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Cover of The Ninth Artifact

The Ninth Artifact

David Collins (2025-09-15)

Subgenre
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingPG-13
Pages (Standard (250-400))
SeriesThe Artifact #
Setting
CSM age13

Content levels

ViolenceModerate
Sexual contentNone
LanguageMild

Trigger warnings

CaptivityDeath

Positive tags

Found FamilyFriendshipAdventureHopeful Ending

Tropes

Found FamilyFirst ContactQuestFish out of WaterFellowshipRescue Mission

Themes

TeamworkDiversitySurvivalMoral AmbiguityCultural ClashDuty vs Personal Needs

Synopsis

The crew decided to split up. They send the Shadow to keep trying to stop the warring parties in M33, while the Stardust III heads back for upgrades and some rest. The situation in M33 turns out to be much more complicated than they initially thought. Last-minute crew adjustments caused more stress than expected, and tempers are flaring. They rescue more stranded aliens, some of whom don't want to be rescued. Then, they rescue an alien that can only tolerate small amounts of regular air and would die if exposed to normal food or water.

Tags

Space OperaMilitary Science FictionAlien ContactHard Science Fiction