VOID PODCAST EPISODE 9

Episode 9: UNDERGROUND COLONY

In the last episode of Void, Nova and Jonas were brought before the council and interrogated about the failed shuttle test while shifting the blame to Nova’s past. The revolt staged an attack on the council by attacking a colony power station. Jonas argued with Gerald Daniels about the revolt’s sabotage attempt and found out their colleague Dr. Oliska Cercov had died.

COLONY CORRIDOR SOUND: WALKING, CROWD SOUNDS

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #1 (LOW VOICE)

Colonel? Dr. Aldridge is on the move. He’s heading towards their headquarters.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW (OVER COMMUNICATOR)

Don’t lose him, verify he enters their location and report. I’m sending backup.

SECURITY FORCE MEMBER #1

Yes Colonel. Out.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING, WALKING THEN RUNNING

REVOLT HEADQUARTERS

ALTON FYSK

Dr. Aldridge? Why are you here so la...

SOUND: PUNCHING, PERSON GETTING KNOCKED DOWN, SOME THINGS FALLING IN THE BACKGROUND

ALTON FYSK

What the hell was that for?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

For sabotaging my mission you ass!

ALTON FYSK

I’ll say this, you have a hell of a right hook.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Don’t come near me or Nova Bayflower ever again. You’re toxic and I’m done with you. The only reason I crawled down here was to collect any personal belongings Dr.

Cercov may have left behind.

SOUND: PERSON STANDING BACK UP, SOME MOVING AROUND

ALTON FYSK

The only thing she had besides the clothing on her back was a journal. It’s right over here. I’m sorry for the loss of your colleague, but we also lost someone important to the cause.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Screw your cause! I figured you just lumped her in with the rest of the collateral damage.

ALTON FYSK

You think we’re monsters don’t you?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

All I know is that you’re willing to sacrifice whoever you deem necessary to your damn cause whether they agree to it or not. You nearly got an innocent woman killed because of your philosophies.

ALTON FYSK

We never meant to hurt anyone, we only wanted to disable the ship to discredit the mission.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

For your efforts, you put someone in danger against their will and may have destroyed her reputation in the process too. All for what? You achieved nothing, the council will make sure the mission happens no matter what and so will I.

ALTON FYSK

Why are you so supportive of them? Are you that much of a sheep? Don’t you care about the people in this colony at all?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(BRIEF PAUSE)

The mission is about the people you moron. It’s about saving the planet!

ALTON FYSK

By doing what? Being a kiss-ass?!

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No! It’s about me going on the mission with Nova so we can find a deep space pilot and try to locate a new home for everyone! That’s what this mission is about.

ALTON FYSK

The council is sending you?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No, the council has no idea I plan to leave. I pitched this idea to them over a year ago and they turned me down saying it was a waste of resources. I decided to do it without the council’s knowledge or approval.

ALTON FYSK

Why are you doing this? Most people think there’s nothing out there, at least nothing close to Earth.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It’s our only hope, that’s why I’m doing this. Earth is dying, we can’t stop it now. Radiation levels are continuing to rise as the last of our atmosphere depletes and the sun bakes us all alive. You know what’s going on in the tiers below.

ALTON FYSK

Where are you going to look?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

We’re trying for Europa first, after that, not sure, Proxima B maybe, if we’re still alive.

ALTON FYSK

Jupiter? That far?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Mars is a dead end. Europa is iffy but possible for supporting life. We’ll only know by going there.

ALTON FYSK

Look, Dr. Aldridge, I’m sorry, we had no idea that...

SOUND: HEAVY THUDDING AGAINST A DOOR ALTON FYSK

Shit.

SOUND: DOOR BREAKING, MULTIPLE FOOTSTEPS, SOUNDS OF VIOLENCE, TRANSITION SOUND, KNOCKING SOUND, DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING

JONAS ALDRIDGE RESIDENCE

GERALD DANIELS

Come on in Nova.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Thanks, is Jonas here?

GERALD DANIELS

No, I’m afraid not, he had some terrible business to attend to.

SOUND: WHEELCHAIR MOVING, POURING SOUND, DRINKING NOVA BAYFLOWER

Oh, no thank you. What business? Are you both ok?

