Gundam SEED: Witches of the Cosmic Era
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 1: Prologue
May 19th, CE 69
Orb Union, Onogoro Island
It was a sunny day in the Orb Union. The ocean waves were gently beating the beaches where numerous people had gathered for the day to enjoy the waves and soak up some sun as the temperature was a pleasant 87 degrees. In the cities, people were out and about on their daily business, either commuting to work or going shopping for various needs.
But underneath a fenced off building, things were not so simple.
In an underground room was a group of people wearing pilot suits gathered together for an announcement the likes of which the high commands of both the Earth Alliance and ZAFT would kill to overhear.
The first person was a girl who looked to be 20 years old and had long red hair that went down to the middle of her back, as well as auburn eyes. This person was Lieutenant Colonel Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke of the Orb Army, a First-Generation Coordinator who hailed from the Orb O'Neill Type 3 space colony Posnania in the Karlsland Cluster.
The second person was also a girl who was around 21 years old. She had long black hair that was tied in a ponytail that went down past her shoulders, and a pair of sharp brown eyes. This girl was Lieutenant Commander Mio Sakamoto of the Orb Spacy, a Second-Generation Coordinator who was born in the Orb space colony known as Saga in the Fuso Cluster.
The third person was a girl who looked to be around 19 years old, was sporting long blonde hair that was as long as Minna's, and a pair of golden-colored eyes. This girl was Lieutenant Junior Grade Pierrette-Henriette Clostermann of the Naval Militia, a First-Generation Coordinator who hailed from the Orb colony known as Paris in the Gallia Cluster who also went by the name Perrine.
The fourth person was a girl who looked to be around 20 years old. She had brown hair that was tied into small twin ponytails and had hazel colored eyes. This girl was First Lieutenant Gertrud Barkhorn of the Orb Marine Corps, a very rare Hybrid with a Natural mother and a Coordinator father who was born at the Orb space colony Berlin in the Karlsland Cluster who was also known as Trude to her friends.
The fifth person was another girl who appeared to be 19 years old who had short blonde hair, the tips of which were black, and had blue eyes. This girl was Second Lieutenant Erica Hartmann of the Orb Marine Corps, a rare Natural genius (although she usually didn't act like such) who, like Trude, hailed from the colony of Berlin in the Karlsland Cluster.
The sixth person was a young girl who looked to be only 16 years old, making her the youngest in the group. She had skin that was as white as snow, pale silver hair that was only slightly longer than Erica's, and a pair of emerald green eyes. This girl was Lieutenant Junior Grade Aleksandra Vladimirovna Litvyak of the Naval Militia, otherwise known as Sanya, a First-Generation Coordinator hailing from the Orb space colony Moscow in the Orussia Cluster.
The seventh person was yet another girl who appeared to be 18 years old. She had long silver hair that went down to the middle of her back and a pair of greyish-blue eyes. This girl was Ensign Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen of the Naval Militia, a Second-Generation Coordinator who was born at the Orb colony of Lieksa in the Suomus Cluster.
The eighth person was also a girl who was around 17 years old. She had her light brown hair tied into a braid that went down to the middle of her back as well as a pair of blue eyes. This girl was Sergeant Major Lynette Bishop of the Colonial Militia Guard, a Second-Generation Coordinator who has her origins in the Orb colony known as London in the Britannia cluster.
The ninth person was a girl who looked to be around 16 years old, making her tied with Sanya as the youngest of the group. She had short brown hair and a pair of hazel nut eyes. This girl was Ensign Yoshika Miyafuji Sahaku of the Orb Spacy, a Hybrid who was adopted by the Sahaku family at the age of six after her family was killed in a terrorist attack and had lived with them ever since, primarily at the satellite Ame No Mihashira.
The tenth person was another girl who looked to be around 20 years old. She had short black hair and a pair of blue eyes. This girl was First Lieutenant Kuroe Ayaka of the Orb Army, a Hybrid like Trude who hailed from the Orb homeland of Onogoro Island.
The eleventh and final person was standing in front of the gathered people. She too was a girl who appeared to be around 27 years old, possessing long black hair that went down to her lower back and a pair of teal colored eyes. This woman was Adolfine Galland, a Hybrid who is also the youngest person in the history of Orb to gain the title of Major General in the Orb Army who also hailed from the mainland like Kuroe.
"Listen up, everyone!" The Major General called out, getting the attention of the other ten girls quickly. "The ten of you, due to you all possessing the highest scores in the mobile suit combat simulations, have been chosen to be a part of a top secret operation."
Before Adolfine could go on, she saw Lynette raise her hand slightly. "Do you have a question, Sergeant Bishop?"
"Y-Yes…" Said Sergeant replied hesitantly before asking. "How were you able to create the simulators? Orb doesn't have mobile suits of its own…" The other nine girls nodded at this, as they too were curious as to how Orb did it.
"An excellent question." The Major General replied, internally impressed with one of her favorite girls present. "The answer to your question lies just beyond that door." Here, she pointed towards the door that was behind her. "But first, you must all swear to keep this as much as a secret as possible; you are not to tell anyone what you are about to see or hear, under penalty of death. Do I make myself clear?!"
The eleven girls hastily snapped a salute. "Y-Yes, Ma'am!" They didn't want to anger their superior officer after what they just heard.
Seeing this, Adolfine smirked. "Now then, follow me." With that, she turned around and opened the door, walking through it as the other ten girls followed her… only to be greeted with a sight that they never thought possible.
Mobile suits.
Twenty mobile suits were lined up against the wall of the underground hangar, and the girls were instantly able to identify three of them as ZAFT YMF-01B Proto GINNs. The other seventeen units, however, were completely different.
