The Quarantined Colony in the Wasteland - S1 - E1

The pilot episode of the sci-fi podcast VOID. Year 2083, the Earth has become a wasteland after years of pollution, developing land for industry, and a lack of environmental policies. Since deregulation, numerous power plant accidents have occurred and radiation levels have elevated to fatal levels globally. Everything is now toxic, including air and water. Various illnesses have emerged and spread, including a new virus that kills all living things. Plants, fish, animals, and humans have all perished to varying degrees of extinction and are fighting to survive.

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Transcript

Copyright ©2020 VOID PODCAST LLC 

NARRATOR:

VOID PODCAST - EPISODE 1

Episode 1: UNDERGROUND COLONY 

Year 2083, the Earth has become a wasteland after years of pollution, developing land for industry, and a lack of environmental policies. Since de-regulation, numerous power plant accidents have occurred and radiation levels have elevated to fatal levels globally. Everything is now toxic, including air and water. Various illnesses have emerged and spread including a new virus that kills all living things.

Plants, fish, animals and humans have all perished to varying degrees of extinction and are fighting to survive.

COLONY ENTRANCE TUNNEL 

SOUND: SIRENS 

VOICE: WARNING, OXYGEN TOXICITY LEVELS ARE RISING, VACATE IMMEDIATELY.

(REPEATS) SOUND: RUNNING 

MUSIC: OPENING MUSIC AND TITLE SOUND: RUNNING

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(MUFFLED FROM WEARING A HELMUT, PANTING AND TALKING)

Yes, yes! The storms compromised the sensors. I’m more concerned about the structural integrity of the housing units.

(RUNNING AND SIRENS CONTINUE) JONAS ALDRIDGE

The regulators failed and oxygen levels went critical

briefly but I overrode the system and enabled the protocols. Once they kicked in, the levels started stabilizing, it should only take a few more minutes to reset. I’m almost up to the airlock, once I’m back in my office I’ll prepare a full report.

SOUND: RUNNING AND THEN SLOWING TO A STOP. A LOCK SOUND FROM A HUGE VAULT-LIKE DOOR FOLLOWED BY A PRESSURIZED DOOR SOUND. DOOR CLOSES, AIR PRESSURE ESCAPING AND SEALS OPENING. SIRENS STOP. 

JONAS ALDRIDGE RESIDENCE 

VOICE: OXYGEN LEVELS STABILIZED. AIR CONDITION IS ORANGE. HAVE A NICE DAY.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(COUGHING, SIGHS)

Strata - lights and coffee.

VOICE: YES DR. ALDRIGE

SOUND: LIGHTS BEEP ON, A COFFEE MAKER IS HEARD BREWING JONAS ALDRIDGE

Strata - record log.

VOICE: YES DR. ALDRIGE, RECORDING WILL COMMENCE IN 3, 2, 1 JONAS ALDRIDGE

Dr. Jonas Aldridge, log 586. Day 94 of temperatures continually rising. The storms are getting worse and the ground above is continuing to become less stable. The surface crust has formed deeper cracks and is disintegrating at an alarming rate. The latest fissure on the surface reached our sensor mount and shifted it’s position which led to the malfunction. After

re-calibration of the sensors, the system reset and cleared all toxic elements. I hope the council will heed this warning more seriously than they have in the past. Our days are numbered, the clock is ticking.

Evacuation as suggested may not matter much longer if we don’t act soon. Science officer Dr. Jonas Aldridge; out. Conclude log 586.

VOICE: LOG 586 CONCLUDED JONAS ALDRIDGE

Strata - deliver log to Dr. Daniels and forward to all

council seats.

VOICE: YES DR. ALDRIGE, LOG SENT. JONAS ALDRIDGE

Strata - record personal log.

VOICE: YES DR. ALDRIGE, RECORDING WILL COMMENCE IN 3, 2, 1 JONAS ALDRIDGE

Personal log 233. These worthless politicians are going to get the few of us left killed with their denial of what’s happening. I’ve tried time and time again and they won’t listen to myself or Dr. Daniels. They only care about a war that couldn’t possibly be more futile.

(MORE)

JONAS ALDRIDGE (cont’d)

I’m no longer waiting for any evacuation plans since they don’t seem forthcoming. Regrettably, my efforts for finding a pilot have currently fallen short. I’m hoping my message in the network will be well received and that I’ll be sent a reply soon.

