Let the Music Play, Chapter 36

[MikeL]

Chapter 36 of Let the Music Play, Prometheus, has been posted.

[C James]

Chapter 36 of Let the Music Play, Prometheus, has been posted.

 

 

Dayum, Mike, you are FAST! I think he posted about 30 seconds after it went online! I'll go post the announcement.

 

Sorry for the delay, and this posting occurred only with some special help from Myr. Thanks Myr!!

 

Enjoy the chapter! :nuke:

[Drewbie]

So now the cat is out of the bag, not entirely, now they just have to tell helen. Can't wait to see what happens with Mario, bombs in the states.

 

I'm actually happy to see that Joe seems to change his tune

[wildone]

O M G !!!

 

[rbenn5]

THE GOD OF EEEVIL CLIFFHANGERS STRIKES!!!!

Edited April 23, 2008 by rbenn5

[MikeL]

Dayum, Mike, you are FAST! I think he posted about 30 seconds after it went online!

Actually, I'm a little disappointed; I was shooting for 30 nanoseconds.

 

Great chapter, CJ. I enjoyed the story up to the nanosecond by nanosecond description in the last scene. I'm not sure if the end constitutes a cliffhanger. I suspect the cliff was obliterated.

 

It's good to see Joe making amends and, as many readers expected, he is playing a pivotal role is resolving the mystery. Hopefully, Instinct will jump into action, avoid Mario's planned hit, and help bring down the Scar.

 

I'm ready for Chapter 37. :nuke: :nuke:

[rknapp]

VERY INTERESTING!!! I have no idea if the physics behind detonation scene is accurate (I'm only in pre-engineering!) but it was very enthralling and a good substitute for the actual physics work I should be doing right now

 

Everything now hinges on Mario's hit! The boys know with no uncertainty that Jerry is bad news. Unless Mario and his hired goon (the flying super pooper that Canada loves) is successful, the world is done for!

 

When this list of demands in the fax included 20 billion dollars, I couldn't help but think of Dr. Evil's monetary demands in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. lmfao

[wildone]

Okay, now that I've calmed down enough.

 

First, you do realize the goose, like any good Canadian, is way to polite to cause injury or harm to any neighbour of ours, so I don't see any harm coming to the guys .

 

Wow, I didn't see sooo much of that coming!!! Did anyone else carry a false sense of hope for the flying wrench? I guess I still want Vlad to be safe, but noooo, CJ ends up killing him off a very large number of extras at the same time .

 

So we finally see the story behind the story name , definitely not what I thought.

 

Compliments to CJ though for the edge of your seat chapter. From the high of after concert party, to the meeting with Joe, just when things start to be looking good we have the death of probably millions of innocent Australians.

 

What a emotional roller coaster .

 

I think I honestly need a week to recover.

[Tiger]

Now, if CJ doesn't admit to using evil cliffhangers, he will have lost all credibility. The destruction of a city with almost 100,000 people is definitely an evil cliffhanger. See why I say that I don't use evil cliffhangers?

[Bondwriter]

I've been a strong supporter of the CH theory, but I don't see it apply here. A cliff-hanger would have left us thinking Vlad could stop the explosion. The only unknown element is Mario and Instinct, but it's hardly a cliff-hanger, since we're not left with Mario about to push the button/ pull the trigger/ poison the drinks; we just know, as we have for some time, that he was given the go-ahead to kill them.

[Lissa]

I've been a strong supporter of the CH theory, but I don't see it apply here. A cliff-hanger would have left us thinking Vlad could stop the explosion. The only unknown element is Mario and Instinct, but it's hardly a cliff-hanger, since we're not left with Mario about to push the button/ pull the trigger/ poison the drinks; we just know, as we have for some time, that he was given the go-ahead to kill them.

 

I agree. The entire chapter felt "edge of your seat", but I really don't see any cliff hanger, per se.. .

[FrenchCanadian]

personally I loved the chapter, the scene that I enjoy the most is where Joe finally makes his excuses to the band, and the boys are able to finally ask their question about his dad. Surprise Surprise, his dad is the opposite of gay, and he's not that good with charity. hehe

 

Then there was all the excitement of Jerry placing the bomb shells here and there and finally knowing what was in the letter,,, what was his goal coming from the bombs.

 

 

it's been said,, it's an on-the-edge-of-your-seat, very exciting chapter, and well done. And can't see any cliffy in that.

 

Now, after all the flowers,, comes the vase; the detonating. I think that spending i-dunno-how-many words in the description of how the device exploded is pushing it too much. Honestly, after maybe haft of that description I got fed up, enough that I made a jump to the end looking for the overall after-match. I actually came pretty close to simply stop the reading there.

