compiled overview of the 35
ton Firestarter 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
The
Firestarter was conceived primarily as an indirect
assault unit. Constructed by
Argile Technologies of
Skye from 2550 to the beginning of the
Civil War in early 2776, it was successfully
marketed as a highly mobile
incendiary 'Mech. Nearly 3,000
Firestarter's saw active
service. Most 'Mech
regiments contained a number of FS9s, and
spare parts were usually
stocked at all repair depots. Though many Fire
starters have been
gutted beyond
repair, those that survive are usually in good condition. Because the FS9-H was a popular 'Mech, a good supply of spare parts is still available.
The Firestarter was rarely attached to a
lance, instead usually assigned to a
company or regiment. The commander would deploy the 'Mech to
support an attack group or to
scout wooded terrain.
Though a real threat to light 'Mechs, a Firestarter can do little against the formidable
armor and
weaponry of medium and heavy opponents. It was
the ability to set fires that made the FS9 so valuable. Skillfully placed
blazes could rout enemy forces, break lines, and corner 'Mechs. A whole series of
tactics was developed around creating and spreading
wildfires. Firestarter pilots are particularly fond of setting dense woods afire while enemy 'Mechs
are advancing through them and of igniting buildings that are
sheltering enemy units. If an engagement is lost, a Firestarter could create fire and smoke to
cover a
retreat and to
hamper pursuit.
The Firestarter also works well as a scout. Its
speed and armor give it good protection in the field. Not only could it map terrain as it traveled, but it
could also clear away wooded areas that the enemy might use as defensive positions or for an
ambush.
The Firestarter also carried out
scorched-earth missions in the early days of the
Succession Wars. In recent decades, as armies attempt to capture
and hold targets intact, scorched earth has become an extremely rare
policy. It is only used when even long-term
victory is impossible or when the target is
too valuable to fall into enemy hands.
Because Firestarters were common in all 'Mech forces before the Succession Wars, none of the five Successor States has a shortage of these
'Mechs. However, more and more Firestarters are being assigned to lances to replace light and medium 'Mechs
lost in action.
In the earliest days of
the First Succession War, the
Second Lyran Guard was assigned to garrison the planet of
Port Moseby. In addition to the
regular units of her regiment,
Colonel Alexandra Waters was also assigned three Firestarters. Port Moseby was a vitally important trade center, and
Waters was ordered to hold it
at all costs.
In August 2786,
House Kurita attacked. Elements of McGavin's and Johiro's Regiments landed near the capital city, despite the best efforts of
Waters' aerospace fighter
wing. To escape the constant fighter attacks, the invaders advanced on the
capital through heavily wooded country. Seeing her
chance, Colonel Waters sent her
Firestarters into action.
An intense drought had left the forests
tinder-dry, and the Firestarters quickly ringed the
Kurita forces in flames. While the enemy 'Mechs struggled
through the burning forest, moving slowly to avoid overheating, Waters brought her forces to the edge of the fire, engaging the enemy as it stumbled from
the
inferno. After only a few hours of combat, the Kurita forces were forced to retreat offworld. While the Second Lyran Guard had suffered only light
damage, fewer than half of the attackers escaped.
This was the first major battle in which incendiary 'Mechs were used. Their limited usefulness was emphasized when Kurita forces again assaulted
Port Moseby later that year. Because the forests had been completely destroyed in the first battle, Colonel Waters could not repeat her fire-starting tactics.
The superior Kurita forces obliterated the Second Lyran Guard.
The first battle for Moseby enhanced
the prestige of the Firestarter, and commanders began experimenting with various methods of deploying the
FS9. One popular idea concerned grouping the Firestarters into igniter lances, which allowed better coordination of incendiary activities. While this
concept worked well during major assault operations, the members of these lances were usually reassigned once the
campaign was over.
Firestarters were often piloted by officers in cornmand of
Wasp or
Stinger units. These fast, light raiding groups usually attacked lightly defended targets or worked as
deep penetration scouts.
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