The impact crystal launcher was a type of weapon manufactured on Xia. It was a launcher that fired knowledge crystals through a thin film of liquid protodermis. When a knowledge crystal embedded itself in or near a target, a miniature Knowledge Tower grew around it, immobilizing the enemy. By varying the thickness of the liquid protodermis film on the end, it was possible to change the duration of time between the firing of the crystal and its formation into a Knowledge Tower. The launcher had a laser sight for improved accuracy and a telescoping range adjuster which operated by varying the thickness of the liquid protodermis film on the end. The barrel of the launcher was covered with low-grade protodermic ore plating to limit accidental reaction to the kinetically-charged crystal, which was launched by means of a sonic firing hammer at the end.1