I was pondering Part Two, and the size of the galaxy, when my iPod started playing this Monte Python song. It helps to set the size and scale of the galaxy in which these stories are operating. š
Whenever life gets you down, Mrs.Brown
And things seem hard or tough
And people are stupid, obnoxious or daft
And you feel that you've had quite enough
Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolving
And revolving at nine hundred miles an hour
That's orbiting at nineteen miles a second, so it's reckoned
A sun that is the source of all our power
The sun and you and me and all the stars that we can see
Are moving at a million miles a day
In an outer spiral arm, at forty thousand miles an hour
Of the galaxy we call the 'milky way'
Our galaxy itself contains a hundred billion stars
It's a hundred thousand light years side to side
It bulges in the middle, sixteen thousand light years thick
But out by us, it's just three thousand light years wide
We're thirty thousand light years from galactic central point
We go 'round every two hundred million years
And our galaxy is only one of millions of billions
In this amazing and expanding universe
The universe itself keeps on expanding and expanding
In all of the directions it can whizz
As fast as it can go, the speed of light, you know
Twelve million miles a minute and that's the fastest speed there is
So remember, when you're feeling very small and insecure
How amazingly unlikely is your birth
And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space
'Cause it's bugger all down here on Earth
Songwriters
IDLE, ERIC/DU PREZ, JOHN
Published by
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
It's October....
Uh yes, already.
Did Rick mention that we might get 15 in October (or November)?
One can only hope and your email made me cautiously optimistic...
Ryk, sorry.
My friend's name is Rick and I keep texting him as Ryk.
I'll try to keep it straight...
I believe that giving the Jung the jump drive technology goes against the arrogance of the Nobles and is far reaching for Ryk Brown as an author. First and for most, the Nobles are greedy and in it for themselves. They are superior to the Jung and are hundreds of LY's away from the Jung. As it goes with their characters, they simply don't care. Second, they would need to locate and make contact with the Jung without engaging them. The Jung do not appear to take likely to nations that pose a threat. However, following the time frames Mr. Brown seems to limit within his books. I believe that it would take too much time for the nobles to find and communicate with a hostile nation like the Jung. Also, why would they want to give someone as threatening as Jung the chance to travel to their own pocket of power.
Also the Takaran's aren't in a position to expand without ruining themselves. I see the nobles more focused on attempting to take over the Avendal or to overcome Captain Navarro; their closest threat. They do have some stolen Ghatazak on their side. The Noblems seem petty that way; as do all Nobles.
I guess I see the Takarans as kind of Japan or Soviet Union to the Jung's Nazis. Allied as one until one of them stabs the other one in the Ukraine... They figure they'll divide the galaxy into half until they can develop further and squash the other one. Meanwhile, they divide the Galaxy into Spheres of Influence. The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, for those with a history baseline.
I figure that the arrogant Nobles would think that they have the technological advantage over the Jung, that they would have the better supply lines needed to fight in the PC, and that giving them the Jump drive will not increase the Noble's short-medium term risk. It would give the Jung an edge in the Core however which might draw in the Avendalh the only substantial alliance asset in the PC away and allow the Takarans to make a grab for they're old territory.
The Nobles will probably think that with the successes that the Alliance have achieved up to the point of not having direct access to that information anymore means that giving the Jung the jump drive will not completely over run the alliance (although they probably don't care).
The Thing is that the Nobles are not Military tactician. and might not realise that the Jung with the Jump drive would have the resources on hand to take the galaxy. Bear in mind that the Jung had a 1000 year plan to take the Core, and they did that. They had complete uncontested control of all space in the core. a few defiant groups on a few planets being slowly culled out do not come into it.
The fact that the Jung know about the Jump drive and have seen it in operation and have gotten messages away with detailed scans of Jump ships and tactics, means that they have more minds working on cracking fighting Jump ships, and developing a theory based on the evidence of how to do it themselves.
I figure that in a few Years the Jung could develop they're own Jump drive. Part 2 could be the Jung launching a few Jump attack ships of they're own. but I would prefer to keep the status quo for a while to see how they can keep the pressure on Earth.
The Takaran system is home to roughly 40 billion people. All of them have access to advanced communications networks and live on highly industrialized worlds. I wouldn't doubt they could not only think of it, but they could take action on any thing they chose to do.
