Posted by: Þórgrímr
« on: August 28, 2014, 07:08:55 PM »Coco's Chapter 12 Review:
Thorgrimm Wrote:
Coco Wrote:
Haegan Wrote:
Thorgrimm Wrote:
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I may have missed something here, but the Roman's mention something being based on a 'Papilio'. What is that?
I really think that this scene with the Roman tanks taking on the Numerians is one of the best written in the whole book! Its exciting, fun, doesn't ever get boring or tedious, seriously, I love it!
The part at the beginning with the Numerian infantry is alight, but the best part is by far where the Roman's have to go up against the Numie tanks themselves.
I think the fact that the Romans have a computer system capable of automatically managing their tanks is another very nice example of how the Numies are behind the human nations in terms of military thinking. They just don't have the same organisation and communication in their army that the Terrans and Romans do.
Do the Numerian Sharolei tanks have a turret? Seems to me like they might have a gun in the hull instead? Also, aside from the huge Assault tanks, do the numerians opperate any different types of tank then the Sharolei?
How long have the Terrans and the Romans been in space for? The Terrans I would say a few hundred years at a maximum, but what about the Romans? I suspect they've been there for hundreds more? Or even thousands?
Are the Numerians the only species in the Commonwealth? Or do they have any subject species or similar? I heard mention that there were bandits in the commonwealth, and the Numerians themselves didn't seem to be the kind that would turn to banditry?
The ambush scene is also very fun, particularly with Cav and her rifle, and the cheesy Frenchman (Gaul) that turns up in that Roman scout vehicle!
Well, that's it! The last chapter of the book! I've already told you quite a bit about what I thought about the merits of the book, but given that my review process has now come to and end I don't think there's any harm in a quick recap! The best thing about this book is that it was easy to read, never difficult to follow the plot or understand what is going on. Not only that, but it wasn't boring at any point, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed it, its a nice story with lots of cool action. No frills or silly asides from what is really important! This is the kinda book you'd like to take on holiday with you.
Thorgrimm Wrote:
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1) Papilio is Latin for Tent. In that era they had 10 Legionnaires to a tent. So I just named their APC Papilio as a reference to that fact.
2) They say write what you know, and I think I happen to know a bit about Armored Warfare. At least I would like to think so!
3) Modern Industrial Scale Warfare forces a Nation to give up any ideas about individual combat, in favor for teamwork and mass combat. A nation will never be able to organize an effective large-scale military with a Warrior Mindset. Unfortunately for the Numies they are mired in the mindset of the individual warrior as the highest form of warfare.
4) The Numie Sharolei is more like an Assault Gun than a real tank in that their main gun is mounted in the hull, and not a turret. They are inspired by the German Sturmgeshutz IV of WW2 fame.
4a) Haegan will have to answer if the Numies use any other types of armor. I am sure they do, but I cannot answer for their creator.
5) Haegan will have to answer this one.
5a) The Numies consider the Terran Commerce Raiders as bandits, that may be what you may have confused for normal bandits.
6) Cav is based off of a friend of mine who is a Marine Scout/Sniper, only he is a guy.
7} That is some real high praise my friend! I thank you for it!
What is the next book you would like to review?
Coco Wrote:
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I think I'll go with the book about the first contact between the Terrans and Romans?
Haegan Wrote:
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Okay, those 2 questions are both easy and hard.
Numerians are by far the dominate species inside of the Commonwealth. The other two are the Oangyl ( a water species that has migrated to slightly more then 30 planets) and the Ghentilie(picture four foot high Lemurs). Both species are considered full citizens.
While the Oangyl are a full member of the Commonwealth, the fact that they weigh in at 6 to 8 tons each makes it difficult for them to interact directly with the land folk. They tend to inhabit salt water with a salinity similar to Earths oceans, but can survive in fresh water with few issues(other then the water tastin funny). I tend to see them as miniature hump back whales with odd arms for forward fins. the fins have an ending that has three manipulators similar to fingers with only 2 joints instead of the three that humans have.
The Ghentilie tend to spend much of their time in space and form a fare portion of the space born merchant traffic the Commonwealth have. It is speculated that they have been genetically altered at some point in the far past as the body seems to have been altered to perform best in low or zero G gravity. They do not suffer from the effects of long term low or zero G gravity like humans and Numerians do.
In regards to the other question about Numerian armor. Terrans see armor as tanks, etc. The Commonwealth includes power armor and walking mechs into the definition as well.
Most of the available armors will fill the positions that the Terrans have rather nicely at least in the unit formations that employ them.
It is to be noted that the current designs have not been fundamentally changed in tens of thousands of years. There simply has been no need. This all having been said, I can say that most armor that is used is optimized for small unit formations and the combats that result.
Thorgrimm Wrote:
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A Test of Wills it is!
@ Haegan, good species to do full write ups about!