Writing in the new age.

NaNoWriMo 2023

NaNoWriMo Day Eight

Ah day eight, and so many issues - the AI’s were going crazy today - OpenAI had some kind of service problems, and it affected everything from ChatGPT to Claude and even my old friend Sudowrite.

But in the end I was able to get some beats created and then the AI’s coughed up a hairball that will pass for prose for now.

Here are the beats:
1. [Past Tense, Third-Person POV following Jon Savage as the main character, write 500 to 1000 words] Begin the chapter with Jon working his way back toward the landing bay. As Jon, Olivia and Jericho return they make a stop and enter the main control room for the docking bays on Taul 4, describing Jon quickly subduing the pair of workers and a sense of foreboding as he noticed the intricate security systems in place from laser motion detectors to retinal scanners.

2. [Past Tense, Third-Person POV following Jon Savage as the main character, write 500 to 1000 words] Show Olivia using her AI abilities to scan the records for the names of ships that docked in the last few hours, emphasizing her intense focus as she delved deeper into the data and uncovered suspicious activity regarding the ship with spoofed ID.

3. [Past Tense, Third-Person POV following Jon Savage as the main character, write 500 to 1000 words] Introduce the ship with the spoofed ID as a potential lead, highlighting Jon's enthusiasm as he realized they were onto something and his determination to track it back to Baron 3's surface.

4. [Past Tense, Third-Person POV following Jon Savage as the main character, write 500 - 1000 words] Build suspense gradually as the trail goes cold on Baron 3, showing Jon's frustration through his carefully controlled movements and voice as he refused to give up despite multiple dead ends in his search.

5. [Past Tense, Third-Person POV following Jon Savage as the main character, write 500 - 1000 words] Transition to Jon taking the Retribution to the planet, utilizing vivid descriptions of the planet's rugged terrain and exotic creatures roaming its lands to evoke a sense of danger and adventure .

6. [Past Tense, Third-Person POV following Jon Savage as the main character, write 500 - 1000 words] Introduce the kill team attacking Jon, emphasizing their menacing appearance with their gleaming black armor, weapons primed, and tactics focused on calculated execution rather than showmanship.

7. [Past Tense, Third-Person POV following Jon Savage as the main character, write 500 - 1000 words] Write an intense and elaborate action-packed fight scene as Jon uses his combat skills to defeat the kill team, incorporating rapid-fire dialogue between protagonists and antagonists alike to create a sense of escalating tension throughout the scuffle.

8. [Past Tense, Third-Person POV following Jon Savage as the main character, write 500 words] After the fight, have Jon contact Olivia to update her on the situation, expressing his relief at surviving unharmed and his burning desire to continue his pursuit. Have Jon Say that at least they know they are on the right track, otherwise the kill team would not have been hunting him.


And this is the prose, more or less.

I think when this is all done and NaNoWriMo is over i will take these AI generated chapters and fully edit them into a much better book then drop both version on Kindle


1.

Jon Savage moved swiftly through the dimly lit corridors of Taul 4, his eyes scanning for potential threats. Olivia and Jericho followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing in the tight spaces. They were on a mission – one that would potentially lead them to the heart of a dangerous conspiracy.

"Stay sharp," Jon muttered under his breath, as they approached the main control room for the docking bays. The door slid open with a low hiss, revealing a pair of unsuspecting workers inside. Before they could react, Jon lunged forward and quickly subdued them with expert precision.

"Sorry about this, fellas. Just need to borrow your workspace for a minute," he quipped, securing the unconscious workers with zip ties. As he surveyed the room, a sense of foreboding washed over him. The intricate security systems in place – from laser motion detectors to retinal scanners – hinted at just how important the secrets within these walls were.

"Olivia, you're up," Jon said, gesturing towards the console. The AI's blue eyes flickered with determination, her fingers dancing across the keys as she began to access the records. Jericho stood watch by the door, his piercing green eyes scanning the hallway for any signs of trouble.

"Alright, Jon. I'm in," Olivia reported, her voice steady and focused. "I've got the records of all ships that have docked here in the last few hours."

"Good. See if any of them match our target's profile," Jon instructed, his muscular frame tense with anticipation.

2.

As Olivia's AI abilities delved deeper into the data, her intense focus was evident. She sifted through countless lines of ship names and registrations, searching for any sign of suspicious activity. Her long, flowing auburn hair framed her face as she worked, a determined expression etched onto her features.

"Got something," she announced, her blue eyes lighting up. "There's a ship that docked here three hours ago. Its ID has been spoofed – the numbers don't match up with any known vessel."

"Sounds promising," Jon said, his voice low and gravelly. "Can you pull up any more information on it?"

"Let me see what I can find," Olivia replied, her fingers flying even faster across the console. Her AI mind processed the information at an almost inhuman speed, leaving Jon and Jericho to marvel at her capabilities.

"Here we go," Olivia said triumphantly. "I've managed to trace the ship's trajectory. It looks like it came from Baron 3 before arriving here. That matches our intel."

"Great work, Liv," Jon praised, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Let's get back to the Retribution and follow that lead."

