VOID - SEASON 4, EPISODE 10
Written by
Sean McKnight With Jeni Miller
Hidden Agendas
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
Season 4, episode 10. During the last episode of VOID, Ursula treated Gideon for injuries he sustained. Regina and Jonas renegotiated with Anko to change the contract order. And the crew entered cryostasis for the extended leg of their journey.
INT. THE CHING SHE - CRYOSTASIS CHAMBER - DAY SOUND: ALARMS, POD OPENING, COUGHING, GAGGING
ASTRID
Alert, fire detected, aft engine hydrogen pump.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
(repeat)
Alert, fire detected, aft engine hydrogen pump.
REGINA REX
(coughing, catching her breath)
Ast, Astr, Astrid! Release fire measures in aft engine.
ASTRID
Releasing fire measures now.
SOUND: ALARMS CONTINUE, THEN STOP
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Fire contained.
REGINA REX
(clearing throat, getting voice back)
Astrid, wake Gilban Trickey and open his pod.
ASTRID
Awakening Gilban Trickey.
SOUND: POD OPENING, COUGHING, BREATHING HEAVY
REGINA REX
Gilban, get your ass back to the aft engine and see what’s going on.
GILBAN TRICKEY
(coughing, gagging, catching his breath)
Are you shittin’ me? I’m still in my underwear! I’d like to at least get something to...
REGINA REX
(cutting him off)
There was a fire you ass! That’s priority one, you understand me?
GILBAN TRICKEY
A fire? How did that happen?
REGINA REX
That’s what I need you to figure out!
GILBAN TRICKEY
Alright, alright, I’m on it.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS MOVING AWKWARDLY (*BARE FEET), HATCH
REGINA REX
Let’s see where the hell we are. Astrid, give me a current location as best you can.
ASTRID
We are approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Saturn. Approaching Saturn’s moon Titan.
REGINA REX
What?! Saturn? What the hell? We were supposed to be going to Jupiter! Astrid, how long have we been in cryo?
ASTRID
The cryostasis period has been 10 months, 27 days, 15 hours, and 42 minutes in length.
REGINA REX
10 months!? It was supposed to be 6! What the hell happened? Astrid, who plotted course here because I sure didn’t?
ASTRID
Unknown. Anomaly detected.
REGINA REX
Anomaly? Astrid, run diagnostics on all your systems, I want to know who plotted this new course. Send full diagnostic report to my message center. Make sure the report is encrypted, secure encryption 1B.
ASTRID
Running system diagnostics now. Report will be encrypted and sent when complete.
SOUND: SYSTEM RUNNING
REGINA REX
Well, no sense in letting them sleep any longer. Astrid, wake up all remaining crew and open all pods.
ASTRID
Affirmative, awakening Ching She crew now.
SOUND: PODS OPENING, *EVERYONE COUGHING AND CATCHING THEIR BREATH, FEET BEING PLANTED ON THE FLOOR, MOVEMENT
SEREBELLA REON
(coughing, clearing throat)
Oh man am I stiff!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(coughing, getting voice back)
Sorry, not to be rude but I’ve never had to pee so bad in my life.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS MOVING QUICKLY AND AWKWARDLY, HATCH URSULA NASH
(coughing, scratchy throat)
I feel like I could drink a gallon of water.
REGINA REX
Take it easy on the liquids, you don’t want to throw it back up again, trust me. Gideon, how are you feeling?
GIDEON JUDGE
(clearing throat slightly) Pretty good. I think I’m getting use to it.
ANKO LUMEN
(throat clearing)
I for one am hoping this pounding in my head is going to stop soon. This is most annoying.
REGINA REX
You’ll feel better once you drink some fluids and get something to eat. Everyone grab a shower, get dressed and head to the meal hall for some food and drink. We have to have a crew meeting but we all need sustenance first. That’s an order.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS, MOVEMENT, UTENCILS, EATING, LIGHT CONVERSATIONS, GLASS TINKING
INT. THE CHING SHE - MEAL HALL - AFTERNOON
REGINA REX
Listen up. We need to discuss the current situation. Please hold your questions until I present all the facts. What you’re all probably thinking is that we’re close to Jupiter’s moon Europa and that we’ve been asleep for approximately six months.
SOUND: MURMURS
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
The fact is we’ve been asleep for just over 10 months and we’re near Titan, not Europa.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What are you talking about?!
REGINA REX
I double checked the coordinates and it’s true.
GIDEON JUDGE
But you plotted the course to Europa, I helped you do it.
REGINA REX
Yes you did so I have a witness that we did indeed program a flight plan for Jupiter’s moon. But, we ended up here.
GIDEON JUDGE
How could we just end up somewhere?
REGINA REX
Exactly. I had Astrid run a full diagnostic check and the results were inconclusive. There’s no evidence of any tampering that was detected. It simply showed new data replaced in the flight plan. The only thing out of the ordinary was a system reboot that occurred once we entered stasis. There was also an engine fire that occurred just before we came out of cryo. I have yet to find out if the two incidents are related. Gilban?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Uh, yes. The captain was awakened by Astrid due to the fire, at which time she woke me up to investigate.
