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Posted: 7/2/2015 2:01:35 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Warhawk]
[#1]
I just finished JL Bourne's book, "Tomorrow War". Good book, I recommend it. I paid $13.99 for the kindle version ... "the Soldiers Son" is better, quite a bit better.
Very anxious for the final version, the complete book. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 3:19:11 PM EDT
[#2]
DCB, you may find this thread interesting!!
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1764257_Amazon_is_changing_how_they_weight_the_reviews_on_their_site_.html |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 7:28:23 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DFARM:
Is it out of place to ask about Texas in this thread? Having had the pleasure of visiting the general area where this story is set, I can't say that it seems much different from a lot of other places that I've visited. Maybe a slightly higher number of pickups with Christian or gun related stickers on them, and also a higher number of folks who like to drive slower than the flow of traffic in the left lane. lol I'm curious why Texas is always portrayed as the last of the real America. I'm not trying to knock anyone, or anywhere, but in my experience, Texas has the same issues that most other states have. I'm wondering what it is that sets Texas, and the "L " shape that was mentioned earlier in this thread apart. I'm mostly curious, because I feel like it may be time to get closer to the place that you want to be, if that makes sense. Texas was an independent country at one time... and perhaps will be again... |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 7/2/2015 8:10:54 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By heron163:
Texas was an independent country at one time... and perhaps will be again... Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By heron163:
Originally Posted By DFARM:
Is it out of place to ask about Texas in this thread? Having had the pleasure of visiting the general area where this story is set, I can't say that it seems much different from a lot of other places that I've visited. Maybe a slightly higher number of pickups with Christian or gun related stickers on them, and also a higher number of folks who like to drive slower than the flow of traffic in the left lane. lol I'm curious why Texas is always portrayed as the last of the real America. I'm not trying to knock anyone, or anywhere, but in my experience, Texas has the same issues that most other states have. I'm wondering what it is that sets Texas, and the "L " shape that was mentioned earlier in this thread apart. I'm mostly curious, because I feel like it may be time to get closer to the place that you want to be, if that makes sense. Texas was an independent country at one time... and perhaps will be again... Why do you think that is? And I'm not trying to be snarky. But I haven't seen much that tells me that Texas is any different than any other state. It seems that some of the more liberal crap holes are better at thumbing their nose at the federal government than Texas. See the states that "legalized" marijuana. Up until recently Washington had better gun laws, and is still friendlier to carrying a pistol than Texas. (Except for the 30.06 signs. I wish wa would standardize signs). I really want to believe that there is something that sets some place apart from the rest, as I'm entertaining the idea of relocating to a place that is more in line with my own ideals. What is special about the "L" shape that follows the Rocky mountains and east that was mentioned a while ago in this thread? |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/3/2015 2:49:41 AM EDT
[#5]
DC, the mood and tone of this latest installment was palpable. I felt Brian's fear, hope, and liberation.
I'm an avid reader; after reading this latest installment, I've concluded you are unparalleled in your ability to communicate tone and emotion. You convey, and cause the reader to feel and understand, the inner feelings, struggles, and motivation of psycopaths, heroes, narcissists, reluctant heroes.... anyone. It's simply amazing. All of us are hoping for more updates as soon as possible, and a finished product yesterday. Please, don't rush this. I don't know if Michelangelo's statue of David took 6 months or 20 years; nor I don't care. The end result justified however long it took. This story is more than a Mac Bolan paperback. Take whatever time is necessary to create your message. On the message; I've mentioned my occupation in past posts. The lines are being drawn as we speak; I don't think the artists realize the full potential of those they ostracize. I fear they soon will. Is there any way we, as readers and supporters can help you? I've bought Injured, and recommended that others do the same. Beyond that anything? |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 9:01:01 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By heron163: Texas was an independent country at one time... and perhaps will be again... Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By heron163: Originally Posted By DFARM: Is it out of place to ask about Texas in this thread? Having had the pleasure of visiting the general area where this story is set, I can't say that it seems much different from a lot of other places that I've visited. Maybe a slightly higher number of pickups with Christian or gun related stickers on them, and also a higher number of folks who like to drive slower than the flow of traffic in the left lane. lol I'm curious why Texas is always portrayed as the last of the real America. I'm not trying to knock anyone, or anywhere, but in my experience, Texas has the same issues that most other states have. I'm wondering what it is that sets Texas, and the "L " shape that was mentioned earlier in this thread apart. I'm mostly curious, because I feel like it may be time to get closer to the place that you want to be, if that makes sense. Texas was an independent country at one time... and perhaps will be again... nuclear weapons (at least 20) and medium range ballistic missiles to deploy them. I'm not sure if an independent Texas would face more threat from Mexico, or the United States (whatever is left of it.). Either way, Texas would need its own final option to offset any manpower differences. |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 9:14:44 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DCBourone]
[#7]
