V5.00ÿÿ?ZMad Cat Mk IV{Mech Destroyer} ö <òfñ ¸ÀE¸ÀE‚BTBÐAMA 7 5 9 7 4— 4 h&& , %x (Unknown)4 (Unknown)4 (Unknown)% (Unknown)4%%%%%4  %%%%%44 µµµµµµ  öÿú\ Though the decade of war during the 3050s was far more devastating to the Inner Sphere, the Clans still felt the sting of battlefield losses, especially those like the Wolves and the Jade Falcons that once were the strongest and most feared. The home Clans were no better off however, as the events of the past several years have proven. Always on the lookout for a way to increase their profits, the leaders of Clan Diamond Shark found one way at the beginning of this decade. Taking a cue from the success they were having with their Ha Otoko, they began development on yet another standard BattleMech that they could sell to their fellow Clans. By basing their new design upon an existing BattleMech, the Diamond Shark engineers cut their development time sharply, putting the Mad Cat Mk II into full-scale production in less than fifteen months.â Though bearing a remarkable outward resemblance to the Timber Wolf, this BattleMech is a new and powerful creation. Carrying thirteen tons of ferro-fibrous armor, the Mad Cat Mk II is an incredibly resilient design. More than that, it is also speedy and nimble for an Assault-class BattleMech; it tops out at a fast 65 kph, while its jump jets let it rocket over all but the roughest of terrain. Still, while it is a definite asset, the 'Mech's agility is not its strongest point. A pair of arm-mounted Gauss rifles supported by its torso-mounted LRM racks gives the Mad Cat Mk II complete command over the battlefield. Though there are BattleMechs that can deliver a more powerful barrage, few can keep up the steady volume of fire that this 'Mech can put forth, at least without running the risk of redlining and reactor shutdown. While the Mad Cat Mk II can pick apart its enemies at range, it actually performs best within 450 meters-still considered mid-range for most modern battlefield engagements. There the 'Mech's pilot can also make use of the paired extended-range lasers in each torso, making short work of whoever is foolish enough to stray so close. Interestingly, the Clan's technicians chose to equip this BattleMech with weapons from its oldest Brian Caches. Though the 'Mech's performance is not affected by this decision, the designers did have to make several adjustments to the chassis, such as the addition of venting ports above the arm-mounted Gauss rifles.   > While the Mad Cat Mk II has now been in production for more than half a decade, very few Clans are actually fielding this conventional BattleMech. Clans Wolf and Jade Falcon, both obvious candidates for sales, have purchased none; neither has Clan Ice Hellion or even Clan Steel Viper (though all field a few won through various Trials). Only Clan Nova Cat fields any significant number. Surprisingly, quite a few have turned up in service within both the Draconis Combine and the former Federated Commonwealth states, particularly during the final battles on Proserpina. Although no one has yet been able to confirm this, it appears that the Diamond Sharks are now willing to sell unmodified Clan equipment to the Inner Sphere, at least on a limited basis. This would explain why the Clan chose the Mad Cat designation rather than Timber Wolf. If this were true, it would signal a significant shift in attitudes within Clan Diamond Shark. Certainly the fact that the Clan chose to use supplies of outmoded weapons in arming this BattleMech lends credence to this theory.ÌAs used to publish FanPro's publication: Record Sheets: 3067 As entered and supplied by Randall Bills Text from TRO 3067, entered by Chris "Dukeroyal" Mc Intosh, from text provided by Randall Bills [ none ] (Unknown) (Unknown) (Unknown) (Unknown) (Unknown) (Unknown) (Unknown) (Unknown)