[quote=Mercenary Lord]
So there aren't any inventors in this world? If everything's already been done, then there's no way to use technology to stay ahead, right?
[/quote]

I wouldn't expect to out-produce the top-labs in the world on a consistent basis, but there can certainly be inventors. I would see that kind of character as the ultimate tinkerer, who can pull together a laser gun from a bunch of spare parts, and somehow make it better than the normal one. (Albeit more likely to blow up in his face.)