rdm

#Perth born and resident. #Linux #Sysadmin, SoT kayaker with a Hobie Outback, 3-wheel HPV user , #photographer, #boardgamer, #RPG player, and #SFF fan. I am a #mermaid (well mer-dude). Just an all-round geek. I am proud to live on Whadjuk #Noongar boodja.

I play #GURPS, #DnD5e, and #TravellerRPG .

I like to take photos of #birds (particularly #raptors), and other mer-folk. I also shoot #pinhole and #solargraph images. To round things off, I also play with in-camera #cyanotype imaging.

Public Key

npub1k270m47gzf5gtudxdc0hedxqjq74v7uzwheavd8qajn9q9h55xhsx6xrek

NIP-05 Address

rdm@aus-social.mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqst908a6lypy6y97xnxu8muknqfq02k0wp8tu7kxnswefjszm62rtcpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43qz9thwden5te0v35hgar09ec82c30wfjkccten8fv2j

Publishing to

relay.mostr.pub

ditto.pub/relay

relay.nostr.band

Author Public Key

npub1k270m47gzf5gtudxdc0hedxqjq74v7uzwheavd8qajn9q9h55xhsx6xrek

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Last Notes

2024-11-16 17:30:29

Have you ever noticed that haunted houses always have a similar sort of look? There are a couple of types, but they are all very much alike within those types.
You have the two-story weatherboard, with a balcony and a gatehouse. There will be creepers on at least one side, and probably a rose garden.
Then you have the gothic manor. Typically dark brick or stone. Iron front gate. You know the rest.
What about the haunted pubs and hotels? Look closely, and you'll see they are not really that dissimilar.
Well, there is a reason that haunted houses are all like that.
It is not because horrible things happen in places like that. Far more horrible things happen all over the place, and never get haunted.
No, it is because places like that attract ghosts. They are safe places for them - creating just enough psychic energy to maintain them, without being so much that they move on.
I guess you are now wondering why there are so many of them, aren't you?
Well such places have always appeared here and there. All the way back to the caves. There were always the special ones that the ancestors favoured.
But one day an actual architect died in such a place, and he taught his children what he worked out after his death. And so they set about to build more of them. And so did their children.
And that is why we have so many haunted houses these days.
----
Brainstormed during a car journey with @nprofile…n5ks .
#tootfic #scifi #sff #NotHorror #microfic

2024-11-12 00:05:05

The joy of a thermal printing camera.
I do not often make gear recommendations to other photographers, but today I will.
If you are an even half-way skilled photographer, go out and get yourself a kiddies thermal printing camera. And a bunch of thermal printer rolls of paper. You'll set yourself back about AUD50.
Don't bother getting a microSD card for it. That's not the point.
The point is the immense freedom and creative challenges that working with a fixed aperture, fixed focus plastic lens that will then print out on a short-lived high-contrast paper will bring.
And it is a freedom being so highly restricted.
It is also freeing to be able to shoot with abandon, not worrying about any sort of post-processing, and not worrying about the cost of the shot.
Think of the joys of pinhole photography, but with the instant gratification of Polaroid, and the costs of digital. The only thing you have control over is your composition.
This ties in very strongly with the Shitty Camera Challenge, but there is a joy in being able to shoot without consequence. You do not ever have to show these to another person (although you might).
#ShittyCameraChallenge #ShittyCamera #Photography #PhotographerLife
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/113/467/045/531/779/548/original/464165d237095051.jpg

2024-11-09 02:11:26

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@npub1cr2…q039 @npub1wfd…68tj
And unlike so may other villains, she was compentent. And completely ruthless. And a deadly weapon even when completely unarmed. Even her smile could kill.

2024-11-09 02:07:46

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@npub1wfd…68tj
The Liberator and Zen were the best starship ever!
Time for a rewatch...

2024-10-26 07:53:08

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@npub1ref…zt70
And there is your Mk1 pulse laser as per #TravellerRPG . Now if we could just figure out sustainable fusion and jump drives.

