Approved Ranged Weapon HX7 "Reticence" Hemolytic Electrolaser Rifle

[Helix]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create an anti-organic weapon for the Helix Privateers
• Image Source: Link
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Helix Privateers
• Affiliation: Helix Privateers/The Dzara
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: HX7 Reticence
• Modularity: Yes
• Production: Minor
• Material:
  • Receiver/General Construction: Helsteel
  • Finish: Shiftsteel
  • Conduction Chamber: Storm Iron
  • Internal Power Source: Otherplasma

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Ion/Electrolaser
• Size: Average
• Weight: Average
• Ammunition Type: Bio-reactive electric pulses
• Ammunition Capacity: Average
• Effective Range: Long Range
• Rate of Fire: Low
• Damage Output:
  • Very High (Against compatible life)
  • None (Against anything else)
• Recoil: Low

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Aftershock-Integrated Optics
• Inbuilt Carrion sensor package
• Lethal and nonlethal firing modes

STRENGTHS

• Manslayer: The Reticence is designed specifically to halt organic life, and is exceptionally effective against these targets. Even indirect hits can be dangerous.
• Friendly Fire: The Reticence has no effect on friendly droids, noncorporeal beings, or life forms who do not rely on blood to function, and the user need not worry about accidentally harming such creatures in the heat of battle.
• He's No Good To Me Dead: The Reticence features a non-lethal firing mode for the discerning marksman, should they wish to take their target alive.

WEAKNESSES

• Easy Prey: The Reticence has no effect on hostile examples of the above, either. It cannot harm enemy droids, spirits/noncorporeals, vehicles, or life forms that do not rely on blood to function.
• Slow-Shooter: The Reticence has a fairly restrained rate of fire, demanding that the user make every shot matter (lest they not get another).

DESCRIPTION

A weapon of cruel and specific purpose, the HX7 is designed purely to destroy organic life. It is also intended as a replacement for the comparatively-crude Lamprey rifle.

The HX7 is primarily a marksman's weapon, tuned for excellent long-distance accuracy and precise assassinations. Its firing produces a slight, insectile whine as it builds power, before projecting a brief, vision-scarring ray of crackling reddish energy. For unknown reasons, the exact physical appearance of this weapon can vary widely from one example to another. HX7 rifles found in the hands of Helix droids are usually prim, sleek weapons, while those clutched by Xylax warriors are of a decidedly bulkier, more biomechanical structure. No matter the look, however, these weapons all function roughly alike.

Most examples sport Aftershock distance and angle calculation software, as well as Carrion focused bio-scanners. When combined together, these systems lead to a sizeable increase in the user's accuracy and target-acquisition capabilities.

The weapon operates by sending a coherent, electro-biological pulse down a conductive plasma channel. This pulse is tuned for reactivity to certain markers, such as hemoglobin, ionic fluid systems, ferric-organic compounds, and electrolytes.

In short, the Reticence targets the chemical compounds that make up most organic blood cells and bodily fluids, while not reacting at all with mechanical or electronic matter.

Should this weapon's rays connect to organic meat and blood, the result is a localized shockwave of the system's baleful energies. Mass red blood cell rupturing/death often occurs around the area, resulting in the visible darkening of veins and arteries. The subsequent near-immediate drop in blood pressure can potentially lead to dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness, or death, as the body can no longer transport oxygen or other crucial substances to its vital organs.

In effect, the weapon inflicts the effects of severe blood loss/shock in the target, albeit by destroying the blood directly rather than draining it (like the Lamprey system). For this reason, they are commonly known as "bleeders" amongst soldiers that have faced them.

While glancing shots can inflict little more than a bit of brief light-headedness, repeated impacts, or impacts near vital organs, are to be avoided, as their hypoxic after-effects can build up the more hits are taken.

The weapon also includes a secondary non-lethal stun mode, though this is not often used. This mode attempts to inflict weakness, dizziness, collapse, or unconsciousness by tuning down the weapon's hemolytic pulse. Even so, users wishing to avoid killing their quarry are advised not to abuse this feature, as repeated overuse can still prove fatal.

Externally, the weapon leaves little sign of its ugly work being done. Any successfully slain target usually drops on the spot, apparently sporting no wounds of any kind. An untrained eye might mistake the death as natural, but a proper examination by an expert can quickly dispel this illusion.

Given the weapon's general non-reactivity with inorganic matter, it can threaten many light armors with reasonable success, simply passing through them to strike blood and bone. However, heavier man-portable body armor or vehicle armor can usually dissipate the charge to the point of harmlessness. Likewise, especially dense or powerful light/medium armors can partly or entirely reduce the weapon's effects.

Likewise, this non-reactivity can enable some creative trick shots in the right hands.

Unusually, however, the Reticence is technically a form of ion or shock weapon, albeit one precisely tuned to inhibit the complex biological processes upon which most life depends. Many forms of armor intended for organic use neglect ion protection, occasionally letting this weapon enjoy surprising efficacy against some select heavy armors.

Most importantly, the Reticence has no effect whatsoever on droids. A skilled user may even shoot through a friendly droid to strike a hostile organic on the other side, though this can somewhat diminish the weapon's killing power.

 

[Krass Wyms]

I'll approve it, please don't abuse it and remember that whoever you are attacking determines damage done to them