HX7B-M Aftershock

## Overview

The HX7B-M Aftershock is an experimental warhead that is designed to generate intense and localized earthquakes and tremors, destabilizing structural foundations and collapsing buildings. The weapon is another design of Grigax, Inc., created in Y4156 after the resounding success of their Icarus Drone System. The effective range of the weapon depends on the missile platform it is installed in, however it is usually affixed to arrays of modified common H3F-M Avalanche missiles, and when fired in volleys the weapon system can simulate a magnitude 9.8 earthquake. The system is also often used to destroy critical roads and pathways, the intense tremors mulching the landscape into unpassable terrain.

### History

After the deployment of the H5A-M Icarus system in Y4134 and its subsequent success in Y4144 during the 1st Battle of Bulwark, the Iron Ordinance Department sanctioned further development of ultrasonic and microwave weapons technology, citing its superior ability to passively dictate the conditions of engagement, saying "it could win battles before they were fought." Grigax, Inc. returned to its prototypes based off the Gyro PX, however they were still underwhelming in the eyes of the IOD. This time however the Primus Territory Mining Corporation (PTMC) was recruited to add their expertise to the mission. At the time, the PTMC was coincidentally working on its own technology to blast and clear away rock and debris at a faster rate. They were employing cinderite fusion technology to generate the power needed to run their machines at 250% capacity. While costly to produce, the PTMC's prototype worked wonders, and the profit was recouped on the back end with the increase in output.

in Y4149 Grigax, Inc. licensed the Self-Contained Cinderite Fusion Unit (SCCFU) from the PTMC and started their efforts to implement it into their experimental warhead design. With the new source of power the warhead could reach the wattage output required to generate enormous seismic waves, strong enough to pulverize tough materials like Basalt or Granite. Their calculations concluded that if the small reactor unit was started prior to launch the device, it would have plenty of energy to carry out its operating sequence, as well as detonate at the end of its cycle in order to avoid the technology falling into enemy hands. In early Y4151 the prototyping and testing of the weapon system was conducted on the Tawney Islands, at the top secret Test Site Mannlicher-2. The tests were deemed successful, although the SCCFUs took longer to generate the necessary energy levels than desired. The other issue of stabilizing the SCCFUs during flight needed to be addressed as cinderite fusion is a delicate process and requires precise control of temperatures and additives to maintain. Despite its minor issues the project was deemed a success, being given the name of HX1A Aftershock. The warhead was scheduled for production in late Y4152, and the first equipped missiles were deployed in early Y4156.

The Aftershock first saw combat later that year, in small skirmishes in the Synovian Desert. Pax-Viribus Theocracy Catechizer Squads usually roam the desert in search of Iron Horde radar arrays or anti-air beacons. On T4Y4156M47 Detachment Geronimo of the Iron Horde 2nd Armored Division engaged a PVT Catechizer Platoon from the PVT 3rd Shock Battalion. Two out of four of Geronimo's K6B Berrenda tanks were equipped with small H3F-M Avalanche pods loaded with HX7B Aftershock missiles. As the IC armored column drove up the road they came upon the Catechizer platoon's main encampment. Immediately one K6B was destroyed by a PVT Executioner Mine, killing all six crew inside. The two accompanying K3B Wildcat Assault Recon Vehicles armed with A14 Centurions detached from the column and flanked returning fire and killing five attacking PVT soldiers. It was at this point that the two Berrendas armed with the Aftershock missiles fired off their salvos on the enemy encampment. While three of the missiles failed to activate, the remaining nine fired successfully, landing inside the base and destroying the Catechizer's camp command tower as well as detonating their ammo stores.

### Features

#### Self-Contained Cinderite Fusion Unit

This installable device is a miniaturized version of a full-fledged cinderite fusion reactor, using helium isotopes as its fuel base. While extremely easy to implement into an existing power system, extreme care must be taken to moderate the reaction, lest it fizzles out or becomes unstable and destroys itself and whatever it's attached to.