Glad to find out what Tenshi said and how her interaction with Carl affected her.
Sometimes fairy tales do come true. I’d like to think so anyhow.
Looking forward to the next installment of “Ariste comes clean – and plants a seed.”
Unfortunately, I don’t believe that the prospect of leaving Catia a barren wasteland
would serve as much of a deterrent to the horned folk and other main core worlds.
If anything a devastated Catia would serve as a chilling object lesson to show
exactly what fate awaits any rim world that develops “delusions of grandeur”.
Where the Empire builds relationships based upon mutual respect and benefit,
individuals and cultures such as the main wore worlds build “relationships” based
solely upon fear and exploitation.
Unfortunately, all too often, such policies tend to be effective – at least so long
as the would-be oppressor holds the whip hand. I’m not sure they do now.
At the very least Ariste has planted a seed for Ket’rrt to plant in his queen’s
heart and mind. Story’s getting good, Catman.
Looking forward to the next installment.
(I tried chopping off the lines per PC’s suggestion. Did it work?)
All too true given the reputation of the core; but a lot depends on
how the core and the queen react to Ket’rrt providing the information.
I don’t think it is as the empire has their production on a war footing
ever since their moon shot, but the core and queen are likely to assume
the empire only has one fleet and the rest is bluff to make them think the
cats (and the empire) have much more.
True, but always remember the other side.
I’ve seen this ‘object lesson’ backfire badly in another story. The enemy made a sun go
supernova in an inhabited system as a warning and deterrent against any resistance. An
alliance against them was in the process of being build and one of the involved people
turned that symbol of terror around. The destroyed system became a symbol for the
alliance to stop this from happening again. As a result they worked together without
hesitation, giving their lives if necessary. In one instance one of the allies flew their
ships through the planetary defenses of an enemy stronghold, evacuated them (via
something like a Star Trek transporter). The ships unleashed their arsenal and self-
destructed before they could be destroyed.
Or even in our real history. What did the Texans shout when fighting the Mexicans?
“Remember the Alamo?” And considering the losses the Mexicans had at the Alamo?
And them slaughtering the soldiers at Goliath, that had surrendered?
And from what we know, the Horned Ones in their big ships have a tendency to hang
back and let others doing the fighting. Or in this case take the causalities.
And even if the Core Worlds win against the Empire, there are only devastated
planets to be won. On the other side, some members of the Core Worlds might have
lost more ships than others. And the mutual defense pact has been nullified. What
stops the now more powerful members of the Core Worlds to take over weaker members?
I mean, that’s the only way left to profit from this war.
So this is a seed well planted in my opinion.
Because the scale is much larger than they have thought. Because when the war starts,
it will forever change the Core Worlds, no matter how it ends or who wins.
And while it’s true that this is obviously a ploy to divide the Core Worlds,
it doesn’t change the situation.
And what happens if the Wolf Empire and therefore the Fringe Worlds actually win?
Not yet an exchange of anything other than the might of the Empire this might
turn into a yelling match in short order if Ket’rrt’s pride is hurt or is suspicious of
Admiral Ariste’s true plans or that he’s just been manipulated. Which is kinda
true.
I suspected Tenshi was thinking of things that way who wouldn’t giving her situation,
also “careful of what you wish for, you might get it” in this case it’s a good thing though.
President Elect Toxic Deplorable Racist SAH Neanderthal B Woodman Domestic Violent Extremist SuperStraight
There’s a nice essay about an escalating feud between neighbors.
(I don’t think there’s an English translation).
Starts with one side not returning a frying pan and escalating quickly.
It ends with one of the families launching a nuclear strike on the other
“Natürlich sind wir nun alle tot, die Straße ist hin und wo unsre Stadt früher
stand, breitet sich jetzt ein graubrauner Fleck aus.
Aber eins muß man sagen, wir haben das Unsre getan, schließlich kann
man sich nicht alles gefallen lassen.
Die Nachbarn tanzen einem sonst auf der Nase herum.”
Rough translation: “Well, of course we’re all dead now, the street is gone
and there’s one big grey-brown smear where our city used to be.
But I have to say, we did what we had to, you have to make a stand.
Or else the neighbors will walk all over you.”
This is the first time PC has given us a clear indication of what ships the
Wolf Empire actually has; four major fleets. My guess of how they are deployed is as follows.
First Fleet; Protection of the Earth and solar system, with emphasis on
guarding the wormhole to Catia. At this point the wormhole to the Dragon
worlds is unknown. (If the Dragons can teleport in and out then there
might not even be a permanent one.)
Second Fleet; protecting other wolf empire worlds, particularly the Dogashauns
since they are at the most risk. However Catia is excluded.
Third Fleet; Protecting Catia and providing contract escort to the empire trading vessels.
Which is where most of the third fleet actually is.
Fourth Fleet; The attack fleet of the Wolf Empire – specifically designed to carry out
attacks like my post at the previous strip. At the moment training in the Earth solar system.
The rolled up hides on the left are nicely coloured. But the one on the stretching
rack is very muted. Are we just seeing the bottom instead of the top? Or perhaps
it is a historical accent piece for the grounds?
Or it could be it’s the backside being left in the sun to dry rather than the fur.
I’ve helped put pelts on a drying rack unless you use heat lamps that’s what
you do let the sun dry it out before tanning it.
Also it has to be stretched out or it wads up and cracks.
Looks Like Tenshi’s wishful thinking is going to come true. Good for all.
I wonder what Ket’rrt’s reaction will be? Surprise, yes, but possibly anger?
