Ninth Gate [Video]

[forsometimenow]

Who: Jennifer Keller and you
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Wonderduck, if you want
When: January 24th. Hat tip to Babs for this post suggestion.

[When Jennifer begins the broadcast, she's showing everyone a crate with "DR. JENNFER KELLER, SS WONDERDUCK" plus a sponsor logo label on the front.]

I just got some more presents from our wonderful sponsors. Should I open the crate or just send it directly out the airlock? I guess I should open it, if only to engender some more good will.

[The sarcasm in her voice is obvious. Nonetheless, Jennifer takes the time to pry off the lid, carefully examining and setting out each item, the distaste evident on her face the further she goes. It's all cheese-related in some way- except there's no actual edible cheese involved. Scented soaps, candles, a novelty foam hat shaped like a wedge of cheese... even a plush toy cow.]

Oh, boy, they must have seen the basket Atroma gave me after they let us off the Marsiva... [This was said more to herself than anyone else, but then she addresses everyone again.] So, uh, does anybody want any cheese-scented soap? I'm sure it's... it's quite pleasant if you like cheese that much.

Comments

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[bryces_pup]

Their power is in the lack of information we have. There seem to be enough people here capable of getting us out of Atroma's grasp if they had the knowledge necessary to do it. Though of course, there are also the augments to consider. [Those don't help.]

That is... odd. There was no instruction to do that at this current station we're at, was there?

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[forsometimenow]

Yes... that's their standard method of operation thus far. Whenever anybody asks how exactly we're supposed to win their game, or how long a cycle lasts, or anything that points to a goal we can work toward, they turn evasive and give vague answers.

Just that we were supposed to deliver this mystery cargo they beamed onboard to a ship that's en route to this station. And now we're stuck while the local authorities investigate.

[bryces_pup]

[It all just sounds extremely suspicious to her. She doesn't know how TV shows work; she barely understands what they are. Yet the evasiveness and lack of answers point towards something a bit more sinister.]

Ugh, that cargo. Maker knows what that might be. [What if it's stolen property? Or worse?] I can't even fathom how they got those on our ships, let alone why.

[forsometimenow]

It seems like they have the technology to get it on board without interference, but I'd really like to know what's so important that it got the authorities' attention and why they're willing to pay us money for delivering it safely.

[bryces_pup]

Whatever it is, it's likely not good. [She and Robb mostly ruled out it was anything alive. Still, that didn't mean they weren't smuggling anything illegal.] Have they asked the fleet to do something like this before?

[forsometimenow]

Not as long as I've been here- and I've been here almost a year. It's highly unusual.

[bryces_pup]

Then that's all the more worrying that it's suddenly starting now.

[forsometimenow]

Yeah, I agree. I hope Atroma isn't getting low on funds or something.

[bryces_pup]

I never considered that. But I know nothing of this television show and how that works in making money for anyone.

[forsometimenow]

Reality shows existed back home for me, but given how Atroma doesn't run their show like any I've seen, I'm not quite sure how they make money, either. I mean, there are sponsors, so that implies that they pay Atroma to be allowed to advertise their products, but other than that...

[bryces_pup]

They have an odd choice of sponsors, if such is the case. Or their show attracts the odd sort.

[forsometimenow]

Probably a little bit of both. I mean, you'd have to be odd to enjoy a show centered around the lives of unwilling participants.