The Sol Refuge relies on a well-trained Marine Corps for ground engagements, one outfitted with a wide array of weapon systems and vehicle platforms to ensure superiority over any given foe. Today, we will explore those very weapon systems. Starting with their basic service rifles and armor systems before moving on to cover recon vehicles, combat tanks, artillery support systems and combat walkers.XR-471 General Purpose Modular Combat Rifle:
Originally developed and deployed on Earth in the year 31 BDE, this highly effective rifle system has been in service to military units for nearly a hundred years. Even today it remains the principal service rifle of the Refuge Marine Corps, and all members of the corps train with the rifle to expert level as part of their standard training.
The weapon is highly durable thanks to a robust, fairly lightweight and low-cost titanium carbon alloy shell. Thanks to the sturdy shell and reinforced internals, the weapon can be dragged through the mud and then used as a club without compromising its primary function of being a deadly particle weapon. It also features a high degree of internal modularity allowing any component to be replaced with new versions.
The latest version of the weapon features a linear particle accelerator mounted in the barrel of the weapon, approximately 75 centimeters in length. Mounted directly below this at the rear of the accelerator is a dual particle accumulator, which supplies the system with highly concentrated doses of charged particles. These charged particles are the weapon’s primary ammunition. At the front end of the accelerator is the emitter module which contains a tri-phase spatial lensing field which serves to either focus or scatter the particle stream depending on the firing mode of the rifle. Along the entire barrel length of the weapon are a series of magnetic heat sinks which draw excess heat away from the barrel and into a series of Rydium-based heat recyclers.
Located in the stock of the weapon is the weapon’s primary powercell, these days the Archer-9 Gen 4 power pack is the preferred option for this weapon. The Generation Four cell has an incredible energy density and recharge speed allowing the rifle to be used throughout most engagements without reloading. Where gen one cells would typically need to be swapped for a recharge after roughly 240 shots, the generation four cell is capable of lasting for seven hundred and twenty shots before the rifle begins to misfire. Like all energy weapons, the XR-471 has been noted to misfire when the battery drops below eight percent capacity, and as such it is recommended to swap powerpacks when the weapon’s power indicator hits the red zone.
Speaking of indicators, the underside of the weapon features an ergonomic grip laced with standardized interface circuitry which will feed basic data into the user’s head up display. This includes vital information like estimated number of shots remaining, weapon heat, battery level, targeting data from the weapons scope and even an indicator of which firing mode you are currently in. The grip also contains a selector switch and the weapon’s trigger system.
On the topside of the weapon, is a digital readout display that contains the same basic info being fed to the user’s HUD, along with specialty rails for mounting a scope upgrade if required. By default, the weapon carries an integrated targeting scope with zoom settings for up to 5x magnification. This is more than sufficient at standard combat ranges but with a scope upgrade, the weapon is pinpoint accurate out to three kilometers.
In primary firing mode, it fires a highly compressed charged particle bolt that can punch through most forms of combat armor. On impact with a target the intense thermal energy of the bolt is transferred instantly, often leading to flash vaporization. The result of a single hit has been known to blow off limbs and is extremely lethal to the targets. Surviving tissue would be subject to particle burns, however in most cases the subject quite simply disintegrates from the blast.
In secondary firing mode, the rifle fires dispersed particle streams not unlike a shotgun blast. These are not as effective against armored targets and have much lower effective range about fifty meters in most cases, but they are extremely effective in close quarters against lightly armored and unarmored targets. In both modes the weapon has a standard rate of fire of 1200 bolts per minute.
LPR-117 Security Rifle:
Intended more for policing services than heavy combat, the LPR-117 is generally lighter than the XR-471. It was originally designed by a different company from the XR-471. As a result, original issue rifles were incompatible with the Archer Series cells, but modern versions of the rifle have been modified to accept the standard issue Gen 4 Archer-9 powercell, preferred among marine companies.
There is some uncertainty on exactly when the rifle first entered development but it's generally accepted that it was first available for use by security forces in 28 BDE. As such it's not surprising the weapon features many of the same features as the XR-471 including an ergonomic grip, robust casing, data feeds and integrated combat sensors. The rifle also has a similar size profile.
