Because Someone Had To (Full Free SciFi Audiobook) 308

[@AgroSquerril]

[Chapters] 00:00:21 Part 1 00:09:15 Part 2 00:19:10 Part 2.1 00:54:53 Part 2.2 01:28:10 Part 2.3 01:50:52 Part 3 02:01:52 Part 4 02:12:36 La Fin Currently Ranking #28 on the popular fiction list on PodBean, with your help we can get to #1 PodBean Channel : agrosquerrilnarrates.podbean.com/ Spotify Channel (+- 15 minutes to propergate) : open.spotify.com/show/01XntbfXNiZMcLNTrzCvRY Itunes Channel : podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-s-n-web-novels-and-short-stories-podcast/id1521051021

[@butterham7]

cool video nice voice have a great day

[@sydneydaum9204]

Thank you for time stamps!!

[@Uzzgub]

A Interaction for the Interaction God, a Comment for the Comment Throne, for the Almighty Algorithm

[@thecomedygamingnetwork261]

This one was really good. It's sad that humanity suffered so much for their effort. I'm so used to these stories painting humans as penultimate badasses, so when that is circumvented... it's almost surreal. What's ironic is I was hoping to find one where the humans didn't just stomp their way to victory Now that I found one... it's pretty sad

[@kitemaywilder1792]

want a good laugh? turn on captions and read them, so many funny mistakes, youtubes closed captions are a comedians dream XD

[@Renegadebane]

Humanity: Nobody can have slaves anymore, anybody who disagrees can come down here and fight me, one at a time or all at once, makes no difference. Someone's gotta do it.

[@brotherbacchaddemater4892]

Good gooood be the fortress be ever defiant make your will harder than diamond and as inflexible as steel you’d make a perfect imperial fist given you can survive the training r{°t°}r

[@lordofswarm538]

@@brotherbacchaddemater4892 honestly, they'd make a better Salamander, from the sound of it.

[@jeff8833]

@@brotherbacchaddemater4892 When you stand defiant upon the Last Wall, turn your eyes to the heaven and watch as the Emperor's wrath and fury descends within pillars of holy fire. We are the scourge of the Emperor's enemy. We are the bearers of armor blackened in the fires of ten thousand years of crusade. We are the Black Templars and we...are...Legion...

[@brotherbacchaddemater4892]

@@jeff8833 you are rage ridden and riddled sons of dorn whomst the love of battle and glory hast blinded

[@jeff8833]

@@brotherbacchaddemater4892 Tell that to Sigismund

[@redraptorx1066]

aliens: *leave humans with nothing left to lose* human grand admiral: start the boss music. alien admiral: why do i hear foreboding music?

[@polarmason]

I say queue up some Rip & Tear

[@torunsmok5890]

@@polarmason I'd say for the ominous and awe inspiring tone lead in with some HALO themes, and then bust out the DOOM when the combat is in full swing

[@manofcultura]

Let’s be xenophobic

[@schneecoraxx8689]

@@manofcultura bro we can't even stand each other, I doubt we'd handle actual aliens well 🤣

[@manofcultura]

@@schneecoraxx8689 it’s an actual song by bill sutton

[@LegendStormcrow]

You can't call that a loss. That was an overwhelming tactical victory to the war.

[@Amoth_oth_ras_shash]

hard power roars like no other... but soft power echo's for eternity , one might say weave both together and you can lose every battle.. but win the war as you turn your foe into allies

[@joovannyy]

Humans did win the war but they paid an extream price. Earth plus all colonies, except 1 ( maybee ), glased. That would be tens if not hundreds of billions of humans dead. Hard to see this as a victory. Even harder to imagin the scenario were human leaders ask the population to start a war where 90%+ of them will die. Even the most warmongering amoung us would not agree to sacrifice their entire family and friends group for alien races.

[@mirzamay]

@@Amoth_oth_ras_shash yes!

[@lrmackmcbride7498]

It is a pyrrhic victory. They won but at cost beyond measure.

[@theengagedfew]

@@lrmackmcbride7498 Not true. They measured the loss, and deemed it acceptable.

[@89Keith]

Love the AI naming convention, honestly started cackling when I heard the purpose of loki

[@MachDhai]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aishyamoonchild3476]

Loki quit changing my desk top wallpaper!

[@MachDhai]

@@aishyamoonchild3476 I feel that it's always important to sneak in a bit of sarcasm and humour even in serious moments. I dunno if it works or not, but I think it makes the characters feel a little more real.

[@natanoj16]

@@MachDhai you made this story or ?

[@MachDhai]

@@natanoj16 Aye, this was the first story I wrote on the HFY subreddit (the long fleet battle in the middle came many months later). Agro's narrations have really helped open HFY's stories to more people.

[@literalsarcasm1830]

"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first time a person's freedom is trodden on, we are all damaged."

[@Iluvantir]

Star TreK: The Next Generation - Captain Picard.

[@getonthelist5620]

Part of me has longed for a narrative collection like this since first finding the genre.

[@getonthelist5620]

@@AgroSquerril thank you most roundly. And not to be all Oliver Twist about it, but... Please Sir, we want some more

[@AgroSquerril]

@@getonthelist5620 No worries , more content well be forthcoming. Just getting over a bout of "not well" , if you want more of this story I am afraid I don't think there is anymore

[@getonthelist5620]

@@AgroSquerril more of this story would be like one of the cash grab sequels that the entertainment industry is floundering in right now. It would be nice to have more of the longer stories though. The stuff you do is great, but short stories generally leave me thinking about Oscar Wilde's quote on pleasure and satisfaction. Also Take the time you need to be the best you. More people should be like Naomi Osaka. You have put in the work to be this good at what you do. Don't let that go to waste, by rendering yourself unable to do so well.