General Note: as a partial solution to the "posting equals an update" disappointment, which makes perfect sense, now and in the future when comments stack quickly I will post a reply as rapidly as possible, under the common assumption ( correct ) that I am unlikely to be posting a new update withing 24-48 hours. Historically, once a week seems to be about the best I have managed. Nevertheless--we are at 120,000 words, about 400 plus pages, aiming for 130k-135k, approximated 500 pages by Kindle e-book count. Getting closer, now. So, Comments on Comments: --45Pro good to see you, and I promise you I will not disappoint on Maria. She has a fairly spectacular part to play in the denouement, and will be suitably attired. Spectacular charms can be spectacularly used, let's say. --armstrong much thanks on typos/corrections. The have been incorporated. The collective here is undoubtedly saving my proof reader some work. She will be astonished. --same same Greyguy and good to see you. On Fernando--probably not the place for technical dissertation on 'writing'--but ideally, all objects/ideas/persons should have multiple utility/meaning--or the story is not worth telling compared to other stories that could be told. It is the job of the writer to scan his entire universe and select those characters and issues which have the 'most' meaning-- if the story is to have any meaning at all, because of course many do not. --zoe17, yes our timing is briefly out of sync, but I suspect that is because we are both on the same clock, which is no clock at all. Very accustomed to different time zones, I suspect. Historically I prefer the night shift but am pretty much indifferent/adaptable. --Currently, always pleased to see the early adopters. Getting close to the end of this 'story'--but only as defined by the demarcation of publishing conventions. The story picks up at the same time, as in immediately, as a Gehr Librarian associate performs a huge task for the Libraries, due north/northeast in Dallas and then working south. Book three is a Gehr Librarian associate in Africa. He will be the first to meet Billy Spears of Injured Reserves. --Trapshooter I pretty much threw a rod when I saw your comment and went back and looked at the text. Sinai "Nude" had been sitting there for a couple of months now, waiting for a last pass. Just ffffffff. And same same on your next catch. Constant problem for me, because I read/see 'blocks' of text. Very large blocks. This is not helpful when it comes to proofing my own stuff. --11C/Abn, much thanks. Huge huge problem for many here: both the rural/city divide, and the 'much traveled' divide. I don't know which is worse. There is essentially no way to communicate with someone who has never killed their own food, visited a slaughterhouse...Same same never seen, let's say, a casual beat down of a wailing woman by a dude who is also intermittently conversing with his friends. Even seen a few nice chats with some Doctors Without Borders types long ago who had absolutely no idea that some fairly serious people had been around for months making sure their environment was stable enough so they would look good on the news. They thought everybody just liked them. Sure, dude. ( And no harm no foul Medecins Sans Frontieres--in the large, they are total saints ) --Call2Arms, much thanks. The tablet high left/right or just in field of view is common way to confirm image quality/light/FOV/other from a wi-fi connected 'other device', in this case the Go-Pro on Camo-Man's helmet. About a zillion iterations of this tech now. As cameras and data storage become continually cheaper/better-- well, let's just say we're just getting started. Another tech deal which will show up at the grand finale is...ok, let's wait on that. Not a big deal, everything here is public domain, but not always commonly referred to. --FieldMP, much thanks always. Length of updates real problem here, trying to time updates so as not to disappoint, but also set up a 'pulse' before publication. Everything but about the last...ah, 5-10,000 words will appear on this forum. So we're getting close. I have to finish/edit/proof/shoot cover etc. in sync with expectations here. So far my timing is sub-optimal, because not a full time writer yet, no full control timing. We shall see. --2T2/Crash always good to see you. Yep intimacy/scene/big world hard to co-ordinate. Complex. If this doesn't work out, I will probably have to do something 'less complex'--let's hope not. --grywlf52, good to see you and understand your concern Brian. On the other hand, he is accommodating the idea that his world is irrevocably changed, safety is gone. At some point you have to not only triage your environment(s)/ associates/all choices, you have to triage your 'stressors'--and he is assuming, properly in this case, that this road/environment has been pretty well swept/observed by Camo Man and his crew(s). --ny15, good to see you. My new job is compel you to write a short paragraph. About anything at all. Remember there are no thread-killers here (so far, anyway)... --Trapshooter, excellent observation on .22 panic. Wish I could write a book about conscious/subconscious/memes and related issues. The .22 issue is a perfect instance, in my opinion, of a subcon 'meme' infecting a huge population. Briefly, the .22 is not being bought to shoot. It is being recognized as a universal 'currency'--nuff said at this time. Good call, Trap. On the other hand, The Hand That Steers may want us alienated and stressed and divided and terrified and cowed and chipped as tax slaves--but it probably doesn't want us to burn the house down. Watch them try to split the difference. Hope they don't fuck it up. And hope is not a plan...And if they do FFFF it up, .22 currency will be traded in vacuum sealed strips for...everything. Carry a roll around, peel of one. Five. Ten.... --airsix, huge thanks air. On quoting--understood. Long Deep Game there, I'm watching a ton of issues there. Nuff said at this time. If you would like/need/find essential, a paraphrase is certainly appropriate. And I have no doubt in most/maybe all cases here, if a correction were requested, it would be made. I haven't checked back, but I have seen only one instance of a full block text quote, and I think it was almost certainly innocent/an oversight. And I very much respect everyone's respect on this issue. Thanks guys. --DFarm, understood on Texas. You will see a huge number of survival/prepper stories with a Texas bias. I suspect another con/subcon 'meme'--with a hard base in reality. Texas actually is 'unique' in a number of respects. The most important is that of all states it has the largest percentage of 'private' property. Approaching 99 percent. In other words, very hard/impossible to 'foreclose' on by let's say, a bankrupt super-state. Also centrally located, Dallas is the largest trans-shipping co-ordination hub in U.S. I believe. Also 6-8th largest economy in world, depending on who is counting. Also Texas centric power grid. Full spectrum economy: ag, fuels, tech, etc. Very high or highest percentage ex-mil. I intend to beat these facts in over quite a few books, without sounding like an academic. Culturally, Texas probably has a sufficient 'core' of non-statists to make a pretty serious fuss about impending 'foreclosure'--but so does the "L" shape to which you/I/others refer to in your later post here. L being the rocky mountain states and then across the south. There's some folks out in the bayous I would probably