Optional ranged armaments: x2 3-tube micro missile pod: attaches to thighs, loads spray missiles, anti-beam cloud missiles, “chaff” missiles, or any combination thereof
Pilot: Salika Azusa
In the furious arms race to produce a Two-series combat frame viable for mass production, UC Arms distinguished itself by pursuing not just one, but two competing designs. Their MCF-C260 Cyclone would win adoption as the UC military’s new front line CF, but a shelved test type would go on to distinguish itself beyond any single Cyke’s exploits.
Having noted that Ynzu gravity weapons cut the defensive power of even carbyne laminar armor, one UCA design team explored the time-honored approach of adding more of it. They went back to the legendary machine that had inspired the most advanced One-series frame, the XSeed Marine. In particular, the XSeed Einsenpferd’s later modification allowing it to combine with the original XSeed Emancipator.
UCA’s engineers started by fitting a standard MCF-123 with a new Two-series reactor. They then custom-engineered a supplemental armor module that amounted to its own Two-series CF with everything but the internal skeleton and cockpit. The upgraded Marine was modified to dock within the heavy armor module, in essence wearing it like a CF-sized suit of powered armor.
The Heavy Armor module doubled the unit’s defensive capabilities, but with the tradeoff of making it one of the weightiest CFs ever produced. Additional drives and maneuvering thrusters were installed on the HA module, granting speed and agility on par with an XCD-AK201 Angel King.
Seeking destructive force to match the heavy armor’s durability and speed, the design team pored over all available weapon options. To limit cost overruns and reduce the load on the unit’s two reactors, a more conventional loadout of solid weapons was chosen. Combining up to four missile pods with a massive recoilless rifle whose 140mm shells could puncture carrier hulls gave the heavy armor versatile and reliable ranged attack power. Its only two energy weapon systems: a pair of high-output plasma swords boasting ion-field penetrating frequency modulation, and a back-mounted EMP cannon strong enough to disable a One-series CF, helped neutralize targets’ defenses. The UCA team sought to head off enemy attempts to use similar tactics against their heavy armor by installing two redundant ion field projectors – each twice as powerful as an XSeed Marine’s.
Though its performance in test simulations surpassed that of the Cyclone, the Heavy Armor XSeed Marine fell victim to its own largesse. Its enormous per-unit costs aside, the double frame proved too time-consuming and labor-intensive to rearm and service in the field. Its sheer size also required the expansion of standard CF berths aboard vessels on which it was deployed. Rather than undertake a lengthy and expensive refit of its whole fleet to carry fewer combat frames, the UCP went with the less extravagant Cyclone.
The Heavy Armor Marine seemed fated for history’s dustbin until a turn in the fortunes of war salvaged its future. During the UCP occupation of Mars, an HA Marine test unit found its way into the hands of BEC technicians. Seeing its potential, BEC streamlined the somewhat unwieldy UCA design with higher-efficiency electronics and more plug-and-play components. The refined design, dubbed Shugyo after the Zen Buddhist term for a warrior’s quest, was presented to UC Marine ace Salika Azusa after her release from military custody. Azusa would accomplish nigh-miraculous feats at the testbed XSeed’s controls, pacifying rebel extrasolar colonies almost singlehandedly.
But it would be in space over Mars that Azusa would cross swords with her perceived betrayer, ex-UCAF renegade Dex Trapper. There, Azusa’s Shugyo would meet its ultimate test against Trapper’s custom Two-series XSeed codenamed Death Angel.
I have to take a moment to appreciate the simple and functional design of this CF. It’s also good looking too.
Thanks. I’ll give your regards to the artist.
I second BayouBomber. These last few CFs – Judgement Beast, Angel King, and Heavy Armor – look very cool. They remind me a bit of Gundam, which was my primary exposure to mecha, without being too similar.
Galaxy’s Edge set the gold standard with their art. The Legionnaires evoke mood, tone, and genre in a manner similar to Stormtroopers while remaining distinctive – all at a glance. So that, but mecha.