Uranium and The Virus - S1 - E4

Previously, Dr. Daniels has moved in with Jonas as he recovers from the injuries suffered from the cave in. Daniels urged Jonas to reach out to the leader of the revolt to share some sensitive information not shared with the council. Jonas met with the council only to find their agenda has become even more self-serving. Upon leaving the meeting, Jonas was abducted by the revolt and is being confronted by the revolt leader Alton Fysk.

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Transcript

Copyright ©2020 VOID PODCAST LLC 

NARRATOR:

VOID PODCAST EPISODE 4

Episode 4: UNDERGROUND COLONY

Previously, Dr. Daniels has moved in with Jonas as he recovers from the injuries suffered from the cave in. Daniels urged Jonas to reach out to the leader of the revolt to share some sensitive information not shared with the council. Jonas met with the council only to find their agenda has become even more self-serving. Upon leaving the meeting, Jonas was abducted by the revolt and is being confronted by the revolt leader Alton Fysk.

REVOLT HEADQUARTERS 

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I demand to know why you had me abducted! Gerald Daniels was supposed to get in touch with you to set up a meeting.

ALTON FYSK

He did, that’s how you ended up here.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Why did your men threaten me at knife point?

ALTON FYSK

We needed to bring you in on our terms, we can’t have the council knowing our secret hiding spot, can we? We needed to grab you so we could see just how hot you are and we weren’t sure you’d cooperate.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

How hot I am? Are you referring to my looks?

ALTON FYSK

No, I’m referring to how many people the council had following you. I thought you were supposed to be a smart fella.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Excuse me for not being up on your inside baseball terms. I have bigger words to focus on. Just how "hot" am I?

ALTON FYSK

We only had to shake 2 of them and they weren’t terribly difficult. So not too hot just yet, but as I get to know more about you, I can tell you’re going to be a magnet for trouble.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Is that why I’m here? So you can size me up?

ALTON FYSK

Partially, yes. I wanted to see who you are and how you reacted under pressure. We can’t have people with weak spines involved in the revolt.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Let’s be clear. I’m not here to become a card-carrying revolt member. I’m sympathetic to the cause, and I have taken some risk in the past to help where I can. But, I’m only here because Gerald is currently indisposed and doesn’t trust sending it over the network, that’s it. I have no intention of wearing your t-shirts or attending your group sessions.

ALTON FYSK

That’s a shame, we just had new t-shirts printed and some breakthroughs in group, you have no idea what you’re missing.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Look, I just want to deliver Gerald’s report and move on.

(LONG PAUSE)

ALTON FYSK

Ok, Dr. Aldridge. What does Dr. Daniels have for us?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I just passed along certain details in Gerald’s latest findings to the council. However, I left out some key information that he wanted only you to have. I believe he sent you the same report the council received through an encrypted message.

ALTON FYSK

He did, I read about the cracks.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

That’s not the real concern. The part we left out was that Gerald fears the virus may be back.

(LONG PAUSE AS THIS IS CONTEMPLATED) JONAS ALDRIDGE

Gerald was in touch with a colleague in the lower tiers

who conveyed concerns that she had witnessed people with the virus around the 250 level. She said that there were horrible acts of violence being committed and that it was spreading.

ALTON FYSK

We heard something similar as well.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

He didn’t want the council to know because of the way they handled the virus last time such a rumor arose, which of course turned out to be false.

ALTON FYSK

Yes, I remember, my cousins were among the people they killed with their cave-in cover up.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Unfortunately, he lost touch with our colleague and hasn’t heard anything since.

ALTON FYSK

Was your colleague’s name Oliska Cercov?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes! How did you know...

ALTON FYSK

We received this message a few days ago.

SOUND: COMPUTER KEYS BEING PRESSED 

VOICE: (HUMAN VOICE) BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE REVOLT, THIS IS DR. OLISKA CERCOV. THE VIRUS HAS RETURNED! WE HAVE TO MAKE PLANS TO SEAL OFF EVERYTHING BELOW TIER 350 AND SET UP STEPS FOR EVACUATION. THE COUNCIL HAS CEASED ALL COMMUNCATIONS BELOW 250 AND CUT OFF ACCESS TO THE NETWORK FEED. IF WE DON’T EVACUATE, WE’LL BE...

ALTON FYSK

It cuts off there.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Gerald was right. I didn’t want to listen to him.

ALTON FYSK

I know how you feel. I couldn’t think for about 20 minutes after I heard her message the first time. I must’ve listened to it 20 times to make sure I heard it right.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

She was part of the revolt?

