This is Cosmic Dash, Volume 2, Episode 4, Page 12 with Vid and Illyana. It depicts two consenting adults who use dirty tricks to make a buck. This continues the previous remastered page of “The Cube” and puts everything in line with the text of the recent volume.
I did some dialogue tweaks, which can be compared to the original version of the page included in the archived content below.
In the proper numbering order based on the current numbering system of the comic, this would be CD.2.1.15. However, I have not adjusted the title or how it appears in the archive to preserve permalinks and not throw off crawlers. I have included the archived content and original page below the transcript.
Balance of Power
We have a question from a reader this week on Twitter.
In a full, straight-on fight between the Federation and the Empire – both sides putting literally all of their assets on the line – who do you think would ultimately "win?"*
* (Obviously just in the War sense since I don't imagine it would be good in any other)
— Funny Webcomic Generator (@CatComixStudios) November 6, 2022
To give myself a little frame of reference here, I will answer the question based on how things stand in Volume 4. Based on the territorial holdings and what I know about the defense strategies of the Blassnaught Empire and the Federation, the Empire would wind in an all-out war.
Namely, under the current leadership, the Empire has really built up manufacturing of machinery and weapons as part of the military nature of the colonial program, especially as military conscription is an element of Imperial society. Everyone in the Empire serves at least two years in service of the military to some degree, meaning that the Empire has a larger military force proportionally.
I wouldn’t necessarily count out the Federation entirely. But I don’t want to give anything away just yet.
Cosmic Dash, Volume 2, Episode 4, Page 12 Transcript
The following is a transcript of Cosmic Dash, Volume 2, Episode 4, Page 12.
Panel One
Vid and Illyana are in Vid’s bunk in the Thruster Spear. Vid is reclining on the bed, and Illyana sits at a terminal doing research. She is wearing lingerie and a mask and wields a riding crop. Something is about to start.
Caption: Vid’s Bunk, Thruster Spear
Illyana: “Wow, we didn’t even qualify for an all-sound?”
Vid: “Can you imagine what a score like that would do for us?”
Panel Two
Illyana considers Vid’s assessment.
Illyana: “We’ve got a million to one shot, though. Everyone’s keeping their leads quiet.”
Panel Three
Vid sits up on the edge of his bunk. He smirks, pleased with himself.
Vid: “That’s why I had you place the bugs on all their ships, babe.
Panel Four
Vid looks annoyed by Illyana’s response.
Illyana (OS): “Don’t call me that, Vid.”
Panel Five
Vid is up and looking over the terminal where Illyana is sitting.
Illyana: “Got something.”
Vid: “A serial and an itinerary?”
Illyana: “Straight from the Queen’s own ship.”
Vid: “Deryan?”
Panel Six
Illyana studies the data on the screen. Vid is thinking to himself.
Illyana: “We’re only a couple of systems away!”
Vid: “Where the hell is Miria? We need her to fly us there two days ago.”
Panel Seven
Vid steps forward, staring into the monitor.
Illyana: “She’s hungover, I think -”
Vid: “Whoa, wait a second!”
Panel Eight
The readout of the screen shows the Lucky Strike.
Readout: Lucky Strike. Registration ID: 27NC87. Current Owner: Bernell Marken | Lucky Strike Delivery Service. Primary Usage: Cargo (non-living). Model: Modified Federation Tactical Platform. Original Manufacturer: GalactiCorp.
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Archived Content
You may be wondering what it up with Illyana’s choice of outfits. I have two answers for you: 1) Don’t ask, and 2) it’s okay, they’re married.
With my quarter having come to an end, I’ll be able to spend a lot more time drawing comics, so we have that to look forward to. I also have a quarter’s worth of RGBots punchlines in a notebook I am going to start working with, so RGBots should pick up a bit as well. As always, commissions are going on as well, and I’ll also try to get some more work done on my site.
Check out Slither and Friends this week.