VOID PODCAST EPISODE 6

Episode 6: UNDERGROUND COLONY

During our previous episode, Jonas had a close call on the surface with the dangerous winds and a tear in his radiation suit that exposed him to high levels of radiation. Both Jonas and Gerald Daniels were summoned to a council meeting where they were pressured to begin uranium enrichment while being intimated by their new nemesis Colonel Mercy Harlow. Nova Bayflower is currently stuck in her home due to a lock-down from a radiation alarm set off in her living area.

COLONY CORRIDOR

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Gerald! Have you spoken with Nova? I need to get in touch her about setting up the test flight.

GERALD DANIELS

No, I haven’t heard from her for awhile now. She said something about stopping by the last time we spoke but I guess she’s busy.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Ok, if you hear from her, can you please tell her that we need to talk?

GERALD DANIELS

Sure. Are you heading out to the meeting with our friend?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, I’m going to pass along our latest findings.

GERALD DANIELS

It’s good of you to help Jonas, I know you’re not a big fan of the revolt.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No I’m not, but I’m even less of a fan when it comes to the council.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, WALKING, DOOR KNOCKING

REVOLT HEADQUARTERS

REVOLT MEMBER #1

Yes?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I think you know me and why I’m here, just open the damn door.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING THEN CLOSING, WALKING REVOLT MEMBER #1

We know who you are Dr. Aldridge, it’s protocol.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Shove your protocol, I just want to get this over with.

SOUND: DOOR KNOCK, DOOR OPENING ALTON FYSK

Dr. Aldridge! Come in please, have a seat.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No thank you, I don’t plan on being here very long.

ALTON FYSK

It’s up to you. What do you have for us?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The usual reports have been sent. Our more pressing concerns with those reports is in regard to the wind.

ALTON FYSK

The wind?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, if the council tries to transport their troops, if the radiation exposure doesn’t kill them, the wind speeds probably will.

ALTON FYSK

I’m not sure why this is of concern to us.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I thought you were concerned with the well-being of all the colony’s citizens. Isn’t this kind of move by the council something you would try to sabotage?

ALTON FYSK

Possibly, but that particular issue doesn’t really pertain to what we’re trying to target. We don’t mettle with the council’s military actions unless we really feel it will be effective.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

But those are citizens too aren’t they?

ALTON FYSK

Yes, but we don’t consider them like the rest of the populace since they’re part of the regimes military.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

They’re drafted from the populace! That makes them citizens, doesn’t it?

ALTON FYSK

Once they’re drafted, they’re in the military and out of our jurisdiction.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I see. So you’re a hypocrite just like the council and don’t actually care about the populace unless it serves your cause, is that right?

ALTON FYSK

Look, our resources are limited, we can only dedicate so much time...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(INTERRUPTING)

Save your excuses for someone who buys your bullshit. You’re all the same, council or revolt, you don’t care about the people, you only give a damn about your agenda.

ALTON FYSK

Dr. Aldridge, why do you hate us so much?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Because you’re hypocrites and liars, just like the people you’re supposedly rebelling against.

ALTON FYSK

Seems like a pretty generic excuse...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(IMPATIENT, INTERRUPTING AGAIN)

The way you handled the Mars mission was unacceptable.

ALTON FYSK

What do you mean?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

If you remember, after the crew from the Mars mission landed the council was sending a supply ship to support the surface team. The revolt attacked that ship several times to prevent it from sending those supplies.

ALTON FYSK

Yes, I remember. They were denying supplies to the lower tiers so they can support their cause and people were starving to death.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And instead of helping the starving people, you attacked the supply ship, very effective.

ALTON FYSK

We were trying to send a message.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And how effective was that approach? Did anyone ever get your message?

(LONG PAUSE) JONAS ALDRIDGE

No. What you really did was delay that ship from going

to Mars. When it finally left, it was months behind.

ALTON FYSK

And in the interim, the council decided to abandon the mission and recall the supply ship back. What’s the big deal?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The big deal is that my sister was on that Mars crew and starved to death because the supply ship never made it to them. That ship could’ve picked them up since their ship was destroyed on the surface. At the very least, it could’ve provided them with supplies until a proper rescue mission was established. Both the council and your revolt abandoned the crew there to die.

