The Salvation War: Pantheocide. Part Eighty One Up

[Stuart]

Why not using a fuel-air bomb instead, then ? I think that would have annhilated them too.

FAEs are too unreliable; they have a massive failure rate and are only really effective under optimum conditions. If the weather is slightly off or any one of a number of adverse events take place, the FAE simply doesn't work. Thermobarics are better but are still very unreliable. In contrast, nuclear weapons are like good women, look after them properly and you can always love and trust them.

[westrim]

The neo-Nazi wankers really hate this novel, a fact which gives me quiet pride.

From looking at the Amazon reviews the biggest problem seemed to be with the editing. Even the positive reviewers noted that there were errors. Incidentally, do you have a professional editor on hand to check TSW over before you publish it? The forum-goers note some things, but not everything, and it's always good to have one solid proofreader to lean on.

[Nematocyst]

Maybe if it catches on, I can get a Salvation War t-shirt.

Or maybe a Salvation War movie. I'd watch it a million times, even if Uwe Boll or Michael Bay directs it.

[Valiran]

Maybe if it catches on, I can get a Salvation War t-shirt.

Or maybe a Salvation War movie. I'd watch it a million times, even if Uwe Boll or Michael Bay directs it.

For fuck's sake NO!!!

Uwe Boll must never be allowed to direct a movie based on this magnificent work of literature! However, I do believe that if Michael Bay was in charge of the special effects, it would be very awesome.

Though considering how CGI and live action don't mesh together too well at times, it might be a better idea to follow the example set by Beowulf.

[Guardsman Bass]

The neo-Nazi wankers really hate this novel, a fact which gives me quiet pride.

From looking at the Amazon reviews the biggest problem seemed to be with the editing. Even the positive reviewers noted that there were errors. Incidentally, do you have a professional editor on hand to check TSW over before you publish it? The forum-goers note some things, but not everything, and it's always good to have one solid proofreader to lean on.

The editing gets a lot better after the first novel, although there are still some weirdly worded sentences and phrases in the later stuff (not the dialogue, but the prose).

[Nematocyst]

Not even Uwe Boll can screw with TSW. The result will still be incredibly awesome.

It would be spectacular if the actual living characters played themselves.
You see the credits:

George W. Bush - Himself
Condoleeza Rice - Herself
The Amazing Randi - Himself
David Petraeus - Himself
Satan - Bobby Kotick

And so on. TSW deserves nothing less.

[Stuart]

From looking at the Amazon reviews the biggest problem seemed to be with the editing. Even the positive reviewers noted that there were errors. Incidentally, do you have a professional editor on hand to check TSW over before you publish it? The forum-goers note some things, but not everything, and it's always good to have one solid proofreader to lean on.

The problem was that the publishers screwed up and lost the author's and copy-editing corrections. So, what got to the market place was essentially an uncorrected galley and nobody caught it. We'll fix it when the hardback comes out. Yes, the text is proof-read by outside copy editors. That's where TSW:Armageddon is now.

[westrim]

From looking at the Amazon reviews the biggest problem seemed to be with the editing. Even the positive reviewers noted that there were errors. Incidentally, do you have a professional editor on hand to check TSW over before you publish it? The forum-goers note some things, but not everything, and it's always good to have one solid proofreader to lean on.

The problem was that the publishers screwed up and lost the author's and copy-editing corrections. So, what got to the market place was essentially an uncorrected galley and nobody caught it. We'll fix it when the hardback comes out. Yes, the text is proof-read by outside copy editors. That's where TSW:Armageddon is now.

Ah, cool. And sorry that happened to you on your first book. Someone (or me, when I get copy) should probably submit a review saying that, but I figured there was probably a reason for it.

[Brovane]

This is exactly what would have happened if Armageddon would have happened in the TBO universe. SAC would have rained nuclear destruction down on Satan's armies instead of engaging them in ground to ground combat. Satan would have felt the full force of the nuclear destructive power that humans can bring to bear. In TBO the US doesn't really know moderation and limited application of fire power. Nuclear weapons are the first and the last option that the US brings to the table during a fight.

"Oh, hostile universe full of demons?"
[lobs fusion bomb]
"Wait, they're still staggering around in the ruins! Throw in another one!"[/quote]

I agree, ground based AAA was very effective and could be more so. Any harpie unit attacking a group of ZSU23/4s would be in a world of pain.

I am not sure about TBO analogies though. Bear in mind that at that stage there was still Heaven to go next and humans may have wanted to keep some cards up it's sleeve.[/quote]

In TBO the primary fighting arm of the US is the USAF and SAC. The Army and the Marine's are a small force. Primarly fighting is done with the USAF and US Navy which are very strong. In TBO it is said that the US doesn't fight there opponents it just destroys them. In the current timeline that Armaggadeon is in the US uses escalating fire power with just enough applied to achieve destruction of the enemy. More powerful weapons are kept in reserve until needed with nuclear devices never been used. In TBO, basically nuclear weapons are it. The US ground forces are all designed to fight on a atomic battlefied where nuclear weapons are being used. In TBO the US simply lacks the conventional arms to defeat Satans armies on a battlefield. US Ground forces are kept weak so they will never be employed. Of course I shudder at the implications of trying to mount a hell filter on the engine intakes for a B-70 Valkayrie

[Bayonet]

The problem was that the publishers screwed up and lost the author's and copy-editing corrections. So, what got to the market place was essentially an uncorrected galley and nobody caught it.

I trust the culprits have been invited to dinner with a certain Lady.

[Simon_Jester]

I agree, ground based AAA was very effective and could be more so. Any harpie unit attacking a group of ZSU23/4s would be in a world of pain.

