Hand-held weapons in Vorkosigan Universe
Apr. 14th, 2009 12:47 amBujold is really wonderful at giving enough information everything makes sense, and hinting at more things behind the scenes, while actually leaving the details unspecified, so there probably isn't an exact answer to my question. My question is, in Vorkosigan-verse
* a plasma arc is a military-grade weapon that destroys everything
* a nerve disruptor is a military-grade weapon that destroys people
* a stunner is (?) shorter range and stuns people (which is not safe, but safe enough)
What is a needler? Physically, is it a flechette weapon? What is its defining features? My guess is that it's the state-of-the-art handgun or machine-gun equivalent, less effective than a plasma arc or nerve disruptor, but safer to use in areas filled with people or flammable things, and possible to miniaturize to carry concealed, and the weapon of choice by people who are not quasi-military. Does that sound reasonable? Alternatively, is it the best weapon in more specific circumstances, eg. more spread or more penetration?
There's half-a-dozen quotes, but I won't try to enumerate them yet as they'll be minor spoilers. ETA: ( Some here (Spoilers) )
* a plasma arc is a military-grade weapon that destroys everything
* a nerve disruptor is a military-grade weapon that destroys people
* a stunner is (?) shorter range and stuns people (which is not safe, but safe enough)
What is a needler? Physically, is it a flechette weapon? What is its defining features? My guess is that it's the state-of-the-art handgun or machine-gun equivalent, less effective than a plasma arc or nerve disruptor, but safer to use in areas filled with people or flammable things, and possible to miniaturize to carry concealed, and the weapon of choice by people who are not quasi-military. Does that sound reasonable? Alternatively, is it the best weapon in more specific circumstances, eg. more spread or more penetration?
There's half-a-dozen quotes, but I won't try to enumerate them yet as they'll be minor spoilers. ETA: ( Some here (Spoilers) )