god i need an ancient greece reylo fic

I like to imagine the 3d modeling artist making miller this angsty grizzled dude and then hearing the voice lines the va recorded and just going ‘Oh. Well then.’

I need to finish trawling the deleted lines so bad. I know Spartan Ops was crunch hell and they had the studio animate it as they were writing it but I want the behind the scenes so bad. There's mocap! There's lines like the ones I've found so far. I want to see what choices were made and what got left out.

But yes, they made Miller grizzled and he had scars, but then they hired an anime boy (Ben Diskin I love you I'm sorry) and smoothed him out. They even have his old model depicted on the achievement for completing the "Spartan Miller" level of chapter 5 Memento Mori on Heroic or higher. Tiny image incoming

I love Miller. I think having him anxious and beset by problems is fun. The dynamic he has because of this is good

Kyle Hefley did a lot of work on Halo 4 and has commentary on his blog - Spartan Miller was seen exclusively in Spartan Ops, doling out mission information in communications. Originally we pushed for him to be a grisly, battle scarred soldier but in the end it didn’t match the casting they had made. Miller wasn’t based on a scan of an actor and instead was one of the few heads that I got to art exclusively on Halo 4.

Okay, in regards to this post, I accidentally made a Thing™

Imagine there's this long winding string of terrorist activities against ONI, right after the Ben Giraud incident. It's assumed to be the Insurrection, but after rigorous questioning of a few prisoners, it's obvious the people behind it may have used the Insurrection to get what they wanted but were by no means interested in their agenda. They call themselves the Furies, after the ancient Greek deities of vengeance and it becomes much clearer that it wasn't a political ploy at all — this was a personal vendetta. They do their damned best to burn down any ONI base or scientific outpost they can find; only ONI. Not the UNSC, not any other military aligned with the UEG.

Thankfully, ONI finally catch a lucky break and find that their mysterious commander was going to be on a moon later that week to obtain access to some advanced weaponry based off of Forerunner tech that could obliterate ONI's outposts like no one's business.

Sierra-117 is sent to capture the Commander, and methodically picks his way through his Furies. He reaches a control room, and he's ready to make his move when suddenly, for the first time in decades, he freezes. The man wears his face: not as battle worn, smooth and scarless, but weary and tired.

'I was hoping they'd send you.' The man croaks, voice full of emotion. He doesn't seem at all concerned by John pointing a gun at his head.

'Get on the ground and put your hands behind your back.' John says, voice as steely as ever, through years of practicing a calm exterior when there was a maelstrom raging inside. 'This doesn't have to turn physical.'

The threat that the Spartan could easily snap the commander in half goes unspoken.

'D'you remember me, Johnny?' John does remember a scrawny brown-eyed boy- Evan, his mind supplies - but he still doesn't take his finger off the trigger. He also remembers the good soldiers that were lost in his attacks. Maybe they could talk about this: jail time instead of a death sentence. Maybe-

A metal disk comes flying at him, and out of pure reflex (still confused and in slight pain from from the long forgotten memories that begin to surface) he catches it and silently curses when his armor locks up. A Gravity Dispenser- the one that was used against him at Camp New Hope- upgraded to circumvent the safeguards Dr. Halsey implemented afterwards. Evan disappears into the shadows, with a smile that's half sad and half hopeful.

When he heads back to Command, he's slumped against the wall of the Pelican, and he's flooded by memories. Memories of Evan.

Evan, who was three minutes younger than him. Evan, who enjoyed reading books and sketching things with Parisa while John was winning King of The Hill across the playground. He had a talent for it, people used to gush. Evan, who had their father's eyes and their mother's gentle demeanor. Though, Mom was always a force to be reckoned with when provoked — Seems Evan inherited that as well.

He even remembers that time his twin came to him with a large bruise and a wobbly bottom lip, refusing to tell him who hurt him. It took Parisa tattling on him for John to find out it was a bully: Trent, an idiot who'd throw a tantrum every time John beat him at something (and he always beat him.) He'd been angry about a class teacher (Trent's mother, Parisa points out) comparing him to the sweet, smart Evan, and decided to get payback. John decides it's his turn to throw a tantrum; Right in Trent's face.

His mother was furious for a week: at Evan for not telling her what was going on, and at John for taking the matter into his own hands. John apologized somewhat half-heartedly; He didn't regret fighting Trent, didn't regret standing up for his little brother. He did regret getting hit and making his mother worry, though.

'He's too rough with the other kids!' He remembers hearing his mom say to his father, who's trying to placate her. 'He could seriously hurt someone! Or himself!'

When he'd been conscripted, it was that bond that transferred onto Kelly, Fred, Linda, Sam. Without Evan, he might have just been some bully obsessed with winning. He knows they'd disagree, but still. His protective nature may have been something learned, for him.

John sighs, and leans forward, bracing his elbows onto his knees, torn between the duty to protect his fellow soldiers that's been instilled in him and the instinct to protect his little brother that he was born with.

Donal Logue admitted he’s in a little bit of denial about having to say goodbye to his Gotham co-stars. During our interview at the 2018 New York Comic Con, Logue spoke about wrapping up his role as Harvey Bullock on season five – the final season – of Gotham.

Donal Logue revealed Gotham’s the most cinematic show he’s worked on, complimenting the series on its incredible amount of emphasis on the cinematography, sets, hair, and makeup. “In a way all you have to do is just inhabit it. It does so much of the work for you, as opposed to other acting jobs I’ve had where it’s more verité and you have to create a lot of the mood and emotion as an actor. I think Gotham is these beautiful set pieces that you just step into,” explained Logue.

Fox has set a January 3, 2019 premiere date for the comic book-inspired series’ fifth season.

Did you speak to the executive producers about anything you still wanted to see out of your character’s arc?

Donal Logue: “No. I would say that Ben probably has more authorship in that world. I’m kind of a soldier in that regard that, that I just, ‘What you’ve got for me I’ll take.’ Whatever comes down the pike.

They’re working on so many complicated arcs and storylines that I think it’s hard to interfere too much with that process. I also kind of like to see what they come up with and be kind of surprised myself.”

You got to have the big heroic moment last season which had fans on the edge of their seats. That was thrilling, even though we knew you survive in the comic books.

Donal Logue: “You know, obviously that’s a bit of a trick in these worlds is that you have the sense that there are consequences. But in Gotham there are consequences. People go…but I mean a lot of people come back from the dead. I honestly think that Harvey has very little life outside of his job in the GCPD and his relationship with Jim Gordon. I think he’s almost like an empty vessel if he doesn’t have it and so he’s more driven psychologically by that need to just have some purpose in life because I don’t think he has much of a life outside of work.”

That said, did you ever create a life for him?

Donal Logue: “Totally. It’s a lot darker than I think the showrunners think. I think if you got to see his life, you’d be shocked at how spartan and severe it is outside of work. I think when Gotham started, Harvey was just trying to claw out the last few years to get to pension. Jim Gordon reignited something inside of him and gave him some purpose to live and to continue and to care.”

After all these years, how’s it been working with Ben McKenzie? Do you feel like brothers?

Donal Logue: “We felt that way right off the bat. My sister worked with Ben on Southland and really enjoyed working with Ben. Somehow, we fell into step with each other. He’s an amazing human being. He’s incredibly kind and yet he has a very strong spine. He’s a great leader.

He’s a great #1 on the call sheet and it means a lot. I’ve seen shows and we all probably know of certain shows where that kind of stuff gets in and it really wrecks the dynamic of just showing up every day and doing your job. There was never an incident of that on Gotham, ever. I’m so appreciative. These are really beautiful human beings that we get to work with. There was no ego involved. It was such a pleasure to be a part of.

You know, when you’re away from your family working and you’re working 15 or 16 hours a day, usually in a city that you don’t live in, it’s so important that you have the connection with the cast and the crew that we have. I know people talk about that kind of stuff all the time. I’m a father and I just really come at this thing like you come at it. You’re just a human being showing up. Doing your job is what you do; who you are is who you are. But we’ve made this kind of family within Gotham. I’ll miss them dearly.”

What’s on your Bullock bucket list?

Donal Logue: “I didn’t really have one. Bullock’s role is really there to serve when stuff goes awry. He might twinge about it a little bit, he might bitch and moan, but when the stuff goes down, Bullock’s always there over Jim’s shoulder. I think that whatever the trajectory that they wanted for the last season, I just was there. I didn’t have any kind of personal thing that I would really like to see Harvey necessarily do. I just wanted him to be part of the team and do what he always does.”

What can you tease about the finale?

Donal Logue: “What I can tell you is that it’s pushed 10 years in the future. […] It’s going to jump in the future. You’re going to catch Gotham in the stage right before it needs intervention from what will be Batman.”

#review #scifi Space Infantry by Dave Drake et al

#review #scifi Space Infantry by Dave Drake et al

Space Infanty is a Military Science Fiction anthology edited by Drave Drake, Charles G. Waugh and Martin Greenberg. It contains stories by a dozen authors spanning 3 decades. In order of appearance they are:

"The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears," by Keith Bennett; "His Truth Goes Marching On," by Jerry Pournelle; "But as a Soldier, For His Country," by Stephen Goldin; " Soldier Boy," by Michael Shaara; "Code-Name Feirefitz," by David Drake; "The Foxholes of Mars," by Fritz Lieber;

"Conqueror," by Larry Eisenberg; "Warrior," by Gordon R. Dickson; "Message to an Alien," by Keith Laumer;

". . . Not a Prison Make," by Joseph P. Martino; "The Hero," by George R. R. Martin, and "End Game," by Joe Haldeman.

Of the lot, Joe Haldeman, Gordon R. Dickson, Jerry Pournelle and Fritz Leiber are Hugo Award winners, though not for these stories. Mr. Drake and Mr. Haldeman served in Viet Nam. Their experiences color and inform their stories. Mr. Drake once said that his Hammers Slammers stories were partly therapy. Though clumped together as "Space Infantry," these stories run a wide gamut in attitude and outlook, and they need not strictly speaking be about Infantryman at all. Anyone simply seeking simple action adventure, bang-bang-your-dead, stories may be disappointed. There is so much more here than that. Anyone looking for high quality writing should read these stories. They stand out as excellent severally and separately. The book is essential to anyone with more than a superficial interest in Military Science Fiction-- especially anyone interested in the crafting or the history of Military Sci Fi.

The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears Mr. Bennett's story is not so much about ground sloggers as downed rocketeers who get the job done regardless of any obstacles and who coincidentally save their corps from absorption or disbandment. The basis for the title, according to Drake, is a song-- "The Mountaineeers Have Hairy Ears," whose lyrics I'll not reproduce here, and which carries the same emotional load of the Viet Nam Era, "don't mean nothin" in the context of having just had one's eye shot out. Mr. Drake was half a generation removed from Rocketeers, as I am from Drake's Slammers. In the context of today's milieu, the story is shockingly militaristic and imperialistic, much reflective of the attitude of the times in which it was written, 1950. No consideration is given to the real estate and no quarter to the natives. AS I said, the these admitted "Sons of bi-- er, Space" get the job done. There is of course a problem with some stories written in the 1950's. The idiom is changed. Readers of today may find it difficult to relate to.

His Truth Goes Marching On Dr. Pounelle is a Politcal Scientist and this story is as much a poli-sci treatise as it is a work of military science fiction. It is of course set in the Falkenberg's Legion universe before the collapse of the Co-Dominion and the ascension of Lysander to the Spartan throne, just prior to Ace Barton and Peter Owensford signing up with Colonel Falkenberg. Don't get me wrong, there's enough army life and gun play and slogging through mud for anyone's taste. There's also betrayal and a nuke.The story is well worth the read for anyone with a brain. But you won't know the truth till you read that last couple of paragraphs.