The first two looked more like tanks than proper mobile suits. The first unit sported the torso and arms of a proper mobile suit, but had the hull of a tank instead of a pair of legs. The head was in the shape of a canopy, and was equipped with two small red antennas behind the sensor array. Each arm ended with a 4-tube 40mm Bop Missile Launcher, and each shoulder was equipped with a 120mm Low-Recoil Cannon. The torso and tank hull were painted a dark blue, while the waist was painted dark red. (RX-75-4 Guntank)
The second unit looked largely similar to the first; however, there were several distinct differences. For starters, the shoulder-mounted 120mm cannons were replaced with a single 220mm Cannon mounted on the right torso, on top of which was a small sensor unit that could swivel in a 360-degree arc instead of a normal head unit. The arms were similar to the first unit's in terms of appearance, but the left arm was equipped with two 40mm Machine Guns and a Flamethrower and the right arm was armed with four 40mm Machine guns instead of the missile launchers the first unit was armed with. There was a second set of tracks in front of the hull that were tilted at 45 degrees, and the hull itself was armed with a 56-tube Rocket Launcher, a MLRS (Multi-Launch Rocket System), and a Heavy Mine Dispenser located on both sides of the caterpillar units and on the rear of the hull respectively. In addition to this, there were several Smoke Dischargers mounted on top of the torso and on the movable sensor unit. The unit was currently painted in a tan desert camouflage scheme. (RTX-440 Ground Assault Type Guntank)
The next two units looked more like proper mobile suits than the previous two. They both sported red armor and rounded shoulder joints as well as a white head equipped with a green visor and two antennas on the back of the head. On the shoulders of the first unit is a pair of 240mm Cannons while the second unit has a pair of 12-tube Spray Missile Launchers instead, and mounted in their heads were a pair of 60mm Vulcan Guns each. They were both equipped with shields mounted on their left arm, and while the first unit had an Assault Kalashnikov Rifle 12 (AKR-12) in its right hand, the second unit had a 9-tube "Fliegerhammer" Multi-Purpose Rocket Launcher instead. On their rear waist hardpoint is an XM82 Sniper Rifle for the first unit and an AKR-12 for the second unit. (RX-77-2 Guncannon)
The next three units were clearly of the same type. They utilized blocky armor instead of the rounded armor of the previous two units, but their color schemes were different from each other; the first unit utilized a black and white color scheme with some areas being red, the second unit utilized a white and blue color scheme with some areas being red and gold, and the third unit was colored gray and light purple. Their heads featured dual optical sensors instead of visors, and they were all equipped with a v-fin antenna on their foreheads. Their backpacks are also different from the previous units, as each is equipped with what appear to be two handles as well as four large thrusters instead of large cannons. Their heads are equipped with a pair of 60mm Vulcan Guns like the previous two units, and are also equipped with a large shield on their left arm. In the right hand of the first unit was the 140mm XM25 "Punisher" Launcher Rifle, while the second unit's right hand was holding onto the 45mm XM8 Gundam Assault Rifle, and the right hand of the third unit was holding onto the XM29 Gundam Modular Rifle, all three of which are prototype weapons. The rear waist hardpoint on each of these three units was left empty, while the hardpoint located in between the thrusters on the middle of the backpack was equipped with a single Hyper Bazooka each. (RX-78-1 Prototype Gundam, RX-78-2 Gundam, RX-78-3 Gundam "G-3")
The next four units looked remarkably similar to the previous three units. Their color scheme was primarily white and blue with some areas being red and gold, and they also featured the dual optical sensors and the v-fin antenna of the previous three units as well. Their heads lacked the built-in Vulcan Guns of the previous three units, and are instead equipped with a snorkel camera and a Vulcan Pod on the left side of the head and an enhanced communications package on the right. Their backpack consisted of an equipment rack flanked by a pair of thrusters that was currently equipped with a Weapon Container that could be loaded with a variety of weapons and ammunition. There is also a hardpoint on each of their shoulders for mounting additional equipment, a single small dust-proof container on each of their lower legs, and a single Vulcan Gun and Multi-Launcher in the left chest. Mounted on their left arms is a single shield each, and held in their right hands is an Assault Rifle X-160. (RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type)
The last six units looked remarkably like each other, with three of them bearing some resemblance to the previous four units. The first three have the same bulk as the previous four units, including the shoulder-mounted hardpoints and dust-proof containers on their lower legs. Their heads were simplified, featuring a single visor instead of dual optical sensors of the previous seven units, and also lacked the snorkel cameras, Vulcan Pods, and enhanced communications packages of the previous four units. They also lacked the chest-mounted Vulcan Guns and Multi-Launchers, and the equipment racks on their backpacks. Their bodies were painted light shade of brown, with their torsos and feet being orange. Mounted on their left arms is a single shield each, and held in their right hands is a Variable Heavy Specialist 2 Assault Rifle. (RGM-79 [G] GM Ground Type)
The next three of the last six units shared many of the characteristics of the previous three, but were slimmer and lacked the shoulder-mounted hardpoints and dust-proof containers on their lower legs, instead opting for what appeared to be a handle on the left side of their backpack, which featured a different thruster arrangement than the previous three units. The color palette is the same as the previous three units, but the light brown was replaced with a dull white and the orange was replaced with a deep red. Mounted on their left arms is a single shield each, and held in their right hands is a Variable Heavy Specialist 2 Assault Rifle. (RGM-79 [E] GM Early Type)
"GINNs… but what are the other units?" Erica asked.
A new voice spoke up in response. "Those units are the result of eleven months of reverse-engineering and simplifying the three ZAFT suits we were able to smuggle out of the PLANTs, under the codename 'Project Infinite Striker'." Walking towards them was a girl who looked to be around 19 years old. She looked exactly like Erica, with the exception of her glasses and Morgenroete R&D uniform. This girl was Ursula Hartmann, Erica's twin sister.
"Sister!" Erica exclaimed, running up to her and tackling her in a hug, which Ursula was glad to return.
"Allow me to introduce you to Ursula Hartmann, one of Morgenroete's top researchers and the twin sister of Erica Hartmann." Adolfine said as Ursula bowed dramatically in response after freeing herself from her sister's grasp.
"A pleasure." The scientist greeted.
Adolfine spoke up again. "Back to what I was saying before. The reason as to why the eleven of you have been selected for this operation is to gather both technical and combat data for Morgenroete to mass-produce mobile suits for Orb's use should a war break out and some idiot tries to drag our country into it." She explained, then gestured towards the suits. "The first two units are known as Guntanks, with the first one being a normal type configured for long to medium-range fire support and the second one being an assault type meant to break through enemy lines." She then pointed to the two humanoid units that were next to them. "The next two units are known as Guncannons. Like the Guntanks, they're designed with the fire support role in mind, although their cannons can be swapped out with MLRS units if the situation calls for it.