"Wait," Jericho interjected, his eyes narrowing. "What about the security here? Shouldn't we do something to cover our tracks?"

"Already on it," Olivia assured him, her fingers making a few final keystrokes. "I've erased our presence from the system. They'll have no idea we were here."

"Good thinking," Jon nodded, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Now let's move. Time's running out."

As the trio slipped back into the shadows, their resolve hardened by the newfound lead, they knew that the danger was far from over. But for Jon Savage and his allies, there was no turning back – and they would stop at nothing to uncover the truth.

3 - 4

The Retribution's engines roared to life, shaking the landing bay as they prepared for takeoff. Jon stood in the cockpit, his gaze locked on the holographic display that showed the ship with the spoofed ID they were pursuing. The image flickered and rotated slowly, casting an eerie glow across Jon's determined face.

"Plot a course for Baron 3," Jon ordered, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "We're going after that ship."

"Already working on it," Olivia responded from her seat at the navigation console, her fingers dancing across the controls. "We should be there in just under an hour."

"Perfect," Jon said, clenching his fists in anticipation. "We've got them now."

As the Retribution tore through space toward Baron 3, Jon couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in their progress. It had been a long and treacherous journey so far, but finally, they were closing in on their target. He allowed himself a small smile, quickly brushing it off as he focused on the task ahead.

The rocky surface of Baron 3 loomed before them, its craggy landscape dotted with clusters of makeshift settlements among the towering rock formations. Jon scanned the area below, searching for any sign of the ship they were tracking. Despite his enthusiasm, his brow furrowed in frustration as nothing appeared on the sensors.

"Anything on the scanners, Liv?" Jon asked, his voice betraying his growing impatience.

"Nothing yet," Olivia replied, her eyes darting across the data feeds. "But I'm running a deep scan of the area. If that ship is down there, we'll find it."

"Let's hope so," Jon muttered, his hands gripping the controls tightly. His knuckles turned white as the minutes ticked by and still no sign of the ship emerged.

"Wait," Olivia said suddenly, her voice tense. "I've got something."

"Where?" Jon asked, his heart pounding in his chest.

"About twenty klicks west of our current position," she replied, adjusting the holographic display to show the location. "It's faint, but it looks like a ship's energy signature."

"Lock onto it and take us in," Jon ordered, his eyes narrowing as he studied the new information. The Retribution accelerated toward the coordinates, the tension in the cockpit rising with each passing second.

As they closed in on the target area, however, the trail seemed to vanish into thin air. The scanners showed no sign of the ship they'd been tracking, leaving Jon to stare at the barren landscape below in disbelief.

"Dammit," he cursed under his breath, slamming his fist against the console. "How could we lose them?"

"Jon, calm down," Jericho said, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We'll figure this out."

"Easy for you to say," Jon snapped, brushing off Jericho's attempt at consolation. "Every minute we waste here is another minute that ship gets away."

"Maybe we're looking at this the wrong way," Olivia suggested, her AI mind working furiously to find an alternative solution. "Instead of searching for the ship itself, why don't we look for any signs of recent activity on the surface? If they landed here, there must be some trace of their presence."

"Fine," Jon conceded, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Do whatever you can to find them. We can't afford to let them slip through our fingers again."

"Understood," Olivia nodded, her fingers flying across the controls as she set to work. Jon paced the length of the cockpit, the frustration gnawing at him like a living entity. His every movement was deliberate, controlled – a testament to his years of training as a Galactic Marine. But beneath the calm exterior, a storm of emotions raged within Jon Savage.

"Come on," he muttered under his breath, willing Olivia's search to yield results. "We're so close. We have to find them."

As the Retribution continued its sweep of Baron 3's surface, Jon's frustration began to give way to something else – determination. He'd faced countless adversaries in his time as a bounty hunter, and he knew that giving up was never an option. No matter how many dead ends they encountered, he would see this mission through to the bitter end.

"Whatever it takes," Jon whispered, his voice barely audible above the hum of the engines. "I'll find you, you bastards. Just you wait."

5 - 6

Jon piloted the Retribution towards Baron 3's surface, its craggy terrain looming beneath them. The planet was a harsh, unforgiving world covered in jagged cliffs and towering rock formations, making it an ideal hiding place for those who didn't want to be found. As they descended into the atmosphere, Jon couldn't help but feel a shiver of excitement mixed with trepidation.

"Olivia, keep scanning for any signs of activity," he ordered, his eyes darting from one monitor to another.

"Understood, Jon." Olivia's voice was cool and collected, her focus on the task at hand.

The Retribution touched down on a relatively flat expanse of rock, sending a cloud of dust billowing around the landing gear. As the ship's engines powered down and the dust settled, Jon could see a world teeming with life despite its hostile appearance. Strange creatures roamed the landscape, some with iridescent scales that shimmered in the sunlight, while others sported thick hides capable of withstanding the planet's formidable elements.

"Jon, I'm picking up some faint energy readings to the west," Olivia reported, her voice crackling through his earpiece as he stepped out of the Retribution.

"Got it. Keep me updated on any changes." Jon adjusted his grip on his weapon, scanning the horizon for threats. He knew this wouldn't be a walk in the park; the people they were after had gone to great lengths to cover their tracks, and he doubted they'd hesitate to kill anyone who got too close.