[@duncandude1937]

your collection and narration of these amazing stories is criminally underrated.

[@AgroSquerril]

thank you for the kind words

[@StarSong936]

@ 2:03:01 I had to obey a lawful order once. I knew it was a bad idea. So did everyone else with me. The only one who didn't know it was a bad order was the one giving it. The fire chief wanted us to hit a switch. Only that and nothing more. We told him the only time that button should be pressed is if someone was in danger for their life. He said if someone should be in danger for their life, then you need to know if it will work, hit the switch. So we did. As he outranked us, and it was a lawful order, we hit the switch. The 8th Air Force General at that time tore him a new one, and it took us 3 days to get the computers (worth about $1,000,000 each) back up and running. Those computers were responsible for messaging traffic between 40 missile silos. Nobody wanted to hit the shunt trip except the fire chief. That was the one button none of us wanted to press. No, it wasn't red, it was white. Hope you enjoyed.

[@MachDhai]

Can be down right shocking to some just how disconnected people in positions of power can be from the possible consequences of their orders.

[@DwAboutItManFr]

Worrying.

[@inventiveowl395]

ddHuh Excuse me *what?!*

[@bullboo1]

That was following an unlawful order plus you should have told him what would happen plus told him to put the order in writing with him admitting what would happen was on him then contacted someone willing to correct the idiot. I did 30 yrs and change with 4 in combat and was hated for being honest plus refusing to follow unlawful orders.

[@stevedixon921]

It was white because EVERYONE presses the red buttons (all of them...all of the time). Only idiots press the white button. I recall a gag gift of a wooden sign that said "In case of emergency, flip over". On the reverse side it said "Not now stupid!".

[@Gilhelmi]

As long as our ideals remain, we will never die. But I am glad a few thousand humans survived. We can rebuild from that. It would be difficult, but then again, we are humanity.

[@jimmykarlsson4126]

and we fuck like rabbits

[@derekbrown4227]

We did it once (see our genetic bottleneck 10000 years ago); we'll do it again.

[@taetannim3581]

@@derekbrown4227 you stole my comment, lol

[@reginaldbull4922]

@@taetannim3581 🤣👍

[@DMG2705]

This is why the teaching of history is important. Instead of trying to block the teaching of history some don't like, they should embrace it! We are in a cycle of prejudice and pain. There is no forgiveness for either side and that is the problem. Only when you accept your people's past and how it has affected you will you finally progress. The pain must be brought to the surface in order for it to fade away.

[@llamabrat07]

One of my favorite quotes is “those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat its mistakes.”

[@Nempo13]

We aren't in a cycle of prejudice and pain...we are in a cycle of intentional manipulation and denying of pain. Also a cycle of complete rejection of history in favor of a heavily biased and specially targeted history. "Reparations" For slavery of various kinds have been paid to everyone already minus a few groups for more recent history; America never paid anything to the Irish or Asians (Chinese and Japanese both) during the industrial revolution when both were made literal slaves to various companies. They were not paid with money, they were paid with company credits that could only be used inside of company shops. This kept them not just below the poverty line, but deep below it and totally chained to the company as a slave. Europeans have mostly done their reparations to everyone, with an exception to war prisoner slaves taken during the Napoleonic Era. WW2 slaves taken by Japan have never fully been repaid. Not everywhere anyway. Mostly only South Korea got reparations for that mess. These just being the ones off the top of my head. Yes, Blacks have all been paid already...in literally EVERY country that used them. Alright the Middle East has never paid reparations but...they legit still practice slavery so what ya gonna do?

[@stevelux9854]

While the teaching of history is important, I wonder what history and who's version? I also wonder at what point to we let old wounds heal? Or, for the sake of "remembering history" do we every generation or two let educators, media and race-baiters keep tearing at the scabs of these old wounds so so that society must bleed once again again?

[@Galith20]

Patton once quoted Hegal saying: What we learn from history, is that we learn nothing from history. It's sad that we deny what happened because something are seen as merely inconvenient for the current social view. If humanity could become humble to the lessons it bled to learn, imagine how far we'd go.

[@samrester6254]

"Viewing History, through the lens of 'modern morality', is the height of arrogance."

[@t3h_m0nk3y]

To be honest my favorite part of this channel is the relisten value.❤❤❤

[@theduke7539]

Humanity: If the universe is so big, Why wont it fight me?

[@jeff8833]

The short answer: Steve Irwin existed

[@allancornell2191]

@@jeff8833 I want to argue with you... but you do have a valid point.

[@Phucough3]

I laughed so long and hard that my ENTIRE body hurts. Thank you.

[@USS_Grey_Ghost]

Aliens: Why would we want to fight the most insane species in the entire universe!

[@tabletjanmassopwav528]

@@Phucough3 hyYH

[@fleurpouvior2967]

My only complaint, is I wish the volume was louder, so I could hear everything over the machines at work. We are encouraged to listen to headphones at work, and I would happily spend 8 hours a day listening to these!

[@keel24]

I would love a animated version of this “because someone had to”

[@taetannim3581]

Hush, before Disney hears you.

[@beingsneaky]

Good story. Human almost extinct once again.. but they will bounce back as always.

[@AgroSquerril]

that they will

[@radioblitz1494]

Sadly

[@purpledevilr7463]

This was a great narration, next time you consider doing a mini series could you consider adding timestamps in the description please?

[@AgroSquerril]

i shall do so

[@AgroSquerril]

now in the pinned comment

[@purpledevilr7463]

Thank you

[@lilmanbazooka7944]

He has

[@purpledevilr7463]

@@lilmanbazooka7944 did you read the other 3 replies to this comment?

[@overfailed3639]

Makes me want to make my own fighter-spaceships named "Hound"s just so I can use the Phrase "Release the Hounds!"