SOUND: ELECTRICAL STATIC SOUNDS JONAS ALDRIDGE

Damn electrical outage! Strata - did you get all that?

VOICE: YES DR. ALDRIGE, THE RECORDING OF YOUR VOICE WAS COLLECTED PRIOR TO THE POWER FLUCTUATION.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Strata - continue 233.

VOICE: YES DR. ALDRIGE, RECORDING WILL RE-COMMENCE IN 3, 2, 1

JONAS ALDRIDGE

If the surface measurements continue to rise, shuttle launch may become problematic. The subterranean temperature levels are rising more rapidly too. Some have decided to dig deeper but have been unable to do so with the limited tools. Shit. I better get back to de-toxifying the water or I’ll run out of coffee.

Conclude personal log 233.

VOICE: PERSONAL LOG 233 CONCLUDED JONAS ALDRIDGE

Strata - music.

SOUND: MUSIC PLAYING, MUSIC FADES. 

NOVA BAYFLOWER RESIDENCE 

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Shit! I can’t believe you’re canceling the contract!

VOICE: WE’RE SORRY, OUR ORGANZATION IS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO WORK WITH YOU DUE TO YOUR ACCIDENT VIOLATIONS.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

You’ve got to be kidding! One lousy acci...

VOICE: NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS. YOU ALSO LACK THE NECESSARY EXPERIENCE FOR LOW EARTH ORBIT. CONTRACT TERMINATED.

SOUND: COMMUNICATION DEVICE CLICKING OFF 

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I meant one lousy accident, recently.

SOUND: BOTTLE OPENING, DRINKING SOUND NOVA BAYFLOWER

Ok, back to work, gotta find a way to make some credits. Strata - turn on network feed.

VOICE: YES CAPTAIN BAYFLOWER, FEED OPEN NOVA BAYFLOWER

Stop calling me that, those days are over. Uh! I mean,

Strata - stop calling me captain.

VOICE: YES MS. BAYFLOWER NOVA BAYFLOWER

Strata - search network, keyword: pilot.

VOICE: SCANNING

SOUND: COMPUTER SCANNING SOUNDS 

VOICE: MATCH. AD PLACED BY DR. JONAS ALDRIGE SEEKING A CARGO PILOT.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Strata - read ad.

VOICE: SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED PILOT FOR A SHORT RANGE MISSION TO DELIVER RESEARCH EQUIPMENT TO UNIVERSAL SPACE STATION. TIME IS CRITICAL. SIGNIFICANT COMPENSATION FOR QUALIFIED CANDIDATE. PLEASE REPLY THROUGH NETWORK.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Excellent! Strata - compose message to Dr. Aldridge in reply of ad.

VOICE: YES MS. BAYFLOWER, COMPOSING MESSAGE IN 3, 2, 1 NOVA BAYFLOWER

Dr. Aldridge, my name is Nova Bayflower. I’m sending

this message in reply to your ad seeking a cargo pilot. I have vast flying experience from my time in the military and believe I’m more than qualified for the job. We can negotiate my salary when we meet in person. Please reply and let me know when and where you’d like to meet. Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you soon. Strata - end message and send.

VOICE: MESSAGE CONCLUDED. MESSAGE SENT.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Ok credits, come to mama! Strata - music.

SOUND: MUSIC PLAYING, SMALL CROWD SOUND FADES IN, MUSIC FADES OUT 

COLONY FOOD COURT 

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Dr. Aldridge? Nova Bayflower.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Ms. Bayflower! Please, have a seat.

SOUND: CHAIRS BEING MOVED IN AND OUT, PEOPLE TALKING IN THE BACKGROUND

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Nova, call me Nova.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And you can call me Jonas. Ms. Bayflower, Nova, thank you for responding to my ad, it’s been difficult finding a pilot qualified for the task at hand, much less someone with your extensive experience.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Well, I understand that, there’s not many of us left.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Which leads me to the importance of this endeavor. (WHISPERING)

As you know, the outside conditions are worsening.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I’m not sure what you mean.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Oh right, of course, why would you know? The council has been good at keeping everything a secret.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Everything I hear on the feed says conditions are fine; stay indoors and we’re safe. There’s plenty of clean water, air, and resources underground like it’s been for the past 2 decades.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m afraid that’s not the truth. (WHISPERING)

Things are much worse than you know.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Doc, what do you do exactly?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m a research scientist responsible for the colony’s environmental reports. I take readings on the surface and report my findings to other colleagues as well as the council directly. Suffice it to say that the council doesn’t report everything through the network.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I don’t know if this matters or not, but those 2 Colony Peace Keepers over there have been staring at us, well you I think, since we sat down. Peace Keepers, boy that’s an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one, hypocritcal bastards.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Keep your voice down and you’re right, peace is the last thing they care about. Unfortunately I’m one of the people our government likes to keep an eye on since I know things considered "sensitive".

