Upgraded Grunts

**Upgraded Grunts** are partially mechanized variants of Grunts and the descendants of the Alpha Grunts.

Appearing in the later parts of the White Hank series timeline they are one of the few elements hinting at the course of the aforementioned timeline, as the Upgraded Grunts share the same power-up ability with Alpha Grunts, but the latter are only capable of powering up melee weapons and their fists - where more advanced Upgraded Grunts are able to empower firearms as well. Implying a descendancy with function and design progression.

They are frequently summoned by Pink Hank and serve as his minions.

## History

### *Madness WhiteHank 2: With Vengeance*

Upgraded Grunts first appear alongside regular A.A.H.W. units to fight White Hank as she is making her way to Pink Hank's location.

After White Hank and Kryy entered a face off against Pink Hank, Upgraded Grunts were summoned in droves by Pink Hank to do battle against the two.

## Powers/Abilities

The nature of their ability to power weapons up is ambiguous, but seems to stem from the chest rig they wear. Particularly the red glowing lens/gem/crystal contained in it. This device is referred to as the "U-Device". It is assumed that it's function is tied closely to heat, however that can be just a natural occurrence, and the latter is generated by the presence of large volumes of other forms of energy.

Aside from a power-up ability they share with Aplha Grunts, Upgraded Grunts have also demonstrated the ability to project a destructive glob of energy, throwing one out with a punching motion. An ability Alpha Grunts evidently lack.

A single Upgraded Grunt has also demonstrated the ability to enter a powered-up state, wherein his whole body was consumed by the hazy red glow. In this state he was able to perform seemingly on par in speed and strength as White Hank, if not greater, dishing out attacks with an empowered energy-based sword. These attacks were able to vaporize a chunk of concrete stairs into nothing, leaving but a black-charred gash with red-hot glowing edges, showing seemingly no resistance as it cut throw the material. In addition, the sword was able to harness and channel the energy projection ability of the U-device, emitting an energy wave as an aftershock of a sword swing. This powered-up state, however, did not last more than 2 seconds, which drained both the U-Device and it's user of most if not all energy. Possibly even causing damage, seeing how the Upgraded Grunt's gear flicked off, leaving him helpless, as even the energy-sword lost it's literal edge being starved of power.

## Trivia

* Alpha Grunts carry a "0.5" numeral on their U-Device rigs.
* In White Hank Zero, at an early point of the timeline (but "post-Paradig") we see a modified 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft auto-cannon which is hooked up to what is likely a heavily modified twin-aplha-U-Device, labeled "**B**ofors **U**-Device **T**esting **T**erminal", despite the fact that Aplha-U-Devices have not been seen able to power-up firearms. It is possible that this weapon was an early attempt to improve and transition the Alpha-U-Device to it's Upgraded and final form we see used by Upgraded Grunts later in the timeline.
* During White Hank 2 before a fight with Pink Hank, Kryy lends White Hank an Upgraded U-device, which she is able to use proficiently and to great effect.
* In White Hank Zero Neo Wank is yet again seen wearing an Upgraded U-device under his trench coat throughout the movie.