Cabol Hirsch (2812-14) "The Hitman," as he was called by contemporaries, was the first real Solaris champion. Acclaimed throughout the Lyran Commonwealth and beyond, Hirsch became his own worst enemy, eventually believing the praise and adoration that surrounded him Reluctant to give up the fame and fortune of a Solaris champion, he and his technical crew turned cheat, choosing inexperienced warriors as opponents. then sabotaging their `Mechs. In the end, a pathetic wastrel, Hirsch was exposed as a fraud and died from a gunshot to the head.

Marco Moliotti (2815-18) Hirsch's replacement served as the model for gallant and honorable `Mech combat for centuries to come. Moliotti combined a fierce competitiveness with a deep reverence for BattleMechs and their pilots, sponsoring several new warriors, donating heavily to charities, and treating all his opponents with an impeccable sense of sportsmanship. Unlike Hirsch, who seemed to derive a perverse pleasure from making his opponents suffer, Moliotti never inflicted more damage than necessary, and retired with honors in 2818. Today, a bequest from Moliotti continues to fund an annual scholarship to the Lyran Commonwealth's prestigious Nagelring Military Academy.

Casai lusang (2832-35) The next four-year champion was a quiet, introverted man who kept to himself when not in combat. A former mercenary noted for his methodical and intellectual approach to strategy, lusang was equally systematic in arena combat, thoughtfully approaching each battle and gearing his tactics to his opponents' strengths and weaknesses His style of fighting prevailed for four years, tailing him only at the end when he was unseated by a relative unknown. Tetsuo Konawa, whose strength lay in his unpredictability lusang retired after his defeat, living out the rest of his days on a country estate in southern Grayland.

Oliver Two Horse (2837-38, 2840-41) A MechWarrior who rose through the ranks, Two Horse began as a humble LoaderMech pilot who would eventually unseat Tefsuo Konawa as champion His defeat fwo years later seemed to end Two Horse 5 career, but the canny champion was not finished Deprived of stable backing, he staked his fortune on a new `Mech and returned in 2040, retaking his title in a furious battle His death in combat the following year did little to diminish Two Horse's legend. in many ways it enhanced it To date, no other MechWarrior has served nonconsecutive years as champion

Paul Fokker (2870-74) Generally considered the best until the meteoric rise of Gray Noton, Paul Fokker piloted his Slalkerto no less than five consecu five championships before retiring undefeated in 2874. Dashing, outgoing, and handsome, Fokker was plagued throughout his career with ugly rumors about his private life as well as a spate of paternity suits and a legion of women claiming to be 1ilted lovers

Though his non arena exploits were sensational, Fokker was a consummate MechWarrior, equally at home in a spindly Locust as in his hulking Stalker Instructors at leading military academies throughout the Inner Sphere studied his combat techniques. with the result that many modern Mech tactics are direct descendants of Paul Fokker's innovations

Harrison Kent (2881-84) A loud, flamboyant braggart with a taste for fancy clothes, fast women, and high living, Harrison Kent managed to offend nearly everyone on Solaris during his rise to the top, and by the time his ride ended in 2884, few were sorry to see him go. Winning through his unpredictable tactics and an unerring sense of his opponent's strengths and weaknesses, Kent continually proclairried his greatness, even going so tar as to predict exactly which of his enemy's `Mech areas he would damage and at what point his opponent would be forced to elect

Such antics attracted widespread attention, but Kent over stepped nis bounds in 2884, failing to note that his opponent was piloting a heavily modified Mech that did not behave in the expected manner. Sticking doggedly to his pre fight predictions, Kent launched poorly conceived attacks and found himself on the ropes almost immediately. When he finally elected, fans were relieved, confident that they were finally tree of Harrison Kent's buffoonery They were wrong.