REGINA REX
What did you find?
GILBAN TRICKEY
It looks like the fire was caused by a hydrogen build up in one of the circulators.
REGINA REX
So it was a maintenance issue?
GILBAN TRICKEY
(embarrassed) It seems so, yes.
REGINA REX
Gilban, I want to see you privately on the bridge when this meeting is over.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Yes captain. The fire happened much later then the reboot so my guess is that they’re unrelated events.
REGINA REX
But you’re going to triple check to verify that, correct?
GILBAN TRICKEY
Yes captain.
REGINA REX
See that you do. Which now begs the question, did someone reprogram Astrid or was there a glitch in the system? Anyone care to share their thoughts? Does anyone want to confess something and just get it out in the open?
PAUSE A BEAT
ANKO LUMEN
Why are you all looking at me?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
It’s obvious, isn’t it?
ANKO LUMEN
You think I did this.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
It’s a pretty logical leap isn’t it?
ANKO LUMEN
If it were true, then yes but you’re all mistaken.
REGINA REX
Anko, you clearly had the most motivation and know how to pull something like this off.
ANKO LUMEN
It wasn’t me!
REGINA REX
The thing I can’t wrap my ahead around is how you weren’t out from the gas when we first entered the pods.
URSULA NASH
One of those little portable breathers could do it. They’re small enough to conceal in your underwear too.
REGINA REX
Could you check to see if we’re missing any in our inventory?
URSULA NASH
I sure will.
ANKO LUMEN
I can’t believe this! You have no evidence!
REGINA REX
Not yet we don’t. But until we do, Serebella escort Anko to the confinement deck.
ANKO LUMEN
What? Are you kidding?
REGINA REX
Not at all. If you sabotaged the AI, myship, then you’re a danger to all of us. We can’t take any risks until we know the truth.
SOUND: GETTING UP FROM CHAIR, FOOTSTEPS
SEREBELLA REON
Come on Anko, you heard the captain.
ANKO LUMEN
I want it noted in the ship’s logs that I object to this treatment and think this is vastly unfair persecution without actual proof!
SEREBELLA REON
Don’t make me do this the hard way Anko.
ANKO LUMEN
Fine! I’ll go, but under protest.
SOUND: CHAIR MOVEMENT, FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
URSULA NASH
Don’t you think that was a bit harsh?
REGINA REX
After waking up to a fire and finding out we’re at the totally wrong location? No. Once we know more, we’ll see what we choose to do with him.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS
INT. THE CHING SHE - CONFINEMENT DECK - LATE AFTERNOON SEREBELLA REON
(walking and talking)
You just had to have it your way!
ANKO LUMEN
(walking and talking)
I keep telling you it wasn’t me!
SEREBELLA REON
What good is lying doing you? Now you’re getting locked up!
ANKO LUMEN
I’m not lying dammit! Why won’t anyone believe me? It’s the truth!
SEREBELLA REON
It doesn’t help that you’re such an asshole Anko, especially when you pull something like this!
ANKO LUMEN
Serebella, you’re the only person that remotely likes me. I need your help!
SEREBELLA REON
That’s a bit of a stretch right now. Why would I help you?
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS STOP
ANKO LUMEN
Because you know I’m not lying.
SEREBELLA REON
I don’t know any such thing. I’m not psychic. Keep moving.
SOUND: FOOSTEPS START AGAIN
ANKO LUMEN
Look at the circumstances! I already agreed to moving my contract. What would I have to gain by changing my mind now? I wouldn’t be stupid enough to do something like this without thinking everyone would blame me! On top of that I lost 4 extra months of my life too! We could’ve been done with this by now and I’d be reaping the credit all the sooner!
SEREBELLA REON
I guess those are fair points.
ANKO LUMEN
Just think for a minute. What is in it for me to put myself in this position? I was already getting what I wanted, the credit.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS STOPPING
SEREBELLA REON
In here.
ANKO LUMEN
(sighs) Yeah, ok.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, LASER GRID TURNING ON
SEREBELLA REON
Don’t touch this or...
ANKO LUMEN
Or I’ll lose my hand, yeah I know.
SEREBELLA REON
I’m probably going to regret this but how can I help? And don’t tell me to let you out of here because that’s not happening.
ANKO LUMEN
No, I don’t imagine you would. That prick Aldridge has something to do with this, I can just feel it. Can you interrogate him to see what he knows?
SEREBELLA REON
I can talk to him, yes. But that’s it, I’m not going to rough him up or anything.
ANKO LUMEN
Just keep an eye on him to see if he starts messing around with my equipment. Maybe he realized Titan was the best choice and now he’s trying to discredit me and steal the whole idea for himself!
SEREBELLA REON
I’ll see what I can find out.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, FOOTSTEPS PACING
INT. THE CHING SHE - BRIDGE - LATE AFTERNOON
REGINA REX
Can you tell me why there was a maintenance issue with my ship that could’ve blown us all to hell?
GILBAN TRICKEY
(pacing)
I checked and re-checked everything before we went into cryo, I swear!
REGINA REX
Apparently you missed something, didn’t you?
