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| - <> Random Reporter appears on television amid some signal disruption. The same disruption can be seen on every channel, and even over the internet. Satellite communication has become spotty at best. The report looks into the camera, "Ladies and gentlemen, we appear to be experiencing some... technical difficulties. Our technicians are working on clearing up the signal, but-..." The news report suddenly goes to static, along with every other channel on TV. <> Acerbitas assumes control of the communication lines. A mechanical face appears on the screen, occupying every television channel, and even a number of webcasts. The face has rounded cheeks and a broad mouth, capped with an orange, five-pointed crown. It speaks in a synthetic barritone, "Inhabitants of Earth, you are hereby placed under the jurisdiction of the Quintesson Grand Tribunal. Let the trial begin." <> Acerbitas shifts into a blur of motion, the face replaced by a rotund one in a rounded helmet. It speaks with a deep and authoritative tone, "The charge is attempted genocide. Numerous breaches of the quantum weave have caused destructive ripples throughout the universe. The planet of Earth stands accused of the destruction of the planet Quintessa. The court will now present the evidence..." There's a flicker of static, and suddenly the wizened face is replaced by a clip of Kang and Kodos. <> The two aliens from the Simpsons proceed to lecture the people of Earth that they run under a two-party democratic system, and one of them must be elected. Before you can find out the results of this thrilling scene, however, the face reclaims the image and it looks very unhappy. The wise face disappears, replaced by a fierce, almost vampiric visage with gaunt features and burning red optics, "You dare make a mockery of your on trial? The Tribunal holds you in CONTEMPT!" A number of computers world-wide simultaneously begin giving their users a number of virus warnings, and PC performance world-wide begins to degrade. The rotund face returns in another blur of movement, "Numerous subspace ripples have appeared throughout the universe over the past ten of your years. These disturbances have culminated in a temporal shockwave that is responsible for the destruction of the planet Quintessa. The disturbances have been traced back to this planet." <> The face shifts to an ancient, almost pharaohnic image with a spiked headdress, "The Grand Quintesson Tribunal finds this planet and its inhabitants guilty of the charge of attempted genocide. The sentence..." Another blur of motion, and the face of judgement is replaced by a hideous, leering skull. "Death!" <> Control of the television stations is relinquished, but the interference remains. Cellular calls are difficult, channels are digitizing frequently, and internet communication is about as fast as the mid-90s. ---
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![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)