The Viking was the second 'Mech co-produced by ComStar and the Free Rasalhague Republic, following quickly on the heels of the Beowulf. ComStar chose to upgrade the Grumium Creations factory, taking a small company that provided various parts and systems and turning it into a production powerhouse that still works to this day. The Viking soon became a symbol of the reformed-ComStar, capable of killing Word BattleMechs and infantry with equal ease.
         ComStar lost a horrendous number of them during the Jihad, most in the final stages on Terra. ComStar needed to quickly rebuild its shattered army after that and they looked to design a new assault 'Mech. They chose to work with Rasalhague to redesign the Viking into such a unit that could cover both assault and support duties. The resulting upgrade in capabilities made the BattleMech a deadly new addition to the rebuilding ComStar and Rasalhague forces.

         The original Viking lacked an XL engine because its manufacturer could not afford them, and so far all efforts to replace it with an extra-light engine have been stopped. Accountants prize the cheap engine and commanders love that even a catastrophic loss of ammunition will not doom the design and allow it to limp off the field of battle. A single Blake's Vision Improved C3 system allows the design to work with other units to improve targeting capabilities.
         When ComStar officials first requested a new fire-support BattleMech in the 3050s that could take over for the aging Bombardier, Grumium used connections in the Draconis Combine to obtain permits to purchase large numbers of their missile launchers, and built the chassis and internal workings of the Viking around the launchers. That basic concept survived the modification to pod technology, though the base configuration of today is far improved. A quad of nine-tube advanced missile launchers with an amazing twelve tons of ammunition can hit enemies at nearly any range. In the rare event that a Viking runs out of ammunition, twin large lasers can continue the fight, though because of heat issues the two systems rarely fire in tandem. Should an enemy think to get in close, a quartet of machine guns in the legs is quickly capable of changing their minds.
         Configuration A is at first look a very odd version but it is based on an existing variant of the original Viking. A gauss rifle, a large pulse laser, and a heavy cluster-capable autocannon are its primary heavy-hitting weapons. Each of which is capable of shooting down any enemy, from lowly vehicle to high-flying fighter. A trio of medium pulser lasers supplements the main weapons, keeping the design in business in even the longest fire fights.
         Configuration B is most often used when a long fire fight is expected. The only Viking configuration to use no ammunition, it is a true "zombie" that rarely goes down short of being shot to pieces, a long and laborious process for whoever is tasted with the unenviable job. Twin particle cannons, twin large pulse lasers, and a single medium can reach out and smash almost any opponent. Worst of all from an enemy's point of view, all of the weapons share targeting through an improved computer that gauges enemy speed and angles to generate more accurate weapons fire.
         The final configuration in use is in some ways even more terrifying than the B version. It carries two medium lasers, one in each arm, and two autocannons, one in each torso. At first glance it is not that dangerous, but in fact the autocannons are Clan heavy RACs, both of which are capable of stripping even assault 'Mechs of their armor with a well-placed salvo. Even with twelve tons of ammunition, this version can rarely open up with full guns, but when it does the devastation it inflicts on its enemies is hard to overestimate.

         The slow Viking is the primary guardian of all ComStar HPGs, with each HPG having a permanent guard force of six of these. Other units come and go as needed, but those six Vikings anchor whatever is there and makes any attacker think at least six times before attacking. In the Rasalhague Dominion, they are a good, cheap, effective assault unit. Nowhere near as singular in use, their arrival on the field of battle is still enough to make the Dominion's enemies quake.