Swords

In space, where recoil can throw you to your death and a ricochet can lead to all the air being sucked out of your lungs, swords became fashionable again. Swords are also a one off purchase, unlike a gun, which needs ammo, even if a flig is a perfect recycler. As the most advanced sword technology before guns, the Samurai sword was the sword of choice for most people and widely adopted. The old Belter family's swords however, keep their own style, harking back to the first belters who carried knives. The knives were intended for similar use as deep sea divers knives, meant for cutting yourself out of rope and can save your life, as your air is limited in supply. Over time, due to unfortunate need, and against those who carry Samurai swords, the family 'knife' (as it's still also known), grew in length for generation after generation, until it became a sword.

Fune Kaisha also has Samurai as hitones who fulfil much of their original feudal duties. Samurai who fight these hitones, on the side of good, are known as Ronin. Some wear a horizontal green strip on the left side of their chest as a mark against Fune Kashia. Its origin is unknown.

Bayonet

A ‘bayonet’ sword is a straight sword that is stored in an arm of the combat suit. It can be ‘flung’ up the arm moving from concealed to projected from the back of the hand, and due to a clever break storage system, it is the full length of an arm. If the arm is bent, only the top half the bayonet can be deployed. Bayonets can also be deployed as handheld swords but the only advantage is in utilising the training of an individual, with the disadvantage of loosing the use of the individuals hands.

Writers Note

I’m yet to invent the green stripe origin, but I like the idea. I’ll probably link it to the Vigilantly League.