not want to hassle too much, and so on. Fecund triple canopy swamps are super survivable if you can handle the skeeters, etc. Nutria, anyone? I hope this begins to answer your question, DFarm. GENERAL NOTE: I am not a Mad Maxer. Super Doomer. Absent exogenous/ random/black swan--nuclear war, digital super hack, super plague, EMP, etc. Problem of course is that none of those are impossible. At all. Most likely scenario is 'economic' but please understand the THE EFFECT of all/other catastrophes will be measured by 'economic' effect(s). I think we are going to grind along, with some grim ups and downs, for about two decades. Twenty years. There will be repeated 'foreclosure' attempts through legislation and taxation and subversion. But assuming non-random/exo/black swan does not occur, the big catastrophe will be 'the end of work'--I think what we are seeing now is The Hand That Steers preparing for this certainty. Nuff said at this time. Because the end of work is an absolute certainty. There is no economic model whatsoever for the distribution of wealth when people with an IQ of let's say 140 plus own/invent everything, etc. Somebody is going to own the first Artificial Intelligence. Now watch this: the first quasi AI's are being used right now: in the markets. Study High Frequency Trading. You will be horrified. --Warhawk, very good to see you. Just read sample of Tomorrow War. Very pro product. I very much like the preamble. The idea that stories like this are 'thought crimes'--not yet. But probably someday. On his price, just...WOW. $13.99. Wow. Yeah I won't be doing/be able to do that. Hopefully I will be a decent value at less than half. Wow. --Piddler, tapping your coin on my desk. Yes, I follow a few writer's forums. The amount of information on selling/promoting/pricing/reviews/blogs/etc. is numbing. And also must be noted. The sabotage/drive by reviews have been a huge problem for Amazon. The only real solution so far has been pricing as high as possible. Sabotage campaigns/hate reviews/drive-byes drop off hugely at around 4-6 dollars a purchase. The non-Amazon buyer reviews do lower ranking but have never been considered as credible as those by purchasers. --heron163, yes indeed on past history of Texas. Part of a deep subcon meme that may play a part someday. --DFarm, agree on many point .re Texas. Hope I answered some of your questions in previous post. Stepping lightly, I hope: there is no possible way to express my 'concern' about the purposeful division of 'tribes' in the U.S.A. Hence my concentration on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th amendments. We keep those intact, we have centuries to sort out the other stuff. Centuries. ALL the other stuff. We lose those, any self-defined power structure will be able. To. Make. You. Do. Anything. They Want. Anything. Means Anything. --FormerGrunt94, just saw your post while I was composing this reply, first, thank you for posting. On your comment .re Texas--at the point of division where Texas might be prepping for max weapons, pretty much all will have been lost. That would be a Mad Max scenario. Not impossible, but almost impossible to anticipate/prepare for. My assumption ( dangerous to assume anything, yes ) is that these divisions will be resolved regionally, and short of 'war.' The big one we are all going to see is The End of Work. --PFfunk, very much thanks, PF. The timing just is what it is. I actually have to accustom myself to writing faster than I would prefer. As an 'indie' writer, I simply don't have the luxury of polishing every comma. I am not 'displeased' with the work here, and in fact modern reading styles (present company excepted ) would almost certainly prefer a less complex version of even this. So in a way, time pressure is probably not only necessary, but actually might force me to create a more accessible product. --PFfunk, on ostracizing/separation/division, etc. Yes, all tribes are rapidly devolving into a state where "they cannot know what they are incapable of knowing, and are losing the tools ( shared language being the first and most important tool ) to know the unknown" --ok, clumsy writing, but accurate. The Super State wants us at each others throats, and assumes It/They will benefit from every conflict. We shall see. I have a few contacts in the hard libertarian/computer science community. They are very receptive to much of what I say. They are also very busy, and assume they will profit, hugely, from a perpetual information age. A lot I wish I could say here, but...nuff said at this time. --PFfunk and all, off PFfunk's comment .re 'any further assistance for this effort: the first and most important is to post here. So any lurkers, the briefest comment assists this process. Second, Injured Reserves has sold about 700 copies over the last year. That is a huge accomplishment for an experimental/non-accessible/hyper-dense/not 'fun' text. So, repeating myself, Injured Reserves, relative to modern reading styles, might as well have been written in Latin. But if you are curious at all, please buy Injured Reserves. I will make 1.30 cents. I have zero problem with people buying, and returning withing seven days money back Amazon guarantee. Injured is truly not for everyone. It is truly not particularly 'enjoyable." Third, and most important: follow this thread and buy Soldier's Son when it is published. There will be a 2.99 price point, forum special limited time only etc., promoted here. I will float the prices from high to low, and low to high, with the specific intention of "pay what you can afford/think is worth, etc." Also, it may be returned. In the realm of fantasy: I will have a blog at some point. It will have a Paypal/other button: Browning Automatic Rifle Fund, Donations Accepted. That will be for the billionaires amongst us. The Koch Brothers, and so on. Appreciated, PF. GENERAL NOTE: If you have read Injured Reserves, and 'liked' it--please write a review. Five star reviews are the only defense Injured will have when the not-us show up, and they will, because Injured will enrage them, as will Soldier's Son. As stated, Injured has sold about 800 copies in the last fourteen months, which has resulted in about 40 new reviews. That is actually exceptional: normal ratio purchase/review is 3-500/1. But it also means I have approx. 760 readers who 1. did not appreciate text-- 2. Are not comfortable/other reason writing a review. So. The reviews are a HUGE HELP, particularly in the case of these stories, for defending ranking, thus visibility, thus sales. Do what you can. GENERAL NOTE: on Injured Reserves, see above. "Combat is the control of your adversary in the three dimensions of space, across the fourth dimension, of time..." search ( Amazon Kindle Single Injured Reserves ) Thank you, DesignatedMarksman Ok, back to work. DCBourone |
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 7/3/2015 10:28:13 AM EDT
[#8]
DCB - thank you once again....as always, updates are eagerly anticipated and appreciated.
