VOID - SEASON 3, EPISODE 5
Written by
Sean McKnight With Jeni Miller
VOID PODCAST LLC Copyright ©2021 voidthepodcast@gmail.com
Lifestyles in Deep Space
NARRATOR
Season 3, episode 5. During the last episode of VOID the crew experienced some conflict over a difficult decision that had to be made. As a result Nova and Jonas reached an impasse that started driving a wedge between them. An electrical problem has surfaced that is causing navigational issues. And the relationship between Ursula and Jonas continues to deepen.
INT. THE CHING SHE - URSULA'S CABIN - MORNING SOUND: CABIN INTERIOR, COFFEE BREWING
URSULA NASH
Astrid. Compose letter 2 for the Nash Epistle.
ASTRID
Composing letter 2 in 3, 2, 1...
URSULA NASH
Hi Phineous, wanted to let you know how things are going. I’m ok. I’m feeling better. It was rough there for awhile; we had this mission, and uh, how do I describe this?
Well, they were making humans and selling them for terrible, unethical reasons. And we blew the place up, there were innocent people and I, uh. I, was, well, it wasn’t me but I was part of the group responsible for, for, making that decision. You know me, I hate violence. I never understood why you were so into the Bloodsport tournaments and I, I just, I just didn’t think I’d be part of something where innocent people were going to get murdered. I guess I’m really not ok. I feel like an immature child, out of my element with no clue what I’m doing. I’ve heard missions in space can be difficult but I wasn’t expecting this. And we’ve only had 1 mission so far. I just hope there’s no more decisions like that anytime soon.
(MORE)
URSULA NASH (CONT'D)
I have to be realistic. I’m learning I have to go with the flow, it seems there’s no other choice. On the upside, I did get together with Jonas. I know you don’t want to hear about it but since you’re not...
(getting choked up)
Since you’re not actually there, it doesn’t really matter anyway, right? Jonas and I kind of, well we spent the night together and it was pretty great. I haven’t felt like this in awhile. He’s really very sweet. I probably shouldn’t get attached but it’s nice to feel close to someone again. Anyway, I think about you a lot and I miss you.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, MEAL HALL, FOOTSTEPS, ACTIVITY, HATCH OPENING/CLOSING
INT. THE CHING SHE - MEAL HALL - MORNING
GILBAN TRICKEY
Good morning.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Good morning. Is it morning?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Sure is. Hey, I noticed your hair is growing back in nicely.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Thanks.
GILBAN TRICKEY
It looks pretty, that shade of green goes with your eyes.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I wasn’t sure about the color but it’s growing on me.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Literally. You’re up early.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I’m not up, I never went to sleep.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Ohhh, you’re following the Rex plan of overloading on energy drinks.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
You got it. I’m just grabbing a bite. How about you?
GILBAN TRICKEY
I sleep maybe 4 hours every 2 days or something. I like to pace myself; if you stay up for too many days at a time you crash hard.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I feel wide awake, I’m pretty excited about being here.
GILBAN TRICKEY
I can tell. Just know your limits. I found my peak when I was up for about 6 days but then I crashed and was out for about 33 hours.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Good to know. It’s hard to get used to the whole time thing in space.
I’m used to being on a planet where we had night and day, it seems like all night all the time now.
GILBAN TRICKEY
I grew up on the station so I’m used to it. I can only imagine how this is messing with your head. It helps if you have a routine of exercise and other activities. For example, our upcoming poker night.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Poker night?
GILBAN TRICKEY
She didn’t tell you? Oh, it’s a Ching She tradition. Regina’s a big fan of cards and gambling as are many space travelers. It’s a good way to pass the time and to get to know a new crew member. You can tell a lot about a person by playing cards with them.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
What are the stakes?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Sex or chores.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
What?
GILBAN TRICKEY
We’re not playing for credits out here so we play for sex or chores. Meaning that you can either bet with your chores where the loser has to take your ship chores.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
And the sex part?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Another “currency” we play with is sexual favor. If you lose you have to perform a sexual act on the winner.
Ok.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
GILBAN TRICKEY
(flirty)
That makes you uncomfortable doesn’t it?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
(defensively but starting to flirt back)
No it doesn’t! Sex was kind of frowned upon back in the colony. I’m game, I’m just not used to all this.
GILBAN TRICKEY
The colony sounds like an uptight place to live in. Lucky you’re on a crew with me now, I can teach you some new tricks.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I bet you’d love that.
GILBAN TRICKEY
The poker game is coming up so...
NOVA BAYFLOWER
(changing the subject)
Isn’t there some sort of electrical problem you were dealing with?
GILBAN TRICKEY
(disappointed)
Yeah, sure. There’s an electrical problem but...
NOVA BAYFLOWER
But?
GILBAN TRICKEY
It’s got me stumped. I’ve crewed on this ship a bunch of times, I know it well. For the life of me I can’t figure out where the problem is.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
What have you found?
