Zeus ZEU-8Gb

Mass: 80 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3060
Cost: 14,725,800 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,946

Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 320 Light Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    1  Gauss Rifle
    1  ER Large Laser
    1  LRM-15
    2  Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:
The heavy 'Mech ZEU-6S Zeus is the Lyran Commonwealth's pride and joy. The
initial design ideas were first put to paper just after the start of the war
with the Draconis Combine in 2407. Three years later, when enemy forces were
threatening Hesperus II, two Zeus prototypes were already lumbering across test
terrains.  The speed with which the Zeus was brought from idea to reality
astounded even the most optimistic generals.

 The Zeus also had the best field testa new 'Mech could hope for.  When Kurita
forces assaulted Hesperus II, the two Zeus prototypes were there, aiding in the
defense of the vital BattleMech factories. These prototypes carried PPCs on
their left arms. After the battle, the pilots reported that the PPC was
extremely erratic and unreliable. Further research revealed that the PPC's
insufficient shielding created wild magnetic interactions between it and the
'Mech's engine. The designers thus decided to drop the PPC in favor of the
simpler autocannon to ensure quick delivery of the 'Mech to the front. The
autocannon gave the Zeus less punch but the same range as the PPC.

 The Defiance factories on Hesperus II are the only ones currently producing
the Zeus, which first came off the production lines in 2411.


Capabilities:
The Zeus was designed to engage enemy 'Mechs with its long-range weapons while
the enemy force is still no more than an approaching blot in the distance. It
was created in response to requests by Commonwealth commanders for a heavy
'Mech that could perform hit-and-run tactics. The combination of long-range
missiles, autocannon, and large laser works well to perform this task.

 The Coventry Starfire, which has 15 launchers, is an excellent, proven missile
system used in several other 'Mech designs. In the Zeus, however, the tolerance
of the Starfire missile system was stretched to the limits. Designers placed
the 'Mech's missile tubes around and set back from a large central core. Though
its appearance is odd, the design is a clever attempt to protect the missile
system while still allowing the Zeus a formidable punch. That central core
serves no purpose except as a bludgeon for punching, much like a fist on other
'Mechs. The missiles, being set back and away from the impact point, are safe
beneath the armor of the forearm.

 The drawback of this arrangement is that the missile-loading system is
complicated and prone to breakdown if not serviced regularly. Another problem
is that the Zeus can only carry eight reloads for its missile system. More than
once, a Zeus pilot has pressed the trigger, only to hear a silence louder than
any reassuring whoosh of missiles launching.

 The large laser is another adaptation. Finding themselves without enough room
for the standard laser design, the Zeus engineers decided to create a more
compact large laser. As the engineers at Hesperus II are among the few teams
who can still use fiber optics, they managed to totally dispense with the bulky
rifle-like barrel of other large lasers. On the Zeus, the large laser is tucked
quite comfortably beneath the left arm.

 Even though the Zeus functions mostly as a stand-off weapon, it has no problem
closing and grappling with an enemy. Excellent armor protection, especially
around the chest and legs, is more than enough to withstand all but the
heaviest fire. Strong, heavily armored legs also make the Zeus a feared kicker,
while the loaded left arm is very effective in dispatching unfortunate 'Mechs
with its punches.


Battle History:
The first appearance of Zeus 'Mechs in significant numbers was during the
recapture of Sakhalin. Elements of the 15th Lyran Commonwealth's Guard attacked
an equal force of Draconis Combine's 32nd Dieron Regulars. Composed mostly of
Zeus 'Mechs and a few Commandos, the Lyran force moved toward and captured a
high ridge overlooking two large forests and a grassy plain beyond. The Dieron
Regulars were made up of an even mix of BattleMasters and Dragons, which failed
in their attempt to storm the ridge because of the concentrated LRM, laser, and
autocannon fire it encountered. This, coupled with flanking attacks staged by
the Lyran Commandos, forced the Combine forces to resign themselves to the flat
plain for the night. The Lyran Guards did not pursue, making it clear that they
were content to wait it out on the ridge. At nightfall, a heavy rain began.

 During the night, the Lyran forces silently moved down from the ridge and
spaced their Zeus 'Mechs evenly between the narrow gap separating the two
forests. At sunrise, the surprised Dieron Regulars immediately charged the
distant row of 'Mechs, but their attack had neither plan nor sense. The weight
of the lumbering BattleMasters and Dragons soon turned the grassland into a sea
of mud. Because of it, 'Mechs in the rear of the advance had difficulty keeping
up, which caused the formation to spread out.

 When the enemy advanced far enough into the funnel created by the two forests,
the Lyran commander ordered the line of Zeus 'Mechs to open fire. 'Mechs in
front of the enemy advance could fire back at the Lyran 'Mechs, but those in
the rear could not. Worse yet, the stumbling about was making the already bad
footing impossible. Some of the BattleMasters and Dragons tripped and fell,
creating further confusion and a growing panic among the Regulars. The
Commandos hiding in the woods chose that moment to open fire with their SRMs.

 The rout was on. 'Mech stumbled over 'Mech in the rush to escape the Steiner
trap. Those 'Mechs that had fallen were often permanently disabled by their
comrades stepping on them to avoid stumbling in the mud. In all, the 32nd
Dieron Regulars suffered a loss of eight BattleMasters and five Dragons, while
the 15th Lyran Guards lost only one Zeus and three Commandos.


Variants:
A major upgrading of the Zeus is in the works, now that the Steiner engineers
have solved the problem that originally led to the PPC being replaced by the
autocannon. New arm assemblies containing the Lightning Strike PPC and an extra
heat sink are about ready for Commonwealth-wide distribution. A second heat
sink will also fill the void in the left torso that once held autocannon shells.


Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors:
MechWarrior Sealth

 Of North American Indian heritage, Sealth is a very reluctant warrior. Joining
the 10th Skye Rangers only after his own world was attacked, Sealth has spent
the last three years fighting in his forest-green Zeus. The 'Mech, called
Skokomish, is capable of amazingly graceful motions under Sealth's control. An
enemy warrior will often have Skokomish in his targeting crosshairs, only to
see it execute a complicated maneuver and vanish from his sights entirely.

 Sealth looks forward to leaving the military in two years' time. His officers,
however, have been trying to get him to stay on and teach his skills to young
recruits. As this moment, Sealth is still set on returning to the simple life
on his homeworld, which is now out of the fighting.


Additional:
From TRO 3025.


Distribution from RS 3025/3026.


Entered by Corbin Ball.


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                   122 points                4.00
    Internal Locations: 1 HD, 1 CT, 3 LT, 3 RT, 2 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Engine:             Light Fusion Engine          320                      17.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             13(26)                    3.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 RT
Gyro:               Standard                                               4.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA    R: SH+UA+LA
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 240                 15.00
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1.00

                                                      Internal       Armor
                                                      Structure      Factor
                                                Head     3            9
                                        Center Torso     25           39
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  10
                                           L/R Torso     17           25
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  9
                                             L/R Arm     13           25
                                             L/R Leg     17           32

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-15                                       RA        5         3         7.00
Gauss Rifle                                  LA        1         7        15.00
Medium Laser                                 LT        3         1         1.00
ER Large Laser                               LT        12        2         5.00
Medium Laser                                 CT        3         1         1.00
@LRM-15 (16)                                 RA        -         2         2.00
@Gauss Rifle (16)                            LA        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 8

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      8    Points: 19
4          4       5       4       0      4     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1