akascrubber

In today's warfare, serving in a tank might be a death trap as the Russians found out fighting the Ukrainians armed with Javelin missiles and drones. The US military and others are learning from combat in the Ukraine.

You have given us more reasons to be captured by this story and want to see how it truly unfolds. I am not expecting a clear path with defined sides in combat but mysteries upon mysteries and hidden plots and maybe only clarity at the end. The favored metaphor for battle today is asymmetric warfare so Larwrence will fit into that pattern and can be a winner. I just hope justice can prevail and Lawrence survives whole.

BTW, Orlando Bloom was quite the handsome, very earnest appealing knight and eventual leader in the Kingdom of Heaven which was very fantastical and still sweeping in scope. I marvel that armored knights fought and lived and died in the intense desert heat

I am instead reading a Harry Potter fan flic

Noah was despondent all day. He was concerned that Leo had really and totally broken up with him. He moped and was not encouraging to his parents. They went out to buy clothes for a wedding for the daughter of friends. They asked him to go and he begged off. His mother bought him an outfit just in case But, Noah was upset when he saw a new Instagram of Leo with a new haircut and appealing outfit. The text on the posted picture upset him. he must have seen evidence that were no longer a couple. Noah decided to see how good the suit his mother looked in him. Noah is going to have to look elsewhere. I hope he does not make any rash decisions about his future plans.

Lawrence was able to explore more of the grounds, learn that a staff member had not gone outside and found he was not welcomed in the kitchens. He did strike up an interest in a serving girl. He attracted the interest of his Latin teacher who held him back to talk. He felt a kinship with him I hope Lawrence keeps his mind open and does not pass firm conclusions about people yet. I feel people are not who they appear to be and he will need to see them in different situations to be able to better judge them. He has just started his classes. He must assume he is being watched outside his room

Fenn is powerless against the Orinove troops with special armor of light created with use if Ain's power. They had no shadows, He could not attack them and stop them. Fenn was almost killed by a sword strike. Fenn has failed and does not know what to do to stop them. He needs to go back fast to Ain and others and try to plan a good defense, hopefully.

This is the leadership and determination the crusaders need. The new Lord Haskal is as resolute as the former Lord Haskal. They will survive! "We sit in the mud, we conserve our strength, and we do not let them break us," Darien commanded, his voice carrying the immovable weight of his father's legacy. "We are going to survive this winter, Val. All of us."

Things will have to play out beyond the control of Sam and Graeme. Are the ash leaders powerful enough to,not be touched or do the drug lords have more men that can overpower the watch?

Is Khalid going to be oblivious to the underhanded actions of Rashid, AKA the viper, who will try to undermine him? Will he not counter and send his own messages out to gain support, Spring will be the time for better weather and combat. Can Khalid be preparing his men for action then and showing he is being forceful? Thanks , drpaladin for your correction.

Graeme and Sam informed Duncan what they found, Members of the watch were sent to investigate the glassworks and more. Some watch went along with them to help them get their gear at the inn. There were men at the inn looking out for Graeme and Sam. The watch held them off and threatened to arrest them. It looks like Sam and Graeme can leave the town with their business concluded. Sam still under the ash's influence needed Graeme's steady hand.

BTW--you are going to be missed on Fridays. I wish you success.

Eriks' mother was a construct who at first did not know it. She died not being touched. I can see Eriks slowly and then more solidly connecting with Lukas "This is not a transaction," Ēriks said. "I'm not paying you. I'm not using you. I'm just... holding your hand. Because you need it. And because I want to." "Why?" "Because you're a person. And people need to be touched. That's not a flaw. That's not a design flaw. That's just... being alive."

Darien honored his former father, the Baron "He was a good man," Darien said. His voice was steady. He did not know how it was steady, but it was. "He taught me that things could be fixed. He taught me that mistakes were not the end. He taught me that a man could be worth keeping, even when he broke what he was supposed to protect." Now Darien will help his men endure till the Spring. They have to endure. Ishan told him some major event will happen that will insure their minds can properly switch. Rashid wants to bleed his brother dry of hope and support and then have Ishan kill him in the Spring..

Orinovo is totally upset. It's cultural heritage palace in the center of the country was destroyed by Lys-Akkarian forces. Neven and Yarima are especially incensed. The courtiers were reached. They did not order an attack. It would take time to get forces into place for an attack a week ago. The Herald would have been in charge to order the attack. This destruction would be something he would want and know he would re-start the combat. The Herald in his cell must know Orinovo would now attack. He would get the destructive was he wanted.

Brant said it after a romantic lake cruise surrounded by accepting happy peoplr “Honey. Sky. I’m falling in love with you.” Holy fucking shit!" Wow--This could be a movie set romance--Be careful Sky--When you leave the lake and go back home, things might change--or not

But, someone or maybe two someone's are going to hold or become intimate with Lukas before 57 hours are up. Is this going to be a duty or maybe at least for one person a rewarding emotional experience? We do not want Lukas to self-destruct.

The people situation has gotten more complex and difficult. George, we have seen, can focus on what really matters. He may have to be celibate until he returns to his British ship, but he will whip the Spanish ship and its officers into shape and forcefully kick out any rotten apples. He is motivated and knows he must succeed for his own career impact. I bet no one will want to mess with him unless they are stupid or foolhardy. He has learned what to do when taking over a ship with a bad history from improving provisions, making sure the sailors have appropriate clothes and conducting sail and gunnery drills and taking the ship through its paces at sea. He will be open to spending money where needed and examining his officers and men as they go through the ship's paces.

Was not Edward VonGrippen meant to be a pleasure construct ?

I loved Knives Out. I understand there may be a 4th installment of Knives Out with Daniel Craig again. This confusing group "who dun it" mystery style is catching.

And the new Baron Haskal will carry forward the legacy of the man who called him his son "He looked at it, at the thing that the man who had raised him had died for, and he made a promise to the man who was not there to hear it. *I will not let it fall,* he thought staring at the Green field and the boar’s head that was the Haskal Standard flying next to the captured banner. *I will carry your name. I will carry your banner. I will carry the thing that you gave me, and I will not let it fall.*

So powerful and moving--You can feel Lord Haskal's commitment "Haskal raised his sword. "For the cross! For the King! For the men who fell at Albara, and the men who will fall today, and the men who will carry this banner to the walls of Antioch!"

BTW, is the mysterious man who was following Lukas going to appear soon?

The ship is free and Eriks and Lukas are on their way. The police cleaned up the mess and declared the ship and Lukas destroyed so they have a new life so to speak. Eriks has to realize he needs to touch Lukas to keep him alive. Maybe, a good and long hugs will do. Lukas deep code will let him support very intimate encounters,, but Eriks seems not interested They are traveling in space away from the place of origin and Eriks has to decide what to do next. I see from a previous post that a third, young male crewman named Tripp is expected. I hope the drone will keep giving them good advice. I am looking forward to their adventures

You can feel something is going to happen to Lukas. The mysterious man must be involved. Great start to this new story.