StarDrive 1/1
John A. Theisen
Chassis: Alshain 22-Lifter
Power Plant: DAV 90
Cruising Speed: 64 kph
Maximum Speed: 97 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Maximillian 20
Armament:
1 Telos SRM-4 Rack
1 Magna Mk I Small Laser
Manufacturer: Alshain Weapons
Communications System: Obanishi OB1 "Knobby"
Targeting and Tracking System: Obanishi ICU-250
Record Sheet: STL-7D Stiletto
The STL-7D Stiletto was one of very few ultralight BattleMechs designed for a specific combat role: to fight short-range delaying actions and to engage the Lyran Commonwealth's new COM-2D Commando reconnaissance 'Mech. During the 2460s and 2470s, quantities of Commandos began appearing in regiments along the Steiner/Kurita border, a situation that concerned Lord Kurita greatly. Deciding to assume the offensive, he ordered a new BattleMech design constructed, cheaper than its intended adversary and available in quantity. The result, the Stiletto, entered full-scale production in 2473.
As BattleMech design technology improved through the First Succession War, all Houses placed greater emphasis on constructing larger models. Even so, the STL has been in almost continuous small-scale production since its creation. Designed by Alshain Weapons, the Stiletto was one of that firm's first major financial successes. Encouraged by this accomplishment, the expanding company would go on to design and build chassis for such well-known Draconis 'Mechs as the Panther and Dragon. Though previously manufactured at several factories within the Draconis Combine, the only Stiletto facilities now in operation are at Alshain and Al Na'ir, where several dozen are currently produced annually by each.
For motivation, senior lords and ranking generals in House Kurita occasionally award a brand-new Stiletto to tankers or infantrymen who have been extraordinarily heroic or virtuous in combat.
Capabilities:
Designed in theory to counter the heavier Lyran Commando, the Stiletto's weapons, armor, and power plant were all chosen expressly for this purpose. However, the STL rarely met its rival in battle, more often seeing use as a very light open-field recon 'Mech, a task to which it was (and still is) reasonably well suited. The reliable DA V 90 fusion power plant, though producing slightly slower speeds than the Commando is capable of, gives the Stiletto a top speed of more than 90 kph, acceptable to almost all Recon Lance leaders.
In general, the Stiletto has been a low-maintenance 'Mech requiring only a minimum of attention, despite having a cramped internal structure which makes many hydraulic and electrical repairs inconvenient. Weapons, communications, and targeting systems have all provided consistently good service, and replacement parts for the weapons in particular are easy to come by.
Battle History:
One of the Stiletto's most infamous (and embarrassing) encounters took place recently between a raiding force from Bandit King Helmar Valasek and the planetary garrison unit on the planet Thule. Valasek's force had two objectives: capture all spare parts found and kidnap Technicians. This was a rare instance where equipment was a higher priority than water for the leader from Santander V.
The long-range radar (what equipment they had) in the Thule system was temporarily on the blink, and a small, unidentified DropShip made a soft landing in the Kuegerlin Mountains near the city of Neu Dubrovnic. The defenders, an untalented company of mercenaries known as the Amazons of Arkab, had been unaccustomed to seeing much action and were taken completely by surprise.
When the Bandit lance arrived at Neu Dubrovnic's suburbs, they found a cache of tank and hovercraft parts but nothing specifically for BattleMechs. Not hearing any alarms or noticing any unusual activity, they moved into the inner city and discovered everything seemed calm. When the Amazons finally made a showing, the Bandits were ready; nine Stilettos and a Panther were destroyed at a loss of one Bandit Commando and a damaged Wasp.
After a through search, the Bandits left with their booty, estimated at 540,000 C-Bills' worth of hardware. More importantly, the Bandits took six Technicians prisoner; it is believed they are still being held captive and forced to service Valasek's 'Mechs. The Amazons were disbanded as a unit, and its few survivors shot.
Notable 'Mechs and Mech Warriors:
MechWarrior Akiro Hagitshita
Hagitshita pilots a Stiletto, named the Silver Thrust, for a small Kurita mercenary unit known as the Ozawa Informals. This formation, currently assigned as a mobile reserve along the Periphery, has had a brief run of bad luck lately. Despondent, Hagitshita has considered deserting the unit for any Bandit King who will pay better. He is keeping his plans secret for the time being, though; either the Informals' fate will improve and he will stay, or he will pick just the right moment to leave. In either event, the Silver Thrust remains ready, with only a minor laser alignment problem affecting battle performance.
MechWarrior Ian O'Connell
A former member of a Kurita Sword of Light regiment, O'Connell was convicted of hoarding regimental supplies, the severity of his offense punishable by death. Before his sentence could be carried out, the crafty MechWarrior escaped and somehow fled (with his 'Mech, no less!) to the Federated Suns. Once there, he signed on with Galt's Grenadiers, a mercenary unit under contract to House Davion. Unchanged in his ways, O'Connell again stole from the unit's supply coffers, and was again caught. Only this time, his Stiletto was confiscated by Major Galt and O'Connell unwillingly joined the Dispossessed. O'Connell, now desperate as well as cunning, is believed to be at large within the Federated Suns.
MechWarrior Lukas Ione
A red-haired giant of a man, it is said Ione barely fit into the cramped cockpit of his Stiletto, the Audiogoth. When he did manage to get inside, though, he proved to be one of the best pilots in the entire An Ting Legion, a formation serving House Kurita during the First Succession War. While fighting on the planet Kessel near the Kurita/Steiner border, Ione came face to face one day with a Lyran Commando that had run low on missiles. Dodging in the rough terrain, the two combatants fought an arduous running battle for nearly forty minutes before the Commando finally suffered a critical engine hit. The Audiogoth was virtually demolished in the melee; miraculously uninjured, Ione was extricated safely from the mangled cockpit by a salvage team using laser torches.
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