Posts Tagged ‘comparing stories’

Bedtime Stories

Posted by Victor on .

Later that night, Defender Zik is up late doing homework. The CEO of Zik Enterprises can’t just disappear, after all; there are all kinds of projects that need your favorite space hero’s attention. Just as he’s wrapping things up for the night, the door chime sounds.

It’s an upset Amelia that Zik turns to find at his door.  Inviting her in, he asks her what’s bothering her. It turns out she’s having more nightmares about the explosion at the prison factory. Zik can relate to dreams of falling rubble, and sympathizes with her plight. Amelia asks if it’s okay that she sleeps in Zik’s room. Gallantly offering her the bed, Zik gets settled in to sleep on the floor.

Amelia asks if Zik will be all right sleeping on the floor, but Zik laughs it off by saying that his muscles provide extra cushioning. She then asks about his nightmares, and Zik explains that he had similar dreams of falling rocks crushing him after his mother died in the avalanche. Probing him further, Amelia asks what his mother was like. Zik relates some fun anecdotes about how patient his mom was with two precocious boys.

But just as Zik turns back to Amelia to tell her she would have loved his mother, he discovers that the exhausted girl has drifted off to sleep already!  Zik gets Zoot to turn out the lights, and they go to sleep, ready for new adventures at Planet Hypnos tomorrow!

Duel With The Butcher

Posted by Victor on .

Defender Zik helps a shocked Amelia to her feet. The vile Jairian thug Morren has just assaulted her! But as Zik helps her to the infirmary, he hears a groan from the mess hall — Morren is already getting back to his feet! Realizing that the thug must be on performance enhancing drugs, Zik turns back, and recognizes Amelia’s assailant!

It’s the same Morren from Zik’s first encounter with the Jairians, during the incident at Baker Mine. Morren reveals that among the Jairians, Zik is hated, and referred to as the Butcher of Baker Mine! Donning his helmet, Morren vows revenge!

DEFENDER ZIK LORE BREAK!

In the same way that achieving a mighty deed can get you known by another name associated with the act, screwing something up really badly can also follow you for a long time among Zozians. You can even gain an unflattering name if your unfortunate deed is particularly unique. Zozians have great respect for those who are brave and decisive in a moment of crisis, provided that the action you take in that moment is both virtuous and above all successful.
The bloodbath at Baker Mine is outwardly blamed on Zik by the Jairians, but Morren has never shaken the shame of his complete failure at the battle. Internally, he’s not well liked by most.