27 Comments
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Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

Vote for 2, the psychic nullifier is most intriguing and I'd like to see what happens with it.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for voting :)

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Joseph L. Wiess's avatar

Once freed of chains, the children of the Nile

Trek through the ship—must have walked a mile.

With gentle care, Taia on his back,

Northstone and Niv led the captives' track

To safety's arms, their faith held fast,

While castaway soldiers, grim from the past,

Were watched by the one who walks the stars,

Guarded by Terrans with battle scars.

Then food for the kosmovoi they sought to find—

Spectral-thin, undead—better than rind

Of sweetest fruit, though foul to taste;

Still, none of the Terrans would let it waste.

No Terran stands alone in strife—

They build their homes, they share their life.

With open hearts, they friend the foe,

And through the dark, their kindness shows.

The lady priestess told her tale

Of slavers grim who did assail

Her loyal troops and laid them low,

Before the stars claimed friend and foe.

In iron chains they crossed the sky,

Put to sleep with no goodbye.

But now they wake from timeless keep—

The Nile’s own children, stirred from sleep.

With castaway kin and the Star-Walker bold,

The wily Terran, with spirit old,

They forged a plan to see Jaren fall,

And gathered, silent, one and all

In the belly of hope—a bird of flame—

Where Terran sought a rope to tame

The hunter’s mind in a cage of light,

To break her bones in just-born fight.

"Feed the Star-Walker. Gather the lost.

Count every soul, whatever the cost.

Then fly," he said, "with wings spread wide—

Toward the place where dreams abide."

(option two.)

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The Black Knight's avatar

Oh, this is so good! You should definitely publish a book of your starshatter inspired poems. I know that people who like the universe will like to buy it :)

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Chris J. Franklin's avatar

Another fantastic installment! This is building up to a great conclusion! This week, I think it has to be 'Option 3'. They need to go after the Jaern Priestess, and put an end to her reign of terror. And possibly feed her to the Kosmovoi! Haha! And then, they need to confront whatever power is in control of the derelict. That would be an epic final battle. And one he would probably need to add to the paintings on his suit, and the side of his ship... 😎👍

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote! I hope more readers vote this time :)

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Harold Ember's avatar

3

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you! The more people vote, the better :D I am hoping that you are having fun reading and guiding this tale.

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James Kenwood's avatar

Also voting #2 - that nullifier can be a wild card in their next combat situation.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for voting! I sneakily hope more people to vote for 3 btw.

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Michael Persin's avatar

You are only worth as much as your word.

I vote Option #1

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for the vote :)

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R. H. Snow's avatar

AHHHHHH I DON'T KNOW which ones to choose!! #1 but then he just takes off with his future wife anyways

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The Black Knight's avatar

I think option 3 is the most swashbuckley to choose but that is just me :3

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MaKenna Grace's avatar

Those are hard choices but I think I prefer #1. Promises made should be promises kept.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Indeed! Basically, all three choices are about that, but some add more.

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Lillyput Fields's avatar

I have to go with #3! So exciting!

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you! I hope more people vote for it :)

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Brian Heming's avatar

Definite preference for #1. Fulfilling obligations is the most ennobling thing a hero can do, and another gaze-into-wife-eyes opener feels fairly redundant.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Wife eyes are full of hopes and dreams :3

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Michael B. Morgan's avatar

Definitely three.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote! I do think three is the riskiest option but the most rewarding…

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Michael B. Morgan's avatar

I'd take the risk :-D

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MoraleOfficerGran's avatar

Just awesome great episode. I vote for #1. It seems the most logical to me.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote! Indeed, it does sound logical, but Spacers are Terrans, and Terrans are often quite illogical :D

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Terrance Ó Domhnaill's avatar

I choose number 2 again this week.

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The Black Knight's avatar

Thank you for your vote!

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