But as a Soldier, For His Country, Quoth the author, "It's a young man's story, venting frustration at the futility and lunacy of war." It grew into the novel, The Eternity Brigade. I'm one of those people made uncomfortable by this story. But guess what-- the purpose of good writing is not to make the reader feel good. Imagine the sheer unpleasantness and daily grind of war. Then imagine the worst parts. Imagine dying in battle. Then imagine being resurrected and even copied countless times for an age, till finally you meet yourself in battle. A well wriiten reductio ad absurdum.

Soldier Boy Michael Shaara won the Pulitzer Prize for The Killer Angels, a novel about the Battle of Gettysburg. "Soldier Boy" was also made into a novel; it tells the story of the lone soldier, at a number of disadvantages, that must come to grips with a superior opponent through his native intelligence and leadership skills. It's a well crafted story about a young man coming into his own. The antagonistis remarkable. Code-Name Feirefitz Despite being in law school, David Drake was drafted to serve in Viet Nam. He eventually became a member of a Battalion Information Center with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. His experiences there form the basis of his Hammer's Slammers stories. The prime movers in "Code Name Feirefitz" are not the highly capable Captain Esa Mboya or his Golf Company Slammers, but two civilans. Their conflict is key to Mboya's own conflict between duty and conscience. The story contrasts the grittiness and hardness of the soldiers as they set about doing their duty with the composure and quiet persistence of Esa's brother Juma as he does his. Their dedication contrasts with the desperate selfishness of ben Khedda as he seeks to sacrifice anyone to survive. The faith of Jooma plays against that of the Kaid who will risk anything to save his people, and both stand out against the faithlessness of ben Khedda.

The Foxholes of Mars Fritz Leiber has won numerous awards-- one of the great masters of Science Fiction. Leiber's opening imagery and setting creation is masterful. Leiber's prose is deep and lush with layers of meaning. War is just the setting for a deep and not terrible pleasnt look deep into a man's soul-- the soul of a budding demagouge. I find no indication that this story won Hugo or Nebula. It should have. It's shocking that an anthology containing this story should be available for a penny. This story in and of itsself is priceless.

Conqueror Eisenber crafts his story well, creating a believable setting and a sympathetic protangonis in a story that starts out being a story about the lone foot slogger a long way from home and in need of human contact, validation of his own humanity. Ends up as a story about successful psy-ops and asymmetric warfare against an occupying force.

Warrior The first Gordon Dickson I read was the short story "Soldier Ask Not" in The Hugo Winners. Warrior is a side piece to his Childe Cycle stories, about the Dorsai general Ian Graeme. It is included in the anthology Lost Dorsai.

Though the action of the story takes place far from the battlefields of the Splinter worlds, it is full of strategy, including the principle of calculated risk, and tactics. (Including Tactics of Mistake-- this is a Graeme we're talking about.) It portrays Graeme as the Dorsai archetype-- not only the consummate soldier, but a man who would cross all of Hell and half of New York City to pay a debt for good or ill. And all the more so to exact justice forhis soldiers. Dickson's prose can be a little pompous and overbearing-- his treatment of villains a little dismissive, mere stick figures lacking depth. But then he wants Graeme to be overpowering-- to his advesaries, to the helpless bystander cops, and to the reader.

Message to an Alien Keith Laumer is a Nebula Award writer who is porbably undervalued today. His Retief stories are based on his experiecnes as a military attache in Burma. His Bolo stories were part of the inspiration for Drake's Slammers. This story is about the lone and disgraced soldier who was turned out for being righter than his superiorsthe civillian authorities could ever admit. He acts alone again and totally without anyone else's support to nip an invasion in the bud and stop a war. Laumer's disdain those with authority but lacking the sense to use it shows through. Dalton's mastery of the situation, the authoirites, and of the invaders is a pleasure to read.

. . . Not a Prison Make Martino's novelette is based on the unique premise of guerilla warfare carried out by low technology aborigines. He builds the story thoroughly, exploring the occupying forces attempts to mount an affect defence. The key is to force to the negotiating table people who have no interest in negotiations. The solution is unique to he situation, and the resolution acceptable to all. The Hero The United States has reached the point in its decadence/decay where it is sometimes more convenient to ignore its veterans and treat them with disdain then to give them the consideration and rewards they deserve. And so it is in "The Hero." Kagan serves honorably and well. When his term of enlistment is up, he demands his desserts, and his superiors balk. Can't conceive of him going to Earth. George R. R. Martin uses overstatement to drive home his point, contrasting the soldier with his bosses. In the end, it's clear that they are as dishonorable as he is honorable, as undeserving of his service as anyone could be.

End Game Joe Haldeman won an award for The Forever War. In the End Game, we find out what it was all for. Time has past. A lot of time has past, and Man is more like the Taurans than veterans like Marygay and William. There's a place for people like them called Middle Finger, heh heh. Anyone familiar with The Forever War knows Haldeman is a great writer, that he despises the stupidity and waste of war, and that he makes his case very well.

Image cover art under fair use for the review. Contact publisher for reuse.

My text creative commons 4.0

Gods and Monsters

I’ve been watching/playing God of War 2018. I love Dad of Boy. It’s great. I never really liked the originals because I didn’t like the very dark tone it took with no only the Mythology but with Kratos. He’s forced to kill/lose everyone he loves and cares for. I like how it’s made him jaded, and you can clearly see how deeply he loves Atreus but he’s almost afraid to care about him. It’s just great. And he’s always been a very loving father because while he was a Spartan he and his wife chose to risk everything for their sickly daughter instead of abandoning her.

Anyway @wafflii has Dakota, who will grow over the course of the story

@yanderedad has Ben, who is the twin Brother of Mercy in this story.

and @azm0n has August, who is still young and growing

  Hope was a land of many Deities, it had started simply as a stopping point between Realms before growing and becoming something more. The blend of different types of Gods was what gave it strength. Those Native to the Lands had been justifiably wary when the First Two came. But the pair had been seeking quiet, solitude, they did not look to take the place of the Native Gods or conquer. They merely wished for a place to rest. Hope acted as a stop, a resting place with few choosing to stay. It wasn’t until much later that the pair would actively seek refuge within the mountains and fields of Hope. So, when the Seeds arrived in the heart of Winter, Hope was expecting them to move on once the heavy snows have passed. But they didn’t. They were like those that didn’t belong in the Valley. They came to take and conquer.

  Ben looked up from his place in the fields with some of his followers. He had been granted the titled of God of Wisdom when the seat was left open. Lately however, his followers were being attacked. Those attacking called his patrons false and claimed him a false idol. They had never been in the area before. Some of his patrons had turned to this new emerging God as they found comfort in his talk of destruction and rebirth. It concerned him that they would seek out such a message but he wouldn’t put it passed this new God to poison the minds of others.

 “Benjamin.” Joseph smiled from his place on the edge of the field. “I wondered if perhaps we might speak? I assure you I do not wish us enemies.” But Ben’s hackles were raised. He was the twin brother of the God of War, he knew when someone intended to harm him. Joseph might not see it as harm, the three Brothers taking to calling themselves the Seeds and Joseph was the Seed of Knowledge, but whatever he planned would hurt Ben. He stood and brushed himself off, his dark auburn hair falling around his ears. Mercy had cut it recently, remarking that it looked better shorter. A few strands fell into his cinnamon colored eyes. Some of his followers looked greatly unsettled.

 “If you wanted to speak, why not seek me in the House?” That was where he spent a good deal of time when not with his Sister or with his followers. He weighed on the laws and rules governing them and their land with Earl, Joey, and a few lesser gods and goddesses of law and morals and ethics. “Why have you come here?” It has been a long time since Ben had been in a fight. Along time since he felt the weight of his spear and shield in his hands. But he felt their press easily. He was sure that Joseph could see their outline. He continued to smile that hollow smile.

 “I simply wished to speak to you, away from those that might seek to influence you against me. I am new.”

 “Then ask for a privet audience.” That clearly bristled Joseph; he was used to his commands being listened to, used to being in charge. “I will ask you to leave at once.” His voice crackled with power and the sky above them churned, threatening to poor rain. Joseph nodded, bowing his head and turned to leave.

 “Very well Benjamin. I shall see you later.” He left turning his back fully to Ben.

 “My Lord?” He looked down at Kim. She was soon to be married and they were looking for the right kinds of flowers to offer blessings. “Is it wise to just let him go?”

 “Perhaps not. But for now, let’s not think of him. Let’s think of you and Nick.” He smiled and she looked worried but nodded slowly.

 “Nick doesn’t like the youngest of them? John. He says he has come to the fields where Dakota and August fly and ‘shows off’. He didn’t make it sound playful.” Nick would be a patron of Dakota is the messenger goddess had patrons or higher standing. Nick had petitioned many times that she should be a Full God but Dakota had not matured enough, had not come into enough power to be a True God yet.

 “I shall speak with Earl, he’ll cool John’s heels. Or he’ll send Joey after him.” The Goddess of Justice and Vindication was not someone to mess with. And she did not appreciate a new ‘law’ god arriving and just taking residence in Hope without even asking permission to stay from the Counsel like all others had.

  News of Jacob Seed’s challenges to the Attendants of the God of War has spread like wild fire. Ben looked in on Eli and Jess, they were healing slowly. The challenge, more like a barely legal assault, has been meant to maim and brutalize, to humiliate, but not to kill. If he killed them, he would be exiled. Or be forced to take their place.

 “I’m gonna stick an arrow through both his eye sockets.” Jess seethed, flinching as she tried to sit up.

 “You’re not going anywhere. The Lord has commanded it.” Eli frowned at her and then looked to Ben. “Don’t let our Lord do anything rash.” As he finished a bell was wrong. It was the one signaling a challenge.

 “The God of Strength has challenged the Hermit God of Healing!” The three looked in horror before Jess pushed herself up.

 “I’m going.” She stated and Ben nodded, lifting her easily.

 “I’m afraid I can’t carry you both.”

 “Hey! Someone need a lift?” Dakota asked as she appeared, swift as the wind. August was on her heels. The Wind God helping to speed up her travels.

 “I’ve been summoned to bare witness.” She murmured tensely.

  The pair stood in the square. Despite the chill of Spring, Jacob as without a shirt and had his large knife in hand. His leather trousers had some stains of blood on them that had darkened to black and his heavy boots seemed to stomp into the ground. His pack of wolves were seated around his siblings.

 “I, the God of Strength, challenge you, the God of Healing in Battle.” Mercy had shifted her cloak to hang behind her as he spoke.

 “I accept your challenge.” She pulled the cloak fully from her shoulders. She wore a black tunic with herbs stitched in red around the collar. They were healing herbs from their Home. The sleeves reached her elbows. Her leather trousers were tucked carefully into her boots and both were lashed with cords. Her Axe rested upon her back gleaming bright in the sun.

 “Birgir, Brother of Bóthildr, you are called to bare witness for her.” Earl called. Ben settled Jess into Mary May’s arms, the mortal baring the weight of the goddess easily, and stepped forward.

 “I agree to bare witness.”

 “Joseph, Brother of Jacob, you are called to bare witness for him.” The Lord of Law and Protection was frowning harshly at the new comers.

 “I agree to bare witness.” Joseph stepped forward as well.

 “Quetzalli, God of Winds, you are called forth to witness and declare the end.” Earl looked to August and she shifted Eli’s weight to Dakota before stepping up to take her place. Her short black hair was ruffled and her eyes turned a bright turquoise before settling back into their deep cocoa color.

