Vote for 8/2/2022

I think it's best he joins the Federation; it's the only option to get actual hands-on training by TWO Starcaster users who actually know how to use it with first-hand experience - unlike Nyrah, who has second-hand knowledge from her brother.

I think we should consider that we've had a new character introduced (Major La'ni) and significant character building of the existing primary characters (Quel, Speck, Nyrah). This is a choice both for the main narrative progression, AND for which deuteragonists will be at Cort's side. None of these options keep all of them in the main narrative. Option 3, quite clearly, is going to result in Cort on the run from La'ni (*and* the Dranglaex), and frankly it's likely to me that Speck or Nyrah will not survive the choice--Speck has been warming consistently to Nyrah, and following through with this path seems almost certain to put us in the position of choosing whether Speck sacrifices himself to save her. Option 2 may keep the main group together. It would mean rejecting the potential to see Cort learning from La'ni, and instead continuing to work with Nyrah and Speck, likely with Quel serving as his sole direct link to the federation. It almost certainly is going to see Quel, Nyrah, or Speck die--as others have pointed out, it positions Cort most clearly for the federation's knife in the back. But his back regenerates, so it'll land on someone more vulnerable. I don't know if we even get to choose who in this circumstance. Option 1 is going to splinter the main group. Speck may well bail immediately. He has indicated that willingness more than once previously. Nyrah probably won't--she's dedicated to the starcaster above all and Cort above almost anything else. She'll fill the role of the untrusting lancer who is constantly questioning La'ni's motives. In this event, we may see Speck several more times in the future--perhaps he'll get a Han Solo moment down the line. But his friendship with Cort is going to be fractured, and Nyrah's teaching relationship with Cort is definitely going to be subsumed by La'ni, who is far more capable of teaching him, with Quel filling the gap that Speck leaves behind--an emotional center for a new group. We may not see Cort and Speck together again until the very end of this narrative. From a quality-of-narrative perspective, I think Option 1 is what this has all been building towards. Option 2 is what Cort-that-was would have chosen. Cort-that-IS, however, is keenly aware that he was an unreliable narrator and the federation he'd be choosing is not one entity, but many--and the people who he'd be choosing are not the same people that instantly betrayed Nyrah when she went to them. I think we're underselling how likely he is to choose Option 1.

I think I lean towards option 2. Adequate compensation can mean many things; credits, the previously mentioned pardon for "past...disagreements", training with the two Fed starcasters, a decent working ship. I truly believe Cort wouldn't be a smuggler or outside the law type transport if he was adequately well off. He has a moral code, but stepped around it many times in the pursuit of keeping money coming in. I *like* the idea of option 1, however I'm not positive Cort is ready or even willing to wear the uniform again, but would be willing to work alongside the uniforms, with Quel and maybe the other two starcasters being his main liaisons between the Federation and himself, so again leading me to favour option 2. Honestly, option 3 seems out of line with his recent character building that we are seeing in the main website feed of the comic for non patrons. I don't believe he's so callous as to just not help, and the issue of it being too dangerous to his crew is not an issue. This isn't an offer for his crew, it's an offer for him. If Nyrah and Speck want to back away, they should be able to just fine, but if they want to join in and help him, that's their own choice (assuming the Federation has need or want of them).

So, I ready all the comments up to this point. Option 2 for me. Option 1 sounds good, but it fails to consider what the characters are saying in page 12.12. I understand the training arc that can come out of Option 1. I understand the redemption and change at going back to an old life with new perspective. It's nostalgic. But Option 2 is who Cort is now, trying to do the right thing but not being tied down. And his argument for #2 is the Federation cannot keep Cort safe. The spies informing the Dranglaex are exactly the validation to that Cort will shortly get. Option 2 can be and would be sold as the safest for all people's, not just the federation, because being a rogue element allows him to operate outside the very laws he has been operating under. Option 1 means orders. Orders from a corrupt governing body that can force him into sticky moral choices. Option 2 keeps his crew's wishes intact, but also the necessary freedoms their lives are built around now.

My biggest concern with option 1 is that there is nothing stopping the Federation in weeks or months from just killing him in his sleep, and cutting it off his arm and giving it to someone else. Whether or not they would do it, Cort would be anxious about this all the time. Option 2 for me.

Lol. I was so looking forward to the discussion and then I saw "76 Comments" basically breaking the comment section. If anyone is reading all of these (and I promise to try soonish), I'm against Choice 3 on pride. We're not private citizens! We're pirate citizens! Choice 2!