The next seven units were developed by Ursula herself under the code name 'Gundam'. The first three are primarily meant for space combat, but are capable of land operations should the situation call for it, while the latter four are dedicated ground-based units. These seven machines are armored in an alloy known as Luna Titanium, so their durability is significantly greater than the GINNs that ZAFT is producing.
The last six units are known as GMs, which stands for 'Gundam Mass-production type'. As their name suggests, these suits are simplified versions of the Gundams meant for mass-production, with the six units here being pre-production models meant to fine-tune the final design. The first three are ground types, while the other three are space types."
"Amazing…" Erica breathed, causing her sister to puff up in pride.
"Hold up a minute…" Minna said, catching the attention of the others. "What is this all about, anyway?"
"That is what I was about to tell you, but I'll get it out of the way now." Adolfine began. "As of this moment forward, you ten have been assigned to Orb's new black ops test team, the 13th Azad Task Force!"
Next Time: Colony Battle: Heliopolis Pt.1
A/N: This idea, originally presented to me from worldwanderer2.0, has been in the planning stage for a while now, and we have enough of it planned out to begin the first arc. In case you haven't noticed it yet, the countries that are in Strike Witches canon are now space colonies belonging to Orb, which will have gotten a head-start in colony construction ahead of the other Earth nations during the old calendar era. These include Liberion, Romagna, Karlsland, Fuso, Belgicia, Helvetia, Gallia, Suomus, Orussia, etc.
Me and worldwanderer2.0 have BIG plans for this story, and the real action will begin during the next chapter. Also, there will be several surprise twists, as well as some characters getting their personalities altered and some changes to events. And I know that I left out Charlotte "Shirley" Elwyn Yeager and Francesca Lucchini, but this is deliberate; they'll be making their debut somewhere else, and I highly doubt anyone will guess right on the first try.
Oh, and expect characters from the series Infinite Stratos to be appearing as well... and not all the protagonists from Infinite Stratos will be protagonists here.
And before anyone asks; no, Mio does not have her eye-patch yet. She'll be getting one later, but that's all I'm telling you right now.
In addition, here are the profiles of most of the handheld MS weaponry that will be appearing in the story (credit goes to worldwanderer2.0).
Assault Kalashnikov Rifle 12 (or AKR-12) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld assault rifle reversed engineered from the ZGMF-1017 GINN's MMI-M8A3 76mm Heavy Assault Machine Gun and the ZGMF-515 CGUE's MMI-M7S 76mm Heavy Assault Machine Gun. The AKR-12 share the same compatibly with 76mm 30-round box magazine with the ZAFT-based machine guns, but the AKR-12 also has its own large capacity 60-round casket magazine and 95-round drum magazine. The magazine compatibility with ZAFT's GINNs and CGUEs was intentional in its design so as to allowed Orb MS forces to utilize captured ammo from ZAFT MS firearms. The AKR-12 can also fire the same Armor Piercing Super Velocity (APSV) rounds same as the CGUE's 76mm Heavy Assault Machine Gun. Unlike the GINN or CGUE's 76mm Heavy Assault Machine Gun, the AKR-12 can optionally mount a Type 34 140mm Grenade Launcher. It was first tested by the 13 ATF/Crossbones Vanguard using captured GINNs and CGUEs and later underwent live combat operations trials with Orb's early prototype MS from the Infinite Striker Project. It was later mass produced for use by Orb's GM series and later the Astray series. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life AK-12 assault rifle w/GP-34 grenade launcher]
Assault Nikonova Rifle 94 (or ANR-94) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld advanced assault rifle used by exported GMs. Like the AKR-12, it has the same magazine compatibility with the GINN and CGUE's 76mm Heavy Assault Machine Gun along with the AKR-12's own 60-round casket magazine and can optionally mount a Type 34 140mm Grenade Launcher along with a Heat Bayonet simultaneously. Unlike the AKR-12, its own box magazine contains 45 rounds instead of 30 and it is not compatible with the AKR-12's 95-round drum magazine. It's mass production is cheaper than AKR-12 in that it is designed solely for use by exported GM series sold by Morgenroete's subsidiary company, Anaheim Electronics. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life AN-94 assault rifle w/GP-34 grenade launcher]
190mm Assault Accelerator-12 Shotgun (or AA-12) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld automatic combat shotgun. It was reverse-engineered from the DINN's MMI-M100 190mm Anti-aircraft Shotgun and redesigned with 188 changes and improvements to the original blueprint, modifications changing the AA-12 from blowback- to gas-operated with a locked breech. When the bolt flies back after firing to cycle another round, around 80% of what would normally be felt as recoil is absorbed by a proprietary gas system. A recoil spring grabs another 10%, leaving the final recoil a remarkable 11% of the normal recoil for a 12-gauge round—so a GM or Astray MS can point the AA-12 at a target and unload the full magazine without significant loss of accuracy. The weapon is fully automatic only but fires at a rate of 300 rounds per minute, making it possible to fire one round at a time with brief trigger pulls. It is fed from either an 10-shell box magazine, or a 32-shell drum magazine. The AA-12 can use different types 190mm ammunition such as fragmentary buckshot and a powerful canister shot that fired spreads fragments at high velocities over a wider area. It can also use HE rounds, essentially becoming a MS-portable automatic grenade launcher or autocannon. The MS-18 Kämpfer uses this shotgun. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life AA-12 shotgun]
Universal Strategic Automatic Shotgun 12 (or USAS-12) – An export variant of the AA-12 shotgun for use by exported GMs sold by Anaheim Electronics. It is fed from either an 10-shell box magazine, or a 20-shell drum magazine. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life USAS-12 shotgun]
