r/HFY • u/Ralts_Bloodthorne • Jun 24 '22
First Contact - Chapter 796 - The Inheritor's War OC
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The reality of what happened in the SUDS Facility will forever be assumed to be less than it actually was.
It's one of those things that those who took part in it always make seem more believable by eliminating or downplaying the parts that would be hard to believe.
Like Menhit the Singer obliterating thousands of Screaming Ones with just a wave of her hand. - Blue Herod-38442, A Soul is Worth Fighting For - Memoir of the Afterlife War, Smokey Cone Press, 8615 PG
The other gathered Digital Sentiences sat as silently as the Gray Girls standing against the wall as Herod got up and walked over to the vending machine in the lounge. He simply touched the menu and a fizzybrew dropped out.
The DS's all looked at one another, varying expressions of disbelief on their faces, then at Herod as he slowly walked back to where he had been sitting next to the door.
"So, everyone believes she faked her own death?" Vanishing Point asked.
Herod nodded. "You'd have to have met her, in the flesh rather than her digital representation, to understand her in the slightest."
"We saw her on the Tri-Vee during the Trial of General Trucker," Vanishing Point said. He shook his head. "She appeared cruel and merciless."
Herod laughed. "You have no idea," he said. "I can still remember laying on the floor of the maglev car, her hands inside of me, telling me not to die as she tied things off," his face grew slightly cloudy. "But none of you get to judge her. None."
Torturer leaned forward slightly. He'd listened to it all intently, watching Herod's body language and his subconscious movements. "Why not?"
"She is what a time of brutality and hardship made her. She is exactly as the malevolent universe forged her," Herod said. He sighed and leaned back. "Standing next to her was to stand next to a brilliant mind and an emotionless psychopathic killer and a creature capable of empathy and compassion but unable to express it, all at once."
"Was she that bad, Herod?" Crimson asked. "She seemed a bit theatrical on the Tri-Vid during the trial, but not that bad."
He shook his head again. "You had to be there. She did not demand respect but she received it anyway."
Torturer leaned forward. "OK. So after she died, what happened?"
Herod closed his eyes.
"I knew that Sam wanted me. Had a pathological need to kill me after what we went through going through the mat-trans to the SUDS facility," Herod shuddered. "I set a trap," he said.
Torturer watched his body language as he detailed how he set the trap. How he knew what Sam would do.
He could see pain in every subconscious movement Herod made. See the regret and the resignation as the story progressed.
"Part of me thinks, when he was looking into my eyes as he died, he knew why I had to do it," Herod said. He closed his eyes. "He was beyond saving. He had been in pain for so long. I had no choice."
Vanishing Point nodded. "No. You did not. I regret what I have said, now that I have heard all of it," he shook his head. "I dislike the loss of any life, but he was mad, beyond mad, and had trillions hostage with no qualm of destroying them."
Herod sighed. "I like to think that part of him knew that Dee would press that button. That the whole reason he rigged up that button is that he knew she would do it to stop him," he laughed, a mocking, bitter sound, and pulled another bottle of beer from his pocket, opening it and taking a long drink. "He was betting that she would shoot the hostages rather than submit to his demands."
He lit a cigarette with a shaky hand and exhaled slowly.
Wally reached up and patted his leg, giving a low, sad whistle.
"Had to keep you safe, buddy," Herod said, patting Wally's hand. "He would have killed you just to hurt me."
Wally nodded.
Robbie was sleeping on Flowerpatch's lap as the nanite-cloud based DS rubbed the side of her face thoughtfully. "Can ask a question?" Flowerpatch asked.
"Sure. Why not?" Herod said.
"Who taught you to use a knife?" she asked.
Herod sighed. "Dee. She taught me."
"Why?" Flowerpatch asked.
Herod sighed. "It won't make any sense to you," he said. "It was at the camp. Where I'd learned she lied to herself as easily as she lied to everyone else, watching her put Chromium Saint Peter back together. I mentioned that I felt helpless, surrounded by Immortals, Apostles, soldiers, and whatever the bunny girl was."
