Chapter 13
Defensive Weapons
“I’ve got five or six items that might just interest you and they all meet, in a questionable way, the council’s requirements.” Cliff turned to the left and picked up a small plastic/metal capsule about three inches long. He held it up close to the monitor’s camera so Colby could get a good look at it. “The first one’s this little jewel, a personal body shield. Body shields are not unusual, however, this one is the first to have a built in power supply. The built in power supply for this little beauty will last up to thirty hours. It last that long but it only needs about three hours to recharge to full potential.”
“It looks so small.” Colby said.
“Not only that, it is not detectable as a power source and we can produce one that is a half inch long but still retain about one third of its power. It can be hidden almost anywhere, rechargeable lasting about twenty hours on one charge. Both are strong enough to deflect a one mega ton phasers at close range.”
While Cliff took a breath Colby put in. “You won’t be hurt by fire even at close range?”
“I’m not saying you won’t be bounced around a bit but you would survive and be able to function. The small screens, these babies produce, could take two such blast before there is noticeable depletion of their power charge.”
“Small, powerful and defensive only, I like it.” Colby said.
“Here is something else, they are activated by thought patterns and you can carry two of them on your person. Each shield has a different activator pattern and they are prevented from interacting with each other. We find that more than two will result in the elimination of the carrier himself.” Cliff shook his head as he relayed this info.
“The size of those shields is an unbelievable breakthrough. The previous shields were the size of a ground car and took the power supply of a star ship to work. You guys are really good, I can’t believe you have reduced them to this size.” Colby said with enthusiasm.
Cliff had laid the small capsule aside and picked up the next item. “This,” He said. “is a weapon’s power depleter. It makes all phasers, within a given area, impotent and unusable except as a club or something to throw. It works on the principle of a magnetic tape eraser. It disrupts the memory and distorts crystal alignment preventing the weapon from firing. We, as yet, haven’t found a known substance that can screen its depleting action.”
“Unbelievable,” Colby whispered. “this is so much more than I expected but, like a baby after candy, I want more.”
“Well I got more. You do know these items are in the final stages of test and that is why we haven’t released them for use.” Cliff warned.
“I understand that and I wouldn’t be asking except for our unusual position at this time.” Colby replied.
“Ok, the next little item is a Camouflaging Hologram Unit.” He held up the small item that looked similar to a digital camera. “It works off numerous heat sensors that sense colors by the amount of heat they reflect. The enclosed computer then reproduces and projects a holographic image that completely surrounds and blends the wearer into his or her background. No matter what angle the individual is viewed from the background is the only thing seen”
Cliff smiled and looked at the small device as if it were his offspring. “Most of these items are designed and engineered by our staff, this one I did myself. I got the idea from those old twenty first century supermarket checkout counters. When a package was pulled across a window in the counter, numerous laser light beams would pick up the coded messages on the package and send it to the computer. The light beams would enable the product readable no matter what shape the package or from what angle it was read. The computer took this info, displayed it on the monitor and translated it for a print out for the customer. This one doesn’t translate what it sees, it just reproduces it.”
Cliff carefully, although it wasn’t necessary due to its rugged design, lay the item aside.
“Ok,” Colby did everything but clap his hands. “I am intrigued and on my way down there to see the other items. Is it possible to get a field demo of all of these items?”
“Like I said, anytime, at your convenience.” Cliff replied.
Colby turned off his monitor, made a couple of calls and headed over to the Lab where Cliff waited. The halls were empty and so the trip to the lab was uneventful. Colby probably made it down to the lab in record time, no one stopped him with questions or comments. Cliff was still in the process of setting up things for a field demonstration when Colby was admitted to the lab.
“Hey Tom.” Cliff said as he shook Colby’s hand. “I’ll be ready in just a moment. Go ahead and pick up those items and take a good look at them while I finish.”
“Ok, take your time.” Colby said.
When Cliff finished the set up he returned to where Colby was still scrutinizing the small weapons. “You guys have been very busy, working overtime I would think.” Colby asked.
“Well, most of the things have been on the drawing board for years, but I will admit, these recent happenings have increase our, shall we say, pursuit of the solutions necessary to make them into a viable piece of equipment.” Cliff spoke with just a little pride in his team’s results.
“I’m totally impressed.” Colby assured Cliff.
“I haven’t told you about the last two items yet and I did save the best for last, but first I will have the others demonstrated for you. These will not be here in the lab, a true field test if you would? I want you to see them in the field as they will be used.” Cliff said.