Headline: "Reebok Isn’t a ‘Hobby’ for Shaquille O’Neal"
Subhead: "After pushing to be in charge of the company’s return to basketball, the Hall of Famer understands the stakes. “If this doesn’t work, everyone’s leaving,” he said."
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/26/style/shaquille-oneal-reebok.html
Full article behind paywall:
In mid-March, Reebok staged its annual brand summit for about 500 business partners at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter, an events space in Boston, where Todd Krinsky, the company’s chief executive, was harboring a secret.
Mr. Krinsky told his audience that Shaquille O’Neal, the new president of Reebok’s soon-to-be-resuscitated basketball division, had been hoping to attend. But in lieu of being there in person, Mr. O’Neal had sent along a prerecorded video message.
And there, on a big screen, appeared the unmistakable presence of Mr. O’Neal, all 7 feet 1 inch of him, as he lounged in bed at home in Atlanta. He said he felt awful about missing the event and offered his apologies.
But as soon as the video ended, Mr. O’Neal appeared in person — surprise! — strutting onto the stage. He greeted the crowd and soon joined Mr. Krinsky for a Q. and A. that the chief executive figured would be light and breezy. But Mr. O’Neal, as he often does, had other plans.
Mr. Krinsky had just gotten through asking his second question — a softball along the lines of which of Mr. O’Neal’s four N.B.A. championships was his favorite — when Mr. O’Neal made an impromptu speech that Mr. Krinsky recalled as part sermon, part pep talk.
“Listen, we’re getting back into basketball,” Mr. O’Neal said. “And I want everyone in here to understand there are no excuses. Everyone needs to be 100 percent in on this, because I’m 100 percent in on this.”
He then doubled down on his personal commitment: “I’m not doing this because this is a hobby. I’m doing this because we have a rightful place in basketball.”
To basketball fans around the world, Mr. O’Neal, 52, is impossible to miss. As a player, he was one of the most dominant big men in the game’s history, a 15-time N.B.A. All-Star who won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2016.
But rather than take his millions in retirement and decamp to a tropical island, Mr. O’Neal has remained uniquely visible. When he isn’t co-hosting TNT’s “Inside the N.B.A.” or interviewing guests on his podcast, odds are decent that Mr. O’Neal is trying to sell you car insurance. Or Icy Hot. Or Papa John’s pizza. Or printer cartridges.
Now, the man with a gazillion jobs has one more — and it is personal, he said. In re-entering the hypercompetitive world of basketball sneakers, Reebok is looking to the future by banking on a larger-than-life figure from its past. Mr. O’Neal said he was aware of the stakes.
“If this doesn’t work, everyone’s leaving,” Mr. O’Neal said. “Everyone’s going to get gone, including me.”

Pumped Up

Reebok was largely known for fitness sneakers and apparel until 1989, when it moved into basketball with the launch of the Reebok Pump, a sneaker with an inflation device that gave the foot a snug fit. Pumps were bold, innovative, incredibly heavy, almost prohibitively expensive — and a hit.
“No one at Reebok needed to be tasked with convincing pro players to wear Pumps,” Russ Bengtson wrote in his book, “A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers.” In fact, after Dee Brown wore Pumps while winning the N.B.A.’s slam dunk contest in 1991, Michael Jordan, a star synonymous with Nike, confronted Mr. Brown, telling him that he had kicked off “a shoe war,” according to Mr. Bengtson.
Sure enough, in 1992, Reebok was hoping to cement its new position in the marketplace by signing the biggest star coming out of college basketball that year: Shaquille O’Neal, who had spent three seasons demolishing defenders as a rim-shaking, shot-swatting star at Louisiana State.
When Mr. O’Neal met with Reebok executives, he told them that he wanted his own sneakers with the “Dunkman” logo, which was a silhouette of himself hanging from the hoop, legs akimbo, after a ferocious slam. He also wanted to be involved in the production of his own TV commercials.
“I won’t say I was messing around,” Mr. O’Neal said on a video call, “but I was just trying to see how far I could go. And with every demand that I wanted, they said, ‘Yes.’ It was a beautiful thing.”
Mr. O’Neal was sold. He still had another meeting scheduled with Nike, and while he was no longer interested, he went to it “out of respect,” he said. He showed up in a Reebok jacket.
“They were kind of upset about that,” he said. “I took all the Nike product for my family.”
Reebok celebrated its new endorsement deal with Mr. O’Neal on the grounds of its Boston campus. A huge tent was erected, and Reebok employees wore T-shirts that said “Love Shaq.” Mr. Krinsky, who was 22 at the time and working in a company warehouse, was not on the invite list. But he was determined to sneak inside, he said, and even managed to approach Mr. O’Neal.
“Hey, man, someday we’re going to work together,” Mr. Krinsky recalled telling him.
“All right, dude,” Mr. O’Neal told him.
Reebok’s N.B.A. roster later expanded to include several other stars, peaking with Allen Iverson, who signed a $50 million endorsement deal after the Philadelphia 76ers made him the league’s top overall draft pick in 1996.
The result was Reebok having a “really vibrant basketball business” in the 1990s and 2000s, Mr. Krinsky said, with a 14 percent market share. But after acquiring Reebok in 2005, Adidas de-emphasized Reebok’s commitment to basketball. “Adidas really mismanaged the brand,” said Matt Powell, a footwear industry analyst and senior adviser with BCE Consulting.
Mr. Krinsky, a Reebok lifer who graduated from the warehouse to the mailroom to various management positions, recalled that period as “a really difficult time for a lot of us.”
As Reebok’s business continued to founder under Adidas, Mr. O’Neal kept in touch with Mr. Krinsky, who recalled the general gist of Mr. O’Neal’s text messages: “Is Adidas selling yet?”
In 2015, Mr. O’Neal became a strategic partner with Authentic Brands Group, a brand management and licensing company, providing him with an opportunity to push Jamie Salter, Authentic Brands’ chief executive, to buy Reebok. “He was always harassing Jamie,” Mr. Krinsky said.
It worked. Authentic Brands acquired Reebok in 2021 for about $2.5 billion. And while the core of Reebok’s business has remained in its Classics collection, which is driven by its archive, and also in training shoes and apparel, the company wants to expand into sports. Basketball is at the heart of that mission in large part because of the game’s global growth, said Nick Woodhouse, the president of Authentic Brands.
“The resounding feedback from our international partners is: ‘Hey, we’re all in on basketball, and we can’t wait until you have players in the N.B.A.,’” Mr. Woodhouse said.
When Reebok formally decided to return to basketball, Mr. Krinsky phoned Mr. O’Neal so that they could brainstorm. He also wanted to gauge Mr. O’Neal’s desired level of involvement. Mr. Krinsky thought it was a productive conversation. And then Mr. O’Neal called him back.
“I want to be president,” Mr. O’Neal told him.
“Of what?” Mr. Krinsky asked.
As he digested Mr. O’Neal’s pitch — essentially: Put me in charge of basketball — Mr. Krinsky became a fan of the idea, he said. He knew that Mr. O’Neal would throw himself into the role.
“This is not some P.R. move,” said Mr. Krinsky, who made that point more than once in a recent interview. “He is really committed to this.”
Mr. Iverson, who has retained his cachet in the basketball world well into his retirement, soon came aboard as vice president. “He can help me get to the smaller people,” Mr. O’Neal said. “If I’m a guard and I get a call from Shaq? Meh. But if I get a call from A.I., that’s a different story.”
Drew Haines, the merchandising director for sneakers at the online reseller StockX, cited Mr. Iverson’s cultural influence on basketball, fashion and footwear as an asset for Reebok.
“I don’t see any reason they couldn’t have a really nice resurgence,” Mr. Haines said.
Now, Mr. O’Neal said, the goal is to replicate the sort of excitement that accompanied the release of his sneaker over 30 years ago. Well, not now, exactly. But soon. Or at least soon-ish: Reebok plans to launch its new basketball line early next year.
“You can’t just show up on 30 acres and build a mansion,” Mr. O’Neal said. “It takes time.”