GERALD DANIELS

A colleague of ours passed away. Jonas went to the revolt headquarters to retrieve her things. We were hoping examining her belongings would clue us in more on what’s going on in the tiers below. I remember she kept a journal.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Jonas went to the revolt headquarters? Aren’t we all being watched much more closely? I spotted at least 2 tails on the way here. They weren’t even trying to hide.

GERALD DANIELS

Jonas has been losing them. He can take care of himself.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

I hope so, Colonel Harlow is looking for any excuse to bring us in. I’m guessing he told you about our shuttle test?

GERALD DANIELS

Yes, very unfortunate. I heard you went in front of the council, are you ok? They didn’t torture you or...

NOVA BAYFLOWER

No, nothing like that, they weren’t acting like rabid cannibals or anything. They were threatening to remove me as pilot but I just got word that I’m still on the mission. For now at least, they said.

GERALD DANIELS

That’s a relief. I’m so sorry about what happened, I truly am.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Why are you sorry? You didn’t have anything to do with the ship falling apart.

(BRIEF PAUSE)

Gerald?

SOUND: WHEELCHAIR MOVING, POURING SOUND

GERALD DANIELS

I, uh, no. No I didn’t.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

But you know something, don’t you?

GERALD DANIELS

They never meant to put you in any danger.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Who?

GERALD DANIELS

The revolt. They sabotaged the ship to sabotage the mission.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Seriously?? Jonas was right about them! They are only out for their own damn agenda.

GERALD DANIELS

They wanted the supplies that are being sent to remain with the colony to help feed the lower tiers.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

So, what? It was ok to nearly get me killed and discredited to prove a point noone knows about? And you knew?

GERALD DANIELS

I knew they were planning to do something, I didn’t know how. I did argue with Alton about it but he assured me noone was going to get hurt. It was only something meant to look like a minor operator error.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Minor? That tailspin it put the ship in could’ve ripped the whole thing apart. I’m SO glad they knew their math.

GERALD DANIELS

Yeah, there were some bad decisions made.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

You better weigh the value of your friends a bit more Gerald, this revolt’s decisions are equating to racking up as many casualties as the council.

GERALD DANIELS

I guess you’re right, Jonas has had me thinking about them too. Speaking of Jonas, I wonder where...

VOICE: INCOMING MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

GERALD DANIELS

Strata - play message.

VOICE: ATTENTION DR. DANIELS, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TERRORIST JONAS ALDRIDGE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO COUNCIL CUSTODY AWAITING TRIAL. YOU WILL THEREFORE BE IN CHARGE OF ANY PROJECTS ALDRIDGE WAS OVERSEEING INCLUDING THE SHUTTLE MISSION. PLEASE INFORM MS. BAYFLOWER OF THE PERSONNEL CHANGE AND BEGIN PREPARING REPORTS ON THE STATUS OF ALL PENDING PROJECTS. MESSAGE CONCLUDED.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What the hell?

GERALD DANIELS

They must’ve followed him and raided the revolt headquarters.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Jonas really sucks as a spy. What’s going to happen to him?

GERALD DANIELS

I’ll find out when the trial is. All trials are public, they love to show off, everyone’s guilty anyway.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

We have to be there.

GERALD DANIELS

We will be.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, CROWD MURMURS, GAVEL POUNDING

COUNCIL COURT CHAMBERS

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

This court will come to order!

SOUND: MURMURS BEGIN TO DIE DOWN COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Next on the docket is case 4236, Jonas Aldridge.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Doctor, Jonas Aldridge.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Not any more in this council’s eyes! Now you’ll do well to keep your mouth shut during these proceedings unless you’re called upon. The charges against you,

Aldridge, are quite severe. The charges are as follows: being a member of a known terrorist cell and conspiring

(MORE)

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS (cont’d)

with its leader, Alton Fysk. And allow me to remind this tribunal that we just sentenced Mr. Fysk to death by banishment earlier today. Guilt by association is enough to convict Mr. Aldridge but it doesn’t end there!

SOUND: CROWD MURMURS COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

As a member of the supposed "revolt" himself, we

believe that Mr. Aldridge, formerly Dr. Aldridge was responsible for committing acts of sabotage on his very own projects! He has consistently fallen short on delivering his projects on time and in a way that we found satisfactory and this finally explains why. He was even so callous as to put his own pilot’s life in jeopardy with his latest acts of terrorism.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

That’s not true!!

