…/factions/pale/ultraviolet/drive_starters.md

A Drive Starter is a specialised, single-shot weapon engineered specifically to facilitate the activation of Drives in Redliners.

Design

Drive Starters are aesthetically and mechanically reminiscent of the Luger P08 pistol, featuring a wooden grip and a widened barrel. These devices are manually operated, requiring a reload after each discharge and capable of chambering only one round at a time. While theoretically able to fire standard ammunition, Drive Starters are specifically designed to interface with Charges, and Charges are only operable via a Drive Starter.

Functionality

The Drive Starter’s primary purpose is to initiate neural shock stimulation in Redliners through the firing of a Charge directly into the user’s own body. Upon discharge, a signal is transmitted that mimics near-total brain death, triggering the Clutch Beetle’s response mechanism and thereby activating the Drive.

This process is described as extremely painful, consistently rated at 10 on standard pain scales, though it is brief, lasting approximately 0.7 seconds. Despite the intensity, the rapidity of the reaction ensures minimal long-term trauma.

Charge Types

Charges are specialised biochemical cartridges containing a coloured liquid compound, each corresponding to a distinct function within the Drive system.

• Activator (Blue):

  • Fully initiates the Drive transformation and all associated enhancements.

• Regenerator (Red):

  • Partially activates the Drive without transformation.
  • Instantly heals major injuries by accelerating cellular repair.
  • Utilises more blood than the Activator; not suitable for sustained use.

• 0x4465616374697661746f722028477265656e29:

  • 0x466f72636566756c6c792068616c7473207468652044726976652070726f636573732e