Farscape pulse weapons
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Pulse weapons are chemical powered energy weapons. They operate by releasing a drop of Chakan oil, a dense and highly volatile compound refined from Tannot root, into the weapon's 'pulse chamber.' The ordinance is then vaporized and then excited to a high-energy plasma state by powerful, rapid-pulsing beam of laser-light and higher-frequency electromagnetic energies. The chamber itself is magnetically shielded, so the beams remain within the plasma cloud, which itself amplifies the power of the EM pulse due to properties of the chakan oil. The magnetic field is also present in the weapon's barrel, which accelerates the excited plasma cloud to an unknown velocity. The final result is a discharge of plasma bolts similar to a bullet being fired except with no shell casings.
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[edit] Weapon types:
[edit] Pistols
- Mini Pistol
A small side arm carried by Peacekeeper infantry, the Mini Pistol is a miniaturized version of the Peacekeeper Pulse Pistol. Meant for easy concealment, it is no larger than the palm of the hand. It does not have an ammo cartridge, but a reservoir of Chakan Oil that must be refilled. The amount of shots possible before a refill is unknown.
- Pulse pistol
The standard issue Peacekeeper side arm, 7 inches in length, 6 inches in height. It fires small bolts of yellow energy able to kill most species, but will not penetrate Scarran hide. The pistol can be set to stun, kill, or higher, but the standard setting used by most is kill. For ammunition, it uses Chakan oil cartridges which are loaded into the grip; there are no shells. The maximum amount of shots per cartridge is 500, although Crichton's comments in one episode indicate that Winona (his personal pulse pistol) can fire 600 and possibly others can as well. The pistol can be set to overload, causing an explosion proportional to the amount of Chakan oil remaining. There is a mount on the left side, where a laser sight can be attached.
- Scorpius's custom pulse pistol
Scorpius's own pistol most likely has all the standard features of a regular pulse pistol, plus extras. It is designed specifically for his hand, has an increased cartridge size and green panels of unknown function.
[edit] Rifles/Blasters
- Snub-nose Repeating Blaster
Another type of weapon between a pulse pistol and rifle. Its capacity is 100 shots blasts (typically 3 "shots" per burst). It has two shooting settings: single, 3 shots per round, and semi-automatic, 2 bursts of 3 blasts. The weapon is similar to a semiautomatic in shape and function. It can be held one handed like a pistol but has fast repeating fire like Uzi. This weapon is seen used by Aeryn Sun's mother Xhalax Sun and Chiana.
- Pulse Rifle
A Pulse Rifle is a full sized rifle, more powerful than the Peacekeeper Pulse Pistol, and more accurate at longer distances, 1 foot 8 inches in length, and 10 inches in height, with sight. Maintained fire can penetrate Scarran hide. It holds a larger Chakan oil cartridge than the Pulse Pistol, and comes stock with a telescopic sight, top mounted. It has a semi-automatic option for continual fire. It is equivalent to an assault rifle. The maximum amount of shots it can fire is 1500. Hobbyists who have built models of the rifle have noted it bears great similarity to a Steyr Aug.[1]
- Frag handheld-Long-barreled cannon
It is a full sized rifle, more powerful than the Peacekeeper Pulse rifle, and more accurate at shorter distances. It fires like a shotgun. It fires one powerful pulse at a time. It shoots slower than a pulse rife but has more stopping power than regular firearms. Fire from a frag handheld cannon can penetrate Scarran hide, and even shoot down small attack craft. It holds a larger Chakan oil cartridge than the Pulse Pistol rifle.
- Heavy Pulse Rifle ("Sling Rifle")
Heavy Pulse Rifles are typically carried by at least one member of a Peacekeeper strike team, usually the biggest and meanest of the bunch. Some soldiers do not like these weapons, as they are so heavy they require a sling and the soldier must essentially shoot from the hip, throwing off one's aim a bit. Still, a skilled soldier carrying this weapon is enough to strike fear into the heart of even a hardened adversary. (Aeryn is usually shown carrying one.) Its ammo capacity is 30 rounds per cartridge. It can shoot 3 shots per round.
- Pulse Burster
It is the largest handheld pulse weapon. Pulse Bursters release an explosive charge of pulse energy from all eight barrels of the burster at the same time. The charge explodes upon impact with any hard target, usually destroying it. These heavy weapons are hard to handle and are difficult to aim. However, they're unparalleled weapons for thinning out large masses of enemies who foolishly clump together. (Crais uses one in Infinite Possibilities). Its ammo capacity is 15 rounds per cartridge, each shoots through 8 barrels, so it can fire a total of 120 shots per cartridge.
[edit] Misc. Weapons
- Qualta Blade
A Luxan weapon that acts as both a powerful pulse rifle and sword. They measure slightly over 3 feet long and, and are perfectly balanced. Often used by Ka D'Argo.
- Various unamed weapons
Scarens and Charrids use pulse weapons that are not named in the show.
- The Gauntlet
A gauntlet that injects its user with a powerful stimulant, and also has other functions, such as shielding, or pulse blasts.
[edit] See also
- Farscape Related:
- Science Fiction Related:
[edit] External links
- Farscape Center
- Karlsweb Farscape e-Zine
- Farscape World
- The Farscape Encyclopedia
- Far-what?
- SCI-FI.COM | Farscape
- What Is Farscape?
- Watch Farscape
- BBC Online - Cult - Farscape
- Farscape at the Open Directory Project (suggest site)
- The Farscape Props Forum
- Neural Cluster
- Terra Firma
- ScapeCast - The Farscape Podcast