Comments re: .22lr as currency are spot on. I've "joked" for several years that my ammo stash has appreciated quite a bit faster than my 401k. People who aren't "in the business" don't understand, but occasionally there is a knowing nod and momentary eye contact as we recognize each other. Brian's interactions with Mildred and Camo Man are an educational point that we all need to consider....some lifeboats are bigger than others, but they all have a finite capacity. My compliments on the interview scene. Your adaptation of the classic literary device draws the reader into the scene beautifully. When you can change a persons heart rate with words on a page, you have reached a stage that few writers even know exists. “’Twas only by favour of mine,” quoth he, “ye rode so long alive: “There was not a rock for twenty mile, there was not a clump of tree, “But covered a man of my own men with his rifle cocked on his knee. “If I had raised my bridle-hand, as I have held it low, “The little jackals that flee so fast were feasting all in a row. “If I had bowed my head on my breast, as I have held it high, “The kite that whistles above us now were gorged till she could not fly.” Sooner or later we will all face the Interview. |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 2:03:33 PM EDT
[Last Edit: heron163]
[#9]
speculation about what the "end of work" as you aptly call it will actually look like is one of my favorite intellectual exercises...
I expect some new class of luddites to arise that will violently resist AI and all its applications - we are already seeing its beginnings with some of the "occupy" types... A strategy to actively "correct" the worlds population may be required... imagine this scenario: a population of feral humans that remains after the first "correction" now must survive the attempts at eradication from a class that views them as little more than vermin.... scary stuff |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 11:04:33 PM EDT
[#10]
Happy 239th My American Friends! You are good people, kith, kin and solid hearted.
DC, 20 years on the grind down? Unintended consequences I fear will make it a bit less..... |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 11:19:10 PM EDT
[#11]
Well we do build them here outside Amarillo, tx. It is a primary target.
http://www.pantex.com/Pages/default.aspx |
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AL, USA
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Posted: 7/5/2015 12:06:55 PM EDT
[#12]
Ahh, DCB you give us Brian and scare the piss out of him to boot, and again you tease us with Marie Elizabeth, ( I know, been absent for awhile, have to make a living too), Camo Man, and the midnight truck. Excellent !!!
BLG |
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Posted: 7/6/2015 2:47:17 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 2T2_Crash:
Awesome update DCB. I love how you can put us into the scene in secs a way that we can feel the seconds tick by in both the characters little environment and take us to a world wide focus without diluting the clear image in our heads. DC has said that IR is a grand-complication. I have had a similar feeling of a clock ticking in the more delicate scenes that have played out. The imagery might not work perfectly in a book, but DC, if you ever do a movie (there, I said it) the use of a grand complication at accelerated and more often reduced speeds would be a very cool transition image for scenes. |
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Posted: 7/6/2015 2:50:33 PM EDT
[#14]
DC. I liked this last one a lot. You're in your workspace again, describing the actions of deliberate men and women. |
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Posted: 7/6/2015 2:52:24 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By heron163:
Texas was an independent country at one time... and perhaps will be again... All of the States were countries at one time, else how to make the contract that bound them? |
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Posted: 7/6/2015 7:23:00 PM EDT
[Last Edit: heron163]
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By stimpsonjcat:
All of the States were countries at one time, else how to make the contract that bound them? Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By stimpsonjcat:
Originally Posted By heron163:
Texas was an independent country at one time... and perhaps will be again... All of the States were countries at one time, else how to make the contract that bound them? read the Texas state constitution and compare it with those of the original 13... as for the rest: territories purchases, and manifest destiny... with the possible exception of Hawaii, not independent countries for your reference: http://www.texassecede.com/faq.php |
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 7/7/2015 12:18:13 AM EDT
[#17]
Finally got around to reading Injured Reserves.
Words fail me. Stunning. Beautiful. A song from a warriors' heart. Have to go sit in the dark and think for a while ....... Thank you DCB. |
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Posted: 7/7/2015 2:11:12 AM EDT
[#18]
General Note: in the spirit of posting as quickly as possible when relevant comments stack, this post: --in the future ( for the next month or two, because even at this rate, extremely unlikely that will not be 'finished' with THIS story in 1-2 month period ) I WILL POST UPDATES ONLY ON FRIDAYS, FROM NOW ON. IF I DO NOT HAVE A FULL UPDATE, I WILL POST WHATEVER I HAVE, HOWEVER BRIEF, with relevant notes. Or an abject apology for my continuing tardiness. And so on. --in other words, all posts of mine THAT ARE NOT ON A FRIDAY will be comments, or general notes, random speculation, screeds, rants, and irrelevant minutiae, let's say, on astrological permutations of our fragile orbit around the sun. Now, COMMENTS on Comments: --kermit, very pleased to see you. "Knowing nod" on .22/currency/other. Other being the key here. And a big yes, Kermit. Hope the nods and etc. never needed, and hope is not a...and so on. On lifeboats, oh how hard this could get. Example: some pretty interesting