C.E. Martin's Blog, page 6
April 13, 2017
Book of Stone: Keegan, Pam
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses appears on the right hand side of the page, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
PAM KEEGAN
Description: Agent & Departmental Liason, JIDTF
First Appearance: Brothers in Stone (Stone Soldiers #2)
FBI Agent Pam Keegan worked as a Special Handler for psychic consultant James Hornbeck in the early 2010s. In 2013, she and Hornbeck were recruited by Detachment 1039, assisting the unit in tracking antediluvian threats in the United States and Mexico.
After several successful operations with Detachment 1039, Keegan was formally reassigned to the Joint Interior-Defense Task Force, headquartered at Homestead AFB, Florida. In this position, Keegan assists Detachment 1039 by monitoring supernatural reports gathered by the FBI.
PAM KEEGAN
Description: Agent & Departmental Liason, JIDTF
First Appearance: Brothers in Stone (Stone Soldiers #2)
FBI Agent Pam Keegan worked as a Special Handler for psychic consultant James Hornbeck in the early 2010s. In 2013, she and Hornbeck were recruited by Detachment 1039, assisting the unit in tracking antediluvian threats in the United States and Mexico.
After several successful operations with Detachment 1039, Keegan was formally reassigned to the Joint Interior-Defense Task Force, headquartered at Homestead AFB, Florida. In this position, Keegan assists Detachment 1039 by monitoring supernatural reports gathered by the FBI.
April 12, 2017
Book of Stone: Joint Spectral Operations Command
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses appears on the right hand side of the page, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
JOINT SPECTRAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
Description: Unified Combat Command overseeing Counter-Supernatural Operations
First Appearance: Spectral Ops
Since 1947 the United States military has dedicated select units for operations against supernatural threats. In order to preserve a veil of secrecy over these operations, units such as Detachment 1039 was placed under various commands, ultimately ending up under the supervision of the Joint Special Operations Command.
In 2015, After Detachment 1039's operations revealed the possibility of off-world bases of operation for supernatural aggressors, it was decided that a larger, dedicated structure was needed. Originally organized as Project Flare, Detachment 1039 and several other units began training for eventual deployment against organized supernatural threats or sovereignties.
Following a successful operation on the Planet Asgard, Project Flare was reorganized and structured as a Joint Operations Command, Joint Spectral Ops Command (JSOC2), directly answering to the US Special Operations Command.
Headquartered at Homestead Air Force Base, JSOC2 has operational Detachments around the world, including Groom Lake AFB and Hickam AFB.
JOINT SPECTRAL OPERATIONS COMMANDDescription: Unified Combat Command overseeing Counter-Supernatural Operations
First Appearance: Spectral Ops
Since 1947 the United States military has dedicated select units for operations against supernatural threats. In order to preserve a veil of secrecy over these operations, units such as Detachment 1039 was placed under various commands, ultimately ending up under the supervision of the Joint Special Operations Command.
In 2015, After Detachment 1039's operations revealed the possibility of off-world bases of operation for supernatural aggressors, it was decided that a larger, dedicated structure was needed. Originally organized as Project Flare, Detachment 1039 and several other units began training for eventual deployment against organized supernatural threats or sovereignties.
Following a successful operation on the Planet Asgard, Project Flare was reorganized and structured as a Joint Operations Command, Joint Spectral Ops Command (JSOC2), directly answering to the US Special Operations Command.
Headquartered at Homestead Air Force Base, JSOC2 has operational Detachments around the world, including Groom Lake AFB and Hickam AFB.
April 11, 2017
Book of Stone: Island of the Damned
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses appears on the right hand side of the page, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
ISLAND OF THE DAMNED(Jigoku no shima)
Description: Magical Prison for Oni
First Appearance: Spectral Ops: Island of the Damned (Fall 2017)
Last Known Status: Rumored to Exist in the South Pacific
In ancient times, the Emperor of Japan tired of the rampage of Oni (demons) in his Kingdom. Knowing no one could kill an Oni, the Emperor instead tasked his wisest sorcerers with the task of capturing and containing the Oni, so that they could be expelled from the Kingdom, never to return.
