Dated: 08/07/2145
To: UAC Mars Research Facility, Combat Prep
From: UAC Advanced Weapons
Subject: Series 3b Plasma Upgrade
In response to the recent media attention given to faulty containment fields in non-UAC-manufactured plasma cells, we at the Union Aerospace Corporation have decided to provide an interface upgrade chip for the recently released Series 3 plasma gun. These upgrades, provided to our loyal customers and various off-world divisions free of charge, are guaranteed by UAC for the lifetime of the weapon itself ONLY if installed by a class E certified plasma technician. Please refer to the diagram included with the chip itself for specific instructions.
This upgrade, the first of its kind, takes advantage of newly refined techniques in the field of advanced weapons technology. High-level energy sources such as those found in an improperly housed cell will produce fluctuations in the energy field of an active Series 3 plasma weapon. By carefully monitoring the differences between input and output energy flow while the weapon is idling, the Series 3b chip allows not only detection of these potentially dangerous leaks, but can even locate the problem within a 30 meter, 170 degree cone in front of the device.
Please advise all security personnel to pay close attention to the modified display on the weapon itself. Should a leaking energy source be detected within range, a small circle, or "blip", will appear indicating the distance and direction of the problem. Steps can then be taken to notify disposal teams and rectify the situation.
Note that while our science staff have speculated that several other forms of energy outside of the harmonic range of the plasma cells used by the Series 3 can be detected by the 3b chip, the average user is extremely unlikely to encounter these rare forms of emission. Given the nature of these currently theoretical sources of energy, in the event that a non-plasma source produces a "blip" on the weapon, you almost certainly have a malfunctioning device. Please return the full weapon (do not attempt to uninstall the chip) to UAC. Allow 6-8 weeks for repair and return of your product.
We would like to reiterate that the cells mentioned in MSCNN's reports were NOT produced by a UAC facility. In the future, we will be carefully reviewing our third-party partners in manufacturing and fulfillment. We hope that these upgrades will keep you healthy, happy, and safe while using the latest in plasma weapon technology. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. You may visit us at http://www.ua-corp.com/.
Dated: 10/20/2145
To: Bryce Rung
From: Ash Pascal
Subject: 3b upgrades
Bryce -
We've been using the 3b upgrades for well over a month now with no problems, but just this morning the things have started to go nuts on us. Four weeks without finding a single faulty plasma cell - the guys in maintenance are pissed, being deprived of a chance to try out their new toy - and now we're seeing blips everywhere. And not on the cells, either; the damn things seem to be picking up maintenance and security staff!
It started just yesterday. A technician detail from Delta 1 came back from a job, and Steve's gun lights up like a Christmas tree. They weren't too pleased when he proudly proclaimed that the entire team was leaking plasma from a predictably (this is Steve, remember) vulgar place. I think they would have decked him if I hadn't stepped in; the teams from Delta appear to be increasingly losing their senses of humor lately. But I checked and sure enough, the gun reported them as plasma sources, down to the last sullen man.
And just this morning, another bunch from Delta - security forces this time - set off the thing. I asked if they had been in the same area, but couldn't get much of an answer. I tell ya, this whole damn place needs a vacation. Did get one of 'em to uncork long enough to mention that they'd had a problem with the guns on site; they were apparently detecting stuff inside the walls and such. Said something about the blips coinciding with "voices" of some kind. Those boys have definitely been down there too long; I don't care HOW much hazard pay they pull in, you won't see me volunteering.
I'd say it's a problem with the guns, but what are the chances of them all crapping out in exactly the same way at exactly the same time? I know I'm supposed to tell disposal so they can clean up the "leaks", but what the hell are they going to do when I tell them it's people? Screw it, as long as no one is bleeding from the eyes or going green-glowing-Chernobyl on me, I'm not about to deal with the paperwork.
Lemme know if you see any more malfunctioning equipment. Drop by this afternoon; I'll play ya a round of STTP3.
Later,
- Ash
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