Mass: 60 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: Starheart 240 Fusion 240 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: TriStar Standard Standard
Armament:
1 Machine Gun
1 LRM 15
1 PPC
1 Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Memphis Motive Works
Primary Factory: Memphis
Communication System: TriStar Multilink II
Targeting & Tracking System: TriStar Longreach
Introduction Year: 3050
Tech Rating/Availability: IS Level 3
Cost: 3.14 million C-bills
Overview
Named for the lioness goddess of warfare, the Bast — or "Bad Kitty" as she is known to her crews — is the standard main battle tank for the Tennessee Star Guards. She has earned her nickname through decades of reliable service on the frontlines of Periphery March defense.
Capabilities
As a fusion-powered tank, the Bast is meant for expeditionary forces and frontline units where resupply may be uncertain. Unlike fuel-cell designs that require hydrogen logistics, a Bast can operate indefinitely on its internal reactor — limited only by ammunition, crew fatigue, and minor maintenance. The 176 points of armor provide excellent protection for a 60-ton vehicle, distributed to emphasize frontal and turret coverage.
Deployment
Bast companies form the core of Tennessee Star Guards armored battalions. Standard doctrine pairs Bast platoons with Malice platoons, combining the tracked tank's staying power with the wheeled vehicle's mobility. Bast crews are selected for steadiness rather than aggression — their job is to anchor the line, not win glory. "Bad Kitty bites back" is both motto and reputation.
History
TriStar initially sought to license-produce the Manticore heavy tank, but licenses proved unobtainable. The Bast emerged as the alternative — when Common Heart settled on the Starheart 240 engine, the design was scaled to 60 tons to use that power plant. The Clan Invasion prompted TriStar to accelerate production, and over 2,000 Basts have been built since 3050, making it the most numerous heavy vehicle in TSG service.
Type: Bast
Technology Base: IS Level 3
Tonnage: 60
| Equipment | Mass | |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Structure | 6 | |
| Engine | 240 Fusion | - |
| Cruising MP: | 4 | |
| Flanking MP: | 6 | |
| Heat Sinks: | 0 | - |
| Control Equipment: | 3 | |
| Turret: | - | |
| Armor Factor: | 176 | - |
| Internal Structure | Armor Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 6 | 43 |
| R/L Side | 6/6 | 35/35 |
| Rear | 6 | 28 |
| Turret | 6 | 35 |
| Weapons and Ammo | Location | Critical | Tonnage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammo LRM-15 | Body | 1 | 1 |
| Ammo LRM-15 | Body | 1 | 1 |
| Machine Gun Ammo - Half | Body | 1 | 0.5 |
| Machine Gun | Front | 1 | 0.5 |
| Hitch | Rear | 0 | 0 |
| LRM 15 | Turret | 3 | 7 |
| PPC | Turret | 3 | 7 |
| Medium Laser | Turret | 1 | 1 |
| Weapons and Ammo | Location | Critical | Tonnage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammo AC/20 | Body | 1 | 1 |
| Ammo AC/20 | Body | 1 | 1 |
| Ammo AC/20 | Body | 1 | 1 |
| Small Laser | Rear | 1 | 0.5 |
| Medium Laser | Turret | 1 | 1 |
| Medium Laser | Turret | 1 | 1 |
| Medium Laser | Turret | 1 | 1 |
| Autocannon/20 | Turret | 10 | 14 |
| Weapons and Ammo | Location | Critical | Tonnage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauss Ammo | Body | 1 | 1 |
| Gauss Ammo | Body | 1 | 1 |
| Gauss Ammo | Body | 1 | 1 |
| Ammo SRM-6 | Body | 1 | 1 |
| Gauss Rifle | Turret | 7 | 15 |
| Small Pulse Laser | Turret | 1 | 1 |
| SRM 6 | Turret | 2 | 3 |