VOID - SEASON 5, EPISODE 5
Written by
Sean McKnight With Jeni Miller
Meet the Mendelsons
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
During the last episode of VOID, the crew began settling back in after their rescue only to find discord and distrust had developed between certain members. Regina called a meeting to decide what happens next. Gilban is increasing the depth of his experiments with the relic. And at the end of the episode the Ching She received communication from an unknown ship.
SOUND: HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - NIGHT
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(walking in)
Hey Captain Rex. What did you...
PAT MENDELSON
(over speaker)
Attention, attention. Can anyone in that big ‘ol ship right there hear me? Anyone got their ears on?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Who the hell is that?
REGINA REX
I have no idea. She’s been going on like that for 10 minutes now. I was just waiting for you before I respond.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What do they want?
REGINA REX
I don’t know yet. She did mention something about having a fuel issue.
PAT MENDELSON
Come on now. Someone’s gotta be there, right? Please pick up and say hi, would ya?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(strained) She sounds, nice.
REGINA REX
With all we just went through I wasn’t sure if now was the best time to deal with an unknown ship.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yeah, I know what you mean. But, doesn’t the captain’s code apply here?
REGINA REX
(heavy sigh)
I guess it does. Alright, here we go.
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Attention unknown ship, this is the Ching She. Approach no further or you will be fired on.
PAT MENDELSON
(flustered)
Well! There’s certainly no reason for that attitude! We are a tiny vessel as you can see and clearly no threat to your ship! We ran out of fuel and seek your help.
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX
Astrid, run thermal scan of unknown ship.
ASTRID
Running thermal scan now.
SOUND: SCANNING SOUND
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Scan complete. 2 life forms detected.
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX
Unknown ship, how many of you are there?
PAT MENDELSON
First, our ship name is the Starlight Express I’ll have you know. Secondly, it’s just me and my wonderful husband Terry.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
At least she’s not lying.
REGINA REX
So far. But she’s way too nice.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yeah, that is a little weird.
REGINA REX
Ya think?
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
What are you doing way out here Starlight Express? Are you from the New Hope?
PAT MENDELSON
Originally. We left a long time ago for a deep space excursion. Look, we’re both awfully tired and thirsty, is there any way we could talk about all this on your nice warm ship there?
REGINA REX
What do you think?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I think she freaks me out a little but I also think we should help them.
REGINA REX
(reluctantly)
I agree but under guard.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Heavy, heavy guard.
REGINA REX
Exactly.
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Ok Starlight Express, the docking bay is on the starboard side. Dock there and remain in your ship until you are instructed to do otherwise. Failure to comply will result in extreme measures. Are we clear?
PAT MENDELSON
Yes ma’am. Starboard side; we’ll await your instructions.
REGINA REX
Ching She out.
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Attention Serebella and Gilban, meet Jonas and I at the docking bay with sidearms and armor. Anko and Ursula report to the bridge. We have guests everyone.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS, SHIP’S POWER WINDING DOWN, GUNS COCKING
INT. CHING SHE DOCKING BAY - NIGHT
REGINA REX
(yelling to docked ship) Starlight Express, open your hatch and walk out single file with your hands in the air.
PAUSE A MOMENT
SOUND: HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
You, move over there. And you to the other side. Keep your hands up. Bridge?
URSULA NASH
(over speaker)
Scans indicate they’re clean captain. The ship also appears to be free of pathogens.
REGINA REX
Ok, everyone can remove helmets. Serebella?
SOUND: HELMETS BEING REMOVED, FOOTSTEPS, CLOTHING RUSTLING, FOOSTEPS MOVING BACK
SEREBELLA REON
They’re clean captain.
REGINA REX
Who are you and why did you approach my ship?
PAT MENDELSON
I’m Pat!
TERRY MENDELSON
And I’m Terry!
PAT MENDELSON
(in unison) We’re the Mendelsons!
TERRY MENDELSON
(in unison)
We’re the Mendelsons! And well, we got ourselves into a bit of a pickle I’m afraid. We were doing some deep space exploration...
PAT MENDELSON
(cutting off Terry) It’s my passion!
TERRY MENDELSON
It’s Pat’s passion. And we just starting run out of fuel! We figured one of the fuel pumps went bad. So, to conserve...
PAT MENDELSON
(cutting off Terry)
That was Terry’s idea! He’s so smart, my Terry!
TERRY MENDELSON
Thanks, that’s so sweet. You’re the best honey! But I digress! To conserve fuel we went a drift pointed toward the Mars depot in hopes we might make it there.
REGINA REX
As slow as you were moving that was going to take awhile.
TERRY MENDELSON
We thought so too! But Pat and I are troopers!
PAT MENDELSON
We sure are!
