Hey look, it’s the space AU again!
It’s been…oh, geez, almost four years since we last visited this one…so have some general worldbuilding, instead of diving straight back into the plot. And how better to do that than with interviews by Space Bennet?
Featuring a couple of backer cameos from the Volume 5 campaign. These two have appeared in the comic before, so I decided to do something different and draw them as aliens. The Islander Fish & Wildlife officer is Velin, a character of Svirdlu’s, last seen on Bennet’s UI vacation; the food services agent is Clara, the recurring S-Mart proprietor.
Bennet: Space Station Chalice is a beautiful intergalactic meeting point for travelers of all species. Let’s switch on our universal translators and ask some of them what brings them here!
Tamaputian (Atarangi): We’re just coming back from a vacation.
Bennet: “We”? Who else is with you?
Atarangi: . . . I mean, I. I’m coming back from a vacation.
Human (Del): Why, darling, I’ve been spying on the Sønheim Empire for the Alliance . . . Only kidding! I’m a sales agent. For something dreadfully boring. You wouldn’t want any.
Islander: On my way to an Interplanetary Fish and Wildlife survey of a protected planet! We’re trying to restore the habitat of the Pink Spotted Owlgrey.
Canid (Niamh): Remember how, five years ago, there was a refugee subplot? I’m a therapist, here to provide the refugees with pro bone-o services.
Norden (Sven): . . . We’re refugees. And I’m not sure I should be talking to you without a lawyer.
Norden again: I work here. On the station.
Bennet: Cool! What’s your high-tech sci-fi field of expertise?
Worker: Food service. Are you in the café to order anything, or are you holding up the line to film?