The Big Delegator

Mr. O’Neal prides himself on not being a micromanager.
“My favorite word is ‘delegation,’” said Mr. O’Neal, who has weekly Zoom calls with his staff. (His display name, in case anyone needed reminding, is Reebok prez.)
Mr. O’Neal prefers to keep the big picture in mind, and he doesn’t exactly lack confidence. He rattled through an abridged list of his applicable skills: that he knows what looks good, that he knows what people like, that he can relate to retailers, that he is terrific in meetings with young players and their parents — a necessity now that high school and college athletes can be paid for the use of their “name, image and likeness,” commonly known as N.I.L. deals.
Mr. O’Neal also knows that Reebok needs to come out with a product that “makes noise,” though he acknowledged that the footwear landscape had evolved. During his playing days, sneaker companies marketed their products by signing popular players. But this is the influencer age.
The Big Delegator
Mr. O’Neal prides himself on not being a micromanager.
“My favorite word is ‘delegation,’” said Mr. O’Neal, who has weekly Zoom calls with his staff. (His display name, in case anyone needed reminding, is Reebok prez.)
Mr. O’Neal prefers to keep the big picture in mind, and he doesn’t exactly lack confidence. He rattled through an abridged list of his applicable skills: that he knows what looks good, that he knows what people like, that he can relate to retailers, that he is terrific in meetings with young players and their parents — a necessity now that high school and college athletes can be paid for the use of their “name, image and likeness,” commonly known as N.I.L. deals.
Mr. O’Neal also knows that Reebok needs to come out with a product that “makes noise,” though he acknowledged that the footwear landscape had evolved. During his playing days, sneaker companies marketed their products by signing popular players. But this is the influencer age.
“Now,” Mr. O’Neal said, “it’s bloggers, emcees, athletes, designers.”
At the N.B.A.’s All-Star weekend in February, as Mr. O’Neal and Mr. Iverson made the rounds wearing Reebok varsity jackets that were personalized with their respective titles, Reebok released an N.B.A.-themed collaboration with Victor Solomon, the Los Angeles artist. (The jackets were Mr. O’Neal’s idea.)
Star players, though, are still an invaluable piece of the puzzle, and Reebok made an immediate, and somewhat surprising, first splash back in October by partnering with Angel Reese, one of the most popular young players in the women’s game. A former all-American at L.S.U., Ms. Reese recently joined the Chicago Sky of the W.N.B.A. as a first-round draft pick.
Mr. O’Neal first met Ms. Reese when he accompanied his daughter Me’Arah, a top high school prospect, on a recruiting trip to his alma mater. Though Ms. O’Neal later committed to the University of Florida, her father became something of a mentor to Ms. Reese.
“She’s like a daughter to me,” Mr. O’Neal said. “She’s fearless. She’s herself.”
Reebok, at Mr. O’Neal’s behest, signed Ms. Reese to an N.I.L. deal in October, making her the first player, man or woman, to be sponsored by the company in the Shaq era.
“No one was expecting a college player, and no one was expecting a woman,” Ms. Reese said in an email, adding, “The world’s overwhelmingly positive reaction to it meant so much to me.”
Mr. Krinsky described Ms. Reese as a “provocative” presence who fits with the company’s ethos of being disruptive. He cited Reebok’s 2001 collaboration with the rapper Jadakiss, who filmed a commercial to promote the release of Mr. Iverson’s signature sneaker, the Answer V. The commercial was perfectly timed as the N.B.A. was leaning into its connection with hip-hop and Black culture, a shift led by players like Mr. Iverson.
“They understand my values,” Ms. Reese said, “and being a girlie girl, changing the stereotype that women can be cute and girlie off the court, and also be a baller on the court.”
With the Sky, Ms. Reese has worn a special colorway (pink and white) of the Reebok Solution Low, a retro model from Mr. Iverson’s sneaker line.
Several players, including Ms. Reese, are testing prototypes of Reebok’s new sneakers. The process started nearly a year ago, Mr. Krinsky said, as Reebok brought in designers from other areas of the company who have a passion for basketball. Among them: Jide Osifeso, who helps Mr. O’Neal oversee the basketball division.
“Performance stuff is really competitive right now,” Nick Engvall, a footwear industry consultant, said. “They would have a really challenging time without spending a lot of money because there are so many brands that are doing incredible things at the $100 to $120 price point right now.”
Mr. Krinsky declined to provide financial figures. “I can tell you that we are pitching and competing to sign some of the best players in the world,” he said.
For his part, Mr. O’Neal said he was embracing the challenge. “Nike has a lot of players,” he said. “Adidas has some OK players, but no one I’m worried about, trust me.”
Consider it his version of boardroom trash talk against a worthy adversary: Adidas already has one of the brightest young stars in the N.B.A., Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, locked in with a signature sneaker and is making its own inroads on the surge of popularity in the women’s game by naming Candace Parker, the recently retired W.N.B.A. superstar, as its president of women’s basketball.
And while Mr. O’Neal was cagey about his own team’s plans — “I don’t want to give up my secrets,” he said, as if he were guarding his playbook from opponents — he did offer morsels. He wants a high-performance product with “a lot of style and innovation.” He wants “funky, fresh designs.” And, of course, he wants to succeed.
“It’s personal,” Mr. Krinsky said, “because his name is on the line now.”

Apologies for my absence! Please add anything I missed!

Live Music

FRIDAY - 05/24 - Gunna @ Toyota Music Factory @ 8PM
FRIDAY - 05/24 - Diljit Dosanjh @ American Airlines Center @ 8PM
FRIDAY - 05/24 - Taking Back Sunday @ South Side Ballroom @ 8PM With Citizen
FRIDAY - 05/24 - Dead Poets Society @ House of Blues @ 7PM
FRIDAY - 05/24 - Chris Isaak @ House of Blues @ 7PM
FRIDAY - 05/24 - Warpaint @ Granada Theater @ 8:30PM With Sego
FRIDAY - 05/24 - Alok @ Stereo Live @ 10PM
FRIDAY - 05/24 - Sarah Jarosz @ The Kessler @ 7:30PM With Liv Greene
FRIDAY - 05/24 - The Emo Night Tour @ Trees @ 8PM
FRIDAY - 05/24 - Alpha Wolf @ South Side Music Hall @ 7PM
FRIDAY - 05/24 - Dan Daecon @ Club Dada @ 8PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 05/25 - 05/26 - Twogether Land Music Festival @ Fair Park Featuring Summer Walker, Lil Wayne, Latto, Key Glock, Gucci Mane, Mariah The Scientist, and many more!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 05/25 - 05/26 - Exodus Music Festival @ Toyota Music Factory Featuring Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Naomi Raine, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, and more!
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 05/25 - 05/26 - Ubbi Dubbi Electronic Music Festival @ Panther Island Pavilion Featuring Alison Wonderland, Afrojack, Align, Audien, Elderbrook, Alleycvt, & more!
SATURDAY - 05/25 - Madaraka Festival @ House of Blues @ 7PM
SATURDAY - 05/25 - Umak @ Stereo Live @ 10PM
SATURDAY - 05/25 - Flowmoon @ Deep Ellum Art Co @ 6PM Featuring Soulacybin & Flintwick
SATURDAY - 05/25 - Jaro Metal Night @ Trees @ 8PM
SATURDAY - 05/25 - Nekromantix @ Sundown at Granada @ 9:30PM
SUNDAY - 05/26 - Kublai Khan @ The Factory in Deep Ellum @ 6:30PM With Harms Way & Pain of Truth
SUNDAY - 05/26 - In Flames @ House of Blues @ 6PM
SUNDAY - 05/26 - SOEN @ Granada Theater @ 7:30PM
SUNDAY - 05/26 - Grlwood @ Trees @ 8PM With Roach Noises

Standup Comedy:

FRIDAY - 05/24 - Ahmed Al-Kadri Stand Up @ Dallas Comedy Club @ 9:30PM
ALL WEEKEND - Gary Owen Stand Up @ Addison Improv
ALL WEEKEND - Rod Man Stand Up @ Arlington Improv

Sports:

FRIDAY & SATURDAY - 05/24 - 05/25 - Big 12 Baseball Championship @ Globe Life Field
SATURDAY - 05/25 - Dallas FC vs Real Salt Lake @ Toyota Stadium @ 7:30PM
SATURDAY - 05/25 - Stars vs Oilers @ American Airlines Center @ 7PM
SUNDAY - 05/26 - Mavericks vs Timberwolves @ American Airlines Center @ 7PM

Cultural and Theater:

FRIDAY & SATURDAY - 05/24 - 05/25 - ‘Evergreen’ Musical @ Wyly Studio Theatre This dazzling musical experience is performed through a non-traditional concert setting which raises awareness about climate change using elements of Caroline Shaw’s ‘The Evergreen.’
FRIDAY & SUNDAY - 05/24 - 05/26 - Prokofiev, Walton, and Basevi in Concert @ Meyerson Symphony Center Hear the riveting, virtuosic, and, at times, terrifying Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto and Walton’s first symphony performed with world-renowned pianist Denis Kozhukhin.
ALL WEEKEND - Dvořák and Chopin in Concert @ Bass Performance Hall FW Symphony Orchestra presents Dvořák’s rhapsodic and electrifying Eighth Symphony and lively Slavonic Dance, plus Chopin’s classic Piano Concerto No. 1.
ALL WEEKEND - ‘Hamilton’ Musical @ Winspear Opera House Don’t miss the chance to see this epic saga about the life and legacy of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and find out why it has made a profound impact on the way we think about our history.
ALL WEEKEND - ‘Misery’ Play @ Theatre Three Based on the novel by Stephen King, this horror classic tells the story of a novelist and his fan meeting under eerie circumstances.

