Juggernaut Mech pilot - Pilot license number: 922277.
The long years of hard, intense and eternal battles sometimes charge an expensive bill to the Mech pilots. For Bernard Johnson, a former elite and veteran Mech pilot in the mercenary clan Death's Collectors (AFF) and current member of the legendary clan Juggernaut (formerly known as Fusion), the side effects impacted him somehow by disassociating his personality with some Schizophrenic issue. As a result, he now keeps two personalities, recalling the vintage but always classic characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide,
When the personality of Jekyll or Hide takes control, it is sometimes very convenient for him, since the most skilled usually dominate the situation he had to face, and both personalities are keen in their respective abilities.
The long years of hard, intense and eternal battles sometimes charge an expensive bill to the Mech pilots. For Bernard Johnson, a former elite and veteran Mech pilot in the mercenary clan Death's Collectors (AFF) and current member of the legendary clan Juggernaut (formerly known as Fusion), the side effects impacted him somehow by disassociating his personality with some Schizophrenic issue. As a result, he now keeps two personalities, recalling the vintage but always classic characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide,
When the personality of Jekyll or Hide takes control, it is sometimes very convenient for him, since the most skilled usually dominate the situation he had to face, and both personalities are keen in their respective abilities.
Whether Dr. Jekyll, with cold and sharp analytical skills, or Mr. Hide, with his uncontainable fury, whoever takes control of Bernard's psyche, he is a deadly pilot in both cases. Banned by the authorities of many different systems as of the bars of the half galaxy, being Cogwerk Port one of the few places that maintains admission because of its reputation in the Mecha Games and the impressive amount of Gold Medals with which he has been awarded through the Tournaments and the King of the Mountain Circuits.
In his own words, "I have some sever personality issues; but as a tactical combatant; it has proved to more a strength than a liability. I can spend the down time planning carefully, then in combat I can simply allow myself 'off-the-hook' if you will; and it seems to work well".
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Recorded videoptic archives.- Subject: Live Interview with Bernard Johnson.
Date: May 12, 3323
Location: Juggernaut representation offices, Guests conference room, Cogwerk Port.
Mechanomicon - We are proud to meet a veteran and quite skilled pilot, who for long time was one of the deadlier guns among the elite Affiliation unit Death Collectors, and now fight under the mighty Juggernaut Banner
Greetings Bernard. Would you tell us something from your origins and your first steps as Mech pilot?
Bernard Johnson - I hail from Cogwork, the armpit of the galaxy. I always thought I was the weird one until I left in my teens and found out everyone in my home system was starkers, not so much me. Though I do tend to remain quite 'eccentric' by galactic standards. I first got into Mechs as a repairman on the Fight circuit. Worked my way up in a few years to a crew manager and fell in love with the newest (back then) 100 ton gleaming black Fext.
I knew I had to sit in the cockpit of one of those monsters someday. Started talking to competition pilots, taking small Mechs on test run. Found I was a half decent pilot, but still better at outfitting and planing than piloting myself. Still, I finally scrapped up enough for a couple second hand Ants and got started. Did pretty well with long term planning and resource use and built from there.
I knew I had to sit in the cockpit of one of those monsters someday. Started talking to competition pilots, taking small Mechs on test run. Found I was a half decent pilot, but still better at outfitting and planing than piloting myself. Still, I finally scrapped up enough for a couple second hand Ants and got started. Did pretty well with long term planning and resource use and built from there.
M.- Why did you chose to join the mercenary clans and which one has been your first clan?
B.J.- At first I didn't want to join a clan. I didn't really trust anyone else to hold up their side of an ongoing conflict. But I began to see I wasn't strong enough on my own and the rewards appeared to be great than the risk; I finally started looking around for "potential suitors". I turned down the first few as it was clear that I was being targeted by others in the same place as me; and while that is OK, I wanted to join a clan that had some success and stronger membership for me to learn from. The Overlords came calling and I joined them. Had a couple of silvers down in lower levels, but then our leader quit and I decided to go looking again. Sent out some feelers and got hooked by Rob of the Affiliation (AFF). Found a home there for long time!
