Rifts Up Close: C-14 Fire Breather

By Tim Willard

The team that designed the C-12 Laser Rifle decided that since they had the additional funding and time, they should start work on a weapon to increase the force multiplier of individual squads. Research into old US Army doctrine showed that grenade launchers were often issued to soldiers in order to give a squad more punch.

As modular systems were nearly unheard of, and the research and development team felt it would needlessly complicate the system, the first built a man-portable grenade launcher and then wrapped the rifle system around it.

The rifle was initially manufactured in Lone Star, but assembly lines and manufacturing sights are being prepped in Chi-Town, Iron Heart, and Free Quebec, which will go online in 100 PA, 102 PA, and 101 PA respectfully.

The grenade launcher is a simple 20mm chemical launcher, pump action, with the magazine built into the weapon on the right hand side. (See illustration for the grenade magazine, which is just forward the trigger guard) with decent range and packing a good enough punch to damage hardened military vehicles and body armor. The launcher is fed from a feed port on the right side of the weapon, just above the magazine.

Grenades can be set for timed explosion, impact, airburst, or proximity by the simple touch of the stud right in front of the magazine. Airburst mode requires the firer to bracket the target with the scope's targeting system, the raise the weapon to a point above the target and selecting the altitude. The weapon will then display the correct firing arc, and the 20mm grenade will detonate at the preset altitude.

The laser assembly is somewhat crammed into the weapon, using a synthetic eight sided crystal matrix to provide focus. The lasing equipment itself is not only more powerful than the emitter in the C-12, but is also made more studier and shock dampened to prevent damage when the weapon is dropped or struck.

The scope is normally a passive nightvision scope with 2X/5X magnification, but the one shown in the illustration also contains rangefinder circuitry, and provides the user with a firing arc computer.

The heavy duty cover behind the scope contains the unit's diagnostic hardware. Removing the cover reveals digital monitors on the weapons heat status, number of grenades, lasing matrix status in percentage, laser emitter status, energy conduit status, and power connect efficiency. Most soldiers never open the panel outside of training, but unit armorers use it to diagnose problems with the weapon.

The stock does not contain a butt-kit in the C-14 version, but in 99 PA the C-14A series was released, with an upgrade kit to move to a C-12 style stock. The C-14A series contains a two replacement laser crystals, tools to replace the crystals, tools to remove a jammed grenade, as well as a conduit cord that allows the user to patch their helmet HUD directly into the scope, allowing the soldier to "see" around corners, and over and under obstacles without exposing themselves to fire.

The C-14A1 version, available only in limited quantities in 101 PA (less than 10% of the units possess it) has an energy canister receptor built into the butt of the weapon, just behind the pistol group. However there have been reports of the capacitance gel in the cannister becoming ionized if the canister is quick-charged.

Directly behind the grenade magazine and in front of the trigger guard is a release system (shown pulled outward so that it can be twisted. The lever is normally inset to the mechanism and lies flush against the grenade magazine) that allows an armorer to completely detach the grenade launcher for both repair and replacement. At the base of the pistol grip is a power conduit adapter (shown in the deployed position) that allows the weapon to be attached to an outside power source.

The trigger guard can either be removed, or slid forward to nestle up against the grenade launcher removal point, to allow power armor soldiers to use the weapon in case of emergency or based on mission need.

At the forward is a drop-down bipod stud (shown deployed, rather than in the upright position flush against the launcher bracket) that also acts as a retaining screw for the forward grenade launcher housing. This screw must be removed to remove the grenade launcher from the barrel. The stud also allows a bipod to be locked to it to increase accuracy.

The C-14 ALGL System is being rapidly dessiminated to the infantry units under the CS Army, usually on a 4 per platoon or 1 per squad ratio.

In combat this weapon has shown excellent endurance and fortitude, being highly resistant to damage and withstanding abuse under grueling combat condition. The scope is the most easily damaged part of the weapon, and CS soldiers often take the scope off unless they are setting up an ambush, or they quickly attach it when coming under attack at a distance.

In August of 100PA, a light infantry squad armed with two C-14A ALGL systems came under attack by enemy forces that had possession of a Titan Combat Robot (see file footage) and the weapon's grenade launcher's airburst mode allowed them to intercept and destroy all missiles launched at the squad. This procedure is rapidly becoming the M-12 ALGL gunner's secondary mission.

Weight: 10 lbs
Length: 42"
Caliber: 2.5 cm/20mm
Maximum Range: 800m (2400 ft)/1000m (3000 ft)
Maximum Effective Range: 675m (2025 ft)/800m (2400 ft)
Minimum Arming Distance: NA/25m (75 ft)
Typical Combat Range: 250m/100m (750 ft/300 ft)
Magazine Capacity: 12 grenades, 20 shots from standard e-clips, 30 shots from an extended e-clip, 45 from the canister or hip-pack.
Manufacturer's Cost: 6,000 Cr
Wholesale Cost: 18,000 Cr
Manufacturer's Recommended Price: 30,000 Cr
Black Market Price: 45,000 Cr
Wilderness Price: Not Available, however the weapon will garner sellers 8,000 Cr.