Opening Kickoff

So far, I have compiled a list of characters that make some appearance or play some major role in the new book - all of them sorted into different avenues of thought and process. I have decided to go with the idea I presented a couple entries back and keep SOCA around, just in a minute different form. With the agency secured, I turned to the new bad guys for this book - organized religion.

Okay, maybe a little overboard.

Honestly, I have no real issue with organized religion other than the fact that it causes so much suffering in the world, whether it is meant to or not. I have many friends, good friends, that are devout in their belief and faith and that is perfectly fine with me. Doesn't change my perspective of them, nor do I think any different of them. But back on topic, since I have been playing Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions on my PSP here lately, remembering and harking back to how the story played out with the Church of Glabados being the main manipulators of the War of the Lions. However, behind that were the cunning and demonic beings known as the Lucavi. The Church, using a story in their masses called the Zodiac Braves, held onto different "auracite" that supposed held the soul of each of the Zodiac Braves in them. There were twelve in total, and twelve were number of Braves from the tale, ranging from Capricorn all the way to Sagittarius. However, the tale was found to be a total fake used by the church to control the masses, as found out Elder Simon Rakshu. However, despite knowing the truth and documenting it, he never brought it forward - knowing that the church would come down on him hard for revealing their truth. In essence, this game and story within tell a tale about how everyone, even churches, have their own intentions not known to anyone but a select few and those select few are quickly silenced if found out.

Yes, stuff like this actually happened if you were against the church back in medieval times.

Back on subject, I am looking at a similar plot line for this new writing of this church seeking to gain global power and perhaps bring the world under the iron fist of their religion, controlling the masses and manipulating them into making them the saviors of the world. In the background though, another force is looking to capitalize on the situation. Figuring out the details on it is something I will have to examine later on though, as the current outline is there, but I'll need to color it all in eventually. Hopefully it doesn't matter me too angry.

Let's face it, this is pretty fracking mad.

"Missions" for the book are still in alpha stages, but instead of the action orientated pace of the first book, I'm hoping to go for more of an espionage feel this time of around, or at least more of a Metal Gear Solid type.

Complete with sneaking around in boxes? Absolutely.

Going with that line of thought though, seeing as how we're looking at a two man team involving Travi Gladius and Bill Bishop now, it will be easier to manage personalities and keep the focus on the task at hand. Alternating between six characters during a firefight can be very tiring, especially when you take into account each character's differing ways of dealing with a situation and how they react under circumstances presented. Having only two combatants will make it a bit easier to keep up with, especially using the template I toyed with during the Alana/Zack "missions" in the original book.
The other storylines will encompass primarily the love interests of the two main characters, Allison who has embraced her wifely role, and Heather Greene who is working on it alongside Bill Bishop. The pair are still working a full time medical research experts within the agency, and they will wind up coming into play later on when an old nemesis returns from the dead.

Not this guy.

 

The old nemesis, along with the church elements will take up the other storylines, several of them intertwining at times. It wouldn't surprise me if a certain plot point from the first book doesn't make a return, under the guise of "God's wrath" to weed out the unbelievers and bring only the truth believers to the forefront. It would make perfect sense to someone to use it as a means to bring terror and control to the masses, or to play God in essence, and wipe out humanity as a whole. Two sides, two end points, two entirely different ways of getting there. Mutually assured destruction from one side of the equation? Why not. Travi and Bill need something to do, they have to be getting bored.

And what better way to kill time that to hit homeruns off of baseballs shot out of mortars? I sense a new sport in the making.

I'll have more put together by the next entry. For now, adieu.