Model-976 Remote Operated Synthetic Combatant

The Model-976 Remote Operated Synthetic Combatant, better known as the ‘Tinbot’ or the ‘Toy Soldier’ amongst more apprehensive groups is a recently developed humanoid drone soldier, able to be remotely operated by organic handlers or of any kind. While many within and without official circles deride them as being an inferior attempt at a replacement for organic soldiers, the Model-976 was never intended to phase out the human component of the military. Instead, it was intended to be a stopgap measure in the wake of the , to quickly and effectively rebuild the extremely depleted ground forces of the UNSC without any further risks to organic personnel. The Model-976 was cheap and quick to build, and entire battalions of them could be constructed in a matter of weeks from any factory capable of heavy machinery production, after a series of quick modifications to permit the Model-976’s construction. By the first year and a half of its deployment, nearly three hundred thousand Model-976s were sent across the territories of the . 
The Model-976s had proven effective as a deterrent from raiders of both human and varieties. These machines could not be intimidated, would fight until they were unable to, and typically deployed in such numbers that they easily outnumbered most small raiding parties. Model-976s’ sensor suites and inability to grow fatigued or tired had also made them ideal sentries and guards for colonial sites. While not necessarily effective in combat alone, colonial defense forces and frontline UNSC combat groups used them in conjunction with their organic troopers, sending Model-976s into dangerous areas to assess situations or to flush out entrenched enemies. In several cases, these machines were simply deployed en masse at an enemy position, overwhelming them with sheer numbers before sending organic troops to mop up whatever resistance. 
As the Human-Covenant War had wound to a close, the question of recovery was on every UNSC official’s mind, be they military or civilian ones. Acutely aware of the lack of manpower in the ranks of the UNSC following the devastating war, had proposed a solution, an automated or remotely operated combatant that could interface with any current infantry weapon. Internally, the engineers at Misriah had three priorities: cost effectiveness, reliability, and ease of use. While many non-humanoid designs were drafted by the designers, Misriah had selected a more humanoid frame as it proved the most effective in utilization of tools and weapons designed for humans. Misriah had based the design on humanoid work drones, up-armoring them on their torso and leg sections, minimizing their vulnerability from incoming fire. While the Model-976’s armatures were able to handle most weapons, Misriah had incorporated a number of hardpoints for heavier weapons, allowing for easier swapping of support weapons, such as the . 
The Model-976’s first public appearance was met with decidedly mixed reactions from both civilian and military bodies. The frail form of the Model-976 had drawn much criticism and questions over its battlefield efficacy. Many pundits had decried it as being a money sink for Misriah and little more. While battlefield tests had failed to stun UNSC or mercenary buyers, they had successfully passed standard combat metrics and soon the Model-976 had begun full production. Initially intended to be guards for recolonization efforts, they had found a place among UNSC ranks.
== Service History ==
The Model-976’s first public appearance was met with decidedly mixed reactions from both civilian and military bodies. The frail form of the Model-976 had drawn much criticism and questions over its battlefield efficacy. Many pundits had decried it as being a money sink for Misriah and little more. While battlefield tests had failed to stun UNSC or mercenary buyers, they had successfully passed standard combat metrics and soon the Model-976 had begun full production. Initially intended to be guards for recolonization efforts, they had found a place among UNSC ranks. 
The first combat deployment of the Model-976 was on the newly colonized world of Verdevilla, a dry world primarily composed of savannas and deserts. While it would otherwise be an unremarkable world with little in the way of strategic resources, the scrubland and foliage across the plains had proven to be exceptionally nutritious for both livestock and humans. In a few short months, the world had turned into a flourishing agricultural world, supplying foodstuffs to other colonies as they sprouted on newer worlds. Verdevilla’s colony site had spread across the world as people immigrated to it, seeking wealth in the agricultural business. While it had few natural resources beyond those necessary to the rearing of livestock, Verdevilla was nevertheless a target of piratical and Covenant Remnant raids, seeking to disrupt the supply of foodstuffs to hamper defensive efforts on worlds with more valuable resources. In the early half of 2557, Verdevilla was the target of a prolonged assault from a coalition of Covenant Remnants called the Blooded Cloak, seeking to stamp out the UNSC before they could rise to prominence. They had launched a number of strikes against the cities that occupied the northern continent, the most heavily populated in the world. 