2024-10-25 23:58:09

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@npub1ref…zt70
For example..
https://www.laserfocusworld.com/lasers-sources/article/14296218/on-the-go-high-energy-laser-weapon-system-counters-drone-threats
Battery powered, rechargeable from a standard wall socket or a genset.
And fits on the back of a pickup. A laser armed technical.
#scifi #laser #weapons #TravellerRPG

2024-10-25 10:17:55

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@npub1wfd…68tj
Nonono... it is warning them about the annoying kid on the other side of the next door.
It is shouting about the danger he poses...

2024-10-16 05:15:52

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@npub1wfd…68tj
They are not even looking at the fist!
They a looking at something off stage right...

2024-10-09 04:53:56

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@npub1wfd…68tj
I'm impressed that she's been given perfectly realistic proportions.
You know, like they'd used an everyday person as a model.

2024-10-08 14:05:43

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@npub147m…7rue
What do you use for your full sky shots?
A fisheye, or a 360 type camera?

2024-10-07 04:33:25

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@npub1wfd…68tj
"Hey Mike, give us a hand here! Mike? Oh, you idiot, Mike, I told you not to go on the pub crawl last night."

2024-10-07 04:33:25

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@npub1wfd…68tj
"Hey Mike, give us a hand here! Mike? Oh, you idiot, Mike, I told you not to go on the pub crawl last night."

2024-09-13 14:12:19

I've been published!
Well, sort of. At the start of this year I set up some of my #solargraph cameras at #RooftopMovies - and they have just published a writeup, complete with link back to my project page!
https://rooftopmovies.com.au/news/a-new-perspective-on-the-season-that-was
#photography #Solargraphy

2024-09-13 04:59:57

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@npub1wfd…68tj
"Honey, I know you're from my future, but you have to understand - I'm from yours!"
"What?"'
"I'd hoped to catch you before I left."
"But that was what I was planning!"
"Well poo."

2024-09-09 04:29:23

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@npub1wfd…68tj
Mike, we warned you about putting LOX on the BBQ. Now what are we going to do for dinner?

2024-08-30 05:04:31

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@npub1wfd…68tj
Ernest's neighbours hated it when he had beans for dinner.
One, they made him sleepwalk.
Two, the literally explosive effects on his digestion.

2024-08-29 05:12:05

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@npub1wfd…68tj
"Wait! You're not the Vizier!"
"You're not my evil sister!"
(Together) "Who are you?"

2024-08-11 12:47:18

Today's #Sun and #Moon . Taken 10 minutes apart around midday.
Both shot with a #DwarfII
Sun: 10*1/320@0 with ND1e6.
Moon:100*1/200
Postprocessed in #Snapseed and #googlephotos
#astronomy #Astrodon #astrophotography
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/943/454/976/882/762/original/f211c266700371b3.jpeg

2024-08-02 05:14:10

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@npub1wfd…68tj
Later she credited her victory to the training of her teacher, Mistress Bush.

2024-08-02 05:12:01

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@npub1wfd…68tj
Mounted on her battle cricket, Helga charged towards the dragonworm.
At the last moment, she drew upon her deepest powers, and assaulted the creature with a barrage of interpretive dance!

2024-07-24 04:56:12

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@npub1wfd…68tj
I know it's your turn now, but trust me, you really don't want to go in there right now. Those eggs from LV-426 really do a number.

2024-07-21 03:27:04

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@npub1wfd…68tj
OK, George! Get the cup ready for the perfect espresso!

2024-07-17 04:56:05

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@npub1wfd…68tj
The giant sentient beach ball looked on in horror as the terrifyingly pointy rocket dove towards its skin!

2024-07-09 11:10:45

Woo! #Deadloch has been renewed!
https://screenrant.com/deadloch-season-2-renewal-confirmed-story-character-details/
Many thanks to @npub1d58…zhj8 for letting me know!

