Seeking An Island (Sallin_Kari)

[porne]

The two guards are holding bayonetted long guns, actual guns in service! that double as spears, and they look you up and down, sorting through your bag, but not disturbing anything as they check for anything untoward. Still, with the small size of the weapons on offer, they seem to dismiss them, or more likely, know that you're presenting new weapons. Their eyes do linger on the new gun type you've got.

Still, walking in, there's a small council aligned on one side of the wall, with something resembling a targeting range in case you decide to show off directly. There's some brief chatter, but it dies down as you enter.

[Sallin_Kari]

I show the guards the equipment and explain I'm here to show what Fynn, our new gunsmith has made so far to the council.

Once I enter, I move across from them and get on my knees and bow to them, announcing myself, "I am Drameer Seeker, in charge of Fynn Gunsmith, here to show what she has made preliminary units of." With that I pause for acknowledgment and permission to continue.

[porne]

The council nods to you, and you get an encouraging smile from Ece and your mother, although they both remain quiet. It's likely their reputations more than yours on the line, you still have a chance at being used as a breeding stud if they decide you're not worth it, others could be reduced to something far worse.

Now, what do you start with, the new gun, the ammunition, the grenades?

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Yeah because it's not like he desperately wants to be more then just a breeding stud and desires glory.

I first start with the ammunition, as it is more or less the critical thing. Getting up I had out sample bullets to them all, "Fynn Gunsmith has already started production on bullets. She is using a powder that is not based on sulfur so we do not need to worry about the other clans trying to block our production, and the machine that we acquired from Lady Crystalsinger is producing far more then traditional powdermixers could hope to achieve."

[porne]

There's various rumblings, your mother and Ece remaining quiet, although Ece mentions something about Tartarus being covered, so your clan might become the only source of powder soon, even if nothing else works out. You recall hearing about that, but didn't put quite so much emphasis on it. They're also interested in the fact that the round is totally self contained, as opposed to the mixed cartridge required by muzzle loaders.

[Sallin_Kari]

"They are designed to be used with her new guns, this one being a experimental breach action," I continue on, presenting the gun, demonstrating the loading, before letting each handle it in turn, "They have been through initial tests, but may change after with further development." Guns are a risky business, so just because it doesn't explode when you first tried it doesn't mean it will remain reliable. In case this literally explodes in my face, they will understand that is something that can be fixed later down the line.

[porne]

"It might be possible to take advantage of some of the more tech world oriented weapons abilities with this. Most of the time, tech worlder weapons only last as long as whatever ammunition we can find, which is why we use the powder and muzzle loader. If we have a reliable, consistent way to manufacture tech worlder ammunition, it could also be a trade item." Your mother comments, helping you along with your presentation and mentioning some of the common issues with trying to put tech worlder principles into practice.

Many of them look thoughtful as they handle the weapon itself as well as the ammunition. Many look... if not satisfied, at least willing to watch. No doubt, Fynn isn't the first tech worlder to try and bring more advanced technology, but she seems to have the best grasp on things between where the current state of smithing and where it needs to go is. Even so, most of them are accepting, and you could probably do a demonstration, if you're confident enough.

[Sallin_Kari]

I have a little bit of mixed feelings with mom adding in. While she is certainly helping it's not a good feeling to have to rely on your mother when you are trying to stand on your own. Still best to first show everything and then demonstrate them. Pulling out the grenades and passing them out, I announce, "We also devolved some grenades. While we can use the fuses for the rifles, simple wicks would be sufficient, allowing us to mass produce them on short notice." With that done, I offer, "If you wish to see them in action I can demonstrate though I would recommend we move outside."

[porne]

The women toss the rounds in their hand a bit, getting a weight feel, but nod to you, following your suggestion to move outside.

[Sallin_Kari]

I take the gun and load it once we get to the range. Once making sure everything is ready I take aim and a long breath as I pray the gun won't explode right next to my face, before pulling the trigger.

[porne]

The gun works well, but you can see why Fynn wants something much meatier like the block instead of the folding joint. Heavy or not, it's still a pivoting hinge joint, one sharp impact and the thing may not line up properly!