Towards the end of the Emperor's life, success was achieved, and the Senshi Onmyoji, the Warriors of the Garden, captured every Oni in Japan and sailed as far toward the sun as they dared, eventually finding a secluded island in the South Pacific. There, laborers and sorcerers worked together to build a magical fortress-prison, binding the Oni to the island, and shrouding it in spells and wards that made it all but invisible to the outside world, and prevented any living or dead thing from ever leaving it.
When the Garden fleet returned to Japan, the Emperor ordered his Warriors to kill everyone involved in the project, to guard the secret of Jigoku no shima, thereby preventing any chance the Oni would be freed and one day able to return to Japan and wreak vengeance on the descendants of those responsible for their imprisonment.
But one of the sorcerers who helped imprison the Oni foresaw this treachery and sent word to his peers. Word spred throughout the circles of shamans, witches and wizards around the globe, and Jigoku no shima became a legend, pursued by many for centuries, eager to enslave the captive Oni and use them for themselves.
To this day, Jigoku no shima remains hidden, and searched for...
Behind the Scenes The third book in the Spectral Ops series, Island of the Damned sees the team traveling into the unknown as they are called to investigate strange goings on after an airplane crashes on a remote unknown island inhabited by what are first believed to be angry spirits, tormenting the survivors of the crash.
Look for Spectral Ops: Island of the Damned Fall of 2017.
ISLAND OF THE DAMNED(Jigoku no shima)
Description: Magical Prison for Oni
First Appearance: Spectral Ops: Island of the Damned (Fall 2017)
Last Known Status: Rumored to Exist in the South Pacific
In ancient times, the Emperor of Japan tired of the rampage of Oni (demons) in his Kingdom. Knowing no one could kill an Oni, the Emperor instead tasked his wisest sorcerers with the task of capturing and containing the Oni, so that they could be expelled from the Kingdom, never to return.
Towards the end of the Emperor's life, success was achieved, and the Senshi Onmyoji, the Warriors of the Garden, captured every Oni in Japan and sailed as far toward the sun as they dared, eventually finding a secluded island in the South Pacific. There, laborers and sorcerers worked together to build a magical fortress-prison, binding the Oni to the island, and shrouding it in spells and wards that made it all but invisible to the outside world, and prevented any living or dead thing from ever leaving it.
When the Garden fleet returned to Japan, the Emperor ordered his Warriors to kill everyone involved in the project, to guard the secret of Jigoku no shima, thereby preventing any chance the Oni would be freed and one day able to return to Japan and wreak vengeance on the descendants of those responsible for their imprisonment.
But one of the sorcerers who helped imprison the Oni foresaw this treachery and sent word to his peers. Word spred throughout the circles of shamans, witches and wizards around the globe, and Jigoku no shima became a legend, pursued by many for centuries, eager to enslave the captive Oni and use them for themselves.
To this day, Jigoku no shima remains hidden, and searched for...
Behind the Scenes The third book in the Spectral Ops series, Island of the Damned sees the team traveling into the unknown as they are called to investigate strange goings on after an airplane crashes on a remote unknown island inhabited by what are first believed to be angry spirits, tormenting the survivors of the crash.
Look for Spectral Ops: Island of the Damned Fall of 2017.
April 10, 2017
Book of Stone: Hammond, David and Julia
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses appears on the right hand side of the page, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
DAVID and JULIA HAMMOND
Description: Husband and Wife Archaeological Team/Treasure Hunters
First Appearance: Shadow Raiders
Last Known Status: Conducting research on the planet Asgard
A husband and wife team, the Hammonds traveled the world looking to solve histories mysteries. Originally, David Hammond leaned far more to the treasure hunting aspect of archaeology, and always seemed to find just what he needed--no doubt due to his unusual "power" of good luck. David eventually met his future wife, Julia, who possesses a powerful psychic ability to understand any language, spoken or written.
