by Matt Steflik
http://www.oocities.org/usc_marines/
HI M14A Pulse Rifle
A well balanced rifle is the infantryman’s best friend. It has to perform under extreme conditions, fulfill different rolls, and be simple enough for the average 'grunt' to use. Constructed of titanium alloys and high polymer plastics, the HI M14A is both lightweight and rugged. All internal components are shielded against weather, radiation, and even the vacuum of space. The HI M14A will fire under water and in no atmosphere conditions.
The ammunition used in the HI M14A is a specialized standard 10mm caseless, explosive tipped round. These rounds are packed in their own propellant, rather then having a separate case and bullet. This saves in weight as well as cost. This round can defeat the most light weight body armor, making it very useful indeed. Ammo is carried in a 30 round, electronic belt feed magazine. The LED on the side of the rifle tells how many rounds are left in the magazine. For those targets that require a little more bang, the HI M14A is also equipped with a 30mm grenade launcher located under the barrel, giving the rifle an over&under design. It uses a pump action loading system to rack and cock the launcher. It can then be fired using the trigger located in front of regular 10mm magazine feed. A four round magazine (manual, single load) holds the grenades until they are let loose. Standard load is HEDP, although any type of 20mm grenade can be used.
The HI M14A utilizes electronic pulse action firing, taking electrical signals from the trigger to fire instead of a mechanical link. This keeps jams and misfires to a minimum. The breech is a rotating design, further reducing the occurrence of failure. If a jam should occur, it can be freed by using the manual cocking handle. A lithium battery contained in the handle supplies power for the HI M14A. Good for 10,000 rounds of fire, it can be recharged on a gun rack or a portable charger. The HI M14A also sports a standard integral silencer and flash suppressor.
Type Ammo Shots Speed ROF Range Damage Cost
HI M14A sp. 10mm (caseless) 30 1 9 10/20 4d8 AP 1
HEDP 4 2 1 30 4d12/AP2 and 4d8
Weapon Ammo Shots Speed ROF Range Dam Cost
HI M14A Pulse Rifle HI M14A sp. 30 1 9 10/20 4d8 AP 1 $2000
HEDP HEDP(20mm) 4 1 1 30 4d12 AP 2
4d8 3m Blast Radius
HI M56A2 Smart Gun (Squad Support Weapon)
For a Syker squad to survive engagement, it needs more than just rifles. Heavy machine guns offer more firepower for offensive and defensive operations. The HI M56A2 is an incredible machine. As the name implies, the gun has “smart” capabilities, designed specifically for use by Sykers. When a Syker is “jacked in”, the M56A2 can aim itself. Utilizing a PAP (Psionic Amplification Plug) similar to those used by the TSAR, the gun uses some of the Syker’s mental energy to focus upon a target’s mental signature and will “steer” itself to aim at the target. To acquire the target, it must be visible to the Syker. The Syker must point the weapon at the target for one action and make a fair (TN 5) blastin’ roll, and if successful, spend 1 strain to achieve a target lock. Once locked, the Syker has a +2 bonus to hit the target, with an additional +1 per raise. This bonus is continuous for as long as the Syker maintains the same designated target. The Syker can mentally reset the targeting system at any time, but must repeat the process to acquire a new target. While the Syker operating the gun still has control of where to aim, it’s best to let the HI M56A2 do it’s job. The gun will not fire by itself. It still requires the operator to pull the trigger. Jacking a PAP in or out requires an action and is painful, causing the loss of 1 wind.
The M56A2 is carried on a free moving “steady cam” gyro-harness and articulating arm. This gives the gun a wide range of motion and targeting area, and compensates for a good deal of the guns weight (only a -1 penalty for additional bursts fired...- 6 without the harness). The remaining weight of the gun is supported by the operator’s shoulders and legs, allowing it to be used for extended periods of time with less fatigue. However, because of its bulk, the user’s pace is reduced by 1. Due to its design, it is impossible to lie prone while wearing the harness. Getting into a harness and mounting the weapon without assistance requires 8 actions in a non-combat situation (4 with assistance). Getting out is a bit easier; a Syker can dump the harness and weapon by hitting a series of release buckles in 2 actions.