Variable Heavy Specialist 2 Assault rifle (or VHS-2 assault rifle) – A simple shell-firing assault rifle that is based on older technologies, making it a weapon that can be cheaply produced and can be used by just about any MS, produced domestically for Orb MS forces by Morgenroete. It was made to reduce reliance on captured ZAFT MS weapons by the 13th ATF/Crossbones Vanguard and to assess Morgenroete's ability to make its own MS handheld weapons and different bullet types. Different from ZAFT MS's handheld 76mm Heavy Assault Machine Gun and Orb reversed-engineered MS handheld assault rifles, the VHS-2 fires 90mm rounds, 30 rounds per box magazine. The type of 90mm rounds used includes the standard Kinetic Energy Penetrator (KEP), High-Velocity Armor-Piercing (HVAP), High-Explosive Squash Head (HESH), and Tracer round which has a pyrokinetic charge when fired, providing a light source for the 13th ATF/Crossbones Vanguard and allied troops and as a guide for the firer to see where his/her aim is during night fighting (in modern times, Tracers is used more as a visual aid for Orb non-MS ground troops). This weapon saw limited with the 13th ATF/Crossbones Vanguard and was soon replaced by the more compact, modern, and modular ARX-160. However, the weapon was made available for commercial sell to interested buyers and among them were Junk Guild who were in need of effective MS handheld firearm for their Works GINN units and other third parties who managed to get GINNs, CGUEs, and DINNs of their own, especially the EA whose forces sometimes captured ZAFT MS. Even after the BVW, the VHS-2 was seen carried by civilian MS such as the MWF-JG71 Raysta, UT-1D Civilian Astray DSSD Custom, and MWF-JG73 Civilian Astray JG Custom and wielded in the hands of various MS models piloted by ZAFT extremists during the Julius Seven Colony Drop Incident. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life VHS-2 assault rifle]
Assault Rifle X-160 (or ARX-160) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld assault rifle that is the successor to the VHS-2 assault rifle. Like the VHS-2, the ARX-160 also fires 90mm rounds - 30 rounds per box magazine - and uses the same type rounds: standard KEP, HVAP, HESH, and Tracer. Unlike the VHS-2, the ARX-160 has its own optionally unique 100-rouund twin-drum magazine, features a 140mm GLX-160 Grenade Launcher, and includes computer-assisted targeting and sensor systems including thermal and night vision. It was used initially by Orb's prototype RX-78/79 Gundam series and earlier prototype GM models; later it was mass produced for Orb Marine Corp's MS forces. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life ARX-160 assault rifle w/GLX-160 grenade launcher]
Battlefield Rifle ENhanced 805 (or BREN 805) – An export variant of the Assault Rifle X-160 for exported GMs. Unlike the ARX-160, it does not contain a computer-assisted targeting and sensor systems, nor a grenade launcher, nor the optional 100-rouund twin-drum magazine. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life CZ 805 BREN]
Combat Assault Rifle 15 (CAR-15) – A simple shell-firing assault rifle that is based on older technologies, making it a weapon that can be cheaply produced and can be used by just about any MS. It is a scaled-down version of Assault Rifle X-160, with the 140mm Type 203 Grenade Launcher in place of the GLX-160, and does not include the ARX-160's computer-assisted targeting and sensor systems. It does contain the SOPMOD accessory system to boost combat performance; including a foregrip for balanced-recoil, enhanced computer-connected targeting optics and sensors (such as night vision, flashlight, targeting lasers) for increased accuracy, and either a sound or flash suppressor. It is used by the MS forces of the Orb Army and Colonial Militia Guard. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life CAR-15 assault rifle while the Type 203 Grenade Launcher is based on the real-life M203 grenade launcher]
Reliability Enhanced Combat 7 (or REC7) – A variant of the Combat Assault Rifle 15 used by MS forces of the Orb Colonial Militia Guard; it has the same features as the CAR-15 but otherwise slightly differs in appearance. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life Barrett REC7 assault rifle]
Reflective Sight Rifle 556 (or RSR-556) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld semi-automatic carbine variant of the CAR-15 and REC7 and is used by both Orb Army and Colonial Militia Guard. It has a near identical appearance to the CAR-15 and REC7 and shares the same features except its carbine function and it does not have an optional 100-round twin-drum magazine like the CAR-15 and REC7. It is reserved for MS pilots with who lean more towards the designated marksman (DM) role and for sniper-oriented pilots needing an intermediate range weapon that can put down enemies closing in fast. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life Ruger SR-556 semi-automatic rifle carbine]
BM4 Type Carbine – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld semi-automatic/select-fire carbine variant of the CAR-15 and REC7 and is produced solely for the Orb Navy and Coast Guard. Like the SR-556, it shares a near identical appearance to the CAR-15 and REC7 and shares the same features except its carbine function and it does not have an optional 100-round twin-drum magazine like the CAR-15 and REC7. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life Bushmaster M4 Type Carbine]
Heavily Kinetic 417 Battle Rifle (or HK417 BR) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld 100mm selective-fire battle rifle used by the MS forces of the Orb Marine Corp. It is the first Orb MS handheld firearm to use 100mm rounds - which comes in either standard KEP, HVAP, HESH, Tracer, and new Armor-Piercing-Incendiary-Shells (APIS). The HK417 BR normally fires from a standard 20-round detachable box magazine, but it can has an optional 50-round drum magazine. It is used as a designated marksman rifle (DMR), and in other roles where the greater penetrative power is needed. [A/N: It's resembles the real-life Kel-Tec RFB battle rifle in appearance while its model number is from the real-life Heckler & Koch HK417 battle rifle]
Compact Automatic Rifle 16 (or CAR-16) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld full-automatic-only LMG used by Orb MS forces. It fires from a 100-round drum magazine that fires 100mm rounds of various types including standard KEP, HVAP, HESH, and Tracer. It is reserved for MS pilots with Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) roles. The CAR-16 is the most lightweight compare to most MS handheld LMGs. [A/N: It's resembles the real-life Colt Automatic Rifle or Colt Light Machine Gun]
