GR5-Hoplite "Kirin Custom"

After seeing combat with the HYPERION in Shanghai, the Kirin was due for an upgrade. With much of its internals suffering from structural failures, its patchwork fix was not enough to hold it together. This iteration of the Kirin is modified much more extensively, with part of its upper frame reworked to accommodate both its pilots fighting style and also the mechanical needs of the machine.

Rather than attaching bulk to it, the torso frame has been reinforced from the start. Though its chest is slightly slimmer than the standard Hoplite, its tougher torso makes up for any loss in bulk. Its arms are slightly asymmetrical now, with one being ‘bare’ and mostly frame with minimal armor. This arm instead attaches thick shields designed to act as adjustable and detachable armor. Certain equipment can be hold within the shielding, but otherwise this arm is mainly for parrying and defensive purposes.

Its other arm is slightly slimmer than the average Hoplite arm, with less bulk. It sports additional thrusters and modified gyros to allow it to move quicker, functioning as the Kirin’s primary sword arm. This combination gives it an asymmetric appearance, and despite its shield arm’s odd shape, it is overall still significantly slimmer than a regular Hoplite.

The Kirin’s head has been reworked as well. Its considerably slimmer, with its two camera-eyes hidden within its new head. The face appears almost pointed forward, with its eyes able to slip behind metallic slits to keep it safe from melee assaults or spray. Its unique identification system is intact and upgraded. No longer does it have the pointed horn, but instead the system is built into the head and chest. With enhanced cameras, the machine is not only able to identify certain types of machines based on output, but it is also able to pre-emptively ‘read’ arm movements, giving the pilot a slight heads up when an enemy machine might fire or swing at it.

Though technically improved, the new Kirin requires more time to study to pilot effectively. Its systems are more robust, but equally more complex. While it retains its status as an effective all-rounder, its newfound speed and durability likewise makes it a competent bruiser in close quarters, preferring to disable its opponents one by one.