PeterZ wrote:So, how many nations will opt for the Silkiahn Strategy? That is to have Charis secure your independence and focus on building the national economy. I suspect Trellheim and any independent island or small coastal nation will find the strategy appealing. Heck, most of those nations would be happy with paying a membership fee to a Charisian Commonwealth. I doubt that will happen soon, but allowing the CoC in to compete with the CoGA and having national sovereignty secured by the ICN can happen pretty quickly. Following that, the greater the nation lets Charisian corporations invest, the greater the likelihood the ICN and ICA will actually fight to defend the defense partner nation.
cnrd22 wrote:I think the above hits at the main weakness of Merlin and The Inner Circle strategy of going fast for industrialization and Reveal - fast here meaning a century or so until the presumed return of the archangels at the end of the 900's as the possible imminent return in 915 is not survivable - that's why it won't happen btw.
An industrialized but not unified politically (or at least by something resembling the moral authority CoGA had before losing the war so disastrously and committing so many atrocities) is a powder keg, reveal or no reveal, as I simply do not believe that even knowing about the Federation and/or the Gbaba would turn enemies of Charis into friends - especially as a form of nationalism (which already was present but was kept in check by CoGA) seems to be developing in many places.
Now you are taking plot considerations in mind for how David will tell this story. That way of thinking is too predictable for plot development purposes.
The Inner Circle has to develop contingency plans to cover all possible scenarios. The Return may happen in 915 or soon afterwards as whatever awakens gets up to speed. What will they do in this circumstance? Ignoring the scenario because you don't think it is survivable is foolish. Changing the parameters to enable as much of the innovative spirit to survive may be the best they can hope for. If so, then plan accordingly. That's what they are doing.
The Charis and the Inner Circle may not survive, but enough of an innovation mindset and the two PICAs may indeed survive to fight another day. Forcing the Awakeners to kill and destroy as many innocents as possible to eradicate the technology may well be best strategy to limit the total destruction.