Maladominus
SOC-14 1K
Portable Aegis
(aka the Hiver Portable Particle Shield)
An Alien Cultural Weapon for Classic Traveller
The Portable Aegis is a 'weapon' well-suited to the Hiver psychology. The device is not so much a weapon, as it is a shielding device. Hiver experimentation with particle weapons technology has led to this rather unique item used for personal defense. The portable aegis resembles a small globe-like sphere attached to a neck-strap or harness. It is typically worn on the neck of the primary limb. The device is activated by a pressure-sensitive button. Upon activation, the aegis generates a slightly-concave hemisphere-shaped particle "shield" directly in front of the Hiver (about 1.2 meters forward). The shield is approximately 1.5m tall (vertical) by 2.0m wide, and no more than 5 cm thick.
The shield itself is a powerful (if temporary) matrix of ionized energy, capable of blocking kinetic attacks as well as most energy-based weaponry. The particle shield itself will cause a great deal of injury to anyone that comes into contact with it (4d6 per round while in contact with the shield). The shield will completely block (deflect) all forms of kinetic weapons and slugthrower rounds. It will absorb a great deal of energy weapons fire (e.g. laser, plasma or fusion), which results in the halving of all energy-weapons damage before they can reach their target (e.g. a 4d6 laser carbine fire passing through the shield becomes 2d6 if it manages to hit its intended target). In addition, all such energy-weapons fire passing through the shield will receive a -3 DM to target. The shield does not have any effect on psionic activity or psionic-based attacks such as telepathic assault.
The particle shield will only last 2 combat rounds. For example, a Hiver activates his portable aegis on Round 1. The shield is generated and in effect at the start of Round 2, and will also be active until the end of Round 3. The shield will completely dissipate and is no longer effective by the start of Round 4. As soon as the Hiver activates the device, he/she/it is free to run or evade, as the particle shield is self-maintaining and stationary during the 2-round duration.
The device has a cool-down period of 10 rounds. It carries a maximum of three charges at any given time. Recharging requires a power-source such as a starship or a power plant with a fusion source. The recharging process requires at least one hour and a technician with Electronics-2 skill and a familiarity with Hiver technology. A Hiver robot with the requisite Electronics skill is capable of performing the recharging process. Federation military and para-military ships may be retro-fitted with outlets allowing their craft to recharge these devices.
The Hiver portable aegis is a relatively new personal defense weapon, and is still considered an experimental device, although it has been under development by Hiver scientists for several decades. The device is expensive to manufacture, and Hivers will only equip such a device when personal danger is expected (e.g. a high-ranking Federation ambassador who fears an assassination attempt, or a wealthy Hiver tourist going out on a dangerous safari trip with some Human friends).
A skill of Electronics-1 and a familiarity training course of one week is required to operate this device properly. Without the skill and training, the Hiver would be penalized with the obligatory -2 DM combat fire penalty (see Alien Module 7 Hivers). This reflects the race's discomfort with any device used for or during combat (be it offensive or defensive in nature).
All in all, the portable aegis is an effective point defense weapon, and is very compatible with the Hiver propensity to flee at the first sign of danger. The device is currently manufactured only on the Hiver worlds of Glea and Guaran. TL16. Weight 1.5 kg. Cr150,000. Export outside of the Hive Federation is discouraged but not illegal.
(aka the Hiver Portable Particle Shield)
An Alien Cultural Weapon for Classic Traveller
The Portable Aegis is a 'weapon' well-suited to the Hiver psychology. The device is not so much a weapon, as it is a shielding device. Hiver experimentation with particle weapons technology has led to this rather unique item used for personal defense. The portable aegis resembles a small globe-like sphere attached to a neck-strap or harness. It is typically worn on the neck of the primary limb. The device is activated by a pressure-sensitive button. Upon activation, the aegis generates a slightly-concave hemisphere-shaped particle "shield" directly in front of the Hiver (about 1.2 meters forward). The shield is approximately 1.5m tall (vertical) by 2.0m wide, and no more than 5 cm thick.
The shield itself is a powerful (if temporary) matrix of ionized energy, capable of blocking kinetic attacks as well as most energy-based weaponry. The particle shield itself will cause a great deal of injury to anyone that comes into contact with it (4d6 per round while in contact with the shield). The shield will completely block (deflect) all forms of kinetic weapons and slugthrower rounds. It will absorb a great deal of energy weapons fire (e.g. laser, plasma or fusion), which results in the halving of all energy-weapons damage before they can reach their target (e.g. a 4d6 laser carbine fire passing through the shield becomes 2d6 if it manages to hit its intended target). In addition, all such energy-weapons fire passing through the shield will receive a -3 DM to target. The shield does not have any effect on psionic activity or psionic-based attacks such as telepathic assault.
The particle shield will only last 2 combat rounds. For example, a Hiver activates his portable aegis on Round 1. The shield is generated and in effect at the start of Round 2, and will also be active until the end of Round 3. The shield will completely dissipate and is no longer effective by the start of Round 4. As soon as the Hiver activates the device, he/she/it is free to run or evade, as the particle shield is self-maintaining and stationary during the 2-round duration.
The device has a cool-down period of 10 rounds. It carries a maximum of three charges at any given time. Recharging requires a power-source such as a starship or a power plant with a fusion source. The recharging process requires at least one hour and a technician with Electronics-2 skill and a familiarity with Hiver technology. A Hiver robot with the requisite Electronics skill is capable of performing the recharging process. Federation military and para-military ships may be retro-fitted with outlets allowing their craft to recharge these devices.
The Hiver portable aegis is a relatively new personal defense weapon, and is still considered an experimental device, although it has been under development by Hiver scientists for several decades. The device is expensive to manufacture, and Hivers will only equip such a device when personal danger is expected (e.g. a high-ranking Federation ambassador who fears an assassination attempt, or a wealthy Hiver tourist going out on a dangerous safari trip with some Human friends).
A skill of Electronics-1 and a familiarity training course of one week is required to operate this device properly. Without the skill and training, the Hiver would be penalized with the obligatory -2 DM combat fire penalty (see Alien Module 7 Hivers). This reflects the race's discomfort with any device used for or during combat (be it offensive or defensive in nature).
All in all, the portable aegis is an effective point defense weapon, and is very compatible with the Hiver propensity to flee at the first sign of danger. The device is currently manufactured only on the Hiver worlds of Glea and Guaran. TL16. Weight 1.5 kg. Cr150,000. Export outside of the Hive Federation is discouraged but not illegal.
