Unicorn Company; A BattleTech Podcast
Sep 8, 2026 · 8 min · 8 segments
Today on 5 minute Mechs we look at the Hermes. Named for the messenger of the gods, the Hermes is a high speed recon platform from the Star League defense force, does this Mech live up to the…
In 2632, a reign would begin production of the HER-1S Hermes for the Star League Defense Force as a heavy scout.
The 1S Hermes was designed specifically to the specification of the SLDF and, according to official sources, served for 19 years before being regulated to second-line service.
This supposed failure of a scout is a 30-ton mech capable of speeds up to 151 kilometers per hour, mounting a somewhat limited armament of two medium lasers and a single flamer, without the advanced electronics of machines like the Mercury.
As mentioned, officially the machine was considered underwhelming, and while the records give it a short lifespan, there is evidence to the contrary.
In 2740, the Royal Divisions of the Star League Defense Force would receive the 1SB variant, 108 years after the Hermes' introduction and 89 years after its supposed failure.
The Royal Hermes replaced its standard engine with an extra-light model while retaining the endo-steel structure and increasing its ferrofibrous armor from 5 tons to 6.
The Hermes also saw its speed augmented with the addition of Miamar acceleration signal circuitry, pushing its top speed up to a blistering 195 kilometers per hour in short bursts.
To put that in perspective, the average highway speed in most places is about 110 kilometers per hour.
So this thing would definitely be getting some tickets.
Not only did the Royal units want speed, but they wanted an effective recon mech that could bite.
And so they mounted an advanced Beagle active probe, as well as replacing the two medium lasers with four medium lasers and a head mounted small laser while retaining the flamer.
I guess that just means they added two medium lasers.
Anyway, This pushes the Hermes into a similar role as the Mercury with the addition of the Beagle Active Probe, giving the propensity of Light Lance Commanders to claim Mercury's though.
The Royal Divisions may have seen this upgraded Hermes as a way to get Deep Recon units, more Beagle equipped units to the standard Mech Warriors in the Royal Divisions.
In 2632, a reign would begin production of the HER-1S Hermes for the Star League Defense Force as a heavy scout.
The 1S Hermes was designed specifically to the specification of the SLDF and, according to official sources, served for 19 years before being regulated to second-line service.
This supposed failure of a scout is a 30-ton mech capable of speeds up to 151 kilometers per hour, mounting a somewhat limited armament of two medium lasers and a single flamer, without the advanced electronics of machines like the Mercury.
As mentioned, officially the machine was considered underwhelming, and while the records give it a short lifespan, there is evidence to the contrary.
In 2740, the Royal Divisions of the Star League Defense Force would receive the 1SB variant, 108 years after the Hermes' introduction and 89 years after its supposed failure.
The Royal Hermes replaced its standard engine with an extra-light model while retaining the endo-steel structure and increasing its ferrofibrous armor from 5 tons to 6.
The Hermes also saw its speed augmented with the addition of Miamar acceleration signal circuitry, pushing its top speed up to a blistering 195 kilometers per hour in short bursts.
To put that in perspective, the average highway speed in most places is about 110 kilometers per hour.
So this thing would definitely be getting some tickets.
Not only did the Royal units want speed, but they wanted an effective recon mech that could bite.
And so they mounted an advanced Beagle active probe, as well as replacing the two medium lasers with four medium lasers and a head mounted small laser while retaining the flamer.
I guess that just means they added two medium lasers.
Anyway, This pushes the Hermes into a similar role as the Mercury with the addition of the Beagle Active Probe, giving the propensity of Light Lance Commanders to claim Mercury's though.
The Royal Divisions may have seen this upgraded Hermes as a way to get Deep Recon units, more Beagle equipped units to the standard Mech Warriors in the Royal Divisions.
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