#solar system Ambassador

[fiber-optic-alligator]

GOING TO TRY AND SLIP THIS IN REAL QUICK

Uh can I request some first contact au soft vore swindle (any) with a human he found maybe when humans first started getting taken?

It took me ten years and I am absolutely exhausted but HERE IS THE SWINDLE FIC!!! I, um, forgot to add vore, but there is an allusion to it, so I hope you'll still enjoy this! I'm so sorry it took me so long to write :(

How To Discover A New Species And Make Money Off Of It (Totally Ethical Strategies Which Break No Laws)

Pairing: Swindle x Human Reader (First Contact Au)

Word Count: 2462

Summary: After traveling to Earth on a mission to locate rumored Energon deposits, Swindle discovers a new species in which he quickly realizes he can make quite a big amount of money off of...and they are called humans. Capturing you and deciding you will be the ambassador of his newest endeavor, you have no choice but to let Swindle rope you into a twisted plan where he hopes to turn humans into the popular Cybertronian pets.

  The planet is a small, diminutive thing: a piece of space rock cast out into far reaches, reeking of organic growth that shows itself in shades of dark green, desolate brown, deep blue, and patches of puffy white swirling above everything else in the form of physical moisture. Its closest neighbors are all wastelands, either long abandoned by their inhabitants, or completely devoid of anything to begin with. Earth, as it is registered in Cybertron’s database, is the only planet in this backwater area of the galaxy to host life. It’s an insignificant sphere, circling an insignificant sun, in an insignificant solar system. No one would be caught here, simply because there is nothing to see.

  Yet, here Swindle is, doing just that. Staring out at the mud puddle planet, he wonders how he ever thought accepting a job here would turn out to be profitable. The talks of Energon deposits being found on Earth had been too much to ignore. Such claims are typically rumors started by mechs with far too much time on their servos: fables of the purest Energon ever discovered hiding deep beneath the soil of places such as this one. If he were younger, Swindle would have fallen for the stories on the spot. Many newbies do. They think they’re making it big, wasting energy blasting off to no-name systems, ready to pour their resources into expeditions that always yield no crop. Fads fade. Stories end. And Swindle is not new to his trade.

  He does his research. He interviews those he deems noteworthy. He takes notes. He’s careful. Ultimately, results prove Earth definitely has something. Energon? Eh, he’s not too sure. But his intel tells him it's something he can make shanix off of. A boon. A land mine of opportunity.

  So he’s taken the chance. But now that he’s here, with his ship gradually getting closer and closer to the planet, he’s beginning to believe his research might have yielded false information. Earth is looking far from profitable, and he can tell no Cybertronian faction has made contact with its surface yet. It surprises him; Autobots and Decepticons, despite their countless differences, are extremely good at the art of colonization, whether accidental or intentional. It seems like practically every planet in the universe has been touched by his species in one shape or form. But no such thing can be found here. His ship’s systems aren’t picking up on a single Cybertronian satellite or base. It might very well be possible that he is the first to ever lay optics upon Earth.

  This was a bad idea, he thinks. High chances will be that his search will bring up nothing. He could turn his ship around now and head off to places where his time will be better spent. He won’t regret it. Probably.

  He continues looking at Earth and vents a frustrated exhale through his intake. Whatever. He’s here anyway. Might as well take a look around.

  The forest his ship lands in has various creatures frantically darting out of harm’s way when it makes contact with the ground and stabilizes its support footing. With a hiss, the bay doors open, and he steps out slowly, his optics quickly adjusting to take in Earth’s light. It's all…very green. There’s a slight wind whistling between the leaves, making them rustle with a strange noise Swindle isn’t used to. He cringes and considers retreating back aboard the ship, then decides against it. His external diagnostics register no visible threats in the immediate area. He’ll be fine. After all, what organic would pick a fight with a giant alien robot such as himself?

  He types some instructions into his data pad. A panel opens on the side of the ship, and out comes a scouting drone, the perfect way for him to get a Seeker’s eye view of the terrain. “Alright,” he murmurs to himself. “Here we go. Let’s see what this planet is hiding.”

  The drone cycles and whirrs, then darts up into the air. Its video feed translates onto the data pad, giving him a clear aerial picture. At this vantage point, he can see that this forest he’s landed in stretches on for a long time. The drone picks up on various sorts of metals: his universal translation tool registers these as iron, copper, even gold. Sounds quite expensive, but they aren’t what he’s looking for. He types in a primary locating directive. Find Energon.

  A few cycles pass, and still, he locates nothing. Just more green and strange lifeforms he couldn’t care less about. Swindle grumbles and wishes he brought some drinks with him to pass the time. There definitely isn’t any Energon here, and that frustrates him beyond measure. But it is a big planet by organic standards…just because Energon isn’t in this immediate location doesn’t mean his search is a total loss. He worries at his lower derma in thought. Perhaps he should check the polar caps next…or maybe the equatorial region?

  Snap.

  His audial processors immediately pick up on the noise. Intrusion. Whipping around, he has his gun out in an instant, the barrel revving up with pulsing energy, eager to incinerate whatever is in its path.

  What stands before him-or below him-is a lifeform. A strange, fleshy being standing on two skinny legs with equally skinny arms. It stares up at him with big, alien eyes, and it’s flappy mouth parts in what he can only assume to be surprise. Swindle blinks, then slowly lowers the gun.

  “Well, well, well,” he says, snapping the weapon away and crouching down with a curious tilt of the helm. “What…are you?” All of the natives he's seen so far are either quadrupedal or avian. This animal is neither; it stands like he does, yet clearly displays the qualities of subpar intelligence. It hasn’t done a single thing so far. It’s just…there. Staring. Perhaps a fright response? Does it think he can’t see it because it’s so still?

  “You certainly aren’t Energon.” He clicks his derma, thinking. “But you are interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen something quite like you before.” He wonders, is it friendly? He does a quick scan and comes to the satisfying conclusion that the creature-you-doesn’t harbor any natural defenses against his kind. He could break you in half like a stick with little-to-no pressure required. He extends a servo, intending to be friendly.

  You finally snap into action and stumble back, letting out a yelp. He can’t help laughing when you fall over onto your aft, minuscule digits digging uselessly into the forest floor. Primus, you are pathetic. No claws, no antlers, no wings…what purpose do you serve for this planet? Your species definitely must be at critical risk of extinction.

  Yet…he feels his spark soften when he observes your trembling body and listens to your soft squeaks. You…you’re adorable. Swindle is a hardened soul, one who doesn’t fall for the idea of cute easily. Yet you’ve managed to make him want to say “Awww” after looking at you for less than five cycles. Is this your way of self-preservation? Can you somehow influence the feelings of others in order to escape danger?

