VOID PODCAST - EPISODE 2

Episode 2: UNDERGROUND COLONY

Episode 2. It’s the year 2083 and the Earth is a desolate wasteland on the surface while the surviving members of Earth’s population have found a new life living underground. In our last episode, Dr. Jonas Aldridge found the pilot for his mission to get to the Universal Space Station. His friend and colleague Dr. Gerald Daniels suffered a cave in and his fate is now in question.

JONAS ALDRIDGE RESIDENCE SOUND: BROKEN UP COMMUNICATION

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!! Goddammit! The line went dead. I need to get down there.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Do you want me to come with you?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No, there will be a lot of Peace Keepers as well as other council committees overseeing cleanup. I’d rather keep you off their radar as much as possible. They’ll be expecting me, they would question why you’re there.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Oh, yeah, ok.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Best we meet again later. I’ll reach out to you once things settle down and I find out what’s going on.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Do you think your friend is ok?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I don’t know.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, DIGGING SOUNDS FADE IN

COLONY TIER 5 SECTOR 4D COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Whoa! Where do you think you’re going? This area is off-limits.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

My name is Dr. Jonas Aldridge. I work for the council as...

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Dr. Aldridge! We heard you might show up. I’m sorry sir, but you can’t go past this point, the ground isn’t stable at the moment.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, I’m aware of that. I’m looking for a colleague that lives in this sector.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Oh, I see. I’m afraid there weren’t many survivors. There were only 12 people that we were able to recover alive.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Is Dr. Gerald Daniels one of them?!

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Let me see. Ah! Yes, Dr Daniels is one of the survivors!

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Oh thank god. How is he? Where is he?

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

They’ve taken him to the medical station on this tier. However, he was still unconscious when he was rescued so we’re unclear as to his condition. We only know that he was alive.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And his office and his things? Was anything salvageable?

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

I don’t think so, this ground swell was a bit more severe than we realized.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Just use the words "cave in" this is hardly a ground swell!

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Oh! We’re not allowed to use those words Dr. Aldridge and I would ask that you follow the same guidelines since you represent the council as well.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Sure, whatever. Well, keep me apprised of any other "ground swells" that come up, would you?

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Will do. Will you be investigating and issuing a report on this incident for the council?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Most definitely. I’m going to visit Dr. Daniels first but after your crew is finished here, I will return and assess the damage for my report.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Wouldn’t it be prudent to do your report now, so the council receives it as quickly as possible?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, but Dr. Daniels can give me an eye-witness account of what happened here not to mention he’s more knowledgeable in geology than I am, so it seems he’s a perfect starting point for my investigation.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Well, it seems to me that you’re already here, so...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Tell you what, you focus on how to do your job and I’ll do the same for mine. I can’t figure out the situation and how to make sure people are aware of the safety issues of what follows an event like this without knowing all the details.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Please just focus on the cause, we’ll be responsible for anything that followed the incident. We don’t want any undue panic.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

If you say so. Tell the council they can expect my report in the next 6 hours.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Let’s say 2 hours.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Let’s say 6.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Let me remind you...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No, let ME remind YOU that I don’t answer to you. I answer to the council directly. Try to remember that.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF MEMBER

Fine Dr. Aldridge, I will let the council know.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You do that.

COUNCIL MEDICAL STATION

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, MEDICAL FACILITY SOUNDS, LOTS OF ACTIVITY WITH OCCASIONAL SCREAMS IN THE BACKGROUND

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Jesus, what a mess. Excuse me, I’m looking for a patient named Gerald Daniels. Oh? Room 5? Thank you.

SOUND: WALKING SOUNDS JONAS ALDRIDGE

Room 5, room 5...Here we go.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING JONAS ALDRIDGE

What the hell? Where is he? Ok, where’s the damn...

SOUND: CHART IS KNOCKED OFF OF THE BED ONTO THE FLOOR, PICKED BACK UP

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Lower spine...T-10, T-11, compressed thoracic...boulder crushed...oh no. I can’t believe they’re operating on him. They’re going to be using...

SOUND: DOOR OPENING, RUNNING FOOTSTEPS

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Nurse! Nurse! Can you tell me where they’re operating on Gerald Daniels?