ALTON FYSK

Every mission has collateral damage.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

That was a choice! If you had just considered for once that you might be effecting the people on Mars instead of just trying to kick the council in the balls maybe they would have lived! Did you ever consider those people at all?

ALTON FYSK

Sometimes the mission is just the mission.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Your revolt is no different from the council, you’ll use anybody to whatever degree to further your cause. You’re just another hypocritical bureaucrat, you might as well have a council seat.

ALTON FYSK

I’m sorry to hear you feel that way, I hope you’ll change your mind someday about our cause.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I have no trouble with your cause, it’s the execution of it I have a problem with.

ALTON FYSK

Is there anything else to report Dr. Aldridge?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No.

ALTON FYSK

Ok, well...

SOUND: WALKING, DOOR OPENING, DOOR CLOSING, TRANSITION SOUND, WALKING, PEOPLE IN THE BACKGROUND

COLONY CORRIDOR SOUND: WALKING CONTINUED, BACKGROUND CHATTER SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #1

(SPEAKING QUIETLY INTO A COMMUNICATOR)

I’m following him now. Yes. Inform Colonel Harlow that he was spotted coming out of the suspected terrorist’s location. Yes, I will continue to tail him and will report any additional activity.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Is she ok?

GERALD DANIELS

(VOICE OVER COMMUNICATOR)

She sounds rattled because they locked down her sector.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

How bad is the radiation?

GERALD DANIELS

No idea, she doesn’t know.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What was the source?

GERALD DANIELS

They don’t know that either.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m sure they’ll send a decontamination team to figure it out.

GERALD DANIELS

You should probably head over there to see how she’s doing.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Alright. I need to talk to her about the test launch anyway. If the team is there investigating, I should be able to get some answers.

GERALD DANIELS

See if you can at least get her out from under the lock down.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Will do. I’ll reach out again after I see her.

SOUND: CONTINUED WALKING WITH BACKGROUND SOUNDS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING, FOOTSTEPS STOP

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Dr. Jonas Aldridge?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes?

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

We need you to come with us.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m sorry fellas but now is a bad time for me, I’m on council business at the moment.

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

This is council business.

SOUND: SCUFFLING SOUNDS JONAS ALDRIDGE

Hey! What do you think you’re doing?! Unhand me!

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

This will go easier if you just cooperate.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Kiss my ass!

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

You should really calm down Dr. Aldridge, after all, Colonel Harlow doesn’t like resistance.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Colonel Harlow? You’re taking me to Colonel Harlow? For what?

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #2

Suspicion of treason.

TRANSITION SOUND, WALKING, STOPPING, DOOR OPENING, FAINT SOUND OF SCREAMS IN THE BACKGROUND, DOOR CLOSING

COLONEL HARLOW’S HEADQUARTERS

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

"Even my closest friend whom I trusted, the one who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me." Psalm 41:9

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m more a fan of "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." Matthew 5:11.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

I see you know your bible verses Dr. Aldridge.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I grew up with religion as a kid. It didn’t stick.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Another one I’m fond of is "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Romans 1:18.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Yes. And the truth is what we’re here to discuss today Dr. Aldridge.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And what truth would that be?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

The truth of who you were meeting with earlier. Some of my associates spotted you coming out of a place that is known as a den for the revolt.

SOUND: SCREAMS IN THE BACKGROUND CONTINUED, SOMETIMES LOUDER, SOMETIMES QUIETER

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Den for the revolt? I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was in that sector investigating new cracks that have formed on behalf of my colleague Dr. Gerald Daniels.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

It’s strange that you had to enter that particular domain.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

That’s where the complaint came from.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

So there was a complaint. Is there a record of this complaint? I’m sure you’re aware by my reputation that I won’t suffer liars.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Are you accusing me of lying?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

I’m making sure we’re on the same page and that what you’re working on is in the best interest of the council and the colony. Meeting with suspected terrorists is something that draws my interest with regard to your intentions. It would be a shame for the council to lose an important adviser such as yourself to banishment because you made poor decisions.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Colonel Harlow, I was there at the behest of my colleague to investigate new cracks that he received notice of so I can report back to him the extent of the damage for repair. As far as who dwells in the location I was in, I have no idea, nor do I care. Is that satisfactory?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

For now. We may send our own investigators to inspect the area.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You don’t trust me.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

I trust your scientific expertise but you know the old saying "trust but verify".

