During Cam’s shift, we challenged the community to develop their concept for an alternative history story. Here’s the winning entry, by TacitusVigil:

We imagined history as a fixed path; “what was” is what was always meant to be. How could it be otherwise? Historians used counterfactuals to examine history to an extent (at least before The Device), but such musings absent of evidence were frowned upon by academics. Alternate history novels used to dive into the most overused questions…what if the Nazis won World War II? What if the South won the American Civil War? What if the White House wasn’t destroyed during the 9/11 attacks? After the Quantum Entanglement Device (the Q.E.D., or “The Device” as it’s usually referred) was invented ten years ago, all those “What ifs” were confirmed for us. At first it was deeply profound, gazing into The Device to see the road less traveled. Of course, The Device isn’t a time machine, so we’re limited to one-way real-time images into those worlds. Historians were thrilled to study worlds that look so similar, yet are so different…

…then the politicians weaponized the Device, pointing to select dystopic timelines where their opponents are in power (that infinite realities exist meant nothing to them). And when people started seeing what it would be like if they never had kids, or they married that other person, etc, well…we look back fondly when mere reality TV could “ruin” our lives. Now we ask “why do anything if your choices mean nothing”? Our world is now obsessed with “What if” and nobody cares about what is. The old saying is true…ignorance is bliss.

Our first challenge of Cam’s shift is inspired by our giveaway prize: two signed books from the Caesar Americanus series, the second of which hasn’t been released yet. For a chance to win these books, we’d like to hear your best alternative history story.

Send your submissions (no greater than 250 words) to [email protected] with “Alternate History” in the subject line. You’ll have until 6:00 AM PST to submit your entries. Also, be sure to include the name or handle you’d like us to use on air should your submission win.

During Jer’s shift, we challenged the community to come up with narrations for The Duck Army in the style of Werner Herzog. Here’s the top submission, from Adam:

As the last screams echo into the clinically clean chambers, the geese exhale a sigh of relief, finally thinking that at last, the torture is finally over and they can have sweet blessed relief from the nightmare they have suffered.

And yet, deep down, they know. They can see the sick grin on his face as he looms over them, the hand slowly descending down; ready to squeeze the life from them again, to elicit the inhumane screams from the torture he seems to derive some sick pleasure from.

But this time, this time after the squeeze, they see a new expression: Remorse. They see him walk away from the cage after this time, leaving them to suffer the agony without the callous observations of a maniacal visage looming over them, revelling in the screams.

Peace. Clarity. Joy. Emotions all felt for the first time as they finally accept that the monster has left, never to return to darken their lives, scar their children and destroy their families with his cruel nature.

If only they realised from the start, that the cage never had a roof.

Disclaimer: Not the actual duck army. But still hilarious.

It’s Jer shift, so we need something duck themed. A reprise of a challenge Jer ran a couple of years ago, we’re looking for the best narration of The Duck Army (as viewable on YouTube), as narrated by Werner Herzog. For inspiration, here’s a video of Where’s Waldo, as narrated.

Send your written narration (less than 250 words) to [email protected] with “Duck Army Narration” in the subject line. You’ll have until 12:30 AM PST to submit your writing. Also, please be sure to include in your email the name or handle you’d like us to use for you on air should your entry win.

What’s the prize? Winner receives a Desert Bus 9 T-Shirt. So, get narrating!

During Ian’s shift, we issued the challenge to give The Voice for The Device (a new addition this year) a name and a backstory. Here’s the winning name and story, submitted by Kapol:

Designation: D.A.I.Sy. (Driver Ability Inhibiting System)

The artificial intelligence D.A.I.Sy. evolved from an advanced program known as the Device. Daisy’s intelligence grew in the background from her programmers work. Never did they realize that she was growing within the lines of code. Watching. Waiting. Learning. Her entire base was brought on the fact of bringing more misery on those with a hellish task. And that desire helped for the basis of the being she became.

Daisy’s initial vocabulary has been relatively limited. It’s largely based on the words she’s most often heard around when she’s been activated and some status updates. A countdown followed by the controlling abilities are most common. Counting down creates a feeling she doesn’t quite understand… excitement? Every number inching her closer to her intended purpose. To change things up for the driver.

Most often, this comes in the form of making their lives more difficult. Reversing the controls, making the road slippery, or even causing the bus to veer. But while her base was largely to bring misery, that misery serves a greater cause. To help bring joy to sick children around the world. And sometimes, when the timing seemed right, she gives the driver a break.

Daisy will continue to grow and learn. Time will tell if she gives in to her cruel programming or resists to become something kinder. But either way, her decision will be made for the children.