Shadow Cat Prime

       Following sketchy initial reports from the Battle of Luthien, high ranking sources within the DCMS confirmed observations of a new class of OmniMech, tagged the Shadow Cat. The Clans, primarily the Smoke Jaguars and Nova Cats, used this ‘Mech extensively on Tukayyid, though Clan Steel Viper forces also used it at Hladno Springs.

       This 45 ton medium ‘Mech appeared in the vanguard of the Nova Cat forces on Tukayyid. Fast and agile, the ‘Mech was deployed primarily as a command vehicle for the Clan Nova Cat Stars that emerged from the Smoke Jaguars’ defensive wedge formation. According to eyewitness reports at Luthien and the Racice Delta on Tukayyid, the Shadow Cat moved at a speed of close to 130 kph over the open plains. On Luthien, the ‘Mech overwhelmed the forward observation posts even as they relayed reports of the oncoming enemy forces back to the Imperial City. From the observation posts, the Shadow Cats moved out in an ever-widening crescent to search for lightly defended paths to Luthien’s capitol. Similar tactics brought the Clans several initial successes on Tukayyid.
       The Shadow Cat appears to serve in Nova Cat and Smoke Jaguar forces much as the Fenris serves in Wolf Clan forces, even matching the Fenris’s sophisticated sensor array. The Shadow Cat’s engine is smaller and the ‘Mech has a correspondingly slower top speed, but it mounts myomer accelerator signal circuitry (MASC), which pushes its top speed beyond its opponents’ expectations. The Shadow Cat is jump capable, and its heat sinks are certainly double strength.
         The Shadow Cat’s primary weapon is an arm-mounted Gauss rifle. Against the light and medium ‘Mechs that normally oppose such a machine, the Gauss rifle is a devastating weapon, capable of coring most light ‘Mechs with a single shot. Even the heavy ‘Mechs of the Com Guards were staggered by the rain of shells the Shadow Cats’ Gauss rifles produced.
       Backing up the Gauss rifle is a pair of medium lasers. As with most Clan weapons, these lasers demonstrate increased range and accuracy when compared with Inner Sphere weapons. Though incapable of bringing down an enemy ‘Mech with a single shot, these weapons work very well as secondary armaments to the rifle.

       To date, confirmed observations place the Shadow Cat only among Clans Nova Cat, Smoke Jaguar and Steel Viper. Initial analysis suggests that the ‘Mech serves as a reconnaissance unit, probably teamed with other light or medium ‘Mechs or as part of a command Star.