Babylon

OVERVIEW
Not unaware of their relatively weak Battlemech forces, the scientists of Clan Cloud Cobra sought a new design to bolster their lagging forces. The Babylon's frame was designed after the insignia of their Zeta Galaxy (Prophets of Babylon), which also suggested the light 'Mech's name. Designed mostly as a mobile weapons platform, the Babylon is a decent enough design, but lacks some components to make itself truly stand out.

CAPABILITIES
The Babylon is designed more or less around the massive Ultra-20 Autocannon, a formidable weapon even by assault 'Mech standards. Ignoring - or perhaps unaware of - standard practices, Cloud Cobra scientists simply looked for the best way to maximize damage that they could fit on a 'Mech. The autocannon stood out, and became the centerpiece of the 'Mech. It does provide awesome hitting power, even without firing in Ultra mode. In Ultra mode, the weapon can easily tear through most light machines, and even medium 'Mechs.

However, the inexperience of Cloud Cobra scientists is made slightly more apparent when more of the design is more closely examined. In Ultra mode, fire can be sustained for less than two minutes. This in and of itself is not a huge weakness, but it becomes one when one realizes that the Babylon has no other weapons to fall back upon. Furthermore, while its weapon load allows it to place signifigant damage on any unit, it does not have the armor to stand up to such. Cloud Cobra put the ammo in the left arm precisely for that reason - an ammo explosion will therefore not destroy anything critical. Of course, they missed the fact that an ammo explosion renders the 'Mech weaponless regardless.

DEPLOYMENT
Despite its weaknesses, Clan Cloud Cobra has begun fielding this 'Mech, hoping to make up for lost forces. Usually, it acts in tandem with their aerospace wing, disabling targets that threaten the aerospace fighters. Clan Coyote is also thought to have seized some Babylons during their Trial of Possession for the Anubis, but whether or not they will use this design to bolster their well-equipped 'Mechs remains to be seen.