Yes, yes, a cannon. [He holds up a finger, having found this comparison brilliant.] It's like a very small portable cannon that uses fewer resources and can carry multiple shots. One soldier is meant to carry each, and an army of guns is one of the deadliest forces in the universe.

[One potential strategy for saving the dragons, he supposes.]

And this socialization exercise is meant to foster a bond between each soldier. I get it now. We're an outsider faction brought in to solve the planet's problems.