  He wants to know more. He’s intrigued by you. Snapping his digits, he reaches forward. “C’mere, little thing. Let’s get a better look at you.”

  Your face contorts into an expression of pure panic, and you fumble away from his looming servo, a startled shriek leaving you. But unfortunately for you, he’s far too quick, and snatches you into a fist before your tiny brain can keep up with his movements. You immediately begin struggling, letting out these sharp squeaks and desperate chatters. Swindle sighs and gives you a very patient look. “Quit squirming, alright? I swear I’m not going to hurt you as long as you don’t hurt me. Though I’m guessing you probably can’t. You’re barely taller than my index digit. Why are you so small, huh?”

  He turns you over and observes you from every angle, being careful not to rough you up too much. You wear fabrics over your body and a weird sort of bag against your back. Swindle easily slips it off of you and holds it to one optic, scanning its inner contents. Just paper books and a weird ocular device. He snorts and throws it away, disinterested. You don’t seem to like this and begin pushing at his digits with a frantic desperation that has him chuckling.

  “That’s not going to do much for you.” He brings you closer to his face and inhales your scent. A pleasant, woodsy aroma that only seems to permeate from organics fills his olfactory sensors and makes him shiver with delight. “How wonderful. You smell amazing. Almost on par with Energon.”

  Oh. That reminds him. He’s here to find Energon, not ogle at weird little Earth creatures. He sighs and shifts you to his left servo so he can recall his drone. “Not much here to see besides you, pipsqueak,” he mutters as he watches the vessel speed back over to his ship and return to its charging panel. “Let’s go do some further exploring of this planet, alright? I think I’d like to hold onto you for a bit longer.” He smiles down at you. “You’re kind of cute. You don’t mind hanging out with good ol’ Swindle, do ya?”

  You certainly do mind, with the way you continue to wriggle around with your arms flailing. Scared squeaks turn into angry growls, with you narrowing your eyes and puffing up to express your indignation. He watches you, then revs his engine and bares his denta, growling back at you with such a loud rumble, it sends a frenzy of avians flapping from the tops of the trees.

  You snap your mouth shut and shrink back, any rebellious bravado previously displayed disappearing with the avians. Swindle grins satisfactorily. “You try and bite,” he says. “I bite back harder. Now be a good Earthling and enjoy the ride, alright? I’ll let you go once I’m bored of you.”

  He walks slowly, taking his time not to accidentally knock a tree over or step on an accidental organic. You are quiet and oddly still, except for your constant vibrations which almost have him feeling rather guilty for scaring you into submission…almost. Glancing down at you, he watches the way you lower your head to hide your face beneath the cover of your hair. Liquid drips down onto his digit.

  Ah. You’re leaking from your eyes. Crying. He didn’t know Earth animals could do that. He raises the end of his thumb and runs it lightly over your cheeks, wiping them away. “Don’t do that, little one, come on,” he says in the most soothing tone he can muster. “You don’t have to be scared of me. I’m just your friendly neighborhood salesbot, yeah? Just a guy trying to survive like every other punk in the universe. Why would I hurt you?”

  You sniffle and peer at him with those big, soulful eyes. And oh, now you’ve done it. You’ve struck an arrow straight into his spark. A soft gasp escapes him, and he tilts your head back further. “By Primus, I have never seen something as cute as you. So soft…so small…” He ruffles your hair and earns himself a chirp as you swat his digit away. “Ha, and feisty too. I wonder…just how much would a bot pay to buy you as a pet?”

  The gears begin turning. A new idea shows itself to Swindle as the prospect of a tantalizingly lucrative step into an industry he hasn’t bothered contemplating until now. Cybertronians, for all of their ingrained brutality, love pets. He thinks it's because his kind are so war-torn, so used to the bloody, the disgusting, the traumatic. So many veterans on all factional sides own cuddly therapy companions which aid them in their long road to recovery. Helio hamsters, cyber dogs and cats, even glitch mice and turbofoxes…not to mention various other non-Cybertronian native animals hailing from other planets across the cosmos. Yes, the pet trade for mechs is quite popular, and he knows it won’t lose its momentum any time soon.

  So why can’t he get into it?

  If Swindle was to suddenly return to Cybertron with a new creature…a tiny, delicate lifeform from the distant Earth, advertised as the perfect companion for any bot…he could begin a whole business. Gentle, squishy, and oh-so cute! A lifelong companion who engages with you and offers the ultimate form of loyalty! Buy one for your sparklings, your conjunx, or yourself! Yes, yes, he can see it now! He could make millions if he plays his cards right! Perhaps even billions if it really takes off!

  He brings out his data pad and holds it over you. If you’re going to sell, you’re going to need a proper name to sell with. “Scan lifeform,” he orders. “Identify.”

  The data pad is slow with it. Its light casts over you and makes you wince, giving a long, contemplative hum as its AI races through the Cybertronian web and searches for a clear species identification. When it finally lets out a pleasant beep and reveals all found information, Swindle swears he sees shanix flashing before his optics.

  Species: human. Homeworld: Earth. Status: Critically endangered. Not protected by the Prime Universal Protected Organisms Law. Known clients are estimated to start at…20,000 shanix.

  “20,000!” He whistles and grins delightedly. “Good Primus, you’re worth that much? Who knew I had such an expensive little twerp sitting right in the palm of my hand?” He laughs, ecstatic. Forget the Energon. What he can make off of you and the rest of your kind is twice as much as a regular run would get him. This is what has been hiding on Earth. This is the boon. The opportunity.

  He leers at you, not even seeing you as just a fascinating animal anymore. You’re a product to take advantage of, to sell, to milk for all of your worth. Swindle’s done it before. He likes to say it’s nothing personal, because it isn’t. After all, he’s just surviving, trying to earn a life like anyone else. When he looks into your terrified eyes and sees the way you go pale at the sight of his nearly crazed expression, he thinks about how many bots will be won over by this face, how he’ll be rolling in dough by the time he’s through with Earth.  “Listen to me, little one,” he says. “You and I are going to be very good business partners from now on. I think I’ll keep you as a showcase specimen. Which leads into my next question…where can I find more of you?”

