Editing Zeus X

{{otheruses|the successor Zeus model|other uses|Zeus (disambiguation)}}
{{InfoBoxBattleMech
| image = Zeus X.jpg
| name = ''Zeus X''
| manufacturer= [[Defiance Manufacturing Annex]]<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+">''Technical Readout: 3145 Lyran Commonwealth'', pp. 42–43: "ZEU-X4 ''Zeus X''"</ref>
| production year=3119
| year reference=<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/6630/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
| model = ZEU-X4
| cost =
| Tech Base=Inner Sphere
| mech type=BattleMech
| feet=biped
| mass = 80
| chassis = [[Chariot III Ultralight]] [[Composite internal structure|Composite]]<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>
| armor = [[Durallex Shockwave Reactive]] with [[CASE II]]<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>
| engine = [[Defiance 400 XXL]]<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>
| speed = 86<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>
| comsys = [[TharHes Calliope ZE-5A2]]<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>
| T&T = [[TharHes Ares-X9-B]]<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>
| heat sinks = 11 [[Double Heat Sink]]s<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>
| armament = <span></span>
* 1x [[Light Gauss Rifle]]
* 1x [[ER Large Laser]]
* 1x [[LRM 20]]
* 1x [[Medium X-Pulse Laser]]
| BV (1.0) =
| BV (2.0) = 2,222<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged'', p. 317</ref>
}} 

==Description==
Manufactured on [[Kwangjong-ni]] by Defiance, the '''''Zeus X''''' was both a poster child for excellence in production engineering and an innovative high-technology platform. The ZEU-X4 entered full production in 3110s as an evolution of several earlier designs. It combined the huge engine, light but brittle internal structure and multiple layers of advanced armor that characterized the ''Zeus X'' program with a carefully chosen selection of sensible and effective equipment.<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>

The ''Zeus X'' was powered by a massive Defiance 400 [[Fusion Engine - XXL|extra-extra-light fusion engine]] that enabled the eighty-ton [['Mech]] to reach speeds in excess of 80 km/h, giving the ''Zeus X'' the speed of a 'Mech many tons lighter. Fourteen and a half tons of [[Reactive Armor]] protected the fragile composite skeleton of the ''Zeus X''; the [[Cockpit Command Console]] installed in the head of each ''Zeus X'' allowed it to function as a command 'Mech.<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>

==Weapons and Equipment==
The ''Zeus X'' mounted a [[Corean (LGR)|Corean]] [[Light Gauss Rifle]] with a ton of ammunition in the left arm, and a [[Doombud (LRM20)|Doombud]] [[LRM-20]] Launcher in the right arm, fed by two tons of ammunition stored in the right torso. A [[Defiance Model 6]] [[Extended Range Large Laser]] was mounted in the left torso and a [[Defiance X5M]] [[Medium X-Pulse Laser]] in the center torso.<ref name="TRO:3145LCp42+"/>

==Variants==
*;ZEU-X : The first of what became commonly referred to as the ''Zeus X'' series, the ZEU-X was a variant of the venerable ''[[Zeus]]'' [[BattleMech]] developed during the [[Clan Invasion]] that used [[Experimental Technology]] to push the envelope of the original ''Zeus'' design. The 'Mech was built using a Composite chassis which weighed half as much as a regular chassis, but was only half as strong as a normal internal structure. The 'Mech was also armored with both normal armor and [[Reactive Armor]] on its limbs. The 'Mech was armed with an [[LB-X Autocannon/20]] as its primary weapon, backed up by an [[MRM 30]] launcher. The ZEU-X carried three tons of ammunition for the LB-X AC/20 and two tons for the MRM 30, stored in the right torso and protected by CASE II. For close combat, the ''Zeus'' had two Medium X-Pulse Lasers. Finally, for added speed, the 'Mech was built using an XXL engine which weighed only seventeen and a half tons, giving the 'Mech a maximum speed of 86 km/h, and carried a dozen Double Heat Sinks. The ZEU-X was the most heavily armored of the ''Zeus X'' variants to enter service prior to the [[Blackout]], mounting a full fifteen and a half tons of armor.<ref name="TRO:3145LCp100">''Technical Readout: 3145 Lyran Commonwealth'', p. 100: "Zeux X ZEU-X"</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,471,<ref>''Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I'', p. 70</ref> BV (2.0) = 2,149.<ref name="TRO:3145LCp100"/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged'', p. 314</ref>

