ESU-S4xB-019 Hightower

Technology and Combat Characteristics
The Hightower is the fully customized version of the Artillery II under the use of UNI ace Richard Longbow. It retains most of the weapons and equipment of the base unit, with a few upgrades to fit Rick's modular fighting style and typical UNI flair. Along with its use of a movable eye camera w. Embedded ATS system, the machine’s reaction speed and target acquirement have warranted a very successful combat record. Common loadouts the machine uses are listed below.

Armaments
- [01] 40mm Custom ASU: A General purpose assault rifle that is perfect in most medium-range encounters. It serves as the Hightower’s main weapon, and as such has been customized with a Grenade launcher and scope that links to the ATS of the machine. It is the only ranged weapon of the Hightower that cannot be mounted on any of the VAPs, thus, it is commonly equipped in most situations.

- [02] 30mm Forearm Vulcan: A small Gatling Gun that can be used in a number of ways. Not only can it be mounted on any of the VAPs to serve as a close-quarters emergency weapon, but it can also be handheld with a collapsible grip to serve as a secondary weapon to the ASU. In some cases, it can be mounted under equipment 03 when its barrel is folded to serve as a backup weapon, and equipment 07 when its second layer is extended. (Note: These last two configurations must be selected prior to the Hightower’s launch from a Citadel.)

- [03] 200mm Hi-Velocity Artillery Cannon: A lower caliber version of the 300mm HPNC that trades out some power for accuracy, making it intended for marksman units. The one used by the Hightower features a folding barrel and scope (linked to the ATS) that allows for it to be stored in the Weapon Binders, as well as the ability to be mounted on either of the Shoulder VAPs. It is also equipped with a VAP of its own, permitting the attachment of equipment 02 as an underbarrel Vulcan. An alternative to its shoulder mounted form is slung one-handed under the right arm, where it is stabilized with the B-Packs’ Sub-Arm.

- [04] Piñata Missile Launcher: A higher capacity, higher caliber version of the Swarmfire Missile Launcher that is excellent at barrage attacks. Due to the rarity and design of this weapon, it is reusable and does not need to be purged after use. Also unlike the Swarmfire, the Piñata features a movable grip and stock for handheld use. Alternatively, it can be mounted on either of the shoulder VAPs.

- [05] Flat-Edged Claymore: Since the original Assault Claymore used by the Hightower was lost in its defense of Decholon, the UNI granted it one of their Flat-Edged Claymores as a replacement. Essentially being a large sheet of metal affixed to a collapsible handle, it is very simple to make and very effective in combat. It serves as the machine’s main melee weapon, aside from the Actuator Knuckle.

- [06] Actuator Knuckle: Similar to the weapon used by the Diamondback, this unique melee weapon is an improvement over the AA Hydraulic Gauntlet in that it relies on spiked thrusters over piston-bound knuckles. While serving as a large “fist” by default, it can fire out a large spike from within its structure, capable of penetrating Nanolaminate Armor.

- [07] Nanolaminate Expandable Shield: Being an improved version of the four-panel NES used by the Artillery, this version features only one moving panel in the form of a height extension. The shield is about as large as the Nanolaminate Compact shield when in its collapsed state, with the two “teeth” at the bottom of the shield serving as a makeshift melee weapon. It can be mounted on the shoulder by default, or on either of the forearm VAPs in this state. When extended, the shield reveals a built in viewport to allow for defended weapon firing, while the “teeth” can now serve as a stabilizing unit when driven into the ground. It can only be handheld to be effective in this stage, or planted down.

Loadouts
- Standard: 1, 5, 6

- Shelling: 2, 3

- Gladiator: 5, 6, 7

- Demolitions: 1, 4

- Heavygun: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

- Gouf Custom: 2, 5, 7

Special Equipment and Features
- Variable Attachment Points: The Hightower is equipped with four variable attachment points to allow for variations in weapon configurations during battle. Equipments 2, 3, 4, and 7 can all be mounted on these VAPs, with 3/4 for the shoulders, 7 for the forearms, and 2 for any of the four. Additional VAPs for the 30mm Vulcan are located under the Shield and under the 200mm Artillery Gun.

