To All Service Veterans:
"All gave some some gave all"
Some stood through for the red white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me think of all your liberties
And recall some gave all
Thank You For Your Service Veterans Day 11 November 2016
Lyrics by Billie Ray Cyrus
Quote from: Korean War Veteran
Sgt Howard William Osterk
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
(I believe history now requires a break between the first part and the last part of this poem,)
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
@Cent You are Welcome, again to All Veterans, All Services All Nations you bravely served your country. Tho it may have been against us and our allies you stepped up and served. That we honor.
She's not the only one I've been offering him once a page for the last however long. We still may have one chance, he shortcuts across the outside of the Hanger and runs afoul of the Murderturd.
I hate to point it out to Kyle's anti-fan club, but the partially dismembered scythe lizard would not be anywhere near the palace and is in no condition to adequately rampage. :P
You tried. But he was only mostly dead. Which is good. Because without Kyle; the only other young male in line for romantic lead was Prince Douchiemus.
I'm not. Datachasers has been getting about 600 votes a day consistantly for months. ever since we broke the top 10!
You have consistently high quality CGI artwork and topnotch dialog. You deserve to be where you are! I've said it before, you and Rose have set the bar for CGI graphics, and for what's on TWC, I only know of 3 that consistently try to meet that bar.
I know, "DLK's gushing again"... I gotta go find something to plug these compliment leaks up with, or there won't be any left for next update!
Wonder how Setorius will react to having an Android as a Surgical Nurse who is better qualified than he is should they use Nova Roma facilities, it may be that Lynn and Acanthas rolls may be reversed with Lynn keeping bedside watch over Acantha during recovery.
Still think Atta Med Facilities may be the best option with TeeDee on pilot in Dolly's Super Wagon and Doc Silvers Drones for escort.
It's hard to believe they wouldn't have at least one military hospital behind a secure perimeter guarded by troops Maxus would consider 'reliable' within the immediate vicinity of Nova Roma, proper. Such a target would seem likely to be ignored by Memento Mori as being too far away and too hard a target for the distraction it would provide to be worth the casualties it would generate. Of course, getting to it through the embattled streets would probably be unacceptably risky ..., hence the hangar?
Of course, right about now Maxus has probably got to be wondering if the New Troy team is going to try and turn the tables by abducting Nova Roma's princess, should they be given the opportunity. It will be interesting to see how the exchange plays out.
Do you really, really think with TeeDee, Ada,Noctis, Maxus, Lynn, Dolly, Aeneas, and the band of New Troy Rescue Rangers, many of whom are present, armed to the teeth and love to fight. Setorius would have enough of a terminal death wish and make that stupid a statement? Actually The one he should, after Aeneas fear the most is Lynn, she went through hell and stood up to Douchebag doing something only Maxus had guts to do, damn near killing the SOB. She would be a force of nature to be contended with in that situation, I doubt you would find enough of Setorius left to get clean DNA from.
I totally fail to see why Setorious would even want to try something like that. While he is extremely cynical, he doesn't appear to be a "villain"; if fact he seems more interested in civil stability than in political machinations. Also, he expressed some regard of Acantha in "The Wine.." (presently http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/1157 ); while he doesn't seem to suck up to power in general -- he certainly didn't suck up to Lord Headcase in "The Fool (Upright)" (presently http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/1165 ). In fact he offered to "sponsor her into the church" for protection from Lord Headcase in the past -- see "The long walk.." (presently http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/744 ).
Even *if* he actually wouldn't personally want her to take power, he is smart enough not to try opposing her -- with Aeneas, Maxus (controlling Roma's military), Noctis (controlling the Cassians), Lynn (with her Trojan connections), the majority of the Senate, and most of Roma's population all on her side.
The rest, fine; but the Senate is a big question mark. Remembering that Acantha is still a minor they may be uncomfortable even with the concept of a regency, although what little discussion of the topic we've seen seemed to imply confidence that they could be brought to name Maxus regent on behalf of Acantha. But no one implied it would necessarily be easy. Decimus may be inferred to have left a substantial number of corrupt senators in place who might well try to politic for personal advantage. How easy or difficult it will be (IMHO) simply hasn't been revealed yet.
If Maxus retains control of the majority of Nova Roma's military and Noctis stays head of the surviving Cassians, any pro Decimus senators who aren't bending over backwards to hail their new principus Acantha will probably find themselves Boojum hunting in the Royal Snark Park faster than you can say, "Holy Hoptoads!"
I can understand the appeal to many of disregarding the political process and effecting regime change through force, rather than respecting the legal formalities and democratic process, no matter how distasteful. I think that both Maxus and Noctis, however, are better than that and would not appreciate the implied slur to their characters.
