Just a reminder, it looks like we're going from chapter 13 to 15, but I added a chapter earlier in the week that changed the numbering.
Chapter 15.
They swam further out into the underground lake, Larson gliding below the surface and pushing slightly ahead of his crew that swam above. There was still a slight moment of panic as the water displaced the air in his lungs, but after a few breaths, Larson found the process natural. Once the air was displaced with the water of the lak...
2022-01-21 20:44:36 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 7.
“What do you think the Ssath core is up to?” Captain Tran asked, voicing what they all were thinking.
“I’m not sure, I’d have thought the Ssath would be pushing for the central debris field a lot earlier since the Canadian core only has a small force covering it. This one is operating a lot different than the other core we fought,” Hugh replied.
It seemed that George was content to stay on the defensive, making no moves to even attempt to scout out t...
2022-01-19 21:03:57 +0000 UTC
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Hi everyone, I need to explain a bit about today's chapter. I felt the story needed a bit more action earlier in the book, and given some of the events that will happen later, this was a perfect fit. This is the new chapter five, and I'll renumber the others (and tweak them a bit) for the final draft. I hope you all had a great weekend and are staying warm, we've been hit with a lot more snow than usual and I've had to play taxi driver all day for the family on the icy roads.
Chap...
2022-01-17 21:16:05 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 13.
“Well, I think we’ve found your portal,” Ibn said, stating the obvious. They hadn’t faced any additional attacks as they approached the hill at the center of the island, and once they got close, Larson could see a wide cave opening that steeply descended. About thirty feet from the surface, the passage gave way to a glowing swirl of energy that Wrend confirmed was a portal of some sort. The portal was huge, easily wide enough for a pair of wagons to pass through, a...
2022-01-14 19:43:57 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 6.
The techs entered the conference room, linking the various devices to the signal that would be sent by the GCA. Hugh wasn’t exactly sure how he would experience another core’s battle, but he figured it would be similar to how the GCA handled the various orientations he had gone through. Hugh was surprised when the techs started distributing VR headsets to the officers and advisors around the table.
“What’s with these?” Admiral Nix asked.
“Sir, we rec...
2022-01-12 21:41:51 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 12.
“All hail Cassia, Hammer of the Seas, reborn as Cassia, the Sea Venom. All hail Captain Larson, master of this vessel, and my bonded mage. Welcome, my crew, I shall be your home at sea, and you shall serve aboard me with honor and diligence. Together, our foes will weep in terror and our friends will shout in joy at our approach. The seas are ours, reach out and take them!” The voice of Cassia shouted over the entire ship.
“Well, at least that voice wasn’t ju...
2022-01-10 16:58:36 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 11.
After resting for a bit, Larson’s mana returned to full and the voice in his head didn’t return, but there was still something resisting the spell, causing it to pull more mana than usual. He gave up on it, for the time being, there was no reason to speed their passage, and the travel time would give them to put the new crew through their paces. Not needing sleep, Larson made the rounds, getting to know the new sailors as they rotated through the night watches. Most ha...
2022-01-07 17:21:13 +0000 UTC
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Sorry for the late post, War Core 2 launched today and I was tied up getting announcements ready. If you get a chance, please leave a review on Amazon, early reviews can really help during a new book launch.
Chapter 5.
“Let’s set up a debrief with the participants,” Hugh said as they disconnected him from the simulation.
“Nice work, Hugh, we totally wrecked them,” Maddison added, leaving the pod she was using and walking over to Hugh’s core...
2022-01-05 23:54:54 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 10.
“Captain, glad to have you back, I see we’ve picked up a couple of strays,” Tarley said when Larson rejoined his ships. Both vessels had been brought to a pair of large drydocks, and the water was in the process of being pumped out by dozens of pumps being manned by the dockworkers as well as his crew. Bug Bartholomew operated two on his own, and Larson was willing to bet the ogre was pumping more water than any twenty of the dock workers.
“This was fast, we ...
2022-01-03 16:10:43 +0000 UTC
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The last post of the year. Thank you all for the support you've given and I wish you all a happy New Year! There's a lot in store for 2022 and here's what I plan to write for the year.
1. Limitless Seas 2.
2. Cat Core 3, which will complete the series.
3. War Core 3, which will complete the series. I have a few spinoff ideas I might want to explore, mainly the Battle Pits that Hssim was sent to at the end of book 2.
4. Limitless Seas 3.
...
2021-12-31 20:08:09 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 4.