Experiences / Family:

FRIDAY - 05/24 - Silent Disco @ Klyde Warren Park @ 8PM Dance the night away with Dallasites101 at a silent disco party!
SATURDAY - 05/25 - Family Magic & Comedy Show @ Addison Improv @ 2PMCome and experience this show full of high energy magic, illusions, juggling, lots of audience interaction, and more family-friendly fun.
SATURDAY - 05/25 - ‘Crazy Rich Asians @ Harwood Park @ 8PM
SATURDAY - 05/25 - ‘Big Hero 6’ Screening @ Klyde Warren Park @ 7PM
SATURDAY - 05/25 - Melting Pot Market @ AT&T Discovery District @ 2PM Dive into a world of artisanal delights from local vendors, offering everything from unique jewelry to delectable treats.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY - 05/25 - 05/26 - Scarborough Renaissance Festival LAST CHANCE - Visit the Renaissance themed festival set in a re-created 16th Century English village where you’ll find interactive experiences, live entertainment, delectable foods, and much more!
SUNDAY - 05/26 - Boho Market @ Klyde Warren Park @ 11AM Visit one of the largest artisan markets in Texas and shop one-of-a-kind goods from local small businesses.
SUNDAY - 05/26 - Carne Asada Festival @ Gilley’s @ 2PM The festival celebrates Dallas’ Latin culture and provides an immersive experience that showcases Latin talent, food, and culture.
ALL WEEKEND - ZestFest: Spicy Food and BBQ Festival @ Will Rogers Memorial Center Indulge in a fiery food experience at one of the largest culinary festivals in the country!
ALL WEEKEND - National Polka Festival @ Downtown Ennis Experience the traditions, religious customs, dancing, taste, and the sights and sounds of polka.
DAILY - Funbox - World’s Biggest Bounce Park @ Stonebriar Centre Mall & Hurst North East Mall FUNBOX is a unique entertainment and amusement experience consisting of 25,000 square feet of inflatable fun for kids and adults! Visit its two locations in DFW!
DAILY - ‘Destination: Dinosaurs’ @ Dallas Zoo Uncover the secrets of the dinosaurs as you wander among the shadows of over 100 life-sized colossal giants in one of the largest immersive dinosaur exhibits in the country.
DAILY - ‘T-Rex: The Ultimate Predator’ Exhibition @ Perot Museum Come explore the latest research and discoveries about tyrannosaurs, with an emphasis on the most famous and impressive member of the family — T. Rex.

Museum and Arts:

SUNDAY - 05/26 -Drawing from the Masters @ Meadows Museum @ 1:30PMEnjoy afternoons of informal drawing classes inspired by the museum collection.
DAILY - ‘From Munch to Kirchner: The Heins Collection’ Exhibition @ DMA The exhibition celebrates the legacy and art collection of Marie “Elinor” Heins through the recent gift of 30 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by artists like Renoir, Signac, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Munch
DAILY - ‘The Impressionist Revolution: From Monet to Matisse’ Exhibition @ DMA The exhibition explores the fascinating story of Impressionism from its birth in 1874 to its legacy in the early 20th century and the revolutionary course it charted for modern art.
DAILY - ‘He Said/She Said: Contemporary Women Artists Interject’ Exhibition @ DMA Join contemporary women artists in questioning the myth of the sole male genius in an exhibition where contributions from male artists are strategically appropriated in order to create space for new, more inclusive narratives.
DAILY - ‘Tiffany Chung: Rise Into The Atmosphere’ Installation @ DMA Contending with current sociopolitical issues in relation to history and cultural memory, Chung’s practice documents and discusses the hidden histories of personal memory and experience.
DAILY - ‘Barnaby Fitzgerald: An Eye for Ballast’ Exhibition @ Meadows Museum This focused, monographic exhibition of key paintings by Dallas-based artist Barnaby Fitzgerald featuring his otherworldly landscapes and interior scenes, which contemplate themes from literature, mythology, and art history.
DAILY - ‘Surrealism and Us: Caribbean and African Diasporic Artists Since 1940’ Exhibition @ The Modern Centered on the intersection of Caribbean aesthetics, Afrosurrealism, and Afrofuturism, ‘Surrealism and Us’ explores how Caribbean and Black artists interpreted a modernist movement.
DAILY - ‘Rebecca Manson: Barbecue’ Exhibition @ The Modern NEW - Manson’s first solo museum presentation defies viewers’ expectations of clay as an art material as her monumental work evokes tension and stillness as two dualities of daily life.
DAILY - ‘Mexican Roots: Masks, Prints, and Traditional Arts of Mexico’ Exhibition @ Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Celebrate the vibrant world of masks and relief prints that capture the essence of Mexican history, people, culture, and religion.
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Many of you all have asked me to setup an email list, you can sign up here. I'll start sending this as an email in the next few weeks, thanks for your patience while I get things figured out.

A development site located at 229 Withers Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was involved in a recent transaction. The property boasts 12,000 square feet of buildable square footage.

Summary of transaction details:

• Property Type: Development Site
• Transaction Amount: $9,500,000
• Market: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
• Loan Type: Bridge/Construction
• Loan Terms: 2% over Prime; Interest Only
• Landlord: Chung Ng
• Broker: Michael Volpe - Highcap Group

The loan amount of $9,500,000 for this transaction was secured with a Bridge/Construction loan type at 2% over Prime, with interest-only terms. Michael Volpe from Highcap Group represented the deal as the broker in this transaction.
Learn More: Chung Ng Secures $9.5M Bridge/Construction Loan For Williamsburg Development Site

Just watched this movie. It is a comedy thriller about a high school reunion where someone is murdered, and the guests are all stranded. Nothing new about the plot but it was a funny film, with some great lines from characters. Reminded me of the tv show, The Afterparty. Definitely similar vibes. With Nina Dobrev, Billy Magnussen, Lil Rel Howery, Jillian Bell (whose deadpan delivery was funny), and Jamie Chung.

Heart Aino stays as Kira Buckland as seen in Cross Tag Battle. This list only accounts for playable characters. What do you guys think? Any thoughts?
Saki Tsuzura: Erica Lindbeck
Kamui Tokinomiya: Cherami Leigh Kuehn
Konoha Koinumaru: AmaLee
Maori Kasuga: Xanthe Huynh
Tsuzune Kasuga: Wendee Lee
Koito Kasuga: Dina Sherman
Kouta Kasuga: Kelsey Jaffer
Mei-Fang: Corinne Sudberg
Lilica Felcenerow: Michelle Ruff
Lieselotte Achenbach: Kristen McGuire
Elfriede Achenbach: Anne Yatco
Yoriko Yasuzumi: Dani Chambers
Mike: Mike Thornton
Kira Daidouji: Sarah Ann Williams
Fiona Mayfield: Kayli Mills
Petra J. Lagerkvist: Cassandra Lee Morris
Zenia Valov: Amber Lee Connors
Elsa la Conti: Jeannie Tirado
Clarice di Lanza: Abby Trott
Catherine Kyoubashi: Tia Ballard
Dorothy Albright: Cristina Vee
Tin Man: Ted Sroka
Nazuna Inuwaka: Megan Shipman
Akane Inuwaka: Felecia Angelle
Angelia Avallone: Lindsay Seidel
Merlin: Dave Fennoy
Weiss: Jamie Chung
Eko: Lily Ki
Kazu: Daran Norris
Scharlachrot: Erika Harlacher
Minori Amanohara: Lizzie Freeman
Pistrix: Tara Platt
Dark Heart: Kira Buckland