Intimidating a senator who doesn't toe the party line into 'disappearing' is the formal process? We came away with very different ideas of Roman history! ^_^ (Though I won't say yours might not be closer to how it was actually practiced than mine. ^_^)
If Setorius thinks that saving Acantha (and maybe support her afterwards) will give him access to better nanotech-medicine, then I'm sure he would do it.
A review of the Period going through Julius and Augustus Caesar is informative (heck, just read Shakespeare version)and then there's Hadrian or Claudius to peruse. Or you can just cut to the chase and read up on Caligula. My favorite historic episode is the one point when the Praetorians held a raffle to see who the next Emperor would be.
that .. is quite true.. although in this case it would be the same as having the cassians hold the raffle. (( they actually fulfill the elite combat role that the Praetorian did in old Rome. ))
New Rome bastardized the Praetorian into the royal guard. and then Desk started replacing them with .. people that shared his insane tastes.
Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen! It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Annual Nova Roma Bureau of Public Safety Charity Ball. We have a lot of wonderful diversions for you this evening. Traffic and Transport will be directing the Regency Dance. Criminal Investigations will be holding parlor games in the small ballroom, including the Mafia tournament. PsyOps is holding a poetry contest and has organized a bardic spiral for filksinging later this evening. All of you are invited to participate. And, of course, everyone got their tickets at the door for tonight's raffle, sponsored by the Cassians.
We have some wonderful prizes this evening. Wine, Spa holidays, Dining experiences, Event tickets ... But I want to highlight a few of the top prizes:
* - An All-Day pass for you and a companion to the Garden of Essential Delights
* - A Guided Tour of the Black Palace, including an afternoon tea with the Chief of Staff
* - Appointment as the Junior Proconsul to the Third District
And our Grand Prize this year -- which we aren't able to offer each year -- the Imperial Throne, with all the privileges, rights, responsibilities and duties appertaining thereto. This prize is yours for life -- and transferable to your line, your heirs, and your assigns -- so long as you keep the Praetorian Guard loyal and well-paid. Failure to maintain adequate political support, however, or to maintain the enthusiastic support of the military will void the warranty.
Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful evening!
Curious, I don't think they have told Maxus that they are restoring Aeneas yet, so if he's thinking of restoring Aeneas on his own accord, Aeneas might have a new friend.
DLK He knows Acantha has been going there and was safe Aeneas considered her a friend, he is worried what happens if she can't be saved from Douchie's final stupidity. He's afraid Aeneas will go rogue if Acantha dies he remembers the hell a disabled Aeneas unleashed and shudders to think of what a repaired Aeneas is capable of.
though lets not forget that Maxus has helped keeping Acantha safe over the years of the Prince's mad reign.
Even in his madness, I'm sure this is something Aeneas would have noticed - He ought to be nice to Maxus. :)
IF TeeDee isn't careful, that scowl might become a permanent fixture of her face. She needs to smile more. :)
And the good thing about having been through a lot of bad things, is that you are *done* with them and is now in a better place. The rest of us just say thank you for making the better place come along.
We celebrate the invention of sex every year on November 11.
Life on earth, best we can guess, is here about 3650 Million years. Map that to a solar year at a rate of ten million to one, and sex was invented on November 11. Plus, you know, there's a 1/365 chance it's actually the correct anniversary date to the day.
So, every year, celebrate with a big bang party. Invite whoever's risen to the top of your to-do list and make an event of it.
Cute, but I'm afraid the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month was pre-empted for another purpose, although sadly the allies dragged it out to that day just so they could inflict as many casualties as possible on their defeated enemy.
Wait. Maxus has a safe room. Julia's in there. Knowing full well that they might be retreating there in a violent situation, didn't he stash a full kit of medical equipment in there?
Irene is the one in his safe room (edit, along with a seriously damaged Hrist), and a full armory. Not sure Maxus would fit more than a field kit in there with all the weapons. :-D
What makes you think Julia is in Maxus's safe room? I'm not aware of any hints whatsoever regarding Julia's present whereabouts... Or do you mean Irene?
Miriako has Julia stashed somewhere safe while she hunts for Prince Arsewipe, to free Acantha and Lynn killing Arsewipe if needed. Too bad she missed the flash fried action she would have loved it. Would think TR has her and Julia heading to rendezvous with our party here so they can get to saving Acantha.
As much as I'm in awe of your storytelling in general, I must say that this whole scene feels a bit surreal to me...
With news of the impeding apocalypse (now averted), the demise of the prince, Acantha about to die, a severed head coming to life, news of yet another foreign power interfering etc.: even though most of these people are trained professionals, it just doesn't feel very life-like for all of them to be just standing around, having a prolonged, (mostly) calm, (mostly) civil, eloquent conversation, taking turns talking etc... Way too little chaos evident here :-)
Most of all it doesn't feel right for Maxus and Noctis to be calmly standing by, while the princess is not only dying, but also (literally) in the hands of a deadly foreign power -- cease-fire or not -- who just moments ago was tearing through their defences...