[commajade]

finally watched watched my brothers and sisters in the north when it's been in my to-watch list for years and it was so touching and so beautiful.

the people interviewed were of course handpicked and have better conditions than other people because of the impact of U.S. sanctions and such, but it genuinely inspired me how hard-earned their good living conditions are. the farmers had to work really hard to re-establish agriculture after the war and now they get so much food a year they donate most of it to the state because they simply don't need it. the girl at the sewing factory loves her job and gets paid with 14 kilos of food a month on top of her wages. the water park worker is proud of his job because 20,000 of his people can come and enjoy themselves every day, and Kim Jong-un himself took part in designing it and came by at 2am during construction to make sure everything was going smoothly. his grandmother's father was a revolutionary who was executed and buried in a mass grave in seoul but in the dprk he has a memorial bust in a place of honor and his family gets a nice apartment in pyongyang for free.

imperialist propaganda always points to the kim family as a dictatorship and a cult of personality but from this docu it's so obvious that it's genuine gratitude for real work for the people, and simple korean respect. if my president came to my work and tried his best to make my working conditions better and to make my life better, i would call him a dear leader too. if my president invented machines and designed amusement parks and went to farms all over the country to improve conditions for the people, i would respect him.

the spirit of juche is in self-reliance, unity of the people, and creative adaptations to circumstances. the docu rly exemplified the ideology in things like the human and animal waste methane systems powering farmers' houses along with solar panels, how they figured out how to build tractors instead of accepting unstable foreign import relationships, and how the water park uses a geothermal heating system.

it rly made me cry at the end when the grandma and her grandson were talking about reunification. the people of the dprk live every day of their lives dreaming of reunification and working for reunification, and it's an intergenerational goal that they inherited from their parents and grandparents. the man said he was so happy to see someone from the south, and that even though reunification would have its own obstacles that we have the same blood the same language the same interests so no matter what if we have the same heart it would be okay.

and the grandma said "when reunification happens, come see me." and it's so upsetting that not even 10 years later, the state has been pushed into somewhat giving up on this hope. the dprk closed down the reunification department of the government last year and it broke my heart.

a really good pairing with the 2016 film is this 2013 interview with ambassador Thae Youngho to clarify political realities in the dprk and the ongoing U.S. hostility that has shaped the country's global image. the interviewer Carlos Martinez asks a lot of excellent questions and the interview goes into their military policy, nuclear weapons, U.S. violence and sanctions, and the dprk's historical solidarity with middle eastern countries like syria and palestine and central/south american countries like nicaragua, bolivia, and cuba.

[scifigeneration]

Carl Sagan’s scientific legacy extends far beyond ‘Cosmos’

by Jean-Luc Margot, Professor of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles

On Nov. 9, 2024, the world will mark Carl Sagan’s 90th birthday – but sadly without Sagan, who died in 1996 at the age of 62.

Most people remember him as the co-creator and host of the 1980 “Cosmos” television series, watched worldwide by hundreds of millions of people. Others read “Contact,” his best-selling science fiction novel, or “The Dragons of Eden,” his Pulitzer Prize-winning nonfiction book. Millions more saw him popularize astronomy on “The Tonight Show.”

What most people don’t know about Sagan, and what has been somewhat obscured by his fame, is the far-reaching impact of his science, which resonates to this day. Sagan was an unequaled science communicator, astute advocate and prolific writer. But he was also an outstanding scientist.

Sagan propelled science forward in at least three important ways. He produced notable results and insights described in over 600 scientific papers. He enabled new scientific disciplines to flourish. And he inspired multiple generations of scientists. As a planetary astronomer, I believe such a combination of talents and accomplishments is rare and may occur only once in my lifetime.

Scientific accomplishments

Very little was known in the 1960s about Venus. Sagan investigated how the greenhouse effect in its carbon dioxide atmosphere might explain the unbearably high temperature on Venus – approximately 870 degrees Fahrenheit (465 degrees Celsius). His research remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of fossil fuel emissions here on Earth.

Sagan proposed a compelling explanation for seasonal changes in the brightness of Mars, which had been incorrectly attributed to vegetation or volcanic activity. Wind-blown dust was responsible for the mysterious variations, he explained.

Sagan and his students studied how changes to the reflectivity of Earth’s surface and atmosphere affect our climate. They considered how the detonation of nuclear bombs could inject so much soot into the atmosphere that it would lead to a yearslong period of substantial cooling, a phenomenon known as nuclear winter.

With unusual breadth in astronomy, physics, chemistry and biology, Sagan pushed forward the nascent discipline of astrobiology – the study of life in the universe. Together with the research scientist Bishun Khare at Cornell University, Sagan conducted pioneering laboratory experiments and showed that certain ingredients of prebiotic chemistry, called tholins, and certain building blocks of life, known as amino acids, form naturally in laboratory environments that mimic planetary settings.

He also modeled the delivery of prebiotic molecules to the early Earth by asteroids and comets, and he was deeply engaged in the biological experiments onboard the Mars Viking landers. Sagan also speculated about the possibility of balloon-shaped organisms floating in the atmospheres of Venus and Jupiter.

His passion for finding life elsewhere extended far beyond the solar system. He was a champion of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, also known as SETI. He helped fund and participated in a systematic search for extraterrestrial radio beacons by scanning 70% of the sky with the physicist and electrical engineer Paul Horowitz.

He proposed and co-designed the plaques and the “Golden Records” now affixed to humanity’s most distant ambassadors, the Pioneer and Voyager spacecrafts. It is unlikely that extraterrestrials will ever find these artifacts, but Sagan wanted people to contemplate the possibility of communication with other civilizations.

Carl Sagan, offering his unique commentary in a scene from ‘Cosmos.’

Advocacy

Sagan’s scientific output repeatedly led him to become an eloquent advocate on issues of societal and scientific significance. He testified before Congress about the dangers of climate change. He was an antinuclear activist and spoke out against the Strategic Defense Initiative, also known as “Star Wars.” He urged collaborations and a joint space mission with the Soviet Union, in an attempt to improve U.S.-Soviet relations. He spoke directly with members of Congress about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and organized a petition signed by dozens of prominent scientists urging support for the search.

Carl Sagan, speaking out against the use of nuclear weapons, at the Great Peace March in 1986. Visions of America LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

But perhaps his most important gift to society was his promotion of truth-seeking and critical thinking. He encouraged people to muster the humility and discipline to confront their most cherished beliefs – and to rely on evidence to obtain a more accurate view of the world. His most cited book, “The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark,” is a precious resource for anyone trying to navigate this age of disinformation.

Impact

A scientist’s impact can sometimes be gauged by the number of times their scholarly work is cited by other scientists. According to Sagan’s Google Scholar page, his work continues to accumulate more than 1,000 citations per year.

Indeed, his current citation rate exceeds that of many members of the National Academy of Sciences, who are “elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research,” according to the academy’s website, and is “one of the highest honors a scientist can receive.”