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The KGB used that expression a lot in the old times of communist Russia.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

The council has advised me to keep an eye on you but to give you some space so as to not interfere with the work you’re doing for them. I follow the orders I’m given Dr. Aldridge, but if your behavior becomes a threat, those orders will most likely be changed. I’ll be submitting the report on my staff’s observations and I’m sure the council will choose the proper approach from there.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Are the sounds I’m hearing part your approach techniques?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Yes, yes they are. The council affords me the flexibility I need for dealing with less cooperative members of our populace. Sometimes we need information from them, sometimes it’s about their rehabilitation.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The rehabilitation methods you’re using sound very, intensive.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

We tend to get the desired result.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

May I go now? I have some work I need to get back to.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

You may leave Dr. Aldridge.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Thank you, good day.

SOUND: WALKING, DOOR OPENING, WALKING STOPS COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Another of my favorite passages is from Hebrews 13:17 - "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you." Thoughts and prayers Dr. Aldridge.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, MUMBLING SOUNDS, GAVEL, MUMBLING SOUNDS STOP

COUNCIL SEAT CHAMBERS

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Gentleman, let’s continue with our meeting shall we? We don’t have all day and we have some wonderful refreshments waiting for us. I believe we have one more order of business. The chair recognizes Council Seat Graham.

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

Thank you Council Seat Harris. I’ll be brief. As you all know, I’ve been tasked with addressing our problem on the lower tiers. I wanted to inform you all that our cleansing process has begun and is moving along swimmingly.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

And how do you propose we move forward?

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

I’ve been giving it great consideration and I think our best approach would be chemical.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Chemical you say?

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

Yes, I would like to suggest a gas. If a gas is used, it could be pumped through the ventilation system but still contained once we seal both vents and doors.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Wouldn’t a cave in be a simpler approach?

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

That’s been discussed since it’s been so effective in the past. However, the fear is that structural integrity of the colony may be compromised considering the size of the area that would need to be collapsed. We’d be risking all the higher tiers collapsing down too.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

I see.

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

With gas, the results wouldn’t take long and it’s very efficient. It would also be fairly easy to manufacture and distribute.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

And what of any blowback from the colony residents?

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

We’re keeping a tight lid on all activities, only the top most members of the team know any details. Once the task is performed, they’ll be dealt with as well.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Is there a contingency plan should the information leak?

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

There is. We’ll do a pre-emptive network announcement letting the residents know that we’ve discovered an outbreak of the virus thought irradicated long ago. And that we, the council, have heroically insured that the virus is now going to be destroyed once and for all.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

And that the council is always doing what’s

required to secure the safety of the colony, no matter the cost!

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

Exactly.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Very good! What would be required to get started?

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

We would need to discuss the logistics with those scientists we have working on the uranium. Can we trust them to keep their mouths shut?

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

They don’t need to know the details of what we need the gas for. They’ll do as they’re told. Once the gas is deployed, what about the cleanup afterward?

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

Once we seal off the area for good, we’re guessing that much of what’s left will take care of itself.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Meaning?

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

Meaning there are numerous, let’s say, species that will need a source of food which makes for a very effective way of removing the remains.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

You sound like you have the matter well in hand Council Seat Graham, thank you for the report.

COUNCIL SEAT GRAHAM

Thank you Council Seat Harris, thoughts and prayers.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Thoughts and prayers. Excellent! Now, speaking of food, if there’s no further business we’ll adjourn and get to the refreshments, I’m starving!

SOUND: DOOR CLOSING, TRANSITION SOUND, RADIATION ALERTS, PURRING

NOVA BAYFLOWER’S RESIDENCE

VOICE: ALERT, THIS SECTOR IS IN LOCKDOWN DUE TO ABOVE NORMAL RADIATION LEVELS. A COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM HAS BEEN DISPATCHED TO YOUR SECTOR. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR RESIDENCE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. ANOTHER UPDATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED WHEN AVAILABLE. THE COUNCIL THANKS YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND SENDS THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Remain in our residence? Like I have a choice. I just wish they’d at least shut off that goddamn...