However it fires a lighter particle bolt and has a slightly slower recharge rate. Making it less effective against armored foes when compared to the XR-471. Where it really shines is its secondary firing mode, in which it fires a specially calibrated charged particle pulse which acts to disrupt the target's nervous system. In other words a stun bolt, which will leave the target incapacitated but alive. Making this weapon a prime choice if you want to shoot first and ask questions later.
LP-1230 Naval Security Pistol:
Developed by Star Tech Industries in 3 BDE for use by naval security forces, the LP-1230 quickly became popular not only with naval security troops, but Refuge Marines as a reliable side arm and back-up weapon. Its relatively small form factor makes it easy to carry, and the fact it has a stun setting makes it quite useful if a prisoner is suddenly required.
Its general construction isn’t that different from other Refuge ground weapons, just in a much smaller form factor. The barrel of the weapon features a fairly tiny particle accelerator of only 12.7 centimeters which runs basically the entire length of the weapon. Magnetic heat sinks run along the barrel and feed into a series of heat recyclers and the emitter module features the standard spatial lensing field. Due to the small size both the power pack and the particle accumulator are located in the grip of the weapon
Power is supplied by the latest generation four Archer-2 power cells. While not as powerful as the larger Archer-9, the LP-1230 doesn’t draw as much power per shot, so she still gets a fairly large clip as it were.
The fire rate of the weapon varies based on firing mode. In standard mode it fires a surprisingly heavy bolt for the form factor capable of penetrating light combat armor with deadly effect but against anything heavier the pistol will struggle. In this mode, users get a steady 950 bolts per minute. In secondary firing mode, it fires a sustained charged particle stream carefully calibrated to disrupt the target’s nervous system and leave them stunned. Highly effective but much slower than firing a stun bolt and takes a little longer to recharge. Yet the weapon still manages a fire rate of 150 pulses per minute in this firing mode. Both modes draw similar amounts of power from the Archer-2 power cell.
MPL-400 General Purpose Automatic Weapon System:
The MPL-400 is designed in much the same vein as medium machine guns of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and fulfils much the same role. They are powerful rapid fire weapons that can mow down entire squads of armored soldiers in short order when used right and come with two distinct firing modes like many other Refuge weapon systems.
The MPL in its primary mode fires charged particle bolts of similar yield to the XR-471 but at a much more rapid 1800 bolts per minute, while in secondary firing mode its rate of fire drops to a sluggish 337.5 bolts per minute. This lower rate of fire stems from a longer charging cycle, which allows the weapon to discharge significantly more powerful bolts which can punch through heavier armor, including vehicle armor. Making the weapon effective against both armored infantry and light combat support vehicles.
Internally, the weapon differs somewhat when compared to other refuge weapons. The MPL-400 features twin particle accelerators of approximately 127 centimeters in length, like other weapons magnetic heat sinks run along the barrel and feed excess heat into a series of heat recyclers to keep the weapon from overheating. Twin heavy particle accumulators are mounted directly to the rear of the double barrel and supply the weapon with the massive numbers of charged particles the hungry setup requires.
Power to the weapon is supplied by the Generation Four Archer-12 powerpack and located in the stock of the weapon. This robust medium weight powerpack is much denser than the Archer-9 and allows the weapon to fire approximately two thousand rounds before needing to swap packs. That number goes down drastically when an anti-vehicle pulse is fired, as the secondary firing mode consumes approximately triple the power of a standard shot.HPL-400 Heavy Automatic Crew Weapon:
Basically the larger heavier version of the MPL-400, hence the similar name, the HPL is constructed much the same but features an additional accelerator, a heavier particle accumulator and the more powerful Archer-15 powerpack.
These changes allow it an incredible 2400 bolts per minute sustained fire rate while in primary firing mode, and slightly faster if still sluggish 450 bolts per minute when in anti-vehicle mode. The Archer-15 pack allows the weapon to fire approximately 3000 rounds per power pack, or a thousand rounds in anti-vehicle mode.
Notably these enhancements while potent also increase the weight of the weapon. Making her impractical to be carried around as a squad weapon like her lighter cousin. Instead, she is employed either mounted on vehicles or as a static emplacement weapon.
