VOID - SEASON 4, EPISODE 3
Written by
Sean McKnight With Jeni Miller
The Artifact Part 1
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
Season 4, episode 3. Gilban was struggling with his emotions as well as drawing concern from his fellow crew members. Jonas was reckoning with getting back to a normal life while processing all that’s happened so far. Finally, the away team was briefed on the Mars Mission and the challenges that lie before them.
INT. SHUTTLE - MORNING
SOUND: ENGINES WARMING UP, BUTTONS BEING PRESSED, SWITCHES FLIPPED
REGINA REX
Stand by Gideon, we’ll be launching shortly.
GIDEON JUDGE
(over speaker) Roger.
REGINA REX
Gilban, how are we looking?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Gear is loaded and stowed. I’m locking into my seat now.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, BUCKLES BEING FASTENED
REGINA REX
Medical?
URSULA NASH
Good on my side Captain. All med- kits are secured. I’m seated as well.
Serebella?
REGINA REX
SEREBELLA REON
Security is a go. Fastened in place.
REGINA REX
Captain Aldridge?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Harnesses secured.
REGINA REX
Excellent. For those of you new to landing on the Mars surface... The landing can be a bitch. Due to how thin the atmosphere is, we have to slow down really quickly or we risk coming in too fast. In order to slow down, I’ll need to do some aerobraking along the atmosphere.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What does that mean?
REGINA REX
It means it’s going to be bumpy as hell for a little while because I have to use friction to lower our speed. Are there any other questions? Ok, sit back and enjoy the ride, our next stop is Mars.
SOUND: BUTTONS PRESSED
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Gideon, we are a go for launch. Seal the shuttle chamber.
SOUND: LARGE METALLIC CLUNKING SOUNDS, ENGINE SOUNDS GETTING LOUDER
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Open the shuttle bay doors and release locks.
SOUND: SHUTTLE BAY DOORS SLIDING OPEN, METAL LOCKS UNLOCKING REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Icarus shuttle launch in 3, 2, 1. Disembarking now.
SOUND: ENGINES FULL THROTTLE, SHUTTLE LEAVING THE CHING SHE REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Ok, we’re clear Gideon, The Ching She is all yours.
GIDEON JUDGE
Roger that Captain. Will keep an eye on things from here.
REGINA REX
I’ll be in contact after we touch down. Rex out. Ok everyone, we’re descending toward the surface past orbit. We’ll be entering the atmosphere in a few moments.
SOUND: ENGINES BEING SLOWED, METAL “FRICTION” SOUNDS BUILDING, METAL SHAKING, GRADUALLY GETTING LOUDER
SEREBELLA REON
(to Gilban)
Are you really listening to music right now?
GILBAN TRICKEY
(pulling out headphones, music playing lightly in the background)
What was that?
SEREBELLA REON
Don’t you think you should be focusing on what’s going on?
GILBAN TRICKEY
I am focused, or at least I was until you interrupted me.
SEREBELLA REON
Really?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Yeah, what’s the big deal?
SOUND: LOUD METAL GROAN/BENDING
SEREBELLA REON
That? Don’t you hear that?
GILBAN TRICKEY
What are you worried about? The Captain knows what she’s doing. I’ve landed on Mars with her once already, she’s an ace.
SEREBELLA REON
(feeling better) Ok. Thanks, that helps.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Besides, there’s nothing we can do about blowing up anyway. One second you’re here, the next you’re not.
Right? Ok then.
SOUND: MUSIC BEING TURNED BACK UP AND MUTED AS HEADPHONES ARE PLACED BACK IN, MORE METAL BENDING
SEREBELLA REON
Great. That’s reassuring.
SOUND: ENGINES STRAINING, METAL BENDING, SHAKING INCREASING, BUTTONS PRESSED, LEVERS PULLED, CONTINUES TO BUILD THEN STARTS TO SLOW GRADUALLY, SHAKING STOPS, ENGINES AND SHIP SETTLE UNTIL SHUTTLE IS BACK TO CALM FLIGHT
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(letting out a sigh of relief)
Sorry if I was squeezing your hand too tightly.
