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Author: Geoff

Founder, creator, guy what does stuff for and in Vintrock

Wonder On A New World

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published April 20, 2023.

Wow! My first sunset on another world! Today was busy, settling in, so I didn’t get out of the new base much. I finally got a chance to just be, and it is amazing.

Of course, it turns out almost all of this beauty is lethal to us. Those plants will do a real number on your digestive system. And the “water”? Well, let’s just say it’s best not to dip a toe, or any part of your body you actually care about in it.

I’m not sure I want to encounter the wildlife.

One Prompt, Three Stories

A collection of Mastodon writing prompt stories. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

In this instance, I came up with three stories for the single prompt. They were originally published April 23, 2023.

Story 1: The Conference

Why did I choose the in-person attendance option for this conference? It was being dimensionally hypercast across the quadrant for half-the price. Sure, seeing the in-person demos of the updated matter transport was cool. But that talk on cross-eco-regulations? Probably should have read the description better.

But now I’ve go to return some guy’s weapon to lost and found, and then find the Arcturus Room. There had better be snacks waiting when I get there.

Story 2: The Escape

Okay, I’m out of that compartment, but I don’t recognize the corridor. I should have been paying more attention when I arrived, but who would have expected that I was going to be forced to be a “guest”? Fortunately, their hatch locks are junk.

Should I try for the bridge, or just look for an escape pod? Maybe they have a long-range shuttle on board. The bridge could mean a shot at an emergency broadcast message.

I liberated a weapon, now I have to liberate myself.

Story 3: The Intense Model

“Okay, perfect, now hold…”

Toni heard the camera shutter click several times.

“Delicious! Now, same pose, but look straight at the camera, luv.”

“I told you to not call me that” Toni growled.

“What?”

“No luv, dear, hun, babe.” Her eyes were ice.

“It’s just…” the photographer looked hurt, then began to sweat as the selector switch move from off to power-up. An indicator light went from red to amber to green.

“I dare you to say ‘luv’ one. More. Time” Toni said.

Rings and Snow

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published April 18, 2023.

Kort stood, marvelling at the sight. They were still trying to wrap their head around the physics that would produce those rings when their radio crackled to life.

“You done? What did you find?”

“Yup. Snow” Kort replied.

“And?”

“And snow.”

“Nothing else?”

“Packed snow. Some rocks.”

“Well let’s get moving then. Skipper says it’s time to go. We got 3 more of these to survey.”

“More snow?” Kort asked.

“One with liquid methane.”

“Good there’s some variety.”

The Escape Route

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published April 17, 2023.

I think it’s broken. It doesn’t fit right, the software keeps glitching, and the connectors are wonky. If I can’t get this working, I’m going to be stuck here. Forever.

He said all the parts I would need are here. He didn’t explain whatever his system was for organizing them. It probably makes sense to him. It make no sense to me. It look like an electronics store blew up.

I’ll have to figure something out. And fast. Time is running out. They’re almost here.

The Enhanced Man

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published April 14, 2023.

“Looks like it all checks out” I said.

The Planner nodded. “Looks like. You ready for this? There’s probably no coming back.”

I nodded in return. “A ship needs her captain. I’ll get no rest, but my passengers will be sleeping for a long, long time. I just need to last the duration, enough for them to see landfall. And their new home.”

“And the boredom?”

“The shoulder patches. They’ll take care of that for me.”

We embraced.

“Best suit up then. Ship’s waiting.”

And That’s It? (spoilers)

Warning, this contains spoilers for Season 3 of The Mandalorian. Continue reading at your risk.

That’s it? All that build up to end in Mando and Grogu hanging out in a cabin in the countryside? Seriously? The ending of this season was entirely underwhelming. It’s hard to know where to begin on this mess.

Too Many Loose Threads

Nothing got resolved about the Mythosaur, it’s as if it was never part of the story. IG-11 is “miraculously” put back together to be the new Marshall. The Darksabre is destroyed, which implies it was never that important. Who the hell knows what’s happening back on Coruscant, even though it was important enough to dedicate 1/8th of the season’s story to it (seriously, it could have been a 10-second sequence). Oh, and what ever happened to those giant chicks they got? Did they become dinner in some subsequent episode? And where’s the pirate gone? Is Moff Gideon really ash, or did his super-duper armour protect him?

Yeah, yeah, stuff for Season 4. If there is one. If Disney decides to end it here, I’d be fine with that. The only good season was the first. The second was okay, although the “let’s set up another spinoff” thing was getting a bit wearisome. This third season was a pointless mess.

It all wraps up so Mando and Grogu can go off on new adventures. Yeah, this is such a satisfying end (spoiler alert: it isn’t).

All Filler, Little Content

There was, at best, 2-3 hours of actual story in this season, and 5-6 hours of useless filler. All the stupid side quests did nothing to advance the overall plot, and weren’t a way to introduce any new meaningful characters. As cool as it was to see Uppa back in his X-Wing, and as amusing as it was to see him show just how incompetent the New Republic is, again, it added nothing overall. This whole season could have been a movie, and then it might have been more satisfying.

