M-2 Kessler/M-3 Predator

The M-2 Kessler Semi-automatic Microscale Mass Accelerator Hand cannon, also called the M-2 Kessler Heavy Pistol, is a scaled-down, infantry variant of a standard Mass Accelerator cannon produced bh Hahne-Kedar Industries, and was the standard issue sidearm for Systems Alliance Military personnel from 2158 to 2184. Before being swapped out for the current M-3 Predator.

The primary components of the Kessler include two 15 cm long, 15 mm diameter coil gun barrels, a Micro Element Zero core, a small power cell, an ammunition block an air cooling system and an onboard computer microframe linked to targeting sensors.

The Predator's components are largely identical to that of it's predecessor, with the only differences being improved software and a thermal clip based cooling system.

Appearance wise, both weapons are rectangular in design with two barrels. The upper barrel includes an iron sight. Benefit the lower barrel are the computer and targeting systems.

In the main housing, behind the barrels is the Element Zero core and ventilation system. On the Predator, the ventilation system is replaced with a thermal clip system.

The grip contains the ammo block made of a ferric titanium alloy, capable of proving 2000 rounds of ammunition. The sensors on the grip's exterior link it to the Combat Hardsuit of the wielder through the palm of their gauntlet. Displaying weapon and targeting information directly on the wielder's hud. The pistol's unusually large trigger guard functions as both a foregrip for improved stability and contains the power cell, which powers the systems of the gun.

The casing of the pstol is made of a lightweight ceramic composite, with no metallic components aside from the barrels and ammo block, which contribute to the bulk of the weapon's 0,3 kg weight. The lightweight weapon counters recoil through momentum dampeners.

When firing, in the split second between the trigger being pulled and the bullet leaving the chamber, the onboard computer calculates the trajectory of the bullet based on wind, gravity, atmospheric pressure and other environmental hazards. It then makes micro-adjustments to the shooter's aim and shaves off an appropriately sized slug from the ammo block(about the size of a grain of sand). The projectile is then coated in an electromagnetic, bose-einstein condensate or plasma field to give it a so called "ammo power". These effects can be added through modification of the weapon on the field using an omnitool. This projectile is then moved to one of the barrels, lightened by a mass effect field, before being accelerated to 35 km/s and impacting with the force of 76 kilojoules of kinetic energy. To prevent over penetration, the ammo block is designed with small imperfections. Ensuring that the round shatters on impact rather than passing directly through the target. Each barrel had a recharge rate of 0,4 seconds, giving a fire rate of almost 3 bullets per second. The double barrel design compensates for this low fire rate by having one barrel fire, while the other recharges. Effectively doubling the fire rate.

The heat generated by the gun is then transferred to the cooling system and removed.

In the M-2 Kessler, the weapon vented the heat directly, but it often couldn't vent heat faster than it was generated. If the Kessler fires continuously for more than 4 rounds without stopping, the weapon could burn out. The M-3 Predator solved this issue with the implementation of Thermal clips. Disposable lithium heat sinks that capture the heat generated. Each sink can capture the heat of upto 12 rounds. The spent thermal clips are ejected and reloaded similar to the magazines of 21st century pistols.

When holstered, the pistol's grip and trigger guard fold up and flip up and the barrels retract, slightly shortening it's length.