Conversation · Coupris Kineema

"I don't listen to them," the lieutenant says sharply.

"Isn't that the station we have to call? Speedfreaks FM? Why's it saved as 'favourite'?"

"Speedfreaks FM, huh?" (Look him in the eye.)

"Oh, is that what it was called?" He's trying hard to act surprised.

"...AND DE FACTO THE FASTEST MUSIC IN ALL OF R-R-REVACHOL R-ROCK CITY. ALL YOU HOOLIGANS, DOWNTOWN DRIFTERS, SIDEWAYS SALLIES AND POWERSLIDING PIERRES...

"... GET INTO GEAR, DROP THE MOTHERFUCKING CLUTCH AND LET THE P-P-PPP-PPPPOWER TAKE YOU ON A JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME!"

The radio DJ stops. For a moment it seems like he has ran out of things to say...

That quickfire patter -- is this the voice the twins heard?

"... AND NOW FOR SOME MUSIC!" another voice screams into the microphone. Rhythmic rock music fills the cabin, as the back-to-back DJs mix it with sounds from car crashes and illegal speeding competitions.

Turn it off, this isn't music!

This is art... underground art... a scene.

The entirety of Martinaise is watching you!

Turn the radio back to PRIMELINE.

This radio station is even worse than Cuno -- it feels like someone defecating right into your ear.

This must be the most annoying thing you've ever heard -- it feels like someone defecating right into your ear.

"Please connect me to Sylvie again."

"Just a second, officer..."

"..."

"..."

"Sylvie Malaìika on the line for you, officer."

"Yes, hello." You recognize her voice.

"Could you run a serial number from a pair of armoured boots for me?"

"I'm ready to try dialing Speedreaks FM again."

"I need to report a dead body on the Martinaise boardwalk."

"Alice, please connect me to the 41st again."

"Have you heard back from the ICP about the serial number?"

"Connect me to Jamrock Public Library."

"Hold on, officer."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I've got Central Jamrock Public Library on the line and I've already introduced you to their librarian. Connecting the call in 2... 1..."

"Yes, this is Central Jamrock Public Library here." A male librarian answers the call. "How can I help you, officer?"

He sounds worried, yet ready to assist. This is how people get when the police call.

"I'm afraid they're closed. It says here that the library is open from 10 AM to 6 PM."

"We should try again during business hours."

"Anything else, detective?"

"I was told I need to connect to my station... the 41st lazareth."

Press the button labelled "Saved" and turn on Speedfreaks FM.

"FASCIST PIGS, I SWEAR. YOU AND KIM KITSURAGI SHOULD ALL..." The assault gives way to burning quiet.

The lieutenant snaps off the radio, turning it back to PRIMELINE. He stares at you silently.

Another equally furious voice seizes on the silence. "HERE'S SOME MUSIC."

An audio-assault descends full force on you. Sonic daggers fly forth from the Kineema's speakers. The soundwaves would slice you if they could.

Turn the radio back to PRIMELINE.

"...SPOKE TO THE W-W-WILDEST COP IN REVACHOL. HE ASKED US TO GIVE HIS BUDDY COP, LONG TIME LISTENER KIM KITSURAGI, A BIG SHOUTOUT. KIM, WE LOVE YOU."

"KEEP IT FREAKY," another voice cuts in, "LIKE DJ MESH, DJ FLACIO, AND YOUR W-W-W-WILD FRIEND. THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!"

If, when a motor-carriage's engine was ignited, it could drive by its own accord off to a high mountain and there write a song -- perhaps it'd be something like what you're hearing now.

"We aren't discussing this." After a few bars, the lieutenant turns the radio back to PRIMELINE.

What a reserve of willpower. It's taking all he's got to not smile.

Elsewhere in Revachol, the lieutenant has also just turned on the radio. In his privacy, he doesn't even try to stop himself from smiling.

"FASCIST PIGS, I SWEAR. YOU SHOULD ALL..." The assault gives way to burning quiet.

The lieutenant snaps off the radio, turning it back to PRIMELINE. He stares at you silently.

Another equally furious voice seizes on the silence. "HERE'S SOME MUSIC."

An audio-assault descends full force on you. Sonic daggers fly forth from the Kineema's speakers. The soundwaves would slice you if they could.

"...SPOKE TO THE W-W-WILDEST COP IN REVACHOL."

"DIDN'T EVEN GET HIS NAME. BUT WHOEVER THAT MYSTERY COP WAS, WE SALUTE HIM."

"I HOPE HE'S R-R-R-ROCKING WITH US A LONG TIME," another voice cuts in. "THE WORLD NEEDS MORE FREAKS. THIS ONE'S FOR YOU, MYSTERY COP!"

It requires no adjustment. The radio is already set to Speedfreaks FM.

"Could you connect me to the 41st Precinct? I have something I need to report."

The frequency tableau lights up and a green button labelled PRIMELINE glows like a feline eye... and then you hear something.