In 2015, the Hammonds were contracted to investigate a location on the northeastern edge of the Greenland glacier, which they were assured had high amounts of gold. The Hammonds and their small excavation team did locate gold, in the form of two large doors sealing shut a portal to another world: Asgard, the realm of the north gods of Norse mythology.
After assisting Detachment 1039 in stopping Ragnarok, the Hammonds grudgingly accepted a contract to further investigate the planet Asgard and the series of wyrmholes there that are presumed to lead to other worlds.
Behind the Scenes How many times have you heard a man say he's the luckiest man in the world when declaring his affections for a woman he's married to? Or vice versa? I've always thought there was story potential there, so when I created the husband-and-wife team of the Hammonds for Shadow Raiders, I went with it, making Mr. Hammond literally the luckiest man in the world, much like D.B. Sweeney's character in the 1995 TV Series Strange Luck.
Mr. Hammond's wife, the intrepid British Archaeologist isn't based on Lara Croft, the popular video game character my kids love so much. Instead, I got the idea for the character listening to The Creative Penn 's Joanna Penn--the chipper, always-upbeat English Author. She happened to be talking about one of her books on a podcast and I thought that instead of just having a lucky, male archaeologist for Shadow Raiders, or gender-switching him to a female, why not make a husband-and-wife team? Thereby allowing m the chance to build tension by having the couple split up for part of the action.
And finally, yes, the names of the Hammond's crew are familiar: when I first started Shadow Raiders, Jeremy Clarkson had been fired from the BBC show Top Gear, and my kids and I were in mourning for the death of the show. Thankfully, Amazon picked up the amazing trio of Hammond, Clarkson and May, and you can watch their continued car antics on The Grand Tour.
DAVID and JULIA HAMMOND
Description: Husband and Wife Archaeological Team/Treasure Hunters
First Appearance: Shadow Raiders
Last Known Status: Conducting research on the planet Asgard
A husband and wife team, the Hammonds traveled the world looking to solve histories mysteries. Originally, David Hammond leaned far more to the treasure hunting aspect of archaeology, and always seemed to find just what he needed--no doubt due to his unusual "power" of good luck. David eventually met his future wife, Julia, who possesses a powerful psychic ability to understand any language, spoken or written.
In 2015, the Hammonds were contracted to investigate a location on the northeastern edge of the Greenland glacier, which they were assured had high amounts of gold. The Hammonds and their small excavation team did locate gold, in the form of two large doors sealing shut a portal to another world: Asgard, the realm of the north gods of Norse mythology.
After assisting Detachment 1039 in stopping Ragnarok, the Hammonds grudgingly accepted a contract to further investigate the planet Asgard and the series of wyrmholes there that are presumed to lead to other worlds.
Behind the Scenes How many times have you heard a man say he's the luckiest man in the world when declaring his affections for a woman he's married to? Or vice versa? I've always thought there was story potential there, so when I created the husband-and-wife team of the Hammonds for Shadow Raiders, I went with it, making Mr. Hammond literally the luckiest man in the world, much like D.B. Sweeney's character in the 1995 TV Series Strange Luck.
Mr. Hammond's wife, the intrepid British Archaeologist isn't based on Lara Croft, the popular video game character my kids love so much. Instead, I got the idea for the character listening to The Creative Penn 's Joanna Penn--the chipper, always-upbeat English Author. She happened to be talking about one of her books on a podcast and I thought that instead of just having a lucky, male archaeologist for Shadow Raiders, or gender-switching him to a female, why not make a husband-and-wife team? Thereby allowing m the chance to build tension by having the couple split up for part of the action.