If there is a Season 4, maybe getting back to a more episodic form might be better. Although a different title might be in order (maybe The New Adventures of Mando and Grogu?). It might be entertaining. But part of Star Wars is that there is a grand arc, a bigger story that the stuff we watch (or read) is part of. The entire franchise is premised around it. And as bad as Lucas might have been at dialog, he had a knack for telling stories within stories. Season One of The Mandalorian fit within that. The next two started to drift somewhat.

All I can say now is thank goodness for Andor and The Bad Batch. Maybe we can get some stories about the Adelphi Rangers?

The Design

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published April 15, 2023.

“C’mon Jake, really? Be more careful with your coffee.”

“Sorry Maneet, I tripped. The room is a bit of a mess.” Glances over her shoulder. “Will that even work?”

“Well, it’s better than the armor we’re using now, should be lighter, and easier to repair. And the advanced myomers will provide some extra strength.”

“Where’s the power?”

“On the back. It’s not done.”

“Not sure about the design in the crotch area, though. That looks a bit uncomfortable.”

“Not for the eunuchs.”

The Knockout Blow

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published April 13, 2023.

Sara could feel the numbness quickly spread as the stunstars hit. She tried to get to her knees, to reduce the pain of hitting the ground. But she was only partway when they took full effect. Sara toppled, hit, and the pain was the only thing she could feel.

She was still conscious, aware of everything. A silver/gray face loomed over her.

“Your aunt says it’s time to come home” the deep metallic bass intoned as she was lifted from the ground.

The Next Mission

A Mastodon writing prompt story. These are science fiction short stories (usually 480 characters or less), based on an image generated by EW Doc Parris using MidJourney.

The stories are originally posted on Mastodon via my personal account.

Originally published April 12, 2023.

“Well?” he asked.

“Well what?” I responded.

“That’s our home and we intend to take it back. Are you just going to stand there gawking, or are you going to help?”

I paused, thinking, starting to question why I came in the first place. I suppose I could back out now. But, I did kinda promise, and Marti was going to pay well for my services.

I adjusted my gear, powered up my weapon, then nodded.

“Let’s do it.”

It Took 7 Episodes To Get Here? (spoilers)

Warning, this contains spoilers for Chapter 23 of Season 4 of The Mandalorian. Read at your own risk.

Took Long Enough

So it took us 7 episodes (and about 7 hours) to finally get to the point of this thing. Seriously? Take away all the side-quests and distractions, and this should have been the third episode of this season, not the seventh. It could have even been the second episode. We didn’t need to know what was happening with Dr. Pershing. They could have left it as mysterious. A two-minute holo comms sequence with Moff Gideon and Kane, the “His research is lost” line in the holo-Zoom staff meeting, and leave it at that. The “let’s fight pirates” bit. The useless “have to fix IG-11” and it turns out it wasn’t necessary. The rescue, the droid behaviour mystery. Seriously, none of this advanced the narrative.

Too much of this season feels like padding, like fan service and not story telling. It’s like they don’t actually know what story they want to tell, or maybe don’t have a story to tell. I mean, cool, we get some great cameos from some great performers. But we don’t have to try to jam every character the series has presented (that’s still alive) into the season. That’s just not necessary.

Grogu’s New Toy

I was so worried they had pulled a deus ex machine with IG-11 when he came strolling in. But when it was clear he’s just a mech, okay, maybe that’s something that can work. At least Grogu has a bit more mobility, and can do more than make baby noises and Force Grip stuff. It was funny watching him stumble around a bit while he figured the machine out, and pounding away on the “yes” and “no” buttons.

The only concern I would have might be budget. It’s way cheaper to digitally composite a floating egg (which can be closed, reducing detail and fidelity requirements) than an intricate machine. But whatever, not my problem. At least Grogu can be a more active participant in things.

Expect It To Feel Rushed Or Incomplete

There’s only one episode left in the season. That can mean one of two things. First, that they’re going to rush the final conflict between the Mandalorians and Gideon. Don’t be surprised if the New Republic just happens to show up, riding to the rescue. Given how sloppy the story telling as been so far, that wouldn’t be surprising at all. But it would also be a massive disappointment.

The other alternative is that the Mandalorians are chased off “for now” in a lame attempt to set up the next season. Assuming there is one. I have not seen a lot of positive comments or reviews so far, and I see a lot more “glad I skipped this season” instead.

And that leads to the question: will there be a fourth season? With poor reviews, what appears to be a disappointed (and possibly shrinking) audience, this could very well be it for this story line. It could live on in comics and novels. But these aren’t cheap to make, and Disney’s pockets aren’t infinitely deep. I’d rather see the budget put toward ensuring Andor retains it’s high standards and quality. Money spent making another disappointing season like this would be a waste.