Overview
For most of his history, the Bounty Hunter was known to pilot classic, albeit modified, BattleMechs - the likes of the Marauder, or Mad Cat. Through methods that are still unknown however, the Bounty Hunter showed up fielding a brand new, unique BattleMech in 3166 - the Incapacitator.
Theories abound regarding the origin of the Incapacitator, but most reports point to a mysterious joint effort which included support from both Vengeance Incorporated and the Blackwell subsidiary of General Motors, though these connections have never been proven, at least substantially. Regardless of where it came from, quarry of the Bounty Hunter has learned to fear the 75 ton ‘Mech for its potent array of technology specializing in disabling prey rather than outright destroying it.
Capabilities
Though noticeably undergunned compared to the Bounty Hunter’s typical rides, the Incapacitator’s armament was tailored specifically to harass and cripple hostile ‘Mechs, making it a heavy skirmisher at the best of times, even if the inclusion of a standard fusion engine only meant it could attain a top speed of 64.8 kph. While this was enough for typical combat situations, it meant that the Incapacitator could easily be outrun by smaller, more nimble targets.
If it couldn’t bring prey into range, the Incapacitator could call upon a TSEMP Cannon to attempt to slow it down enough to close the gap, where the rest of the arsenal could be used effectively. A pair of Medium Variable Speed Pulse Lasers helped at intermediate range and provided the only real outright damage potential. At close range is where the Incapacitator truly shone. Two Heavy Flamers fed by three tons of ammunition could easily cook most ‘Mechs, especially in the midst of a fight where heat levels were already likely to be dangerously high, while a Small VSP Laser provided a little more direct energy potential. Even more close and personal was the Chain Whip, which could chip away at enemy armor but more importantly pull them off balance.
The left torso was protected by an installment of CASE II in the event of the Flamer ammo or the TSEMP Cannon detonating. The Endo Steel frame saved enough weight for the Incapacitator to be plated with sixteen tons of Impact-Resistant armor, giving it special protection from desperate units that tried to fight back with physical attacks of their own during the close-quarters combat the ‘Mech was built for.
Deployment
The first verified sighting of the Incapacitator on the battlefield was in 3166 on Coraines in Raven Alliance space. A local warlord was attempting to claim the world for his own and rather than be dealt with by the Raven Alliance’s own military forces, the Bounty Hunter arrived to do what he did best, for the right price of course. Piloting a War Crow, the warlord engaged the Bounty Hunter’s lance with all the confidence of a man who knew he had already won. Unfortunately for him, the TSEMP Cannon struck true and along with a well-placed strike from the Chain Whip, the Bounty Hunter was able to down the War Crow mostly intact, extracting the warlord with minimal fuss.
The warlord was turned over to the Raven Alliance though, funnily enough, the War Crow he was piloting “mysteriously” vanished.