ESU-S4xD-023 Blacklight

Technology and Combat Characteristics
Being a Sniper Unit, the Blacklight stays behind the front lines, supporting its allies atop a vantage point. Using its Laser Sniper and HS Targeting Visor, any enemy not behind a tough cover is usually done for. The Blacklight also comes equipped with a Cloaking Drive, making it completely invisible as long as it stands still. This allows for an incredibly powerful attack pattern that keeps Lena herself away from the front lines. Despite being equipped with a HMT Thruster Kit, the Blacklight's Stealth Drive and Utility Cloak keeps the unit incredibly silent when moving.

Armaments
- Left Forearm Smoke Grenade Launcher: A single tube projectile launcher that fires a smoke grenade. It can be used to start an ambush, make an escape, or signal to friendly forces. It is built into the left forearm armor, covered by a small shield to protect the user while sniping.

- EC-07 Laser Sniper Rifle "Cosmic Cannon": This variant of the EC-06 Megaparticle Laser Cannon was the first laser weapon to be capable of conventional Garrisai use. Compared to its Warship-mounted predecessor, the GT-M-LC had an internal Fusion Drive, allowing it to fire without actually being connected to an external power source. Its internal magazine can hold up to two four Ichor Cores, though the weapon's cooldown time was so lengthy that it had to be used sparingly. If the laser was used prematurely before its cooldown was finished, the weapon's reactor had a chance of exploding. The Blacklight's has been extensively modified to resemble the performance of a Sniper Rifle, being nicknamed the "Cosmic Cannon" by its user. When not in use, it is stored vertically on the right side of the backpack.

- 40mm Compact SMG: A variant of the reliable 40mm ASU that has been modified to operate more like a submachine gun. By removing the stock and being fitted with a shortened barrel, it allows for the weapon to be drawn and stored easily. When not in use, it can be stored on the rear skirt armor.

- 200mm Artilery Gun (Sniper Variant): The 200mm Artillery Cannon is one of the more rare weapons manufactured by Kestrel, though this doesn’t change the fact that it’s just as effective as any other. It is a recoilless Artillery gun that is usually mounted with a two-handed grip. Due to its recoilless design and optional long range targeting sensor, it’s a favorite among snipers and battlefield marksmen. Uses a six-round external magazine in most cases. This one used by the Blacklight, similar to its EC-07, has been modified to operate like a sniper rifle.

Special Equipment and Features
- Stealth Drive MKII: Mapped throughout several hardpoints Blacklight's armor are sound-suppression nodes. These muffle all thruster and movement sounds made by the Blacklight when use, ensuring that motion/sound tracking devices cannot detect the machine.

- Cloaking Drive MKII: This upgraded version of the Stealth Drive from the original Whisper sports a stronger and longer lasting invisibility device compared to the original. While still retaining the distortion when moving, it makes the machine completely invisible when standing still. Unlike the original, the device consumes power independently from the Blacklight's Fusion Drive.

- Hi-Sensitivity Targeting Visor: This advanced version of the Assistive Targeting System has been equipped with not only a standard targeting interface, but also an additional long-range targeting interface. Unlike its standard counterpart, the long-range comes in the form of a slide-down visor that shifts over the eyes. This almost doubles the range at which the system can track targets.

- Utility Cloak: In the case of the Cloaking Drive being disabled, a large reflective "cape" can be draped over the Blacklight to cover the machine's profile. While not retaining any mechanical properties, it still provides a level of stealth in certain conditions. Depending on the area deployed, different shaded cloaks can be used.

History
After Lena’s disconnection from the LCDM, she took the Project X Unit Whisper II with her, working as a mercenary. Over time, she added modifications far more advanced than the default ones she was given as a LCDM Pilot, making her even deadlier than before. She would use this Garrisai on her own accords, naming it Blacklight, and took up bounties under the alias "Artemis." She would then come to serve under ex-AECMU Commander Jack Kendall, helping plot in his escape scheme and subsequent rise of the Mercury Legion. She even entered a relationship with him during the Legion's campaign in conquering Decholon. Lena would help Jack in managing the nation until she was killed in action by Dominic Ramirez during a temporary cease-fire in a rescue operation for Miia Deltavi.

Trivia
- Lena stole the Whisper II far before the ideals of the UNI were brought about by Marie Winhart, both of who were teenagers at the time.

- The Cosmic Cannon, when fired, makes a charging sound similar to the warp star of Super Mario Galaxy. This pays homage to Lena’s main inspiration—Rosalina.

- Her original name, Nova, is also a reference to her being based on Rosalina. Her modern name is a more apparent reference to this.

- Lena's alias, Artemis, is a nod to her original Garrisai's name, Apollo.

- The Blacklight's page is the 84th page on the Harbinger Universe Wiki, paying homage to Lena being the successor of the First Character Drawing (Rosie).