[Benji]

............CJ, the best chapter yet!, very "Illuminating" we now know that Jerry had a soft spot for Joe afterall, including him with Helen in with the bands final act. As Mario is zeroing in

I suspect he will be foiled by an unlikely ally of the band, the paparrazzi, WTF is with the goose? :wacko:

Now our hero Eric will add everything up when the world hears the location of the explosion, the GPS + mystery Sub-woofers + new knowledge from Joe. I found the detonation sequence to be fascinating in detail as I imaged the thrown wrench being inches away from the engineers hand. BTW, CJ, I have never called you evil have I?? No, I sure I said that you were a lurker, yeah that's right, ......ah, please destroy my PM e-mail address as it is of little use, cause ah... ah...ah...... I being transferred!! yeah thats it!!

 

Edited April 23, 2008 by Benji

[wildone]

Now, after all the flowers,, comes the vase; the detonating. I think that spending i-dunno-how-many words in the description of how the device exploded is pushing it too much. Honestly, after maybe haft of that description I got fed up, enough that I made a jump to the end looking for the overall after-match. I actually came pretty close to simply stop the reading there.

 

Really!!

 

I personally read word for word, not understanding 1/10 th of it, but searching, looking, hoping for something in the description saying that the flying wrench had disrupted the power flow to such and such part, thus making the bomb a dud.

 

With all the technical stuff, I thought it built the tension to a nearly unbearable level. I did not want Vlad to die, so I was hoping against hope to have something go wrong. When the bomb finally did detonate, vapourizing Vladimir, the emotional roller coaster hit bottom.

 

By writing the long technical section I think CJ accomplished two things, one was to build the tension, second was to explain the technical aspects of detonation.

 

On the other hand, I understand that some people don't like the technical description. I just would have be really disappointed if it was to the lines of "Dimitri pushed the buttons on the cell phone as they watched the Town of Toowamba and Vladimir blow up" The end.

[Benji]

Really!!

 

I personally read word for word, not understanding 1/10 th of it, but searching, looking, hoping for something in the description saying that the flying wrench had disrupted the power flow to such and such part, thus making the bomb a dud.

 

With all the technical stuff, I thought it built the tension to a nearly unbearable level. I did not want Vlad to die, so I was hoping against hope to have something go wrong. When the bomb finally did detonate, vapourizing Vladimir, the emotional roller coaster hit bottom.

 

By writing the long technical section I think CJ accomplished two things, one was to build the tension, second was to explain the technical aspects of detonation.

 

On the other hand, I understand that some people don't like the technical description. I just would have be really disappointed if it was to the lines of "Dimitri pushed the buttons on the cell phone as they watched the Town of Toowamba and Vladimir blow up" The end.

 

 

........It certainly built tension the reaction was in nanoseconds, the wrench in midair inches from its thrower, the description of the detonation. I agree that is a lot better than with Wildone has written above (bold). Anyone notice the irony of the title?, the "hero" g_d who gave fire to the people.

[Tiger]

On the other hand, I understand that some people don't like the technical description. I just would have be really disappointed if it was to the lines of "Dimitri pushed the buttons on the cell phone as they watched the Town of Toowamba and Vladimir blow up" The end.

I enjoyed the technical description. I like learning how stuff works. In fact, that is an awesome website for those who don't know about it. sorry >>>

 

The ending you suggested is anti-climactic. The descriptive one is exactly what I enjoy about CJ's style. I'm sure it took a lot of research to plan this chapter, and that to me is excellent.

[Drewbie]

I enjoyed the technical description. I like learning how stuff works. In fact, that is an awesome website for those who don't know about it. sorry >>>

 

The ending you suggested is anti-climactic. The descriptive one is exactly what I enjoy about CJ's style. I'm sure it took a lot of research to plan this chapter, and that to me is excellent.

 

Exactly, like how the whole event unfolded, when he pressed the button.

 

liked the descriptions of the planes they flying on.

[TalonRider]

And to think all that happened while the thrown wrench only traveled five inches from Vlad's hand. If you haven't seen the after effects for awhile, I suggest Terminator 2: Judgment Day. AMC's been showing it and it shows the effects of the blast.

 

What puzzles me is this,

Helen smiled as Joe waked into her office. Ushering him to a seat, she asked,

[FrenchCanadian]

Really!!

 

I personally read word for word, not understanding 1/10 th of it, but searching, looking, hoping for something in the description saying that the flying wrench had disrupted the power flow to such and such part, thus making the bomb a dud.

 

With all the technical stuff, I thought it built the tension to a nearly unbearable level. I did not want Vlad to die, so I was hoping against hope to have something go wrong. When the bomb finally did detonate, vapourizing Vladimir, the emotional roller coaster hit bottom.

 

By writing the long technical section I think CJ accomplished two things, one was to build the tension, second was to explain the technical aspects of detonation.