The beautiful thing about Villeneuve's movies is that they are highly rewatchable, and you can pick up on more subtleties with each viewing. We know Villeneuve prefers visual storytelling to explicit dialog, and he uses key shots to portray plot points, requiring the viewers to go further than simply listening to lines but rather to pick up on visual cues. One way he does this is through the characters' gaze, their eye contact--for Paul and Chani, what the cast has referred to as "glance passes."
There are actually some deep plot points we can infer from the glance passes throughout the film. In this post, I will specifically analyze the shots where Paul looks at Chani during the final fight scene. Paul's glances here indicate his motivations at this point in the story.
(Note: This commentary is my one humble interpretation, of course! It is based on my reading of Dune: Messiah and Children of Dune. I've redacted my references to those books as spoilers. My interpretation is also based on my understanding of Villeneuve's narrative goals for Dune: Part Two and the hints he has dropped in interviews about his plans for the Messiah film. Villeneuve has clearly stated that the love story between Paul and Chani is at the heart of this film. He has also stated that his favorite book is Dune: Messiah, which absolutely centers Paul's love for Chani and fears about her death.)
You can interpret these shots of Paul's glances on two levels, by design: (1) the level of a viewer who is casually enjoying the scene, and (2) the level of someone who knows the other "possible futures" that Paul saw after drinking the Water of Life and who generally knows what is likely coming in Dune: Messiah (the film version). This latter level is the level Villeneuve is operating on.
Key Background: Paul's Two Fears
To appreciate Paul's expressions during the Feyd fight, you have to reflect on his major motivations in this film. Without this background, you might miss the looks between Paul and Chani, and when you see them, you might think it's purely for the drama of the scene, but these glances are weighty: they communicate Paul's fears, which relate to his visions, what he saw when he drank the Water of Life, and what is to come in the next film.
The third act of the film is Paul acting out his "narrow way through." The clear vision that he saw when he drank the Water of Life becomes his battle plan; it's the only path where their enemies do not prevail. How did Paul determine this plan? Well, initially, the last thing he wanted to do was go South, because going South seemed to suggest (1) a war in his name where billions of people die, and (2) Chani dying. These are the two visions that he has during the film. He conjures these two separate visions up after Feyd's forces attack Sietch Tabr and he is talking to Stilgar. These two separate visions are what make him initially refuse to go South. It's important to note, in the book Dune: Messiah, these are also the two things that haunt Paul: "And he saw how he'd been hemmed in by boundaries of love and the Jihad." (p. 46).
But before going South, he conjures a vision of Jamis, who informed him, "You need to see"--you need to clearly see the future so that you can stop these bad things from happening. Paul still had his doubts, even after this message from Jamis. This is why he tells Chani, "If I go South, I might lose you." He does not mean "You might walk out on me," he means, "You might die." And she tells him, "you'll never lose me as long as you stay who you are," (she clearly didn't understand that his statement was about her potentially dying; instead, she's thinking he is referencing her leaving him as a result of his worries about the fundamentalists and fears related to him taking control--at this point, these are the only "nightmares" and concerns of Paul's that Chani is aware of). Paul in that moment resolves to go South, to drink the Water of Life so he can see his past (that's what the Water of Life does, gives you intergenerational memory) in order to gain clearer visions of the future. The voices in his Jamis vision tell him, "you cannot see your future without seeing our past." Paul wants this new and improved future vision so that he can figure out how to prevent his two big fears: billions of people dying and Chani's death.
Notably, by including Paul's vision of Chani's death in this film, Villeneuve made the choice to embed elements of Dune: Messiah into Dune: Part Two. Pauls' vision of Chani's death is not in the first Dune book. This is a plot point Herbert developed in Messiah, when Paul is essentially trapped into his vision and afraid to veer from its path, lest worse consequences ensue. As a reminder, Paul has a vision of the "moon falling," and he spends most of Messiah lamenting his role in the Jihad and grieving Chani's future death while desperately trying (and failing) to save her (recall his bargaining with Reverend Mother Mohaim to save Chani's life). He basically settles on the fact that the path he chose was Chani's least terrible death, with alternatives being her put in a cage, tortured, put in slave pits, etc. (See Dune: Messiah pp. 196, 314).
His Water-of-Life vision is never fully visually revealed to us, the viewers, but when he mentions the "narrow way through," we get a quick shot of Paul's hand stabbing Feyd. The "narrow way through" is the one path where their enemies do not prevail--where the crisis of Chani's death is averted. I actually think this is why Paul answers Chani's "Are you okay?" with "Thanks to you" after he wakes up from drinking the Water of Life. I think that "Thanks to you" has a double meaning--thank to you for waking me up and thanks to you for being my compass, essentially, the determining factor guiding my decision on which possible future to choose. Remember, Paul sees multiple possible futures, so the path we see in the third act of film is not an inevitable future: Paul still has to make choices and act out the future that he wants to happen. He still has to work to make that narrow path happen. Otherwise, another possible future will happen and his enemies will prevail, Chani will die, and everything will be terrible.
What does all of this mean? By the time we get to the Feyd fight, preventing Chani's death has become one of Paul's main motivations. What about preventing the billions of deaths in the upcoming Jihad!? Welp, the Jihad ultimately pops off despite this "narrow way through," so apparently Paul realized he couldn't prevent the Jihad (or maybe he could have...but at a price he didn't want to pay). In fact, based on the books, you can make a good argument that Paul makes a choice: to save Chani's life at the cost of billions of lives. We get some insight into Paul's choices regarding Chani in Messiah and in Children of Dune. (Messiah, p. 46: "And what was one life, no matter how beloved, against all the lives the Jihad was certain to take? Could single misery be weighed against the agony of multitudes?"; Children of Dune, p. 518: "I accepted the Mahdinate. I did it for Chani, but it made me a bad leader." <--these quotes suggest that Paul chose Chani--and for a while really thought he could save her--by allowing himself to become a religious figure and allowing the Jihad to happen. Basically, he chose one life over billions of lives.)
So: the "narrow way through" is how Paul saves Chani. And this is his internal monologue when he looks at her throughout the fight. I invite you to rewatch and pay particular attention to every instance when Paul looks at Chani during this fight.
Glance right before the fight: As Paul is positioning himself across from Feyd before they fight, he walks near Chani, looking at her. We get a clear shot of this look and Paul's lingering gaze on Chani as he turns towards Feyd. This is not just an empty glance. It is Paul is reminding himself what is at stake in this fight: Chani's survival.
Glance from the floor when Paul gets knocked down: Paul also glances at Chani when he is knocked down by Feyd's kick. He immediately looks at her, because falling means he is potentially losing the fight, and he knows if he loses, she dies. The "narrow way through" is for Paul to win this fight, and if he fails to enact that future, one of the other possible futures is in play--one in which Chani dies. So this fearful glance at Chani communicates, "Oh no! I'm potentially going to lose this fight and Chani's fate is sealed."
"She's your pet?" glance. Feyd just aggravates Paul's fears when Feyd follows Paul's eyeline, sees that Paul is looking at Chani, and taunts Paul, "She's your pet?" Paul hears this and looks at Chani again. We, the viewers, know at this point that Feyd keeps women as his pets. While, yes, calling Chani a "pet" is a belittling insult to Chani and to Paul, it is serving another purpose in the story: It clearly evokes one of the terrible possible futures where their "enemies prevail" and Chani actually becomes Feyd's pet>! and, if Villeneuve is borrowing themes and content from Dune: Messiah, in that book, a possible future Paul envisions for Chani is her literally being put in a cage (pp. 196, 314)!<. This, of course, reinvigorates Paul to get back on his feet and get back on that narrow path. He is now laser-focused on fighting Feyd and winning.
Glance after getting stabbed. The next glance, though, is after Paul gets stabbed by Feyd. Feyd flings him across the room and he stumbles backs toward the area where Chani is. Feyd advances towards Paul, and then there is a clear, almost slow-motion shot of him turning to look at Chani. Paul doesn't look at anyone else but Chani. And his expression is outright worry, essentially panic. Why is he panicked? He knows the future! Reminder: He's not locked into a particular future; he knows possible futures, and he has to stick to the "narrow way through" by making choices and taking actions to commit to that path. So at this moment, he is openly concerned that he may fail and that he is truly about to die--and if he dies, we jump to one of the possible futures where Chani dies. We then get a shot of Chani looking right back at him, drawing in a desperate breath, panicked as well. Paul sees her panic. With every glance at her, Paul is getting a reminder of what is at stake. He looks back to Feyd, motivated again to try anything to win--including grabbing the knife end of Feyd's blade. Again, these are not throwaway shots; knowing Villeneuve's style and thoughtfulness, these are all very intentional moments.
Glance when he stands up after winning the fight. After Paul stabs Feyd, Paul takes the knife out of his shoulder, stands up, and what is the first thing he does? He immediately looks at Chani. We see him look at her and literally sigh with relief. Chani's expression is certainly relief that Paul survived, but Paul's expression is not mere relief that he, himself, survived. His face is communicating relief with respect to her, to Chani. It's saying, "Good. I saved her." By winning the fight and acting out his vision of the "narrow way through" (stabbing Feyd, which we literally saw as a snippet of his Water-of-Life vision), he ensured that Chani did not die. He then turns his attention toward the Emperor.
Final glance at Chani. The last glance between Paul and Chani is right before Chani exits the room. The thing I'll note about this is that, in this adaptation, Paul probably knows Chani is going to leave before he even looks at her. This was all part of his vision. So, he is turning to look to get his final glance at her, at least for the time being. And after she leaves, he sort of looks down as if to say, "It's okay. This was the only way...the way that keeps her alive." Also, we know from earlier that Paul foresaw that Chani would "come to understand." So he might also be thinking, "It's okay--she is upset now, but she will come to understand why I made these decisions." Also, since we know their relationship is at the heart of the Messiah plot, he might also be thinking, I know I will see her again. We then see Paul turn back towards the Emperor, but then turn around again to anticipate Gurney's statement that the Great Houses have refused to accept his ascendancy.
And then the "Holy War" begins...apparently, Muad'Dib's "narrow way through" was not a path where the Holy War didn't happen. Which goes to my point that maybe Paul made a choice between his two fears, the two visions that plagued him: The Holy War and Chani's death. And he chose Chani.
I hope you enjoyed this read, Dune fam! As always, these are just my interpretations, my lone opinion. You may have an entirely different take. Or you may agree with aspects of mine. Regardless, I'd love to hear what you think!

