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Description
Never a company to shy away from unconventional designs, the Medved heavy "forward assault" tank was certainly quite unconventional indeed. A massive brick on treads, the original model sported a large laser and five medium lasers, all fixed forward, with machine guns and anti-missile systems in all directions. The intent was that it would lead heavy armor charges as the obvious tip of the spear, drawing fire due to its imposing size and looks while defending itself and tanks surrounding it with its automated "Saving Throw" anti-missile guns.

The original design never even made it to market since the tonnage in heat sinks exceeded the tonnage of weapons supported. While having an impressive ammunition-insensitive offensive throw weight, its defensive systems were still ammunition-limited, thus negating the concept of a support-independent tank. Additionally, the idea of an armored charge occurring without logistics support commonly enough to make a laser boat feasible seemed laughable to the management team.

Note that they made no comment regarding the usual extra-light engine.

Humbled, the Medved designers went back to the drawing board. After stripping out the lasers and heat sinks, they had a massive brick-like mobile pillbox.

Which got them to thinking.

Deciding on a "not a microton for photons" principle, they completely rethought the Medved's purpose. With the defensive systems intact, it would make an excellent command tank. A command tank meant they would get to play with the C3 Master computer plans purchased fourth-hand from the Draconis Combine. That C3 computer also meant it didn't have to be in the front of the skirmish line, so it wouldn't necessarily need to be fast; it'd just have to keep up with the overall advance. This also meant it could be equipped with support weaponry. Long-range missiles would be the order of the day, with enough ammunition to last a standard engagement.

Finally--and this is what they thought was particularly clever--they took the three independent different-facing anti-missile systems and put them into a turret, the idea being that instead of trying to cover all sides at a time it could completely shield one direction at once. After all, it would no longer be a goalkeeper for its lancemates (which never really worked out too well even in simulation). Leftover mass was used to spruce up the interior into something that could be a respectable field HQ, minus the electronics.

Thus was the Medved Command Tank born. It came in two flavors: the Company Command Tank, with the C3 Master, and the Battalion Command Tank, with the C3 Master and a fully-fitted field HQ at the expense of most armament. By its very nature it would be rare...

Description
Never a company to shy away from unconventional designs, the Medved heavy "forward assault" tank was certainly quite unconventional indeed. A massive brick on treads, the original model sported a large laser and five medium lasers, all fixed forward, with machine guns and anti-missile systems in all directions. The intent was that it would lead heavy armor charges as the obvious tip of the spear, drawing fire due to its imposing size and looks while defending itself and tanks surrounding it with its automated "Saving Throw" anti-missile guns.

The original design never even made it to market since the tonnage in heat sinks exceeded the tonnage of weapons supported. While having an impressive ammunition-insensitive offensive throw weight, its defensive systems were still ammunition-limited, thus negating the concept of a support-independent tank. Additionally, the idea of an armored charge occurring without logistics support commonly enough to make a laser boat feasible seemed laughable to the management team.

Note that they made no comment regarding the usual extra-light engine.

Humbled, the Medved designers went back to the drawing board. After stripping out the lasers and heat sinks, they had a massive brick-like mobile pillbox.

Which got them to thinking.

Deciding on a "not a microton for photons" principle, they completely rethought the Medved's purpose. With the defensive systems intact, it would make an excellent command tank. A command tank meant they would get to play with the C3 Master computer plans purchased fourth-hand from the Draconis Combine. That C3 computer also meant it didn't have to be in the front of the skirmish line, so it wouldn't necessarily need to be fast; it'd just have to keep up with the overall advance. This also meant it could be equipped with support weaponry. Long-range missiles would be the order of the day, with enough ammunition to last a standard engagement.

Finally--and this is what they thought was particularly clever--they took the three independent different-facing anti-missile systems and put them into a turret, the idea being that instead of trying to cover all sides at a time it could completely shield one direction at once. After all, it would no longer be a goalkeeper for its lancemates (which never really worked out too well even in simulation). Leftover mass was used to spruce up the interior into something that could be a respectable field HQ, minus the electronics.

Thus was the Medved Command Tank born. It came in two flavors: the Company Command Tank, with the C3 Master, and the Battalion Command Tank, with the C3 Master and a fully-fitted field HQ at the expense of most armament. By its very nature it would be rare...