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Act 5. Pg 103
Act 5. Pg 104
Act 5. Pg 105
Act 5. Pg 106
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Tales of the Drive
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PANEL 1: The ROYAL ASTRONOMER fillipod, in top hat and dark mourning coat, faces away from the hologram of THE FIRST MINISTER and the BUCKTOOTHED fillipod. ROYAL ASTRONOMER: In this moment, we are not even a blip on the Empire’s radar. The chaos of yesterday has distracted them from anything we’re doing. FIRST MINISTER: THEN WE RETURN TO THE WORK! PANEL 2: The FIRST MINISTER in hologram continues to speak. FIRST MINISTER: But before we leave you… the heaviness of your heart is palpable, my friend. So from Neruda’s pen, I offer up some hope in this time of loss: “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” PANEL 3: The ROYAL ASTRONOMER, facing away from the light of the hologram, holds his top hat in his hands, looking at it. ROYAL ASTRONOMER: A well-turned phrase…but it’s only a pleasant fiction. The destructive power of this world is sometimes over-whelming. PANEL 4: Close up on the FIRST MINISTER, in hologram, looks directly at him earnestly. FIRST MINISTER: Oh but it isn’t! The pains of this life are FINITE! They have a limit! An edge! A crest where the storm must finally break! PANEL 5: Close up on the FIRST MINISTER, in hologram. FIRST MINISTER: But hope, my friend! Hope is INFINITE in its capacity to defy the dark! PANEL 6: The FIRST MINISTER, in hologram, reaches up in hope. FIRST MINISTER: Hope endures, it renews! It stretches far beyond the horizons of grief, to the shores of dreams only half-glimpsed in glory! PANEL 7: The ROYAL ASTRONOMER faces away from the FIRST MINISTER’s hologram, wearing his top hat and fancy mourning coat, slumped over. FIRST MINISTER: SO LET THEM CUT THEIR FLOWERS! For tomorrow, WE shall bloom! PANEL 8: The ROYAL ASTRONOMER straightens up. No text. PANEL 9: With tears in his eyes, the ROYAL ASTRONOMER takes the words to heart, while THE FIRST MINISTER’s hologram turns to look over his shoulder. ROYAL ASTRONOMER: [music note] Daaaang. FIRST MINISTER: …I wasn’t elected just for my gorgeous gams. —— Want to read the full story? Join us at Patreon.com/drive for the *FULL* Tales of the Drive archives, art giveaways, fun community, and more! DRIVE copyright Dave Kellett. Colors by Beth Reidmiller
PANEL 1: The ROYAL ASTRONOMER fillipod, in top hat and dark mourning coat, faces away from the hologram of THE FIRST MINISTER and the BUCKTOOTHED fillipod. ROYAL ASTRONOMER: In this moment, we are not even a blip on the Empire’s radar. The chaos of yesterday has distracted them from anything we’re doing. FIRST MINISTER: THEN WE RETURN TO THE WORK! PANEL 2: The FIRST MINISTER in hologram continues to speak. FIRST MINISTER: But before we leave you… the heaviness of your heart is palpable, my friend. So from Neruda’s pen, I offer up some hope in this time of loss: “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” PANEL 3: The ROYAL ASTRONOMER, facing away from the light of the hologram, holds his top hat in his hands, looking at it. ROYAL ASTRONOMER: A well-turned phrase…but it’s only a pleasant fiction. The destructive power of this world is sometimes over-whelming. PANEL 4: Close up on the FIRST MINISTER, in hologram, looks directly at him earnestly. FIRST MINISTER: Oh but it isn’t! The pains of this life are FINITE! They have a limit! An edge! A crest where the storm must finally break! PANEL 5: Close up on the FIRST MINISTER, in hologram. FIRST MINISTER: But hope, my friend! Hope is INFINITE in its capacity to defy the dark! PANEL 6: The FIRST MINISTER, in hologram, reaches up in hope. FIRST MINISTER: Hope endures, it renews! It stretches far beyond the horizons of grief, to the shores of dreams only half-glimpsed in glory! PANEL 7: The ROYAL ASTRONOMER faces away from the FIRST MINISTER’s hologram, wearing his top hat and fancy mourning coat, slumped over. FIRST MINISTER: SO LET THEM CUT THEIR FLOWERS! For tomorrow, WE shall bloom! PANEL 8: The ROYAL ASTRONOMER straightens up. No text. PANEL 9: With tears in his eyes, the ROYAL ASTRONOMER takes the words to heart, while THE FIRST MINISTER’s hologram turns to look over his shoulder. ROYAL ASTRONOMER: [music note] Daaaang. FIRST MINISTER: …I wasn’t elected just for my gorgeous gams. —— Want to read the full story? Join us at Patreon.com/drive for the *FULL* Tales of the Drive archives, art giveaways, fun community, and more! DRIVE copyright Dave Kellett. Colors by Beth Reidmiller
FULL ARCHIVES
Act 5. Pg 103
Act 5. Pg 104
Act 5. Pg 105
Act 5. Pg 106
JUMP TO:
Act 1Act 4
Act 2Act 5
Act 3Act 6
Tales of the Drive
JUMP TO:  Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4 Act 5Act 6 Tales of the Drive
ARCHIVE
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Act 5. Pg 106
Posted on July 16, 2026 by Beth Reidmiller

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