Samriis

Well said!

Oh yeah... there are an additional 20 something chapters on his patron account. But they are only released when a new one is ready so we just have to be patient.

I know that Clark's comeuppance is welcomed as shown from some of the comments previously, but this is pure trauma for Clark. This is the talisman that he has held onto dearly, to prove to at least himself that he is more than just an infantialized symbol of Amazonian superiority. Talismans don't have to be physical either... this is akin to someone who has lost their wife through a murder and then having those close to you tell you that she didn't matter and that you'll be better off without her. This part of the story was an eventuality, but is by NO means trivial. This, however, is a pendulum shift, again one that had to happen for Clark's character to evolve, but I worry that he has nothing else to hold on to. This could break him worse than any stay at New Beginnings. Because he would loose all sense of "self". All that would remain is a doll. And I don't want to see that happen in such a well developed character.

Especially not the earlier versions of the DD universe... but, like any "good" fictional world, it's rules are flexible enough that you can get some fantastic stories out of it.

When given an impossible situation, you have to remind those who put you there exactly what they expected. You can walk out on ice the first time and not expect to fall... but after the 10th time falling, you kinda get the idea that stepping on ice is slippery. Clark will keep surprising them... and in the end, he either breaks, or "they" come to terms that he may be smarter than they can accept.

Oh so many rabbit holes! Specifically, at which point does a chronoton differentiate an individual... I mean you could make a blank clone and send it back to a pre defined... save point... and do it again in 50 years or so... you could live forever! Well... your "self" would at least.

One of the reasons I love this story is because it plays against how I grew up... I was Very susceptible to gaslighting then as I just wanted to belong and believed everything I heard... now the curtain has been lifted and I recognize it for what it was, but it terrifies how easy and effective it can be, given enough people. On the flip side... it can really reinforce desired behavior as well... kind of makes you wonder... Yikes... some dark lines of thought down that path.... But that is why this story hits me so hard. Because it makes me think. Not just feel.

Woo hoo! Great to see another chapter... or two

Just thought I should bump this story... its one of my favorites after all

My heart goes out to Clark here... thank you again for a wonderful chapter Oh wow! Two at once! I'll take it an run

It's amazing actually... how exhausting hate is... even when you have every right to. But the crux of it is that hate MUST have a target and if it misses its mark then all you've done is make yourself miserable. I feel for Clark... more than I have for many characters in the past because I've been there. Hate is a lifeline than can get you through the first couple of steps through the bog of dispare, but it will eat you; mind and body. I really hope he can find that next step, whether it be acceptance or revenge....

Yes, it was Tessa whom I was thinking of... sorry, horrible with names, both in and out of text.... But to your point of it being 26 years, that would be my point... especially now that holograms are commonplace. She could be out there...

Just remember the Red Queen is still there as well (though I can't remember the name of the AI) just imagine how much she has evolved through the years as well. Might even be a Guardian angel...

^ It's true... not that I'm complaining. <Grin>

I am the Great and Powerful Oz! Ignore the man behind the curtain!

I couldn't disagree more. In this situation him being aggressive and confident and a bitcocky is what gets you in this world of Amazon's. Just like in real life it's the cocky people who make grand business decisions become millionaires and billionaires, the difference Is that when they fail they can learn from their mistakes. As an enlightened Amazonian I could easily see them hiring an older little because they won't find a better worker ever because they've learned how to survive in a world where one mistake costs you everything.

It really was fantastic. I can relate to Amy... its so easy to fall into acceptance; not resisting the flow. I'll never be a "Clark" but I can damn well admire them when I see them. Bravo for sharing with us such a character.

Just wanted to bring this up to the top of the feed, it's such a good story and I, like many... many others, can't wait for the next chapter or two... or three...

Rage is a powerful thing but is often wasted... focused rage, on the other hand, is very effective, but it can consume one's original reason for being angry. Bravo Clark! Use their own bias against them... if they truly believe that Littles are lost to maturity, then let them break their minds against true passive aggressive actions!

Well... isn't that ominous

The really bad part of having another great chapter is now we have to wait for more. Well done.

On a side note... I think this is the first time I have ever seen the red box with the "Hot" listed for a thread before... Congrats!!

Ah nanities... the greatest hook of possibilities because you can do literally anything with em... (also one of the reasons I love them in stories so much) (that and I'm a Sci fi nut! ❤?) Anyhow love how, while the ending is reduced in the number of ways this could go, it still is leaving us on the edges of our seats. That said... in the epilog... I think it would be grand to see our first mid in the Supreme Court or what passes for it... a voice of reason in and otherwise unreasonable world. Or at least be able to mitigate the baby craze when just laws are being trampled. Just saying...? Oooo... just had a thought... what if the nanites in cam could be programmed to record audio and video... and then catch the mother monolog about her evil nefarious plan!

You heard it here folks... the ending will involves shocks and nails... ?

I admit to not reading all the replies of late (and thank you for being so involved with them) but I'm wondering... will the Red Queen be making an appearance here? This seems like a place in the story that a budding AI that has been self aware now for a decade or so would love to make herself be known... (I can't remember her name hence the Red Queen comment)