RED-8

The **RED-8** is a distinctive plasma machine gun with a unique origin story. Manufactured by miners in the Rahdon region of the planet Hades, this weapon eventually found its way into military service, owing to Quantum Dynamics.

## Design

The RED-8's origins are far from conventional for a military-grade weapon. It was crafted by miners using industrial tools and salvaged components found in scrapyards across Rahdon. This unorthodox manufacturing process lends the RED-8 its iconic and rugged appearance. It was initially designed to clear pathways through caves and caverns.

The RED-8's design stands out due to its combination of salvaged industrial parts and energy components. This fusion of materials results in a weapon that looks both makeshift and formidable. Its design is a testament to the resourcefulness of those who created it, turning scrap into a weapon of war.

As a plasma machine gun, the RED-8 operates using high-power DX 8.7 plasma ammunition. While the feeding mechanism resembles that of a conventional machine gun, with an ammo bag and a belt for ammunition, there is a crucial difference. Instead of traditional cartridges, the belt serves as a conduit for plasma rounds, channeling them from the ammunition source to the weapon.

The RED-8's stock design is functional but relatively spartan. It provides sufficient support and control for SDF legionnaires, especially when they are clad in combat gear. While it may lack the refinements of more modern firearm stocks, it gets the job done in the hands of those trained to wield it effectively.

One unique feature of the RED-8 is the potential for its ammunition belt to be repurposed as an explosive weapon. When struck by gunfire or subjected to sufficient heat, the plasma belt can ignite and detonate, causing significant damage in close proximity. This capability adds an element of unpredictability and danger to the battlefield when the RED-8 is in use.

## Trivia

### General

* The RED-8 is made from industrial tools whilst its barrel and energy components are from scrapyards. This resulted in its iconic design.
* The RED-8 has a counterpart developed by Quantum Dynamics known as the RAKAHT-150. This variant represents an improvement in design and performance over its Rahdon-crafted predecessor. Notably, the RAKAHT-150 features a sleek steel finish, setting it apart from the copper-colored aesthetics commonly associated with RAKAHT and RED plasma firearms.
* To enhance stability and accuracy during sustained fire, the RED-8 is equipped with a bipod. This feature allows SDF troopers to deploy the machine gun on a stable platform, making it well-suited for suppressing enemy positions or delivering sustained firepower in combat scenarios.
* Loaded and ready for action, the RED-8 carries a substantial weight of approximately 11 kilograms. This weight is a testament to the weapon's durability and firepower, but it also means that users must be physically prepared to handle its bulk during extended engagements.
* Nicknamed "RED BARRAGE" by numerous SDF troopers, the RED-8 is capable of delivering unmatched suppressive fire.
* Due to the success of this design, it has a militarised successor known as the RAKAHT-150.
* The RED-8 is inexpensive and easy to produce.