ALTON FYSK

Yes, a card carrying member in fact.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Have you been to the lower tiers?

ALTON FYSK

Nothing below 175. It gets more difficult the lower you get. The heat gets more intense and lift access is minimal. If you want to go lower, you have to take either steps or eventually, ladders.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Ladders? I thought there were steps built...

ALTON FYSK

That never happened. The ladders were supposed to be temporary but the council felt there were other priorities that needed to be addressed.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yeah, priorities like re-decorating their chamber. And enriching uranium.

ALTON FYSK

What did you just say?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

They found uranium. In one of their excavation projects, they stumbled upon a uranium deposit. They want us to start enriching it for energy and weapons.

ALTON FYSK

You’ve got to be kidding me.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I wish I was.

ALTON FYSK

What did Daniels say?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

He doesn’t know yet. Your guys grabbed me before I had a chance to tell him.

ALTON FYSK

Are either of you uranium experts?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No. And we don’t know any either. Most of the experts on the planet died when the meltdowns hit. The council just sees doctor in our name and the title of scientist in their records so they assume we know everything about science. Their belief system is very convenient for them.

ALTON FYSK

Their stupidity is going to kill us all.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Probably.

ALTON FYSK

What are you going to do?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I have no idea. I need to get back and talk to Gerald.

ALTON FYSK

You should do that.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

May I leave now?

ALTON FYSK

Yeah. I apologize for the way we brought you in. We’ll use a gentler approach next time.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Thanks.

ALTON FYSK

I hope you’ll continue to support the cause.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’ll do what I can.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, PEOPLE LAUGHING, DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING 

JONAS ALDRIDGE RESIDENCE 

GERALD DANIELS

Jonas! Glad you’re back, I was just enjoying the company of our friend Nova here and introducing her to my charms.

SOUND: POURING SOUND JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’ll bet you have. He didn’t do anything inappropriate

did he?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Not at all, he’s the perfect gentleman.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

That’s a stretch. Gerald, we need to talk.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I can leave if you want, I just stopped by for a quick visit to see how things are going.

GERALD DANIELS

At this point Jonas, I think it’s safe to talk in front of our new friend. I’ve been giving her quite an earful.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Ok, but Nova, once you hear these things, it could put you in danger if the council were to ever target you as a person of interest.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I’m not afraid of them.

GERALD DANIELS

How did the council meeting go?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Disturbing. I gave the information we discussed and they were very concerned with the findings.

Specifically, they were interested in my report on the surface and how it will effect them moving their ground force attack against the southern colony.

GERALD DANIELS

Of course that’s their concern. Why do anything for the good of the colony when they can do more to support their war mongering agenda.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And speaking of agendas, that leads me to the more disturbing revelation. Gerald, they found a uranium deposit.

GERALD DANIELS

A uranium deposit? Actual uranium?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

They want us to start working on a way to refine it.

GERALD DANIELS

They’ve gone mad. We don’t have the experience or equipment to refine uranium! I don’t know of anyone alive that does!

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I tried to tell them that but I was shut down immediately. Harris only wants to hear what he wants to hear. The truth doesn’t seem to be much of a concern.

He wants us to just "figure it out".

GERALD DANIELS

They’re going to get everyone killed.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Maybe that’s the goal. They’re all religious zealots hoping for the rapture.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Well if Gerald and I get our hands on this stuff, that just might be what happens. Uranium is not something to tamper with if you don’t know what you’re doing.

GERALD DANIELS

Or if you don’t have the equipment to work with. How are they containing it now?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

They didn’t say, they just said the area it’s in is sealed off.

GERALD DANIELS

I can’t imagine what they’re thinking.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

They want to use it for energy and they want us to make weapons with it.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Weapons?? As in nuclear bombs?

GERALD DANIELS

I won’t be doing that. They’ll have to kill me before I’ll be responsible for bringing even more destruction to a planet we’ve already decimated.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I agree. I don’t want to go near it for any reason. We’ll have to stall for now until we can figure out how to handle the situation.

GERALD DANIELS

I’ll come up with a bullshit report for them to buy us some time.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

It’s like they’re doing all they can to wipe the rest of humanity off the planet. So much for supporting life as they keep claiming.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

There’s something else Gerald. I had an impromptu meeting with your friend in the revolt.

GERALD DANIELS

You did? How did you find him?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

He found me, or, they found me. A couple of his men followed me out of the council chamber and abducted me at knife point once we were far enough away.