 “I will witness and declare the victor.” She said firmly. Ben took Mercy’s cloak and frowned at her in concern but she gave a soft smile.

 “It cannot be denied forever, my Brother.” She mused to him before she stepped forward. The leader of her ‘pride’ of Cougars and Lynx nudged at Ben’s hip and he stepped back. One blue eye and one green eye looked up at him before focusing on her Mistress.

  Mercy had not been called Bóthildr in a long time. The warmth of her True name curled low in her belly and she palmed the handle of her Axe. This would be a short fight.

  Jacob dodged another swing of the Axe, electricity sizzling in the air and causing him to be shocked. He stumbled back. A simple God of Healing, no matter the type of healing, should not have been this strong. She had a few minor nicks in her tunic from where he had managed to graze the clothe with his blade but she remained completely calm.

 “Do tell, Jacob.” Her voice had an odd lilt to it. “Are you even trying to hit me?” He bristled, felt his pack bristle with him. They could no aid him in this challenge. His Judges were unable to be used as the proper tools they were in this provenance. Once he had control of the God of War, he would fix that. And the poor excuses for soldiers. He needed to lure him out though. He hadn’t come when the first two attendants fell, but this one. Oh, he might come out when this one fell.

 “It’s only polite to let a lady have her hits.” He called back and her amusement turned to irritation.

 “Kick his ass Mercy!” The tiny one that John seemed fascinated with called out. The God, Mercy, chuckled and nodded.

 “Yes, I think I shall.” And then the air shifted. It felt like the breath had been pulled from his lungs. The Healing God ceased to be and in her place was a completely different one. “Allow me to correct you upon my Nature, boy. I am Bóthildr, God of War and Healing. I hail from far across the bright ocean. This has become my home. And you shall not take my Throne.” Her eyes shifted from a piercing blue into a blazing vermilion.

  The wounds inflicted by her Axe burned and dug deep. She used both the blade and the hilt, her aggression wouldn’t be satisfied with merely slicing him to ribbons. By the time she had him on his knees he was covered in their color. She scoffed and readied her blade. His head would look nice mounted upon her mantle.

 “Enough!” August called out sharply. “He is beaten. Bóthildr is the victor!” Mercy stilled and looked down at the defeated God of Strength. She leaned closer, letting the blade bite into his neck just slightly.

 “You might have the strength of Youth. But I am Old and Learned. Never challenge me or mine again. Or I will kill you. And your brothers should they attempt to enact revenge for your deserved death.” She pulled back and hooked her Axe onto the mount on her back. Her Brother settled her cloak over her shoulders and she smiled, hand touching his shoulder before settling on the head of Peaches. Her companion gave a warm purr and they walked away. The Gods and people gave her wide birth, she had always been a stranger, a thing to fear, but now they knew she was a Monster. She nodded to the Whitehorse before taking her attendants and leaving.

  August and Dakota followed Ben to Mercy’s cabin. Jerome and Grace the God of Shelter and Written Knowledge and the Goddess of Swift Justice and Vengeance were already there and waiting for them.

 “You could have let her cut his head off.” Grace muttered once they were all settled. Mercy was wrapping bandages around Jess’ thigh.

 “As much as I would have relished in starting a New War it would not have been in Hope’s best interest.” The God admitted. Her eyes had not returned to their usual winter blue, remaining a bright almost pulsing red. She tied off the bandage and moved to look over her ribs.

 “Why didn’t you tell us you were the God of War?” August ignored the jab at her and the disapproval radiating off Grace and Jess. They had both come to hate the God of Strength in their territory but knew that they couldn’t challenge him outright because he was a Strength God and going at him head on was not something they could do.

 “He wouldn’t last a day out in the woods without those beasts of his.” Jess hissed and flinched as Mercy pressed healing magic into the bruises along her lower ribs. “My Lord, really all of this is unnecessary.”

 “Hush and let me do my work.” Mercy murmured, never lifting her eyes from the wounds. Her hands were steady.

 “How are you so calm? And why didn’t you come help Eli and Jess sooner if you’re such a powerful God?” August didn’t like not knowing. She didn’t like to think that she had become attached to something fake.

 “August.” Ben chided her softly.

 “No, it’s fine Brother.” Mercy rose and turned to face August. “Quetzalli, you come from a land of many Gods, your Father is the Great Feathered Serpent. Do you brag of the things you did? Do you recall the path that lead you to coming to Hope?” August felt her throat close. She didn’t like to think on it but she accepted what she had done.

 “I never hid my True Nature.”

 “Nor have I. My secondary Nature is to Heal those in Battle. My Brother and I came here for peace. Long, long ago I was forced to make a decision. I chose a bloody path, I chose a War against my own Kin. All that remain are my attendants and my Brother.”

 “But you’re not that way anymore… Right?” Dakota asked softly. Mercy didn’t look away from August.

 “I am what I am. God of War.” She turned and Jess pushed her towards Eli and she nodded, beginning to attend once again to his wounds.

  Grace looked at the dark forest.

 “They’ll be gunning for her and you. Not that they weren’t already.”

 “John is getting closer and closer to Earl with each passing day. Are you and Joey going to challenge him together?”

 “If it comes to it. I don’t like his oily nature.”

 “Joseph has made plays to speak with me. I believe, especially now, after seeing this minor extent of Lord Mercy’s power that he’ll target more of your Patrons and those of us who have similar but different Nature.” Jerome said with a soft sigh. Ben nodded and looked at the other two Gods.

 “Be safe my friends.” They nodded departing. They were easily surrounded by the large cats that were Mercy’s Animal. One thing was certain, there was going to be a battle for Hope soon. Everyone needed to be ready.

Finally finished this piece. It is also a test run of how Quiver to Arrows will be done. The story will be written and each chapter will receive an image showing a scene from said chapter. (Like my old Halo Clairvoyance story I did in 2009) 1750 hours, August 10th, 2545(Military Calendar) \ 037 Sionann System, Underneath Ceideht City, Planet Orin. ---------------------------------------------------------------

  “Move! Move! Disperse!” a voice rang out down the tunnel behind them accompanied by a growing bright light. Heavy thuds of footsteps quaking the metal beneath them.

   Sibil was in no shape to do what the voice wanted, her legs felt shattered into hundreds of pieces after the ceiling collapsed on them. It felt as though the cold had been feasting on her legs for some time to. Eryn the stubborn boy, chose to stay with her. He was like his father in so many ways and he was only 3 years old.

   The light had gotten so close now she wasn’t sure if she was seeing “The Light” that everyone mentions when experiencing death.

   “We’ve got a non-combatant!” the man said kneeling down to her and Eryn. Her eyes adjusted to the soldier’s helmet light. She didn’t recognize his attire at first. Until she realized that he must be one of the Spartans that was being whispered about when everyone was together at Igo station.

   His armor smelled of welded metal and something she didn’t recognize but it was foul to her senses. The Spartan turned his gaze to Eryn, who was still tightly cradling her shoulder.

   “Hey pal you okay?” The Spartan asked pointing to Eryn, who nodded his head, mouth agape in awe.

   “What's wrong with your mom?” He asked scooting himself closer to the 2 of them. It was then that the ungodly smell Sibil couldn’t put her finger on earlier came to her. It was biofoam resting on scorched flesh. The Spartan was wounded, bits of dried biofoam soaked in blood were chipping off the sealed wound as he neared them.

   Eryn lifted himself up off the ground and pointed to her legs shivering from the cold and probably anxiety that was welling up inside him.

   “Gotcha.” The Spartan said giving Eryn an “OK” sign with his fingers.

   “Ma’am I’m going to pick you up.” He stated as he threw off the chunks of ceiling from her with ease. Eryn began to gasp in awe of the Spartan’s strength. The Spartan was colossal for a man. Perhaps the rumors of them being giant robots or cyborgs were partially true.

   “This isn’t good…” He remarked hovering his hand over her snapped legs and shook his head. He turned his attention back to behind him. She could hear him talk but he had switched off his helmet’s speakers so they couldn’t hear him.

   “I don’t know how right you are ma’am.” He paused. “So I won’t risk further hurting you for now.” He said pointing at her.

   “I..It’s just mm..my legs and p..pp.possibly my l..lleft hipbone.” Sibil coughed.

   “Are you sure? If one of your vertebrae is broken I would risk permanently paralyzing you if I lift you off the floor.” He asked with a terseness to his voice.

   “If t..that’s the case sssir…” She said pausing to cough.

   “Then I’d ra..rather live paralyzed then d..die in this dark tunnel to murderous aliens.” She said frowning at him.

   “Good point.” He said holding back his amusement. He proceeded to lift her off the ground, she did her best to bite away the screams she wanted to release, the pain in her legs vibrating up her entire spine as they slid across the floor. She and Eryn were soon in his left arm as he used his large gun as balance.

   “My name is Grant by the way, Petty Officer Grant.” He said looking at them. The only face she could find in his visor was the reflection of her’s and Eryn’s.

   “Eryn.” Eryn answered with a faint smile.

   “My n..name is S.Si..Sibil.” She followed the cold stunting her speech.

   “Pleasure to meet you love.” He nodded. Just as he turned around his fellow Spartans were approaching them.

   “Tall, where are they?” One Spartan asked with 2 others behind him.

   “Right here sir.” Grant answered lifting his arm with the both of them as a shrug.

   “Can she walk?” the one in front asked. His voice was that of a very young man. Almost identical to her brother Ben’s.

   “Nup, Spear.” Grant replied. “Explosions on the surface must’ve brought the ceiling down on her lower half. Both legs are broken, possibly her left hip is gone to.” He finished shaking his head again. Spear approached them turning his helmet torch off.

   “We can’t carry you forever miss, we have thousands of Covenant following us, tearing through all of our blockades.” Spear said pointing back with his thumb.

   “You are leaving me one man short, and I need him.” He hissed with frustration.

   “Le..Leave me then! But take my son PLEASE!” She shouted losing her breath. She could tell that Spear was looking at her with perplexment. He turned to see what the others thought and they didn’t seem to object to the idea. The Spartan sighed.

   “I appreciate and admire that ma’am.” Spear turned to his Spartans and continued.

   “But I can’t in good conscience do that, Wasp! Go makeshift some splints for her.” Spear ordered.

   “Yes sir!” Wasp answered. The Spartan leapt down onto the rails of the light rail system. Then proceeded to rip a section of the rail off its bolts then breaking it in 2. Sibil shivered from realizing how much strength that Spartan would need in order to do that.

   The Spartan got back up onto the platform and pushed Spear out of the way.

   “Tall, put her down.” Wasp said with a hint of kindness.

   “Aye” Grant nodded kneeling once more and slowly moving Sibil out of his arms onto the ground while keeping Eryn in his possession.

   “We don’t have any medical supplies with us and I hope the rest of our forces are kilometers away from here by now.” Wasp said grabbing Sibil’s pants, a tinge of pain sprouting out from the Spartan’s touch.

   “So these splints will have to do.” She said ripping her pants up to her knees.

   “I’m sorry but I’m going to have to right your legs, This will be extremely painful.” She said. “Again I’m sorry. Tall please don’t let the child see.” Wasp asked looking back up at him.

   “Right.” Grant said turning himself around and holding Eryn’s head so that the boy’s curiosity didn’t misguide him into seeing his mother in such horrifying anguish.

   “Okay, on the count of 3 I’ll set them.” Wasp said. She counted down nodding her head each second until she wrenched both Sibil’s shins so hard the pain made her lose her hearing to a strange ringing. Sibil felt as though she was screaming but couldn’t hear herself yowl. Her teeth clenching so hard they nearly crumbled in her mouth from the pressure of her jaws grinding together.

