The Basilisk Automatic Rifle No larger than a standard rifle, the Basilisko combines the best features of the rifle and the submachine gun. Weighing in at only 3.5 kilograms, the Basilisk is made of Thornhill Arms' state-of-the-art injection molded metallic silica and composite, with a baked vinyl folding stock; as such it is almost unbreakable. The stock holds a 20-round clip; bayonet mounts are included. The Basilisko is chambered for standard 1Omm rifle rounds. It mounts either the standard 20 or the optional 50-round ammo clip. As with all Thornhill Arms equipment, the Basilisk is rated XXX for high reliability in a wide range of environmental conditions. Modular construction allows for easy field mounting. Available in Flute Black, Gun Metal Blue, Matte Green, and assorted Camouflage patterns. Cost: 95 C-bills 20-round Clip: 1 Cb 50-round Clip: 2 Cb Bayonet: 3 Cb Hedgehog Needle Rifle At last, something completely new in personal arms! Thornhill's own Hedgehogo Needle Rifle projects a stream of 1 mm diameter stainless steel slivers by means of oscillating magnetic fields (the same principle as used in rail guns) which accelerate these tiny projectiles to speeds approaching 350 kilometers per second, giving the Hedgehog an effective range of 100 meters. Silent except for the hiss of the flying projectiles, the Hedgehog has no muzzle flash to reveal its location. Due to the relatively low kinetic energy of the projectiles, the Hedgehog is not designed to punch through heavy armor. Against most unarmored targets the effects can be spectacular. Internal rechargeable battery provides for 3 hours of continuous use while magazine allows for 15 shots without reloading. Made primarily of Thornhill's revolutionary composite, the weapon does contain a number of metal parts, all of which have been sealed against corrosion with a baked enamel finish. Shock resistant, fully grounded, and virtually unbreakable, the Hedgehog is an electronic device, and as such requires a lighter touch and more maintenance than weapons such as the Basilisk and the Viper. We at Thornhill believe its firepower and its many unique features more than compensate for the increased care required. Manual and gas mask are provided with each rifle. Available in flat black and assorted camouflaged patterns. Cost: 300 C-bills Weight: 3.5kg Reloads: 10 for 1 Cb Terrapin Armored Light Environment Suit Combining all the advantages of an Environment suit with the armor advantages of our Thornhill Arms TechMail the Terrapin offers protection at two levels, complete coverage with the integral filter mask and protective goggles against dangerous environments (02 concentration of at least 10%, temperature range to -259 C). Flexible plates of Thornhill's revolutionary kevlar-based composite armor provide protection better than the most complete flack suits. Optional extra: 1 kg heater with 18-hr battery pack extends temperature balance to -809 C. Available in a number of camouflage patterns. Each suit is custom fitted at time of purchase to ensure a comfortable fit. Cost: 450 C-bills Weight: 8 kg Optional Heating Unit: 60 Cb Insta Hot-Pot You've just spent four days living in your machine, processing radar across the frozen wastes of some backwater planet. Finally, job finished, you get a chance to climb from your 'Mech, stretch your muscles, and do something you've been waiting days for. And after all that, wouldn't a cup of hot coffee or tea taste great? Thornhill Arms Insta Hot-Pot produces one and a half liters of your favorite hot beverage in an average of three minutes. Using a contained microwave heating chamber and a time-controlled infusion system, the Insta Hot-Pot@ fixes your drink just the way you tell it to and keeps it hot indefinitely. Integral sail collector provides the internal powerpack with six hours worth of power. Fracture resistant and fully washable. Available in white, pearl gray, navy blue or avocado green. Cost: 18 C-bills Weight: 1.25 kg. Back to BattleTechnology 15 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com