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Wearing an "ASNN" branded jumpsuit, a man stops right inthe middle of the establishment and starts speaking loudly to a hovering drone. "'And here in a rowdy spacer's bar in Drifter's End'-- Wait, Cambot. Cut that last bit and splice this in 'And here in a gourmet pastry shop in Drifter's End, your correspondent once again boldly joins the Starfinder Society on another mission. Will it end in utter disaster or a hard-fought victory? Only time--and me, Vitellius Korpopolis for the Absalom Station News Network--will tell!' Good, save that and pick up some background color while I see who these yahoos are." The drone begins drifting around the room while the man comes over to the table. He sits down and nods in a friendly way. "A barathu, and a drow. Not a bad start, but our viewers really like to see the more exotic species. Hopefully we'll even get someone from the Vast in. Oh, I'm Vitellius Korpopolis, by the way, but I bet you already knew that. I've been embedded on this mission. Just be your normal selves, but more in a more interesting and exciting way."
Vitellius puts on his deep narrator's voice as Cambot slowly pans to record the captured Olem and the rescued mistuors. "And so, another Starfinder foray into the dangers of the unknown has been resolved, and justice has been done. In this reporter's opinion, the hand-picked elite crew of Starfinder troubleshooters he observed conducted themselves with mercy and determination--a credit to the entire Society. But after the scandals of the past, lingering questions remain and further inquiry is surely warranted. Only two things seems certain: I'm Vitellius Korpopolis, and you've been watching ASNN."
Seeing Antethriss take a hammer to the torso from the lead poacher, Vitellius rushes over. He holds a large microphone right in front of the draelik's hood opening. "That was a massive blow, and yet you're still in fighting trim! Can you describe for the viewers at home just what you're feeling right now?"
After Kiikarah's words, Vitellius *just* manages to control his instincts to drive into the camp at full speed to get guns a'blazing and high-octane action in the "war correspondent" genre. Instead, he slows down and sighs. "Well, I guess you can do it some other way. But it won't be as interesting to watch . . ."
Vitellius whispers to Cambot "Cambot, make you sure get this--I think it'll be the cliffhanger for episode 1 of the true-crime comm-cast." He then turns with a flourish to Genayvin and Dr Tevurda and says with just a hint of accusation. "What I'd like to know is-- he pauses dramatically for effect "--how you happen to know one of the kidnappers?"
"Perfect! I was just thinking of launching a multi-part true crime comm-cast. I just need to find the right angle for the opening. Hopefully these Starfinders solve the case eventually--listeners are always disappointed with an unresolved mystery." Vitellius watches the footage carefully, noting whether the off-road vehicles are from the animal habitat (an inside job would be a great twist for an episode!) or were brought in from the outside.
Vitellius mumbles under his breath, "What a twist!" With a wave to Cambot, he clears his throat and approaches the green-skinned woman. "Good day, Quibell. I'm Vitellius Kalepopolis, Absalom Station News Network. Your work here is fascinating, and I know my viewers will be intrigued to learn more! How would you respond to critics who accuse environmental activism like your own as limiting energy resources for a developing economy?"
"Stumbling, bumbling, and sometimes tumbling? All apt words to describe Starfinders. And yet!" Vitellius narrates, "We must add determined! Never to slink away in despair despite the hardships they face, Starfinders are known throughout the Pact Worlds for their persistence. Here, we see them turned away from one path only to find another."
Vitellius walks off to the side and motions for Cambot to get a shot of him standing in front of the flickering lights. "Thamal's future is looking dim. Literally. Can Starfinders save a would-be tourist mecca before it's 'lights out' forever? Find out tonight on This is Vitellius! Only on ASNN." After the recording is over, he walks back to the group. "Don't worry Councilor, these Starfinders are pretty good at problem solving! They might shoot the place up a bit, but they're worth every credit."
"Cambot, I'm going to try a few closers for this segment. Record these to file and I'll pick later. Take 1: 'And so another crisis, narrowly averted. But were the unsung heroes of this dramatic escape really the Xenowardens?' Maybe. Take 2: 'Voraijas seem like cute, harmless space whales. But nature has a dark side! Should more be done to cull these herds that threaten peaceful navigation? Tune into ASNN to keep abreast of the latest legislative developments.' Those animal-rights people would be up in arms. Take 3: 'Starfinders? More like debt collectors and test pilots. A special report, live on ASNN!' Yeah, that's the stuff!"
"I've got an idea! In broadcasting school, they taught us all about holographic tech so you could look like anything you wanted on camera. Maybe I could put something together so we look a bit more like a voraija!"
"Though on second thought, if you they swallow us, Cambot would get some amazing footage from inside them before we die!"
"Will you look at that!" says Vitellius to no one in particular. "Adolescent voraijas. I remember reading in the newsfeed that pods of them had been seen recently in Liavara's upper atmosphere. Sometimes tourist ships come through here, but those schmucks have to pay for what we're seeing for free!" Suddenly the journalist's voice raises an octave. "Though come to think of it, those ships are always protected by xenowardens--and these voraijas look hungry!" Vitellius decides to start some evasive action!
Vitellius cracks his knuckles as he prepares to put the ship into overdrive. "Experiential journalism at its best, folks!" he announces, gripping the throttle. "If we set a new speed record, we might all become famous! Or, in my case, even more famous!" Vitellius puts the peddle to the meddle, taking the Grimshaw through its paces.
Vitellius rubs his chin. "Well, I really need to get a shot of the ship lifting off. But if I'm standing outside it, then I won't be inside it if something exciting happens. Cambot, little buddy, you're going to have to stay outside and record the launch. I'll narrate some voice memos from inside the cockpit. If the ship explodes and we all die, don't forget that career highlight reel I made last week--I want that playing on a loop at my funeral."
Vitellius arrives in the office a few minutes late, wearing a brand-new, highly-stylish, and very impractical designer flightsuit. "Sorry, sorry everyone! Let me just adjust this lighting. Saratur, those shiny tusks of yours really put up a glare, but I guess you can't help it. Everyone, please return to your spots and repeat absolutely everything you've just said, word for word. Pretend I'm not here! Cambot, start rolling."
"Danger, greed, love, and redemption--such is the life of a Starfinder!" says Vitellius, narrating the close of the segment to Cambot. "Ladies and Gentlebeings, you've just witnessed the first in a series of broadcasts documenting the fist-bumps and foibles of the Starfinder Society. And it's all brought to you in full spectra-colour, here on ASNN! But for now, Vitellius Korpopolis, signing off with a reminder: reach for the stars, and the universe will be at your fingertips!" After instructing Cambot on what to do with the footage, Vitellius offers to buy his "documentary subjects" a drink at Electric Prism as thanks for their participation.
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