M E A T B A G
FO-CQC-01 “Crusader” Pattern Vibrosaw
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create an Unconventional CQC and Boarding weapon for the First Order and it's Armed Forces.
- Image Source: Image Source Link.
- Canon Link: Vibrosaw.
- Restricted Mission: If Required.
- Primary Source: Repurposed Canon Articles, Vibroweapon, ‘Mortalis’ MKVII Pattern Vibrosaw.
- Manufacturer: Greel Wood Logging Corporation [ Original Design.] - First Order Corps of Imperial Engineers [ Adaptation and Modification.]
- Model: FO-CQC-01 “Crusader” Pattern Vibrosaw.
- Affiliation: The First Order, The First Order Military.
- Modularity: Yes; Vibro-Chain Teeth and Replaceable Parts [For Operational purposes Only.]
- Production: Mass-Produced. [ First Order Military - Use Only.]
- Material: Reinforced Durasteel Haft, and Gauntlet Spike(s), Duraplast Exterior Casing and Combat Guard, Duramentium Monomolecular Razorteeth, Ultrasonic Vibration Generator, Reloadable Power Cells, Sunbaked Nerf-Hide Leather, Vibroweapon/ Servomotor Components.
- Classification: Vibrosaw and Vibrosword Variation.
- Size: Two-Handed. (One-Handed, Restriction; Strength Augmentations.) [Species of Technology.]
- Length: 0.91 Metres. (Approx. Three Feet.)
- Weight: 2.72 KG (Approx. Six Pounds.)
- Ultrasonic Vibration Resonator(s) [Located along the length of the Blade.]
- Vibration Dampener(s) [Located in the Hilt.]
- Duramentium Monomolecular Chain Teeth (One Set.)
- Activation Trigger and Throttle Control.
- Textured, Leather-wrapped Hilt with Combat Guard.
- Reloadable Power Cells and Retractable Housing(s).
- Duraplast Casing and "Blade Housing."
- Myoflex Exhaust Vent(s).
- Gene-Locked Activation Plate.
- Shock-Filament/Stun Charge.
- Monomolecular Chainteeth.
- Versatile Rending and Breaching Weapon. (Effectively Cuts Through Materials Commonly Found in Starships and Armour. Caveat; Heavy/Dense Metals or Rare Substances May Pose the Risk of Rendering the Weapon Inoperable. Cutting Time Varies, Material(s) Dependent.)
- Replaceable Parts. (Mass-Produced, Standardized Design, Easily Replaceable.)
- Tool of Psychological Warfare. (Howling Weapons, Gruesome Aftermath, Perfect For Terror Troopers.)
- Moderate Protection from CQC and Ranged Weapons. (Edge Dependent.)
- Anti-Piracy Protocols (Electrical Theft Protection; Shocking.)
- Blunted Teeth. (Tracked Teeth Dull When Encountering Dense Metals.)
- Mundane Maintenance. (Possibility of Malfunctioning during Combat.)
- Power Thirsty. (Constant Use Begets Power Cell Reloads.)
- Non-Parrying Edge. (Unable to Parry with the Circulating Teeth.)
- Uninsulated Circuitry, Impotent Combination. (EMP / Ion Damage will Disable the Weapon, Depriving the Theft Countermeasure(s) of Operable Power.)
- Unsubtle, Unwieldy and, Unbalanced Weapon. (Heavy and Tiring Melee Weapon, Will Not Be Swung With Any Artistry. Could Possibly be countered by exterior Strength augmentation.)
The FO-CQC-01 “Crusader” Pattern Vibrosaw, or as it’s more colloquially known the ‘Chainblade,’ was the newest addition to the armoury of the First Order’s armed forces. Its design was entirely utilitarian and served the dual purpose of being incredibly easy to maintain and use in combat when the inevitable need arose. While the weapon would require an incredible amount of downtime after a battle has ended, it was highly unlikely that the ‘Chainblade’ would fail the bearer in the midst of battle. That being said, as things that beggar belief always happen during the chaotic whirlwind of the melee, the whirling teeth could become clogged with viscera and gore, or even rent chunks of metal, which would render the Vibrosaw inoperable until it was recovered and repaired.
As the weapon would doubtlessly be employed on the front lines, the ‘Crusader” served as a versatile tool of psychological warfare, due to the deafening whine of its power hungry actuators and the howling whirl of the tracked monomolecular teeth. The mechanical blade brought with it the promise of a painful death to those that opposed the righteous might of the First Order, and hope to those that were trapped under the vile machinations of their hated foes. To those that fought against the bearer of this variant of the Vibrosaw, should they find themselves armed with anything short of Duramentium, would see their blade shattered thanks to the spinning tracks of curved teeth. However, if the metal were of higher quality, or rated to be stronger than that of Duramentium, the tracked fangs would catch on the blade and ‘spit’ teeth when executing a poorly timed parry and using the rapidly circulating edge. Such an event would occur if the bearer brandished the ‘Crusader’ against a similar weapon, which would prove deadly should either combatant be bereft of armour.
Thus, to those who utilize this weapon in close quarters, it’s suggested that they parry with the flat edge of the blade and chip the metallic sheath, rather than risk the chained teeth from being rocketed into the melee.
Another notable weakness, aside from the spitting teeth, should the weapon be employed against durable and dense metals, is the Duramentium teeth become blunt and dull as they attempt to chew away at whatever alloy the bearer seeks to tear through. When this event occurs, it’s advised the user breaks out of combat and returns to their nearest supply point, so that they remove the outer casing and re-thread the ‘Chainblade’ with its new set of teeth. Or, should that eventuality be impossible due to extenuating circumstances, use what’s left of the weapon as a club to bash in the foe’s cranium. While that’s a highly effective way to dispatch an enemy - it’s recommended that a Soldier of the First Order doesn’t debase themselves to act in a manner unbefitting of their station.
