Sathar Physiology and Weapons Design

Sathar physiology and the manner in which it governs the design of their weaponry is a subject that continues to be plagued by a variety of unknowns. What follows in this paper is an attempt to describe and rationalise what is currently understood.

The design and layout of Sathar weapons, like those of the Frontier races, is governed by ease of use and practicality. However, the Sathar only share a few basic physiological similarities (i.e. limb and digit/pseudopod flexibility) with some of those races. This means that their weapons can appear somewhat odd when first encountered, but on close inspection several underlying principles become more obvious.

General Overview

Sathar weapons, especially rifles and pistols, can be broadly separated into two varieties:

'Type 1': those weapons carried by the Sathar during the first part of the Second Sathar War.

'Type 2': those weapons carried by the Sathar in the second part of the Second Sathar War and in more recent conflicts with the UPF.

In general, there is little functional difference between these types. Type 2 weapons now appear to be the most dominant as far as their general issue to Sathar forces, but it seems that a certain amount of Type 1 designs are still in use. The reason for the differences in design are not clear, but it's possible that combat with the UPF led to either refinements or reworking in order to best suit the demands of the new combat situation.

There are two obvious differences between the Type 1 and Type 2 weapons. Firstly, although both types have an exterior structure made from some form of rugged polymer, this structure seems more robust and refined in Type 2 weapons. There has been a definite change in the overall design of Type 2 rifles. Secondly, all Type 1 laser and gyrojet pistols and rifles feature what UPF troops have called a 'bayonet'. This feature is a sharp pointed sheath made from some kind of ceramic-like material that fits over the weapon muzzle. Combat reports have described how some Sathar used such objects in a bayonet-like way when engaging in hand-to-hand combat, whilst others have also noted that this object can inflict burns. Tests on Type 1 weapons with this feature do seem to confirm that it becomes very hot when exposed to fire from the weapon and can retain this heat for some time. It is unclear as to whether this is a design flaw or has some combat purpose for the Sathar.

Eyesight

No Sathar weapons feature gun sights of any kind. The reasons for this are not immediately clear from the outset, but by considering information gleaned from both forensic and combat reports several theories have been developed.

Initially, the study of captured weapons assumed that certain features resembled foresights, but further testing has shown that these are instead a type of cooling mechanism or fin (and more recent captured weapons even omit this feature). This counterintuitive lacking in Sathar weapons may be explained by the aforementioned combat reports. Sathars have not been observed bringing weapons to bear in a way that places them into line of sight - instead, all Sathars seem to fire their weapons 'from the hip' (to use a human phrase). To be more precise, when 'aiming' Sathars brace their rifle-type weapons on their chests (i.e. an area situated approximately between their upper limbs), whilst pistol weapons are held to one side in line with that area. Opportunity and general fire with rifles seems to involve a similar looseness. Despite this, no-one would claim that Sathars are generally poor marksmen. One theory as to why this is so is derived from studies of Sathar eyes and brains. It is well-known that Sathar eyesight is quite remarkable in itself, but it may also possibly mean that their depth and range perception may be acute in a way that aiming (in the sense that we understand it) is carried out in a different manner. Studies have shown that the Sathar visual cortex seems much more developed than those of the Frontier races, and that neural pathways from the eyes are much more complex. This in turn suggests that Sathar eyesight and brain visual processes may involve a very highly developed level of hand-eye co-ordination, although the reasons why the Sathar have evolved in such a way is not yet clear.

Weapon Handling - Rifles and Pistols

In general, Sathars are usually seen to use their upper limbs and hands when performing any combat functions with their weapons. Their lower limbs seem to be used more for carrying and using heavier weapons, although in general such weapons appear rarely in field use. In overall outline Sathar rifles and pistols seem somewhat organic, and it seems that this is related to the ergonomic needs and limitations of Sathar hands.

First and foremost, no pistols or rifles seem to include any obvious triggers nor safety features. Early trials of captured weapons by UPF and Star Law troops in the field were largely unsuccessful, with some weapons being fired successfully, albeit inconsistently, whilst others seemed completely inactive. Initially it was thought that they included some form of disabling function that prevented their use by non-Sathars. Such ideas were quickly abandoned when the weapons were scanned and dismantled. It is now apparent that safety and firing features are embedded within the weapons themselves, and that this is related to the way that Sathar hands apply grip to certain bulbed or curved surfaces. As has been mentioned previously, all Sathar weapons are sheathed in a rugged polymer. These all feature a flexible area at one key point, roughly akin to a trigger. This 'trigger' area controls several functions, as it not only initiates and prevents the firing mechanism but is also used to change power (akin to SEU) settings for laser weapons. To make matters even more complicated this 'trigger' differs in form from rifles to pistols, although ostensibly it performs the same functions. With rifles, the 'trigger' is positioned midway along the front surface of the handgrip; with pistols it lies within its curved underside. 

