Research Station on Kryxalis-9 Vanishes: No Survivors Reported

RELEASE NEWS: TOTAL DAMAGE TELLS ON RESEARCH STATION PLANET KRYXALIS-9

Galactic News Network (GNN) Special Report
Transmission Date: Stellar Cycle 7429.3

Now the remote research base on Kryxalis-9 has been decimated by what is reported as a record-breaking alien strike. According to official sources, all research staff and facilities have been confirmed to have been destroyed.

Some preliminary sightings from distant scanning ships suggest a giant unseen object rose from the planet’s purple desert, accompanied by what looks like a legion of crystal skeletal combatants. The strike was swift and complete, the entire research base was reduced to boiling debris within the planetary rotation timescale.

Elena Rodriguez, xenobiologist at the Interstellar Research Consortium, told a panic call: We’ve lost all contact with the station. First sensor readings predict a pandemic of an unprecedented scale. One improbable account suggests that only one of the survivors – an elusive single rider found on the planet before the strike – might have seen everything. However, this claim remains unverified.

The Galactic Defense Council is in an emergency session. All neighboring star systems were urged to remain at high risk and elevated alert levels for all defense forces.

This is a developing story. Check back with GNN for more news.

Reporting from Galactic Central Command,

Rachel Starling
Senior Correspondent, Galactic News Network

[Workflow: The image was created through a multi-step compositing process. Individual elements were generated using NightCafe's AI-powered image prompts and then the canvas was expanded using FreePik. I added layers of dust motes and particles and other minor changes within Affinity.]

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Alien Camels

Here is a collection of alien camels I created during a session with NightCafe with only a few hand edits in Affinity.

The Lone Camel Rider of Xylophee-V

The planet Xylophee-V, a distant and unforgiving world, has been the subject of much speculation and mystery throughout the galaxy. For centuries, astronomers have gazed up at the stars, searching for signs of life beyond the reaches of their own planet. And yet, it was not until the dawn of the 23rd century that the first recorded sighting of an extraterrestrial being was made on this desolate planet. A lone alien, perched atop an Earth-like camel, traversed the barren desert wasteland.  After months of remote observation, these are the only two lifeforms discovered... so far.

[Workflow: The image was created through a multi-step compositing process. Individual elements were generated using NightCafe's AI-powered image prompts and combined into a cohesive whole. A painted texture layer was added to enhance the overall aesthetic, followed by layers of dust motes and particles to add depth and visual interest. Targeted hand edits were made to correct any AI-generated glitches. Affinity's color mapping tools adjusted the tone and color palette for the final result.]

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Absolute Batman on a Motorcycle

I took the final panel from DC Comics Absolute Batman #1 drawn by Nick Dragotta and made some alterations and enhancements to create this poster version.

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John Enters the Citadel of GazeBrax

[another imagined John Constantine comic book cover for DC Comics. This three-part storyline is proposed to be written by Denise Mina, with interior art by Stefano Landini.]

As John Constantine descended into the lower levels of Hell, the air grew thick with the stench of brimstone and the screams of the damned. The sky above was a deep brackish red, with wispy vapor clouds drifting lazily across the horizon like ghostly apparitions. The moon, a burning crimson orb, hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape.

Before him, a massive, purple bulbous creature emerged from the shadows. Its body was covered in thick, scaly skin, and its eyes - a staggering thirteen total appeared to take in the scene from every angle. The creature's short, horn-like protrusions seemed to quiver with malevolent intent as it regarded Constantine with a cold, calculating gaze.

The air was heavy with the scent of sulfur and smoke, and the ground beneath Constantine's feet seemed to writhe and twist like a living thing. The creature's very presence seemed to draw the life force out of the air, leaving only a dull, oppressive weight that pressed down upon Constantine's shoulders.

