{
        // Trigger the explosion.
        finish_beam();

    }

    // Trigger explosion on exploding beams.
    if (is_explosion && !in_explosion_phase)
    {
        finish_beam();
        return;
    }

    // Explosions only have an effect during their explosion phase.
    // Special cases can be handled here.
    if (is_explosion && !in_explosion_phase)
        return;

    if (is_explosion && !in_explosion_phase)
    {
        // It hit a monster, so the beam should terminate.
        // Don't actually affect the monster; the explosion
        // will take care of that.
        finish_beam();
        return;
    }