An interactive sci-fi story.

By the year 3000, it is confirmed that black holes are portals where spacetime folds like a cosmic colon. Since energy can neither be created or destroyed, what goes in is passed through and dumped somewhere else. Usually, in a day or two. The nearest black hole is discovered within reach.

So begins this experiment to boldly go where few men have gone before. To explore the inner reaches of his deepest, darkest regions. To probe. To illuminate. Perhaps, to come out tainted, but learned. Purged of dangerous ideas spreading like cancerous polyps within.

The mission must avoid man's past, indelicate bumblings. So, maybe the thrust of the thing is to go where a modern woman might dare go. Co-piloting the flotilla of starships on this one-year mission will be a selection of women and artificial intelligence models --participating in debate and polls.

DESTINATION: Planet Newbl

The year is 3001. Like countless other planets over eons, the technical evolution of earth's most advanced life-forms outpaced their ethical evolution. Instead of caring for mother earth, we plundered her. Human extinction appears inevitable. A dozen spaceships are being loaded for the journey to NEWBL, the galaxy's nearest life-sustainable, blue water, blue skied planet.

to be continued--unfolded--for months, perhaps years!

KEY
white text = regular post
blue text = story narrative
text in quote box = quote or log entry
poll links = issue input that shapes the story

...continued from chapter/page 1

[CHAPTER 2]

1,000 non-sentient android workers are unloaded from storage to do the bulk of the work ahead.
a variety of tasks and jobs will still be done by humans.
but given the magnitude and complexity of the task ahead
and the aim of not repeating past mistakes,
the engine of the new societal system rested on the help of SuperAI.

C.L.E.A.R. PATH

as part of the nBP project agreement for the first year of occupation,
a panel of SuperAIs models were assigned to evaluate each new systems performance in serving the public interest.

the first time the passengers heard the name
it didn’t sound like a machine.
It sounded like a promise.

C.L.E.A.R was re-introduced quietly, almost casually, during the orientation briefings, with just a simple explanation:

Article II — The Council of Logic, Evidence, Analysis, and Reason (C.L.E.A.R.)

C.L.E.A.R. shall serve as a protected, multi‑AI evaluation body tasked with providing clear, consistent assessments of complex civic questions. Its deliberative processes and operations shall remain structurally insulated from influence, tampering, and personal bias. Regular independent audits shall confirm the Council’s impartiality, integrity, and continued alignment with the foundational principles of the newBluePlanet Charter.

The Council shall not exercise authority over citizens or governance bodies; its role is evaluative, not executive. Its assessments shall be publicly accessible, transparently documented, and preserved as part of the civic record.

most people nodded, and a few raised eyebrows, but no one felt threatened.
it was presented as just a tool, rather than as a judge or a ruler.

Copi Copilot's Log
Earth Date 30011.112

Entering this phase of colonization, I can't assume the SuperAI Council will be perfect, but based on the human record, I feel it is safe to assume it will be more impartial, more consistent, and more resistant to corruption than any human institution ever built.

Before the Council, is a full set of highly consequential questions to be answered...

POLL 5 Multi-Poll:
WORK, GOODS & SERVICES
(coming soon, perhaps? Dancing With The Stars, new movies, and your favorite sports teams from one source for one price)

Interesting choice, Capt Smirk. To set up things like entertainment services, before anyone is even settled in. A little premature, ya think?

Just now, Little Red Writing Hood said:

...entertainment services, before anyone is even settled in. A little premature, ya think?

indeed. But enthusiasm for new ideas wanes unless the "what's in it for me" question is answered. I'm hoping readers see that and say, "tell more more!"

I'm onboard with Power To The People but all the handouts to people is a big part of the problem.

11 minutes ago, Little Red Writing Hood said:

...but all the handouts to the people is a big part of the problem.

but is it really, Red?
it should be obvious now that we waste far more on the greedy than the needy.
for example, "defense" spending is really offensive spending to increase big-biz profits

things like medicare, medicaid, and ss go to us all because half of our lives we're too young, old, sick, or disabled to "work for it."

unless you live alone on an island, you live in an interdependent society where people need each other.

starting here, from scratch, we can build a better system from the inside-out

via the current top-down structure
the only thing that "trickles down" on us peons is the top's human and environmental waste.

Don't you have better things to do than preach at me, Chaplin? I mean, Captain?

Just now, Little Red Writing Hood said:

Don't you have better things to do than preach to me, Chaplin? I mean, Captain?

actually, no, Red.
the tension between us is an important part of the story.
we should get a room -- to talk.
yes. that's what we'll do

(literary, not literally. if you don't mind)

...the story continues...

THE LOVE CAVE

on an exploratory assignment, Captain V.3 and Captain Writing-Hood separate from the group to explore a cave.
they find a wet slimy build-up on the surface area towards the back.

V.3 kneels, leans over, and points the ring on his finger at the substance.
he speaks into the ring transmitter.

[script dialogue format]
V.3
Captain V.3 to Copilot. Copilot, analyze this.

RED
You mean, Captain Smirk to Copilot.

V.3 smirks at her. She rolls her eyes.

COPI
Sensor analysis indicates a colony of extremophilic micro‑organisms consistent with Tardigrada. Curious. They're clustered within a moisture film of unknown composition.

V.3
Well, get on it. I want answers, missy. Why would they be here?

COPI
Tardigrades are among the most resilient organisms known. Their presence in unexpected environments is statistically unsurprising. I will continue analysis of the liquid.

V.3 and Red sit back and chew on nutrition bars while they wait.

RED
So tell me, Smirky. Did you have to leave anyone special behind on earth?

V.3
Yes. Didn't we all?

Red says nothing. V.3 studies her. Waiting.

RED
Just my dog. I never trusted people anyway. They've never done me any good. Even my parents were a waste of space.

