ESU-S4xD-023 Blacklight

- Utility Cloak (Cropped)

- Old-Era Telecomms System

- Right Knee Lockdown Anchor

- Comet Queen’s Lockdown Mode

- 40mm Compact SMG

The ESU-S4xD-023 Blacklight is a Garrisai from the *Harbinger - Dead Legacy* Novel. It is piloted by Magdalena Cassidy.

## Technology and Combat Characteristics

Being a Sniper Unit, the Blacklight stays behind the front lines, supporting its allies atop a vantage point. Using its Laser Sniper and HS Targeting Visor, any enemy not behind a tough cover is usually done for. However, the damage sustained during the attack of the CS Lacerta meant that the machine was in a significantly weaker state, its Cloaking Drive and Assassin’s Single-Blade Gauntlet having been lost to damage. As such, the machine can no longer fulfill its role as a reconnaissance and stealth machine, resorting to clever hit-and-run tactics to outsmart enemies.

## Armaments

- Left Forearm Smoke Grenade Launcher: A single tube projectile launcher that fires a smoke grenade. It can be used to start an ambush, make an escape, or signal to friendly forces. It is built into the left forearm armor, covered by a small shield to protect the user while sniping.

- EC-07 Laser Sniper Rifle "Cosmic Cannon": This variant of the EC-06 Megaparticle Laser Cannon was the first laser weapon to be capable of conventional Garrisai use. Compared to its Warship-mounted predecessor, the GT-M-LC had an internal Fusion Drive, allowing it to fire without actually being connected to an external power source. Its internal magazine can hold up to two four Ichor Cores, though the weapon's cooldown time was so lengthy that it had to be used sparingly. If the laser was used prematurely before its cooldown was finished, the weapon's reactor had a chance of exploding. The Blacklight's has been extensively modified to resemble the performance of a Sniper Rifle, being nicknamed the "Cosmic Cannon" by its user. When not in use, it is stored vertically on the right side of the backpack.

- 40mm Compact SMG: A variant of the reliable 40mm ASU that has been modified to operate more like a submachine gun. By removing the stock and being fitted with a shortened barrel, it allows for the weapon to be drawn and stored easily. When not in use, it can be stored on the rear skirt armor.

- 200mm Artillery Gun (Sniper Variant): The 200mm Artillery Cannon is one of the more rare weapons manufactured by Kestrel, though this doesn’t change the fact that it’s just as effective as any other. It is a recoilless Artillery gun that is usually mounted with a two-handed grip. Due to its recoilless design and optional long range targeting sensor, it’s a favorite among snipers and battlefield marksmen. Uses a six-round external magazine in most cases. This one used by the Blacklight, similar to its EC-07, has been modified to operate like a sniper rifle.

## Special Equipment and Features

- Stealth Drive MKII: Mapped throughout several hardpoints Blacklight's armor are sound-suppression nodes. These muffle all thruster and movement sounds made by the Blacklight when used, ensuring that motion/sound tracking devices cannot detect the machine.

- Hi-Sensitivity Targeting Visor: This advanced version of the Assistive Targeting System has been equipped with not only a standard targeting interface, but also an additional long-range targeting interface. Unlike its standard counterpart, the long-range comes in the form of a slide-down visor that shifts over the eyes. This almost doubles the range at which the system can track targets.

- Utility Cloak (Cropped): In the case of the Cloaking Drive being disabled, a large reflective "cape" can be draped over the Blacklight to cover the machine's profile. While not retaining any mechanical properties, it still provides a level of stealth in certain conditions. Depending on the area deployed, different shaded cloaks can be used. Since the events of PURITY, the cloak had undergone years of wear and tear, now in the form of an average-sized cape pinned on the left shoulder. In order to prevent the thrusters from burning the cloak, it has been constructed with fireproof weave.

- Old-Era Telecomms System: As the original Whisper II was removed of its Telecomms System to maximize its stealth capabilities, Lena Cassidy found a way to work around this compromise by installing the old radio system from a Fighter Jet similar to the one she used to pilot during the First Armeli Invasion. Because the old-era radio was on a long outdated and separate frequency than the modern Telecomms System, the Whisper II’s communication abilities went practically undiscoverable by most modern conventions. In order to communicate with Lena, Jack has a special radio system linking to her machine, meaning he is usually the only one able to communicate with her during operations.

- Right Knee Lockdown Anchor: In order to maximize stability when firing, the Blacklight has been equipped with a lockdown anchor on its right knee. After kneeling down, the “spike” on the knee will rotate outwards and drive into the ground, with additional stabilizers extending on both the Blacklight’s feet and shins.

- Comet Queen’s Lockdown Mode: With many of its original equipment now either missing or damaged, the Blacklight can no longer enter the proper form of the "Comet Queen's Lockdown Mode." With only the EC-07 Laser Sniper Rifle, Hi-Sensitivity Targeting Visor, Stealth Drive MKII, and Right Knee Lockdown Anchor still at its disposal, the Blacklight must utilize either the cover of night or a suitable vantage point in order to maintain its effectiveness. While all systems still transfer their power to the Blacklight's sniper systems, this mode can only be used so many times before the Garrisai is discovered. Entering this mode still takes no more than ten or so seconds.

## History

Lena would use this form of the Blacklight over the course of the Harbinger Uprising, serving as a frequent base commander after no longer being able to work covert operations. The extent of damage done to the Blacklight meant that not only did many of its essential systems suffer irreparable damage, but also meant a complete restoration of its armor and paint. Because of the loss of its ability to run covert operations, the Blacklight--and Lena by extension--were limited to serving as a backline sniper. The Blacklight was destroyed during a Mercury Legion operation to rescue Miia Deltavi by Dominic Ramirez, resulting in Lena's death.

## Trivia

- The Cosmic Cannon, when fired, makes a charging sound similar to the warp star of Super Mario Galaxy. This pays homage to Lena’s main inspiration—Rosalina.

- Her original name, Nova, is also a reference to her being based on Rosalina. Her modern name is a more apparent reference to this.

- Lena's alias, Artemis, is a nod to her original Garrisai's name, Apollo.

- The Blacklight's page is the 84th page on the Harbinger Universe Wiki, paying homage to Lena being the successor of the First Character Drawing (Rosie).