Glad you're following this one too.Interesting and distinctly worrying. Not sure if the world at the time can do anything about that left of technological superiority, at least in open warfare. However it sounds like their resources are relatively limited.
It could be their intelligence is as well IF that is their primary vessel as that's a rather odd place to make their 1st landing. If its just a sub-unit and the big ship is still up there, which I fear is more likely then there is likely to be a lot worse happening, quite possibly around the world. Not sure if the 5 figures in the last chapter are 'marines' in armour or some sort of machines but either way they seem to be very lethal.
First of all, thanks for commenting.Ah I was wondering why the aliens were making their existence known in such a fashion rather than say some broadcast demanding submission, probably accompanied by the destruction of a capital or three to make clear their power? Mind you the sheer backwardness of human communications, with radio still in its infancy would make that more difficult as well.
I wish they were as stupid as Turtledove's lizards but that would be too much to hope for. Especially with the lower level of technology and the fact it sounds like their going to hit the main centres of economic and technological power very had this is going to be extremely nasty. Sounds like the US may escape large scale attack for the moment but looks like everybody's going to suffer. And that both major river valleys in China are going to be under new 'ownership' shortly, although that could be a challenge for all involved.
If their not too brutal, at least initially, there are plenty of opportunities for finding unhappy subjects across most of the world.
Of course that reference to an ancient "Ullian lifeboat" is interesting. Because it mentions a 3rd race, gives an hint of a prior contact with aliens and given we're talking about very advance - technologically anyway - that could be a very large object, by human standards. I.e. is it actually one of the Martian moons?
First of all, thanks for commenting.
One of the big things I'm trying to reflect in this story is that any alien species advanced enough to attack Earth wouldn't be stupid, so while the Jedzans will think differently than the humans would, they aren't The Race levels of idiotic. So yes, the Jedzans will be coming down on pretty much every city in Europe, which will almost certainly cripple human resistance in one blow, although the US and Japan will be sheltered for a little bit.
I should also note that the two population belts referred to the Yangtze and Ganges Plain, and if the Jedzans aren't too blatant about their plans they should be able to take them both fairly easily. Ditto with the various colonial empires.
Finally, I slipped up on the whole 'Ullian' part, as I meant to put 'Alressim'. But no, the aliens haven't had prior contact with the humans. Although, some items floating around in space are entirely possible (hint hint).
Next update should be out soon.