LRB-1247 Antimaterial Beam Rifle:
While not the most useful in the tight corridors of a ship, long range weapons are invaluable when conducting missions at groundside facilities. While weapons like the XR-471 could be used as an effective sniper weapon, the Marine Sniper Corps often prefers the LRB-1247.
The weapon is powered by the Gen 4 Archer 12 powerpack which allows the sniper a fairly comfortable 247 shots, a value much improved over the 74 shots the original gen one packs allowed the rifle.
It features a high-capacity particle accelerator 95 centimeters long that runs the entire length of the barrel, with the accumulator and power packs being mounted behind that in the weapon’s stock. In addition, it features an extremely powerful integrated targeting scope with variable digital zoom with support for up to 100x magnification and direct HUD data feeds. The weapon is capable of pinpoint targeting at any target within visual range of the weapon and is highly effective even at extreme ranges. Due to the high speed of the beam there is little need to lead targets but the weapon is noted for particle stream drift at extreme ranges. Few snipers shoot at distances where that drift actually matters and compared to traditional ballistic rifles the LRB-1247 is far superior in terms of accuracy and stopping power.
Unlike other weapons, the LRB-1247 is designed to fire a sustained particle pulse and has no secondary firing mode. This sustained pulse has a yield of several gigajoules and takes three tenths of a second to complete and the rifle requires 1.8 seconds to dissipate excess heat and recharge after each shot, allowing for a sustained rate of fire of 28.5 shots per minute. In practice, however, snipers rarely fire that fast, as the discipline is more about well-placed shots and not sustained fire down range.
The shot of this weapon is noted to be extremely lethal as the energy beam will punch through all known forms of body armor and even vehicle armor can struggle against it with many lighter vehicles being easily penetrated. Only heavily armored vehicles like MBTs and Combat Walkers have the armor to stop this weapon cold.
RG-257 Anti-Tank Rifle:
While not much of an issue when boarding a ship. Sometimes Refuge Marines have to deal with armored vehicles when raiding groundside facilities. Unfortunately they soon found they lacked the proper weapons to deal with such vehicles, while Earth had no shortage of designs for such weapons, the original armory stock of the Enterprise carried no such weapon. To fix this capability gap, the Marine Corps commissioned the ship’s weapons labs to provide them with an effective weapon for this role. Developed in 22 SDE, the RG-257 is notable for being the only weapon system adopted by the Marine Corps after they left Earth.
The RG-257 is a shoulder-carried portable Gauss Rifle designed to accelerate a shield and armor-piercing semi-guided projectile measuring 45 centimeters long and packed with photonic explosives. The Rifle features a three-shot magazine and a shot velocity of Mach 6. The projectile of this weapon isn’t a shell., It’s more of a rocket, and even features a limited fuel engine which activates after the weapon has launched it. As a result, the usual risks of shoulder-mounted antitank rockets don’t exist. The RG-257 takes two seconds to recharge after each shot, and is quite easy to reload. Notably this weapon is rarely used at its maximum rate of fire.
The rifle has a highly advanced suite of targeting sensors which scan the target to determine key parameters like range to target, target’s armor thickness, and likely angle of impact and then programs the rocket with the data it needs for optimal detonation inside the target. A direct hit from this rifle will defeat most forms of heavy armor and provides the infantry a reliable and portable anti-vehicle option.
HGC-240 Vanguard 20 Millimeter Cannon:
Designed specifically for use with the Vanguard Powered Assault Armor, this powerful projectile weapon fires 20 millimeter photon shells. Useful against lighter vehicles and even some tanks, it's a favored option of the Marines’ Heavy Assault Companies. Not without reason either, given how effective this weapon can be. One should note that it is a rather heavy weapon and cannot be carried around without the assistance of Vanguard series armor.
In typical configuration, the cannon is shoulder carried and fed shells from a special pack mounted on the user’s back. Reloading in the field requires the spent shell pack to be dismounted and replaced with a fresh one and is often done with the assistance of a second soldier. Unlike other weapon systems it's not easy to carry around a spare reload for this weapon due to the size and weight of the shells. Spare reloads are usually kept stored in vehicle cargo bays for that reason. A standard field pack can carry ten shells.
