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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[1].

...a nightingale sang in Berkely Square, sang Vera Lynn. I know, 'cause I was there...

Zain opened his eyes. Very surprised to see an Automed's servos tending to his body. One of them unplugged his headset and Vera gave way to the zip and whine of the motors, the beep of the monitors, and the underlying hiss of the air recycling system. This air smelled differently to the Lizard ship.

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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 #04525-L141: Treacherous Terrain

You're never too old to learn. And despite their ages, even ancient legends make mistakes. These two get quite the tongue lashing about watching where they're going as, in a moment of distraction, they nearly walk into an area where rock slides are being deliberately triggered to stabilize the hillside. They almost got buried. -- Lessons

Even though he looked like a Gnome, Bibrid was still a Dragon, and retained the compulsion to collect bright, shiny objects. That was what started it,

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Challenge #04524-L140: Kharmic Realignment

You look so sad, why do you laugh?

"Because as much as they hurt me, they needed me far more than I needed them."

What happened?

"I walked away, and while I did not hurt them, exactly, I also refused to let them hurt me anymore."

And then?

"They hurt themselves instead. I do not laugh because I am happy of it. But rather, because I refuse to let them make me cry anymore." -- Anon Guest

Officially homeless, Ihagrah carried her

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Challenge #04523-L139: Works Like a Charm

They were selling tail hairs from unicorns and small pieces of horn. Small skeins of elf hair, and the shells of dragon eggs. Where did they get these? From bushes where hairs naturally were lost to shedding, places where pieces could be found where horns were scraped due to sharpening. From brushes after a being brushed their hair and threw the loose hairs from the brushes into leavings, and the shells were gathered, politely of course, by asking to clean the nest

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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 #04520-L136: Itinerant Sustenance Salesperson

Food Vans, Pie Carts and the dulcet tones of the ice cream seller. No matter where you are and what species you belong too., the urge for a quick or not so quick meal is universal. -- She Who Knits.

The concept of portable food is as old as gather-hunting. It's the concept of pre-prepared portable food that is, perhaps, one of the keystones of civilisation. The technology may differ, but the idea of someone else doing the cooking has appeal. Appeal

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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 #04518-L134: Heroic Motivation

They're at an Inn in the lands of Whitekeep, but do not sleep. When asked why, the human merely states that sleep scares them to death. Ever since evil pretending to be heroes, stole their brother's life. -- Anon Guest

[AN: Whitekeep's just one region in all of Alfarell. For most of the history, it was a quiet little Earldom that nobody cared about]

Bors was a man of rituals and superstition. If there was a day that he failed to don

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Challenge #04517-L133: Enlightened Self Interest

They noticed that their vampiric lover had begun to change their diet. Less bread was being offered, fewer potatoes, fewer baked treats. Instead, leaner meats, more vegetables and fresh fruit, more water, and even a change in the tea.

When confronted, the vampire looked into their eyes with immense worry and said softly, "Your blood is getting far too sweet." -- Anon Guest

[AN: Calling back to https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04494-l110-agreement-on-amends ]

Love is a strange beast and takes many shapes.

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Challenge #04516-L132: Unknown Peace

While almost the entire world knew who Wraithvine was, ze was unknown in this village. It was a peaceful, quiet, place, mostly. Though they had their issues like everywhere else. But unlike most of the world? Here? The name Wraithvine was entirely unknown. -- Anon Guest

[AN: This prompt has been corrected from having erroneous pronouns]

A wandering Wizard walks the road less traveled. It's the way ze finds the most interesting situations. The places where ze may be needed the most

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Challenge #04515-L131: A Taste of Home

Just like Mother used to make. A childhood treat, comfort food. There are thing that bring back memories from 'Granny's apple cake to 'Stretch the budget stew, where the vegetable crisper gets cleared out 3 days before pay day. -- She Who Knits

Far from civilisation as they knew it, far from the places they called home, scrounging together a meal out of whatever they had, the Adventurers were homesick. Huddled around the campfire, watching their meagre scrapings becoming part of their

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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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