Transcript For Strip 2171

Panel 1
Establishing shot of the Planet Shārén. Artificial structures overgrow half the surface, like a fungus. The rest is brownish ocean. Layered over are dull-yellowish clouds.
Caption: The planet Shārén resides in the galaxy once known as M74 but was renamed 'Eomeona' by its early human settlers.
Caption: Nearly 400 years later, the planet is home to almost 200 million persons.

Panel 2
Zoomed in on a complex of towers, flying bridges, etc.
Caption: It is also home to the Intergalactic Council, a body of delegates from a dozen cartels, guilds, and planetary baronies from across more than 100 galaxies .
Voice from tower: This is completely unacceptable.
Same voice: You promised the legation would be operational seven days ago.
Trudeau (from tower): The Novo Paoloans have been more obstructionist than we anticipated.

Panel 3
Inside a large office. Greta Heidelberg sits behind a large desk, and a somewhat chastened Marlon Trudeau stands before him.

Trudeau: However, the … ah … events of three days ago has pushed public opinion and the Pillars in the direction we hoped.
Trudeau: But we have now secured a location and local contractors are assembling the main building.
Caption 1: Marlon Trudeau, IntelAgency Sub-chief
Caption 2: Greta Heidelberg, Assistant Intel Minister for the Intergalactic Council.
Panel 4
Closer 2-shot on Trudeau and Heidelberg
Heidelberg: Local contractors? I hope you're supervising them closely.
Trudeau: Montanha-Flores is supervising. And he is a most diligent supervisor.
Heidelberg: Hmph. Mordy is most diligent at feathering his own nest.

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