PILOT LOADOUT — CHAO (“Order Through Heat”) Primary Weapon: Thermal‑Breach Carbine (TBC‑11 “Sunspike”) A custom Militia rifle modified by Chao using repurposed Titan thermal regulators. Weapon Traits Thermal Pierce Rounds: Superheated micro‑slugs that burn through cover after short contact. Pulse‑Heat Mode: Overcharges the barrel for a slow, devastating mid‑range blast. Low Recoil: Stabilizers pulled from mining‑rig shock absorbers. Heat Sync Reflex Scope: Auto‑highlights recently heated surfaces (enemy footprints, bullet impacts, scorched walls). Chao carries “Sunspike” like an engineer would carry a tool—precise, disciplined, deliberate. Secondary Weapon: Emberline Sidearm A compact emergency tool repurposed into a pistol. Traits Fires high‑temperature ignition bolts Can superheat metal surfaces to deny access routes Originally a mining tool for cutting through rusted bulkheads Tactical Gear 1. ThermaStep Boots (Pressure-Adaptive Stabilizers) Designed for high‑heat environments Absorb shock and allow mobility near molten terrain Reduce fall impact when ejecting near burning zones 2. Fumarole Cloak A Militia‑grade cloak re-engineered with heat‑diffusion fibers. Mask the wearer from thermal scanners for short durations Ideal for stealth around IMC flame turrets and thermal drones 3. Reactor‑Bonded Neural Band Directly links Chao’s neural impulses to Infernus Prime’s thermal lattice. Stabilizes Titan overheating Allows Chao to feel pressure buildup before the Titan’s gauges show it Gives their pair unmatched Core activation timing Explosive Ordnance: Ignition Core Charge A grenade filled with molten‑reactive gel. Effects Sticks to surfaces Burns through armor plates Briefly turns cover molten, forcing enemies to reposition
