VOID - SEASON 4, EPISODE 11
Written by
Sean McKnight With Jeni Miller
Contract Disputes
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
Season 4, episode 11. On our previous episode, the crew found themselves awakened from cryostasis to unexpected circumstances. Anko was placed in confinement despite his protests. Now, a decision has to be made as to the fate of the mission at hand.
SOUND: DRINK BEING POURED, ICE CUBES CLINKING
INT. THE CHING SHE - CANTINA - NIGHT
REGINA REX
Anyone else having a drink? That’s why I called the meeting in the cantina after all.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
To get us drunk?
REGINA REX
To give us a chance to loosen up before we discuss something difficult.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Since you’re bartending I’ll have what you’re having.
REGINA REX
Sounds good, here ya go.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What the hell, me too.
SOUND: DRINKS BEING MADE AND HANDED OUT, PEOPLE DRINKING
REGINA REX
Captain Aldridge and I have been discussing the details of our contract situation. We both felt that before we made any decision, we thought it best to talk to all of you first.
SOUND: MURMURS
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Here’s the situation. It would take months to go back to Europa. That would mean going back into cryo which isn’t great for our bodies since we just came out of it.
Before we can decide our next move we have to consider that Anko may have sabotaged the ship or that we had a malfunction with the AI. The latter is highly unlikely and since we found that we’re missing a breather, it’s looking much more like Anko is the culprit. Thoughts?
MOMENT OF SILENCE
SEREBELLA REON
Do we have any evidence that Anko stole the breather?
URSULA NASH
No. There’s no way to tell who took it. There’s no cameras in the storage area so we have no logs of who’s been in and out of there.
REGINA REX
Unfortunately it’s only by logical association that he’s in confinement as a caution.
GIDEON JUDGE
We could put the 2 contracts on hold and get ours done Captain Rex.
REGINA REX
That’s possible but inconvenient since we’re here at Titan. Our contract isn’t anywhere near Saturn.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Where do we have to go for your contract?
REGINA REX
We’ll discuss that later. Let’s stay focused on the current situation. Now is not the time for our contract.
GIDEON JUDGE
As you wish. What about your contract Serebella?
SEREBELLA REON
Mine’s already taken care of. I have an arrangement set up with Captain Rex and Captain Aldridge.
URSULA NASH
Can I be nosy?
REGINA REX
We worked out a donation from the Ching She weapon cache.
SEREBELLA REON
I get to pick any 10 items to take with me when we get back to the New Hope.
REGINA REX
8 items. We’ve amassed a pretty big arsenal over the years so to help Jonas I volunteered the donation as part of our agreement to utilize the crew for my contract.
URSULA NASH
But doesn’t the security force on the station issue you weapons? I know my brother had access to all kinds of things.
SEREBELLA REON
They do but you can only use them when you’re working for the security force. I do a lot of freelance on the side and I have to use my own stuff. Weapons of any kind are really expensive. The weapons I get to take with me put me way ahead of my competition when it comes to resources. There’s some great tech back there.
GILBAN TRICKEY
So it looks like we’re back to the
3 contracts, am I hearing that right?
REGINA REX
I guess so. Jonas, you’re the one in charge of contracts. What do you think?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
The problem is that we can’t do anything without Anko. I don’t know his equipment, he’s always kept me at arm’s length as an assistant.
His knowledge also surpasses mine by quite a bit. So, without him his contract and Europa are a moot point. Unless Gilban knows how to use Anko’s gear.
GILBAN TRICKEY
I don’t know shite about terraforming. I just helped him calibrate the machines.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I guess that’s it then. My vote is that we work with him to fulfill his Titan contract. And since we have no hard evidence, he should probably be set free from confinement.
REGINA REX
Let me worry about the confinement part. Anyone else want to share their thoughts?
URSULA NASH
I don’t trust him. I think it’s dangerous for us to be working with him.
GILBAN TRICKEY
I have to say I like the guy, kind of, but I agree with Ursula. I’m unsure of him myself.
SEREBELLA REON
I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt.
REGINA REX
Gideon?
GIDEON JUDGE
You know my feelings on the contract order but it does make the most practical sense that we should fulfill Titan first. And while I agree Anko is the man for the job the compromise would be that we could send Serebella to the surface to watch over him.
