Ok, so I haven't actually written the story up or even a little teaser. So this thread is mostly to ask everyone, what would they think of a story about a Prewar American spy, who is sent out to do Espionage of all sorts, but stumbles upon a plan that will certainly unleash Nuclear Armageddon? It wouldn't be all that action packed or anything, but more of the sorta spy stories that are subtle and don't do everything that happens in a James Bond movie. I thought it might be an interesting angle for a story, so tell me what you think. And be honest, I don't want some single sentence saying: "Great job, I think it will work?" Please tell me why or what you think could be added possibly?

Well, it does sound interesting, but will the protagonist be adventuring only in China? I say that only due to Lore and game history.

Probably not. He may work from time to time in and out, but he won't actually be doing any field work in China. Though that does give me an idea, I could incorporate into the story? Maybe make it more than what I already have? So to answer your question simply, the protagonist will not be adventuring around China all the time, but from time to time may work inside China?

Sounds pretty cool. I like the idea of it being mostly subtle and focused on an actual story instead of nonstop action, which is something I see, way, way too much of in regards to fanfiction of all types these days. It would, of course, require an in depth knowledge of the subject that I certainly couldn't provide. Spy sort of stuff has never been my thing, and I confess that I don't know much about how it all works.

Myself, I prefer long, overarching plots that draw into a single moment at the end. Basically, multiple stories that don't make sense until you tie them together, leaving for plenty of suspense and mystery. That's my style. Drama, essentially. And this seems like it would be a pretty dramatic sounding story, and I'm all up for more of those.

Sounds good, I asked because I watch a lot of James Bond, and when I hear espionage, for some reason I think France.

I know where your coming from, Ambrose. I am by far, not the most knowledgeable on spy things. But I have been reading some John Le Carr?, and he is a spectacular spy novelist. So I might and try to go with his angle on the whole spy aspect?

EDIT@ ShadowStrike: It's probably because Espionage is a French word, and most James Bond films have him traveling into France for one reason or another.

Sounds like it could be interesting, but I myself would hate it if it were like a James Bond movie. I would rather have a whole-heartedly realistic spy work with the Fallout lore mixed in. being able to relate to the character and his conflicts makes for a much better experience.

I actually had a brainstorm idea for something reminiscent of this.

Don't worry, there won't be much James Bond inspiration in this. Some of the action that is in the story, will resemble some of the James Bond action, but considering that there won't be A LOT of action, like every post or five, the action will be making you wonder if this character or that survived or not?

If I may offer you advice? I don't mean to tell you how to write, but I think these might help a bit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Drake_(Danger_Man)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prisoner

I had a fanfic that didn't have that much action.
Long story short, no one read it.

Thanks for those Stream. And just to give some of you an idea, this is one of John Le Carr?'s books I have read. Also, I may type up a short little teaser to show you something I have thought up?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Drummer_Girl

I would be happy to read a teaser.

John le Carre writes some of the best spy novels of all time, but if you really like them, it's a crim not to read "The Thirty-Nine Steps".

The story I had made up was inspired by 1984 and the Hainan Island Incident. I was actually considering making it an RP. You know, small group of resourceful people stuck in the middle of a hostile Chinese territory, might be good.

Teaser-Lies and Deceit (Title now pending)

The sky over the ocean was beautiful. It's many stars shimmering in the darkness of space as the moon encircled slowly, reflecting off the ocean. Everyone aboard the small fishing troller was asleep; or so it seemed. Down where the galley should have been, was a radio room. It was full of spinning wheels and tape as a single man sat alone listening quietly to the voices he could try to pick up.

In the other rooms, men slept while some sat with their arms behind their head, smoking their cigarettes in their small bunks. But topside on the deck of the small fishing troller was a lone figure. He leaned against the railing at the bow of the ship, looking up at the moon as he took a long drag off his cigarette. The wind blew through his short jet black hair, his suit jacket which was unbuttoned was lightly fluttering around.

He smiled at the moon, and thought of how peaceful it must be up there. No war, no famine, no nothing. The figure took another drag from his cigarette, and looked at the rest of the night sky. Not far off, was his destination. One that only those brave and insane enough to venture to, would go. China!

Very descriptive and you set the perfect mood. I'm actually excited to know what's going to happen when he arrives in China.

