Overview: With the success of their early medium 'Mech models, most notably the Griffin and the Shadow Hawk, Earthwerks began experimenting with heavy assault designs. To keep their research secret, the testing grounds were moved to small planets, usually with little or no industrial capacity (to provide no incentive for pirating raids). The only known surviving facility is Test Site RW03 on the tiny planet or Rourke. Records show that the two other sites, RWO1 and RW02, were destroyed by tactical weapons in the first Succession War. After completing only a few motive test bed prototypes, Earthwerks stopped production of the Achilles because they assumed all three test 'Wells' had been destroyed. The Mydron Corporation, which had supplied the Achilles with its main weapons, switched to other contracts such as the Rifleman and Jagermech, as Kallon Industries was still producing those models. And so so it came to pass that only a few Achilles models remained, hidden on Rourke for many years. Only recently were the plans rediscovered andthe prototypes brought out of hiding. Unfortunately, there are no plans to produce any more than the four units on Rourke. Capabilities: The Achilles carries what could be described as the most devastating weapons array ever built into one'Mech. Three powerful Mydron Gauss Rifles provide an unparalleled long range weapon, rivalled only by the Clans' heavier multiple ER PPC- bearing models. For close range combat, the Achilles carries three medium lasers and three anti-infantry machine guns. Also mounted on the chest is the Mydron Point Defensive Gauss Rifle (a forerunner of the Buzzsaw AMS) a radar-controlled mini- cannon that attacks incoming missiles. The left chest cavity has a high-tension alloy network (the forerunner of today's CASE) to prevent collateral damage due to exploding ammunition. Although it has been criticized for its lack of speed, the Achilles just might be a solution to the problem of the invading Clans. With a production price of only 7,818,666.7 C-bills, it could easily replace some of today's assault 'Mechs, most notably the new Chargers and Annihilators. Perhaps it will once again find a place with Earthwerks Industries; one can nevertell. Battle History: In the Battleof Rourke, a unit composed of a Commando, a Warhammer, an Awesome, a Phoenix Hawk LAM, a few aerofighters and an armored installation managed to fight two stars of Jade Falcons forces to a standstill. Upon reaching the outer walls of the installation, the Clansmen's CO, piloting a Thor, was greeted by one of the four Achilles prototypes. In the swift duel that ensued, the Achilles demonstrated its ability to survive hits by a Clan ER PPC while returning thrice the punishment with its Gauss Rifle. The Thor pilot was allowed to return to his DropShip minus most of his armor and half his 'Mech's limbs. It is assumed that the Jade Falcons will probably return with increased firepower for a second attempt. Variants: Because there was never any production of the Achilles, there have never been any variants. The original blueprints reveal an attempt at grafting a GAU-8 Avenger autocannon to the right arm. This design was abandoned incomplete; the four prototypes bear the Mydron Gauss Rifles instead. Notable 'Mechs and MechWarriors Peter Siekierski The first man in recent history to pilot an Achilles, Siekierski is apparently connected with its origin. It appears that he is descended from the Earthwerks technicians who were abandoned when the planet was ravaged in the First Succession War. Having seen the Clan's capabilities during the Battle of Rourke, he has expressed plans to create a hardened defense point from which to launch counterattacksat the Jade Falcons. The basis for this point will be the four Achilles prototypes that had been hidden during the first Succession War. Optional Rules: Like the Zeus, the Achilles carries a huge weapon in its forearm. If players agree, a punch from the right arm should do twelve points of damage instead of ten. If players agree, the Achilles may be allowed to rotate its head, much like the Gauss rifle turret on the new Goliaths. Head rotation would allow the medium laser in the head to fire into the left and right arcs, or, if the torso is also rotated, into the rear arc. A 'head twist' would be performed in the reactionary phase of combat, just like a torso twist. ACH-09S Achilles Mass: 100 tons Chassis: Earthwerks COL Engine: Nissan 200 Cruising Speed: 21.6kph Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph Jump Jets: none Jump Capacity: none Armor: Chobham-Fasces Composite Heavy Armor with CASE Weapons and Ammo: 3 Mydron Model A Gauss Rifles 2 Sutell VI Medium Lasers 1 Sutell VII Tandem Mount Twin Laser 3 Mydron 12.6 mm Machine Guns 1 Mydron M-1 86 Antimissile System Manufacturer: Earthwerks Limited Primary Factory : Rourke (Earthwerks) Communications System: Neil 6000 Targeting/Tracking System: Octagon Tartrac System B ACH-09S Achilles Tonnage: 100 tons Tons Internal Structure: 10.0 tons 10.0 Engine: Nissan 200 8.5 Walk: 2 Run: 3 Jump: 0 Total Heat Sinks: 100.0 Gyro: 2.0 Cockpit: 3.0 Armor Factor: 304 19.0 Head 9 3 C Torso 47/14 31 L/R Torso 32/10 21 L/R Arm 34 17 L/R Leg 41 21 Weaponry: Loc Crits Tons Gauss Rifle RT 7 15.0 Gauss Rifle RA 7 15.0 Ammo (Gauss) 24 RT 3 3.0 Gauss Rifle LT 7 15.0 Ammo (Gauss) 16 CT 2 2.0 Medium Laser H 1 1.0 Medium Laser RT 1 1.0 Medium Laser RT(R) 1 1.0 Machine Gun LA 1 0.5 Machine Gun LA 1 0.5 Machine Gun LT 1 0.5 Ammo (MG) 100 LT 1 0.5 Anti-Missile System LT 1 0.5 Ammo (AMS) 12 LT 1 1.0 Back to BattleTechnology 18 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Pacific Rim Publishing. 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