Very nice epilogue, Chuck! I don't think a model is complete until there is at least one figure, to help give it scale (remember Hooper sending Brody out to the end of the pulpit? ) and to liven things up.
As to the brush strokes, I wouldn't worry, at distance, they disappear. Nobody should be getting in that close to take a look, they can't really see the scene at that point, anyway. It's like stage makeup-never look at an actor in the green room, under fluorescent lights. You have to see him on stage, under the lights.
A wonderful, wonderful thread, and I'll say it again-FSM should give you at least a feature in the mag, or even a special insert.
Regards,
Brad