Blinding rifle
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Blinding rifles are standard weaponry of the T'vaqi Coastal Patrol. They are handheld devices capable of emitting a focused beam of light, intended to hinder or permanently blind the eyesight of the target.
Operation
Blinding rifles are visually very similar to the standard mechanical rifle (derived from firearms of Utlian make). This serves to introduce soldiers-in-training to the operation of standard firearms, allowing them to understand the basics by training on a less physically dangerous weapon.
Pulling the trigger of a blinding rifle causes it to emit light. A safety switch (located on the side of the rifle) must be switched on for light to be emitted. The switch has three settings: Off, Pulse, and Continuous. If the rifle is set to Pulse, the light will cease once the trigger is released. When set to Continuous, the trigger acts as an on/off switch, activating and deactivating the light when pressed. The beam itself is emitted from a lens located at the end of the "muzzle". Modern blinding rifles emit green beams of light, though older models use red light. Rifles are powered by rectangular batteries which are slotted into a cache underneath, mimicking the replacement of magazine cartridges on their mechanical equivalents.
Development
The blinding rifle was first developed as part of a 56 PC military research endeavor funded by Grand Magister Insi Q'so. At the time, T'vaqi had only recently established its military, and was in need of bulk weaponry, since no gun-like invention existed on the island. Apart from ordinary firearms, blinding rifles based on the UT85 were produced for military training purposes. Blinding rifles became standard TCP weaponry by Q'so's decision. Blinding rifles have not been distributed to other islands, and their manufacturing process is strictly available to military generals and above.
Use in conflict
Blinding rifles saw their first wartime use during the Tricade War. They were utilized in conjunction with Fogmakers and sonic obstruction devices, the combination of which was intended to disorient enemy combatants in all senses. Footsoldier squadrons aware of an incoming invasion would tactically set up mirrors around their environment, allowing them to direct beams around corners.