“I’ll send you whatever new units I produce. Once they spot us and realize how many troops we’ve committed to the attack, they’ll probably respond by trying to take out one of our lightly defended command posts,” Hugh told Maddison. Things could devolve into an odd situation that happened in some of the games where the fight devolved into a race to destroy the enemy’s structures before your own were taken out. Hugh set the rally point for his forces at Maddison...
2021-12-29 18:03:24 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 8.
“If you have evidence, why approach me instead of just going the other lords of the city?” Larson asked.
“I want to secure your services should the worst come to pass once I make my accusations. These things take some time to work through the process and stripping a lord of his lands and titles is not done lightly. While my actions are taking place, I’d like to ask you a favor,” Lord Buxton said.
“I’m listening,” Larson replied.
“I’d li...
2021-12-27 19:15:44 +0000 UTC
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Have a great holiday everyone!
Chapter 7.
“Sir, do you think it’s wise to go to the home of the man that very likely may have just tried to arrange our deaths?” Ibn asked.
“I don’t know if it’s wise, but it’s what we’re going to do. The esteemed Lord Mox likely won’t try to pull anything in front of the rich and powerful of Stratwall Harbor, the fact that he hired this lot to take care of us outside the city tells us that much. I’m going there to se...
2021-12-24 15:03:58 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 3.
Hugh’s forces continued as he had originally planned, fanning out to scout the area closest to his command post. An infantry squad filtered through the forest toward the northeast while another infantry squad, supported by a platoon of light mechs scouted down the main road that skirted the forest. A rise of hills, seemingly impassable, dominated the center of the map. If Maddison was right, there would be a portal or transport device of some type hidden in that area, but...
2021-12-22 22:13:19 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 6.
“I’m sorry, sir, weapons are not allowed to be worn at the estate,” the coachman advised as Larson and Ibn walked toward their ride. Larson’s weapons were stowed in his inventory, but Ibn had an ornate scimitar belted to his waist as well as a long, curved dagger. He must have spent some of his prize money on weapons upgrades. Whether Ibn’s upgrades were functional upgrades or cosmetic remained to be seen.
“I am the leader of the Fangs of the Serpent, and ...
2021-12-20 15:18:22 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 5.
“May I help you, sir, are you perhaps lost? The docks about a quarter-mile in that direction, just follow the stench,” A man said as soon as Larson entered Francine’s Finery, the shop Lucian had directed him to once he heard that Larson needed proper clothes to visit the Lord’s estate.
“Are we going to have a problem? I came here to look for some clothes suitable for an event on Lord Mox’s estate, but if you don’t have time to tend to his guests...
2021-12-17 15:52:01 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 2.
Hugh’s point of view joined the simulation, and while it did a good job with visuals and sound, it felt weird. There was no sense of being linked directly into the command post and instead of doing things with a thought, he had to focus and concentrate with the interface controls to make anything happen. It would be an exhausting session, but despite the problems, he enjoyed the simulation and competing against his fellow cores.
“You there Hugh?’ Maddison asked ...
2021-12-15 17:02:40 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 4.
“Hold, I don’t know who you are, but Shada is an officer aboard my ship. A ship, I might add, that is a privateer in the service of Stratwall Harbor,” Larson growled.
“Oh, let me guess, you didn’t tell the honorable Captain, whoever the hell he is, that you’re a wanted criminal in the Imperium?” Wrend said.
“Well, there is where your problem lies Sergeant Wrend, you are no longer on Imperium soil. Shada is an officer aboard my vessel and if you l...
2021-12-13 13:40:49 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 3.
Larson broke the seal on the envelope, surprised to feel a small burst of magic release as he did so. There were no adverse effects, so he pulled out the invitation.
Lord Thurston Mox and Lord Montgomery Buxton hereby invite Captain Larson of the Sea Venom and one guest to attend an event in celebration of the safe return of Jonathan Mox and Theodore Buxton. The event will be held at the Mox estate, and the festivities begin this evening at 9 pm sharp. Proper atti...
2021-12-10 18:26:48 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 1.
“We have a joint forces session scheduled for after this meeting, Hugh, you’ll be working with the Canadian core George Lucin and one of the Mexican cores, Javier Parejo. Intel, any new threats to be aware of?” Admiral Nix asked. Hugh’s attention, which had been wandering up to this point, zeroed in as Markum gave the intel briefing. Despite clashing when the man had first joined the team, Hugh could tell he was working hard to get them the best intel that he could....
2021-12-08 21:20:26 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 2.