Chapter Two - Part One
First Half
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Outposts sprang up on Mercury and the moons of the Kuiper Belt, each a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. The harsh landscapes of these worlds posed new challenges, but they also offered new resources and opportunities. The ability to leap across the galaxy using faster-than-light travel encapsulated the dark, relentless drive of the human spirit to explore, expand, and survive.
The network of colonies became interconnected, serving as launch pads for further exploration. The new FTL technologies transformed the galaxy into a neighborhood rather than an infinite wilderness. Each jump through space brought humanity closer to its neighbors in the cosmos, for better or worse.
The universe, once a vast, lonely place, was now a landscape of potential new homes and new challenges. As humanity spread out from the Solar System to the stars, the stage was set for new conflicts and new stories, written not in the light of the Sun but in the starlight of distant worlds.
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Humanity's march to the stars was driven by necessity and survival, stark against the backdrop of Earth's dwindling resources and rising conflicts. After World War I, the foundational theories of rocketry emerged, setting the stage for the later technological leaps that would propel humans into space. The brutal rivalry of the Cold War accelerated these advancements, pushing the Soviet Union and the United States to compete in the space race, a silent war fought with satellites and lunar landings.
The practical applications of these early missions were not just about planting flags but also about testing human limits and technologies in the harsh environment of space. The moon landings of 1969 were a global spectacle. Yet, they also underscored the sheer isolation and vulnerability of human life suspended in the cosmic void.
As the decades rolled on, the international focus shifted from competition to cooperation. The space shuttle program symbolized this new era, with nations coming together to build the International Space Station and to send joint missions to Mars. These efforts turned sci-fi dreams into reality—establishing bases on the moon and sending manned missions to Mars laid the groundwork for future colonization.
The drive to inhabit Mars and the moon grew out of a blend of fear and fascination. Habitats expanded into fully functioning colonies, tapping into local resources to create self-sustaining environments. Technologies developed for extracting water and producing air on these barren worlds were critical for long-term survival.
In the shadows of these achievements, the Alcubierre Warp drive emerged as a revolutionary breakthrough, allowing humanity to leapfrog across vast stellar distances in a blink. The UNV Pathfinder and its sister ship, the UNV Exploration, were equipped with this technology to reconnect with colony ships sent out decades earlier in the Great Exodus. These vessels carried not just new drives but also vital updates in agriculture, medicine, and communications to ensure the colonies could thrive.
Each successful mission with the warp drives was a lifeline, not only physically connecting distant colonies to Earth but also weaving a web of interstellar human culture. Resources and knowledge flowed freely, bolstering each colony's chance of success. These ships were built to endure the extremes of space. They were equipped with advanced life-support systems and autonomous navigation, and they were fortresses navigating the unknown.
Meanwhile, Earth and its solar system colonies were pushed further into space. Massive construction projects like O'Neal Cylinders and space elevators dotted the celestial landscape, marking human progress in the cosmos. Each colony, from Mars's rugged plains to the cloud tops of Venus, developed its distinct culture and identity, united by their shared heritage and mutual challenges.
Space travel was fraught with hazards. Asteroids and solar flares were just the beginning; the cosmos was a place of deep unpredictability and danger. Despite these risks, during this era, not just hundreds of thousands but hundreds of millions of people chose to leave Earth. They embarked on journeys aboard new colony ships. These immense vessels were comparable in size to or even surpassed the O'Neal Cylinder habitats in scale. These ships were behemoths, carrying the very essence of Earth and the seeds of future colonies.
The exodus reached systems like Alpha Centauri A and B, Proxima Centauri, Sirius A and B, Barnard's Star, Luyten 726-8 (BL Ceti and UV Ceti), Ross 154 (V1216 Sagittarii), and Wolf 359. These stars became the bedrock of the United Nations of Sol, the precursor to what would be known as the "Human Sphere." It was a time of unprecedented growth and prosperity for humanity, expanding further than ever before in its history.
As humans settled in these new worlds, they faced not only the physical challenges of new environments but also profound isolation and the psychological burden of being light-years away from Earth. Each colony developed its own way of life, adapting to the unique conditions of their new worlds. The challenges of establishing a foothold in these alien places were immense. Local resources were harvested, and technologies were adapted to create habitable atmospheres and viable ecosystems.
Communication between the colonies and Earth was sparse, limited by the vast distances. Each message took years to travel, even at the speed of light, making each colony effectively isolated in its own right. This isolation led to a variety of cultural evolutions and deviations from Earth's norms, which in turn led to a tapestry of diverse human experiences spread across the stars.
The technologies that allowed these pioneers to travel to and settle new worlds were monumental. Fusion drives, quantum computers, and terraforming equipment were standard on these ships. Life aboard the colony ships was a mix of awe at the cosmic vistas and the mundanity of daily life in confined spaces. Generations were born and died in transit, with only stories of Earth as their legacy.
Each new home was a gamble against the cosmos, and not all were successful. Some colonies failed tragically, and their populations were lost to space or were unable to survive in harsh new environments. But for every failure, there was a story of remarkable success and resilience. The human spirit, driven by a need to explore and expand, thrived in adversity. Humanity never gave up and, over the next century, continued to send colonists to each of these star systems and began the process of colonizing each system.
In the stark expanses of space, every new settlement humanity attempted was a stark challenge against the cosmos, and the failures were as common as the successes. Many colonies were lost—whole populations vanished into the void or succumbed to the inhospitable climes of unfamiliar planets. Despite these setbacks, for every outpost that fell, others sprang up in defiance of the odds, showcases of human resilience and determination.
This relentless push into the unknown was not powered by naïve optimism but rather a hardened will to forge a path, wherever possible, to lay claim to the stars themselves. Humanity's spirit, unbroken by repeated failures, continued to drive its expansion across galaxies. Over the decades, this resolve only hardened as each failed colony became a lesson in survival, a step towards mastering life in the cosmos.
The stark realities of space tested human resolve to its limits. Beyond the safety of the Solar System, the universe emerged not just as a vast place of exploration but as a harsh environment of extreme conditions and existential threats. The initial failures taught valuable lessons in logistics, life support, and sustainable living on alien soil, which were crucial for future endeavors.
Colonization efforts became more sophisticated over time. Humans developed technologies that could convert inhospitable terrains into somewhat livable habitats. Advanced terraforming equipment and life-support systems became standard in new colonies. These tools represented more than mere survival mechanisms; they were symbols of humanity's unyielding quest to inhabit the stars.
As colonies spread further into the galaxy, each new venture was underpinned by an increasingly detailed understanding of interstellar travel and survival. The experiences gathered from every failed settlement informed the next, creating a cumulative body of knowledge that bolstered human persistence. The drive to expand took on a rhythm of its own, a cycle of trial, error, and success that slowly but surely extended the reach of human civilization.
This cycle was reflected in the evolution of colonial policies and technologies. From the early days of rudimentary habitats to the development of massive, self-sustaining complexes that could house thousands, the growth was palpable. Each successful colony served as a proof of concept for the next. With each launch, humanity's footprint in the galaxy grew larger.
The colonies themselves varied wildly—a testament to human ingenuity and the diverse environments encountered. Some were burrowed into asteroids, others sprawled across red Martian sands or nestled in the volatile cloud tops of Venus. Each presented unique challenges and required bespoke solutions to make them habitable.
Interstellar ships, equipped with the latest in warp drive technology, ferried resources between these colonies. They were lifelines essential for maintaining the flow of essential supplies and personnel. These vessels were also carriers of culture and connection, linking distant humans across the void of space.
Despite the vast distances and slow communications, a network of human presence began to stitch together disparate points of light into a coherent tapestry of colonies. This network was more than a mere chain of outposts; it was the backbone of a burgeoning interstellar society—a network that held potential not only for survival but for a new era of human prosperity.