Hope you don't mind me saying this... I still like your story very much, and am grateful for every new page you bestow upon us :-)
I understand your point. It is working for me, for reasons I could address in detail, but everyone here knows how I like to keep my comments short. ^_^
What should they be doing? Stampeding in all directions? Shouting over each other to suggest ideas for dealing with things?
Maxus, Noctis, Dolly, and Ada are all very level-headed people who are capable of operating well under pressure. Lynn's scared and anxious, but Dolly being calm is helping.
Acantha isn't technically dying at the moment. She's been treated and placed in short-term suspension by a New Troy S&R medic, which is about on par with what a New Rome medic could have done. With the contingencies offline, there IS no immediate time pressure. Everyone present knows that (even if Lynn's more aware of it on a subconscious level than a conscious one).
It is a 100% certainty that if Maxus and Noctis HAD to acquire Acantha from Ada for whatever reason and a polite request was refused, they could, in fact, TAKE her away. Since everybody is working towards the same goals at the moment (get Lynn safely out of the city, keep Acantha alive), there's no need for a fuss.
I do my best to make the dialogue realistic, but fully realistic dialogue doesn't always serve the purpose. Imagine how annoying it'd be to read a story where people are indulging verbal tics ("like", "y'know", etc), repeating themselves, talking over each other, inserting words to finish each other's sentences, and so on and so forth. Having a bunch of calm, civil adults standing around discussing the situation suits the story better at the moment.
It should also be mentioned that experienced military leaders / trained operatives, often have a "get down to brass tacks" mentality, and that usually ends up with a "get the intelligence first, THEN shoot them in the face" agenda.
Actually the only person here that might fly off the handle is TeeDee, she's been bossed around by someone she doesn't know and has never seen, they called her short stuff and ordered her to relay a message, plus Ada has had to repeat herself twice about a medical emergency. She might take a shot at the ceiling and shout something along the lines of "Shut the fuck up and tell us where the nearest secure Med Facility is or do we have to make a run for New Troy to save this girl?
I was thinking of his face on the ball Think of all the stress relief a person could get imaging Douchie's head going pop.
Your idea would certainly make for an interesting string of ornaments. Giving a whole new meaning to "Dec the halls".
"All gave some some gave all"
Some stood through for the red white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me think of all your liberties
And recall some gave all
Thank You For Your Service Veterans Day 11 November 2016
Lyrics by Billie Ray Cyrus
Quote from: Korean War Veteran
Sgt Howard William Osterk
Thank you for sharing.
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
(I believe history now requires a break between the first part and the last part of this poem,)
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
@Timotheus Thank You.
an amazing poet and voice lost but he left us with this poignant reading of some timeless words...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOX_b2G3tyQ
I offer this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR87LsmXzBs
Great looking page, CentComm.
Yes, Ada is focused on her task at hand, saving a life. She is awfully good at it, so leave her be is my advice. :-)
I'm resisting a LOT of temptation here!
I actually like Kyle.So I would rather he not be Kyled.
Of course, so do the three treasures, and I'm in love with Kagami, so....
The line with the beautiful AI's is over here, bud!
It's kinda hard when you only have paws, and sometimes I crush things when I land! >_<
which cards will come out on top
who are the players?
Keep up the voting, everyone! YAHOO!!!!
You have consistently high quality CGI artwork and topnotch dialog. You deserve to be where you are! I've said it before, you and Rose have set the bar for CGI graphics, and for what's on TWC, I only know of 3 that consistently try to meet that bar.
I know, "DLK's gushing again"... I gotta go find something to plug these compliment leaks up with, or there won't be any left for next update!
So it's good to support those few who does. :)
Still think Atta Med Facilities may be the best option with TeeDee on pilot in Dolly's Super Wagon and Doc Silvers Drones for escort.
Of course, right about now Maxus has probably got to be wondering if the New Troy team is going to try and turn the tables by abducting Nova Roma's princess, should they be given the opportunity. It will be interesting to see how the exchange plays out.
Or is that the one that is on fire now, because of terminal ugliness ?
How are you feeling otherwise?
What if Ada's use of "New Troy" tech to save Acantha's life, made it so Setorius or someone else would say she is no longer fit to lead?
Sort of like in Girl Genius, when Tarvek "died" but was restored, technically he could no longer be in the line of succession.
Even *if* he actually wouldn't personally want her to take power, he is smart enough not to try opposing her -- with Aeneas, Maxus (controlling Roma's military), Noctis (controlling the Cassians), Lynn (with her Trojan connections), the majority of the Senate, and most of Roma's population all on her side.