REGINA REX
It wasn’t going to work anyway. I’m afraid there was an incident at the depot and it’s no longer safe to stop there.
TERRY MENDELSON
You don’t say? What happened?
REGINA REX
We’re sketchy on the details, but we heard part of it blew up.
TERRY MENDELSON
Well, I’ll be! Did you hear that Pat? Blew up!
PAT MENDELSON
I sure did Terry! I figure these folks just saved our lives!
TERRY MENDELSON
They sure did Pat! It was by a stroke of luck that we happened upon your ship.
REGINA REX
A helluva coincidence I’d say.
PAT MENDELSON
Some might call it divine intervention!
TERRY MENDELSON
My arms are getting a bit tired I must confess. Do you mind terribly if we lowered them?
REGINA REX
Go ahead but don’t move. You’ll have to forgive the extra security, we’ve been through a lot lately.
Until we feel safe, you’ll stay right where you are until we finish searching your ship. Serebella?
SEREBELLA REON
On it.
SOUND: SCANNER BEING POWERED UP, FOOTSTEPS
TERRY MENDELSON
We’re happy to comply, captain, uh?
REGINA REX
Rex. Captain Rex of the Ching She.
PAT MENDELSON
We’re big on first names darlin’, you can call me Pat.
REGINA REX
And you can call me captain until we get to know you better.
PAT MENDELSON
Ok then.
REGINA REX
You said you were from the New Hope. How long have you been out here?
PAT MENDELSON
About 3 years. I just love exploring deep space and finding new quasars.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Aren’t they powered by super massive black holes?
PAT MENDELSON
Oh yes.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
And you get closeto these things?
PAT MENDELSON
Not close but near enough to record what happens.
REGINA REX
Your ship doesn’t really look all that well suited for deep space travel. Especially considering quasar hunting.
TERRY MENDELSON
We had to go with what we had access to. I’m sure you understand given how expensive ships are on the station. Your ship must’ve cost a doozy!
REGINA REX
I get it. I’m curious though, what’s up with the blast marks on that side?
TERRY MENDELSON
We ran into a little problem with some miners on a moon we settled on for a spell.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Moon miners?
REGINA REX
There are freelance miners who travel to mine minerals on different moons.
TERRY MENDELSON
Some of them are nasty fellers, I can tell you that.
REGINA REX
That’s true, a lot of them are dicks.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS
SEREBELLA REON
(walking out)
The ship is clean captain, except for this one pulse gun. Is that all you had to defend yourselves?
PAT MENDELSON
My Terry’s a lover not a fighter!
SEREBELLA REON
I couldn’t find any ship logs. Were you keeping records of anything?
TERRY MENDELSON
We’re not big on record-keeping.
PAT MENDELSON
That might be what got us into trouble in the first place.
TERRY MENDELSON
When you’re right Pat, you’re right.
SEREBELLA REON
Otherwise nothing unusual, about the ship anyway.
REGINA REX
Alright, you’re clear for now. Welcome to the Ching She. As our guests you will be escorted at all times by our security office Serebella Reon. Do as she says and things will go fine. If you’re caught roaming around the ship without her, well...
SOUND: GUN POWERING UP
TERRY MENDELSON
We get you Captain Rex. Pleasure to meet you Ms. Reon.
SEREBELLA REON
Serebella’s fine.
REGINA REX
Serebella, please escort our new arrivals to the guest quarters. You’ll find a bathroom there along with a change of clothing. Bring them to the cantina when they’re done freshening up and we’ll grab a bite together.
PAT MENDELSON
We really appreciate the hospitality Captain Rex. I’m famished!
TERRY MENDELSON
It’s going to be nice to have a proper meal Pat!
PAT MENDELSON
I can’t wait!
SEREBELLA REON
Uh, sure, great. This way...
SOUND: TRANSITION
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - NIGHT
REGINA REX
Ok guys, give me your opinions on the Mendelsons.
ANKO LUMEN
They creep me out.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
They’re really nice but in off putting kind of way.
REGINA REX
Do you think their story checks out?
ANKO LUMEN
Without any kind of ship logs it’s hard to tell.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
If you got a closer look at the ship and could run diagnostics, do you think you could find out more?
ANKO LUMEN
Based on their fuel usage I might be able to figure out a radius of how far they traveled at least.
REGINA REX
That would help narrow down the possible stations or moons they may have visited.
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Their ship looks pretty beat up. I’m not sure they’d make it all the way back to the station even if we fuel them up. They could be added to the crew for the duration of our contracts until we get back to the station. Jonas, how do you feel about that?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(slight hesitation)
I, trust your instincts Captain Rex. If you think these people will be ok for the long haul than I’ll support that decision.
