--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at…" description: "\"“I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at the unprotected enemy ship, which was already vibrating from the buildup of power in its reactor core, and he..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/ernest-cline-1857_mass-destruction_i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at_144927.jpg" --- # I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at the unprotected… ![“I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at the unprotected enemy ship, which was already vibrating from the buildup of power in its reactor core, and held my breath as they streaked toward it, silently praying to Crom that they would reach the Glaive and destroy it before it finished transforming…” quote by Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/ernest-cline-1857_mass-destruction_i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at_144927.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/ernest-cline-1857_mass-destruction_i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at_144927.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/ernest-cline-1857_mass-destruction_i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at_144927.jpg) > ““I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at the unprotected enemy ship, which was already vibrating from the buildup of power in its reactor core, and held my breath as they streaked toward it, silently praying to Crom that they would reach the Glaive and destroy it before it finished transforming itself into a weapon of mass destruction.”” [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A desperate space battle scene where the protagonist hopes a plasma attack will stop a weapon‑forming enemy ship. **In simple terms:** A desperate attack hoping to stop a transforming enemy ship. Key Takeaway Act decisively in critical moments. Themes conflict science fiction heroism desperation Mood tense dramatic Type narrative inspirational When to use this quote - space combat - gaming narratives - creative writing Key Concepts tactical decision risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What drives the protagonist’s resolve? - Are there non‑violent alternatives? A Different Perspective May glorify violent solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy Ship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy-ship-1627636/) [Glaive Destroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glaive-destroy-1627634/) [Mass destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass-destruction/) [Plasma Bolts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plasma-bolts-1627635/) [Reach Glaive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reach-glaive-1627637/) ## Related quotes > [“If an enemy ship cannot be taken over by our own crews, it must be sunk! There is to be no deviation from that!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-kramer/if-an-enemy-ship-cannot-be-taken-over-by-our-own-crews-it-must-be/) [Michael G. Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-kramer/) > [Weapons of mass destruction - nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons - are just that, and no cause can excuse their use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/weapons-of-mass-destruction-nuclear-biological-and-chemical-weapons/) [Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/) > [Oscar nominations came out today. Up for best actor, Sean Penn for 'Mystic River,' Jude Law for 'Cold Mountain,' and of course, George W.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/oscar-nominations-came-out-today-up-for-best-actor-sean-penn-for/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never, never tell jokes about a man with easy access to weapons of mass destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-chernin/never-never-tell-jokes-about-a-man-with-easy-access-to-weapons-of/) [Peter Chernin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-chernin/) > [You know what we need to heal are the thought forms and the feelings that cause us to create war and mass destruction on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/you-know-what-we-need-to-heal-are-the-thought-forms-and-the-feelings/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Are we not concerned, for example, by the growing danger related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile technology? All of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/are-we-not-concerned-for-example-by-the-growing-danger-related-to-the/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [World peace is threatened not only by weapons of mass destruction but also by conventional weapons which have led to countless violations of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-maurice-de-zayas/world-peace-is-threatened-not-only-by-weapons-of-mass-destruction-but/) [Alfred-Maurice de Zayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-maurice-de-zayas/) > [Heavy as they are, the costs of action must be weighed against the price of inaction. If Saddam defies the world and we fail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/heavy-as-they-are-the-costs-of-action-must-be-weighed-against-the/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-byrd/the-last-un-weapons-inspectors-left-iraq-in-october-of-1998-we-are/) [Robert Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-byrd/) > [Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/free-nations-don-t-develop-weapons-of-mass-destruction/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Hunger is actually the worst weapon of mass destruction. It claims millions of victims each year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/hunger-is-actually-the-worst-weapon-of-mass-destruction-it-claims/) [Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/) > [Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/iraq-does-pose-a-serious-threat-to-the-stability-of-the-persian-gulf/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I come to this debate, Mr. Speaker, as one at the end of 10 years in office on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-come-to-this-debate-mr-speaker-as-one-at-the-end-of-10-years-in/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [“there was no way that weapon of mass destruction was going to work its way inside my body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-crownover/there-was-no-way-that-weapon-of-mass-destruction-was-going-to-work/) [Jay Crownover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-crownover/) > [I have absolutely no doubt at all that we will find evidence of weapons of mass destruction programmes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/i-have-absolutely-no-doubt-at-all-that-we-will-find-evidence-of/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) ## More by Ernest Cline > [“Halliday’s favorites, like WarGames, Ghostbusters, Real Genius, Better Off Dead, or Revenge of the Nerds”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/halliday-s-favorites-like-wargames-ghostbusters-real-genius-better/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Ray seemed to subsist primarily on a diet of high-fructose junk food and old videogames. It was hard not to love the guy. Back”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/ray-seemed-to-subsist-primarily-on-a-diet-of-high-fructose-junk-food/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Besides, what if BSG and Firefly took place in the same universe? You ever consider that?” I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/besides-what-if-bsg-and-firefly-took-place-in-the-same-universe-you/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [My characters are all kind of geek archetypes of people I've encountered at gaming and comic book conventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/my-characters-are-all-kind-of-geek-archetypes-of-people-i-ve/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“I understood her, trusted her, and loved her as a dear friend. None of that had changed, or could be changed by anything as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-understood-her-trusted-her-and-loved-her-as-a-dear-friend-none-of/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Dilettantes,’ Art3mis said. ‘It’s their own fault for not knowing all the Schoolhouse Rock! lyrics by heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/dilettantes-art3mis-said-it-s-their-own-fault-for-not-knowing-all-the/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I've heard Stephen King say that when you write a novel you end up revealing everything about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-ve-heard-stephen-king-say-that-when-you-write-a-novel-you-end-up/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [Everybody uses pop culture as a shorthand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/everybody-uses-pop-culture-as-a-shorthand/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Something Daito had left to me in his will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/something-daito-had-left-to-me-in-his-will/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [The clans began to bombard the outer force field with rockets, missiles, nukes, and harsh language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/the-clans-began-to-bombard-the-outer-force-field-with-rockets/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“tried to keep my cool. I tried to remain skeptical. I reminded myself that I was a man of science, even if I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/tried-to-keep-my-cool-i-tried-to-remain-skeptical-i-reminded-myself/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I notice when I'm at a party where I don't know anybody - even if I have nothing in common with somebody - we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-notice-when-i-m-at-a-party-where-i-don-t-know-anybody-even-if-i/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Not trusting my instincts any further, I loaded up a piece of high-end avatar dance software called Travoltra, which I’d downloaded and tested earlier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/not-trusting-my-instincts-any-further-i-loaded-up-a-piece-of-high-end/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I burned through all of my extra lives in a matter of minutes, and my two least-favorite words appeared on the screen: GAME OVER.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-burned-through-all-of-my-extra-lives-in-a-matter-of-minutes-and-my/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Listen,” I said. “It really was luck. I’ve got a knack for classic arcade games. That’s my specialty.” I shrugged. “Stop hitting yourself like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/listen-i-said-it-really-was-luck-i-ve-got-a-knack-for-classic-arcade/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) [Explore all 184 Ernest Cline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) ## More Mass destruction quotes > [I have absolutely no doubt at all that we will find evidence of weapons of mass destruction programmes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/i-have-absolutely-no-doubt-at-all-that-we-will-find-evidence-of/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [“there was no way that weapon of mass destruction was going to work its way inside my body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-crownover/there-was-no-way-that-weapon-of-mass-destruction-was-going-to-work/) [Jay Crownover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-crownover/) > [I come to this debate, Mr. Speaker, as one at the end of 10 years in office on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-come-to-this-debate-mr-speaker-as-one-at-the-end-of-10-years-in/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/iraq-does-pose-a-serious-threat-to-the-stability-of-the-persian-gulf/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Hunger is actually the worst weapon of mass destruction. It claims millions of victims each year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/hunger-is-actually-the-worst-weapon-of-mass-destruction-it-claims/) [Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/) > [Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/free-nations-don-t-develop-weapons-of-mass-destruction/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-byrd/the-last-un-weapons-inspectors-left-iraq-in-october-of-1998-we-are/) [Robert Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-byrd/) > [Heavy as they are, the costs of action must be weighed against the price of inaction. If Saddam defies the world and we fail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/heavy-as-they-are-the-costs-of-action-must-be-weighed-against-the/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [World peace is threatened not only by weapons of mass destruction but also by conventional weapons which have led to countless violations of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-maurice-de-zayas/world-peace-is-threatened-not-only-by-weapons-of-mass-destruction-but/) [Alfred-Maurice de Zayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-maurice-de-zayas/) > [Are we not concerned, for example, by the growing danger related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile technology? All of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/are-we-not-concerned-for-example-by-the-growing-danger-related-to-the/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [You know what we need to heal are the thought forms and the feelings that cause us to create war and mass destruction on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/you-know-what-we-need-to-heal-are-the-thought-forms-and-the-feelings/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Never, never tell jokes about a man with easy access to weapons of mass destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-chernin/never-never-tell-jokes-about-a-man-with-easy-access-to-weapons-of/) [Peter Chernin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-chernin/) > [Oscar nominations came out today. Up for best actor, Sean Penn for 'Mystic River,' Jude Law for 'Cold Mountain,' and of course, George W.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/oscar-nominations-came-out-today-up-for-best-actor-sean-penn-for/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Weapons of mass destruction - nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons - are just that, and no cause can excuse their use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-n-haass/weapons-of-mass-destruction-nuclear-biological-and-chemical-weapons/) [Richard N. Haass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-n-haass/) > [A truly free society must not include a peace which oppresses us. We must learn on our own terms what peace and freedom mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/petra-kelly/a-truly-free-society-must-not-include-a-peace-which-oppresses-us-we/) [Petra Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/petra-kelly/) [Browse all 293 Mass destruction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass-destruction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at the unprotected enemy ship, which was already vibrating from the buildup of power in its reactor core, and held my breath as they streaked toward it, silently praying to Crom that they would reach the Glaive and destroy it before it finished transforming itself into a weapon of mass destruction.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ernest Cline" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at-the-unprotected-enemy-ship/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Mass destruction" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at-the-unprotected-enemy-ship/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/ernest-cline-1857_mass-destruction_i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at_144927.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/ernest-cline-1857_mass-destruction_i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at_144927.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/ernest-cline-1857_mass-destruction_i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at_144927.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at the unprotected enemy ship, which was already vibrating from the…” — Ernest Cline", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ernest Cline", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I fired a last volley of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at-the-unprotected-enemy-ship/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at-the-unprotected-enemy-ship/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```