Heavily Kinetic Gun 36 (or G36) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld 100mm modular rifle for the MS forces of the Orb Spacy and Naval Militia. It is one of Orb's most powerful MS handheld weapons prior to the introduction of Sonic Rifles and Beam Rifles; in comparison, the weapon is on equal level with Rail-Rifles. Unlike most other MS handheld weapons, it can be easily configured into four different modules: the G36 assault rifle variant, G36K carbine variant with single fire and 3-round burst-fire modes, MG36 LMG variant, and lastly G36C (C = "Compact") SMG variant. Both assault rifle, carbine, and SMG variants use 30-round box magazines while the LMG variant uses a 100-round twin-drum magazine. Both assault and carbine variants can optionally mount a 140mm Type AG36 Grenade Launcher which comes with its own laser light module. The tri-pod is equipped for LMG variant of the G36. The various types of 100mm rounds used by the G36 modular rifle includes standard Kinetic Energy Penetrator (KEP), High-Velocity Armor-Piercing (HVAP), High-Explosive Squash Head (HESH), Tracer round, and APIS. The G36C SMG variant has a more compact size and a higher rapid fire capability while retaining the firepower of an assault rifle, but the trade-off is decreased range and accuracy of the rifle. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle]
"Rheinmetall 3" MG 42 (or R3MG-42) – A simple shell-firing belt-fed MS handheld general purpose machine gun for Orb's MS forces. The R3MG-42 has a proven record of reliability, durability, simplicity, and ease of operation, but is most notable for its ability to produce a high volume of suppressive fire. It fires from 250-rounds from a belt-fed saddle-drum magazine whose 100mm round types that typically includes the standard KEP, HVAP, HESH, Tracer, and APIS. Because the R3MG-42 is a simple shell-firing weapon based on older technologies, it can be easily and cheaply mass produced compared to most LMG, SAW, or general purpose machine guns and can be used by just about any MS. Many Orb soldiers from the Karlsland and Neue Karlsland space colonies favor this weapon heavily and some continue to use them even after the introduction of Sonic Rifles and Beam Rifles. The weapon has been shown to inflict massive psychological trauma on enemy forces and decrease their morale, first with ZAFT engagements with the 13th ATF/Crossbones Vanguard's MS units, and later with EA MS pilots of the Strike Daggers and 105 Daggers during the Battle of Orb engaging Orb MS forces. Gertrud Barkhorn has been known to dual-wield two MG 42/3s in almost all of the MS units she has ever piloted. It sees continued usage even after the BVW in the hands of Anti-EA rebels and insurrectionist groups piloting exported GMs, MWF-JG72 ZAKU JG Custom, MWF-JG73 Civilian Astray JG Custom and ZAFT extremist terrorist MS units such as the GINN Insurgent Types and GINN High Maneuver Type IIs. [A/N: It's modeled after the iconic MG42 and its modern successor Rheinmetall MG 3 general purpose machine guns]
Personnel 90 (or P90) – A selective fire, straight blowback-operated magazine-fed, MS handheld personal defense weapon (PDW) created in response to requests from Orb law enforcement and military and other interested third-party customers for a handheld MS weapon with lower calibers that poses less risk of collateral damage and isn't as destructive to sensitive environment settings (like in crowed urban areas, or nearby or the interior of space colonies) compared to existing MS handheld weapons, and also as a superior alternative option compared to the expensive idea having to develop MS handheld pistols or SMGs. The P90 concept had been in the works for some time, but it was only after the 13th ATF/Crossbones Vanguard had captured a GINN Assault Type and its unique weapon, the JDP2-MMX22 Experimental 27mm Armor-Piercing Assault Rifle, did Morgenroete engineers had a solid basis for the P90. The P90 in design is the most lightweight compact-sized MS handheld weapon in CE history - having a length no greater than a GM's shoulder width, to allow it to be easily carried and maneuvered in tight spaces. Compared to other MS weapons, it requires minimal maintenance, and it can be disassembled quickly and easily having been made with cheaper and lighter polymer material - however this makes the P90 susceptible to breaking from rough physical hard contacts such as close-quarters-combat. The P90 uses a unique horizontally mounted feeding system that contributes to the weapon's compact profile and unusual appearance. The detachable 50-round box magazine is mounted parallel to the P90's barrel, fitting flush with the top of the weapon's frame, and which lie in two rows at a right angle to the barrel. The P90's horizontally mounted feeding system serves as the basis of the Machine Guns used by the GM series and certain Prototype Gundams. It fires a 28mm standard KEP, HVAP, and APIS rounds; both round types designed to be subsonic and to limits over-penetration, as well as risk of ricochet. The P90 has provisions for mounting a number of different types of accessories, including tactical lights and laser aiming devices. A sling can be attached to the P90 for greater ease of carry, or it can be fitted with various sound and flash suppressors. This stainless steel suppressor with a black oxide finish is built according to MIL-SPECs, including saltwater corrosion resistance. When subsonic ammunition is used in conjunction with the suppressor, it reduces the sound signature of the P90 by 33 dB. Despite being originally intended as an MS defensive sidearm weapon for Orb military and law enforcement, the P90 have been seen use by MS from Orb special forces, black-ops, counter-terrorist groups and intelligence agents who use it for offensive roles and for stealth infiltration. It has also seen use in the hands of Phantom Pain's MS forces in their attack of Armory One to steal ZAFT's Second Stage Series Gundams, and in their other black-ops as well as supposed counter-terrorist operations. It was also used by the MS units of suspected ZAFT black-op commandos in their assassination attempt of Lacus Clyne. The P90 has also been used by exported GM purchased by neutral nations, NGOs like Terminal, DSSD and Junk Guild, and PMCs such as Serpent Tail, Kaite Madigan, and Canard Pars's mercenary group. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-live FN P90 PDW]
