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Amalgam Universe

A 2236-post collection

Challenge #04535-L151: Blown Back

The first hundred times didn't work out so good, but this time it will. -- Anon Guest

If at first you don't succeed... the saying goes. Sometimes, try, try, and try again, is not the ideal solution. It's that kind of philosophy that results in history's echoes.

Again and again, those who rise to power seek to create their ideal society by forcing the populace to adhere to rigid rules or face harsh punishment. Again and again, the populace rebels and the powerful end up paying for their hubris with their lives.

Again and again, another leader rises from the throng, determined to make a new and better future. They can succeed, for a time. But sooner or later, another has grand ideas that would work if everyone just behaved.

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Challenge #04534-L150: Ameliorative Measures

They said the eclipse would only last minutes. It's been a century. -- Anon Guest

We know the sun is still there. We can see its corona around the shadow of the moon. We're lucky that we have the technology to grow crops without sunlight. We're very lucky that our energy sources aren't causing more problems than they solved.

If this had happened half a century earlier, we would be looking to our extinction in a mere handful of years.

If it

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Challenge #04529-L145: Flaws Flayed Bare

Yes, I am a killer. Don't worry, none of those I kill ever suffer. Your death will be completely painless, unlike what you did to YOUR victims. The warnings to others like you come later. You are, after all, going to be quite a lovely statue when I'm done. Your muscles out for the world to see.

( The displays are based off of this. https://bodyworlds.com/ ) -- Anon Guest

[AN: FTR the bodies used for that art are donated for the

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Challenge #04527-L143: Prodigal Return Protocol

The universe loves unexpected plot twists. The human is still alive, just barely, suffering oxygen deprivation. A cranky old space-trucker manages to haul them into the otherwise empty cargo hold, turn the air on, and help.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04503-l119-so-long-and-thanks -- The New Guy

The odds of being picked up by a passing vehicle when close to death in a Livesuit are millions, possibly billions to one. Fortunately for Human Zain, million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten[

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Challenge #04526-L142: The Power Within

They were from a place that mistreated them for their weight and was upset. Twii, and a kind therapist who realized that the main problem was a genetic disorder, helped them realize that their life was worth keeping. That hope was not just an obscure word in the dictionary. -- Anon Guest

Therapist Kremp said he needed a confidence boost. Peej was almost entirely certain that she was going to set up some easy test to pass or some false scenario in

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Challenge #04522-L138: Confounded Language

Their language was so foreign, that even the basics were almost completely unintelligible. But the offers of aid and kindness, well that language is universal. -- Anon Guest

"Vada trues!" called the blurry figure lifting up debris. The light made Liis blink, but the words made him wonder if the live feed translator app was broken. Liis was too exhausted, too hurt, and too sick to try messing with his interface.

On the other hand, it might be a concussion. Liis decided

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Challenge #04521-L137: Here to Help

Inspired by the SES - State Emerrgency Services... Galactic Emergency Services, or Alliance Emergency Services?

Humans gonna Human. -- InterNutter

Arn woke up in freefall, bumping gently against what had once been a wall decoration. It, too, was far from where it belonged. She recovered enough wits to look around. Good news? Bad news? Deal-with-it-later news?

Okay. Good news, the passive air ciculation and lighting was working. Glow-in-the-dark patches, strips, and spots gave shape to the otherwise pitch-dark bridge. The air circulation

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Challenge #04519-L135: Sing Your Woes

They thought human companion animals were mostly quiet. Then the new human security officer brought in their pet husky! -- Anon Guest

[AN: I have not met nor do I know any huskies, but I gather they have a highly justified reputation for supreme drama. Or opera, which is pretty much the same thing.]

The first impression of Human Fulk's pet, Bobbie, was Holy Powers, that's a flakking wolf! And there were very many Galactics who made the same conclusion. Thus, Human

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Challenge #04514-L130: Craft Chaos Chamber

The one thing about being a space trucker is you took on projects to pass the time from place to place. Heh, but I seem to have taken on too many at once. You've ridden with me quite a while, and while I don't mind being a free taxi, you think you can help me finish some? -- Anon Guest

Sanity Projects exist to help an idle mind and idle hands stay out of trouble. The description is right there on the

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Challenge #04513-L129: Permission Denied

Weapons were banned on the station save for trained security personnel. You wanted to bring your weapon? Fine, it was either locked in a specially sealed display box, or left in security until YOU left the station. Sadly, WAY too many knomiras scream, when they find out . "I have right to be armed!" -- Anon Guest

[AN: The right to bear arms should always come with the responsibility to handle and use them as safely as possible.]

There were up sides and

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Challenge #04512-L128: Ordinary Household Chemicals

An experienced soap maker is treating the burns of someone new to the craft.

"I told you to add the lye to the water, not water to the lye!"

ow... that hurts... what's the difference?

"Severe burns and scalding hot water jetting back at you due to the reaction! At least pouring it in to the water rather than having it under the water allows the gasses to escape BEFORE you mix it!" -- Lessons

The tap was whining at Zienn as

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Challenge #04509-L125: The Terror Within

The researchers startled from their tents to hear screaming from the tent belonging to the humans. They see two humans trying to calm the third, who looked terrified. They explained, gently, their friend dealt with night-terrors sometimes, the past was not a gentle one. -- The New Guy

Of all possible rude awakenings, one of the worst has to be waking up to witness your roommate being killed. Leading slightly above that is doing the same with another individual readying their weapon

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Challenge #04508-L124: Just Open the Door

They're shy, terrified of talking to others about how they feel, and still suffering, mentally, from all they endured from the polity they were rescued from. The therapist, suggests writing out their feelings instead, since talking about it is so difficult for them. When they admit they are unable to read or write, They are given a diary, a few pencils, and a lesson book, and introduced to another who'd been rescued from that polity, who was willing to teach. -- Lessons

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Challenge #04506-L122: A Very Special Exemption

One would think the CRC would stomp on a workplace making their people work 50 hour weeks and weekends. But the employees knew this would happen, they're told clearly about it up front before they agree to be hired, for only about 3 months out every year before going back to normal work hours. And honestly? The overtime pay was VERY much worth it! -- Anon Guest

It took some significant effort to come up with Galactic Standard Time, the Galactic Standard

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Challenge #04505-L121: Utility of Blades

Why do you have so many knives, surely you don't need more than one? -- She Who Knits

"Oh I need all of them," said Human Mar, "and don't call me Shirley." Currently in the midst of sharpening one, he checked the blade's sharpness against his thumbnail.

"Pardon?" said Companion Gij, her feathers half-fluffed in anxiety. "I did not do that."

"Ancient Terran joke. Never mind." The knife passed its odd inspection and returned to its sheath, then to its place on

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