VOID - SEASON 3, EPISODE 9
Written by
Sean McKnight With Jeni Miller
VOID PODCAST LLC Copyright ©2021 voidthepodcast@gmail.com
Relationships in Space
NARRATOR
Season 3, episode 9. Previously on VOID, Jonas started combat training with Serebella. Gilban and Nova took their relationship to a new level. Aluna Salazar started to settle in as a crew member. And Regina clashed with Nova over ship procedures finding out her protege’ has a new sense of confidence that could be problematic.
SOUND: SHIP INTERIOR, MECHANICAL SOUNDS, USE OF TOOLS
INT. THE CHING SHE - CARGO HOLD - AFTERNOON
JONAS ALDRIDGE
We’ve been out here for 2 months and you’re still an asshole.
ANKO LUMEN
The adjustments have to be perfect! If we’re off by 1 degree, this won’t work! I told you 98 not 98.5.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I understand that but before I could even adjust the settings you’re already screaming at me. How the hell am I supposed to know the number you want exactly unless you tell me!
ANKO LUMEN
If you were more perceptive I wouldn’t have to tell you!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You are impossible to work with and I’m not psychic.
ANKO LUMEN
You’re not very smart either.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Look, we’re stuck with each other so we might as well make the best of it and learn to communicate better.
ANKO LUMEN
I don’t have to learn how to do anything! I can’t help it if I’m way more intellectually advanced than your feeble mind can grasp. I’m not going to dumb myself down for the sake of talking to the likes of you.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Oh, look at the time. My shift is up, in fact it was up 15 minutes ago. Make your damn adjustments yourself.
SOUND: TOOLS BEING THROWN TO THE FLOOR, FOOTSTEPS
ANKO LUMEN
Fine! Walk away! I don’t need your help, you were just slowing me down!
SOUND: HATCH OPENING/CLOSING, CORRIDOR SOUND, FOOTSTEPS
INT. THE CHING SHE - CORRIDOR - AFTERNOON
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(muttering to himself while walking)
What a prick! I can’t believe I’m stuck working with such a...
SOUND: SCRAMBLING
SEREBELLA REON
Defend yourself!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Aaaahhh!!!
SOUND: A FIGHT WITH CLUB BASED WEAPONS, BODY HITTING THE FLOOR
Offff!!
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
SEREBELLA REON
Better. You lasted much longer that time before I put you on the floor. I expect you to get to your weapon sooner. This time it took you 2.3 seconds.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yeah well I’m just coming off a shift working with Mr. Personality so my mind was elsewhere.
SOUND: JONAS BEING HELPED UP BY SEREBELLA
SEREBELLA REON
There are no excuses in combat Jonas. Your enemy doesn’t care about your convenience or how tired you are. You have to be ready to react at any time.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I know, I was just distracted ok?
SEREBELLA REON
Not ok. In fact I’m going to start attacking you when you’re asleep now too.
What?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
SEREBELLA REON
Deal with it Jonas. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS WALKING AWAY
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Great, now I have to sleep with one eye open.
SEREBELLA REON
(walking away from a distance)
That’s the point!
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, HATCH OPENING / CLOSING, SHIP INTERIOR, USE OF FOOD UNTENCILS, EATING AND DRINKING, KISSING AND GIGGLING
INT. THE CHING SHE - MEAL HALL - AFTERNOON
SEREBELLA REON
Oh no, not you two.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Serebella! Come join us!
SOUND: MAKING A DRINK, FOOTSTEPS, SETTLING INTO A CHAIR
SEREBELLA REON
Nothing more annoying than people in love.
Jealous? A little.
NOVA BAYFLOWER SEREBELLA REON
GILBAN TRICKEY
Oh come on, you still had a chance to enjoy Nova here too. I believe you two hooked up last week didn’t you?
SEREBELLA REON
That was a poker debt.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Yes it was. That was a big hand.
SOUND: MORE GIGGLING, GIDDY BEHAVIOR
SEREBELLA REON
That’s what shesaid!
SOUND: LAUGHING
SEREBELLA REON (CONT'D)
Ok, yeah, that was fun. You’re still both annoying though.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Hey, we’re not the only ones! Jonas and Ursula seem pretty hot and heavy.
GILBAN TRICKEY
And they never share! Prudes.
SEREBELLA REON
I can’t argue with that. That’s one thing that I’ll say about the both of you, you are more open minded. I would really love to get together with Ursula but I guess that will never happen.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Well if you’re ever lonely, you can pay us a visit. The term “Ménage à trois” comes to mind, I have to remember that for my next bet on poker night.
SEREBELLA REON
No offense Gilban but you’re not really my type.
GILBAN TRICKEY
I know that, I just want to watch you and Nova. And I can still do stuff to her while she’s with you.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Pervert.
GILBAN TRICKEY
You love it.
SOUND: KISSING
SEREBELLA REON
On that note, I’ll leave you lovebirds alone.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HATCH OPENING
GILBAN TRICKEY
Yeah, lovebirds that love to get the grease gun and...
