V5.00ˆ7U BattlemasterBLR-Xô _#J?PEPEBpA€@MA 6 5 6 4 1— 4 T ( 4 (Unknown)S (Unknown)Od (Unknown)8 (Unknown)Z (Unknown)Z (Unknown)8 (Unknown)Z (Unknown)Z (Unknown)i (Unknown)O 8ZZiiùùßd444S 8ZZ   âÿè@ Even during the Star League era, the number of manufacturers capable of building a 'Mech like the BLR-1G was limited. After they won the bid to construct the 'Mech, Hollis Industries began production of the BattleMaster in 2830. Designed to be the largest and the most powerful 'Mech ever fielded by the Star League armies, the BLR-1G filled the bill. The 'Mech's sheer size required special manufacturing facilities, which meant that Hollis could build the BattleMaster on only a few planets. The cost and materials for the 'Mech also limited production somewhat.: The firepower that the BattleMaster can generate in one volley is staggering and more than deadly at close range. The reliable Donall PPC is its main fire weapon, with the laser systems as close support fire. The BattleMaster is one of the few 'Mechs equipped with rear firing weapons in the 1G configuration. It has two Martell medium lasers providing protection from the rear. The 'Mech is also equipped with machine guns against infantry attacks. The bulk of the ammunition for the SRMs and the machine guns is stored in one location, however, which at times results in internal explosions. Even if the BattleMaster loses all its weapons it still has its manipulative hands. In emergencies, it can disengage the Donal PPC in order to have both hands free. Though BattleMasters were not produced in great numbers, their sheer size, armor, and firepower have left many still functional despite the numerous battles they have fought in their nearly 200 years in the field. Further, the 'Mech's basic design has proved to be sound and reliable, with few flaws.) The attacks on Hollis Industries during the First Succession War brought production of the BattleMaster to a virtual stop. The fighting houses each grabbed the finished 'Mechs that were available, incorporating them into their respective forces. As BattleMasters were rare, it became unusual ever to find them fighting side-by-side. During the battle for St. Andre in 2920, the three Houses of Marik, Liao, and Davion faced off. In making their bid to take the refinery stations near the city of Malta, elements of the Davion Guards' heavy regiment were equipped with the massive BattleMasters. Two lances, each with one BattleMaster, led the attack against the heavily defended refinery. Five lances of light recon 'Mechs fell quickly to the firepower of the two heavily armed attack groups, and Davion took the refinery for the moment. The Davion planet Crossing was the site of another historic BattleMaster confrontation, in which elements of the NAIS Training Cadre on temporary assignment took on elements of House Kurita's 2nd regiment of the Sword of Light. In this case, there were several minor BattleMaster vs. BattleMaster encounters. Though the fights were not decisive, the raw firepower of these 'Mechs was truly put to the test in battle against one another. House Davion converted several BattleMaster 1Gs into the variant that increased its armor even more and did away with the rear-firing lasers and the Holly SRMs. Four of these 'Mechs were re-assigned to a special attack lance attached to the 3rd Ceti Hussars. Dropped onto the Kurita-held planet of Royal in 2998, they secretly led a deep penetration into the Kurita lines. Kurita responded with such a blast of sheer firepower that the special lance losses were nearly four-to-one. In this instance, the BattleMaster lance was crushed.f The only BattleMaster variations still in existence are the few modified by House Davion to do away with the rear-firing Martell lasers and the Holly SRM pack. Though the variant did solve the ammunition buildup difficulties, the 'Mech became more susceptible to a rear attack. There have been reports that House Steiner has also been developing a modified version that replaces all but the small laser systems in favor of long- and short-range missile packs and ammunition. These reports also indicated an increase in the number of heat sinks, but no confirmation of this intelligence is yet available.æMajor Thompson "Tommy" Dale As a lance commander in the elite Davion Guards, Major Dale has earned the right to pilot the BattleMaster he calls Dark Death. His 'Mech is painted a deep grey and is in perfect working order. Captain Jenny Circi Jenny is currently assigned to the 3rd Proserpina Hussars, in command of the regiment's attack lance. Her dream of piloting a BattleMaster came true when she was promoted after the battle for Hoff. A small woman but a competent warrior, Captain Circi has been wounded many times in battle. Taking great pride in her 'Mech, which she cares for personally, Circi has been nicknamed "The Hawk" for her battlefield tactics. Captain Art Mitchell Captain Mitchell inherited his BattleMaster after his brother died fighting on the planet Amity. The 'Mech is in poor shape and has a weakened armor structure. Art is a fine warrior, however, and has been recently promoted to the heavy attack lance of the Fusiliers of Oriente's 1st Brigade. LFrom TRO 3025. Distribution from RS 3025/3026. Entered by Corbin Ball. [ none ]Hollis Industries (Unknown)VOX StarGuard Hollis Mark XHartfordCo COM 4000HartfordCo XKZ 1 (Unknown)