Everyone knows that when challenged to a duel, it’s on you to pick the weapon. Fisticuffs? Fencing at dawn? Compliments? In order to be prepared to defend your honor, you should really have a weapon of choice.
Relatedly, in the event of an unfortunate fencing-at-dawn accident, what would you replace your hand with if it were chopped off?
We ask our authors the important questions.
What is your weapon of choice?
Or, if your hand was cut off what would you replace it with?
Kate Elliott, author of opens in a new windowUnconquerable Sun
If my hand was cut off I would replace it with a Swiss Army knife multi-tool prosthetic with additional sensitive claw grip.
Mary Robinette Kowal, author of opens in a new windowThe Relentless Moon
Weapon of choice: Namiki pilot fountain pen with Noodler Ink’s Black Swans in English Roses.
S. A. Hunt, author of opens in a new windowI Come With Knives
Chainsaw, of course. Barring that, a short-sword. Something agile, but still has a little reach. No! No! A hookshot! A claw-hand that shoots out on a cable!
Alaya Dawn Johnson, author of opens in a new windowTrouble the Saints
Nothing beats a well-aimed throwing knife.
Ryan Van Loan, author of opens in a new windowThe Sin in the Steel
Can this be an ‘and’ question? Weapon of choice would be a Colt .45 (God made people, Sam Colt made them all equal right?) The truth is, I have a fascination with a double-edged broadsword with a basket-hilt and red leather lining (think Scottish sword), but I haven’t put my 10,000 hours in and would die…but if I could replace my hand with a badass sword AND have the Colt .45? Possibilities, friends, possibilities.
Kit Rocha, author of opens in a new windowDeal with the Devil
A PS4 controller.
Jenn Lyons, author of opens in a new windowThe Memory of Souls
My weapon of choice would be vast cosmic powers. Because hell yes.
Andrea Hairston, author of opens in a new windowMaster of Poisons
The pen! (For both.)
Christopher Paolini, author of opens in a new windowTo Sleep in a Sea of Stars
Pistol-caliber carbine with armor-piercing rounds. If my hand was cut off . . . a phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.
S. L. Huang, author of opens in a new windowBurning Roses
A laser. Because I could both cut through diamond AND entertain a posse of playful cats.
Cory Doctorow, author of Attack Surface
The Content Management System.
V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Definitely a really old-fashioned dagger.
Stay tuned for even more Chaos and Cosmos!
The Lazy Gun. If you’re gonna do it, do it with style.
Failing that, a tractor/pressor beam array – faux telekinesis, plus a push/pull sheer that lives up to the name grav mop.