A staple of ground warfare, the N1-61 Laser Assault Rifle is the standard issue rifle for the bulk of NTC forces. Based upon the JZ-4N Laser Pistol, the N1-61 is a beam-based weapon created from reverse engineering the JZ-4N and developing a more long-range variation. After numerous failed prototypes, the Mark III N1-61 was officially made the standard issue rifle of the NTC. The rifle works, like most other beam weapons, by exciting high-energy gas through a power cell which converts the gas into a concentrated plasma. The plasma is then channeled into a coherent energy bolt by various collimating components and is held together temporarily by magnetic forces. Though given the inherent instability of the plasma, such bolts have limited range and accuracy. This instability is counteracted by extending the barrel and having the plasma bolt travel through more collimating parts to maintain the structure of the bolt for a longer duration after it is fired. Though much like the JZ-4N, prolonged fire can lead to overheating and thus damage the internals of the weapon. Upon impact, the energy bolt’s kinetic force is expanded as the magnetic field collapses in an explosive manner while the plasma burns through organic and artificial materials alike. In most instances a bolt will travel through organic material with ease, and the heat of the plasma would instantly vaporize a victim’s tissue, while the heat energy dissipates throughout the body and instantly cauterizes the wound. The N1-61 specifically deals a higher degree of damage given its extended and range focused structure. What makes the N1-61 so popular is its stopping power, customizability, and its durability. Various attachments such as sights, scopes, extended barrels, and superchargers can be installed to enhance its capabilities. One of the more unique changes one can make is changing the gas used to form the plasma, such as hydrogen or oxygen which increase or decrease its damage. Common modifications are extended heat sinks in combination with Argon Hydrogen gas supplies. The Argon Hydrogen gas works to produce the hottest, and thus the most damaging, bolt but it produces the most heat, which the extended heat sinks work to counteract heat build-up. For durability, the rifle is designed to withstand any environment from marshes to the vacuum of space. One of the earliest interactions of the rifle is the “Fate”. Named after nuclear testing in the 21 century, the Fate was an early prototype that the engineer, Abeni Idowu, began experimenting with. What she found was that by supercharging Argon Hydrogen gas the weapon could produce a bolt capable of creating a near-nuclear grade explosive reaction with whatever it came across, though it generated massive amounts of heat and required several minutes to cooldown, that is if the weapon didn’t melt first. Higher-ups were curious and requested Idowu to continue her research in the hopes of creating a new line of beam weaponry. Currently the Fate is located within Idowu’s personal research and engineering facility after being used by a gung-ho recruit.