[@GuukanKitsune]

That is probably EXACTLY why they named them 'Hounds'

[@Virtualblueart]

"Cry havoc, and let slip the hounds of war" comes to mind 😃

[@elduquecaradura1468]

I would call them "clowns" so when the enemy hears "send the clowns"... they won't be expecting the outcome xD

[@overfailed3639]

@@elduquecaradura1468 Yeah, I think you legally own this comment now. That is so much better.

[@teknicron1080]

​@@elduquecaradura1468 And the 3 lead ships would be Larry, Moe, and Curly. XD

[@mercerulysses506]

That was a great story props to the author’s writing skill and you for a wonderful narration. P.S for the algorithm.

[@AgroSquerril]

Glad you enjoyed. For the algorithm

[@Jason-sm4oc]

@@AgroSquerril For the algorithm!

[@MachDhai]

Glad you enjoyed it! This was the first thing I'd written for the HFY subreddit, but I'm still pretty darn proud of it over all. Ain't a perfect story by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

[@Nightshade-lizard]

@@MachDhai it's amazing. Great for work.

[@MachDhai]

@@Nightshade-lizard Thanks muchly!

[@PhoenixThunderheart]

I'm long time prior military. This is incredible. I've never heard such a detailed battle with amazing tactics!

[@MachDhai]

Thanks! I was heavily inspired by Jack Campbell's The Lost Fleet series, and David Weber's Safehold series, truth be told, and sprinkled in a hefty helping of 'rule of cool,' but folks seem to have enjoyed the result so I'm pretty content.

[@PhoenixThunderheart]

@@MachDhaiI noticed the rule of cool but in actuality, this I pretty damn accurate. Awesome job!

[@MachDhai]

@@PhoenixThunderheart Thanks muchly!

[@forgetfuldullahan5468]

​@Jim MachDhai hey do have any more works you've written? Or possibly some pointers for a gal looking to write her own fables humans in space?

[@AthanCage]

Truly fantastic, I unfortunately missed the premiere, but it is certainly amazing none the less. Keep up the wonderful work can't wait to see the next video

[@AgroSquerril]

glad you like

[@ogrehaslayers605]

Love how humans resurrected their ancient gods as AI to fight for us in battle. 💪

[@DragonBornClan4]

You mean to fight with us

[@ogrehaslayers605]

@@DragonBornClan4 good point. In this story they were equals and allies.

[@ryanatkins5736]

Humanity had the best weapons, ideas. "This is your people dying bravely to our overpowering weapons" terrifying imagery, "they die bravely for people that keep them slaves... keep that in mind. This is humans saving survivors and treating them better than they would be treated as soldiers on duty,"- imagery of survivor camps and colonies. "This is humanity fighting to free you from slavery"- more terrifying imagery "so you can choose to die for those who would enslave you, or join the more powerful force that wants your children to have freedoms, educations, full bellies, and good opportunities... your choice"- split screen of a colony prospering with multiple liberated races, and a fleet being sent to the meat grinder by calloused commanders. Audio anomaly at 22:45 and 1:05:48

[@MachDhai]

I should have played up the propaganda side of the conflict more, but that was very much the idea of it. Within the context of this story, humanity never expected to fight the war to the bitter end, and had planned that the citizens would rise up sooner. Force can make change, but unless the people themselves want that change, it will never stick.

[@taetannim3581]

Can I just say how much I love AI Loki? Lol, great story overall, that character just stuck out and tickled me pink!

[@MachDhai]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JosephKano]

This is one of my Favourite readings of Mr Squerril.

[@oakenshadow6763]

I love the use of various gods, and that they have the personalities to match. Loki is awesome. 33:50

[@MachDhai]

Thanks! I've always liked the idea that maybe we'll manage to get the whole AI thing right. Took a lot of Google-ing to try and find a few outside the sorta mainstream ones we always hear about, but do think maybe I should have given them a bit more attention.

[@oakenshadow6763]

@@MachDhai You're the author? So freaking cool. And thank you fir using so many. After, if they are real, remembering them is the least we can do.

[@MachDhai]

Aye, back before my muse left me (it has wandered away before, so will surely come back again some day) I had taken to trying to name things after real-world stuff worth remembering. Especially naming ships after people that gave their lives doing the right thing (like Aitzaz Hasan as an example). In hindsight, I do wish I had gone a bit deeper with the AIs in this one, but it was my first story on the HFY subreddit so was still getting a feel for how long a chapter could be.

[@oakenshadow6763]

@@MachDhai This was your first story?! Jeez. That's amazing!!!

[@MachDhai]

@@oakenshadow6763 Well, the first I ever wrote and sent out into the world for folks to actually read. The HFY subreddit is a great place for new writers to try taking those first nervous steps. Very friendly and receptive community.

[@patrickmcabee123]

Squirrel 🐿️….., I listen to your station more than I listen to music 🎼……👍🏼😎🦾 Thank you, Sir.

[@hollyferay8131]

This was one of the first audio stories from this series that got me hooked and subscribed.

[@AgroSquerril]

:) much appreciated and glad you enjoyed

[@seldonwright4345]

I've been sort of binging on this channel I am reminded of the Golden Age of Radio. Ya need sound effects! Then you'd be unstoppable

[@I_AM_G_FORCE]

Why did it take me so long to find this content. Great work

[@MachDhai]

Been a long while since I've poked my head in here, great to see this old story got some more traction!

[@Wunderturd2]

Just found the channel this week, recommended by another listener on the starbound channel. Both have real people narrators and it makes a difference. Great story 👏

[@MachDhai]

@@Wunderturd2 Thanks! I was mighty pleased with Agro's narration of this and a few of my other stories. Also glad to hear there's more channels popping up bringing these sorts of stories to folks that might not have experienced them otherwise.