   She nearly passed out but she had experience with broken bones and pain before and so she got herself into a breathing exercise. By the time she consciously came to, the splints had been placed, her torn pants now being used as rope to tie the rail splints tight to her legs.

   “Great job ma’am.” Wasp said patting her on her shoulder.

   “They’re ready Spear, but I have to say if we don’t get her out of here, she will lose her legs to gangrene from the frostbite.” Wasp told Spear standing back up.

   “Understood Wasp, and here miss.” Spear stepped in front of her now and handed her a long section of rebar with some flag like cloth wrapped around the top for her to hold.

   “Ple..ase.. don’ttt  call me mm..a’am or miss.” Sibil stated. “Just call me Ss.sibil.”

   “Alright Sibil.” Spear nodded. “Think you can walk?” He asked cocking his head to the side. She motioned that she could and tried out the Spartans’ attempt at helping her move. Luckily the rail splints were sturdy enough to hold the weight from her. They did nothing for her hip though which still stabbed relentlessly.

   “Good.” Spear said looking back at the tunnel taking a moment for himself to think.

   “Do as we have been doing Quiver, keep her in front with you Tall while Ghost, Wasp and I will keep the Covenant busy down here okay?” Spear ordered pointing at him and Eryn.

   “Don’t worry Gary, she’ll be right.” Grant stated turning to Sibil. “Come on Sibil let's leg it.” Sibil didn’t hesitate and pushed herself to walk at pace with Grant towards the supposed evac station. ---------------------------------------------------------------

Cinematic Comic Characters Ranked! (Year 2007) Final Part

Seven movies were released during 2007 that make it on our list! Marvel’s debut of Ghost Rider started us off, followed by the incredible action film, 300! Up next was TMNT, the list’s first animated movie as well as the return of Spider-Man 3, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and Alien vs Predator: Requiem! Also debuting is the horror film 30 Days of Night. Here’s the Top 20!

*SPOILER ALERT FOR ALL HIGHLIGHTED MOVIES ABOVE*

20. Casey (TMNT)

"Uh, did you forget that all I have is a baseball hat?"

It makes sense that Casey was featured a lot in the movie because out of everyone, Raphael is closest to him, whether the turtle wants to admit it or not. It's Casey who understands Raphael's new alter ego and its Casey who Raphael comes to when he needs help. He's also at a crossroads himself, not knowing if and when he should mature up with his on-going relationship with April. In the end I don't think he needs to change at all, seeing as April is happy with just who he is, except for maybe when they're both in a vehicle.

19. Captain (300)

"No prisoners!"

It's odd we never find out what Captain's actual name is, seeing as he's King Leonidas' right hand man and is one of the best Spartan soldiers there is. He helps command the Spartans with ease and authority and is very much in control of himself until his son, Astinos, is killed on the battlefield. After his loss he fights more reckless with nothing to lose. During the final confrontation, he manages to kill several men as he's butchered by several others.

18. Caretaker/Carter Slade (Ghost Rider)

"I've got one last ride in me."

The original Ghost Rider who stopped Mephisto from collecting the contract of San Venganza. He waits over one hundred and fifty years for the next Ghost Rider to show up and finish what he's started. We don't know this in the beginning, he just comes off as a Caretaker who finds Johnny after his night of fighting demons, but it's just kinda obvious with all the stuff he knows about Venganza and about being a Ghost Rider. I personally thought he wasted his last ride, since nothing really came out of it, but aesthetically it was cool seeing a western version of Ghost Rider riding with the current one.

17. Leonardo (TMNT)

"Attack as one!"

Leo is the oldest turtle and therefore the leader of the team. After Shredder is defeated, Leo goes on his own self discovery, momentarily forgetting about his brothers, which really puts a wedge between him and Raphael. The two clash the entire movie, both not understanding the other's complete opposite personality. In the end, after Leo is rescued, he learns that even though he is the leader, he couldn't accomplish nearly as much without his brothers beside him.

16. Predator (Alien vs Predator: Requiem)

*Predator clicking*

After a predator ship crashes on Earth, this Predator heads down there to destroy all evidence of their existence (which makes no sense as to why it leaves a skinned human hanging on a tree for the world to see) and only realizes things are much worse when it encounters the alien-predator hybrid. He goes solo in trying to take down every single alien creature and mostly succeeds despite the humans occasionally getting in the way. In the final battle between the Predator and the Hybrid, the two end up killing each other before a military nuke destroys everything.

15. Beau Brower (30 Days of Night)

"Nothing I can't handle my own fucking self!"

Beau is a fighter and had been dying to take on the vampires as soon as they started killing everyone in town. Stella and Eben convinced him that the group needed him instead, which is true because he saves them a few times before sacrificing himself so Eben can escape. He ends up taking down more vampires than everyone else in a blaze of suicidal glory. He doesn't end up dying in the flames, Marlow still kills him but I'm glad they didn't eat him.

14. Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer)

"And fifteen years later, I'm one of the greatest minds of the 21st century."

I will always loathe when movies do these awkward dance scenes to show off a character's power/new look (I'm also looking at you, Spider-Man 3 and Catwoman). Besides that, Mr. Fantastic wasn't as boring as he was in the last film. Like Sue, I struggled to understand why he felt the need to hide things from her, unlike her, I would've really put his durability to the test. They reconcile and Richard goes back to leading the team as they try to stop Galactus from ending the world and, along the way, stop Dr. Doom because he's just a piece of shit. Richard also debuts the Fantasticar, their own private jet so the team doesn't have to fly coach any longer.

13. Roxanne Simpson (Ghost Rider)

"You don't know me, but I love him."

After Mephisto made it clear no one close to Johnny would ever be safe, he ditches Roxie and leaves town without any explanation. She doesn't take offense though, which I love! She knows his dad just dad and that they were just teenagers so she builds herself a career instead and meets up with him again once she's ready. Her patience does have limits though and I'd be questioning my looks/personality too if someone who said they cared about me kept ditching me at all the dates. When she finds out he's Ghost Rider she's full on supportive, even after she gets kidnapped by the devil's son. After everything's over, she's not even surprised that her and Johnny must go their own separate ways, because she now understands the curse he has to live with.

12. Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Spider-Man 3)

"It's the choices that make us who we are, and we can always choose to do what's right."

I don't know what the hell was going on with Peter in this movie. At the start, he's gotten cocky as fuck. He won't let Mary Jane get a word in without talking about himself saving the day. And HOW did he not see anything wrong with Gwen Stacy giving him a big ol' kiss on the mouth...in the same way him and Mary Jane shared their first kiss...WITH MARY JANE WATCHING!? I would've killed him. Then he gets infected with the symbiote and begins some of the most cringe-worthy scenes I've scene from the movies on this list. The jazz bar scene? The bangs??? I get trying to show that sometimes heroes can be evil too, it's just that, for me, I didn't feel that Spider-Man truly redeemed himself after getting rid of the symbiote. Yeah he saved the day, but Sandman and New Goblin got more redemption than he did by the end of it.

11. Mary Jane Watson (Spider-Man 3)

"Everyone needs help sometimes, Peter. Even Spider-Man."

Yes, Mary Jane is ranked higher than Spider-Man. Why? Because the girl fucking deserves it after what that boy put her through. She finally gets on broadway but can't hold a tune so she gets replaced and Peter can't even tell she's upset. Then she has to deal with him kissing Gwen Stacy and still manages to be there for him when the truth about Uncle Ben's death is revealed. She also has to deal with being a pawn in a plot made by people who want to kill Peter. First it's New Goblin, although that quickly doesn't last, and then it's Venom and Sandman. This girl handled everything thrown at her in way that I felt was lacking from Spider-Man, but maybe that's because he was hardly on the receiving end. I'm glad the ending doesn't spell out if she's getting back with him, it only shows that she cares about him enough to give him a dance and maybe a chat afterwards.

10. Raphael (TMNT)

"Man, I love being a turtle!"

Bitter with Leo leaving the team, Raphael continues his life of fighting crime as a new vigilante, but that all changes once Leo returns. Once again Raphael is being told what to do, by someone who he thinks abandoned them so he rebels and two continue to butt heads. They face off in a match of egos and Raphael's temper gets the better of him as he takes things too far which ends in Leo getting kidnapped by the Immortal Generals. He quickly learns from his mistakes and understands that family comes first, rescuing Leo and staying by his side as he leads their team.

9. Kelly (Alien vs Predator: Requiem)

"I'll live."

Coming home from the military, Kelly enters a whole new war between the aliens and the predators. She ends up leading a group of survivors, including her daughter, to safety. She really is the sole reason they all end up surviving. She has the most kill count out of all the humans when it came to fighting the aliens, she was able to drive both the military tank and the helicopter that got them out of harm's way, AND she was the one that realized the military was lying about sending an evacuation plane, saving a handful of survivors from getting nuked.

8. Marlow (30 Days of Night)

"There is no escape. No hope. Only hunger and pain."

Marlow was terrifying. The way he talked, the way he stalked, the way he taunted his victims right before he killed them in the most painful ways he could think of. He was the leader of the vampires and had just discovered the jackpot in the town of Barrow, a town that experienced 30 days without the sun. I will say I was disappointed in the final fight with Eben. He just seemed so powerful but ended up dying by a punch through the face? Like he really walked right into that? I would've preferred them fighting to the death as the sun came up but I get wanting to have closure between Eben and Stella.

7. Susan Storm/Invisible Woman (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer)

"There's always a choice."

Not only does Sue have to deal with a wedding, she also has to deal with a groom who, for reasons that make no sense, likes to hide things from her. On top of this, a cosmic entity has arrived on Earth in hopes to destroy it. When fighting the Silver Surfer ends up being useless, Sue tries to talk some sense into him and successfully manages to get him to the team stop Dr. Doom and save the world. During the battle she ends up dying at the hands of Dr. Doom, rocking everyone's world until Silver Surfer brings her back to life so she can finally marry Richard in the end.

6. Queen Gorgo (300)

"Come back with your shield, or on it."

While Leonidas fights the Persians, Queen Gorgo has to fight her own battle back at Sparta. She has to convince the councilmen to send their army to help Leonidas as well as watch out for the traitor that is Theron. It almost looks like Theron gets the better of her when he gets her arrested for adultery, but Gorgo is not someone to back down. She kills two birds with one sword, she kills Theron and ends up revealing his alliance with the Persians, which then gets the council to rally behind her. She proves she is in every way Leonidas's equal and now has the country of Sparta to run after he dies.

5. Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider (Ghost Rider)

"Let's ride."

First, I just wanna say that there would be no complaints coming from me if the guy who played the young version of Johnny ended up just being him the entire movie. Nicolas Cage wasn't bad but there were some cringe worthy moments in there. Anyways! Johnny Blaze ends up becoming the devil's bounty hunter, The Ghost Rider, after selling his soul to save his father. Now that he can't die, he builds a career on doing the most dangerous motorcycle stunts in the world. When Mephisto's son, Blackheart, arrives with a trio of elemental fallen angels to destroy the world, Johnny must turn into the Ghost Rider (which requires him to burn his flesh off his bones) and stop them. He does it pretty easy, hardly ever losing control of the situation and only losing his best friend, which only happened because he wasn't around to protect him. In the end he ends up becoming the Spirit of Vengeance, no longer working for Mephisto, but against him.

4. Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer)

"To quote a friend of mine: 'It's cloberrin' time!'"

The reckless playboy is back but as the world threatens to end it's time for Johnny to grow up and truly take the responsibilities of being on the Fantastic Four. It's not an easy process and he definitely has a couple of set backs when his powers get messed up by the Silver Surfer and then finding out about Sue and Richard's plans to leave the team, but he does come through in the end. With the power of his teammates, Johnny is able to take down Dr. Doom despite his new silver surfboard.

