Kovacs watched as the systems avatar disincorporated, leaving him looking at the Mustang striker he had originally come to work on. He reviewed the damage to the original internal structure and the licenses he had already purchased for the project. He had initially intended to replace the existing sensors with a more robust long-range model. It was heavier than what the unit came with initially, but that was to be offset with a reduced size to the reactor;. At the same time, it would make the mecha slightly slower, it should improve the performance and allow him to improve its firepower and overall performance.
“Well, quickest finished the soonest started he sighed.” He was sure this was some of the last free time he would have for the foreseeable future. Little did the young man realize how true that was.
Over the previous weeks, he had analyzed the unit and considered the changes he was going to make. He stripped out the original equipment, including the damaged reactor. He would have to look into the costs of salvaging the unit in the game. He might be able to receive some resources from it that would offset his needs for the mechas he had to design.
He re-centered the fusion reactor by incorporating it. He was able to drop the overall unit's weight and increase its firepower, which was the primary complaint of the person from whom he had purchased the scrapped unit. Then, he started to reconsider his initial plan. He had initially intended to increase the armor and alter the weapons configuration to incorporate heavier lasers, but he was reconsidering his intended layout. He started to run calculations.
“If I get the reactor and use…” He said, speaking his thoughts out loud. “System engage rubber duck mode.” Suddenly, an eight-inch rubber duck was hovering in the air. “That's much better,” he said as he continued to talk to the duck. “I want a tri-gun mount in the right torso with a heavier laser rifle on the left arm. Can you run base calculations for weight versus the alpha variant I have preprogrammed?”
“The difference is weight is nominal; however, the extra saving will allow for some moderate changes to either the unit's overall speed and maneuverability or you could increase the armor load out or add additional cooling to offset the added heat from the lasers. Considering that the units will be torso mounted, additional cooling might be advisable for the unit's stability.”
Kovacs knew that heat was one of the biggest killers for these combat units. The mecha had little recourse to remove heat from the internals other than letting it radiate through the armor into the atmosphere. Many units added extra heatsinks to the legs to help dissipate the heat through the ground and conveniently or inconveniently placed water sources.
Over the next hour, he reshaped the internals and weapons, and then Kovacs began shaping the armor. He found that the Plaststeel was easier to work with and was shaped better. The Mustang Kovacs envisioned had a more naturally humanoid form and lost the slab-sided boxiness for a more rounded look. He stayed with the vaguely equine-shaped head. However, the sculpted form of the torso and legs gave the Mecha a changed appearance from the base model. It was significantly altered, and the shaped armor gave the feeling of speed. He walked around the wire frame outline, observing and thinking. “Can you put up a data sheet on the form before we finalize the unit?” he asked the interface. A technical readout popped up in front of him, and he began to read.
Mustang Striker
Tonnage: 45 tons
Tech Base: 1st and 2nd generation
Role: Medium Scout/Scout Killer
Movement:
Walking: 47 mph
Running: 74 mph
Engine:
Engine Type: Sd Norman Fusion
Engine Rating: 315Kw
Tonnage Allocation
Chassis: 4.5 tons
Engine: 16 tons
Heat Disipation: 5 tons
Armor: 8.5 tons Plaststeel 180
Weapons: 8 tons (1 Unadine laser rifle + 3 Martinelli and Rossi lasers)
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Gyroscope: 3 tons
“Now, how do I submit it for review,” he mused as he backed up the wire diagram.
A string of text appeared before his eyes.
The unit must be entirely constructed; no review is available until the unit has been completed.
“Ganso,” he decried as he eyed the work he had set for himself. He eyed the time. He was already into his evening, and while he wasn’t expecting to be missed, he should probably have eaten something well before now. With a groan, he logged out. He removed the headset and sat up. He felt a bit of vertigo as he sat up. His flat was already dark. With a sigh, he turned on the light beside his bed and then moved to the kitchenette area. From the freezer, he pulled out another cheap dinner.
“It's food at least; maybe one day,” he sighed in both hope and promise. He heated and then ate the bland meal; it was similar to what he had eaten over the past few years. Then he checked messages. Again, he had not expected any, but he kept a schedule.
He put the headset on as he lay back down and started to work.