Sagan was nominated for election into the academy during the 1991-1992 cycle, but his nomination was challenged at the annual meeting; more than one-third of the members voted to keep him out, which doomed his admission. An observer at that meeting wrote to Sagan, “It is the worst of human frailties that keeps you out: jealousy.” This belief was affirmed by others in attendance. In my opinion, the academy’s failure to admit Sagan remains an enduring stain on the organization.

No amount of jealousy can diminish Sagan’s profound and wide-ranging legacy. In addition to his scientific accomplishments, Sagan has inspired generations of scientists and brought an appreciation of science to countless nonscientists. He has demonstrated what is possible in the realms of science, communication and advocacy. Those accomplishments required truth-seeking, hard work and self-improvement. On the 90th anniversary of Sagan’s birth, a renewed commitment to these values would honor his memory.

[selkra-souza]

In the Spectrum Solar System in Broken Yolk Galaxy, three roommates travel from planet to planet on the spaceship Appex (x)(x), for work and misadventures.

Rutan was born and raised in a zrai community on a space colony that broke off from an older zrai colony that was uplifted by the sophant space faring nedal centuries ago, which chose to recreate ancient zrai traditions. He was brought up to follow his ancient ancestors’ culture, but grew up ostracized due a skin condition that makes communication difficult and leaves him with difficulty socializing. It also didn’t help that he was more interested in nedal culture, and that the art he wanted to make didn’t follow his cultural norms. So when a pair of nedal ambassadors recognize his artistic prowess, Rutan made the tough decision to move abroad on-planet to study art in a nedal university. With the accommodations he received, he was able to graduate in 3D modeling and animation. He works for a while in animation before going solo.

He acquires the spaceship Appex and decided to pilot it around the solar system traveling to new places. He does this at first on his own, and still does so now with his roommates. Rutan is sociable and energetic, though his lack of close friends throughout most of his life left him prone to being clingy and naive to being taken advantage of. He greatly enjoy the company of close friends, but because it’s a rarity for him, he’s adapted to his favorite hobbies which he mainly does alone, such as urban exploring overlooked infrastructure, surfing ancient websites that are centuries old, and artistically recreating his dreams.

Donelja is a delorix who’s from a moon colony that’s cohabitated by delorix and masakas. The main landmark of the moon colony is an expansive national park that they’ve dreamed of working in since childhood. Biology is a life long passion for Don, but earning an academic certification in it has been a life long struggle. Only being able to graduate in general studies, Don tried various volunteer work in the nature preserve instead, living year to year in various leased board housing, but was never satisfied doing ‘grunt” maintenance when they wanted instead to be a scientist.

It wasn’t until Don met Rutan visiting the moons’ national park, offering more permanent room in his ship, did Don see an opportunity to work more closely with the preserves’ scientists by hauling their bio samples off-moon to the neighboring planets’ laboratories. Don became more satisfied working more directly with the scientists they admired since childhood, though still laments not being to do their work directly. Don has pathological anger issues, and resents their lot in life. It’s been an uplifting opportunity to have a friend like Rutan as support in their career and emotionally. They both bond over journaling, while Rutan journals about cities in their travels, Don journals about the nature they come across.

Vertex spent several months on the run as a hobo before Rutan offered to take him in, something Donelja was never on board with, but ultimately whatever captain Rutan says goes! Ver doesn’t like talking about where they came from, and is emotionally closed off. They’re constantly taking about moving out of spaceship to live on their own while in the middle of six month interplanetary trips, yet can never find a “good enough” place to do so. Their home planet, the only place in the solar system that would easily make room for them, they consider “crummy” and “off limits” for some reason.

Vertex is closed off and uncooperative, which irritates Donelja, and is easily forgiven my Rutan. Ver spends most of their time borrowing Rutan’s tablet, so at least they’re quite and out of the way for the most part.

[whirligig-girl]

The aliens arrived in their toroidal flying saucers--enormous gossamer-like structures big enough to put Jupiter in the hole. They projected bodies down to Earth on long threads, and complained.

"What happened?" they pleaded with our planetary scientists.

An awfully open-ended question, but the planetary scientists threw up their hands and explained the current state of the field, about the theory of planetary aggregation and various hypotheses to explain how each of the planets ended up where they are today. The aliens nodded along skeptically at times, but they seemed especially disappointed by the Lunar geologists.

"Excuse us," their leader said politely, rising into the sky towards geostationary orbit on a great thread.

And so it was for the next few decades that the aliens set to work correcting what they saw as the great mistakes of the solar system's formation. Perhaps Venus never cooled down enough to avoid a runaway greenhouse effect, or maybe something about its specific volatile mass had been off. Either way, it was the first to be treated. By the time it was done, perhaps 20 years in, it was a blue world with brown continents and white clouds. While another saucer had come to work its magic on Mars, the first saucer returned.

"Eh, we'll need you to give planet two a good head start with the whole biosphere thing. We hadn't bargained on life starting up there halfway through the lifespan of the Sun. If it's no trouble, that is."

A new habitable planet provided the space program no shortage of funding!

Mars was finished, just a few years later, a comparatively simpler job. The aliens advised humans not to interfere with this one just yet, to perhaps give it a few hundred megaannum or so for the life to diversify and develop before contaminating it.

But the saucers didn't leave. They seemed to drift throughout the inner solar system. They took some curious expeditions to Europa and Enceladus--robotic NASA spacecrafts recorded deep probing threads piercing the ice--but didn't seem impressed.

They kept returning to the Moon.

At last, the aliens projected down on their long threads to a university. "You're sure that's how it happened?" they said.

The lunar-planetary scientists showed the alien ambassadors rocks from the Apollo and Artemis expeditions, computer simulations of various types of giant impacts, of synestias and hours-long instant formations and debris disks and gas instability, of an oversized iron core and large low-shear-velocity-provinces.

"We think the water on Earth may even have been delivered through a giant impact from a KBO, though there's some concerns about isotopic ratios."

"No, no," said the alien. "The initial coorbital hypothesis is the correct one."

The alien sighed--it had picked up human body language well over the past 35 years--"This just won't do," it said. It left the building, shaking its head. "It just won't do."

The planetary scientists ran after the alien, as it started reeling its thread back. "Wait!" they said. "What are you going to do?"

"This Moon thing of yours just isn't big enough to hold onto an atmosphere. I'm afraid it's not good enough."

The aliens rose into the sky.

Within a few months the Moon had been lost from the sky, and a years later had been relocated to the L4 lagrange point. The aliens came back, apologetically. "Terribly sorry," they said, "We're in the final phases of the plan," they said.

The Earth Emergency Government representative stepped forward. "Final… phases?" he said.

"Theia was always meant to be a trojan of your Earth, you see. Something must have gone wrong when the gas disk dissipated."

