The S-2C carbine was a smaller, stripped down version of its larger cousin, the S-2F blaster rifle. Design of the carbine was concurrent with that of the S-2F and the two weapons shared many similar features. However, due to development issues with the multiple modes, the carbine model was released three months after the S-2F reached the Yanibar Guard. However, once it did, it was quickly gained a reputation for being as rugged and reliable as its larger cousin, albeit somewhat more temperamental.[1]
It was first produced in 14 BBY and was designed to interact with the Battlesuit52-A, which would be worn by most of its users, just like the S-2F. It also utilized the same continuous-link datafeed in the stock as the S-2F. However, due to the drastically reduced barrel length, the S-2C had a different set of forward sights and featured a laser sight mounted on top of the barrel. The reasoning for this was that S-2Cs were issued to not only infantrymen but also to vehicle drivers, artillerymen, and other support personnel who were not expected to have nearly the small arms proficiency as the average infantrymen. Its small size also earned it a significant measure of popularity among the Yanibar Guard Intelligence and Elite Guardians.[1]
The S-2C operated on the same principles as the S-2F and most other blasters. When the carbine was fired, blaster gas was passed through a conversion chamber, where it is excited with energy from the power pack and blasted through a focusing crystal and emitted from the barrel in a powerful bolt of energy. Unlike the S-2F, the carbine lacked the cooling sleeves on the barrel, but used the same energy packs as its cousin. The standard gas cartridges used in the S-2C lasted for 300 shots, while each power pack contained enough energy to fire 100 standard power blasts.[1]
The weapon had three firing modes: stun, semi-auto, and full autofire. Stun mode lessened the power of the beam while inducing an electric current into the beam designed to incapacitate the target. Semi-automatic fire, affectionately called “semi,” fired a single violet-colored blast each time the trigger was pulled. Full autofire was a mode that simply kept the S-2C firing as long as the trigger was held. Other modes, such as overcharge and focused-fire mode, were considered for use on the S-2C, but there were significant engineering challenges involved in handling the increased energy loads without cooling sleeves, and so those plans were dropped.[1]
The S-2F also featured a fully-integrated ordnance launcher capable of launching miniaturized concussion, fragmentation, sonic, ion, stun or incendiary grenades. However, the most common loading for the launcher was a sizable exploding shell similar in principle to a shotgun, designed for close-range use. The Elite Guardians and Intelligence services, on the other hand, were fond of employing a silencer on the projectile launcher and firing solid metal slugs similar to those employed in the S-5X sniper rifle.[1]
The weapon first saw service in 14 BBY as the S-2C.[2] Its first combat action came two years later in 12 BBY when Cresh Squad used it during a skirmish with Blue Star pirates who had landed on Yanibar.[3] The weapon was again carried by Yanibar Guard commandos a year later on Herstell V during a raid on a money launderer's apartment.[4] The weapon was powerful and well-liked, if hard to handle.[1]
However, issues with recoil-the little carbine had considerable amounts of recoil upon sustained firing-led to the stock being redesigned in 5 BBY. This new model was dubbed the S-2CA, but other problems arose with the carbine. The cooling mechanism often spilled excess heat, which caused the weapon to receive another overhaul in 1 BBY as advances were made in cooling systems. The resulting S-2CB was a much more efficient weapon in terms of waste heat and also, to the delight of Intelligence and the Elite Guardians, featured a focused-fire mode. Like the S-2F, though, it was not exported due to its distinctive purple-tinged blaster fire.[1] The first use of the S-2B was on an infiltration mission over Brentaal IV which saw a Yanibar Guard commando unit infiltrate a Star Destroyer.[5]
S-2Cs were carried by Yanibar Guard infantry squads, typically by members who carried heavier weapons or auxiliary gear.[2]
S-2CBs continued to see use for many years. The Yanibar Guard Marines made heavy use of them onboard ships due to the lessened ranges and closer confines. It saw extensive use during the Battle of Yanibar in 4 ABY,[1] as well as an infiltration to Nar Shaddaa prior to the battle.[6] Not long after, the S-2CB was employed during a geological mission on Ta'antos that soured due to local unrest. Yanibar Guard troops were forced to defend themselves until they could be extracted.[7]
Given the weapon's general reliability, not much was changed about it until 26 ABY, when the Yuuzhan Vong invasion forced a re-evaluation of Yanibar Guard infantry weapons. The S-2C was deemed inadvisable to add a new gas cartridge and cooling sleeve as had been done to the S-2F rifle. The design would not fit the new components without making the weapon larger and longer. Instead, Kraechar Arms opted to install a small proton infuser added high-energy protons to the blast, increasing its firepower for a smaller weight and size. Another addition was a bayonet mount for fighting against Yuuzhan Vong at close range. This new version was dubbed the S-2CC.[1]
The weapon saw action against the Yuuzhan Vong in the Battle of Rishi in 27 ABY, where it acquitted itself reasonably well.[8] Kraechar Arms made further modifications to the weapon prior to the Yanibar refuge's departure in 38 ABY. A laser sight and upgraded ordnance launcher were fitted in 29 ABY, dubbed the S-2CD. The S-2CE variant in 32 ABY added a repulsor-stabilized stock and redesigned the barrel to be lighter. 35 ABY saw the introduction of the ultimate version, the S-2CF, which retooled the grip slightly and introduced an upgraded power cell that increased its firing capacity by 20 shots.[1] Elite Guardian Zeyn Kraen carried one in 38 ABY during a mission to retrieve scientist Danni Quee from Zonama Sekot.[9]
Behind the scenes[]
The S-2C blaster carbine went through several design iterations for its visual representation before Atarumaster88 decided to use concept art from Starcraft: Ghost to represent the weapon. The firing modes of the weapon were inspired by ranged attacks available in the Knights of the Old Republic game. Addition a proton infuser was a nod to ammunition upgrades in Mass Effect.
Appearances[]
- Thunderchief
- The Price of Loyalty
- Hard Code
- Force Exile IV: Guardian
- Force Exile V: Warrior
- The Final Voyage
- Force Exile VI: Prodigal
- Yanibar Guard Sourcebook
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 The Essential Guide to Force Exile exclusive S-2C blaster carbine content
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Yanibar Guard Sourcebook
- ↑ Thunderchief
- ↑ The Price of Loyalty
- ↑ Hard Code
- ↑ Force Exile IV: Guardian
- ↑ The Final Voyage
- ↑ Force Exile V: Warrior
- ↑ Force Exile VI: Prodigal