GERALD DANIELS

(QUIETLY BUT URGENTLY)

Nova! Sit down! Are you nuts?!

SOUND: CROWD MURMURS, GAVEL POUNDING COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Order! Order!! Ms. Bayflower, please do not disrupt this hearing again. I strongly suggest the rest of you show some restraint during these proceedings, otherwise we will start arresting anyone who interrupts from this point further for contempt.

GERALD DANIELS

(QUIETLY)

Just wait, they’ll give him a chance to defend himself at least.

SOUND: CROWD MURMURS DIE DOWN COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

I’m sure there’s more but those charges are the focus

of this hearing. What say you Jonas Aldridge? How do you respond to these charges? And please remember, there were members of this very council’s security force that bore witness to the events at hand. Lying to this court would just add more to the penalties levied against you.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yes, your spies witnessed me entering the location where the revolt headquarters was rumored to be.

However, they did not hear the conversation that took place nor did they understand the purpose of my visit. Which was to retrieve a deceased colleagues belongings.

SOUND: CROWD MURMURS, THEN DIE DOWN AGAIN JONAS ALDRIDGE

That’s why I was there each time your agents saw me at

that location. Her name was Dr. Oliska Cercov. She was a brilliant scientist and colleague and dedicated her life and her skills to helping those on the lower tiers.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Please just stick to the pertinent details Mr. Aldridge, we’re not interested in your friend’s life story.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

She was found badly injured. As soon as I found out about her condition, I immediately went to visit her. Later, after she passed, I went back again to retrieve her belongings.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

And what proof do you have of any of this?

GERALD DANIELS

I can verify as witness to all of those details if it pleases the council.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS (EXASPERATED)

You may come forward Dr. Daniels.

SOUND: WHEELCHAIR MOVING, STOPPING GERALD DANIELS

Thank you Council Seat Harris. Everything Dr. Aldridge said is true. We received a communication via the network that informed us of Dr. Cercov’s arrival and then passing. Dr. Aldridge was simply there to first comfort a friend and then later, collect her things.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

And what was so important about her belongings that would warrant risking going to the known location of a terror cell headquarters?

GERALD DANIELS

We were just trying to look after someone we cared about, Jonas went to that location mostly at my behest. He didn’t want to go, we even argued about it.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

You never answered my question. Why were her belongings so important?

GERALD DANIELS

I wanted to give her a proper burial and I thought seeing anything personal of hers might help with the preparations.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

I hardly think the value of such a person’s belongings was worth the risk! That you would dare fall to such depths before the council’s eyes!

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(UNDER HIS BREATH)

And to learn more about the virus.

GERALD DANIELS

(QUIETLY)

Shut up you fool!

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Did you have something to add Mr. Aldridge?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I said, and to learn more about the virus! You do know the virus is back, right!? After all, aren’t you taking measures to always ensure the safety of the colony no matter what the cost?!

SOUND: CROWD GETTING ANXIOUS JONAS ALDRIDGE

That’s why she died! She was attacked by the infected!

This is on you Mitchell, you pompous prick. You and your goddamn cronies infected the lower tiers with the virus and brought it back into our civilization!

SOUND: CROWD MURMURS MUCH LOUDER, VARIOUS CRIES OF SURPRISE COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Order! Order!! I will have order! Colonel Harlow!!

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW GUARDS ARM!

SOUND: GUNS LOCKING AMMUNITION INTO PLACE, CROWD SOUNDS OF ALARM

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

GUARDS ADVANCE! EVERYONE QUIET NOW!!

SOUND: MULTIPLE STEPS IN UNISON, STOP IN UNISON, CROWD SOUNDS DIE DOWN RAPIDLY

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Not another word out of you Mr. Aldridge. You’ve said quite enough. Colonel Harlow, should Mr. Aldridge decide to issue another outburst of lies, you may feel free to dispatch him immediately.

SOUND: A GUN BEING COCKED COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Since there are no more witnesses...

SOUND: CHAIR SOUND GERALD DANIELS

(UNDER HIS BREATH)

Don’t Nova, you can’t help him now.

