Spider SDR-5V

       The SDR-5V Spider is the crowning triumph of Newhart Interstellar Industry’s long history of armament manufacture.   Though the firm produced mostly AeroSpace Fighters, the Spider was their first and only entry into the BattleMech market.
       In 2650, Star League requisitioned a special ‘Mech for its elite commando forces.   Newhart responded so quickly that most of the other ‘Mech manufacturing firms were left sitting in the dust.   Newhart had, in fact, already designed the SDR series, which more than met the minimum standards for a lightweight recon/attack ‘Mech.   They were also ready for production, and so Star League awarded them the contract.
       The Spider got its name from the fact that the frontal armor alignment resembles a spiderweb pattern.   The seams between the armor plates are filled with a fiberglass sealant that is bright red, making the pattern stand out even more.

       The SDR-5V was conceived as a fast moving ‘Mech with ample firepower and the ability to operate for an extended period of time without support.   To fulfill the latter requirement, very reliable parts were used on the Spider, which keeps maintenance cycles to a minimum.   The ‘Mech’s firepower consists of two center torso-mounted Aberdovey Mk III medium lasers.   Though more expensive than the common Martell lasers, they are considered the top quality available.
       Jump capacity set the ‘Mech above and beyond modified versions of the Locust and other recon ‘Mechs.   The jump jet system was designed to make standard leaps as well as to vary the leap by pivoting the jets in flight.   Such actions tended to play havoc with even the most sophisticated targeting systems.
       The Spider’s only real design flaw is that its particular configuration of armor and sensors leave no room for installation of a pilot escape system.   Thus, in case of emergency, the Spider must make his way manually to the lower hatch to exit the ‘Mech.

       Very few SDR-5V Spiders were left in the Successor States after the fall of the Star League.   When House Marik discovered a supply bunker with several functional Spiders on the planet Keystone in their sphere, they quickly absorbed the ‘Mechs into their forces.
       In the battle of Styk within Davion space in 2934, units from Marik’s Militia attacked units of Davion’s Deneb Light Calvary’s old 7th regiment.   While defending the ruins of the city of Devonshire, the Deneb Light Calvary found itself under attack by the Militia forces’ several Spiders.   Using a series of close-combat attacks such as jumping, the Spiders cut through Davion’s outer defenses, making it possible for Marik forces to take the city for several hours, looting it of supplies.
       In 2970, House Steiner made use of several Spiders in a fast raid on the Kurita-held world of LaBlon.   As part of the 12th Star Guards, the Spiders moved in on the rear area of a Kurita supply dump.   As they hit one area, the other raiders struck in force from another location.   This tactic allowed Steiner to cut down the spread-out Kurita troops, which could not rally in time to stop their attackers from taking the supplies to their waiting DropShips.
       House Davion was desperate to gain control of several Spiders to supplement its own forces, as they had had to scrap theirs for parts during the First Succession War. In 3000, House Davion’s elite First Guards staged a commando-style raid on a ‘Mech repair facility on the House Marik world Sirus.   Far from their own territory, the attacking forces dropped just outside of the facility and took what they came for, five Spiders that had been brought in for research and preventive maintenance.   Despite heavy damage given by Marik’s support, the Guards took few losses and succeeded in getting the Spider ‘Mechs they had come for.
       Another military unit reported to have possession of Spiders is the equally elite Wolf’s Dragoons.   Reports from various battlefields state that the Dragoons make use of an entire lance of Spiders, though these reports are not easily confirmed.

       Two experimental versions of the SDR-5V have been discovered within the Successor States.   One version supports only a single Aberdovey medium laser and two Arkum flamers mounted on each of the arms.   This version is used primarily in Davion-controlled space.   The other version, which is used mainly by House Kurita troops, also mounts one medium laser and two machine gun systems mounted in the arms.   It is designed primarily as an anti-infantry attack ‘Mech.

MechWarrior Jeremy L. Loois
       As a member of the advanced recon lance of Wolf’s Dragoons, Loois is one of the few pilots honored to pilot a Spider.   He comes from the ranks of the Dispossessed and has never discussed his past with anyone but his commanding officer.   Jamie Wolf assigned him the ‘Mech for personal reasons, and thus far is pleased with that decision.

MechWarrior Rhoda Stillston
       At present, Rhoda is assigned to the Draconis March Militia in command of a strike lance.   Her unmodified Spider is painted bright red to make it stand out.   Coming from a long and distinguished line of MechWarriors, she shows neither mercy nor remorse on the battlefield.

MechWarrior Andrew J. Silverstein II
       No one knows what Andrew did before being employed by the mercenary unit known as Narhal’s Raiders.   He has never told anyone where he got his ‘Mech or his training, and none of the official records show him to have been attached to any Successor House.   Silverstein’s Spider is battered, and at times he has difficulty with its targeting system.   Though his superiors see Silverstien’s potential, they also consider him too reckless with his life, his ‘Mech, and the lives of the men around him.