At this stage the rail rifle is undergoing field trials with specialist units. It may one day be issued more widely or it may be refined further before being mass-produced. The relatively slow rate of fire, the bulk of the weapon and the currently unstable targeting mechanism still do not meet the stringent demands of the Ethereal and Fire castes. Even so it is a lethal weapon using a linear accelerator to fire a solid slug at extreme velocity. In the Tau armoury only Broadside armour has been found to offer any protection against it and it will mortally wound even the larger Tyranid bio-organisms. The impact is such that a target will frequently be hurled backward by its terrifying power and this combined with the distinctive whine of the hypervelocity slug has been seen to have a demoralising effect on the enemy.

PATHFINDER TEAM (TAU: SHAS'LA)

	Points	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld	Sv
Shas'la	12	2	3	3	3	1	2	1	7	4+
Shas'ui	+10	2	3	3	3	1	2	2	8	4+

Team: Consists of 4-8 Pathfinders.

Equipment: Pulse carbine with markerlight target designator.

Options: Pathfinders may carry photon grenades at an additional cost of +1 point per model and EMP grenades at an additional cost of +3 points per model. Up to 3 Pathfinders in a team (but not the Team Leader or Shas'ui) may replace their pulse carbine and markerlight with a rail rifle at a cost of +10 points each. If desired these models may further upgrade their rail rifles with the experimental hard-wired target lock interface at +7 points. All rail rifle users must be upgraded if any are.

Character: One Pathfinder Shas'la may be upgraded to a Shas'ui team leader at an additional cost of +10 points. The Shas'ui may be given extra equipment from the Tau Armoury.

SPECIAL RULES

Bonded: A team may be bonded by the Ta'lissera at an additional cost of +10 points for the
whole team.

Forward Scouts: Pathfinders operate ahead of the main Tau lines identifying targets for Broadside and Crisis teams to eliminate. In scenarios where some troops start in reserve and others on table, Pathfinders always deploy on table. Pathfinders may make a normal move after deployment but before the first turn to get into a forward position. This move may include disembarking from the Devilfish. Rail RIfles: Pathfinder teams have recently begun to augment their normal weaponry with rail rifles which have the following profile:

	Range	Strength	AP	Notes
Rail Rifle	36"	6	3	Heavy 1, Causes Pinning

Target Lock Interface: When the target lock interface is used the Pathfinder counts as having a hard-wired target lock, but the rail rifle will suffer from the ‘get hot' weapon rule in the same way as plasma weapons. If the interface is not fitted or if all members of the unit engage the same target this does not happen.

Transport: Pathfinders must select a Devilfish troop carrier at an additional cost of +80 points.

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omponents were scattered across the range as the target drone was utterly shattered. From the firing steps Shas'O Vir'la Me'drek radiated satisfaction. Beside the tall commander the slim form of Aun'Vre T'olku Va'Shant was impassive and inscrutable. With a curt gesture he signalled for the exercise to be repeated.

Before him were members of the Water, Earth and Fire castes. The Water caste, Por'El'Bork'an'Kassad, bowed elegantly and smoothly reprised his prepared speech on the qualities and applications of the new rail rifle, focusing his attention on the Ethereal like a child desperate for its parents praise. His Earth caste colleague, a technician, operated the controls to activate another target drone. The Fire Warrior loaded a fresh power cell into the rail rifle as Kassad reminded everyone that although the rifle came pre-loaded with a hundred rounds of trilium-tipped solid darts the energy requirements of the weapon were too great to be met solely by the integrated power cell. The cartridge cell provided enough surplus power for a single shot, although this slowed the weapons rate of fire adequate compensation was to be found in the penetration and stopping power of the shot.

The target drone hummed up from its silo and began an erratic flight across the range. The Fire Warrior hefted the long, rectangular rifle and adjusted a dial on the side of his helmet where a flex from the weapon's sighting mechanism was plugged into his external interface node. Kassad continued to explain that the improved target lock allowed a team leader to designate different targets to all members of his unit equipped with the device enabling multiple enemies to be suppressed. It was clear to the experienced Me'drek that the bulk of the weapon made manual sighting awkward, this slightly offended his warrior sensibilities but he had long since learned that technology was his greatest ally in battle.

The Fire Warrior aimed and fired, there was a brief screech as the dart sped to its target, struck it centrally with such force that it was not only smashed but scattered all over the range. Me'drek beamed again and glanced at the Aun'vre to bask in his approval but the Ethereal's attention was on the Fire Warrior marksman. After the shot had been fired the Shas'ui had swayed and tumbled backward. He gripped his helmet and tore it off, dropping the prototype rail rifle to the ground. The onlookers were horrified as the Fire Warrior sought to tear out his hardwired target lock interface with his bare hands before stiffening and crashing to the floor. Me'drek knelt by him but drew back when Va'shant spoke.

"Do not bother, he is dead." Turning to the paling Kassad he continued.

"The interface is still malfunctioning, the weapon's power requirements are leaking into the targeting mechanism and causing fatal feedback. You had promised that this error had been corrected."

The tone was factual not accusational but even so Kassad fell to his knees.

"We have reduced the defect incidence three-fold exalted one. In time it will be corrected but the weapon does all that you have asked of it."

Me'drek stood over the cowed Por, his hand on the hilt of his bonding knife. "You dare supply a weapon that will kill my warriors? What do you connivers know of the battlefield, of honour, of courage, why..." Va'shant's hand was on his shoulder.

"You are right of course Me'drek. Still we will soon need such a weapon to protect all our castes. Perhaps the price is one we must bear, to serve the Greater Good."

The anger drained from Me'drek. He nodded.

"Aye, for the Greater Good."

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