2024-06-29 05:22:35

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@npub1wfd…68tj
That was it. This was absolutely the last time they were ever letting Smithson try to bake a cake.

2024-06-26 04:48:13

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@npub1wfd…68tj
Oh man, did you have to use that to get me up? It is still early! I hope there's coffee.
There's no coffee??
You are going to fix that, aren't you?

2024-06-22 03:54:14

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@npub147m…7rue
I've not heard of them, I'll look them up. Thanks!

2024-06-22 02:13:57

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@npub147m…7rue
Gorgeous! 8*10, though? That's huge! What are using for the housing? Sewer pipe?

2024-06-04 05:33:24

#linux #unix #sysadminlife
Without looking at the man page:
What is the difference between
mv -nfi a b
mv -fin a b
mv -inf a b
??

2024-05-11 02:47:54

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@npub1wfd…68tj
It is quite comfortable, actually. I sleep like this every night, why do you ask?

2024-04-27 05:48:47

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@npub1wfd…68tj
Praise be to you, oh Maker of Bones! We thank you for the stripping of unsightly flesh, and the bringing of New People! Grace us now with your departure that we may welcome our new fellows to our lands!

2024-03-26 13:47:38

For the past six weeks I have been working on a #solargraphy project with #RoofTopMovies and #Artrage .
I have just wrapped it up.
You can read all about it here:
https://rdmasters.lympago.com/p/rooftop-movies-solargraphs.html
#Photography #solargraph #art

2024-03-23 02:03:35

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@npub1wfd…68tj
The Terror from the Abyss is clearly a nasty eye infection. So my vote is for "no".

2024-02-02 09:58:33

Yesterday I learned that, GMT+3 timezone notwithstanding, Ethiopia counts 00:00h from dawn.
So 06:00 is midday. 12:00 is sunset. And because they are sufficiently close to the equator, this does not significantly move during the course of the year. So they set all the clocks once, and, eh, good enough.
This is a massive "stuff you" to the western world - they are perfectly aware of how much it screws with everyone else, and regard this as a feature. Indeed, they absolutely delight in it.
Good on them!
#timezones #anticolonialism #Ethiopia

2023-12-25 14:45:29

@StuffByBez @npub1d58…zhj8 and I finally did a #DrawnTogetherGame against each other!
Snowperson vs Tree, and this is the result.
Judging was by @npub1d58…zhj8's mum who decided ttzfabjcrefbaddc (rot13 padded).
The process is competitive but meditative, which is a very strange headspace to be in. Really fun, but strange. This is very much a positive feature.
I can easily see one with a larger field count being playable by teams.
@npub10yw…9zm7 you may reshare across multiple platforms.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/111/641/555/428/953/694/original/b3e43a88310eef7f.jpg

2023-10-28 03:44:06

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@npub1d62…tshf @npub1mj7…wnjt
Tomorrow People I believe :)

2023-09-04 23:55:55

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@npub1nxt…055a
"What do you think, Ben?"
"It looks amazing, Mum!"
"Well, we are moving here."
"Yeah, we couldn't really stay, could we? Is Dad coming?"
"He's already here."
"Neat!" Ben's face fell.
"What's wrong?"
"It's just... The other kids. What if they ask..."
"Just tell them that we moved because of environmental issues at the old colony."
"Okay...but do you promise not to go into the kitchen again?"
Mary sighed. "I promise."
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-09-03 23:49:23

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@npub1nxt…055a
Of course you are still sleeping, dear.
This? One of your dreams, surely you can recognize that.
One of Edgar's? I suppose it could become that. Is that what you want?
I did not think so. Is it to be something more sensual then?
No? My, that is a surprise.
Philosophy? Here? With me?
Why not, indeed. Tell me, do you think you will recall this?
Hints and echoes only? Perhaps, but you intrigue me. Maybe I can make an arrangement.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-09-03 01:39:01

