vietmyke

Breaking Point

1st Lieutenant Ingram Shaw

1st Lieutenant Ingram Shaw

Age: 27
Sex: Male
Profession: Walker Pilot
Rank:1st Lieutenant O-2

Personality:
Cool and level headed, yet confident and daring, Ingram is a the personification of a career pilot. A generally good natured man with strong feelings of camaraderie towards teammates, Ingram is fairly friendly, though not the most outspoken. He pushes and competes with his team with a combination of casual boasting and jabs, but is all business with a splash of sarcasm when on a mission. Prideful and loyal, Ingram cares little for politics and regulations and puts the survivablity of himself and his team above all else. While not short tempered, Ingram can be explosive when properly riled up, and can make brash decisions during these times. Casually boastful of his abilities, Ingram has a can-do attitude towards most tasks, but like most hotshot pilots, occasionally bites off more than he can chew and has a tendency to be overconfident.

Skills:
An aerospace pilot through and through, Ingram is an excellent fighter pilot, being awarded an ace while in the Aerospace Corps with 23 confirmed kills to his name.

Weakness:
Like many pilots- especially aerospace pilots, Ingram has a tendency for overconfidence, and is almost too sure of himself. Also, as a recent transfer into the Walker Corps from the Aerospace branch, his experience with the bipedal form of his walker is relatively limited.

History:
A Fed AW pilot, Ingram Shaw is the youngest of three, and heir to the Shaw Industries, a rather prominent name as the designer and producer of a variety of ship based weapon systems, as well as a small dabbling in Walker technology. Though the youngest, Ingram, much like his older siblings had a fairly rigid childhood, their parents seeing their lives fit to control however they well pleased. The Shaw children were taught at the most prestigious private schools, and given extensive private tutoring. Though the quietest of his siblings, Ingram's relatively warm demeanor and youth always served to bring people to his side. From birth it was known that Ingram wouldn't be the one to inherit the family business, not with two older siblings. Instead, he was to choose between a career in politics, or in the military. Being a young impressionable child born in close proximity to military personnel- due to the contractor status of their family, and raised with stories of heroic pilots, Ingram chose the later.

Ingram earned excellent grades in school, and quite easily received a scholarship to the Virginia Military Institute, one of the oldest and most, if not the most decorated military academies in the Sol System. The Virginia Military Institute was an extremely competitive place, success in this academy meant you were destined for greatness in military service as a true commander of the military. Failure, or even mediocrity meant you would find yourself in vitally important, but utterly boring staff and support positions. Ingram proved that he had what it took and more time and time again. Scoring high on aptitude tests, Ingram was given his choice between pursuing service as a Naval officer aboard combat vessels, or joining the Federation's Aerospace Corps- a military occupation with one of the highest washout rates of the Federation military. He chose the latter.

Put through rigorous physical and mental training, Ingram showed he was able of tactical thinking, leading his class-unit to the top during competitive field training exercises. Pitted against instructors and other teams of students, Ingram and his unit competed in simulated wargames, training them in both in-atmo and space combat tactics. Graduating near the top of his class, Ingram was inducted into the 101st Aerospace Squadron at the age of 21.

A capable and talented aerospace pilot, Ingram started his career with moderate success, but wouldn't receive any particular noteriety until 83 CE during the 'Siege of Cerol'. During a pirate raid on a remote lunar city, three transliners full of civilian passengers were taken hostage, their attack catching the Federation garrison with its pants down. Responding to a call for aid, the 101st Aerospace Squadron was scrambled and deployed to the moon to support the Fed garrison in rescuing the civilians and driving off the pirate forces. During the battle, Ingram's squadron leader was shot down as they were swarmed by large numbers of pirate fliers. Managing to rally the remains of his squadron, Ingram would regroup with the depleted garrison squadron and lead them on a counter offensive, their force managing to take down a pair pirate ships and a half dozen enemy fighters before the raiders gave up the ghost and committed to a retreat. In the aftermath of the battle, Ingram and his surviving squadron members were awarded commendations for valor.

Picked out for his stellar performance records, Ingram was handpicked by General Adrian Hall to join the Federation's experimental AW Raptor program. Integrating into the Walker Corps was a challenging, but fairly smooth process. Ingram has been recently transferred to Horizon.

Equipment: Ingram still owns and wears his 101st Squadron bomber jacket, though the Walker Corps patch has also been stitched into the opposite shoulder. In addition, Ingram typically carries an L7-S pistol, a carton of cigarettes as well as a pilot's survival kit and gear.

FAW-022 Raptor, Designation: Sparrowhawk

FAW-022 Raptor Custom, 'Sparrowhawk'

Base Model: FAW-022 Raptor
Designation: Sparrowhawk
Appearance:
Sleek and aggressive, the Sparrowhawk shares the appearance of the standard FAW-022 Raptor, with its main difference being the presence of additional upscaled thrusters for increased airspeed and mobility. Cosmetic difference include white and orange panels as opposed to the standard 'Federation grey' of most Raptors. While in its walker form, wings and nose of the fighter form are stored in the back, with its thrusters positioned to allow for enhanced mobility while on the ground. A personal touch made by Ingram is a modification to the cranial unit: a retracting visor that gives the head unit the appearance of a knight's helmet- to protect the sensitive cranial sensors of course.

