VOID - SEASON 4, EPISODE 8
Written by
Sean McKnight With Jeni Miller
The Cult of Zeemu
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
Season 4, episode 8. At the end of our last episode, Regina, Gilban and Serebella found their rescue mission wasn’t what it seemed. The rest of the crew on the Ching She still have no understanding of the situation they’re in.
INT. UNKNOWN SHIP - COMMAND CHAMBER - NIGHT SOUND: MURMURS
REGINA REX
Look, I really appreciate how you’d like to save us but we really must be going. Serebella! Sidearm!
SOUND: FUMBLING, WEAPON HITTING THE GROUND
SEREBELLA REON
Dammit!
REGINA REX
You’ve got to be shitting me!
SOUND: STRUGGLE, SEREBELLA BEING KNOCKED OUT, BODY HITTING THE GROUND
BEXA ORESS
Any other clever ideas?
SOUND: SWITCH BEING FLICKED
REGINA REX
I got nothin’.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND
INT. THE CHING SHE - BRIDGE - NIGHT
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Ok, it’s been long enough, I’m going to...
SOUND: COMMUNICATOR AUDIO CLICKS ON
REGINA REX
(over speaker)
I got nothin’. I have to ask though, is this it? Knives and clubs? Is that really all you have?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What the hell?
SOUND: STARTS PRESSING KEYPAD
GIDEON JUDGE
No! Don’t! Just listen!
BEXA ORESS
(over speaker)
That’s all we needed to disarm you isn’t it? Bind them and search them.
SOUND: RUSTLING SOUNDS OVER SPEAKER
REGINA REX
Look you crazy bitch, all we wanted to do was help you.
BEXA ORESS
And now we’re helping you! Isn’t it ironically wonderful how things work out?
REGINA REX
Just let us go! We’re not interested in your...
SOUND: COMMUNICATOR CUTS OFF
GIDEON JUDGE
They must have found her communicator.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Let’s hope they didn’t realize she turned it on. We need to figure this out.
SOUND: KEYPAD
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
Ursula, please come to the bridge as quickly as you can.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, BODIES BEING DRAGGED, STUGGLING
GILBAN TRICKEY
We could’ve just ignored the signal, but no! Your damn code got us into this!
REGINA REX
Not the time Gilban!
SOUND: DRAGGING STOPS, BODIES SLUMPING TO THE GROUND
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
What the hell are you doing with us?!
BEXA ORESS
First, we will strip you of all your possessions and then baptize you. After initial indoctrination, you’ll begin your more formal classes and you will become one of us.
REGINA REX
You’re crazy if you think we’ll just go along with this.
BEXA ORESS
It’s not like you have a choice in the matter. You can cooperate or we can cast you into the empty. Oh, and we’ll be accepting your ship as a donation to our cause. Thank you for being so generous.
GILBAN TRICKEY
You can shove your cause right up your arse!
BEXA ORESS
So hostile. I think you’ll come around to our ways over time. Now then, who else is on your ship?
REGINA REX
No-one. It’s just us.
BEXA ORESS
3 of you for such a large ship? That seems unlikely.
REGINA REX
We’ve had some casualties along our trip. We had 6, now it’s down to us.
BEXA ORESS
Why don’t I believe you? You two! Go to their ship and search it. If you find anyone, tell them their captain and their friends are fine and want them to join us so we can welcome them all properly.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS MARCHING OFF, ANOTHER SET OF FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING
CULT MEMBER #1
I’m sorry high priestess but we could not get the weapon to work.
BEXA ORESS
Why not?
SEREBELLA REON
(stirring back to consciousness)
Because you need my fingerprints to fire it you assholes.
BEXA ORESS
Perhaps we’ll cut your hand off then.
REGINA REX
Maybe you should’ve stayed unconscious.
SEREBELLA REON
Sorry captain.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND
INT. THE CHING SHE - BRIDGE - NIGHT
URSULA NASH
We have to go after them, don’t we?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yeah, I think we do.
GIDEON JUDGE
Agreed. If they only have knives and clubs, our body armor should protect us.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Will our weapons be enough against them?
GIDEON JUDGE
With our pulse rifles? Yes, I think those will be more than adequate.
The shock sticks will due if we have to get close. Ursula, we’ll need you to stay here and keep the ship locked down with the weapons on auto. We don’t want any of them getting on board.
URSULA NASH
Understood.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I guess there’s no sneaking in is there?
GIDEON JUDGE
I’ve seen no ducts in their ship plans that would take us to where they are, so I’m afraid it’s head on.
