Shirtaloon
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Chapter 924: A Thing That Makes the Car Work
🕑 Added 2024-07-22 23:00:04 +0000 UTCAnna and Susan sat on a park bench. It was early evening, and parents from the surrounding houses were calling their kids in for dinner. A nearby picnic table had a blanket draped over it, with a mix of mechanical and magical tools laid out. A leonid was tinkering with what looked like a Rubik’s cube, but with runes instead of colours on the sides. Anna had seen enough Leonids to mark him as a teenager, but he had the confidence of a professional as he worked.
A human woman walked over to stand by his table. She looked to be in her early twenties, but so did most of the population. An astounding number of Asano clan members were essence users, suggesting a staggering access to resources. Anna took a second look at the girl and her rank-polished features. It had been a lot of years, but she looked like—
“Emi,” the leonid said as she approached. “I told you that you should have let me look at these long ago. Your problem isn’t the magic, it’s the mechanics. The transitions aren’t smooth enough, so when you switch configurations, it’s causing wear on the… are you even listening?”
Emi had sensed Anna’s attention and turned to look back at her observer. She narrowed her eyes for a moment, as if trying to recall an old memory. She nodded to Anna, then turned back to the leonid.
“Sorry, Gary, you were saying the transitions are causing wear?”
“Yeah. Who’s that?”
Emi threw another glance Anna’s way.
“Someone my uncle used to work with.”
“I thought all the outsiders were stuck in the mushroom farm.”
“Not all of them. Wait, mushroom farm? They’re in the visitor dorms Uncle Jason made. That’s practically a palace, not a farm.”
“Yeah, but it’s still a place to keep them in the dark and feed them bullsh—”
“Just pack up and we’ll go, Gary. Your mother told me to bring you home for dinner.”
“Are you and Vincent eating with us?”
“Yeah.”
Gary put his tools and blanket away in a large backpack and they wandered off.
“Is that Jason’s niece?” Susan asked.
“Yes,” Anna said as they watched the pair walk away. “If the Asano clan’s isolation ends, there’s going to be a lot of attention on her.”
“And what about you? If you decide to become a part of all this, you’re going to be the clan’s diplomatic face to the world. Is that something you want?”
Anna leaned wearily into Susan’s shoulder.
“I don’t know where to even start considering it. Three days we’ve been going through it all. Three days of every new claim being crazier than the last. When you ask a guy if he thinks he’s a god, any answer but ‘no’ means he’s probably stockpiling weapons and trying to convince people to be sister wives.”
Susan laughed.
“How are you not blown away by all this?” Anna asked her. “I’ve been living in a world of magic my whole life and I don’t know how to take it. I can’t imagine what it’s like for you.”
“That’s the thing, love: this isn’t my first time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like you said, you grew up with this. Your family have been Network insiders for generations. When you told me that magic was real, I thought it was some kind of prank. Then I thought you were crazy. Then you showed it to me, and I thought the world was crazy. Now, you finally know how I felt back then.”
“Okay, but the scale of it. How many times in the last three days did Asano say ‘I can show you once I’m there in person?’ Assuming that he isn’t lying — which is quite the assumption, given his claims — then we’re talking about a scope that dwarfs us. What is a country when he has his own solar system? A planet, when he’s rewriting the rules of the cosmos? If he’s lying about it all, that’s trouble, but trouble I can at least get my head around. If he’s telling the truth, then we’re nothing to him. He operates on a scale that makes everything we know a tiny speck of nothing.”
Susan nestled her head onto Anna’s shoulder.
“We’re not insignificant, love. Not you and me, and not the Earth. Not to him, or he wouldn’t have gone to all the trouble of bringing you here.”
“But doesn’t it make you feel small?”
Susan considered a moment before answering.
“From how he explained it,” she said, “all of these great magic bibbity bobs—”
“Great astral beings.”
“…are there to make the universe work. They’re the mechanisms by which everything works, right? Life, death, time, etc.”
“That’s how he explained it.”