[@Wunderturd2]

@@MachDhai as a gamer for over 2 decades, and having gotten into gaming later than I wish I had, I think these stories, written by real people and narrated by real people are awesome. I can't stand the chatgpt written stories and hate Ai narration, it detracts from immersion in the story. Listening to these makes me want to go play mech warrior and fight the clans. My husband is currently working on a mash up of vampire masquerade and mech warrior. This really makes me want to play it. Lolololol its been a couple years since the group stopped playing our table top rpgs, I think its time to get back into it.

[@MachDhai]

@@Wunderturd2 Aye, the computer narration channels feel like a cheap wanna-be cash-grab, sadly. And often the channel operators are using stories without author permission. I've been into the whole gamer/nerd scene for a few decades myself, and it has been pretty great seeing how much more common-place and socially acceptable it is to let the nerd-flag fly these days.

[@lamer5799]

Why did the last bit feel like a punch in the gut?

[@spookywoods]

I've listened to this a few times now, love it, would absolutely love to see this turned into a movie or a mini series done by prime or netflix with enough money thrown at it I think it would be an amazing beautiful piece of entertainment

[@MachDhai]

Imagine if one day we got some sorta story-of-the-day series (like Outer Limits or somethin') that did HFY stories. Like the Dust folks or something maybe? They do good jobs on short sci-fi episodes.

Err, not netflix or prime thanks, they have ruined enough stuff already.

[@dennisvanulzen]

This honestly sounds like a naval battle, fireships reminds me of Hornblower, the rest of Nelson or Michiel de Ruyter :) Absolutly stunning

[@MachDhai]

I drew a lot of inspiration from naval history. Not very knowledgeable on the topic, but brushed up a bit to get an idea of how it might all work in space.

[@dennisvanulzen]

@@MachDhai it most likely is the closest to a naval battle since you have to think in 4 dimensions in space just as you do on water

[@MachDhai]

@@dennisvanulzen Thanks! I've drawn a lot of naval inspiration from David Weber's Safehold Series, and space combat from Jack Campbell's 'The Lost Fleet' series. Plus a lot of research to try and get a bit of real-world accuracy in there. I'd wager that close in ship-to-ship combat in space would get hectic fast, with ships maneuvering and diving in and out of the thick of the fighting quickly and all over the place. While probably not how space fighting would actually be carried out, it's far more favorable in a story 'cause of the whole 'Rule of Cool' aspect. A (not overly) old anime called Starship Operators leaned heavily on what would probably be the more realistic approach, seeing ships launching long-range guided or autonomous weapons at each other, and staying light-minutes apart, trying to strike where they think their opponent will be sometimes hours from the moment of launching their ordnance. Cool, but kinda boring at the same time.

[@MachDhai]

@Ban this youtube One of my buddies has been trying to get me into what I'm pretty sure is that Expeditionary Force series. Is the AI McGuffin the size of a pop can? I distinctly recall this as a defining descriptor from the audio book clips he's shown me

[@mutehowl]

Now that is what a story should be. No cold feeting with this bad boy.

[@MachDhai]

Glad you enjoyed it; I was pretty dang excited when Agro asked to narrate it. This sort of thing really opens HFY's stories to new audiences.

[@kyle18934]

@Jim MachDhai well done, it was an excellent story, I just finished it un one sitting. the battlefield image building was excelent

[@MachDhai]

@@kyle18934 Thanks muchly! It was a much later addition to the original story, came many months later after I'd written a few other stories on HFY, but overall folks seemed to have enjoyed it so I'll take that as a win.

[@kyle18934]

@Jim MachDhai it honestly reminds me of some large book series I've read, potentially better

[@kyle18934]

@Jim MachDhai i re read some of the scenes of my favorite book, honestly, your descriptions and scene building was better. well done

[@Adamsparrot]

Great narration as always. Actually had to listen to this in parts, I had lost track off time and realized I was dozing off. Please do keep up the good work.

[@AgroSquerril]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed

[@fallenwatcher8114]

Truly appreciated is your work

[@AgroSquerril]

than you

[@terricon4]

Nice, having the AI designed and used in war, having a job she can enjoy in peace.

[@stevedixon921]

Agreed. One of the failings of modern armies today (and often through history) is not having a use or place for soldiers once the fighting is done.

[@bogustoast22none25]

@@stevedixon921 the US military is one of the few that actually cares, at least on paper. They have a bunch of programs to help their servicemen transition back to a civilian life. Even then, there’s only so much you can do for the serviceman, it’s impossible to make a one size fits all program.

[@Verkan]

@@bogustoast22none25 the best solution was the GI bill program in my own opinion, 4 years paid college, including housing costs. I'm using mine right now. :)

[@Sorain1]

@@Verkan It's one of the best developments the USA has made in military doctrine, even if few understand it's value.

[@89Keith]

Especially given the name Athena, godess or warfare and wisdom having the duel jobs of battle AI and teacher

[@kylenegus8597]

I'm loving your work Mr. Squirrel!

[@scalycopperhead1674]

long boi long boi long boi longboi stories=best

[@craigfulton3316]

Agrosquerril you are my greatest discovery since horrorbabble.

[@joepwalker]

Like music to my ears keep up the good job you are appreciated by your fans success to you unity in the community

[@yomogami4561]

thanks for a wonderful series of stories and of course the wonderful narration

[@malysyforethought1195]

For the Narrator and his dapper beard, For the Author and their fantastic word-play, For the Rhythm that is Algo, so others may enjoy.

[@AliceDeBois]

That was an awesome story and it made getting through work so much easier.

[@AgroSquerril]

glad it helped

[@joyceturner1728]

This is truly the greatest thing I have ever heard

[@JeanPaulB]

Come to think of it, it's these stories we should be broadcasting out into space. You know, let everyone out there know what they could have to deal with in case they ever plan anything against us.