"I don't understand," the representative said.

"My apologies," the alien said, "I'm used to dealing with your planetary researchers."

Many masses of threads now fell gracefully from the skies. When they touched down, they effortlessly bored deep holes. The ground shook. The representative's heart rate skyrocketed.

"It's just that we're going to have to repossess the planet Theia now."

[skyrim-forever]

WIP Wednesday!

What she's writing again??? Still bit by the writing bug, particularly for my favs Theodora and Ondolemar. Now that I've gotten the happy, lovey-dovey shit out of my system 😛, we can return to being a degenerate 😏 This snippet has no smut tho, warnings for discussion of torture (very briefly)

Tagged by: @theoneandonlysemla and @thequeenofthewinter Tagging @dirty-bosmer and @ladytanithia (not sure who else is writing rn now, i imagine some folks are taking a break after tesfest)

The party was boring, as had all the parties previously had been. Rulindil had never enjoyed any of his superior’s events and despite voicing his displeasure, Elenwen would always make an excuse for him to be there. That’s exactly what it was, an excuse. The Thalmor would have much preferred being in the dungeon making Etienne scream. He didn’t truly think the man knew anymore, there was no way he could be finding anything substantial after what he put him through. But that didn’t mean they were done. Getting the information is only the beginning of the fun, there were so many ways to break a man and Rulindil was determined to find them all. Etienne would be a good experiment. 

He took the last sip out of his goblet, happy to be freed from the low quality wine that was served at these events. Although it was still from the Homeland, Elenwen would cheap out, what would be the point in wasting good money on Nords? Luckily he knew where the Ambassador kept her personal stash and she wouldn’t notice a bottle missing, right? He decided it would be worth the consequences if she did. Walking through the crowd, the Interrogator approaches one of the doors to Elenwen’s solar, only to find it already partially open. As he goes to open it, he hears talking, a man and woman’s voice can be heard. Not talking, whispering. Something that piqued his interest. Slowly, he opens the door a bit more in order to get a glimpse at them. 

He vaguely recognizes the woman as someone he saw at the party early, initially talking to Elenwen. But other than that he doesn’t know her, although looking at her long dark hair and figure, he would certainly like to. What he did know was who the man was, or rather mer. It would seem his colleague in Markarth, Ondolemar, has snuck away with an Imperial woman. Very interesting. Normally Rulindil would have left, but this was Ondolemar, Elenwen’s favourite among them. His reports were always perfect, he was always on time, and he always got the job done. So to see him engage in such risky behaviour at the Embassy, why it took Rulindil aback is what it did. Good blackmail on him he thought, ever the interrogator. He began to follow their conversation. 

[thordorfralf]

The Ragnarok war prolouge

During their rise towards the interstellar age humanity completely killed their own home. The capitalistic greed poisoned the air, the seas, the land, their minds, everything. Around the year 2500 of their Christian calendar the population dwindled rapidly, because of famine, drought and the last resources were depleted.

This is why humanity was forced to the stars, building enormous life ships to evacuate as many people as possible. Those crude behemoths barely held together and without any ftl technology they started their long journey towards the planet chosen as their new home: the Ygdrasil system.

So, for many generations humans lived in their self-inflicted colony of ships and their outlook on life and society surprisingly changed. Everyone had expected that the rich would keep their luxurious levels to themselves hoarding knowledge and resources as they had done on earth, but after a few generations they started to share and work towards the good of everyone. Finally, humans left behind their greed and exchanged it with passion and love, knowing they all faced the same fate if the mistakes of the past would be repeated.

Once Midgard was reached a society was in place, that the people from the 21st century would have called solar punk, and the planets Midgard, Alfheim and Vanaheim were settled in a symbiotic way with nature. During this time the intergalactic council reached out to humanity, congratulating them for their advancements and offering them a place among the many species for trade and exploration. The humans agreed, happily sharing their technology, and trading their fine art and the crops they had to share.

The next century went by, and it was a time of prosperity for all the races, until the ksis'tor had a change in their government and decided that their occupied space wasn't enough anymore, and they started conquering the neighbouring systems. When they came closer to the Ygdrasil system, humanity send ambassadors in their beautiful and unarmed ships, but the Ksis'tor just shot them down.

After that incident humanity gave every foreign ship half a rotation to leave their part of space, after that every craft was grounded indefinitely. After that it took only 5 rotations that the human controlled space was inrecognisable. On their planets many concealed bunkers opened and out of there came things that we believe are the remnants of their journey to Ygdrasil: Large and heavy armoured vessels, armed with antique and modern weaponry. The whole system turned into one fortress with no way in or out.

I am one of the few ambassadors that didn't leave. I asked a human general yesterday why they were that good prepared for war and he just said: "We lost Earth... we won't lose another home."

The Ksis'tor don't know what they are getting into.

[eclecticspaceorc]

This is an idea I've had for years based on "And the Heavens Wept" by 'thefalloutdiaries'. I've worked on it and grew it out but because I'm not great at writing I could never write it out.

So recently I wrote down everything I had and all the ideas and details I could and had ai write it out. I worked through it and made it as perfect to my idea as I could.

So I hope you like it and don't think too badly on me for using ai as a writing aid.

When Midnight Reigned

Humanity’s ascent to the stars was welcomed with open arms. After centuries of conflict and isolation on their homeworld, Earth’s nations united and reached for the stars, joining the Intergalactic Concord, a coalition of hundreds of species that governed peace and policy among the cosmos. Humans, though young and inexperienced by galactic standards, quickly earned a place in the Concord’s Senate due to their adaptability and ingenuity.

For years, they thrived. But peace was not to last.

A species known as the Zyrrkhal Dominion, notorious for their pride and territorial aggression, declared war on humanity over a territorial dispute in a distant star system. To the Concord, the Zyrrkhal’s grievance seemed valid. The Concord refused to intervene, citing their policy of neutrality in "bilateral conflicts." The decision left humanity to fend for itself.

The war was brutal but stagnant. Battles raged across contested systems for years, with neither side gaining ground. Humanity’s fleets matched the Zyrrkhal’s strength, but neither could deliver a decisive blow. Until, one day, everything changed.

--

The Concord Assembly

A sudden emergency meeting was called in the heart of the Concord’s capital station. Representatives from every member species filled the Senate chamber, their whispers echoing through the grand hall. None knew who had summoned them or why.

The murmurs ceased when the human ambassador, Elias Caine, strode into the chamber, flanked by General Adrienne Locke—a rarity, as military officers were typically barred from these proceedings. Gasps and indignant cries rippled through the assembly.

One voice rose above the rest: "This is a breach of protocol! Military presence is strictly prohibited in this chamber!" shouted the Zyrrkhal ambassador, his mandibles clicking in outrage.

