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Bwowser (Google Chrome)

I don't write in first person, but the same problem arises in 3rd person. I use a short "tell" when I don't want to slow the scene by showing. The example I ran into was "The admiral bristled." I could have shown bristling, but it was a tense, high octane moment and flowery description wouldn't cut it.

I'm trying to keep Apollo in the game here, not cuddling with Aphrodite for 4 hours.

I'm claiming that a *properly functioning* AI can:
a) Measure and report the rate of air loss using 41st century technology. I assume you'll give me that one.
b) Can *estimate* how much air it takes for four average humans to remain conscious in a room the size of a raider. This would be a simple database lookup/calculation. No active measuring required. Apollo says "about 3 minutes". I made it imprecise on purpose.
c) Can calculate how long until 0 air (certain death to humans) using the same tech as in item a) above.
d) Can calculate what the *minimum* time is to get towed into the Marcus Decianus and repressurized from zero. It requires knowing how fast two ships are approaching each other (sensors), how long to tow the raider inside (tractor beam math 101), and how long to repressurize a raider (a known quantity for raiders since they pressurize/depressurize in combat all the time). It's a little complex, but if we can nudge a satellite into the orbit of a fast-moving planet millions of miles away, then it should be a piece of cake.

Now, let's look at variables. There aren't many.

The big one is rate of air loss. Did the cushion slip position and result in a *better* job of reducing air loss? Perhaps, but the sucking action of outer space means there's very little chance the cushion moved. Maybe I have my science wrong; wouldn't be the first time. If I'm right, then Apollo (correctly) ignores the possibility of a change in the rate of air loss.

Another variable is the speed of the Decianus in getting the raider aboard. The AI is calculating the *minimum* time required, based on the speed of the two approaching ships, and the fastest course the Decianus could take to position itself with the tractor beam. It could take longer, in which case the size of the miracle goes up. If it takes less than seven minutes, then there is no miracle. I'll work on that when my head isn't fried.

Found it! Thanks. I already reviewed them, but Karl's name didn't stick in my head (shocking, I know). A very likeable fellow. I'd love to see more of him in the books.

McNuggets

Doze Nuts

Karl, whom I do not know/remember, starting and ending a story mostly about Kha?

The book ending for Apollo is written!!!  Now for Joseph ... time to take that boy mountain climbing. I'm probably going to jinx it, but I'm shooting to have them both up this weekend. Almost done. Just a little more. C'mon, you can do it. Finish line is in sight. Just a few more meters.

K, note I said meters. Pretty soon I'll be spelling words weirdly, using excessssive s's. Then I'll start writing dates backward. I feel like the guy in Australia's back country with only Apple Maps to guide him. I've tried four times to change my address with Social Security to an international address, and it still isn't working. I may have to write them a letter. Guaranteed to work. Pfft. (I should mention that I found a place in the dialogue for God to say pfft. I still need a place for bzzt.)

Nite.

Worf

I love some of the stuff my characters stumble into. Big theme for book two just dropped in my lap a couple of chapters ago. One chapter remaining!

I'm missing the appeal of Girl Genius, but then I never understood the humor in Calvin and Hobbes either, until I saw one day that Hobbes was a stuffed toy. Then it was hilarious. It's the Calgary winters. Slows the brain. The sleeping pills don't help.