BR/ESU-S4x/NU-018 Dark Pegasus

- Clawed Grapple Feet

- CS-AI TRE(NT) “Trent”

- Utility Cloak

- BURSTRAID System

The BR/ESU-S4x/NU-018 Dark Pegasus is a Garrisai from the *Harbinger - Cruel Duality* Novel. It is piloted by Charlie LaMaris, who had taken up the alias Nightwatch.

## Technology and Combat Characteristics

Not much is known about the Dark Pegasus, as its attacks were almost (coincidentally) always at night. The most those it opposed were able to see were a glowing pair of violet eyes, and a black glowing pair of blades. It would often dash behind its enemies using its thrusters at astounding speeds, impaling or severing their limbs with its swords. Other times, it was known to leap high above its enemies, and pin them to the ground using its clawed feet, tearing them to shreds. The ranged weapons it did have it seldom used, only using them to intercept approaching enemies. It did not use any type of shield, instead utilizing a ballistic cloak that covered the glow of its Reactor and thrusters. This gave the Pegasus the look of a shrouded reaper.

## Armaments

- Darkblade Longswords: A pair of Anti-Armor Sabers fine-tuned towards deadly precision attacks. Their edges are lined with a prototype upgrade to the Heat Edges known as the Lambent Edges. These are much quicker in melting through Nanolaminate Armor, and this compounded with the incredible speed of the Dark Pegasus results in dangerously clean cuts.

- 80mm Forearm Autocannons: An 80mm autocannon is mounted on each of the forearms. They are the most effective only at close range, and thus should be used as an emergency alternative to the Darkblades.

- Core Mounted Destroyer Gun: (EC-07) A prototype laser weapon that resembles the firepower that of the EC-07 GT-M-LC. Consisting of a Megaparticle Amplifier fitted over the Unit's Gyrotumbler, it is capable of firing a three-second laser beam that has an impressive range, and usually can only be fired once as to not completely drain the energy of the unit's Fusion Drive. This weapon was only created by the designs of TRE(NT).

## Special Equipment and Features

- FrameBreaker Targeting Helm: A Prototype Targeting System that detects and highlights the unique metals of Garrisai Frames in an infrared light. This allows for the Pegasus to specifically attack the joints and exposed armor plates of enemy Garrisai, making it a extremely deadly force. The only flaw in this system is that all other visual abilities are impaired, thus causing tunnel vision for the pilot in combat. When in use, the Pegasus’ visor will slide down over the eye cameras, causing the visor itself to turn red.

- Pegasus Wings: This prototype backpack unit was designed to test the limits of what the HMT II system could do. Consisting of a pair of folding booster pod “wings,” they would allow heightened movement, accelerated jumps and evasive maneuvers. In order to compensate for their power consumption, the added Gyrotumbler is supported by two external fuel canisters. When in use, they unfold to form a large pair of wings. It would eventually be detached from the Pegasus and refitted onto the Archangel.

- Clawed Grapple Feet: These lockdown anchor systems allow for the unit to employ a variety of leg attacks, and can even trap enemy units within its grasp. They are capable of affixing the unit to ceilings and walls, and with use of the Pegasus' strong thrusters, allow it to get the drop on its enemies. Without a designated flight kit, however, sticking the landing can sometimes be a problem. They were originally intended to test the balancing of the Pegasus at high speeds, as well as its ability to stop during flight.

- Utility Cloak: A large ballistic fiber cloth that provides a surprisingly decent amount of protection against conventional weaponry. Originally used to cover Garrisai Units for transport or storage, it has been recycled for use as a utility for the Pegasus. It is draped over the machine's shoulders like a textile cloak when in use.