However, this expansion was not without its darker aspects. The harsh conditions of space required strict governance and often harsh penalties for breaches of colony protocol. Life in these new worlds was rigidly structured, a necessity to maintain order in environments where even a small mistake could be fatal.
Each new settlement was a dice roll against the vast uncertainties of space, and many did not survive. Failures were frequent; entire colonies vanished into the void or succumbed to the inhospitable conditions of their newfound planets. The loss of life was substantial, casting a shadow over the ambitious interstellar expansion efforts. However, each disaster also hardened the resolve of those who remained. The cumulative knowledge gained from these failures informed future endeavors, refining the protocols and technologies needed to endure and thrive in alien environments.
Despite the high stakes and frequent setbacks, human resolve remained unshaken. The determination to push forward, to establish a foothold in the cosmos, was fueled by necessity and the innate human drive to explore. As each failed colony became a lesson learned, the strategies for survival evolved. More robust life support systems were developed, and habitats were designed to be more adaptable to the unpredictable conditions of new worlds.
The stark reality of these endeavors was that many who left Earth would never return. They journeyed knowing the risks—trading the safety of their home planet for the promise of a new start on distant, uncharted worlds. This was the cost of progress, paid willingly by those driven by a vision of humanity's future among the stars.
With each new wave of colonists, technology and experience accumulated, reducing the risks and increasing the chances of success. Ships became more advanced, equipped with better navigation systems and life-support capabilities. Colonization techniques also improved, with genetic engineering playing a crucial role in adapting human physiology to extraterrestrial environments.
The harshness of space demanded a relentless pursuit of efficiency and sustainability. Resources were scarce, and logistical challenges were immense. The vast distances between colonies meant that each had to be largely self-sufficient. Communication lags, sometimes spanning years, forced these communities to develop a high degree of autonomy.
Over the centuries, this relentless expansion forged a new breed of human. These spacefarers were tough, adaptable, and fiercely independent. Their lives, spent on the frontier of human existence, were a testament to the species' tenacity. They cultivated their new worlds, turning barren landscapes into bustling colonies. These settlements eventually grew into hubs of culture and technology, distinct yet still connected to their ancestral home by shared history and common humanity.
Yet, the expansion was not without its darker aspects. The isolation of distant colonies often led to psychological strain and societal breakdown. In some cases, governance structures collapsed under the weight of external pressures and internal conflicts. Pirates and marauders, drawn by the wealth of fledgling colonies, became a significant threat, leading to the establishment of militarized zones and the deployment of defense forces.
As humans adapted to life in space, they also had to contend with the presence of other sentient species. Initial interactions were cautious and fraught with tension and misunderstandings. Some encounters led to conflict, others to alliances. These relationships were complex, shaped by a mix of diplomacy, trade, and, occasionally, warfare.
Humanity's venture into interstellar space fundamentally transformed its cultural and identity landscapes. As humans spread across the stars, encountering diverse environments and nurturing colonies on planets ranging from Mars to far-flung systems, the challenges of survival and the ethical dimensions of expansion pressed hard on their collective psyche.
Values long held sacred on Earth were reevaluated in the face of new realities. The discovery of life—fauna and flora—on other planets during these colonization efforts marked a pivotal shift. While no sentient alien species were encountered, the existence of alien ecosystems was profound. It highlighted not only humanity's isolation in the cosmos but also its responsibilities.
On Alpha Centauri, the first successful integration of Earth's lifeforms with alien biomes set a precedent. Genetic manipulation technologies were refined, allowing Earth's organisms to coexist with and enhance these extraterrestrial habitats. Conservation efforts were paramount; preserving the integrity and diversity of alien ecosystems became a moral imperative as much as a scientific endeavor.
Each colony, from the red dust of Mars to the lush jungles of distant exoplanets, became a testbed for these principles. They were microcosms where human ingenuity, ethical considerations, and ecological stewardship intersected. Through these experiences, humanity did not just spread through space; it grew, evolved, and redefined what it meant to be human in the vast expanse of the universe.
Through all these trials, the human spirit's resilience shone brightly. Never deterred by the enormity of their challenges, humans continued to push the boundaries of their known universe. Each colony, each ship, and each life represented a thread in the vast tapestry of human endeavor in space—a relentless march toward an uncertain but ceaselessly pursued future.
Chapter Two
Beginning of Entry…
StarDate: Redacted
Perspective: Noah Stark
Species: Human, Humanoid Mammalian Species, no tail.
Description: 5 feet 2 inches [1.6 meters] to 6 feet 9 inches [2.1 meters] average height. 185 lbs [84 kilograms] average weight.
Longevity: 70 to 500-year life expectancy with life extension medical tech.
Unique Trait: Resilience and Indomitable Will.
Vessel: ICV The Argonaut
Location: New Eden Star Cluster
Noah, his gaze locked on the viewport, watched the ancient ship float aimlessly among the asteroids. The ICV The Argonaut, under his skilled control, edged closer, enabling the deployment of EVA suits for inspection. Behind him, his mother, Gwendolyn Stark, and his sisters, Jane and Joan, prepared for the walk, their movements a blend of anticipation and professionalism. The ship, a silent relic of a bygone era, revealed no signs of life, a fact confirmed by both Shinra Hinaba and Serenity, the Argonaut's AI.
This discovery, hidden among the celestial debris, was a treasure. It wasn't just a ship; it was a gateway to unparalleled recognition for the Shinra-Stark-Daiwa Mining Group. While the Argonaut and its crew focused on this historical artifact, the rest of the fleet mined the surrounding asteroids, harvesting resources critical for the survival of distant colonies.
Hinaba's voice, laced with a mix of excitement and concern, snapped Noah back to the present. "Focus, Noah!" she said, her fist-bumping Noah's shoulder in a friendly gesture. "We've got a lot riding on bringing this ship in intact."
"I know, I know! Just relax, Hinaba! I've got this," Noah assured her, his attention riveted to the controls. His reputation as the fleet's top pilot wasn't unfounded, a fact even the skeptical private military contractors had come to acknowledge. Almost as if summoned by their conversation, the Director's face appeared on the communications screen next to Hinaba, an uncanny timing that suggested he was closely monitoring their progress.
It was then that Director Shinra Senzo's image flickered onto the communications screen, his timing almost too perfect. "What's your status, Noah?" he asked, a brief glance toward his daughter betraying his deeper concerns. Despite his reservations about Noah's closeness with Hinaba, he was willing to see where their partnership might lead, a stance influenced by discussions with Noah's father.
"We're in!" Gwendolyn's voice crackled through the comms, marking their successful approach. But their moment of triumph was shattered by a distress signal, a desperate call cutting through the static. Elaine and Beth Frost, Noah's cousins, scrambled to decipher it, their faces etched with growing alarm.
After a tense moment, Beth's face drained of color, but it was Eliane who eventually shared the grim news, which was dire: "An unknown force has attacked New Eden. Their defenses are falling…" The weight of their words hung heavy in the bridge. An unseen adversary had breached the colony's defenses, leaving them vulnerable. The realization that any hope of immediate assistance from the USSA or SFR was weeks or even a full stellar month away if at all, underscored the gravity of their situation. With the defense fleet in ruins, their only hope lay with the ICV Ishimura, and the hired PMC mercenary group onboard, initially engaged to fend off pirates, might now be their only hope against this new and formidable threat.
Silence enveloped the bridge as the magnitude of the crisis dawned on them. They were alone, far from help, facing a threat of unknown proportions. Noah felt a tightness in his jaw, anger and resolve mixing in equal measure. The prospect of what lay ahead was daunting, yet there was no room for doubt. They had to act swiftly.
Gwendolyn's voice broke the silence, her command clear. "We need to act, and quickly. Our priority is the safety of this crew and ensuring we can lend aid to New Eden. Noah, plot a course back. We have to prepare for what's to come."
Hinaba, her usual levity gone, nodded. "We have the Ishimura, and we're not defenseless. Let's make sure we're ready for whatever's out there."
As Noah adjusted the ship's course, a sense of determined urgency took hold. They were heading back, not just to confront a threat, but to defend their home, their people.
Director Senzo's voice crackled through the communication channel, his tone tinged with impatience yet seeking reassurance. "It would be great to know what the status of your progress is, Noah," he pressed, his words carrying a sense of urgency.
Noah could sense the weight of expectation in Director Senzo's inquiry. Despite the pressure, Noah remained composed, and his years of experience in the field allowed him to maintain a calm demeanor even in the face of such scrutiny. With a steady voice, he replied, "We're making steady progress, Director. I'll provide you with a detailed update shortly."