They pulled up alongside their assigned docks without any further incident, and after the ships were tied off, the crew went about the business of securing the vessels for their stay in port. A couple of the town guards walked over to investigate the new arrivals, waving once they recognized Larson and his ship. During their last stay, Larson had flipped them a few scales to keep an eye on things when his crew was away. The ship’s cook, Gilroy, also made sure that any gua...
2021-12-06 16:23:05 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 1.
“Captain, land ho, Stratwall Harbor off the starboard bow,” Quix called out from the crow’s nest. It only took another minute before Larson, standing on the quarterdeck could see their destination. He had left the harbor to hunt the pirate Fontaine with a single ship, a nearly empty purse, and with an untested crew. He returned with a solid crew who had proven their loyalty, some treasure, and a prize in the form of the pirate ship Lost Soul. More important t...
2021-12-03 14:32:21 +0000 UTC
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Introduction.
“We have won a great victory and these bugs and monkeys will become our prey. It will take time, but the human homeworld and their new neighbors, the Krixnas will become fresh hunting grounds for our people,” Great Leader Ibixan told the senate. Claws clacked against the decision pillars in agreement, but not as many as he had hoped. The proclamation podium stood in the center of the senate auditorium, the position still giving Ibixan a sense of unease as he stood th...
2021-12-01 19:22:22 +0000 UTC
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Here's the start of Limitless Seas 2, it's been a while, so is anyone interested in reading the recap before we dig in? Let me know in the comments and I'll post it later.
Introduction.
Sally looked around the hotel room, questioning her actions. Should she really be here? Was seeing her brother worth all the hassle of playing a stupid game? They hadn’t spoken in years, and showing up in a digital world wouldn’t change that, would it? She was sure he was the same person onli...
2021-11-29 14:38:34 +0000 UTC
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We've reached the end of book 2. The last chapter and epilogue are short, so I've included both here.
What's next? I'm working on Limitless Seas 2, but we'll also see new chapters of War Core 3 every Wednesday. Have a great weekend everyone, and we'll be back on the high seas with Captain Larson and the Sea Venom on Monday.
Chapter 51.
The campaign for the Krixnas homeworld is complete. Your allied forces were unable to stop the enemy from its conque...
2021-11-26 15:00:52 +0000 UTC
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Kind of appropriate that we get the climax of the battle for War Core Wednesday.
Chapter 50.
“Bob, can you hear me?” Hugh called out. As he expected there was no response, at all his strongpoints, the Krixnas helping to defend emerged. They were following the typical programming for when a core had been destroyed in this campaign, blindly charging the nearest foe. Ssath cut them down in droves, suffering few casualties in return. The only benefit was that it bought more ...
2021-11-24 14:25:02 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 49.
The drop pod roared down on the indicated area, slamming home to crush and damage several enemy mechs. When the hatches blew off the pod, four of the odd siege spheres rolled out, exteriors already crackling with energy. It wasn’t his first choice for the summoned mechs, but Hugh wasn’t going to complain. The spheres picked up speed, each one unleashing a wave of lightning over the nearby Ssath units. Lighter units like infantry were destroyed outright by the hits, and...
2021-11-22 13:32:16 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 48.
“I can’t stop you from doing this, Stephan, but let me know if there is anything else I can do to help,” Hugh offered.
“Cover Mike as best as you are able, it will take a bit of time for my attack to slam home. Now that Valery isn’t here, I can tell you that I killed many Russians on the eastern front using this very same tactic. Perhaps you can use your drop pod ability if the opportunity arises. Now, I must gather my forces and move out,” Stephan said.<...
2021-11-19 15:03:44 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 47.
“How do you want us to spend the resources, Hugh?” Cartwright asked.
“More infantry would be nice, let’s get five more squads, that way each strongpoint will get another section of infantry mechs to help out. For the other hundred and fifty, I’m thinking some more minefields are in order, as well as the upgrade for them. From what we’ve seen so far, the only Ssath counter to a minefield is to march troops across until you’ve triggered them all. With a d...
2021-11-17 14:03:04 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 46.
“Hugh, the enemy bombers are making their play, they’re heading straight in, they must not realize we have flak waiting for them,” Stephan advised.
“Roger that, let them get into the kill pocket, then we’ll light them up together,” Hugh replied. He had been fixated on the disaster that had occurred at ring two and the desperate fight Jiro was putting up at the third ring. The orbital bombardment had caught them all off guard and Jiro’s forces were out o...
2021-11-15 13:47:04 +0000 UTC
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