Firearm Assault Rail-Rifle 2000 (or FARR-2000) – An open-bolt, electromagnetic-force-powered, magazine-fed, MS handheld Assault Rail-Rifle. Reverse-engineered from the captured GINN Assault Type's Experimental 27mm Armor-Piercing Assault Rifle and captured GINN OCHER Type's MMI-XM17 Experimental 37.5mm Hyper-velocity Rifle, it is the first type of Rail-Rifles to be mass produced. It differs from other MS handheld projectile-firearms as the Rail-Rifle uses railgun technology to fire electromagnetically-accelerated live rounds, making them one of the most advanced weapons available before the introduction of beam weaponry. It is superior to all Orb MS handheld projectile-firing weapons which typically uses 90mm or 100mm rounds. It fires 45mm rounds from a 30-round box magazine and its round types are standard Kinetic Energy Penetrator (KEP), High-Velocity Armor-Piercing (HVAP) and Tracer rounds, all four of which are hollow-point. Only the High-Explosive Squash Head (HESH) and Armor-Piercing-Incendiary-Shell (APIS) rounds are not hollow-point. It has two modes of fire: full-automatic fire mode and semi-automatic fire mode that has more power. The FARR-2000 also mounts an optional under-slung 140mm GL1 Grenade Launcher. The FARR-2000 is one of many railgun-based MS handheld weapons that is standard issue with all of Orb's MS forces after it was tested and evaluated in combat trials by the 13th ATF/Crossbones Vanguard. [A/N: It's modeled after Linear Rifle weapons from Gundam 00 and its appearance is based on the real-live the FN F2000 assault rifle]
Modular Powered Tactical 76 Battle Rail-Rifle (or MPT-76 Battle Rail-Rifle) – An open-bolt, electromagnetic-force-powered, magazine-fed, MS handheld Battle Rail-Rifle. It was made after the successful combat evaluations of the FARR-2000, making it the second type of Rail-Rifle made and it designed fit the DMR/Carbine niche for Rail-Rifle category. Like the FARR-2000, it uses railgun technology to fires electromagnetically-accelerated live rounds. It has greater firepower and accuracy than the FARR-2000 from firing electromagnetically-accelerated 51mm rounds from a 72-round box magazine and is nearly on par with the GAT-X102 Duel Gundam's "Shiva" 115mm Railgun. Its round types are standard Kinetic Energy Penetrator (KEP), High-Velocity Armor-Piercing (HVAP) and Tracer rounds, all four of which are hollow-point. Only the High-Explosive Squash Head (HESH) and High Explosive Incendiary/Armor Piercing Ammunition (HEIAP) rounds are not hollow-point. It has two modes of fire: semi-automatic and burst-fire. The MPT-76 Battle Rail-Rifle was designed for robust high altitude, all weather extremely hot and extremely cold mountain warfare as well as combat on easier terrain. The weapon was reported to be extremely accurate, reliable, and had impressive knockdown power and outmatched other MS handheld battle rifles or carbines in all categories. Both the Orb Army and Colonial Militia Guard plans to phase out their SSR-556 carbine throughout C.E. 72 and to make the MPT-76 its main service DMR/carbine by the end of C.E. 73, while Orb Coast Guard plans to phase out all its BM4 Type Carbine entirely by the beginning of C.E. 74. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life MKEK MPT modular rifle]
Firearm New Special Combat Application Rifle (FN SCAR) – An open-bolt, electromagnetic-force-powered, magazine-fed, MS handheld modular Rail-Rifle to meet the demands for a Rail-Rifle counterpart to the Heavily Kinetic Gun 36 (or G36). Like the G36, it can be easily configured into three different modules: assault rifle variant designated SCAR-L (L for "Light"), battle rifle variant designated SCAR-H (H for "Heavy") with single-fire and 3-round burst-fire modes, and LMG variant designated HAMR for "Heat Adaptive Modular Rifle". Both SCAR-L and SCAR-H fire firing electromagnetically-accelerated 60mm rounds from 75-round box magazines while the LMG variant uses a 125-round drum magazine. Both SCAR-L and SCAR-H variants can optionally mount a 140mm FN40GL Grenade Launcher which is based on the "GL1" designed for the FARR-2000; the HAMR however cannot mount the FN40GL. The standalone stock assembly SCAR-H and L models has the FN40GL mounted to the bottom rail as with the Rail-Rifle, but still has 3 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 12 o'clock rail positions for other accessories such as enhanced targeting optics and sensors sights as well as non-lethal uses for other mounted additions like LED lights and laser designators. The various types of 75mm rounds used by the SCAR Rail-Rifle includes standard Kinetic Energy Penetrator (KEP), High-Velocity Armor-Piercing (HVAP), High-Explosive Squash Head (HESH), Tracer, and finally Armor-Piercing-Incendiary-Shell (APIS). It was originally exclusive to the 13th ATF and other Orb special forces. Later after the BVW it made available to the MS forces of Orb's special forces and other select military units. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life FN SCAR modular rifle]
Accelerator Electromagnetic Koksharov 971 Rail-Rifle (or AEK-971) – An open-bolt, electromagnetic-force-powered, magazine-fed, MS handheld Assault Rail-Rifle. Although it being a Rail-Rifle, its base models was the AKR-12 and ANR-94, so as such it share the same compatibly with 76mm 30-round box magazine with its Orb predecessors and ZAFT-based machine guns used by GINNs, CGUEs, and DINNs as well as its Orb predecessors - which includes the AKR-12's large capacity 60-round casket magazine and 95-round drum magazine and the Type 34 140mm Grenade Launcher. Like the ANR-94, it was designed solely for use by exported GM series sold by Morgenroete's subsidiary company, Anaheim Electronics, and is the only exported Rail-Rifle made commercially available for purchase or loan to outside MS forces in the case of the Sahaku Faction's support of Anti-EA rebels and resistant nations. [A/N: It's appearance is based on the actual AEK-971 assault rifle]
45mm XM8 Gundam Rifle – The XM8 Gundam Assault Rifle (or XM8) is an open-bolt, electromagnetic-force-powered, magazine-fed, MS handheld assault Rail-Rifle. It is the prototype to the FARR-2000, meaning its was the first type of Rail-Rifle ever made, using railgun technology to fire electromagnetically-accelerated live rounds, making it one of the most advanced weapons available before the introduction of beam weaponry. It is superior to all Orb MS handheld projectile-firing weapons which typically uses 90mm or 100mm rounds. It fires 45mm rounds from a 30-round box magazine, or an optional 100-round twin-drum magazine, and its round types are standard Kinetic Energy Penetrator (KEP), High-Velocity Armor-Piercing (HVAP) and Tracer rounds, all four of which are hollow-point. Only the High-Explosive Squash Head (HESH) and Armor-Piercing-Incendiary-Shell (APIS) rounds are not hollow-point. It can be fired full-automatic, semi-automatic, or 3-round burst. The XM8 also mounts an optional under-slung 140mm Type 320 Grenade Launcher. After combat trials and evaluation, it was produced only for Orb's Gundam-type MS as an alternative to beam weapons and regular projectile-firing weapons. [AN: It is based on the real-life XM8 prototype assault rifle]