He paused as he focused on the holo-Feed in front of him and analyzed the available data in real-time thanks to his military-grade holo-NeuralSyne Implant. "We're adjusting course," Noah replied, his tone firm yet marked by an undercurrent of urgency. "Heading back to New Eden. We'll be ready." 

In the silence that followed, a collective resolve fortified them. They were facing the unknown, as the derelict ship could bring untold bounty from within its hull.
Director Senzo's command carved through the static a clear mandate that reset their priorities. "Noah, before you depart the asteroid belt, I am dispatching a Porter Tug to commandeer the derelict ship. It's our top priority... Get that ship secure before you Skip Jump back to the ICV Argos-1. That is a Prime Directive!" His voice, a blend of authority and urgency, left no room for debate.
Noah, hands steady on the controls, glanced briefly at the communications panel. The weight of the directive pressed into him, a stark reminder of the stakes involved. He turned, catching the gaze of his crew, a silent signal that it was time to adapt their plan. The crew exchanged quick, significant glances, each understanding the gravity of the order. The derelict ship, an ancient relic floating among the asteroids, was not just another find—it was a piece of history, potentially holding untold knowledge and value. The directive from Director Shinra Senzo underscored its importance, not just to their mission but to the broader ambitions of the Shinra-Stark-Daiwa Mining Group.
Noah's mind went back over the meaning of what such an order entailed. Refusing to follow the directive would most certainly spell the end of his career. On one hand, he wanted to help those in need and who were under siege by an unknown force. The New Eden Star Cluster was not just a single system but a series of star systems in close proximity to one another. Noah and the rest of the ICV Argos-1 collective fleet were mining ore around Eden-159; currently, the planets were still being colonized, but in ten years, that would change. Our job was to mine ore to return to Eden-109, one of the 1,119 star systems in the New Eden Cluster.
The directive was clear: any new discovery in the outer rims of human space takes top priority above all other mandates, and the crew of The Argonaut was ready. Despite the risks, the potential rewards were too significant to ignore. As preparations for the operation began in earnest, the sense of unity and purpose among the crew was palpable. Each member knew their role and was prepared to execute it with precision. Noah Stark, standing firm at the helm, nodded sharply. "Understood, Director. We'll secure the derelict and rendezvous with the Argos-1 as planned." His voice was calm, a stark contrast to the racing thoughts behind his composed exterior. The task was daunting, yet his confidence in his crew's abilities was unshakeable.
Shinra Hinaba, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and concern, shifted in her search. Her fingers were already dancing across the console, setting up communication channels. Her role as the ship's specialist meant she was well-versed in the technicalities of such operations, and her confidence was discernible. "We'll need to coordinate with the tug. I can set up a direct comms link and guide their approach." Her voice, usually light and teasing in their private moments, now carried the professional edge of her role.
Gwendolyn Stark, the matriarch and seasoned explorer, nodded in agreement. "Time is of the essence. Let's secure that ship and make sure it's safe for the tug. We can't afford any delays." Her experience shone through, her demeanor calm yet commanding, rallying her children and the crew with a few choice words. "Everything is by the book. This ship could be a significant find for us," she stated, her voice firm.
Elaine, renowned for her cool demeanor under pressure, exchanged a glance of shared determination with Beth. With a nod, they moved to their stations, their movements precise and efficient, a testament to years of seamless coordination in the face of adversity.
Beth, known for her unwavering focus and quick thinking, shared a silent understanding with Elaine. Together, they pivoted to their respective stations, their synchronization seamless and instinctual. In the heart of chaos, their unity forged a stronghold of resolve, a beacon of stability amid the storm.
"We're on it, Mom," Elaine stated, her hands flying over her console, prepping the EVA suits for another walk.
Beth said decisively, "We'll be ready to assist the Tug team with anything they need." Beth nodded in agreement, both sisters moving to gather the necessary gear. Their well-honed skills in extravehicular activities made them indispensable for the task at hand.
Elaine intonated as she focused on the external sensors: "I'll keep an eye out for any debris or potential hazards for the tug. We don't want any surprises."
Grace Frost, the voice of strategy and foresight, considered the logistics. "Once the ship is secure, we'll need to plot a careful course back. The extra mass will affect our jump calculations."
Jennifer Stark, my youngest sister, a blend of youth and sharp intellect, nodded. Jennifer's hands moved to assist Shinra with the communications setup. Meanwhile, Jamie reviewed the ship's specs, ensuring they had all the data needed for a smooth operation. "Let's ensure we have all the data we need for a smooth operation," she said, her tone serious, betraying the gravity of their task.
Jamie Stark, also my youngest sister, focused on the ship's specs. Her hands moved deftly over the controls as she reviewed the data. "Absolutely," she chimed in, her voice steady as she continued her meticulous review. "We can't afford any oversights if we want this mission to succeed." Her words echoed Jennifer's sentiment, highlighting the importance of thorough preparation.
Jamie added, "I'll run a diagnostic on the derelict's structural integrity. We need to know it can withstand the jump."
Director Senzo's image flickered on the screen once more, a stern reminder of the urgency. "Even if you return now, the fleet can't make the FTL jump until all ships have returned to their hangars and docking bays. You have time to tug the derelict ship back to the ICV Argos-1."
Noah, absorbing every detail, finally responded. "Understood, Director. We'll secure the ship and ensure it's ready for the tug. Argonaut out." His voice, firm and confident, belied the racing thoughts of potential complications and the precision required for their new task.
The directive was clear, and the crew of the Argonaut was ready. Despite the risks, the potential rewards were too significant to ignore. As preparations for the operation began in earnest, the sense of unity and purpose among the crew was palpable. The bridge buzzed with activity, each member of the crew moving with purposeful speed. The Argonaut, once a silent observer among the stars, was now a hive of focused energy, ready to execute a directive that could very well shift the balance of their task. Each member knew their role and was prepared to execute it with precision. The arduous task of securing the derelict ship was directive from above; it was a challenge they were all eager to meet head-on.
"Let's get to work," Noah said, his gaze sweeping over his crew and his family. "We have a ship to secure." His statement, simple yet laden with unspoken responsibility, set them into motion, each person aware of the part they played in the intricate dance of space exploration and survival. Aboard the Argonaut, there was no room for doubt. Only action, determination, and the collective will to succeed in the face of the unknown. Then, they would make the FTL jump to Eden-109 to aid the colonists under siege.
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Friday Night. flames
The show starts with the European championship opportunity tag team natch between Judgment day & The Blackpool Combat Club.
Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh) vs Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Charlie Dempsey)- if JD wins they get added in the European Championship match
The crowd cheers for both teams as they make their entrance. The match starts off with Dominik Mysterio & Charlie Dempsey. Dempsey immediately used his technical expertise against mysterio tripping him up and putting him in a headlock takedown. Holding him down there but Dom gets out of it and pushes Charlie into the ropes and leapfrogs over Charlie and then hits him with a beautiful dropkick taking Charlie down. Dominik starts getting aggressive and grounding and pounding on him for a little bit before picking Charlie back up and tries to Irish whip him into the corner but Charlie reverses it into a bridging hammer throw into the corner of the judgment day. JD tags in and faces off against Charlie Dempsey. JD strikes Charlie with a huge strike followed by another but Charlie strikes back with a huge palm strike and a nice chop but JD fights back they continue going back and forth for a couple minutes before JD Knocks Charlie loopy with a Headbutt. JD trys to drag JD to the corner but Charlie gets out with a big kick trying to get out crawling to tag in Claudio but JD grabs his leg but Charlie hits him with a back mule kick and gets the tag to Claudio. Claudio goes off immediately giving a huge European uppercut to JD and then a big punch knocking Dom off the Apron. Claudio picks up JD for the Ricola Bomb but JD punches him in the face and then reverses it into a hurricarana. Claudio gets caught in the corner JD starts to hit Claudio with kicks and elbows before Dominik gets back up and JD tags him in. JD hits a head butt on Claudio, slings him up with a Delvin slide like maneuver but Dominik catches him with a back suplex, taking down Claudio. Claudio getting back up but hit by a Superkick into the ropes and Dom clotheslines Claudio over the rope and runs off the ropes for a suicide dive but Charlie pulls Claudio aside and Dominik Mysterio lands head first on the edge of the announce table. Claudio gets back and looks to hit the ricola bomb on the announce table but JD takes out Claudio’s leg with a chop block and puts him on the announce table before Charlie hirs a German suplex but he lands on his feet and headbutts him hard. Jd wakes Dom up and tells him to go up top. JD holds Claudios Leg’s down and Dominik hits a frog splash off the top rope through the announce table. Jd throws Dominik into the ring and then Claudio into the ring. Dominik crawls to the cover 1…2…. CLAUDIO’s foot reached the rope. Dominik slowly gets up and sees Claudio grabbing the middle rope in position for a 619…. No caught by Claudio and drops him the ring for a swing… 1 2 3 4 5 6 JD then decides to get in the ring and jump Claudio taking out his knee. JD then holds Charlie off as Dominik rolls up Claudio 1…2…3
THE JUDGMENT DAY WINS!
Roman Reigns vs David Finlay- World Championship Quarterfinals
This is a tough challenge for David Finlay but David goes at it head on and starts charging at Roman immediately spearing him in the corner over and over again. But Roman fights back and spears David in the corner with multiple shoulder thrusts. Roman then picks David up and starts berating him before picking him for a powerbomb that David reverses or a sunset flip roll up 1… kickout by Roman quickly. Roman gets up looking at David angrily. David slaps Roman in the face trying to get in Roman’s head. Roman pissed starts throwing multiple shots over and over again pissed off. Roman gets cocky and mocks David and start grounding and pounding him but David catches him and rolls him up again 1…2 kickout David starts feeling himself and starts fighting back with strikes and kicks finally knocking Roman down with a dropkick. David Finlay picks himf got a suplex for a quick cover but Roman picks out at 2. David goes to the ropes and hits Roman with a clothesline but Roman reverses hit a clothesline followed by another one and then a leaning clothesline. Going to the corner calls for a Superman punch. Runs at him and hits him with a Superman punch. Roman goes to the corner again “OOOOOOAHHHHHH” SPEARRRR NO a knee to the face. Off the ropes Roman goes for the spear again but David Finlay pushes Roman to the side runs to the other side of the ring and runs at him to hit a spear of his own. David Finlay picks up Roman hits then Trash panda for the cover 1….2… ROMAN KICKS OUT. David picks him over for a suplex…. THE OVERKILL 1…2…3