“Okay,” Susan said. “Remember that road trip we took on the Great Ocean Road, right before we got married?”
“Sure. That was a good trip.”
“Remember the car? Your old MG?”
“Of course. I loved that car.”
“Yes, you did. Would you say that car was a significant part of the trip?”
“Absolutely. What does any of this have to do with Jason Asano fighting a magic bird that stops universes from breaking open?”
“Stick with me, love. Do you think that the concept of internal combustion was significant to our trip?”
“Uh, no.”
“Exactly. Internal combustion is extremely important to a petrol car, and that’s what we were driving, but it didn’t matter to us. On a larger scale, it was significant, but it didn’t matter to us at all. So, yes, if you’re looking at these great space jibber jobbers—”
“Great astral beings.”
“…then we are insignificant. But if you’re looking at us, they’re the insignificant ones. Just a thing that makes the car work.”
Anna looked at her wife, then drew her in for a lingering kiss.
“You are amazing, you know that?”
“Yes, but you could stand to say it more often.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want it to go to your head.”
Anna leaned back on the bench, feeling more relaxed than she had in a week.
“If Jason is really as powerful as he claims,” Susan said, “then he’s bending over backwards not to rub that power in everyone’s faces.”
“He had Rufus Remore fly across the planet to hold a meeting where he explained how powerful Jason is.”
“Did he? I wasn’t there for that. Did Rufus explain everything we’ve heard over the last few days? Or is that something he’s only telling you?”
Anna tapped her lips thoughtfully.
“No,” she realised. “Rufus as much as said Jason was coming back with a squad of gold-rank powerhouses. He made a few implications — how could he not, with Jason tied to the System — but nothing like what we’ve been hearing.”
She sat up straight, frowning as she gamed out Jason’s agenda.
“Jason is positioning himself as a power, but one the existing powers here can understand. Come to grips with. Enough that he’s someone they have to deal with, rather than exploit. If they genuinely believed that he was as powerful as he claims, I have no idea what would happen. The whole planet would go into crisis mode. Some very bad decisions would be made.”
She leaned back again.
“He doesn’t want to destroy the world just by arriving in it. That’s what he said. And if he’s that powerful, he probably would.”
“Then let’s hope he is,” Susan said.
“You don’t think it would be better if there wasn’t a demigod with a history of anger issues and recklessness descending upon the Earth?”
“I think that bringing you here, telling you everything, shows us his intentions, one way or another. If he’s being honest about possessing all that power, it shows us that he wants to use it responsibly. To seek out sound advice, act with care and avoid mistakes when he can. But if he’s not as all-powerful as he claims, and this is all a ruse…”
“Then he’s running a game, with me in the middle of it,” Anna finished.
“Yes. But even if he’s lying, he’s still going to have a lot of power. This whole city is something he made and can change on a whim. If he comes to earth with ill-intent, he can cause immeasurable damage.”
“Which do you think it is? Honesty or lies?”
“He’s a lot like you, you know?”
“Like me?”
“I remember back when you were running the Network branch in Sydney. Not coming home for days. Arriving furious when you did. Frustrated that the people who should have been shielding the world from magic were playing politics. Isn’t that what happened to him, the last time he was on Earth? Trying to do the right thing, only to be undermined by the ambitious?”
“I suppose it was. This is you saying that you think he’s being straight with us?”
“This is me saying that if he really is like you, things have a chance of turning out alright. And if he’s not, you need to be here anyway, to ameliorate the damage of whatever he’s really up to. We both know that you won’t walk away and leave it to be someone else’s problem.”
***
Anna and Susan found Jason in the kitchen of the guest house they had been assigned. He was wearing an apron with pink flowers on it. As they entered the kitchen, his back was to them as he managed several pots on the stove.
“Come and check this sauce,” he said without turning around. “I can’t taste anything with this body, so I can’t manage the salt levels on my own.”
Anna looked at him from under raised eyebrows, but Susan moved forward. She tasted the offering from the end of a wooden spoon.
“Ooh, that’s nice. But yes, a little more salt.”
