V5.00ˆ FWolverine II WVR-MK2¾ V´gd`E üDBpAà@MH 5 5 6 5 2— 4J  ! G (Unknown)8 (Unknown)j2 (Unknown)8 (Unknown)8 (Unknown)8jjj GGGGGGG××ú2 8 88âÿØv The Kallon Industries' Wolverine represents a relatively successful attempt to marry speed with striking power. A comparatively fast 'Mech capable of taking considerable damage while remaining operational, the Wolverine now serves in Successor State medium and recon lances. Its long and impressive history spans both the Star League and the era of the Succession Wars.¼ The Wolverine's Crucis-A chassis is both light and durable, and the 'Mech is also equipped with medium Maximilian-60 armor. Early Wolverines were armed with only the Whirlwind autocannon and a single medium laser. The Harpoon 6-rack SRM launcher was later added to increase the 'Mech's firepower at close range. Originally intended to provide a full 360-degree firing arc, the ball-turret mounting of the Magna medium laser cannon is noteworthy. The weapon's traverse became restricted, however, when the shoulder-mounted Harpoon and the Tek BattleCom electronics blister were later added on. A fire-interrupt circuit also had to be added to prevent MechWarriors from damaging their own vehicles. The Wolverine is one of the heaviest 'Mechs to carry jump jets, and the Northrup 12000 engines must labor considerably to lift the 55-ton vehicle into the air. The jump jets are thus prone to breakdown, forcing House Kurita, for example, to scrap the jets altogether. The Wolverine's value as a command vehicle is enhanced by its Tek BattleCom system, a unit also used to good effect by the Orguss Phoenix Hawk. Well-shielded and with a multi-channel transmitter and receiver, the Tek comgear is an important facet of the Wolverine's success as a recon 'Mech. As a fast, medium recon vehicle, the Wolverine does not have impressive armor, which is as it should be. In combination with the medium laser and SRM launcher, the Whirlwind autocannon provides firepower adequate to allow the Wolverine to cover its own retreat or to support the advance or retreat of other 'Mechs. Despite its originally limited role, the Wolverine has proved to be a versatile BattleMech, suited to many different tasks.À Wolverines are often deployed in recon lances to perform hazardous scouting missions into heavily defended areas, where lighter Wasps or Locusts would be at a disadvantage. Along with other medium recon vehicles such as the Charger and the Griffin, the Wolverine has seen constant service since the start of the Successor States era. Wolverines have served House Kurita with distinction during many battles with Davion on Bergman's Planet. There, in 2986, Wolverines of Kurita's Legion of Vega clashed with the Phoenix Hawk and Stinger lances of Davion's Deneb Light Cavalry. Captain Dale Smith of the Vegan Legion won special recognition while leading a raiding party of Wolverines deep into Davion territory. Beset by the Deneb's more numerous 'Mechs, he conducted a series of skillful fighting withdrawals, using his Wolverines' superior mass and firepower to defeat the faster and more agile enemy. After more than a week out of communications with the main Kurita base, not only did Smith's company return without a single casualty, but was loaded down with loot and spare parts. Perhaps the best known incident involving a Wolverine took place in 2932, during a hard-fought campaign between Kurita and Steiner on Kimball II, a planet that had already changed hands a dozen times. Steiner's Wolverine-led medium and heavy recon forces were pushed to the limit, having to engage in raiding and commando actions in addition to their normal scouting duties. During one such raid, the remains of three recon lances of Steiner's Lyran Guard, under the command of Captain Lisa Morgan, were sent on a hazardous night mission to destroy a key Kurita com center. The unit consisted of six Wolverines and three Phoenix Hawks. Unfortunately, Morgan found the objective heavily guarded, and her unit was soon under attack by two full Kurita heavy assault companies. She ordered a retreat, but found the escape route blocked by a pair of Marauder lances. Leading the Kurita 'Mechs was Captain Yuri Karlevski, pilot of nothing less than a BattleMaster, the most dreaded of all 'Mechs. Refusing to consider retreat, Morgan threw her company against the Marauders, desperately hoping for a breakthrough. Though they fought savagely, Morgan's Wolverines were clearly outmatched. As the pursuing heavy 'Mechs moved in and Morgan herself was being battered to pieces by the ruthless Karlevski, all seemed lost. Then fate intervened on Morgan's side. Her 'Mech toppled, with one arm and one leg crippled, Morgan watched as Karlevski prepared to deliver the coup de grace. In a last act of defiance, Morgan hit her SRM fire switch, discharging the last spread of missiles at point-blank range. All six missiles struck the BattleMaster in the head, blasting its cockpit to scrap and instantly killing Karlevski. With their command communications disrupted, the remaining Marauders fell back in confusion. Meanwhile Morgan and her surviving Wolverines gathered up the damaged BattleMaster and escaped. Karlevski's BattleMaster, the Czar Peter, was repaired and awarded to Captain Morgan, and still serves in the 'Mech forces of House Steiner. Though the Wolverine has expanded its duties considerably beyond its original scouting role, most of its engagements are less colorful, routine scouting missions, raids, or battles with other recon units. The Wolverine also packs enough firepower for use in support of heavier 'Mechs or even to attack positions held by infantry or lighter 'Mechs.í Besides the standard Wolverine-A, House Kurita employs a variant whose troublesome jump jets have been replaced by additional armor. The Whirlwind cannon has also been replaced with one heavy, one medium, and one light laser. Less radical is House Marik's Wolverine-M. It retains the jump jets, replaces the autocannon with a heavy laser, and adds a medium laser. Most Successor Lords, however, seem content with the basic Wolverine design, and few other variants have been tested.ŸMechWarrior Lib Argust Pilot of a Wolverine in Norman's Recon Lance, Dinsdale's Battalion, 4th Tau Ceti Rangers of House Liao. Argust is a likable individual, whose Wolverine bears numerous battle honors. She is also an excellent athlete especially skilled at rudder-bat and basketball. Her competitive nature is well-suited to 'Mech combat, making her a first-rate recon pilot, with a never-say-die attitude.ñPROTOTYPE DESIGN MOD Based on the 55 ton Wolverine the Mark II is a Star League Research heavy scout version for use in command of deep heavy strike companies. Piloted by the aide to General Kerensky during the New Vandenberg revolt.   [ none ]Kallon Industries (Unknown)Core TekMaximillian 60Crucis-A Tek BattleCom Garret T11bNorthrup 12000