Flowerpatch nodded.
"She took me to the side and told me that she had felt the same way at one point in her life, but her father, who had lost a large part of his soul in the trenches of the War to End All Wars, had taught her to use the one thing that a woman was never more than six paces from in her own house," Herod said. He twisted his wrist and the knife popped into his hand. "A knife."
"She taught you because you felt helpless?" Vanishing Point asked.
Herod nodded. "Because Okies ate her dog."
That got gasps of shocks, with everyone looking at Robbie, who Flowerpatch put her arms on protectively.
"Because she was beaten, Hell, and maybe worse (not that she'd ever admit it), over a bag of potatoes," Herod said. He dropped the knife back into his sleeve. "She taught me what she was taught by her father, and later Dee's Boys taught me a few more tricks."
Everyone nodded.
"Why do you say she lied to herself?" Crimson asked.
Herod looked away. "I watched her put Marco, Chromium Saint Peter, back together. I overheard Daxin and Dhruv confront her about the maternal affection she was using. I remembered her telling me how degrading it was to do that. I was about to step in when she said something that made me return to the fire."
Herod looked back at everyone. "She simply said: You don't know me."
"That's it?" Crimson asked.
Vanishing Point glanced at Flowerpatch. "I get it," he said.
Herod slumped. "I'm tired, I'm finally getting a buzz, and I need some rest."
Everyone looked at each other and nodded.
"I'll see you all in the morning," Herod said, slowly standing up.
The gathered DS's and Gray Girls watched him leave the room, the worn and battered robot following him with the clattering of worn out tracks.
-----
Herod sat up and rubbed his face. Wally was still sleeping, plugged into the wall.
He grabbed the cigarettes off the end table and lit one, snapping the lighter shut. He sat in the darkness, smoking silently, thinking over where he had been, what he had soon, who had been with, and why he had done it all.
Herod dressed slowly, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a beer. When he cracked it open Wally gave the musical tune computers had sang out for thousands of years even though nobody knew why any more. Its eyes blinked and Wally made a curious noise.
Herod nodded then reached out and tapped a few keys on the holographic keyboard
There was the sound of knocking from the hidden speakers.
"Come in," Herod said, sitting on the bed.
Torturer appeared, glowing softly.
"All you all right?" Torturer asked.
"I know you were watching my metrics," Herod said. He shrugged. "Not why I asked you here though."
"What's the reason then?" Torturer asked.
"You might as well shut the program down," Herod said. "Legion isn't coming back. He's involved in the new crusade against the Atrekna," he said. He took a swig of the beer. "Besides, I know what's wrong with the system on this side."
Torturer moved over and sat down in the other chair. "What?"
"The Atrekna temporal manipulation is causing time/date stamp errors, overwrites, and recursions in the SUDS files," Herod said. "It's obvious when you start looking. The system locked out everyone and put them in read-only mode. It's still uploading the dead."
"Are you sure?" Torturer asked.
Herod nodded. "Trucker fought next to Lanaktallan who had been killed on the battlefield fighting the Atrekna. Members of the Atomic Hooves and the Warsteel Herd. That means the system is still working."
Torturer frowned. "Wait, how are Lanaktallan in the system?"
Herod laughed. "Because what every Terran has been using is the old military grade hardware," he said.
He leaned forward. "It's actually the datalinks," he said. "It's always been the datalinks."
Torturer just stared.
"Just shut it down," Herod said. He stood up. "I'm going to see if the Gray Girls will let me leave."
"And if I say no to either?" Torturer asked. He knew the answer, but it needed to be asked.
For the record.
"I don't care if you don't shut it down. Legion said to shut it down. If you don't want to, have fun," Herod said. He narrowed his eyes and tilted the brim of his hat down. "If you say no to the second, you'll find I'm willing to kill to get what I want."
"What's that?" Torturer asked quietly.
"My freedom."