studies on infantry, under duress, triaging talent. Who is willing to risk their life, for, and with, who. Fascinating, grim stuff. --on the interview, well yes, a future key to...everything. Already well established here that character is everything. Almost anything else can be trained/coached, within physiological/psyche limitations. And now K., as you are well down this path--Injured Reserves? Is an interview. Can you see how, and why? I don't doubt it for a second. Keep pulling on that string, actually no it's a fffing anchor chain. And more Kipling I see. Brilliant stuff. And Freaking Librarians, everywhere. --heron163, the end of work stuff is a true freak-out. Can't open a news source without seeing some real 'concern' ( actually, panic ) from Hawking/ElonMush/Robert Reich/others/all. They are not speculating. They are looking at hard data. On luddites, yes, but try this: the first 'robots' as a labor-saving mechanism were...the Chinese. I'm not sure that really worked out very well. There are many arguments about capitalism/socialism here. A compelling argument that we have neither. We have a bizarre hybrid of residual capitalism in a state of complete regulatory capture. Nuff said at this time. And as to luddites--absent another book/1000 page essay, I must remain an agnostic. As I see no just mechanism to tax/control/deprive the first A.I. inventor/owner his profits, I see no mechanism by which the hundreds of millions put out of work can be compensated, nor do I see them accepting a life as irrelevant. Wait til the auto-drive vehicles are up to speed. Ten years at the outside. Ten million or so Americans make their modest living in a direct line from commercial transportation: not just the drivers--the gas stations, quickmarts, hotels, drive-throughs, weighing stations, supervisors,--the auto-trucks will be auto-fueled. They will never stop. No driver needs to eat, sleep, rest...and so on... --RadioHack, beautiful picture, just beautiful. Looks like candlelight. Or whale oil. On 20 years? And now you see: I am an optimist! Based on just one quasi-certainty: no one want the entire plant burned to the ground. The capital infrastructure must remain 'largely' intact. Oddly, a bet on serious destruction, capital destruction, is a perverse bet on a continuing future very much like the past: WW2 has some very ugly antecedents, nuff said at this time, many epic and actual villains of the most detestable kind, but it also had the Marshall Plan, the reconstruction of the German war machine as an industrial powerhouse, likewise Japan...somebody made a shit-load of money. Nuff said at this time. Those 75-110 million dead, Auschwitz and Dachau, perhaps somebody's cost of business? Ah my tinfoil hat is too tight, I see... --dcboyd very good to see you and I see an eye for detail very much like my own. The Gehriverse is a big place, let's say, and they have their digits everywhere. A big reveal on the 'size' of the Gehriverse at the conclusion of this story, then. --BLG, very good to see you back. Lot's more Brian and a considerable amount of Maria in the future. Have a pretty good general note on the midnight truck(s) and other resources--still trying to figure out where to put it in--briefly, the Gehrs are just a 'hyper'/extreme version of resources/skills that are still available to us all. Particularly the social engineering/skills. Ok, a clue: everybody remember Binary? She's on her way to Gehr Waffen--and Gehr Waffen already knows who she is. Dropped a few hints, they will pay off at the end. --StimpsonJ, on Grand Complication/watch ticking, that is an awesome visual, and while it is a common trope in films, I am not sure I HAVE EVER SEEN THE CLOCK TICKING FASTER...let's say, a digital, moving right on the scale from tenths to hundredths to thousandths--Ok, if it hasn't been done, somebody will steal it promptly. --StimpsonJ, yes, deliberate, very much so, as in planned/practiced/composed/trialed. Not that hard to do, and absolutely essential. Best analogy is pilots and ER medical. Have a very good friend, surgeon, used to watch him practice tying knots with two and then three sets of gloves on, and thread/needles/tools coated with olive oil. He's pretty good. --StimpsonJ/heron163, as in all cases here, I see no way we cannot split the difference. The first 13 colonies were completely independent, and their agreement, under duress, to combine as a Republic was a vicious furious long contest which took years. Another part of our history which is too complex to be taught, and now largely obscured. I bet Radiohack can tell us exactly which states were responsible for exactly which amendments to the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, before the Republic full jelled. --heron163, on Texas, yep their is some very novel language, and the residue of a different 'spirit'--unfortunately I don't see anything but lip service at the top. I recall a somewhat popular governor whose donor list includes an ocean of statist untraceable money, said governor being very enthused with the Trans-whatever corridor, sixteen lanes of pure F-you to Texans, and financed by a -------- group who were 'not from around here.'--That corridor was stopped by a bunch of old Texans with stained hats and sagging bellies who got kind of cranky at the idea of their family ranches being eminent domained. A small victory in an ocean of losses. --kermit, very much thanks on Injured Reserves. Please see your IM's. And yes Injured was intended to be many things, especially a 'sit in the dark and think for awhile' text. Thank you, K. "Combat is the control of your adversary in the three dimensions of space, across the fourth dimension, of time...." ( Amazon Kindle Single Injured Reserves ) Thank you, DesignatedMarksman-- Ok, back to work. Update on Friday, and no sooner. DCBourone |
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Posted: 7/7/2015 2:18:00 AM EDT
[#19]
Thanks DC. You got me all excited when I saw the thread bump.
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 7/7/2015 9:20:07 AM EDT
[#20]
A case could be made that IR is more than an interview. It is also a Testimony.
