StarDrive 1/1
John A. Theisen
Chassis: Irian Chassis Class 15
Power Plant: DAV 90
Cruising Speed: 64 kph
Maximum Speed: 97 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Riese-230
Armament:
2 I.W.W. Medium Lasers
1 Voelkers 200 Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Irian BattleMechs Unlimited
Communications System: Irian Longtalker II
Targeting and Tracking System: Wasat Aggressor
Record Sheet: APL-1J Apollo
APL-1JJ Apollo
The Unification War of the late 26th century only served to prove how expensive modern combat could be. Individual combat vehicles such as BattleMechs and AeroSpace Fighters cost millions of H-Bills each (the C-Bill had not yet been established as the universal unit of currency), and paying the costs to field a single regiment or wing became an arduous undertaking indeed.
Each House responded to the problems in slightly different ways; some built fewer but larger and more expensive units, others built greater numbers of cheaper ones. One of House Marik's solutions was to cut the cost of select weapons of war by designing and constructing less expensive, but roughly comparable, versions. Decreasing the size, protection, and firepower only slightly could have a substantial impact on the overall unit price, especially when multiplied over several hundreds or thousands of units.
In a controversial and highly-publicized action of the 2590s, Lord Marik chose ultralight BattleMechs as replacements for the Recon Lances of several front-line 'Mech regiments. Declaring the smaller 'Mechs would save millions, the League's leader gained almost instant support from an overtaxed general public tired of financing the Unification War. At the time, the military was outraged by the blatant cost-cutting measures, which they claimed would lead to unnecessary MechWarrior fatalities.
To comply with Lord Marik's proclamation and 'Mech specifications, Irian BattleMechs Unlimited was given the go-ahead and manufacturing began.
During the First and Second Succession Wars, many thousands of Apollos were destroyed and probably less than 2000 still exist. Despite its losses, the charges that this design was too thinly shielded and lightly armed have not been proven to everyone's satisfaction. It remains in service among many rear-area House units and mercenaries; some have been sighted as far away as the Federated Suns and Draconis Combine.
Capabilities:
Despite the initial grumblings of Marik military leaders and MechWarriors, the APL is an excellent model, exceeding all design specifications. The Apollo is the lightest BattleMech chassis Irian ever fabricated, but has been a sturdy frame on which to build one of the more successful ultralight 'Mechs. The DAV 90, among the most reliable fusion engines ever built, lives up to its reputation.
The Irian Longtalker II, though hardly as powerful as the E.A.R.communications system, is a fine unit with very good range and clarity. However, the controls are more complicated than on most other sets, and green MechWarriors occasionally activate the wrong circuit, leading to a breakdown in battlefield communication and control.
Two other weaknesses exist: the Voelkers machine gun, and the lack of jump jets. The Voelkers has been used on other 'Mechs with success (perhaps most notably on the Thunderbolt), but the feed mechanism in this installation is more delicate than it should be, and the weapon has a habit of jamming after a sharp blow to the center torso.
The absence of jump jets, omitted to save tonnage (and money), is a major annoyance for many Recon Lance MechWarriors. Accustomed to having more maneuverability, piloting a Apollo forces them to plan their movement more carefully, consuming precious pre-battle seconds. This is a complaint often heard but rarely acted on, although a few Apollos are believed to have been modified and now carry at least a couple of jets.
In fact, except for the jump jets, this BattleMech's performance is often compared favorably with the STG-3R Stinger. The 'Mechs have almost identical engine performance, the same quantity of armor similarly distributed, and armament that is roughly equivalent; the Apollo is actually the better-armed of the two. Upon realizing the Apollo cost about 30 percent less to produce than the Stinger, Lord Marik's decision to economize may not have been such a difficult one, after all.
Battle History:
When the First Succession War began, most every Lord pessimistically assumed every Lord's hand was against him. There were alliances, to be sure, but lingering doubts remained in the minds of many.
One deadly battle, on the mountainous outskirts of Solomonville, involved a company of Steiner Commandos and medium tanks, opposed by a lance of Apollos and a two-company combined-arms team of light tanks and mechanized infantry. Aware of the other's presence but unsure of the enemy's size and exact composition, Marik garrison commander Kenneth Stoddard chose to use his Apollos as a mobile reserve. (The Steiner Commandos had not yet been dispatched from the DropShip.) After pinpointing the attackers' location, both conventional forces slammed into each other with the defending Marik garrison holding a slim advantage.
Noticing the absence of any attacking 'Mechs, a reassured Stoddard sent his own lance out to improve the odds. Unluckily, Steiner Colonel Erwin Robard selected the moment to commit the Commando company. Ejecting from the orbiting DropShip to make a high-altitude atmospheric entry, the Lyran Commonwealth's BattleMechs opened fire almost as they hit the ground. Though the stunned Marik Apollo pilots gave a good account of themselves, the odds and tactical situation were now irreversibly against them. No prisoners wore taken.
The defenders lost all units, including the lance of Apollos. In turn, the attackers, lost two Commandos from failed drops, two Commandos from Apollo attacks, and approximately two platoons of tanks. As other battles took place elsewhere on the planet, the Free Worlds League was finally forced to retreat. The Lyran Commonwealth took control of the system and held it for a number of years.
Notable 'Mechs and Mech Warriors:
Lieutenant Harry ''Wild Hare" Tourmaline
A Recon Lance leader with House Marik's Stewart Dragoons, Tourmaline has a completely justified reputation for being a little crazy. A wild-looking fellow with fierce black eyes, he enjoys single 'Mech patrols deep into enemy territory. Tourmaline pilots an Apollo called the White Rabbit, but painted in a mottled pattern of browns, grays, and whites. He has six kills to his credit.
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