Assassin

The Assassin is a BattleMech that began life because of corporate ambitions and successful lobbyists. Though there was no need for a new medium 'Mech in its arsenal, the Maltex Corporation lobbied the Star League to purchase the Assassin as a replacement for the lighter Wasp and Stinger. They were successful largely through over-hyped performance statistics, fuzzy budget approximations and some greased palms, and even then only several hundred were constructed before production slowed to a crawl after two Assassin factories came under investigation for quality control violations. Still, the Assassin proved to be popular with garrison forces of the SLDF and the Marik Militia; with an impressive top speed and jumping distance of 210 meters combined with excellent coverage for its four and a half tons of armor and solid firepower, the Assassin was considered a superb reconnaissance and light 'Mech hunter in its own right.

The Assassin was not flawless however, especially when Maltex cut corners during its initial production, and it has the dubious distinction of having one of the most cramped cockpits of any Inner Sphere 'Mech. Dozens of attempts by Maltex over hundreds of years to overhaul the cockpit cooling system to create more elbow-room ended in failure, not only limiting Assassin pilots' time in-cockpit to half of that of other 'Mechs, but causing many to develop a lifetime of back problems. The Assassin would first see combat in 2980, long after the fall of the Star League, when the Free Worlds League successfully fought off the Federated Suns for control of Rochelle during the Third Succession War. The Assassin fared better than other 'Mechs during the bloody battle and House Marik became an enthusiastic user of the design late into the war. Eventually the use of Assassins by all sides lessened due to a shortage of spare parts, with the Capellan Confederation simply running out of these 'Mechs by 3025, though its modular design and access systems allowed it to survive.

By 3058, most Assassins had been phased out of service, with the remaining 'Mechs mostly family heirlooms passed down through MechWarrior families and with many modifications. Defiance Industries was licensed by Maltex to produce a variant, the ASN-30, for the Lyrans during the FedCom Civil War, but it was largely seen as a failure. The Assassin would see a resurgence in 3067 when Hellespont 'Mech Works acquired the design from Maltex, thanks in part to minor distractions facing Maltex such as charges of tax evasion and collusion with the Word of Blake, and began producing the ASN-23 for the Capellans, the Taurian Concordat and the Magistracy of Canopus.

Weapons and Equipment
The Assassin is popular for its long-range capabilities thanks to a Holly-5 LRM launcher in the right side of its torso. Its primary short-range weapon is a Holly-2 SRM launcher in the torso's left side, supported by a Martell Medium Laser in the right arm. With just two tons of LRM and one ton of SRM ammunition though, the 'Mech has limited endurance on extended operations without resupply and is vulnerable when left with only the laser to fight back. Assassins built before 2815 also suffered from a serious design flaw in the short-range missile rack's reloading mechanism, which experienced chronic jamming during high-heat situations and could only be repaired by disassembling the unit. Under severe corporate pressure Maltex finally fixed the problem in newer models and offered several years' funding for recall repairs, though some privately-owned Assassins might still mount the defective system.

Variants

 * ASN-101 : The 101 Assassin was an unofficial variant produced in limited numbers by the Federated Suns during the Succession Wars. Removing some of the 'Mech's seven jump jets and shaving off a half ton of armor, they were able to fit three Maxell 50 Small Lasers, one in each leg and the third in the head.  The design was seen as a failure, especially since it sacrifices sixty meters of the 'Mech's immense jumping distance.  Only three were purported to have been built and stationed with the Capellan March Militia, though some cite circumstantial evidence of more constructed in secret.  BV (1.0) = 586, BV (2.0) = 757


 * ASN-23 : The -23 variant of the Assassin is an upgrade of the original model using Lostech; originally seen as a standardized field modification, in 3067 new production began at Hellespont 'Mech Works. The SRM-2 has been removed to upgrade the Medium Laser to a Medium Pulse Laser (typically the "readily available" Magna 400P) and an Artemis IV fire control system has been added for the LRM-5 launcher. Within the CCAF, TDF and MAF it is largely used as a cheap way to rebuild shattered forces and sees service mostly in green and reserve formations.  The Capellans in particular use the -23 as a fire-support unit for pursuit and strike lances, though shortages of Artemis munitions means many are forced to use mine-delivery missiles.  BV (1.0) = 609, BV (2.0) = 740


