27 Comments
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Sara da Encarnação's avatar

What a travel, Phoeby!!! Great job

Phoeby's avatar

Thank you, Sara. It’s a big compliment coming from you. I’m sorry I haven’t managed to read what you’ve been posting lately—I’ve had a very busy period, but I can’t wait to catch up.

Sara da Encarnação's avatar

Don't worry, nothing will run away 😆

Aaliya's avatar

Wow, this was an absolute thrill ride from start to finish! The tension in the cabin, the snappy dialogue with the robot, and the sudden shift from survival to interstellar diplomacy kept me hooked. I especially loved the twist of the sphere being alive and the ships having to work together for the “birth” sequence it felt cinematic. Uma’s sarcastic, unflappable attitude mixed with the robot’s dry humor made for a great duo. I could easily imagine this as the climactic episode of a space-faring series. Fantastic blend of suspense, action, and personality!

Phoeby's avatar

Aaliya, thank you so much for this comment!! It makes me want to keep writing. Thank you so much for being here. And most importantly—take care of yourself.

Aaliya's avatar

Keep writing and shining my love I believe in you 🙏🏼🤍

Gub's avatar

Wonderful! Great pacing with a lot of conversation, tension, love the humour. Really strong work. Looking forward to more

Phoeby's avatar

Thank you so much for the comment and the restack. I’m not sure why I can’t post on your restack, so I’m thanking you once again here. I’m glad you liked it—truly. Your message encourages me to keep writing sci-fi.

Gary L Taylor's avatar

Fantastic Really moves along well and is a real force of a piece.

Uma is great. I really enjoyed it.

Phoeby's avatar

Thank you, Gary! I’m happy you liked Uma.

JGWunderlich's avatar

Uma is such a force. I love how her sharpness gives way to something much more complex. That birth reveal was such a powerful shift—I didn’t see it coming. Really compelling work, Phoeby. 💚

Phoeby's avatar

Thank you!! Once a mother, always a mother :))

JGWunderlich's avatar

Very true! 💚💚

The Faraday Room's avatar

Great momentum - starts with our hero in crisis and never lets up. But I'm still a bit confused about Vexus, tbh.

Phoeby's avatar

The Faraday Room, thank you so much for reading so deeply. Sorry I didn’t explain it more clearly - Vexus is a vortex of hyperspace corridors used to travel from one planet to another, or from one sector to another. Would you like to read a short story about Vexus? Do you think it would be a good idea for me to write one?

The Faraday Room's avatar

I’d read it if you did.

Meditations On Permafrost's avatar

This rips. Love the momentum and energy. It really brings the story to life.

Phoeby's avatar

Thank you. I’m glad you like it. It was fun to write.

Meditations On Permafrost's avatar

You could tell! It was fun to read.

Nick Hills's avatar

I'm very curious about the taste of synthetic wine and about the alien with monkey face.. a bad ass of sure! I love to travel with you, Phoeby, the bags are already packed!

Phoeby's avatar

I’m glad you’ll come along. I hope you’re ready for an exciting ride.

Dawnithic's avatar

Phoeby, you’ve crafted this story brilliantly...blending sci-fi adventure with deep life lessons. The suspense, the vivid imagery, and the way you reveal hidden truths through Captain Uma’s choices make every moment gripping. Your use of symbolism, especially with the “birth” of the metal sphere, turns tension into reflection and danger into insight.

Phoeby's avatar

Dawnithic, your comments always make me happy because you’re so attentive to detail, and I’m grateful for that. I’m sorry I haven’t been very present on Substack these past few days—things have been busy in my life—but I’ll definitely catch up on everything you’ve written. Thank you.

Dawnithic's avatar

I am highly grateful for your compliment and kind words.

Dave Boyko's avatar

Great work, Phoeby! I like how the robot seamlessly switched from alarm to regular operation after the reboot. :)

Phoeby's avatar

:))) Dave, I’m glad you are having fun, just like I had fun writing this. I’m really grateful to be here and for your comment.

Ciro Capao's avatar

so much worldbuilding in a short piece, and I wonder what kind of thing was actually born, very fun read!