“Were you listening to us talk?” Anna asked.
“One of the most important things about power,” he said as he turned back to the stove, “is knowing when not to use it. If you have a hammer, it’s easy to look at every situation as a nail. But sometimes force, no matter how precisely applied, will only make things worse.”
“You’re good at that,” Anna said.
“Cooking?”
“Implying you answered a question that you did, in fact, not.”
Jason turned his head just long enough to flash her an impish grin.
“I think you and I could have fun together, Anna. I do hope you accept my job offer.”
“I am leaning that way, but I want a better understanding of what I’m walking into.”
“That’s fair,” Jason said. “And you will be forced to make certain concessions.”
“Such as?”
“No more supermarket bread. I know you and I have talked about this a long time ago, but a little bird told me that you did not heed my advice.”
Anna turned a glare on Susan, who did a reasonable job of looking innocent.
“We don’t have supermarkets here at all,” Jason continued. “It’s more of a permanent farmers’ market situation, plus bakers, cheesemongers and the like. It’s not as convenient, I’ll grant you, but it helps foster a sense of community. I leave management of the clan to my grandmother, for the most part, but this, I insisted on. The food is free, though. The staples, at least. Rufus has to import his jellybeans himself.”
“I was more talking about some verification of the claims you’ve made about the power at your command. If what you’re saying is true, you must be a legendary figure in the other world.”
“Farrah has been throwing the word ‘mythic’ around. But Pallimustus doesn’t have the same media saturation and mass communication Earth does. The powerful people know who I am, but the population at large doesn’t. My team is a lot more famous than me. There are a few places they know my name, but I can get away with using a fake one. There aren’t news reports and online videos to plaster my face everywhere.”
“Do they know, there? Just how vast the span of your power is? You claim that it extends beyond not just Earth or their planet, but the entire universe. Every universe.”
“It’s more of a potentially vast span, at least until my mortal power grows. I have limited ability to manipulate the System, although I do have some. Around my avatar and here in my domains. But I can’t just use it like it’s my personal toy. There are rules I need to adhere to. I spent fifteen years fighting to see them enforced, after all. That includes on me.”
“I know that I can’t test your immortality, or see this universe of yours.”
“It’s quite small, as universes go.”
“I would at least like to see one of the astral spaces, where your power is stronger. To get a taste of its full scope.”
“That’s easy enough to manage. There are portals in the admin tower.”
“Even with all that, though, this cosmos level power is hard to acknowledge.”
“Vast cosmic power is the term. I used to have it on a t-shirt, although I think Emi has it now.”
“The assumption is that the System is connected to you, but it could just be some cosmic force that finally reached Earth. You could be leveraging your early access to it to make us think you are in control of it.”
A window appeared in front of her.
-------
[System Administrator] notification: I’m being as open as I can, Anna.
-------
“Cute,” she said.
He turned around from his cooking to look at her.
“Can I take it that you are at least provisionally accepting my offer?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Yes.”
“Good. Step one, you eat. Step two, an astral space tour. Step three, we figure out what to do with the minders you brought with you. They’ve been getting increasingly cranky, despite their accommodations being quite luxurious.”
Comments
Thomas Smith
Should it not be "There are few places they don't* know my name, but I can get away with a fake one"? Near the end where he is discussing his relevance in Palamastus with Anna.
matthew gilley
Truthfully I didnt even remember his mother was alive. But the dads hardly been mentioned either. None of them are politically important. Just spoiled parents I think
Soli116
Jason's world isn't our world. There are differences. This could be one of them.
Boo
Seems odd that Jason’s sister in law and mom have not made any appearance or been mentioned a single time since book 6. It’s starting to look like they turned traitor and stayed in the compound with the Japanese Asanos (the mom does have a fetish from what I remember).
Shannon Bryce
When I Googled, what double dissolution meant, it said that it has happened seven times already.
Robert Kendall
Clive’s wife is gonna be pissed. 😆
Zane Hammrich
Clive is going to fall in love with EMI once he meets her and finds out how smart she is.
