Topher Lydon

Thanks for the close read. You've pinpointed a crucial tension in Oliver's character—his intellectual clarity versus his emotional vulnerabilities, especially around ego and rejection. While his quick regression was intentional (stemming more from Orel's sting than Finn, as you noted), I'll take a look at that scene to see if his turning point could feel more earned for the reader. Appreciate the feedback on Lydia's potential role as well. It gives me things to think about for future chapters.

Orel just needs to figure out where his strength lies. Oliver is still the tragic figure in our little Shakespearean drama. At least he is finally doing right by Orel. And Tarquin, Tarquin always has a plan.

On an unrelated note, Carter's Echo is going quite well, 10 chapters. Tackling that missing Two years, the Toronto years for Will Andrew's first interaction with CSIS, where they notice him. Denton Jensen and what happened to him. Peter and Jason's story. The more I work with Merrickville, the more I realize I need to define what happened in 2001/2002. It gives me a chance to explore Alistair Merrick as well, and what kind of creature he really was. There has to be some reason Tarquin is the way that he is. I also get to explore Walter Grady's friendship with Thomas Highmore, and the 1978-1982 era, which as people know was a turbulent time of extremism and violence that puts even today's troubles into perspective. Andrew's journey from the idealist we saw in Shadow/Duty to the realist that would become the CSIS Operative. So after this one is released, I will release that story. It's not going to be a long one, but an important one.

now you know Alistair's plan for Orel. All hail the king?

Chapter Eighteen: The Archive of Hollow Kings The Merrick Vault did not look like a place of legend. It did not contain the skeletal remains of enemies, nor did it glitter with the stolen gold of the Third Reich, despite what the local teenagers whispered in the back booths of the diner. It was a room made of silence and cold air. Located behind a false bookcase in Alistair Merrick’s study—a mechanism that groaned with the effort of its own secrecy—the vault was a ten-by-ten box

We are at the halfway point in this book. There is (at least) another 20 chapters. This next arc is specifically focused on Peter vs the Beast. Should run for four chapters. I mentioned at the start this book is Tommy and Peter's book. Short and geeky win the day!

And I mean, imagine the Volley Ball on the White House lawn in summer.

I wanted Will to have a running mate who is every inch his equal, and given the choices out there. I wanted someone that would meet him on his level, and bring something to the table. Pete Mitchell does that.

NEXT: The Beast, The Twink, and The Rabid Wolverine Peter gets REALLY angry

It was a good way to show Will's Evangelical speechs. He's always had that prophet approach that causes people to listen. It's where he is strongest. Hah, different life he'd have a mega church somewhere. He's built for that style, TV/face to face, Townhall. His opponants, Biden (unlike the real 2024, Biden HAS NOT stepped down yet) and he that shall not be named... who have their own powerful strengths. Biden's natural rapport (when capable of it) and statesman presence. And then we have the Republican candidate with his... and like him or hate him, this is undeniable, his ability to galvanize his base is awe inspiring.

This was one of the first scenes I wrote for this book, the town hall scene. It was the core of what I was writing, and wanted to get across. We're so mired in tribalism, that we're being exploited. England, Canada, the US. It's the same playbook, the rich buying both sides of the equation and switching their support back and forth, while ensuring no one is looking at them. Farage and Starmer exactly the same as Pollivre and Carney, as the US enigma. And we need to look past the mouthpieces, and start tackling the real root of our problems.

If Will didn't face them, he'd never cause them to stop and think. He can't win them all, he just needs to win enough of them.

Good morning I am awake, apologies, I have been very tired lately (not sleeping well) so late rising. enjoy the chapter

CHAPTER 21: FIRE AND ICE Location: Hangar 4, Willow Run Airport, Detroit (FADL) Time: 2300 Hours. July 8th, 2024. Status: Campaign Day 4. The hangar smelled of jet fuel, ozone, and old iron. It was a cathedral of American industry, vast and shadowed, lit only by the work lights suspended high in the rafters. In the center of the concrete floor sat the campaign’s charter plane—a refurbished Boeing 737, painted a stark, matte slate-grey with no logos, just the tail number N-1776-WC.

Will suffers a nervous breakdown. Completely understandable, it sets the pattern for his career going forward into politics. the worry throughout Carter's order, and eventually his second breakdown in Carter's Throne. This story, while hard going, is important to the over all story of the series. Without this story, Canada would have fallen so much sooner in the Annexation.

this book is a tough one. I was... unhappy when I wrote it, if you have read Ottawa tales, you know why, this was right on the heels of Duncan I was... not myself.

little Peter's preference for technicolour was one of his first defining traits.

Tomorrow, Oliver front and center

that and Orel's got a secret that not even Orel knows about.

He does. And tomorrow we find out WHY he has to control Orel so badly.

it is 2024, also IT WAS NOT an American attack on Enrico, it was a Russian one. I was very careful in researching the drone used in this. The Russians intercepted Enrico's plane as a reprisal for Enrico screwing the Russians out of state of the art Targeting chips (earlier in the story)

Or he provides the Lawyer that uses the video, the police search, the mistakes to get Finn off. Tarquin has his ways. He also has the means to bury Finn in the system. So it's difficult for a kid like Finn, who has ZERO reason to trust police or the system to help him, to see a path out of this. Orel, however, smarter than your average water bear.