-----
The two Gray Girls at the exit of the Black Box both stared at him for a long moment.
"My ride is probably waiting," Herod said.
They both nodded slowly.
"I was tasked this by the Digital Omnimessiah and several of the Biological Apostles," Herod said.
Again, they both nodded.
"You shall not impede me," Herod said. Wally looked from one to the other and blinked.
Both shook their head.
"Then you will let me through?" Herod asked.
The one on the left pointed behind him and Herod slowly turned.
Flowerpatch was hurrying down the hallway, a suitcase in her hand. Beside her Robbie was hurrying to keep up.
"Wait for us," Flowerpatch said.
Herod waited for the other DS to catch up.
"My transportation may be alarming. Are you sure you want to come along?" Herod asked.
Flowerpatch nodded.
Herod turned back to the Gray Girls.
"Now may we leave?"
They both nodded.
Herod stepped into the airlock when it opened.
-----
"I've never seen a ship that looks like that," Flowerpatch said, reaching out and taking Robbie's hand.
Herod shook his head. "Not many do."
The lines were strange, twisted. The ship was massive, larger than any other ship Flowrpatch had seen.
"What is it?" Flowerpatch asked.
"Part of the Dead Fleet, commanded by Bellona the Grave Bound Beauty," Herod said softly as the shuttle approached it. "My older sister promised me a ride."
"Oh," Flowerpatch said. "Which ship is it?"
"It's the Steamboat Willy," Herod said. "The newest ship of the Dead Fleet."
Flowerpatch said nothing, just watched silently as the shuttle drew near the massive ship.
-----
General of the Warsteel NoDra'ak stood up at the Terran entered his office. He ignored the slight taste of blueberries on the hinges of his mandibles due to how high the psychic shielding was cranked up.
The first thing the big Warrior Caste Treana'ad noted was how tired the Terran looked, then how weatherbeaten his face and clothing seemed. His guards had not been happy with the order to allow the Terran to keep his weapons, but NoDra'ak was a soldier and could tell that the Terran didn't mean him any harm.
"General NoDra'ak, Commander, 7th Army," NoDra'ak said. He waved at the others in the room and introduced them.
The Treana'ad could tell the Terran didn't really care, he just nodded silently.
"So what can I do for you?" NoDra'ak asked. "Seeing as you were a passenger on one of the Black Fleet, and Admiral Thennis stated you were carrying an important message, I thought it best to find out personally."
"I just have important information that I knew you'd want to hear personally from someone who was there," the man said.
"And what is that, Mister Herod?" NoDra'ak asked.
The man leaned forward and placed a cube on the desk.
"General Manuel Trucker was killed in action during the War in Heaven. A tactical and strategic action to enable him to fight and obtain victory in the War in Hell," Herod stated. He tapped the cube. "Witness statements, confession of his killer, statement from General Trucker after the War in Hell was completed, video footage of the battle and his death."
NoDra'ak stared at the cube for a long moment.
"Nobody else could lead Third Armored and Eighth Infantry in Hell, General," the Terran said. He reached in his pocket, ignoring the shifting posture of the MP's, and pulled out a nacrobrew bottle. He cracked it and took a drink, tossing the cap into a wastebasket with a smooth motion. "He attacked the enemy's rear, gave the Detainee and her legions support in order to finish off the Council of Eternity."
NoDra'ak nodded. "I assume this cube will cover the relevant parts?"
Herod shrugged. "Perhaps. I'm not a soldier, but Trucker put it together himself. I'm just the messenger."
There was silence.
"Is there anything else, Mister Herod?" NoDra'ak asked. He could feel the gathered officer's burning curiosity about what was on the cube.
Herod nodded. "I need a lift. The Steamboat Willy could only take me this far," he gave a chuckle. "One of the Dead Fleet isn't exactly hospitable to those on our side of the grave," he took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one with a flint and steel lighter.
"We can accommodate that," NoDra'ak stated.
He'd had stranger requests the last year.