3. King Leonidas (300)

"This is Sparta!"

The King of Sparta, and he makes sure everyone knows it! Leonidas is proud, loud, and willing to kill any foreign invader that threatens his people's way of living. When he doesn't have the support of his councilmen, he takes his best 300 men and takes off to fight the Persians. They do exceptional and last longer than anyone would have hoped for, but it becomes obvious even to Leonidas that they won't survive the war. Their final battle ends quickly as he's shot down by hundreds of arrows, his wife on his mind as he joins his men in the afterlife.

2. Eben Oleson (30 Days of Night)

"We live here for a reason: because no one else can."

Eben probably didn't expect a bunch of vampires murdering everyone in his town during the 30 days of without the sun, but man does he step up to the plate and handle business! As sheriff he is constantly thinking up plans to protect the survivors in his group and doing the more dangerous traveling by himself. His leadership is full of dangerous decisions including turning himself into a vampire to save his wife. He succeeds in defeating Marlow and debates going after the rest of the vampires but decides to spend his final moments with Stella watching the sunrise, which eventually kills him.

1. Norrin Radd/The Silver Surfer (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer)

"I will no longer serve."

In order to save his own planet, including the one he loves, Norrin Radd becomes the Silver Surfer, a cosmic being that serves Galactus. His job is to find planets with life on them so that Galactus could absorb it's energy, killing the planet and everyone on it. Who knows how many planets Silver Surfer has given to Galactus by the time he reaches Earth, but it's clear there have been millions of lives lost because of him. After the Fantastic Four and the military fail to bring him down, it's actually Sue Storm that starts reminding him of his humanity and also of the woman he loves on his home planet. He decides to make things right and sacrifices himself to destroy Galactus once and for all.

tagged by @emptymasks  ; i would tag u if you hadn’t already done it LOL

rules:  answer these 85 statements and tag 20 people

tagging: uhh i tried to avoid people who had been tagged already which is usually the whole hbo war chat lmao, @damnyoualex @allstarrnicky @hoosiersblanket @skipsmalark @spartan-in-a-b-25 @hellyeahcanofpeaches @huhjean @hobbitonamission @221bcastielst

THE LAST

1. drink: water 2. phone call: my mom 3. text message: a skype to emma 4. song you listened to:  Nicotine - Panic! At The Disco 5. time you cried: I cry at least one every two days tbh  6. dated someone twice: no i am too committed to my one friend  7. kissed someone and regretted it: no again 8. been cheated on: no 9. lost someone special: yeah !! a pet ! and a fictional character  10. been depressed: currently am my dude bro 11. gotten drunk and thrown up: i would have ,, to drink first

3 FAVOURITE COLOURS 12. blue 13. purple 14. shades of pink or red? 

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU 15. made new friends: lmao hah 16. fallen out of love: no emma ily  17. laughed until you cried: we made her eat a combination of all the expired foods in my fridge. she was still awake and turned over with her ipod light. punched in the back of the head, that one girl last year who slammed into my forehead, “why is that ross from friends”, this is just a list of a lot of inside jokes  18. found out someone was talking about you: I have good hearing and a good friend it comes back to me eventually, so yeah  19. met someone who changed you: emma watching IT changed me  20. found out who your friends are: i kno who she is  21. kissed someone on your facebook list: no lmao nasty 

GENERAL 22. how many of your facebook friends do you know in real life: all of them  23. do you have any pets: yea a lot of them but it changes a lot  24. do you want to change your name: yes but also it wouldnt happen im too lazy  25. what did you do for your last birthday: actually nothing if i remember 26. what time did you wake up: 6:00 in the gotdamn morning  27. what were you doing at midnight last night: sleeping 28. name something you can’t wait for: to get out of work tonight  29. when was the last time you saw your mom: this morning 31. what are you listening to right now: Nothing atm  32. have you ever talked to a person named tom: nope 33. something that is getting on your nerves: work, having to do work, having to do anything tbh 34. most visited website: def tumblr, youtube, skype if it counts 35. hair colour: dark brown 36. long or short hair: too long i should cut it more than a few inches lmao  37. do you have a crush on someone: someone real and not a celebrity? no  38. what do you like about yourself: i one day will kill myself we just dont know when  39. want any piercings: not really lol  40. blood type: no idea !  41. nickname: i mean not really enough to put down lmao  42. relationship status: single 43. zodiac: virgo  44. pronouns: she/her 45. favourite tv show: band of brothers, i only like the pacific for any scene snafu is in, i used to like game of thrones but then ramsay died and now it sucks ass, (cry) bates motel, sort of american horror story but eh. 46. tattoos: i dont have any ? i should get one of emma’s name tbh  47. right or left handed: right handed 48. surgery: not really i got stitches once  49. piercing: my ears but i dont wear earrings lol  50. sport: fucki christ no im a lard ass, sometimes i ride horses but its literally two or three times a month if that  51. vacation: no i aint no rich bitch  52. pair of trainers: huh 

MORE GENERAL 53. eating: nothing right now i just had some cereal  54. drinking: water 55. i’m about to: get ready to work, should probably write a lab really quick 56. waiting for: nothin, honestly to go see IT again tho lmao its a good ass movie and emma needs to win me a fuckin stuffed animal again  57. want: to fuck the goddamn clow n the fuck  58. get married: they rich ?  59. career: to do nothing and get money 

WHICH IS BETTER 60. hugs or kisses: neither !! 

61. lips or eyes: no theyre gross  62. shorter or taller: emma is one inch taller ; )  63. older or younger: soldier : 76 or gtfo  64. nice arms or nice stomach: hanzo has a nice stomach and arms  65. hook up or relationship: do i look lik e the kinda bitch to care  66. troublemaker or hesitant: fuck outta here w/ either of those 

HAVE YOU EVER 67. kissed a stranger:  no 68. drank hard liquor: no 69. lost glasses/contact lenses: not yet lmao  70. turned someone down: no who tf  71. sex on the first date: bruhhhhh stop  72. broken someone’s heart: probably any character i end up liking is ruined  73. had your heart broken: mrs mallard  74. been arrested: no but thats shocking  75. cried when someone died: yes !!! norman !!! ramsay !! the fuck  76. fallen for a friend: i mean 

DO YOU BELIEVE IN 77. yourself: no 78. miracles: no 79. love at first sight: no 80. santa claus: no 81. kiss on the first date: who cares 82. angels: i am one 

OTHER 83. current best friend’s name: emma, that is current past and future  84. eye colour: brown but like really dark brown i hate it  85. favorite movie: brother bear of course, literally any movie about a horse, any lame amazon horror movie (aka bad ben which wasnt lame and terrified me), uh IT is now a damn good film, most marvel movies, the mad max franchise, honestly transformers, a lot more 

On Space Infanty by Drave Drake et al

On Space Infanty by Drave Drake et al.

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"Wir müssen leben bis wir sterben." "Dalai Lama," Rammstein Space Infanty is a Military Science Fiction anthology edited by Drave Drake, Charles G. Waugh and Martin Greenberg. It contains stories by a dozen authors spanning 3 decades. In order of appearance they are: "The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears," by Keith Bennett; "His Truth Goes Marching On," by Jerry Pournelle; "But as a Soldier, For His Country," by Stephen Goldin; " Soldier Boy," by Michael Shaara; "Code-Name Feirefitz," by David Drake; "The Foxholes of Mars," by Fritz Lieber; "Conqueror," by Larry Eisenberg; "Warrior," by Gordon R. Dickson; "Message to an Alien," by Keith Laumer; ". . . Not a Prison Make," by Joseph P. Martino; "The Hero," by George R. R. Martin, and "End Game," by Joe Haldeman. Of the lot, Joe Haldeman, Gordon R. Dickson, Jerry Pournelle and Fritz Leiber are Hugo Award winners, though not for these stories. Mr. Drake and Mr. Haldeman served in Viet Nam. Their experiences color and inform their stories. Mr. Drake once said that his Hammers Slammers stories were partly therapy. Though clumped together as "Space Infantry," these stories run a wide gamut in attitude and outlook, and they need not strictly speaking be about Infantryman at all. Anyone simply seeking simple action adventure, bang-bang-your-dead, stories may be disappointed. There is so much more here than that. Anyone looking for high quality writing should read these stories. They stand out as excellent severally and separately. The book is essential to anyone with more than a superficial interest in Military Science Fiction-- especially anyone interested in the crafting or the history of Military Sci Fi.

The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears

Mr. Bennett's story is not so much about ground sloggers as downed rocketeers who get the job done regardless of any obstacles and who coincidentally save their corps from absorption or disbandment. The basis for the title, according to Drake, is a song-- "The Mountaineeers Have Hairy Ears," whose lyrics I'll not reproduce here, and which carries the same emotional load of the Viet Nam Era, "don't mean nothin" in the context of having just had one's eye shot out. Mr. Drake was half a generation removed from Rocketeers, as I am from Drake's Slammers. In the context of today's milieu, the story is shockingly militaristic and imperialistic, much reflective of the attitude of the times in which it was written, 1950. No consideration is given to the real estate and no quarter to the natives. AS I said, the these admitted "Sons of bi-- er, Space" get the job done. There is of course a problem with some stories written in the 1950's. The idiom is changed. Readers of today may find it difficult to relate to.

His Truth Goes Marching On

Dr. Pounelle is a Politcal Scientist and this story is as much a poli-sci treatise as it is a work of military science fiction. It is of course set in the Falkenberg's Legion universe before the collapse of the Co-Dominion and the ascension of Lysander to the Spartan throne, just prior to Ace Barton and Peter Owensford signing up with Colonel Falkenberg. Don't get me wrong, there's enough army life and gun play and slogging through mud for anyone's taste. There's also betrayal and a nuke.The story is well worth the read for anyone with a brain. But you won't know the truth till you read that last couple of paragraphs.

But as a Soldier, For His Country,

Quoth the author, "It's a young man's story, venting frustration at the futility and lunacy of war." It grew into the novel, The Eternity Brigade. I'm one of those people made uncomfortable by this story. But guess what-- the purpose of good writing is not to make the reader feel good. Imagine the sheer unpleasantness and daily grind of war. Then imagine the worst parts. Imagine dying in battle. Then imagine being resurrected and even copied countless times for an age, till finally you meet yourself in battle. A well wriiten reductio ad absurdum.

Soldier Boy

Michael Shaara won the Pulitzer Prize for The Killer Angels, a novel about the Battle of Gettysburg. "Soldier Boy" was also made into a novel; it tells the story of the lone soldier, at a number of disadvantages, that must come to grips with a superior opponent through his native intelligence and leadership skills. It's a well crafted story about a young man coming into his own. The antagonistis remarkable.

Code-Name Feirefitz

Despite being in law school, David Drake was drafted to serve in Viet Nam. He eventually became a member of a Battalion Information Center with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. His experiences there form the basis of his Hammer's Slammers stories. The prime movers in "Code Name Feirefitz" are not the highly capable Captain Esa Mboya or his Golf Company Slammers, but two civilans. Their conflict is key to Mboya's own conflict between duty and conscience. The story contrasts the grittiness and hardness of the soldiers as they set about doing their duty with the composure and quiet persistence of Esa's brother Juma as he does his. Their dedication contrasts with the desperate selfishness of ben Khedda as he seeks to sacrifice anyone to survive. The faith of Jooma plays against that of the Kaid who will risk anything to save his people, and both stand out against the faithlessness of ben Khedda.

