In the first years of the Kerensky Protectorate, the lackluster performance of the aging SHD-1R Shadow Hawk against newer designs made apparent the need to replace it. In a major contest, the Luthien Armor Works submitted its Dragon design and promptly lost the contract to the upgraded Shadow Hawk, the 2H.
         Amazed and angered, the owners of Luthien Armor Works went ahead with production of a slightly less powerful Dragon. This design carried a Class 2 Victory autocannon on it right arm instead of the more powerful Imperator-A. It was this Dragon design that House Kurita privately commissioned in 2754 as the basis for the Combine's private army until the dissolution of Star League.

         With its high speed and better-than-average firepower, the Dragon is intended as a close assault vehicle. In stagnant battles with little or no movement, Kurita commanders often hold the Dragon in reserve until they discover a weakness in the enemy line. They then further soften this weakness with bombardment, troops, or tanks until a crack in the enemy line appears. At this point, the Dragons are turned loose to rush through the gap and exploit the advantage.
         The Dragon's design serves this purpose well. The 'Mech's overall squat shape makes it both a small target for weapons and a difficult opponent to knock to the ground in a brawl. The 'Mech's thick-armored torso, especially its back, also gives the Dragon the ability to take punishment when surrounded by the enemy, a common occurrence. Even the normally delicate autocannon is placed within a thick protective sleeve that absorbs some of the shock when the Dragon punches with that arm.
         Carrying 24 shots for the LRM system and a whopping 40 rounds for the autocannon, the Dragon is amply supplied for sustained battles without reloading. In the event a Dragon does run low on ammo, the medium left-arm laser ensures that the MechWarrior will always have another weapon to fire. The second laser also buys it the healthy respect of 'Mechs trying to approach from rear.
         The efficiency of the design has one drawback, however. Some Dragon pilots become so overconfident of their 'Mech that they often risk themselves and their machines unnecessarily by confronting heavier opponents such as a Zeus or a Warhammer. Some extra discipline usually cures surviving warriors of this bad habit.
         The Dragon also proves itself useful defensively. With its large ammo supply, it can lay down a good pattern of fire and hold a prepared position against approaching 'Mechs.
         What the Dragon does not have are reliable hip actuators. The military brass disregarded engineering reports calling for a heavier actuator design in favor of a cheaper actuator made on nearby Luthien. As a result, the Dragon can suffer from burned micro-bearings, requiring frequent overhauls of the hip assembly.

         As the Dragon is manufactured on Luthien, capital of the Draconis Combine, the other Successor States can do little to halt its production. The only factor that slows the output of this 'Mech design is the delay caused by the need to import its chassis and com systems.
         A company of approaching Kurita Dragons is a common sight on Successor State battlefields. The ruling Kurita family, especially the current lord Takashi, has been reorganizing its regiments by replacing heavy 'Mechs like Warhammers and BattleMasters with the more plentiful Dragons. The older 'Mechs are then put together into separate units, which makes them easier to maintain and more effective in battle.
         A battle fought as recently as 3013 illustrates the role the Dragon plays in Lord Kurita's service. When House Steiner began to unearth large amounts of high-grade diamonds essential for the manufacture of BattleMech armor on the obscure Commonwealth world of Phalan, the Draconis brass decided to dispatch the 9th regiment of the Rasalhague Regulars to the planet. Once there, they were to search for and take the already-mined diamonds, then destroy the mines. The Second Battalion, "Burton's Firebreathers", was composed entirely of Dragons while the other two battalions were mostly light to medium 'Mechs.
         Unknown to the Kurita strategists, House Steiner's 22nd Skye Rangers were also using Phalan for maneuvers. Though manned by green MechWarriors, most of the regiment's 'Mechs were heavy Warhammers and Archers. Moreover, the approach of the Rasalhague Regulars was tracked by Lyran picket satellites, which gave the Rangers plenty of time to prepare. When the 9th regiment hit the dirt in and around the city nearest Phalan's mines, the Rangers were able immediately to repulse them. Then, in an assault on the mining camp, Kurita's 'Mechs were again rebuffed by a concerted effort of Lyran 'Mechs and local air support. The Combine commanders quickly decided that the city, with its warehouse filled with diamonds, was the Regulars' best bet.
         The attack resulted in a siege, with the young Rangers holding an island in the middle of a lake where the planet's cache of diamonds was warehoused. Luckily for the 9th regiment, the main bridge linking the island with the rest of the city was still intact.
         They did not use the bridge, however. Perceiving a weakness on the far side of the island, the Kurita first and third battalions launched a diversionary attack using the bridge. In the meantime, Burton's Firebreathers waded through the lake and blasted through a high concrete wall. The Firebreathers were in and out with the diamonds before the Skye Rangers could make an effective counter-attack.

         A major variant on the Dragon design, known as the Grand Dragon, has appeared recently. Inspired by Takashi Kurita's desire for a more powerful 'Mech, Combine engineers have devised changes that make the Dragon an even more fearsome opponent.
         Replacing the autocannon on the right arm is a Lord's Thunder PPC. Another medium laser takes the space vacated by the autocannon ammo. In an effort to compensate for the extra heat generated, two more heat sinks were added. As the Grand Dragon has yet to be battle-tested, no one is certain of how it will perform with the extra heat burden.

Lieutenant Leon "The Orator" Gambetta
         As a lance commander in the elite 2nd Sword of Light Regiment, Gambetta's reputation as a tactician has spread throughout the regiment. His 'Mech, painted in city camouflage colors, is often assigned to lead the charge against heavily fortified positions.
         That a MechWarrior who has led so many dangerous missions should live to the age of 53 is unusual. That he should also be known as kind and considerate, with great concern for his men, is even more unusual in these dangerous times.