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With data from OmniMechs provided by the Wolf's Dragoons, and analysis of the Mercury II, VMI in collaboration with CHI, created the first Omni with IS tech.

Starting with the Marauder II 6TC, the most complicated part was the creation of a programmable Gyro. Next was the creation of OmniPods, that had the same interface as the Clan systems, so they could be compatible and later replaced or upgraded with captured Clan tech.

After much testing and false starts, the first prototype began extensive testing in April 3056. A record time for such advanced technology, with the obvious results that it was still a prototype with lots of custom-made components, and really far from being ready for production or from being free of errors and glitches.

To simplify things, the Jump Jets were fixed, present in all variants.

Primary configuration (equal to 6TC)

1 ERPPC and 1 ML on each arm, 1 LRM 10 on each torso (with 1 ton of ammo each) and 1 MPL on the CT.

Alternate A

Replaced both LRM10 and ammo with an ERPPC on the left torso, upgraded the two ML to MPL, added a Guardian ECM and an AMS with a ton of ammo.

Alternate B

Replaced the ERPPCs with ER LL, the ML with ER ML and upgraded both LRM10 to LRM15.

Alternate C

Replaced both ERPPC with ER LL and the ML with ER ML and replaced both LRM10 and respective ammo with a Gauss Rifle in the Left Torso with 4 tons of ammo.

At the same time, VMI and CHI provided technically support for MMM' new 'Mech project - the M3 and M4 variants of the Bull Shark Assault 'Mech

The M3 swapped all the armament for 4 LRM20s, while the M4 installed 2 Arrow IVs, both with plenty of ammo and heat sinks for continuous fire. For now, like the Omni Marauder II, they were just test-beds, mass production being something for the unforeseen future.

Information coming from the Clan front reported that more Clans had been added: it seemed that the Steel Vipers, the Nova Cats, the Diamond Sharks, the Snow Ravens and the Hell's Horses. This was worrisome because not only did it include two more Clans than I remembered, but one of them, the Snow Ravens was known for its very strong naval component.

The Steel Vipers joined the Jade Falcons - a strange connection, as I remembered them hating each other, the Nova Cats joined the Wolfs, the Diamond Sharks joined the Ghost Bears, and the Hell's Horses shared their corridor with the Smoke Jaguars. WarShips of the Snow Ravens had been seen in all invading corridors, but so far no ground forces.

Obviously many decisions of political rather than military nature had dictated such changes.

The information was scarce, and so far no true partnership had been detected. Apparently, while sharing the same invading corridors, the Clans operated independently and on one case forces of one Clan let the Inner Sphere forces escape and didn't come to the help of they supposed ally.

On the Free Worlds League front, while the Concordat and the Federated Commonwealth basically stopped their arms deliveries and the Magistracy severely reduced them, Capellan equipment was now detected in bigger numbers, Sun Tzu was obviously active on that front.