==/-\== USS Chimera ODA Area ==/-\== Cortez made his way down the hallway towards the small lab in the back of the ODA area. Nobody really went back there except Lynch who seemed to always be back there tinkering with something. As Cortez passed through the doors he noticed what looked like a modified tricorder sitting on a rather messy desk. Sitting on the other side of the lab with his back towards the door was Lynch who didn't seem to notice that Cortez had even entered into the room. Walking closer he could tell that Lynch was fiddling around with the flamethrower. "What have you figured out", Cortez said rather loudly, sort of hoping to startle the teams new Petty Officer. Aidan jumped up and quickly covered his workbench. "For all that is sacred, don't you ever do that again" he uttered, then turned around, looking flustered. "ye scared the begeezas outta me" he added. Cortez just laughed, pointing to the partially visible flamethrower sitting on his desk, "I see you haven't destroyed the flamethrower yet", he said sarcastically with a smile on his face. "hows it coming along?" Aidan grinned. "Well, yeah, I've been doing some upgrades." he took the flamethrower, now looking like an elongated, silvery egg of 80 cm length, by 25 cm, depth and 20 cm of width. "OK, first modification, and probably the most important. I've packed the canisters in smaller doses, but in a longer shaft, with four charges each, which you load up, here" he pressed a button and the egg started to unfold. A short lever appeared in the back, with enough space to place the shaft. As soon as Aidan placed the shaft, the lever retracted and a series of four green lights started to blink. "Flamethrower loaded and ready to barbecue." Aidan grinned. "Plus, the canisters are safely sealed inside a small force field, inside this duranium cover. He pressed another button and the egg split up in two, revealing a covered grip. Aidan placed his arm inside and took the weapon like a rifle. "The flashlight is activated with the uppermost button on the left side." a small cover slipped aside, revealing a shiny reflector. "Cooling unit is in the back, covered by the plating, the excess heat is dissipated through the vents on the side." he pointed at a few carves on the side of the egg. "I've added a few extras, i thought might be useful." Aidan continued his description. "Arrow thrower" he started, while two flaps opened on the side, revealing six arrowheads each. "removable heads, ready to add gas, poison, whatever the shooter wants." the flaps closed again. "Phaser unit" he continued. A small opening underneath the flame throwing pipe revealed itself. "Of course, it just has the strength of a hand phaser, I didn't want to risk an overload." he said almost apologizing. "And the cherry on top" he continued, as the hole closed, and another pipe appeared on top of the egg. "Deep Freeze" he said proudly. "Carbon Dioxide expelled at high pressure at the target causes immediate refrigeration of the biologic structures. In other words, we turn em into ice cubes." he closed. "Everything is activated from buttons on the handle while the trigger fires the selected weapon. I couldn't think of anything else, and I haven't tested it. Either we have an all around defensive weapon.... or we'll go boom at the first trigger. What do you think?" he looked expectantly at Cortez. Cortez was impressed, he hadn't expected Lynch to work this fast. As Cortez inspected the weapon the first thing he noted was that its weight was about 2.5 times that of a normal Phaser Rifle. Not to mention the odd egg shape would be a bit different for some people to get used to. Close combat situations like an assault on a starship would usually call for smaller lighter weapons. So the weight and size of the new weapon might prove to be a bit unpractical. However the multitude of weapons and the fact that only one person per team would probably be using one might more than make up for its negative aspects. Pressing the small button on the top Cortez opened up the weapon. As the two flaps extruded on the side Cortez then pulled out one of the metallic arrows, "perhaps we can put some flash grenades into the arrow heads", he said replacing the arrow. Aidan nodded. "It's an option. I was also thinking of small charges in case we have to blow up doors or obstacles in our way. Besides, these buggers should have enough force to penetrate any exoskeleton in our way" Cortez then pushed the button closing up the weapon. "This seems like a solid weapon", he added, "But the problem is that if there is a methane buildup like the General suggested, we'll have to hold off using the fire until we can get the ships air filtration system back online. "So whoever carry's this weapon will also be carrying a rifle as well". "That's why I added the alternatives" replied Aidan. "We can't control the methane amount in the air unless we have access to the environmental systems, and even then the ship isn't probably in conditions to clean up to make our job easier, but that doesn't mean we have to forget about the bug zapper." he padded the weapon. Cortez continued, "Is there any range difference between the bigger canisters and these smaller ones?" Cortez inquired. "And how close do you need to be to the target for the carbon dioxide to have any effect?" "Nah" replied Aidan, "Range should be the same, but it'll last less. On the other hand, you have four shots instead of one. That should also minimize the possibilities of overheating." he explained Cortez nodded, "Alright then, time is short, lets get this fire breathing bastard tested out". Aidan grinned. "The honor is all yours. I'm not even sure it wont fall into pieces yet." he joked. ==/-\== A few minutes later inside the Holodeck ==/-\== "Computer", Cortez said loudly as the doors to the holodeck closed behind the two marines. "Run USS Gott simulation, One Xchi". A second later the two men were standing inside the science vessels engineering section with the usual Xchi standing against the far wall. "Alright Lynch, if this thing blows up in my hands, drinks are on you". He joked, then ordered the computer to start the program. "Aye, I'll get the pints, and I have a little bronze plaque ready in case you don't make it" Aidan replied and winked at Cortez before standing behind the console. The bug came charging at the two men as expected. Cortez waited for the bug to get close and once it was within about 7 feet he pulled the trigger letting the flame fly forth. The bug was soon engulfed in fire but Cortez kept pressing the trigger. Eventually the flame died out and Cortez turned and looked at Lynch. "Range seemed the same, about 6 feet, but the flame only lasted about 15 seconds", he said to Lynch who was inputting the information into a PADD. "Hmmm" Aidan expected it to last a bit longer. "Well, you got a minutes worth of fire, plus the reload time is minimal. I think we can work with that." he concluded. Cortez smiled as he pressed the button that switched the weapon to "Deep Freeze" mode. After ordering the computer to reset the program the same bug appeared and again began charging at the two men. Cortez like before waited for the bug to get within a few feet before firing. As he pressed the trigger a stream of pressurized liquid carbon dioxide about an inch thick shot forth onto the approaching arachnid. At first it seemed to have little or no effect but to stun the bug, but after a few seconds of constant application it fell over with well over half its body frozen. Cortez continued pulling the trigger until the carbon dioxide ran out and then turned around to face Lynch who was already inputting the information gathered into his PADD. Aidan sighed relieved. "Well you're still alive and the bugzapper is working" he grinned. "And it should be lighter by now. There's no way to reload that during combat tho, so it's really a last option in the field" Cortez nodded in agreement. He then tested the flashlight, the Arrow Thrower and the phaser unit and everything worked fine without any problems. Pressing the button to close up the weapons flaps he then looked over at Lynch. "You know how many starfleet regulations we just broke by making and using this thing." he said jokingly. Aidan laughed. "There are regulations?" he replied and nudged Cortez. "I wasn't aware of that. We were asked to find something against the bugs, that's all I recall. Now, what do you say if we break a few more regulations and get us a few pints, before getting it on with those bugs?" he set the weapon into safe mode and picked up the heavy, now seamless egg. "Now thats a regulation that was made to be broken", Cortez smiled as the two marines walked out of the holodeck. ==/-\== End Log ==/-\== Petty Officer 3rd Class Aidan Lynch ODA Engineering Specialist USS Chimera + Lance Corporal Richard Cortez ODA Weapons Specialist USS Chimera