The Foxholes of Mars

Fritz Leiber has won numerous awards-- one of the great masters of Science Fiction. Leiber's opening imagery and setting creation is masterful. Leiber's prose is deep and lush with layers of meaning. War is just the setting for a deep and not terrible pleasnt look deep into a man's soul-- the soul of a budding demagouge. I find no indication that this story won Hugo or Nebula. It should have. It's shocking that an anthology containing this story should be available for a penny. This story in and of itsself is priceless.

Conqueror

Eisenber crafts his story well, creating a believable setting and a sympathetic protangonis in a story that starts out being a story about the lone foot slogger a long way from home and in need of human contact, validation of his own humanity. Ends up as a story about successful psy-ops and asymmetric warfare against an occupying force.

Warrior

The first Gordon Dickson I read was the short story "Soldier Ask Not" in The Hugo Winners. Warrior is a side piece to his Childe Cycle stories, about the Dorsai general Ian Graeme. It is included in the anthology Lost Dorsai. Though the action of the story takes place far from the battlefields of the Splinter worlds, it is full of strategy, including the principle of calculated risk, and tactics. (Including Tactics of Mistake-- this is a Graeme we're talking about.) It portrays Graeme as the Dorsai archetype-- not only the consummate soldier, but a man who would cross all of Hell and half of New York City to pay a debt for good or ill. And all the more so to exact justice forhis soldiers. Dickson's prose can be a little pompous and overbearing-- his treatment of villains a little dismissive, mere stick figures lacking depth. But then he wants Graeme to be overpowering-- to his advesaries, to the helpless bystander cops, and to the reader.

Message to an Alien

Keith Laumer is a Nebula Award writer who is porbably undervalued today. His Retief stories are based on his experiecnes as a military attache in Burma. His Bolo stories were part of the inspiration for Drake's Slammers. This story is about the lone and disgraced soldier who was turned out for being righter than his superiorsthe civillian authorities could ever admit. He acts alone again and totally without anyone else's support to nip an invasion in the bud and stop a war. Laumer's disdain those with authority but lacking the sense to use it shows through. Dalton's mastery of the situation, the authoirites, and of the invaders is a pleasure to read.

. . . Not a Prison Make

Martino's novelette is based on the unique premise of guerilla warfare carried out by low technology aborigines. He builds the story thoroughly, exploring the occupying forces attempts to mount an affect defence. The key is to force to the negotiating table people who have no interest in negotiations. The solution is unique to he situation, and the resolution acceptable to all.

The Hero

The United States has reached the point in its decadence/decay where it is sometimes more convenient to ignore its veterans and treat them with disdain then to give them the consideration and rewards they deserve. And so it is in "The Hero." Kagan serves honorably and well. When his term of enlistment is up, he demands his desserts, and his superiors balk. Can't conceive of him going to Earth. George R. R. Martin uses overstatement to drive home his point, contrasting the soldier with his bosses. In the end, it's clear that they are as dishonorable as he is honorable, as undeserving of his service as anyone could be.

End Game

Joe Haldeman won an award for The Forever War. In the End Game, we find out what it was all for. Time has past. A lot of time has past, and Man is more like the Taurans than veterans like Marygay and William. There's a place for people like them called Middle Finger, heh heh. Anyone familiar with The Forever War knows Haldeman is a great writer, that he despises the stupidity and waste of war, and that he makes his case very well.

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1750 hours, August 10th, 2545(Military Calendar) \ 037 Sionann System, Underneath Ceideht City, Planet Orin. ---------------------------------------------------------------

  “Move! Move! Disperse!” a voice rang out down the tunnel behind them accompanied by a growing bright light. Heavy thuds of footsteps quaking the metal beneath them.

   Sibil was in no shape to do what the voice wanted, her legs felt shattered into hundreds of pieces after the ceiling collapsed on them. It felt as though the cold had been feasting on her legs for some time to. Eryn the stubborn boy, chose to stay with her. He was like his father in so many ways and he was only 3 years old.

   The light had gotten so close now she wasn’t sure if she was seeing “The Light” that everyone mentions when experiencing death.

   “We’ve got a non-combatant!” the man said kneeling down to her and Eryn. Her eyes adjusted to the soldier’s helmet light. She didn’t recognize his attire at first. Until she realized that he must be one of the Spartans that was being whispered about when everyone was together at Igo station.

   His armor smelled of welded metal and something she didn’t recognize but it was foul to her senses. The Spartan turned his gaze to Eryn, who was still tightly cradling her shoulder.

   “Hey pal you okay?” The Spartan asked pointing to Eryn, who nodded his head, mouth agape in awe.

   “What's wrong with your mom?” He asked scooting himself closer to the 2 of them. It was then that the ungodly smell Sibil couldn’t put her finger on earlier came to her. It was biofoam resting on scorched flesh. The Spartan was wounded, bits of dried biofoam soaked in blood were chipping off the sealed wound as he neared them.

   Eryn lifted himself up off the ground and pointed to her legs shivering from the cold and probably anxiety that was welling up inside him.

   “Gotcha.” The Spartan said giving Eryn an “OK” sign with his fingers.

   “Ma’am I’m going to pick you up.” He stated as he threw off the chunks of ceiling from her with ease. Eryn began to gasp in awe of the Spartan’s strength. The Spartan was colossal for a man. Perhaps the rumors of them being giant robots or cyborgs were partially true.

   “This isn’t good…” He remarked hovering his hand over her snapped legs and shook his head. He turned his attention back to behind him. She could hear him talk but he had switched off his helmet’s speakers so they couldn’t hear him.

   “I don’t know how right you are ma’am.” He paused. “So I won’t risk further hurting you for now.” He said pointing at her.

   “I..It’s just mm..my legs and p..pp.possibly my l..lleft hipbone.” Sibil coughed.

   “Are you sure? If one of your vertebrae is broken I would risk permanently paralyzing you if I lift you off the floor.” He asked with a terseness to his voice.

   “If t..that’s the case sssir…” She said pausing to cough.

   “Then I’d ra..rather live paralyzed then d..die in this dark tunnel to murderous aliens.” She said frowning at him.

   “Good point.” He said holding back his amusement. He proceeded to lift her off the ground, she did her best to bite away the screams she wanted to release, the pain in her legs vibrating up her entire spine as they slid across the floor. She and Eryn were soon in his left arm as he used his large gun as balance.

   “My name is Grant by the way, Petty Officer Grant.” He said looking at them. The only face she could find in his visor was the reflection of her’s and Eryn’s.

   “Eryn.” Eryn answered with a faint smile.

   “My n..name is S.Si..Sibil.” She followed the cold stunting her speech.

   “Pleasure to meet you love.” He nodded. Just as he turned around his fellow Spartans were approaching them.

   “Tall, where are they?” One Spartan asked with 2 others behind him.

   “Right here sir.” Grant answered lifting his arm with the both of them as a shrug.

   “Can she walk?” the one in front asked. His voice was that of a very young man. Almost identical to her brother Ben’s.

   “Nup, Spear.” Grant replied. “Explosions on the surface must’ve brought the ceiling down on her lower half. Both legs are broken, possibly her left hip is gone to.” He finished shaking his head again. Spear approached them turning his helmet torch off.

   “We can’t carry you forever miss, we have thousands of Covenant following us, tearing through all of our blockades.” Spear said pointing back with his thumb.

   “You are leaving me one man short, and I need him.” He hissed with frustration.

   “Le..Leave me then! But take my son PLEASE!” She shouted losing her breath. She could tell that Spear was looking at her with perplexment. He turned to see what the others thought and they didn’t seem to object to the idea. The Spartan sighed.

   “I appreciate and admire that ma’am.” Spear turned to his Spartans and continued.

   “But I can’t in good conscience do that, Wasp! Go makeshift some splints for her.” Spear ordered.

   “Yes sir!” Wasp answered. The Spartan leapt down onto the rails of the light rail system. Then proceeded to rip a section of the rail off its bolts then breaking it in 2. Sibil shivered from realizing how much strength that Spartan would need in order to do that.

   The Spartan got back up onto the platform and pushed Spear out of the way.

   “Tall, put her down.” Wasp said with a hint of kindness.

   “Aye” Grant nodded kneeling once more and slowly moving Sibil out of his arms onto the ground while keeping Eryn in his possession.

   “We don’t have any medical supplies with us and I hope the rest of our forces are kilometers away from here by now.” Wasp said grabbing Sibil’s pants, a tinge of pain sprouting out from the Spartan’s touch.

   “So these splints will have to do.” She said ripping her pants up to her knees.

   “I’m sorry but I’m going to have to right your legs, This will be extremely painful.” She said. “Again I’m sorry. Tall please don’t let the child see.” Wasp asked looking back up at him.

   “Right.” Grant said turning himself around and holding Eryn’s head so that the boy’s curiosity didn’t misguide him into seeing his mother in such horrifying anguish.

   “Okay, on the count of 3 I’ll set them.” Wasp said. She counted down nodding her head each second until she wrenched both Sibil’s shins so hard the pain made her lose her hearing to a strange ringing. Sibil felt as though she was screaming but couldn’t hear herself yowl. Her teeth clenching so hard they nearly crumbled in her mouth from the pressure of her jaws grinding together.

   She nearly passed out but she had experience with broken bones and pain before and so she got herself into a breathing exercise. By the time she consciously came to, the splints had been placed, her torn pants now being used as rope to tie the rail splints tight to her legs.

   “Great job ma’am.” Wasp said patting her on her shoulder.

   “They’re ready Spear, but I have to say if we don’t get her out of here, she will lose her legs to gangrene from the frostbite.” Wasp told Spear standing back up.

   “Understood Wasp, and here miss.” Spear stepped in front of her now and handed her a long section of rebar with some flag like cloth wrapped around the top for her to hold.

   “Ple..ase.. don’ttt  call me mm..a’am or miss.” Sibil stated. “Just call me Ss.sibil.”

   “Alright Sibil.” Spear nodded. “Think you can walk?” He asked cocking his head to the side. She motioned that she could and tried out the Spartans’ attempt at helping her move. Luckily the rail splints were sturdy enough to hold the weight from her. They did nothing for her hip though which still stabbed relentlessly.

   “Good.” Spear said looking back at the tunnel taking a moment for himself to think.

   “Do as we have been doing Quiver, keep her in front with you Tall while Ghost, Wasp and I will keep the Covenant busy down here okay?” Spear ordered pointing at him and Eryl.

   “Don’t worry Gary, she’ll be right.” Grant stated turning to Sibil. “Come on Sibil let's leg it.” Sibil didn’t hesitate and pushed herself to walk at pace with Grant towards the supposed evac station. --------------------------------------------------------------- I was holding off on posting this one but my sudden disappearance from art in general kinda called for something to be posted, I'm still working on this one as I'll make a background and finish it all. This is a small side chapter in Quiver to Arrows where while retreating from a vicious covenant blitz the Spartans discover an abandoned mother and her son at one of the stations to their destination under Ceideht City. Not wanting to leave them to the hungry brutes that were right on their tail. They decide to carry the 2 civilians with them while holding the Covenant's advance at bay.

#review #scifi Space Infantry by Dave Drake et al

#review #scifi Space Infantry by Dave Drake et al

Space Infanty is a Military Science Fiction anthology edited by Drave Drake, Charles G. Waugh and Martin Greenberg. It contains stories by a dozen authors spanning 3 decades. In order of appearance they are:

"The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears," by Keith Bennett; "His Truth Goes Marching On," by Jerry Pournelle; "But as a Soldier, For His Country," by Stephen Goldin; " Soldier Boy," by Michael Shaara; "Code-Name Feirefitz," by David Drake; "The Foxholes of Mars," by Fritz Lieber;

"Conqueror," by Larry Eisenberg; "Warrior," by Gordon R. Dickson; "Message to an Alien," by Keith Laumer;

". . . Not a Prison Make," by Joseph P. Martino; "The Hero," by George R. R. Martin, and "End Game," by Joe Haldeman.

