Vertex Frame/Class X
Class X Vertex frames are modelled after bipedal anthros and designed to be agile for close quarters combat in tight spaces as well as serve as combat engineers. They were the first class of unit developed as part of the Vertex project. X1, the latest generation developed by Metatron before the Vertex Revolution, featured an ionised plasma strafing system as well as an upgraded communications array. All further generations were developed and refined by the network itself and can no longer be equated to the human built X1.
Appendages
Hands
Class X hands are used as robust tools, manipulators, and weapons. Each fingertip contains a retractable dineutronium claw, which acts as a formidable cutting tool and melee weapon. Palms contain graviton projectors, allowing adversaries to be immobilised or thrown back with force, as well as ground-penetrating radar systems, enabling units to detect subterranean infrastructure simply by holding them to the ground.
The index fingers act as endpoints for a high-energy solid state cutting laser. The laser drivers are contained within the upper arm and functionally make up part of the arm weapon system compartment, which is shared with drivers for the concealed antimatter weapon; a fibre-optic bundle carries the beam to the hand. The availability of either finger allows operational flexibility and redundancy in case of failure. With a maximum drive of up to several hundred megawatts, these lasers can cut effortlessly through the heaviest of conventional armoured doors.
Tongue
The tongue of a Vertex unit is highly unique. It is not a simple mass of synthetic muscle, but actually a dynamic, space-filling nanobot system, able to conform to any shape, grow to any length, and interface with any port. Aside from its utility in matter intake processing, it is utilised as an appendage to interface with and control foreign computer systems, as well as occasionally to hold small objects. It is one of only a few nanobot systems across Vertex frames; aside from, namely, the system that performs matter digestion. The hybridisation of nanotech and conventional robotics allows the Vertex network to benefit from the reliability and security of the latter whilst also the adaptability of the former.
Power
Class X frames are powered by the same two sources of energy standard on Vertex frames; an array of neutronium electron lattice (NEL) power cells and a synthetic digestive system that allows them to extract energy from substances, most commonly highly-enriched nuclear isotopes, when away from fixed sources of power. The power cells, fully charged, are capable of running its system at idle for 72 hours, and for 12 hours in sustained combat.
When in combat mode, due to their small size they can be prone to overheating. When in emergency overheat they must dump excess thermal energy via slats on their upper back, flashing coolant into steam. This can be extremely hazardous to personnel and the surrounding area due to the temperature, and afterwards coolant must be replenished via water ingestion or rapid air desiccation, the latter of which is an option only in atmospheric environments.
Defence
Class X frames have several integrated weapon systems. Their palms contain antigravity generators for non-lethal incapacitation and utility purposes, while the right forearm contains a normally concealed antimatter cannon designed to penetrate forcefields and armour alike. As is standard with Vertex frames, their servos are extremely powerful, and combined with their claws and teeth are capable of tearing through metal and flesh, which can be very effective in close quarters combat.
They are protected by several defensive components, including a forcefield that surrounds their whole body to protect from all conventional fire, Pulsed Phase Array phasegens to stop forcefield-bypassing kinetic attacks, and fractal armour to protect them from anomalies or weapons capable of generating entropic radiation.
Locomotion
Class X frames possess the standard locomotion system present in all Vertex frames, as well as normally concealed ionised-plasma thrusters that are used for strafing at high speed. This strafing system allows dodging hypersonic projectiles while moving at extremely high precision. The fuel for these thrusters is hydrogen, which is produced via electrolysis from ingested water and then stored highly compressed.
In Class X frames, there are a total of two antigravity generators, which are located in the palms. These require no fuel, but possess lower thrust characteristics than the plasma thrusters and are designed for use in engagements as a non-lethal way to to knock combatants away and render them unconscious, and also have higher energy demands. They also incorporate electromagnets in the hands and feet, which allows for physically anchoring to metallic surfaces for stability without the need to dig deep into them to obtain leverage.
Communications
Class X frames are unique among others in that they possesses a visible high-gain external antenna in addition to internal antenna systems. This is designed to allow them to stay connected to the network in remote areas and inside enclosed spaces. This antenna is physically located on the back, below the right shoulder, and extends slightly above the head. It is normally fixed to the chassis, but can be detached in a maintenance setting when required.
Utility
Rain Deflection System (RDS): A network of emitters beneath chassis armour layers create graviton vortices and assist in keeping units’ optical sensors clear in the constant torrential rains of Iridian.