Douglas Davis
Much simpler. Purity hid the purity artifact on Earth. The astral kings seeking it will utterly destroy Earth in their attempts to find it.
ABTelford
I just reread when Jason absorbs the “doorway” of the builder in book 5 and Mr. North says that Jason fixing the reality underpinnings and creating the gate between worlds was “saving the world this time. I’m the only one trying to save it the next time.” And I got all excited at what this could mean! Then Mr.North says that his bonded essence user had served a god that made a deal with the Builder, and I’m thinking that god was Purity before he sanctioned himself - I’m thinking purity wants to set him/herself up as the sole god of earth, in which situation he/she can make it as “pure” as they like. Gah! I’m so excited!
Razeel Nightfall
I wonder if after the Earth arc will we see a cosmic arc. Just Jason and his plucky groups of friends adventuring through the cosmos killing off messenger birthing worlds. Got to get those levels.
SqrlyGrly
Not so sure it was voluntary
Andrew P
They can dismiss his powers within his domains as being some odd magic that only matters in the domains. If he uses ghostfire to kill undead upon his return, they can insist his powers are only great at killing undead. Someone is definitely going to make a move on him when he returns. I wonder if it will be a preemptive nuke at the bridge location or attacking him later, and how extreme his response will be.
Joanne Hans
I am almost half way through listening to book 11, and I wonder if it takes a lot of time figuring out how to drive people who are not in Jason's tight circle of friend nuts or done it come naturally to you......lol
Twilight Knights Cosplay
That's my guess to. I think a lot of people believe purity's relic is on earth, it's a natural progression in story after all so it makes a lot of sense and fills in a lot of gaps. I'd be more shocked if it wasn't on earth at this point.
Twilight Knights Cosplay
The system administrator notice gave me chills. They truly don't understand that ramifications. Or atleast Anna is doing a good job of outwardly faking it.
Chad .
No one is talking about what Mr. North was preparing for. My bet is purity's relic on earth & messengers follow
Tempitheadem
Socialism I think, everyone gets a base level of necessities, but you have to work/earn luxuries on merit and contribution (earn & spend contribution points from the clan). Seems closer to socialism to me
Michael Hawkins
Emi has been personally trained by Rufus Remore. His family runs a school. She's probably a total bad ass at this point. I don't doubt that she's silver either b
Andrew Johnson
Step 3 hmmm ... I think this is where the fireworks will begin.. Either they will try some tomfoolery not realizing how complete and absolute his power is in his domain or the will refuse to follow polite nudging to LEAVE without taking Anna and get the less polite method. Either way I see that stupid gold ranker getting his ass handed to him on a biscuit platter. I also think the reference to the access to vast amounts of magical resources is going to be a problem once the outside world realizes and then covets what they have long before he officially arrives. I could see something like a covert ops team trying to snatch Emi or Anna for leverage only to get punted to the moon. Also Jason has always had an antagonist/villain/enemy to deal with. The list of people willing to mess with Jason or his interests is getting extremely short. I'm wondering how long it will be before some new crisis is introduced. We are long overdue for a good old fashioned Jason melting faces battle, perhaps by an entity able to nullify his power outside his realm or is immune to some or if not all of it... Leading to an old school fist fight or something...
Andrew Johnson
IE Step 3?
Dylan Alexander
Communism!
ShieldWolf
It's funny, when we were first going to Earth I almost wanted to put the book down. Now I'm so excited to get back there and teach some punks a lesson and settle some things.
Kaladorph
I want to say that car analogy was a stroke of genius.
Justin
Also Anna is going to flip when she sees his astral space and the vast cosmic power!
Justin
Great chapter. It’s nice Jason passed the shirt down to Emi. TYFTC!