The main projectile of this weapon is a 20 millimeter shield and armor-piercing shell proven to penetrate a wide array of vehicle armors, including some tanks. The shell is packed with a high-yield photon explosive and even non-penetrating hits could shake up a vehicle crew.
The weapon can discharge a shell every one point two seconds, but in practice it is rarely used at its maximum rate of fire due to the relatively small number of shells each soldier can carry.
EX-94 Wrist Cannon:
A potent wrist mounted particle cannon often mounted to the wrist of a powered assault armor suit and employed as a side arm. The EX-94 had three common variations in use. The Mod A, the Mod B and the Mod C. Of the three, the Mod A is basically the standard version of the weapon. All three are constrained to a compact construction that sits flush against the forearm when not in use, and extends a few centimeters above the forearm when ready to fire. Regardless there was enough space on the average forearm to mount twin 15-centimeter particle accelerators, which is only slightly larger than the average pistol, but the use of two gives added power. Heat concerns limit the rate of fire for this weapon, but it still manages decent firing rates. On either side of the accelerators is mounted a small particle accumulator and the powerpack is usually found slotted onto the user’s upper arm.
The Mod-A fires a slightly heavier bolt than your standard pistol and has a fire rate of 540 bolts per minute. Over the years this variation has fallen somewhat out of favor due to limited stopping power and a sluggish rate of fire, the LP-1230 is generally considered better. The Mod-B features a slightly more robust cooling system and modified particle accelerator set up, allowing it to fire a sustained pulse lasting roughly half a second. This gives it much more stopping power at the cost of refire rate. Finally there is the Mod-C which is famously carried by Captain Countryman. It features a heavy compression emitter and fires a surprisingly potent energy bolt for its size class. Able to penetrate most medium infantry armors and with the stopping power to actually put them out of the fight. All that extra stopping power does come at the cost of making the sluggish weapon even slower to refire but that hasn’t stopped this modification from becoming rather popular with the troops. The Mod-C can fire 240 bolts per minute.
Moving on from weapons, there is also infantry combat armor to consider. Back when the ship launched, the Marine Corps was fitted with third-generation armor, but when second-generation power cells came about, they soon moved on to fourth-generation armor. During the course of the storm, advancements in power cells and materials led to the adoption of generation five and, more recently, generation six powered assault armors.
With the latest generation of armor, the traditional laminated polymers were replaced with the same alloys now being planned for use in Starship construction. The Titan II alloy evolved from a mix the Refuge stole from the Dregari and improved. It uses a complex mix of polycarbonates fused with a selection of synthetic polymers, Erudite, Tungari, Rydium powder and several classified metals which results in a material half the weight of the original Titan alloy mix but several orders of magnitude stronger by default and retains the favorable responsiveness to structural fields. It’s roughly seven times stronger when compared to Titan Alloy under all field charges and still provides decent protection when no power is applied.
The armor retains the layered construction found so effective in early generations. The outer layer of the suit is composed of laminated armored plates with folding joints to maintain mobility. These plates float over a solidified gel layer that acts to disperse kinetic impact energy over the surface of the entire body. With a specialized nanoweave layer under that which can further dissipate impacts and thermal shock effects. Integrated AIF generators ensure enhanced protection as long as the suit has power, turning the wearer into a walking tank.
Each suit of armor also contains a weave of synthetic muscle fibers which act to enhance the wearer’s strength. Exact values vary based on which armor series you are using but all of them give the wearer increased speed, and power. The suits also feature a complex suite of sensors that monitor the wearer’s health and in the event of injury, will dispense medical nanites as required to keep the wearer alive. The Refuge employs several different suits among its armed forces, spread across three general categories Light, Medium, and Heavy.