It was Zasha that voiced the wish but it is obvious Tenshi had it first.
And we know it did come true.
Glad to find out what Tenshi said and how her interaction with Carl affected her.
Sometimes fairy tales do come true. I’d like to think so anyhow.
Looking forward to the next installment of “Ariste comes clean – and plants a seed.”
Unfortunately, I don’t believe that the prospect of leaving Catia a barren wasteland
would serve as much of a deterrent to the horned folk and other main core worlds.
If anything a devastated Catia would serve as a chilling object lesson to show
exactly what fate awaits any rim world that develops “delusions of grandeur”.
Where the Empire builds relationships based upon mutual respect and benefit,
individuals and cultures such as the main wore worlds build “relationships” based
solely upon fear and exploitation.
Unfortunately, all too often, such policies tend to be effective – at least so long
as the would-be oppressor holds the whip hand. I’m not sure they do now.
At the very least Ariste has planted a seed for Ket’rrt to plant in his queen’s
heart and mind. Story’s getting good, Catman.
Looking forward to the next installment.
(I tried chopping off the lines per PC’s suggestion. Did it work?)
All too true given the reputation of the core; but a lot depends on
how the core and the queen react to Ket’rrt providing the information.
I don’t think it is as the empire has their production on a war footing
ever since their moon shot, but the core and queen are likely to assume
the empire only has one fleet and the rest is bluff to make them think the
cats (and the empire) have much more.
True, but always remember the other side.
I’ve seen this ‘object lesson’ backfire badly in another story. The enemy made a sun go
supernova in an inhabited system as a warning and deterrent against any resistance. An
alliance against them was in the process of being build and one of the involved people
turned that symbol of terror around. The destroyed system became a symbol for the
alliance to stop this from happening again. As a result they worked together without
hesitation, giving their lives if necessary. In one instance one of the allies flew their
ships through the planetary defenses of an enemy stronghold, evacuated them (via
something like a Star Trek transporter). The ships unleashed their arsenal and self-
destructed before they could be destroyed.
Or even in our real history. What did the Texans shout when fighting the Mexicans?
“Remember the Alamo?” And considering the losses the Mexicans had at the Alamo?
And them slaughtering the soldiers at Goliath, that had surrendered?
And from what we know, the Horned Ones in their big ships have a tendency to hang
back and let others doing the fighting. Or in this case take the causalities.
And even if the Core Worlds win against the Empire, there are only devastated
planets to be won. On the other side, some members of the Core Worlds might have
lost more ships than others. And the mutual defense pact has been nullified. What
stops the now more powerful members of the Core Worlds to take over weaker members?
I mean, that’s the only way left to profit from this war.
So this is a seed well planted in my opinion.
Because the scale is much larger than they have thought. Because when the war starts,
it will forever change the Core Worlds, no matter how it ends or who wins.
And while it’s true that this is obviously a ploy to divide the Core Worlds,
it doesn’t change the situation.
And what happens if the Wolf Empire and therefore the Fringe Worlds actually win?
Not yet an exchange of anything other than the might of the Empire this might
turn into a yelling match in short order if Ket’rrt’s pride is hurt or is suspicious of
Admiral Ariste’s true plans or that he’s just been manipulated. Which is kinda
true.
I suspected Tenshi was thinking of things that way who wouldn’t giving her situation,
also “careful of what you wish for, you might get it” in this case it’s a good thing though.
“War to the knife, and knife to the hilt”.
Thank you Mike V (Sipsey Street Irregulars)
for those words to live by.
There’s a nice essay about an escalating feud between neighbors.
(I don’t think there’s an English translation).
Starts with one side not returning a frying pan and escalating quickly.
It ends with one of the families launching a nuclear strike on the other
“Natürlich sind wir nun alle tot, die Straße ist hin und wo unsre Stadt früher
stand, breitet sich jetzt ein graubrauner Fleck aus.
Aber eins muß man sagen, wir haben das Unsre getan, schließlich kann
man sich nicht alles gefallen lassen.
Die Nachbarn tanzen einem sonst auf der Nase herum.”
Rough translation: “Well, of course we’re all dead now, the street is gone
and there’s one big grey-brown smear where our city used to be.
But I have to say, we did what we had to, you have to make a stand.
Or else the neighbors will walk all over you.”
This is the first time PC has given us a clear indication of what ships the
Wolf Empire actually has; four major fleets. My guess of how they are deployed is as follows.
First Fleet; Protection of the Earth and solar system, with emphasis on
guarding the wormhole to Catia. At this point the wormhole to the Dragon
worlds is unknown. (If the Dragons can teleport in and out then there
might not even be a permanent one.)
Second Fleet; protecting other wolf empire worlds, particularly the Dogashauns
since they are at the most risk. However Catia is excluded.
Third Fleet; Protecting Catia and providing contract escort to the empire trading vessels.
Which is where most of the third fleet actually is.
Fourth Fleet; The attack fleet of the Wolf Empire – specifically designed to carry out
attacks like my post at the previous strip. At the moment training in the Earth solar system.
The rolled up hides on the left are nicely coloured. But the one on the stretching
rack is very muted. Are we just seeing the bottom instead of the top? Or perhaps
it is a historical accent piece for the grounds?
Or it could be it’s the backside being left in the sun to dry rather than the fur.
I’ve helped put pelts on a drying rack unless you use heat lamps that’s what
you do let the sun dry it out before tanning it.
Also it has to be stretched out or it wads up and cracks.
It frustrates me that I cannot uptick comments!