As is standard with almost every weapon in the First Order’s arsenal, the FO-CQC-01 ‘Crusader’ Pattern Vibrosaw is equipped with a comprehensive biometric suite that allows the ‘Chainblade’ to be tailored to a specific personnel, making illegal operation by unauthorized parties an impossibility. While ancient methods required fingerprints, and various other physical indicators would identify one person from another - they were easily beaten and became antiquated practices by mischievous thieves. Thus, as time progressed, so too did the methods in which one would protect sensitive equipment from falling into enemy hands. One of the most effective ways to date has been through the tailored databanks of one’s biology. The chances of fooling the integrated sensors built within the leather-clad hilt were nigh-impossible due to the sophisticated genetic markers pre-programmed into the machine. This process was done through the simplistic implantation of a datacard, or gene-locked plate, into the leather-bound hilt that would remotely connect to the Bearer's armour (With First Order Military encryption keys) as the handle comes into contact with an Imperial's gauntlet. Which would utilize the armour's on board Biometric suite(s) to ensure the authenticity of the user, which would then permit the ‘Chainblade’ to be operated without an issue. While the weapon is tailored to the Operator's unique signature, the connection to the armour is still required for operation, thus countering the inevitable turn about a Soldier of the First Order may experience if disarmed and disemboweled.
If and when the anti-piracy, or Anti-theft protocols were triggered, the weapon’s reactive handle would cause a crippling pulse of electricity that would permanently disable the weapon and would force the unauthorized person(s) to their knees in spasmed agony. This, of course, would be dampened by any standard Ionic dispersal countermeasures, but as the connection is direct - the effects would merely become less efficient by comparison. Thus, with the enemy crippled, the chance for the weapon’s original bearer to recover their trusted blade would be greater than the chances would’ve been should this sophisticated anti-piracy / anti-theft protocols not have been in place.
(Note: Should the weapon be deprived of power, the anti-piracy protocols will be unable to operate. However, it also disables the actual lethality of the Vibrosaw variant as well.)
On the subject of the ‘Crusader’ Pattern Vibrosaw’s cutting power, the Ultrasonic resonator(s) implanted within the blade were coupled with the singular track of menacing monomolecular fangs that forced the teeth to vibrate at ultrasonic frequencies. That very process would allow the teeth to chew their way through whatever unfortunate soul or obstacle that stood in the bearer’s way. Due to the sharpness of the linked teeth, the Vibrosaw variant was designed to bite deep into armour and flesh, before tearing it asunder with the ferocity of activation. The same process would often be applied to various metallic doors, or bulkheads, allowing the bearer to force their weapon against the obstacle and eventually chew their way through - marginally faster than that of a welding torch or plasma cutter. This would allow the unconventional weapon to serve multiple purposes, and combat any threat that would inevitably oppose the various members of the First Order’s armed forces. While this method of breaching is reportedly faster than the myriad of alternatives, when the ‘Chainblade’ is deployed against metals that are highly compacted and dense on the molecular level, the teeth will find difficulties tearing the bulkhead asunder - which would see the mechanized fangs become dull and therefore losing its combat-rated effectiveness. Naturally, depending entirely on the materials at play, this could range anywhere from seconds to minutes - which includes a myriad of armour plating as well. It should be noted, that when deployed against such a dense and heavy material like Beskar, the 'Crusader' pattern Vibrosaw is unable to chew through the weapon, and will do nothing more than scratch the surface with the reciprocating blades - dulling the fanged teeth in a shower of ochre sparks.
While primarily designed as an entirely offensive weapon, the ‘Crusader’ was developed with a thick exterior casing forged from duraplast. Though the armour that most Imperial troopers wear is made from reinforced duraplast, the housing is formed from the standard variety - allowing for the weapon to be mass-produced at a significant reduction in cost, and allowing the higher quality materials to be reserved for the precious armoured shells that adorn the First Order’s warriors. Though it lacked the ability to stand against the might of the Jedi and their ilk, wielding plasmatic blades, the ‘Crusader’ offered a minimal avenue of defense to the bearer by utilizing the flat edges of their weapon. Should the soldier be lucky, or harnessing the strength-enhancing augmentation of their armour, they would be able to catch an enemy’s blade with the exterior casing and safely deflect the harmful strike away from their person. While highly improbable, it’s been noted from one in a thousand battlefield simulations, that a fortuitous trooper has used the flat-edge of their weapon to disperse the deadly energy of a discharged plasmatic weapon, thus saving themselves from harm. By this example, similar techniques could theoretically be deployed against a myriad of projectile weapons - which would yield results that were nothing short of a sporadic miracle. A miraculous exception, but never the case upon the battlefield.
To be a victim of this weapon, was to be subjected to the cruelest fate on the battlefield. The flesh would be shorn asunder, and it would be nigh-impossible to neatly rekindle the bond between the severed limb and the host’s body. Such was the fate of those that stood in opposition to the First Order’s martial might.
[OOC Note: While this weapon is designed as a breaching weapon and ferocious close quarters weapon, the damage it causes is entirely determined by the writers in question and the narrative they’re writing. The use of the Vibroblade references are to be used as an example as to how the technology of the future works, where a simple steel blade vibrating at ultrasonic frequencies through durasteel reinforced concrete with relative ease.]