As he began to make his way towards the energy readings, Jon's senses remained on high alert. Every step felt like a calculated risk, and he found himself constantly scanning his surroundings for any signs of an ambush. The wind howled through the narrow canyons, threatening to drown out any sound of approaching danger.

"Olivia, I've got movement," Jon whispered, catching sight of something stirring in the shadows up ahead. "Could be our target."

"Be careful, Jon," she warned. "They're likely to have backup."

"Understood." His heart raced as he crept closer, adrenaline coursing through his veins. This was it – the moment he'd been waiting for.

Just as Jon rounded a bend in the canyon, a group of heavily armed figures emerged from the shadows, their gleaming black armor cutting an imposing figure against the rocky backdrop. Their weapons were primed, their tactics focused on calculated execution rather than showmanship. This was no ragtag gang of criminals – this was a kill team.

"Looking for us, Savage?" The leader's voice was cold and merciless. "You should have known better than to chase after shadows."

"Guess I didn't get the memo," Jon shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he raised his weapon. He knew that engaging in witty banter wasn't going to save him, but it was a habit he couldn't quite shake.

"Take him down, but be careful – he's dangerous." The kill team leader barked orders, and the team fanned out, their weapons trained on Jon.

Jon's mind raced as he calculated his odds. He was outnumbered and outgunned, but he had one advantage – he'd been in situations like this before, and he knew how to turn the tables on his enemies. He just needed a moment to strike.

"Hey, nice armor!" Jon taunted, trying to buy himself some time. "Is it bulletproof, or just for show?"

"Enough of your games, Savage. You're finished." The leader snarled, his patience clearly wearing thin.

"Fine, have it your way." Jon's eyes narrowed, and in that split second, he made his move. As the kill team opened fire, Jon rolled to the side, using the canyon's natural cover to shield himself from the hail of bullets.

"Olivia," he gasped, struggling to catch his breath. "We've got company."

7 - 8

"Is that all you've got?" Jon taunted, his voice echoing through the canyon as he dodged another barrage of gunfire. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through him, fueling his every move as he countered and parried their attacks.

"Stay on him! Don't let up!" The kill team leader shouted, his frustration evident in his strained tone.

"Roger that," one of the members replied with a smirk, aiming his weapon with deadly precision. "You're mine now, Savage."

"Really? Because I thought we were just getting started." Jon retorted, his eyes scanning the battlefield for an opening. He launched himself at the nearest attacker, knocking the weapon out of his hands before delivering a powerful punch to the gut.

"Ugh!" The man grunted, doubled over in pain.

"Three down, four to go," Jon muttered under his breath, feeling his confidence surge as he turned to face the next enemy. He knew that in order to win this fight, he had to keep moving, stay unpredictable, and never show any sign of weakness.

"Nice try," the kill team leader sneered as he fired off a round, narrowly missing Jon's head. "But you won't last much longer."

"Talk is cheap," Jon shot back, ducking behind a large boulder for cover. He knew he needed to find a way to turn the tide in his favor, or he'd be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

"Olivia, any ideas?" Jon whispered, hoping she could provide some guidance in this seemingly impossible situation.

"Use your environment to your advantage, Jon," Olivia advised, her calm voice a stark contrast to the cacophony of gunfire. "Keep them guessing, and don't forget to breathe."

"Right," Jon nodded, taking her advice to heart as he formulated a plan. With a deep breath, he steadied his nerves and steeled himself for the fight ahead.

"Hey, guys!" he called out, a cocky grin on his face. "Wanna see a magic trick?"

"Enough of your games!" The leader bellowed, his anger boiling over. "End him!"

"Watch closely," Jon taunted, waiting for just the right moment before sprinting towards a nearby ledge. He leaped off the edge, catching an overhanging vine in midair and swinging back around to kick two more members of the kill team into each other.

"Ta-da!" He exclaimed triumphantly as they crumpled to the ground, momentarily stunned.

"Two left," Jon panted, his muscles screaming in protest as he prepared for the final showdown with the leader and his last remaining henchman.

"Time to finish this," the leader growled, stalking towards Jon with murder in his eyes. "No more tricks. No more games."

"Couldn't agree more." Jon lunged forward, tackling the leader to the ground and wrestling for control of his weapon. With a swift elbow strike to the face, Jon disarmed him and used the momentum to kick the final henchman across the chest, sending him hurtling into the canyon wall.

"Game over," Jon breathed heavily, standing over the defeated kill team. His body ached from the intense battle, but his determination remained unshaken. He picked up his communicator, knowing Olivia would be anxious to hear the outcome.

"Olivia, it's done," he said, his voice still ragged from exertion. "I took care of the kill team. We must be on the right track, or they wouldn't have come after me like that."

"Good work, Jon," Olivia replied, relief evident in her voice. "Now let's find the answers we're looking for and bring these criminals to justice."

"Sounds like a plan," Jon agreed, his eyes narrowing in resolve as he surveyed the carnage around him. "But first, let's get off this rock."


D.S. Bayne