- TRE(NT): [REDACTED]

## History

The Dark Pegasus was the finalized form of the Majestic III after being overrun by the Celestial Vanguard AI TRE(NT). Midway through it maintaining its role as a testbed machine for the rest of the Garrisai of Project Resurga, it was decided that two projects be established: one was to develop a specialized equipment set for the Garrisai once it finished testing (known as the Last Midnight Initiative), and the second was to equip it with the experimental BURSTRAID System. Derived from the captured mind of a Celestial Vanguard Manticore, the BURSTRAID System was an improvement of the already well-performing NU METACOM System. Since the DTRO had captured two of these brains, the Dark Pegasus' BURSTRAID System would be using the control group AI TRE(NT). Being a part of the control group, the TRE(NT) was allowed to retain all of its memories of the Interstellar War and its conflict with humanity, causing it to fester a burning hatred for those who imprisoned it. By the time the AI was installed in the Pegasus, it had acquired an ample amount of information about the DTRO, Garrisai, and Man-Machine Interface Systems.

When the Whisper II was stolen only weeks before the DTRO's next Flying Iron Show, it was decided that the Majestic II complete testing early in order to fill in as Project Resurga's allegedly "newest" machine. While the Majestic II departed to complete this task, the Majestic III remained at the Silent Citadel to finish testing. Only days after this departure, it was reported that the test pilot of the Majestic III, along with its complement of defense troops, had mysteriously been killed in some kind of guerilla attack and the Majestic III itself being stolen by the alleged perpetrators. In truth, the AI TRE(NT) had managed to call the mortally wounded Charlie LaMaris--who had been shot by Veronica Angelos in an attempt to assassinate him--and use him as a host to pilot the Majestic III. After crudely equipping the parts and weapons of the Last Midnight Initiative, Charlie LaMaris made his escape under TRE(NT), taking on the name Nightwatch.

The Majestic III--now known as the Dark Pegasus--would become a regular threat to the LCDM, running its attacks almost always at night. Characterized by its unnatural purple glow and razor-sharp swords, the Dark Pegasus terrorized any and all it came across. This was until John Orion and the Ruby Kingship began to make their mark did the Dark Pegasus find an equal. The TRE(NT), detecting the LES(LIE) AI inside the Ruby Kingship, began to pursue the machine in an attempt to turn its lost comrade back to its side, continuing the work of the Celestial Vanguard. However, this would never come. After months of clashing between the two--and interference with the Siegebreaker Cameron Baltimore, the Dark Pegasus fell in a duel with the Ruby Kingship and Urban Dreadnought during the Flying Iron Show.

The DTRO, realizing that both the forbidden Dark Pegasus and their BURSTRAID Systems were now exposed to the public, promptly sealed them and the Kingship away in the Silent Citadel, keeping it heavily guarded in order to hide any evidence of their display. However, this would not stop more of their secrets from becoming uncovered over time, with the reveal of the Castel Test Types by ex-LCDM Pilot Marie Winhart marking the end of the LCDM's reputation with the public. Not long after, the NDRC fell under the invasion of the Mercury Legion, leaving the Pegasus sealed away with its sister unit.

- Pegasus Wings: Archangel

- Clawed Grapple Feet: Zephyr Factory Custom

- Darkblade Longswords: Predator

- 80mm Autocannons: Kept

- C-MDG (Spreading Barrel): Firestorm

When Dom first launched in the Pegasus after the destruction of the Excalibre, he was only equipped with an Anti-Armor Saber, FrameBreaker Helm, HMT II Thruster Kit, and the empty 80mm Autocannons (Plus the BURSTRAID System). The Heat-Resistant Mantle (Utility Cloak), 4x Movable Sheaths, Nanolaminate Gauntlet Shields, External Thruster Units, God Twinbows, and PARIS System would all be equipped later.

## Trivia

- Sponsored by Instinct Corp.

- The Kingship is designed to resemble a Unicorn with its horn, while the Pegasus is aptly named to resemble a Pegasus with its wings. Neither have the other’s equipment, making each of them unique.

- “Fueled by the hatred in my heart, I shall rise.”

- AKA High-Mobility Black Frame