And finally, yes, the names of the Hammond's crew are familiar: when I first started Shadow Raiders, Jeremy Clarkson had been fired from the BBC show Top Gear, and my kids and I were in mourning for the death of the show. Thankfully, Amazon picked up the amazing trio of Hammond, Clarkson and May, and you can watch their continued car antics on The Grand Tour.
April 9, 2017
Book of Stone: Guerrera, Maria
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses appears on the right hand side of the page, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
DOCTOR MARIA GUERRERA
Description: Lead Researcher, Project MEDUSA
First Appearance: Mythical (Stone Soldiers #1)
Last Known Status: Residing in Resurrection, MT
Former lead researcher at Project Medusa, Dr. Guerrera was accidentally petrified in 1961, ending her multi-year research into how magical petrification worked and study on the Basilisk, a captured cryptozoological creature.
Dr. Guerrera was de-petrified by exposure to Capt. Mark Kenslir, who was able to temporarily nullify the petrification effect with his presence. The two remained side-by-side for a year, as Maria continued her research. The two fell in love, and were married in early 1962.
Regrettably, Dr. Guerrera was again petrified in March 1962 during an accident at Argon Tower that killed Capt. Kenslir, resulting in her petrification returning. Kenslir did resurrect, but without his full abilities to de-petrify. Dr. Guerrera was placed in storage until such a time as she could permamently be de-petrified.
In 2013, Detachment 1039 recruited Jason Trumball, a latent psychic with the ability to absorb etheric energy, permanently de-petrifying Doctor Guerrera (Black Knight Down, SS #5) and the many other subjects petrified over the many decades of MEDUSA research.
Doctor Guerrera was reunited with her husband, but soon learned that immediately prior to her re-petrification in 1962, had become pregnant. Doctor Guerrera remained at Argon Tower, assisting with Project GOLEM.
In 2014, Doctor Guerrera was captured by a witch shortly after delivering her child ( A Lucky Day to Die , SS#10). Guerrera and her child were rescued, but the Doctor decided it was too dangerous to remain around her husband and Detachment 1039, and moved to Resurrection, Montana as part of the QUICK RABBIT protocol.
Behind the Scenes At the time she was written, Maria Guerrera was based on Genevieve Padalecki, as I had become aware of Jared Padalecki marrying his Supernatural co-star. Having a petrified wife seemed an obvious way to keep Colonel Kenslir uninterested in females in true, classic pulp fashion.
As the stories progressed, a de-petrification had to be a result, and I wasn't sure what to do with the character. She needed a reason to leave Kenslir, and a baby seemed to do the trick, and also let me in a tragic story element that so many readers seem to like in fiction, in general.
At present, there are a few more stories Dr. Guerra might show up in, but in general, she will remain the far-away love interest for Kenslir, effectively rendering him a bachelor like his pulp-predecessor, Doc Savage.
DOCTOR MARIA GUERRERA
Description: Lead Researcher, Project MEDUSA
First Appearance: Mythical (Stone Soldiers #1)
Last Known Status: Residing in Resurrection, MT
Former lead researcher at Project Medusa, Dr. Guerrera was accidentally petrified in 1961, ending her multi-year research into how magical petrification worked and study on the Basilisk, a captured cryptozoological creature.
Dr. Guerrera was de-petrified by exposure to Capt. Mark Kenslir, who was able to temporarily nullify the petrification effect with his presence. The two remained side-by-side for a year, as Maria continued her research. The two fell in love, and were married in early 1962.
Regrettably, Dr. Guerrera was again petrified in March 1962 during an accident at Argon Tower that killed Capt. Kenslir, resulting in her petrification returning. Kenslir did resurrect, but without his full abilities to de-petrify. Dr. Guerrera was placed in storage until such a time as she could permamently be de-petrified.
In 2013, Detachment 1039 recruited Jason Trumball, a latent psychic with the ability to absorb etheric energy, permanently de-petrifying Doctor Guerrera (Black Knight Down, SS #5) and the many other subjects petrified over the many decades of MEDUSA research.
