Technological Terror
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create an arcane, exotic weapon for the Helix Privateers
- Image Source: Link
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: Helix Privateers
- Affiliation: Helix Privateers
- Market Status: Closed-Market
- Model: Z99 Diadem
- Modularity: No
- Production: Semi-Unique
- Material: Helsteel, Storm Iron, Helglass
- Classification: Energy-Matter Projector
- Size: Small
- Weight: Small
- Ammunition Type: Agitated Storm Iron Response
- Ammunition Capacity: Extremely Small (1 Shot)
- Effective Range: Extreme
- Rate of Fire: Extremely Low (Requires somewhere between 1 hour and multiple months to recharge, with the user having no way of knowing which)
- Damage Output: Extreme
- Recoil: Very Low
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Incredibly Powerful
- Long, randomized recharge period
- Such Sights To Show You: The Diadem's crackling, multi-forked energy rays possess incredible power, more than equal to most forms of armor or shielding.
- Beyond Your Comprehension: The Diadem's workings are barely understood even by its creators. The device is near-impossible to activate, and may simply refuse to fire again for extended periods of time.
A new and exotic weapon belched from Helix's Otherspace-based factories, the Diadem is perhaps the most advanced and unusual small arm Helix has ever designed.
The Diadem hardly resembles a weapon at all, truth be told. In its default form, the Diadem is a burnished metal cube, small enough to be hefted in a single hand. There is no visible trigger, firing mechanism, or any clear way for the user's hands to operate the weapon.
Indeed, the Diadem is functionally inoperable for most users. "Firing" the weapon requires the simultaneous, delicate movement of numerous tiny panels and hidden switches on the cube's seemingly-smooth surface. That the infamously-reckless Helix would bother including such a complex operating process is a grave sign indeed.
Getting anywhere with the Diadem requires Force-sensitivity, non-humanoid anatomy, exceptionally quick and dexterous hands, or some other means to trigger the correct sequence within the split-second required. Inputting an incorrect sequence, or failing to input the correct one in time, will simply result in the cube resetting without firing.
Should the operator manage this, the cube will float a few centimeters from their palm, orient itself toward the target, and partly-unfold to reveal the softly-glowing interior of the cube.
How the cube is meant to be aimed is yet another mystery, but the device seems on some level to be able to read it's user's anatomy. In general, it is best to simply point one's palm at whatever one wishes destroyed.
Once oriented, the cube will release a sizzling burst of emerald lightning-like energy. This discharge is tremendously powerful, far more so than would normally be feasible for any handheld weapon. Despite visibly resembling electricity, its impacts are more concussive than electrifying, behaving almost like a solid object.
The Diadem's ray is capable of hurling away an armored vehicle, boring a glowing molten tunnel through solid bedrock, or in general achieving a level of destructive potential normally only found on artillery implements.
The convolutions of this device's exact mechanism of operation are ill-understood even by its creators, as the reaction was discovered quite by accident when attempting to design a new sublight engine. It is theorized that the cube's anomalous metal construction agitates its hyper-dense Storm Iron core on an atomic level, while simultaneously preventing the piezoelectric material from converting the resultant incalculable kinetic trauma into energy, as is normal with Storm Iron.
The result is a level of energy buildup that would more commonly be seen in a starship reactor than a rifle or pistol. When activated by the user, the Diadem releases this energy in the direction of its target(s), wreaking horrendous destruction.
The device is very much in the experimental stage, and is currently undergoing limited field testing. Mercifully few in number, it is believed that only a handful exist. Even the Helix Privateers are reluctant to play with fire in this way, and dabble with forces they barely understand.
Once fired, the Diadem locks itself down firmly, refusing to allow itself to be fired for approximately 1-4 standard hours. The reason for this widely-varying safety-lock period is as frustratingly mysterious as the rest of the weapon's operation. In any case, the user can generally rely on the weapon working at all only a limited number of times per day, perhaps for the best. In some circumstances (and for equally nebulous reasons) the Diadem may lock itself down for longer than 24 hours, or even longer. At least one example remained inoperable for nearly a year. Naturally, the device has no display or any other way for the user to know it is ready for firing. The only way to know for sure is to attempt the lengthy firing process.
The result is an incredibly powerful but incredibly unreliable weapon, perhaps more suited to making a statement than actually being used on the battlefield. Nonetheless, its arcane method of operation and horrific destructive capabilities have cemented its popularity amongst the scant handful of officers entrusted to carry one. Wiser officers, however, will decline the privilege even if offered it. War is already dangerous enough without being a lab-rat for the likes of Helix.
Out Of Character Info
Intent:
To create an arcane, exotic weapon for the Helix Privateers
Technical Information
Affiliation:
Helix Privateers
Model:
Z99 Diadem
Modular:
No
Effective Range:
Battlefield
Rate of Fire:
Single Shot
Material:
Helsteel, Storm Iron, Helglass
Ammunition Type:
Molecularl-Agitated Storm Iron Response
Ammunition Capacity:
Tiny
Damage Output:
Extreme
Recoil:
Very High
Ranged Class:
Other
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