In the hopes of returning more CMT's alive for interrogation, R&D has developed the KY/ST-0-NNE portable expanding cage. The basic design consists of a small metal sphere that will expand and envelop whatever it hits. There is very little else to it.
Part 1: How it's supposed to work
The design really is very simple. In "primed" form, the cage is a small metal ball. There is a large knob on one end that the troubleshooter turns prior to throwing it at whoever/whatever they want to cage in. The impact sensors on the ball register when it hits, which causes it to spring open. The ball first expands out into the NET form (like a disc, straight up and down), which then folds over to connect at the bottom into CAGE form, thus capturing... whatever. At least, that's the theory. In the lab, it works perfectly, constantly capturing hapless lab techs, small bots and dummies that have been set up for practice. The lab techs have really managed to cut down on the gross injury caused by the cage snapping shut at the bottom, too. In total, the sphere is about 9 feet / 3 meters in diameter once it closes.
Part 2: Field trials
The next step, obviously, is to try it out in the field. If it works well in the field, it may become standard issue to Security and Military clones all over Alpha Complex! If it works... The problems are as follows:
- The cage, as noted, tends to snap shut rather abruptly and the springs that push it are mighty strong. Theres been about a 10% amputation rate of the feet of lab dummies. R&D has REALLY been working on that though.
- The net only opens so far, so if the clone/bot/whatever isn't hit fairly center, the curling over action may just fold their top parts roughly over their bottom parts as it springs shut. This might just be uncomfortable as they get moved about, and it my be quite painful.
- If the net is restricted by walls/ceilings/other clones when it opens, it won't shut properly. The edges of the cage won't line up and there's a range of things that might happen. In a best case scenario, the cage will still shut, it'll just take longer for the springs to line up the latches. In a worst case, the cage will disintegrate into metal bars shooting out in all directions, projected by very powerful springs. Treat as missile damage.
- When the ball turns into the "net" layout, it does so quite violently. The ball is supposed to figure out which way to expand the net (straight up and down is the design) but there's always a chance it will misjudge, or that there will be another clone in the way. If so, the net will likely cut them in two. I mean, in the lab the dummies aren't running or jumping or really moving at all!
- If more than one clone gets caught by the net, the system will simply put them all into the cage... or at least it will try to. Squishy squishy!
Oh, yeah... that part. There is no visible way to unlock the cage. In fact, there doesn't seem to be ANY way of removing the cage once it's on. Which is probably because there ISN'T. R&D has a nice set of powered bar cutters that can cut through the bars... troubleshooters have nothing, but that won't stop them. The bars are essentially hardened synthsteel, and the troubleshooters are carrying... lasers. Wow, can you see what's going to happen?
- It is possible to cut through the bars with a long, continuous burst of laser fire, which laser blasters simply don't provide. What troubleshooters are going to end up doing is heating the bars, which will transfer throughout the cage.
- If someone jurry-rigs a blaster into a cutter (cool!) they can probably cut through one bar per blaster barrel. They'll have to cut through three or four to make any sort of hole. Then, someone gets to climb through the super-hot, jagged metal opening.
- They may also decide to try and move the whole cage like a hampster wheel, which is possible provided they don't try and go through any narrow hallways or doors. Also, it'll be very hard to stop or turn quickly... watch out for stairs, ramps, cliffs, etc!
There's also the possibility that someone will screw with the cage while it's in ball form. I mean, it's a cool little device, no? While it's pretty safe to handle the ball while the knob is in the "off" position, as soon as it's set to "on", it becomes armed to any sort of jolt. So dropping it would either be a bad experience or just a waste of equipment. Tampering with the ball, however, off or on is a bad idea. There are some very powerful, very tighly compressed springs inside that are pushing a lot of metal. Bending, cutting, spindling or mutilating the ball turns it into a schrapnel grenade.
Part 5: One good, more better.
Oh, while giving ONE of these is fun, giving a cage ball to EVERY team member is just precious. Turn any large room in Alpha Complex into a billiard table!