Doctor Guerrera was reunited with her husband, but soon learned that immediately prior to her re-petrification in 1962, had become pregnant. Doctor Guerrera remained at Argon Tower, assisting with Project GOLEM.
In 2014, Doctor Guerrera was captured by a witch shortly after delivering her child ( A Lucky Day to Die , SS#10). Guerrera and her child were rescued, but the Doctor decided it was too dangerous to remain around her husband and Detachment 1039, and moved to Resurrection, Montana as part of the QUICK RABBIT protocol.
Behind the Scenes At the time she was written, Maria Guerrera was based on Genevieve Padalecki, as I had become aware of Jared Padalecki marrying his Supernatural co-star. Having a petrified wife seemed an obvious way to keep Colonel Kenslir uninterested in females in true, classic pulp fashion.
As the stories progressed, a de-petrification had to be a result, and I wasn't sure what to do with the character. She needed a reason to leave Kenslir, and a baby seemed to do the trick, and also let me in a tragic story element that so many readers seem to like in fiction, in general.
At present, there are a few more stories Dr. Guerra might show up in, but in general, she will remain the far-away love interest for Kenslir, effectively rendering him a bachelor like his pulp-predecessor, Doc Savage.
April 7, 2017
Book of Stone: FM 3-10-80
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses will appear on the right hand side of the page in coming weeks, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
FM 3-10-80
Description: Preternatural Operations Manual
The US Armed Forces field manual for dealing with preternatural threats, FM 3-10-80 is intended for field command officers and NCOs, serving as a generalized guide for dealing with preternatural threats around the world by conventional forces. The Manual contains doctrine and rules of engagement, as well as a glossary of terms and a guide to the known preternatural threats in the world.
Behind the Scenes This faux Army manual will be released in late 2017, after the conclusion of the Stone Soldiers series, and will feature notes about the people, places, and things of the Stone Soldiers universe. Members of the Stone Soliders Mailing List will receive a free ecopy of the book, and it will be included in the full series compendium.
FM 3-10-80
Description: Preternatural Operations Manual
The US Armed Forces field manual for dealing with preternatural threats, FM 3-10-80 is intended for field command officers and NCOs, serving as a generalized guide for dealing with preternatural threats around the world by conventional forces. The Manual contains doctrine and rules of engagement, as well as a glossary of terms and a guide to the known preternatural threats in the world.
Behind the Scenes This faux Army manual will be released in late 2017, after the conclusion of the Stone Soldiers series, and will feature notes about the people, places, and things of the Stone Soldiers universe. Members of the Stone Soliders Mailing List will receive a free ecopy of the book, and it will be included in the full series compendium.
April 6, 2017
Book of Stone: Etheric Dampening Ring
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses will appear on the right hand side of the page in coming weeks, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
ETHERIC ENERGY DAMPENING RING (EDR)
First Appearance: Winters Fury (Stone Soldiers #12) (Spring, 2017)
Description: Magical-dampening device
Last Known Status: Standard Issue in Detachment 1039
Derived from the EDK (Etheric Dampening Knives) used by the Detachment since 2014, EDR's are comprised of an amethyst (or other quartz crystal) embedded in an electrum coil-setting, and set in a silver ring. Disguised as Armed Forces rings, these devices effectively store Etheric energy for later use, or, in the case of the petrified Stone Soldiers, allow the wearer to be turned human and maintain that state for a period of as much as twenty-four hours.
The rings can also be used to prevent lyncanthropes from transforming, can absorb non-corporeal entities, or draw the energy they have collected to manifest, and can safely draw etheric energy being channeled by a magic user, disabling their ability to spell cast or wield magic energies.
EDRs can also affect entities on the spectral or astral planes, so long as they have accumulated some kind of charge. In this way, non-corporeal entities operating on the physical plane can be affected by a touch from an EDR,
EED technology is also incorporated into shackles, manacles, and neck restraints, but are capable of storing a far greater amount of energy.