URSULA NASH
What if they threaten to kill our people?
GIDEON JUDGE
That’s when I threaten to blow up their ship with ours and I mention the rest of our crew are standing by to fire at my command.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You’re going to bluff them?
GIDEON JUDGE
If you have another suggestion, please let me know.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Head on it is then.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, FOOTSTEPS
INT. UNKNOWN SHIP - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(walking and talking) Ursula’s safe, right?
GIDEON JUDGE
(walking and talking)
You have nothing to worry about Jonas, the ship’s guns will obliterate anyone that approaches it that the scanners don’t recognize. If there’s anything to worry about it’s us getting killed.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Uh, thanks.
SOUND: OTHER FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING, BOTH SETS OF FOOTSTEPS STOPPING
CULT MEMBER #1
Greetings! We bid you welcome!
GIDEON JUDGE
Thank you, my name is Gideon Judge. We are looking for some friends of ours.
CULT MEMBER #1
Yes! That’s why we are here. We were sent to receive you and bring you to your friends. They are enjoying a most pleasant time as we speak.
GIDEON JUDGE
That’s good to hear. Where are our friends exactly?
CULT MEMBER #1
They are in the command chamber, just up ahead not far I assure you! Now then, you won’t need all those weapons. We are a peaceful group of people as you’ll see.
GIDEON JUDGE
Then why did you bring those knives and clubs with you?
CULT MEMBER #1
Well, you see...
SOUND: 2 PULSE RIFLE BLASTS FOLLOWED BY BODIES IMPACTING THE WALL AND THEN THE GROUND
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Wow. I thought you were such a peaceful guy Gideon.
GIDEON JUDGE
I am. Just not when it comes to someone threatening our crew.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Glad you’re on my side.
GIDEON JUDGE
As you should be. We might be able to catch them off guard, let’s go.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND
INT. UNKNOWN SHIP - COMMAND CHAMBER - NIGHT
BEXA ORESS
Before we can baptize you, we need to audit all of you first to determine your spiritual distress levels. We have to verify that you are worthy of our cause.
REGINA REX
(ignoring her)
What’s the name of this ship anyway?
BEXA ORESS
It has no name, for it is a community beyond one simple ship identity.
Humor me.
REGINA REX
BEXA ORESS
Very well, the ship was once called the Apollo. After we continued welcoming new brothers and sisters, it evolved and became something bigger. A home made up from all of us.
GILBAN TRICKEY
How many bloody ships have you taken prisoner here?
BEXA ORESS
We get visitors to the beacon from time to time. Many over the years in fact. No-one is a prisoner here, you’ll come to accept that notion soon enough.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Where are all the other ships then?
BEXA ORESS
The other ships kindly donated to us share the same fate. We use them for our needs, pulling pieces from here and there and then destroying what remains. So you see, our ship is made from many ships, that’s why it has no name.
SEREBELLA REON
So you’re just going to continue floating out here forever?
BEXA ORESS
No! We are here preparing. Preparing for our glorious return to Tiegock. Once the prophecy is fulfilled, we will then be called.
REGINA REX
What prophecy?
BEXA ORESS
All in good time. You must earn your place among us before you can know the great truth.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Sounds like a load of shite to me.
BEXA ORESS
Silence!!
SOUND: FACE BEING SLAPPED HARD
GILBAN TRICKEY
(being slapped HARD) Hnnggghh!
BEXA ORESS
One thing I do not tolerate is disrespect. If you are going to continue to be a problem then you can meet your maker in space right now if you like.
GILBAN TRICKEY
I’ll, uh, just keep my mouth shut.
BEXA ORESS
That’s the wisest thing I’ve heard you say yet.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, FOOTSTEPS
INT. UNKNOWN SHIP - COMMUNAL CHAMBER - NIGHT
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Before we go in guns blazing, can we try talking our way through this first?
GIDEON JUDGE
Of course. I detest violence.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Really? The way you took out... never mind.
SOUND: HATCH OPENING, FOOTSTEPS, MURMURS OF PEOPLE GROWING LOUDER
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
Hello! We’re looking for our friends.
CULT MEMBER #2
Greetings. We’ve heard of your arrival.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yes, we’re on our way to meet...
CULT MEMBER #2
(interrupting)
Tell me, where are your escorts?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
They dropped us off at the entrance back there and told us to go ahead in.
CULT MEMBER #2
And where did they direct you to go?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Ummm, to go straight on through.