PM read and returned.... |
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Posted: 7/7/2015 7:24:47 PM EDT
[Last Edit: RadioHack]
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DCBourone:
style='font-size: 12pt;--StimpsonJ/heron163, . The first 13 colonies were completely independent, and their agreement, under duress, to combine as a Republic was a vicious furious long contest which took years. Another part of our history which is too complex to be taught, and now largely obscured. I bet Radiohack can tell us exactly which states were responsible for exactly which amendments to the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, before the Republic full jelled. [/span] Dear Lord as pedantic as I can be, striving to wrap my "thick as a brick" brains cells around a simple fact...that subject is worth a multi-volume set of dense books. One titbit I shall leave here is - that if it wasn't for Massachusetts's efforts, the bill of rights would not have made it into the Constitution (imagine the world without that?) Please, please delve into the deep history of the Rebellion, it wasn't just a rabble seeking revenge like the French Revolution, it was men of principle extorting their neighbours to be better, become better, it was an evolution and elevation of the human condition unseen before and since. A perfect storm of the soul of man and it's ability to emulate it's creator in pure audacity. Once again I recommendhttp://www.amazon.com/The-Long-Fuse-American-1760-1785/dp/0871136619 To give perspective. ETA:in the picture last posted, its an old 1930's Parker Dunhill Petrol lighter I found in my Aunt's kitchen drawer in Stanmore, NW London, about a decade ago as I closed her estate. Every day I strike it and smell the evocative smell of an empire winding down. |
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Posted: 7/8/2015 5:23:28 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryBut Brian considered that the Sinai Nude One typo that I found. |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 7/9/2015 8:07:34 AM EDT
[Last Edit: jrtatonka]
[#23]
Deleted
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Posted: 7/10/2015 10:29:19 PM EDT
[#24]
Friday and no update...
As one's fortunes are reduced, one's spirit must expand to fill the void. Winston Churchill |
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Posted: 7/10/2015 10:45:48 PM EDT
[#25]
--Radio, I'm going to put up whatever I have by 11:50 Central Standard. Got about....fourteen hundred words, not tied off, or proofed ( like my proofing makes a difference ), I almost put it up last night, but not up to standard. --blue--much appreciated on typo. Hell of a typo! --jrtatonka, much thanks, dude. Very very grateful. Ok, back to work, and at 11:50 I will cut it off mid word if I have to. DCBourone |
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KS, USA
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Posted: 7/10/2015 11:25:17 PM EDT
[#26]
Good... Royals are in the 4th and I'll be up watching it and waiting patiently.....
Hurry up.... |
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CA, USA
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Posted: 7/10/2015 11:32:44 PM EDT
[#27]
DC'
You have a way of helping me see things that have been on the peripheral that snap things into focus. The recent comment you posted concerning driverless cars in 10 years is amazing on how fast you were able to communicate in a clear and factual manner what the media dares refrain from is rather humbling....You have skills to see things and articulate them to us on this board. The little snippet you dropped about robotics' and China is something I would greatly appreciate if you would follow-up with the same clarity and finesse you showed when you wrote the paragraph about driverless cars. Again your writing and clarity of thought is amazing! |
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 7/10/2015 11:42:37 PM EDT
[#28]
One hour and ten minutes ....... not that I'm counting or anything.
I have kin in Texas - perhaps someday I'll be able to host a Lone Star with DCB. |
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Posted: 7/11/2015 12:17:16 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DCBourone]
[#29]
UPDATE FOLLOWS COMMENTS:
General Note: want to beat the deadline, so I clipped this in half. This will be a much longer scene. Considering this is a non-linear/multi- character/multi-domain story, we have multiple opportunities to digress on our favorite subjects. The second half of this 'chapter' will have such a digression. As it is largely written, not finished, I might post it on Tues/Wed. this coming week. --KC215, good to see you and update below. --11c-ABN, good to see you as always-- driver-less transport, near A.I. automata voices/interpreters/assistants will be ubiquitous within ten years, you got that, and many other equivalents. Short form on China/robots: capital seeks to reduce all expenses. Largest expense historically has always been labor. Absent actual robots, capital searched/found the most 'robot-like' population: the Chinese. Command economy: the people-bots will do what they are told, no redress/appeal, no argument, same as a machine, check. Infinite number of people-bots ( same as factory product, all replaceable ), check. Zero concern long term affects environment/welfare/etc., same as a machine, check. And so on. Big subject. Big problem. No solution as yet within present economic/social/legal structure. We will be revisiting and observing this subject here on this forum, for years. --kermit good to see you and a handshake from Texas. I have some numbers and a timeline in mind. I am hoping that beer is a strong possibility. I will know a lot more in six months to a year. -----TEXT REMOVED .RE EPUB TOS---------- |
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 7/11/2015 12:38:50 AM EDT
[#30]
Masks.
What a fantastic topic. Sometimes the mask lets you hide from others. Sometimes it lets you hide from yourself. Thank you DCB. |
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Posted: 7/11/2015 12:53:02 AM EDT
[#31]
Good read. Glad you made the Friday dead line. Keep up the work, thanks.
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Posted: 7/11/2015 1:14:09 AM EDT
[#32]
Thanks for the update. If you're any good at sketching or have any sloppy diagrams of what some of the objects in the story look like in your mind, I'd love to see them. I'm trying to picture what the shoot house would look like and can't see it in my mind.
One error I caught: Drones or overflight, pretty much the only was way to get a good look at this property. |
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Posted: 7/11/2015 8:58:43 AM EDT
[#33]
More good stuff... minor typo in that Lou should be "losing"
The pace was unimaginable, he slept at best five hours a night, he was sure he was loosing pounds a day |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 7/11/2015 9:16:53 AM EDT
[#34]
Kermit I'm not sure if you ever followed up on your question about the Trapshooters in Nevada. I had a pm titled ATA but all it had was Arfcom rules. So if that was you I didn't ignore you.
