Background:

"The Combat Exoskeleton is the most powerful force on the battlefield. It combines the rigours and strength of high level machinery with the power and precision that comes from advanced engineering. What we are developing will be the end to large vehicles, and a competitor to the growing Cybernetics industry." - Executive Manager, Harben Bach, Omegatech Industries.

It was soon realised that humankind was going to need a "helping hand" when travelling in extreme environments. The solution to this problem came in two forms, the first was physical enhancement due to metal implants making one a "Cyborg", and the second was in the form of Exoskeletons. The only company that openly professed in the construction and management of Exoskeletons was Omegatech Industries. They prised themselves on an ability to overcome the doubts of conventional thinking, and construct suits and tools that were both ergonomic, aesthetic, and functional. The use of Smart Metals meant that Exoskeletons could physically "wrap around" the user like a layer of clothing; and be removed in the same way. During transport, the Exoskeletons that Omegatech had developed could be folded into a small suitcase.

What was envisioned was a Cygnus Combat Exoskeleton, or CyCox for short. The suit that was being developed combined raw power, in the form of multipoint smart metals, with armour from various alloys. Five prototypes for the CyCox were constructed. In order to identify and analyse the changes made while testing, Greek symbols were either etched into the armour, or negatively spraypainted on. The symbols used were: Alpha in red, Beta in blue, Gamma in green, Delta in yellow, and Epsilon was left without colour.

However, before the dream could be realised Omegatech Industries was bought out by Sentriform, a company that specialised in developing bio-inorganic components that were to be used in processors and an expanding medical industry. Seeing his dream shattered, Bach decided to secrete the CyCox suits away before the changes demanded by Sentriform could take place. He folded each up into its minimal size and altered the Omageatech logo, from the globe cradled on an inverted Omega symbol, to the Omega symbol with a sphere drawn within.

Bach then placed the folded suits into vats of Ferrimycin, a commonly used antibiotic to inhibit the growth of bacteria during space travel. He left orders that the Ferrimycin be sent to the exploration programme that was once part of Omegatech, and let his dream go.

When passing through the docking yards the Omegatech symbol was mistaken for that of the ship "Marathon" and seeing that Marathon was low on medical supplies at the time, the dock crew loaded the Ferrimycin aboard. Here the Ferrimycin was placed into deep storage, and left for an emergency. Once Marathon was attacked the vats were broken open, and the folded CyCox suits discovered...

Individual Suit backgrounds:

• The Alpha version of the CyCox is much the same as the Epsilon, involving only fabric and alloy changes to the frame.
• The Beta version included modifications to the armour plating on the legs and sides of the body, with the intention to create a more "free wearing" version of the exoskeleton.
• Gamma was intended for use in areas that may require more complete protection of the user, and various different plates were designed to cover the lower body, without hampering movement severely.
• Delta is an attempt to create the lightest possible armour, by extending the ideas realised in the Beta version. This was intended for point and impact protection only.
• Epsilon is a version that was used as a reference for the trials.

Three different masks were trialed, each with minor alterations to structure, in an attempt to perfect the folding of the suit. If the faces are to have names: Elphex (A, from the "Alpha", pronounced "Alf'ex"), Scythe (B, named from the design of the faceplate), and Silfer (C, an name derived from the materials used to coat the visor of the mask: Silver and Iron (Fe)).

Why This?

I have always loved the organic, and even though this suit may not appear to be symmetrical, it is aesthetically balanced so that it does not appear too vulgar. All parts have been thought out, and the different sections follow the same "theme" of design. Once I figured out how to import the model into MilkShape 3D I was able to check that the edges of the texture were not conspicuous, and that all textures aligned properly. Considering the hours I have already spent on this project if anything appears to be unsatisfactory, please do not hesitate to contact me so that I may correct and resubmit. Congradulations on your success with Marathon: Resurrection, I have long wanted to be a part of the project, but never had the required skills, only, if now, I may contribute.

Thank you very much:

Mark Kane -Designator Hawk