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As I read it, Dragonrider, leaving Democlus behind was NOT what Acantha wanted to do. Unfortunately, she couldn't counter his logic, his conclusions either. Arguing about would waste time they do NOT have, so she had to accept it.
For the good of the city and the people, Acantha has to sacrifice someone. And she is SO hating that right now, but she IS a worthy ruler so she did it anyhow.
Very good point, Mirror. Democlus can't go into the AI's zone. At 5 klicks Aeneas was killing ANYTHING with a weapon. And at that range, Acantha probably can't talk to the 'real' Aeneas to get him exempted from that death.
Now the Kyle that was sent in (not the one that left New Sparta) might be able to get around that, as I'm not sure his Taser implant really counts as a weapon as far as Aeneas is concerned.
Aeneas: "Isn't that cute, he as a sparkly sword. I see your sparkly sword and raise you a REAL weapon!" ::As his hand lights up with hellfire (from the plasma caster, mark THREE)::
So sad. He knew this would happen but he is still morally strong enough to do his duty to the Royal House. Max choose well to promote this man to this position. Max knew Democles would have passed. I think someone mentioned on Monday that because he has the skill but not the Star, people would underestimate Demo.
I don't believe so. This is a comment section. Tis' not proper to question the gods(writers) on their choices or actions. Doing so also tempts fates. There is always a danger of difficulty, strife, death and other such things as they drive the story and life forward. Its point, to acknowledge the choices made. It's also a sighing sadness as Acantha learns something that she knew as an effemeral possibility is really an actuality. By invoking the ritual forms, Dem is making a tactical decision that has personal consequences, easier on Acantha. Acantha for her part is being very careful not to tempt the fates in return.
I have to wonder now just how far behind Maxus is.
Also considering what info CeCi has, when Dolly and CeCi catch up, CeCi will stop Dolly from taking them out. Maybe Nox will be caught between Maxus and Democlus and Dolly and CeCi?
They don't know that our good Dr Silver has control of most communications, so the whereabouts of the tracked bracelet may *not* be in the Cassians' hands. I doubt they'd be handing out bracelets or anything else that communicates on their private net (which *is* still up), even to high-value prisoners.
It'd be nice if they have a good scare/cry, and then no one in power notices where Lynn is until they regain control of comms later and 'suddenly' see that she is in Aeneas compound and have to wonder how she got there. Secret tram stays secret! (To be used again later, of course.)
To answer your question, we'd have to know where Nox is, what she's doing, and why she hasn't already torn through this party like an A-10 antitank burst through a civilian 4-door sedan.
Hypothesis: Acantha's connection to Aeneas is known, she's waiting along one of the potential paths to his territory in ambush. If the party is *really* lucky it's the wrong one and she never figures that out in time.
Considering he's covered in red from top to toe, I'd say that YES, he's a redshirt .. and then some.
But that doesn't mean he cannot take a few levels in badass, and go down in a blaze of glory, and have a dying moment of awesome! Unfortunately, since he's too cool to live, he will probably end up being a heroic sacrifice, the redshirt way!
As a former Cavalryman from the Cold War days, we're used to long odds and low chances. Fiddler's Green is our Valhalla. Dem would have pride of place there.
Am I being 'genre savy' when I tell people to carry umbrellas when they go out so that it doesn't rain? Acantha knows what Nox is and has some grasp of how she operates. Democlus is tempting fate by trying to set up an ambush for her.
Don't think so, XRzer04. He isn't just here to show how the monster works. He is here to be an EXPENSIVE piece of meat! To slow or stop the threats to his Princess.
Living through what is to come is in question. Failing will only happen if he no longer draws a breath. And if he is destroyed but SUCCEEDS he would count it as a win.
Good man there. Maxus chose well (not a HUGE surprise, considering how capable Maxus is).
I have a feeling that there's gonna be a showdown that goes something like...
"We have you surrounded"
"We have a plan"
"We have an army of Cassians!"
"We have an Aeneas."
No, I think Mr. Black is a smooth enough operator that while he would message after he was a away,there would be no gloating. In fact he'd probably sow confusion as to whether he even might have been involved at all.
Only if the gold star is equivalent to a Medal of Honor, which I doubt. My impression is that it's more along the lines of a special forces tab. Still impressive, but if he succeeds, I'd say he's earned a Medal of Honor.
The way I see it, survival earns him a gold star, success (surviving or not) earns him a Medal of Honor. Survival *and* success earns him the jackboots (and possibly a few of the cassians) pissing themselves when he looks at them crossly. :D
If it looked like an enemy were about to yell some kind of defiant declaration like that, I'd try to time my shot so that their defiant statement is cut short by blood loss. Nox probably has less hesitation than me against ending the fight pre-emptively while the prospective meat is grandstanding.