In the event an EDR absorbs too much energy, it will begin to overheat. If the silver of the ring does not deform, the amethyst crystal will slowly turn to a clear state, losing all color and the ability to form the etheric energy storing construct. At this point, the crystals can crack or burst from a sudden discharge.
Behind the Scenes After the introduction of the Lotus Ring in Stone Soldiers #8, Terrorcota , and a few confusing reviews, it became apparent that there was a way to turn Stone Soldiers flesh and blood again. And given the precedent set in the books that amethysts can store magic/psionic (etheric) energy, it seemed like a ring made to resemble a military one would do the trick.
While it hasn't been worked into the books just yet, the process for a depetrification would be for either Mark Kenslir to nullify the enchantment of the Medusa & Basilisk eyes, or for Jason Trumball to drain all the energy from a stone soldier. The now-flesh candidate would then slip a ring on, to prevent re-petrification. In this way, the stone soldiers can enjoy time as regular men once more.
ETHERIC ENERGY DAMPENING RING (EDR)
First Appearance: Winters Fury (Stone Soldiers #12) (Spring, 2017)
Description: Magical-dampening device
Last Known Status: Standard Issue in Detachment 1039
Derived from the EDK (Etheric Dampening Knives) used by the Detachment since 2014, EDR's are comprised of an amethyst (or other quartz crystal) embedded in an electrum coil-setting, and set in a silver ring. Disguised as Armed Forces rings, these devices effectively store Etheric energy for later use, or, in the case of the petrified Stone Soldiers, allow the wearer to be turned human and maintain that state for a period of as much as twenty-four hours.
The rings can also be used to prevent lyncanthropes from transforming, can absorb non-corporeal entities, or draw the energy they have collected to manifest, and can safely draw etheric energy being channeled by a magic user, disabling their ability to spell cast or wield magic energies.
EDRs can also affect entities on the spectral or astral planes, so long as they have accumulated some kind of charge. In this way, non-corporeal entities operating on the physical plane can be affected by a touch from an EDR,
EED technology is also incorporated into shackles, manacles, and neck restraints, but are capable of storing a far greater amount of energy.
In the event an EDR absorbs too much energy, it will begin to overheat. If the silver of the ring does not deform, the amethyst crystal will slowly turn to a clear state, losing all color and the ability to form the etheric energy storing construct. At this point, the crystals can crack or burst from a sudden discharge.
Behind the Scenes After the introduction of the Lotus Ring in Stone Soldiers #8, Terrorcota , and a few confusing reviews, it became apparent that there was a way to turn Stone Soldiers flesh and blood again. And given the precedent set in the books that amethysts can store magic/psionic (etheric) energy, it seemed like a ring made to resemble a military one would do the trick.
While it hasn't been worked into the books just yet, the process for a depetrification would be for either Mark Kenslir to nullify the enchantment of the Medusa & Basilisk eyes, or for Jason Trumball to drain all the energy from a stone soldier. The now-flesh candidate would then slip a ring on, to prevent re-petrification. In this way, the stone soldiers can enjoy time as regular men once more.
April 5, 2017
Book of Stone: DELAGE, Mathias
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses will appear on the right hand side of the page in coming weeks, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
DELAGE, Mathias
First Appearance: Spectral Ops
Description: Member of the French Gendarmerie
Last Known Status: Deceased
Assigned to the tranquil town of Moyenne, France, Mathias Delage was a member of France's Gendarmerie--one of two national police forces in the country.
Having survived the initial spectral invasion of his town in April 2017, Mathias led a small group of survivors to a church on the outskirts of town, eventually taking in the remnants of the French Army's Paladins sent in response to the supernatural incident.
Mathias' knowledge of the town made him an invaluable addition to the remaining Paladins' cooperative effort with Detachment 1039 to rid the town of the unleashed phantoms. During the course of the operation, Mathias was unfortunately possessed and killed by the rampaging entities.
