The Beginning
When I started the Records of the Argos series, I knew Captain Nick Hall’s ship had to be more than just a vessel. It needed to be memorable, distinctive, and capable of carrying an entire saga. In reality, it was an intelligence collection ship, but it couldn’t look like one. It had to feel like a ship with secrets of its own …old secrets
I began with a simple pencil-and-paper sketch of the Argos and its interior. That gave me a sense of structure, but it lacked the exterior detail that would make the ship come alive in the making of the Argos relatable.
Finding Inspiration
So, I went searching online for imagery that might match my task of making the Argos real, like the one I saw in my mind. Eventually, I came across the GR 75 Rebel transport from Star Wars, a design most likely by Colin Cantwell. It was close, but not quite the Argos.
I tried working with ChatGPT to generate variations, but it wasn’t able to create the kind of image I needed. A few days ago, I turned to Gemini AI (a Google product). Starting with Cantwell’s image, I asked Gemini to close in the open part of the GR 75 and scar the underside of the ship to match its weathered top. After several iterations, I finally had something that felt authentic.
Next, I asked Gemini to add windows for the bridge — a small detail, but one that made the ship feel more “lived in.” Again, it took a few tries, but the result was worth it.
Refining the Vision
The updated Argos was better, but the background left much to be desired. Faint stars floated in the distance, but the scene felt empty. So I asked Gemini to place the Argos in space with a distant planet in the background. This time, it nailed it. The result captured the Argos in a way that finally matched the picture in my imagination.
For the first time, thanks to the original Star Wars image, I felt like I could show readers exactly what Nick Hall sees when he approaches the Argos in a shuttle or the Falcon. Tucked inside its belly — unseen in most images — is the Falcon, the gunship Nick and Sif often rely on. You can even make out a hint of it in my original sketch above.
A Personal Update
Before I close, I want to share a bit of personal news. A couple of posts ago, I mentioned that I had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Recently, my doctor performed a visual follow-up inspection and saw no remaining signs of the tumor. That’s good news. Still, there’s always the possibility of microscopic remnants, which is why I’ll continue regular checkups every few months.
Life is starting to feel more normal again, though I’ll soon have robotic surgery to repair a kidney tube partially blocked by the old tumor. With that behind me, I hope to refocus more on writing and blogging — work I enjoy.
Looking Ahead
I’ve been trying to post weekly, but I may shift to every other week or so to keep the quality high and the schedule manageable.
If you enjoy these behind-the-scenes looks into my creative process, writing lessons, life, and observations, I’d be grateful if you’d share this post with fellow sci-fi fans or leave a comment. The more people who discover the Argos and her team, the stronger this community becomes.
Thanks for following along on both the creative and personal journey.
BTW, the Argos first comes alive in Crucible, Records of the Argos linked below.