 * ASN-30 : The -30 variant of the Assassin produced under license by Defiance Industries was a radical departure from the classic formula for the 'Mech. The chassis was redesigned to utilize Endo Steel construction and the engine upgraded to a Light Fusion Engine. The saved weight was used to upgrade the Medium Laser to an extended range version and the LRM and SRM are removed in favor of an LB-X Autocannon/5. Additionally, the armor had been increased by two full tons and the heat sinks upgraded to double strength versions. Used by the Lyran side of the FedCom Civil War, this design is considered a failure and few of them were ever produced. BV (1.0) = 846, BV (2.0) = 925


 * ASN-99 : When Hellespont 'Mech Works first acquired the Assassin from the Maltex Corporation, the ASN-99 was the original test-bed design. Incorporating more armor than any previous variant, thanks in large part to the inclusion of an XL Engine, its long-range punch is provided by a Light PPC, while it can rely upon two SRM 2s at close range. Target Acquisition Gear enables it to call down supporting fire should the Assassin find itself embroiled in a fight, this variant mounts Stealth Armor and a Sword. BV (1.0) = ?? ,BV (2.0) = 1,116

Custom Variants

 * ASN-30 Assassin Alice : A customized Assassin created by Lyran MechWarrior Alice Humpterderby of the 24th Lyran Guards. The Assassin was rebuilt with Davion salvage during the FedCom Civil War. The Mech is equipped with 7.5 tons of Ferro-Fibrous Armor. It has four Extended Range Medium lasers: two mounted in the torsos and a pair in the right arm. The lasers have been connected to a salvaged Targeting Computer. The 'Mech has been fitted with a C3 Slave Computer, a Beagle Active Probe, and ten Double Heat Sinks. BV (1.0) = 1,301 (C3 + 108)


 * Assassin Servitor : A custom variant of the ASN-99 Assassin. First, the stealth armor and its Guardian ECM are removed.  The head-mounted TAG is swapped for a small laser.  The SRM-2s of the ASN-99 are retained.  Each arm has new weapons, the left has a small vibroblade and right has a medium X-pulse laser.  Finally, each leg contains a small X-pulse laser. BV (2.0) = 1,019

Apocryphal Variants
These variants were introduced in various apocryphal sources, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

From MechWarrior Online:
 * ASN-26 : A 3050's tech version of the -30, the -26 also uses an Endo Steel chassis but mounts an XL engine, the extra weight saved allowing the 'Mech to carry an Ultra AC/5 and a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers for offensive armament. Though clad in six and half tons of armor, a single ton of autocannon reloads and ten double heat sinks provide limited field endurance.


 * ASN-27 : A 3050 era take on -99, the -27 drops the TAG and sword to upgrade the Light PPC for a full size PPC thanks to the use of Endo Steel, retaining the Guardian ECM but replacing the Stealth armor with an equal volume of standard plating.


 * ASN-DD DarkDeath : While all indications are that Dale Sandstrom piloted a standard ASN-21 variant, MWO's version of his DarkDeath is built around an 280 XL Engine and a Endo Steel chassis and is armed with an Autocannon/2 in the right arm, twin LRM-5s in right torso and a pair of Medium Lasers split between head and left torso. Retaining the ASN-21's seven jump jets, that variant's heat sinks are also upgraded to double strength version. Though carrying only a single ton of autocannon and LRM reloads limits it field endurance, DarkDeath mounts a Guardian ECM Suite to help ensure the fight is on its terms.

Design Quirks
The Assassin has the following Design Quirk:
 * Easy to Maintain
 * Ammunition Feed Problem (SRM-2)
 * Cramped Cockpit
 * Non-Standard Parts
 * Poor Life Support