The next day...

The Surface of Steinhull, RSC-2W-0063 “Dara Tonn”

Sinn'Are'Sen arrays the recovered firearms across the workbench in the engineering compartment. The archaeology lab was better lit for recording logs and had marginally better computer support in the form of integrated displays but suffered from a distinct lack of hand tools and work holding solutions.

“How is that search going for related weapon schematics going Dara Tonn?”

“As expected there are no exact or close matches. There is enough data to walk you through a basic field strip at least.”

“Good enough for an exploration log entry I guess. I'd also like to fully service the pistol I recovered and test it out. What can I use to knock together a testing stand?”

“One of the tripods for the surveyor laser rangefinders and a bit of string?”

“That should work. I'll need enough string to hide on the other side of your hull in case something decides to let go altogether.”

“This is all happening on the log?”

“Might as well. One each of the shotguns and laser carbines are already in storage, the rest are here. Who would have guessed that the pistol's power packs would fit a standard Republic charging receptacle?”

“Given the other connections that are still the same I would have. I'd not have cared to wager how much power they can store though.”

“How much are we talking about Dara Tonn?”

“If one of them gets hit it will go up like a small incendiary grenade.”

“That's a lot of power. Alright, I think I have everything I need to start here. Ready to record a log?”

“Ready”

“Begin exploration log entry.

“This log continues the work from yesterday's delve into the Steinhull ruins. I have three of the five recovered firearms before me. The remaining two are already secured in the sample storage lockers. I intend to attempt to field strip these weapons to evaluate their functionality before storage. The laser pistol I hope to fully service and test fire given that I intend to utilize it as a back up weapon for the foreseeable future.

“I will start with the pump action shotgun. RSC-2W-0063 has found no exact or close matches to existent Republic firearms, but the general form and function is fairly similar. I'll start with this screw here and remove the stock from the receiver...”

Thirty seven minutes later...

Sinn scrubs at his hands with a damp rag.

“Underneath all of the non-Republic fittings this shotgun is fairly similar to many currently available in the Republic. Estimating tie size of the shell based off of the size of the ejector port, I'd say it has an eight round tubular magazine, plus one in the breach for nine shells. Synthetic stock and pump grip, probably some form of durable plastic. No rust on the barrel, receiver, or any of the internal components. I'm not sure if that is down to metallurgy, storage conditions, or a mixture of both.

“Next up is the laser carbine, but allow me to store these components before starting a second disassembly. I had training with laser pistols at RPC Stormavsirkel, so I should be able to identify the essential components. Notable to me is the connector for the power pack being a match for one still used in the Republic. unlike the shotgun the Empire laser carbine appears to have a fair number of stamped metal parts. Possibility: mass production as a standard arm for multiple branches of their armed forces? I'll start with removing the side plate here witch should reveal the essential internal components...

One hour and ten minutes later...

Sinn puts the side plate back on the laser carbine and screw it into place.

“I had not intended to perform a full disassembly but the steps needed to do so for this firearm are exceedingly straightforward. The casing held distinct subgroups of components, and each of those could only come apart or go back together in a single way. As I mentioned before beginning the disassembly, this was clearly a weapon designed with mass production on a vast scale in mind, possibly with standard components exchangeable with other Empire laser weapons. I'd need an Empire laser rife to compare to, for example, to know for sure. The serial number, if that is what that identifying mark is, is a whopping sixteen digits long.

“The construction also makes for easy service in the field, even by minimally trained or even untrained troops. Problem with the focusing group? Swap out the whole group and send the busted one back to the depot for an armorer to take a crack at. Bent barrel? As simple as unscrewing a barrel band, a set screw, and twisting off the barrel. Perform the operations in reverse with a new barrel and the weapon is back in operation. I posses only basic relevant skills and yest I was able to manage a full disassembly, cleaning, and assembly of the weapon. With practice I image I would get much faster at this process. Once again there is no sign of rust or oxidization on the weapon or the internal components. I will be placing this weapon in artifact storage with the others right after this recording.

“Which brings us to the laser pistol I recovered from the Steinhull ruins. Unlike the shotgun and laser carbine, this weapon appears to be finely fit or at least customized. It is engraved and ornamented with the cog and bird iconography of the Empire. Notably these decorations are designed so that they will not catch or snag on a holster or uniform. I will once again begin disassembly with the removal of the side plate...”

One hour and forty minutes later...

Sinn tightens the lase screw down to complete the reassemble of the Empire laser pistol.

