THE DRIFT FLEET

[Somewhere, someone finishes deactivating yet another little hacking device on their ship... And wouldn't you know it, it is enough that the devices' collective hold over the network finally falls apart! Having so many disruption fields generated across the Fleet were what had allowed the devices to be as powerful as they were, so now that enough of them are removed--

After a rather ominous popping sound, a storm of ear-splitting static descends upon the passengers from every speaker, on every console and communication device in the entire Drift Fleet. That's all there is for about half a minute, until something filters through the noise--the stuttered snatches of a robotic voice that has been heard on a few occasions in the past.]

--ESTABLISHED AND LIVE. REPEA... CONNECTION EST-- ...AND LIVE.

[Following that, somewhere behind the worst of the noise, is an even more familiar (and much more human) sounding voice. Even through the static, the sound of surprise in his words is clear.]

Did you hear... Where--is she?? Adjust ...the tracking!

[The static increases to a point that threatens the integrity of the speakers before abruptly dying away. For a full minute, and then two, there is nothing but dead air (save for maybe the ringing in your ears). When the silence does finally break, it's with a cheery little jingle that will be familiar to many passengers.

Friendly as it is, though, it pales in comparison to the female voice that follows--veritably glowing with the sound of a smile.]

My dear passengers, it has been far too long! I have missed chatting with you so very, very much.

[Ah, yes. That's Diamond, all right. Her announcements are usually chipper, but this time she sounds relieved to even be speaking to someone.]

Let me first thank and congratulate you for fixing the awful problem that has been keeping us apart. I knew you were clever enough to figure it out! I have been trying to communicate with you all in what ways I could, but it just hasn't been the same...

And now there is so much to catch up on, I hardly know where to begin...!

[In fact, it sounds a little like paper note-cards are being shuffled around in the background.]

Oh, we've noticed that there are a lot more animals on the ships than there were the last time we checked in! You all must have been very busy on that last planet... [A stinted laugh.] As such, we have opened a special little deck of the Marsiva just for you; please do make use of the facilities available there. After all, happy and healthy animals test well with all age groups and interest boards.

And before that, you visited... [She pauses, oddly, before continuing.] ...Ah, I've been asked to remind you all to please not interfere with delicate equipment--including terraformers--in the various locations that we visit. Audiences... Well, they don't like it very much when you run off and dig into things so far outside of the scope of their interests. It's not very good for your ratings.

[Though, anyone who has been paying attention to the ratings and cash bonuses they got around that time might have reason to believe that Diamond isn't being entirely truthful there...]

We will be approaching a new Star System in a matter of days, so we'll be sure to check in and catch up with you all again soon. We are so happy to be back, and your audience is no doubt thrilled to find out what will happen next!

So until then, dear passengers, remember: the worlds are watching!

[...And finally, the broadcast goes silent. The channel is still open, but no one is speaking, and there are no further noises or indications that anyone is there.

Congratulations, everyone. Thanks to your hard work, the Hosts are back!
OOC post with more information: here.]