10) LA 1 0.50
Crits & Tons Left: 0 0.00
2 comments:
I like the fluff, how the 'Mech failed as a propaganda piece is an interesting twist. Weapons layout is kinda weird - don't think I've ever seen a large laser in a leg before. Designed for zombiism?
Think it's mostly the zombiism, but I've never seen a large laser in the leg either. That's no small part of it.
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