REGINA REX
They’d have to be trained and carefully monitored until we know them better. We avoid taking them into any sensitive parts of the ship. All those areas need to remain locked down except for main crew access. No weapons, no engineering and no cryo access.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’ll get passwords generated for all of us.
REGINA REX
I want a crew member with them at all times with the exception of their quarters. They stay in the guest quarters for now. We can move them into the main crew quarter deck if it works out.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’ll pass along word to Ursula.
REGINA REX
I can let Serebella know. With Gideon gone we’re a little short handed. Certain things he was responsible for will be a good match to get them started like the garden.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
We’re kind of making a leap here, we don’t even know if they will want to join the crew. Maybe they have other plans.
ANKO LUMEN
What other choice do they have? I can offer to look at the damage on their ship which will buy us some time to check things out.
REGINA REX
That works. Keep them away from Gilban’s artifact too.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
How is he doing with that by the way?
REGINA REX
Last I discussed it with him he said he was making some big breakthrough with it. I’m guessing that’s why we never see him.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I guess I can understand that if he’s making progress. I’ve been obsessed like that with my work.
REGINA REX
I wish we could just put the damn thing in storage so he’d be more focused on his work. Or for him to be honest about what he’s doing with it. What do you think?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I think the Mendelsons are not the only ones who could be hiding something.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOD AND DRINK, FOOTSTEPS, RANDOM CONVERSATIONS
INT. CHING SHE CANTINA - NIGHT
REGINA REX
(walking up to table)
I see your both settling in.
TERRY MENDELSON
Yes, thanks Captain Rex. Serebella has been super helpful escorting us around.
PAT MENDELSON
And this food is to die for! I know it’s synthetic but these vegetables are amazing! They even look real.
REGINA REX
That’s because they are. So is the fruit. We have a plant habitat on the ship where we grow our own.
PAT MENDELSON
Incredible! Any chance I can see it?
REGINA REX
Sure, happy to show you. I was wondering, what are your plans? We’ll be happy to help you re-fuel but your ship isn’t in great shape.
TERRY MENDELSON
That’s been a concern for us too. Pat and I aren’t exactly skilled engineers.
PAT MENDELSON
You can say that again Terry.
TERRY MENDELSON
Pat and I aren’t exactly...
PAT MENDELSON
(laughing, cutting him off)
Oh you!!
REGINA REX
Right. I was thinking that Gilban could take a look at your ship and help you with any repairs before you head out.
TERRY MENDELSON
That would be verymuch appreciated Captain Rex.
PAT MENDELSON
And we’d be happy to help with the crew to pay you back.
TERRY MENDELSON
Pat and I pull our own weight. We don’t want any charity.
REGINA REX
I was hoping you might say that. In fact, if you’re interested Pat, I could put you to work right away in the plant habitat.
PAT MENDELSON
That would be grand!
TERRY MENDELSON
Where can I help?
REGINA REX
I don’t know, what can you do?
TERRY MENDELSON
I’m not bad with computers, I can do basic maintenance and I’m a decent navigator.
PAT MENDELSON
He’s a great pilot too, albeit a bit modest!
REGINA REX
Then you’ll work with me on the bridge.
TERRY MENDELSON
We really appreciate this Captain. You’re a lifesaver!
PAT MENDELSON
Literally!
SOUND: PAT AND TERRY LAUGHING, TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE GUEST QUARTERS - NIGHT
TERRY MENDELSON
That meal was the best!
PAT MENDELSON
Enough already, they can’t hear us.
TERRY MENDELSON
Do you think there are mics in here? Did we miss a camera?
PAT MENDELSON
I told you I did a sweep earlier, the room is clean. That tells us something about their security.
TERRY MENDELSON
I noticed cameras in the corridor while their guard dog was leading us around.
PAT MENDELSON
Did you see her sidearm? They have some serious firepower.
TERRY MENDELSON
Yeah, I saw that. I was practically drooling over her gear.
PAT MENDELSON
Luckily Captain what’s-her-face jumped right on us joining the crew. This is going smoother than I thought.
TERRY MENDELSON
We can’t rush. We’re playing the long game here. We have to earn everyone’s trust before we make any kind of a move.
PAT MENDELSON
(going back into “Pat” voice)
I know Terry, when you’re right, you’re right.
TERRY MENDELSON
I don’t know how you do that with a straight face.
PAT MENDELSON
We’ve had a lot of practice.
TERRY MENDELSON
Still, it looks like this one is going to take awhile. So in the meantime, let’s enjoy the game as long as we can.
PAT MENDELSON
That food was really good though.
TERRY MENDELSON
It was, but I’m more interested in their weapons cache. Once we get to that, it won’t take too much longer until this ship is ours.
END OF EPISODE