[@dantefortheparty]

I think this would lead to us being glassed on first contact if they had read even a few HFY stories...

[@aaronlefebre5060]

Without actually reading the spelling of that main battleship, I just kept hearing Georgia Sephiroth, and i was imagining a country version of One-Winged Angel playing as it tore through the enemy lines lmao.

[@darkkrafter]

what am i lucky that i had a bad nicht of sleep elsway i would probably have missed this entire redit page and thus this amazing tale and reeding i cant wail til we get advanced enough to look abck upon these tails for comparison

[@Amoth_oth_ras_shash]

hehehe... nice touch with the AI at the end... after all , synthetic sapience can be no more trapped for a single purpuse then natural ones ^^...and quite poetic i suspect quite a few of the fleet AI's where named after that specific kind of gods with a bit of duality in ther portfolion... war & wisdom ....war & healing ... war & nobility etc

[@MachDhai]

Glad you enjoyed the story and the 'surprise' at the end! I like to think that we'll get AI right and manage to impart those positive aspects of humanity, and not just treat them as software.

[@BrokeMechanic]

Loki should have blared fortunate son on the comms

[@z3ntropy]

... And whenever one those unassuming bipeds is ever spotted, a thrum of a carapace, a deep many-legged bow, or a myriad of other culturally varied signs and salutes of respect, gratitude, reverence and even sometimes sorrow dot their path as they no doubt wander back home, strolling through the freedom and peace their forebears helped chisel from the stagnant ether of times past.

[@jlb3737]

Superb story with a wholesome ending. I loved the in-depth expansion on the first battle.

[@MachDhai]

Glad you enjoyed it! Agro did a great job, 'cause it was definitely written to be read, and not narrated. I was concerned it would be pretty hard to follow narrated.

[@wildwikedwanderer1208]

Just finished it loved the story but always hate seeing humanity dying out but as long as we go down fighting I’m less bitter about it

[@MachDhai]

I'll admit, it's a bit of a common trope in my stories. I've always liked the bitter sweet sort of stories.

[@fallenwatcher8114]

@@MachDhai what I find most interesting is that there aren't many stories with multiple kinds of humans I mean I can easily see us using rockets to go to other souler systems and that leading to at least a handful of human species there are any number of things that can easily lead up to this 😤

[@MachDhai]

@@fallenwatcher8114 Aye, many stories have a United Humanity approach to them. I did write one short series in which humanity is actually dozens of different governments, and while it is technically very plot relevant, it is not heavily explored in the story.

[@needdamemes2757]

@@MachDhai It is a great story, and yes the possibility of different atmospheric and solar radiation pressures would quickly (in biological terms) lead to multiple human subspecies but in such a high tech environment it would take much longer as travel between human worlds would prevent the isolation needed for large scale variation. though, subtle differences would likely come out almost immediately(within a few generations)

[@MachDhai]

@@needdamemes2757 Glad you enjoyed the story! Aye, no doubt true, that. Between advancements in genetic engineering abilities, and the natural result of breeding within more isolated populations, you would surely start to see differences in peoples from various planets. I'm sure some folks far more educated then myself have put a lot of thought into this sort of stuff, but it does seem to make sense.

[@bogustoast22none25]

Great story and outstanding narration.

[@ODST626]

so i realize its not in the same vein as this story but today is my "because someone had to" day. There is a whale (who is paid irl money by his guild to be in their guild) who spends thousands to 10s of thousands on this game. Well today I decided to be the one to say someone had to and am sending all my ships to engage his main base and all his fleets. I will probably be wiped out to the last. But my guild and 4 others are sending their strongest fleets to assist me. So while i may be slaughtered the battle will still be won on behalf of all free to play players. Will update post battle

[@ODST626]

update: some people cant seem to read and completely fubared the attack by sending a scout on the enemy so they knew we were coming. It went down hill fast from there. I arrived first and engaged all fleets as planned just without the 10+ other fleets to back me up. after we lost something like 6 or 7 fleets 1 by 1 someone got an assault team past their lines and into their station. we won the day but at much higher cost than if they just read the plan and didnt say stealth is an option... but yea. someone had to

[@MachDhai]

@@ODST626 Fighting for a good cause is never easy, and while it was a costly victory, hopefully it encourages people going forward to band together and stand up to them pay-to-win types!

[@ODST626]

@@MachDhai sadly our allies showed up less and less. And the enemy got more and more. Ended up in a 1.25 f2p guild vs 3 p2w guilds fight for 5 or 6 days straight. I had single handedly wiped out all the 2nd enemy guilds warp points which bought us a day and got me singled out on a bounty list. As of 2 hours ago they finally pushed us back by sheer overwhelming numbers. While 90% of us were asleep. We have a spy in our union who fed them info on what server and where in server we were headed before we even started this season. So we were targeted before this season even started simply because we won our first season. Apparently they make alt accounts for this sole purpose. Day 1 of this season they asked EVERY guild to alliance with them to stomp out my guild in particular with the goal of making us quit the game. They paid irl money for mercenary whales to join them. Some guilds said no. Some said no and we are now at war because that is not in the spirit if the game, and 6 said yes. Also spy fed when we sleep. So yea. Our situation is fubar. We wont quit though and we will make their lives hell this season. Also we found the spy. During the final battle today i lost every single ship i had holding them back long enough for any ally who wasn't asleep or shielded to run away. If it was just normal ovp id be proud of how well we did. And i am. But i am beyond outraged at how unsportsmanlike the enemy is. They dont play the game for fun. They play to ruin it for everyone else and to make large ammounts of people rage quit the game. They are worse than p2w players. They are genuin scum. I have no beef with the merc whales tho they actually pree chill and give tips on how to better play the game. And they get paid to play the game so like i gotta respect the hussle. So yea. Even more accurate since we got wiped out saving everyone else.

