[ incoming message: encrypted. ]

[thespaceopera]

[Filtered Message to the Blameless, Bloodsport, Blue Fish, Heron, Paisley, Red Fish, Starstruck, Twin Roses, Vanquish]

[After a month of waiting and glitches, the ships who turned on the bugging devices may have begun to feel it was a waste of time. But patience truly is a virtue, and a couple days before the fleet leaves the Rew system, a message from that unknown frequency is sent:]

This is the Interceptor Fleet, Drift Fleet 12. We’ve received your message.

Atroma’s surely trying to crack this encryption, so we’ll keep it short. We’re not your enemy. Our enemy is Atroma.

We’ll be in contact again, but it might be awhile. We’re still making repairs from that last fight. Sam can tell you how fast some of our crew work. So for now, keep those devices off. Only turn them on if you got a message to send. We don’t want to give Atroma time to hack into this feed and it should stop the glitches you’ve been getting.

Bloodsport, we got your attachment. We got a few ideas of what it could mean, but we’ll have to get back to you on that.

Paisley, thanks for the emoticons. Some crew were delighted and have been using them non-stop. Some of us, less so.

You’ll hear from us again. I promise.

Keelah se'lai.

[The message ends. There are no further messages, and no replies.]

[ooc: This message is filtered to those who turned on the devices, but crews are strongly encouraged to spread the message to other ships! Also feel free to use this post as a reaction/mingle/whatever you'd like.

Characters can also send messages back! There will be more about this in the OOC comm in a couple days.]

Comments

[shockjock]

Got a point there, sister. Don't need the studio brass interferin' in our business. One sec-

[Nothing good can follow that, and of course, nothing does. She's soon blasting her voice over every possible speaker on the ship.]

HEY, CAPTAIN SUNSHINE AND ASSOCIATED CARGO! Get your stuffy butts up to the bridge pronto! or I'll be electrifyin' yer bunks! MOVE IT!

[She has such a way with people.]

[axiomed]

[ Why was that necessary. Charles finds himself wheeling towards the console with a frown. ]

There are other ways to get one's attention.

[stabsbothways]

Charles. You know anything about what the Bloodsport sent?

[axiomed]

No. I don't think I know anyone from that ship in particular.

You can just ask them. I doubt it's a secret.

[stabsbothways]

Know whose on it?

Just figured I'd save myself a shuttle trip if anyone knew offhand.

[axiomed]

[ He drums his fingers against his seat, deep in thought. ]

Nami is the captain. She runs one of the bars on the Iskaulit.

[stabsbothways]

Oh, really?

[ She knows Nami. ]

[axiomed]

I believe so. She would have the best idea of what kind of message was sent.

[shockjock]

Yeah yeah, sounds fun- so, one of you's gonna shut that thing off now, right?

Or are we all okay with the thought of me makin' everyone on this little tugboat snap, crackle, 'n pop the next time my powers go haywire?

[Admittedly, it's been part of the reason she's been hanging out in one place lately. And so long as she didn't try to leave the console, things should be safe enough even if her powers did go wild again...probably.]

[axiomed]

I'll shut it off.

[ He considers making a threat and dismisses it. Charles doesn't like leaning on those. He heads over to the console where he left the device, easily turning it off. ]

[exothermia]

[Erik comes striding up to the bridge a few minutes after Charles, wearing his irritation far more openly.]

You'll do no such thing.