What comes next:
5, 14, 9, 18, 13, 22, 17, ?

The correct answer is Option 26.

To find the missing number in the given sequence, let us analyze the pattern or rule that governs the transition from each term to the next:

Sequence: 5, 14, 9, 18, 13, 22, 17, ?

Let us examine the mathematical operation between consecutive terms:

1. From 5 to 14: Add 9
$5+9=14$

2. From 14 to 9: Subtract 5
$14-5=9$

3. From 9 to 18: Add 9
$9+9=18$

4. From 18 to 13: Subtract 5
$18-5=13$

5. From 13 to 22: Add 9
$13+9=22$

6. From 22 to 17: Subtract 5
$22-5=17$

We can clearly see an alternating pattern of operations: +9, followed by -5.

Following this alternating pattern, after subtracting 5 to get 17, the next step is to add 9:

$17+9=26$

Alternatively, looking at the sequence by skipping every other term (two intertwined sub-sequences):
First sub-sequence (odd-positioned terms): 5, 9, 13, 17 (each increases by 4)
Second sub-sequence (even-positioned terms): 14, 18, 22, ? (each increases by 4)

$22+4=26$

Thus, the number that comes next in the sequence is 26.