We'll be back after these important messages

[thespaceopera]

[just when it seems like the Hosts are going to leave you all to yourselves, with this latest upset--augments glitching left and right, revealing things that are supposed to be hidden--the faces of Atroma appear once more. the usual jingle plays from the speakers in the main hall, and the giant screen flickers to life.

Diamond's smiling face once again graces her beloved passengers.]

Good evening, everyone! I hope you are all doing well, despite the... continuing technical issues.

I would first like to thank you all for being so patient! We greatly appreciate your cooperation through this difficult time, and we want to assure you that the repairs are nearly complete.

I can't imagine how eager you all must be to get out of here and return to the comfort of your own ships. I want nothing more than to speed the fleet through this rough patch, and get back to our regularly scheduled activities.

So... if you're like me, and are getting tired of all of this calibration nonsense, let me tell you exactly how we can all make that happen.

[and here's where she takes a breath, with a little rise and drop of her shoulders, but she doesn't let her smile falter.]

...I see that some of you have been digging at things that might seem fun and interesting at first, but I would like to let you know that the more energy we spend putting everything back where it belongs, the longer the calibrations are going to take.

So, instead of making things harder on yourselves and on us, I would like you all to do something that will speed things up a bit. Instead of straining yourselves on outdated and silly things, I encourage you to find someone who isn't part of your own crew and talk to them. Make a new friend and tell them all about your ship and the interesting folks you live with.

Not only will the audience love it, but you will be focusing on your beloved ships and establishing new connections, and that is just the kind of thing that will make this whole thing easier on all of us.

Sounds simple, right? Just get out there, say hello to someone, exchange some stories, and we'll all be done with this unpleasant business in no time.

[and just as they had on the first day of calibration, your Hosts are right there, present and listening.

you certainly don't have to answer them in the way that they would like, but if you do have anything to say to the Hosts, now is a great time to do so. who knows when they'll deign to speak to the fleet in real-time again.]

Comments

[thespaceopera]

[her smile subtly widens.]

Those are lovely words, I will admit. You're becoming quite eloquent, aren't you?

And... goodness, I would think that you of all people would know what a prison really looks like.

[then, she taps a fingertip against her chin for a moment.]

Though, I suppose you've never been very good at recognizing when someone is trying to help, hmm?

[reconstitution]

[ His expression hardens the more that she talks, hands clenching into fists at his sides. His posture becomes rigid. It's honestly been a while since he's been talked down to like he doesn't know how the world works.

Society is at a tipping point between order and chaos. Tomorrow morning we’re gonna give it a push. But if you don’t do your part, I can’t do mine, and HYDRA can’t give the world the freedom it deserves.

He does know what hell looks like. While being ensnared in the Fleet is a hell of a lot nicer than being chained to HYDRA.. there are still very solid walls to bar escape. ]

..I don't think you're trying to help at all.

[thespaceopera]

Of course you don't.

[yes-- the tone of voice, the pity in her eyes, is probably all quite familiar.]

So, you're just going to have to trust me.

[reconstitution]

You've given me no reason to trust you.

[ Diamond makes him uneasy. No one should be this unflappable or pleasant.. ]

[thespaceopera]

Haven't I?

[and that smile doesn't falter for a moment.]

I would think that I'm one of the first people you should be putting your trust in. I'm trying to help and explain the situation. I understand the most about what's going on. Wouldn't that be someone you would want to cooperate with?

[reconstitution]

Then you should tell us something useful. Why us?

[ What he wouldn't give to put his metal fist through those perfect and shiny teeth. ]

[thespaceopera]

Do you mean, why were you chosen for the Fleet?

Goodness... wouldn't you be interested in your story?

[reconstitution]

I'm not the only one here who deserves answers.

[ He can't deny that he is curious, but there are other important things. ]

Do you have parameters, or do you operate how you want?

[thespaceopera]

Unfortunately, I have no control over who is and is not chosen to participate in our little program.

I'm only a lowly host, you see. And the details of Atroma's rigorous screening and selection process is a closely guarded secret-- even from me.

[reconstitution]

How many of you are there? [ Host or not, she is still very much a part of this. ]