GILBAN TRICKEY
That’s the thing. I can’t find anything wrong. The computer is telling me that there’s electrical interference happening. But when I run my systems checks there’s nothing that registers showing any kind of problems.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
And you’ve diagnosed all the systems, not just electrical.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Yes. Believe me, I know every inch of the inside guts of this thing.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
What if the problem isn’t from the inside of the ship?
GILBAN TRICKEY
But that makes no sense. If the problem was from the outside, then that could be...Shite! I have to check something.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, TREADMILL BEING USED, GYM, FOOTSTEPS
INT. THE CHING SHE - GYM - MORNING
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Hey Serebella, how are you?
SEREBELLA REON
(running on treadmill) Good, how’s it going Jonas?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(stretching while talking) Well thanks. I’m just getting my exercise routine down.
SOUND: JONAS GETTING ON EXERCISE BIKE
SEREBELLA REON
I hope there are no hard feelings about what happened with the outpost.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(peddling on bike)
No, none at all. I’m learning pretty quickly that things won’t necessarily go my way and I have to live with that.
SEREBELLA REON
The rules are different out here.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
It seems to me the rules are what we make them.
SEREBELLA REON
Something like that.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Do you have a lot of experience in space?
SEREBELLA REON
I’ve done a fair amount of short missions. Not nearly as much as Gilban or Captain Rex. This is my first long term deep space run.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
This is my first time in space ever.
SEREBELLA REON
That’s right, you’re from the colony too. I can’t imagine what that place is like.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You don’t want to. Earth is in pretty bad shape.
SEREBELLA REON
Can you go on the surface?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
No, the radiation levels are way too high. I used to visit the surface to take readings but I was in a radiation suit. The entire population of the planet lives underground as far as I know.
SEREBELLA REON
That’s intense.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
There are a lot other problems in the colony too. A corrupt government runs it or tries to. The infrastructure is falling apart, people are starving and sick. The virus is back too.
SEREBELLA REON
Are you talking about the one I read about in school?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
If it’s the one that changed the face of the planet, then yes.
SEREBELLA REON
Wow.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
There were some major addiction problems with the populace on top of all that. And no fancy shots or pills like on the station.
SEREBELLA REON
No addiction treatment?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
None. I’m amazed that’s not really a problem on the station. It was devastating to the people in the colony.
SEREBELLA REON
No, it’s all good. I’m sorry things sucked on Earth but I’m not sorry I grew up on the station.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Thanks, all things considered I’d rather be born on the station too. Hey, you look a little pale, are you feeling ok?
SEREBELLA REON
Yeah, I’m fine.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You’re sweating a lot too.
SEREBELLA REON
Uh, thanks for noticing.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m sorry, I tend to be direct. I just wanted to make sure that’s normal. I’m used to...
SEREBELLA REON
(cutting him off, edgy and agitated)
Normal!? Hey, maybe the normal you’re used to isn’t the same for people who grew up in space!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m so sorry, I meant no...
REGINA REX
(interrupting over speaker)
Captains Bayflower and Aldridge report to the bridge.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(slowing the bike to stop) I guess I better get up there. Again, I’m really sorry if I offended you.
REGINA REX
Yeah, whatever. Thanks Captain.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, MISTING ON AND OFF, HATCH OPENING AND CLOSING, FOOTSTEPS
INT. THE CHING SHE - PLANT HABITAT - DAY
GIDEON JUDGE
Dr. Lumen. How nice of you to join me.
ANKO LUMEN
It seems I didn’t have much choice. The captain was very specific about me having to put in my fair share of time for “chores”. So why am I assisting you?
GIDEON JUDGE
Because I’m in charge of the ship’s plant habitat and one of your numerous degrees is in botany.
ANKO LUMEN
That was more of a hobby, an elective degree for me. My only real interest in it is how it relates to colonizing Titan.
GIDEON JUDGE
And now you get to exercise those skills here for the ship. Think of it this way, it will be good practice until we reach Titan.
ANKO LUMEN
If you say so. Why have a plant habitat at all when we have food synthesizers?
GIDEON JUDGE
Well, for one if we lose power the synthesizers are no good are they? With our garden we can grow what we need and store it for later.
ANKO LUMEN
Seems easier to push a button.
GIDEON JUDGE
It is, but a synthesizer can’t produce this carrot with the same depth of flavor. Nothing like good old fashioned organic plant growth.
SOUND: CARROT BEING EATEN
ANKO LUMEN
I guess that’s true if that sort of thing matters to you.
GIDEON JUDGE
When we’re having fresh salads you’ll thank me. The synthetic version isn’t even close.
ANKO LUMEN
While this is an enormous waste of my talent and time, I have no choice so let’s get it over with. Where do you want me to start?
GIDEON JUDGE
With harvesting and cleaning the lettuce and radishes over there.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, SOUNDS OF HARVESTING AND CLEANING VEGETABLES, WORK CONTINUED
ANKO LUMEN
I’m one of the leading minds on the station for terraforming and here I am cleaning radishes.
