(no subject)
Telling their tale'>
"This satellite has been here for some time. Not a very important one, of course. But enough for L2 to want to keep it running."
"So this is still in the L2 cluster. I guess I haven't gone all that far, good. Sorry, I was sort of dwelling on that, keep going."
"Many of us have been working here for years. So when it passed into new hands, we were all cautious about how the changes would affect our way of life here. It was worse than we thought. At first, it was simply little things. Cargo ships not on the schedule docking at odd hours. Communication blackouts. We thought it was merely hiccups due to the new owner, understand?"
"Yeah, sure. Even if the equipment is standard, people are gonna use it in different ways. And I bet no one listened when you said something was wrong, or asked what was going on."
"No, they didn't. And things got worse after that. More strange arrivals and departures, medical allowances and general supplies dwindled. By the time we decided together that we needed to make a stand, outside communications in our power had been cut completely."
"Shit."
"Precisely, Mr. Maxwell. Of course, they assumed us powerless after that. What they had forgotten is that many us have worked in the satellite's access tunnels, and codes that are defunct in the main areas may still work in more out of sight places."
"Which is how you guys got down here."
"Yes, we took shelter here, on Marie's advice. It has been her guidance and leadership that has enabled us to stay protected for this long. Unfortunately we lost several of our number before we found safety. And we have not been able to deduce a way to inform the outside world of the happenings here. We believe the new owners are using this satellite for something more sinister than mining. Weapon production, perhaps. Money laundering. Or a place to hide those wanted by the law."
"You guys did a damn good job. And maybe there's something I can do to repay you for taking me in with you all."
"We saw the guns, Mr. Maxwell. But a frontal assault hardly seems the correct action to take."
"No, I wouldn't ask you to do that even if I thought it was a good idea. But I'm a Sweeper. I've got outside connections that are probably wondering where the hell I am right now. And busting in and trying to kick all their asses might not work. But with my particular specialties, and what you all know about this place, I think we can work something out."
"Then we should speak to Marie again. If you'll permit me to translate for you."
"Probably a good idea. You know, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you guys too much. I didn't know shit about what was going on. Not even if it's really Christmas or not."
"Perhaps we shall borrow an old tradition, and celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, then?"
"Hah! You're all right, Etienne. C'mon, let's go talk to the boss lady."
"This satellite has been here for some time. Not a very important one, of course. But enough for L2 to want to keep it running."
"So this is still in the L2 cluster. I guess I haven't gone all that far, good. Sorry, I was sort of dwelling on that, keep going."
"Many of us have been working here for years. So when it passed into new hands, we were all cautious about how the changes would affect our way of life here. It was worse than we thought. At first, it was simply little things. Cargo ships not on the schedule docking at odd hours. Communication blackouts. We thought it was merely hiccups due to the new owner, understand?"
"Yeah, sure. Even if the equipment is standard, people are gonna use it in different ways. And I bet no one listened when you said something was wrong, or asked what was going on."
"No, they didn't. And things got worse after that. More strange arrivals and departures, medical allowances and general supplies dwindled. By the time we decided together that we needed to make a stand, outside communications in our power had been cut completely."
"Shit."
"Precisely, Mr. Maxwell. Of course, they assumed us powerless after that. What they had forgotten is that many us have worked in the satellite's access tunnels, and codes that are defunct in the main areas may still work in more out of sight places."
"Which is how you guys got down here."
"Yes, we took shelter here, on Marie's advice. It has been her guidance and leadership that has enabled us to stay protected for this long. Unfortunately we lost several of our number before we found safety. And we have not been able to deduce a way to inform the outside world of the happenings here. We believe the new owners are using this satellite for something more sinister than mining. Weapon production, perhaps. Money laundering. Or a place to hide those wanted by the law."
"You guys did a damn good job. And maybe there's something I can do to repay you for taking me in with you all."
"We saw the guns, Mr. Maxwell. But a frontal assault hardly seems the correct action to take."
"No, I wouldn't ask you to do that even if I thought it was a good idea. But I'm a Sweeper. I've got outside connections that are probably wondering where the hell I am right now. And busting in and trying to kick all their asses might not work. But with my particular specialties, and what you all know about this place, I think we can work something out."
"Then we should speak to Marie again. If you'll permit me to translate for you."
"Probably a good idea. You know, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you guys too much. I didn't know shit about what was going on. Not even if it's really Christmas or not."
"Perhaps we shall borrow an old tradition, and celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, then?"
"Hah! You're all right, Etienne. C'mon, let's go talk to the boss lady."