140mm XM25 "Punisher" Launcher Rifle – The XM25 "Punisher" Launcher Rifle is a gas-operated semi-automatic grenade launcher that fires eight 140mm smart grenades per box magazine that are set to explode in mid-air at or near the target. A laser rangefinder in the weapon is used to determine the distance to the target. The user can manually adjust the detonating distance shorter or longer; the XM25 automatically transmits the detonating distance to the grenade in the firing chamber. The grenade tracks the distance it has traveled by the number of spiral rotations after it is fired, then detonates at the proper distance to produce an air burst effect. These features make the XM25 more effective than traditional grenade launchers at the task of hitting targets that are behind cover or dug into the ground (i.e. in defilade.) One of the weapon's developers, Richard Audette, believes that the XM25 is a big leap forward because it is the first small arms weapon to use smart technology. The type of 140mm smart grenades it fires includes: Thermobaric, Flechette, Training, High-explosive air-bursting round (HEAB), Stun-Shut round (a electroshock round intended to stun and paralyze an enemy MS without damaging its internal systems completely; this is used in "acquisition of asset" missions where the primary objective is to capture an enemy MS intact with minimal damage to the asset and your own forces as possible), Armor Piercing, and Door breaching (for heavily armored doors of military bases or space colonies). It's highly complex integrated sensor and targeting package includes: 4 × thermal sight with zoom, 2 × direct view optical sight, Ballistic computer, Digital compass, Laser rangefinder, Ammunition fuze setter, and Environmental sensors. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life XM25 CDTE grenade launcher]
140mm EX-41 Grenadier Rifle – A scaled-down version with XM25 "Punisher" Gundam Launcher Rifle intended for use by Orb's mass produced MS models: the GMs and Astrays. It lacks the highly complex integrated sensor and targeting package of the XM25, but it is cheaper and easier to mass produced and maintain. Unlike the XM25 "Punisher" Gundam Launcher Rifle which uses a 8-round box magazine, the EX-41 Grenadier Rifle uses helical-feed 6-round magazine containing either standard grenades as well as various types of other grenades used by the XM25. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life EX 41 grenade launcher]
XM29 Gundam Modular Rifle (or XM29) – The XM29 Gundam Modular Rifle consisted of a semi-automatic 128mm smart grenade launcher that fires HE rounds, an underslung assault carbine (derived from the G36 then in its late developmental stage) firing a 100mm round (types include standard KEP, HVAP, Tracer, HESH, and APIS), and a top-mounted computer-assisted sighting system with integrated laser rangefinder, thermal vision night vision capabilities, and up to 6 x optical telescopic sight. The launcher part has been described variously as a light semi-automatic 128mm cannon or grenade launcher. It poses a classification problem, in that it does not fit neatly into any one category. On one hand, it uses much smaller shells and has a much flatter trajectory than the XM25 "Punisher" Launcher Rifle. On the other, while its caliber and velocity is more similar to light cannon, it does share traits with other infantry grenade launchers of MS handheld projectile rifles. the assault rifle carbine part is fed with a 30-round box magazine, while the Launcher part is fed with a 5-round box magazine. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life XM29 OICW]
Multiple Assault Weapon K11 (or K11) – A powerful multipurpose D-Type weapon that features an open-bolt, electromagnetic-force-powered, magazine-fed, MS handheld Assault Rail-Rifle to fire 45mm rounds; an over barrel 120mm smart Rocket-Grenade (RG) Launcher; and lastly an under barrel Ion Cannon that is reversed engineered from ZAFT's M69 "Barrus" Heavy Ion Cannon. The RG can be programed by the weapon's integrated electronics to explode a few meters from the target, yielding an air burst effect capable of neutralizing multiple targets in close proximity. Users enter a range at which the RG is to detonate, allowing targets in ditches, in buildings, or behind walls to be destroyed without requiring the RG to directly hit the target. Equipped with a laser range-finder as well as a ballistics computer, the K11 allows the operator to quickly find the distance to a target and launch an RG. The RG will then detonate a few meters away from the target. An electronic scope is integrated on the K11; it can be linked to a goggle system with a digital display. The display can be used during nighttime with thermal imaging, and shows the range information from the laser range-finder- all of which is transferred into the MS's OS for the pilot to utilize. The smart RG types its uses include: armor-piercing capped and ballistically-capped high-explosive (APCBCHE), armor-piercing sabot-discarding fin-stabilized (APSDFS), and Canister. APCBCHE type RGs deals damage by piercing a surface and detonating an explosive payload once within. APSDFS type RGs have an arrow/dart-shaped kinetic penetrator fitted with an external shell (sabot) that allows the dart to be fired out of a cannon barrel; once in the air, the round is further accelerated by additional rocket propulsion, before the sabot falls off to reveal a finned dart not unlike an arrow. The APSDFS round type is usually reserved for use against larger and more well-armored enemy MS units and anti-ship combat. Canister RGs when fired, spreads fragments at high velocities over a wider area usually used on clusters of grouped MS units. The weapon is compatible with the MPT-76 Battle Rail-Rifle's 72-round 51mm box magazine, and can hold 6-round magazines of 120mm RGs at one time. Unlike the "Barrus" cannon, the K11 version (as well as the entire D-Type weapon itself) is depended on the MS to provide it with power. Like the Barrus" cannon, the K11's own Ion Cannon's firepower is only comparable to beam rifle. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life S&T Daewoo K11 DAW (Dual-barrel Air-burst Weapon) ]
