Ok this is one of those situations where the webcomic format is not ideal since you guys reading along as its posted can’t just turn the page. Obviously Max is pointing at one of the trinkets on the shelf I mentioned last page, so just bear with while this gets resolved.

Deus saying “lease” in the first panel is the result of some significant editing. Originally there was a tangent there about having to bribe and shoot his way to the coast. Shoot bandits, not so much the legal authorities, unless they go overboard with the bribery. Pirates he’s not so worried about. Aggressive, unregistered vessels in international waters make excellent targets for weapons tests. I liked the detail and the world building but ultimately there was too much dialog and I didn’t think he’d spell out the seedier side of his business foibles to Max.

And yes, in case you’re wondering, when Veridian Dynamics got cancelled went out of business, Deus scooped them right up. Weaponized pumpkins? That’s right up his alley. If you don’t get that reference, then you should check this out. Arrg. And if you can’t see that link for whatever reason, it’s a show called Better off Ted. It was all too short lived but I consider it one of the funniest things ever on TV. Not quite on the same echelon as Red Dwarf or Archer, but still way up there.

Edit: Vote incentive is updated! Comment on it here.

Patreon supporters can view this page at twice the size! (as soon as I wake up and post it then immediately go back to sleep since Patreon doesn’t have a way to schedule posts yet.) $1 and up, but feel free to contribute as much as you like :)

Here’s the link to the new comments highlighter for chrome, and the GitHub link which you can use to install on FireFox via Greasemonkey.