Plasma Weapons - Operation: Plasma Weapons operate using a raw plasma fuel, which consists of highly dangerous and volatile hydrogen compressed and contained precariously within reinforced flasks in a gaseous or liquid state.These Plasma Flasks are potentially lethal objects in their own right, and it was almost surely a Plasma Flask whose handling rites were rushed that gave birth to the Imperial Plasma Grenade. For smaller Imperial Plasma Weapons, Plasma Flasks often allow for 10 shots to be fired before reloading.When a hand-held Plasma Weapon is fired, hydrogen fuel is fed into a miniature fusion reactor core contained within the weapon's mechanism and superheated to extreme temperatures into a highly-energized state of matter known as plasma; the fuel of the stars themselves.The generated plasma is held in the weapon's core by powerful electromagnetic confinement fields. When fired, the fields dilate open and the plasma is ejected, via the coils of a linear magnetic accelerator, as a bolt of superheated matter akin to a solar flare in appearance and temperature.For this reason, Plasma Weapons are also known as "Sun Guns" by the soldiers of the Imperium. Plasma bolts that are fired are encased in a magnetic containment field that prevents them from dissipating before reaching their target.Once the plasma comes into contact with a solid material, the magnetic field ruptures and vents the superheated energy of the plasma onto the target, often vaporising the enemy outright.Most Plasma Weapons suffer from the problem of overheating, primarily due to the immense amounts of heat generated by the stored plasma. When the weapon reaches critical temperatures, excess heat must be released, for containing it within the weapon can prove catastrophic.This additional heat is often vented into the surrounding area via emergency cooling ducts and exhaust vents, as very few forms of proper cooling apparatus capable of neutralising the excess heat exist. Even with this solution, however, continual firing almost inevitably overloads these functions and it is not uncommon for Plasma Weapons to dangerously overheat and for the ravaging energies, held in check by the magnetic containment fields, to burst from their restraints and pour from the weapon's specialised cooling vents in a cloud of super-heated vapour.Though the weapon itself will remain intact in such an event, the unfortunate soul wielding it often does not prove as lucky. Despite this danger, Plasma Weapons are usually such a rare and valued technology for the Imperium it is often considered better that the weapon survive than the wielder.In extreme circumstances, the core of Plasma Weapons can suddenly melt down and explode; whether this be the result of excessive firing or the result of a flaw during manufacture.Should the weapon's casing crack or the magnetic containment field fail, the firer will have only a fraction of a second before the gun turns into a ball of blazing energy in his hands, consuming itself with the heat of a star and vaporising everything within reach.In addition to the dangers of an overheat, hand-held Imperial Plasma Weapons are difficult to reload. Only with the requisite prayers should their hydrogen flasks be screwed into place, as their unstable ammunition is all too prone to spilling or fouling the plasma intakes.An incorrectly attached flask can cause the weapon to explode the first time it is fired, as an empty or partially filled magnetic chamber creates inescapable pressure that will tear the weapon apart, in addition to its user.Removing a flask is also dangerous, as even a small amount of plasma leaking out of a broken seal or an incorrectly closed valve can burn away a hand or cost the shooter several of his fingers. For these reasons, Imperial Plasma Guns are slow and difficult to load and unload on the battlefield.