Self-Expanding Tent:

As with many areas of technology, tent technology greatly advanced during the Twenty-First Century. These advancements include the introduction of new high tech materials and powerful environmental systems. These tents were first introduced by the military but soon the tents were being manufactured for civilian purposes. They continued to be manufactured after the coming of the Rifts. In the times after the Rifts, many use these tents as virtually permanent shelters often for years at a time. The material is made out of the super light materials which body armors are constructed from and do not lose strength over time.

These tents come in a variety of different types. All standard versions are basically dome type tents. Standard versions are available in four man, six man, and multiple room eight and ten man tents. They are designed to be fairly roomy and allow for a fair amount of gear to be stored in the tent as well. There are also survival tent versions designed for high winds and greater temperature extremes. These are available as one man, two man, four man, and six man versions. These are far more cramped than standard versions.

The tents are available in a variety of different colors including red, blue, and various types of camouflage. When retracted, the tents are almost as lightweight as any more conventional tent. A one man survival version weighs 2 lbs, a two man survival tent weights 3 lbs, a four man survival tent weights 4.5 lbs, and a six survival tent weights 6 lbs.

Likely the most interesting feature is that when activated, the tents expand and deploy themselves including anchoring themselves to the ground. The only requirement for the tent to deploy itself is a level surface. There is a special staking system which locked into the ground. The tent also retracts itself back into a carrying configuration when the retract feature is activated.

When fully expanded, the tents are designed to be rigid and are designed to survive wind conditions of up to 80 knots (92 mph / 148 kph.) Even stronger, special survival tent versions can survive up to 160 knot (184 mph / 296 kph) without danger of collapse. They are much lower to the ground and specially built to withstand extremely powerful winds.

These tents are not actually fully environmental and do not provide full life support. They are heated and cooled though and have a micro-filtration system which filters most dust from the tent. The tent does not protect from toxic gasses or in low atmosphere / no atmosphere conditions. As well, the tents are designed to control internal humidity. Standard tent is designed for temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-28 deg Celsius) up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 deg Celsius) while keeping a comfortable environment. Survival versions are designed for temperatures as low as -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 deg Celsius) and up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 deg Celsius)

The tents do require power to operate even though incredibly efficient. Also, if batteries are fully depleted, tents will not deploy or retract. Tents are designed to provide like support for 100 hours before needing to be recharged under normal conditions and 50 hours under extreme conditions. Prior to the coming of the Rifts, most versions could be plugged into a standard outlet. Most have adaptors to allow an E-Clip to provide power. A short E-Clip will provide power for 400 hours under normal conditions and a long E-Clip will provide power for up to 800 hours under normal conditions. Half duration under extreme conditions. For a bit extra, flexible solar cells can be added to the tent. These will maintain tent under normal conditions while recharging internal battery at the rate of one hour for every hour in the sun. If internal systems are inactive, they recharge internal power batteries at the rate of two hours for each hour spent in the sun.

Cost:
Standard Four Man: 1,000 Credits
Standard Six Man: 1,500 Credits
Multi-Room Eight Man: 2,500 Credits
Multi-Room Ten Man: 3,500 Credits
Survival One Man: 1,500 Credits
Survival Two Man: 2,000 Credits
Survival Four Man: 3,000 Credits
Survival Six Man: 4,000 Credits

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[ Beyond the Supernatural®, Heroes Unlimited®, Nightbane®, Ninjas & Superspies®, Palladium Fantasy®, and Rifts® are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]

Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune)

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