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@npub1nxt…055a
It hurt. It hurt a lot. This was the worst part of being functionally immortal.
Your body pulling itself together every time something tried to kill you.
This time Edith's ex-husband had pushed her into a volcano. Jake did not know that she was not exactly human anymore.
The magma that was caught up in her body burned, and then Edith knew what her next move would be.
She was going to thank Jake, by giving him a big hug.
#WritingCommunity
#Midjourney
#WritingPrompt
#SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-09-02 01:09:02

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@npub1nxt…055a
The plume from the fuel quality tester was different. that was sure, but ultimately this was a low-class starport.
The Scouts kept it running because it was a useful refuelling point, but the planet had little else to recommend it. The atmosphere was tainted with burn products, the plant life (when not burning) required vat processing to make it even a bit edible, and even the water needed treatment.
Thank the Emperor they had finally gotten a transfer. Even if it meant six months in cold-sleep.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork
(A very strong Traveller universe inspiration here!)

2023-08-31 23:56:25

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@npub1nxt…055a
"George?"
"Err, yeah?"
"Is Mary OK?"
"Yes..."
"Of course she is. What did I tell you on your wedding day?"
There was a mumble.
"What?"
"Never let her into the kitchen, not even to make it tea."
"And what happened?"
"I let her try making baked beans in the pressure cooker."
I clipped my son on the back of his head. "You idiot."

2023-08-29 23:43:20

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@npub1nxt…055a
It was only seconds after the wizard Carnos completed the summoning that he realized he had made a terrible mistake.
He thought that no one summoned magma elementals because no one had worked it out.
He learned that many before had succeeded - to their brief regret.
The heat from the elemental melted the stones the protective circle had been inscribed on, and the flow of lava engulfed the wizard.
Then the elemental started to rampage.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork #Fantasy
Fantasy rather than SF, but it is all specfic, right?

2023-08-27 01:45:04

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@npub1nxt…055a
Inspired by a childhood trip, Emily Fitzhugh used her inheritance to commission a new astrosphere to her own specifications. With it, she built charts and maps of some of the deepest parts of space, all accompanied by her sketches and paintings. These she sent back to Dublin using messenger spheres, and the university published them for her.
The biographies say she travelled alone and that she never returned to Earth.
Finally, I can say what really happened.
I am Emily.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-08-25 23:10:45

Back in the day, and I mean starting around the turn of last century, you'd hunt for planets by taking photos through your telescope days or weeks apart, and then comparing the two plates.
Today I proved to myself that I have photographed Neptune from my front garden.
Last week, I took this shot with my DwarfII - 10x15s exposures, stacked, and filtered to make everything yellow. In theory, somewhere in this image is Neptune. Good luck working out where!
#astrophotography #neptune #planethunting #dwarfii #snapseed #science
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/110/952/774/408/512/888/original/15d4c1989e5ab86c.jpeg

2023-08-23 00:09:45

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@npub1nxt…055a
"Fifteen counts of murder in the first degree, twenty counts of deprivation of liberty, twenty four counts of grievous bodily harm, and two counts of littering. Does your client understand the charges?"
The two conferred quietly.
"My client questions the littering charges."
"The clothes."
"Ah, yes. They understand now."
"There will be a court appearance tomorrow to consider bail, but they should not get their hopes up."
"Yes, that is understood." The quasiorganic lawyer stood, and offered a hand. "Tomorrow, then."
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-08-22 09:17:48

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@npub1nxt…055a
Above me the sky suddenly exploded into a burst of debris and a young woman.
A very familiar young woman.
Flying towards me rather - Ooof!
By the time my thoughts had caught up with what was happening, she had collided with me, and flung me to the ground.
"Erica?"
"Yep!"
"But the ship exploded! Nearly a month ago!"
"Yep! Wait? A month?"
"Err, yes?"
"It was tricky figuring out how to bend the hyperwave while holding my breath, sorry it took a while."
With that she stopped me talking for a time.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-08-21 10:03:46

