So, in line with my book writing chores I was outlining the beginning of the story.\u00a0 And because of the well-known story-writing dictum that the first scene should be a rip-snorting action extravaganza, I pondered how to do this.\u00a0 So, I thought to myself, \u201cSelf, what better way to start the story than with a massive drone attack on Connors and his inner circle!?\u201d\u00a0 And I answered me saying, \u201cInternal monologue alter ego, that\u2019s a damn fine idea!\u201d\u00a0 So that\u2019s the direction I\u2019ve decided on.<\/p>\n
But a problem occurred to both of us; namely, I really don\u2019t know much about drone attacks or repelling them.\u00a0 Well, that can be a problem.\u00a0 But in this age of LLM\u2019s hanging around every corner I thought, \u201cWell, let\u2019s do some research.\u201d\u00a0 And voila! not only am I an incredible fiction writer but I\u2019m also now one of the world\u2019s leading authorities on drones and defense against drone attacks.\u00a0 Crisis averted!<\/p>\n
So now visions of solid-state high-power microwave (HPM), autonomous interceptor swarms, cheap directed-energy lasers and AI directed mini-guns and missiles are dancing in my head like toys at a kid\u2019s Christmas.\u00a0 Poor Connors, with Bogey on vacation on the Left Coast how is he supposed to rest easy while his security is in the hands of lesser men?\u00a0 Sure, Cutter and Mel are certainly taking the technical lead in fortifying headquarters against any rogue agents of the intelligence agencies but as became apparent in the first book practical military experience is sorely lacking at Typhon Industries.\u00a0 Well, what a perfect time for a sneak attack.<\/p>\n
So now I\u2019m gleefully outlining the fallout from the attack including Bogey\u2019s return to active duty with his friend Becky (former waitress, now main squeeze) in tow.\u00a0 So, this will allow me to push the political story forward.\u00a0 If the CIA, etc. are running rogue operations, Connors will have no choice but to begin affecting the political dynamic to advantage himself and weaken elements of the US deep state.<\/p>\n
So, I\u2019m going to give myself a B- so far on my first two days of outlining and since this passes (sort of), as an outlining activity I won\u2019t penalize myself for stealing a little time for this post.\u00a0 I still haven\u2019t worked out anything about Grace and her kids.\u00a0 I may have to consult with Camera Girl on that angle.\u00a0 After all, with killer drones targeting Connors, Bogey might step in and forbid his family from going within several miles of that marked man.\u00a0 It kind of makes sense.<\/p>\n
As far as sf tropes and gizmos I haven\u2019t decided what whizz bang stuff will be rolled out in this story.\u00a0 I feel I have to because that stuff is so much fun it would be disappointing if I didn\u2019t.\u00a0 At the very least there is going to be lots of artificial intelligence involved because Mel\u2019s status as an (apparently) self-aware machine needs to be explained and explored.\u00a0 After all she\u2019s Camera Girl\u2019s favorite character and she is kind of engaging for the writer too.\u00a0 Well, that\u2019s enough for now.<\/p>\n
Comments:<\/strong><\/p>\n WarPig<\/strong><\/p>\n “Please go to YouTube, search for \u201cSlaughterbots\u201d. Choose the DUST version with length of 7:59 That\u2019ll give you an opening scenario.<\/strong><\/p>\n This scared me back in 2010. The video was released in 2017. Events in Ukraine have proven it to be coming very soon. Those of us in the know have been warning the powers that be since 2010. The US can already use \u201cGinsu\u201d missiles with blades instead of explosives to target and kill an individual and knows which seat in a blacked-out SUV to hit.<\/strong><\/p>\n Darpa has been working on this \u201cI imagine\u201d, for over two decades, Musk\u2019s new solid state batteries, better than lithium, has the potential to give the little ones the range and on-station time to do this. Ukraine isn\u2019t exactly MIT or Cal Poly, yet they are halfway there already, with what \u201cI imagine\u201d is US help.<\/strong><\/p>\n Slaughterbots would have to be countered by swarms of \u201chunter-seekers\u201d with the ability to tell friendly minidrone from enemy. Also we\u2019d need new and advanced surveillance technologies to find evil bots as soon as they are launched. Remember, these things in the video enter buildings and can fly along streets at a few feet of altitude. Almost impossible to trace since they are not guided from an external controller by radio waves. No bot emmissions. No way to block their controllers as there are no controllers. They are kamikaze. One set of instructions, then let them fly, do or die.<\/strong><\/p>\n Scary.”<\/strong><\/p>\n photog<\/em><\/p>\n You’re right.\u00a0 That’s pretty damn scary.<\/em><\/p>\n