The Atalskes phaser III was a model of hand-held directed energy phaser weapon, a hand phaser used by Starfleet in the 23rd century.
History[]
These Atalskes Phaser Corporation phasers were a dual-fire modification, where the Atalskes III was a type-1 hand unit that was designed to be mated with a type-2 phaser's phaser pistol power-pack grip, with the combined unit referred to as the Atalskes phaser IV. A keypad for the unit's internal computer was located in the joint coupling the two components.
The Atalskes III was introduced to Starfleet on reference stardate 2/12, and slowly began replacing the older Sestra phaser I units. This was not the sole design used by Starfleet, as the Sestra phaser IB was later in use concurrently. (ST reference: Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise)
Phasers of this type were in use aboard the USS Enterprise after its refit in the early 2270s. (TOS movie, novelization & comic adaptations: The Motion Picture, The Wrath of Khan)
Atalskes phasers were among the collection of weapons obtained by the warlord Karnas on planet Mordan IV. Many of Karnas's advanced weapons were obtained through a deal with Commander Mark Jameson in the early 24th century. (TNG episode: "Too Short a Season")
The Atalskes model was in use aboard the USS Enterprise-C in 2344. (TNG episode: "Yesterday's Enterprise")
Appendices[]
Background[]
This phaser was created for the unrealized 1970s Star Trek: Phase II television series (TOS reference: Star Trek: Phase II), and ended up being used on the USS Enterprise in the movies TOS movie: The Motion Picture and The Wrath of Khan. The prop was replaced by different phasers in TOS movie: The Search for Spock, but it was brought out of retirement for an appearance aboard the Enterprise-C in "Yesterday's Enterprise", indicating that the model of phaser continued into the 24th century.
Interestingly, while the prop was designed to separate into two units, the hand phaser modification described here was never seen separated from the grip unit in any production or publication.
Connections[]
| Federation Starfleet hand-held weapons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Directed energy weapons | type-1 phaser/hand phaser | Sestra phaser I • Atalskes phaser III • Sestra phaser IB • mark V personal phaser | 
|
| type-2 phaser/phaser pistol | Sestra phaser II • Atalskes phaser IV • Sestra phaser IIB • mark VI battle phaser • phaser (Kelvin timeline) | ||
| type-3 phaser/phaser rifle | phaser rifle (23rd century) • mark VII phaser rifle • type III phaser rifle • compression phaser rifle • enhanced compression rifle • phaser rifle (Kelvin timeline) | ||
| miscellaneous | assault rifle • infinity modulator • isomagnetic disintegrator • laser pistol • laser rifle • neural disruptor • phase pistol • sniper rifle | ||
| Projectile weapons | compound grenade launcher • photon burst • quantum burst • TR-116 • TR-120 | ||