VOID - SEASON 5, EPISODE 8
Written by
Sean McKnight With Jeni Miller
Wolves Among the Sheep
VOID PODCAST LLC
voidthepodcast@gmail.com
NARRATOR
In the previous episode of VOID, the Mendelsons continued to work their way through the crew digging up information. Regina discovered at the end of the episode that their trajectory had taken them into the radius of a red nova.
SOUND: RADIATION ALARM, KEYPAD, BUTTONS, SWITCHES
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - AFTERNOON
ASTRID
Alert, radiation levels have reached 2.5 gray.
REGINA REX
I know! Astrid, keep reporting gray levels but disable all radiation detectors.
SOUND: RADIATION ALARM STOPPING
ASTRID
Radiation detectors disabled.
REGINA REX
How did you miss this Terry?
TERRY MENDELSON
I’m not sure.
SOUND: SWIPING SOUND
REGINA REX
Do you see this giant blob here on the scopes? Pretty damn hard to miss if you ask me.
PAT MENDELSON
Hey Regina, ease up on Terry. He’s just starting to...
REGINA REX
(cutting her off)
Captain Rex. His one duty was to check our plotted course and warn me of things like 2 stars colliding!
PAT MENDELSON
It’s your attitude. You don’t have to be so mean.
REGINA REX
You’ll have to excuse me for getting upset over the fact that we may die from radiation exposure due to your husband’s inept ability to notice a very pronounced giant blob.
PAT MENDELSON
I guess I’ll shut up then.
REGINA REX
That would be for the best. Anko, get over to the engine console. I need you to divert power as we make the turn so we can sling shot out.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS
TERRY MENDELSON
What can I do Captain?
REGINA REX
Nothing, I’ll handle it.
ASTRID
Alert, radiation levels have reached 4 gray.
REGINA REX
If that hits 10 we’re dead.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS RUNNING
INT. CHING SHE CORRIDOR - AFTERNOON
URSULA NASH
(running towards Jonas) Why did the radiation detectors turn on?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(running towards Ursula, angry)
How the hell should I know? I was on my way to the bridge to find out!
URSULA NASH
(getting angry back)
Then why are you running in the wrong direction?
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS STOP
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I don’t know! I got turned around I guess.
URSULA NASH
Have you tried to reach Regina on comms?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
No I haven’t! Have you? I’m not the only person that knows how to use the comms Ursula!
URSULA NASH
I just thought as captain you’d be better at communicating when there’s an emergency!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Excuse me for not knowing everything that’s going on! Apparently there’s a lot I wasn’t aware of!
URSULA NASH
What’s that supposed to mean?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I think you know damn well what that means. We break up and 5 minutes later you jumped into the sack with Anko, of all people!
Really?
URSULA NASH
That’s not how it happened!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
How long Ursula? How long were you and Anko cheating on me?
URSULA NASH
I never cheated on you! We broke up! Do you really think nowis the best time to discuss our relationship?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You’re right! We broke up! There is no relationship, I’m so happy for you and Anko!
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS STOMPING OFF
URSULA NASH
Jonas! Jonas? Don’t you think we should go to the bridge? Jonas!
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
ASTRID
Alert, radiation levels have reached 4.5 gray.
URSULA NASH
It’s that high?
REGINA REX
I’m afraid so. You might want to get in that seat and strap in like everyone else. Where’s Jonas?
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, GETTING IN SEAT, SEAT STRAPS FASTENED
URSULA NASH
(while moving into seat) “Captain Aldridge” ran down the hall pouting like a child. I don’t know where he is.
REGINA REX
Dammit!
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Gilban, Jonas and Serebella, get into crash positions and await further orders. You have 10 seconds.
SOUND: KEYPAD, LEVERS, DIALS, POWER INCREASING
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Anko, from 3 then hit it.
ANKO LUMEN
Ready captain.
SOUND: BUTTONS, ENGINES REVVING LOUDER
REGINA REX 3, 2, 1. Now!
SOUND: KEYPADS, DIALS, LEVERS, ENGINES GETTING MUCH LOUDER AND ACCELLARATING
ASTRID
Alert, radiation levels have reached 7 gray.
SOUND: SHIP RUMBLING, ENGINES AT FULL
ANKO LUMEN
(under great strain)
The Gs are getting pretty intense captain!
URSULA NASH
(under great strain)
I feel like my face is getting ripped off!
REGINA REX
(under great strain) Hang in there everyone!!
SOUND: ENGINES CONTINUE AT FULL
ASTRID
Alert, radiation levels have lowered to 5.5 gray.
SOUND: ENGINES CONTINUE
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Alert, radiation levels have lowered to 3.5 gray.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Alert, radiation levels have lowered to 1 gray.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Radiation has lowered to optimum levels.
SOUND: RADIATION LEVEL OK ALERT, KEYPAD, BUTTONS, ENGINES SLOWING, POWER LOWERING
REGINA REX
Ok, you can all breathe now.