LiteWvr
Because there is no such thing as unassailable for 1 because while they obviously couldn't do anything direct they could refuse all those refugees that don't want to live with Jason, refuse trade or technology transfer, etc. Also number 2 it's because he wants a seat at the table so he can finally put some of those ideals in practice outside of his own private kingdoms. And to be fair I doubt it's as doomed as that as 1 the world has changed a lot since last time he was here and 2 bringing in capable and respected diplomats like Anna will help a lot. And finally he isn't going to display power, he's going to tell them consider my family a sovereign nation because we have more gold rank firepower than even the US, which is easily verifiable without conflict.
Louis Nel
I don't understand why he insists on trying to work with people who do not want to work with him, just ignore them if they're being difficult. They didn't listen last time and won't this time or if they do they'll test him. Like a big red button, you just can't help but push it. His domains are unassailable he and his family can just live in them forever while working on solutions for the displaced populations. Any display of power is just going to make everyone afraid of him and drive them to further stupidity like using nukes or making deals with higher powers or something. He is placing so many hurdles and obstacles in his own way trying to do the right thing and for little gain.
Samael Seadh
Woooooo book 11 is out
Sean C Jackson
Sadly that's inside his Astral Kingdom and only his Avatar can open a portal to it.
a battle
kinda think it would be intresting to say anna, susan and her minders get a hitchikers guided tour but scare the minders with the astral gate like the one gold ranker was back in book 10
StarkRG
At his current power level, I don't think he can make portals across dimensional countries like that. Maybe once he's Diamond rank, he could.
Hunter
I’ve always thought this and there is obviously an explanation but why can’t someone enter Jason’s Astral Kingdom from one of his Earth domains and exit in the under ground city or anywhere where Jason is for that matter?
DirePants
Fun chapter. I really like that analogy Susan uses for astral beings and combustion engines. Also getting more hints into Jason’s limitations. That’s what I’m most curios about since it’ll decide what kind of hindrances he’s going to face and of course how they’ll be resolved. And as always every little peak into the world building creates so many more possibilities for the future and spin offs. Good job Shirt. Thanks!
Andromeda Adams
Thank you for the chapter, it was really good. So glad Anna is on board.
ouroboros
I wonder if the system will upgrade with him.
ShieldWolf
Best birthday present
Farrin89
Eh. It was a good example of a spous comforting their partner, but I feel like the lion's share of what she actually *said* was mostly nonsense geared toward making Anna feel like Earth's government and desires *are* significant when they're *not.* The bit about the Great Astrals being insignificant is, to me, where it particularly falls apart, because if the Great Astrals were to somehow die/cease to exist, the Multiverse would die with them. Whereas if any mortal anywhere dies, the Multiverse ultimately moves on and goes on. I would have preferred she say something about how significance is a matter of *scale,* not perspective. Even if they're nothing to Jason, which while the governments and politics are, the *people* aren't, by his deliberate choice, they're something to each other. The Great Astrals don't care about Earth beyond the way they care about any other world, so they operate in a different *scale.* It also sticks in my craw a little to have them dismissed as cosmic engine parts when they quite clearly have will and desires of their own, otherwise the Boundary would never have remade itself into the World Phoenix, and the Cosmic Throne would never have been broken in the first place. I feel like this got away from me, so sorry for rambling at you, lol. Edit Note: Sorry for the typos. Phone keyboard + Big Thumbs = Furstrating Combination
Iain Grubb
Take away their Nintendo?
ShieldWolf
Same! It's the same crap they played before when they sent there silver ranker to the Asano clan to make sure they were "good enough to not hurt there reputation." Then they turned on Jason hurting there clan themselves. Now they are stealing what Jason's family and Ferra built. It can't stand. I have I feeling that is where Jason himself stays.
John Durrett
Anna is just jaded by politics. That Susan stays with her is a testament that she’s a good person
MillionLittleE
She is like how do we know that you are the system admin? He shows it in probably the only way you can prove it. She calls it cute. Like what? He is just trying to show you what he is saying is true.
Tri Blankly
If she has them, she got them in the past 15 years and we haven't heard anything about it
Preston Stokes
Excellent work sir. I hope to read more soon #teambiscuit
Kconraw
Thx for the chapter. Also am really looking forward to the return back to 🌎
Ken Peterson
Totally awesome book. One question, any chance Susan can get essences. It would be a nice present. Unless she has them already. If so, please remind me.