- Sub-Arms: A sub-arm is mounted on the outer side of each weapons binder. When activated, the panels closest to each arm will open up, allowing for the arm to grab the weapon needed. It can then swing the weapon under the arm for handheld use, or over the shoulder for fixed use. Any weapons that need to be mounted on the forearm VAPs must be grabbed from the sub-arms and attached manually, or mounted prior to the battle.

- Weapon Binders: Essentially a reskinned version of the Artillery II's WBs, this pair of backpack parts hold a majority of the Hightower’s arsenal. It is comprised of two “Packs,” aptly named the A-Packs and B-Packs (taking inspiration from the Artillery's Mastergun and Gladiator Packs). The Left Weapon Binder, or A-Packs, houses the Piñata Missile Launcher, 30mm Forearm Vulcan, and Actuator Knuckle. The Right Weapon Binder, or B-Packs, houses the 40mm ASU, 200mm Artillery Gun, and Flat-Edged Claymore. Depending on the mission, the Hightower can deploy any of these weapons via sub-arms and movable rail systems within the Packs. Alternatively, either or both of the Packs can detach from the main backpack assembly via a sliding rail, serving as a portable weapons container for any Garrisai that needs it. The main backpack itself has a pair of boosters similar to a Standard Thruster Kit, while each of the binders house a set of boosters of their own.

- Alternatively, each Weapon Binder stores 1-2 weapons at a time, with additional binders (C/D, on each of the calf armors) storing more weapons if needed. These lower binders (recreated from the originals by the UNI) can feed weapons to the Hightower's main hands via opening and the Garrisai pulling them out manually. These binders, just like the A/B ones, can still be purged during combat when needed.

- Embedded ATS: The Hightower’s namesake helm features a special ATS that is specially linked to each of the weapons the machine uses. When activated, the “eye” of the Hightower will shift to the very top of its rail, glowing a light yellow. This allows for the firing of any of its ranged weapons with unparalleled accuracy. Alternatively, its eye turns a light red when in salvo mode. In a similar way to the Urban Dreadnought, it can mount equipments 2, 3, and 7 on its VAPs, while holding equipment 1 in its right hand. It will then fire all of these weapons at any enemies within range, though excessive firing can result in a faster power drainage. Thus, use of the salvo mode is only advised in high-density combat situations.

- This was a replacement to the Hi-sensitivity targeting sensor of the Artillery II, which was insufficient for using most of the machine's weapons. The head itself was a modified replica of the Enforcer MKII's found by the UNI months earlier, both retaining a cross-shaped camera track.

History
The Hightower served under the control of Rick Longbow after the fall of the NDRC. However, it would see little action prior to the Harbinger Uprising due to undergoing extensive overhauls alongside the Bluemoon, Solar Eclipse, and Nexus. Its first sorties would be against LCR troops that occasionally appeared around Polaris, and its first full-scale battle being the defense of Guardia 7. It was destroyed during the Battle of Midnight Base at the hands of Daniel Sherman and his Hammerhead.

Trivia
- The Hightower takes strong inspiration from the Kämpfer Amazing of Gundam Build Fighters.

- It’s head design also is reminiscent of the MS-09 Dom of MSG, or a Knights Templar.

- The Hightower’s Military Green paint job was eventually replaced by a Purple and Steel one, representative of the UNI color scheme. This is a reference to the Hightower being inspired from the MS-09 Dom of Mobile Suit Gundam.

- It may be possible that the binders can’t hold all of the weapons, and thus the Hightower must choose which weapons to bring on certain missions. More Weapon Packs may be needed in order to store all of its weapons.

- In order to equip its Heavygun Loadout, 3 and 4 must be on the shoulders, 2 is attached under the 200mm, 7 on the left forearm, 6 on the left hand, 5 on the right forearm, and 1 in the right hand.