SOUND: UNDOING SEAT STRAPS, KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
All clear, Captain Aldridge report to the bridge.
PAT MENDELSON
Well that was exciting!
REGINA REX
That’s one word for it.
PAT MENDELSON
You’ll have to excuse me for seeing the bright side of the situation whenever I can Captain Rex.
REGINA REX
And you’ll have to excuse mefor seeing what caused the “exciting” situation in the first place. What say you scope operator?
TERRY MENDELSON
I have no excuse Captain Rex other than to say operator error and I accept full responsibility for my actions.
REGINA REX
People make mistakes but that one could have cost all our lives and destroyed the Ching She. Your ship is now fixed from what Anko reports. We’re happy to provide you with enough fuel to go back to the New Hope. You and Pat head back to your quarters and discuss when you’d like to disembark and we’ll make it so.
TERRY MENDELSON
I, uh...
PAT MENDELSON
(interrupting)
We’ll do just that Captain Rex. Thank you for accommodating us.
SOUND: STANDING UP, FOOTSTEPS, HATCH, KEYPAD
REGINA REX
Serebella? You ok?
SEREBELLA REON
(over speaker)
I’m fine Reg... Captain Rex. I almost threw up but I’m ok. That was pretty crazy.
REGINA REX
I’ll meet you in my quarters shortly. Don’t go anywhere.
SOUND: KEYPAD
URSULA NASH
Before anyone goes to meet anyone, we all have to be treated for radiation poisoning. Unless you want to be dead in about 30 days.
ANKO LUMEN
Oh. That’s why I feel so tired. I thought it was all the g-force strain.
REGINA REX
It’s both. You’re right, let’s get everyone to your office.
ANKO LUMEN
What about the Mendelsons?
REGINA REX
Including the Mendelsons. Start setting up Ursula. Anko find Pat and Terry and take them to Ursula for treatment. I don’t want to take eyes off of them until they leave. I’ll swing by your office in a little while.
SOUND: HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(walking in) Is everyone ok?
REGINA REX
I have something to attend to first.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
So you ran away from the bridge where I needed you to pout like a child over your break up? What the hell is wrong with you?!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
It wasn’t over the breakup! They slept together and I just found out about it!
Who?
REGINA REX
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Anko and Ursula!
REGINA REX
They did? Yes!
JONAS ALDRIDGE REGINA REX
How do you know?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Pat told me.
REGINA REX
Pat?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
She saw Ursula coming out of Anko’s cabin. I confronted Ursula and she admitted it. The whole thing turned me upside down for a minute.
REGINA REX
I get it, it was a shock. But Jonas, you can’t ever let something effect you like that when we have a crisis happening! Grow up man!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I know, you’re right. My emotions caught me off guard.
REGINA REX
People on the crew sleep with each other. It gets boring and lonely out here. We’re all supposedly mature adults and need to act like it.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I admit I didn’t react well.
REGINA REX
No you didn’t. And as much as you’re going to hate this you need to go see Ursula to be treated for radiation.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Great. I’ll head there now.
REGINA REX
See that you do. And get your shit together.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HATCH, TRANSITION
INT. CHING SHE GUEST QUARTERS - AFTERNOON
PAT MENDELSON
You totally screwed up our plans!
TERRY MENDELSON
Not on purpose!
PAT MENDELSON
I have that Anko idiot eating from the palm of my hand. How can you fail so badly?
TERRY MENDELSON
She wasn’t giving me an inch! I’m shut out of the computer system and the AI only grants us guest access.
PAT MENDELSON
How did you miss a nova like that?
TERRY MENDELSON
I was focused on trying to hack the computer system, which is impossible by the way! I must’ve gotten distracted.
PAT MENDELSON
The only way we pull this off is if they believe in us Terry. Which means we have to actually work hard at these stupid jobs until we gain their trust.
TERRY MENDELSON
I know, I know!
PAT MENDELSON
Do you? This is exactly what happened on the moon colony! You remember the mess you caused there don’t you?
TERRY MENDELSON
Of course I remember.
PAT MENDELSON
At least now we still have time to swing things back the other way.
TERRY MENDELSON
How are we going to do that? I don’t think she likes me very much.
PAT MENDELSON
Which is why you’re going to stay here and “pack” while I’m going to pay the captain a visit and do the talking.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE MEDICAL OFFICE - EVENING
URSULA NASH
Oh, it’s you.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Am I the last one?
URSULA NASH
Aside from me, yes. Have a seat over there Captain Aldridge.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Can we at least skip the formalities?
URSULA NASH
(gathering things)
That’s up to you Captain Aldridge.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, KEYPAD, MACHINE PROCESSING
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m sorry Ursula. I was an ass.
URSULA NASH
You certainly were.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
It was jarring finding out.
URSULA NASH
How did you find out anyway?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Pat told me.
URSULA NASH
She what?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
She saw you coming out of Anko’s quarters.
