autoloader

Along with the other macrocannon crews, Orad and the others put their weapon through the drill, checking the elevation, traverse, autoloaders and firing mechanism in strict sequence. It was Orad's job to haul on the controls that sent the turret and forty-yard-long gun swinging left and right, while Cassonette did the same for the vertical lever. Moaro was overseeing loading and priming, while as captain, Rossi held ultimate responsibility and oversaw the firing trigger – a heavy pull-chain painted a vivid red that hung from the side of the main breech, just below the autoloader feed.

When they were done, Orad threw himself against the brake lever, using his considerable weight to lock down the turret in the neutral position. The crunch of gears and whine of motors signalled other crews doing the same all along the mile of the lower gun deck. Twenty guns in all, quite a considerable punch for a vessel classed as a light cruiser. The Rigorous could spare the crew and space, though, lacking the torpedo tubes that were common to most Imperial vessels of its type.

The alert had fallen silent some time during the drill but the deck was still bathed in the dim amber glow of emergency lighting. Rossi's face was lit from beneath by the bluish glare of the firing prompt, its small screen dormant for the moment, awaiting trajectory orders from the gunnery lieutenant, who in turn would receive target data and firing solutions from the main strategium.

The Wolftime