compiled overview of the 20
ton Mercury 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
The unveiling of the
Mercury was heralded as the dawn of a new age in
BattleMech design. Billed as an obvious successor to the aging
Stinger and
Wasp, the
Mercury answered many dreams of
scout lance pilots. Initial specifications called for the light
'Mech to be
faster and better armed than any other in its class, all without a reduction in armor.
Deployed for the first time in 2742, the
Mercury was an electronic
marvel, the
showpiece of the
Star League Defense Forces. At the unveiling,
Mitchell Vehicles spokesmen described multiple breakthrough systems only in general terms. None of the new
'Mechs were allowed outside the direct control of the
Regular Army.
Up to the time of the
Exodus, the new
Mercury 'Mechs remained posted with units that were stationed on
Terra, and at the factory on
Graham IV. All these units left with General
Aleksandr Kerensky. The highest concentration to remain behind were with the Eighth Recon Battalion of the Third Regimental Combat Team, known as the
Eridani Light Horse, which later became a renowned
mercenary unit. The Eighth lost all twelve of its
Mercury 'Mechs during fighting on
Sendai in 2798.
Over the years, replacement parts for the
Mercury’s more
exotic electronic equipment have become more and more difficult to find. The specialized
myomer that allowed the
Mercury to put on great bursts of speed is no longer available, nor is the advanced composite armor with which the
'Mech was initially equipped. As a result, the remaining operational
Mercurys must make do with inferior replacement parts.
With its high speed and energy-based weapons, the
Mercury is an ideal scout and
raider, capable of remaining in the field for as long as the pilot is able to withstand the stresses of battle.
The few
critics of the design decry the
Mercurys lack of
jump jets, pointing out that in combat conducted in built-up areas such as a city, the ability to jump gives a smart
pilot the opportunity to
get behind an opponent and attack the weaker rear armor. Despite this apparent drawback, the
Mercury is well accepted by light lance commanders, because urban combat is far less common in 3025 than it was during the
First and
Second Succession Wars. Though comparable in weight to the
Stinger and
Wasp, the
Mercurys heavier weapons and armor give it a decided edge in combat, and its superior ground
speed allows it to quickly withdraw from larger opponents.
Though both
Martell medium lasers use the same type of barrel and targeting feeds, they feature completely distinct power systems. The right arm laser diffuses the power all along the upper and lower arm, housing
redundant systems in both sections to provide backup capabilities should one part of the arm be damaged. The torso mount, however, clusters the entire system into a compact area. Any damage to the torso, other than a direct hit on the power system, is likely to pass through, missing the laser entirely.
The
Hessen IX small lasers in the head and the center torso are a matched pair. The lasers are slipped into place, bolted down and connected in three places to the power circuits and cooling feeds. If the lasers are damaged or destroyed, the bolts can be removed and the entire system replaced, usually within minutes. This modular replacement system was expected to revolutionize the logistical support of field units, but the
Exodus and
First Succession War effectively put an end to any radical departure from
standard military procedure. The value of this
'Mech's
modular design was lost to the
Successor States, but not to
the heirs of Kerensky. This
'Mech clearly inspired the
OmniMechs that have so recently terrorized the
Inner Sphere.
Using a basic structure,
power plant and main torso, the
Mercury can support many combinations of weapons systems and other equipment. The most obvious advantage of this modular construction is the ease of maintenance and repair. Recovery from battle damage is a simple matter. Of almost equal importance is the ability to vary the
'Mech's weapon mix, tailoring it for a specific mission and
keeping the enemy guessing about the Mercury's abilities.
Though not in service with the
Successor States or mercenary units, the
Mercury is common in the
Com Guards, especially with The Grace of Thought IV-xi and Straight Words IV-epsilon. Drawing mostly reconnaissance and intelligence missions, these
'Mechs differ from the usual Equipment Package 99 variety of
Mercury seen most often in the
Star League Army. The
Com Guards'
Mercury MCY-97 carries the
Beagle active probe for enhanced detection capability and
Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry for fast getaways, giving up a medium laser and a small laser to make room. Though a weak fighter, this model is a premier reconnaissance
'Mech.
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