Guardian (BattleMech)
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 | Apocryphal Content Some information presented in this article comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain. See the article's section on Canonicity for details. |
| |
| Guardian | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Silver Shield Security |
| Model | GRD-1N |
| Class | Ultralight |
| Cost | ? |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 15 tons |
| Chassis | Shield 1 |
| Armor | Duralex Light |
| Engine | Leenex 60 |
| Speed | 64.8 km/h |
| Armament |
5× machine gun |
| BV (1.0) | ? |
| BV (2.0) | ? |
Description
Although a BattleMech by design (and not an IndustrialMech like most SecurityMechs), the ultralight Guardian was not made for the military. Instead, it was marketed as a SecurityMech and sold to large corporations and law enforcement agencies. Its relatively small size and low weight allows it to go where other 'Mechs could not, giving it somewhat better mobility in urban environments. However, its slow speed means that it cannot run from even the lightest 'Mechs.
Armament
The Guardian is armed with five SperryBrowning machine guns, one mounted in each arm, in each torso side and in the center torso. Two and a half tons of ammunition in the right torso provide ample supply.
Variants
A frequent field refit for Guardians was to drop half a ton of ammunition to replace one machine gun with a medium laser, to give it at least a chance to stand against other 'Mechs. Yet it remains a poor fighting machine when compared to virtually any other BattleMech.
Canonicity
The Guardian was only ever described in BattleTechnology #13. Since this magazine is not currently counted among the canonical sources for BattleTech, the 'Mech itself does not currently count as canonical either. (An earlier ruling by Randall Bills declaring all BattleTechnology 'Mechs as canonical was expressly rescinded by his successor as Line Developer, Herbert A. Beas II.)
The legality of the design is arguable, as BattleMech designs below 20 tons were illegal for a time; however under current construction rules (TechManual), they are premitted again.
Notes
The BattleCorps short story Feather Vs Mountain is a hommage to the Guardian, without mentioning it in name. The story was inspired by the Guardian's combat history against Wolf's Dragoons on An Ting as described in BattleTechnology. The acutal 'Mech could not be used for the story as it was not a canonical 'Mech. Hence, the story's protagonist pilots a GS-54 Guard (another 15-ton design with machine guns) and the reader is left to wonder exactly what type of machine-gun toting 15-ton 'Mechs "Guardian Company" was composed of; their annihilation is only indirectly narrated through radio reports in the story where it occurs in much the same fashion as the (apocryphal) company of Guardians was said to have been destroyed in their BattleTechnology writeup.