CULT MEMBER #2
That’s most unusual and not protocol at all. Where did they both go?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
To the bathroom?
CULT MEMBER #2
Bathroom? What is a bathroom? This is not correct, I’m afraid I have to...
SOUND: PULSE RIFLE, BODY BEING THROWN
GIDEON JUDGE
We shoot our way through.
SOUND: PULSE RIFLES, FOOTSTEPS, CHAOS, MORE FOOTSTEPS COMING IN FROM DIFFERENT AREAS, SOUNDS OF KNIVES AND CLUBS BEING USED, MORE PULSE RIFLES ALONG WITH SHOCK STICKS, BODIES HITTING THE GROUND, MORE FIGHTING, ONE RIFLE AND SHOCK STICK ONLY, THEN BOTH STOP, CLUBS POUNDING BODY ARMOR AND HELMETS, GRUNTS AND SCREAMS FROM BEING BEATEN
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Hooooffffff!!!
GIDEON JUDGE
Unnnnhhh!!!
SOUND: BEATING CONTINUES
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Enough already! We’re down.
SOUND: BEATING SUBSIDES ON JONAS, CONTINUES ON GIDEON
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
Stop! You’re killing him!!
SOUND: BEATING STOPS
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
Gideon? Gideon!!
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, BODIES BEING DRAGGED AND DUMPED ON THE FLOOR
INT. UNKNOWN SHIP - COMMAND CHAMBER - NIGHT
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Hnnnggh!
BEXA ORESS
Welcome my new brothers. So nice of you to deliver yourselves to us.
REGINA REX
Gideon? Gideon! What’s wrong with him Jonas?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
They beat us within a inch of our lives. He took a lot of shots to the head Regina.
REGINA REX
You bitch!!
BEXA ORESS
Your friends injured or may have killed several of ours!! You’re in no position to cast such insults!! And this was after we graciously sent out welcome! Theywere not met with hostility! And yet, look at the damage they cause coming into this peaceful refuge. A refuge that cannot allow toxic elements to corrupt it. They are not worthy of inclusion, they will be sacrificed to the great empty.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Is she nuts?
REGINA REX
You have no idea.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Inclusion of what?
BEXA ORESS
Our way of life here, which your sisters and brother will someday come to accept. You however will not live among them. Indeed, they will bear witness to the consequences of those suppressives who bring malice and violence taught to them by the 5.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m a suppressive?
BEXA ORESS
You are from the New Hope, yes?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
No, I’m not from there. I just stopped there on my way from Earth.
BEXA ORESS
Blasphemer! Still your tongue!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What are you talking about? I was born on Earth and ended up at the station after leaving the colony.
BEXA ORESS
Liar! You are not a child of Tiegock! You are one of them, sent to spy on us!
REGINA REX
It’s true, he’s from Earth. What’s the big deal? Other people from the station came from Earth too.
BEXA ORESS
Originally yes! But since the evolution of Tiegock, it has wiped out all but a small few. While the rest of the population became tainted and diluted on the perversion known as the New Hope. It has taken many years for Tiegock to become purified.
REGINA REX
What are you talking about? How long have you been out here?
BEXA ORESS
We have dedicated ourselves to the purification for decades. Scan him!
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, SHUFFLING, STANDING JONAS UP
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What the hell are you doing?
BEXA ORESS
Be silent!
SOUND: SCANNING EQUIPMENT
CULT MEMBER #2
(incredulous)
High priestess, the scan is negative.
BEXA ORESS
Impossible! Scan him again!
SOUND: SCANNING EQUIPMENT
CULT MEMBER #2
Same results high priestess.
BEXA ORESS
It cannot be.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What’s going on?
REGINA REX
I have no idea.
BEXA ORESS
It is him. It is the prophecy.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Ok, I’m really confused. Are you going to kill us or not?
BEXA ORESS
Oh, no! My apologies! Unbind him! I am overwhelmed to meet you my lord!
SOUND: BOWING TO THE GROUND
BEXA ORESS (CONT'D)
Bow! You fools!
SOUND: OTHERS BOWING
BEXA ORESS (CONT'D)
Forgive me! Your words are true! You do not bear the mark as the others do! You are a true child of Tiegock!
REGINA REX
The mark? What mark? I don’t have a mark.
BEXA ORESS
That chip in your body that tells the station everything about you! That is the mark!
REGINA REX
You never got your chip?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
No. They didn’t put it in me because of the coma. After that, I kept forgetting to set up an appointment to get one.
