// add some flavor to the bolt. mmmmmmmm, lightning
            if(!IS_VEC_NULL_SQ_SAFE(&Storm->flavor)){
                // start with your basic hot sauce. measure how much you have
                vec3d your_basic_hot_sauce;
                vm_vec_sub(&your_basic_hot_sauce, &strike, &start);
                float how_much_hot_sauce = vm_vec_normalize(&your_basic_hot_sauce);

                // now figure out how much of that good wing sauce to add
                vec3d wing_sauce = Storm->flavor;
                if(frand_range(0.0, 1.0f) < 0.5f){
                    vm_vec_scale(&wing_sauce, -1.0f);
                }
                float how_much_of_that_good_wing_sauce_to_add = vm_vec_normalize(&wing_sauce);

                // mix the two together, taking care not to add too much
                vec3d the_mixture;
                if(how_much_of_that_good_wing_sauce_to_add > 1000.0f){
                    how_much_of_that_good_wing_sauce_to_add = 1000.0f;
                }
                vm_vec_interp_constant(&the_mixture, &your_basic_hot_sauce, &wing_sauce, how_much_of_that_good_wing_sauce_to_add / 1000.0f);

                // take the final sauce and store it in the proper container
                vm_vec_scale(&the_mixture, how_much_hot_sauce);

                // make sure to put it on everything! whee!
                vm_vec_add(&strike, &start, &the_mixture);
            }