After announcing hi retirement, Kent went on to become host of the long running Haroson Kent Hepon, a popular weekly trivid talk show in which he harangued about various aspects of `Mech combat, politics, or contemporary issues or mercilessly attacked his guests, who continued to appear despite his fearsome reputation. Kent's death on the air in 2891 drew huge ratings, leading some to speculate that continued popularity would cause him to rise from the dead in order to further antagonize the Solaran populace

Paul Reese (2895-98) "Pretty Paul" is still remembered as the most handsome and stylish `Mech champion ever to grace the Solaris arenas. After his initial victories and subsequent appearances dressed in the height of fashion with a succession of beautiful women on his arm, Reese swiftly moved from simply wearing fashions to setting them. A leader in dress and attitude as he was in the `Mech arena, when Reese wore a certain shirt or jacket, if was only a matter of days (sometimes hours) before every trendy niale on Solaris was wearing something similar. For tour spectacular years, Paul Reese was the man whom every Solaran male wanted to be.

All of this obscures the tact that Reese was a brilliant, if somewhat unsubtle, MechWarrior, with a tendency toward foolhardiness, who was only successful because of his incredible luck He remained in competition for several years after his defeat in 2898, but then faded from the scene, eventually dying alone and broke in a filthy Cathay apartment amid a few tattered souvenirs of his former glory.

Kan Sho (2911-15) Ouief, confident and-in public amazingly arrogant, Kan Sho dominated the arenas for five years, one of only two MechWarriors to do so. Piloting his BattleMaster, which he had oar-ad Kwan Yin after the Chinese goddess of mercy, Kan was anything but merciful, ruthlessly exploiting his opponents' smallest weaknesses, and doing anything necessary for victory, even if it meant the death of his opponent.

Kan was a complex character, far more so than the ruthless warrior of his public image. Those who knew him well say that in private he was a kind, soft spoken man with impeccable taste in art, architecture, and fashion. When he approached a `Mech arena, however, any shred of kindness or sensitivity vanished, and he became a silent, brutal killer.

Many biographies have probed the mystery of Kan Sho, but few have provided satisfactory answers to the troubling enigma of his life. Kan retired undefeated, living out his last decade in virtual seclusion Speculation existed that his death, in 2927, was a suicide, but his body was cremated and no further facts were forthcoming.

Meyer Bellagiorre (2918-21) Bellagiorre, widely considered the best medium-'Mech fighter on Solaris (Class Three champion for five years straight), went on to greater heights in 2918 when he won the Unlimited Class championship in his first year of competition.

Bellagiorre's career was full of such surprises, and luck was invariably on his side. Nearly beaten in the 2920 championship match by an up-and-coming MechWarrior named Thar Drickle (who went on to become champion in 2924), Bellagiorre survived and emerged victorious when his opponent's `Mech struck a mine and stumbled at a crucial moment, giving Bellagiorre a chance to strike its unarmored back.

Luck followed him throughout his career; for his part, Bellagiorre never seemed to lose the wide-eyed wonder and boyish innocence that many fans, particularly females, found appealing. Finally, in 2921, realizing that even the best of luck had its limits, Bellagiorre retired to his home district of Donegal, there to found a chain of fast-food restaurants. He died in 2967.

Rhian Castelton (2928-31) During her lifetime, Castelton was a woman of some mystery, appearing unexpectedly on the scene and immediately making a name for herself in the Class One and Two circuits. By 2925 she had acquired a first class ride with White Hand Stables, and was fighting her way to prominence as a Class Five pilot. Her four years as champion were uneventful, with Castelton disposing of opponents with cool professionalism and sportsmanlike conduct.

Defeated in 2931, Castelton soon vanished from the scene, but the truth about her background and origin did not come out until eight years later. Under her real name of Shanda McConnell, she had been banned from arena combat due to allegations of fraud and cheating

After extensive plastic surgery and a reasonable lapse of time, she returned with a new identity, deter mined to reclaim what she believed was her due. As for the truth of the original allegations, most believed that she had been unjustly accused and framed by rivals, but no one knows for certain to this day.

