The Phaeles is an Elysian weapon designed for use at close range, a spear capable of releasing a radio burst (and frying electronics). The Elysian love of close combat has led to this weapon being experimented on and modified for many, many years, and in its current form, it has become a versatile and quite malleable weapon. In the proper hands, it can be as deadly as any rifle. In untrained hands, it is little more than a big stick with a pointy end.

From the butt of the shaft to the intersection with the spearhead, the Phaeles measures 185 centimetres. The haft is crafted of a mixture of ceramics (a thin layer of ultrahard fullerite, beneath which one will find a thicker layer of titanium carbide and a core of tantalum carbide), and weighs 2.1 kilograms. Due to a system of thin, sliding layers in the fullerite, the haft of the spear can be extended or shortened somewhat - its actual range is from 175 cm to 200 cm. It is, however, at its strongest and most balanced at the standard of 185. The head varies significantly, as the heads are interchangeable - a simple mechanism allows them to slide and lock into place, with the pulling of a pin necessary to unlock it again (a well-trained wielder can switch a head in less than three seconds). The pin is 5 mm in width, constructed of ultrahard fullerite, and very difficult to damage without immense amounts of force.

All of the heads of the Phaeles are capable of delivering a powerful radial EMP, localized at the head. The effective range of this outburst is 75 cm, making it inpractical as any sort of distance weapon, but quite useful against powered and electrified armors, as well as weapons with electronic componenets, wielded by a foe. To create this, the head contains a radio generator which is powered by a small battery, inserted in the head. The lifespan of this battery varies depending on the type of head, and will be noted below. The difference in the heads lies in their intended use. Currently, there are three major types used by the Elysian Celestial Navy.

The first head is called a nikheis, used to maximize the effect of the electromagnetic discharge. Save for a single “safe spot” coated in ultrahard fullerite, the entire head is composed of tantalum carbide and shaped like a steak fork, extending in two long, thin tines. The highly conductive nature of the material makes for a more powerful radio burst, however, the tantalum carbide is also much heavier and less sharpenable than the mainly-fullerite nature of the other heads. The nikheis weighs 1.2 kilograms, and measures 20 centimetres from clasp to tines, 7 centimetres across at the widest point. One battery can handle some twenty-five discharges with the nikheis.

The second head is called the arkheis. This is a spindle of ultrahard fullerite some 40 centimetres long, with a simple spine of tantalum carbide at the core, again to better direct the radio burst. Though not as effective an electromagnetic weapon as the nikheis, the arkheis makes for a more efficient infantry weapon, due to the shape of the head. The spindle is formed of the core, and four fullerite blades which curve in a leaf shape at right angles, melding into a point at the tip. The edges, though not monomolecular, are sharp enough to slice diamond with little force. The arkheis weighs 0.9 kilograms, and measures 40 centimetres long and 6 centimetres wide. One battery can support thirty discharges with the arkheis.

The third (and final mainstream military) head is the keikhos. This one is designed as, mainly, a thrusting and cutting weapon, with minimal emphasis placed on the radio-burst capacity. Constructed entirely of ultrahard fullerite, it is significantly lighter weight than other heads. Consequently, however, due to the lack of a good conductor, the radio burst is somewhat subdued. It consists of a broad leaf-blade some 35 centimetres in length and 8 centimetres wide at the broadest point, serrated viciously at the lower end (and barbed at the upper), to allow it to rend through flesh and armor easily. This is the only phaeles head that is routinely made monomolecular - even those given to Plebeians most commonly have a monomolecular edge. The keikhos weighs 0.6 kilograms, and the battery can support twelve discharges before needing changed.

Orion created this article on 2007/01/06 13:54; Wes approved it on 2007/01/06 18:56.