Armaments:

• GAU-11 50mm Rotary Autocannon - The standard armament of the FAW-022 Raptor is the menacing GAU-11 Rotary Autocannon. Mounted in a detachable gun pod centerline underneath the aircraft, the 7-barreled GAU-11 delivers a precise, withering hail of API-DU (Armor Piercing Incendiary, Depleted Uranium) shells at their target at a rate of 4,200 rounds per minute. With a 1,400 round combat load, the FAW-022 carries enough ammunition for 10 2-second trigger pulls. While in its bipedal form, the fire rate can be toggled to a more manageable 2,100 rounds per minute, allowing pilots to better conserve ammunition. Two additional gun pod magazines are typically stored in the legs of the walker. The end of the barrel can deploy a H4 Heatknife in close quarters.
• FAW-022 Light Combat Shield - A section of the Raptor's fuselage in its aircraft configuration is converted into a small arm mounted shield, providing the Raptor with a modest but narrow degree of defensive coverage while in its bipedal mode. The shield can shift down so the 'point' of the combat shield extends a bit past the hand actuators and in a pinch be used as an emergency melee weapon.
• G-161/A Vulcan - Mounted to the right side of the FAW-022's cranial unit is a six barreled 20mm vulcan for anti-personnel and point defense duties. Firing 20mm shells from a 800 round internal magazine, this provides the FAW-022 with an effective, but limited source of point defense against enemy infantry, missiles and light vehicles while in bipedal mode. When in aircraft mode the cannon is located on the underside of the Raptor, offset to the left.
• Federation Ballistics H4 Heatknife x2 - The standard Federation issue combat heatknife. Ideal for close quarters when the 'continuum of force' has been reduced to hand to hand combat. For optimum performance, the leading edge, 'pointy end', should be applied to the enemy and thrust into vital regions. This should be repeated as necessary. One heatknife is stored in the hip, while another is stored within the GAU-11.
• GDOTS Advanced Countermeasure System - Designed to combat anti-air systems, the GDOTS ACS is a state of the art protection system designed to better protect the steep investment that is a FAW-022 Raptor. Alongside standard chaffe and flare launchers, the GDOTS ACS also includes a short range ECM pod and a counter-launcher- essentially a miniature missile launcher, that detects oncoming heat signatures and launches guided munitions to counter and neutralize the oncoming threat.
  

  ---

• Variable Missile Launcher System - Each of the Valkyrie's wings hold two hardpoints from which to launch munitions from, along with a hardpoint within a small munitions bay in the side fuselages, and two in the main bay within the fuselage- for a total of 8 hardpoints. The missiles vary and can be swapped out as the mission entails. Of its 8 hardpoints, only the two in the side fuselages can be used while in bipedal form.
  • AIM-150X Serpent Missiles - A common, but effective short-range missile launcher system used by the FAW-022. Loaded in clusters of 3 missiles per hardpoint, these fast, highly maneuverable AA missiles pack a surprising punch, able to make sharp turns, and capable of knocking most aircraft out of the sky with a single missile. Like most short range missiles, the AIM-150X uses a continuous rod warhead as opposed to a traditional explosive charge- expelling steel rods in a wide circle upon detonating, effecitvely tearing aircraft apart. While not particularly devastating when compared to an AGM, these fast locking guided missiles are more than capable of crippling an aircraft's flight capabilities, essentially spelling death for other fliers. Against ground targets, it is rather lackluster in damage when compared to other heavier missiles as a result of its type of charge, but is still serviceable against soft targets. Serpent Missiles are impact safe, allowing them to be safely carried under the wings.
  • AIM-210 Copperhead Missiles - An advanced long ranged missile system designed to be used from beyond visual range used by the FAW-022. Loaded as a single missile per hardpoint, these long range missiles lack the maneuverability of their smaller cousins, but are faster and more powerful. Easily capable of downing an Aerospace craft in a single hit- even a near miss can cripple a fighter. While its explosive charge is potent and can be used against ground targets, the lack of a shaped charge and a means to penetrate armor renders it ineffective against hardened ground targets. Copperhead missiles are impact safe, allowing them to be safely carried under the wings.
  • AIM-240/B Cobra Missiles - A robust Air-to-ground missile launcher system used by the FAW-022. Loaded as a single missile per hardpoint, these powerful AGM missiles pack a mean punch and are designed specifically for targeting ground armor, enemy walkers and other ground based assets. Like Serpent missiles, the Cobras are impact safe, allowing them to be safely carried under the wings.
  • H-770 Python ground attack rockets - A simple, yet effective air-to-ground dumbfire rocket system used by the FAW-022. Loaded as a hexagonal launcher sporting 12 rockets per hardpoints, these unguided rockets are designed to overwhelm enemy positions and defenses, softening them up for allies on the ground. While the explosive charge they carry is not enough to penetrate through modern armor, the rockets are still capable of disrupting or destroying external support systems, and even compromising said armor through continuous fire. The these rockets are impact safe, allowing them to be safely carried under the wings.
  • AIM-99 Hornet Swarm Missiles A limited deployment swarm missile system used by the FAW-022. Loaded in a launcher unit sporting four missiles per hadrpoint, these short ranged, multi-purpose missiles are designed for a wide variety of targets, with varying effectiveness. The hornet missile is a high speed, highly maneuverable missile that splits into 4 micro-missiles upon reaching .5km of the target. These micro missiles fly in an erratic pattern, to avoid and confuse active point defense systems. The speed and number of the micro-missiles typically guarantees at least one or two of the warheads hit when faced with most traditional countermeasures- but is not infallible. Each individual warhead is has approximately 30% of the destructive force of a Copperhead or Cobra missile, and sports a small shaped charge and a tungsten penetrator. Like it's cousins, hornet missiles are impact safe while not in use.
  • A92X Javelin Pile Bunker - A modern day take on the traditional medieval knight's lance, this experimental weapon delivers potent, one use power to a single AW. Loaded on one of the wing hardpoints in place of a missile, the A92X is a multi-part pile bunker consisting of three main parts. The primary part is the lance tip itself, which consists of a superdense alloy tip with a bursting charge meant to penetrate armor. The main part is the lance head itself, which consists of a shaped explosive charge detonating shortly after penetration from the lance head itself. The final part of the Pile Bunker is the resuable lance handle, which serves as a base for additional lance hafts to be attached to.