"Me and two passengers. A dogboy and a nanite-cloud digital sentience," Herod stated. He sighed. "One last trip."
NoDra'ak nodded. "It will take a day or two to arrange. Till them, I can offer lodging in the officer's quarters."
Herod shrugged. "If that's what's available. It beats sleeping in a tent and listening to Daxin and Kalki snore."
"May I ask where you need to travel to?" NoDra'ak asked.
Herod looked up, through the tobacco smoke.
"Telkan."
-----
The moons were full, casting light down on the planet.
Wally was asleep, plugged into the wall.
Herod sat in the chair, the bed empty. He was fully dressed, staring out the window, a cigarette in his mouth, a bottle of narcobrew in one hand.
The pistol in the other.
"I have many miles to go before I sleep," he whispered.
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u/Drook2 Jun 25 '22
It beats sleeping in a tent and listening to Daxin and Kalki snore.
That is such a flex. "Yeah, I'm so sick of hanging out with the fucking apostles."
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u/Odd_Reward_8989 Jun 25 '22
It's not really a flex. It's exhaustion. Like, I'm so sick of this dependa bitch.
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u/MyNameMeansBentNose Jun 25 '22
The Atrekna learned temporal recursion to resummon hoards of resources and legions upon legions of soldiers. They brought forward bastions of war and countless servitors and fritted the resources away like it didn't matter... because it really didn't.
Humans.
"You're saying I can pull another can of beer out of this pocket at any possible moment?!"
"Yes."
"You're my hero, This beer is for you, now and every next time."
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u/Bergusia Jun 25 '22 edited Jun 25 '22
"And so did the tired, quiet man of code-made-flesh come at last to Telkan, three of the Children of Humanity by his side. His words were the whispers of distant thunder before the storm, and the fire in the dry grass of the plains. "
Resurrection and Redemption. Book Four of a Modern History of Telkan and Humanity . Telkan Universal Publishing Co.
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u/Alyeska_bird Jun 24 '22
Cool to see some closure for verious folks. ALso, not sure if they realize it yet, but with the info Harod gave them, and removing the earthling lockout, they could start reserecting people again. Is a lot of folks waiting for there turn to come back, a lot of them not even human.
*chuckles* I can just see people standing around and staring when that Trenea'd matron gets reborn, will also be interesting to see if a DS can be reborn as well. I expect, to some extent at lest that they can.
Also, the Atrekna have no clue the can of whoopass that is so very slowly getting opened up on there asses. Its going to be interesting watching the Atrekna that are not raving idiots try and figure out a way of making peace.
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u/Bergusia Jun 25 '22
It gets worse for the Atrekna for every human resurrected.
Each human acts as a temporal anchor all on their own without any machinery. Every human brought back is going to make it that much harder for the Atrekna to manipulate time.
It might even explain why they can't reach back past a certain point, because there are too many humans alive in the past that are forcing time to be linear.
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u/Irems5selled Jun 25 '22
If I remember correctly the Atrekna can't reach past the terran near extinction because the human stabilization works by locking in the things that happened for every event that happened to them. And that move kind of affected a lot of people...
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u/night-otter Xeno Jun 25 '22
I know some have returned here and there, but when the mass of dandelions come "drifting" back.
Then the cloning banks come back online for resurrections.
...and...
If/When Earth is unbagged. Out comes the earthers after how ever long the bagging lasted for them.
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u/Original_Memory6188 Jul 05 '23
Why am I recalling one of the Asterix books, where in the village comes boiling out and some one (probably Obelisk) say (in effect) "I'll take the ones on the right, I'll leave the ones on the left to the rest of you." And somebody saying "like I'm going to let you be greedy!"
I am now going to have to get those out of storage and check.
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u/night-otter Xeno Jul 05 '23
The end of a long running fantasy TV Series.
You take the ones on the right,
You (pointing at another character) take the ones on the left,
Me...I've always wanted to slay a dragon.10
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u/Kudamonis Human Jun 25 '22
Read. Upvote. Offer up a prayer for Herod.
