Arbiter

Description
Built by Meridian Manufacturing, the Arbiter is nothing more than a light WorkMech crafted to look like a large and impressive Heavy BattleMech. Despite its unremarkable nature, Meridian has been extremely successful in selling the design in battalion sized lots with a six-month back order. The reason for this is their keen understanding of pirate psychology. Despite its thin armor and limited weaponry, the Arbiter is an intimidating sight that will quickly encourage most pirates to find an easier looking target.

As early as 3068, individual copies of the Arbiter were seen in the Rim Collection, Lyran Commonwealth, and the Free Worlds League. The Arbiter has also proven popular with mercenary units in the area, who use it as a cheap security unit.

Weapons and Equipment
The Arbiter is armed with a primitive Heavy Rifle. Obsolete and carrying only six rounds of ammunition, this primitive weapon is of limited use on a modern battlefield. Despite this, the weapon's large size and the cosmetic enhancement of its housing make it look like a much more dangerous weapon such as a Class 20 Autocannon or a Gauss Rifle, achieving the Arbiter's goal of having a large and frightening bark to cover up its weak bite.

Variants
There are no factory variants known to exist, but individual users have been able to swap the Heavy Rifle for an Autocannon/5. Able's Aces deployed several of these autocannon-armed Arbiters during a raid on Wiltshire in 3136.

Design Quirks
The ARB-001 Arbiter is subject of the following Design Quirks:
 * Exposed Weapon Linkage
 * Distracting