Combat Frame Data: XCD-105

Model number: XCD-105

Code name: Eschaton

Nickname: Eschaton XE

Classification: stealth attack combat frame

Manufacturer: Zeklov-Astraea modification of a BEC design

Operator: Coalition Transportation Ministry, HALO

First deployment: CY 40

Crew: 1 pilot in cockpit in chest

Height: 18 meters

Weight: 102 metric tons

Armor type: “1D” carbyne laminar armor

Powerplant: cold fusion reactor, max output 2963 KW

Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 4x 38,900 kg, 4x 21,700 kg, 2x 36,300 kg, 3x 2,250 kg; top speed 3888 kph; maneuvering thrusters: 28, 180° turn time 0.59 seconds; legs: top ground speed 200 kph

Sensors: radar, thermal, optical array; main binocular cameras mounted in head; Vercingetorix laser targeting system

Fixed armaments: none

Optional hand armaments: x2 heat sword, stored on backpack, hand-carried in use; three-section heat staff, can lock to form heat bo, stored on backpack, hand-carried in use; x2 plasma autopistol, power rated at 0.83 MW, stored on skirt racks, hand-carried in use

Special equipment: Dynamic optical camouflage, A.I. operating system

When the Ministry of Transportation’s Public Safety Division impounded the XCD-104-2 Eschaton Kai, Transportation Secretary Sullia Zend sought to realize the full potential implied by its ad hoc upgrades. She charged the team responsible for creating her own Heavy Armor Z with modifying the critically damaged XSeed.Heavy Team applied their patented, “More is more,” approach to Eschaton’s upgrades. They not only restored the missing upper left arm but added a third set, bringing the XSeed up to six arms total.

Analyzing the combat data from Lt. Theodore Red’s last battle convinced them that Faust Hayden was on the right track with his missile pod addition. A.I.-assisted models indicated rapid close strike capability as Eschaton’s optimal combat role. Heavy Team armed their enhanced XSeed accordingly.

A pair of plasma autopistols gave Eschaton sufficient firepower to quickly engage with or disengage from targets. It retained one carbyne heat staff, and a pair of curved heat swords perfected its already fearsome melee combat abilities. Its dynamic optical cloak was fine-tuned for greater resiliency and to minimize motion blur. Heavy Team further bolstered the XSeed’s defenses with an additional 30 carbyne layers. The team designated their handiwork the XCD-105 Eschaton XE, a phonetic rendering of the Greek word for “six”.

Coordinating all six arms taxed the Eschaton’s original A.I. in early trials. Astraea programmers developed the novel solution of enabling the OS to partition itself into six sub-nodes, creating a pseudo-distributed intelligence. This arrangement effectively gave each of the XSeed’s arms its own “brain”–analogous to the ganglia found in insects. As a result, all six arms could respond rapidly to threats or the pilot’s commands while still working smoothly in concert.

Sullia approved the Eschaton XE and assigned it to her special anti-HALO task force. The upgraded XSeed would soon meet its first real test at the Battle of Astraea.

See the Eschaton XE in action! Buy Combat Frame XSeed: CY 40 Second Coming now!