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@npub1nxt…055a
Carol, that is really quite unnerving.
She's fine. Now. Poor thing had been hit by some jerk in a pickup. I had to do something, or she would have died. She's even raised a litter this year.
She just looks ... dangerous.
Nah, she's a sweetheart. Unless you're an owl. Or a bobcat. Or a Ford F150.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-08-20 02:57:02

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@npub1nxt…055a
What about the Canaries, John?
No, we tried there. And Hawaii is a wash as well, Mike.
Have you considered one of the trenches?
John, if that's the place, then I'm screwed anyway.
Maybe Nuie?
Where?
Nuie, a little island nation in the Pacific. Here, let me show you.
Huh. Maybe, let's run a scan.
And maybe next time you'll take better care of your contact lenses!
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-08-19 02:17:53

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@npub1nxt…055a
Thank-you my fans! Keep the donations flowing!
Setting up this diorama was a particular challenge.
Like all of my works, I rendered this one at full-scale. Getting the models in the right places was especially challenging, but judicious use of titanium armatures inserted into their joints solved a lot of the problems.
Summoning the wood daemon was comparatively simple and it was very cooperative, especially when offered the models as payment.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork
(For the record: Ewww! What a nasty, nasty person!)

2023-08-18 00:11:21

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@npub1nxt…055a
Right, so your railgun emplacement has taken out my hovertank, but the cluster shell missed the marine squad.
CORRECT. ALSO COLLATERAL DAMAGE TO THE BUNKER BERMS.
Ah, yes, thanks for that.
Now, I advance the Marines to the railgun, and they engage the crew. (rolls dice) They defeat the crew.
My remaining scout armour advances to here. And targets your command post.
BEST THREE OF FIVE?

2023-08-17 04:40:35

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@npub1nxt…055a
Michael?
Yes, Professor?
You know what is really strange working with these homunculi remotes?
What, Prof?
Looking at yourself. You always look strange. Especially with other spectra.
I guess it would be weird, Prof.
Eh, would you look at that?
What?
I've got a tumour just below my pineal. You don't see that every day!
Err, Prof? I'll call a doctor.
I think it might be time to try a full transfer, don't you?
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-08-16 00:06:58

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@npub1nxt…055a
George and Xilith had been everything. Colleagues, friends, collaborators, and eventually not so much fell as amiably wandered into love.
Both were highly qualified biochemists, so they were not going to let a little matter of incompatible biologies stop them.
They were going to make a daughter, combining the best of both their vastly disparate metabolisms and structures.
It was just going to take a bit more effort than usual.

2023-08-15 00:05:01

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@npub1nxt…055a
Adro hated getting blown up.
Sure, he would survive the experience, but he hated the rebuilding process.
Especially the bit after his brain and nerve systems were reintegrated. After that point he was conscious. And could feel everything.
He was so going to take it out on his attempted assassin. Again. Because it seems that they have the same nanostructures as him.
Sure he won't be able to kill them, but he can make sure they'll be in just as much pain.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork
Partly inspired by the hero of Jeffery Carver's From a Changeling Star.

2023-08-14 00:08:17

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@npub1nxt…055a
Young Wilson finally finished it. If his calculations were correct, this should do exactly what he wanted.
His mix of Hopscotch and the Hokey-pokey would go down in playground history!
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-08-13 03:39:29

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@npub1nxt…055a
Dr Shannon looked at the mess.
"Barry, I'm sorry to say that you've flunked this test. It is back to class for you."
"Damnit. It looked like every other bit of this desert."
"You should have been checking your instruments. They would have shown it up over a 100 metres away."
"But how do we know any of this will be of any use?"
"We don't. The point is to prepare you to think through whatever weirdness you meet out there on our first exoplanet landing."
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-08-07 04:08:55