GILBAN TRICKEY
(resolving himself to the situation, stops pacing)
Maybe I did. Ultimately the logs would’ve shown a clog building by the numbers going up. Which come to think of it, I did notice some higher numbers but thought it was a fluke.
REGINA REX
And instead of following up on it you let it go thinking the numbers would settle back down again.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Yeah, something like that.
REGINA REX
Your artifact is becoming a problem. Or should I say, you’re becoming a problem because of your artifact.
GILBAN TRICKEY
(defensive)
What are you talking about?
REGINA REX
I think you know damn well what I’m talking about. You spend every waking moment with that thing. Were it not for the stasis we just left I wouldn’t think you were getting any sleep from what I was hearing. You’re obsessed and distracted.
GILBAN TRICKEY
What were you hearing? Who’s talking behind my back?
REGINA REX
Friends that are concerned for your well-being Gilban! I’ve noticed it too.
GILBAN TRICKEY
It’s no-one’s business. I can take care of myself.
REGINA REX
Can you? You’ve been closing yourself off from the crew ever since we left Mars. And now your work is suffering for it.
GILBAN TRICKEY
It will never happen again.
REGINA REX
You say that very easily but your mistakes are the kind that can cost us all our lives.
GILBAN TRICKEY
It’s under control captain. It will never happen again.
REGINA REX
From now on, I want daily logs of the numbers sent at the end of each shift. I want you to report to Ursula for a medical exam once a week to evaluate your rest patterns. And I want to see you in the meal hall eating with your crew mates instead of your office.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Yes captain.
REGINA REX
If I think for one second you’re compromised because of that thing, it’s going out the air lock or you are.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, BOXES BEING SHUFFLED
INT. THE CHING SHE - MEDICAL OFFICE - EVENING
URSULA NASH
I hope you don’t mind me asking for your help checking the inventory Gideon.
GIDEON JUDGE
Happy to assist Ursula. This would’ve taken awhile for one person.
URSULA NASH
The captain likes to keep surplus that’s for sure. How many cases are left?
GIDEON JUDGE
Besides the ones we’re finishing now, I think we just have the one left over here.
URSULA NASH
This one’s almost done, can you grab that last one for me?
GIDEON JUDGE
Sure, hang on one moment.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, BOXES SHUFFLING, BOX SET ON SURFACE, FOOTSTEPS
Thanks.
URSULA NASH
GIDEON JUDGE
(walking back) You’re welcome.
URSULA NASH
Do you think he did it?
GIDEON JUDGE
I hate to pass judgement without knowing the details so I can’t say how I feel for sure. Despite his gruff exterior, Anko is self- centered but not evil. He’s just kind of...
A prick.
URSULA NASH
GIDEON JUDGE
Yeah. That’s a good word, prick. What do you think?
URSULA NASH
I think he did it, I don’t know how else from a logical standpoint to explain it. Unless it was an AI error of some kind but that seems unlikely.
GIDEON JUDGE
He’s smart though. He would have to know he’d be the most obvious choice here. Why deny it then?
URSULA NASH
Seems pretty clear to me. He wants to be able to go through with his contract. If he admits to it, I can’t imagine Jonas and Captain Rex would allow him to do his work.
GIDEON JUDGE
That’s a good point. How could anyone trust him if he committed sabotage?
URSULA NASH
I certainly don’t want to work with him. Who knows what he’s capable of if he’s that desperate to get his way.
GIDEON JUDGE
I never considered that. To think that someone would go to that extreme.
SOUND: BOX OPENING, SHUFFLING
URSULA NASH
I’m not that surprised. With my parents...Wait. This box is missing a breather. We haven’t used any from this case yet.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. THE CHING SHE - BRIDGE - NIGHT
REGINA REX
Well Serebella? Did he admit to anything?
SEREBELLA REON
No, he’s still denying it. Although he wants me to investigate you Captain Aldridge.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Is that so?
SEREBELLA REON
Yes, he thinks you did this to steal the idea for yourself.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
For once, I’m afraid Anko gives me too much credit. I know nothing about re-programming an AI much less plotting a course to a planet.
REGINA REX
I’ve seen you get lost trying to get to the gym. You’re not a concern.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What other possibility is there?
REGINA REX
That it was a malfunction with Astrid. I checked the diagnostics and everything looks fine. I can’t imagine why the system would reboot itself, it’s never done that.
Either a malfunction or it had to be tampered with somehow.
SEREBELLA REON
Do you want to keep him in confinement?
REGINA REX
I don’t think we have much choice for now. Having a saboteur on the ship makes us all vulnerable.
SEREBELLA REON
Seems unfair.
REGINA REX
I know, but it’s the safest bet.
URSULA NASH
(over speaker) Captain Rex?
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX
Yes Ursula.
URSULA NASH
We just finished the inventory. We’re missing a breather.
REGINA REX
Thanks Ursula. Make a note of it in the logs.
URSULA NASH
Yes captain.
REGINA REX
It looks like we have other matters to discuss.
Like what?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
REGINA REX
Like how we’re going to continue your mission without Anko.
End of episode 10