In the aftermath of the incident, publicly declared a terrorist incursion by refugees, Delage was recognized for his sacrifice with a commemorative plaque erected in his honor in the center of town.
DELAGE, Mathias
First Appearance: Spectral Ops
Description: Member of the French Gendarmerie
Last Known Status: Deceased
Assigned to the tranquil town of Moyenne, France, Mathias Delage was a member of France's Gendarmerie--one of two national police forces in the country.
Having survived the initial spectral invasion of his town in April 2017, Mathias led a small group of survivors to a church on the outskirts of town, eventually taking in the remnants of the French Army's Paladins sent in response to the supernatural incident.
Mathias' knowledge of the town made him an invaluable addition to the remaining Paladins' cooperative effort with Detachment 1039 to rid the town of the unleashed phantoms. During the course of the operation, Mathias was unfortunately possessed and killed by the rampaging entities.
In the aftermath of the incident, publicly declared a terrorist incursion by refugees, Delage was recognized for his sacrifice with a commemorative plaque erected in his honor in the center of town.
April 4, 2017
Book of Stone: Operation COLD FLARE
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses will appear on the right hand side of the page in coming weeks, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
OPERATION COLD FLARE
First Appearance: Shadow Raiders
Description: Joint Task Force Operation to Repel Extraterrestrial Invaders in 2016
Last Known Status: Successfully Concluded
DESCRIPTION
In 2015, the Department of Defense initiated Project Flare, a program to prepare for an extraterrestrial invasion of the Earth. Multiple units of the military were assigned to the project, which was housed at Groom Lake Air Force Base, Nevada under the command of General Mark Kenslir, US Army.
In the Summer of 2016, nearly a year after training for the joint units had begun, a portal to an alternate reality was opened in Greenland by an archaeological team. Detachment 1039 responded to the site, investigating the breach and quickly determined hostile Fellish forces were amassing for an invasion. Operation COLD FLARE was initiated—a mobilization to Greenland and beyond to repel the would-be invaders and protect th Earth.
During the few short days of COLD FLARE, units the US Marine Corps passed through Project Flare’s own portal, the Sprocket, assaulting enemy forces from the air. Naval Construction Battalion teams erected a base in Greenland at the site of the breach, and US Air Forces from Thule AFB attacked the limited number of invaders who managed to pass through the breach and make it to Greenland.
In the aftermath of COLD FLARE, less than twenty US service men and women numbered among the dead, while an estimated three thousand Fellish soldiers had been killed. A detachment of Marine and Air Force security forces then set up a forward observation post past the breach, on the alien world of Asgard, were scientific teams continue to investigate the world to determine any future strategic value.
Behind the Scenes
The most difficult thing about COLD FLARE was coming up with a name. The US Military and allied forces have had hundredsof code names for operations and projects over the years. Eventually, I chose the obvious “FLARE” for the overall project, as the early Wyrmhole Ring Portals in the Stone Soldiers series emitted such bright light upon establishing connection. COLD FLARE seemed obvious in that Greenland’s glacier was the setting for the battle between Asgardian and Midgard forces. Future installments in the Shadow Raiders series will also feature “FLARE” in the name, e.g. “SAND FLARE”, “DARK FLARE” etc.
OPERATION COLD FLARE
First Appearance: Shadow Raiders
Description: Joint Task Force Operation to Repel Extraterrestrial Invaders in 2016
Last Known Status: Successfully Concluded
DESCRIPTION
In 2015, the Department of Defense initiated Project Flare, a program to prepare for an extraterrestrial invasion of the Earth. Multiple units of the military were assigned to the project, which was housed at Groom Lake Air Force Base, Nevada under the command of General Mark Kenslir, US Army.
