<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 8pt;">"Managing recoil in Nul-G enviroments: All actions have an equal and opposite reaction. When you discharge a weapon, and equal amount of energy is applied both to the projectile and the firearm itself. On earth this energy is absorbed by the operator's arms and legs and dissipated harmlessly into the ground. However in free-fall this energy has nowhere to go and will instead push the operator around. While the operator's inertia reduces the amount of acceleration when compared to the much lighter projectile, the amount of thrust is still enough to be a significant factor in a firefight. [Fig A, a diagram of a man with a gun with arrows pointing in both directions showing the action and reaction]<br/>One problem encountered by operators inexperienced in microgravity combat is angular momentum caused by conventional shooting stances. In freefall, the operator's body becomes a lever with a fulcrum located at his center of mass, by firing there weapon off of the shoulder as on earth, the operator is applying force at the far end of the lever, sending it into an uncontrollable spin. [Fig B, A diagram of a man spinning around as he fires his weapon, with his center of mass labeled, one arrow indicates circular motion, and another indicates the direction of fire]<br/>To Avoid this, the operator should brace himself against a secure object before firing from the shoulder. If no such object is available, firing off the hip is an acceptable alternative. By centering the firearm along an axis through the operator's center of mass, the weapon's recoil is directed in an easily manageable straight line. Although the ability to aim the weapon accurately is sacrificed, this firing stance is useful for covering fire while escaping from a disadvantageous situation. As the weapon's fire with both push you away from your target and deter pursuers. [Fig C, A diagram of a man firing his weapon from the hip, the arrows are pointing in opposite directions]<br/>If the operator is equipped with a thruster pack and a smart-linked weapon, recoil can be compensated by the thrusters. Remember however that doing so expends reaction mass as well as ammunition, both of which are valuable resources in microgravity combat. As before, angular momentum can be prevented by firing the weapon along an axis through the operator's center of mass. By firing from a prone position the operator not only prevents himself from spinning, but presents a smaller target to the enemy's return fire..."[Fig D, a diagram of a man with a jetpack, holding his gun in front of him as he floats in the prone position, there are a bunch of arrows, big ones pointing in both directions from the gun, as well as small ones coming from the jetpack, the caption explains that the net acceleration felt by the man is zero.]</span></span></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>It's pretty darn dry. There are a few chapters on weapons and tactics, particularly on zero gravity, but most of it is painfully basic and general. Flipping through the pages you see diagrams of how to disassemble a pulse rifle, or how to attach a helmet and gloves to turn the uniform into an emergency spacesuit. It also explains that the Jockstrap and sports bra are apparently rated for up to 4gs, and designed to be worn over a spacesuit while the ship is accelerating. For PT on earth they are optional, but suggested for the comfort of the more endowed personnel. It also says that 4g is the maximum allowed for humans, anything more than that and the crew have to be placed in suspension pods.<br/><br/>After a long period of waiting, drying, and skimming, a short brown woman in a Blue campaign hat and a Vietnamese army dress uniform enters the room. "ROOM TENCH HUT!" The tiny woman shouts with the voice and authority of somebody 10 times her size.