diff --git a/src/bullet.lua b/src/bullet.lua
index 3fcd6a1..88184fb 100644
--- a/src/bullet.lua
+++ b/src/bullet.lua
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class("Bullet").extends(gfx.sprite)
 function Bullet:init(size, friendly)
    local img = gfx.image.new(size, size)
    gfx.pushContext(img)
-     gfx.drawCircleInRect(0, 0, size, size)
+     gfx.fillCircleInRect(0, 0, size, size)
    gfx.popContext()
 
    Bullet.super.init(self, img)
diff --git a/src/images/kani.png b/src/images/kani.png
index ede83a6..fb3ce13 100644
Binary files a/src/images/kani.png and b/src/images/kani.png differ
diff --git a/src/kani.lua b/src/kani.lua
index 208c9fc..b1b1917 100644
--- a/src/kani.lua
+++ b/src/kani.lua
@@ -2,10 +2,16 @@
 import "CoreLibs/object"
 import "CoreLibs/graphics"
 import "CoreLibs/sprites"
+import "CoreLibs/timer"
 import "bullet"
 
 local gfx <const> = playdate.graphics
 
+-- the amount of charge needed to increase the shot size by 1
+local SHOT_INCREMENT <const> = 10
+-- maximum value the reserve charge can reach
+local MAX_CHARGE <const> = 100
+
 class("Kani").extends(gfx.sprite)
 
 function Kani:init()
@@ -17,8 +23,9 @@ function Kani:init()
    self:setGroupMask(0x2)
    self:setCollidesWithGroupsMask(0x19)
 
-   self.reserveCharge = 0
+   self.reserveCharge = 100
    self.shotCharge = 0
+   self.firingMode = false
 
    -- input handlers
    self.inputHandlers = {
@@ -31,31 +38,35 @@ function Kani:init()
       leftButtonUp =    function() self.vector.x = 0 end,
       rightButtonUp =   function() self.vector.x = 0 end,
       cranked = function(change, accelChange) self:chargeReserve(change) end,
-      AButtonDown = function() self:chargeShot(1) end,
+      AButtonDown = function()
+         self.firingTimer = playdate.timer.keyRepeatTimerWithDelay(0, 500, self.chargeShot, self)
+      end,
       AButtonUp = function() self:fire() end,
    }
 end
 
 function Kani:chargeReserve(change)
-   self.reserveCharge += change / 10
+   self.reserveCharge = math.min(self.reserveCharge + change / 15, 100)
+   print("Reserve charge at " .. self.reserveCharge)
 end
 
-function Kani:chargeShot(amount)
-   if self.reserveCharge > amount then
-      self.shotCharge += amount
-      self.reserveCharge -= amount
-   elseif self.reserveCharge > 0 then
-      self.shotCharge += self.reserveCharge
-      self.reserveCharge = 0
+function Kani:chargeShot()
+   if self.reserveCharge > SHOT_INCREMENT then
+      self.shotCharge += 1
+      self.reserveCharge -= SHOT_INCREMENT
+      print("Shot charged to size " .. self.shotCharge)
    end
 end
 
 function Kani:fire()
+   self.firingTimer:remove()
+
    if self.shotCharge <= 0 then
       return
    end
 
-   local bullet = Bullet(self.shotCharge)
+   print("Creating bullet of size " .. self.shotCharge)
+   local bullet = Bullet(self.shotCharge * 2)
    bullet:moveTo(self.x+16, self.y)
    bullet:add()
    self.shotCharge = 0
diff --git a/src/main.lua b/src/main.lua
index 4fd47ea..d83f738 100644
--- a/src/main.lua
+++ b/src/main.lua
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ end
 
 function playdate.update()
    gfx.sprite.update()
+   playdate.timer.updateTimers()
 end
 
 setup()