In the Light Category they employ two general designs. First is the Panther Recon Generation Six powered armor suit. The Panther Recon is designed for scouting and sniper units and it is quite light, maintaining the standard forty kilograms of previous generations of the armored suit. It features a highly advanced active camouflage system that is controlled by a micro-computer to conceal the wearer. The suite includes refractive surfaces, em shielding, sensor-damping materials and holographic emitters on the surface of the armor. The suit has full independent life support, a medical suite and provides the standard measure of enhancement allowing the wearer to run at 90 kilometers per hour, which is just a bit faster than the Cheetah one of the fastest animals on earth, but unlike a Cheetah the suit allows the user to maintain this speed for more than short sprints. These synthetic muscles also let them lift an impressive forty tons of weight, more than enough power to throw lighter vehicles and do serious damage to someone in a melee. However, the Panther Recon’s protection is the worst of all armor formats used by the Marine Corps and is only effective at protecting against light weapons.
Next up in the Light Category, is the Delta-VI CE Powered Armor intended for use primarily by the Marines’ Combat Engineer Corps. It’s also a favorite of the Enterprise’s engineering staff due its extensive list of useful features for an engineer. Its synthetic fibres have been optimized more for lift capacity than running, but one can still run 85 kilometers per hour in one. No stealth features were included as the Delta is first and foremost a hardened environmental suit and consequently built tougher than the Panther Recon. The suit is highly noted for its integrated suite of diagnostic tools, integrated plasma welder/cutter and a robust mounting system for carrying whatever toolkit the engineer needs. It’s used not only by the Marines’ Combat Engineer Corps, but also by damage control specialists among the ship’s company.
Moving on to Medium Armor, the Marine utilized the General Purpose Medium Combat Assault Armor Centurion-S Mark VI. Featuring robust tactical protection against most combat threats, a well balanced enhancement system, a suite of tactical sensors, and an internal comm system, the Centurion-S gives the wearer everything they need to dominate on the battlefield. Soldiers in the suit can lift an impressive sixty tons and run at sixty-five kilometers per hour. The suit even features a wrist-mounted hard point for a back-up wrist cannon. The helmet contains a highly comprehensive heads-up display, while an internal medical suite can keep the wearer in the fight even after taking injuries that should have rendered the wearer combat ineffective. Now naturally, there does come a time when the Corps needs to assault a heavily fortified position and sometimes that means kicking in the front door. For that the Marines employ the Heavy Assault Companies who outfit their soldiers exclusively with the Vanguard VI Heavy Powered Assault Armor. The Vanguard Heavy is noted for being quite large and quite heavy for a suit of armor, weighing in at a couple of tons per suit. But it gives the wearer incredible physical strength, making them able to toss around tanks like mere toys. Although wearers are quite slow compared to other suits with a top run speed of 35 kilometers per hour.
The suit has extremely thick plates for infantry armor and makes the wearer virtually immune to small arms fire. If that weren’t enough the Vanguard has a built-in combat shield bolted to the left arm, composed of Titan II alloy, approximately 3.5 cm thick and reinforced by its own AIF powered by a separate Archer series power cell. The suit also comes stock with a wrist mounted weapon hardpoint and a dedicated shoulder mount for a heavy weapon.
Finally there are the vehicles employed by the core. Each one has its own role and often quite effective at its job. From light reconnaissance vehicles, to support vehicles, to tanks and combat walkers. We are going to cover a few basic details about each of these platforms, and how they are used by the Corps.
ARV-22 Sentry:
Date of Introduction: 47 BDERole: Reconnaissance/Light Infantry Support VehicleArmament: Rear-mounted modular turret, typically fitted with an HPL-400 Particle CannonArmor Belt: 35mm Overlord platingTop Speed: 450 KPHPropulsion System: Quad Repulsor Lift (Hover)Crew: 3Max passengers: 0
Noted as the oldest vehicle still in use by the service, the ARV-22 remains quite popular with the Marine Corps. It features a fully enclosed main cabin with a sealed rear turret in which a heavy weapon can be mounted. Noted for its excellent top speed and fantastic handling at speed, many drivers have taken to racing these vehicles. Something the Corps frowns upon, and has been noted to discipline drivers for racing them. Highly durable and armored against most small arms, the vehicle has an excellent track record and a high rate of survival in combat recon missions.
