Speculation Clearly a mixture of Star League Technology with the best research the Inner Sphere has available, this 'mystery 'Mech' is tantaliziing our staff techs. The Wyld Stallions promise us more information on the Rampage and its history for our next issue. Capabilities Weighing in at 100 tons, the Rampage known as Apocalypse is the only known prototype of an ultra heavy assault 'Mech designed to lay down accurate and deadly long range fire. Instead of LRMs the Rampage carries almost exclusively projectile weapons. On its weapons computer the Rampage lists the two armmounted large lasers as backup weapons. The center torso LB-10X autocannon is listed as secondary firepower. Ever with this firepower, the Rampage would be a match for any 'Mech under fifty tons. The addition of torso-mounted dual Gauss Rifles means she can fell opponents of any weight class in four volleys of her guns. 10 double heat sinks eliminate heat problems with an ample margin. The Rampage's one major disadvantage is maneuverability. Capable of only 34 kph at top speed, she cannot keep pace with the slowest advancing army, relegating her to defensive and planned assaults. Jump Jets cut the mobility problem to some extent, as does the recent (and experimental) addition by Wyld Stallions master techs of triple strength myomer bundles. These are the 3026 double-bluff myomers, susceptible to certain gases, which older readers will remember from Jason Xiang Allard's hoax on Maximilian Liao during the climatic days of the Fourth Succession War. The Stallions are confident that until such time as the Federated Commonwealth supplies them with the rumored new brand, the gas-tight 17.5 tons of armor will provide sufficient clearance time to withdraw from such a gas attack. The gas combination is rare in nature and quite expensive to produce. Battle History None yet known. BattleTechnology is eagerly awaiting the debriefing of the Wyld Stallions so we can learn the role of the Rampage during the Blackjack campaign. Critical Hit Table at right: Noteworthy 'Mechs and Pilots Major Sylvia Grant, Apocalypse Major Grant is on record as commanding the Stallions' Special Operations group. No other information is known of her at this time. BattleTechnology hopes to gain more information on this MechWarrior to bring to you. Recorded transcripts of Jacob Halloway on June 15, Sudeten, Blackjack Operations Area, Federated Commonwealth: JH: I'm standing here on the tarmac at Port Ceres Starport as the DropShips bearing survivors of the Clan invasion of the planet Blackjack go through final shut down before debarking passengers. We're hoping to get a first hand report of how these brave soldiers managed to escape the all-encompasssing grip of the warriors known as the Jade Falcons. (sounds of commotion in the background) JH: The ship nearest us is now opening a passenger door and troops are coming out. I can't identify all the uniforms, but I can make out cadet insignias - which means that what I left of the Blackjack Training Unit us aboard these ships. I'm going to see if I can speak with some of the cadets. (Jumble of voices as news cres vie for attention of cadets) JH: Excuse me, cadet - BattleTechnology News Service here. Can I ask a few questions? (Three cadets, arm in arm, turn to face Mr Halleway) Cadet # 1 : Did you say 'BattleTechnology'? JH: Yes, we'd like to get your story... Cadet #2: You're just the guy we've been looking for! JH: (surprised) Really? Cadet # 1: Yeah! You see, my friends and I are soon to be Tamar War College graduates. We want to nominate a 'Mech for the most awesome and unusual assault 'Mech there is. (in the background there is the distinctive sound of a DropShip bay door opening.) JH: Well, I'm all ears, lads. What's the name of this 'Mech? Cadet # 3: Her name's Apocalypse. JH: Apocalypse! I'm not sure I'm familiar with that 'Mech class... (A great commotion breaks out among the news crews as a BattleMech emerges from the now-open DropShip bay) (Rest of interview on personal audio recorder only) JH: Holy ! What is that thing? Eric, are you getting this on vidcam? Cameraman: Sorry, Jake, my camera just fritzed out. I'm getting nothing but static. JH: Dammit! It must be jamming us! (Similar cursing from other news crews confirms his suspicion.) JH: Try with the still camera, but I doubt you'll have much luck. (He was right; not a single photo turned out.) JH: Well, folks, Jacob Halloway here. I ... uh ... appear to be witnessing an unknown 'Mech departing from this DropShip. My guess is she's near a hundred tons, with what can only be large lasers. On it's back it has three dorsal cannons, all at least the size of a Centurion Luxor Heavy Autocannon. I don't know what else to call it. This cadet here -- is this the 'Mech you called the Apocalypse? (While Halloway's attention is on the 'Mech, another person has walked up to him.) Unknown: Actually, that's what we call this particular 'Mech, but it's actual class is the Rampage Assault BattleMech. JH: Who might you be, sir? Cadet # 1: This is Colonel Robert Michaels, the leader of the unit that got the cadets safely off Blackjack. JH: And that 'Mech belongs to you? Colonel Michaels: Yes, it does. While I can't talk about that mission just yet, I think it's high time I let one of my unit's bigger secrets out of the hat so more people are as positive as I am that we can beat the Clans, playing with our rules. JH: What unit is that, sir? Colonel Michaels: The Wyld Stallions Light Assault Group. Back to BattleTechnology 16 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Pacific Rim Publishing. 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