NOVA BAYFLOWER

They seem pretty focused on us.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Perhaps we should head back to my office, that might be a safer place to talk.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Sounds good to me, those 2 are creeping me out.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Let’s split up. May I see your communicator for a moment? I’ll enter my address for you if that’s ok.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Sure, here you go.

SOUND: COMPUTER PROCESSING, CLICKING SOUNDS JONAS ALDRIDGE

Ok, there’s the address, meet me there in 30 minutes.

SOUND: TIME LAPSE SOUND, KNOCKING 

JONAS ALDRIDGE RESIDENCE 

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Ah! There you are Nova, any trouble finding the place?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

You’re a bit buried down here doc but I found my way.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Were you followed?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Not that I’m aware.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Good. Right. To continue my story, what the council hasn’t revealed to the people is that the Earth has an expiration date.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Expiration date?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, given the rising temperatures outside, we’re seeing increases underground as well. You may have heard discussion of excess humidity and a problem with the evaporators?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yes, I did hear that, they said that it was a maintenance issue.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No, that too was a lie, one I very much disagreed with. Temperature is the issue, it has nothing to do with broken machinery. Another problem are the storms.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Storms?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The storms on the surface are much more severe than people realize. To the point where the wind velocity is so high that it’s eroding the surface at an alarming rate. The cracks in the ground are expanding both in terms of width and depth.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What does all this mean?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It means we should get off the planet.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

But, they can keep digging deeper, right? That’s the plan I heard, to keep digging deeper and the deeper we go, the safer it is.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Also not true. The fact is we’re at maximum depth. The machinery we’re using isn’t effective against the plate we hit at the bottom-most levels below tier 765. We lack the resources to penetrate that level of Earth crust. It wouldn’t matter anyway because the deeper we go, the bottom levels are becoming more hot as we get closer to Earth’s molten core. We also can’t dig sideways anymore because we’ll destabilize the ground above, which caused those tragic cave ins.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Cave ins?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Oh, right, I keep forgetting you’re hearing everything through the network feed. There were a series of

cave-ins about 6 months ago when they tried to dig laterally to expand. 34 people died.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What the hell, they lied to us about that! I remember hearing something about a minor digging accident at the time but that was it.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Sounds about right. Our government would consider something like that minor.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Not minor to us!

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Indeed. This is why I contacted you, I’m working with the council to coordinate a supply run of research supplies to the space station but I’m afraid that’s not really the cargo.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

So what is the cargo?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Me. I want to get to the station so I can find an interstellar pilot and go in search of a new home planet. I’m sending supplies to serve as justification for my pilot search since they monitor all our messages.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

You’re trying to escape?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No, I’m trying to save our species from a bunch of stubborn, egotistical morons who prefer to ignore science and continue to trust religious superstitions.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

How much time until all this goes bad on us?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I have no idea. A decade? 5 years? At this rate of decline and at the pace the climate is changing, it’s hard to say. The only thing I know for sure is that the council’s lies are going to kill everyone since noone is acting on creating a plan.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

A plan for what?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Evacuation of the Earth. Now, about your fee.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

My fee?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, I’m a liberty to offer you 2,000 credits for your services.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

That seems low, I’d like to discuss that amount more. But, tell me, do you already have another pilot lined up at the space station?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No I don’t. Did you have someone in mind?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Well, me.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Are you qualified for deep space flight?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Sure! I haven’t really done much of it but I’m perfectly capable of handling it.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Do you have access to a deep space qualified craft? The shuttle we’re using is good for a short trip to low earth orbit but that’s about it.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I can make some inquiries. I know some people that have ships.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I thought you were only interested in this local contract?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Look, if what you’re saying is true, then I want to get off this rock.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I understand but if we manage to make it up there and find a ship, we could be in space for years until we find a habitable planet; and of course it will be dangerous. We’ll need to gather some more crew.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I get it. But to be honest doc, I have nothing here but a couple of ex-boyfriends I’d rather forget about and that’s about it. No pets, no family, nothing like that. And I have to confess that I’ve wanted to get out into deep space for awhile.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Wait a second, do you taste metal in the air?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yeah, now that you mention it, I kind of do.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Aww hell! We just replaced those filters a month ago! Ms. Bayflower, I mean Nova, we’ll have to finish this conversation later. I’m afraid I have something urgent to attend to. Consider yourself hired. For now, I’ll need you to leave.

