diff --git a/game/reconstructed/mech4.cpp b/game/reconstructed/mech4.cpp
index 13b1fc4..08b29f3 100644
--- a/game/reconstructed/mech4.cpp
+++ b/game/reconstructed/mech4.cpp
@@ -2522,6 +2522,24 @@ void
 			gBTHudPrimary    = ((int)targetReticle.reticleElementMask & 0x20) != 0;
 		}
 
+		// E8: pulse the three fire channels per frame (1,0,1,0...) so each
+		// weapon sim's CheckFireEdge sees clean rising edges.  UNCONDITIONAL --
+		// NOT inside the enemy block: firing needs only the world PICK (task
+		// #41: the beam goes to the scenery downrange with no enemy alive; the
+		// weapon's OWN HasActiveTarget gate refuses only a true sky shot).
+		// Leaving these inside `if (gEnemyMech)` froze the channels after the
+		// wreck buried -> no trigger edges -> "can't fire after the kill"
+		// (user-reported regression).  targetInArc is the explicit BT_FIRE_ARC
+		// presentation clamp (default true).  BT_AUTOFIRE holds all three.
+		{
+			const int laserWanted   = gBTDrive.fireForced || gBTLaserKey;
+			const int ppcWanted     = gBTDrive.fireForced || gBTPPCKey;
+			const int missileWanted = gBTDrive.fireForced || gBTMissileKey;
+			gBTWeaponTrigger  = (laserWanted   && targetInArc) ? (gBTWeaponTrigger  ? 0 : 1) : 0;
+			gBTPPCTrigger     = (ppcWanted     && targetInArc) ? (gBTPPCTrigger     ? 0 : 1) : 0;
+			gBTMissileTrigger = (missileWanted && targetInArc) ? (gBTMissileTrigger ? 0 : 1) : 0;
+		}
+
 		if (gEnemyMech != 0)
 		{
 			Point3D enemyPos = ((Mech *)gEnemyMech)->localOrigin.linearPosition;
@@ -2583,19 +2601,7 @@ void
 				gFireCooldown -= dt;
 
 			const int fireWanted = gBTDrive.fireForced || gBTDrive.fire;
-
-				// E8: pulse the three fire channels per frame (1,0,1,0...) so each
-				// weapon sim's CheckFireEdge sees clean rising edges.  AUTHENTIC
-				// gating: the trigger passes through and the weapon's OWN
-				// HasActiveTarget gate decides (FireWeapon -- part_013.c:7758; no
-				// aim/arc test exists).  targetInArc is the explicit BT_FIRE_ARC
-				// presentation clamp (default true).  BT_AUTOFIRE holds all three.
-				const int laserWanted   = gBTDrive.fireForced || gBTLaserKey;
-				const int ppcWanted     = gBTDrive.fireForced || gBTPPCKey;
-				const int missileWanted = gBTDrive.fireForced || gBTMissileKey;
-				gBTWeaponTrigger  = (laserWanted   && targetInArc) ? (gBTWeaponTrigger  ? 0 : 1) : 0;
-				gBTPPCTrigger     = (ppcWanted     && targetInArc) ? (gBTPPCTrigger     ? 0 : 1) : 0;
-				gBTMissileTrigger = (missileWanted && targetInArc) ? (gBTMissileTrigger ? 0 : 1) : 0;
+			// (the fire-channel pulses moved ABOVE the enemy block -- task #43a)
 
 			// Resolve the "explode" effect resource once.
 			if (gExplodeReady == 0)