The classic Locust design is a familiar sight to all MechWarriors, popular because of its low production/operation costs and its unmatched tactical flexibility. The Locust was repeatedly modified over the centuries to meet the ongoing requirements of the House Lords, and can be seen in field variants in addition to the numerous production variants of recent years.
         Clan Mongoose introduced an upgraded version of the Locust in 2832. The new version retained the speed of the original, while enhancing firepower with advanced laser weapons. The design's speed and striking power epitomized Mongoose tactics, wining several Trials against Clan Star Adder and Widowmaker. The success attracted interest from other Clans, and subsequent Trials spread the design throughout Clans space. The advent of the OmniMech, however, halted Locust IIC production.
         The Locust IIC remained a strong garrison scout 'Mech until the Clan Invasion, when they helped to hold Inner Sphere worlds while the "true" warriors continued on to capture new worlds. First the Jade Falcons and then the Wolves and Ghost Bears began building new Locust IICs in the Inner Sphere to shorten their supply lines, and they became far more common. The new Locusts fought hard during the Jihad, some against the Word of Blake, most against other Clans or their Spheroid targets.
         After the Jihad ended, production of them continued to spread. Now built by the Raven Alliance and the Wolf's Dragoons, the Locust IIC seems destined for a long and proud history of service in the Human Sphere.

         The Star League originally designed the Locust as a fast, light reconnaissance vehicle. Larger than the Star League version, the Locust IIC offers the pilot comparable speed with more armor that makes it much harder to take down with a single lucky salvo. They can also mount a staggering offensive arsenal. Each Clan builds its own version of the Locust IIC, though they all have similar weapons arrangements. A single main laser juts out over the cockpit of each Locust, while the weapons pods jutting off each torso carry secondary weapons, either smaller lasers or missile tubes.
         Interestingly, it is almost impossible to tell them apart until they fire. All Locust IICs carry the same weapons pods, simply loading them with different weapons. And the main laser housing generally hides the bulk of whatever exact laser the variant carries.
         Wolf's Dragoons build the original Locust IIC 1 variant that carries a Swift Lightning pulse laser in over the cockpit and a quartet of Yellow Bird small lasers in each weapons pod. Designed for short range hit and run combat, this version of the Locust can destroy many light BattleMechs in a single salvo. This makes it a threat that few enemies can ignore. Using no weapons that require ammunition, it can also stay on station far longer than most BattleMechs, especially if it is allowed to use its speed to avoid being damaged by enemy fire.

         Blackwell sells the Locust IIC 1 both to the Dragoons and to any "member in good standing" of the Allied Mercenary Command. Inexpensive for a Clantech 'Mech, because of its standard fusion engine, many mercenary units swear by them and so they can be seen wherever the mercenary trade takes them, which is just about everywhere.