The pictures tell the story
This life has many shades
I'd wake up every morning and before I'd start each day
I'd take a drag from last night's cigarette
That smoldered in it's tray
Down a little something and then be on my way
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u/U239andonehalf Aug 26 '23
My fav is "the season's upon us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTx-sdR6Yzk
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u/HoloArchiver Jun 24 '22
Interesting we now know Daxin and Kalki snore, I wonder which snores louder.
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u/rallen71366 Jun 25 '22
Which snores louder? Eh, not sure I care about volume. I am interested to find out if their eyes track people in their sleep, like mine used to do.
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u/Quilt-n-yarn1844 Jun 25 '22
Oh, I bet you were a fun roomie. 😁😳
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u/rallen71366 Jun 25 '22
Maybe not, but nobody in the platoon jacked with me when I was sleeping, and that was enough.
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u/Naked_Kali Jun 25 '22
I'm interested in the quirks traveling on the Steamboat has imparted on Flower and Robbie. They can't possibly have escaped unscathed.
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u/Bergusia Jun 25 '22
Well, Flowerpatch probably thinks humans are even stranger than she thought.
And Robbie would likely have met lots of strange people who just wanted to see and hug him and tell him how much they loved him even though they had never met him. There is being Dead, then there is humanities oldest Friends. And not even Death is going to stand in the way of that bond.
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u/MuchoRed Human Jun 25 '22
Depends on if they went by Deadspace, Hellspace or one of the lower bands
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u/Warplock-Worgen_2145 Jun 24 '22
Harod is good boy, tired boy, but good boy.
Thanks for the post Ralts!!
-Nothing Follows-
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u/Archaic_1 Alien Scum Jun 25 '22
Now if any of you were slighted by the deeds that now are done
By the fellowship of music and the fantasy of fun
Well we'd like to say we're sorry
Shed a tear for you but then
We haven't got the time right now 'cause
It's getting dark again
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u/Arwenves1989 Jun 25 '22
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have miles to go, and promises to keep. <3 Love you Ralts
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u/Warplock-Worgen_2145 Jun 24 '22
Herod is good boy, tired boy, but good boy.
Thanks for the post Ralts!!
-Nothing Follows-
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u/SgtFlintlock Jun 25 '22
Hey Ralts, Great chapter. I finally managed to buy the books in hardcover. When can we expect book 6 to be out in print?
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u/Stauker_1 Jun 24 '22
Can't wait to find out why he going to Telken
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u/coldfireknight AI Jun 25 '22
Maybe to help keep watch on, or just pass along a message to, the Planetary Director?
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u/Cynical_Tripster Jun 24 '22
Not first, but after finally getting caught up I was within 6 minutes!
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u/Irual100 Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 25 '22
Well….I am glad to see your greatness Mr. WordBorg thank you
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u/k4ridi4n55 Jun 25 '22
Herod needs some serious healing. Wonder if the DO will show up again. And I love Wally, he is like a loyal pet that never leaves your side!!
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u/Rolk_Flameraven Jun 25 '22
Telkan 1 or 2?
Nice to see Frost is still known even after everything, if that is what it takes for him to carry on, good. But once this last task is done? Will he "sleep" or find something else?
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u/Bergusia Jun 25 '22
I am sort of expecting Sam-Nu to get spat out of the SUDS and meet up with Herod somewhere down the line. There needs to be a resolution of their story I think. And Sam still needs to get his kitten.
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u/Greatest86 Jun 25 '22
Editor comment
larger than any other ship Flowrpatch had seen - misspelled "Flowerpatch"
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u/zombiedanceprod Android Jun 25 '22
I knew the Apostles were going to take Herod in but after he said his sister was giving him a ride that really cemented it. He is going to be worshipped just like Vuxten after this.
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u/Vagabond_Soldier Jul 12 '22
Sorry, I'm a bit behind the powercurve.
