Kheper

Designed in secret by a renegade faction within ComStar during the mid-32nd century, the Kheper is a front line Medium Class BattleMech design intended to be a staple unit within the secretly resurrected 1st Division of the Com Guard.

The design was put to the test during the conflict between the Republic Armed Forces and Com Guards on Epsilon Eridani. In the aftermath of the Com Guards' destruction, the Kheper's simple construction and ease of maintenance qualities met with the needs of rebuilding the RAF. After the conflict, the New Earth-based manufacturing center would be seized by Republican forces and the production output would pour into the ranks of the Republic of the Sphere. The BattleMech's speed and the fact that it was virtually an unknown quantity to the general Inner Sphere at the time would make it a choice unit for the Republic's raids outside of the Fortress Republic's Walls.

Weapons and Equipment
Configured as a generalist, the Kheper was constructed with a range of commonly found parts. The 'Mech is powered by a 275-rated Core Tek Extra-Light Fusion Engine. Its vitals and hardy Endo-Steel structure are protected by 9 tons of Wall Type 8 Light Ferro-Fibrous armor.

The 'Mech's arsenal consists of a wide range of different types of weaponry. Its long range firepower comes from its main weapons - an M-7 Gauss Rifle and a 7-tubed Holly Multi-Missile Launcher - which are each mounted in the Mech's opposing arms. CASE II is placed in the right arm and left torso in order to minimize any chance of a potential weapon or ammo detonation crippling the 'Mech. For the intermediate and short ranges, the Kheper has an ER and X-Pulse Medium Laser, and a Small VSP Laser, all of which are found either in the side torsos and in the head.

Design Quirks
The Kheper is subject to the following Design Quirks:
 * Bad Reputation
 * Easy to Maintain

Errata

 * The Kheper's Technology level was originally rated as a Inner Sphere Advanced when it was originally published in TRO: 3145 Republic, however errata posted on Catalyst Game Lab's official errata board made correction due to the components used to build the Mech were not Advanced in the era/time it was in general use in 3145.