M6K/U

"If the Cosmos could, they'd marry the Elysian." - Popular saying among the ESF.The M6K/U, otherwise known as the M6K-Elysian is an upscaled variant of the M6K Personal Defense Weapon System which features an eight round magazine, a higher rate of fire and five additional meters of effective range. Like it's parent model, the M6K/U is visibly similar to the M6C.
Due to it's relatively short range and small magazine the M6K/U is deemed unfit for military use and it is almost exclusively utilised by law enforcement agencies and private security. The M6K/U in particular has become a mainstay of the Elysian Security Forces and the Cosmopolitan Police, the twin law enforcement agencies of the planet of Elysia. Due to it's widespread usage by law enforcement on Elysia, it has earned the nickname "M6K-Elysian" which has proven popular both among residents of Elysia and foreigners.
==Role==
The M6K/U occupies a niche role in comparison to the rest of the M6 series which is applicable in a variety of situations. Due to it's small size and easy concealability it is primarily used in operations and situations where the utmost discretion is required, and has therefore a common sidearm for those who are undercover. Unlike it's parent, the M6K/U is a viable option for law enforcement agencies within urban centers and enclosed environments, and it's relative low cost in comparison to other models makes it easier to acquire in large numbers. 
==Design==
===Ammunition===
The M6K/U utilises the 12.7x40mm ammunition type, the same as the M6C. Despite having the same caliber, their magazines are not mutually compatible. 
===Advantages===
The M6K/U is in all respects a direct upgrade of the M6K. It has an extra two rounds in it's magazine, it has five meters of additional range and a higher RPM. It's concealability means that in the right hands it is an incredibly lethal weapon; in certain situations the pistol's victim would be dead before they would have even lain eyes on it. 
The 12.7x40mm round is military-grade and highly effective against flesh-based targets unlike the M6K which is not due to it's much smaller ammunition type and magazine size. Against unshielded or unarmoured targets, the M6K/U is as lethal as any other sidearm.
===Disadvantages===
The primary disadvantage the M6K/U suffers from in relation to it's parent model is it's size. Due to it's increased magazine and round size, the pistol is moderately larger than the M6K and therefore slightly more difficult to conceal. This makes the M6K/U incompatible with pouches and holsters that were designed with the M6K in mind.
In relation to the rest of the M6 series, the M6K/U is ineffective in combat situations against most targets. While a viable method of incapacitation or neutralisation of criminal and insurrectionist targets, the M6K/U is unsuitable for taking on heavily armoured or shielded targets. Against the Covenant and subsequent remnant factions the weapon serves more as an annoyance than a threat, which was made apparent during the First Battle of Elysia.
===Design Influences===
The primarily influence for the design of the M6K/U is the M6C. Like it's parent, the M6K, the physical design of the M6K/U bares a physical resemblance to the M6C in many ways.
===Design Details===
The M6K/U is a semi-automatic pistol sidearm manufactured by Misriah Armory. Primarily used by urban law enforcement agencies, the M6K/U does not serve in a military capacity. This specific variant is an upsized version of the M6K model and a direct upgrade in terms of range, magazine size and RPM.
It is semi-automatic and magazine fed, operating on the short-recoil principle. Every time a round is fired, the gun will load itself until the magazine is empty.
== Service History ==
In the early 26th century, the M6K became a popular alternative for undercover members of law enforcement agencies and demand for it increased significantly across UEG space. In 2531, the M6K/U design proposal was accepted by Misriah Armory who were seeking to expand their line of security-based M6 sidearms. The first models became available in 2533 and the pistol immediately proved to be very popular among both law enforcement and security personnel. The first organisation to truly adopt the M6K/U as a standard-issue sidearm was the Cosmopolitan Police on Elysia, who paved the way for the M6K/U being considered acceptable as a standard police sidearm rather than just a concealable weapon. For much of it's service history it had to compete directly with other security-grade models of the M6 series, notably the M6A and M6B. As of 2566, the M6K/U, while still in widespread use, has begun to have it's role as a police sidearm be replaced by military models such as the M6C as law enforcement slowly gains access to discarded military firearms. 
== Operators ==
The following is a list of organisations which currently employ the M6K/U as a standard-issue sidearm.
* Cosmopolitan Police
* Elysian Security Forces