Who says joining the federation is a path to redemption? Does he look like someone who is willing to accept an order to fire his Starcaster on a ship carrying thousands of lives, regardless of species? And where would Speck be at this time? I don't care that Option 1 is something WE would pick. The only reason Cort would pick Option 1 is to buy time and steal a ship. I honestly don't see Cort throwing himself under law as an obedient officer of war. I still firmly believe that Option 2 is the Cort way. It'll be messy, but he'll still have some semblance of control over his life.

No matter what option we want, remember the Dranglaex are on the way

What makes you think Nyrah will stay with him and help? She has been extremely suspicious about the feds after they first betrayed, and I doubt that she’d stay. And Spec? Is he going to join the federation too? Very unlikely. I think the best chance of keeping our crew together is option 2…

Love that we get a vote on these! Option 2 makes sense for Cort, but option 1 is the most sensible overall given the Federation. I feel like Quel could persuade him to go for option 1 as the safer one, also one where he can be placed under his wing to protect, so Cort has a friend in the 'system' who looks out for him (as he already has). Might be enough of a guarantee that they won't just blast him and take the starcaster, which is probably the backup plan anyway.

tl;dr: I’m voting Option 1. My take on this is the following: -Option 3 is the most Cort decision that Cort would recklessly jump at in a snap decision. Jack saw in Cort a man who would take an easy out and hooked him. Cort thought he could take Jack’s offer because he had as a rookie seen the systemic corruption of the Federation and wanted a cut. Unfortunately for him, everyone like to see the son of a hero fall and Cort became the scapegoat to cover for all the other corruption going on in the Federation. -Option 2 would be the second most likely option Cort would pick if he didn’t make a snap decision and pick Option 3. Speck is right, Cort does have a "little voice" in his head that won’t let him "just run". Cort isn’t a pure nihilist. Cort can walk away when the contract requires it, but he often takes unnecessary and unprofitable risks because he still has some standards. That said, Cort knows all too well how corrupt the Federation is. Jack was allowed to function and survive long before he met Cort because there were plenty of officers who looked the other way at one time or another for a greased palm. Putting some distance between himself and the Federation would make Cort feel a little more comfortable. Cort doesn’t trust any of the officers since he knows all too well how far too many of them can be on the take. -Option 1 is the least likely Cort decision and, paradoxically, the one he would most likely wind up picking in this situation. Ya, under normal circumstances, Cort would consider this one to be a joke, but the Starcaster isn’t "normal circumstances". Cort isn’t picking Option 1 for love of the Federation, for the honor of his father, for the reputation of his family, or for his link to Quel. No, Cort is picking Option 1 for the leverage. Cort knows how bad his hand is. He hates himself for getting dragged back into the Federation and he knows all too well that he’ll be the target of every corrupt officer in the fleet, but he also knows he won’t get a second bit of this apple. He needs the pardon to get a clean slate for operating in the galaxy after all this is settled. He needs the training to best master and exploit the Starcaster and La’Ni is his best chance. He needs to help Nyrah however he can. He needs to get the Aphelion in as close to top shape as possible. Option 1 is Cort’s best bet for coming out of this whole situation break even and with openings to score that big profit, easy life, and early retirement he’s been looking for.

Comparing 1 vs 2, as nobody seems to be seeing 3 as a viable option... Under option 1, he comes up as a hero (almost, not a perfect word, I know), very visible, like the other starcaster bearers. Under option 2, he becomes hated in the eyes of people everywhere. There's some protection in that visibility, me thinks. Everybody loves a good story about redemption, and heroes rising in the time of need etc - he would be pardoned in the eyes of everyone, rather than be the criminal who blackmailed the Federation into turning a blind eye to his record. Harder for the federation to go back on its' word and go after him/throw him in prison later. Plus, the opportunity to be trained (even if only through comms) by the other starcaster bearers shouldn't be missed - granted, that could apply to both #1 and #2, but even then, in #2 he probably wouldn't get as much out of them... Ofc, a question regarding #1 is what/who would he have to obey? Because that could seriously be an issue...

First off, I've become confident that whichever option we take, it will end up in a different setting than we expect. I love Tim's writing for that. Anyhow, Option 3 is not only unfeasible, but the most boring. I think Cort is already over and done with just running away forever. Option 1 is a bad idea for his crew, for where does that leave them? Option 2 is clearly the most dangerous. Only a one-eyed pirate or smooth-talking smuggler would try to strike a bargain to that vis...viscer....SIR. I _really_ want to hear that conversation! "I won't be your officer, but I'll be happy to be your well-payed, and very well-'armed' mercenary!" Option 2!

