One Step Beyond (Battletech)

 When Jennie walked into the Lemmings' control room, she found Anna dancing beside her console, headphones on and oblivious to the world.

"Hey, Anna, whatcha doing?"

Jennie had to repeat herself several times before Anna realised she was there.

"It's the new album from Sadness."

"What?"

"You know, Sadness."

IYKYK

"No, I don't know. You know I don't listen to music."

"It's those guys from the Dorkonis Combine. They've got a new album out."

"Wait! What? Dorkonis Combine?" Jennie laughed.

"Yeah, one of the techs called them that and now it has stuck in my brain. So, they have a new album out and it's brilliant. Say what you like about their military chops, they really know how to put together a catchy House-K-pop tune. Here, listen."

Anna switched the feed to the speakers in the control room, and soon both of them were caught up in the music.

I painted up some more mechs for House Kurita, and when I lined them up on the painting table it reminded me of that album cover. Sorry. I do like how the decals from Defiance Industries Wargaming finish the mechs off nicely, but the varnish has given the mechs a slightly satin finish, despite being ostensibly matt, so I shall have to go over that again.

Also, apologies for the very hasty work to remove background shadow.

Catalyst Game Labs plastic mechs from various lance packs and boxed sets

House Kurita: 8th Sword of Light (Battletech)

 I usually collect both sides for any game I play because it is the most reliable way to ensure that I am able to get a game in. More often than not, those in my immediate area do not share my interests and are unwilling to buy into something outside their main focus. The estimable Steve is a major exception here. He and I have inspired each other with fads for years. However, he lives a thousand miles away, so I need to provide my own enemies. With that in mind, I needed some villains for my Battletech/mech warfare games, and who better than the Draconis Combine?

House Kurita, and especially the Sword of Light, just seem made to be the villains in my stories. They seem to represent a type of regimented order that the Full Throttle Lemmings (or even any of my Thrappled Lemming warbands) have. There are few groups that are likely to be more diametrically oppsed to my group whose motto ought to be "If I don't even know what I am going to do next, how can my enemy predict it?"

I opted for the 8th Sword of Light "The Jade Dragon" because I like the green background to their insignia. It helps that the paint scheme is simple, so I could paint them quickly and have a whole company ready very quickly. Looking at the photos, I really do need to work on how I highlight reds. They look fine on the table, but the camera seems to wash out the shading and makes me think that I should do more extreme highlighting. After all, the same light that I photograph under is the one I play under, so it might improve the look even more. Time enough for that another day. In the end, what matters is that they are ready to be fielded against the Full Throttle Lemmings.

I feel that this company could really do with at least one Dragon and/or Grand Dragon and probably a Jenner and/or a Panther to feel properly Kurita, but they were not in stock when I bought what I have. Adding some iconic Kurita mechs can be a project for another day.

On to the roll call. All figures are the Catalyst Game Labs versions found in the various boxed sets and lance packs. They have unit insignia decals from Defiance Industries Wargaming just to make them look a bit more swish. The decals were not cheap but they were definitely worth it. Each mech has the Jade Dragon insignia on its left shoulder, the Sword of Light insignia on its left leg and back, and a kanji number on its right leg.

(left to right) Atlas, Battlemaster, Warhammer, Orion

(left to right) Wolverine, Archer, Shadow Hawk, Valkyrie

(left to right) Phoenix Hawk, Griffin, Wasp, Stinger