Weakness: Like its bretheren, the Sparrowhawk is lightly armored compared to other types of Arsenal Walkers, and relies on its speed and mobility to prevent damage.
Pilot(s): Ingram Shaw

Breaking Point

Nah, I'm okay with a covered gun pod, I just don't want it to look like a plain tube.

something like this one's gun fits the bill better with what I had in mind. Also, the shield is about what I envision for the Raptor too

Hider

and yeah if thats the case, I hope Raptors at least are more durable than modern day fightercraft. Or maybe have some EM jammers to fuck with the targeting somewhat, idk.

Breaking Point

@vietmyke 20mm does seem to be on the heavier side of general purpose, but it's just big enough to squeeze in AMS viability. need to crunch some numbers on head size to see what kind of space AWs have for guns.

GAU-8 is an absolute beast. Warthog besthog. Though, if your Raptor Custom has something that big, where does it go when it converts to walker form? does it unclip and act like a handheld weapon? does it replace an arm like Airmech's Warthog?

One problem with just flat increases to round size is that the power increase isn't linear. 3 50mm rounds won't come close to a single 150mm. I'd say 100mm is about as big as any unmounted FAW weapon can ever hope to be. and round size would depend on a weapon's role.
spray'n'pray? 35mm.
controlled burst? 40-50mm.
marksman? 55-65mm.
anything over would edge into sniper/Anti-Vehicle territory based on space-combat against opposed fleets. This is all for slug-thrower rifles though.

Mobility is king. Tanks are common because they're efficient at carrying big loads and putting big slugs down range, but air superiority is more important. with a tank that walks upright and stands at 17m like the Scout, you go from around 5km view range to the horizon, all the way to 14.7km. 3x longer sight lines and high maneuverability on the ground makes you a bigger threat and less threatened because you can see them coming, and threaten them sooner. also maximum traverse is better on a mech than a tank.

Maybe AWs are equally durable, maybe more, can't really tell yet.

@ArmorPlated

So I took a page from Macross/Robotech, and their whole shtick is fighter jets that transform into humanoid mechs, and have the gun placed in a removable 'gun pod' placed underneath the aircraft, which is then removed and held like an assault rifle when in its humanoid shape.

image referennces

So in the fighter jet mode, you can see that gray tube thing underneath the aircraft- that's the Valkyrie's primary weapon, a 55mm triple barreled gatling gun placed inside a gun pod.

And here is the Valkyrie in its humanoid configuration, the gunpod is removed and held like a rifle.

The Raptor's probably doesn't stick out of the fuselage quite as much (and preferably isn't as plane jane and round looking), but thats the concept behind the way it works. Also, the Sparrowhawk is 'technically' a custom, but I wanted to portray it as essentially the stock Raptor with some color modifications, and maybe a bit of thruster tweaks.

And regarding weapons, you also have to put into account changes in weapon technology, perhaps they're using better penetrators, denser cores, more efficient incendiaries, idk who knows.

Also I assume we'll be taking some creative storytelling liberties when it comes to combat, because though its realistic, just sitting out of visual or just inside visual range and shelling targets from kilometers away with even the lighter weapons doesn't sound incredibly exciting. I get the feeling people want to mix it up in melee and the mecha equivalent of 'CQC' range.