Ambassador Caine raised a hand, his face calm but grim. "Bylaw 47-3 of the Concord Charter permits exceptions during emergencies. The station AI has confirmed our compliance. Now, sit down."

The AI’s voice boomed through the chamber. "Objection overruled. The humans are within their rights. Silence is mandatory."

The chamber fell into an uneasy quiet. Caine stepped forward, his voice measured and steady.

---

The Midnight Protocol

"At 12:37 PM Galactic Standard Time," Caine began, "Earth’s short-range sensors detected a Zyrrkhal fleet entering Sol space. The fleet warped in dangerously close to Earth, bypassing our defenses. An automatic assessment determined that our outer fleets were too far away to intercept in time. Earth was left vulnerable."

General Locke took a step forward, her voice steely. "When such a scenario occurs, humanity enacts its most extreme contingency: the Midnight Protocol."

Confused murmurs filled the room. Caine continued, his tone unyielding. "The protocol begins with a complete communications blackout—no signals to or from Earth. Then, a prerecorded message is broadcast to all citizens, explaining the situation and presenting them with a choice. They were told that their home was indefensible and that surrender was an option. But they were also given an alternative: to make our attackers regret their actions."

Locke’s gaze swept across the chamber. "The choice was unanimous. Earth chose vengeance."

A hologram of Earth appeared in the center of the chamber, showing the planet as it was just hours ago. Caine’s voice grew colder. "The final stage of the protocol was enacted: a hidden solar array, decades in the making, was activated. It drew power directly from our sun, creating a weapon of unprecedented scale—a lance of pure energy capable of annihilating everything in its path."

The hologram shifted, showing the Zyrrkhal fleet hovering over Earth. "At 12:55 PM Galactic Standard Time, the solar lance fired," Caine said. The hologram showed the beam erupting from behind Earth, slicing through the fleet and engulfing the planet. "The fleet was destroyed. Earth was… glassed."

---

The Fallout

The chamber erupted in chaos. Zyrrkhal Ambassador Jekh’traz rose, his claws slamming against his podium. "You annihilated your own planet? Billions of lives, sacrificed? You’re monsters! You deserve death for this!"

Caine’s eyes were cold as he stepped toward Jekh’traz. In one swift motion, he drew a sidearm and fired. The shot echoed through the chamber as Jekh’traz crumpled to the floor, lifeless. Silence filled the air, and security drones descended, but the AI’s voice intervened once more.

"Humanity’s actions remain within Concord law."

Caine holstered the weapon, his voice icy and resolute. "The final stage of the Midnight Protocol is a directive to all surviving humans: kill the enemy on sight—if it can be done without further human loss. Otherwise, retreat to human-controlled space."

He turned to face the assembly, his gaze sweeping over the stunned representatives. "We respected your laws. We respected your traditions. No more. The Zyrrkhal attacked our home. They forfeited their lives the moment they crossed into Sol."

Locke followed Caine as he exited, leaving the chamber in stunned silence.

--

Epilogue

The annihilation of Earth and the Zyrrkhal fleet marked a turning point in the war. No longer constrained by the rules of the Intergalactic Concord, humanity’s fleets moved with unbridled aggression. Every battle became a decisive victory, every system retaken with ruthless efficiency. The war was no longer about survival—it was about vengeance.

Humanity’s tactics were unprecedented in their ferocity. Entire Zyrrkhal supply lines were obliterated, their colonies razed to the ground. Human forces, hardened by centuries of conflict on their homeworld, adapted faster than the Zyrrkhal could react. They weaponized their grief, their anger, and their ingenuity, creating weapons and strategies that even the most advanced Concord species struggled to comprehend.

One by one, Zyrrkhal strongholds fell. The once-proud Dominion was reduced to scattered remnants, their once-mighty fleets decimated. Desperation gripped the Zyrrkhal as they retreated further into their own territory, but humanity pursued them relentlessly, offering no quarter and demanding no surrender.

The Concord watched in silent horror as humanity turned the tide of war into a campaign of extermination. Appeals for mercy fell on deaf ears. "They attacked our home," was the only justification humanity gave. For the first time in its history, the Concord was powerless to intervene, paralyzed by its own laws and the fear that humanity might turn its wrath toward them next.

After years of relentless warfare, the Zyrrkhal were pushed back to their home system. Humanity launched a final assault—a multi-pronged strike that obliterated the Zyrrkhal’s last remaining fleet and laid siege to their homeworld. The once-thriving planet was reduced to ash, its cities flattened, its technological advancements destroyed.

But humanity stopped short of total annihilation. Instead, they left the Zyrrkhal with a single habitable planet in their system—a barren, resource-starved world. Stripped of their technology, the survivors were forced back into a primitive existence, their civilization effectively erased. This act was not one of mercy, but a calculated message: the Zyrrkhal would live, but only as a reminder to the galaxy of what happens to those who threaten humanity.

The Intergalactic Concord held an emergency session in the aftermath, debating whether humanity should face consequences for its actions. But fear of reprisal silenced most voices. Humanity, now a dominant force in the galaxy, made their stance clear: "We will honor the Concord’s laws only so long as they serve our survival. But cross us again, and we will not hesitate to act."

The Zyrrkhal, now relegated to myths and cautionary tales, became a symbol of humanity’s capacity for both destruction and justice. Over time, the galaxy adapted to this new reality. Humanity was no longer the young, hopeful species welcomed into the stars. They were survivors, warriors, and enforcers of their own code.

---

Legacy

In the centuries that followed, the remnants of Earth became a sacred place. The glassed planet stood as a monument to humanity’s resilience and the price of survival. Colonies spread across the galaxy, and humanity thrived, rebuilding their society while always keeping their military prepared for the next great threat.

The story of when Midnight Reigned became legend—a tale of loss, vengeance, and triumph that shaped humanity’s identity. To their allies, humanity became a force to be respected and feared. To their enemies, they were a warning: those who challenge humanity do so at their own peril.

And as the stars continued to shine over the scarred galaxy, humanity’s legacy endured, a testament to a species that rose from the ashes of their homeworld to claim their place among the stars—unyielding, unforgiving, and unstoppable

[ligbi]

I'm having Sailor Moon thoughts for the first time in a long time and

The cats.

They're from Planet Mau. We all know this. We also know they existed in the Silver Millenium and Queen Serenity put them into a stasis to wait for Usagi to need them after she's been reborn -She's been re-born before according to Sailor Moon Sailor Stars Musical, but that was an era of peace(?). While we don't know the exact time the cats awoke, it seems to be after Beryl's reincarnation accidentally woke Metallia up at the D Point, so it seems fair to assume the seal on Metallia and on the cats was linked.