URSULA NASH
I was just about to say the same thing to you.
REGINA REX
Ok, aerobraking sequence is complete and our speed is down to where we need to be. We’re through the worst of it. Gilban, one last time, you’re good with the coordinates you gave me, correct?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Absolutely Captain Rex, multiple verifications have been made. I had Anko verify some of the details and the topographical information for me.
ANKO LUMEN
His math is sound.
REGINA REX
Anko? Being helpful and not being a smart ass about it. That’s refreshing.
ANKO LUMEN
I wouldn’t get used to it.
REGINA REX
And there he is, back again. Alright, we’re approaching the surface now. Stand by.
SOUND: SHUTTLE ENGINES SHIFTING, SLOWING, SHUTTLE GRADUALLY COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE, LANDING GEAR EXTENDING AND SHUTTLE SETTLING IN FOR LANDING, BUTTONS PRESSED, ENGINES WINDING DOWN, PRESSURE BEING RELEASED
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Touch down! We’ve successfully landed on the Mars surface, you can feel free to breathe now.
SOUND: BUTTONS BEING PRESSED
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Gideon, the Icarus has touched down on the Mars surface.
GIDEON JUDGE
Congratulations Captain.
REGINA REX
I’ll keep you posted on mission progress. Rex out. Ok Gilban, you’re up.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Right. Suit up everyone and grab any gear you were assigned. Let’s do this.
SOUND: STANDING UP, COLLECTING GEAR, FOOTSTEPS
REGINA REX
Once you’re suited up and ready to go, gather in the air lock.
ANKO LUMEN
How long is this walk going to be?
GILBAN TRICKEY
We just have to establish where the marker is on the surface, there should be an entrance at that spot. We’ll be looking for a cave around the base of a volcano called Olympus Mons. If you look out of the shuttle you’ll see it just over there.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m assuming this volcano is not active.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Not active. I wouldn’t walk us into something about to explode.
Captain, do you have surface weather readings?
REGINA REX
Yes. Temperature is about -62 celsius. Wind speed is about 10 meters per second. Conditions are clear.
SEREBELLA REON
-62? Really?
GILBAN TRICKEY
You won’t feel a thing. The suits are designed to withstand extreme temperatures both hot and cold.
There’s a temperature regulator here on the wrist controls if you need to make adjustments.
SOUND: HELMETS BEING PUT ON, FOOTSTEPS
REGINA REX
Ok, helmets are on. I’m sealing the air lock now.
SOUND: AIR LOCK BEING SEALED
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Ready Gilban?
GILBAN TRICKEY
(over helmet speaker) Ready Captain.
REGINA REX
Air lock opening now.
SOUND: AIR LOCK OPENING
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Maintain contact Gilban, good luck everyone.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Roger that.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, AIR LOCK CLOSING, TRANSITION SOUND, FOOTSTEPS WALKING IN DUST, METER BEEPING/SCANNING SOUND, LIGHT WIND
EXT. MARS SURFACE - LATE MORNING
ANKO LUMEN
(over helmet speaker)
We’ve been walking for 30 minutes Gilban and I still don’t see a cave.
GILBAN TRICKEY
It’s not an exact pinpoint Anko, I told you that. It puts us within 2 and a half kilometers or so from the location. We’re getting closer.
ANKO LUMEN
Well I hope we’re getting closer, I’m not here for the damn tour.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(over helmet speaker)
That’s enough Anko. If you’re not going to offer something constructive just shut up.
ANKO LUMEN
I don’t take orders from you!
GILBAN TRICKEY
Actually you take orders from both him as mission Captain and me as mission leader so do as he says and shut the hell up so I can concentrate.
SEREBELLA REON
(over helmet speaker) Thank you!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Gilban, what are these walls on either side of us? We seem to be walking down a canal.
GILBAN TRICKEY
It’s a lava channel from when the volcano was active.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
This is huge, the amount of lava it took to produce this was massive.
This has to be 500 meters across.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Olympus Mons is thought to be the largest volcano in the solar system.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I can’t imagine what this thing was like when it erupted.
