AN: I apologize on the wait for an update to the main A Change of Fate story. I've been swamped with school-related problems so I haven't had as much time to type as I would like.

That being said, I decided (upon seeing a reviewer having a 'Codex Story') that I would just post the Codex in a story format (with its own 'thread'). It isn't that long though, since this was originally intended for my own use, and I had to modify it somewhat to actually fit a story format. There will be notes at the end of each chapter explaining my reasoning. For now though, on to the first entry!

UNSC/SGC Codex

Compiled by Dr. Catherine Halsey and Colonel Samantha Carter.

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Codex Entry One: UNSC

Weapon Systems:

Magnetic Accelerator Cannon (MAC): The main weapon on any given UNSC warship, even with the advent of new plasma and ion weaponry. Firing a depleted uranium shell, it is the only non-nuclear weapon that can reliably penetrate Covenant shielding.

(Note: Beginning with UNSC Pillar of Autumn the depleted uranium shell is being phased out in favor of a shell with a ferrous core and a tungsten carbide shell—Dr. Halsey)

The drawback to this weapon system is the large charge time, and the ability for a sufficiently agile opponent to dodge the shell. The pure power behind the weapon has secured its place however.

Goa'uld Staff (Plasma) Cannon: The first of the new weapon systems to be fitted on USNC warships, the Goa'uld Staff Cannon (generally referred to as a 'Plasma' Cannon by the UNSC, Forerunner and Covenant) is a fast firing and accurate weapon. Unlike Covenant Plasma Torpedoes, the Staff Cannon uses rapid-fire bolts of condensed plasma. This leads to a larger volume of fire, but the individual bolts are less powerful due to their smaller size and less power being routed to the weapon. After modifications by the AI Cortana, these weapons are a threat to all but the largest Covenant warships. More effective against shielding systems than hull armor.

Mark 2 Railgun: Only fitted on a handful of smaller warships, this is an improvement on the Railgun emplacements fitted to the USS Odyssey. Mostly used for point-defense against Covenant Seraph fighters, and their smaller Space Banshee counterparts.

Point-Defense Ion Gun: Fitted to larger UNSC ships, these are based on an obsolete Asgard design. Built on a smaller scale, the PD-Ion Gun is used for engaging enemy fighters and boarding craft. Due to its advanced design, it is able to destroy a Seraph fighter in a single solid hit.

Archer Missile: Standard UNSC ship-board missile system. Ineffective against Covenant shielding, but is capable of doing severe damaged to unshielded craft. Plans are in place to fit naquadah enhanced warheads, but this is on hold until a larger supply of the mineral can be found.

Defensive Systems:

Titanium-A Armor: The standard armor used on UNSC warships. Effective against lighter Covenant weaponry, and capable of at least slowing down Plasma Torpedoes.

(Note: On further review, this armor is believed to be more effective than the armor used on the Odyssey. Likely could take fire from Goa'uld weaponry—Colonel Carter)

Goa'uld Shield Grid: The first shield to be fitted on UNSC warships. A Type 1 shield system, it is effective against Covenant Plasma Torpedoes, however, Energy Projectors render it useless. Still provides greater survivability to UNSC warships than previously thought possible.

Point-Defense Grid: Defense against fighter craft and bombers. Generally made up of a mixture of UNSC-designed 50mm autocannons, SGC designed Railgun Mark II's, and modified Asgard Ion Guns.

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End Entry One.

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Redirect to Entry Two: The Covenant

AN: Now then, to explain some reasoning here. The MAC hasn't really changed, and the same can be said for the Archer missiles. But, I did do some work on Goa'uld weaponry. For instance, the fact I stubbornly stay away from any mention of firepower numbers. Why you may ask? Because firepower numbers and visuals are all over the bloody place. 200 megatons is the only 'hard' number we have on Goa'uld Staff Cannons. We don't see that high of firepower though, (of course, being beam weapons it wouldn't equate to a nuclear explosion like most people assume when they hear 'megaton') and even if we did, it would mean that it would be a case of the Goa'uld being able to curbstomp the Covenant, considering how low Halo's numbers are these days.

Thus, I am going to avoid using any 'hard' numbers for any weapons, to avoid canon debates. I will go more from visuals and observed effects, with some 'adjustments' here or there for story purposes.

That being said, the main reason I say Goa'uld weaponry is inferior to Covenant weaponry is, again, from observed effects. A Plasma Torpedo is capable of gutting a 500 meter long Frigate with a single shot. Compare to Wraith weaponry (closest to Goa'uld weaponry we see used on unshielded hulls without the ship already being damaged) which can't even take down a ship half that size before it can raise its shields (happens to the Daedalus (I believe) in Atlantis). This also ties into my 'more effective on shields than hull' bit. Goa'uld weaponry is perfectly capable of taking down even Asgard shields with enough concentrated firepower. But it has problems doing the same to heavily armored hulls in the same way the Covenant can.

See Anubis' (first) mothership. While the Staff Cannons on Ba'al's ships can punch clean through the ships hull easily enough, they can't cripple it in a single shot like a Plasma Torpedo could (given good targeting). Whereas a Plasma Torpedo needs more than one hit to get through a ship's shield, despite how effective it may be on armor. And oh boy, are they strong on armor. But that will be in the next chapter (which should be up right after this one). And don't worry, after the Forerunner (chapter 3) entry, I'll explain why I called Goa'uld shields 'Type 1'.