+++Subject & Author+++
Which Bolt Ammo Is Best? - Stephen Pearson
+++Thought for the day+++
“Gentlemen, your weapons” The Adept removed the velvet cloth from the table and departed.
In front of them, lying on the table were six Boltpistols and eight Boltguns. These fourteen guns were about to be used for the Emperor's work. They were found during a cleansing of a corrupted chapel and had lain hidden for millennia in the tomb of a long dead merchant.
The tomb had remained undisturbed until the chapel was demolished prior to re-consecration to Him-On-Earth. The Adeptus Mechanicus had lovingly restored each gun, the appropriate rites had been read and the holy incense had burnt long into the night.
Fourteen finely crated weapons, each engraved and inlaid with semi-precious stones and materials. The trigger guard of each gun bore its name, delicately inscribed in ancient Imperial Gothic.
The guns were handed out Cerussatus, Niceterium, Hebenus, Laus Laudis, Potentatus, Fax Facis…(Painted with white lead, Reward of victory, Ebony, Glory, Political power, Instigator). Each Inquisitor in turn stepped up to collect his prize.
Inquisitor Pearson was particularly pleased with his pistol. “Praeda” he said to himself, “Spoils of war.” Rather appropriate he thought considering how they had been won. There was an ancient battle engraved on the mussel of the weapon and the grip was inlaid with alternate strips of ivory and ebony.
Once everyone had received his weapon Inquisitor Eamsey addressed the cabal. “Friends, in the hour of victory the Emperor's light shone and revealed these mighty weapons to us. Now lets us go forth and spread his light to the darkest corners of the Imperium.”
“Before we depart are there any questions?”
“I have just one.” It was Inquisitor Iborales who spoke. “Which Bolt ammunition is best?”
“I'll answer this.” Inquisitor Nevalainen strode forward to address the group. “This depends very much on the situation. What might be good for one situation might be wholly inappropriate in other. There is no true best, it is whatever suits your style of action.”
“All have uses. Should I face the power armour of a corrupt Adeptus Astartes then a Kraken Penetrator round is your best friend (indeed I have pair for that very purpose).” Inferno shells are useful for creating real carnage and Stalker silenced shells are good if you need to stay hidden.”
”Hellfire is bit...Weird. It maybe the weakest of the special shells as the average damage inflicted is close to that of standard shells but it is one of the hardest to obtain. Metal Storm Frag shells are great against targets with a low toughness.”
“Also if you desperately need to hit the target's head and the amount of damage caused isn't as important as long as you get damage to head (like when facing foul beasts of chaos), Metal Storm Frag shells are again useful.”
“Well put.” said a voice from the shadows. Inquisitor Starbow stepped into the light.” For my uses, the Stalker silenced shells are best.”
“I mean which type of shell do you use the most, and which in your opinion is best?” Inquisitor Iborales seemed to be growing impatient.
“Well my fellow Inquisitor, the choice is really yours to make.” Inquisitor Pearson added his views to the discussion.
“It would be safe to say the shell used the most is the standard shell. For do not the great warriors of the Adeptus Astartes fire millions of them into our foes every battle? In my opinion the best idea would be to obtain yourself a shot selector so that when the time comes the rarer shells are close at hand.”
“Here, catch! This shot selector is built into the cartridge.” Inquisitor Pearson threw an empty magazine to Inquisitor Iborales. “I have a few more, you can keep that.”
As those who had gathered there went their separate ways, each was sure of two things. The divinity of the Emperor and that before long their new weapons would be put to good use.
