Imperial Guard by Joseph O'Day Read Free Book Online Page B

was plagued with many problems. Chief among them were safety concerns. In the early years accidental death, injury, or dismemberment of the user himself or another person occurred more often than anyone cared to admit. The recurring problem of unanticipated long-range death or destruction due to the undiminished effectiveness of laser fire over long distances was another problem. Two eventual developments largely resolved such disasters.
    First, instead of firing a laser beam of destructive energy, when the trigger was depressed it activated a tight but harmless beam of light that served as a targeting locator. The user then pressed a button that fired a brief, destructive pulse of light rather than a beam of continuous duration.
    A second development related to the effective distance of the destructive pulse. Most handheld lasers were now effective to only two hundred meters. The heavier weapons, however, boasted longer effective distances. But in spite of these developments, laser weapons were still considered too risky for shipboard use.
    “Normally the projectiles fired by the G76 explode on contact,” the warrant officer droned on. “This reduces to a minimum the damage done to ship operating components. If your enemy is armored, however, turn this selector on the side,” he said pointing, “from I to D. This delays the projectile explosion, giving it time to penetrate most armor. Otherwise keep the setting on I.”
    Jerking his hand in the direction of the four droids, he continued. “These droids here are programmed to assist in the assault. Mortimer 1 and 2 will guard this hatch against intruders. The other two are programmed to assault any laser droids guarding the hatches of the enemy ship.”
    Having finished his speech, the warrant officer began to issue weapons, and Ensign Unger took the opportunity to address his men.
    “All right, men. Command informs us that our long-range detection has spotted an unidentified ship on an intersect course with our transport group. On its present trajectory it will reach the transports that are in advance of our course twenty minutes before our ETA.
    “The captain wants to avoid ship-to-ship combat in such close proximity to the cargo ships, so the plan is to link up with the transport complex on the side opposite the intruder, hopefully without detection. Once docked the tractor systems will be activated so that all components, including the unauthorized craft, will be unable to break free.
    “Once the tractor systems are engaged, our job begins. It will be up to us and the detachment at hatch six to force entry and secure the ship and the marauders. Just remember. This is no game. Make sure of your target, then shoot to kill without hesitation.
    “Only officers and NCOs will transmit over the signal units inside your helmets. No one else! If you do have anything to say during the assault, it had better be important! That’s all for now . . . except for the waiting.”
    Some of the men slouched against the corridor walls, some sat down, and others looked around themselves as if expecting someone to give them some answers.
    Presently the speaker sounded once again. “Attention, attention, the captain is about to speak.”
    “Men, this is Captain Kebler. I am now activating the screens at your stations. You will be able to watch as our ship approaches the transports. ETA is forty-five minutes. I won’t pull any punches with you. We are likely to be outnumbered. But I have every confidence you will win through. Good luck, and good hunting!”
    Intuitively, Brogan wondered why their ship had been allowed to fall so far behind the transport group, but the viewing screen sprang to life, distracting his train of thought. There was not much to see yet, however —only stars of varying brightness, pinpoints in the emptiness of space.
    Murphy caught Brogan’s attention, and for the next half-hour, the seaman instructed him in the use of his equipment and the finer points of