pappilon wrote:ldwechsler wrote:[The issue may be, based on the last snippet released, that the Detweilers decide they want some revenge immediately and thereby give clues as to their existence.
Most of the people mentioned are too well protected. They are on planets that are well-defended. We are seeing the collapse of the League.
More likely an unnatural death (remember that Benjamin is aging) would be far likelier on a warship. And it makes more sense in the long run for a death of someone older because the young ones are the seed corn for the next arc. Abigail, Helen, Paolo, etc. would be captains when Raoul starts his career and would help anchor the first book. A captain like Scotty would be an admiral. But some of the older leaders would be retired and not in the picture.
Of, course RFC likes to play games with expectations.
Just one word: Weaponized nanotech. Think the 600# cousin of the suicide nanite. Easy [translate undetectable] to slip into any system past any guards and drop into anybody's food supply. Textev Rampajet eats nano laced yogurt.
Oh yeah and it screams "Black Victor was right, we jumped Mesa and are alive and doing well." Yet gets no one no closer to where the stinkin' fleein' rats landed.[/quote]
Too easy plotwise. This is not where the evil villain can do whatever he wants. It's hard to get to someone who's in space and it is a boring death. You know, been there, done that.
I think DW hss thought long and hard about who dies. If he's serious about another arc, he might wonder who should be alive for that. Emily would be a sentimental but obvious choice. Would she have another 20 years? Mike Henke, though some dirty trick might also be a target. But the basic plans seem to focus more on Sollies pushing at the weak. And chances are, getting smashed for it.