Wasteland Weapon Guides Part 4- MER-9

My name is Frost Windchill. Pleased to meet you. Better late than never. On this edition of Wasteland Weapon Guides, things are getting a little more energetic. Magical energy weapons were on their way to replace ballistic weaponry in the later stages of The Great War, and as such, they enjoy a good deal of proliferation in the Wasteland. And this particular model is one of the most recognizable.

I present to you- the FN MER-9.

Magical energy weapons, or MEW’s, were actually around for longer than most people realize. The concept of the MEW dates back nearly five-thousand years from the modern Wasteland day- a little-known fact that lends to their continued relevance in this day and age. And yes, that does mean that magical energy weapons in fact predate ballistic firearms by a huge margin.

The earliest known MEW’s were first developed by ponies during the Age of Exploration, when more powerful weapons were needed to push forward into the Wild Unknown. They were little more than spears with a single tube primed with particularly reactive gems, such as ruby, topaz, emerald, or sapphire and their individual varieties. Fire rubies were especially sought after in what were essentially the first thermic lances- still in use in the Wasteland today as both industrial equipment and improvised weapons. These early versions were far more wasteful and served as bangalore poles to flamethrowers depending on the gems utilized, often draining them in a single use. They were since then refined into more lasting weapons and resembled the magical energy lances, axes, and maces found on occasion in the modern day, and the Contact Wars of the Age of Exploration were fought primarily with these weapons and primitive firearm designs powered by gunpowder.

The premise of ballistic firearm technology also provided the backbone for MEW’s to further develop into simple long-ranged weaponry. As it turned out, a mixture of gunpowder and gem dust could propel a small, metal projectile with enormous force. This deadly new technology- developed by griffin scientist Crowe Fletcher Gauss- would be unleashed in the first of a string of wars the world was ill-prepared to wage by powers all too eager to use them- the Colony Wars of the Age of Empires.

Fast forward to the Age of Industry. The world was more or less at peace, and the three great empires were in good relations with one another when the Zebrican Wilds once again threatened both Equestria and Zebrica. With the Equestria-Zebrica Trade Agreement, EZTA, high-quality gems became Equestria’s most exported good, and almost all of them went to production of weaponry by the Legion in its efforts to stem the Wilds’ growth. The antiquated Gauss weaponry sorely needed an update, and while some manufacturers would later find success in revamping the concept, specialization of ballistic firearms and directed energy weapons proved the simpler route.

Fillies and gentlecolts, enter the magical energy rifle.

Developed by the Vanu Labs of Roam, the S1 was the first magical energy rifle ever produced- and an incredibly powerful one at that. Draining energy from a heavy-duty battery mounted to the grip, the S1 laced energy directly across a tapered fire ruby array with devastating results. More foreleg-fired artillery than rifle, the S1 was both heavy and heavy-hitting, packing more than enough punch to pierce a then-modern tank’s armor and then some. It was, however, a clunky and unreliable weapon. With so many critical components exposed to the open air and “reloading” requiring replacement of the entire gem array, the S1 went through further revisions, reducing weight and complexity while improving handling and durability. This soon resulted in magical energy rifles with far less power but far more flexibility and ease of use. They would later be known as the VX series of magical energy weaponry.

But where does that leave Equestrian MEW’s, you may ask?

Enter Fabrique Nationale d'Horsetal. A company already in good standing with its series of ballistic firearm weaponry, it was ready for a foray into MEW’s. Working with Wynnchester and Fetlock, it produced a slew of designs that culminated in perhaps the most iconic magical energy weapon of the northern hemisphere- the MER-9.

Simple. Streamlined. Straightforward. The Magical Energy Rifle Model 9 was produced at a period of The Great War when the Equestrian Royal Air Force sought after a recoil-less weapon for its Shadowbolts, and it came at the right place at the right time, earning its place in history as the most prolific magical energy weapon in NETO territories that still sees fairly common use today. Although later models were produced by FN Horsetal, going all the way up to the state-of-the-art MER-12, none were as durable as the MER-9.

The primary feature of the MER-9 was a titanium-housed gem array that withstood the elements far better than the gold alloy-housed arrays of later models. This resulted in the gem array remaining focused in operational parameters for decades or even well over a century rather than falling completely out of focus. The wave/particle diverters were also protected by a carbon-fiber housing that prevented frequent malfunction, though failure resulted in a completely unusable weapon. Still, with proper maintenance, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another magical energy rifle that will keep on working as easily as the MER-9.

There are some obvious benefits with MEW’s compared to conventional firearms. The most obvious advantage is the inherent lack of recoil as per all directed-energy weapons, resulting in easier operation- especially while in flight. There is also no need to take wind or gravity into calculation. Furthermore, the lack of moving parts- usually only the cell’s holding latch and the trigger mechanism- means that MEW’s are far more resilient from deterioration from extended use. Lastly, there is a chance that a MEW- any MEW- can cause catastrophic collapse at the subatomic level, causing the unfortunate fellow on the receiving end to collapse into dust or a puddle of foul goop.

With key upsides, there are key downsides. MEW’s, while resistant from wear and tear from extended use, are more susceptible to damage from the environment or even a significant impact, which may knock the optics out of alignment. The gem arrays and non-mechanical components are extremely delicate, meaning that improper servicing can lead to loss of beam intensity, overheating, or even catastrophic energy regulation failure. Read: explosion. MEW’s are also extremely obvious. Tracer rounds work both ways, and barring some advanced models, MEW’s always fire tracer rounds. Finally, the ammunition is difficult to come by. Microspark cells and similar MEW ammunition also function as power supplies, meaning that you’ll have to weigh between keeping an electric generator running or keeping your rifle topped up, which also increases how valuable- and expensive- those cells are.

Overall, the MER-9 and MEW’s in general have a colorful history and future just as bright. While they offer a different blend of characteristics compared to conventional firearms, it generally falls into user taste. Serviced properly, the MER-9 can stand as tall as any firearm. So even if you’re not a MEW fanatic, don’t discount the MER-9…

… or you might just get fired.

This has been Frost Windchill. Apologies for the lateness, but I do hope you enjoyed this extra special edition of Wasteland Weapon Guides. This will likely be turning into a biweekly special from then on, but as before, please feel free to leave suggestions, comments, critiques, and concerns. So with that, take care, and farewell.

Sources:

www.ravenrepublic.net

www.krl.com.au

www.aqwwiki.wikidot.com

Equestria-Prevails from deviantART

spore.wikia.com

matteblacdesign.blogspot.com

volpinprops.blogspot.com

www.mcarterbrown.com

The Fallout Wiki

Suggested by Tofu/askdashitemach