In the Summer of 2016, nearly a year after training for the joint units had begun, a portal to an alternate reality was opened in Greenland by an archaeological team. Detachment 1039 responded to the site, investigating the breach and quickly determined hostile Fellish forces were amassing for an invasion. Operation COLD FLARE was initiated—a mobilization to Greenland and beyond to repel the would-be invaders and protect th Earth.
During the few short days of COLD FLARE, units the US Marine Corps passed through Project Flare’s own portal, the Sprocket, assaulting enemy forces from the air. Naval Construction Battalion teams erected a base in Greenland at the site of the breach, and US Air Forces from Thule AFB attacked the limited number of invaders who managed to pass through the breach and make it to Greenland.
In the aftermath of COLD FLARE, less than twenty US service men and women numbered among the dead, while an estimated three thousand Fellish soldiers had been killed. A detachment of Marine and Air Force security forces then set up a forward observation post past the breach, on the alien world of Asgard, were scientific teams continue to investigate the world to determine any future strategic value.
Behind the Scenes
The most difficult thing about COLD FLARE was coming up with a name. The US Military and allied forces have had hundredsof code names for operations and projects over the years. Eventually, I chose the obvious “FLARE” for the overall project, as the early Wyrmhole Ring Portals in the Stone Soldiers series emitted such bright light upon establishing connection. COLD FLARE seemed obvious in that Greenland’s glacier was the setting for the battle between Asgardian and Midgard forces. Future installments in the Shadow Raiders series will also feature “FLARE” in the name, e.g. “SAND FLARE”, “DARK FLARE” etc.
April 3, 2017
Book of Stone: Barraud, Marie-Felice
For April, Stone Soldiers.info is celebrating the A to Z Blog Challenge with daily letter-themed entries. A separate page with a list of all these entries, plus Character Profiles and Book Synopses will appear on the right hand side of the page in coming weeks, detailing the people, places and things of the Stone Soldiers universe.
BARRAUD, Captain Marie-Felice
First Appearance: Spectral Ops
Description: Leader of a French Paladin Team tasked with fighting monsters
Last Known Status: Unknown
To fight the supernatural, the Republic of France has long employed Paladins–men and women selected from the rnks of the military and trained in anti-supernatural operations. Paladins do not use any magic or magical items, and are completely dedicated to wiping out any supernatural creature.
Marie-Felice Barraud, daughter of a French Foreign Legion officer and his Nigerian bride, joined the armed forces after college, rapidly rising through the ranks, following in her father’s footsteps. Barraud was recruited into the Paladins, again excelling and eventually earning command of her own team.
In the spring of 2017, Barraud and her team responded to a supernatural event in eastern France, in the town of Moyenne. The Paladins were quickly overcome by an army of unleashed specters. Fortunately, Detachment 1039 had become aware of the event and responded. Together, the Detachment and Barraud’s last two men managed to defeat and capture the specters, and Barraud returned to Paris, the last survivor of her team. It is presumed she is currently training a new team of Paladins.
BARRAUD, Captain Marie-Felice
First Appearance: Spectral Ops
Description: Leader of a French Paladin Team tasked with fighting monsters
Last Known Status: Unknown
To fight the supernatural, the Republic of France has long employed Paladins–men and women selected from the rnks of the military and trained in anti-supernatural operations. Paladins do not use any magic or magical items, and are completely dedicated to wiping out any supernatural creature.
Marie-Felice Barraud, daughter of a French Foreign Legion officer and his Nigerian bride, joined the armed forces after college, rapidly rising through the ranks, following in her father’s footsteps. Barraud was recruited into the Paladins, again excelling and eventually earning command of her own team.
In the spring of 2017, Barraud and her team responded to a supernatural event in eastern France, in the town of Moyenne. The Paladins were quickly overcome by an army of unleashed specters. Fortunately, Detachment 1039 had become aware of the event and responded. Together, the Detachment and Barraud’s last two men managed to defeat and capture the specters, and Barraud returned to Paris, the last survivor of her team. It is presumed she is currently training a new team of Paladins.