While the UNSC had deployed a garrison of Marines to defend Verdevilla’s cities, they were largely outnumbered by the alien forces. In response, the Marines had rushed to unload the packages of Model-976s that had remained untouched in barrack warehouses for months since their delivery. While many were concerned over unfamiliarity in the operation of the drones, these worries were quickly assuaged. The control interface for the Model-976s were remarkably similar to the drones farmers were familiar with. Many hundreds of them were hastily sent into the fray to support flagging UNSC defense efforts or to shore up defenses in cities that were not yet under attack. The combat effectiveness of the Model-976 against the Covenant was mixed at best, managing to effectively handle lighter Covenant infantry forces, such as , , and but largely being unable to neutralize squad leaders such as or . The structural frames of the Model-976 were capable of withstanding limited exposure to enemy plasma fire, providing only somewhat more protection compared to . While these traits individually were not enough to turn the tide against the Blooded Cloak, when deployed in large numbers they could easily overwhelm even the most well trained and experienced of their lances. 
Other instances had seen them being used as decoys, drawing enemy attention away from the location of organic troops. Model-976s were also used to suppress enemy forces as organic troops had prepared heavier weapons or struck from an unexpected angle. While nearly all of the Model-976s on Verdeville were destroyed beyond repair, the Blooded Cloak was pushed off of the world. Misriah Armory was quick to capitalize on this success for their marketing, presenting the Model-976 as being critical to the successful defense of Verdevilla. For the most part, this strategy was successful and many militia and mercenary groups had placed orders for the Model-976. In response to the Verdevilla conflict, Misriah had incorporated additional armor plating around critical areas of the drone, providing it with additional protection against both energetic and kinetic trauma, along with a more robust wireless link to control terminals.Model-976s were also popular choices for civilian and military trade convoys, as they removed the need for the expansive housing for organic security forces. The Synthetic Combatant could easily be stowed in compacted forms, and easily deployed. Model-976s could also double as damage control crews, undeterred by hazards that would seriously threaten organic personnel, such as hard vacuum and radiation. External repairs could also be affected by Model-976s without risking organic personnel. Many Model-976s had served in civilian roles aboard these vessels as maintenance crews and simple menial laborers. Synthetic Combatants serving aboard these ships were also commonly customized with aftermarket parts, common among them included additional armor plating on thorax and armature segments. Others had included additional sensor suites, allowing for better performance in crisis situations where optical sensors may be hampered. Another common modification included replacement or additional integration of hardpoints suitable for weaponry, but more commonly, tools and spare parts for shipboard repair. While these modifications had voided warranties with Misriah Armories, many workshops on the frontier had still permitted repairs and maintenance on these Combatants. Additionally, aesthetic customization were popular among these private groups, with humanoid features being drawn onto the Model-976s, intimidating or insulting slogans being commonly seen scrawled on the torso and cranial sections of the machine. Clothing adapted for usage by the Model-976 is another common aesthetic choice, with many going into combat clad in shawls, scarves, vests, jackets, and all other kinds of clothing. 
The traits that made The Model-976 effective at shipboard repairs had also made it effective at combat aboard interstellar vessels. The Synthetic Combatant was able to fight without a vacuum suit, nullifying the dangers most common to boarding actions. The close quarters environment had suited the Synthetic Combatant well, as their reaction times and durability had outstripped organic boarding units. While the Model-976’s armor had proven only moderately effective against military grade weaponry, it was far more capable of resisting the weapons pirates were typically armed with. Similarly to its military deployments, the Model-976’s greatest strength in boarding situations was their capacity to be deployed en masse, boarders intending to raid a seemingly helpless merchant carrier could easily find themselves swamped in dozens of combat drones from all angles.
While the Model-976 had served faithfully in many branches of the UNSC military and beyond, this would rapidly change for the worse during the onset of the . Dozens of worlds found their active Synthetic Combatants being subverted by artificial intelligences, massively bolstering their forces in a short amount of time. The Created had employed the Model-976 in a similar manner to the UNSC, using them en masse to absorb incoming enemy fire and to screen the deadlier and constructs. Dormant Model-976s were activated by Created AI, once again bolstering their forces with massive amounts of disposable cannon fodder. 
While the UNSC’s troops had often derided the effectiveness of the Model-976, they had proven to be just as effective against them as they were against pirates and Covenant remnants. This effectiveness was magnified with Created controlling them. Created controlled Model-976s were also provided with hardlight weaponry, such as the and . A number of Model-976s were also used by UNSC aligned artificial intelligences in combat situations in support of organic forces.