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF NURSE

Yes, why?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

They have to use opium, but he’s highly addicted to it. He made me promise to tell any medical facility he doesn’t want it used.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF NURSE

But the next strongest thing we have is codeine, which isn’t nearly potent enough for the kind of pain this procedure will cause.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I know him, he begged me to pass on that he’d want the pain over the addiction. He doesn’t want to go back to that life.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF NURSE

I’ll tell them. They’re just prepping now.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

How bad are his injuries?

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF NURSE (WHISPERING TONE)

I’m not supposed to talk to anyone about this.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Please, I’m the closest thing he has to a family.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF NURSE

Ok, look, his injuries are, severe. As far as how severe, we’re not equipped for the kind of procedure we’re about to undertake. The procedure itself could be what kills him. This opium problem adds a whole new level. Luckily the one surgeon we do have is a very good one and has a lot of experience in the spinal field. So your friend got lucky there. But, given the lack of good equipment, more primitive measures need to be taken. And then...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And then what?

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF NURSE

There’s the question of recovery. He can’t be alone, he’ll need help.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

His home is destroyed so I was already planning on having him stay at my place until he bounces back.

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF NURSE

That’s another part of the problem. To what degree he bounces back depends on how bad the damage is, until we get the spine untwisted, we have no idea how just how much, if any, mobility he’ll actually have.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Thank you for your candor. When would be a good time to see him after his surgery?

COUNCIL CRISIS STAFF NURSE

Tomorrow, they’ll be in there all night.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I see. Thank you, tomorrow it is then.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING, WALKING, ACTIVITY IN THE BACKGROUND, SCREAMS AMPLIFY WHILE TRANSITIONING INTO THE NEXT SCENE

JONAS ALDRIDGE RESIDENCE SOUND: UNPACKING OF BOXES, MOVING THINGS AROUND JONAS ALDRIDGE

Strata - compose message to Nova Bayflower.

VOICE: COMPOSING MESSAGE IN 3, 2, 1 JONAS ALDRIDGE

Nova, I found my friend. Luckily he’s alive. I’d rather speak to you about other details in person. Please feel free to stop by any time you like. I’ll be up as I have quite a bit of work to do. Strata - end message and send.

VOICE: MESSAGE CONCLUDED. MESSAGE SENT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO START MUSIC?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Strata - no, no thank you, I need to just think right now.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, VARIOUS KINDS OF WORK BEING DONE IN THE BACKGROUND

VOICE: RECEIVED MESSAGE FROM COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Strata - read message.

VOICE: DR. DOCTOR ALDRIDGE, THE COUNCIL AND I ARE REACHING OUT TO INQUIRE ABOUT DR. DANIELS. MORE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT HIS RECORDS.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(UNDER HIS BREATH WHILE MESSAGE IS BEING READ)

Of course, why would you care about him? He’s only the last geologist we have left...

VOICE: IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT HE MAY HAVE HAD SOME COMPUTER RECORDS THAT WERE VITAL TO HIS STUDIES THAT HE WAS PREPARING FOR THE COUNCIL. WE’D LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO HIS DATA OR IF YOU HAVE ANY COPIES YOURSELF. PLEASE REPLY AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE AND SEND OVER ANY FILES YOU MAY HAVE. END OF MESSAGE.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Strata - compose reply to message from Council Seat Harris.

VOICE: COMPOSING REPLY MESSAGE IN 3, 2, 1 JONAS ALDRIDGE

Council Seat Harris - As it is, I do not have any of

Dr. Daniel’s files. To my knowledge, all his data is buried from the cave in. And yes, I’m aware I’m supposed to be using the term ground swell but I’m afraid that would not suffice to use as a label for what actually occurred. Sadly, it took years of work to collect all that information. The colony will suffer for this loss of data as well unless the council can find a way to mine into the collapsed area to see if any hardware is salvageable. If the council had listened and installed those supports on tier 5 that both Dr. Daniels and myself had asked for, this crisis could have been averted. Oh, and thank you for your concern about the well being of Dr. Daniels, it’s good to know your heart is in the right place. Strata - end message and send.