Breaking Point

Now that that's done, any players want to try to pin down barrel sizes so we have a guide to go by if we want a boomstick or a peashooter?

@ArmorPlated

I'm down, I have a couple thoughts on the topic myself.

Seems to me most people seem to be using 20mm as the standard for anti infantry/light vehicle work and point defense, which makes sense because many nato vessels use 20mm Vulcans for their close in work and point defense, but given the size of a Naval ship compared to an Arsenal Walker, I'd wager that's a bit high on the armament scale, especially given its weight and the weight of their primary weapons systems.

I personally think it's a bit on the high end (which is why I put my sparrowhawk's pd weapon at a rifle caliber) and also a bit overkill to be used for soft targets like infantry and light vehicles. I'd suggest scaling down to a 7.62 or a .50 Cal.

For other weapons, I tend to just take modern day equivalents and scale it up a little because future tech. Ie my sparrowhawk uses a GAU-11, which is based off the modern day GAU-8, which is a 30mm Vulcan that makes the brrrrt sound that A-10s are famous for. So since it's the future, I scaled it up to 35mm

I guess in the terms of this world, I'd consider something like 35mm to be a 'low' caliber weapon.

Since it would make the most sense for Federation units to use similar ammunition, perhaps a 60mm shell for 'rifle' style weapons and a 150mm shell for the rail guns and heavier weaponry? Or if that seems a bit on the high side, scale it down to like 120mm?

I guess the power scale also depends on how quick AWs are taken down with conventional weapons. I assume the warriors are capable of taking at least one tank shell to the chest, otherwise why wouldnt they just stick to tanks?- tanks have a shorter profile and I imagine easier to train for, and are pretty mobile.

Walkers I guess also have the advantage of being able to function in space, but I assume the armor of a standard Walker is armored enough to take some amount of heavy fire.

Breaking Point

Also, unsure if this was already asked, but how do walkers organize and operate? Do we operate similar to modern day armor companies? Combined arms approach like today's mechanized infantry? Do we operate alongside traditional tanks and jets or are do we operate on our own?

Questions pertaining to Raptors specifically, the walker mode is incapable of flight, so when we change mid battle I assume we slow down and go close to ground before changing but how does walker to fighter work? Do the walker forms move fast enough to jump and perform short takeoffs without a dedicated runway? Or are they VTOL capable?

Breaking Point

@Krayzikk Walker and pilot are ready for review at your leisure mon capitan.

Breaking Point

edit: Aaannd done
sorry if I presumed too much about the 'standard' FAW-022, but in my head I imagined them to be a combination of the advanced avionics and mobility of the F-22 Raptor (which I assume they were named after), and the BRRRRRRRRTTT of an A-10 Warthog

1st Lieutenant Ingram Shaw

1st Lieutenant Ingram Shaw

Age: 27
Sex: Male
Profession: Walker Pilot
Rank:1st Lieutenant O-2

Personality:
Cool and level headed, yet confident and daring, Ingram is a the personification of a career pilot. A generally good natured man with strong feelings of camaraderie towards teammates, Ingram is fairly friendly, though not the most outspoken. He pushes and competes with his team with a combination of casual boasting and jabs, but is all business with a splash of sarcasm when on a mission. Prideful and loyal, Ingram cares little for politics and regulations and puts the survivablity of himself and his team above all else. While not short tempered, Ingram can be explosive when properly riled up, and can make brash decisions during these times. Casually boastful of his abilities, Ingram has a can-do attitude towards most tasks, but like most hotshot pilots, occasionally bites off more than he can chew and has a tendency to be overconfident.

Skills:
An aerospace pilot through and through, Ingram is an excellent fighter pilot, being awarded an ace while in the Aerospace Corps with 23 confirmed kills to his name.

Weakness:
Like many pilots- especially aerospace pilots, Ingram has a tendency for overconfidence, and is almost too sure of himself. Also, as a recent transfer into the Walker Corps from the Aerospace branch, his experience with the bipedal form of his walker is relatively limited.

History:
A Fed AW pilot, Ingram Shaw is the youngest of three, and heir to the Shaw Industries, a rather prominent name as the designer and producer of a variety of ship based weapon systems, as well as a small dabbling in Walker technology. Though the youngest, Ingram, much like his older siblings had a fairly rigid childhood, their parents seeing their lives fit to control however they well pleased. The Shaw children were taught at the most prestigious private schools, and given extensive private tutoring. Though the quietest of his siblings, Ingram's relatively warm demeanor and youth always served to bring people to his side. From birth it was known that Ingram wouldn't be the one to inherit the family business, not with two older siblings. Instead, he was to choose between a career in politics, or in the military. Being a young impressionable child born in close proximity to military personnel- due to the contractor status of their family, and raised with stories of heroic pilots, Ingram chose the later.

