Castel Industries

## History

Founded by DTRO researcher Robert Castel, Castel Industries was a manufacturer that specialized in robotics and machine manufacturing. While already establishing themselves as a major player in the industrial market, Robert Castel himself became intrigued with the ancient designs of the AEGIS Program during his time studying records of its technology. As such, with his namesake company at his behest, he proposed the idea to the DTRO to experiment in reviving the Garrisai Mobile Weapon.

Initially, Castel was met with much opposition, considering the fact that any humanoid-like machines were forbidden under the Garrisai Ban of 2431. However, once his pleas reached the ears of the NDRC, the nation understood Castel Industries' importance in Decholon's economy, and thus secretly greenlit development for this alleged "pet project." As such, a group of mechanical engineers--supervised by Robert Castel himself--began work on the Castel Frame.

Using data from various Harbinger Ground Types scattered and retrieved across Decholon, they were able to simplify many of the ancient machines' complex mechanisms. From a simplified joint structure to a user-friendly cockpit interface, their idea was to gain a functional design as soon as possible. After months of deliberation, the team eventually culminated their work into the Castel Test Type. This first model, while sporting only a rudimentary armor complement and a static camera, established the basic controls necessary for Garrisai operation. It would then evolve into the team's second machine--Unit 02--which focused more on mobility, namely with Thruster Kits. The third and final of their test types would receive prototype weapons from Kestrel Technologies and Omega Armories--two companies that were secretly funding the development of these machines with the hopes of their success. With the third test type now sporting Nanolaminate Armor and a broad array of weapons, Castel confirmed that this final model would be the basis for their production. All they needed now was a way to introduce it.

Because the Garrisai Ban of 2431 was still in effect, the research team had gone to considerable lengths to keep them from the prying eyes of the government. Being labeled as prototype "Mobile Workers" designed for construction labor, Castel Industries claimed that these machines were not affiliated with the DTRO in any way, and simply needed the ample space to test them properly. When the time came to distribute them, the team came up with an ingenious idea. By placing restrictive suppression mechanisms on each Garrisai's joints and cockpit, it would mean that most normal operators would not have access to the combat and movement capabilities the machine would have normally. When these "Placebo Locks" were removed by the DTRO, however, operators would then be able to use the Garrisai as intended. With these locks in place, Castel Industries began to ship out their CSF-S3b Castel Ground Types, labeled officially as OCS-S2x Castel Utility Workers.

The distribution of the machine was an overall success. Even while under the guise as a Mobile Worker, the Castel Ground Types performed phenomenally as Civilian-Use Machines, boasting outstanding mobility and ease of use by most organizations. With the reputation of these machines now firmly emplaced, Castel Industries and the DTRO now shifted their gaze towards showing them off. Previously, they had become aware of the nearby nation of Armeli's economic crisis, as a result of Decholon's energy sales outpacing their own. Seeing they were in desperate need of revenue, the DTRO proposed to Armeli's Prime Minister Vincent Deltavi that he send his best Naval Fleet over to Decholon for a "staged" invasion. With the intention that Decholon would win over the seemingly unstoppable Armeli Naval Fleet, the DTRO conceded that Deltavi withdraw his troops after enough fighting had been done, giving the Castel Ground Types enough time in the spotlight. Begrudgingly Vincent agreed, and ordered his lead Naval Officer Jack Kendall to spearhead the invasion.

Once the Naval Fleet arrived and began their invasion, Castel Industries put their plan into action. Calling together a team of trained LCDM pilots and removing the Placebo Locks, the Garrisai fought back against the Naval Fleet with almost zero challenge. The Castel Ground Types were vastly superior to the tanks and aircraft the Armeli opposition had brought with them, wiping out most of the invasion force in only days. After garnering a heavy amount of public viewership on the battle, Castel Industries ordered Armeli to withdraw their troops in, leaving the nation of Decholon as the victor.

The Castel Utility Workers became a sensation, and movements were made to have the machines be inducted into military service. With the LCDM already in on the operation and the NDRC eventually complying, the Castel Ground Types were finally introduced as proper weapons of war. From this line of machines came several other variants, including a prototype exo-armor system developed by Omega to a limited-production series intended for specialized roles. All of these would see continued success as the NDRC grew their army for the next foreseeable invasion. This would all be until the DTRO, without Castel's knowledge, began development on a new series of Garrisai--Project Resurga.

## Garrisai Developed

### Mass-Production

* CSF-S3a Castel Test Type
	+ CSF-S3a-001 Castel Test Type (Unit 01)
	+ CSF-S3a-002 Castel Test Type (Unit 02)
	+ CSF-S3a-003 Castel Test Type (Unit 03)
* CSF-S3b Castel Ground Type
	+ CSF-S3bF Castel Service Type
	+ CSF-S3bA Castel Commander Type
	+ LS0/CSF-S3b Castel Armor Type
		- LS1b/CSF-S3b Castel Heavy Ground Type
		- LS1c/CSF-S3b Castel Artillery Type

### Limited Production

* CSF-S3c/LP00 Castel Ground Type II
	+ CSF-S3c/LP01 Cyclops Ground Type
	+ CSF-S3c/LP02 Juggernaut Ground Type
	+ CSF-S3c/LP03 Centurion Antilockup Type
	+ CSF-S3c/LP04 Nautica Aquatic Type

### Extended Production

* CSF-S3c/LP05 Ballista Mass-Production Type
* [CSF-S3c/LP06 atLAS Mass-Production Type]

## Trivia

- The name "Castel" is a pseudonym of "Castle," referencing the Garrisai's role as the protectors of Decholon.