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

And since the convicted has not issued any statement that would satisfy clearing these charges, the council rules that Mr. Jonas Aldridge be sentenced to death by banishment.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

No! You can’t!

SOUND: CROWD MURMURS, GAVEL POUNDING, CROWD MURMURS DIE DOWN

COUNCIL SEAT HARRIS

Dr. Daniels, you will take claim of all of Mr. Aldridge’s belongings in addition to his home. Sentence for the convicted to be carried out as soon as possible. This trial is concluded, thoughts and prayers.

SOUND: GAVEL POUNDING, CROWD MURMURS, PEOPLE WALKING OUT JONAS ALDRIDGE

Thanks for trying Gerald. I appreciate...

SOUND: SLIGHT STRUGGLE, JONAS BEING TAKEN AWAY, TRANSITION SOUND, SOMEONE PACING

JONAS ALDRIDGE RESIDENCE

NOVA BAYFLOWER

We have to do something, we can’t just let him rot in a cell and then be tossed onto the surface to die.

GERALD DANIELS

What do you recommend? He’ll be under constant guard, we can’t just send him a cake with a key in it.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

There has to be some way to clear him of the charges. What about the messages over the network feed?

GERALD DANIELS

The messages are enough to clear me but not him. After his outburst, they’ll never overturn their verdict.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What about his skills? There aren’t many scientists left in the colony. He has to have some value to them.

GERALD DANIELS

As far as our "value", they don’t believe in science and they generally hate scientists. They’re not interested in facts or proof. We’re only a necessary inconvenience to them when they need us. Jonas has proven himself to be a threat for speaking the truth. They can’t allow that to go unpunished and they certainly can’t let Jonas speak out anymore.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Can you contact someone from the revolt?

GERALD DANIELS

No, I’m afraid not. With Alton getting executed and so many of the others arrested, those left went into hiding. They won’t risk anything right now.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

That’s it then. Jonas is dead. So is our mission. No offense but a wheelchair won’t...

GERALD DANIELS

I know. (BRIEF PAUSE)

Hmmmm. You know, there might be something we can do.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

What are you talking about?

SOUND: WHEELCHAIR MOVING ACROSS THE ROOM, THINGS BEING MOVED AROUND

GERALD DANIELS

Nova, could you come over here and give me a hand? I need to get into the equipment closet.

SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, CLOCK TICKING - TIME PASSING, PRISONERS IN CELLS, BACKGROUND CHATTER, WALKING INTO A CELL, CELL DOOR BEING CLOSED

COUNCIL PRISON CELLS

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It’s a small world after all isn’t it?

ALTON FYSK

It sure is.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You’re not dead yet.

ALTON FYSK

Soon enough. I’m surprised they’re letting us bunk together.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

They’re out of room from what I just saw. I don’t think it matters much if we talk now or not.

ALTON FYSK

Yeah, I guess not.

SOUND: WALKING THEN SITTING DOWN ALTON FYSK

They’re coming for me soon.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m sorry, I guess I’ll following after you.

ALTON FYSK

They only do one a day. Some weird religious thing.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Oh.

ALTON FYSK

How long will I last out there?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Without a suit, maybe an hour, 2 at most... If the wind doesn’t kill you first.

ALTON FYSK

You have a hell of a bedside manner Jonas.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’ve been told that. You could try for the caves.

ALTON FYSK

How far away are they?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Depending on which surface hatch they let you out of, the closest caves are about a 3 hour hike.

ALTON FYSK

I guess I’ll have to rely on my marathon running skills.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Have you heard much about the cavers?

ALTON FYSK

Not a lot. They seem to be the surface’s best kept secret.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What do you know?

ALTON FYSK

That somehow they found a way to survive the radiation. How they find food and water, I have no idea. Noone knows how many there are, but the rumor is that they’re spread across multiple cave systems.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Has the revolt ever come in contact with them?

ALTON FYSK

We tried to contact them by sending a messenger but the messenger didn’t come back. We never heard a thing or found the body, just gone. The risk wasn’t worth another try. They stay off on their own, they don’t want any involvement with us or the colony.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Smart people.

