HC-CQC5.7x28mm Mk. III

== Overview ==
The Horizon Collective CQC Mk. III is a bullpup SMG chambered in custom 5.7x28mm explosive armor-penetrating rounds. Its main features are high accuracy, reliability, acceptable armor penetration, and decent maneuverability in CQC environments. It uses an unpopular progressive trigger for its differing firing modes, although it does have a three position switch that allows it to be placed in single or automatic fire(and the previously mentioned progressive mode). It is part of a series of experimental CQC SMGs designed by Horizon Collective, and manufactured by their partner Vulcain Universel Fabriqué.
== Production ==
Design and testing began in 2538 at the Horizon Collective R&D site “Q7” on the moon Coalside 18. It was intended to fulfill the CQC Carbine and SMG position of UNSC forces after an open contract was made for a new weapon platform to replace aging ones. This gave Horizon Collective an ultimately unsuccessful chance to break out of the private sector, and into the UNSC military complex. The design process resulted in 3 main prototypes, with the third being the final design submitted to the UNSC and Abe-Stride Infantry Research Division for testing. The first and second prototypes (HC-CQC MK. I and II) were more heavily focused on fulfilling the traditional SMG role, but the engineers settled on a design that fit somewhere in between a carbine and SMG, intending to replace both platforms in order to obtain a larger contract. 
At the end of the development period it suffered a landslide lost to Misriah’s M7 SMG, as it could not compete with its low cost, weight, small size, fire-rate, ammo capacity, and magazine compactness. The M7 was also a more adaptable platform; allowing for swappable stocks, grips, a variety of barrel lengths, ease of repair, and a growing suite of attachments that were made compatible by Misriah. The HC-CQC5.7x28mm Mk. III had its funding severely reduced after the loss of the contract, but its success throughout the UNSC’s rigorous testing, and its use of the accessible 5.7x28mm cartridge gave it all-new attention alongside fresh investments. Mk. I and II prototypes were manufactured by Anderson Auto-Forge. The MK. III prototype, alongside production models, would be manufactured by Vulcain Universel Fabriqué. Manufacturing of the CQC Mk. III lasted from 2433 to 2557, halted by the prevalence of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, the Created, and eventually the Banished.
== Post-Production ==
Following the original design period, renewed interest in the CQC series emerged after rigorous internal audits. New testing showed that early prototypes suffered not by design, but due to the lack of quality control, and adherence to tolerances when the designs were manufactured by Anderson Auto-Forge. Consequently, all partnerships with Anderson Auto-Forge were terminated, and Horizon Collective chose to partner exclusively with Vulcain Universel Fabriqué. Reports from economic and industrial analysts have unanimously reported that the results of the testing is extremely odd due to Anderson Auto-Forge’s reputation for handling extremely precise manufacturing that other manufacturers would normally avoid.
== Usage ==
The HC-CQC5.7x28mm Mk. III is famously used by Horizon Collective’s own private security personnel, who are generally armed to the teeth with their latest military and combat technology as they guard the company’s various sites. Many armed guards and security outside of Horizon Collective use the SMG for its excellency in CQC environments such as factories, cargo ships, private cruisers, storage facilities, and more. CQC and ship-boarding specialists in the UNSC have been known to commission the SMG on a case by case basis for its extra edge over the M7 in firepower. Police on occasion have been seen using the SMG, although it is exceedingly rare for them to be commissioned, as they are generally obtained via liquidations of failing armed security companies. Due to it's lengthy name, users of the weapon have lovingly nicknamed it the CQ3. 
Following the introduction of the M20 SMG, the CQC Mk. III would mostly fall out of favor in any official UEG or UNSC use. CQC operations that previously used it would now simply use a modified M20 SMG with high-end barrel swaps, and recoil dampening systems, like barrel-mounted stabilizer rings, to achieve comparable results. 
== Gallery ==
File:MC-CQC.png|HC-CQC
File:MC-CQCtrig.png|HC-CQC with trigger guard
File:MC-CQChand.png|HC-CQC with handguard
File:MC-CQCsight.png|HC-CQC with smart sight
File:MC-CQCspec.png|HC-CQC SPECOPS variant
Category:Weapons