The AWS-8Q Awesome is one of the most feared vehicles on the battlefields of the Succession Wars. First built in 2665 by the Technicron Manufacturing Conglomerate under license from Star League, it soon became a popular heavy 'Mech in many regimental assault lances. Based on the design of the STR-2C Striker, the original assault 'Mech, the Awesome soon superseded that aging vehicle as the main heavy assault 'Mech in almost all the Successor States. The STR-2C Striker is almost never seen in front-line 'Mech regiments today.
         The Awesome is widely used as an initial penetration assault vehicle. Massed Awesome assault lances are sent to destroy a point in the enemy defenses, allowing units that follow to exploit the breach. The Awesome is also used in many defensive situations, where it is usually responsible for the most threatened or important areas of a perimeter.

         The Awesome is just that. When seen ponderously approaching in battle formation, these 'Mechs strike fear in the hearts of even seasoned MechWarriors. Designed for ranged combat against opposing heavy 'Mechs, the Awesome carries out that assignment well. Its three Kreuss PPCs can heavily damage or destroy many opposing BattleMechs with one salvo (usually fired in a two-out-of-three salvo sequence to reduce heat problems). The left torso small laser and the heavy left-arm battle fist can cause heavy damage at point-blank ranges where the PPC weapons are less effective.
         The Awesome is also hard to beat in its defensive stance. Its all-around protective armor is stronger than that of almost any other 'Mech, including the BattleMaster. As it can withstand even more punishment that it can mete out, the Awesome is overwhelming in offensive or defensive situations. When massed in their own assault lances with screening recon units and good intelligence about enemy intentions, these 'Mechs are the dominant factor on most battlefields. The assessment by MechWarriors throughout the Successor States is that "the only defense against an Awesome is another Awesome".
         To achieve the Awesome's superb offensive and defensive capabilities, maneuverability was sacrificed.   With its heavy structure, the Awesome is slow and cannot react to heavy attacks from the rear as well as can BattleMechs with a greater number of weapons. It is also susceptible to damage in its legs, which could easily immobilize it or make it topple.
         The Awesome is effective when used for the purpose its designers had in mind. If the 'Mech is mishandled or poorly screened from flanking enemy units, however, it will not be able to fight off lighter 'Mechs quickly enough to keep from being surrounded.

         In late 2928, two assault lances of House Marik's Fifth Brigade of the Fusiliers of Oriente conducted a raid on the 'Mech repair yard and storehouse on the planet Solaris. Equipped with six Awesome heavy 'Mechs and two Javelin recon vehicles, these Marik troopers successfully pushed aside the feeble defense put up by an ad hoc lance of damaged and barely repaired Steiner 'Mechs. With four Awesomes on guard and the rest   of the raiders shooting up anything that moved, the Fifth Brigade was able to make off with a large booty of supplies and spare parts before the defenders could call in reinforcements. The raid was one of the most successful ever conducted by House Marik forces.
         During the Third Battle of Harrow's Sun in July 3002, the Awesome assault lances of the Davion Heavy Guards Regiment engaged defending forces of Kurita's Eighth Sword of Light Regiment and Fourth Proserpina Hussars. In the ensuing attack, the Heavy Guards rolled over the forward positions of the defenders but were not supported by their following troops, composed of 'Mechs of the mercenary Illician Lancers. Under combined attack from the flank and rear, Davion's Awesome lances were forced to fall back with moderate casualties. Two weeks later, however, the Kurita forces evacuated Harrow's Sun and did not return to that system until 3020.

         Variations on the Awesome usually involve some change of armament. One of the more popular versions is the combination of one or two 15-rack LRMs and one or two large lasers in place of some or all of the PPCs mounted on the prototype. This new armament reduces the Awesome's heat buildup problem to manageable levels, with the least amount of firepower reduction.

Lieutenant Giles "The Banger" Barners
         Commander of Barners' Lance of Wernke's Battalion in House Kurita's Brion's Legion, Giles is a hunk of a man who claims to fight in an Awesome because he simply would not fit in any smaller 'Mech. His heavy assault lance of black-painted Awesomes has instilled terror in many an opponent. Piloting his Awesome, the Kwik Killer, Barners has 56 kills officially to his credit.

MechWarrior Danielle Peterson
         A member of Delmar's assault lance, Tagaki's Battalion of House Davion's Chisholm's Raiders, Danielle does not look the part of a MechWarrior. Blond and beautiful, she has what many of her comrades call "the knack". Though joking and friendly outside of her 'Mech, when Danielle buttons up in her Awesome, she seems to become one with the machine, able to react as if it were her own skin. This has saved her on more than one occasion when surrounded by enemy 'Mechs. In one instance, she literally skipped aside with her Awesome, the Pretty Baby, to avoid an incoming missile strike aimed at her. Danielle is famous throughout the Successor States for her skill in piloting the usually unmaneuverable Awesome.