His online speed shop was modeled after a standard layout: a mecha gantry took center stage, followed by a shop interface to purchase the virtual materials, a printer, and a manufacturing area to make the parts. The Mustang striker stood in the gantry on the right side, showing the damage that had brought the machine down.
He had already determined that several shots had struck the mecha and bored inside, holding the fusion engine and causing it to shut down. The previous owner had expressed a tale of woe as that was the third death of that machine on the battlefield. The Mustang was typically a robust design; a review of the pilot's previous encounters showed that his problem was misusing the weapon. The mustang was built for speed with relatively thin armor, it was an excellent design for reconnaissance and anti-reconnaissance even nipping at an enemy while it was engaged with heavier units.
He set to work stripping the unit of its armor and internals. Once the easy work was done, he started the hard work of resetting the internals and mounting the lasers in the torso. He was glad that he had reworked the power shunts, but he ran into difficulties as the internal structure grew crowded. Hours later, he was ready to add new plasteel armor.
He ran into an unforeseen issue, as some of the mecha's musculature turned out to be larger than the original specifications had indicated. With work, he was able to fit the armor, and the new mecha was finally completed. He viewed his completed work, and then he realized, “It's a virtually different mecha.”
“System designates the unit as the Epona, a Mustang variant.”
“Confirm this unit is now designated Epona,”
Then he had a notification before him;
Epona; A Mustang Striker Variant
Tonnage: 45 tons/ Medium-Light
Tech Base: 1st and 2nd generation
Role: Medium Scout/Scout Killer
Movement:
Walking: 47 mph
Running: 74 mph
Engine:
Engine Type: Sd Norman Fusion
Engine Rating: 315Kw
Tonnage Allocation
Chassis: 4.5 tons
Engine: 16 tons
Heat Disipation: 5 tons
Armor: 8.5 tons Plaststeel 180
Weapons: 8 tons (1 Unadine laser rifle + 3 Martinelli and Rossi lasers)
Gyroscope: 3 tons
Armor rating: F+
Aesthetics; B+
Flexibility; C+
Firepower; C-
Mobility; C
Performance improvement; 3.5%
Design and Aesthetics: The Epona Mustang Striker boasts an impressive, streamlined design, integrating advanced composite materials that enhance its durability and mobility. Its sleek, aerodynamic profile ensures reduced drag, contributing to superior maneuverability in various combat scenarios. The coloration and markings are meticulously crafted to blend seamlessly with urban and rural environments, allowing for effective camouflage during engagements.
Performance Metrics:
Mobility: The Mustang Striker excels in mobility, a hallmark of the Mustang series. Its enhanced servos and thruster systems provide remarkable speed and agility. The improved suspension system ensures stability over uneven terrain, while the updated gyro-stabilizers minimize drift during high-speed maneuvers.
Armor and Durability: The Epona variant features upgraded armor plating, offering enhanced resistance against kinetic and energy-based attacks. The multi-layered composite armor is designed to deflect high-caliber projectiles and mitigate damage from energy weapons.
Weapon Systems: This variant has advanced weaponry tailored for diverse combat scenarios. The primary armament includes a high-caliber Laser Rifle capable of delivering devastating firepower with precision. Complementing this is a tri-barrel laser cannon mounted on the right shoulder, offering versatility in dealing with infantry and armored targets.
Sensors and Targeting: The Epona Mustang Striker is outfitted with an advanced sensor suite, including multi-spectrum scanners and an upgraded targeting system. The enhanced sensors allow for superior threat detection and tracking, while the targeting systems provide high accuracy in conventional and high-speed engagements.
Operational Capabilities: The Striker variant’s advanced avionics and combat software facilitate effective command and control. Its networked communication systems ensure seamless coordination with allied units and command structures. Including an AI combat assistant enhances tactical decision-making, offering real-time analysis and recommendations during engagements.
Conclusion: The Epona Mustang Striker Variant is a highly capable and versatile mecha designed to excel in various combat situations. Its blend of enhanced mobility, robust armor, and powerful weaponry makes it a valuable asset on the battlefield. The advanced sensor and targeting systems further elevate its effectiveness, ensuring it can perform precisely and adaptably in dynamic combat environments. Overall, the Mustang Striker Variant represents a significant advancement over its predecessors, making it a formidable contender in mecha warfare of its time.