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@npub1nxt…055a
"So these are the new goggles for the super-suit?"
"Yep. They look cool."
"So, what super-powers do they have? Do they shoot lasers, or analyse your enemy's weaknesses?"
"They look cool."
"Yeah, but what do they do? X-ray vision??"
"They look *cool*."
"What? That's it?"
"Yep. Do you know how hard it is to look cool wearing an outfit like that? Looking cool is a certified super-power."
"..."
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-08-02 04:30:46

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@npub1nxt…055a Gavin completed the final hookup, and the generator activated, warping and compressing a tiny portion of spacetime.
He did not expect to survive the experience - all his calculations said that the byproduct energies would be fatal.
As such, he was amazed to see that the tiny bubble he had created stabilise and settle. And that he was, for now, still alive.
He had done it. He had created a Tiny Bang - and a whole new universe hovered before him.
"Huh, I guess I am technically a god now."
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-07-17 23:34:32

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@npub1nxt…055a
He rested back on his chair, and surveyed the city.
His city.
Well, not really his, but his to taunt. He could see the snarl around the Central Mall. Some sport to be had there.
Donny stood up, and kicked his grav board to life.
Time to play.
(Oddly, I can explain the strange pose - https://www.amazon.com.au/Invisible-Portable-Chairless-Wearable-Exoskeleton/dp/B0B8NV9GXP )
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-07-17 11:15:29

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@npub1nxt…055a
Pete did not like his choices. The volcano had picked today to erupt, and already the obsidian lava tube was leaking fresh magma.
Meanwhile, a cat 4 cyclone was making landfall. The cyclone he'd been planning on sheltering from in here.
He could see the storm surge heading his way. If he could anchor himself, the sea water might just save him!
Now, how to anchor himself to glass?
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-07-16 09:32:39

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@npub1nxt…055a (Take 2 on posting - actually replying this time!)
When the invaders came, nothing could stop them. Earth's weapons were useless.
Not everything went their way, though - accidents happen to the highest of technologies.
Mark had found a crashed invader fighter, and figured out how to cobble together the engine, main gun, and control systems into a minimal working craft.
What Mark did not know was that he'd also accidentally included the IFF transmitter, but not the receiver.
The invaders literally could not shoot him down.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-07-14 10:05:27

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@npub1nxt…055a
Mitch checked his life support.
15 hours remaining, at minimal levels.
Batteries would last another 3 hours after that.
"Ada? Relative velocity to nearest hab ring?"
"17m/s. Your current trajectory will pass you through the ring centre in ..."
"Stop Ada!", he interrupted the suit's computer. "Ada, start mayday and log dump on parallel channels in 10 hours."
"Confirmed."
"Reduce life support to minimum."
"Confirmed "
If he was lucky, he'd wake up in a sick bay on a hab ring.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-07-11 05:30:24

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@npub1nxt…055a
Cerians are firm believers in open government. Even non-citizens can volunteer to be a part of it.
It even pays well.
The catch is that you, and all your immediate relatives, have to move to Governance Station.
Any residence there can be ejected on a 75% poll of the people, and these polls happen weekly via a simple multiple choice list.
Ejections are rare, after the first purge some 200 years ago. That saw over 80% of the government ejected. Since then only eight have been ejected.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-07-10 12:28:43

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@npub1nxt…055a
It was the greatest invention of the Varan Panfederation.
A mighty engine - able to grant those who sought it out immense power.
Or so the stories go. But only if you don't stop to ask "Where are the people it granted powers to?"
It does exist. And it will demand you give everything to it.
And if you do give it what you have, it will give you something.
Illusions of powers, shadows of greatness. And you will happily stay there, believing it all.
Which is why the Varans have never had a despot or megalomaniac take over.

2023-07-09 02:42:36

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@npub1nxt…055a
The MFAIFV was the latest project from the Pentagon. The Multi Function Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle was intended to fulfil every role that could be required for an infantry platoon.
Mine clearing, fire support, ditch making and filling, river crossing, the lot. This was a machine that could do it all.
Unfortunately this meant that it did none of it well. On top of that, the huge number of wheels meant that it had a turning circle that was measured in football-fields, not feet.
(Note: Any resemblance to the history of the Bradley is entirely satirical.)