*;ZEU-X2 : Developed during the [[FedCom Civil War]] and built using the same engine and chassis as the ZEU-X, the -X2 took its weapons cues from the ZEU-9T model of ''Zeus''; the -X2 carried an [[ER PPC]] as its main weapon, giving it a much greater range than the LB-X Autocannon/20 carried by the ZEU-X model, along with a smaller [[MRM 20]] in place of the larger launcher on the -X, with just a single ton of ammunition. It was highly effective as a sniper 'Mech, with its high mobility giving it the ability to dictate the range of an engagement. Although it mounted a ton less armor, the -X2's XXL engine was [[Armored_Components|armored]], improving its survivability. The -X2 carried eighteen double heat sinks, half again as many as the -X.<ref name="TRO:3145LCp101">''Technical Readout: 3145 Lyran Commonwealth'', p. 101: "Zeux X ZEU-2X"</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,493,<ref>''Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I'', p. 71</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,945.<ref name="TRO:3145LCp101"/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged'', p. 315</ref>

*;ZEU-X3 : The -X3 carried four [[ER Medium Laser]]s in the right arm and an ER PPC in the left arm, connected to a [[Targeting Computer]]. The true uniqueness of the design came in its use of [[Improved Jump Jets]]: the -X3 could jump up to 240 meters, which rivaled the jumping capability of any light 'Mech. This combination of heavy armor, speed and firepower made -the X3 the nightmare of any light or medium 'Mech and could outmaneuver any heavy or assault 'Mech. The -X3 mounted seventeen double heat sinks.<ref name="TRO:3145LCp102">''Technical Readout: 3145 Lyran Commonwealth'', p. 102: "Zeux X ZEU-3X"</ref> BV (1.0) = 1,992,<ref>''Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I'', p. 72</ref> BV (2.0) = 2,210.<ref name="TRO:3145LCp102"/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged'', p. 316</ref>

===Unique Variants===
*;ZEU-9WD ''Zeus-X'' : Starting life as one of ''Zeus-X'' testbeds, ZEUX0003 was gifted by the [[Kell Hounds]] to [[Black Widow Company]] commander [[Stacy Church]]. When Church landed on [[Outreach]] in [[3071]] it mounted a Light Fusion Engine and eleven and half tons of [[Light Ferro-Fibrous]] armor, and was armed with a Defiance 2002 [[Heavy PPC]] in its right arm, supported by an LB-X AC/20 mounted in the left arm and torso, and a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers. Two heat sinks were dropped to carry three tons of [[autocannon]] reloads.  BV (2.0) = 1,716<ref name="SWB1">''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake'', p. 119</ref>

*;<span id="ZEU-9WD Zeus-X Stacy">ZEU-9WD ''Zeus-X (Stacy)''</span> : Upgraded with experimental systems after the Widow's return to [[Arc-Royal]], when they faced off against the [[Opacus Venatori]] in [[3071]], Stacy's 'Mech featured improved defensive protection due to a [[Blue Shield Particle Field Damper]] and extra one and half tons of armor. This required modification of the weapons array, while the Heavy PPC was retained and even enhanced by a BL-AM-WC [[Actuator Enhancement System]], the large-bore, torso-mounted [[LB-X Autocannon]] had to be swapped for -9S-style left-arm mounted LB-X AC/10, and the medium pulse lasers replaced with extended range models. Even with only two tons of reloads, a double heat sink had to be removed to save weight. BV (2.0) = 2,011<ref name="WB2">''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake'', pp. 20, 108</ref>

==Design Quirks==
The ''Zeus X'' is subject to the following [[Design Quirk]]s:
* [[Command BattleMech]]
* [[Difficult to Maintain]]

==Notable Pilots==
* [[Stacy Church]], [[Captain]] in [[Wolf's Dragoons]] and commander of the [[Black Widow Company]] piloted an experimental ZEU-9WD ''Zeus-X'' during the [[Jihad]].<ref>''Starterbook: Wolf and Blake''</ref>

==Related Designs==
* ''[[Zeus]]'' - The creation of the ''Zeus X'' was inspired by its venerable Lyran progenitor.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Maximum Tech Revised Edition (FanPro) cover.jpg|ZEU-X ''Zeus X'' during testing
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged]]''
* ''[[Starterbook: Wolf and Blake]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Lyran Commonwealth]]''

[[Category:'Mechs]]
[[Category: Lyran Commonwealth BattleMechs]]