sseverus:
I've thought long and hard on the "If only they'd
had pistols" aspect of alternate futures. I am a vetran and
still like to collect and shoot military-style firearms. Remember, the gun is only the bullet's way of having a purpose. I've actually done crude studies of what it would take to take over, say the empire of
Commodus. The Praetorain guard numbered in the low thousands. All scattered-in spite of what you read about a "common camp"
In spite of our magic
weapons, and our knowledge, we would be in their time.
Ammo eventually runs out. Ok, you've got the magic stargate toilet flush link. Future cause and effect. What you do in ancient
Rome affects the future. Your magic link to the future is changed by events in the past. Would it
still be there? Remember the butterfly effect.
In the short term you'd have a bunch of tough ready
combat troopers that would make the
average roman soldier cut and run after the first burst of automatic
weapons fire.
And you'd likely take over
Rome. Got aircraft...runways..oh
helios...yes..they need fuel and
maintenance...and ammo. Remember you are not just going over to the Middle East...you are going into the past. As soon as you changed
history, that portal would cease to exist..meaning your supply source. Bribe the Praetorians.? Well add a bunch of gold to your gear.
Magical medical expertise? How much pennicillin can you pack..actually this might be your strongest weapon. Infection usually killed the majority back then..tho arguably other maladys did as much.
All interesting speculation..which is why I mentioned the alternate future contribution site.
