The Weapon From Eternity

Legends spoke of a weapon too dreadful to use hidden somewhere among the stars—a weapon that was its own master—choosing its victims!
CHAPTER I
Jarl Corvett selected the group—himself, Ungo, and five crewmen.
They left their great ship on the far side of Vesta; came down with the night in a fast raider carrier.
A hollow offered shelter. Like dust settling, they landed. Abandoning the craft, they pressed on towards their target. The hills fell behind. The final cordon was bypassed.
Then, at last, bleakly, they stared down at the sprawling building that had been Wassreck's workshop.
But lights beat on the white walls. Guards paced the parapets. The commissioner's own carrier thrust up in the courtyard.
Frowning, Jarl Corvett crouched deep in the shadows. Tension crawled his spine like a leather-footed palau . His own black thoughts pressed relentlessly in upon him: Is this where it ends, warrior? Is this the place, here under the Federation's dazzling Forspark lights on a tiny astroidal speck that men call Vesta?
Beside him, the darkness rustled. Scales brushed his arm. One-armed Jovian Ungo's hoarse whisper echoed over-loud in his ear: Give it up, Jarl! Wassreck's gone, and they're ready. It's hopeless!
It was hopeless before, Jarl Corvett said tightly. It was hopeless at Horla. But Wassreck came for me.
The Jovian's scaly hand gripped his shoulder in the darkness. I know, Jarl. You're loyal. But this time—
Could you face Sais without trying? Could you tell her you'd left him?