Which science-fiction superweapon would the panel choose, and what would make it useful?
Short answerThe choices range from a demonstrable MAC gun to an immense Fifth Imperium planetoid, with controllability, limitations and crewing shaping the debate.
NotesA Nova bomb is considered so destructive that demonstrating it safely becomes a problem. A Halo MAC gun offers a more bounded fictional capability, while other suggestions include a stellar orrery and a planetary amplifier. The Fifth Imperium planetoid combines a broad weapons fit with 120,000-ton parasite craft and several faster-than-light drives, but finding a crew of roughly 150,000 becomes an obstacle. These quoted dimensions belong to the fictional comparison. The Lost Fleet's null field offers another choice with a specific limit: it does not work in a gravity field and is therefore restricted to space targets. The preferences turn on controllability and practical use as well as destructive power.