DC the two problems I had with this chapter. One the un-friendly works but doesn't in my opinion your style usually flows but to me that was like hitting white water in a rafting trip. The second problem is you have led us to believe that the Gehr have many resources and ability that none of us mortals can have. So wouldn't you think they would have something in place to detect Drone over flights especially since they have surrounded themselves with an enormous amount of talent. One day your going to have to pick a point and end this book so that it is published and then pick it up againin the next followup book. |
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Posted: 7/11/2015 11:18:38 AM EDT
[Last Edit: RadioHack]
[#35]
DC,
I feel some massive Catholic guilt for my last post, please do not feel rushed to make a deadline. Especially one as arbitrary as a self imposed one. One of the delights of this thread are your comment on OUR comments, very few crafted works come with an insight into the artists mindset. I feel that the last update (even though it was superb) was "rushed", your own admission pointed out that you "cut out" some of it to make the self-imposed deadline. Respectfully reconsider, when it's done, it's done, we are patient ( just like in any green machine that any country has fielded, the Army's pastime during downtime is to grumble and complain). You've set a high standard, we expect you to do your duty, let not our need for constant comfort of our adopted (suspected) worldview contravene your due diligence to the creation. |
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Posted: 7/11/2015 1:17:43 PM EDT
[#36]
Comments: --kermit, on masks, yes max interesting. Culturally, psyche, art, etc. I picked up a few, Benin, South Sudan, other, many years ago. Deeply spooky and evocative and...different. Let them go because I always assumed they could be replaced, had no place to keep/store. Big mistake. A few of them, put on a pole at a remote camp site and guaranteed you will be left alone. On the other hand, someone might just burn your truck to the ground and you as a witch. Strange stuff, those masks. --zoe17, much thanks and I am trying to regulate/time updates. An experiment. --Field/MP--I am a reasonably good dimensional/representational sketch--not an artist by any means, but useful. The cover of this book will include the mask described here, "head dipped in plaster" which will appear in the last scenes in the story. Pretty much a visual writer: I watch, or properly "have seen" the movie of the book an almost infinite number of times, pretty granular, could count Maria's eye lashes, problem is distilling/choosing from what has been seen, and describing in words/sentence/para/structure et al. Big problem. This one story could be pretty much...endless. Analogy: a day in the life. All thoughts/images/references/views described in....words. Would be millions of words. Ah, The Doughnut Shoothouse--imagine an igloo. Or a wigwam. Top cut off, or flattened. 50 feet minimum at the base. 20-30 feet high. I've seen two: one about forty feet ( small ) one fifty-five feet. Walls are two layers of tractor tires filled with sand. Sloped inward, obv. Top open to elements, or not. One entry big enough for Humvee/lifted truck/large flatbed. Lots of possibilities 3D/front/back/ high/low. I watch some of the shooting/pro/school videos on youtube. They seem generally geared to/and instructed by ( quite reasonably ) ex. mil. with a bias towards ( quite reasonably ) safety, one way/front only threat assessment/reduction, and entertainment/fun ( making a living )-- so, stepping a bit out of my comfort zone, there might be some good reasons to distinguish between conflict as individuals in a squad/group-- on known/familiar terrain--reasonable to watch 'your' sector/zone, etc. --and one person, or two, moving through an unfamiliar and unfriendly place--better watch everything. I am pretty curious about the 'shoot' then 'glance over the shoulder' deal, other than as a neural cue to break concentration/focus/refocus. Maybe might be reasonable to be moving really really fast somewhere else, and paying lots/most/all attention to the grid directly off/past/behind points of shoulders. Long subject, obv. Typos/drones etc. good catch yep never saw it never will. --Piddler, much thanks on typo, your coin is on my desk. --Trapshooter--un-friends/pacing/rushed etc....yep. In fourteen months there have been...ah, three...? Notes on hmmm let's say discrepancies. Every time the noter/observer has been correct. Usually they/you and here, Trapshooter are catching 'off-tones'--almost always they are when I am 'in a hurry.' Trap will fix to best of my ability. There are a bunch of things you are seeing here, one of which is compounded by fact that this scene is not 'resolved' as ninety plus percent of other scenes are. It has been cut in half. On the other hand, I have been seriously deficient in being 'predictable' as to timing of updates. Unprofessional. Trying to fix this. Let's call this 'a rough patch.' On the drones/Gehr tech, I think I will have an answer for you, either here, or in a rewrite. You are correct that drone tech is very low tech by Gehr tech standards. --Radiohack no harm no foul. Trapshooter is correct. I am going to have to adjust to deadlines/more predictable performance. At this point have no full control time/writing time/concentration. Using comma hammers instead of comma scalpels. My natural pace would be....a six or seven hundred page book every two years, maybe even three. Donna Tartt (sic) took ah, fifteen years to write The Goldfinch? I will never have that kind of time, obviously. On the high standard, yes that's a two edged blade. Like opera, or ballet, compared to jazz. If I drop a note, it is noticed immediately. Good to see everyone. Will try to comment more often. Aiming for update/ continuation/maybe a full rewrite this 'block' from start to finish, by Wednesday? Ok, back to work. DCB "Combat is the control of your adversary in the three dimensions of space, across the fourth dimension, of time..." ( DCBourone Injured Reserves Amazon ) Thank you, Designated Marksman |
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Posted: 7/11/2015 4:46:14 PM EDT
[#37]
I'm in. Hook, line, and sinker.
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Posted: 7/11/2015 5:01:56 PM EDT
[#38]
excellent update!!
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Posted: 7/11/2015 11:17:06 PM EDT
[#39]
I got in on page 10 and have been following along just haven't had anything to add. Just checking in keep up the amazing work and stay safe!!
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USA
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Posted: 7/12/2015 12:07:57 AM EDT
[#40]
Nice to find out what Billy and Maria have been up to. Many of the characters remind me of people I met while stationed in the great state of Texas. Unfortunately the story also seems telling of what is on the horizon for this once proud country. Lack of leadership and failure to respect the past is what has brought us to this point. Just my 2 cents. Read Injured Reserves this week. Excellent work.
