BattleTechnology #11
Stefan Paul Melin-Dempsey
Chassis: Corean Model J1
Power Plant: Magna 250
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86 kph
Jump Jets: Butterfly 500
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: StarShield
Armament:
1 Longbow LRM-10 launcher
2 SureShot LRM-5 launchers
3 Magna MkII Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Corean Enterprises
Communications System: TransBand J9
Targeting and Tracking System: Corean B Tech
Record Sheets: MLS-1A Malleus
MLS-1B Malleus
MLS-1C Malleus
MLS-1D Malleus
The Malleus dates back to 2650. It was designed by a team from Corean Industries led by the gifted Marcus Kearny. It was meant to provide an impressive concentration of medium and long range firepower for a mid sized 'Mech. It lives up to its promise. There are only two problems with the Malleus in its performance on the field of combat. The first is the same problem as the Trebuchet. Its ammo supply is rather low; it can last a relatively short time in combat, about two minutes of constant fire. Therefore the Malleus is only suitable for short operations or for defensive operations near a supply base, where it may quickly be reloaded. The second problem is a related one. In gaining its medium to long range combat capacity as a combination with its jump capability, there had to be a sacrifice of short range firepower. This cuts back on the Malleus' ability to provide short range cover fire for other 'Mechs. Its firepower is still sufficient to make any light 'Mech use caution in moving against the Malleus.
Battle History:
In the year 2843 the Draconis Combine sent a force out to the Periphery to deal with water raiders. The battalion which they sent out included six Malleuses. Their efforts in the series of punitive raids were testament to the survivability of this �Mech in combat. After two years of raiding, the battalion came back with half of its forces destroyed; four of the six Malleuses remained, even though they had constantly been assigned to the first attacking wave to leave the DropShips.
The Malleus' defensive ability was clearly demonstrated on the world of Shiba in the Capellan Confederation in 2998. The Free Worlds League attacked Shiba, which was lightly garrisoned by four Malleuses, eight lighter �Mechs, and a company of light armor units. The Free Worlds League had sent in a full heavy �Mech battalion, sure of an easy victory. The planetary forces used varying battleplans, each of which took advantage of the Malleus' versatile talents. They held off the enemy for six long weeks, until the Free Worlds League commander, at the end of his supplies, had to break off the attack.
Variants:
One popular variant replaces the wrist- mounted LRM 5 packs with SRM 4 packs, improving the Malleus' short range capabilities. Another common change is to replace the head-mounted medium laser with a machine gun and its ammo, or with a small laser and an extra half ton of armor. Several other variants are known to exist, because of the relative ease of weapon removal and replacement in the Malleus.
Notable MechWarriors:
Alice Kearny
This MechWarrior is noted because she pilots the very first Malleus that came off the construction line. It was given to her ancestor Marcus Kearny, as payment for designing the Malleus, and it has stayed in the family ever since. It is rumored that Alice can trace her ancestry back all the way to the sixteenth century when an inquisitor named Kearny became famous for writing a book known as The Hammer Against Witches (Malleus Maleficarum). Hence, the name of the 'Mech. As a matter of fact, the 'Mech is named 'Witch Hunter'.
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