After the successful rollout of the Stalwart Special as the standard armament for the LSDF, Stalwart Defender remained rather quiet, working on several small projects while contributing technology to the new Lorath developments. Recently, his favored plasma torch suffered a fatal malfunction. Not content to simply replace it with an identical tool, he began working on a new model…and as is the case with insane inventors, created something that must have been the work of someone who had far too much time on his hands; not to mention little in the way of sanity.

Despite this, the Multifunction Plasma Torch was given the okay for manufacture, and the innocuously misleading name was changed to “Inventive Killer” by the ever-helpful Aria.

• Manufactured by the Lorath under the name 'Inventive Killer'
• Four modes: torch mode (standard plasma torch functions), cutter mode (high-powered laser cutter), lighter mode (minor flame that can be extended), and pistol mode (fires plasma bolts); operated by multimode switch
• Unique 'barbecue lighter' form factor
• Rechargeable battery packs
• Optional targeting module
• Comes in 5 designer colors; custom engraving available on request
• 500 KS (450 KS without targeting module)

It should be kept in mind that the Inventive Killer is not meant for a general-use sidearm by soldiers. Rather, it is for those engineers and inventors who want an effective multitool, and be with the ability to defend oneself when threatened. In that function, it is more than appropriate, and it is believed that the LSDF will be giving this tool, or a future revision, to its engineers as standard.

The versatile Killer has four seperate functions, the current of which is displayed on the electronic displays at the side and back of the device. The functions are switched with a simple 4-position switch, and a small slider adjusts settings for the individual functions. Activation of the selected function is achived by a trigger pull, and there is a safety switch to prevent accidental activation.

All functions have a DR of 2 when used as a weapon, save for the Plasma Torch; which has a DR of 3, but cannot be used at range.

• Plasma Torch: One of the venerable tools of the inventor (along with the hydrospanner, sonic screwdriver, and duct tape roll), the plasma torch function achieves maximum caloric output in minimal time, with adjustable exhaust level. And as anyone experienced in hands-on mechanical work knows, a plasma torch makes a rather fearsome weapon. Operational time: effectively unlimited.
• Laser Cutter: A high-powered solid-state cutting laser, able to cut through most mundane materials with ease. While it's no replacement for traditional tools, the size-to-power ratio makes it still useful. The intensity can be adjusted through the slider to cut through more resistant materials - and also to extend the range in case of nosy onlookers. Operational time: 10 minutes continuous use.
• Lighter: Even in the far, far future, in a galaxy hundreds of billions of light-years removed from our own, people still have the urge to smoke. While this isn't the only function of the lighter, it's the most prominent one. While this would seem redundant in the face of the plasma torch and laser cutter functions (both quite adequate for starting fires), the lighter function can be used as a makeshift short-range flamethrower through adjustment of the slider. Operational time: ten minutes of continuous flamethrower operation, about 10 hours casual use total.
• Pistol: While the Inventive Killer does not look like anything more than an unorthodox plasma torch, its fourth function is deadly. Within the small housing is a plasma pistol function; and while it is fairly low-powered in comparison to contemporary models, and its effective range is rather short, it's still powerful enough to be utterly lethal. Operational time: 20 shots.

While most guns naturally look like guns, the Killer more resembles plastic barbecue lighters than anything else. This serves two important functions to the weapon's owner: it is not immediately recognized as a weapon, and it is far more useful as a tool. While this may make it unwieldy for those used to standard sidearms, for engineers, a point-and-shoot interface is utterly perfect.

The major complain brought against the Stalwart Special was the battery pack - it was proprietary technology that couldn't be recharged. Realizing the business lost because of this design flaw, Stalwart wisely made the battery pack on the Killer rechargeable.

Much like the Special before it, there is an optional targeting module available for the Killer. However, this module is built in; thus, there are two versions of the Killer. This version of the targeting module sports a wider range of communication methods, compatible with most OSes in known space. In addition, while the optics are limited due to space constraints, the internal operating system is more complex, allowing for minor computer functions. As well, there is a biological memory unit inside, allowing data storage.

This article was created by fm. It was approved by Fred on March 23, 2007:Approval Thread