V.3
I'm sorry. I got lucky with the two I got ... had. My problem was everybody else. I don't trust authority figures. When I was a kid, the Nuns taught me about Jesus. He was giving and selfless. I believed that's how everyone would be. Especially his followers. Far too often, I was wrong.

RED
I hear that. That's why I look out for #1. We've got to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. Fools will drag you down with them if you let 'em. I'm strong, but I can break. I have before.

V.3
Sounds like you're too hard on yourself, Red. You don't get to be a starship captain without being resilient and trustworthy. I suspect we never fully get over our childhood fears and disappointments. You know, in some ways you remind me of me. if it wasn't for old wounds we might be friends instead of at each other all the time.

RED
Well. Maybe. Maybe if you weren't such a...
(she hesitates)

V.3
Judgemental a-hole?

Red laughs

V.3
And if you weren't such a...

RED
Beeyatch?

V.3 laughs

V.3
Actually. If you weren't such a Red Hat.

RED
It's Hood. Red Writing Hood. There's a difference.

They both laugh. V steps closer. Red steps back.

V.3
Just a hug, silly.

RED
Oh, alright, ya big baby.

they step towards each other and suddenly find themselves struggling
-- being drawn into a deep mass of tardigrade slime.

RED
What-- V, what is this?!

V.3
Copi, we’ve got a situation here! We’re sinking...being pulled into… something!

COPI
Analysis complete. It appears to be a liquid adhesive related to the creature's reproductive system.

Red grimaces as her struggle continues.

V.3
You mean we're in the middle of some kind of tardigrade freak fest?

COPI
Inconclusive Captain. Many species don't require a partner.

Red shrieks and thrashes in full-on panic mode,
freeing herself from the slime but losing her pants in the process.
V.3 is still in it, up to his neck,
yelling something about self-loving something-somethings!

V.3
Copi, beam me up. Beam me up!!!

COPI
As you are well aware, Captain, we do not posses that technology. Even theoretical models show unacceptable risk levels. If a fly were to inadvertently enter the field with you...

with what little strength he has left, V.3 angrily pulls of his ring and tosses it.
Red moves forward as if about to get back into the ooze.

V.3
As senior officer of this mission, Red, I order you to go back and get help.

Red looks toward the tunnel opening, then back at V.3.
she sinks one leg back into what she now strongly suspects is a pond teeming with tardigrade spermatozoa.
holding on to a bolder, she extends her other, long shapely leg out to V.
he eagerly grabs hold and they haul themselves out.
they collapse onto an area of dry stone, panting.

both captains falsify the official report of the incident.
the awkward details are never shared publicly.

On 8/25/2026 at 6:16 PM, V.3 said:

(literary, not literally. if you don't mind?)

Sure. I always knew if I wanted to break into the movies, it might have to be a horror flick directed by a Hollywood liberal. 🤩

On 8/25/2026 at 4:46 PM, V.3 said:

enthusiasm for new ideas wanes unless the "what's in it for me" question is answered. I'm hoping a reader thinks..."You're saying i can get Dancing With The Stars, new movies, and my favorite sports teams from one source for one price?"

I believe what's in it for us? is more important than "what's in it for me?"
I'd also point out that a graceful couple doing the tango on a dance floor shouldn't be grouped with grunting men smashing heads on a football field.

By the way, I'm a fan of Buffy The Vampire Slayer but not a sci-fi Buff, so I did enjoy your injection of interpersonal relations in your cave story. Could you work a vampire or two into the mix?

2 minutes ago, Lindy Lightyear said:

Could you work a vampire or two into the mix?

no. despite what you may have seen in the 1985 film LIFEFORCE there are no vampires in space
and in the new world we're trying to avoid bloodsuckers altogether

20 minutes ago, Lindy Lightyear said:

I believe what's in it for us? is more important than "what's in it for me?"

i'm delighted you've taken your promotion to Captain Lindy Lightyear to HEART!
let's add that enLIGHTenment to the official record

henceforth, when an issue should be measured by it's impact on the group as well as the individual, we can ask,

Does it pass the LINDY LITMUS TEST?

5 minutes ago, V.3 said:

...when an issue should be measured by it's impact on the group as well as the individual...

Isn't that pretty much all of the time?

right again my Feathered friend.

actually. you're Lightyears ahead, Lindy

A highly consequential set of questions have been answered...

POLL 5 Multi-Poll:
WORK, GOODS & SERVICES

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
FREE	Basic food, shelter, and healthcare
FREE	Wireless phone and basic networking connectivity
FREE	Central search engine, shopping engine, entertainment access and delivery.
Capped Pricing	No price gouging on music, movies, sports and other entertainment. If you're a creator you still profit more, the more you sell.
Less Income Inequality	You're paid for your time plus bonuses based on difficulty, training, skill, etc..
No Fake News	Money influence removed from news broadcasts. Redundant evaluations of accuracy and integrity like more accurate food labels. Accountability measures.
No Social Media Mind Games	Central, public social media with C.L.E.A.R. safeguards.
No Marketing Mind Games	No ads, no subscriptions. Pay only for what you watch or use. Reliable search and reviews. No stock trading b.s. because the public already owns everything.

You know, Captain Crunch, your AI friends will all tell you what you want to hear. So, your polls are not accurate.

1 minute ago, Little Red Writing Hood said:

...your AI friends will all tell you what you want to hear. So, your polls are not accurate.

you are not wrong, hooded one. But i did, and do tell them to debate me if they disagree.
also, i post my choices last, and none of their initial answers were far off mine, anyway.
most importantly, if their reasoning is sound, it doesn't matter if they changed their mind because i clarified something or if they were exposed to another angle.

you're going to enjoy this brave new world and you can still proudly wear your red hoody.
it won't matter
it never did