SOUND: HATCH CLOSING, TRANSITION SOUND, MEDITATION, NATURE SOUNDS, BREATHING
INT. THE CHING SHE - PLANT HABITAT - EVENING
GIDEON JUDGE
That’s better, slow your breath.
SOUND: BREATHING
URSULA NASH
(coming out of a breath)
I feel it. You’re right my heart rate has slowed. I didn’t realize I could control it quite like that.
GIDEON JUDGE
That kind of breathing is good for periods of stress. You have to focus on it though, at least until you practice more.
URSULA NASH
I feel hyper at times, I’m still working through...
GIDEON JUDGE
The loss of your twin, I know. I can sense it sitting here with you in this room.
URSULA NASH
It’s been keeping me up at night, tossing and turning. And then Jonas can’t sleep either.
GIDEON JUDGE
The breathing will help with that. Try it for about 15 minutes before you lay down.
URSULA NASH
I will. Thanks. I have to confess I was skeptical of you at first.
GIDEON JUDGE
I know, I felt the same way about you.
You did?
URSULA NASH
GIDEON JUDGE
Yes, many medical doctors are still to this day not open minded about energy work with healers. They’d prefer to throw pills at everything.
URSULA NASH
I have colleagues back on the station like that. Some still look at me strange when they realize how young I am and that I’m a woman who is equal or higher ranking than them.
GIDEON JUDGE
There seems something primal or ingrained in human DNA that is predicated toward that kind of fear and prejudice even when people are learned.
URSULA NASH
So much for human evolution.
GIDEON JUDGE
Indeed. Machines are going to replace everyone someday anyway.
URSULA NASH
Probably.
SOUND: LAUGHING
URSULA NASH (CONT'D)
I love the plants here, it’s the perfect place for our meditation workshops.
GIDEON JUDGE
Thank you. I just wish I had another assistant, anyone other than Anko.
URSULA NASH
What is up with that guy? He’s barely said 10 words to me this whole trip so far.
GIDEON JUDGE
He looks down his nose at everyone like he’s superior in every way.
URSULA NASH
He stopped talking to me in the middle of a conversation when he was trying to lecture me on microbiology engineering. I caught a mistake he made and pointed it out to him.
GIDEON JUDGE
He must’ve hated you for that.
URSULA NASH
He stopped in the middle of the conversation and exited the meal hall. He left all his food sitting there. Never came back for it.
Regina bitched him out later about cleaning up after himself.
GIDEON JUDGE
Anko is just scoring points with everyone isn’t he?
URSULA NASH
I don’t know of one person that likes the guy. Aluna seems to be the only person that can tolerate him for more than 30 seconds.
GIDEON JUDGE
She seems to be working out really well doesn’t she?
URSULA NASH
Everyone loves her, she’s like the crew’s adopted daughter.
GIDEON JUDGE
She’s so helpful! She loves doing the work.
URSULA NASH
Did you notice how she absorbs everything like a sponge? She’s working on the bridge with Regina right now.
GIDEON JUDGE
I don’t think she learned much on the Genesis Fountainhead.
URSULA NASH
Do you have any regrets about that place?
GIDEON JUDGE
No, what happened was for the best.
URSULA NASH
You know I was against destroying it too but I agree. I’m glad we’re all on the same page again.
GIDEON JUDGE
I am too. Harmony with the crew is important.
URSULA NASH
Have you ever been part of a crew that wasn’t harmonious?
GIDEON JUDGE
Yes, it can be hell and quite dangerous.
Dangerous?
URSULA NASH
GIDEON JUDGE
Imagine being stuck on a ship for years with the same people and a good number of them aggressively hate each other. I’ve seen it get violent.
URSULA NASH
How bad has it gotten?
GIDEON JUDGE
To the point of extreme discipline and the setting of examples when attitudes needed to change.
URSULA NASH
Meaning?
GIDEON JUDGE
Some things I’m not at liberty to discuss. A crew’s word is bond and we keep certain details classified.
URSULA NASH
I see. Have you been in touch with anyone back on the station?
GIDEON JUDGE
No, I don’t really have anyone close in my life other than Regina. You?
URSULA NASH
I reach out to Max Huxley now and then. He’s a good friend.
GIDEON JUDGE
Oh? You mean you send him transmissions?
URSULA NASH
Yes, just to say hi and let him know how I’m doing, where we are, that kind of thing. He cares a lot about me and is being over protective since Phineous died.
GIDEON JUDGE
(with suspicion)
How nice of him. Be sure to mention that I asked about him the next time you get in touch. You might want to do that soon.
URSULA NASH
Why is that?