They were. That's exactly what happened. Well, I take it back. That was a mountain of pain. What was a world of pain was when the harpies attacked the NBC-protected BMPs and the Soviets lobbed a cloud of nerve gas on top of the whole area.

[JBG]

The problem was that the publishers screwed up and lost the author's and copy-editing corrections. So, what got to the market place was essentially an uncorrected galley and nobody caught it.

I trust the culprits have been invited to dinner with a certain Lady.

HeHe Dennis, that could be most unpleasant

[TithonusSyndrome]

Well, the hipsters have gotten wind of TSW, so I'm going to forget I ever read it now before they co-opt it as their own in any sense... and considering the age of the article, it's probably wending it's way through hipsterdom as we speak.

Maybe if it catches on, I can get a Salvation War t-shirt.

If I see you in one on the street and launch into a feral, mindless assault on you and your shirt, I apologize in advance.

[Seggybop]

Well, the hipsters have gotten wind of TSW, so I'm going to forget I ever read it now before they co-opt it as their own in any sense... and considering the age of the article, it's probably wending it's way through hipsterdom as we speak.

Maybe if it catches on, I can get a Salvation War t-shirt.

Give me a couple days

(you might regret this)

[CaptainChewbacca]

Well, the hipsters have gotten wind of TSW, so I'm going to forget I ever read it now before they co-opt it as their own in any sense... and considering the age of the article, it's probably wending it's way through hipsterdom as we speak.

Maybe if it catches on, I can get a Salvation War t-shirt.

If I see you in one on the street and launch into a feral, mindless assault on you and your shirt, I apologize in advance.

What's wrong with a T-shirt? If they made TBO shirts I'd have one of those, too.

[TithonusSyndrome]

If I see you in one on the street and launch into a feral, mindless assault on you and your shirt, I apologize in advance.

What's wrong with a T-shirt? If they made TBO shirts I'd have one of those, too.

I'm just assuming it'd bear all the manufactured ironic faux-camp hallmarks of hipsterdom, and me and hipsters, well, it's kind of like Looney Tunes bulls and red capes.

[Ruadhan2300]

hm, if there was a T-shirt for TSW. what would it look like? as far as I know, there aren't really any iconic images associated with the story...
heck, I'd be interested to see anyone's ideas

[Nematocyst]

Some of the scenes from the Battle of Hit would look good, and they would capture part of the essence of TSW.
And if we get Angels and human infantry in CC, that too.

[Ruadhan2300]

hehe, just had a little image in my mind of a demon zapping a tank with lightning...
and the tank crew just like "did you feel that?"
might make a fun cartoony pic for a T-shirt..probably a better caption is needed

[FedRebel]

hm, if there was a T-shirt for TSW. what would it look like? as far as I know, there aren't really any iconic images associated with the story...
heck, I'd be interested to see anyone's ideas

1. Abrams tank crushing demons, Caption: 'Demons go crunch too!'

2. YAL-1 gutting Uriel with a laser

3. F/A-18 firing a missile at one of Satan's Heralds

4. Bill Clinton with a shotgun standing over a dead Succubus, Caption: 'Wild Bill'

that's just off the top of my head

5. (not drawn from any scene) Hell red ACU Pattern shirt with 101st 'Hellborne' graphic (a demon or demonic looking eagle) and "The Salvation War" above the 'Hellborne' tab

[Nick79]

If I had to guess what would sell best, I'd say subtle stuff. Patches, hats or shirts with military and mil/industrial complex names, designations, regiments, etc unique to the story. Same with stuff from research half of things. Subtlety sells better IME.

Something like "Demons Go Crunch" would work much better on a high res poster with good art, the full story name, and a bit more info. Although even their I"d probably go with something from the story, perhaps "Sod off, Baldrick!" (if I'm remembering the line right... it's something very close to that, anyways.) instead of the "crunch" line.

[Nematocyst]

5. (not drawn from any scene) Hell red ACU Pattern shirt with 101st 'Hellborne' graphic (a demon or demonic looking eagle) and "The Salvation War" above the 'Hellborne' tab

Also, when the Heavenly Host starts getting their asses handed to them, the 101st Christkillers, with a sword breaking the cross, in white/silver ACU pattern.

I'd buy 50 of each.

Another thing: I read something about someone making the DIMO(N) badge. What happened to it?

[Edward Yee]

My personal cover art for "Lords of War" would be an "traditional Japanese art" stylized (hey, it worked for Magpul!) image of David Petraeus in hell camo, sitting atop the broken bodies of both a demon and an angel.

[Nematocyst]

That would make him look like a bloodthirsty warlord instead of a heroic commander.
Then again, the line between those is so blurry...

[Edward Yee]

That would make him look like a bloodthirsty warlord instead of a heroic commander.
Then again, the line between those is so blurry...

デービッド・ペトレイアス, 新世紀末覇者!!

My originating idea was simply for it to symbolize that human military/political supremacy compared to the opposing societies... but it should be a demon and an angel, not Satan and Yahweh, for that very reason. The "mind's eye" version of this had a Petraeus with a stoic or even sad expression, nowhere near triumphant, much less bloodthirsty.

Heck, your concern would actually work if it were done "humans/Petraeus through non-human eyes" style... I'd find it hilarious if in particular it was meant to be orc or "Heaven human" eyes. Something like CaptainChewbacca's take on Petraeus' "dynamic" storming Valhalla, even if he may not be the "grand entrance" type.

Personally I would have found it interesting for Petraeus to have personally received the surrender and Abigor have seen him then, as implausible and outright dangerous as it would have been... all the more ironic for Abigor to see that he had been bested "by" an "elderly" human.