MCF-Re124 Refined XSeed Prometheus
Technical Data
Model number: MCF-Re124
Code name: Refined XSeed Prometheus
Nickname: ReXPro
Classification: general purpose combat frame
Manufacturer: ISBC
Operator: CDF, UCA, UCAF, UCMC, UCN
First deployment: CY 60
Crew: 1 pilot in cockpit in chest
Height: 19 meters
Weight: dry weight 95 metric tons, full weight 110 metric tons
Armor type: “1D” carbyne laminar armor
Powerplant: cold fusion reactor, max output 2870 KW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 4x 41,790 kg, 4x 20,910 kg, 2x 12,500kg; top speed 2780 kph; maneuvering thrusters: 21, 180° turn time 0.85 seconds; legs: top ground speed 200 kph
Sensors: gravitic, radar, thermal, optical array; main binocular cameras mounted in head
Fixed armaments: 2x plasma sword, power rated at 0.55 MW, stored in recharge rack on back, hand-carried or affixed to plasma rifle in use; plasma assault rifle, power rated at 2.3 MW, stored on back, magazine or capacitor-fed, hand-carried in use
Optional hand armaments: carbyne shield, mounts to either forearm
Special Equipment: ion field projector
Special Equipment: ion field projector
Pilot: Kaiser Eckhart
General Notes
The Ynzu first struck the Earth Sphere in CY 60 with a lightning attack on the moon’s Von Braun City. When the swarm moved on to Earth, it easily overwhelmed the Coalition Defense Forces, despite humanity’s twenty years of preparation.
All seemed lost until ISBC delivered its first run of mass-produced XSeeds to the battlefield. The CDF’s sole-surviving combat frame carrier Sovereign Protector led a desperate counteroffensive. The SP’s new XSeeds, aided by the XCDS-00M0χ, captured the Ynzu Controller and repelled the rest of the swarm. That engagement proved the worth of the MCF-Re124 Refined XSeed Prometheus.
Based on ISBC’s XCD-001-4 prototype, the Refined Prometheus was the first successful mass-produced XSeed. Its carbyne laminar armor, bolstered by a carbyne-reinforced shield and an ion field projector, boosted the ReXPro’s survivability beyond any other mass production combat frame. Its weaponry featured a fully automatic plasma rifle inspired by the HBC-40 Stapfen. A traditional pair of plasma swords rounded out the ReXPro’s loadout. Though rather unremarkable individually, the ReXPro proved a match for the Ynzu given a modest numerical advantage.
The next year, the newly formed UC Military adopted the ReXPro as its standard combat frame. The UC Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy all used ReXPro variants until the introduction of the MCF-121 Defender XSeed.
Even after UCAF’s adoption of the MCF-122 Emancipator and the UCMC’s deployment of the MCF-123 XSeed Marine, the UC Army continued fielding the ReXPro as its main front line CF. Rumors began circulating in CY 97 of ISBC testing prototypes for the highly anticipated Two-Series XSeeds. Many of the same rumors claimed that the UCA would be the first to receive the breakthrough CFs.
I really like how the tech history meshes with the story.
Where's the fun if it doesn't? 😉
I read these descriptions and I feel like I've missed a book or three. You've got enough material for 2-3 series beyond what you've written, are you just perpetually starting in the middle or do you have plans to tell these stories? Or are you looking for other authors who want to come play in your playground? Not complaining, except insomuch as I want MOAR, but I am genuinely curious.
As an aside, I'm going through the Soul Cycle again and I have to say that the more seriously I focus on Christ and His Church, the more I get the horror of those books. I thank the Almighty that I bought Nethereal by accident (true story) and got completely sucked in. You've been a good influence and provided hours of quality entertainment.
All stories start in the middle. So does life. To borrow Neil Gaiman's allegory, we walk into the theater with the movie already in progress. We sit down and question the people next to us to get caught up. "What happened to him? Who's she? Have they met before?"
Regarding the CF designs above, most of the ones not appearing in the main novels are featured in the short stories that bridge the books. Most of those are exclusive perks for Indiegogo backers, but CY 2 Gaiden is free to Nova Frontier subscribers. Just follow the signup link in the back of any XSeed novel.
As for your wonderful Soul Cycle comment, give the glory to God!
Almost forgot. "Anacyclosis", which bridges CY 40 2nd Coming and XSeed S is available in my Strange Matter anthology, or for free in David Stewart's Corona-chanthology.
Yup, a trick as old as Homer.
Pretty sure I have all of the stories squirreled away on the computer, just have to dig them out. I have a bad habit of leaving short stories until "later." Loved Strange Matter, btw, especially your knack for being the anti-Steven King and showing hope in the middle of horror rather than despair.
Many thanks. That's exactly what I was going for.
The Soul Cycle achieves that on several levels at once. Now I think about it, the parallel themes of deep supernatural horror and redemption are something of a technical achievement in themselves. Calling them balanced isn't right; it's more like weaving a ribbon with a light face and a dark face, each twist of the weft over the warp changing the upper face while also harmonizing the weave itself.
You humble me.
I find that your analogy is apt, and that Astlin personifies it.