XM82 Sniper Rifle (or XM82) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld standard-issue anti-materiel/sniper rifle for Orb's entire MS forces. Like many other Orb manufactured MS handheld weapons, it is reversed-engineered from ZAFT weapons, in the XM82's case the GINN Sniper Rifle. Compared to the GINN Sniper Rifle, it is more lightweight, less bulky, and more practical for its size and purpose as a sniper weapon. It fires from a 10-round box magazine that fires 120mm rounds of various types including KEP, Tracer, and HESH plus two new round types specifically for the XM82. One of new 120mm round type is the Armor-Piercing Capped and Ballistically-Capped High-Explosive (APCBCHE) which deals damage by piercing a surface and detonating an explosive payload once within; while the round is rocket-boosted, its penetration power does not match up to the 120mm APSDFS round, and the APCBCHE is usually reserved for less-armored MS units. The second new 120mm round type is the Armor-Piercing Sabot-Discarding Fin-Stabilized (APSDFS) which has an arrow/dart-shaped kinetic penetrator fitted with an external shell (sabot) that allows the dart to be fired out of a sniper rifle barrel. Once in the air, the round is further accelerated by additional rocket propulsion, before the sabot falls off to reveal a finned dart not unlike an arrow. This round type is usually reserved for use against larger and more well-armored targets like the GINN Assault Type, CGUE Assault, or tough armor material of battleships, heavily fortified enemy bases, and other heavy-armored target buildings and structures. Its effectiveness in combat depends on the target, angle of fire, and other external factors. Like its other Orb reversed-engineered MS handheld weapons it naturally outperforms its ZAFT counterpart. The XM82 share the same compatibly with the normal 120mm 10-round box magazine with the GINN Sniper Rifle and like the AKR-12 the magazine compatibility was intentional in XM82's s design so as to allowed Orb MS forces to utilize captured ammo from ZAFT MS firearms. It's main advantage over sniper beam rifles is that enemy MS cannot as easily trace the trajectory of a projectile as they would with a beam sniper rifle, which leaves residual energy and heat signature after firing that can easily be traced back to the location of the sniping MS. The XM82 was first tested with GINNs and CGUEs captured by the 13th ATF before being further tested in the hands of Infinite Striker Project prototypes such as the RX-78/79 Gundams, RGM-79[G] GM Sniper, and lastly RGM-79SC GM Sniper Custom. By the time of the Battle of JOSH-A (aka Operation: Spitbreak) there were only few RGM-79SP GM Sniper IIs and MBF-M1S Sniper Astray that used the XM82 as Rail-Rifle and beam sniper rifle technology had by this point became advanced enough to be formalized and standard amongst Orb's MS forces for sniper or designated marksmen-oriented MS pilots. It was one of three alternatives to a beam sniper rifle for Orb MS with sniper or designated marksmen roles. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life Barrett M82 sniper rifle]
XM98B Sniper Rifle (or XM98B) – An bolt-action variant of the XM82. Other then the bolt-action feature, there is hardly any difference between the XM82 and XM98B sniper rifles. It was the second of three alternatives to a beam sniper rifle for Orb MS with sniper or designated marksmen roles. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life Barrett M98B sniper rifle]
XM109 500mm Recoilless Rifle (or XM109) – An open-bolt, gas-operated, magazine-fed, MS handheld standard-issue anti-materiel rifle and grenade launcher. Although it was reverse-engineered from ZAFT's M68 "Cattus" 500mm Recoilless Rifle, several changes were made that eventually made the XM109 a completely different weapon from the "Cattus". The XM109 uses the XM82 as its base design and as result it is lighter, slimmer, less bulkier, and more portable than the "Cattus". The XM109 offers greater range and a shorter overall length than the previous XM82, as well as potentially greater firepower and damage from 500mm smart grenades and Rocket Grenades which are the type type used by the XM29 and K11. The XM109 is fed from a 5-box magazine. A/N: It is based on the real-life Barrett XM109 prototype anti-materiel rifle and grenade launcher weapon]
XM500 Sniper Rail-Rifle (or XM500) – An open-bolt, electromagnetic-force-powered, magazine-fed, MS handheld anti-materiel Sniper Rail-Rifle. It is based on the XM82 120mm Sniper Rifle. However there are major differences in its design as a rail-Rifle, which uses railgun technology to fire electromagnetically-accelerated live rounds, granting the XM500 far more greater firepower and penetration ability than its predecessor model. It fires 120mm rounds from a 10-round box magazine situated behind the trigger in bullpup configuration and uses the same round type as the XM82 and XM98B. It is intended to be a lighter, more compact alternative to the XM82. Since the XM500 has a stationary barrel (instead of the recoiling-barrel design of the XM82), it will likely have somewhat better accuracy. As with its predecessor, it comes with a removable, adjustable bipod mounted under the barrel, and a top-mounted Picatinny rail for attachment of a scope and/or other accessory. It was the third and last of three alternatives to a beam sniper rifle for Orb MS with sniper or designated marksmen roles. original plans were to have the XM82 be phased out by the end of throughout C.E. 72 and to make the XM500 one of its main service sniper weapon by the end of C.E. 73. However the replacement process has been incredibly slow, which is highly unusual for the high efficiency standards of the Orb military. It may have been due to the fact that the Sahaku Faction and ONI wanted to retain higher-quality weapons for themselves and other select Orb groups they favor and to possibly to lower than chances of "self-inflicted harm" inflicted on the Orb Union should a faction who is more friendly with Blue Cosmos and sympathetic to EA interests like the Seiran Faction gain greater political leverage and subvert Chief Representative Cagalli Yula Athha to control Orb's gov't. As of result, only the MS forces of Orb special forces and other select groups received the XM500. When a major schism in Terminal occurred leading to a massive exodus of Witches leaving Terminal to join the Midnight Fenrir Corp, they took with them most of of Terminal's stock of XM500 Sniper Rail-Rifles. [A/N: It's modeled after the real-life Barrett XM500 sniper rifle]
9-tube "Fliegerhammer" Multipurpose Rocket Launcher – A portable, unguided, shoulder-launched, Rocket Launcher that can fire a total of 18 rockets (2 per tube) of various types. It has been used extensively by Sanya V. Litvyak and all her MS units prior to receiving the ORB-Y207 Schwarzer Blitz Gundam.