V5.00ˆÿÿTorch Ñ øžˆ@@@@€?ML 0 2 1 — ——12 ð 5 (Unknown)5   öÿºThe scandal that was the Torch began in 2751 when terrorist events spurred its creation. A band of dispossessed mechwarriors started robbing soft targets in cities using high performance automobiles with jerry rigged flamers. Resistant to small arms fire, these death traps exploded into flame when damaged by a mech but they were fast enough to evade even the fastest mechs of the time. Maverick Enterprises was a floundering light truck producer who took advantage of the situation. In a last ditch effort to stay afloat they converted their single manufacturing plant into a mech factory and sunk their remaining assets into the Torch program. Light on morals, they figured even if the Star League did not buy their mech, they could sell it to the terrorists. The very successful speed trials created demand for the mech. Concern over who to sell to evaporated. They increased the price and sold to anyone who was willing to pay ahead in advance. žAlthough it was armed with only a single flamer and woefully under armored it was touted as the fastest mech ever built and few could argue the point. With a maximum speed of 194 KPH, across any relatively flat surface, the Torch could outpace any other mech and most vehicles. The Endo Steel was the miracle that made the mech possible. The lighter internal structure allowed the mech to mount a larger engine than ever thought possible giving it unprecedented speed. Of course, once the Endo Steel ran out, production stopped. That was okay for Maverick Enterprises. They shipped the Torches and completed a deal to sell the manufacturing plant and announced their retirement. What no one knew at the time was that Maverick Enterprises had purchased defective Endo Steel from a scrap metal yard. It contained flammable magnesium. When ever the mech is dealt any internal damage from a flamer or energy weapon, the Internal Structure ignites on a 6 or higher on 2d6. Once a section is destroyed, it spreads to adjacent sections on a 6 or higher on 2d6. Submerging the mech does not extinguish the flame. A firefighting unit can extinguish the flame in one round using foam.  VWhat to do with the very expensive and greatly flawed mech became a major issue. Some ended up on Solaris VII, remote piloted as nothing more than an exciting piñata. Most of the mechs were mothballed or stripped for parts. They have a very reliable engine. In the following years, a group of interested collectors and speed freaks, calling themselves the Torch Lighters, purchased the remaining 25 intact Torches for a low bulk price. The group spent several years rebuilding all 25 mechs with proper Endo Steel as well as upgrading some of the shoddy electronics. A small number were purchased by the Star League, after extensive testing, refitted with a Medium Laser and put into service as scout mechs. The Torch Lighters ended up building several new Torches and looked like they might start their own company before they were hired up by Vest.  ºWhat to do with the very expensive and greatly flawed mech became a major issue. Some ended up on Solaris VII, remote piloted as nothing more than an exciting piñata. Most of the mechs were mothballed or stripped for parts. Torches have very reliable engines and handle high speeds very well. In the following years, a group of interested collectors and speed freaks, calling themselves the Torch Lighters, purchased the remaining 25 intact Torches for a low bulk price. The group spent several years rebuilding all 25 mechs with proper Endo Steel as well as upgrading some of the shoddy electronics. The Star League snapped up some of the rebuilt Torches, after extensive testing, replaced the Flamer with a Medium Laser and put them into service as scout mechs. The Torch Lighters ended up building four new Torches. Just when it looked like they might start their own company Vest bought them out and hired them to work on its light mech designs.   [ none ]Maverick EnterprisesOutreach (Unknown)Maverick EnterprisesMaverick EnterprisesComStar Equipment.Winston Coral Snake w. CherrySeed Bullseye TAG (Unknown)