Frankly, the Alliance doesn't have a chance. Remember how the industrial might of America won the Second World War? Not strategy or tactics, but factories. Takara has those same advantages. They could build factories like we've already heard the Aliiance thinking about, that launch jump-enabled cruisers and frigates from the surface.
Frankly, the more I think about it the more depressed I get. The Alliance is doomed.
The Takaran Nobles and the Takaran people are two different groups. The Nobles and they're families grouped together would come to maybe a few hundred thousand. That's 0.00001%.
Granted they probably hold 99% of the Takaran Wealth, and we know what happens when the really rich want something done their way don't we! That's right, they get things done their way!
I frankly have no life at work and have an ear bud small enough to hide from my boss. I went through the last two books again. Just trying to get a better feel for the story.
It is clear that there is going to be something along the lines of a civil war or, a war against the Nobles in the coming future. I think the next book could set that up. However, he doesn't have to rush.
I, as a writer, just warn everyone of possibly the biggest cliffhanger of the series taking place at the end of this book.
As for the World War II, the United States won for strategy as much as it did for its industrial might. Do not ever doubt the tactics that were used by the Allied forces were amateur at best. We American's live for war. There were dozens of Axis Superiors that credited the United states for its tactical brilliance. (FYI, I apologize for posting that, this threat should be focused more on the book than anything else.)
As far as the Nobles go, they are down to one ship, and it would take far to much time for them to produce ships they find adequate. I do believe their dry dock's, which are owned by a noble family, were either damaged or destroyed during the slaying of Casimir, by the Avendahl. They aren't tacticians, but that doesn't mean they don't have access to tactical people. I feel when it comes down to Takaran Nobles, they meddle with each other like temperamental teenagers (who would kill one another) but would unite against outside forces. I have seen many aspects of that in feudal history. "War with thy Neighbor, but brothers in arms against all others."
The Nobles are arrogant and fool hearty, but I don't see them being that stupid. But who knows, we aren't the gods of this story.
What I think most people are forgetting and what Ryk Brown has left out of the story thus far, is what the PEOPLE of Takara feel about everything that is going on. Yes, the Nobles are the elite, but the people are out number them. It isn't hard for the people to take control if they wanted it. Yes, millions, if not billions would die, but I think there is a breaking point for every "mob." (although I feel like the people of Takara are very "sheepish" in their motives, since we haven't been exposed to them yet.)
In my final statement, the Alliance isn't exactly fighting a losing battle yet. Right now they are gaining a stronger hand. I have played many RTS games in my life (this story is based on a game, remember?) and this story goes right along with the "damn I had such a good base, and they almost killed everything. Now I must rebuild." The Alliance is about to start pumping out a new breed of Terran Military forces, 1000 every 10 weeks (for starters) and it will only increase. They just acquired a set of orbital docks with almost finished frigates (which mind you, can easily hold as much firepower as Aurora and Celestia since now a "super Falcon," can now take out frigates.) Also, there are about to be dozens of better-equipped scout ships.
Hell, remember what the defender class warships did to the Jung when they invade? The Alliance holds more fire power now then the EDF did. Thing's are looking up.
Does anyone know where General Bacca went? (I listen to the audiobooks, so I don't know how his name is spelled.) I think he might be returning to us in the next part.
I frankly have no life at work and have an ear bud small enough to hide from my boss. I went through the last two books again. Just trying to get a better feel for the story.
It is clear that there is going to be something along the lines of a civil war or, a war against the Nobles in the coming future. I think the next book could set that up. However, he doesn't have to rush.
I, as a writer, just warn everyone of possibly the biggest cliffhanger of the series taking place at the end of this book.
As for the World War II, the United States won for strategy as much as it did for its industrial might. Do not ever doubt the tactics that were used by the Allied forces were amateur at best. We American's live for war. There were dozens of Axis Superiors that credited the United states for its tactical brilliance. (FYI, I apologize for posting that, this threat should be focused more on the book than anything else.)
