Triter Zone
The Littlest Space Pirate
- VV9 Buccaneer -
Image Source - http://i.imgbox.com/SWxbEC1Q.jpg
Intent - Antique personal weapon, primarily intended for Triter Zone.
Manufacturer - Greff-Timms Industrial.
Model - VV9 Buccaneer.
Affiliation - Open Market.
Modularity - No.
Production - Semi-unique.
Material - Manganese brass casing, hadrium barrel lining & internal components, turadium fittings.
Classification - Pulse-wave blaster pistol.
Size - Handheld.
Length - 312 millimeters.
Weight - 2 kilograms.
Ammunition Type - Power pack for blaster systems, energy cell for fire control.
Ammunition Capacity - 100 shots/power pack.
Effective Range - 30 meters optimum, 100 meters maximum.
Rate of Fire - Semi-automatic.
Special Features -
- Miniaturized fire control system.
- Electronic rangefinder/targeting scope.
- Excellent durability.
- Good magazine capacity.
- Deadly at close range.
- Very accurate shooting on the move.
- No stun option.
- Shots lose stopping power at longer ranges.
- Fire control requires frequent calibration.
- Low-powered compared to modern weapons.
Unique among handheld weapons, the VV9 was equipped with a form of on-board fire control, which employed a tiny gyro-stabilizer and optical target designator in conjunction with an electronic rangefinder. A highly miniaturized and simplified version of the system found aboard starships, the VV9's fire control prevented the weapon from discharging until the target - as set by the user - was centered in the scope. This feature was especially useful during running battles, where the wielder's own senses might not be sharp enough to avoid wide shots.
When new, this feature was widely praised and was the VV9's principle selling point. In practice, fire control in a handgun - especially with the technology of the day - proved to be finicky. Though the system worked well enough from a reliability standpoint, it could only store data on three targets at a time, which had to be calibrated into the system by centering each in the targeting reticule and pressing a button; simple in theory, but difficult under fire. The fire control was also taller and bulkier than a normal scope might have been, and required its own energy cell separate from the blaster's power pack; all this equipment also added considerable extra weight to the weapon. The system was also vulnerable to being disabled by ionic weapons, though the rest of the blaster's functions would still work.
Even so, the VV9 proved popular with bounty hunters, assassins and unscrupulous duelists, beings who generally did not have to worry about fighting more than one or two targets at a time, and for whom the feature of the gun not firing until the target was centered was a boon. In situations where the fire control was more of a hindrance than a help, of course, the feature could be shut off, and the VV9 could be used as a normal scoped hand blaster. Though tied to a somewhat gimmicky feature which made it pricier than other offerings of the day, the VV9's blaster component was a durable and reliable weapon by itself, and saw good service with those who used it.
The Buccaneer fired jagged green bolts, with a distinctive crackling hiss report. As with all pulse-wave weapons, the VV9's stopping power diminished with range, and was underpowered compared to modern equivalents. Though powerful at close range due to its disruptor-like properties, the weapon had an optimum range of just 30 meters, and though it could technically hit targets at 100 meters, the energy in such shots would be all but spent once they made contact.
In any event, the VV9 Buccaneer, along with most other pulse-wave weapons, was eventually phased out of general use with the introduction of the first practical modern blasters. Today, examples of the VV9 are considered antiques, and are typically found only in museums or private collections. They are still relatively common as functional heirlooms in Wild Space and the Outer Rim, where technology still hasn't quite caught up to the Galactic norm.
Of note, a VV9 was the weapon Triter Zone stole for his duel against Admiral Krayd Hasperre, shortly before becoming Hasperre's apprentice. He still carries it to this day.