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS MOVING QUICKLY - ONE PERSON RUSHING ANOTHER PERSON ALONG 

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Ok, ok, I’ll wait to hear from you. Is everything ok?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Thank you for your understanding. I’ll be in touch.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

We still need to talk about my...

SOUND: DOOR CLOSING 

NOVA BAYFLOWER

...salary.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, SOUND OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (SIMILAR TO A GEIGER COUNTER) 

JONAS ALDRIDGE

12,000!? This is off the chart! I’ve never seen it this high before. Strata - maintenance log, keywords: air duct filters, timetable: this past month.

VOICE: MAINTENANCE LOG FOUND CONTAINING AIR DUCT FILTERS, LOG DATE 7-13-83, LOG ENTRY 763

JONAS ALDRIDGE

That’s the right date. Strata - read log entry.

VOICE: TIER ENGINEER CORE 7B CONDUCTED ORDERED FILTER CHANGE AS DIRECTED BY COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS, FILTERS WERE EXCHANGED BETWEEN TIERS 4 AND 3 BY SHELTER ENGINEERS.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Bastards! Strata - close log and compose message via private channel to Dr. Daniels, security key:

4-6-F-G-12.

VOICE: LOG ENTRY 763 CLOSED. ENCRYPTED MESSAGE COMPOSING IN 3, 2, 1

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Gerald, they swapped out the air filters again. This time, they took the new ones from our tier like they did with tier 6 when it was their turn in the rotation. They’re commandeering filters frequently and they’re heavily polluting their own level’s air which is spreading to the other tiers! I warned them! We’re tasting metal in the air right now! This has to be stopped. Contact me through a secure line when you can. Strata - end message and send.

VOICE: MESSAGE CONCLUDED. MESSAGE SENT.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, SOUND OF PERSON EXERCISING 

NOVA BAYFLOWER RESIDENCE 

NOVA BAYFLOWER

(OUT OF BREATH)

I can’t believe I have to do this! Ok Nova, just get it over with. Strata - compose message to Lieutenant Cyrus Hatch, Universal Space Station, mark as personal.

VOICE: PERONAL MESSAGE COMPOSING IN 3, 2, 1

NOVA BAYFLOWER

(IN THE MIDDLE OF WORKING OUT WHILE COMPOSING THE MESSAGE)

Look, I know it’s been awhile, and I’m probably the last person you want to hear from. But I’ll be heading up your way in the near future and I’m looking for access to a ship. This is a professional situation, nothing personal! The only reason I’m contacting you is because I know you’re tapped into the pilot scene up there and you know the deep-space ships that are available for contract since that’s part of your job with the military, ok? Please don’t make this weird. If I could’ve contacted someone else, ANYONE else, I would have. This is a paying, legit contract, council approved and everything so please get back to me as soon as you can. Strata - end message and send.

SOUND: EXERCISE RESUMING, NOVA’S MUSIC FADES IN, MUSIC PLAYS AND THEN FADES OUT, LIGHT MUSIC FADES IN WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT PLAYED OVER TOP 

VOICE: ALERT: THIS IS A NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENT: THE COUNCIL WANTS YOU TO KNOW THAT ALL IS WELL. WHILE CONDITIONS ON THE OUTSIDE PROHIBIT SURFACE CONTACT, TEMPERATURES AND WEATHER ARE STABLE. INTERIOR AIR LEVELS AND QUALITY ARE OPTIMAL. WATER LEVELS ARE COPIOUS AND FOOD INGREDIENTS ARE ABUNDANT. EXPANSION PLANS FOR OUR MONUMENTAL CIVILIZATION CONTINUE AS WE DIG EVER SO DEEPER TO MINE AND DISCOVER EVEN GREATER RESOURCES FOR OUR PEOPLE. THE COUNCIL GREATLY APPRECIATES ALL OF YOU WHO WORK SO TIRELESSLY TO MAKE OUR HOME BETTER FOR ALL WHO DWELL HERE. THE COUNCIL WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT DISOBDEINCE AND UNREST WILL BE MET WITH SEVERE PENALTY TO PROVIDE A SECURE, STABLE AND SAFE HAVEN FOR EVERYONE WHO IS PART OF OUR SOCIETY. THE COUNCIL THANKS YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND SENDS THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

SOUND: MESSAGE AND LIGHT MUSIC REPEATS AND BEGINS TO FADE OUT, TRANSITION SOUND 

VOICE: INCOMING MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM LT. CYRUS HATCH, UNIVERSAL SPACE STATION

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Strata - play message.

