Strip 782 -- First Seen: 2011-09-02
Escape From Terra is updated with new pages every Monday through Friday.

QV on a short break

QUANTUM VIVE is taking a break for a few weeks, as we prepare for Part 2 of the Novo Palermo story, and also for a Kickstarter campaign for Part 1, which will start in September.

In the meantime, Not-Safe.Space will continue, as a murder mystery begins and the relationship between Eithne and Diana develops in unexpected directions.

Not-Safe.Space is a NSFW strip but more than half the pages are SFW so I've set those to *not* require a Patreon membership. Readers should be able to follow the story without seeing the NSFW pages. If I've done this right.

Kickstarter successful and closed

The Kickstarter campaign for Not-Safe.Space Chapter 3 concluded successfully on April 21, and Scott extended the time allowed for late pledges until May 19.

Books have been ordered from the printer and Scott will be spending the next week or so setting up and sending the PDF files to those who asked for them.

(There are still six of you who have not responded to the survey asking for e-mail and snail-mail addresses, he'll do the best he can.)

Thanks to all for supporting this Kickstarter!

The Transcript For This Page

Panel 1
Reggie and Babbette, with their luggage, along with some other passengers, emerge from the spaceport tube-train at the station beneath the Burj. Everything looks lavish.
Reggie: Too bad we can't stay in the Burj's Hotel Otaared.
Babbette: At those rates? Fuggedaboudit. We'll find a less expensive place on the crater wall.
Panel 2
Reggie and Babbette are approached by a well-dressed gentleman, with an automated luggage trundle following behind.
Gentleman: Sir, Madam, my name is Gunter Müller, assistant manager of the Hotel Otaared.
Gentleman: Will you be staying with us while on Mercury?

Panel 3
Three-shot, Gunter, Babbette and Reggie.
Babbette: Oh no, we'll be staying at a smaller rim hotel. We're on a budget.
Gunter: Then you are in luck.

Panel 4
Gunter puts on his best salesman face. Babbette and Reggie look dubious.
Gunter: Hotel Otaared is offering a substantial discount at this time.
Babbette: How substantial?
Reggie: Why?
Panel 5
Medium close-up of Gunter, looking a bit evasive.
Gunter: Well, we are undergoing a … social movement, so we are slightly understaffed at the moment.

Panel 6
Close two-shot of Reggie and Babbette. Reggie leans in close to Babbette and speaks softly.
Reggie: That's Euro-babble for a 'strike.' During a 'social movement,' nothing moves.
Reggie: I was wondering why he was trolling for guests. Now I understand.

Panel 7
Three shot of Gunter, Reggie and Babbette. Reggie turns to face Gunter. Babbette is wearing a no-nonsense expression and Gunter notices.
Reggie: So, what's the damage?
Gunter: Sir, we are pleased to offer any room or suite and one thir … I mean, one-fourth the normal nightly rate.

Panel 8
Three shot of Gunter, Reggie and Babbette. Reggie is looking admiringly at Babbette. Gunter looks resigned.
Babbette: Make that one-fifth and we have a deal.
Gunter: {sigh} Madam, you drive a hard bargain. Sir, you are a lucky man.