Lingchi Standard

Overview
The Lingchi BattleMech was prototyped and produced by Clan Burrock just before their dealings with the Dark Caste were discovered by the Star Adders. It was designed under the ancient principle of “Death by a Thousand Cuts,” and as such utilized small scale weaponry, albeit a lot of it.

Capabilities
Weighing 100 tons, the Lingchi was built around a 19 ton 300 Fusion engine. This gave it a top speed of 54 kph, although it was also able to leap up to 90 meters at a time thanks to its three massive jump jets. 16.5 tons of standard armor plating protected the ‘Mech while 17 double heat sinks struggled to keep it cool in more intense situations.

Every single available space on the ‘Mech was utilized for weapons and equipment. Each arm carried both an Ultra AC/2 and an LB-2X Autocannon, with the latter being fed by cluster ammunition, as well as three newly developed ER Micro Lasers, with an additional ER Micro Laser equipped in the center torso and head. Each side torso equipped with eight SRM 2 launchers, an ER Medium Laser and ER Small Laser. Finally, three more ER Micro Lasers were stored in the right torso.

Though individually none of these weapons seemed like much a threat to other assault ‘Mechs, when combined the Lingchi was able to dish out startling amounts of damage. The inclusion of the 11 ER Micro Lasers also meant that it posed a serious threat to smaller, close range threats like infantry and battle armor. The LB-X autocannons and short range missile launchers in particular were good at seeking out weak spots in enemy armor, disabling or destroying ‘Mechs and tanks before they were totally torn apart by other means.

Though the Lingchi included CASE protection in each side torso like all clan ‘Mechs, the amount of ammunition carried still posed an overall risk to any pilot - two tons of Ultra AC/2, two tons of LB-2X cluster, and two tons of SRM 2 missiles.

Deployment
Appearing on the battlefield just before Khan Cassius N’Buta issued a trial of absorption, the Lingchi first saw combat against Clan Star Adder during their Trial. It was also utilized against Clan Blood Spirit when they interfered, attempting to turn the Trial of Absorption into a Trial of Annihilation. Even though the majority of the surviving members of the Burrocks were indeed absorbed into the ranks of the Star Adders, the Lingchi would survive and see use by the homeworld clans mostly, until Clan Diamond Shark brought the design to the Inner Sphere in 3071 following the outbreak of the Wars of Reaving.