SOUND: RADIATION ALERTS STOP, PURRING CONTINUES NOVA BAYFLOWER

alarm. Well at least you’re not freaked out, are you

Vala?

SOUND: HEAVY DOOR KNOCKING, CAT SCRAMBLES NOVA BAYFLOWER

Vala! Get back here you scaredy cat, it’s just someone at the door.

SOUND: WALKING, METAL SLIDING, FAINT SOUND OF A GEIGER COUNTER

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yes?

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

(VOICE THROUGH A PROTECTIVE FACE MASK)

Ms. Bayflower?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yes?

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

Ms. Bayflower, we’re making our sweep for the source of the radiation alarm and the meters have brought us here.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

And?

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

And we’d like to come inside your residence to determine where the problem is. We fear there may be a leak in your residence.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Are you saying my home is contaminated?

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

We’re not sure ma’am. We’d just like to find the source of the problem first. You may be in danger from the levels and we may need to evacuate you as well as others in this sector.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Shit.

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

Can we please come in?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Sure, you have the key to the lock anyway.

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

Yes we do.

SOUND: DOOR UNLOCKING AND OPENING, DOOR CLOSING, WALKING COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

Thank you for your cooperation Ms. Bayflower, we’ll make sure we include that in our report to the council.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Thanks.

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

We’ll conduct a sweep of your place here, please stand aside and we’ll do this as quickly as we can.

SOUND: WALKING, GEIGER COUNTER SOUNDS RISING AND FALLING NOVA BAYFLOWER

Have you checked other residences.

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

A few. Unfortunately they were on either side of you so we were ultimately lead here by our counters.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

How bad is it?

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

The levels aren’t lethal from what we’re seeing so far but they’re definitely higher in here. Hey! Check over in that room please.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Just be careful not to freak out my...

SOUND: GEIGER COUNTER SPIKING, CAT SOUNDS, ANIMAL RUNNING NOVA BAYFLOWER

Hey! There you are Vala. I got you! It’s ok.

SOUND: GEIGER COUNTER LEVEL LOWERING, THEN RISING, LOWERING AND RISING

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

Actually it’s not ok Ms. Bayflower.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Why?

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

I’m afraid your cat is the source of the radiation.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Yeah, right. That’s not funny.

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

I’m sorry to say I’m not joking. Has your cat ever gotten out onto the surface?

NOVA BAYFLOWER

She sneaks out of here once in awhile, but she just goes off to hunt mice for a little bit and then she comes back.

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

Unfortunately, she’s become irradiated.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What does that mean? (BRIEF PAUSE)

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

It means we have to destroy her Ms. Bayflower.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Bullshit!

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

We don’t have any choice, for your safety’s sake and for the safety of the colony. Any animal, pets or livestock, that becomes infected with radition has to be put down and properly disposed of.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Don’t you touch her!!

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

I’m afraid it’s council law. We have no other choice.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Get out of here!

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

Please cooperate Ms. Bayflower. Gentleman, do your duty.

SOUND: STRUGGLING SOUNDS, CAT HISSING THEN DISTRESSED NOVA BAYFLOWER

Hey! Let me go!

COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

We’re just doing our jobs Ms. Bayflower.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Go to hell!

SOUND: MORE STRUGGLING, SPITTING SOUND COUNCIL CONTAINMENT TEAM MEMBER #1

Ok, we’re done here. Let’s go.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING, WALKING, CAT MEOWING, DISTRESSED, BEING TAKEN AWAY, NOVA KNOCKED DOWN ON THE FLOOR, DOOR CLOSING AND LOCKING

NOVA BAYFLOWER

No! You bastards!

SOUND: CRYING NOVA BAYFLOWER

You bastards.

SOUND: NUMEROUS HEAVY DOORS UNLOCKING

VOICE: ALERT, THIS SECTOR IS IN NO LONGER IN LOCKDOWN. THE SOURCE OF THE RADIATION HAS BEEN ERADICATED AND LEVELS HAVE

BEEN RESTORED TO SAFE LEVELS. YOU MAY RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITIES. THE COUNCIL THANKS YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND SENDS THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

SOUND: THEME MUSIC END OF EPISODE 6