video, attention all entrepreneurs

[jacksonian]

[ On the screen is a portly, jowly little guy with slicked-back hair and a smarmy manner. Mark is here to offer a really good business opportunity, yeah - but people could be excused for not being all that interested in that business opportunity on the basis of this kid looking and acting like a junior supervillain. ]

Hello. My name is Mark Vorkosigan, and I'm the founder and CEO of PKE, a full-service investment firm catering both to the imPort and native communities. I'm announcing today that PKE is expanding its business interests.

ImPorts are creative thinkers and capable entrepreneurs who still have trouble getting an initial loan to start their businesses. Local banks don't trust imPorts, because we disappear, or because we get attacked by the Soviets, or because bad things happen to us. So banks deny us loans, or charge us high interest rates. And this hurts our community.

So I am making it PKE's explicit mission to provide investments to fund your business ideas. Do you want to start a business? Then you should start here, with PKE. You can respond here and run your business idea past me, and if it seems viable, we can set up an appointment at my offices to discuss particulars.

[ And, with his smile growing broader and also quite savage, he goes on - ]

Oh, and just for those of you who weren't aware, Lucifer got Ported out. I'm hosting a party in celebration. Open bar, free food, live band. Everyone's invited. Next Saturday night, De Chima. RSVP here.

Noma Tu; Video

[annihiliner]

Fellow imPorts... It's been some time since I last spoke to all of you like this, so for those who have forgotten or who I haven't yet met, I am Lexa kom Trikru.

[She sits in an almost meditative pose alone in a room dimly lit by some flickering flame off-screen, sounding calm and contemplative but firm. A very deliberate effect meant to convey a certain image. Casualness, quiet confidence, and just a hint of fire for those who might wonder if this is more than idle curiosity.]

I'll try to keep this brief, but I have a question--or short series of them--for you. Particularly those who've been here for some time already. This world is not our own, and the consequences of what happens here are... ultimately limited for us. Much more so than for the natives of this land at least, who are each quite powerless in comparison to almost any one of us.

[She tilts her head slightly, and there is a clear and intentional "thinking it over" pause.]

But what does that mean? Do you believe that we have a duty to these people at all? To this world? ...to each other?

Are we meant to be protectors, or guides perhaps? Or maybe it all means nothing, and the problems of this world aren't our responsibility to fix... What do you believe is the best use of our time here? And is it wrong if we refuse to do it? I'm curious about your thoughts on the subject.

Please. Tell me.