[@MachDhai]

@@ODST626 Frustrating for sure, but makes for a memorable experience. Heck, could even try to use it to inspire writing your own story! Can usually find some folks that'll lend a hand with editing and proof reading and such over on the HFY Discord.

[@ODST626]

@@MachDhai fair. Im not much of a creative sort so not sure I'd be able to write anything interesting xD

[@Demotters]

Listened to this one before but always love it!

[@AgroSquerril]

:)

[@michaeldexter2544]

I like to listen to this and other story-telling sites while I work. Of course, this means that I'm usually not paying full attention. A few days ago, I heard a story that I quite liked, but sad to say, I didn't catch the title or author, and I'm not even entirely certain which site I was listening to it on. Perhaps someone can help me relocate it? As I recall, the story was told by a being on a planet that happened to sit near the edge of a Void. These beings had just achieved spaceflight and discovered that other spacefaring species existed. The quickly learned that other species had tales of "Humans" who had come out of the void and nurtured the other species before returning to the Void. All attempts to reach or communicate with the Humans over the subsequent centuries had failed. Many species essentially worshiped Humans as gods. Others thought that they had long-ago gone extinct, or perhaps that they'd simply left. When the new species entered the galactic community, the fact that they were the closest sapient species to the Void meant that many other species thought that they must be favored by the Humans. Others were ... not so happy. One species of religious zealots attacked their planet, planning to exterminate the "heretics" for daring to claim to be the Humans' favored race (though they had made no such claim). As the protagonists' people were being viciously exterminated, the protagonist begged and cried for help. Just as all hope seemed lost ... Humans arrived. They quickly routed the invaders. Our protagonist was mortally wounded, but a Human gently tended to him and assured him that he would be fine. After they drove off the invaders and helped treat the wounded [including giving the protagonist a new heart], the Humans simply disappeared back into the Void. Does this story sound familiar to anyone?

[@michaeldexter2544]

Found it! "Noise" is the name of the story.

[@TheBenBen253]

Great story and great narration. Good job 🙂

[@AgroSquerril]

thank you , glad you enjoyed

[@Cody-5501]

War is not about violence but rather psychology and philosophy

[@RomanvonUngernSternbergnrmfvus]

But violence is also really useful, like yea you might think good and stuff but if I can make your brain stop thinking while you can’t make mine do the same then clearly Iam right since Iam the only person left around to say otherwise.

[@Cody-5501]

@@RomanvonUngernSternbergnrmfvus violence is a side effect of war and remember according to Sun Tzu supreme excellence in war comes from breaking the enemy’s will to fight without fighting

[@Alex_Fahey]

@Cody5501 Important to remember that Sun Tzu is only knowledgeable about Chinese wars. Functionally, he was always dealing with civil wars between warlord candidates in a gigantic, meritocratic monarchy. His advice is obviously correct in that case. Convincing everyone that your proposed king is awesome and ending the war before it begins is a great idea. On the opposite side of the spectrum, war-crime level warfare against faction #1 in a civil war damages the credibility of faction #2's claim to the divine mandate, and if faction #2 wins, damages the future nation as faction #1's land will shortly be faction #2's land (hence why Sherman's March to the Sea in the American Civil War become a large cause of discontent after the war and destroyed the wealth of what used to be a very wealthy part of the USA but is still rather poor to this day). However, the exact opposite is true against a place that will never recognize your authority over them. French people don't care at all if the German or Spanish king is really cool. The greatness of the king is irrelevant as his authority would never be recognized and demostrating it does nothing. Excess kindness helps your enemy for, at best, greater likelyhood of an amenable peace treaty in the war you are going to lose. Germany might take Alsace-Lorraine without too much trouble and should seek not to damage it, but Paris will never accept German rule. The total destruction of those other French territories and, thus, French power would be far more beneficial for long-term expansionist ambitions.

[@Cody-5501]

@@Alex_Fahey I disagree slightly. for the point about monarchy I must agree as that is obvious, my points strongest support comes from the western front in WWII where it wasn’t uncommon for German forces to surrender in droves before and really after the battle of the bulge as their morale was broken and they had no will to fight as they knew (unless they were surrendering to the French) they would be treated fairly now compare this to the eastern front where the battles were to the death most of the time due to the soviets treating prisoners similarly or worse than the Germans. While this isn’t an example of supreme excellence in which we would break their will to fight without fighting, it is an example of those principles

[@victorjuarez2095]

The spirit of the guard with the freedom and science loving methodologies of their emperor

[@fortkavanagh]

That's a fucking amazing story, and are there any humans left in the story that survive the war?

[@MachDhai]

Ahoy! Aye, it's hinted at the end of the story that there are some survivors of humanity. A few final last-ditch hide-aways and stragglers that have made their way back to Earth to try and rebuild.

[@fortkavanagh]

@@MachDhai that's good to hear, but I'd still love to hear an episode 2 to this amazing story?

[@MachDhai]

@@fortkavanagh Sadly, my muse wandered off to wherever they go sometimes. I've written a few other stories (some of which Agro here has narrated which was pretty dang cool!). But if you're willing to read, there's lots of great stuff to be found on the HFY subreddit.

[@fortkavanagh]

@@MachDhai HOLY SHIT! you wrote this story, it's an honor to meat you! P.S. have you ever considered writing & printing a few novels because your really good writer?

[@MachDhai]

​@@fortkavanagh Ha! Thanks for the vote of confidence, but nah. I write because I enjoy writing, but I fear doing something that big would feel too much like work and take the fun out of it. Agro here has narrated most of the stories I've written by now, minus two of my somewhat longer series. There are plenty of great writers on HFY though, lots of wonderful gems to be found.