2023-07-07 01:19:07

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@npub1nxt…055a
Edith tried not to come into this room too often. The particulate contamination was high enough to be visible, and the protective suits were only so good.
"Somewhere in all this, she would have left a clue. Come on, Miche, talk to me." she muttered. Michelle had been gone for three years now, lost in the first few days of the dispersal. But her notes must have a clue.
Wait! There! In Miche's crabbed hand "Temp+Solv=Diss" "H2O? Universal?"
Maybe steam could save them?

2023-07-05 03:13:47

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@npub1nxt…055a
Try new Mutagene! The hot new cool drink!
Don't waste your time with radioactive spiders or gamma radiation sources, instead try Mutagene! With a great chilli-lemon flavour, caffeine, and 5% RNA/DNA recombination accelerants, you'll feel like a new you in no time at all!
* Effects of RNA and DNA recombination are not reproducible, and may have unwanted side effects. Not approved by the FDA. Drink at own risk. No responsibility taken for mental or physical damage that may result. Do not use if pregnant, or may be.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork
Somehow I regret writing this...

2023-07-04 00:07:47

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@npub1nxt…055a
Locusts don't have nests or queens, so these were not locusts, for all that they swarmed and devoured like them. Jackie knew all of this, because she had studied these creatures, and tracked them back to their source.
She figured out how to trick them into letting her into the nest unharmed.
And she figured out how to get twenty tonnes of ANFO into it.
She walked away, and pressed the detonator.

2023-06-29 00:44:01

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@npub1nxt…055a
Captain Ashwan seemed to be permanently pissed off with the universe.
To be fair, he usually was. He was a fighter jock, he had no reason to be the commander of a multi kilotonne exploration ship. And yet the powers that be sent him here. He still did not have to like it.
Time to talk to his counterpart.
"CES Chandry, this is VES Accord, Actual."
There was a pause.
"Ash? Is that you?"
"Tannis? Gods, the universe does hate me!"
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork
This is part 4 of what appears to be a series now!
Part 1:
https://aus.social/@rdm/109879732783193999
Part 2:
https://aus.social/@rdm/109883459253474833
Part 3: https://aus.social/@rdm/110558328018749650

2023-06-18 08:59:02

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@npub1nxt…055a
We've been flying for over eighty years now. No human here has walked on the Earth.
Our last transmission from the ground was five years ago, but our cameras confirm that there are civilisations continuing there. They may even be listening, but they do not, or cannot, talk back to us. But we are seeing some amazing changes there. And we know the robots are still there - we can track them.
Now humans are starting to grow again. This time it is a little different, though.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork
With apologies to #YKK #YokohamaKaidashiKikou #HitoshiAshinano

2023-06-17 07:16:46

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@npub1nxt…055a
The war was over at last, and they were even allies - of a sort - now. Who knew the Varans could be honourable?
And it was all thanks to one pilot, who got lost, and did the impossible.
Now they were going to welcome her home.
And maybe, just maybe, Tannis would tell them the real story of how she ended up in a Varan strike formation. And how she talked it out of carrying out the attack.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork
See also:
https://aus.social/@rdm/109879732783193999
and
https://aus.social/@rdm/109883459253474833

2023-06-17 02:47:49

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@npub1nxt…055a
Yes, this was mine. This was how I survived the raids. How I defeated the central control systems.
It seems so simple in hindsight - the robots all used the same image recognition systems we had developed. And they all had the same flaws.
They would see what they expected to see.
So I built this in my lab and put it on.
The kill-bots saw another robot, and moved on.
And I moved on to the datacentre. And hit the scam switch.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-06-17 02:40:25