Ingram earned excellent grades in school, and quite easily received a scholarship to the Virginia Military Institute, one of the oldest and most, if not the most decorated military academies in the Sol System. The Virginia Military Institute was an extremely competitive place, success in this academy meant you were destined for greatness in military service as a true commander of the military. Failure, or even mediocrity meant you would find yourself in vitally important, but utterly boring staff and support positions. Ingram proved that he had what it took and more time and time again. Scoring high on aptitude tests, Ingram was given his choice between pursuing service as a Naval officer aboard combat vessels, or joining the Federation's Aerospace Corps- a military occupation with one of the highest washout rates of the Federation military. He chose the latter.

Put through rigorous physical and mental training, Ingram showed he was able of tactical thinking, leading his class-unit to the top during competitive field training exercises. Pitted against instructors and other teams of students, Ingram and his unit competed in simulated wargames, training them in both in-atmo and space combat tactics. Graduating near the top of his class, Ingram was inducted into the 101st Aerospace Squadron at the age of 21.

A capable and talented aerospace pilot, Ingram started his career with moderate success, but wouldn't receive any particular noteriety until 83 CE during the 'Siege of Cerol'. During a pirate raid on a remote lunar city, three transliners full of civilian passengers were taken hostage, their attack catching the Federation garrison with its pants down. Responding to a call for aid, the 101st Aerospace Squadron was scrambled and deployed to the moon to support the Fed garrison in rescuing the civilians and driving off the pirate forces. During the battle, Ingram's squadron leader was shot down as they were swarmed by large numbers of pirate fliers. Managing to rally the remains of his squadron, Ingram would regroup with the depleted garrison squadron and lead them on a counter offensive, their force managing to take down 4 pirate ships and a dozen enemy fighters before the raiders gave up the ghost and committed to a retreat. In the aftermath of the battle, Ingram and his surviving squadron members were awarded commendations for valor. With the 101st Squadron mostly depleted, it would later be dissolved and the remnants of Ingram's squadron were reintegrated into other Federation squadrons.

Picked out for his stellar performance records, Ingram was handpicked by General Adrian Hall to join the Federation's experimental AW Raptor program. Integrating into the Walker Corps was a challenging, but fairly smooth process. Ingram has been recently transferred to Horizon.

Equipment: Ingram still owns and wears his 101st Squadron bomber jacket, though the Walker Corps patch has also been stitched into the opposite shoulder. In addition, Ingram typically carries an L7-S pistol, a carton of cigarettes as well as a pilot's survival kit and gear.

FAW-022 Raptor, Designation: Sparrowhawk

FAW-022 Raptor Custom, 'Sparrowhawk'

Base Model: FAW-022 Raptor
Designation: Sparrowhawk
Appearance:
Sleek and aggressive, the Sparrowhawk shares the appearance of the standard FAW-022 Raptor, with its main difference being the presence of additional upscaled thrusters for increased airspeed and mobility. Cosmetic difference include white and orange panels as opposed to the standard 'Federation grey' of most Raptors. While in its walker form, wings and nose of the fighter form are stored in the back, with its thrusters positioned to allow for enhanced mobility while on the ground. A personal touch made by Ingram is a modification to the cranial unit: a retracting visor that gives the head unit the appearance of a knight's helmet- to protect the sensitive cranial sensors of course.

Armaments:

• GAU-11 50mm Rotary Autocannon - The standard armament of the FAW-022 Raptor is the menacing GAU-11 Rotary Autocannon. Mounted in a detachable gun pod centerline underneath the aircraft, the 7-barreled GAU-11 delivers a precise, withering hail of API-DU (Armor Piercing Incendiary, Depleted Uranium) shells at their target at a rate of 4,200 rounds per minute. With a 1,400 round combat load, the FAW-022 carries enough ammunition for 10 2-second trigger pulls. While in its bipedal form, the fire rate can be toggled to a more manageable 2,100 rounds per minute, allowing pilots to better conserve ammunition. Two additional gun pod magazines are typically stored in the legs of the walker.
• FAW-022 Light Combat Shield - A section of the Raptor's fuselage in its aircraft configuration is converted into a small arm mounted shield, providing the Raptor with a modest but narrow degree of defensive coverage while in its bipedal mode. The shield can shift down so the 'point' of the combat shield extends a bit past the hand actuators and in a pinch be used as an emergency melee weapon.
• G-161/A Vulcan - Mounted to the right side of the FAW-022's cranial unit is a six barreled 20mm vulcan for anti-personnel and point defense duties. Firing 20mm shells from a 800 round internal magazine, this provides the FAW-022 with an effective, but limited source of point defense against enemy infantry, missiles and light vehicles while in bipedal mode.
• Federation Ballistics H6S Excalibur Heatsword - The standard Federation issue heat-sword. Ideal for close quarters when the 'continuum of force' has been reduced to hand to hand combat. For optimum performance, the leading edge, 'pointy end', should be applied to the enemy and thrust into vital regions. This should be repeated as necessary.
• GDOTS Advanced Countermeasure System - Designed to combat anti-air systems, the GDOTS ACS is a state of the art protection system designed to better protect the steep investment that is a FAW-022 Raptor. Alongside standard chaffe and flare launchers, the GDOTS ACS also includes a short range ECM pod and a counter-launcher- essentially a miniature missile launcher, that detects oncoming heat signatures and launches guided munitions to counter and neutralize the oncoming threat.
  