M.- What AFF units did you join and what have you been learning among them?
M.- What AFF units did you join and what have you been learning among them?
B.J.- Well, I started with Death's Disciples and after getting a few wars under my belt I was moved up to Death's Collectors and until recently, that had been my home for a long time. Worked my way up there until I had a strong fleet of well equipped Mechs and after the last war against Unification with the small gateways, realized that I was carrying more than my share of the load. That was OK except that I found that I was progressing faster than those around me and since the AFF had found it's niche in the clan 'pecking order' if you will; I might need to find a new home if I was to achieve my full potential...
(A sudden voice seemingly a disturbance thunders the transmission):
- AS A MECH GOD!!
(cough) Sorry about that, split personality syndrome is very common on Cogwerk. I assume its genetic or environmental... maybe it's both now.
(A sudden voice seemingly a disturbance thunders the transmission):
- AS A MECH GOD!!
(cough) Sorry about that, split personality syndrome is very common on Cogwerk. I assume its genetic or environmental... maybe it's both now.
At any rate, I learned a lot about formations, group dynamics and sharing salvage for the good of the unit. Not as fond of the last but I get it...
- MINE, ALL MINE! ALL YOUR LOOT BELONGS TO ME!!
(uncomfortable pause)
M.- Through the time, what clans and what Pilots have been your nemesis, or your closer opponents?
M.- Through the time, what clans and what Pilots have been your nemesis, or your closer opponents?
B.J.- Well, frankly you. And Sten Miller of Star League. For the longest time, it seems, it was always one of you that was wrangling with me for the top spots in circuit fights and KotM events. I rather got sick of seeing you both! As for clans, Had our struggles with Black Star back in the day, but mostly no real challenge when the Death Collectors were in division 3 & 4 until the rise of the Dragons started rising up through the ranks. I was off to the Misfits before the real issues over the last 2 months arose.
M.- (Laughs) well Sir, you worked hard and have been improving your Squad heavily.
B.J.- Thanks for noticing...
- AAHH! WHO CARES WHAT YOU THINK! I HATE ALL OF YOU; ALL OF YOU!!
... And Division One; well it's worse than ever. There are no breaks, no down time; just never ending escalation of one-upsmanship, now that Fusion has 'fissioned'.
M.- Talking about Dragons... How did you feel when the AFF Split in two factions, giving Life to Dragons?
B.J.- I wasn't aware of what exactly occurred with the AFF & Dragons, so I can really speak to that. As for Division one vs. the lower divisions: there appears to be some major stratification. There is a fairly steady growth/learning curve until division 1 and then...you slam into the wall.
M.- First division... In your opinion, Sir, what are the differences between middle, high and the top divisions?
B.J.- Up to division 2, folks are generally keeping in line with their clan and the clans around them in their builds and strategy; so as not to rock the boat or throw their clan mates under a bus by moving in division weight. Once you get into Division 1...all bets are off. It's non-stop leveling, growth and conflict. You can't ever really catch the top 20 pilots; they're too far ahead. They have accumulated enormous bonus' over the years and unless they spend a year deceased for tax purposes; no one can ever really catch up and compete on a level playing field; there isn't enough time/money that can make up for what they have accomplished and accumulated. So the only choice is to find a niche where many are weak and exploit that as best you can.
- GA AAH GET 'EM! KICK 'EM IN THE HEAD! KICK 'EM IN THE KNEE! KICK 'EM IN THE JUNK!!
Oh, yeah; Division one has really made this Split Personality Disorder waaaaay worse...
