Trivid recording: MercTalk, Outreach Public Broadcasting
Scene opens on the show's set - it's very tacky. The background props are clunky, cheap and plastic looking, the show's name is lit up in harsh lights and the two over-stuffed lounges are about three years out of date.
The host is a beautiful woman with dark skin and her black hair done up in an elaborate series of rolls and waves. She's wearing a bright red power suit.
Facing her is a tall man with sandy blonde hair cut in a brush cut. He's wearing the slate grey and maroon dress uniform of the Cavaliere.
"ACTION!"
A boom mic is hastily pulled out of shot.
Host: "Welcome back to MercTalk, I'm your host Angelina Lima and with me now is Lieutenant Joe Paige of Cavalli’s Cavaliere, who have just recently made such a splash in the so-called Chaos March."
Paige: "Pleasure to be here Angelina."
Host: "Now, Joe. The Cavaliere have just returned, having played part in the ongoing FedCom Civil War. Does this mean your unit has picked a side?""
Paige: "I'd not say that at all, Angelina. In fact, I'd just say we're mercenaries."
Audience applause. It's clearly a laugh track.
Paige looks around nervously.
Host: "And Joe, you've recently admitted to the public that you're a former members of he Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. Why'd you hide that and how does this Civil War make you feel?"
Paige: "That's right, Angelina. I spent 10 years as an officer with the AFFC and my last posting was on Sarna. I decided to get away from all of that following Sarna's fall. Frankly, it's a sensitive area.
"In relation to the Civil War, I guess you could say that I'm now looking at it purely as a mercenary - that means, there's profit to be made and we'll keep on doing that."
Again, canned applause. Paige looks almost distressed now as he looks around wide eyed.
Host: "Great, great. That's great. Now, your unit is back on Outreach - and I understand your CO, Felix Cavalli has just got married!"
The screen behind the pair shifts to a 2D shot of a man with dark curly hair and a short clipped beard in a similar uniform to Paige. He and an attractive woman in her mid-20s with long brown hair are jointly holding a cavalry sabre over a giant wedding cake, ready to cut it.
The woman is wearing an elaborate wedding dress in ivory and the pair are both smiling.
Host: "That's Force Commander Cavalli and his new bride Captain Kym Caine, owner-operator of the merchant Jumpship Portland."
Paige: "That's right, we're all very happy for the boss and Kym. We'll be taking a few months off here on Outreach."
Host: "Great, that's great, just great. Now, will there be any difficult issues - a married couple working together?"
Paige: "Well, Captain Caine is still an independent trader. She's not actually employed by the Cavaliere-"
Host: "That's great, just great. Great. And next up, we speak with Doctor Mathias Zootman about the ongoing situation in the Capellan March."
Cut to music.