runsforcelery wrote:Annachie wrote:There's a Batman quote about why he just doesn't shoot criminals.
Something likr
"Can't have an easy way out, or I might be tempted to use it"
Using the snarcs as demolition charges would be too tempting for Merlin. Especially as he wants innovation by the church.
After he's done it once, it becomes much easier to use it again and again, and all of a sudden HIS mission is lost.
At least, that's how I viewed it.
Thanks for trying, but, no. Given Sarmouth‘s fears about the rockets going in, the criticism that he should’ve had the demolition action up and ready to go from the get-go is entirely valid. As I say, I was very, very ill while I was working on this part of the book, and I strongly suspect that that’s why I didn’t recognize the plot problem myself on the way through. On the other hand, sick or not, it’s my job to notice things like that, so I can’t just write myself a pass on it.
I have to say that I think overall the same reads well and works… Only problem is that it doesn’t make sense in some ways.
Far be it from me, just a lowly reader, to disagree with the author. I still think you are wrong, even given your explanation. The reason I do is if the Circle blew up the rockets still in the tubes I see only 3 real options from there. All three would produce worse plot holes.
1. Ships survive and merrily go on about their business. Rocket tech by the Church is still actively developed. This leads to a huge plot hole of simply waving a magic wand to make the plot happen.
2. Ships survive and merrily go on about their business. Rocket tech is halted as unreliable in the field. Based in human behavior in the past, I see this as the most likely as rockets were already hard on logistics. This would also be something the Circle would not want to happen. Merlin has allowed worse to happen to keep tech moving forward.
3. The rockets getting blown up is attributed to demonic power by Charis. Something Merlin is always actively trying to avoid.
Maybe I just don't have the imagination to see a scenario where a bigger plot hole is the only answer though.