[@Gfish17]

Humanity: Slavery limits the potential of a species. Also Humanity: we left Non humans out of the Geneva convention 😂

[@stalwartteakettlepotato9879]

Repeat after me kids. In a war against a numerically and industrially superior but technologically infirior enemy, get a well funded bio warfer devision. A plauge or 10, that specificly targeted only the ruling species, could have ended the war easely

[@mukson_pautinka3413]

and simultaneously killed all the ideals they were fighting for, making them invaders not liberators whilst leaving space for the next species in the hierarchy to fill the power vacuum after a bloody civil war

[@marvinjohnson2488]

No,just no.

[@RomanvonUngernSternbergnrmfvus]

You think killing of the head would work? Na lol that only gives the humans one less person to get in the way of the objectives and one less person to make them stop. Would you lose the “big picture” maybe, but the trains would run on time more and make martyrs for the cause.

[@juleswild9498]

What a fantastic story!

[@AgroSquerril]

glad you enjoyed

[@rizon72]

Normally I like humans being OP, kicking ass, but in part 1 the writer just made humanity seem like arrogant pricks. I guess the slavery thing ticks me off a bit considering so many think slavery is eliminated today when the reality is slavery is very much alive. And many places that have tried are demonized over their past while current areas are ignored.

[@duanesamuelson2256]

There are more slaves today than ever before..but people ignore it unless it affects them personally Sort of like the British outlawing slavery, but made a fortune buying and selling slaves overseas

[@rizon72]

@@duanesamuelson2256 "Sort of like the British outlawing slavery, but made a fortune buying and selling slaves overseas" Yep, only way to solve slavery is to attack a country which has tried to outlaw slavery due to its past in slavery.

[@Wunderturd2]

Technically the modern slave trade is more widespread and profitable than it was when the UK and US were involved in the practice. It disgusts and enrages me when people in western countries cry victimhood and oppression while demanding reparations for a crime they have never experienced in their lives. All while remaining silent about current day enslavement and oppression. They aren't interested in eliminating slavery, of freedom of those currently being oppressed and victimized and working to eliminating slavery of others now and in the future. They have no gratitude for the hard work, dedication to improve the opportunities and chances of success those who came before achieved, the obstacles that were overcome and the persistence and perseverance of our ancestors which affords us the opportunities of today. They don't want to work to get ahead, that's too hard. Complaining, crying and focusing on wrongs of the past and demanding reparations for the past is easier than learning from the past, objectively and overcoming it, ensuring it won't be repeated. An old black man in the south once told me he was disappointed and disgusted by the younger generations. His grandparents had been slaves in the south and lived through the Civil War. They were freed, started a farm and family. His parents lived through the depression and the world wars. He lived through the civil rights movement. He was a lifelong republican, as that was the party that got rid of slavery, championed for the right to vote and end segregation. He said the democrats of the Kennedy era were ok, but welfare was the new plantation and that it was designed to destroy families and promote dependence of people to the government for housing, food and money rather than working hard to succeed. That people became systemically generationally dependent on their masters in the government, specifically democrats, to live. That the dependence on welfare and the fear of losing their free money was used to manipulate their vote. They lost their freedom and family to gain money from the same group that fought to keep them enslaved in the past and had succeeded in enslaving them again with deception and lies. That the glorification of criminal life, broken family, undermining the value of education, faith in God and respect for each other and community, disregard for responsibility and accountability for yourself promoted by popular culture was designed to keep people down. That ignoring the enslavement of other people, other ethnic groups, in the past, kept people divided and fighting each other. Now people are more interested in getting attention from the victimhood Olympics than making the world a better place. Than ridding the world of the crime of slavery and saving people today from the atrocities of our ancestors experience. If you hate the injustices of slavery but won't lift a finger to help others now or free yourself from the disguised enslavement of today, you're a fraud. Sorry for the post being so long, but someone had to

[@erikagehm2805]

This would have been like our fourth extinction bottle neck. Shrugs shoulder.

[@rogermon3s141]

TBH

[@fhatty11]

the battle is kinda hard to fallow if you dont focus or you play it in the background because of the switching POV.

[@MachDhai]

Aye, is true. I used visual breaks when I wrote the battle sequence, and didn't put much thought into how it would sound aloud. I do think Agro did a great job narrating it though, considering what he had to work with.

[@GuukanKitsune]

Hehe. The Councilor missed the point of the warning the human representative gave. It was, simply put: "We are younger, and have weaker weapons, but we have done war all our existance, we are very good at it, we are very CREATIVE at it, we innovate very, very fast, and adapt very quickly to new things. You are old, and have powerful weapons, but you have languished in relative peace most of your existance, you have gotten rusty on how to fight a real war, have stopped innovating entirely for centuries, and adapt very slowly to new things. But most importantly... we have had time to study every last one of your military tactics and vessels VERY thoroughly, and have applied our creativity, adaptability, and innovative capability to this knowledge, and have made a lot of preparation before today for your obvious coming response. So this isn't going to be your usual slapdown conquering. This is going to BE a real war. Are you ready to fight a REAL war? Because we might not win, but we can promise that if we don't win... NOBODY wins."

[@dadgod3615]

*the only thing they fear is you starts playing in the background* Ok WHO FUCKED UP

[@nerovalquel1844]

One of the best story to re-listen.

[@AgroSquerril]

:)

[@CaptainShield]

Bravo.. Bravo.. well done!

[@Fuxy22]

Knowing humans... they are not the type to not have a contingency or twelve even in the event they would loose especially for a relatively equal enemy. Given space travel and the vast expanse of space it should be easy enough to hide a few arc ships or even a hidden planet or two... Hell it would be wise to turn ghost after a long overdrawn battle and disappear to lick their wounds and recover... especially with good stealth. At the end of the day it is up to the ex slaves to make things right.