Of the lot, Joe Haldeman, Gordon R. Dickson, Jerry Pournelle and Fritz Leiber are Hugo Award winners, though not for these stories. Mr. Drake and Mr. Haldeman served in Viet Nam. Their experiences color and inform their stories. Mr. Drake once said that his Hammers Slammers stories were partly therapy. Though clumped together as "Space Infantry," these stories run a wide gamut in attitude and outlook, and they need not strictly speaking be about Infantryman at all. Anyone simply seeking simple action adventure, bang-bang-your-dead, stories may be disappointed. There is so much more here than that. Anyone looking for high quality writing should read these stories. They stand out as excellent severally and separately. The book is essential to anyone with more than a superficial interest in Military Science Fiction-- especially anyone interested in the crafting or the history of Military Sci Fi.

The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears Mr. Bennett's story is not so much about ground sloggers as downed rocketeers who get the job done regardless of any obstacles and who coincidentally save their corps from absorption or disbandment. The basis for the title, according to Drake, is a song-- "The Mountaineeers Have Hairy Ears," whose lyrics I'll not reproduce here, and which carries the same emotional load of the Viet Nam Era, "don't mean nothin" in the context of having just had one's eye shot out. Mr. Drake was half a generation removed from Rocketeers, as I am from Drake's Slammers. In the context of today's milieu, the story is shockingly militaristic and imperialistic, much reflective of the attitude of the times in which it was written, 1950. No consideration is given to the real estate and no quarter to the natives. AS I said, the these admitted "Sons of bi-- er, Space" get the job done. There is of course a problem with some stories written in the 1950's. The idiom is changed. Readers of today may find it difficult to relate to.

His Truth Goes Marching On Dr. Pounelle is a Politcal Scientist and this story is as much a poli-sci treatise as it is a work of military science fiction. It is of course set in the Falkenberg's Legion universe before the collapse of the Co-Dominion and the ascension of Lysander to the Spartan throne, just prior to Ace Barton and Peter Owensford signing up with Colonel Falkenberg. Don't get me wrong, there's enough army life and gun play and slogging through mud for anyone's taste. There's also betrayal and a nuke.The story is well worth the read for anyone with a brain. But you won't know the truth till you read that last couple of paragraphs.

But as a Soldier, For His Country, Quoth the author, "It's a young man's story, venting frustration at the futility and lunacy of war." It grew into the novel, The Eternity Brigade. I'm one of those people made uncomfortable by this story. But guess what-- the purpose of good writing is not to make the reader feel good. Imagine the sheer unpleasantness and daily grind of war. Then imagine the worst parts. Imagine dying in battle. Then imagine being resurrected and even copied countless times for an age, till finally you meet yourself in battle. A well wriiten reductio ad absurdum.

Soldier Boy Michael Shaara won the Pulitzer Prize for The Killer Angels, a novel about the Battle of Gettysburg. "Soldier Boy" was also made into a novel; it tells the story of the lone soldier, at a number of disadvantages, that must come to grips with a superior opponent through his native intelligence and leadership skills. It's a well crafted story about a young man coming into his own. The antagonistis remarkable. Code-Name Feirefitz Despite being in law school, David Drake was drafted to serve in Viet Nam. He eventually became a member of a Battalion Information Center with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. His experiences there form the basis of his Hammer's Slammers stories. The prime movers in "Code Name Feirefitz" are not the highly capable Captain Esa Mboya or his Golf Company Slammers, but two civilans. Their conflict is key to Mboya's own conflict between duty and conscience. The story contrasts the grittiness and hardness of the soldiers as they set about doing their duty with the composure and quiet persistence of Esa's brother Juma as he does his. Their dedication contrasts with the desperate selfishness of ben Khedda as he seeks to sacrifice anyone to survive. The faith of Jooma plays against that of the Kaid who will risk anything to save his people, and both stand out against the faithlessness of ben Khedda.

The Foxholes of Mars Fritz Leiber has won numerous awards-- one of the great masters of Science Fiction. Leiber's opening imagery and setting creation is masterful. Leiber's prose is deep and lush with layers of meaning. War is just the setting for a deep and not terrible pleasnt look deep into a man's soul-- the soul of a budding demagouge. I find no indication that this story won Hugo or Nebula. It should have. It's shocking that an anthology containing this story should be available for a penny. This story in and of itsself is priceless.

Conqueror Eisenber crafts his story well, creating a believable setting and a sympathetic protangonis in a story that starts out being a story about the lone foot slogger a long way from home and in need of human contact, validation of his own humanity. Ends up as a story about successful psy-ops and asymmetric warfare against an occupying force.

Warrior The first Gordon Dickson I read was the short story "Soldier Ask Not" in The Hugo Winners. Warrior is a side piece to his Childe Cycle stories, about the Dorsai general Ian Graeme. It is included in the anthology Lost Dorsai.

Though the action of the story takes place far from the battlefields of the Splinter worlds, it is full of strategy, including the principle of calculated risk, and tactics. (Including Tactics of Mistake-- this is a Graeme we're talking about.) It portrays Graeme as the Dorsai archetype-- not only the consummate soldier, but a man who would cross all of Hell and half of New York City to pay a debt for good or ill. And all the more so to exact justice forhis soldiers. Dickson's prose can be a little pompous and overbearing-- his treatment of villains a little dismissive, mere stick figures lacking depth. But then he wants Graeme to be overpowering-- to his advesaries, to the helpless bystander cops, and to the reader.

Message to an Alien Keith Laumer is a Nebula Award writer who is porbably undervalued today. His Retief stories are based on his experiecnes as a military attache in Burma. His Bolo stories were part of the inspiration for Drake's Slammers. This story is about the lone and disgraced soldier who was turned out for being righter than his superiorsthe civillian authorities could ever admit. He acts alone again and totally without anyone else's support to nip an invasion in the bud and stop a war. Laumer's disdain those with authority but lacking the sense to use it shows through. Dalton's mastery of the situation, the authoirites, and of the invaders is a pleasure to read.

. . . Not a Prison Make Martino's novelette is based on the unique premise of guerilla warfare carried out by low technology aborigines. He builds the story thoroughly, exploring the occupying forces attempts to mount an affect defence. The key is to force to the negotiating table people who have no interest in negotiations. The solution is unique to he situation, and the resolution acceptable to all. The Hero The United States has reached the point in its decadence/decay where it is sometimes more convenient to ignore its veterans and treat them with disdain then to give them the consideration and rewards they deserve. And so it is in "The Hero." Kagan serves honorably and well. When his term of enlistment is up, he demands his desserts, and his superiors balk. Can't conceive of him going to Earth. George R. R. Martin uses overstatement to drive home his point, contrasting the soldier with his bosses. In the end, it's clear that they are as dishonorable as he is honorable, as undeserving of his service as anyone could be.

End Game Joe Haldeman won an award for The Forever War. In the End Game, we find out what it was all for. Time has past. A lot of time has past, and Man is more like the Taurans than veterans like Marygay and William. There's a place for people like them called Middle Finger, heh heh. Anyone familiar with The Forever War knows Haldeman is a great writer, that he despises the stupidity and waste of war, and that he makes his case very well.

Image cover art under fair use for the review. Contact publisher for reuse.

My text creative commons 4.0

Space Infanty is a Military Science Fiction anthology edited by Drave Drake, Charles G. Waugh and Martin Greenberg.

Space Infanty is a Military Science Fiction anthology edited by Drave Drake, Charles G. Waugh and Martin Greenberg. It contains stories by a dozen authors spanning 3 decades. In order of appearance they are:

 "The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears," by Keith Bennett;  "His Truth Goes Marching On," by Jerry Pournelle;  "But as a Soldier, For His Country," by Stephen Goldin; "  Soldier Boy," by Michael Shaara;  "Code-Name Feirefitz," by David Drake;  "The Foxholes of Mars," by Fritz Lieber;

 "Conqueror," by Larry Eisenberg;  "Warrior," by Gordon R. Dickson;  "Message to an Alien," by Keith Laumer;

 ". . . Not a Prison Make," by Joseph P. Martino;  "The Hero," by George R. R. Martin, and  "End Game," by Joe Haldeman.

 Of the lot, Joe Haldeman, Gordon R. Dickson, Jerry Pournelle and Fritz Leiber are Hugo Award winners, though not for these stories. Mr. Drake and Mr. Haldeman served in Viet Nam. Their experiences color and inform their stories. Mr. Drake once said that his Hammers Slammers stories were partly therapy. Though clumped together as "Space Infantry," these stories run a wide gamut in attitude and outlook, and they need not strictly speaking be about Infantryman at all. Anyone simply seeking simple action adventure, bang-bang-your-dead, stories may be disappointed. There is so much more here than that. Anyone looking for high quality writing should read these stories. They stand out as excellent severally and separately. The book is essential to anyone with more than a superficial interest in Military Science Fiction-- especially anyone interested in the crafting or the history of Military Sci Fi. The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears Mr. Bennett's story is not so much about ground sloggers as downed rocketeers who get the job done regardless of any obstacles and who coincidentally save their corps from absorption or disbandment. The basis for the title, according to Drake, is a song-- "The Mountaineeers Have Hairy Ears," whose lyrics I'll not reproduce here, and which carries the same emotional load of the Viet Nam Era, "don't mean nothin" in the context of having just had one's eye shot out. Mr. Drake was half a generation removed from Rocketeers, as I am from Drake's Slammers. In the context of today's milieu, the story is shockingly militaristic and imperialistic, much reflective of the attitude of the times in which it was written, 1950. No consideration is given to the real estate and no quarter to the natives. AS I said, the these admitted "Sons of bi-- er, Space" get the job done. There is of course a problem with some stories written in the 1950's. The idiom is changed. Readers of today may find it difficult to relate to. His Truth Goes Marching On Dr. Pounelle is a Politcal Scientist and this story is as much a poli-sci treatise as it is a work of military science fiction. It is of course set in the Falkenberg's Legion universe before the collapse of the Co-Dominion and the ascension of Lysander to the Spartan throne, just prior to Ace Barton and Peter Owensford signing up with Colonel Falkenberg. Don't get me wrong, there's enough army life and gun play and slogging through mud for anyone's taste. There's also betrayal and a nuke.The story is well worth the read for anyone with a brain. But you won't know the truth till you read that last couple of paragraphs. But as a Soldier, For His Country, Quoth the author, "It's a young man's story, venting frustration at the futility and lunacy of war." It grew into the novel, The Eternity Brigade. I'm one of those people made uncomfortable by this story. But guess what-- the purpose of good writing is not to make the reader feel good. Imagine the sheer unpleasantness and daily grind of war. Then imagine the worst parts. Imagine dying in battle. Then imagine being resurrected and even copied countless times for an age, till finally you meet yourself in battle. A well wriiten reductio ad absurdum. Soldier Boy Michael Shaara won the Pulitzer Prize for The Killer Angels, a novel about the Battle of Gettysburg. "Soldier Boy" was also made into a novel; it tells the story of the lone soldier, at a number of disadvantages, that must come to grips with a superior opponent through his native intelligence and leadership skills. It's a well crafted story about a young man coming into his own. The antagonistis remarkable. Code-Name Feirefitz Despite being in law school, David Drake was drafted to serve in Viet Nam. He eventually became a member of a Battalion Information Center with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. His experiences there form the basis of his Hammer's Slammers stories. The prime movers in "Code Name Feirefitz" are not the highly capable Captain Esa Mboya or his Golf Company Slammers, but two civilans. Their conflict is key to Mboya's own conflict between duty and conscience. The story contrasts the grittiness and hardness of the soldiers as they set about doing their duty with the composure and quiet persistence of Esa's brother Juma as he does his. Their dedication contrasts with the desperate selfishness of ben Khedda as he seeks to sacrifice anyone to survive. The faith of Jooma plays against that of the Kaid who will risk anything to save his people, and both stand out against the faithlessness of ben Khedda. The Foxholes of Mars Fritz Leiber has won numerous awards-- one of the great masters of Science Fiction. Leiber's opening imagery and setting creation is masterful. Leiber's prose is deep and lush with layers of meaning. War is just the setting for a deep and not terrible pleasnt look deep into a man's soul-- the soul of a budding demagouge. I find no indication that this story won Hugo or Nebula. It should have. It's shocking that an anthology containing this story should be available for a penny. This story in and of itsself is priceless. Conqueror Eisenber crafts his story well, creating a believable setting and a sympathetic protangonis in a story that starts out being a story about the lone foot slogger a long way from home and in need of human contact, validation of his own humanity. Ends up as a story about successful psy-ops and asymmetric warfare against an occupying force. Warrior The first Gordon Dickson I read was the short story "Soldier Ask Not" in The Hugo Winners. Warrior is a side piece to his Childe Cycle stories, about the Dorsai general Ian Graeme. It is included in the anthology Lost Dorsai.

