So, the Resistance is sacrificing one or two battles to win the war? As a third party observer, I got to say: that approach looks like it's back-firing. Big time!

Author's Response:

Perhaps a pyrrhic victory at best...

There is a reason why most colleges are mostly filled with women now. The men get outsmarted by the women and are forced to serve them.

These bands are basically these girls branding these young men. These "bands" are "brands" stuck on these guys and they have no idea. They mix their attention from girls as something positive. Makes you wonder why no one has questioned why girls just randomly attached themselves to these boys.

Now that Stan knows a little more about these pink wristbands, it makes the ones he bought at that store almost worthless. Especially if there is actual technology within the real wristbands.

Imagine a microphone, tracker, and sensor built into each wristband so these girls of Omega Pi can hunt down each guy much more easily.

Once you get marked with a wristband, you can't them off, silly men. You just became branded by these lovely ladies, and became "Property of Omega Pi".

This is what Stan just thought and his mind wanders about how deep these sorority has changed this university. The risk has escalated and Stan just got a taste of the true power of Omega Pi.

I can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response:

All of a sudden, we've peeked behind the curtain only to find there is no wizard, just a clever sorceress pulling all the strings. Is Stan up to the challenge or will he shrink away from the pressure?

Stan and Sam? He'll know everything next chapter.

Unlike most people, and being rather pessimistic, I’m quite often happy when I’m wrong.  This is one of those times. 

Cam is such a great character and he really adds to every scene he’s in.  When he’s allowed to talk, that is.   I’m really not ready to invest in the “want change” side, but I’m really glad to see Cam rescued.  (Good job Cerys and Oliver...even though Oliver doesn’t know it.)

Agnes is so interesting.  Tom Speedy points out her language is maybe a little over controlled, but considering what a survivor of the megs must be going through, and considering how poorly brought up they usually are, I can see being very careful in everything you do and say when you are around them. 

And I’m really curious about what brought about her change of heart.  Is one of the current Omega’s her spawn? 

I’m a little shocked to hear they approached Sersei.  I wonder what made her a candidate for recruitment when they haven’t talked to someone like Harmony?  Cam’s hope for her is really sad.  He wants the version of her that sang to him and comforted him when he took a beating for her to be the real Sersei.  Unfortunately, we’ve seen inside her head and it’s really obvious that she seriously enjoys betraying those who trust her.  That could mean betraying the Omegas, but come on, which side is going to give her what she wants?  Bad move Sam and company.

One of the things we want as readers is to be tantalized.  We want to be drawn in and in to the story.  This chapter does that so well.  And really it’s just two people in a room (well, in a dollhouse) talking.  But it really leaves us curious and enthusiastic for the next chapter.

Masterful work Duggernaut.  Your talent is really on display here and thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Peace

pix

A tiny girl? Hmm. Still seems fishy to me. At first I was expecting a dream where Cam sees a girl his size and he tries to think it's real. This version seems more complex.

Agnes sounds exactly like a robot. Please tell me I'm not the only one. The words she use sounds so scripted. I would be freaked out too if this woman started talking to me.

Well, this is something very new to this story and it's interesting to see some progress in a new direction.

Glad to see a new chapter and the story just got more interesting.

I can't wait for the next one!

Author's Response:

Lol, good to have your suspicion on display my friend! The hope is she is coming off like someone trying to deprogram a rescued cult member who might still ber a little shell shocked.

Stan the improvising man...Carol knows more about Stan than she admits.  Careful Stan... Don't be fooled...

Stan missed his calling as a detective.

One of the many things that makes this tale so enjoyable is the way so many genre elements swirl together to create a literary tapestry of contrast and color. 

Of course, yes, I hate Sersei.  I hate everytime she’s happy,  I hate her everytime Cam get’s mentioned.  She just so...loathsome.  So...to coin a phrase...weasel-eat-able. 

But, dang it, she’s so interesting.

Apparently there’s a basic human fantasy to have sex with an enemy, the most obvious manifestation was lots of girls in 70‘s porn wearing Nazi uniforms, and that underlying sex dream gives this chapter lots of spice.

But there’s so much more going on.

Oliver is still delivering as a hero.  In such extreme circumstances he’s able to engage with Miss Weasel Morsel and manipulate and shape her emotions and responses...even gaining little bits of information.  It doesn’t always work, but that gives the story some wonderful suspense, because it emphasizes Sersei’s lack of empathy by her not caring/understanding his wanting answers.  (She’s clearly not really equipped to interact with a person in a real relationship.) 

He’s also asking questions, trying to figure things out.  It brings us to his side, makes us root for him and keeps him firmly in the protagonist’s seat.

The contrast within him, seeing her a sexy/ knowing she’s repugnant, sprinkles in an element of psychological horror. 

In many ways Duggernaut’s storytelling is akin to alchemy, blending contrasting forms to create a mix that is both provocative and satisfying. 

It is a rich and compelling concoction you’ve created Duggernaut.  Thank you so much for sharing it with us and I truly hope you stay inspired to create more. 

And welcome back.

Peace


pix

Btw: welcome home. :-)

Author's Response:

Thanks Cary, sorry for the sudden disappearance, danged real life drama!

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