However, the 'trigger' is not an obvious feature to both casual nor close inspection, and seems highly calibrated to only two digits of the Sathar hand. The middle pair of digits on both Sathar hands appear to be the strongest and most dominant. Dissections have shown that nerve and tissue mass are concentrated in this area and close inspection of holo-vid footage of Sathars in combat also suggest as much. Although it is currently unclear as to how much pressure and twist these digits can apply in normal use, tests of the 'trigger' seem to infer that is activated and adjusted by them. Generally speaking, a certain amount of pressure deactivates the safety catch and initiates firing, whilst twisting pressure adjusts energy settings. To date, only the pseudopods of Dralasite researchers have been able to replicate the correct 'pull' and adjustments. That said, these results have been inconsistent and require a great deal of concentration. This means that Sathar weapons are effectively unusable in any realistic sense for any of the Frontier races (even Dralasites), requiring more co-ordination and attention than is practical in a combat situation. This problem is particularly more pertinent to Sathar pistols, as their more organic shape is poorly suited to the hands of all Frontier races, aside from Dralasites.

Weapon Handling - Bracing

As there is an apparent preference for recoilless weapons (lasers and gyrojets), Sathars seem only to brace rifle-type weapons when aiming, as has been previously noted. Their rifle stocks end in a flattened pad, which is placed centrally on the chest area and has some degree of flexibility. When using grenade rifles, Sathars always use this bracing technique - although they also seem capable of bracing such weapons on the ground and using them in a similar fashion to a mortar. It is unclear why the Sathar eschew the use of weapons similar to automatic rifles and pistols, or needler-like weapons. One theory is that, as they have become a space-faring race, they have excluded any recoil-operated weapons from their inventory. Another is that their bodies are poorly suited to using such weapons. It has been observed that Sathars seem to take some care bracing themselves when using grenade rifles, and either lean back on their lower limbs or some solid surface in order to help absorb the effects of recoil.

Weapon Handling - Ammunition

Ammunition clips for Sathar weapons are differentiated , like those of the Frontier races, between those that need a power supply and those that hold some form of physical ammunition. However, Sathar clips for either type appear to be of a strikingly similar bulb-like design and thus are difficult to identify until inspected at close hand. The reason for this seems to be one of functionality of handling, as all magazines are used as a form of fore grip on Type 1 and 2 rifles. Only close inspection of the round/energy feed part of the clip reveals whether it is an energy or gyrojet clip - the former has a chamfered hole at its centre, whilst the latter has a rectangular slot. It is not clear how the Sathar differentiate between the two, as crated clips in captured stockpiles look exactly the same until inspected more closely. Tests of both have shown that the energy clips have a slightly more bulbous cross section, although to the naked eye this difference is not visible.

All clips are easily inserted into their respective clip feed areas, and only required a small amount of twist in order to be released. This does make them seem somewhat fragile, but tests have shown that it does require a great deal of force to separate a clip from a  weapon if this method is not used.

One possible but unconfirmed feature of the Sathar energy clip is that it can been made to function as short-duration incendiary device. Anecdotal reports describe Sathars occasionally using them to start fires or to burn through materials. However, tests have not revealed how this is done or whether it is actually possible and it is unclear how this function is initiated.

Weapon Handling - Grenades

Sathar grenades seem to fulfil similar functions to those used by the UPF. However, as they share a similar 'trigger' mechanism to other Sathar weapons, their use by non-Sathars is extremely limited and therefore of little practical combat use. Another problem is there is no outward difference between the shape of the various different grenade types although (as with the Sathar energy clip) closer inspection has shown that there are extremely subtle differences in the shape of each type.

Weapon Handling - Rocket Launchers

Although uncommon, the Sathars do make some use of what could be called a rocket launcher. However, all Sathar rocket launchers are self-contained one-shot disposable weapons and are reliant on an individual soldier wearing a mounting harness. The launcher unit is attached to this harness in order for it to be fired, otherwise it remains inert. It is currently unclear as to how these weapons are fired once launcher and harness are united.

Functionality

Although very robust designs, Sathar weapons do appear to have certain functionality problems. The most pronounced of these is the complete inability for a Sathar soldier to clear weapon jams. There is nothing within the design of their gyrojet weapons, either Type 1 or Type 2, that allows a jam to be cleared. The difficulties encountered during tests of the Sathar trigger mechanism has meant that it is not certain how often weapon jamming occurs, and so the assumption is that jamming is extremely rare or that a Sathar is expected to use some other means of attack. The prevalence of laser weapons amongst the Sathar ranks suggests that this problem is either ignored or is unimportant as far as combat operations are concerned.

Another problem is that Sathar weapons are completely self-contained units. There is no way that a Sathar soldier can disassemble their weapon. UPF testing of captured weapons has been plagued by this inconvenience, as pistols and rifles have to be almost destroyed in order to access their internal workings. Sensor scans of the internal structures have, however, gone some way in helping researchers understand how the weapons work. It seems that they Sathar consider their weapons to be disposable and/or so inexpensive to mass-produce that there is no need for their maintenance in the field.

his is great.  Can't wait to see the finished sketches.  Once you're done, we'd love to publish it as an article in the Frontier Explorer.  I just wish we had had it in time to put into our last issue as that one was focused on the Sathar.

Some thoughts I've had on weaponry, specifically the laser pistol and rifle, feel free to take them or leave them as you will:

• The power clips hold 16 SEU (assuming the sathar use a base 8 numbering system)
• Their beltpack holds 32 (although I'm toying with 64)
• The backpack holds 128
• The power settings are not completely variable like on UPF weapons but rather are powers of 2.  The pistol can be set to 1, 2, 4, or 8 SEU damage
• The rifle can be set to those plus 16 SEU for a single shot.
• Their equivalent of the heavy laser can be set at either 16 or 32 SEU per shot.