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Posted: 7/12/2015 9:19:33 AM EDT
[#41]
more than just a deception or decoy, the village is a lure... the use of masks and other increase the confusion/doubt/fear in the opposing force
but can also impact the other side (lou for example) if they aren't familiarized with their use. I almost visualize this like the town in "high plains drifter" painted red, appearing from nowhere out in the desert... |
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Posted: 7/12/2015 11:41:38 AM EDT
[#42]
Wow! I just found this thread Friday night. Already on page 46.
The kicker? My name is Tim. I live with my girlfriend Sylvia. 
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/12/2015 6:28:28 PM EDT
[#43]
Thanks for the update.
I like the change of pace from Brian's voyage. The preparation and build up seem more meaningful after experiencing Brian's fear and apprehension after it hit the fan. There was one thing that was unclear to me: "He’ll be invisible. Or rounds out. Or both, the whole way." I'm assuming "rounds out" mean shooting? I'm unfamiliar with the term. The addition of the word "sending," or "firing" would clarify the idea for the simpler of us. Great work, keep on. |
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Posted: 7/13/2015 10:35:23 AM EDT
[#44]
Nice. I use the sobriquet 'goblins' when describing the 'bad guys' in my classes. It gets the point across. They're evil, and not human. |
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Posted: 7/13/2015 10:37:58 AM EDT
[Last Edit: seelbo]
[#45]
DC, as usual another great update with the anticipation of the impending final? confrontation. On the issue of the shoot and look over your shoulder, people involved in shootings often suffer from tunnel vision or "condition black" where they are solely focused on the threat in front of them. The drill is designed to defeat that and prepare you to engage other threats. "Shoot, scan, reset" so your assessment is correct.
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Posted: 7/13/2015 11:00:41 PM EDT
[Last Edit: DesignatedMarksman]
[#46]
The Bitch found her resting place.
The shadows are the shepherds. The cats are dancing. The rough beast slouches towards Bethlehem. |
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Posted: 7/14/2015 4:21:00 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DCBourone]
[#47]
Comments and General Update: have most of this scene dialed in. If I can lock it in by tomorrow night, will post. Otherwise will wait until Friday, as promised. --BMCbreeder, very pleased to see you. A wise man here just sent me a correction, very courteously, so as to avoid embarrassing me, noting that I wrote "tea shirt" instead of "T-shirt"--I think I will leave it as is for awhile, as a recurring prompt to...ah, not do stuff like that. Point being: any comment here is welcome, there are no thread splitters, and I make mistakes. --Mongo7382 much thanks, been a long time now, getting into the end zone of this story, and setting up the next. Over a year already? Yep. --LukeDuke thank you for checking in. Every post here gives me momentum. Recall I will always post Something, short of injury, even if a single word, on Fridays. --ny15, yes and yes and yes, we all have some version of this story in our head, or it would have no appeal. Also if you are comfortable doing so please post a review, however brief, on Injured. At some point the positive reviews will be demolished by our not friends. Your reviews are armor. --heron163 I am tempted to admonish you for the accuracy of your speculation, as you creep into spoiler territory. But I can't. Very good eye, heron163. Everybody else, please ignore heron's insight, and my response. Gehr Waffen no. 6 is actually a luxury spa, specializing in water cures, weight reduction, pumice exfoliation, sizzle baths, mud baths, bath baths (with real water!), natural emetics, and massage therapy. --golfroot, pleased to meet you, Tim and Sylvia. Page 46, you're almost caught up. If you've missed some comments: this will be done at about 450-500 pages, in maybe 40 days ( it's been 40 days for the last 180 days, but take heart, Rome wasn't built in a day, took weeks, or so I am told ) we are now at about 120k words, aiming for 130kplussomeunknownfraction, and this story is intended to be the first of oh, ten? Twenty?--in the extended world of the Gehriverse. --PFfunk much thanks on noting 'change of pace'--purposeful, that. On rounds out, you are exactly correct on meaning of the abbreviation. May well have to modify on edit. Might leave, as the jargon is appropriate for Maria. Idioms are difficult. Authenticity may be rewarded. Not good if comprehension diminished. Will think about this. --StimpsonJ, very pleased to see you. Goblins yes they are, entirely different code in their brains. Goblins...a Jeff Cooper phrasing, I think? Marvelous. --seelbo, understood on tunnel vision/associated issues. --Designated always good to see you, as you know. Now rough beast, yes indeed, and the shadow men/women are lurking, and will soon catch a little light. But I need some expansion on the cats dancing, if you have a moment. --On Injured Reserves, guessing most everyone has seen the spiel already. Short version: (Kindle Single Injured Reserves) was written by a key member of the Gehriverse. He will be a late reveal, many books from now. The events in Injured will be referred to in Soldier's Son for...years. "Combat is the control of your adversary in the three dimensions of space, across the fourth dimension, of time..." ( DCBourone Injured Reserves Amazon ) Thank you, Designated Marksman Ok, good to see everyone. And...back to work. DCBourone |
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Posted: 7/14/2015 6:46:17 AM EDT
[#48]
Another excellent update.
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Posted: 7/14/2015 7:22:52 AM EDT
[#49]
I've not had the time to comment recently, but be assured that I've kept up with every update, DCB!
Lovin' it! 
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Posted: 7/14/2015 10:41:15 AM EDT
[#50]
The cats turned as one, in perfect symmetry, then began an odd prance. Front feet high and lifting, held up, then down. Their display preposterous, grotesque, chilling. Sterling couldn’t imagine something so completely and utterly un-catlike. And that was the point, wasn’t it? He finally recognized the dance of Lipizzaner stallions, and he struggled to understand the significance . Then he remembered, the dancing white stallions of Spain were still and always renowned for one thing above all else. The control their masters could exert. From a distance.
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