Is this any way a homage to Lost in Space? We have the father as a Robinson? Akura could be Will and Dr. Smith could be the German kidnapper!
Actually, you're not the first person to suggest that. Some of my older family members spotted the similarities to Lost in Space back in My Father's War. Now that I think about it, the similarities are kinda obvious. I've only watched the modern Netflix version of the show, and certain grandparents and older cousins do occasionally ask "when is the android character going to rescue a Robinson from danger?" It's like that "Say the line, Bart!" scene from The Simpsons.Is this any way a homage to Lost in Space? We have the father as a Robinson? Akura could be Will and Dr. Smith could be the German kidnapper!
It's a worst-case scenario, poor Akira will never be 100% right in the head again. That kind of experience will permanently change anybody.Poor Akira! Not just Stockholm Syndrome but all of Sweden!
In this universe, Mind Control can typically be made to last for several minutes, but very skilled Psions can keep it up for hours on end. The temporary nature of Mind Control makes it a useful for direct telepathic intervention, but whenever Akira needed to permanently alter someone's mind, she would use far more invasive and longer lasting methods including Psionic Manipulation.Akira sounds like she's under mind control. Wait, how long lasting is that? Could Akira have been brainwashed the entire time she was acting as the Paradox? Either psionically (doubtful, given her deals, but the End of the Cycle does seem petty enough to not undo such an action in revenge) or through her upbringing? If so, she would be a tragic villain.
It sure seems like Akira has a serious ulterior motive playing out here. Not only did she allow Scarlett's continued existence, she put her in a position of power. Does the Original Cycle version of Scarlett really seem like a potential spymaster to anyone here? There's definitely something suspicious there.Did she recruit Scarlett - the 116th Cycle's Scarlett - for a reminder of what she once had?
As you'll see in a future chapter, Akira is deeply interested in re-creating the EXALT society on a much larger scale. A scary prospect considering the sheer amount of raiding and space piracy needed to sustain that kind of society. I'm pretty sure Stellaris has a government type that revolves entirely around raiding, pillaging, and stealing people from other worlds.Earth is under Paradox's control. What's her plan here? Earth can't win against the entire galaxy, can it? I feel like the other shoe is going to drop soon.
It's worse. Her final plan is far... far worse.Heck, even if she didn't have other ships, she controls Earth now. All she needs to do is reclaim the Time Drive schematics and construct more ships capable of traveling through time. Is that her backup plan?
Yup. The Sweet Air specifically depressed and slowed down parts of the brain responsible for higher reasoning and logic, leaving the victim vulnerable to manipulation. Essentially, everyone on the island was slightly impaired as though they'd consumed an alcoholic beverage and become buzzed.The Sweet Air is brainwashing air, right?
Boom! This is exactly the kind of conflicted reaction I was aiming for. And in my head, I believe EXALT would have taken this thing global if they had enough time and personnel to do so. XCOM's sudden assault on Kauai totally derailed any future expansion.I'm not sure how to feel about the "Utopia". On the one hand, it does sound pretty utopic - what with the lack of sadness. On the other hand, it is maintained through brainwashing. I'm curious as to why they don't try to extend the compound to the entire planet, though.
Is Akira's mind still broken, even after all these billions of years?
That's just the thing... Varian and the new Stormbreakers only know that Akira has infiltrated and seized partial control of the UNE. There are huge gaps in their knowledge: Akira could be anywhere doing anything, and the Stormbreakers won't know until they narrow down exactly where she is and who she's disguised herself as. (They currently suspect she is posing as former Niagara copilot Erin Hyatt, but have no proof)Also, are we certain that Akira has only infiltrated Earth? If she's infiltrated the wider galaxy, she could have influence over the Galactic Council. Perhaps she has influence over the new Galactic Custodian. She could easily be playing both sides, and you did say this was partially inspired by Captain America: the Winter Soldier.
No worries, the forums are a big place and I'm not the only writer here.So sorry for not posting for so long, but the way. Congrats on the Showcase.
I'll probably post the TVTropes page when you hit a million words. Congrats on writing that much, by the way.
Many thanks, glad to hear you enjoyed.More great stuff as usual Mac! Always an enjoyable read, and a great side trek away from my usual readings.
Thanks, I'm quite glad to be back in action.Glad to hear that you are feeling better.
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Word Count Notification said:This chapter was 4312 words in length.
The Stormbreaker Universe now has a total word count of 990,107.
There are 9,893 words remaining until the series exceeds One Million Words.
Oh yes, we're gonna get to the breaking of things. By the way, have you noticed that we've made it all the way to Chapter 10 (out of 15) and Akira hasn't killed anyone yet? She's witnessed a lot of murder but hasn't done the deed herself. Kinda like I'm saving her first for someone significant."Navigating the crowd like a serpent" - Like the serpent, really - and what besides that serpent, that progenitor of sin - is Akira? How many people have died because of her? How much sin has been committed by or because of her? Even time was broken - nature was broken by her deeds.
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.Well, the aftermath of the original War in Heaven was utterly horrifying. And this keeps repeating. That might be another reason why Akira went more insane. Watching so many deaths...
Something big is being concealed... and I hope it will explain why the world seems kinda weird in my next Stellaris Story, The Last Heroes.Something's being hidden, after all.