Proximity Concealment Rounds
Proximity concealment rounds (PCRs) are the latest invention from MagiTech Industries. Once fired, the bullets create a dome around the user which conceals the surrounding proximity while allowing anyone inside to see clearly outside of its shrouded zone.
Discovery
Scientists became inspired after witnessing the crystilians of Terranon utilize their passive camouflage to transfigure surrounding light waves into reflective patterns of the surrounding landscape. Early plans originally fashioned armor using the scales of these crystal reptiles. Alas, these designs couldn't replicate the same camouflage and instead made the wearers more noticeable, thus The idea was scrapped. A newfound interest arose soon after the expeditionary forces discovered mirror gems, a crystalline material whose surface rivals that of a mirror. The gems were infused with metals when creating the prototype of the new armor. This prototype, however, was capable of replicating the crystilians' camouflage ability. Although eager to fully manufacture the new armor, mass production had been denied due to the scarcity of the gems as well as the overall cost and time to make the armor. A few mages became intrigued with the mirror stones and sought to put them to good use. Mages were able to ship the stones into smaller fragments, creating a cloud of fine dust with reflective properties. After experimenting with illusion spells, they were able to create effects similar to a one-way mirror. At first, the dust was used with smoke grenades to create concealed environments people could seek refuge in. Proximity concealment grenades (PCGs) were quick in production and a focus was shifted to creating ammunition soon thereafter. The process was similar, having the illusion-infused dust mixed with gunpowder. Once the bullet was ignited, the dust would quickly spread across the surrounding areas of where it had been shot from, creating a bubble that would reflect its surroundings from the outside and allow those inside its bubble perfectly clear view.Utility
Magazines are not filled completely with PGRs, only the first or last bullets are usually PCRs while the rest are standard bullets. Militaries will often use PCRs for strategic ambushes or creating a wall of the elusive mirror. More so than any, PCRs truly shine for concealing one's location whether as a quick getaway after an assassination or as a means to carry an assault under its blanket of protection. PCRs have many uses and creative opportunists have found unorthodox ways of utilizing them to cut off lines of sight, disguise them as empty only to have set traps inside them, or use them as a distraction. MagiTech is currently creating variations of PCRs that have varying areas of concealment and others that create its concealed territory where the bullet hits.Drawbacks
The glaring issue with PCRs lies within their primary function: the canister and the concealment zone. The grounded stones are known to cause the gunpowder to explode unexpectedly, oftentimes jamming guns or outright rendering them useless. Another issue is that hangfires cause the PCRs to function as intended, only firing a bullet with no regard to concealment. The dome of concealment is another main problem, the conjured barrier has poor structural integrity and can easily be blown away by gusty winds and heavy rain.
Access & Availability
PCRs are widely used throughout The Sentinel Union's military and the Terranon Expeditionary Forces. Though not illegal, The Conglomerate Territories hold high regulations with the distribution of the ammunition through the continent. PCRs have become a "must have" item for bounty hunters around the system while pirates and bandits pay high end prices to get their hands on the versatile ammunition.