DAVID FINLAY WINS
Jamie Hayter vs Dakota Kai- women’s championship quarterfinal
This match starts off with a back and forth between 2 great strikers in the women’s division. They both get the upper hand through this match. At the end of the match Dakota Kai catches Hayter with a pump kick that knocks her loopy. Dakota then goes off the rope for the kairopractor but Jamie rolls out of the ring before Kai can get the pin. Dakota goes outside and brings Hayter back in. Dakota looks for another kairopractor but Hayter capitalizes and hits her with a huge lariat flipping her upside down both are down but Hayter gets back up and reversed a kick by Kai and grabs her for the HAYTERADE. 1….2….3
JAMIE HAYTER WINS
Bullet Club Wardogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) vs GYV (Zack Gibson & James Drake)- tag team championship tournament quarterfinals
The Bullet Club looks to get farther in another tournament against GYV legends here in England. James Drake and Drilla Moloney start the match. They lock up but Drilla just kicks James in the gut. Drilla then starts immediately trying to beat down James and starts throwing punches and kicks to the head of James. Drilla then picks up James and hits a suplex for a quick pin 1…2 kickout. Drilla goes to the ropes and looks for a big boot but James ducks it and tags in Zack. Zack springboards into the ring clothesline to Drilla. Then takes out clark off the ropes. Drilla rolls Zack up 1… kickout by Zack Drilla then locks Zack in a headlock but Zack reverses and hits a dropkick on Drilla. Zack gets good offense on Drilla before clark gets the tag. The continue both teams getting the upper hand against each other and Drilla is in the ring with Young Vets at ringside Drilla hits a suicide dive heat seeking dropkick on both throwing James back in the ring. Drilla looks for the Drilla Killa but James reverses it and picks him up for a spinning tombstone but Zack comes out of nowhere and hits the code breaker hitting the TICKET TO MAYHEM. Zack then jumps out the ring on Clark taking Clark out. The cover by James 1…2…3
Grizzled young veterans win
Guilia vs Mandy rose- women’s championship quarterfinal
I don’t know enough about Guilia so I’m not gonna fully book this match but I’ll give the ending
At the end, Mandy went for the bicycle knee but Guilia moved out the way and Guilia picked her up in a tombstone position and hit her with the Glorious driver to win:
Guilia wins
Adam Page vs Bryan Danielson- World Championship Quarterfinals
The match starts off with Adam Page and Bryan Danielson staring down. They offer a sign of respect in a handshake but then Bryan locks up and picks up Adam’s leg and dragon screws Adam and takes him down and starts stomping on his leg aggressively before dropping a knee drop on his leg. Bryan then continues targeting the leg and puts him in a leg lock but Adam page gets out of it and punches his way out. Adam grabs danielson and hits him with a huge punch and an elbow striking Bryan with multiple strikes before throwing danielson into the ropes but danielson hits a running elbow to the face knocking Adam out of the ring. Bryan runs off the ropes and hits Adam with a suicide dive followed by a second one and goes for a third one but Adam catches him and slams him back first into the apron. Going to the second turnbuckle and backflips into Bryan for a Moonsault going back to the ring and goes for the Buckshot lariat 1…2… DANIELSON KICKS OUT.! Adam page continues fighting back and looks for a dead eye but Danielson reverses into a sunset roll up 1…2. Kick Out but Danielson grabs his arms and starts stomping Adam’s chest violently but Adam uses his strength to hold danielson’s body up and Monkey flips him off. Adam hits a huge elbow to the face of danielson when danielson bounces off the rope Adam hits a discus clothesline putting danielson into the corner and on the top turnbuckle and goes for the Moonsault fallaway slam but Danielson reversed it and hit a top rope DDT. Holy shit what a reversal by danielson. Danielson goes to the corner lines Hangman up… THE BUSAIKU KNEE. 1…2… HANGMAN KICKSOUT. Danielson then repeatedly stomps on the chest of hangman before turning it to a hammer and anvil elbows repeatedly then locks him into the Lebell Lock and Hangman passes out.
DANIELSON ADVANCES
Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) vs Subculture (Mark Andrew & Flash Morgan Webster)- tag team championship quarterfinals
2 of the most well known Tag Teams in the UK. Tyler Bate & Mark Andrew start the match as the crowd cheers for 2 as they soak it in. Tyler Bate locks up with Mark and pushes him to the corner and overpowers him. They lock up again but Baye pushes Andrews again. This time Andrews gets upset and charges at Bate with a double leg takedown and starts pounding at him on the ground but Bate wraps his legs around Andrews and turns Andrews over into a sleeper but Andrews fights out after a while reaching out and snapmaring Bate off of him and hits a running basement dropkick. Andrews gets the tag to Webster and grabs Bate to a wrist lock and hits a double stomp arm breaker on Bate. Webster tries to continue the assault but Tyler gets back it with a running wheel kick. Bate exhausted from the assaults and eventually gets the tag to Trent and Trent lariats Webster immediately and then takes out Andrews. picks up Webster but Webster catches him and reverses it to a roll up sunset flip 1..2.. Seven kicks out and and reverses it to a deadlift powerbomb and starts getting aggressive. The 2 teams continue to have a back and forth. until Bate is legal against Webster and bate goes for the rebound lariat but Webster catches him with a huge knee strike. Webster tags in Andrews. A inverted frankensteiner by Andrews assisted from Webster by a huge knee strike for the cover 1….2…3
SUBCULTURE WINS!
Xia Brookside vs Tiffany Stratton- women’s championship quarterfinals
2 of the youngest stars in the women’s divisions are going at it to advance in the Women’s Championship tournament. The match starts off and xia and Tiffany circling around the ring before locking up and they wrestle around the ring for a little while but Tiffany grabs her arm and kicks her in the knee before hitting an arm breaker against the mat. Tiffany continues beating on xia before xia fights back and starts throws strike after strike going back and forth for awhile they continue the match both girls getting the upper hand both getting exhausted. At the end of the match xia hits a Superkick on Stratton knocking her off the ropes and Stratton cartwheels toward Brookside and hits her with an Alabama slam. For the stack pin 1…2.. kick out by Brookside. Brookside crawls to the corner Tiffany goes in the other corner the handspring elbow in the corner and then goinf for the Prettiest MOONSAULT EVER but no Brookside rolls over and grabs her for the BROKEN WINGS for the cover 1…2..3 AND THE WIN FOR XIA BROOKSIDE
Xia Brookside Wins
Will Ospreay vs Micheal Oku
Both men come out to the ring with huge cheers for both men. Both men competing before having major respect for each other they stare down. They both soak in the crowds cheering circling each other for a minute and then lock up both fighting back against each others locks until Ospreay pushes Michael Oku into the corner. The referee tells Ospreay to break it up but Ospreay hits a big chop on Oku but that pissed Oku off and he pushed Ospreay into the corner and chops Ospreay back. Ospreay then puts Oku in the corner and then winds up for a big chop but just looks at Ospreay and shakes it off making a shake off sign against his chest. Call out to RevPro days. Ospreay charges back at Oku but Oku ducks runs at Ospreay and tilt a whirls around for the ddt taking Ospreay down before continuously striking him with elbows to the back. Before Ospreay gets back up and gets hit with uppercut by Oku. Ospreay starts getting bad and Oku looks for an Irish whip but Ospreay reverses it throws Oku into the ropes backflips over Oku and then does a backflip on Oku’s chest followed by a Superkick on Oku knocking him to the corner going to the other side of the ring and runs at him but gets kicked in the face by Oku. Oku climbs the middle rope and looks to jump on him but Ospreay moved and Oku ducks Ospreays move and hits a sleeper slam. Oku tries continue the assault but Ospreay fights back and chops Oku to the ground and grabs his wrist and hits him with another before picking him back up and hits a beautiful spinning back breaker. 1..2. Oku kicks out. Ospreay then picks up looks for a snap German but Oku lands on his feet and hits Ospreay with a huge jumping lariat. Oku Calls Ospreay up and hits a backstabber. Oku goes for a springboard Moonsault but Ospreay moves goes off the ropes handspring springboard back kick taking Oku out to the ring before running at Oku with a suicide dive followed by another and 3rd before throwing him back in the ring calling for the oscutter… he springboard but Oku catches him and hits a nice bridging German suplex 1…2.. Ospreay kicks out. Ospreay slowly crawls to the corner and Ospreay gets put on the top turnbuckle and Oku goes for an avalanche hurricarana but Ospreay holds on drops down and drops him with an alley oop on the top turnbuckle. Ospreay calling for the Tiger driver picks him and drops him with the Tiger driver 1…2.. Oku kicks out of the Tiger driver. Ospreay claps his hand together for the oscutter and this time connects with the oscutter on Oku. HE isn’t done he PICKS UP OKU DOUBLE UNDERHOOK, LIFTS HIM UP STORMBREAKKER. 1…2 OKU KICKS OUTS OSPREAY goes to the corner Oku barely being able to stand and Ospreay takes him out with a decapitating hidden blade. 1..2..3 OSPREAY collapses as he wins against going to the semifinals. Oku laying on the ground exhausted and Ospreay starts to get back up and helps Oku up in a sign of respect.
WILL OSPREAY ADVANCES
Sheamus vs Zack Sabre Jr
Sheamus gets cheered loudly as Sabre goes right after Sheamus trying to take out his leg, grabbing his leg and hitting a dragon screw and continues going with simple submissions to the leg keeping Sheamus down. Sheamus eventually gets out of it with a nice punch and starts hitting strikes on Zack. Sheamus put Zack in the corner and starts laying him out with punches and kicks til he collapses. Before picking back up and putting him on the top turnbuckle. Picks him up on his shoulders and goes for an avalanche white noise but Zack Sabre reverses it to a crucifix bomb grabbing his arm for an arm bar looking to make Sheamus tap out. He’s in the hold for a minute but Sheamus looks to reach the ropes but Sabre grabs his other arm and puts him in a double arm crucifix position for the pin 1…2.. SHEAMUS kicks out Sabre then grabs his leg but Sheamus kicks him off and gets back up and Sabre looks for a big European uppercut knocks Sheamus against the rope and bounces off and Sabre looks for a running enziguri but Sheamus ducks it and bounces off the rope and hits Sabre with the KNEECAP for the cover 1…2.. KICKOUT! Sheamus runs to the corner calling for the Brogue kick but it’s TMDK’s Mikey Nicholas and Shane Haste holding onto Sheamus legs in the corner but Sheamus kicks them off but when he turns around gets caught with a huge European upper cut. He then does a European clutch bridging roll up 1…2… Sheamus kicks out getting back Sabre goes for a springboard enziguri but Sheamus moves goes off the ropes and hits a huge Brogue kick for the pin 1…..2….3 SHEAMUS WINS TO END THE SHOW TO A HUGE OVATION . Sheamus has beaten ZSJ.
SHEAMUS WINS
Ends Show