>Why not specialized replicator technology? After all, while
>practically unlikely, it would be theoretically possible to run out of
>ammo using the hyperdimensional ammo dispenser system, where as a
>replication system would have ammo as long as it had juice. Thing is, replicators still need a source of raw materials. This wasn't demonstrated in any capacity until Voyager, but the replicators use a raw material which it then replicates on some leval (molecular? atomic?) into the required template. So you'd still be able to theoretically run out of ammo.
(And no, they don't directly convert energy to matter. That would take enough energy to power a sun for a significant amount of time... even the Trek people had trouble bending the laws of physics *that* much.)
-- Sean --
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