Shield

One of two core elements in a Stenza Soldier's kit (next to the Blaster Rifle), shields serve as the soldier's primary protection on the battlefield (and as it is battle-qualified equipment, it is banned from use in the Leadership Challenge except in incredibly special circumstances). A shield can come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the functions and dimensions of the wearer, and be projected front-facing, rear-facing, or around the entire body (although front and surrounding are the most common projections by far). Shields are impermeable to blaster fire from small weapons up to larger rifles and smaller cannons, but can be easily overwhelmed by shots from heavier weaponry and bypassed from lighter, older (such as gunpowder still in common use all over Earth), or bladed weapons (against which more substantial protection is preferred, such as Battle Armor--often, both are used together). (The Two Suns Insignia is the exception to this rule, given a much broader range to defend against assassination attempts (excepting poison). It is still not very good at defending against bladed weapons, yet can withstand falling blunt objects fairly well.) Outside of military affairs, shields are not widely used. It is commonly seen as cowardly to try to use such a device in a personal civilian matter (such as a spar to attract a mate or a bout to settle a difference between individuals). In the Stenza military, where access to shields is prevalent and troops' lives are full of all manner of stressors which trigger interpersonal conflict, there is an explicit rule against shield use off the battlefield. Shields are instead housed in armories both temporary and permanent across the Nine Systems and aboard ships, and checked out for the day to see battle.

Related Items