[@atanaciogarza7176]

Why did the humans start fighting? At one moment there was a politician talking then there was a space battle... I feel like I missed something. What started the war?

[@bearc.5709]

Humans told them to knock off the slavery of other species. They laughed, said you're next and got ready for war. We chuckled with an evil grin, and said "ok, fuck around an find out then." They found out that they shouldn't fuck around find out when dealing with humans. Hope this answered your question 👍

[@MizukiStone44]

It's subtle but they basically spelled it out at the start. Once the council learns about a new species they start to attack it indirectly through economic and political means until they're dominated entirely by the more established races. Since the humans had AI and we've seen no indication that the Council had the same, odds are the humans got a good view of them before the council could really get a good read on the humans, and realized that the Council weren't going to just let them sit there and mind their own business. Something proven in the very political meeting. Since war was declared simply from the humans pushing forwards a sufficiently controversial motion. In short, once the Council learned of them, the humans were going to be picked apart by them in one way or another, and the humans knew it. By making an outrageous political statement laced with strong counter government political ideals, they drove the war into the open, where their edge in technology gave them a decisive advantage, and where said ideals could serve as a rallying cry to gain allies. A risky gambit, but one that paid off in the long run. As for why then... could be any number of reasons really. Might have been politics. Might have been that the humans were worried that the Council would get enough of their tech while they were 'at peace' to start narrowing the gap. It could have been calculated, a matter of ideals, or just someone trying to get into the history books. Regardless... They had good reason to get into that fight. Even to 'provoke' it, because ultimately it was going to be started one way or another. And by baiting the first punch, they left themselves in the best spot to deliver a ultimately decisive counter.

[@nekopix1308]

Thank you for your work

[@AgroSquerril]

A Pleasure , glad you enjoyed

[@thumbs8583]

Wasn't expecting to make an appearance.

[@cameltanker1286]

Bravo, bravo!

[@rinatrinat5737]

Very nice story and narration.

[@dougfisher5408]

Ordinarily, when I hear the word, 'Asunder,' I quit listening to the audiobook. I hate that word because of its overuse. However, I liked this book enough to look past my petty hatred😂😂😂

[@carrahermichael]

Thanks!

[@AgroSquerril]

A pleasure , thank you for the dono. It is very much appreciated

[@blockmg9425]

Sa the humans die but their creations AI still fight on That's kinda sad

[@nihalareu]

A very nice story.

[@nihalareu]

You did a great job 😉 the story was also very good.

[@Monster_Ink]

Fuck, the ninjas got me at the end

[@stoirmslw7195]

god damn onion ninjas

[@kieranh2005]

A curse upon the ninjas of the clan onion.

[@boywonderrr71]

That was SOOOOOO good!

[@MachDhai]

Glad you enjoyed it! Agro did a great job narrating this one; wasn't sure it would go over well for how long it is, but it seems to have done pretty well.

[@boywonderrr71]

​@@MachDhailistening to it ago today. Love it.

[@MachDhai]

@@boywonderrr71 Excellent! Greatly appreciate it. This is the sorta stuff that might just lure my muse back one of these days.

[@MachDhai]

@@boywonderrr71 Glad to hear it! I'm oft surprised (and very happy) how well this story has done both on the subreddit and it's continuing life here on Agro's channel

[@GnarledStaff]

Well Done.

[@Zael_Moonblade]

We Faught to the Last!

[@asandrewsilvaw]

Great stork! Forkin great!

[@AgroSquerril]

glad ye like

[@davidvanhorn3340]

I like your videos better when you display the text

[@pyrocryptic29]

Human fleet admrils are all mr.burns "release the hounds"

[@jazzk4072]

Am I nitpicking to notice the ‘Tails’ From Outerspace? Tails: tales? 😂😂

[@ChrissieBear]

"If not us, then who?"

[@victoregley5359]

If only the humans had named their fleet Taffy-3......

[@natsuds1]

So good

[@BatmanSeRiedeTi]

Well, it was amazing but i found the idea of Terra destroyed from a naval bombardment quite silly. In this scenario Sol system would have had the full arsenal of the Armaggedon awaiting for those amateurish alien almirals to come. Every weapon that the human fleet would not dare to unleash because of etic and decency would have been unleashed in defense of Sol, guided by twin Ai´s Michael and Lucifer. It would have been a carnage given the tech and skill difference in power as the defending side always have insane terrain advantage.

[@radioblitz1494]

I have to say.... science facts are sadly get thrown out for emotions and to make people feel special instead

[@tehnosan5769]

Im not crying, you are crying

[@MachDhai]

Glad you enjoyed it! Agro did a great job narrating it; I think this was his first attempt at so long a story, and I am both surprised and pleased with how well this one was received by his community.

[@kitemaywilder1792]

it had to be done

[@travisbishop782]

That was a great story!

[@MachDhai]

Glad you enjoyed it! Was my first foray into writing on the HFY Discord (minus the very long fleet battle in the middle which came much later), and was quite surprised with how much folks seemed to like it. Agro did a great job narrating it which surely helps a lot.

[@travisbishop782]

@@MachDhai i truly did enjoy it. I love who the teacher turned out to be. Also, what does HFY stand for?

[@MachDhai]

@@travisbishop782 Thanks! HFY is the 'Humanity, F* (spelled out) Yeah' subreddit. Lots of great stories to be found there, and it has regularly proven to be a wonderful place for new writers.

[@travisbishop782]

@@MachDhai Nice! I'll have to check it out.

[@nerovalquel1844]

A little late but thanks for the story.

[@AgroSquerril]

A Pleasure , glad you enjoyed

[@arakheno4051]

For The Algorithm!

[@AgroSquerril]

For The Algorithm!