Episode #364: Hudson's Choice

[Episode 364]
Episode #364: Hudson's Choice
Volume IV / Wednesday, 28 December 2011

Episode Notes

There's an app for everything, apparently.

In the last two panels, the aliens are talking without a character with updated translator nanodes present which is why you only see the alien speech.

Anyway, thus we end Volume IV of Tranquility Base with the fourth wall being rebuilt without the reset button being pressed. The question is, will it stay built? Right now, Hudson is the only character with any memory of "life beyond the fourth wall" and the Author Avatars, so fighting the Evil Author Avatar might prove problematic (as would explaining her life story!). Unless... there is some documentary proof of the circumstances of Hudson's birth. Evidence such as a memoir, or journal... or something that got overlooked in the rebuilding.

Can't read the alien's text? View the translated comic, or read the transcript below.

Transcript

Panel 1: Hudson is still chatting to the leader of the Beings of Interminable Vagueness (scarab aliens) at the Indescribable Place
Prime Minister Hudson:
Will we remember what happened?
Scarab Alien Leader:
Only you will have any memory beyond the fourth wall. A few others will have moments of clarity and apparent genre savviness, but they won't be aware of why that is. And if you choose to press the reset button, you will be the only one to remember both realities.
Panel 2: On Tranquility Base, Admiral Slog is talking to Anderson (on Teuthida) via a Bigger Dish Network video link.
Caption:
Meanwhile, back at Tranquility Base
Admiral Slog:
Are you sure this will work?
Anderson (via vid-link):
It should do. I built the homing device into her laser sword hilt for just such an eventuality. It should indicate her exact location.
Panel 3: Angelina and Lt. Tolstoy are also in the room with Admiral Slog
Angelina:
But how do we get there and extract her?
Tolstoy:
Admiral, Sir, I think it's time we use the new Starship Tranquility.
Admiral Slog:
But that's experimental!
Panel 4: We return to Hudson and the aliens.
Caption:
Some time later, back at the Indescribable Place
Scarab Alien Leader:
The "Fourth Wall Fix" application has been launched, you must press the reset button before the boot-up cycle completes and the monoliths start to seal the breach...
Prime Minister Hudson:
There's an app for that?
Scarab Alien Leader:
Of course
Prime Minister Hudson:
How long do I have to decide what to do?
Scarab Alien Leader:
About ten of your human seconds.
Panel 5: Suddenly, Admiral Slog beams in behind Hudson.
VFX:
Experimental beam-in at warp speed!
Computer:
Nine... Eight... Seven...
Prime Minister Hudson (hasn't noticed Slog):
Well, I think it's best if I...
Panel 6: Slog grabs Hudson
Admiral Slog:
Gotcha! Slog to Tranquility, two to beam out!
Computer:
Six... Five... Four...
Prime Minister Hudson:
Huh, what the...?
Admiral Slog:
No time to explain right now, but our sensors detected a massive energy signature building up.
Panel 7: Slog and Hudson beam out
Admiral Slog (cont.):
It seems to be coming from this location, so we came to rescue you!
Computer:
Three... Two... One...
Prime Minister Hudson:
But I don't need rescuing!
VFX:
Experimental beam-out at warp speed!
Panel 8: The Beings of Interminable Vagueness are left alone in the Indescribable Place
Scarab Alien Leader:
Bugger! Now we will never know what she decided. Oh well, it is too late now.
Computer:
Fourth Wall is closing. There may be some turbulence.
Panel 9: A solid grey brick wall (in one brick there is a very, very faint pair of familiar eyes visible.
Computer (from behind the wall):
The Fourth Wall is now sealed. With no reset.
Caption:
End of Volume IV