GILBAN TRICKEY
It’s estimated that was millions of years ago. But there are some theories that think it may have been more recent than that. In fact, some believe that the ancient Mars civilizations that once dwelled here were wiped out due to such an eruption.
SEREBELLA REON
Ancient Mars civilization? You can’t be serious.
GILBAN TRICKEY
What do you think we’re here to investigate? Who else would have put an artifact here?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
The Mount Vesuvius eruption on Earth killed 16,000 people, spewing hot ash at 1.5 million tons per second 33 km into the air for 18 hours. Vesuvius was about 1,300 meters tall. How tall is Olympus Mons?
GILBAN TRICKEY
About 2,900 meters.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Damn.
ANKO LUMEN
Are we there yet?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Anko, don’t start with...
SOUND: METER SOUND INTENSIFYING
GILBAN TRICKEY (CONT'D)
Wait! Yes, it should be right around here.
SEREBELLA REON
Hey, I think I spot a cave! To the right!
GILBAN TRICKEY
Yes! That’s it!
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS SPEEDING UP, ENTERING CAVE, WIND DIMINSHES
INT. MARS SURFACE - CAVE - MID-DAY
GILBAN TRICKEY
Lights on.
SOUND: BUTTONS PRESSED
GILBAN TRICKEY (CONT'D)
Captain Rex, we found the cave and are heading inside.
REGINA REX
(over speaker)
Affirmative. Proceed with caution.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Will do. I’ll pass along another status update shortly. Trickey out.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVEL SURFACE, WALKING AND TALKING JONAS ALDRIDGE
Alright Gilban, we’re in. Where to?
GILBAN TRICKEY
There’s only one way to go so that way.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Are you sure where this is going to lead? What if it splits into different directions?
GILBAN TRICKEY
From my research there’s a point where this cave leads into a tunnel to the temple. The tunnel is supposed to be pretty obvious when you get to it and it should be a straight line to get there.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
How do you know all this?
GILBAN TRICKEY
The temple was discovered by another group who landed here when Mars was still being considered for colonization back in the 2050s.
They documented everything.
SEREBELLA REON
Were they the ones who discovered this artifact thing?
GILBAN TRICKEY
No, there were other texts before that discussing the artifact and it’s power. No-one knows who discovered it first.
ANKO LUMEN
What happened to the team that found the temple?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Not sure. Their documents ended when they started to get inside the temple itself.
ANKO LUMEN
Ended? Didn’t they leave the temple?
GILBAN TRICKEY
No, none of them made it out after they entered. Another team followed their footsteps later and found a couple bodies but stopped going further in.
ANKO LUMEN
Well? Did they say how they died?
GILBAN TRICKEY
No, only that they found 2 members of the first team. The rest of them are still considered missing.
ANKO LUMEN
This just keeps getting better.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Hey, the cave is opening up ahead a bit.
SOUND: GETTING MORE ECHOEY AS THEY ENTER A BIGGER CHAMBER
GILBAN TRICKEY
This is where we should find a more defined tunnel entrance. And there it is! Ha! Told you Anko!
ANKO LUMEN
Yeah, yeah, let’s get this over with.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, TRANSITION
INT. SHUTTLE - AFTERNOON
URSULA NASH
How do you think they’re doing?
REGINA REX
That’s the third time you’ve asked me. You have to learn to relax.
URSULA NASH
Sorry. This is all very new to me.
REGINA REX
I understand, being on a new planet can be jarring the first time.
URSULA NASH
That I’m actually really excited about. I’m totally ok with being on Mars. I love it in fact. I was referring to being in a relationship.
REGINA REX
Oh. Never been?
URSULA NASH
A little here and there, nothing this intense.
REGINA REX
Intense?
URSULA NASH
That’s the way I would describe my feelings for him. I’ve never felt this way before and it’s freaking me out.
REGINA REX
Like you feel out of control?
URSULA NASH
Exactly.
REGINA REX
That’s love sweetheart. I’ve been there, it’s a deep dive.
URSULA NASH
You’ve been in love Captain Rex?