BEXA ORESS
You are the one sent here to deliver us to Tiegock!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I have no idea what you’re talking about. Sorry I’m not your...
REGINA REX
(trying to get Jonas’ attention under her breath)
Just go with it!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Oh, uh, well. Ok. I can hear you out.
BEXA ORESS
According to the doctrine, a child of Tiegock would be sent here to deliver us to our ancestral home. The place he came from; a place called Clearwater.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Ok, I can help you with that I guess.
BEXA ORESS
Thank you! Oh thank you! We are at your command!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Really? Well, then I order you to release my friends.
BEXA ORESS
At once! Unbind our brothers and sisters!
SOUND: EVERYONE BEING RELEASED FROM THEIR BINDINGS
REGINA REX
Serebella and Gilban, check Gideon.
SOUND: SHUFFLING
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Just out of curiosity, why haven’t you just flown there yourselves?
BEXA ORESS
We were awaiting your blessing my lord. We needed to hear from someone who has been there and knows the world who can guide us when we arrive. You know the surface of Tiegock, yes?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yes, I’ve studied, Ear... I mean Tiegock extensively.
REGINA REX
My “lord” maybe you shouldn’t slow things down with too many questions.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Sorry, you’re right.
REGINA REX
How’s Gideon?
SEREBELLA REON
He’s unconscious and his head was bleeding but it stopped.
REGINA REX
We need to get him back on the ship. Uh, Jonas?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yeah. Ok, we need to take our friend back to our ship for now. He needs medical attention. We could use your help to keep him stable since his head is injured.
BEXA ORESS
Yes, of course my lord! We could administer aid here if you like.
SOUND: FINGER SNAPPING, FOOTSTEPS, SHUFFLING
JONAS ALDRIDGE
No. That’s ok, we have some equipment on the ship we should use.
BEXA ORESS
If you insist.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS
BEXA ORESS (CONT'D)
(nervous, excited, walking and talking)
What will be next my lord? Shall we prepare for our journey home with you?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Uh, not just yet. Here’s the thing, Tiegock is pretty bad right now.
BEXA ORESS
What do you mean?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I mean that I’m here to tell you that the surface is radioactive. It’s not a good time to set up a home there.
BEXA ORESS
How long do you think it will be until it is safe?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m not entirely sure. The Tiegock reports I have projected about 5 to
10 years.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS STOP, HATCH OPENING, FOOTSTEPS CONTINUE, CROWD MURMURS, WORDS SUCH AS “PROPHECY” AND “CHILD OF TIEGOCK” ARE HEARD AMONG THE MURMURS
BEXA ORESS
Tiedock reports?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Oh, yes. I have written many reports or you could say doctrine while studying Tiegock as a child of it. My doctrine have influenced many in the ways of Tiegock.
BEXA ORESS
(disappointed)
I was unaware of that.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m sorry to break it to you. But, that’s why I’m here. Now you have a choice.
A choice?
BEXA ORESS
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yes, to stay here or to seek out a new home.
BEXA ORESS
But our home is Clearwater, so says the prophecy.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Well my doctrine suggests seeking a home elsewhere.
BEXA ORESS
It does? Sure?
JONAS ALDRIDGE BEXA ORESS
May I see it?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Of course, I’ll head back to the ship with everyone and dig it up for you.
BEXA ORESS
That sounds wonderful my lord! I’ll enjoy hearing you reciting it to the masses. I can’t wait for them all to meet you.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Uh, me too. Ok, why don’t you wait right here and I’ll be back shortly.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, HATCH OPENING, GIDEON BEING BROUGHT ONTO THE CHING SHE, FOOTSTEPS
INT. THE CHING SHE - BOARDING DECK - NIGHT
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Ok fellas, I think we’ve got it from here. You can head back now, I’ll be along shortly.
CULT MEMBER #2
Yes my lord!
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
URSULA NASH
Oh no, Gideon! What happened?
REGINA REX
He’s got some bad head injuries. They were beaten.
URSULA NASH
Jonas are you ok?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m fine. Just some bruises.
URSULA NASH
Gilban, give me a hand would you?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Sure doc.
REGINA REX
Serebella, help them too.
SEREBELLA REON
On it.
REGINA REX
And Serebella, we’re going to talk later about what happened in there.
SEREBELLA REON
Yes Captain.
SOUND: GURNEY, FOOTSTEPS
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Phew, that was close.
REGINA REX
Nice work improvising Jonas; oh I mean, “my lord”. Congratulations by the way for being the head of a cult. Now let’s get the hell out of here.
End of episode 8