GERALD DANIELS

Knife point you say? Hmm, they threatened me with a gun the first time. Turned out to be a metal pipe.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Real charmers, your friends.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

They didn’t hurt you did they?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No, I’m fine. The knife was more of a warning than a threat. I met with Alton Fysk.

GERALD DANIELS

What did he have to say?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I delivered the information we discussed.

GERALD DANIELS

And?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Unfortunately, there was confirmation through a message they received from Orliska. The virus is back.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What are you talking about? The virus was eradicated...

GERALD DANIELS

We thought the same thing. But we were wrong. A colleague of ours discovered it was back. She has no idea how or why, it’s what she was investigating when we lost communication with her.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Oh my god. This is a nightmare. I just want to get off this planet.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Where are we with that? Were you able to arrange the fuel?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Sure did. Having the council credit account has its rewards.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Don’t buy anything outside of what I tell you, they count every credit and will not tolerate any kind of abuse.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Not a problem. But yes, we’re good on the fuel. I also saw to a couple of minor repairs and don’t worry, it was still within the budget for extras you gave me to work with.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Great, thanks. You might want to start packing up any important belongings you have, we could be away for awhile.

SOUND: METAL PIPE RATTLING, THEN BURSTING, STEAM ESCAPING GERALD DANIELS

Son of a bitch!

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Get down on the floor Nova, Gerald, I’ve got a blanket!

GERALD DANIELS

(SHOUTING OVER THE STEAM SOUND)

Can you get to the shut off valve?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Keep this over your head.

SOUND: STEAM CONTINUING, RUNNING, DOOR OPENING, STEAM SUBSIDING, WALKING, DOOR CLOSING 

GERALD DANIELS

Nicely done.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It wasn’t me, the pressure subsided suddenly. Like an explosion of pressure.

GERALD DANIELS

This place is falling apart.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m guessing the cave ins caused the pressure to build when the pipes in those tiers were crushed. Maybe it just took a while to build up and release.

GERALD DANIELS

I guess you’ll just have to give me sponge baths for awhile.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Not on my worst day Gerald.

GERALD DANIELS

Fine, Nova?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

It’s been exciting fellas, but I have to go pack for another apocalypse apparently.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, PEOPLE TALKING AND DRINKING, SOUNDS OF A BAR 

ESTABLISHMENT NOVA BAYFLOWER

COUNCIL APPROVED DRINKING

(DRUNK, SLURRING SPEECH)

Who makes this piss anyway? This council approved swill is what they call wine?

BARTENDER

Hey Nova, take it down a notch, ok?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Do you know how many credits I have to waste to get buzzed on this stuff?

BARTENDER

You look like you’re doing just fine and it’s all we’re allowed to serve.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

You know what? I’ve had the real deal, I’ve had moonshine!

BARTENDER

Sure you have Nova, sure you have.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Why don’t you serve that in here bubba? Oh, wait! I know, it’s not approved by the council, am I right?

BARTENDER

I think it’s time you called it a night Nova.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What’s the point? The council’s going to get us all killed anyway! Between them, radiation, meteors, and now the virus!

BARTENDER

Don’t you dare spread lies about that in this bar! You need to leave, now! Cliff! Get over here and see Ms.

Bayflower to the door.

SOUND: SOMEONE WALKING OVER, A SCUFFLE TAKING PLACE NOVA BAYFLOWER

Get your damn hands off of me!

SOUND: PUNCHING, FIGHTING, SHOUTING, BOTTLES BREAKING, GLASS SHATTERING 

BARTENDER

Son of a bitch! You knocked out my bouncer and broke our damn mirror! You’re paying for that out of YOUR credits! Get out of my bar Nova, now!

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Fine! I’m going!

SOUND: WALKING, DOOR OPENING/CLOSING, WALKING SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #1

What’s the commotion here miss?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Nothing, everything is fine.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING BARTENDER

Bullshit! She punched out our bouncer and wrecked the bar!

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #1

Is this true?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Look, I had a few drinks and things got a little out of hand.

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #1

You’ll need to come with us.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Now hold on a minute, I just want to go home.

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #1

It’s in your best interest to cooperate.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

It’s in your best interest to kiss my ass!

SOUND: STRUGGLING SOUNDS, YELLING NOVA BAYFLOWER

Bastards! Get off of me! I can’t get arrested, I’m part of an important mission for the council!

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #1

Sure, whatever you say. You’re under arrest, you’re coming with us.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, BACKGROUND SOUND FROM BEING IN A JAIL 

COUNCIL SECURITY DETENTION CENTER 

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Hi, I’m Dr. Jonas Aldridge. I’m here to pick up Nova Bayflower. I believe you arrested her last night.