 Though the action of the story takes place far from the battlefields of the Splinter worlds, it is full of strategy, including the principle of calculated risk, and tactics. (Including Tactics of Mistake-- this is a Graeme we're talking about.) It portrays Graeme as the Dorsai archetype-- not only the consummate soldier, but a man who would cross all of Hell and half of New York City to pay a debt for good or ill. And all the more so to exact justice forhis soldiers. Dickson's prose can be a little pompous and overbearing-- his treatment of villains a little dismissive, mere stick figures lacking depth. But then he wants Graeme to be overpowering-- to his advesaries, to the helpless bystander cops, and to the reader. Message to an Alien Keith Laumer is a Nebula Award writer who is porbably undervalued today. His Retief stories are based on his experiecnes as a military attache in Burma. His Bolo stories were part of the inspiration for Drake's Slammers. This story is about the lone and disgraced soldier who was turned out for being righter than his superiorsthe civillian authorities could ever admit. He acts alone again and totally without anyone else's support to nip an invasion in the bud and stop a war. Laumer's disdain those with authority but lacking the sense to use it shows through. Dalton's mastery of the situation, the authoirites, and of the invaders is a pleasure to read. . . . Not a Prison Make Martino's novelette is based on the unique premise of guerilla warfare carried out by low technology aborigines. He builds the story thoroughly, exploring the occupying forces attempts to mount an affect defence. The key is to force to the negotiating table people who have no interest in negotiations. The solution is unique to he situation, and the resolution acceptable to all. The Hero The United States has reached the point in its decadence/decay where it is sometimes more convenient to ignore its veterans and treat them with disdain then to give them the consideration and rewards they deserve. And so it is in "The Hero." Kagan serves honorably and well. When his term of enlistment is up, he demands his desserts, and his superiors balk. Can't conceive of him going to Earth. George R. R. Martin uses overstatement to drive home his point, contrasting the soldier with his bosses. In the end, it's clear that they are as dishonorable as he is honorable, as undeserving of his service as anyone could be. End Game Joe Haldeman won an award for The Forever War. In the End Game, we find out what it was all for. Time has past. A lot of time has past, and Man is more like the Taurans than veterans like Marygay and William. There's a place for people like them called Middle Finger, heh heh. Anyone familiar with The Forever War knows Haldeman is a great writer, that he despises the stupidity and waste of war, and that he makes his case very well.

#review #scifi space infantry, drake et al

Space Infanty Space Infanty is a Military Science Fiction anthology edited by Drave Drake, Charles G. Waugh and Martin Greenberg. It contains stories by a dozen authors spanning 3 decades. In order of appearance they are:

"The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears," by Keith Bennett; "His Truth Goes Marching On," by Jerry Pournelle; "But as a Soldier, For His Country," by Stephen Goldin; " Soldier Boy," by Michael Shaara; "Code-Name Feirefitz," by David Drake; "The Foxholes of Mars," by Fritz Lieber;

"Conqueror," by Larry Eisenberg; "Warrior," by Gordon R. Dickson; "Message to an Alien," by Keith Laumer;

". . . Not a Prison Make," by Joseph P. Martino; "The Hero," by George R. R. Martin, and "End Game," by Joe Haldeman.

Of the lot, Joe Haldeman, Gordon R. Dickson, Jerry Pournelle and Fritz Leiber are Hugo Award winners, though not for these stories. Mr. Drake and Mr. Haldeman served in Viet Nam. Their experiences color and inform their stories. Mr. Drake once said that his Hammers Slammers stories were partly therapy. Though clumped together as "Space Infantry," these stories run a wide gamut in attitude and outlook, and they need not strictly speaking be about Infantryman at all. Anyone simply seeking simple action adventure, bang-bang-your-dead, stories may be disappointed. There is so much more here than that. Anyone looking for high quality writing should read these stories. They stand out as excellent severally and separately. The book is essential to anyone with more than a superficial interest in Military Science Fiction-- especially anyone interested in the crafting or the history of Military Sci Fi. The Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears Mr. Bennett's story is not so much about ground sloggers as downed rocketeers who get the job done regardless of any obstacles and who coincidentally save their corps from absorption or disbandment. The basis for the title, according to Drake, is a song-- "The Mountaineeers Have Hairy Ears," whose lyrics I'll not reproduce here, and which carries the same emotional load of the Viet Nam Era, "don't mean nothin" in the context of having just had one's eye shot out. Mr. Drake was half a generation removed from Rocketeers, as I am from Drake's Slammers. In the context of today's milieu, the story is shockingly militaristic and imperialistic, much reflective of the attitude of the times in which it was written, 1950. No consideration is given to the real estate and no quarter to the natives. AS I said, the these admitted "Sons of bi-- er, Space" get the job done. There is of course a problem with some stories written in the 1950's. The idiom is changed. Readers of today may find it difficult to relate to. His Truth Goes Marching On Dr. Pounelle is a Politcal Scientist and this story is as much a poli-sci treatise as it is a work of military science fiction. It is of course set in the Falkenberg's Legion universe before the collapse of the Co-Dominion and the ascension of Lysander to the Spartan throne, just prior to Ace Barton and Peter Owensford signing up with Colonel Falkenberg. Don't get me wrong, there's enough army life and gun play and slogging through mud for anyone's taste. There's also betrayal and a nuke.The story is well worth the read for anyone with a brain. But you won't know the truth till you read that last couple of paragraphs. But as a Soldier, For His Country, Quoth the author, "It's a young man's story, venting frustration at the futility and lunacy of war." It grew into the novel, The Eternity Brigade. I'm one of those people made uncomfortable by this story. But guess what-- the purpose of good writing is not to make the reader feel good. Imagine the sheer unpleasantness and daily grind of war. Then imagine the worst parts. Imagine dying in battle. Then imagine being resurrected and even copied countless times for an age, till finally you meet yourself in battle. A well wriiten reductio ad absurdum. Soldier Boy Michael Shaara won the Pulitzer Prize for The Killer Angels, a novel about the Battle of Gettysburg. "Soldier Boy" was also made into a novel; it tells the story of the lone soldier, at a number of disadvantages, that must come to grips with a superior opponent through his native intelligence and leadership skills. It's a well crafted story about a young man coming into his own. The antagonistis remarkable. Code-Name Feirefitz Despite being in law school, David Drake was drafted to serve in Viet Nam. He eventually became a member of a Battalion Information Center with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. His experiences there form the basis of his Hammer's Slammers stories. The prime movers in "Code Name Feirefitz" are not the highly capable Captain Esa Mboya or his Golf Company Slammers, but two civilans. Their conflict is key to Mboya's own conflict between duty and conscience. The story contrasts the grittiness and hardness of the soldiers as they set about doing their duty with the composure and quiet persistence of Esa's brother Juma as he does his. Their dedication contrasts with the desperate selfishness of ben Khedda as he seeks to sacrifice anyone to survive. The faith of Jooma plays against that of the Kaid who will risk anything to save his people, and both stand out against the faithlessness of ben Khedda. The Foxholes of Mars Fritz Leiber has won numerous awards-- one of the great masters of Science Fiction. Leiber's opening imagery and setting creation is masterful. Leiber's prose is deep and lush with layers of meaning. War is just the setting for a deep and not terrible pleasnt look deep into a man's soul-- the soul of a budding demagouge. I find no indication that this story won Hugo or Nebula. It should have. It's shocking that an anthology containing this story should be available for a penny. This story in and of itsself is priceless. Conqueror Eisenber crafts his story well, creating a believable setting and a sympathetic protangonis in a story that starts out being a story about the lone foot slogger a long way from home and in need of human contact, validation of his own humanity. Ends up as a story about successful psy-ops and asymmetric warfare against an occupying force. Warrior The first Gordon Dickson I read was the short story "Soldier Ask Not" in The Hugo Winners. Warrior is a side piece to his Childe Cycle stories, about the Dorsai general Ian Graeme. It is included in the anthology Lost Dorsai.

Though the action of the story takes place far from the battlefields of the Splinter worlds, it is full of strategy, including the principle of calculated risk, and tactics. (Including Tactics of Mistake-- this is a Graeme we're talking about.) It portrays Graeme as the Dorsai archetype-- not only the consummate soldier, but a man who would cross all of Hell and half of New York City to pay a debt for good or ill. And all the more so to exact justice forhis soldiers. Dickson's prose can be a little pompous and overbearing-- his treatment of villains a little dismissive, mere stick figures lacking depth. But then he wants Graeme to be overpowering-- to his advesaries, to the helpless bystander cops, and to the reader. Message to an Alien Keith Laumer is a Nebula Award writer who is porbably undervalued today. His Retief stories are based on his experiecnes as a military attache in Burma. His Bolo stories were part of the inspiration for Drake's Slammers. This story is about the lone and disgraced soldier who was turned out for being righter than his superiorsthe civillian authorities could ever admit. He acts alone again and totally without anyone else's support to nip an invasion in the bud and stop a war. Laumer's disdain those with authority but lacking the sense to use it shows through. Dalton's mastery of the situation, the authoirites, and of the invaders is a pleasure to read. . . . Not a Prison Make Martino's novelette is based on the unique premise of guerilla warfare carried out by low technology aborigines. He builds the story thoroughly, exploring the occupying forces attempts to mount an affect defence. The key is to force to the negotiating table people who have no interest in negotiations. The solution is unique to he situation, and the resolution acceptable to all. The Hero The United States has reached the point in its decadence/decay where it is sometimes more convenient to ignore its veterans and treat them with disdain then to give them the consideration and rewards they deserve. And so it is in "The Hero." Kagan serves honorably and well. When his term of enlistment is up, he demands his desserts, and his superiors balk. Can't conceive of him going to Earth. George R. R. Martin uses overstatement to drive home his point, contrasting the soldier with his bosses. In the end, it's clear that they are as dishonorable as he is honorable, as undeserving of his service as anyone could be. End Game Joe Haldeman won an award for The Forever War. In the End Game, we find out what it was all for. Time has past. A lot of time has past, and Man is more like the Taurans than veterans like Marygay and William. There's a place for people like them called Middle Finger, heh heh. Anyone familiar with The Forever War knows Haldeman is a great writer, that he despises the stupidity and waste of war, and that he makes his case very well.