The noise is incredible, and you're pretty sure the recoil is actually heavier than a normal muzzle loader, but still, even after that shot, the trailing thunder crack of a heavy round is nice. You've never fired it before, but there's a long bar across the top with a little nub at the tip to aim with, and you're able to do so easily. There's also almost no smoke, a foul odor, but none of the thick nasty half burnt powder from normal rounds. If nothing else, your clan can probably turn around the cost with nothing but the powder!

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

IIRC, I went with a hybrid shotgun/volcano round design, where it had a little short base that acted as the gas seal, but the bullet was long and hollowed out with most of the powder contained within. Also has a wax/plastic 'jacket' that surrounds the outside to protect the barrel and keep water out of the round. Does that sound right?

[Sallin_Kari]

To prove a point, I quickly open it and slam another round in, and fire off another shot. Want them to realize just how much faster this is compared to a muzzle loader. With that I turn to look at the reactions as I check the grenades to make sure they are ready.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Thought we were going slugs first, and branch off into something like that and explosive rounds.

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

I meant the tiny short brass portion, not the 'shot' components. Mostly to act as a gas seal.

Popping the gun open, the small remainder of the shell is tossed out, the slug having quickly departed. Slamming another one in and flipping it up, you don't get as good of a shot, but even so, the rapid use and heavy slug do a monster amount of damage to the dummy target.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Oh, right, the volcano pistols.

I take a moment to gauge the council's reaction, specifically the Matriarch, before priming the grenade and throwing it down range.

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Right. They're vaguely reminiscent of a combination of a volcano round and a hi-low system. They use a plastic/air foam around a high explosive all contained within the hollowed out back of the shell. The foam cuts the explosive so it's not transmitting that, it just crushes all the foam so that you have a much higher overall volume to expand over without packing the back of the slug that full of explosives. This also gives Fynn a way to make impact grenades at a later date, since they can be filled and a longer cartridge/charge can be fitted to them.

The Matriarch in particular seems pleased, apparently your mother wasn't the only one who thought this was a good decision, even if she had her doubts. The grenade makes good range, before it lands and detonates before it has a chance to bounce at all. Might want to see if Fynn can do something about that, but she's got a lot on her plate already. While there's interest in the grenade, the rapid cycling of the weapon still draws their eye more; the devastation of the tech worlders more advanced guns now much more in reach.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

I think the hi-low system is for the grenade variant. Hi-low typically can't produce enough speed for kinetic kill projectiles. So the slug would me more a primitive caseless ammo.

Satisfied with my presentation and the positive response, I finish up by announcing that we should be able to start producing guns for field use and offering to ensure that each of them have a personal gun if they so wish.

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

That one, yes. It's more a way to create reliable combustion with a smaller amount of propellant, in this case, it's purpose to not have a lump of pure high explosive go off inside a metal cage. But yes, something similar to primitive caseless, the only thing remaining is the short stub left over from the back.

Many of them nod, but while some seem like they might take you up on that, others seem more interested in making sure the advanced parties get them first, at least once they make sure they work and there's enough. Having a 'secret' weapon like this and having it fizzle because you don't have enough would be such a shame. In fact, the Matriarch asks you if you'll have enough weapons by the end of the week for the next 'drop' and resource harvest, or if you should wait for the next week. You're torn, you've got the confidence that Fynn could do it... but there's a chance she won't be able to, or that rushing will cause accidents. What do you tell her?

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Honestly, it's been long enough that I don't remember the short stub.

I hesitate at the Matriarch's question, but answer, "I am confident we will have at least a few, but I would have to ask the gunsmith about how many we would have by next week."

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

It's basically the metal part of a shotgun shell, it's really only there as a gas seal and primer seat for the early versions.

She listens, frowning slightly but nods, satisfied that you've given her good turn around if nothing else. At that point, you are dismissed as the council will continue discussing, and likely create various plans to make use of the 'powder' that seems to be flowing.

[Sallin_Kari]

With me being dismissed I bow my head and excuse myself, beelining back to Fynn to update her on what happened.