Today on Quantum Vibe: Cheated the slavetrader Strip 525 - Click strip above to goto the next strip.
First Seen: Fri 2013-01-25
Story & Art: Scott Bieser - Colors: Zeke Bieser Sci-Fi Adventure Monday & Thursday.
Quantum Vibe
A thousand years in the future, humanity has colonized worlds in nearly
100 galaxies, thanks to Quantum Vibremonic technologies developed five
centuries earlier. Other new technologies have created various
off-shoots of humanity and extended life expectancies five-fold. The
story begins with how a mad scientist and his plucky assistant, along
with their robot friend, brought humanity to the stars, and continues
with the adventures of some unique people in fantastic places.
Panel 1
Back at the hotel room in Xin Xian. Ventura's headless body sits on the edge of a bed. Nicole is sitting next to it, wiping the smoke-stains off her head with a cloth. Seamus stands nearby. Buford is also in the room.
Nicole: You're lucky that shopkeeper bought your story.
Seamus: It was a calculated risk, but worth it, I think.
Panel 2
Nicole carefully places Ventura's head on her torso, as Seamus looks on.
Seamus: Buying a slave for manumission purposes carries its own contradiction.
Seamus: One is in effect rewarding a slaver for his crime, and giving him the means to acquire more slaves.
Panel 3
Nicole is now doing something with the back of Ventura's neck
Nicole: So you cheated the shopkeeper?
Seamus: He got more than he deserved, but less than one-tenth what he could have charged me to purchase our friend in working order.
Panel 4
Ventura now powers-up.
Nicole: There ya go.
Ventura: Are we on Phobos yet?
Seamus: Not yet. I have some business to take care of here first.
Panel 5
Seamus hands Nicole an envelope.
Seamus: Here is Ventur ... Veronica's title document, and tickets for the shuttle to Stickney Station.
Seamus: The shuttle departs at Huoke 40. Don't be late, and keep a low profile.
Panel 6
Seamus turns to leave, but Nicole is inquisitive.
Nicole: Where are you going?
Seamus: I have to finalize some deals I made at the party yesterday.
Seamus: I'll catch the evening shuttle to Stickney.
Panel 7
Nicole is looking apprehensive. Seamus waves her off as he walks away.
Nicole: What ... what if the local investigators figure out what happened in that alley?
Nicole: What if we get stopped at the gate and arrested?
Seamus: Don't go borrowing trouble. You'll be fine.
Panel 8
Ventura rests a comforting hand on Nicole's arm, smiling sweetly. Nicole and Buford both look at her dubiously.
Ventura: Yes, we'll be fine.
Ventura: I trust in our Seamus.