Was this... was this inspired by my comment on the last comic? Because I was 1) making a sarcastic joke about the fact that we're pretty sure the explosion killed at least one person, and, 2) saying something reassuring to someone that apparently was bothered by the idea of 'collateral damage' casualties from the Bidi-boom van's detonation. But if you turned my sarcasm into literal truth... I don't know if that counts as defeating me in battle or an awesome extension of the joke.
And don't worry Bidi, we all had faith in your ability to survive. :)
It might even have been mentioned once or twice, that you wouldn't be part of the death toll.
Heck of a scene, ladies. Just hope you aren't going GoT on us.
Folks haven't talked about what D will try. Unfortunately, he has uncertain mission parameters. If the Princess is able to proceed, his object is to delay. If she has to return, he needs to neutralize pursuit. These are significantly conflicting priorities.
His other problem is intel (as always). Does he know that this is not just the Prince grabbing power, but that other factions are also on the move? That is, does he realize that IFF is not an easy matter?
I'm going to assume that, unlike certain two-bit players, he realizes that slowing down the pace of any encounter is beneficial. We already know he understands the value of a good distraction. What can he set up here?
It seems to me that any cassians coming would be moving FAST. But perhaps his best response for them is to simply hide & take the shot. After all, even his boss seemed surprised that they would fight their controls.
WAY to many options for there to be a clear best plan...
Don't get killed by Nox, Dem, Acantha needs you...
Arianna on the other hand ..
For the good of the city and the people, Acantha has to sacrifice someone. And she is SO hating that right now, but she IS a worthy ruler so she did it anyhow.
Now the Kyle that was sent in (not the one that left New Sparta) might be able to get around that, as I'm not sure his Taser implant really counts as a weapon as far as Aeneas is concerned.
Aeneas: "Isn't that cute, he as a sparkly sword. I see your sparkly sword and raise you a REAL weapon!" ::As his hand lights up with hellfire (from the plasma caster, mark THREE)::
Really well crafted scene ladies!
Also considering what info CeCi has, when Dolly and CeCi catch up, CeCi will stop Dolly from taking them out. Maybe Nox will be caught between Maxus and Democlus and Dolly and CeCi?
Poor Demo - did he suddenly become a redshirt?
And Acantha has to make one of her first decisions as ruler...
I wonder if a certain person who shall not be named is ahead of them and if he is still alive...
They don't know that our good Dr Silver has control of most communications, so the whereabouts of the tracked bracelet may *not* be in the Cassians' hands. I doubt they'd be handing out bracelets or anything else that communicates on their private net (which *is* still up), even to high-value prisoners.
It'd be nice if they have a good scare/cry, and then no one in power notices where Lynn is until they regain control of comms later and 'suddenly' see that she is in Aeneas compound and have to wonder how she got there. Secret tram stays secret! (To be used again later, of course.)
But that doesn't mean he cannot take a few levels in badass, and go down in a blaze of glory, and have a dying moment of awesome! Unfortunately, since he's too cool to live, he will probably end up being a heroic sacrifice, the redshirt way!
... a few tropes may have been invoked here.
but where is the tram?
I'd stand with Democlus any day.
And don't worry, we're totally *not* listening!
Yeah, poor Democlus, he's about to loose all his limbs, isn't he ?
:D
Also...he gets bonus points for using "confound". XD
Living through what is to come is in question. Failing will only happen if he no longer draws a breath. And if he is destroyed but SUCCEEDS he would count it as a win.
Good man there. Maxus chose well (not a HUGE surprise, considering how capable Maxus is).
"We have you surrounded"
"We have a plan"
"We have an army of Cassians!"
"We have an Aeneas."
There's a good profit to be made in smuggling people out of a warzone.
A plan so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a weasel?
And don't worry Bidi, we all had faith in your ability to survive. :)
It might even have been mentioned once or twice, that you wouldn't be part of the death toll.
We belieeeeve in you!!
WELL DONE DIZZ
Folks haven't talked about what D will try. Unfortunately, he has uncertain mission parameters. If the Princess is able to proceed, his object is to delay. If she has to return, he needs to neutralize pursuit. These are significantly conflicting priorities.
His other problem is intel (as always). Does he know that this is not just the Prince grabbing power, but that other factions are also on the move? That is, does he realize that IFF is not an easy matter?
I'm going to assume that, unlike certain two-bit players, he realizes that slowing down the pace of any encounter is beneficial. We already know he understands the value of a good distraction. What can he set up here?
It seems to me that any cassians coming would be moving FAST. But perhaps his best response for them is to simply hide & take the shot. After all, even his boss seemed surprised that they would fight their controls.
WAY to many options for there to be a clear best plan...