“That was both reassuring and quite informative. This pistol is was almost certainly not mass produced on the same scale as the laser carbine, and was produced to a higher standard then the pump shotgun. I noted that the internal components appeared to be constructed much more... The best word that comes to mind is 'elegantly'. Less blocky but no less functional, higher quality materials used, no obvious milling or machining marks even on internal surfaces. The grips are actual wood as best I can tell and, like everything else recovered from that particular armory compartment, are in excellent condition despite the passage of time. At this point I must assume that something was in play to maintain the content of that compartment. I did not detect any psionic phenomena, but as has been demonstrated with the reality erosion encountered in the Steinhull ruins this is not a reliable indicator of their absence.

“The next item on the agenda for today is to test fire this laser pistol. If I am going to carry it as a backup piece then I need to know that it is actually functional and will not simply explode in my face when I pull the trigger. Therefore the first power cell's worth of firing will be conduced outside from a fixed stand with a string used to pull the trigger. I don't have a dedicated stand, so one of they survey tripods with it's integral clamp will serve. RSC-2W-0063, please switch camera feed for this exploration log entry to my earpiece camera.”

“Requested video feed switch complete.”

“Thank you. Now, let's take this outside...”

Twenty four minutes later...

“... and seventy. Seventy shots from a single power pack. That is an impressive capacity and efficiency for a single power pack from what I understand. I would wager that the mass-produced Empire laser weapons are not quite as efficient but I have no real point of comparison at this point. That is certainly something to be followed up on, perhaps by the Republic Army or Republic Science Command. Possibly both. That decision is waaaay above my seniority however, so I'll just move right along.

“I did note the sights along the top of the pistol are quote similar to those on the Empire laser carbine with an aperture 'battle sight' and a flip up ladder for longer ranges. Firing into atmosphere form a fixed mount as I did in the previous test gives no good indicator of range or practical accuracy at range, so those are the questions I intend to address next. RSC-2W-0063, are there any local stones or trees to use as targets within a practical range of your hull?”

“Clarification: pleases specify 'practical range'.”

“Let's go with within one hundred meters.”

“Scanning... Specified targets found. Location and range data transmitted to your personal communicator.”

“Thank you. Let me see here. Ok, starting at close range and working outwards... First target is that tree there, the one with the twin trunks that looks a bit like a spiral. Per RSC-2W-0063's range data that is thirty meters from the hull. That's about the maximum useful range of my issued Magma SM mk1 revolver. Freshly charged power cell loaded, my back is to the hull of RSC-2W-0063, and I'm firing over the aperture battle sight. Ten aimed rounds. Let's see how this goes...”

Sinn breathes deeply, lets half of it out, levels the heavy pistol in a two-handed grip, aims, and fires. The first ruby red beam strikes exactly where he was aiming. Sinn repeats the process nine more times, scoring a further three hits and missing six times.

“Four hits out of ten fired. That is about what I'd expect out of my Magma SM mk1 at this range, but it's a vastly different shooting experience. Recoil is practically non existent and the muzzle device serves as an excellent flash hider. The whole pistol is quite heavy, I'd estimate three or four kilograms, but form the effect on the tree I'd say that is because it is firing a full-up 'rifle intensity' laser beams and needs the heat sinks to compensate. And with no 'intensity selector' slider like the Empire laser carbine, it will always fire full-powered shots.

“Now it's time to see what this second setting in the safety slash fire selector does. With only a pistol grip and no stock I didn't expect full automatic fire, but now that I know that this pistol has no recoil I'm questioning that assumption. Same target, new point of aim, let's see how this goes...”

Sinn flips the fire selector switch and shifts his point of aim down by a meter so that any shots that strike the tree will form a new grouping. He takes aim and pulls the trigger. The laser pistol promptly puts three beams into a tight grouping in the dirt in front of the tree.

“The miss there is form my own mistake, I flinched and jerked the trigger. It does appear to be a three beam burst mode, with a very tight grouping. Possibly a pulse laser setup instead of a repeating beam configuration? My eyes aren't up to picking out the difference unassisted. Three misses out of three shots fired, twenty seven shots in nine bursts to go. Let's see if I can improve my score...”

Sinn takes aim and resumes firing. He scores six hits and three more misses, with each beam within a burst landing in exactly the same spot. Sinn flips the safety back over to safe and holsters the laser pistol.

“That was a very interesting experience. Without any recoil the only issue is dealing with the flash of light from the beam when it comes to re acquiring the target in the sights. Given how the beams within a burst are clumping, I'm inclined to say that this is a pulse laser weapon. RSC-2W-0063, do your sensors confirm this?”

“Confirmed: Sensor data from firing tests indicate that the Empire laser pistol possesses a pulse laser function.”

“That concludes the weapon testing for today.

“End Exploration log entry.”

“Clean Copy.”

“Thank the sky and stars that is done. I need lunch and a nap.”

“Remember to charge the depleted power packs before you head back into the Steinhull ruins tomorrow.”

“Can do. Thank you Dara Tonn.”