VOICE: MESSAGE CONCLUDED. MESSAGE SENT. SOUND: DOOR KNOCKING, DOOR OPENING

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Hi Nova, please come in.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Thanks Jonas, are you ok?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Not entirely, no.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

You’ve been busy, what is all this?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m preparing for my new roomate, Dr. Daniels will be moving in for awhile.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

That’s very kind, I’m sure he’ll appreciate having a place to stay.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It’s not just about that I’m afraid. His recuperation is something I’ll be helping to attend to.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

How bad is he?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

He’ll probably never walk again.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I’m so sorry.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Me too. Onto other business, have you heard any more about a pilot?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

No, I’m afraid I won’t until we get up there. Speaking of which, we need a launch date and I need time to see the ship and set up a flight plan.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Of course. The target date is on the 6th, a month from now. Is that enough lead time?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

It’s fine, I can work with it.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The ship is s council freighter, located on Tier 1, docking bay 13.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Good. No additional crew, just the 2 of us.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, for now. Any questions?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Are you allergic to cats?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No, why do you ask?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Because my best friend is an orange cat that goes where I go. And since we may be up there for awhile, he comes along.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Did you name him Jonesy?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

No, who is Jonesy?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It’s a reference to a very old movie called Alien. You’ve never seen the classic in the archive? Never mind... That’s fine, as long as he’s kept in a safe place away from my supplies, you can bring your cat. Wait a moment, you told me before you didn’t have any pets.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Oh, right, well I don’t see him as just a cat, he’s more like family. Sorry about that.

(CHANGING THE SUBJECT)

Jonas, is it really that bad out there?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

We need to get off of Earth, there’s no way around it. With the meteor showers becoming more frequent and severe and more coming, along with the radiation, rising temperatures above and below, we don’t have much time left.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

So it is true about the meteor showers. We stopped hearing about them so I think most of us assumed it wasn’t an issue anymore.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

We’ve been losing communication with different satellites. One of the satellites that got cut off happened to pick up on a massive meteor shower coming our way. One of unprecedented size and strength. It will take months to run it’s full cycle from start to finish once the shower starts to hit the surface. We were just collecting data on it when the signal went dead. So, the council decided it was a non-issue since we can’t see it now anyway. Unless it’s their god, if they can’t see it, it doesn’t exist.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Are you sure it’s going to hit?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Unless the trajectory of the shower changes magically somehow, yes. That’s why we launch in a month, we didn’t have time to figure out when the showers were going to start.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Do you at least have an estimate?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

In 3 months roughly, give or take a few weeks.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I guess I should head over and check out our ship.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’ll send word to the dock chief to expect your arrival.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, SOUNDS OF MACHINERY, WALKING

TIER 1, DOCKING BAY 13

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Third bay on the left? Ok, thank you!

SOUND: SOUNDS OF MACHINERY, WALKING CONTINUE NOVA BAYFLOWER

Wow, what a piece of shit. Jesus, when was the last time someone flew this thing?

SOUND: DOOR OPENING, PRESSURE RELEASE, BUTTONS BEING PUSHED, EQUIPMENT POWERING ON

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Strata - access final ship log. Strata - access final ship log. Strata? What the hell?

SOUND: PUNCHING SOUND, MORE INSTRUMENTS POWER UP NOVA BAYFLOWER

Let’s try this again. Strata - access final ship log.

VOICE: FINAL SHIP LOG ACCESSED, ENTRY BY CAPTAIN LIDDY ALDRIDGE 11.5.80

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Liddy Aldridge? Hmmm. Strata - read log.

VOICE: LOG ENTRY BY CAPTAIN LIDDY ALDRIDGE TAKEN ON 11.5.80. CONDUCTED ROUTINE DELIVERY TO SPACE STATION IN PREP FOR MARS COLONIZATION MISSION. DELIVERY CONSISTED OF FUEL, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, AND FOOD SUPPLIES. SHIP HELD UP PRETTY WELL ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOME UNUSUAL SHAKE ON

RE-ENTRY. WILL PASS ALONG CONCERNS TO DOCK CHIEF PETROV. CAPTAIN LIDDY ALDRIDGE OUT. LOG CONCLUDED

NOVA BAYFLOWER

3 years, she hasn’t been flown in 3 years. Damn, well, let’s get started. Strata - begin ship diagnostics.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, MEDICAL FACILITY SOUNDS, LOTS OF ACTIVITY, WALKING SOUND, DOOR OPENING, SOUNDS OF MEDICAL DEVICES

COUNCIL MEDICAL STATION

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You look terrible.

GERALD DANIELS

Thanks, I feel as terrible as I look. Got a cigarette?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You know I don’t smoke and even if I did, you’re in no position to smoke a cigarette, literally or figuratively.

