Plastic Weapons

by David G. Hinkley

>>>>>[while wandering the Matrix I came across this, thought it might be of interest to some of you]<<<<<<

-Phantom (H:M:S/D-M-Y)

>>>>>[Just wandering...right, Information Circulars are for internal use only. The only place the Phantom could get this is off one Lone Star's Computer systems. If it is authentic.......]<<<<<<

-Electronic Wizzard (13:26:52/06-09-57)

>>>>>[Its authentic, I have seen a hard copy.]<<<<<<

-Anonimo Beccacciniero (#:@:&/%-$-!)

Department of Surveillance, Division of Investigation Austin

Information Circular #561034A

26 September 2057

Dist: All Departments, All Divisions

The following items have recently been seized during investigations in Seattle, Austin, and Atlanta. Officers are advised to adjust their search and surveillance methods to reflect the unique characteristics of these weapons.

>>>>>["Officers are advised to adjust..." now isn't that a interesting turn of phrase? I think I detect a hidden message.]<<<<<

-Shadowrider (23:23:23/02-04-01)

>>>>>[Very astute of you Shadowrider. You are quite correct. It is the never ending friction between staff and line management. Staff cannot give orders, yet there are cases when they should be able to and this is one of them. What they are trying to say is...Metal detectors are no longer reliable, frisk everybody to insure that they are not carrying. Of course if they said this the Line management would be so up in arms over the fact that it was in the form of an order that the message content would be lost. Aren't bureaucracies wonderful...they make our life so much easier :) ]<<<<<

-Whispering Death (01:08:26/06-09-57)

Composite Shotgun

A double-barreled weapon manufactured of ceramic and plastic composites, utilizing ammunition of the same materials. This as this weapon contains no metal parts of any kind it is not detectable by metal detectors, when disassembled it is difficult to identify with X-ray scanning, and due to the limited amount of propellant contained in the ammunition chem-sniffers are of limited use. The composite material used is off white in color, however two of the specimens seized had been painted, one to resemble a conventional shotgun the other in a woodland camouflage pattern. It is believed that these are part of a limited production run. Ballistic examination of this weapon shows it to be as effective as the conventional shotgun against soft targets. insufficient ammunition was seized with the test samples to provide for full testing. Medical Department tests reveal that the composite flechettes used in the shells are X-ray transparent making wound treatment difficult.

Plastic Rocket Pistol

This weapon will chamber standard Transcon 7 mm GyroJet ammunition, but the example was seized with a partial clip of explosive ammunition made of composite materials. The weapon is light gray in color about 15 cm long and weights .2 kg empty. The detachable springless magazine holds 8 rounds. This weapon is not detectable at all by metal detectors, when disassembled it is difficult to identify with X-ray scanning, and due to the limited amount of propellant contained in the ammunition chem-sniffers are of limited use. Ballistic examination of this weapon shows it to be as effective as the conventional GyroJet against soft targets. Medical Department tests reveal that the fragments from the explosive rounds are X-ray transparent making wound treatment difficult.

While these weapons are similar in concept, close examination of the materials and manufacturing techniques used indicates that it is extremely likely that they are being manufactured by different organizations and were designed by different individuals. Further information will be released as it becomes available in the R&D Evaluation Sections regular monthly Tech Bulletin. Headquarters Lone Star is extremely interested in identifying the source of these and similar weapons as well as detection methods effective in identifying individuals carrying items of this type.

Class 28C funding is available to reimburse out of pocket expenses associated with the collection of accurate information regarding the source of these items. Include expense vouchers with your reports, signed receipts are not required. Section 16, Department of Surveillance is to be informed immediately of the recovery of, or information regarding the source of these items.

>>>>>[Class 28C funds?]<<<<<

-Bugsy (18:09:13/06-09-57)

>>>>>[Class 28C funds come from Lone Star Headquarters, Austin and are not charged against the local Lone Star office. The use of these funds for an investigation of this type indicates that senior officials are extremely interested in this matter. Of even more interest is the total lack of information relating to how the samples tested came into Lone Star's control. Normally one would expect that some information would be released to provide some leads for investigators to start from.]<<<<<

-Shadowrider (23:25:56/03-07-98)

>>>>>[The Star is out on the street looking hard and their fixed security posts are doing more frisks then normal.]<<<<<

-Whispering Death (01:09:53/07-09-57)

>>>>>[The question is who is making these, I for one would like to get one of my own.]<<<<

-Bugsy (18:10:52/06-09-57)

>>>>>[Good luck, finding the source of these would be hard enough, now that the Man is looking it will be harder yet. Be careful that you are not caught up in a sting operation]<<<<

-Anonimo Beccacciniero (#:@:&/%-$-!)

