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Transcript
Panel 1:
Commander Dale Zurkett: Obviously, this planet isn't harmless. This laughter is obnoxious and the Potemkin is missing.
But still... grave danger? No one here seems overtly hostile. Even if this guy DOES look and sound just like Sideshow Bob.
Lieutenant Commander Natashia Staratt: That's part of it, Commander. I'm not sure this "guy" is a guy at all.
Dale: Elaborate?
Natashia: Sorry... with limited data, I can only speculate. And that may be quite misleading.
Dale: Natashia... Our Commodore seems quite taken in by a three dimensional cartoon character. I want to hear your speculation.
Panel 2:
Natashia: Very well. Observe the situation around us... this appears to be a normal, industrialized world on a similar tech level to 20th or 21st century Earth.
But here it is midday. Where are the vehicles? Where are the people?
The few we've encountered seem to be simulating a television show from Earth's past.
However, I would note... these other buildings do NOT reflect anything from "The Simpsons."
Dale: Yes, we've all noticed that. Maybe they've picked up our old signals and used them to create some sort of parallel society?
Natashia: That was my first thought, sir... but I grow more concerned. This talk of subscriptions and the programming code Mr. Del Rio found in our brainwaves...
Panel 3:
Natashia: I believe some sort of force, most likely a computer intelligence, is controlling these people. Possibly CHANGING these people. We may be next.
Dale: Wait... are you saying we're going to transform into Simpsons characters?
Natashia: I don't know, sir. It seems far-fetched. And yet... I find it far more unlikley that these characters we've encountered took these forms due to natural evolution.
Panel 4:
Dale: All right... how much time do we have? Before this computer code starts doing... whatever it's doing?
Natashia: That's impossible to say. Though I suspect resistance varies from person to person.
Zack Del Rio: That's almost definitely the case.
Natashia: We should continue to follow this "Bob" entity and do our best to interrogate its form, function, and intentions.
Dale: Agreed. But this code... it's spreading through subspace, right? How far can it reach?
Ensign Hylia: That's a difficult question, sir. If it's able to propagate through our subspace buoys... there may be no limit.
Panel 5:
Narrative Text: Meanwhile: A trial in recess...
Ezzok: You really shouldn't have intervened with the judges, Hank. If I lose now...
Colonel Hank Reynolds: Taking risks is part of being in Starfleet, Ezzok. But I don't intend to let any of us burn for this farce of a trial.
Ezzok: Well, thanks. But what are you looking at?
Panel 6:
Hank: I downloaded the database of Gorn trial law to my tricorder. Looking for anything useful.
The search functions are acting a little weird, though. I've never seen anything quite like--
TRACK: Hello! looks like you're trying to win a Gorn trial against a rigged system!
Just keeping it real with a light and casual vibe for your life or death situation.
Can I interest you in a subscription to unlock my full potential?
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