Data packet received: [Finding origin]: ./. [origin found]: [Mechanicus Enclave MC-117343 'Seekers of Lost Grace']:... [DATA CLEARANCE LEVEL?]:... [SANCTION; OMEGA]:... [Access granted, Omnissiah blesses you]
Adeptus Mechanius Analysis: Type-25 Plasma Rifle
Greetings, this data packet is to be given to relevant military officials, Mechanicum Adepts and those of sufficient Imperial ranking. Any unauthorized data leaks will be punished with Servitorization.
This data packet will be a in depth analysis of the weapon system used by the 'Covenant path', the weapon in question has been designated the 'Type-25 plasma rifle'.
The Type-25 or as the Covenant path like to call it the 'Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle' is a plasma based energy weapon of xenos origin, but is also believed to of been used by our ancient ancestors long ago if the Paths are to be history is to be believed. Said to of been used and created by the Sanghelili xenos, the paths say that humanity were given these weapons as part of a old military alliance and in doing so, introduced plasma based weapons into humanities early arsenal. It is unknown if this Heresy is true or not but what we do know is that this weapon is the standard issue primary armament of choose for the Covenant path.
The weapons capabilities are similar to the Tau's pulse weaponry in terms of firepower, however there are three primary differences between their weapons and the Covenants. First is that of the Covenants fire rates, the Type-25 and many other Covenant weapons fire much faster that the Tau's. Second is that although faster firing, they are shorter range for the most part. And thirdly they over heat unlike the Tau's pulse weapons, require venting to prevent damage to the weapon. It should be noted that a number of copies and Tau derivatives have been observed after the 'Farsight accords', a campaign of attempted conquest by the greater Tau empire of the 'Farsight Enclaves' after a alliance had been struck between the Tau off shoot, the Paths and the Flood. A number of these copies have been used in city fighting and in boarding actions by the Tau.
The plasma rifle's capacity to damage and destroy many of the Imperium's infantry armor systems have been noted with the weapon destroying standard carapace armor with a single shot and more often than not, breaching the integrity of Astarte's power armor with a simple burst from its forked projector. Such a weapon should bring fear to our more standard and common troops, however many in our armed and holy forces have seemed to gained a interest in acquiring these weapons as 'trophies'. And as such has had many a commissar and Sargent reprimand and even execute a number of guardsmen whom would use the weapon, it is asked that any guardsman that gains access to these weapons ask their betters and the attached techpriest first before trying to retrieve one. And that it is given to said techpriest to be decommissioned into a trophy.
The Type-25, although suspected to of been used by our ancestors. have been classified as 'Xeno's Facta' (translation: Alien made) and thus is punishable if used. The Omnissiah has deemed it so.
Data packet End:... [God-Emperor protects]
Haven't written one of these in a while. thought it be fun to do so.