Experimental Cruiser Turret

[Militant Intervention Branch]

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I've spent some time reviewing footage and notes that we've recovered from the subjects of file #139, as well as footage and encounters with miscellaneous craft. In doing so I came across a handful of documented scenarios where high-powered weaponry was either being used against us or in our general vicinity. One in particular allowed me to perform a preliminary analysis. It appears to be a highly condensed energy projection system. The pilot who recorded those events should be rewarded, as their data is rather invaluable to this study. Naturally without the hardware physically present it's near impossible to move beyond theories, however in this case we were lucky enough to have minor scans and garbage to sift through.

Unfortunately, over ninety percent of the components aren't useful in any regard, meaning the use of salvage is out of the question. In an analysis setting, even with a ballistic reconstruction piece by piece - as tedious as that would be - we couldn't recover enough components to make it worthwhile. The scans themselves provided too little detail to offer any concrete reconstruction options, yet we were able to identify the weapon by name and origin through data recovered from the secure vault we raided connecting to Kepler. It's a Gallic prototype, aptly named "Coup de Grace". As observed, a high-powered energy projection system for quickly dispatching enemy craft in close to medium range combat. The details we have are basic and a little vague. Any indication of its internal design isn't in our records, which again - poses a problem to available reconstruction options.

Revisiting the theory of condensed energy and with our observations on how these weapons perform in the field, I've taken apart a standard C-25 Cerberus Turret with the assistance of seven technicians as a point of reference to work from. Like most Rheinlandic Cerberus tech, the C-25 uses overcharged bolts of plasma which are fired along a system of superconductors. The exit point has a network of electromagnetic generators which mostly stabilize the plasma projectile. Naturally the design isn't stable due to the overcharged coils. Heat and power consumption issues are common, as we all know from experience and basic lessons.

As we know from observation, the "Coup de Grace" itself doesn't use plasma. Instead, I believe it uses highly charged electromagnetic capacitors to generate a discharge along a guide rail towards its target. The energy passes through a condenser at some point prior to discharge, creating the projectile.

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Above is an example of one such condenser taken from my workshop. The project it belongs to is currently on hold, thus using it as a reference is of no consequence. This condenser itself does not have a discharge rail, and the scale is microscopic in comparison to a weapon suitable for use on cruiser-class craft. Theoretically one end can be removed, the device can be reconstructed at a larger scale and attached to a network of capacitors, which we'll install mount supports and a power source for in-range testing. Calibrating the electromagnetic capacitors is going to take a lot of trial and error, in which we run the risk of overloading the system, blowing up the condenser and having to start with a fresh prototype.

Until the correct values can be determined on paper, testing will need to continue. It would be possible to determine the output through ballistics testing. A rough estimate, at least.

- Leviathan

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