Playing Benedict again?

[Cetiah_Nova]

I like to play the same challenge several different ways. I like balanced ships (or squadrons of ships) and like to use the same ships for different battles, altering my deployment based on circumstances. Sometimes I will run a battle, than move a single ship somewhere, and run the battle again to see how it plays out.

I was bragging about my latest deployment to a friend of mine, who doesn’t play GSB as much as me. In response, he turned to me and asked, “So you’re Benedicting again, huh?” I nearly dropped my drink laughing. And so I thought I’d share it with you all, as some of you may find it funny too.

For the rest, who may need help with the reference, Benedict was a character in the classic Nine Princes in Amber series, who was one of several supernatural character with the ability to walk through Shadows, which are variant worlds of possibility.

You do not really understand who it was we talked with in the tent that night. He may have seemed an ordinary man to you – a handicapped one, at that. But this is not so. I fear Benedict. He is unlike any other being in Shadow or reality. He is the Master of Arms for Amber.

Can you conceive of a millennium? A thousand years? Several of them? Can you understand a man who, for almost every day of a lifetime like that, has spent some time dwelling with weapons, tactics, strategies? Because you see him in a tiny kingdom, commanding a small militia, with a well-pruned orchard in his back yard, do not be deceived. All that there is of military science thunders in his head. He has often journeyed from shadow to shadow, witnessing variation after variation on the same battle, with but slightly altered circumstances, in order to test his theories of warfare. He has commanded armies so vast that you could watch them march by day after day and see no end to the columns. Although he is inconvenienced by the loss of his arm, I would not wish to fight with him either weapons or barehanded.

It is fortunate that he has no designs upon the throne, or he would be occupying it right now. If he were, I believe that I would give up at this moment and pay him homage. I fear Benedict.

Happy Benedicting.

[Adsadafafas]

Funny you should mention the Chronicles of Amber. I just recently finished the Great Book of Amber. Benedict was a very impressive character, unlike some of his other brothers and sisters. All I can say is I fear for the fleets that face you.