Option 2 is the most fitting. Option 3 just isn't working. Option 1 would work. What I like to see from an interesting twist point of view would be a 4th option where he declines and goes vigilante.

I think I started this thread thinking "Option 2" but I'm now very much in the camp of "Option 1". Simply, if Cort really wanted to, he can walk away after at a later date from Option 1. He's not going to get a second chance to be "deputized" in Option 2, and the resentment built up from there will just be too much, he would be filled with hatred and loathing. Option 1 for me. :)

Option 1, and then I will begin my explanation and quibbling. Option 3 is impossible. Cort will immediately be back in the situation he was in, hiding and living hand to mouth as a fugitive from ALL forces in the Galaxy. The entire crew have expounded on how impossible that situation is. Now, previously, I was going on about becoming an outside contractor... but the Aphelion is caput. Using his own ship as a base isn't a possibility any more. Any payments will immediately be used up, leaving Cort on the edge of bankruptcy and a disposable pawn with the Feds looking to suicide mission him and collect the ashes around the Starcaster by accident as they bring it to the next person to use it. You also can only negotiate from a position of strength. Cort can blast his arm canon, but he's now in the belly of the beast, and we put him there by trusting Quel, a member of the Federation. We've been on this reconciliation path for a while now. It started right at the very beginning, when Cort looked at his badge in Issue 1 with longing and pain. This is Cort's ONLY chance to try and be a Marshal again, but on HIS terms, not following a plan set out by his father or his father's old partner. A chance at redeption and perhaps protecting people. Cort is a better soul than he thinks because every time there was a real person in front of him who needed his help, like Narah in the Federation Base, and Speck fighting the bounty hunter; Cort went out of his way to make his own life more difficult to help. So, we choose option 1, with the option to walk away from the Federation at the end of it all, and get Quel as his partner, a new ship, some subordinates, a chance to learn to use the Starcaster from people who actually HAVE one, unlimited parts for the Aphelion from the maintenance bays, and a semi-autonomous posting where Cort can "interpret" his orders from time to time and make things more interesting. There are very few stories as good as redemption, because I have faith that people want to make the best of the given second chance.

I feel like option 2 is definitely the most cort answer. Employ my services, but remains independent

I like the idea of option 1 as a way to get training with the starcaster for him from the other bearers, he seemed quite enamoured with the idea of La'ni actually using it to fly by herself, and I would like him to be able to develop the skills to use it for more then pure destruction... The other options seem much more restrictive in terms of development of the starcaster use, which is ultimately what this series is about.

I think while Option 2 aligns best with Cort's interests, I don't see it working out long term from the Federation's point-of-view. Why would you leave one of the most powerful weapons in the galaxy in the hands of a mercenary (who can thus be outbid/pressured into turning it against you)? Granted, that doesn't ensure Cort couldn't betray them with Option 1, but it would be a way for the Feds to keep a tighter leash on him. I don't trust Cort's negotiating ability to pull off Option 2 beyond a short-term reprieve.

I think I'm in agreement with Option 3 just being a bad idea. But I also don't see Option 1 being viable either. So that leaves option 2 but I do like what someone else said - that compensation being the protection of his crew. So 1.5? Perhaps bring him on as a "specialist" - that's a common assignment in military circles which will still give him a ranking within the system but without all the "baggage" that comes with being an officer. It's going to be a tough line to walk but I don't see Cort ever taking an easy option anyways.

Option 2 seems to me the only realistic option that Cort would go for as Option 1 is not really in his nature and Option 3 is a long walk off a short pier with the Federation.

Option 3 doesn't really offer Cort and friends anything, the Dranglaex will just constantly chase him down in an effort to get the Starcaster. Option 1 seems unlikely as well since we know Cort has lost all faith in the badge and what it is supposed to represent. Option 2 looks like the only path Cort would be happy with and he's got one hell of a good barganing chip to use to get a new ship with a clean registration at the Federtaion's expense.

What if Cort initially goes with option 2, but then the incoming Dranglaex fight reveals his lack of Starcaster skill and forces him to reconsider option 1 with his crew, and possibly trying to talk them into staying along with him for the war, and negotiating with the Federation to make it possible..? Also thanks for giving us a choice, and the discussion threads here have already been a great read so far!

I like option 1.5. Continue to be freelance, but the compensation is the safety & protection of his companions, but he'll work with the federation.

Given the fact that he experienced unity with some of the Universe's forces, I would assume that would leave a mark on his attitude regarding his place in this whole store. I would not be surprised if Cort forgo his ways of freelancing privateer and instead join the federation. Perhaps with the intent to maybe change some of its workings

I'm gonna say option 1, he's been on the outer with the Federation and this is the opportunity to start fresh with them whilst being a lot wiser on how things really work.