HE's kinda single minded about what he does.
New Rome bastardized the Praetorian into the royal guard. and then Desk started replacing them with .. people that shared his insane tastes.
We have some wonderful prizes this evening. Wine, Spa holidays, Dining experiences, Event tickets ... But I want to highlight a few of the top prizes:
* - An All-Day pass for you and a companion to the Garden of Essential Delights
* - A Guided Tour of the Black Palace, including an afternoon tea with the Chief of Staff
* - Appointment as the Junior Proconsul to the Third District
And our Grand Prize this year -- which we aren't able to offer each year -- the Imperial Throne, with all the privileges, rights, responsibilities and duties appertaining thereto. This prize is yours for life -- and transferable to your line, your heirs, and your assigns -- so long as you keep the Praetorian Guard loyal and well-paid. Failure to maintain adequate political support, however, or to maintain the enthusiastic support of the military will void the warranty.
Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful evening!
Heck, Maxus might have a new friend.
Maxus is a bright boy, he's good at putting 2 and 2 together... Kinda goes with the territory if you're a successful supreme general.
Oh... The restoration of Aeneas may or may not be considered a good thing by Maxus.
though lets not forget that Maxus has helped keeping Acantha safe over the years of the Prince's mad reign.
Even in his madness, I'm sure this is something Aeneas would have noticed - He ought to be nice to Maxus. :)
As for today, I have TWO reasons to look forward to the 11th.
My youngest daughter turns 19 today, and I my Father and many of my relatives are all Veterans.
And all of us would say, don't thank us. thank the young men and women currently wearing the uniform.
We did only what we had to do. Those still in uniform however are doing it at the risk of their lives.
Us old farts who are out, aren't risking that anymore.
So we don't need thanking.
Oh, and TeeDee looks like she is getting ready to open a can of whoopass on Noctis, if she doesn't show Ada the way to the Med Center.
And I will echo your thanks for those currently serving in these crazy times.
Oh and wish your daughter another Happy Birthday! :-)
And the good thing about having been through a lot of bad things, is that you are *done* with them and is now in a better place. The rest of us just say thank you for making the better place come along.
We didn't ?
I'm pretty sure it started when someone decided to blow up a city gate.
Life on earth, best we can guess, is here about 3650 Million years. Map that to a solar year at a rate of ten million to one, and sex was invented on November 11. Plus, you know, there's a 1/365 chance it's actually the correct anniversary date to the day.
So, every year, celebrate with a big bang party. Invite whoever's risen to the top of your to-do list and make an event of it.
... it's an orgy, isn't it ?
Suffice to say Donald Trump's comments indicate he would be unwelcome.
With news of the impeding apocalypse (now averted), the demise of the prince, Acantha about to die, a severed head coming to life, news of yet another foreign power interfering etc.: even though most of these people are trained professionals, it just doesn't feel very life-like for all of them to be just standing around, having a prolonged, (mostly) calm, (mostly) civil, eloquent conversation, taking turns talking etc... Way too little chaos evident here :-)
Most of all it doesn't feel right for Maxus and Noctis to be calmly standing by, while the princess is not only dying, but also (literally) in the hands of a deadly foreign power -- cease-fire or not -- who just moments ago was tearing through their defences...
Hope you don't mind me saying this... I still like your story very much, and am grateful for every new page you bestow upon us :-)
Maxus, Noctis, Dolly, and Ada are all very level-headed people who are capable of operating well under pressure. Lynn's scared and anxious, but Dolly being calm is helping.
Acantha isn't technically dying at the moment. She's been treated and placed in short-term suspension by a New Troy S&R medic, which is about on par with what a New Rome medic could have done. With the contingencies offline, there IS no immediate time pressure. Everyone present knows that (even if Lynn's more aware of it on a subconscious level than a conscious one).
It is a 100% certainty that if Maxus and Noctis HAD to acquire Acantha from Ada for whatever reason and a polite request was refused, they could, in fact, TAKE her away. Since everybody is working towards the same goals at the moment (get Lynn safely out of the city, keep Acantha alive), there's no need for a fuss.
I do my best to make the dialogue realistic, but fully realistic dialogue doesn't always serve the purpose. Imagine how annoying it'd be to read a story where people are indulging verbal tics ("like", "y'know", etc), repeating themselves, talking over each other, inserting words to finish each other's sentences, and so on and so forth. Having a bunch of calm, civil adults standing around discussing the situation suits the story better at the moment.
It's all very practical.
Please Santa...bring back Ceci. Or give centty one heck of a coal lump!
Best I can do.
Your idea would certainly make for an interesting string of ornaments. Giving a whole new meaning to "Dec the halls".
For anyone who suffers after the fact, a few heartfelt words of caring are worth more than any money or medals.