 

On the other hand, I understand that some people don't like the technical description. I just would have be really disappointed if it was to the lines of "Dimitri pushed the buttons on the cell phone as they watched the Town of Toowamba and Vladimir blow up" The end.

 

Of course, having some description is good, it's more interesting than like you said, he pushed the button and it blew up. but there's a middle point on that,

 

At the start when it's written what Vladimir was thinking about is good, and yes was building up tension. In fact at first, I thought it was pretty interesting. But, I do think it went for too long/too far. After a point, I was feeling like I was either reading a reference book on nuclear explosion, a video documentary on the fisson bomb. And after all the excitement that was building up, I wasn't in the mood of a thesis type of text.

Edited April 23, 2008 by FrenchCanadian

[Benji]

Of course, having some description is good, it's more interesting than like you said, he pushed the button and it blew up. but there's a middle point on that,

 

At the start when it's written what Vladimir was thinking about is good, and yes was building up tension. In fact at first, I thought it was pretty interesting. But, I do think it went for too long/too far. After a point, I was feeling like I was either reading a reference book on nuclear explosion, a video documentary on the fisson bomb. And after all the excitement that was building up, I wasn't in the mood of a thesis type of text.

 

 

.......Different strokes for different folks....

[C James]

I'm short on time so I have to make this quick.. I'll return with more later on the other points (thanks everyone!!) but I wanted to weigh in on the technical stuff at the end of the chapter.

 

I knew when i started that reactions would be mixed. Some people, like me, utterly love a detailed technical description. Some don't. Both points are very valid IMHO.

 

In the end, several factors weighed int my decision not to trim much of it; The first was that I knew some would enjoy it. The second was that (minor spoiler here) there is a need, later on in the story, for the reader to understand how a nuclear warhead works. (however, fear not, no more technical descriptions of same. )

 

The final and biggest factor in my decision is this: How is the technical stuff any different from a sex scene? Plenty of stories have sex scenes, yet the same criteria apply; some readers don't like them. I happen to be one of them. When I encounter one, I usually just skip over it.

 

I made this chapter so much larger than normal for that reason; so, just like a sex scene (and this was no longer than many sex scenes I've seen) the reader can skip it if they wish, and yet it can still be here for those who like it.

 

CJ

[rknapp]

Really!!

 

I personally read word for word, not understanding 1/10 th of it, but searching, looking, hoping for something in the description saying that the flying wrench had disrupted the power flow to such and such part, thus making the bomb a dud.

 

With all the technical stuff, I thought it built the tension to a nearly unbearable level. I did not want Vlad to die, so I was hoping against hope to have something go wrong. When the bomb finally did detonate, vapourizing Vladimir, the emotional roller coaster hit bottom.

 

By writing the long technical section I think CJ accomplished two things, one was to build the tension, second was to explain the technical aspects of detonation.

 

On the other hand, I understand that some people don't like the technical description. I just would have be really disappointed if it was to the lines of "Dimitri pushed the buttons on the cell phone as they watched the Town of Toowamba and Vladimir blow up" The end.

Even if the wrench made it to the bomb it would have never disrupted the detonation sequence. The bomb was contained within thick steel, so a wrench would do nothing. If it did then Jerry would have been more worried about the LA bomb after Eric kicked it several times. Eric would have likely kicked it will a force similar to a projectile (the wrench) being thrown by Vladimir.

 

Matter of fact, I was surprised that the wrench had made it as far as it had.

[MikeL]

How is the technical stuff any different from a sex scene?

I'll have to get back to you on that. I mean I'll have to reread the technical stuff and give it some thought.

[wildone]

I'm short on time so I have to make this quick.. I'll return with more later on the other points (thanks everyone!!) but I wanted to weigh in on the technical stuff at the end of the chapter.

 

I knew when i started that reactions would be mixed. Some people, like me, utterly love a detailed technical description. Some don't. Both points are very valid IMHO.

 

In the end, several factors weighed int my decision not to trim much of it; The first was that I knew some would enjoy it. The second was that (minor spoiler here) there is a need, later on in the story, for the reader to understand how a nuclear warhead works. (however, fear not, no more technical descriptions of same. )

 

The final and biggest factor in my decision is this: How is the technical stuff any different from a sex scene? Plenty of stories have sex scenes, yet the same criteria apply; some readers don't like them. I happen to be one of them. When I encounter one, I usually just skip over it.

 

I made this chapter so much larger than normal for that reason; so, just like a sex scene (and this was no longer than many sex scenes I've seen) the reader can skip it if they wish, and yet it can still be here for those who like it.

 

CJ

 

 

Great analogy

 

I guess you could say both situations would end with a giant blast

 

[C James]

Great analogy

 

I guess you could say both situations would end with a giant blast

 

 

Kind of gives a whole new meaning to "making the earth move", no?