GIDEON JUDGE
Humility is a virtuous quality Dr. Lumen, you might consider looking inward.
ANKO LUMEN
No offense but I’m not here for a lesson in philosophy Mr. Judge.
GIDEON JUDGE
Please call me Gideon. No lesson here Dr. Lumen, just some friendly advice. We’ll be working together for awhile it might be a good idea to get along with the crew.
ANKO LUMEN
(while working)
I’m not here because I want people to like me. I’m here because I bring with me the most important mission of this little expedition. Something truly worth the time and effort of a mind like my own. That is all I care about.
GIDEON JUDGE
Oh? I didn’t realize your Titan mission was so monumental. It’s been done before you know.
ANKO LUMEN
No, it’s been attempted before but with no success until now that is.
GIDEON JUDGE
We haven’t arrived anywhere near Saturn yet and already it’s a success?
ANKO LUMEN
It’s going to be successful because I’m the one running the Titan mission. It’s mine. I’m not some wanna be flunky, I have the equipment and the math to make this work.
GIDEON JUDGE
You seem pretty sure of yourself. I hope your hubris doesn’t prove otherwise to your success.
ANKO LUMEN
Don’t misunderstand confidence for pride. I’m confident because I know the science of it. I also have the support of the 5.
GIDEON JUDGE
Do you now?
ANKO LUMEN
I do. And you’ll see what that means when we get back to the station. I expect I’ll be moving up the ranks working for the 5 quickly once I return with my results.
GIDEON JUDGE
My point was that when we are working together, it might help to motivate people if you get along with them.
ANKO LUMEN
Why should I have to concern myself with being popular? Everyone has to work on each other’s missions anyway.
GIDEON JUDGE
It’s not so much about popularity but more-so about people having a positive attitude when working for you.
ANKO LUMEN
Same question applies.
GIDEON JUDGE
Ok then, good luck with that. When you’re done with the radishes you can start peeling those potatoes.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, BRIDGE, HATCH OPENING/CLOSING, FOOTSTEPS
INT. THE CHING SHE - BRIDGE - DAY
REGINA REX
Nice of you to join us Captain Aldridge.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(out of breath)
Sorry. I was in the gym, I had to change. Then I got lost, I ended up on the wrong deck.
REGINA REX
Ok, you’re going to need to work on that.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Will do captain.
REGINA REX
What’s the plan?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
For what?
REGINA REX
For what’s next. We’re just sitting here while Gilban works on our electrical system. We can keep going using some old school nav techniques but I need to know where we’re going.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
I would assume contract-wise we’re just going in order of which planet we reach first. Which would make Gilban’s expedition on Mars next.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Wait a second though. My thought was we should go with Anko next. His bears more importance to the purpose of the main mission.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
But that means we’d have to go all the wait out to Saturn and work our way back.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yes, and then we can go straight from Titan to Europa. We’d be able to check both moons for habitation right away.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
The agreement is for all the contracts to be fulfilled before ours. Remember? Those were the terms everyone agreed to.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Sure, but does it make sense to slow our progress in finding a new home for the human race versus finding some artifact?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
(getting heated)
We’d be breaking our own contract rules. What kind of example are we setting? No-one will trust us!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(getting heated back)
The sooner we find out if those moons can sustain life the sooner both Earth and the station can make preparations for colonizing. It’s going to take time to prepare for a mass evacuation of Earth.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
And since it’s going to take time anyway, we might as well do things in the proper order.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
The Mars expedition could take weeks or months! The people on Earth need every second we can give them.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
You said Earth had at least another
10 years before it was too late.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I said 5 to 10 years and that I don’t know for sure!
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Mars is on the way, I say we stick to the plan as is.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You’re gambling with people’s lives Nova. Humanity’s lifespan really.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
That’s bigger than us. We need to focus on what’s right here.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Captain Rex, we’ve reached another impasse.
REGINA REX
Yes you have. In accordance to the contract structure we will proceed in the order as Captain Bayflower has dictated.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Am I the only person who has any sympathy for the human race?
REGINA REX
I couldn’t give a shit less about the colony. This is all business to me. Once we’re done, I’m out. I’m out of all of it, the station too.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Nova? Don’t you remember our friend Gerald? What about him?
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Gerald is hundreds of thousands of miles away Jonas. He’s on his own and so are we.
SOUND: SPEAKER CRACKLING
GILBAN TRICKEY
(over speaker) Captain Rex! You there?
SOUND: BUTTON BEING PUSHED
REGINA REX
Yeah Gilban, what’s up?
GILBAN TRICKEY
I found the problem with the scopes. It’s not the electrical system, its...!
SOUND: SPEAKER CUTS OUT AND THE SHIP’S POWER WINDS DOWN TO BEING SHUT OFF
REGINA REX
The lights! We lost power! Gilban! Gilban?
END OF EPISODE 5