Much like the old joke about the camel, the VND-1R Vindicator is the product of compromise and not inspiration. As Capellan Confederation designers created this 'Mech to fit as many roles as possible, it is capable of fire support, point defense, and offense, though only in lackluster fashion.
         The First Succession War had proved disastrous for the Confederation, who lost all but one of its 'Mech-producing facilities. The remaining 'Mech plant, on the heavily industrialized planet of Capella, was limited to the production of 'Mechs of less than 60 tons. Also, because the Confederation had few materials to build 'Mechs, its engineers decided to build a 'Mech that was capable of several roles, yet could be built with meager resources.
         The Vindicator was designed and built in 2826, during the lull between the First and Second Succession Wars. The first Vindicators had machine guns mounted on their left arms instead of the small laser seen on current models.

         Despite its mediocre performance, the Vindicator does have one great strength--Ceres Metals. Because this conglomerate wields such great industrial might, it can produce Vindicators quickly. Except for the Hessen small laser, all 'Mech systems are produced on Capella. Also, as new resources are rediscovered in the Confederation, the industriplexes can churn out tons of spare parts. Thus, the Vindicator is one of the few 'Mechs that can claim to have enough replacement parts.
         The Smasher PPC is a standard weapon, but the cooling jacket that surrounds it deserves note. The jacket possesses water intakes mounted around the forward end. By dipping the end of the barrel in a lake, river, or pool, the intakes draw up the water to cool the hot innards of the PPC. The resulting steam exits via a nozzle at the other end. However, it is often dangerous for the 'Mech to kneel motionless for ten seconds while drawing water. Therefore, engineers placed three additional heat sinks on the Vindicator.
         The engineers decided not to mount a PPC on the Vindicator's other arm, which would make the 'Mech into another Warhammer. It was not only that the additional PPC would have been a heat burden to the 'Mech, but that the Vindicator also had to be able to pick up and carry things.
         The Jaguar missile system is a five-tube, long-range missile system. Created in a joint Sian-Ceres venture, the system is named after the predator cat found on the tropical planet of Sian. It carries enough ammunition for 24 shots and is mounted asymmetrically on the Vindicator's left torso behind an armored door. The missile system is extremely reliable and capable of a fair amount of abuse before it can be forced to shut down.
         The medium laser is mounted on the left side of the Vindicator's head, and is protected by a thick cooling jacket. Its more sensitive components are mounted inside the head, which creates a bulge in the cockpit that makes tall 'MechWarriors rather cramped.
         The protuberance in the cockpit has been implicated in the deaths of several MechWarriors. All were attempting to eject from their damaged Vindicators, only to explode as they emerged from the 'Mechs' heads. It is thought that the ejecting chair hits the bump on its way out, causing the chair's propulsion systems to explode. Engineers are presently attempting to redesign the laser and cockpit roof. Though not fast, the Vindicator is jump-capable and has 16 heat sinks to handle the heat burden produced by jumping. The Vindicator's armor arrangement also received special attention. Carrying more armor than a Phoenix Hawk, the Vindicator has good overall protection, especially on the rear torso and legs.

         The Vindicator has become a common sight in the Capellan Confederation. Only Locusts, Stingers, and Wasps are more plentiful. Replacing 'Mechs of equal or greater weight, the Vindicator allows 'Mechs to be reassigned to other units.
         The planet Tikonov is perhaps the worst assignment a Confederation 'MechWarrior can pull. It is a dry and arid world, whose nights are pitch-black. It was here that Vindicators tasted battle for the first time. In 2832, the Second Succession War between the Capellan Confederation and the Federated Suns was two years old. So far, Tikonov had seen little action, as most of it was occurring along the border nearer the Periphery.
         As its first assignment, the 23rd Chesterton Reserves, a newly formed regiment, drew the unpleasant task of garrison duty on Tikonov. They shared the duty with the 2nd Kearny Highlanders. Much of the Chesterton Reserves was outfitted with Vindicators, with only a few light and heavy 'Mechs organized into separate lances.
         When the Federated Suns' 2nd Ceti Hussars attacked Tikonov, the defending units fell back easily into their defensive positions. The majority of the Chesterton Reserves were employed in defense of the vital hydroelectric plants at the city of New Hoover. The Ceti Hussars attempted to destroy the power plants to disrupt the supply of electricity to the major cities. Using heavy air support, night assaults, and artillery bombardment, the Ceti Hussars tried five times to crack the defensive ring. Each time, defenders threw them back. The Hussar officers were at a loss. They knew that the Vindicator was a mediocre 'Mech, but saw that in a group, the 'Mechs proved to be remarkably stubborn. It was during this siege that the Vindicator earned its nickname of "Badger", after the squat, stubborn mammal native to Tikonov.
         Eventually, the Vindicators' tenacious defense wore down the attacking Hussars. They withdrew, looking for easier targets. For their actions, the members of the 23rd Chesterton Reserves were later decorated and awarded land grants.

         Vindicators have changed little during their 200 years of service. Attempts were made to make the 'Mech more mobile by sacrificing some armor for additional jump jets. However, the trade-off was disappointing as the lost armor made the 'Mech too vulnerable and the added heat decreased its fighting ability.
         Some of these altered Vindicators, dubbed "Avenging Angels", are still used in Confederation reserve and training units. It is expected that they will be sent to the scrap heap or sold to 'Mech families in the next ten years.

MechWarrior Michael Jones
         Jones inherited his Vindicator from his father, who was assassinated in a political squabble. After suitable revenge, Jones joined the 14th St. Ives Armored Cavalry. His Vindicator, dubbed the St. Ives' Blues, can be recognized by the large silver trumpet painted on its chest.