So here is a bit longer teaser. I'm thinking of keeping it in 3rd person, but I just wanted to see how 1st person would do before I went ahead and did the actual story in 3rd person. Also, this is by no means apart of the story. Just something to get you all interested in?
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I looked around the room. It was empty and dark, and the smell of cigarettes was everywhere. The entire place had been cleaned out, and checked once over before the previous "owners" left for good. Everything to be getting screwed up these days. Riots in Denver, Los Angeles, New York and other major cities were all over the news; and not to forget the war with China as well. But my war was different. I wasn't just some Army grunt sent to the front lines of Alaska, armed only with an Assault Rifle, and pistol. No, my war was far from anything a front line Army grunt would experience. My war was one of Espionage, deceit, and eventually the need for me to falsify my own murder.

The life of a spy, was not an easy one. We worked nonstop, going from place to place; unable to take a five minute break. I myself was one of those spies, that in the heat of things was not always cool headed as I should have been. It wasn't like the movies at the cinema where the lone hero spy, saves the day and gets the girl. In-fact, it was the complete opposite. Sometimes we failed to save the day, get the girl, and even get what we needed in the first place.

But that is why I was here, in this small two bedroom apartment with a cigarette in my right hand, and my sunglasses in the other. It had seemed a lead I had been following, had escaped my clutches. His name was David Wu: A Chinese nationalist, and someone who was very open to the anti-american war demonstrations, that took place in many cities and states. But all was not as it seemed with this David Wu, he was suspected of joining a terrorist group that was going to blow up the local Army, Navy, and Marine recruitment building. Their failed attempt, and constant bragging before the failed attempt stirred some things, and I along with several others I was not familiar with; were put on the case to find out just what David Wu, and his friends were up to.


I looked around the apartment again, everything was empty, including the white walls and carpeting. I stood in the middle of the living room, my cigarette burned in the light as I took a slow drag. I looked down at my feet, my black shoes rubbing along the carpet.

"[censored]," I thought as I looked towards the only window in the living room. It looked out over the city street, but all I saw was every day Americans driving along in their cars, or walking along the sidewalks.

"Maybe he went to that Lydia woman's house?" I muttered to myself before sliding my black aviator looking sunglasses on; and then with that free hand, began rummaging through my pocket for my keys. "Damn keys, can never find them." I said again to myself in a mumbled tone as I ran my hand through my pants pocket.

Suddenly a jingling of keys sounded, and I turned to the door; pulling the keys out of my pocket. I opened the door slowly, stepped out and closed it behind me. I took my time going down the stairs, several woman had caught my hidden eyes as I made my way down the small steps.
"Good morning." One of the women said raising her hand, and then moving along. I just smiled, my cigarette in my mouth, and my aviator sunglasses, hiding my eyes.

"Good morning." I replied quickly before she turned the corner at the top of the stairs. I quickly forgot about the woman, and walked out of the five story apartment building to my car. It wasn't the best car, but for me it fit. Most of my counter parts in the agency, drove more elegant cars. Some even drove the newer nuclear powered cars, but I kept to the streets. I followed what needed to be, and not show off.

I quickly started my car, the engine idled for a moment before I put her into gear, and pulled out. Lydia Dolc?: Woman who was suspected of being apart of the terrorist group that David Wu, my prime target was apart of. The reports said she was not apart of actual failed attempt, but had helped organize it in someway. She was my only new lead to get David Wu, the man many of my people would liked to have questioned. But I was the one assigned to do it. The life of a spy was not an easy job.

Love it, but I definitely think third person is better.

Yeah 3rd person, is what I was leaning towards most anyway. Just wanted to see what others thought before writing it out. :foodndrink:

I tend to have a shaky relationship with first-person. On the one hand, the writing that has been generally recognized as my best has been first-person, but on the other, it simply doesn't fit the situations I often find myself writing about. Since I'm a multicharacter person myself, first-person won't usually work, and I like showing things that the main character can't necessarily see or understand.

But again, on the other hand, first-person if by far the better tool for character development, and many third-person characters often end up feeling stale and one-dimensional, whereas a character written from the first-person perspective can often be seen more as a three-dimensional character with real thoughts and emotions rather than a portrayal of a cliche. They're two very different styles for two very different sorts of people. I've had a fair amount of experience with both and am more acclimated to third, but I actually write better and find myself with longer and more descriptive work if I write in first. It's sort of annoying, really.