Vote for Page 12.16
Time for Cort to decide what he's willing to sacrifice.
Comments (37)
Now that the pages are posted I really really wish we knew what would've happened under option 2 and 3. I voted for Option 1... but I'm still so curious. :)
When is the next comic going to be posted for this? With the option now locked in, I'm excited to see what happens!
Now that the poll is over, we should be going back to the normal schedule, which would mean that the next pages will be posted at the end of next month.
Phew, that was a close vote, happy that option 1 got it!.
Guys, wait - they could be setting us up - they could order Cort on a mission they know is suicide for reasons unknown
Option 1 or Option 2? The only way Cort is getting out of any potential death march orders is to take Option 3 and then make a run for it.
I worry that if Cort officially joins up with the Federation, he’ll lose Nyrah. She already didn’t agree with trusting Quel and coming in - the first sign of anything or anyone with the Federation not being on the up and up and she might bolt. I’d hate to lose her from the storyline.
I doubt it; her loyalty is first and foremost to the Starcaster - an as long as Cort has it attached, she will likely follow. At least, that's how I've interpreted her motives.
It's the right choice given the character growth we have seen. I'm proud of this community for seeing it too.
It's going to be hard on Nyrah though. She hasn't developed nearly as much as Cort IMO.
what a doozie. I was not expecting option 1 to be in the lead.
You can always walk away from Option 1 later on after having had it with the Feds, but the option will never be on the table again. I think it's worth the try.
If I can make a subvote within Option 1, I think that Cort should say "Sure, I'll become an officer, but on one condition... my crew come with me. I know them, they have my back. You trust my father's legacy to trust me. I ask you to trust my legacy to trust them. Besides, the alternative is that she punches you." :P (Joking on the last bit, but I wouldn't put it past him to say that lol)
I like that idea.
I too would like an option 2 in a less greedy ("if the pay is good") and more "without wearing a badge", "with my crew", etc. variant. Could end up pretty cool, if the federation makes the requirement, that a fed officer has to be on board as liaison (and unofficial watchdog) and if that officer is an interesting character.
the problem with the "perfect" response is that it reduces the possibilities for a good plot. My old writing teacher used to say a good plot requires the characters to make mistakes.
Personally, I think Option 1, because not only will it give him an "out" once the war is over (because it would clear his record), it will give him the chance to not rely on living paycheck to paycheck. And I'd imagine, to be honest, that Cort is in fact the person his reputation says he is; he was simply jaded - and I don't blame him. EDIT: Another good reason: There are two Starcaster users that can train him!
The thing is, option 1 allows him to walk AFTER the war is over - quitting during the war is not permitted. So it's risky and losing his freedom basically. Option 2 is going to paint him bad and make him untrustable - it's not "set his own terms in order to help" it's "if the pay is good". But maybe since the two votes are very close to each other we can get something in-between, the best of both worlds? (edit)Oh, and another thing. This is the Odrossian starcaster - and we previously learned they haven't been completely wiped out. Should they want to try and use it after the war in order to rebuild their world or whatever, or protect whatever is left of them, they should be able to do so. Enlisting in the Federation, if this is what happens, should be under very specific terms. Basically, can we have Option 2 without it being so "I don't care what happens to you, just give me money"? I mean seriously, even if he told them "I want to help, but I need a better ship and my partner to have a better mechanical body", that's still a TON of money he'd be essentially getting, without it being about money!!! Otherwise, we are stuck with Option 1, which is not exactly the best...
I really don't see much difference between 1 and 2, but 2 feels more "Cort". It still allows him some freedom, although he'll probably have someone from the Federation tailing him forever. I guess with option 1 he'd have that too. Either answer is fine. Option 1 feels more out of character, but if it goes that way, then at least he's chosen a side and we aren't just choosing "Run away again" in all future polls haha.
I hope option 2 makes a come around. Option 1 is exactly the thing Nyrah warned against in 12.12, and it gives him way less room to maneuver morally. He’ll get asked to do some questionable stuff from the federation with less of a way to go against and refuse down the line. Joining the federation to get a pardon and then breaking away just leaves him in an almost worse standing than getting an entire federation to respect his boundaries and play ball by his terms.
An enemy that wants to kill Cort and everything he knows for fanatical reasons is at the doorstep - morality is meaningless facing something like that
Wanted to vote 2, not sure now. I think I will wait for a while to decide between 1 and 2. Learning to use the device isn't exclusively bound to option 1 in my eyes. But the pardon is a strong argument. And that his character might be judged when he turns merc. But when reading the last page again, the last sentence is something I think would trigger Cort to make an emotional decision: He should be the man his father and Quel want him to be? What about the man, he wants to be?
This is going to be close.... Well, I'm confident the story will be crazy either way, but I'm still hoping #2 makes it. I imagine that will be a more difficult dialog to create, but it will give us the most Cort-eous responses.
I almost voted 2. He's afraid of an inside mole gunning for him, so option 2 gives him a certain amount of distance and maneuvering. BUT, ultimately what sold me on 1 was that he can get training from another current user. She just admitted that she didn't know it could help you fly. What else does she not know? Knowing how to use that thing grafted to his arm is literally the difference between life and death.
I feel like only one of this options comes with completely clearing his criminal record, which is a strong benefit to him in the long run.
The only way he can ever escape being constantly on the run is if the Dranglaex are eliminated, his past is pardoned, and he is on good terms with the Federation. Quite a tall order (and even in the best of outcomes he doesn't get entirely rid of the Federation, ever), but... Option 1 is the closest it gets! Also, the "if the pay is good" really kills option 2 for me.
Agreed. The best way to get the federation to decide that he cant be trusted is to turn merc.
The federation is a trap, they'll put (metaphorical) chains on him. He tried the federation once, it failed, he knows it, they know it and speck knows it, he'll just lost his freedom.
Yes, but he can always quit later (if he's alive), the galaxy may still be there, and gain back his freedom once their enemies (and his) and eliminated.
this vote tool really sucks when it shows the current results before voting... :-(
Agreed 😕
yes! good to see current votes going how I want it to go :)
I've been waiting this poll all week. The anticipation has been just exciting to me. I'm voting Option 1 (a.k.a. join the Federation), but I'll be happy no matter what option wins out.
I agree. Take the enlistment route and keep other options open.
Oh, this is neck and neck. Just remember, Cort can join the Feds, and then make a break for it after getting what he wants. Have your cake, and eat it, too.
Remember, folks, only option 1 provides real character development
Remember, this is Cort's "now" decision. Circumstances later down the line could change his position. Also, negative character development is still character development, so all three options will do this.