ST-42 Scout TankDate of Introduction: 28 BDERole: Infantry Support/APC
Armament: 55mm photon shell cannon, Coaxial RPL-117 Particle cannon, twin AT-photon Missile launchersArmor Belt: 100mm Overlord PlatingTop Speed: 375 KPHPropulsion System: Twin Pulse Wave Hover EnginesCrew: 2Max Passengers: 6
While referred to as a scout tank, the ST-42 is more of a cross between a tank and an armored personnel carrier and armed accordingly. The main body of the ST-42 supports a fairly sizable ammo rack for the main gun and missile launchers. She can carry 60 shells and 12 missiles when fully loaded, it also has a decent cargo bay that can stow weapons and ammo for a squad of soldiers.
The 55mm cannon is capable of variable shell velocities, allowing for both direct and indirect fire and supports both SPAP and SPAP-HE shells. Each shell can be accelerated to hypervelocity thanks to a powerful and compact set of Gauss coils which feature a fairly rapid recharge rate, allowing a shot to be fired every two seconds. SPAP shells are used solely for direct fire against armored targets and have a smaller photonic charge when compared to SPAP-HE. Meanwhile, SPAP-HE is used for indirect and direct fire and is useful against both lightly armored and heavily armored targets. Meanwhile the missile launchers are based on similar tech but have a much longer reload requiring about ten seconds for each launcher to reload.
As for the RPL-117, it is a solid medium caliber rapid fire particle cannon useful against both infantry and vehicles. The weapon can also be aimed at aerial support vehicles such as helicopters if required. The cannon supports a rate of fire of 2400 bolts per minute.
ST-48 Advanced Scout Tank:
Date of Introduction: 48 SDERole: Infantry Support/APCArmament: 55mm Photon Shell Cannon, Coaxial RPL-119 Particle Cannon, Updated Twin AT-Photon Missile Launchers
Armor Belt: 150mm overlord PlatingTop Speed: 380 KPH
Propulsion System: Twin Pulse Wave Hover Engines
Crew: 2Max Passengers: 12
The ST-48 was designed by the Corps to replace the aging ST-48 and represents an attempt to modernize their aging fleet of equipment. The main cannon remains largely unchanged, but improvements were made to the reactor, the charging systems, armor layout and internals, allowing for a better protected main compartment. Minor optimizations to the engines increased the speed of the vehicle compared to the previous version. The updated missile launchers have an improved coil layout resulting in better recharge times and greater maximum launch velocities, updated reloading mechanisms allow fresh missiles to be loaded more quickly, cutting the reload from ten seconds per launch tube to eight per. However the most important update was the extra space the design team managed to find to support a second squad of troops.AGLA-82 Lancer
Date of Introduction: 12 BDERole: Long Range Artillery Support
Armament: Twin 178-millimeter photon artillery battery, autonomous spotter drone battery (6)Armor Belt: 15mm overlord platingTop Speed: 320 KPHPropulsion System: Pulse Wave Hover Engine/Retractable Electro-Fusion Track suspension system with stabilizer spikesCrew: 2
Max Passengers: 0
The Lancer was designed shortly before the Raptor MBT first entered service and prototyped the dual suspension system the later tank is famous for. Intended for long range artillery support, the lancer is quite vulnerable if caught in the open and requires escort since its sole weaponry is the long range artillery battery. It has a main ammo rack capable of holding 240 90-kilogram shells and is equipped with six autonomous spotter drones to aid in its primary mission of shelling the enemy. The dual cannon can fire a pair of shells every seven seconds but only while the platform is anchored with her stabilizer spikes deployed and is effective against targets up to five hundred kilometers away. This weapon system is notably the same as what the Scorpion uses when outfitted with artillery turrets but has slightly shorter range and a slightly longer recharge between shots.