All lot of the commenters here seem to have forgotten that Cort got kicked out of the Federation because he was corrupt himself. All that "I didn't like all the corruption, so I left" stuff was a load of crap he was telling Nyrah to stay on her good side. I would highly recommend re-reading episodes 8 and 9. Anyway; there's no way the Federation accepts option 3. That's walking into a completely unknown mess. Besides, Spec is right about the little voice in Cort's head. Oh, and option 3 is what Cort and crew were ALREADY trying to do, and they got found and dragged in anyway. There's just no way option 3 is ever viable. 2 is still iffy, they could accept or they could also say know and then we're back to who knows what. 1 makes the most sense to me. We best know what to expect, and as others have pointed out, he'll likely get to train with the other, more experienced Starcasters. Ultimately Cort really doesn't have any bargaining power here. Even if he tries to use the Starcaster to escape, he'll just get beaten by La'ni anyway.

Don’t mind 2 or 1. 2 seems a bit mercenary, and 1 restricts his freedom more than he would like. 3 is a horrible choice as it’s just letting civilisation burn which I can’t see him doing

Option 2. Option 1 is nice, but that means he'll likely lose his crew since they probably won't be bringing Speck and Nyrah into the federation formally. So Option 2 is the best outcome for not only him, but also his crew.

Option #1 - I don't think the feds will let him loose for C and B may be a major negotiation. What would stop them from sure if we can have your arm - we will replace it. Then you can go off and watch the galaxy burn.

Since Cort doesn’t trust the Federation and doesn’t believe in himself, running—option 3–seems like the most Cort-like choice absent some good sense from his friends. But 3 seems like a short trip to getting his arm cut off and him and his friends ending up in the brig. Option 1 could be a great path to redemption for both Cort and the Federation, but I can’t see him having enough optimism to risk that path. Option 2 gives him some semblance of independence and a chance to fix and upgrade the ship for the future.

Option #2, He doesn't trust the Fed for good reason. Option #1 will probably put him to the nearest civ Drang planet in retaliation...

Hmm - is there an option for "join the Federation, but only with a high enough rank?" Someone with a Starcaster should honestly be nothing less than a lower-to-mid range Admiral, for appearances sake if nothing else. It also makes practical sense, because in reality, the Starcaster gives him an enormous amount of real power as is. Not to mention that would make it so that traitors/spies within the Federation couldn't give him orders, which would be a major concern. Cort knows he's not going to be able to hide from attention, so his best bet is to be in a sufficient position to handle that.

Option 1 makes the most tactical sense. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. He’ll have the support of the federation and the ability to train with their star casters. It’ll piss off spec for sure but he can resign after the conflict or if things get too crazy. Option 2 they become prisoners in all but name. Given a baby sitter they can’t trust that’s probably also a double agent. They fail a critical task because cort doesn’t know how to use the thing. Then they are prisoners of one of the various factions. Starcaster to be forcibly removed. Option 3 they order the Starcaster removed forcibly. The bad guys show up and they escape during the fight. Then they are hunted by everyone in every corner of the galaxy.

I think that option #2 is the one that most closely aligns with what Cort, himself, would choose. I don't think he would want to be reinstated. The reason he left the corp was because he doesn't trust them. I can see him aligning himself to them for a while because it would make sense from a self-preservation standpoint. Being a part of the team but separate would offer greater protection than trying to go it alone. I also think that Nyrah would respect that decision and Speck would go along with it with some reservations.

It seems to me that Cort doesn't want the starcaster, it's a huge liability and contradicts everything he lives for. I think he need to consider removing his arm and replace it with mechanic arm, in exchange to let him go and return to his former life. Losing his arm seems much less risky than joining the battle as front line soldier. I know this option does not exist, but it is probably what option 3 will result in. Though Nyrah won't stay with him if he won't bear the starcaster anymore...

If Cort had a vote (and not us), I’m sure he would go for option 2. He never really expressed regret about his past actions, and never expressed the wish to return to the Federation. Option 2 gives him everything he wants: money, independence (to the largest degree possible given the situation) and he still gets to be the good guy…i just doubt the federation would accept it. Perhaps while they argue about it, the Dranglaex attack, Cort fights and proves himself worthy, and then gets his way?