REGINA REX
You weren’t originally on the landing team for this one Serebella. Are you ok with that?
SEREBELLA REON
Are you kidding? Hell yes! I get to be one of the first setting foot in this place right?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
We’ll literally be the first people to ever land there.
SEREBELLA REON
Count me in.
REGINA REX
Ok. Serebella will accompany the landing team for the Titan project. Anko will remain in confinement until we load up the shuttle to go to the surface. Serebella, he’s going to be your responsibility the entire time. I expect eyes on him constantly.
SEREBELLA REON
Yes captain. I won’t fail.
REGINA REX
Get some sack time. Let Anko know the situation on the way back to your cabin.
SEREBELLA REON
Yes captain.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
REGINA REX
Sorry Gideon, you’ll be stuck on the ship alone again for this one.
GIDEON JUDGE
No worries Captain, happy to serve.
GILBAN TRICKEY
We’ll be traveling back and forth from the surface I imagine. He’s got a good amount of equipment to set up down there.
REGINA REX
He remains on the surface until the contract work is done. I don’t want him back on the ship unnecessarily.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
He can stay in the portable habitat once it’s set up so that shouldn’t be a problem if you have to bring the shuttle back here.
REGINA REX
Ursula. You’ll travel to the surface but then remain for the most part in the habitat to do your work.
URSULA NASH
Yes captain. I’ll have some portable equipment with me to monitor vital signs but that’s all I’ll need.
REGINA REX
That’s it then. Now is a good time to get some rest, we have a long day tomorrow.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, FOOTSTEPS, HUMMING FROM LASER GRID
INT. THE CHING SHE - CONFINEMENT DECK - NIGHT
ANKO LUMEN
Serebella! There you are! I thought you forgot about me. Did you interrogate Aldridge? What’s the bastard planning?
SEREBELLA REON
Actually, Jonas is the one who argued to let you free to work on your contract.
ANKO LUMEN
What are you talking about?
SEREBELLA REON
The crew was split as to what to do. No-one trusts you Anko. It was Jonas who suggested that we fulfill your contract and free you.
ANKO LUMEN
He didn’t take my contract for himself?
SEREBELLA REON
No, in fact he said you’re the only one who could handle the work and that without you the contracts were pointless.
ANKO LUMEN
Hmm, that’s unexpected.
SEREBELLA REON
He also suggested letting you go since there’s no hard evidence proving guilt.
ANKO LUMEN
And?
SEREBELLA REON
And Captain Rex agreed to let you do the work but you’ll remain in confinement until we start the process tomorrow. I’ll be watching you from a security standpoint as part of the landing team.
ANKO LUMEN
Oh. Ok then. Even though I am innocent, I guess that’s acceptable.
SEREBELLA REON
You don’t really have a choice here Anko. Show some gratitude that you weren’t sent out the air lock.
ANKO LUMEN
Thank you, I am grateful for your help.
SEREBELLA REON
That’s fine but thank Jonas. You treat him like shit and he just stood up for you. You might want to think on that for a while. I’m going to get some sleep.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, EQUIPMENT BEING MOVED AROUND, FOOTSTEPS (*ON METAL GRATING AND TILE), ACTIVITY, BRIEF MURMURS OF CONVERSATION
INT. THE CHING SHE - SHUTTLE BAY - MORNING
ANKO LUMEN
Please be careful with that Gilban, you know how delicate the gear is.
GILBAN TRICKEY
(while moving with gear) Calm down your highness. I know machinery better than you do.
REGINA REX
Almost done. Anko, once we land and get unloaded you’ll remain on the surface to do your work. We’ll bring the shuttle back to finish the last run of equipment so make sure you have everything you need to take with you now.
ANKO LUMEN
I’m good to go captain. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity.
REGINA REX
It’s against my better judgement but here we are. Make it count. We will get to the bottom of what happened later. Are you ready to do your crew briefing?
ANKO LUMEN
Yes, I was just waiting for us to finish loading the equipment.
REGINA REX
Very good. Gideon just carried the final piece for the first run into the shuttle.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, SETTLING DOWN
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Listen up everyone! We need to discuss what happens when we land. Anko?