"You shouldn't be here, Constantine," the creature hissed while spitting green saliva in a voice that sent shivers down Constantine's spine. "This is not a place for mortals." Constantine snarled, his eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm not just any mortal, pal. I'm John Constantine, and I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." With a flick of his wrist, Constantine summoned Randar's Defensive Globe, a powerful spell that would protect him from the creature's attack. The air around him shimmered with a faint verdant illumination as the spell took hold, and Constantine felt an increased surge of confidence.

[Workflow: Starter images of the beast, smaller creatures in the foreground, background town, John Constantine, and Randar's Globe were created in NightCafe. The painting canvas texture, drool, and moon were sourced from the internet. The images were then combined together, with a batch of AI-artifact fixes to the beast made by hand (eyes, claws). Fx layers were used for JC's spellcasting. Heavy use was made of IamRensi custom brushes for masking, clouds, and magic aura on the globe.]

Space Base Exilon-4

Space Base Exilon-4: A Hub for Lunar Research and Development

Located on the surface of the Moon, Space Base Exilon-4 is a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to advancing humanity's understanding of the universe. The base is a hub for scientists, engineers, and explorers from around the world, working together to push the boundaries of space exploration and development.

The Research Focus: Super-Helium Production

One of the primary research focuses at Space Base Exilon-4 is the production of super-helium, a rare and highly valuable isotope of helium-3 (He-3). This isotope has the potential to revolutionize the field of nuclear fusion, offering a clean and sustainable source of energy.

The research team at Space Base Exilon-4 is working to develop a scalable and efficient method for extracting and processing He-3 from the lunar regolith. This involves a combination of advanced drilling and excavation techniques, as well as innovative processing methods to extract the valuable isotope from the Moon's soil.

The Benefits of Super-Helium Production

The production of super-helium at Space Base Exilon-4 has far-reaching implications for humanity's energy future. By harnessing the power of nuclear fusion, we can:

1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Nuclear fusion is a zero-carbon source of energy, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.
2. Increase energy security: With a reliable and sustainable source of energy, we can reduce our reliance on finite resources and mitigate the risks of energy price volatility.
3. Foster international cooperation: The development of super-helium production at Space Base Exilon-4 is a collaborative effort, bringing together scientists and engineers from around the world to advance our understanding of the universe.

The Challenges and Opportunities

While the potential benefits of super-helium production are significant, there are also challenges to overcome. These include:

1. Technical hurdles: Developing a scalable and efficient method for extracting and processing He-3 from the lunar regolith is a complex task that requires significant advances in materials science, engineering, and physics.
2. Logistical challenges: Establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon requires significant investments in infrastructure, including life support systems, energy generation, and communication networks.
3. International cooperation: The development of super-helium production at Space Base Exilon-4 requires international cooperation and collaboration, which can be challenging to achieve.

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of super-helium production make it an exciting and worthwhile endeavor. As humanity continues to explore and develop the Moon, we can expect to unlock new opportunities for scientific discovery, technological innovation, and sustainable energy production.

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Thóthchånge Awakens

A small group of science-based cultists, devoted to the worship of a primordial leviathan, have devised a plan to unleash their god Thóthchånge from his prison beneath the lunar surface. They have uncovered a Stonehenge-like formation located only a few kilometers from Apollo 15's original landing site near Mare Imbrium. They intend to use the arcane stones as a casting circle and perform a dark ritual during a solar eclipse when the Moon is aligned with the Sun and the Earth. They hope that by doing so, they will create a rift in the deep regolith, and awaken Thóthchånge from his slumber who will reward them with dark enigmatical powers. However, their slumbering leviathan does not grant rewards, it lives only to consume... **everything**.

Affinity Photo Workflow: A few image prompts using Bing DALL-E, and Nightcafe ImageAI to get me four different monsters to chop, crop, and combine during my photo-surgery.  Some real images of the moon from NASA and other sections of the moon were generated with AI and merged/blended.   Dust clouds, creature glow, energy maw, and particles are added in Affinity Photo.  Eyeballs created using Filter Forge were added to the creature.  Stone circles were pulled from images and masked in, with casting runes embossed on them.

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