Harpagos

Description
Named for one of the horses of the ancient Greek demi-gods Castor and Pollux, the Harpagos is a Heavy Class hybrid Quad BattleMech / Combat Vehicle known as a QuadVee. Being a QuadVee, the Harpagos can transform itself from a tracked combat vehicle into a quadruped BattleMech, benefiting from some of the best qualities of both. The 'Mech was designed by Clan Hell's Horses during the mid thirty-second century and was produced at the Csesztreg Industriplex Alpha Annex on Csesztreg. The Harpagos came into existence as part of the Horses' efforts to introduce a new type of technology to the battlefield.

The Harpagos itself was one of three QuadVees introduced in the late 3130s and was the heaviest of its kind at the time. Hell's Horses Commanders typically blend the Harpagos with others of its kind into Vehicle Stars, which gave the appearance of being a Combat Vehicle. This unique ability was used initially to fool other Clans through the combat ritual of Zellbrigen. With their unusual ability to transform into BattleMechs from vehicles, Clan opponents facing them would think they were facing an ordinary Combat Vehicle force versus double star of BattleMechs.

Since the development of the QuadVee, the unit's balance of armor and limited armaments has been met with scorn along with others of its kind.

Weapons and Equipment
The Harpagos utilizes a 300-Rated Extra-Light Fusion Engine to propel itself at a modest 64 k/ph while it is in either vehicle or BattleMech form. The machine is protected by 12 tons of armor, giving it less armor protection than typical Clan Heavy 'Mechs of its time.

With the benefit of its two-man cockpit, the Harpagos' gunner can target multiple enemies with little trouble while the pilot handles the unit's movement. The gunner's only weaponry is a pair of Type AA4 Gauss Rifles mounted in the 'Mech's turret-like torso.

Design Quirks
The Harpagos has the following Design Quirks:
 * Bad Reputation
 * No Ejection System
 * Non-Standard Parts