I managed to keep my hand wrapped around the pistol-grip, but ended up standing wide open as he opened his hand to fire a point blank attack. On sheer defensive instinct, I brought my free hand up to swat at him, if only to deflect his aim.

'CRACK!'

We both stumbled back slightly. There was a whining sound in my ears, and my right hand was numb as if I'd just been violently shocked. The hell? The general seemed no less surprised as he looked up at me.