Electroaccelerated Plasma/Ionized Carbine, Mark-I

"That EPIC is a fine piece of work. No recoil, great heat channeling, I'd trust my kid to use this weapon!"

- Romanov spokesperson

The Romanov Elite Model-2958 Electroaccelerated Plasma/Ionized Carbine, Mark-One Directed Energy Weapon System/mod-0, known alternately as either the M58 DEWS or EPIC-1, was a model of directed energy rifle employed by the Orion Empire as early as 2958 CE. Centering around a state-of-the-art plasma-launching mechanism, the EPIC-1 was Humanity's first successful plasma weapon system issued as a standard service weapon. After 2960, all new models were manufactured with the MINOTAUR Munitions Launch System, an underbarrel grenade launcher capable of firing a large plethora of various forty-millimeter canisters, including, but not limited to, standard explosive, incendiary, smoke, flash-bang, multi-stage, and/or explosive plasma ammunition. When paired with the C-13 Carbine on the battlefield, the EPIC-1 proved its extreme effectiveness time and time again, further emphasizing the achievements made by its parent company, Romanov Elite.

Although it was primarily used by the armed forces of the Orion Empire, the EPIC-1 was also used in limited numbers by civil security forces, private military contractors, and even insurgent factions, though the latter had a rather difficult time obtaining the EPIC's strictly controlled ammunition, each of which contains the "fuel" intended for ionization.

Remarks
"I had no idea these things were so much better that the C-13 Carbines until I actually tried one. No recoil, no noxious gases, and its effects intimidate your enemy a lot more, too."

"God damn! Its almost like riding a motorcycle, just better."

"Who knew that the Empire could do so well at keeping the black market clean of those EPICs."

"We- were ju- just on patrol, and these Imperial bastards came out of nowhere on scout vehicles! They just tore our patrol up with these plasma rifles and incinerated McKinney with a fire grenade!"

Trivia

 * This was often considered the first human-made weapon to be considered unfilthy by their Sangheili counterparts in terms of technological advancement.
 * Many soldiers went to great lengths in customizing not only their weapon's attachments, but also its appearance. Many adorned their personal weapons with carved pictures, kill tallies, and taped-on pictures of loved ones in order to establish a stronger sense of originality.
 * Because of its designation DEWS, many have colloquially called the rifle the Deuce.