User:Virvatuli/Signifer
The Signifer II 
The pistol felt like one of those cheap toys that NT mass-produced for whatever new holoreel currently being shipped the colonies. Lightweight and almost flimsy, it gave no hint of the power it contained. The newly-minted NTSO toggled the switch above the grip. With a metallic snap, a foregrip and wire stock folded outward. She shouldered the energy weapon, peered through the holosight, and noted that it was in the lethal mode. It only took a couple of well-placed bursts to cut through a Syndicate operative's exosuit, as the range officer had handily demonstrated. The NTSO flicked the switch again, and the weapon folded itself back into its original, compact form. She hoped she'd need to use this mode far more often; a simple and reliable stunning weapon. It slid snugly into the holster on her belt alongside the many other tools she'd been issued. Time to get to work.
The Signifer II is Nanotrasen's brand new high-tech weapon that's issued to their Security Operatives. Designed as a response to the dissatisfaction of the cheap surplus pistols originally issued to response teams, the Signifer is both a non-lethal stun pistol and a lethal laser submachine gun. On the non-lethal setting, the weapon is one-handed and fires taser-like darts in a rapidly in a semi-automatic fire mode. On the lethal setting, the weapon deploys into a two-handed SMG that fires in two-shot bursts. Self-recharging, easy to use, and fast to deploy, this next-generation weapon takes the concept of the energy gun to the next level.
In most cases, the non-lethal mode will be your bread and butter. It being one-handed allows you to use it in conjunction with other tools, such as a barrier. It functions differently from the taser you're likely used to, the projectiles do far less stamina damage but also use much less of your power cell. It can also be fired as fast as you can pull the trigger! Ideally, you want to use this mode to rapidly disorient and slow your opponent; once the first projectile lands, it's far easier to hit with follow-up shots. As you get closer to your target, take out your extendable baton to fully stun your target before making an arrest.
The lethal mode is meant for when things get tough. As an NTSO, there's a high chance that you'll be deployed to an already-deteriorated station. With threats like Syndicate saboteurs and horrifying mutants, sometimes the best solution is to put down the threat before more lives (and company profits) are wasted. When you have the Signifer in-hand, you can press C or click on it, which toggles the weapon into its lethal, two-handed form. Looking more like an energy submachine gun now, the weapon will fire in two-shot laser bursts. The first projectile is blue, dealing burn damage. The second projectile is red, which deals brute. When both impact the same target, an electric flash will occur, dealing bonus brute and stamina damage! This stamina damage also has a chance to jump to adjacent people, which can be useful if you have multiple hostiles close to one another. Be aware that these bursts use up more of the weapon's battery charge than non-lethal though, make your shots count!
Similar to your baton, the Signifer has a non-removable internal power cell. This cell will recharge on its own fairly quickly, but the weapon can also be inserted into rechargers to speed up the process. While in non-lethal mode, it will fit neatly into your belt alongside your other gear, but in lethal mode the weapon will only fit inside backpacks. With practice, you can utilize the hotkeys to rapidly swap between the modes and safely holster your weapon if need be! Remember, if it falls into the wrong hands there's no way to get a new one, the Signifer only spawns on the NTSO when they arrive on the station.