ESU-S4xD-018 Zephyr Factory Custom

Technology and Combat Characteristics
Unlike the Supportive-Based Storm II, the Zephyr is a more hybrid-based machine that combines high-mobility with close-quarters combat. It is still relatively lightly armored like its predecessors, though has been equipped with more combat-oriented designs. It can take off within seconds of deploying its Pull Binders, much faster than the Storm's leg-thrusters. The Zephyr’s design takes full advantage of the machine’s body frame, and has undergone extensive modifications under Angeli’s ownership. Every limb and armor piece almost always has a split function, from hidden claws to booster shields. Its handheld weapons are kept to a maximum of two, while the rest of the weapons are fixed to the frame in some way. This is to limit the amount of loose weight when in flight.

Zephyr, much like its predecessor Storm II (and the Storm before it), was an atmospheric flight-capable unit, but the internal frame of the units were drastically different. While Storm II had its thrusters concentrated exclusively on its back and legs, Zephyr had a multitude of thrusters scattered all across its body, which would collectively provide the same amount of thrust. All of the attached thrusters were linked to an internal network of power cables that connected directly to the Fusion Drive. This arrangement of thrusters allowed for the Zephyr to be granted movable legs, instead of the improvised landing gear of the Storm.

Armaments
- Flat-Edged Shortsword: This weapon developed by the UNI is well balanced and easy to use. This particular one used by the Zephyr has a hollow core, allowing for a faster swing speed and heightened mobility in combat. When not in use, it is folded on the rear skirt armor.

- Clawed Grapple Feet: Originally being a pair of lockdown anchors that would allow the Zephyr to stick to building walls above enemies, they have been modified to operate in a more offensive role. The heel and toes of both feet can bend out and downward, grappling onto enemy Garrisai, or flat surfaces as it was originally intended to. They can even be equipped with heating coils, allowing them to melt right through armor.

- 30mm Vulcan Gun: Similar to the original Storm, the Zephyr is equipped with a retractable Vulcan Gun on its left forearm. It is concealed behind an armor plate when not in use, and can provide medium-range suppressive fire in most situations.

- Striker Missile Pod: The right forearm Vulcan Gun was replaced with a VAP as to encourage versatility in combat. In this case, the Zephyr is equipped with a Two-Tube Striker Missile Pod. These high-yield missiles deal large amounts of damage on their own, and thus are best used in single, special attacks.

- Swarmfire Missile Pods: Serving as a counterpart to the Strikers, these missiles are best used in barrages on multiple enemies. Their low yield means one alone will deal little damage, thus promoting the firing of multiple at once. One pod is located on each of the Zephyr’s backpack foils, affixed to a movable joint to allow for aiming with the EoTN.

Special Equipment and Features
- Eye of the Nightingale: An upgraded version of the original EoTS that uses its alternate name. It is structurally similar to the Hi-Sensitivity Targeting Sensor it had been based on, but with more of a focus on vertical-oriented attacks over horizontal. The targeting system provides accurate targeting from above threats, as well as streamlined bombing runs when needed. When in use, the fifth eye of the machine will ignite, and move across its screen as it targets enemies.

- Pull Binders: An alternative version of the Storm II’s thruster pack, which consist of a pair of large hollow shoulder armors. Each armor contains a set of high-output thrusters, which allow the machine to effectively fly. This is to compensate for the high amount of energy consumption flight thrusters require in general, since there needed to be a way to separate the thrusters and external fuel cells as to not make the machine explode. This alternative design worked far more efficiently than the Storm’s leg thrusters, meaning that more weapons could be mounted on the machine. When not in use, the armors fold down 90° over the upper arms, serving as a side-mounted shield. (Or they fold out when in ground combat, and in when in flight for an alternative thruster layout.)

- Variable Attachment Point: In order to make mission adaptation easier, the Zephyr has been equipped with three VAPs, with one on the left forearm and one on each back mounted aero-foil. Most commonly, a pair of Swarmfire Missile launcher tubes are mounted on the back for in-flight barrages, and a two-tube striker Missile pod mounted on the left forearm for heavy attacks. (Weapons were originally fixed only)

History
Years after the Storm II had been left derelict in the Fall of the NDRC (in Mercury Legion-controlled Decholon), an ex-UNI mechanic-turned-pilot by the name of Veronica Angelos stumbled upon the machine during one of her scouting runs. Curious as to what it was, she investigated its cockpit, only to find that it looked exactly like the Castel GTs she used to pilot. Thus, with this untapped legendary machine completely at her disposal, she decided to keep it for herself.

After dragging its chassis back to her hidden workshop, she began to retrofit parts that were stocked up in the workshop into the machine. With many of its weapons already missing, she had to move some of the existing ones around the body in order to balance out the weight. In the end, the machine was brought back to most of its full capabilities, and Angelos would use it in a number of skirmishes. One of these battles would be her face-off against the incredibly skilled leader of the Mercury Legion, Jack Kendall.

Trivia
- The Zephyr FC’s Pull Binders have a notable similarity to the Qubeley’s Shoulder Boosters.

- The Name "Zephyr" ironically means "gentle breeze," as the unit commonly causes a strong gust of wind to form upon its approach and during travel.

- The “Factory” in the Zephyr’s name is also an ironic twist as it was conjured from the designs of three different Prototype units, rather than a standardized machine. In fact, it is so unique that its classification is highly topical.

- I just realized that you can spell the word “Zeta” with the first two letters of Zephyr, First letter of Tempest, and second letter of Daedalus. You need all three names in order to spell it. Thought that was kinda cool.

- It was left abandoned since a flight capable unit required too much maitenance than what the LCDM has time to repair for, and was never recovered by either side since the NDRC fell before then and the ML/UNI never noticed it.

- Do this cool thing where she like comes down from the sky and frickin’ bicycle kicks the Diamondback in the head with the clawed feet, denting the visor as she suplexes him into the ground. Then they have a super poetic battle in a 2v2, feat Dan and probably Kate.

- The ZFC's capabilities in leg-based attacks (mainly with its Clawed Grapple Feet) is a nod to Veronica's base character, Mettaton.

- It may be also known as the Nightingale.