ANKO LUMEN
Thank you captain. Once we land and put on our suits, we’ll first need to unload all the equipment. Please use the color coding to understand which piece goes with the other.
Once unloaded the first priority will be to set up the habitat.
Aldri, I mean, Captain Aldridge will build the habitat with Gilban while I’ll start to set up the equipment on the surface. Captain Rex, Ursula and Gideon will return for the last run of equipment.
Serebella will remain with me on the surface, assisting.
SEREBELLA REON
Uh no. I’m not assisting you, I’m watching you, let’s be clear.
ANKO LUMEN
Oh, yes, I mean of course, watching me. Gideon will remain on the Ching She once the shuttle comes back for the last run of equipment. After the habitat is set up and all the gear is delivered, Ursula will set up her things in the habitat to monitor us. Ursula, do you have anything to add?
URSULA NASH
Yes I do. I’ve been doing more homework on Titan. The suits won’t be required for pressure but they will be necessary for temperature. The surface gets down to -179 celsius and you’ll be on a mostly rock and ice surface. Keeping your footing will be important so use the built in cleats in your boots when needed. Through both our body modifications back on the station and the suits, breathing should be fine. However if you start to feel light headed or dizzy say so immediately.
REGINA REX
The habitat is equipped with bunks if anyone needs to rest. Anko, how long do you think this will take?
ANKO LUMEN
By my estimations I should be able to produce significant results in 3 days, 5 at the most. I just need enough data to prove this can be done on a mass scale.
URSULA NASH
Keep in mind that one of our normal days is actually 15 days long there. So according to Anko we won’t be there long enough to witness night on the surface. Trust how your body feels and sleep if you need it. If I see your vitals dipping, I’ll be mandating that you come in for a rest.
REGINA REX
And if she gives you the order, you obey the order. Nobody should be overdoing it.
ANKO LUMEN
Anyone working outside with me should not wander off anywhere. The landing zone we’ll be in is fairly flat but a surface fissure could develop and where we’re going is uncharted. Even though you’d be falling somewhat slowly, there appears to be an ocean of liquid beneath the surface that you don’t want to end up in.
GILBAN TRICKEY
If we’re going to be here for 5 days will I be able to get back on the ship? I’m still working on that aft engine.
REGINA REX
Yes, we’ll arrange a trip back to the Ching She here and there for those of us that don’t have to be on the surface the whole time.
Ursula, what about you?
URSULA NASH
I’d like to remain on Titan as a precaution. I don’t see a reason I would need to go back to the ship until we’re done.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
How bad will the landing be on this one?
REGINA REX
Not as rough as Mars. There’s some wind but it’s generally slower and moving in consistent patterns north and south judging by my computer models. The atmosphere is a bit thick but once we punch through visibility should clear a bit.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Good, I was hoping you weren’t going to say we had to do more skimming.
REGINA REX
It’ll be fine Captain Aldridge. Let’s get going.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, SHIP ENGINES, LANDING GEAR EXTENDING, SHIP SETTLING DOWN ON THE SURFACE, ENGINES WINDING DOWN
INT. SHUTTLE - MORNING
REGINA REX
Ok, get your suits on.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, EQUIPMENT SHUFFLING AROUND, SUITS BEING PUT ON
URSULA NASH
(helping Jonas zip up his suit, under her breath)
I want you to promise me you’ll keep an eye on him.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(joking) Yes dear.
URSULA NASH
I’m not kidding. You know he doesn’t like you and he’s obsessed with getting credit for everything.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I know but sabotage seems like a stretch, even for him.
URSULA NASH
Don’t put it past him, how else do you explain the missing breather?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Fair point. I’ll be careful.
URSULA NASH
You better be.
SOUND: KISSING
GILBAN TRICKEY
Jeez, get a room.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(putting on helmet, over speaker)
We had one!
ANKO LUMEN
(over speaker)
Prepare to make history everyone for we shall be the first human beings to actually set foot on the surface of Titan. I shall lead.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, AIR LOCK DECOMPRESSING, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS (*METAL GRATING TO ROCK/ICE)
EXT. TITAN SURFACE - DAY
ANKO LUMEN
It’s official. I’m the first. I’m really here.
