ANT

Ferrite:	29000
Bioptics:	24500
Niodes:	115

Several generations after the Radix tribe created the first Battlemech, The Red Ant, their descendants have continued the tradition and made a new, and much improved model. Exactly when the discoveries that led to the development of this Mech was made is however unclear. The Radix tribe is understandably tight-lipped here, but it seem the lead engineer for the project was a victim of Drochah`s meddling with the time stream.

Somehow, she and a set of blueprints containing most of the needed specifications, got whisked back from her own time to the near past. After making contact with her ancestors, they got an assembly running capable of producing the new and much improved ANT. Unfortunately, not long after the plant went operational the engineer perished in an explosion, denying us further glimpses into the future.

The original was a compact, low cost Mech. Laser weaponry was prefered due to limited storage for ammunition. The new model masses nearly as much as a dozen of the original however, and have ample room for ammunition. This led to the preference for Projectile based armament.

The heart of the ANT is a hyper-clocked power plant, barely controlled inside a strenghtening Niode matrix. This plants massive power output is sorely needed however to feed the ANTs impressive offensive capabilities.

An impressive array of overflow banks, including a never before seen 1.8x set, gives the ANT the theoretical ability to multiply any weapons output by a factor of nearly thirty-four! Then comes a dedicated set of magnetic capacitors, capable of more than doubling the damage delivered by any Projectiles. This massive increase in efficiency also gives an around 2-in-3 chance of passing the damage on to any Mechs unfortunate enough to be standing behind the target.

The original Ants simple, but highly efficient, Targeting Computer was improved only slightly upon. What the increased room made possible however was the inclusion of up to eleven assisting targeting modules, all but guaranteeing an hit against even the most elusive targets. One should perhaps still be a bit skeptical about its claimed capability to hit an individual sand-flea at ten miles distance.

To maintain the offensive powers in a prolonged fight, defensive capabilities is also required. The ANT does not disappoint in it's defensive capabilities. It's most basic protection is straightforward: fantastically thick armor that deflects and absorbs any hits suffered. And with room for up to ten Chassis modules, the ANT can become a really elusive target. Depending on the modules chosen, its offensive capabilities can also be seriously expanded, giving pilots a lot of customizability options. While the ANT does not come with innate shielding, here too it also has many (9) expansion slots to allow pilots to customize their shielding preferences.

The original Red Ant found many of it's offensive capabilities not formally listed, as rather than stemming form the mech, they stemmed from a unique piece of equipment, the Master Blaster, a piece of weaponry standard on all Red Ants. The ANT is not beholden to any specific piece of technology or weaponry to maintain it's edge. Rather stats that used to be found on the Master Blaster have been integrated into the ANT's internal structure - maintaining the firepower but allowing the ANT even great options in how it armaments itself. Skilled pilots, as ever, can take such customizability and forge a truly devastating weapon of war.

=================================

Max and Nova rode a hover-car across the open plains.

"Tell me where we're going again?" Max asked.

Nova answered, "to the place where one of the original designers worked. The building appeared just after the Drochah paradox incident."

“The…what?”

“You don’t remember it. In any case, I was contacted by the original designer of the ANT and need to see him.”

"Oh, good. I can finally find out what ANT stands for. You know, I have this bet with Ginna...woah!"

The car stopped as they approached an area that was scarred with black streaks. A building at the center stood by only a few dregs of its former structure.

"What happened?" Max asked.

"Don't know. Looks bad." Nova jumped out and ran for the building with Max.

They found a laboratory that was nothing but ash and debris. A body lay in the corner, only identifiable by shape.

"Is that him?" Max asked.

Nova nodded, "yes." He reached down and picked up a computer tablet that was buried under the remains of the scientist. "He was experimenting with time travel. We’re lucky it only exploded and didn’t rupture time."

"Does it say what ANT means?" Max asked.

Nova shot him a glare. "I’m afraid not. Looks like we’ll never know.”

"I found something." Max pulled out a file filled with plastic sheets of blueprints.

"What is that?" Nova asked.

Max had a devilishly gleeful smile. "Looks like he retrieved something from the future, a blueprint. Ginna is not going to believe this."

Two months later:

Cogwerk Port was filled with the sounds of weapon fire and screaming people...however that was a normal Tuesday.

Ginna ran up, a bag over her shoulder. "Just great. The one day I pick to grab some supplies and the Pirate Clan attacks."

Three large, gnarly looking Mechs stomp down the street. They appear as high tech weapons decorated by cosplayers who only ever watched cliche pirate movies.

Voices boom over the screaming. "Aye, run ye lasses and laddies, we're here for that loot'n. YAR!"

"Oh, lord." Ginna wasn't sure if she should be afraid or embarrassed by their terrible acting.

The Pirate Mechs took down a small legion of iMechs with ease. "Take that ya lily livered scallywags."

"Oh, this is just stupid." Ginna clicked on her comm. "Hey, Nova, do you have anyone nearby to help out? Cogwerk is getting attacked by idiots."

"Max is almost there. He has his ANT ready."

Ginna frowned, "ANT? But, they just stomped five iMechs flat. How..."

Just then a massive red Mech came around the corner of the street. It was an ANT she had never seen before. It was bigger than any other standard mech on the market. Max sat in the cockpit, waving at her with glee in that childish grin of his.

"What be ye? An ANT?" The faux pirate pilot asked.

Max laughed in his mic and said, "ARGH YE MATEYS. BATTEN DOWN THE MATCHES AND PUT ON YER BROWN PANTS, YER GONNA NEED EM." With that, he released a massive volley of power that cleared the streets of Pirates in sixteen seconds flat.