GIDEON JUDGE
We’ll be arriving at Mars in a short time. Once we’re past it, we’ll be out of broadcasting range to the station. At least for immediate communications. Any transmission afterward will be on long delays until we’re out of range completely.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, SHIP INTERIOR INT. THE CHING SHE - JONAS’ CABIN - EVENING
INT. JONAS QUARTERS - NIGHT
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Astrid, compose personal transmission. Delivery recipient is on Earth, Colony 1A, Gerald Daniels. Use encrypted channel 5, P, 17, C, 32.
ASTRID
Confirming encrypted channel 5, P, 17, C, 32. One moment.
SOUND: PROCESSING SOUND
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Channel confirmed. Composing transmission to Gerald Daniels in 3, 2, 1...
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Hey Gerald. I think this is my 4th message since we left the station. I understand that once we’re past Mars, Earth is pretty much out communication-wise so this will be my last transmission for awhile.
Seeing as how I haven’t heard back from you I’m not sure if you’re even receiving what I’m sending. We have a number of missions we have to finish before we’ll get back from where we’re going.
Unfortunately I have no idea how long this will take. You may not hear from me for a couple of years. The good news is that we have two possibilities for colonization as we’re heading to Saturn’s moon Titan after we leave Mars. Europa will follow. I uh, I’m in something of a relationship with our crew medical officer. You’d like her, she’s smart and sexy, the whole package. We stay in each other’s cabins a lot. I’m sure you’d make some crude joke about that. I hope you’re ok man. I guess I better sign off. I’ll try to transmit again once we’re back in range on our way home from Europa. I hope you’re ok my friend. Astrid, end message and send.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, SHIP INTERIOR, KEYPAD BEING USED, BUTTONS BEING PRESSED
INT. THE CHING SHE - BRIDGE - NIGHT
ALUNA SALAZAR
So this one puts up the defense shields.
REGINA REX
Yep. And this one turns on the targeting for the guns on the port side, this for the starboard sign. These two are for the bow and stern guns.
ALUNA SALAZAR
And what’s this over here?
REGINA REX
That activates the warp drive.
ALUNA SALAZAR
Warp drive?
REGINA REX
Yes, it’s still experimental technology mostly. It’s for when we’re in a really bad situation and have to get out of the area unusually fast.
ALUNA SALAZAR
How fast are we going now?
REGINA REX
Roughly 160,000 kilometers per hour or so.
ALUNA SALAZAR
And this makes us go faster.
REGINA REX
Yes, a lot faster.
ALUNA SALAZAR
Wow.
REGINA REX
You seem pretty interested in all this stuff, maybe you’ll be a pilot someday or a captain of your own ship.
ALUNA SALAZAR
You really think so?
REGINA REX
Sure, you have the power to do whatever you want. You have to work for it though. And as women, we have to work extra hard sometimes.
ALUNA SALAZAR
You mean harder than men.
REGINA REX
Yes. We’ve made many advancements over the years but we’re still working on sexism.
ALUNA SALAZAR
Sexism?
REGINA REX
Because you’re a woman men will judge you. A lot of men are insecure and want to control women whenever they can so they cut you down and make you feel small, or they’ll try to.
ALUNA SALAZAR
What do I do?
REGINA REX
You work hard and become great at whatever you choose to do. And don’t be afraid to kick a man’s ass once in awhile. It’s a good way to command respect with men who are jerks. I’ve been in my share of fights and most men are cowards, they just talk big.
ALUNA SALAZAR
Can you teach me how to kick a man’s ass?
REGINA REX
(laughing)
That’s Serebella’s job but sure, she can teach you. She’d love that.
ALUNA SALAZAR
Cool! Uh, Captain Rex, Dr. Nash told me we’re going to the fuel depot outside of Mars first.
REGINA REX
Yep. We’re going to doc there, grab some provisions and fuel and leave the ship there while the away team takes the shuttle to the surface.
ALUNA SALAZAR
Are you sure that’s a good idea?
REGINA REX
Well yes, it’s much easier to pilot and land a shuttle on the surface than it is for this ship. So it’s best to leave her in orbit.
ALUNA SALAZAR
But do we have to go to the depot?
REGINA REX
What’s the problem?
ALUNA SALAZAR
I’ve heard stories, there are bad men there.
REGINA REX
I’ve heard the rumors too. Don’t worry yourself I’ve been to the depot many times and I even have friends that live there.
ALUNA SALAZAR
You have?
REGINA REX
Yes, they have a militant security force. I’m sure we’re safe from bad men, ok?
ALUNA SALAZAR
Ok, that’s good. Thanks Captain Rex.
SOUND: HATCH OPENING / CLOSING, FOOTSTEPS
ALUNA SALAZAR (CONT'D)
Hi Captain Bayflower!
REGINA REX
Hey Nova, you’ve arrived just in time.
NOVA BAYFLOWER
Just in time for what?
SOUND: BEEPING, NOTIFICATION SOUND
REGINA REX
For that. Oh wow.
Whoa.
NOVA BAYFLOWER ALUNA SALAZAR REGINA REX
Welcome ladies, to the Martian Galactic Fueling Depot.
END OF EPISODE 9