The firing system is the same caseless type as the HI M41A Pulse Rifle, although the ammunition used by the HI M56A2 is a larger 12mm round. The ammo belt is carried in a largish drum style clip attached to the side of the gun. The HI M56A2 will load itself with each new drum, but manual cocking of the charging handle will keep jams to a minimum (3 actions). The HI M41A comes with a standard integral flash suppression system.
Weapon Ammo Shots Speed ROF Range Dam Cost
HI M56A2 12mm (caseless) 50 1 6 20 4d12 AP 1 $6000
HI “Viper” VP70
The HI VP70 pistol was intended as an eventual caseless replacement for the standard issue 9mm side?arms of the NA forces. Adopted on a small scale level specifically by the UNPL (United Nations Psychic Legion) for use on Banshee, the Viper also saw very limited use on earth in the closing months of the war, and was a predecessor to the HI Thunderer (in fact, while it is a superior weapon, its production costs were deemed unreasonable and led to the development of the Thunderer). Similar to the M14A, the Viper uses a standard specialized caseless explosive tipped 9mm round. Ammunition is packed in its own propellant in a 10 round magazine in the grip. Also like the M41A, it is constructed of titanium alloys and composites, making it very durable. Though perhaps not typical of the UNPL’s other high powered weaponry, no sane Syker would go into battle without one. Many a brain burner owes his life to this simple pistol, as it is usually the last defense against an over?run attack. Also, the VP70’s small size, lower power and lack of recoil makes it very useful in space battles - it won’t kick the soldier of into space, and relatively little fire power is needed to kill a space suit.
Weapon Ammo Shots Speed ROF Range Dam Cost
HI “Viper” VP70 9mm (caseless) 10 1 1 10 3d6 AP 1 $1000
HI M42A TASR
The HI M42A Telepathic Assisted Scope Rife (more commonly referred to as the “taser”) was an experimental sniper rifle that first saw use attached to United Nations Expeditionary Force on Banshee by UNPL forces (though proven successful in the field, cost of production restrictions kept the weapon from seeing much use on earth). It uses a very specialized 10mm caseless ammunition similar to the HI M41A Pulse Rifle, but each round is fitted with a special, telepathically sensitive targeting chip (nicknamed a ROATS - “Reach Out And Touch Someone”). The standard issue ammunition for the TASR is the very rare experimental M252 HEAP (High Explosive Anti?Personal) round. This round has a maximum effective range of 2,250 meters over clear terrain, and was designed specifically to punch through most body armors. Needless to say, clips for this weapon are not easy to come by. Like the HI M41A, the TASR uses an electronic firing system and breach loading system. The TASR while still compact, differs in appearance significantly, having a longer barrel and an underslung collapsible bi-pod. The ammunition for the TASR is held in a 15 round clip inserted into the stock just behind pistol grip. The standard scope for the M42A is a combined, multi?spectral eighty power passive sensor scope. Images in the scope are based on input from visual, infrared, and electromagnetic emissions (spend one action to add 30 to the range increment). If it’s incredible range and kill potential wasn’t enough already, the TASR also utilizes technology similar to the TSAR; the weapon’s potential is terrifying in the hands of a Syker. Utilizing a Psychic Amplification Plug (PAP), a Syker can use some of his mental energy to focus upon a target’s mental signature to assist in aiming. To acquire the target, it must be visible to the Syker (while the TASR’s rounds can modify trajectory somewhat, they are completely different from a TSAR’s gyrojet ammo, and can’t “shoot around corners”). The Syker must point the weapon at the target for one action and make a fair (TN 5) blastin’ roll, and if successful, spend 1 strain to achieve a target lock. This lock inscribes the mental signature of the target on the ROATS chip within the round (giving new meaning to the phrase “this one has your name on it”). Once locked, this effectively gives the Syker a +2 bonus to hit the target, with an additional +1 per raise. However, the Syker can also opt to make an additional hard (TN 9) blastin’ roll, again spending 1 strain if successful, to designate the exact hit location desired on the target (this option does not require an additional action). Regardless of the choice, bonuses are acquired per shot. Each ROATS chip must be encoded separately, necessitating the Syker to repeat the process to gain the bonus for each additional shot (although one shot is usually enough). Jacking a PAP in or out requires an action and is painful, causing the loss of 1 wind.
Weapon Ammo Shots Speed ROF Range Dam Cost
HI M12A TASR 10mm (caseless) 15 1* 1 40 (70/scope) 5d10 AP 2 $10000
M252 HEAP