The Word of Blake needed a fast and cheap spotter design for their various deadly C3i Level IIs. After looking at more than 6 designs from the arms manufacturers on Terra, they settled for Leopard Armor's submission.
Named Fornax, or 'furnace', the new design is a symbol of the Word of Blake's commitment to cleanse humanity in the fiery cauldron of bloody war.

The Fornax is well equipped for its spotting duties. Equipped with jump jets for a 210 meter jumping distance, and 5 tons of ferro-fibrous armor, the Fornax can sustain and evade all but the most accurate and heavy weaponry.
The centerpiece of the design rests in the improved C3 computer module mounted in the right torso. Linked to 5 other C3i mechs, the Fornax can help them acquire and target opponents with incredible ease.
Its own offensive weaponry is also very impressive. 4 medium lasers tied into a targeting computer offer excellent striking power and the opportunity to finish off mechs damaged by the firepower of its comrades with a few well placed shots.
Without a vulnerable extra-light engine, the Fornax is extremely durable, which eases maintainence and repair.

The Fornax looked to be a mainstay of the Word of Blake's forces, but only 20 were produced before the allied forces descended on Terra in Operation Grand Slam.
Leopard Armor has since been producing prodigous numbers of the mech for the Star League and Comstar. Comstar has sent the mech mostly to units along the clan front, where their advanced C3 capabilities can nullify the range advantages of most clan weapons.