StarkRG
"What this world needs right now is old souls." (Or something to that effect)
StarkRG
I'd think it would be Onslow, they've always gotten on really well. Though maybe Stash and Colin?
Russell Ventimeglia
While I do want to see the wrap up in the other world, I can't wait to get an update on the clan. Haven't heard much about Jason's parents, grandma's, sister-in-law, nieces (all 3) and other family members. Plus Jason needs to spank the "other" Asano clan that moved into the village he providing a lot of funding for. Screw those people.
ABTelford
I really enjoyed that chapter! it felt like a natural progression from the last chpt instead of feeling like we missed something so that was a nice change. I also really liked both conversations - the one between Susan and Anna was really quite good. well done!
Isaac Scharff
The seeds of character growth are all planted multiple books before they sprout.
Isaac Scharff
I'm reworking my way through the series audiobooks right now and Heath is so good. I need to look into if he's narrated anything else
brian phillips
I havent been this hooked to a book sinde hitchhikers guide series
Brad Gammey
Thanks for the chapter! Looking forward to hearing Heath narrating book 11 tomorrow!
Scott McCarthy
Am I the only one who half hopes that system message at the end was for everyone in the domain, and not just Anna. Just to mess with the "minders".
Sylphie
TEN THOUSAND YEAAAAAARS!!!!!!.will give you SUCH a crick in the NECK!!
Tom C
I wonder if Stash will get a girlfriend / boyfriend And could it be Gordon
Hunter
Princess of Earth and reincarnated Gary!!! Also it appears you can’t fight fate, new Gary seems to also be a crafter.
Maria Klein
I have to confess the only reason I kept reading this series when I started was because I like the people around Jason so much. Holy crap man, you have me totally invested in Jason now. You took him from a self righteous annoyance to a fully developed, complex character with so much depth I’m going to be heartbroken when this book series comes to an end. You’ve done an amazing job!
Mike Zebill
New audio book comes out tomorrow!!!!
Mike Zebill
Time for Rufus to put on a teaching clinic!
JonO
I believe so....I also believe he's her boyfriend or at least a person of interest based on what Jason said to her lol
JonO
I personally think that Amy is there with the Japanese asano clan. It was mentioned that they had something to do with it in the early book 12 chapters...or maybe the book 11 eps. I'll know for sure tomorrow when I start listening to it. So looking forward to it
Rowdy Robby
I certainly like Susan more than Anna. #moresusan
Andrew P
I wonder what happened to the Asano compound in Australia.
Ligeia
The good news is that by hiring Anna, he also gets Susan as an add-on. She'll help keep Anna grounded and give her tons of good advice, with no official salary or job involved.
jacob butler
Is Vincent the one from Book 11 that EMI talked to just before Jason showed up to talk to her?
Adrian
Vashishized?
jacob butler
I could see "System Administrator has arrived Gday Mate"
Valmorian
thanks for the chapter!
Zachary Ross
Cooking needs sampling
Zachary Ross
Susan is the smart one. Instead of hiring Anna he should have been hiring Susan. I think she would be better at it.
Sasquatchachu
Sounds like you are not prepared. If every time you read a chapter, you are hungry afterwards. You should heed the advice of thy administrator and have a Sammie ready for consumption during said chapter.
Ligeia
And I, for one, am greatly looking forward to the hard way.
Sasquatchachu
Vast cosmic power!!!! In a itty bitty little tiny space
Scott McCarthy
Stash is going to raid a biscuit factory, and complain that they suck. Especially if it is a American biscuit factory.
Agent P.
Cooking without tasting is against the rules.
Amanda Begly
Yes! Anna has joined the clan.
Scott McCarthy
Just laying the groundwork for Belinda and Estella to go for a 4 way.