URSULA NASH
And from her assessment she just assumed I slept with him?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Was she wrong?
PAUSE A BEAT
URSULA NASH
(regretful)
No. But you have to understand it was a one-time thing. We were both drunk; really, really drunk. Not that I have to explain myself to you!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(resigned)
I know you don’t but thanks anyway. It was just a shock, you know? I felt like I disappointed you.
URSULA NASH
Disappointed me?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You did hook up with Anko pretty quickly. I felt like something was lacking or...
URSULA NASH
(interrupting)
No, nothing like that. I’m under a lot of stress with my parents, and then you and me. And it all just kind of...
Blew up. Yes.
JONAS ALDRIDGE URSULA NASH
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That’s how I felt when she told me.
URSULA NASH
That bitch. She hasn’t liked me since she set foot on the ship. How dare she insinuate without having any proof! I certainly didn’t tell her anything!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Looking back on it, I did fall into the gossip trap. I let my anger consume me.
URSULA NASH
I guess that was your own damn fault then.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
It was, I’m sorry. Truce?
URSULA NASH
Truce. Now lay back.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(laying back)
Do you think we can reset the whole break up thing and go back to being friends? For now at least.
SOUND: MACHINE SLIDING INTO PLACE, KEYPAD, MACHINE STARTING
URSULA NASH
I can do that.
SOUND: KEYPAD, MACHINE PROCESSING, TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - NIGHT
PAT MENDELSON
Hey Captain Rex? Do you have a moment?
REGINA REX
I was just about to seal up the bridge and head to my cabin, but yes.
PAT MENDELSON
I wanted to tell you how sorry we both are. Especially Terry, he feels awful for what happened.
REGINA REX
Thank you.
PAT MENDELSON
We’ll be getting out of your hair in the next day or so. We just wanted some time to say goodbye to everyone if that’s ok with you.
You’ve all been so kind and it’s really nice to come in contact with such wonderful, smart people.
REGINA REX
That’s fine.
PAT MENDELSON
Thanks, I’ve said my peace.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, THEN STOP
PAT MENDELSON (CONT'D)
I know you think we’re full of shit.
Excuse me?
REGINA REX
PAT MENDELSON
Our “demeanor”. Too positive to believe. Right?
REGINA REX
Uh, now that you mention it...
PAT MENDELSON
Yeah, I know. We became that way to survive.
REGINA REX
To survive?
PAT MENDELSON
When Terry and I became stranded in space it wasn’t bad, at first. But then over the days, the weeks, and then the months that followed...
Confined to such a small space with one person takes a toll.
REGINA REX
I hadn’t considered what you’ve been through.
PAT MENDELSON
It changes you. You saw our ship, it’s the size of a small one room efficiency back on the station, with no bathroom. Just the 2 of us, it seems like it was years. I’m not even sure how long we were out there. I lost track of time after the 18th month.
REGINA REX
I’ve heard people go mad from drifting in space for that long.
PAT MENDELSON
It was borderline there for awhile. There was a point I thought we might even kill each other. But then, we started to force ourselves to have positive outlooks. At first it seemed silly to take on these “personas” but over time, it started to work. The more it worked, the more we leaned into it. It became 2nd nature after awhile and it’s something that saw us through that ordeal.
REGINA REX
I’m sorry to hear it was so difficult.
PAT MENDELSON
Please don’t judge Terry. Judge me all you like but not him. He’s not the smartest man in the universe and he gets easily distracted but his heart is in the right place.
REGINA REX
Look, I may have judged you both too harshly. I apologize for my bluntness.
PAT MENDELSON
Hey, a tough captain makes tough decisions. Terry is good at piloting, but I was the one who handled the navigation. You know men with maps.
REGINA REX
I may have put him in a position out of his depth.
PAT MENDELSON
It doesn’t help that prideful men don’t admit when they don’t know something.
REGINA REX
Yeah, I get that. If you’re both still interested, we could try the crew thing again if you would like to stick around.
PAT MENDELSON
We sure would Captain Rex. Neither one of us is in a particular hurry to get back on our ship again. The bathrooms alone are like being on a pleasure cruise; you have no idea.
REGINA REX
I can understand that. We’ll try to move Terry around into something more suited to his skills.
PAT MENDELSON
He’s pretty good with his hands, maybe he could help Gilban in engineering Captain Rex.
REGINA REX
That’s a good suggestion. And when it’s just us, you can call me Regina.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH
INT. CHING SHE CORRIDOR - NIGHT
MADDOX KANE
Oh wow, where to start.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS (RELUCTANT)
MADDOX KANE (CONT'D)
This ship looks huge.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS FROM 2 DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
SEREBELLA REON
(completely surprised) What the hell? Who are you?
SOUND: SIDEARM PULLED OUT AND WINDING UP
MADDOX KANE
Whoa! Easy! My name is Maddox Kane.
END OF EPISODE