VOICE: ATTENTION MS. BAYFLOWER... NOVA BAYFLOWER

Really? Attention Ms. Bayflower? What an asshole.

VOICE: (CONTINUING) I HAVE RECEIVED YOUR MESSAGE AND WILL COMPLY WITH YOUR REQUEST SEEKING A SHIP SINCE YOU ARE ON A COUNCIL APPROVED MISSION. PLEASE SEE ME DIRECTLY WHEN YOU

ARRIVE AND I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NECESSARY INFORMATION AS I SEE FIT. LIEUTENANT CYRUS HATCH OUT. MESSAGE CONCLUDED.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Of course he won’t pass along any information now, that prick. And of course I have to go see him in person, he’s going to loooooove that. Strata - compose message to Dr. Jonas Aldridge.

VOICE: COMPOSING MESSAGE IN 3, 2, 1 NOVA BAYFLOWER

Jonas, I made some headway securing a ship at the space

station, would like to drop in for a visit so we can discuss more detail. Let me know when you’re available. Strata - end message and send.

VOICE: MESSAGE CONCLUDED. MESSAGE SENT.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, KNOCKING ON DOOR, DOOR OPENING 

JONAS ALDRIDGE RESIDENCE 

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Come in quickly! Did anyone see you?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

No, I don’t think so, doc you’re a bit paranoid.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’ve noticed more Peace Keepers in this sector lately and they’ve been spending a lot of time near my place. I’ve been sending some encrypted messages which they can still detect but can’t read, that’s why I think they’re watching me more closely than usual.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Don’t they trust you?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The council doesn’t trust anyone. They’ll tell you they trust you, but they verify everything you do because they don’t actually trust you. They also don’t believe you if what you say goes against their best interests.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I think I may have a ship for us, or at least some options. I definitely have to be the one going with you now.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And why is that?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Because, well, my contact is a personal one and will only deal with me.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I see, ok, that’s fine. Just make sure this person is trustworthy.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

He’s a lot of things, but trustworthy would be one of them.

(UNDER HER BREATH)

Even if he does hate me.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What was that?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Nothing, it’s not important. Have you ever been to the space station?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No, I’ve only heard stories. Kind of lawless from what I gather.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

No government in space, any time the council tried to muscle in, well, you know how that went.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, I’m aware of all the deaths over the council’s senseless coux attempt. That’s why they have everything in their grips here. My concern goes back to trust, not necessarily for your contact but whoever we get connected to. They’ll have to be discreet and open to what lies ahead. I have credits to work with but they only go so far as the space station. Beyond that...

NOVA BAYFLOWER

My contact, he’ll steer us in the right direction.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You seem pretty confident about that.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Mmmmhmm.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Speaking of trustworthy, I just heard back from my good friend Dr. Daniels. He’s confirmed much of my concern

(MORE)

JONAS ALDRIDGE (cont’d)

from earlier, we need to try to get up to the station as soon as possible. His latest report documented ground degradation in his sector that is worsening at an alarming rate. They’re experiencing a number of seismic shifts on their level and the soil is destabilizing. He’s sent reports to the council but so far they just ignore everything he’s warning them about, just like they ignore all our other concerns.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Is this effecting other tiers too?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I asked the same thing. He’s not sure as the council keeps him limited to the area he’s assigned too. He would go out on his more anyway but unfortunately he’s had some medical issues and isn’t very mobile. Just getting to the lower tiers now is becoming more difficult from the lift accidents. The council keeps a tight leash to control information whenever they can so we don’t know much about the lower tiers and communication is...

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Is what?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Nearly cut off from anything below tier 250. We’re not sure what’s going on down there. Dr. Daniels has been making an effort outside of the network to try to reach one of our other colleagues in the lower levels but so far hasn’t been able to reach anyone.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Dr. Daniels is another scientist, like you?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, a brilliant man, remarkably gifted in thermodynamics and geology. If it wasn’t for him and his research, we would’ve never made it down here.