  ---

• Variable Missile Launcher System - Each of the Valkyrie's wings hold two hardpoints from which to launch munitions from, along with a hardpoint within a small munitions bay in the side fuselages, and two in the main bay within the fuselage- for a total of 8 hardpoints. The missiles vary and can be swapped out as the mission entails. Of its 8 hardpoints, only the two in the side fuselages can be used while in bipedal form.
  • AIM-150X Serpent Missiles - A common, but effective short-range missile launcher system used by the FAW-022. Loaded in clusters of 3 missiles per hardpoint, these fast, highly maneuverable AA missiles pack a surprising punch, able to make sharp turns, and capable of knocking most aircraft out of the sky with a single missile. Like most short range missiles, the AIM-150X uses a continuous rod warhead as opposed to a traditional explosive charge- expelling steel rods in a wide circle upon detonating, effecitvely tearing aircraft apart. While not particularly devastating when compared to an AGM, these fast locking guided missiles are more than capable of crippling an aircraft's flight capabilities, essentially spelling death for other fliers. Against ground targets, it is rather lackluster in damage when compared to other heavier missiles as a result of its type of charge, but is still serviceable against soft targets. Serpent Missiles are impact safe, allowing them to be safely carried under the wings.
  • AIM-210 Copperhead Missiles - An advanced long ranged missile system designed to be used from beyond visual range used by the FAW-022. Loaded as a single missile per hardpoint, these long range missiles lack the maneuverability of their smaller cousins, but are faster and more powerful. Easily capable of downing an Aerospace craft in a single hit- even a near miss can cripple a fighter. While its explosive charge is potent and can be used against ground targets, the lack of a shaped charge and a means to penetrate armor renders it ineffective against hardened ground targets. Copperhead missiles are impact safe, allowing them to be safely carried under the wings.
  • AIM-240/B Cobra Missiles - A robust Air-to-ground missile launcher system used by the FAW-022. Loaded as a single missile per hardpoint, these powerful AGM missiles pack a mean punch and are designed specifically for targeting ground armor, enemy walkers and other ground based assets. Like Serpent missiles, the Cobras are impact safe, allowing them to be safely carried under the wings.
  • H-770 Python ground attack rockets - A simple, yet effective air-to-ground dumbfire rocket system used by the FAW-022. Loaded as a hexagonal launcher sporting 12 rockets per hardpoints, these unguided rockets are designed to overwhelm enemy positions and defenses, softening them up for allies on the ground. While the explosive charge they carry is not enough to penetrate through modern armor, the rockets are still capable of disrupting or destroying external support systems, and even compromising said armor through continuous fire. The these rockets are impact safe, allowing them to be safely carried under the wings.
  • AIM-99 Hornet Swarm Missiles A limited deployment swarm missile system used by the FAW-022. Loaded in a launcher unit sporting four missiles per hadrpoint, these short ranged, multi-purpose missiles are designed for a wide variety of targets, with varying effectiveness. The hornet missile is a high speed, highly maneuverable missile that splits into 4 micro-missiles upon reaching .5km of the target. These micro missiles fly in an erratic pattern, to avoid and confuse active point defense systems. The speed and number of the micro-missiles typically guarantees at least one or two of the warheads hit when faced with most traditional countermeasures- but is not infallible. Each individual warhead is has approximately 30% of the destructive force of a Copperhead or Cobra missile, and sports a small shaped charge and a tungsten penetrator. Like it's cousins, hornet missiles are impact safe while not in use.

Weakness: Like its bretheren, the Sparrowhawk is lightly armored compared to other types of Arsenal Walkers, and relies on its speed and mobility to prevent damage.
Pilot(s): Ingram Shaw

Breaking Point

@ArmorPlated I concur, I dont think people realize how big 20mm autocannons are. Thats the stuff they put on IFVs, or as a primary cannon for modern day fighter jets. That shit tears apart vehicles, nevermind what it does to the people inside them. Probably won't kill a tank- if you hit it dead on from the front anyway, but other IFVs, fighter jets, humvee equivalents? They're going down like people sliding into your DMs.

Also hi, interested and writing a character application

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

Sorry that took so long! Helping to prepare for/organize a funeral- a lot more effort than I thought it would be.