As far as the Nobles go, they are down to one ship, and it would take far to much time for them to produce ships they find adequate. I do believe their dry dock's, which are owned by a noble family, were either damaged or destroyed during the slaying of Casimir, by the Avendahl. They aren't tacticians, but that doesn't mean they don't have access to tactical people. I feel when it comes down to Takaran Nobles, they meddle with each other like temperamental teenagers (who would kill one another) but would unite against outside forces. I have seen many aspects of that in feudal history. "War with thy Neighbor, but brothers in arms against all others."
The Nobles are arrogant and fool hearty, but I don't see them being that stupid. But who knows, we aren't the gods of this story.
What I think most people are forgetting and what Ryk Brown has left out of the story thus far, is what the PEOPLE of Takara feel about everything that is going on. Yes, the Nobles are the elite, but the people out number them. It isn't hard for the people to take control if they wanted it. Yes, millions, if not billions would die, but I think there is a breaking point for every "mob." (although I feel like the people of Takara are very "sheepish" in their motives, since we haven't been exposed to them yet.)
In my final statement, the Alliance isn't exactly fighting a losing battle yet. Right now they are gaining a stronger hand. I have played many RTS games in my life (this story is based on a game, remember?) and this story goes right along with the "damn I had such a good base, and they almost killed everything. Now I must rebuild." The Alliance is about to start pumping out a new breed of Terran Military forces, 1000 every 10 weeks (for starters) and it will only increase. They just acquired a set of orbital docks with almost finished frigates (which mind you, can easily hold as much firepower as Aurora and Celestia since now a "super Falcon," can now take out frigates.) Also, there are about to be dozens of better-equipped scout ships.
Hell, remember what the defender class warships did to the Jung when they invade? The Alliance holds more fire power now then the EDF did. Thing's are looking up.
Does anyone know where General Bacca went? (I listen to the audiobooks, so I don't know how his name is spelled.) I think he might be returning to us in the next part.
General Bacca probably used his small personal ship to go and gather the Jung forces nearest to Earth / but far enough to be beyond detection of the Alliance (from his opinion) to mount an attack force to attack earth again.
I would guess that that is not the Fleet heading toward earth at the end of Ep14, but that that was launched either to recapture the earth before they knew how strong the Earth Alliance was or as a distraction now that they do.
I think you are right, I think that General Bacca will have a much more important role in Part 2.
I also think that if the Jung do not get Jump drives for Part 2 then they will be introducing a fleet or two of faster warp ships say up to 100 light speeds. These fast fleets could be very valuable to the Jung, helping to complement a strong Tactical / Stragetic plan of attack on the Alliance. Otherwise they will be two slow to react to or reach the Alliance for counter attacks.
I would also expect to see Jung Nanites being adjusted to kill all/most infected if they do not detect signals beamed by BP's for over 24 hours.
I would also expect to see Jung Nanites being adjusted to kill all/most infected if they do not detect signals beamed by BPās for over 24 hours.
That destroys their intel-gathering capabilities.
It is obvious the pieces are being placed on the board for Phase 2. The only question is which kind of story Ryk wants to tell there. š
When the Alliance take planets from the Jung, almost every Man, Woman and Child on that planet dies. You cannot cover that up. You can totally blame that on either party but with the Alliance as the attackers it is easy propaganda.
Killing almost everyone on the planet means that the Alliance cannot immediately turn around and have the planet's resources used to further Alliance goals.
Having almost every one die on a planet means that no one will want to go there / those who survived will have to be rescued tying up alliance assets/ they will spread rumors of the horror of Alliance attacks / Jung retreats.
What actionable intelligence can the Jung get from a planet they can not access in a timely manner.
I though about this. If I were Jung and using what I know about Jung tactics, then I would dead man switch every Nanite to the BP /BB in system. I wouldn't turn that dead man switch off if I were pulling back the fleet.
I do worry about the capabilities people give the nanites. These are seriously tiny machines. ONE function each. Maybe two. And the body should attack them as invaders some of the time. A self destruct for them? They'd have to be ones that attack critical cells. The alliance should be able to learn which cells, just as they are already learning that they have defense nanites that attack any that fail the friend or foe test. The Alliance should be able to make nanites that attack the Jung defenders. But again, tiny tiny tiny so barely can do anything. Certainly not a whole slew of things.
I can see the experts explaining that in a scene.