APC-84 Armored Transport:
Date of Introduction: 14 BDERole: Armored Personal Transport/Missile CarrierArmament: Two HPL-400 Particle Cannons in protected turrets, six long-range dual-purpose photon missiles mounted in a rear turretArmor Belt: 240mm Overlord PlatingTop Speed: 350 KPH
Propulsion System: Quad Pulse Wave hover enginesCrew: 4Max Passengers: 50
The APC-84 is a large dedicated personnel carrier capable of moving an entire platoon and all their equipment. It’s also outfitted with a missile turret capable of engaging both enemy armor and air units. Six-second reload with a capacity for 36 missiles.The Raptor R-3:
Date of Introduction: 8 BDERole: MBTArmament: 155-millimeter short-barrel photon shell cannon, RPL-257 Coaxial Heavy Particle Cannon, Pintle-mounted HPL-458 Dual Particle cannons, 4 Hull mounted MPL-243 anti-infantry cannonsArmor Belt: 1000mm overlord plating
Top Speed: 160 KPHPropulsion System: Dual Pulse Wave Hover engines/Retractable electro-fusion track suspension system
Crew: Seven
Max Passengers: Zero
The Raptor was introduced near the end of the Third Colonial War to replace the aging Rex MBT. Powered by twin micro fusion reactors, and heavily protected, this fast tank has proven itself time and time again on the field of battle. Its main weapon is a 155 millimeter cannon that fires hypervelocity shells. It carries SPAP-HE, and SPAP shells and has a magazine for sixty shells. The RPL-257 coax is a powerful heavy particle cannon able to penetrate heavy vehicle armor with a fairly rapid recharge thanks to the power of the twin micro fusion generators on the Raptor, allowing it to fire 1250 pulses per minute.
The HPL-458 is a powerful vehicle-mounted rapid-fire particle cannon, intended for use against lightly armored vehicles and armored infantry. It’s also effective against some aerial vehicles such as helicopters but mainly intended for use against infantry. It has a fire rate of 1500 bolts per minute. Meanwhile the MPL-243 fires much lighter pulses and can fire 2000 bolts per minute. Solely effective against infantry
The Scorpion Heavy Combat Walker/Submarine:
Date of Introduction: 14 BDE
Role: Multipurpose combat walker/attack sub (mobile CC/Heavy Artillery/ Heavy AA platform)
Integrated Armaments: HPL-1501 Tail-mounted Heavy Particle Lance, 2 RPL-1271 Superheavy particle Cannons on rotating forward turrets, eight forward torpedo tubes/AT-photon missile launchers, Sixteen dual turrets fitted with the HPL-400, Eight Dual Turrets fitted with the RPL-247Optional Armaments: four triple-barreled 178-millimeter photon artillery turrets or two Flak Projector Turrets and two Surface to Air Photon Missile Batteries
Armor Belt: 4.2 Meters Overlord Plating
Top Speed: 60 knots submerged, 54 surfaced/ 40 KPH
Propulsion System: 6 Heavy Titan legs using electro-fusion motor systems and antigrav generators/ twin Hydropulse Detonation engines
Crew: 60
Max Passengers: 200
The Scorpion is a massive heavy combat walker measuring eighty-five meters long. Often used to establish beachheads, deny enemy air assets or bombard enemy positions from range with a battery of heavy artillery, these expensive war machines can easily change the course of a battle. The 178 millimeter cannons can also be used to hit targets in low orbit, and so can the HPL-1501 heavy particle lance which is a pseudo-beam weapon. It fires a sustained pulse that lasts seven-tenths of a second, and takes five point three seconds to recharge for the next shot. That allows the weapon to fire ten times in a minute. The HPL-1501 is extremely lethal, able to do serious damage to frigates, and heavy walkers, and can outright vaporize most tanks.
Due to the extra power her fusion generators provide, the Scorpion’s artillery cannons can hit greater velocities than the ones on the Lancer and have slightly greater range. Recharging every five seconds compared to seven. With an effective range envelope of 525 kilometers for bombardment and longer for anti-orbital purposes.
The RPL-1271 is a slow-firing firing high-yield weapon for use against tanks and other combat walkers. It fires a pulse every six seconds and can destroy most tanks in a single hit. The weapon is notably weaker than the main cannon in the tail and with shorter range.
The Scorpion is also notable for having the space to carry an entire company of marines within its hull, in addition to the crew. A feature most useful during orbital combat drops, where the marines can be safely ensconced in the armored hull when it drops from orbit. Upon landing they can then disembark onto the surface. Note the walker is usually dropped into an ocean, and must first make a beachhead before they can deploy.