We went to school together and have been great friends for a very long time. He’s one of only a few people that I actually confide in, no offense.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

None taken, now about my compensation...

SOUND: CRACKING SOUNDS, DUST AND DEBRIS FALLING JONAS ALDRIDGE

Tremor!! Get under the table!

SOUND: CRACKING AND DEBRIS SOUNDS INTENSIFY, RUMBLING SOUNDS,ELECTRICAL SOUNDS 

NOVA BAYFLOWER

The lights!

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The electrical system went out, give it a moment for the backups to kick in.

SOUND: CRACKING AND RUMBLING SOUNDS SLOW DOWN AND DISSIPATE, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND GENERATOR SOUNDS STARTING UP 

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Ok, electrical is back.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Wow, that was intense. I wonder how bad...

VOICE: ALERT: THIS IS A NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENT: THE COUNCIL WANTS YOU TO KNOW THAT ALL IS WELL. YOU MAY HAVE JUST EXPERIENCED SOME MINOR GROUND SWELLS, THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT THESE ARE NORMAL OCCURANCES AND NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. THE COLONY STRUCTURE IS INTACT AND NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. PLEASE RESUME YOUR NORMAL ACTIVITIES. THE COUNCIL THANKS YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND SENDS THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Normal my ass.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

How would they even know if there were injuries? It just happened! Ground swells?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It sounds less ominous than earthquake or tremors, the PR machine is always in gear, even when the Earth is collapsing in on us. Thank god this one didn’t last too long, it doesn’t seem like their was too much...

VOICE: ALERT: THIS IS A NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENT: THE COUNCIL WANTS YOU TO KNOW THAT ALL IS WELL. DUE TO THE RECENT GROUND SWELLS, TIER 5 HAS BEEN EFFECTED BY A MINOR SLUMP IN THE GROUND LEVELS. RESIDENTS OF TIER 5 - SECTORS 4C AND 4E ARE BEING VACATED TO OTHER LIVING QUARTERS. THOSE OF YOU IN 4C AND 4E PLEASE VACATE TO YOUR NEAREST RESIDENT SUPPORT OFFICE FOR RE-LOCATION ASSIGNMENT. THE COUNCIL THANKS YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND SENDS THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What the hell?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

That announcement, we weren’t supposed to hear that.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What do you mean?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Whenever there’s an alert regarding a colony emergency, they only broadcast the message to the sectors that are being effected to avoid wide-spread panic across the entire population. Only sectors 4C and 4E on tier 5 should’ve heard the message, we’re on tier 4 which means that the message was broadcast across the entire network.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

How did that happen?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I don’t know. The council would normally never allow something like this to happnen, unless...

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Unless what?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Unless it was someone on the inside who intentionally let this message out. I’m beginning to think the announcement being broadcast across all tiers wasn’t an accident.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

The revolt?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Maybe. There were rumors that there were insiders from the revolt penetrating the council’s organzation but I didn’t think that held much weight, until now.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

No matter who it was, I’m sure the council will make someone pay for it. I wonder how the other levels are reacting?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Probably not too favorably. Wait a minute, they evacuated 4C and 4E on tier 5...

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yeah, and?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And, 4D, tier 5 is where... oh my god!

SOUND: SHUFFLING, LOOKING FOR SOMETHING JONAS ALDRIDGE

Where the hell is it?!

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

My communicator! I have to call, oh shit, here it is!

SOUND: COMMUNICATOR TURNING ON, DIALING SOUND JONAS ALDRIDGE

Come on. Pick up!

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Who are you calling?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Dr. Daniels, he lives in that sector and... Gerald! Gerald? Can you hear me?

SOUND: BROKEN UP COMMUINCATION GERALD DANIELS

Jonas! I’m... there’s been... completely

collapsed...ceiling is...cracks widening...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Slow down Gerald, the connection is breaking up. I’m only getting pieces of...

GERALD DANIELS

...Many injuries, some dead...stability weakened by...chamber flooded by fumes...Not much time...need help...I fear that...

SOUND: (OVER THE COMMUNICATOR) COLLAPSING SOUND AND DEBRIS FALLING, THE LINE GOES DEAD

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Gerald!? Gerald!!

SOUND: THEME MUSIC 

END OF EPISDODE 1