HdG-2B Hedgehog
StarDate 3/5
Mass: 35 tons
Chassis: Uticamax III (tripod)
Power Plant: VOX 280
Cruising Speed: 86 kph
Maximum Speed: 129 kph
Jump Jets: None
  
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Durallex Medium
Armament:
   1 Martell Medium Laser
   4 Krupps-Invicta Vehicle Grenade Launchers

Manufacturer:
  
Utica Fabrication and Design
Communications System:
  
Molinox HBD-2a9JJ MaxiPulse Array
Targeting and Tracking Syste
m:
   Molinox Tri-Plus


















Overview:

The HdG-2B
Hedgehog was first developed in 2602. The Head of Procurement for the Star League ordered the 'Mech for use by Divisional commanders. The HdG is equipped with command radio sets and line of sight laser comm units. When the Succession Wars began the Hedgehog was adopted into all Houses as a scout and a deep incursion raider.

Because of its design, the
Hedgehog has become the center of an unusual amount of controversy. The cause of the problems centers on the close assault defense system used by Hedgehog pilots. This defense involves the 'Mech lashing out with its heavily armored third leg. The normal target for this kick is the attacking 'Mech's head or cockpit.
Capabilities:

The company who designed the
Hedgehog, Utica Fabrication and Design, followed the contract to the letter, creating one of the fastest 'Mechs ever produced. Powered by a Pitban engine the HdG-2B can attain a top speed of 132.5 kph.

The comm system used by the 'Mech is its most important piece of equipment. Encompassing the most advanced microcircuitry available, the radio is impossible to replace. When the radio gives out, the 'Mech loses its best deep incursion weapon. This radio array is often replaced with a simple comm unit and the remaining space is loaded with extra shells to be used in the smoke projectors.

The weapons system used by the HdG-2B is a Martel medium laser. Additionally, all models of the Hedgehog are equipped with 4 Krupps-Invicta smoke projectors. These projectors fire a smoke-producing shell up to 30 meters. These smoke rounds produce a thick white smoke that is high in metallic content, effectively causing all laser fire to attenuate.

For close-in combat the
Hedgehog uses its extraordinary kicking ability to defend itself. This defense is aided by an optical sight, capable of making the 'Mech able to hit a given target most of the time.


Battle History:

First blood was drawn by the
Hedgehog during an engagement with a mercenary force on Palacina, a small world in the Periphery. The total Star League forces on this small agricultural world consisted of an Assassin, a Shadow Hawk, and 2 pre-production Hedgehogs. The HdG-2B units were in the process of being field tested.

When the raiders arrived the Field Station on Palacina sent out a call for help. The commander on the station was told to harass the attacking forces until help could arrive.

Capt. Ian Hunter followed his orders to the letter, raiding the mercs on a daily basis. Hunter was so effective at his job that the DropShip that had transported the raiders to the planet was destroyed from within by the massed fire of both the
Assassin and the Shadow Hawk. Too little remained of the Leopard to tell if it lacked any defensive armament or if the crew of it had simply been too incompetent to stop them.

Unfortunately, the massed enemy numbers began to tell, forcing the Star League Mech Warriors back into hiding. It is estimated that on the 21st day of the engagement Hunter was himself ambushed, his
Shadow Hawk falling prey to a Warhammer and a Spider. A few days later the Assassin was also destroyed. The remaining 'Mechs were then left to their own devices.

The Technicians who were piloting the
Hedgehogs took their small 'Mechs on a raiding binge that has not been exceeded to this day. The Hedgehogs were able to destroy the remaining eight 'Mechs. Unfortunately, both Hedgehogs were also lost, along with their pilots.

When the Star League forces finally arrived they found the remains of all the 'Mechs. Five of the raiders were found to have been destroyed by well-aimed kicks to the head. Several survivors of the mercenary force reported that the final battle between the sole remaining
Hedgehog and an Archer ended abruptly when the HdG popped up from behind a rock formation and kicked the head free from the Archer. Unfortunately, the Archer pilot reacted fast enough to launch a full load of missiles just before he was smeared into red paste. It appears that the entire salvo connected with the Hedgehog.


Variants:

Due to the complex layout of the HdG-2B, few variants have been attempted. In fact, the only successful variant is a modification made by House Marik. Called the HdG-2Bl, the 'Mech is named the
Harasser. The medium laser is replaced with two light lasers.

Some
Hedgehogs that have had their Star League-era comm sets destroyed have had contemporary equipment of equal capability fitted in their place. The replacement comm sets displace all weaponry. Such refitted Hedgehogs require escorts on deep incursions, as they are immensely vulnerable.


Notable 'Mechs and Mech Warriors:

MechWarrior Stasha Piosecka

Piosecka is assigned sto the Command Lance of Paladin's Chessmen. Her 'Mech,
King's Nightmare, is painted a garish orange and black. Piosecka has a habit of surprising her opposition by jumping her 'Mech over their heads and, as she lands, kicking out with the Nightmare's heavily armored center leg. Her 'Mech is kept in perfect condition.

Lt. Torquemada Thompson


Thompson is an independent mercenary who sells his skills to the highest bidder. His 'Mech, the
Black Plague, has lost its command radio set and Thompson is obsessed with finding a replacement for it. His 'Mech is maintained in good condition.

The Night Stalker

This 'Mech, whose pilot is unknown, is assigned to House Marik. The
Night Stalker is credited with the destruction of 13 Mech Warriors, all killed in their barracks on a single deep raid. The Night Stalker is a Harasser variant of the Hedgehog.
Type: HdG-2B Hedgehog
Technology Base: Inner Sphere Tripod
Tonnage: 35

Equipment Mass
Internal Structure: 3.5
Engine:280 16.0
Walking MP:8
Running MP:12
Jumping MP:0
Heat Sinks:100.0
Gyro:3.0
Cockpit:3.0
Armor Factor:104 6.5
InternalArmor
StructureValue
Head:37
Center Torso:1115
Center Torso (Rear):7
R/L Torso:810
R/L Torso (Rear):5
R/C/L Leg:815

Weapons and AmmoLocationCriticalHeatMass
Medium Laser H13 1.0
Vehicle Grenade Launcher RT11 0.5
Vehicle Grenade Launcher RT11 0.5
Vehicle Grenade Launcher LT11 0.5
Vehicle Grenade Launcher LT11 0.5

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