rock and stone
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To submit an iterated version of the Galactic Alliance's elite SpaceOps Marine armor for the most recent factory template.
- Image Source: MCRN Marine from the Expanse
- Canon Link: /
- Primary Source: GADF-SOMA-1
- Manufacturer: SoroSuub Corporation | I'att Armament
- Affiliation: (x) Alliance-in-Exile
- Model: GADF-SOMA-2
- Modularity: Yes; Exterior Attachments (Combat Webbing, Tactical Toolkits)
Production: Limited
- Material: Duraplast Plating, Armorweave Underlay, Reflec Coating, Solarium Glasteel Visor
- Classification: Advanced Warplate (Special Forces/Zero G)
- Weight: Heavy (Warplate - 25 kg, Rebreather Pack and Kit - 20 kg)
- Resistances
Blasters/Plasma: Very High - Kinetic: High
- Lightsabers: Average
- EMP/Ion: Low
- Elemental: Average
- Sonic: High
SPECIAL FEATURES
Helmet
- Neural Band
- Retractable Faceplate
- Anti-Flash Polarizing Visor
- Exterior Duraplast Visor Shield
- Cellular Padding
- A/V Player and Recorder (10 Hour Datacard Capacity)
- Annunciator/Vocabulator
- Aural Dampener
- Short-Range Integrated Comlink
- Comlink Scrambler
- Holographic Heads-Up Display (Blink Command Operated)
- Multi-Frequency Targeting and Acquisition System
- Combat Scanner/Life Form Scanner/Sonar Mapper/Motion Scanner/Radar
- Visor Modes: Tactical, Infrared, Low-Light/Night, Thermal, Ultraviolet
- Anti-Ion Mesh
- Duraplast Gorget
- Floodlights
Torso
- Thinsuit
- Environmental Seal (Redundant)
- Foam Resealant System
- Rebreather Pack (12 Hour Oxygen Supply)
- Emergency Power Pack
- Grav Chute/Jetpack Backplate Mounting
- IFF Transponder
- Biostamp
- Grenade Bandolier/Combat Webbing
- Shockweb (20 Minute Energy Cell)
- Shoulder Vibroblade Sheathe
- Magnetized Weapon Mounting
Utility Belt
- Medpack
- Multitool
- Combat De-Ionizer
- Energy Sinks
- Echani Energy Shield
- Individual Field Disruptor
- Anti-Security Blade
- Scramble Key
- Circuit Disruptor
- Miscellaneous Pouches
Gauntlets
- Duraplast Vambraces
- Magnetic Adhesion Grips
- Grappling Spike Launcher
- Dampener Aerosol Projector (4 Charges - Reloadable)
- Retractable Vibroblade
- Xr5 Power Assist (Limited Strength Enhancement System)
- Encrypted Datapad (Either Gauntlet)
Greaves
- Rocket Boots
- Magnetic Adhesion Soles
- Ankle Vibroblade Sheathe
- Magnetized Thigh Plate (Sidearm Mounting)
Strengths:
- Advanced Warplate: Equipped with almost all the same cutting edge wartech and battlefield enhancements as Alliance shock trooper armor in addition to a few extras, it is lined with an armorweave underlay to protect against kinetic-based weaponry. Sensor scattering reflec coating warps light and deflects most forms of sensor energy, making it more difficult to gain an accurate reading without significantly boosting such an array's electromagnetic signals.
- Echani Shield: Each suit of SpaceOps armor comes with a highly advanced Echani designed personal energy shield. This is what provides its wearer with such high resistances against both blaster and sonic based weaponry. Longer lasting than a shock trooper's shield generator, it will still overload quickly if placed under the strain of concentrated enemy fire.
- Neural Band: A neural band built into the SOMA-2's blast helmet provides resistance to mental manipulation by rerouting synapses. A marine wearing this helmet will not be able to be mind controlled, although illusions will remain just as effective.
- EMP/Ion Vulnerability: Only the blast helmet is lined with an insulating anti-ion mesh, shielding its sensitive electronics from all but close proximity EMPs. The SOMA provides little protection against ion blasts, able to absorb perhaps a few glancing shots into its combat de-ionizers before a marine is exposed to their full charge.
- Kinetic Impact: While the warplate's ability to stop most lower caliber projectile slugs is high, because of its emphasis on shielding over reinforced armor layers, it is far less effective at absorbing the kinetic force of such an impact. Particularly with heavier weaponry, these rounds can cause significant internal damage and even interfere with operation of the suit's zero g maneuvering thrusters.
- Data Overload: Not just because of the immense amount of complex data streamed through the helmet's holographic HUD, although this does limit's one ability to simply step into a suit and utilize it to its full potential. If compromised (ie if the suit has taken enough damage), the blast helmet's anti-ion mesh can instead short out critical electronic systems, even in some cases funnel ion current directly into the body for a more devastating incapacitation effect.
- Range of Motion: The SOMA-2 isn't quite as bulky as heavy shock trooper armor, but it is still warplate and encumbering. This can limit a marine's full range of motion and, particularly during zero gravity operations for which it was designed, makes it more difficult to execute precision maneuvers. It is effectively half combat armor, half spacesuit.
Designed for use by the Galactic Alliance's elite SpaceOps Marines branch shortly before its collapse, the SOMA-2 was commissioned as a reaction by the Navy to the Armed Forces' overhaul of their equipment standards throughout the Defense Force. Based on its predecessor which first saw heavy use during the latter months of their campaign against the One Sith, SOMA armor is specially tailored to assist SpaceOps in their focus on zero g combat. Boarding and counter boarding specialists, it was extremely rare to see this warplate being used in operations planetside.
Its primary distinguishing features include a neural band to limit potential exposure to psychic manipulation, room for a gravchute or jetpack as well as rocket boots for additional fine tune maneuvering while in vacuum, and a cutting edge Echani shield which boosts the suit's resistances against both energy and sonic based weaponry. The SOMA-2 is also noted for its reinforced duraplast gorget and vambraces, extra protection around the neck and wrists to provide its wearer some limited protection against the more common lightsaber killing and maiming slashes. A forceful enough blow to center mass would still easily compromise both the armor's shield and armoring, but decapitating strikes and glancing swings deflected away by the marine's vambraces need to first damage the armor before proving lethally effective.
A sensor scattering coat of reflec polymer made this warplate ideal for stealth and reconnaissance missions, and during the height of the Alliance's power those who wore it were seen as some of the best of the best. They are a much rarer sight now that the GADF is no more, but fortunate salvagers have been able to recover kits from former military hubs and scuttled warships, and they are increasingly seen in the hands of apparent Outer Rim mercenaries.
