TSH-8S TAI-SHO
Mass: 85 tons
Chassis: Star League TS
Power Plant: Strand 255
Cruising Speed: 32 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Durallex Ferro-Fibrous with CASE
Armament: 1 Imperator Ultra AC/10
2 Lord’s Light Heavy Particle Beam Weapons
Communications System: Garret T-19G with C3 slave
Targeting & Tracking System: Cat’s Eyes 5
Unlike the Shugenja, the Tai-sho has proven a popular command vehicle for the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery, and it serves with distinction as a company-command ’Mech in many battalions and regiments across the Combine. Its only flaw is the relative scarcity of repair parts for the massive C3 master computers, which provide such devastating coordination for other ’Mechs but are fragile and subject to attack.
After the loss of Quentin to the Word of Blake the DCMS put pressure on Independence Weaponry to continue manufacture of the Tai-sho. Unable to expand their New Samarkand facility to produce assault 'Mechs, Independence opted to broaden their shared-technology agreement with Blankenburg Technologies allowing them to manufacture the Tai-sho on Soul, in addition to the Katana.
With supplies of C3 master units spotty at best, Independence redesigned the Tai-sho as a frontline combat unit. Sharing a number of components with the new CRK-5003-C—the engine, C3 slave, and heavy-duty gyro—sped up the design process and created a far sturdier 'Mech. Taking into consideration that this Tai-sho was no longer a command unit, the ER PPCs were exchanged for heavy PPCs.