Now, Queen Serenity doesn't come from our solar system, and is from another Galaxy (as is Nehellenia), but Pluto/Uranus/Neptune and the Inners seem to have been born in the Galaxy, as was presumably Saturn who slept until she was called upon to destroy the world after the cats were sent away. What we don't know is when the cats came to the Moon from Mau.

Did Queen Serenity take them with her when she fled from her place of origin? Were they ambassadors sent to the our Galaxy? Tin Nyanko recognized Luna and Artemis as Mau residents, but didn't seem to know them personally- it seems like she assumed they escaped when Galaxia came to the planet to murder everyone.

I have obvious opinions on the timeline of Silver Millennium events- Queen Serenity left her home during the early days of the Sailor Wars because it takes Galaxia a while to murder Everyone, Nehellenia's curse summoned a poor clone of Chaos to the sun which created Metallia, the events with Artuka happened while Endymion and the Princess were courting, Beryl did a lot wrong but I forgive her anyway, ect ect, but Why the cats were there in the first place isn't explained and we can't use the same crow logic for them.

Lead Crow knew Phobos and Deimos during the Silver Millennium Era, and that they were chosen to be trained as soldiers- presumably a type of Sailor Senshi- under Mars. Chosen by whom is unclear but Queen Serenity hand picked Mars to be, well, Mars, and we can assume did the same with the other girls, so it seems like a sailor crystal is gifted to you and linked with your star seed- or maybe replaces it?- which makes some sense since Queen Serenity just showed up to this galaxy and took over crystal duties- and appointing a child to guard the door of time and space. Is Pluto the only person in the universe doing that, or are there other doors in other galaxies? Did Queen Serenity have some type of Senshi-adjacent duty before she had to leave?

But the cats don't have sailor crystals and don't seem like they were training to become senshi- one for obvious reasons since even with the Golden Crystal Mamoru is still just...whatever he is, and the other-look PGSM is the best Sailor Moon, but it does Not fit in with the greater canon sorry Sailor Luna with your Candy themed attacks- so let's assume they....what? moved to the Moon to be advisors? Was Queen Serenity a big deal 'elsewhere' and that's what people of Mau who aren't even here to train as senshi are so close to the royal family? Was she taking in refugees from other planets that were destroyed by Galaxia? That could explain the residents of Moon and the castles of the other senshi, and why they just have castles that seem to be rules by the Moon, instead of their own kingdoms.

I know this solar system has great balance for harboring star seeds, which is why it gets to be the specialist place in the universe, and the last one Galaxia attacks, but was it the new ancient magical alien equivalent of the U.N. after the first was was presumably destroyed by Galaxia? That would explain some things, I guess.

I also think Mau was a version of Loveless which explains why human!Diana has a tail but Artemis and Luna don't (th3y hd th4 seggz ~>.<~)

[mutant-distraction]

The lunar terminator—the divide between sunlight and darkness on the Moon—is sharp in this amateur photo of the Moon. The image was taken by Solar System Ambassador Thomas Campbell of College Station, Texas.

[btart1313]

Meet the Voyager Twins, V1 and V2, ambassadors of the planet Earth. Robotic probes built by Earth with the purpose of exploring the outer solar system and beyond. V1 is a no nonsense woman intent of fulfilling her duties of exploring the cosmos in search for intelligent life to one day make Earth proud. She is good friends with Saturn who never wants to see her brother ever again but that’s a story for another time. V2 on the other hand takes his Job less seriously, wile V1 is in meetings with other stars, V2 is throwing big parties with other the planets and moons getting wasted. He is also good friends with Uranus and Neptune who V1 blames for worsening her brother’s unprofessional behavior. They are currently on their way back to Sol from Tau Ceti after V2 lost his golden record at a massive party that embarrassed his sister in front of the boss Tau Ceti her self. She has dragged her brother on the first bus back to Earth to get a replacement disk bc she is not intent on sharing hers after that fresco. This was the last straw.

So far I only have a sketch of their Chibi  designs but they are taller than Earth in universe.

I know that was a lot of lore and I have so much more for these 2 and the other probes and rovers we sent into the galactic void. Thank you so much for reading my mad ramblings I’m just really passionate about space and I’ve been invested in this comic for the past few weeks now. I wanted to add my own OCs and realized the space probes did not have antihero forms in the comic so I just want to get my ideas so far out there and help spread the comic too new people who also like space. Solar House is a webcomic by Vanadium, that you can support on Webtoon, Twitter, and here on Tumblr, please go support them and the comic, their art is phenomenal!

Ok that’s all for now, byeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

[firestarishomophobic]

on my knees begging u to ask questions abt my new fanclans

uni kicking my ass rn but i AM cooking up some new fanclans as i talked about previously. i need a lil treat after i finish my project so PLEASE ask questions abt my fanclans.. i will put some basics here:

the clan lives in a small mountain range in the north part of ireland(ish) that i have called the 3 bens (ben meaning mountain, kinda). the bens are associated with a triple goddess. there are 3 clans, one on each ben. the triple goddess is the basis of starclan.

the triple goddess is one being with three 'versions' essentially (think father/son/holy spirit; brigid; the morrigan; the fates). They are The Daughter, The Mother, and The Crone.

The Daughter is represented by a forest ben. She represents Growth, Passion, and Strength. A clan lives in this forest and lives primarily to those virtues.

The Mother is represented by the biggest ben. She represents Order, Stability, and Health. A clan lives on this rocky terrain and lives primarily to those virtues,

The Crone is represented by a bog ben. She represents Peace, Reverence, and Prosperity. A clan that lives in the bog lives to those virtues.

there are also ranks associated with each virtue. They also each have a unique naming system that i am working on!

Growth: Kit

Passion: Apprentice

Strength: Warrior

Order: Queen

Campkeeper: Stability

Health: Healer

Peace: Ambassador

Reverence: Sage

Prosperity: Elder

In the glen between the 3 bens, on the bank of a lake, is a stone circle, a solar calendar. there are 9 stones, corresponding with the 9 ranks.

yeah! i'm working on more detailed social structure, minor deities, and unique cultures for each clan! idk if i will end up calling them clans.

[darexirepublic]

Welcome back to another episode of Republic News Update! I am your host Paxlo an I am deeply glad that we are back. I do apologize for our absence - things have been undergoing system upgrades and renovations here so that we are better able to support the upwards of five billion active listeners and watchers!

So! First and foremost is the exciting full operation of the capital's new expansion. Things are already in full swing there, with the newly expanded embassies being taken up by several nations, including the @goganworlds and @gopnuiirevs , who have now been allocated more district embassy space at their request.