Tern Bates (3002-05) A small, attractive woman with a quick wit, Bates was the last individual one might expect to be piloting a 100-ton Atlas. The antithesis of the hulking, muscular MechWarrior of fiction and popular imagination, Bates was nonetheless a fierce competitor, winning match after match with only an occasional setback. Her shining moment came in 3002, when she unseated defending champion Hans Schlemning in The Jungle. in a fight whose odds heavily favored her opponent. Weary of arrogant, self- centered MechWarriors and meaningless cults of personality, the public immediately embraced Bates, who won fans with her unas- suming, modest demeanor. Four years as champion followed until an injury forced her retirement in 3005. Although she recovered fully, Bates never returned to the arena

James O'Gordon (3009-12) When O'Gordon's Rifles, a leading mercenary regiment, was defeated and scattered in 3007, few believed the unit would ever return Rut thege observers failed to reckon with the Rifles' irascible leader, the legendary James O'Gordon. Starting with a single serviceable `Mech known only as BattleMaster Number One, O'Gordon traveled to Solaris, receiving the backing of the Wardogs `Mech cooperative, and ascending to championship level competition in short order.

Though defeated in 3008 by Vanh Daravivanh, O'Gordon fought his way to victory the following year, reaping huge returns on longshot-odds and funneling all profits into the Wardogs and his dream of reforming his regiment. Over the next years, O'Gordon continued to fight successfully, shunning the sponsorship of established stables, who fought back brutally. Badly beaten by thugs in 3011, O'Gordon nonetheless went on to defeat his opponent in the finals, becoming champion for the third year in a row.

After his final victory in 3012, O'Gordon announced his retirement, adding that O'Gordon's Rifles had returned as a battalion sized mercenary unit, incorporating personnel from the old regiment and his comrades from the Wardogs Cooperative. The Rifles subsequently returned to their winning ways, reaching regimental strength within a few years, continuing today under O'Gordon's grandson.

Gray Noton (3O16-22) Also unsolved was the secret of Noton's surprising success. Only one MechWarrior can claim to have been champion for a fulj seven years running. In ajmost 250 years of conflict, only the Legend-Killer, Gray Noton, has remained at the pinnacle for so long

Arriving on Sojaris Vlj as a stowaway, Noton began with a minor Class One stabje, swiftly rising through the ranks, but avoiding the brutal competition of the Unlimited Class despite numerous offers. At 25, he left Solaris to fight as a mercenary. When he returned five years later in 3015 with a brand-new Rifleman, he announced his intention to compete in Class Five arenas

Even some ardent supporters of Noton expressed skepticism at his ability to compete in the assault `Mech circuit in so undistinguished a vehicle as a Rifleman. Initial successes silenced these doubters, everyone wondering how the 65 ton `Mech managed to overcome such awesome opponents as BattleMastens and Stalkers. Meanwhile, Noton won victory after victory.

His success continued more than seven years. One warrior after another fell to the aptly nicknamed Legend Killer, and until he retired in 3022, Noton seemed unbeatable. Rumors swirled around Noton after retirement, hinting that in addition to his modest import! export business, he dabbled in espionage and assassination. More questions surrounded his death in 3027, which remains still unsolved.

His Rifleman was obviously outmatched in the Unlimited Class, but carried him to success nonetheless One theory, advanced in the years since the arrival of the Clans and the rediscovery of Star League lostech, suggests that, white operating as a mercenary in the Periphery. Noton stumbled upon a Star League era Rifleman equipped with such advances as pulse lasers, ultracannon, endo steel frame, XL engines, double heat sinks, and so on. In addition, some evidence exists that Noton's `Mech weighed considerably morn than 65 tons, and had been upgraded to 80 or 90 tons in a fashion similar to the Marauder II, with extra armor added to its legs and arms.

These are only a few of the mysteries of Gray Noton's life and death, but none can obscure the fact that he was unquestionably the finest MechWarrior ever to fight on Solaris VII.

Amanda Hamilton (3O4O-43) The last four-year champion of Solaris, Hamilton was a former mercenary who quickly rose to the top, easily defending her title against a wide range of opponents. Surprisingly little solid information exists on Hamilton, and she herself is not talking, having retired in 3043, then disappearing altogether three years lafer. Numerous individuals throughout the Inner Sphere claim to have seen Hamilton over the last ten years, but none of these reports can be substantiated.

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Copyright © 1996 - 1997
Created by Wolf Pack Inc, Friday, August 29, 1997
Most recent revision Thursday, September 25, 1997