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Hang on a sec. Yes, Bayflower. We picked her up last night for an incident at one of our entertainment establishment.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Why can’t you just say she was in a fight in a bar?

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Bars were outlawed by the council years ago and the proper terminology...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(INTERRUPTING)

Just tell me what I have to do to get her out.

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

You can’t, she’s under arrest. She’s stuck here until her trial.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Ok, you have to understand that Nova Bayflower is part of an important council mission. I’m working directly with the council on this. She’s a pilot and we need her.

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Then get another pilot.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Do you know how many pilots are left in the colony? Do you have any idea how hard it is to find someone qualified to fly a space craft?

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Sounds like more a you problem than a me problem.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The council has already officially approved her, she is working for them directly on this project.

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

And what proof do you have of this?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I spoke with Council Seat Harris about this very issue before I came here; a confirmation of her involvement should’ve been sent here by now through the network.

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

One moment while I check with my superior.

SOUND: COMMUNICATOR BEING USED, DISCUSSION IN BACKGROUND SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Ok, the message was received and confirmed.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Well? Is she free to go?

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Yes, but you’ll be responsible for her and if she gets in trouble again, your credentials won’t help her.

She’s going to be fined for the amount of credits needed to repair the establishment in addition to paying a fine for the crime itself.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Whatever. Can I collect her so we can get on with our work?

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

I’ll send someone to bring her out.

SOUND: COMMUNICATOR RINGING SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

One moment.

SOUND: DISCUSSION OVER THE COMMUNICATOR 

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Someone is collecting her but my superior wants a word with you Dr. Aldridge before you leave. She’ll be out momentarily.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Who’s your superior?

SOUND: HEAVY DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Dr. Aldridge, I’m Colonel Mercy Harlow.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Greetings Colonel Harlow.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Please join me in my office for a moment.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Sure.

SOUND: WALKING, HEAVY DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Please have a seat, this will only take a moment.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Since it’s only a moment, I’ll just stand.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

As you wish.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What can I do for you colonel?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

The woman that was brought in, she’s a friend of yours?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

A colleague. We’re working together on a mission for the council.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

What mission is that?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

That’s of no concern to you Colonel. Just know that we’re working directly with Council Seat Harris. If you have any questions regarding the details of our mission, feel free to question him.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

I answer to Council Seat Harris too, so maybe I’ll just do that.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Anything else?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Yes, I’m not a fan of your friend there.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Colleague.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

I’m not a fan of your colleague. She raised a bit of hell last night when we brought her in and had to be subdued.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Subdued? How?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Don’t concern yourself with our methods Dr. Aldridge. She’s fine. What you should be concerned with is her behavior.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

She’s a grown woman, my interest in her is strictly professional.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Than perhaps you should find another colleague.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Sure, why don’t you point me in the direction of another pilot that’s qualified to fly into low orbit.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

That’s not my job.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Exactly. So why don’t you let me worry about who I’m working with.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

I’ve been looking at your personnel records Dr. Aldridge, you have a bit of a complicated past yourself, don’t you?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

In my youth colonel, in my youth.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

The security force is here to ensure the safety of the members of the colony as well as to protect the council. We’ll be keeping a closer eye on the both of you to make sure no more incidents to jeopardize anyone’s safety occurs. She apparently attacked an establishment employee and threatened the manager with violence.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And why would you be watching me?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

We can’t have the life of one of the council’s scientists in danger now can we?

SOUND: DOOR KNOCK COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Come in!

SOUND: HEAVY DOOR OPENING SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Colonel Harlow, Ms. Bayflower is up front.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Thank you for your time Dr. Aldridge, I bid you good day. Thoughts and prayers.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Thanks.

SOUND: HEAVY DOOR CLOSING, WALKING NOVA BAYFLOWER

Hey, thanks for coming to get me. I didn’t have anyone else to...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Let’s go.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING, WALKING NOVA BAYFLOWER

I know you’re pissed off at me. I didn’t mean to get into a fight. It’s just, after our talk about everything, it all felt so hopeless.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

So you decided to get trashed and pick a fight?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

It wasn’t like that. Yes, I drank a bit much but the fight was a mutual thing.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You can’t pull this kind of crap Nova. We’re walking a fine line here, the council was watching us closely enough but now it’s going to get a lot worse and things are going to get more difficult.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Why is that?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Because we now have the attention of the council’s most notorious hatchet man, or woman in this case.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Who?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Colonel Mercy Harlow, otherwise known as Mercyless Harlow.

SOUND: THEME MUSIC END OF EPISODE 4