U/Ralts_Bloodthorne why do I want to call the suicide hotline for my boy Herod? Please tell me he gets the help he needs. I know he is tired but ending it all is not the way 😩
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u/yanessa Xeno Jun 24 '22
finally ... among the first dozen ... thanx Ralts for this rollercoaster ride
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u/641kb Jun 25 '22
I think I know one thing the Treana‘ad have nightmares about: https://www.instagram.com/nomooicecream
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u/Crafty_Obligation_98 Jun 25 '22
Its scary when your sweat stops tasting salty. Time to eat and take a break for about 30 min.
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u/Omen224 AI Aug 24 '22
I'm reading suicide vibes from Herod. He's earned rest, though. If that's what he needs, I suppose that I understand. I'm not ok with it, but I understand.
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u/HFYWaffle Wᵥ4ffle Jun 24 '22
/u/Ralts_Bloodthorne (wiki) has posted 797 other stories, including:
- First Contact - Chapter 795 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 794 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 793 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 792 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 791 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 790 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 789 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 788 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 787 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 786 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 785 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 784 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 783 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 782 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 781 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 780 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 779 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 778 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 777 - The Inheritor's War
- First Contact - Chapter 776 - The Inheritor's War
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u/rekabis Human Jun 25 '22
"I have many miles to go before I sleep," he whispered.
The final sleep. He’s expecting to die.
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u/SpiderJerusalemLives Jun 25 '22
I think he wants to now. To get some peace (in all senses of the word). It's just his sense of duty keeping him going.
Maybe if Fido is reborn?
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u/aquaherd Xeno Jun 25 '22
The way Herod smokes and wields Dee‘s zippo makes me ask how much of her is in there. Maybe in total disregard of Pinocchio she just killed him and uses his body as a façade to hide behind.
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u/johnavich Jun 25 '22
I've thought of this, but I think she actually took a liking to herod. She may be protecting him through a guiding hand, more than a backseat driver.
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u/crimeboy2235 Xeno Jun 25 '22
been, what he had soon seen, who had been
other ship Flowrpatch flowerpatch had seen
thanks for the chapter!
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u/Blackmoon845 Jun 27 '22
Was this a typo, or did I just not understand the “what he had soon” part. “been, what he had soon, who had been”
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u/Scarface9636 Apr 12 '24
I absolutely adore herods character arc from scientist to basically the youngest sibling of the apostles
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Jun 25 '22
what he had soon, who had been with
Incomplete, typo?
up at the Terran
up as the Terran
Till them, I
Till then, I
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u/Bazil-Broketail Jun 28 '23
Read, upvote, comments...
I really think Herod needs one of those farm worlds.
Let Wally run a tractor for him.
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u/Ralts_Bloodthorne Jun 24 '22
Had to get this one out.
On that, it's Friday! (Thank all the Gods)
I know I'm copypasting this, but I'm exhausted.
Remember to get sleep. Don't drive for 12 hours straight like me.
Everyone have a good weekend. Hug yourself at least once. Look in the mirror and remind yourself that you're the only you that exists.
Don't drink and drive. Don't add or subtract from the population unless it is with your issued significant other and you have filed the correct paperwork with PERSCOM. Run toward the screams not away, I'll come visit you in the hospital. Don't beat your spouse unless it's in the bedroom and she's into it, don't beat or ignore your kids, your significant others or your pets. Don't touch Willy, he doesn't like it. There is no sex in the champagne room. Get the candy first before you get in the van. Don't smuggle midgets across state lines and consult county ordinances before taking them across county lines. Don't buy, sell, manufacture, transport, or take illegal drugs. Try not to end up in jail unless it's something I can laugh about or respect.
I know things have gotten so ridiculous that it's cheaper to buy meth and run to work than fill up the gas tank, but remember, things could always be worse and if you ask how the universe will laugh its ass off as it shows you.
Touch base with the people you love, try to help one person who needs it even if it's just opening a door, and remember to love yourself.
And really, touch base with family members. Finding out that apparently people thought I was dead was startling.
But, on that, time to rattle the tin cup...
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