REGINA REX
Yes I have. They drove me nuts.
URSULA NASH
They?
REGINA REX
There were 3 of us, 2 women and one guy. I loved them both deeply.
URSULA NASH
What happened?
REGINA REX
The short version is that we were all very passionate about everything so there was a lot of love and the sex was amazing but also a lot of drama. It got to the point of each person not trusting the other. I have to confess there were a lot of chemicals and booze involved in the mix which didn’t help. Ultimately it ended badly.
URSULA NASH
Have you been in any relationships since then?
REGINA REX
No. After that I decided relationships weren’t really for me. I’d rather just take it day by day and stay loose. Which is what I recommend for you.
URSULA NASH
I like being in a relationship, I don’t really want to play the field.
REGINA REX
That’s not what I meant. I’m suggesting you stay loose and just take it as it comes. Don’t try to control things. Just allow your relationship to flow. For example this expedition is out of our hands. Generally if we haven’t heard anything, that’s usually a positive sign.
URSULA NASH
Thanks. That’s good advice, I appreciate it.
REGINA REX
I’ve learned a lot about controlling my impatience meditating with Gideon, you might want to pay him a visit.
SOUND: SPEAKER STATIC
GILBAN TRICKEY
(over speaker)
We’re through the tunnel entrance for the temple. Entering the temple now; will update you after we make it farther inside.
REGINA REX
Roger. Don’t rush Gilban, take it slow.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Affirmative. Trickey out.
REGINA REX
See? They’re doing fine. If you look at the screen right here on Gilban’s GPR scans, that puts them at this spot.
URSULA NASH
They have to go all the way down to here right?
REGINA REX
Yes.
URSULA NASH
What’s between these 2 points?
REGINA REX
No idea. We only know they have go down about 10 levels.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS, ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES, WALKING AND TALKING
INT. MARS UNDERGROUND - TEMPLE - AFTERNOON
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Oh wow, this is incredible. I never thought I’d see anything like this.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Right? Everyone believing me now about an ancient civilization?
ANKO LUMEN
I have to confess this is an impressive find Gilban.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Well, we’re not the first but we’re the few that’s for sure. We’ll be the first to bring the artifact back.
ANKO LUMEN
These carvings are something else.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Linguistics was never my strongest subject but I learned a little along the way. This looks to be telling some of the history of this place but I can’t make out the details.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
It looks like it’s narrowing into a entrance to something up ahead.
GILBAN TRICKEY
We have to start looking for a way down; keep an eye out for something like stairs.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
There’s a door here.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Ok, let me try something.
SOUND: PUSHING, STONE DOOR SLAB SLIDING
INT. MARS UNDERGROUND - TEMPLE - SACRFICIAL CHAMBER - AFTERNOON
Easy!
GILBAN TRICKEY
SEREBELLA REON
Is that a good thing?
GILBAN TRICKEY
The easier this goes, the better.
SEREBELLA REON
If you say so. This chamber is creepy. What do you think those tables are for?
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS SCATTERED, INVESTIGATING
GILBAN TRICKEY
Don’t anyone touch anything.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Hey Anko do these tables look like they were used for surgery to you?
ANKO LUMEN
Interesting, I see what you mean by the way they’re designed to hold what looks like a body. Even has similar bodily structure to ours.
Did you notice these little canals leading from each table to the center?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yeah, it seems like they were collecting fluids from their subjects.
SEREBELLA REON
Fluids for what?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Look up.
SEREBELLA REON
Holy shit. The ceiling.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Whoa, that doesn’t look like surgery.
ANKO LUMEN
It looks like sacrifice.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Let’s not linger here. Find the way out.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS
JONAS ALDRIDGE
There looks to be only one other door beside the one we came in. Over here.
SEREBELLA REON
What’s that carved above it?
ANKO LUMEN
Looks like, a maze?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Let’s see if this one opens...
SOUND: STONE DOOR SLIDING OPEN
GILBAN TRICKEY (CONT'D)
Yes! A stairwell, we’re going to be there in no time!
END OF EPISODE 3