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@npub1nxt…055a
"Well gentlemen, we can confirm that the time-machine works."
"We could be dealing with a parallel universe transfer."
"My arrival without Richard strongly supports this hypothesis. From my origin Richard went to relieve himself just before I powered the system on."
"OK, so we have a parallel-universe fetching system. Now what?"
"We need to calculate the differences. Try finding one that's different, but similar."
"Like?"
"Flipped genders or orientations?"
"Could be awkward..."
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-06-11 01:41:54

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@npub1nxt…055a
New! Improved! Barstowe's Patented Visual Replicator! Now with Moving Images and Sound Reproduction!
With Barstowe's Visual Replicator you can re-create any scene anywhere by simply keying in a date, time, place, heading, and duration. The Visual Replicator will then play back up to 10 minutes of the scene.
Note: Recordings from the Visual Replicator are not admissible in court. Failure to follow all instructions can lead to unintended consequences.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork
Inspired by the Paragraphica.

2023-06-03 02:37:37

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@npub1nxt…055a
"As you can see, I do use magic to aid my work. It is better healing than destroying. I learned that as a child."
With that, the light floated over to me, and the side of my breast peeled back. The tumor disentangled itself from my body. The skin folded back.
"There. Done. You will still need some followup therapy. I can help with that as well."
He handed me a small bottle. It glowed.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork
Any resemblance, etc...

2023-05-29 02:02:13

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@npub1nxt…055a
"As you can see from this image, neurons in the brain are tightly interconnected.
My research has shown that it is possible to bind neurons to new pathways by aural stimulus, and that these bindings are permanent, reprogramming a mind forever. Just as I am reprogramming all of you. You will be mine forever. I am never going to give you up."
And with that, a million people were permanently rickrolled, never to escape.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-05-28 00:35:43

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@npub1nxt…055a
Hey is this thing on?
OK, so howabout this whole asteroid thing, I reckon it is being blown up all out of proportion. I mean, a giant rock? I eat giant rocks for breakfast. Well, with breakfast, anyway. Helps with the digestion. So I think if there is a giant one coming this way, what we need to do is set up a nice big buffet, so we've got some use for it!
Thank-you.
Oh yeah, and what is with these mammals popping up?
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork #dinosaurs #asteroid #standup

2023-05-25 03:45:53

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@npub1nxt…055a
"OK, so I need to get to the security cabinet, copy and clear the video and alarm records, and kill the external feed, then get to the roof, while you get to the reactor, pull the control rods, extract the cesium core, and meet me on the roof. "
"Seven minutes?"
"Seven and change. Around the World?"
"Hit it!"
(With apologies to Hudson Hawk)
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork #hudsonhawk

2023-05-24 00:16:37

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@npub1nxt…055a
"Ah, so the last player in this game has arrived at last.
Thank you all for attending, although I suspect one of you will not be thanking me.
Major Thomas, of the Terrans.
General D'cantor, of the Unholy Light.
And Independant AI Goes Before.
I have brought you all here to reveal who killed T'Bore of Silgarth just before the peace negotiations were to start. "
And with that I shot the Terran in the head. Green oozed out.
"No one. T'Bore killed Major Thomas!"
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork

2023-05-20 00:46:23

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@npub1nxt…055a
"No Mum, I don't think you should use that mask here to talk to the starport. Use the cat one instead."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I looked up this place - they have a morbid fear of anything without fur. So I'll need one too."
She sighed. Maybe one day they'd find a place that was not terminally hostile to humans.
Given what they had done in the War, it was unlikely. Given what she had done, it was even more unlikely.

2023-05-14 06:07:06

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@npub1nxt…055a
Most Xboats were old, and this one was about 160. Marga had been flying her for 23 of them.
Not that there was a lot to do.
Accept a download, jump, transmit the download, and wait for the tender to pick her up to refuel.
Rinse and repeat.
It did mean she had a lot of time to work on her second thesis, her third novel, and workout down in her room.
It also helped that she really did not like other people at all.
#WritingCommunity #Midjourney #WritingPrompt #SecretSciFiNetwork #travellerrpg