M.- Pick your three favourite Mechs and tell us why would you chose them
B.J.- The Fext for sure. Been my point Mech ever since I got my first. Now I have 5. The Humbaba is a recent favorite; so fast for a BFM! My front line Humbaba has a speed of +106! Load that sucker up with Predator missiles and watch you opponent's lines wilt! A third would be the Notos. Love the fire mechanics. Get a good hit with trample and splash and ignite whole clumps of Mechs. They burn and die even when the Notos has been knocked out of the fight! (Still reserving judgment on the Pike. I like the flexibility, but not having any specializations means its always second or third best at anything.)
M.- From all the Mech capabilities, what are your favourite?
B.J.- Dodge. Can't replace it, can't replicate it: can't get enough of it. It only comes in a few mech specs; so you only get it through your Mech's chassis slots. (except for a couple of Vortex specials; which are just luck) Precision, speed, dodge and damage multipliers are all important to, but dodge only comes from the Mech and/or chassis slots. Faster weapons won't get it, damage bonus' won't make it, speed to first shot is great but if you can't doge...you're dead meat. And there's only one way to get it. So up to level 135-150ish; the Mechs with the best are Antithesis and Boreas because of their innate abilities; but beyond that, you need the continued upgradability that only the biggest, baddest Niode Mechs can provide and it especially means Chassis slots for more dodge. That's why the Slate has now replaced the Magnus as the best crystal Mech...more engine and chassis slots. Gotta have good equipment; but DODGE beats all!
M.- Interesting point of view. In your opinion, what are your merits and what your flaws as Pilot?
B.J.- My skills are...
- OUR CHIEF WEAPON IS FEAR! FEAR AND SURPRISE! OUR TWO CHIEF WEAPONS ARE FEAR, SURPRISE AND A RUTHLESS EFFICIENCY! AH; AMONGST OUR WEAPONRY ARE SUCH DIVERSE ELEMENTS AS FEAR, SURPRISE, A RUTHLESS EFFICIENCY AND AN ALMOST FANATICAL DEVOTION TO...<Smashing>
- OUR CHIEF WEAPON IS FEAR! FEAR AND SURPRISE! OUR TWO CHIEF WEAPONS ARE FEAR, SURPRISE AND A RUTHLESS EFFICIENCY! AH; AMONGST OUR WEAPONRY ARE SUCH DIVERSE ELEMENTS AS FEAR, SURPRISE, A RUTHLESS EFFICIENCY AND AN ALMOST FANATICAL DEVOTION TO...<Smashing>
(Sudden silence and agitated breathing)
Sorry; I needed to knock myself out there for a bit. So, I try to be very organized. I keep a number of spreadsheets where I quantify everything I can about each Mech and line-up. Every weapons and it's combat efficiency. Plan out my upgrade path far ahead. I try to be as consistent, coherent and cohesive as possible. The exact opposite of my other self...(Nope! Shut up in there! You've had your fun, you raging numbskull!) Sorry about that. So while I cannot compete with the 'big boy' veterans in Div. 1's top two clans; I have found a niche in my Single Rainbow spec; where even pilots 100+ level above me struggle and even lose when assaulting it.
M.- Awesome, at least one of your two halves develops a mastery as tactician and analyst
The other half. Do you have something else you would like to mention while hunting down those bandits?
B.J.- There a tough bunch of buggers. I want to know where they are getting all their gear from! They are as well equipped as Drocha and the Unification forces. It's almost like they all have the same source. That requires more thought. Makes you wonder though! Oh, and as an aside; I would just like to point out for anyone who reads a transcript of this; stop choosing 1200 Total spec!! Any yaboo who's pupils respond to light can gear their best Mechs, weapons and equipment onto 1200 total weight and be competitive. It is not working guys! The defensive position of 1200 tons is the lowest across the top 4 divisions of any spec. JUST STOP! You're not helping yourself or your clan!
M.- Thank you Bernard, and good luck in your hunt.
B.J.- (...)
- THANKS MECHF#*@3R! (Shut up you!)
Entry and interview with Bernard Johnson (922277) by GJ (685605)
