I need a creative but not stupid looking salute?

Well, you have several options....

One I may suggest is/was the salute of the Polish Army, which was the index/.middle finger of the right hand, plam out, tips of the two extended fingers touching the right temple.

The 1800's brittish naval salute was a simple tough of the right eyebrow with the middle nuckle of the right index finger, which resembled the tipping of a cap.

there are a lot of options that you have. perhaps look at old military photos, and maybe make a combination?

Why no use a variation of the traditional salute. The salute is used by most countries today and has origins that go way back in history.

America didn't come up with the hand salute by herself....It goes way back....and I've been around the world and seen other militaries use the same salute, or a slight variation of it.

My favorite salute was done by a Lt General when I was in the Air Force. He would start like a regular salute but would wiggle his fingers while giving the salute.

has this made up country ever lost a war? If so, they salute with the palm facing out. If they haven't, their palm is facing down and out of sight from the other person saluting.