Rifts Up Close: Wilk's 457 Laser Pulse Rifle

By Tim Willard

Wilk's 457 Laser Pulse Rifle By 102 PA Wilk's Laser Industries was a household name. Every nation on North America and every mercenary group and even outlying farmers knew who Wilk's was. Nobody had really bothered to look just how much of the laser industry they really held. Most manufacturing companies looked at weapons sales, not the areas where Wilk's was making the majority of its money. Surgical, construction, and manufacturing, laser guidance systems, electronic suites, if it had optics or technical molycircs, there was an 80% chance that you'd find Wilks components in it.

In 102 PA Wilk's Laser Industries released the 457 Laser Pulse Rifle, setting a new standard for state of the art weaponry. Many people considered the weapon the pinnacle of modern laser technology, and pointed at the Wilks 457 as proof that the post apocalyptic world had finally passed the Golden Age of man in the field of weaponry.

The casing of the weapon is a flat black, with no picatinny rail systems or additions. Only the mounting screws for a standard scope mar the slick black casing. The weapon is extremely lightwieght, even for a Wilk's product, and is balanced perfectly.

The lasing aperature is surrounded by six sets of two posts, and these posts remove the ionization from the lens to prevent particle saturation of the lens in prolonged combat. The lasing matrix is synthetic ruby cut in a hexagonal shape and has had all of the impurities and flaws removed via high energy manufacturing laser. The lasing matrix is wrapped in a aluminum/mylar sleeve to prevent any energy escape, and the matrix has been grown in such a way that the internal crystal structure "flows" from one end to the other.

The pulse function adds a split second between high powered shots in order for the crystal matrix to clear and the ionized air around the barrel to lose its reflective status without collapsing back in on itself, as well as using the previous bolts along the flightpath to reduce particle debris in the air that normally attenuates a laser bolt.

The internal molycircs are shock dampened, protected from emp pulse, and the lasing matrix is hardened against sonic shock and vibrations. From the ground up, this weapon has been designed for the Rifts Earth battlefield.

However, detractors of the weapon point at the quantum leap in molycirc development, the intensive crystal manufacturing process, and the fact that there is file footage of Cataclysm Era troops using laser pulse weaponry, but most of these people are considered conspiracy theorists who insist that the Xiticix Killer is a product of Lone Star Labs. These theorists also point at the short length of the weapon, comparing it the M-4 Carbine, which is a chemical burner, or the M-160 rifle, of which only a few are found nowdays.

The stock contains tools to open the case, to align or replace the laser emitter or crystal, 2 spare crystals, 1 spare emitter, one fire control unit, and a diagnostic scanner the size of a matchbook.

The magazine well contains locking rockers for both standard and extended energy clips, however there is no feed port for an energy conduit, although one can be added at any reputable weaponsmith for the meager price of 2,500 Cr.

Any addon's to the front of the weapon, ie: grenade launcher, illuminator, laser targeter, etc; will ruin the weapon's balance and make it less accurate. If the scope does not use the pre-drilled mounting holes, or is not properly balanced onto the weapon, it can ruin the weapon's balance also.

Rumor has it that both Tolkeen and the Coalition States were offered this rifle to arm their militaries, with guarantees of sole purchasing rights, but both sides of the upcoming conflict turned it down.

Weight: 6 lbs
Length: 33"
Caliber: 2.5 cm
Maximum Range: 1000m (3000 ft)
Maximum Effective Range: 700m (2100 ft)
Typical Combat Range: 300m (900 ft)
Magazine Capacity: 20 shots from a standard energy magazine, 40 shots from an extended magazine. A belt-pack will power it for 167 shots.
Manufacturer's Cost: 12,500 Cr
Wholesale Cost: 30,000 Cr
Manufacturer's Recommended Price: 40,000 Cr
Black Market Price: 45,000+ Cr
Wilderness Price: 20,000 Cr