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

_{Written by Lovejoy and Vietmyke}

The ramahk's bobbed in regular intervals as the two Inquisitors made their way down the Elder mountain. Had they not been heading off to battle, Galahad would've almost welcomed this excursion. The quiet, cool air around them, the familiar scents and scenery, these subtle reminders of the home that was no longer theirs only served to sour Galahad's mood and that sense of longing he had for so long been able to suppress. Coming home was a bad idea, all it had brought them was trouble- Tatiana's father, the demons in the glacier, his own reunion with his family, he would've been better off being ignorant to all of it. But alas ignorance was never Galahad's way, and he contented himself with brooding as his fist clenched and relaxed around the reins of his mount.

Tatiana was abnormally quiet during their travel- though given the recent circumstances he couldn't quite blame her. Galahad himself was never one for idle conversation, and generally fell into the role of a quiet companion for most trips. Only when the silence was too much, too awkward to bear did Galahad finally open his mouth to break the silence, but before he could say anything, Tatiana spoke first.

"Are you scar—" she started before catching herself and rephrasing the question, "Are you nervous?"

At this, Galahad chuckled, it was odd- the idea of a man as serious as Galahad chuckling, but in the company of just Tatiana or Ragnar, Galahad was always more casual, more open- to a moderate degree anyway.

"Scared?" he said, completing the question that Tatiana hadn't fully asked. "Believe it or not, there are many things I fear: That I'll fall before I reach my full potential, or before I finally have the answers to the questions I've asked my whole life, that the years of training we've been through at the Seminary will fail me in our first true battle, that I'll be unable to protect you or the rest of the members of our warband."

He paused for a moment, "But I know these demons are but a stepping stone on my path to glory. And though my formidable prowess at current may not be enough alone, that's why I have you- and though I may worry for your safety, that's why you have your demon. I will be the greatest mage this world has ever witnessed, and I will not die before I've made my mark on this world, of that I am certain."

"Am I scared? Perhaps. Am I nervous? No."

They rode on for another moment before Galahad spoke up again.

"Though if you ever tell the others that I have admitted to feeling fear, I will hunt you down."

---

As Galahad and Tatiana arrived at the Circle keep, he couldn't help but frown as he saw that forces they had at their disposal. Aside from Elisheva, there were less than thirty shivering conscripts among them, rifles in hand and packs on their back. A paltry force at best if the threat was as credible as they said it was. As they stepped into the armory, Galahad helped himself to a generous number of ether vials- he had more need of it than the garrison did. Alongside the ether vials, Galahad found a box of ammunition that matched that of the gun attached to his saber, and pulled a dulled breastplate over his chest.

Astrea and Cillian met them in the armory not long after, Galahad nodded towards Cillian, then to Astrea. He had words for her, but they were not for here or now. Instead, he waited as they armed and armored themselves.

"Father Galahad, Mother Tatiana, may I have a word?" Cillian called out. He was sitting down on one of the benches.

"Neither Elisheva nor myself were the warleaders of our warbands. Elisheva is our senior, but she is more a soldier than a tactician. She will differ to you during this operation. As will I," he said, staring intently at Galahad.

Galahad merely nodded to him as he explained his knowledge on the demons so far. Elisheva also chimed in at this point. "The demons themselves are not that hard to kill- sustained rifle fire from our conscripts can down them, and their armor seems to only exist for ornamental purposes, for it is weak against powerful melee attacks. The main issue is that there are so damn many of them, and that once they close the gap, they can be extremely deadly. Their wings can easily rend through limb and armor, and they are faster than most inquisitors I've seen. I recommend that we augment our own agility with ether, or we will be in for a great deal of trouble."

Galahad remained silent as Cillian asked for their thoughts, taking all of the knowledge known thus far into his mind to form his own battle strategies. In his place, Astrea and Tatiana both offered their own preferences for their deployment. Galahad merely nodded in acknowledgement, he would not make a plan before seeing the force the enemy had to bring at them.

After their short discourse, they proceeded to board the transport ship to the Black Glacier. The trip was quiet, as conscripts in the main hold whispered to themselves and checked their weapons over and over. Galahad and the other Inquisitors sat in the main hold slightly separated from the conscripts themselves. They went through many of the same actions, Elisheva checked her weapons for signs of damage, and Astrea clutched at her spear moving in slow circular motions to get her bearings. Galahad himself drew his own blade and loaded it with rounds, holding it before him and testing its weight and balance.

A slow swing around himself and a flourish was all he needed, the blade felt perfect in his hand, an extension of his own body. His thumb traced the edges of the weapon, as he wondered how they could've made such a fitting weapon without his presence to test its weight to begin with.

"Father Galahad! Father Galahad!" came the voice of the ship's radio operator. His high pitched voice shattering the tense silence on the ship's hull. Turning, Galahad saw a rather portly young navy corpsman trot up to him with a pair of telegrams in hand.

"We've received two telegrammes-- both of them addressed to you. One arrived from the Seminary. The second was sent through a coded Lanostran channel, but directly to our vessel. I believe it was sent from one of the Lanostran ships on the other side of the blockade." the radio operator said breathlessly as he handed Galahad the two slips.