GERALD DANIELS

Always the killjoy.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Is that any way to speak to your new roommate?

GERALD DANIELS

Destroyed?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m afraid so, yes.

GERALD DANIELS

Dammit. I had a vintage 1972 Gibson Les Paul in there. You know how rare that was?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I would think you’d be more concerned with your research.

GERALD DANIELS

Pffft. I have backups. I’m much more upset about that guitar.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The council has been asking about your files by the way.

GERALD DANIELS

I’m sure they have, they were waiting on my latest findings.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And?

GERALD DANIELS

They’re not good Jonas. It’s as we feared. The internal structure of the colony is weakening. Cracks, decay, lack of upkeep are all making it more likely for a much larger internal collapse. The latest data I found only shows the top 20 tiers or so, it’s much worse lower than that with all the pressure from above.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The council isn’t going to like hearing that.

GERALD DANIELS

No they’re not. And screw them quite frankly.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Keep your voice down.

GERALD DANIELS

Screw their spies too.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You never know who they have planted on the staff here. What are you planning on telling them?

GERALD DANIELS

The truth, just what I told you. I’m telling everyone else I can too.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You know they’ll come after you.

GERALD DANIELS

I know. At least I’ll be an easier target for them. I take it that wheel chair over there is eventually for me?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Unfortunately, yes.

GERALD DANIELS

How bad?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

T-10 and T-11 are crushed. T-7, 8 and 9, as well as 12 are all severely damaged. It looks like you’re losing mobility from the waste down but they’re not sure.

GERALD DANIELS

My fingers and arms are tingling so there’s that. At least my drinking arm didn’t get hurt too bad. Did the collapse effect tier 6?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Not sector 12 it didn’t, your secret still is just fine.

GERALD DANIELS

That’s good, it’s important to know that the booze is ok; oh and my backups are there too. Did you hear from Harris?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

He was the one grilling me about your files. I didn’t know you had backups, as far as they know, you lost everything.

GERALD DANIELS

Is that so? Maybe I’ll keep it that way for now. I, I have another concern Jonas.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What?

GERALD DANIELS

I fear the virus might be back.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

We shouldn’t be talking about this.

GERALD DANIELS

Why not? You know it’s coming Jonas. More of the collapses are happening, information is coming out, they can’t hide it anymore and there’s much more unrest in the lower levels than you know.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Let’s table this for now. It looks like I found a pilot.

GERALD DANIELS

Oh yeah? How much experience does he have?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

She has plenty.

GERALD DANIELS

She? Wow, how many female pilots can be left? Is she, you know...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Is she what?

GERALD DANIELS

Is she attractive?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Don’t go there, she’s young enough to be my daughter.

GERALD DANIELS

I wasn’t asking for you.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Don’t act like an old pervert.

GERALD DANIELS

I AM an old pervert. Does she know?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

As in, does she know that I’m part of the cargo?

GERALD DANIELS

Yes.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I had to tell her.

GERALD DANIELS

That was dangerous.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I couldn’t very well sneak aboard or just show up without her knowledge. Don’t worry, she’s not a fan of the council and seems very sympathetic to our cause.

Her name is Nova Bayflower.

GERALD DANIELS

That name sounds familiar. I’m going to look her up when, well... So, now what?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

After some time in rehab you’ll be moved to my place.

GERALD DANIELS

I’ll be staying at casa de Aldridge indefinitely?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It looks that way for now.

GERALD DANIELS

Thanks Jonas, for everything. Just make sure they hook me up with a hot nurse and that the room I’m in has a lakeside view.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Sure, I’ll get right on that.

GERALD DANIELS

There’s something else.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What?

GERALD DANIELS

Radiation levels are on the rise. With the cracks, it’s starting to leak from the surface into the colony.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

But the radiation sensors...

GERALD DANIELS

Are garbage, I’ve been warning the council about them for years. They’re placed poorly and only about a third of them actually work accurately.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

We stick to the plan, we leave in a month.

GERALD DANIELS

I don’t know if any of this matters anymore Jonas. Our quest for a new home might be a futile one. We’re facing challenges on all sides.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What are you getting at Gerald?

GERALD DANIELS

Maybe this is the universe telling us we had our shot and we blew it. Maybe we’re heading toward the very thing that will finally tip the scales for our species.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What thing?

GERALD DANIELS

Extinction.

SOUND: THEME MUSIC

END OF EPISODE 2