Charles A. Pehl
It's from the fact they used to be this like super secret background cooler then you knew the real secrets of the world type where you are the top learning that not only are you bottom of the barrel power wise there's near infinite universe outside of just you and this one other planet
PapaJohn
"A bit cranky?" I bet they've already tried to boss people around and have been utterly ignored or incapacitated.
Jacob Conway
I can’t remember whether we’ve seen them, but I think it would be very uncharacteristic of shirt to kill them off screen.
StarkRG
Is Jason trying to pull Anna and Susan into a polycule? No, but I'm sure he's left the door open.
BloodStorm
I still want a worldwide system message when Jason gets to earth
mhaj58
I know that many members of the Asano Clan are gathered in the astral space, but it’s been hundreds of chapters since we’ve seen Ken, Cheryl, Amy and her daughters. Anyone have any clue if they’re still alive? We already know that Asano Village was destroyed but by who and why?
Alex Cox
I can't wait to see Sophie or Lindy to be the ones messing it up. Or Stash.
Malcolm
Great chapter, I kinda feel like no matter what happens with Anna trying handle the politics somebody is still gonna try to make a move against Jason and find out the hard way
Tom C
““But doesn’t it make you feel small?” Susan considered a moment before answering.” It is good to see Anna coming onside but I kinda feel like her arguments can be summed up as: ‘I have an Ego! I don’t want to be insignificant. I have tried to change but I cannot, so I can’t see how someone like him could change so much as to not still be a jackass.’ We get it. She has misgivings. Get her onboard and get on with assimilating / conquering / winning over Earth (safely with minimal casualties of course) 😂
Michael Noack
20th!? Maybe. TFTC either way.
Allen Wilding
He’s really doing a great job at being more diplomatic. You can definitely see Danielle’s influence peaking through. Can’t wait for it to all go wrong lol
Eric M
Denied!
james foster
I prefer the term "Half-Vast Power", try saying that three times fast and you'll see that it's an improvement on potentially vast.
Mist Sparrow
Yeah , I feel like she needs to acknowledge her role in his exploitation a bit more.
Timothy
Towards the end of book 6 Jason had become resentful towards the Nations and them going against him at every chance. Anne wasn't with Jason or Farrah at the end and probably could only see the propaganda being said about him and what he was doing. I don't think they interacted at all once Jason started going into the zones.
jeffrey niski
Every time I read a chapter, my hunger for more increases
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Yup. Still hate her, just a little less
Naotsugu97
Death to cranky minders! Or, store bought bread.
Danielle Warvel
I’m not sure if it’s just been too long and I’m not remembering enough, but didn’t Anne know Jason fairly well before? Didn’t she know he was reckless but ultimately a good person? So why is she acting a lot like he’s a potential corrupt megalomaniac scam artist politician with ambitions of tyranny and world domination, when she should well know that was everyone else’s shtick and what he was always fighting against? Yeah, if he’s as powerful as he’s said, I understand being cautious, especially considering his poor mental state when he left, but considering his calmness now and lack of unstable edge, the tone and direction this caution is taking and the degree of focus and suspicion of that possibility just seems a little….off, considering what I remember of their history. Just a tad.
Daniel Wills
There was a good line in an earlier chapter. Someone asked if he was a god and he said, “nothing so limited” iirc? I think it sums up quite a bit.
Daniel Wills
Craftscat. Like a craftsman, but, kitty.
JonO
I'm loving the interaction here. It's about time Anna stopped questioning and started accepting.
Trevor Counceller
I would LOVE a character count at the top (or bottom) of each chapter, if just to convince myself that I am crazy and some of these are wildly shorter than others.
Jarrett Glass
The personalized system notification message was such a boss move.
Sean Sheldon
That bit with Gary was nice. I could see the man (Leonid?) peeking out.
Trevor Counceller
Dreadfully short biscuits.
Phantom Zero
Thank you for the chapter!
Abigail Hale
Biscuit time!
Tom Vernon
1
TimeDrawsNigh
Tftc
Daniel Wills
Scones!
Tyler S.
Biscuits
Danny Espinal
FIRST
