Red Mask

The GH-02MSK 'Red Mask', AKA "Mask" or "Red Mask" is the successor model to the "Method Mask" Armor Frame, itself a highly-customized variant of the USAF-15 Type 15 MBF ‘Kestrel.’ The Red Mask is a joint project of Dux's designs and materials provided from the Chrome Road. It is owned and operated by CINO Ketaminé.

Unit Description & Combat Characteristics
The Red Mask serves as a complete overhaul to the specifications of CINO’s Method Mask, built over the remaining base frame after recapturing it from KoBar forces. This AF is tuned to be an aggressive mid-to-long range combatant, incorporating upgrades to perform in this role without compromising its ability to use its ECM/ECCM suite. The Red Mask serves as a comprehensive upgrade to the Method Mask, showing higher performance in offensive capabilities, defensive capabilities, and mobility.

The Red Mask is much heavier than its predecessor due to equipping a wide variety of armaments. The weight issues are mitigated by the inclusion of an E-Kraft system, which compensate for the balance of the machine as well as offer it flight capability.

Armaments & Features

 * "Dainsleif Mk-III" Beam Blade


 * A standard beam sabre-type weapon, using the well-established method of a plasma emission contained and shaped via a magnetic field to form a striking weapon. It is capable of dealing massive structural damage to any kind of armor or shielding that isn’t specifically treated to resist the effect of beam weaponry. When coming in contact with another beam armament, the beams are repelled by their magnetic fields, resulting in a deflection. This weapon has a variable output - both to avoid damaging the sensitive equipment on the Mask and because of CINO’s skill with knives, it is often set to a minimum power setting resulting in a shorter beam, though it can be manually set to full length on the fly for improved performance. Carried in a pair, the beam sabres are stored on the rear skirt unit.


 * Model M-44 "Firedragon" Sub-machine Gun


 * A solid-munitions firearm used in close combat. It fires small caliber rounds at a high rate, making it useful defensively. It is typically reserved as a close-in or backup weapon.


 * TEK-B-ML Smoke Grenade Launchers


 * Multi-launchers affixed to the right arm, loaded with and calibrated to fire smoke grenades. They gain increased accuracy and range due to being mounted on the arm, in exchange for losing the convenience of being usable with both arms occupied.


 * "RIOT Model S" Beam Shield


 * A small beam shield model affixed to the left arm. Utilizing the same principles of a beam sabre for defensive purposes, the beam shield can be used to reliably defend against attacks from solid munitions, beam weaponry, and explosive impacts, though it has an operational limit due to its energy consumption. The beam shield is designed to turn off segments of the beam emitters to prevent the beam sheld itself from coming in contact with any part of the Red Mask. This function is controlled automatically by the Red Mask’s fire control system.


 * "ANSWER" Large-Model Quench Gun


 * Red Mask’s primary armament. A magnetic cannon used for ranged assault. Because Red Mask’s sensor equipment combined with the gun's camera setup allows it to track a targets location over long distances, the ANSWER is most often loaded with APFSDS rounds and used like an AF-scaled anti-materiel rifle, though other types of ammunition are compatible. The ANSWER is mounted on an articulating sub-arm on the Red Mask’s right back unit, which moves it into position for manual operation. When CINO engages fully-manual aiming, a specialized scope from the cockpit's ceiling provides the necessary magnification and target tracking assistance.


 * Optical Drones "Hugin" and "Munin"


 * Unarmed aerial support units for the Red Mask. Their primary use is to gain tactical information from a distance and relay it back to the Red Mask's pilot and allies in real-time. While they can transmit data to the group, they are only configured to follow commands from the Red Mask’s operation console. They are carried on a rack on the Red Mask’s left back unit when not deployed.


 * Expanded Ordinance Storage Unit


 * Red Mask’s additional storage unit for carrying its magazines for its “ANSWER” quench gun. The storage unit is kept on the rear of the skirt unit, alongside the E-Kraft unit.


 * "SHOWSTOPPER-II" ECM/ECCM Suite


 * Special equipment suited for electronic warfare, the ECM/ECCM Suite is designed to jam enemy communications and electronic detection systems while providing protection against similar attacks for the pilot’s allies. It is a minimized version of the Method Mask’s unit with identical performance, stored on the center back unit.


 * Optical Camouflage System



Unit History
The Red Mask is developed using the remaining parts of the Method Mask in a job requiring Los Langaros to return to KoBar's headquarters in New York. During the retrofitting process, CINO involved himself in its construction and redesign, adding in various subroutines to the AF's macro command system and exhaustively testing and retesting its performance. (Intermission session between Session 9 - Children of the Sun and Session 10 - Bard Logic)

The Red Mask is deployed in the operation in London to act as the protective entourage of musician Anna Redfield during her farewell tour. CINO uses it as his primary transportation throughout the mission, parking it on buildings and engaging

Trivia

 * Similar to the Method Mask, the Red Mask is named for American hip-hop artist Redman.
 * The design of the Red Mask is influenced by the AV-0 Peacemaker of Mobile Police Patlabor.