Gamemaster's Information

The circumstances under which player characters could come into possession or in contact with of one of these weapons has been left intentionally vague. They could be the seed for one of two variations of an adventure. The first is the players seek out the manufacture of one of these and then sell that information to Lone Star or other agency. The other is the players attempt to obtain one or more of these weapons for their own use. in some respects the second should be easier as there is no need to identify the maker or his motives. However, given Lone Star's interest in the weapons the use of them should attract a lot of unwanted attention.

The equipment and raw materials needed to make these weapons is readily available in 2057. And the design concepts are not particularly exotic or difficult to work out. The main reason there are two reasons that they are not being made by a large number of manufacturers has more to do with the weapons market then difficulty in manufacturing. The only thing these weapons have going for them is in how hard they are to detect. Otherwise they are basically junk. A commercial sporting shotgun with its barrels and stock cut down is a cheaper and more effective weapon than the composite shotgun. And the ammunition is more easily obtained. GyroJet weapons are notorious for being inaccurate. So unless the buyer needs an undetectable weapon, there are a lot of other choices that have a lot fewer headaches. Of course if you need a undetectable weapon they are worth their weight in gold. Many of the headaches associated with owning and using them, extend to the manufacturers of this type of weapon. The authorities don't want them circulating, as they make providing reasonable levels of security difficult and more intrusive. As a result they are actively looking for the makers of this type of weaponry.

The combination of the limited market, the high risk and high profit limits the makers to one of two possibilities. The first is an individual or small company, will to take the risk for the high return of making them for sale. The weapons would be available to anyone who can afford to buy them. The sale would be conducted through intermediary, cut-outs and similar methods that reduce the risk of discovery and arrest of the maker. The buyer would have little opportunity to meet the maker and almost no chance to discover the location of the manufacturing facility.

The second possibility is that the weapons were made by or specifically for a terrorist organization or particular corporate special operation team. If this is the case the only way the players should be able to get one is by either being a member of the organization or by taking from the hands of a deceased member. However the maker or supplier of the weapons should be somewhat easier to locate as he would have a degree of affiliation with the using organization.

Given the interest in these weapons (from both shadowrunners and Lone Star)it is extremely likely that cheap knock-offs (some completely unsafe to use) will show up as will a variety of scams, traps and the like. To further complicate matters is the possibility that both weapons types are in existence locally, and that one is being made for profit and the other by a terrorist organization for its own use.

Prior to introducing either weapon into his campaign the Gamemaster should decide which manufacturing motive best fits his game. He should also work out the details, who is making them, why he is making them, how they could be obtained and the relative availability. After everything has been worked out then give the Shadowland download to your players and watch the fun.

Weapons Data

Note: Legality rating of this weapon and ammunition is 1-K. This weapon can not accept a silencer, suppresser, gas vent system or any barrel mounted accessory. It CANNOT chamber or fire conventional shotgun ammunition of any type. Use Light pistol range table.

* This weapon is not detectable by metal detectors, or X-ray type machines. The target number for chem sniffers is 14.

	Type	Conceal	Ammo	Mode	Damage	Weight	Availability	Cost	Street Index
Plastic GyroJet	Light Pistol	5*	12 (c)	SA	7L**	.2		- gamemaster's discretion -
Ammunition, per 10		12*	-	-	-	.25		- gamemaster's discretion -

Note: Legality rating of this weapon is 1-K. These pistols can not accept silencers, suppresser, or gas vent systems. While a GyroJet pistol is not silent and the sound of the pistol firing is distinctive, it does not sound like a gunshot.

* This weapon is not detectable by metal detectors, or X-ray type machines. The target number for chem sniffers is 14.

** Use the explosive ammunition rules (SRII p.93); the Power Level has already been adjusted. Damage when using conventional 7mm GyroJet ammunition is 6L and the target number for detection by metal detectors and X-ray type detectors is 8 (of the ammunition).