The @guildsre Commerce Association now has well over 500 shops operating in the new districts, and there are plans, as per a Guilds spokesbeing, to "expand the horizons to at least another five hundred more by years end". Exciting for all of you galactic buyers out there! I love their Friendship Furnishings collection myself.

Also, the Ministry of Science announced today that the first 50 fossils from AR-1127 have been catalogued, studied and will now be copied so that the public may enjoy these works! The originals are, sadly, far too sensitive to display in a museum setting, so the Ministry will see to their care in our Artifact and Fossil Storage Vaults, with @elepharchy science minds carefully supervising the preservation process.

Expect the displays to go live within one solar week!

Diplomatic news! The Republic Embassy on @evroncia has formally petitioned His Majesty King Yonwa X to attend the grand re opening of the nation's parliament after a recess period owing to some galactic instability in the Kingdom. Republic politicians have been watching the situation with concern, and have offered aid several times but so far the Kingdom has politely turned down our efforts.

"We remain hopeful that the King will allow us to attend this reopening and that we can demonstrate our own presence as a galactic chain of peace, and friendship, between our long standing peoples." Ambassador Baxl said today from the Kingdom. We hope for the same here, Ambassador!

That is all for today, friends! Stay tuned, for in a few hours, our Trends Correspondent Gelthogg will be reporting on some new trends popular among today's young people across the Galaxy, including the soon-to-be announced Youth Friendship Jamborees!

I have been your host, Paxlo, and this has been Republic News Update. I hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend wherever you are!

[harrisonarchive]

On March 20, 1964, George Harrison attended the midnight premiere of Charade (at the Regal Cinema in Henley-on-Thames), with Hayley Mills and her mother, Mary Hayley Bell (who had won the date with George at a charity fundraiser).

“Once there was a film premiere and Brian [Epstein] thought it would be more appropriate if George turned up with Hayley Mills on his arm rather than me, so she was his date for the night. I felt crushed.” - Pattie Boyd, Hello!, August 31, 2004

“It was an extraordinary experience being with George, because he had such a magnetic quality, and it wasn’t just because he was a Beatle — that helped, of course. But there was something extraordinary about George. He was very composed, he was very calm, and people were just drawn to him. […] People were crawling up the aisle with their autograph books in their teeth to get to George. […] [Once back home] My dad opened the door at three o’clock in the morning, and there we were, standing there, […] [and her father asked if he’d like to come in for some scrambled eggs] So George said, ‘Oh, yes, I’d like that.’ So we went down to the kitchen […], and my dad made scrambled eggs, which I’d never seen him do before in my entire life. And then George got up, and said, ‘Well, I’ve got to rush now because I’m moving home at half past four with Ringo, the police are giving us an escort.’ And he left. Years and years later, I met George and his lovely wife Olivia at the Chelsea Flower Show, and we remembered that night and laughed about that night. And he told me then one of his favorite memories of all time was having scrambled eggs cooked for him by John Mills at four o’clock in the morning.” - Hayley Mills, BBC Breakfast, September 3, 2021

And, on a Wonderwall Music related note... Hayley’s son, Crispian, is very much influenced by George’s music:

“[When I was 11 or 12] I was listening to George Harrison a lot, which introduced me to Ravi Shankar on sitar. […] [One of my inspirations is George Harrison] Mystic Beatle, cultural and spiritual ambassador to solar system.” - Crispian Mills, Rolling Stone India, December 10, 2008

The Kula Shaker song “Gokula” samples the Harrisong “Ski-ing” (from 1968’s Wonderwall Music). Crispian sent George a tape of his track and received George’s blessing for the sampling, per 1996 news reports. Another Kula Shaker song, “Govinda,” takes its name from the title of a Radha Krishna Temple track produced by George. (x)

[world-beauty]

Palomar at Night

Credits: 2003JPL NASA Solar System Ambassador

[marlsbys-dragons]

A girl from the slums plays in the street with the son of a merchant house who does not know he is a son. They are not meant to be together, but they are happy.

Years pass. She still loves him, and fights in the pits for his attention now that they are grown. His father aspires to nobility, and at his father's command the champion joins the house guard.

They are happy, they are together. He is cruel, enjoys pain, but is so gentle, and she is never happier than when she is beneath him, his faithful hound, collared and leashed to his hand.

Then, they are attacked, betrayed. Those on high disdain those who would rise.

She fails him, loses him.

A new family for the would-be prince, making him truly a prince in both body and station.

She joins others bereaved by the attack, and together they wage war through the stars against the enemies of their dead sponsor, guerrillas, rebels, eventually, fanatics around this beast of a woman, whose mind never rests with her rage, and whose hands can break swords. They will bring ruin, and keep bringing it, shaping entire solar systems to a design she was given by the man she loves.

He is cold, calculating. Called a monster by his highborn peers, blood dripping from his hands every morning and night, unable to satisfy his grief for his beloved pet. But the servants like him, for he only hurts those who wish it, or deserve it, and they whisper to him, and with whispers he builds wings, an empire rekindled at the hand of a sadist and a diplomat.

He is the picture of ruthlessness. There is rebellion in this monument he has built for his lost love, and so he goes to snuff it out. Blackrake the Rabid Prophet of Taull Rhoe Sweep, leader of the Greenviel Allrising, must die.

She is wrath embodied. The fell hand of a thousand thrones reaches for her work, her struggle to honor him, so it must be cut off. The Prince-Ambassador Legate Ironshot, chief spymaster of the Dominion of Chamberlain, must die.

They do not die.

Their forces fight to a standstill. They meet, for the first time in a lifetime. Across the peace table, their eyes meet.

There is no question.

No hesitation.

His hair shorn, chest flat, dresses traded for trousers, makeup and jewels for the paint and blades of royalty.

Her face scarred, new implants and prosthetics draped not in merchant house armor, but cult robes.

They know each other, and try not to weep. As soon as they can, their underlings are ordered out. Both close to tears, thinking the other must hate them for actions in their name.

She speaks.

"I still have it."

She bares her arm, the collar he clipped around her neck so long ago wrapped around her bicep.

His heart breaks and heals in an instant. She is still his, he knows, he trusts. A single word is all he needs.

"Kneel."

Relief surges through her, the world she has been fighting against so long righting itself before she can breathe. He still has the leash, and they stay like that a long time.

She would betray everything she has built for him, but he has already betrayed everything that was given to him for her. A vast conspiracy, built in the name of his father, but in his heart out of love for her, now given the blade it needed to cut the heart out of a rotting empire.

The rabid dog and her prince, together, will make a new one.