it sounds like Paul does get a say in what kind of chimera he becomes!
Yes, generally, they would, per the requirements of the Chimera Army, of course. Now that they're "at peace", it becomes a lot more choice based. Also, because of his special services to the Empire, he'd get a choice of type and class if he wanted something specific as part of his reward. It's definitely an evolution of the process though, because Theo and Stiles took a more authoritarian approach in the early days, deciding for you what you got. And you kinda had to like it because there's no going back. Chimeras can be iterated on and improved, like the Guardians are, but there's no changing the core essence they're built on. You can't go from being an ice chimera to a frog chimera, for example, you'd still be the first one, so an ice frog!
But I see that all the sex was off page.
Yeah, I did consider writing the scenes, but ultimately decided that I didn't have time if I wanted to get the rest of the plot development done. Plus, it really is just a one and done sort of hookup, it wouldn't have added anything to Nolan's character for the effort to write it. The one important thing it signals though is that Nolan is ready to have sex for enjoyment again, after doing it with Gabe as part of his cover and then being intimate with Ryan was more emotional.
it sounds like Greenberg is essentially like the imperial cinematographer?
He runs the Ministry for Chimera Enlightenment, which is basically all propaganda all the time and includes supporting the national sport (lacrosse), converting cable news to run pro-chimera programs (Chimera News Network anyone?!), various tv, streaming, and cinema films and shows to both manipulate recent history and put a glow on the current state of affairs. He's taken a, hmm, personal interest in securing any actors that bear even a passing resemblance to important chimeras and secreted them away for propaganda films. He's also in charge of imperial celebrations and festivals, and has a wicked love of confetti cannons he's itching to use that no one will allow him to!
Yes, choose does make more sense in context, thanks for that.
or do all chimeras have enhanced hearing in this universe?
Yep, the basic chimera package is a pretty sweet deal tbh, disease immunity, enhanced strength, stamina, and senses, including hearing and sight. Improved healing and endurance coupled with basic combat abilities before additions of claws, elements, poison, etc. The main drawback is that they're about half the strength of a Beta werewolf without the Alpha Chimera to empower them, then they go up to standard werewolf strength on their own. Their abilities are what give them the edge in straight up battles, that and the larger numbers.
Fascinating. Can't wait to see how that all plays out.
Yeah, it's pretty well charted in BBC IV and V, so that's a clear blueprint to follow in terms of how they get back together. Nolan comes into the frame a lot later and there's enough reference to build him into the relationship. There's definitely going to need to be some frank conversations though, especially with the revelation at the end of this chapter. The fact that Garrett survives is surprising in itself, especially with what he ends up doing to Connor, but it's both interesting and a challenge to write the renewal of that relationship from Nolan's perspective. It's hard to judge their throuple situation because we only ever see it fully manifested in the epilogue chapter at the end of BBC V. And by that point, so much time has passed that it's hard to tell how it all got started, just that it's stable and still fun. My plan is to incorporate the Corey/Nolan relationship first and then extend that out towards Garrett, and probably have a couple of scenes with them together as well as smut to tie it up.
I was thinking he simply commanded the regular army as a general and that this was a military coup.
Yes, I can see why you would think that. He is still technically a general, but he was given a task by Stiles back around the time of the capture of Kira to go and find the Ghost Riders, ideally so Stiles could control them and integrate their supernatural essence into his forces and create chimera versions. A key part of tracking the Ghost Riders is to follow the psychic echo they leave in the world, which only Banshees can feel. Garrett is dispatched to find such a Banshee and eventually finds the Ghost Riders, ultimately controlling them and becoming part Ghost Rider himself after consuming one of their pineal gland.
Sure, better to just have that become known as the random Thursday an inordinate number of citizens suddenly fell off their roofs!
Oh, for real, like there's a sudden spate of completely natural heart attacks that affect only those working in the palace, lol.
Surely Stiles and the higher ups in command are apprised of the situation and can keep Corey out of trouble if there's blowback? Or is it more, there's a good chance of summary execution or something by a rank and file chimera?
Stiles knows about the plan, it was him that encouraged Corey to go and meet Garrett. But in order not to tip their hand before the attack, Stiles doesn't tell anyone else, even Theo. So, you have this situation where Theo is convinced Corey has turned on them and that's pretty dangerous. And then Stiles does his "big reveal" leaving them in suspense just long enough for Connor to be like "Seize Corey the Traitor!" before Stiles finishes and tells him to back down. So, yeah, if it had gone badly and Stiles had been captured, Corey would have had little choice but to flee and hope they couldn't find him. Not great, but Corey trusts Stiles almost blindly and that's always gonna bite you in the ass.
What a world he's living in with such high stakes and ever shifting agendas and alliances!
That's definitely the way things go in this world, they can change instantly, and for Nolan, he's been able to ride the wave of change without falling off so I think he might be used to it by now lol!
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Uthizaar on Chapter 6 Mon 17 Jun 2024 03:03PM UTC
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