The telegram from the Seminary was monogrammed with the holy emblem of a blue moth- immediately recognizable as the emblem of Father Ragnar. Galahad smirked but pocketed the telegram. He didn't know what Ragnar wanted, but it could wait until after he'd won his battle. The second, from a Lanostran ship seemed much more pressing, and opening it up, Galahad recognized it as from Thanasis.

Young Galahad,

As per your wishes, we will not interfere in your Varyan business. As your former master, I only ask this of you. Avenge our T'saraen brothers. Gift them the vengeance that we could not.

Phaedra's ships will remain deadlocked against this pathetic blockade, but should you need a helping hand, we will not turn away from one of our own. Give the word and we will break through these Varyan ships and make sport of these demons.

May Your Blade Strike True,
General Thanasis

Galahad allowed himself a small smile, after all this time, it was... comforting to know that he could still depend on "his own" when he needed. It was nice to keep in mind, especially given that all he had at his disposal were a score and a half of conscripts. But they had himself, Tatiana and Astrea this time around, and they'd be just fine.

The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful. As they passed through the emerald light of the Lanostran aegis, the temperature dropped suddenly and all around them an inhuman cold was suddenly present, as if all the warmth within them was suddenly snuffed out. The unbearable cold only lasted for a split second, as Cillian summoned his Protector's aegis and their body temperature returns to more manageable- though still cold levels. As they neared the Glacier, they got a better look at the land before them: the ice slowly began to turn a dark color, strange black inky tendrils reaching out from the Glacier itself. That in and of itself wasn't surprising: it was what this place has looked like for as long as any Lanostran can remember, The only difference now was the Glacier itself. From their position a fair distance away, they could see the formerly crimson "veins" that ran throughout the Glacier glow a brilliant blue, pulsing like a heart. The blackened ice surrounding the strange monolith was stained with blood, and the Galahad could see the remains of those Elisheva and the survivors couldn't bring with them.

Spreading out from the north, Galahad spotted a line of four Varyan warships. This must have been the blockade that Master Thanasis spoke of, preventing native Lanostran ships from interfering with the Glacier.

"Say, why don't the warships just bombard the demons? Sounds better than sending us to deal with them." called out one of the conscripts, there was a sound of general agreement from many of the other conscripts before Elisheva cut in brusquely.

"Because, the cannon fire might damage the Glacier, and I can assure you that is something no one wants."

The conscript that spoke, a pale faced private grew even more pale and gulped, but otherwise returned to silence.

As the transport finally arrived as close as it could, Galahad and the others stepped out to see their foe with their own eyes. In front of the Glacier stood three squadrons of these winged-demons. They appeared almost beautiful in a way, not like the misshapen demons that the Glacier usually manifested, but rather like artistic sculptures carved from glass. Their faces were human in appearance, carved of ice, blank and expressionless, dark eyes peering into nothing. Their armor was glass and reflective, but cut in a strange ornamental style that looked almost alien Galahad and the others. Six massive wings, gossamer yet sharp like the edge of a blade, sprouted from their backs.

The seraphs stood at attention- eighteen seraphs in each of the squadrons. Behind them, three individual seraphs sat atop strange throne-like edificies. These seraphs were larger and more formidable than the others, and their armour more ornate. They were also the only seraphs wielding weapons. One of them held a massive broadsword, another wielded a tri-tipped spear, and the last clutched a greatbow, a quiver of frost-carved arrows on its back.

"Soldiers of Varya, hear me." Galahad spoke, while his voice lacked the bark of a commander, it held a gravitas and seriousness that one could only stop what they were doing and listen. "This battle must be quick and decisive. Drop your packs, and bring only your weapons, medicines and ammunition."

There was an echo of thuds as conscripts dropped their packs of nonessential supplies.

"They outnumber us, and to face them we must use the terrain and range to our advantage." He gestured towards a shallow ridge in the ice, that wound around the flank and led towards the left most squadron. "If we can force them to come at us from fewer directions, we will have the advantage."

"First and second squads will advance through the ridge, and will provide a base of fire, while the third squad will advance along the side of the ridge. Rifle fire from two angles will force these demons to take to the ground to engage us, neutralizing their flying advantage. Cillian will advance with the first and second squads, while Elisheva will lead the third squad along with the machinegunners from first and second squads. Rifle fire should be focused on those in the air- picking off Seraphs who refuse to come to ground and preventing any friendly fire. Be prepared for a melee, and stay alert, orders my change on a battlefield and I expect you all to heed my commands."

"Tatiana," Galahad addressed his younger companion, "You will advance with Elisheva, when enough Seraphs have been forced into the ridge you and your Terviclops will jump down and catch them in the flank."

"If she's gonna take the flank? Whose gonna secure the front?" asked one of the conscripts, raising a nervous hand.

"I will." Galahad replied with finality and a withering cold stare.

"Astrea," he said, turning to the remaining Inquisitor, who regarded him for a moment before straightening up slightly.

"With me."