He kind of already tried #3 maybe not very forceful but he tried to just go about his way. Based on the current conversation that option will not end well for anyone. That will most likely lead to a lot more deaths and and goes against the character traits we have seen. So in my opinion does he choose to trust the federation (#1) or tolerate them for a short while (#2). These 2 seem like the most logical conclusion but man that's a hard choice either way.

I think option 3 brings up an interesting point regarding lack of training and experience. With option 1, or even more so, option 2, what does Cort actually have to offer to the Federation other than literal possession of the Starcaster?

One shouldn't give the internet a chance to mess with things. Remember Boaty McBoatface!

1 - Dranglanex will not stop until everyone else is dead, so this is likely going to end up with Cort being a Fed for life. Safest option thou, and the gold starcast lady can be there to teach us how to use the thing. Maybe they'll give Nyrah a new body as well. I don't know what happens to Speck - hopefully he'll tag along 2 - Maybe they'll go for this. We'll have less influence, but less restrictions. Federation can have plausible deniability on our actions if we go too far Option 3 - This is lying to them - Cort is an ex-Marshall and Nyrah is an elite solider. I think this will lead to imprisonment and possibly them forcibly removing the starcaster... if the Dranglanex don't show up and blow the ship up before they get the chance. Cort will be a fugitive if he escapes ontop of Dranglanex chasing him. If we want Cort to live a low down, despicable life, Option 3 will be it. The smart plays here either 1 or 2. I'm undecided which thou

Option 1. If he presents option 2 or 3 they can refuse on the grounds he is a criminal and take the starcaster anyway.

I think option 1 is the best character development. It would allow Cort to leave behind his guilt for being dishonorable in the past.

Kind of a false choice, given that either he's going to accept, and immediately be given his first task in the form of the incoming fleet, or refuse, and then fight the fleet anyway while La'ni and Quel make snarky comments at him about refusing. Like, I *guess* if he refuses, he can use the coming battle to escape? Cort's more good than evil and more realistic than selfish, and being hunted by everyone is just worse than being not that. So I don't feel that'd be at all consistent with the character.

By the way, thanks Tim for posting 4 pages a month early! Very cool! I guess you couldn’t wait either for this vote to happen 😎

The conversation in the cell tells me option 3 is out, Cort and the others know they can't flee from the conflict completely. Also the "little voice" doesn't let Cort do nothing. Option 1 is unlikely, I think we have a pretty clear picture, how Cort feels about the Federation and especially the Marshals. That leaves 2 as a good compromise.

If they reinstate with a pardon, there's steady pay and access to resources and training. He didn't hate being a marshal, he hated playing with dirty cops. And being the bearer of a starcaster appears to confer higher rank and privileges. They're not going to give him grunt work.

Things to consider: 1. Cort's goal is money and relative safety. That said, he also has a conscious. 2. We've seen the carrot. If Cort does not take the first option, we'll see the stick. Even the first option might result in the stick later down the line. 3. Cort doesn't know this, but the Dranglaex are inbound. We'll likely have at least one fight incoming regardless. Speck is right; all choices will still lead to conflict. 4. Aligning themselves with the Federation opens them up to covert attacks from the Dranglaex agents within. Distancing themselves opens them up to attacks from mercenary groups.

As for the 2 other options. Option 1 has the benefit of putting Cort back at a high rank into the Federation, giving him otpions for after the War like push for cleanup of corruption, or be recognised as a hero, and also reconcile with his dead father and his old mentor.

From the Federation’s perspective, option one will be the only acceptable choice, collaborating closely with the other 2 starcaster bearers. Option 2) seems far too risky that the Dranglaex kill him (the Dranglaex prince would hunt him down). And option 3) seems hypothetical at best - even though Tim promised it is just as possible as the rest/ the story will continue…

Exciting! Only minor suggestion would be trying to differentiate options 1 and 2. I read 1 and 2 both as work with them but vary the terms, while 3 is a decline. Overlapping choices will probably unintentionally split the vote (but appreciate it's only a bit of fun).

So right off the bat, option 3 isn't viable. If he decline, either the Federation just straight up cut his arm and take the Starcaster to themselves, coerce him into fighting anyway, or even if they let him go, he'll either be the target of the Drangalex (as we saw in the previous pages that they know this Starcaster is on the ship rn) or manage to escape only for the current galaxy to be obliterated.

Cort has been after credits since issue #1... The second choice seems hard to turn down. I think he absolutely has the combat training as a smuggler/rogue and former marshal (And Nyrah is a former soldier too)

I agree, he wants to help, but not as an officer I guess

I feel the second option, working freelance, would be the most Cort thing to do. He isn't stupid enough to refuse, but I can't see him joining the federation fully, either.