ALTON FYSK

I’d probably be killed on the spot if I come into contact with anyone. They can’t risk someone who’s been exposed to the surface coming into their midst. I hear they’re not big fans of contaminated visitors.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Maybe you can talk to...

SOUND: GUARDS APPROACHING, CELL DOOR UNLOCKING AND OPENING COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Alton Fysk, you have been found guilty of crimes against the colony and sentenced to banishment by council decree. Do you have any last words before you are escorted to face the fate of your sins?

ALTON FYSK

Don’t let them break you Jonas. FOR THE REVOLT!!

SOUND: STRUGGLING SOUNDS, ALTON BEING PUNCHED IN THE GUT JONAS ALDRIDGE

Hey!

SOUND: JONAS KNOCKED DOWN COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Your turn will come soon enough Mr. Aldridge. Until then, right or left?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What do you mean?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Answer the question, right or left?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I’m not playing your sadistic games Colonel Harlow!

SOUND: GUN BEING COCKED COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Right or left Mr. Aldridge or I execute this revolt scum in front of you here and now.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Ok, ok, fine! Right.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

See, was that so hard? (BRIEF PAUSE)

Break Mr. Fysk’s right leg when you put him on the surface as per Mr. Aldridge’s preference.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

No!

SOUND: JONAS BEING SUBDUED, FYSK BEING BEATEN AND DRAGGED AWAY, YELLING IN PROTEST, DOOR CLOSING

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You’ll pay for that. I still have a day to figure out how.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

No, I’m afraid you don’t Mr. Aldridge. The council has ordered a special decree for you allowing me to carry out your sentence early. We need the room you see.

We’re rounding up more of your friends in the revolt and we need the space for processing.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Is that so?

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Yes it is. We’re going to give your cohort Alton a head start though, can’t have you out there helping each other now can we? No, we’ll wait about 3 hours, that will give you plenty of time to contemplate your sins while he experiences what radiation poisoning is like with a broken leg as he burns alive. Won’t that be exciting?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You’re sick and a goddamn hypocrite! I thought Christians were supposed to be forgiving.

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

You’ll be careful not to try my patience by calling out the lord’s name in vain Mr. Aldridge. That is, unless you’d like to enter the surface with something

broken like your friend Mr. Fysk.

SOUND: DOOR KNOCKING, DOOR OPENING, BACKGROUND DISCUSSION COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

It appears you have visitors. You get 2 minutes. SOUND: WHEEL CHAIR MOVING AND STOPPING, DOOR CLOSING

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Hi. Thanks for coming.

NOVA BAYFLOWER

Jonas I’m, I don’t know, I...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It’s ok Nova. Don’t burden yourself with...

GERALD DANIELS

Hey, look. What you need to do is to keep your chin up and your eyes peeled.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

GERALD DANIELS

It means, we did all we could, but you’re stuck so it is what it is. And once you get to meet your maker, keep an eye out for the prize that is your salvation.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Thanks, that’s philosophical and weird. A great way to send me off Gerald, I appreciate it.

GERALD DANIELS

Don’t be shitty.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Sorry.

SOUND: DOOR OPENING, GUARDS WALKING IN COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Visiting time is over.

SOUND: HUGGING NOVA BAYFLOWER

(WHISPERING)

Run for the caves Jonas, you can make it.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yeah, thanks.

GERALD DANIELS

Take care my friend.

SOUND: HUGGING JONAS ALDRIDGE

You too.

SOUND: WHEELCHAIR SOUND, WALKING, DOOR CLOSING AND LOCKING, TRANSITION SOUND, GROUP OF PEOPLE WALKING, THEN STOPPING

COLONY SURFACE CORRIDOR

COLONEL MERCY HARLOW

Jonas Aldridge, you are found guilty of committing crimes against the colony and have been sentenced to banishment by council decree. I’d offer you last words but I was given orders by Council Seat Harris to deny you that right. His preference was to not allow any last poisonous words you might utter. Goodbye and godspeed Mr. Aldridge.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Thoughts and prayers you bitch.

SOUND: SURFACE HATCH OPENING, THE SOUND OF WIND, A BRIEF TUSSLE, SURFACE HATCH CLOSING, RUNNING

SOUND: THEME MUSIC END OF EPISODE 9