It's a question Quatre's not really sure how to answer. "I don't know how it's talked about other places," he says, thoughtful. "But -- we don't get details, much? I think the Alliance would prefer we didn't know about them at all, but they can't stop -- independent transmissions. So they have to tell us some things."

The concept of independent radio stations on unaffilliated spacecraft is something that makes his voice hush a bit with awe. It is so cool. Maybe he will be a radio station person someday. He's not allowed to listen according to his dad-- too young to understand bias, or something, though Bernie usually lets him listen with her.

His face goes serious, suddenly, and a bit embarrassed. "Some of them might overdo it, though. The ones -- well, some people like to pretend that people on Earth aren't --" he looks for the right word in English, "civilized?" he adds, uncertain of both his word choice and the good manners of telling Trowa that.