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"...if you want to know what your future looks like, don't waste your time on Analog; read Time magazine. We are already saturated in the future. "
- Peter Watts
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| Disruptor Tube (Disruptor Ray) | ||
| A device that interrupted the very bonds between atoms. |
Joe and Al, intrepid explorers of an unknown universe, are threatened by strange jelly beings. How will they escape?
| Disruptor tubes in hand, the beleagured explorers advanced toward the passage... Simultaneously, Joe and Al pressed the triggers of their weapons. The long pale beams sprang out, impinging upon the heaving forms.
The disruptor rays had absolutely no effect upon these creatures. Matter was differently constituted here — earth forces were unable to break up these atoms. All was lost! ... In great waves the green terrors advanced. Desperately the men searched about for some opening, some gap through which to seek escape. There was none. Enringed, they stood at bay, defenseless, now that the disruptor tubes, potent weapons of destruction on earth, were useless. |
| From The Emperor of the Stars,
by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat). Published by Wonder Stories in 1931 Additional resources -
|
Here’s what it was like in use:
"All," was the prompt retort. "If I knew exactly the nature of the Emperor, I could specify. But as I don't, we'll use every available method, and trust to luck that one is the right one. We have our ray projectors, our atomic disruptors, our rocket bursts. One of these may be successful. Who knows?"
“"Now," Al shouted, and the great disruptor tube roared its electronic discharge. A section of the shell buckled and melted at the impact, but the quartz was too tremendously thick. It was not more than one quarter penetrated.”
“Al pumped the trigger of the disruptor tube in continuous bursts. All over the face of the great transparent sphere, the quartz shattered and pitted...
Compare to the disrupter ray (molecule disrupter) from The Silent Destroyer (1929) by Will Garth, the
de-atomizing ray from Crashing Suns (1928) by Edmond Hamilton, the
Bethé blasters from Cities in Flight (1957) by James Blish, the
annihilator beam from Conquest of Gola (1931) by L.F. Stone, the
Vortex Gun from One Against the Legion (1939) by Jack Williamson.
"But you still haven't told me what method of attack you expect to use," objected Joe.
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More Ideas
and Technology from The Emperor of the Stars
More Ideas
and Technology by Nat Schachner (w. AL Zagat)
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'THE red tennis robot scooted desperately across the court...'
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'Do you know what window washing used to cost by the hour?'
'Once the target is confirmed, it uses an IR laser to send a coded signal back to the parent, clearing it to attack.'
'I filled your bullet hole with flesh putty and the lattice.'
'... it will be easy to form an alphabet which shall enable us to converse with the inhabitants of the moon.'
'From the tower's huge octagonal base radiate wide silvery strips...'
'It was about five feet long... a black bullet head and red camera eyes.'
'The Law Society has strict rules on the use of pseudo-intelligent software...'