GILBAN TRICKEY
(over speaker while walking with equipment)
That’s great Anko but do you mind moving? We’ve got a buttload of equipment to unload and set up.
ANKO LUMEN
Thanks for ruining the moment.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, EQUIPMENT BEING SHUFFLED AND MOVED
GILBAN TRICKEY
Anytime. Please, continue to drink it in.
ANKO LUMEN
Yes, thank you I will. Astrid, record Titan surface log, day 1.
ASTRID
(over speaker)
Recording Titan surface log in 3, 2, 1.
ANKO LUMEN
We have landed successfully on the surface of Titan. Current temperature is -174.8 degrees celsius. Very light wind blowing north at .3 meters per second.
SOUND: SCANNING SOUND, FOOTSTEPS, EQUIPMENT BEING UNLOADED IN THE BACKGROUND
ANKO LUMEN (CONT'D)
Visibility is hazy, hard to see far out. Nitrogen levels are at 93.8, methane is 6.2. Even though the surface is primarily rock and ice there is a layer of what I would describe as sand on top of it.
SOUND: SCOOPING UP SAND, SCANNING SOUND
ANKO LUMEN (CONT'D)
The “sand” appears to be comprised mainly of dark, hydrocarbon grains.
SOUND: PICTURES BEING TAKEN
ANKO LUMEN (CONT'D)
As suspected the surface looks largely influenced by volcanic activity evidenced by the presence of...
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(while moving equipment)
Hey, Anko, maybe now isn’t the time for recording science logs.
GILBAN TRICKEY
(while moving equipment)
What Captain Aldridge is politely trying to say is get off your arse and help us move your bloody equipment!
ANKO LUMEN
(frustrated)
Very well. Astrid pause log.
ASTRID
Pausing recording for Titan surface log, day 1.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, EQUIPMENT CONTINUED, TRANSITION SOUND, MACHINE BEING CALIBRATED AND STARTED
EXT. TITAN SURFACE - DAY
SEREBELLA REON
(over speaker) This is pretty amazing.
ANKO LUMEN
(over speaker)
It is, isn’t it? I’m glad you can appreciate being here.
SEREBELLA REON
I’m sure the nerds are geeking out over it.
ANKO LUMEN
We’re pioneers to a possible whole new way of life! This is going to up our credentials back at the station tremendously Serebella.
SEREBELLA REON
I’m sure it will. Hey, shouldn’t we spend some time in the habitat toasting with the others?
ANKO LUMEN
You go ahead, I don’t think the others are thrilled to be around me at the moment. Besides, I have a lot of work to do.
SEREBELLA REON
No can do. I promised the captain I wouldn’t take my eyes off of you.
ANKO LUMEN
Oh. Well, can you make yourself useful and fetch me that stabilizer?
SEREBELLA REON
No.
SOUND: TRANSITION SOUND, GLASSES CLINKING
INT. HABITAT - TITAN SURFACE - DAY
REGINA REX
A toast! To the crew of the Ching She for being the first to land on Titan!
GIDEON JUDGE
(over speaker) Huzzah!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Sorry you’re stuck on the Ching She Gideon.
GIDEON JUDGE
Me too, maybe I can take a field trip to the surface again before we leave.
REGINA REX
I think we can arrange that. I’m in need of a stiffer drink than water for this toast.
URSULA NASH
That’s all anyone gets for now, along with the electrolyte punch we have.
REGINA REX
Party pooper.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I feel bad that we’re toasting without Anko and Serebella.
GILBAN TRICKEY
He’s the one who insisted on getting straight to work after we everything set up. I’m in need of a break myself.
URSULA NASH
No wonder why. You guys did most of the work while he just stood there checking his equipment logs.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Yeah, well we’re done now. After we finish getting his equipment running, I’ll be ready to head back to the Ching She.
REGINA REX
Why so eager to get back to the ship Gilban?
GILBAN TRICKEY
(uncomfortable like he’s hiding something)
Oh you know, I need to work on that engine and it’s too damn cold for me here.
REGINA REX
We’re not going to rush anything Gilban so I suggest you enjoy your time on Titan making history. That is if Anko gets his stuff to work.
GILBAN TRICKEY
Is that what we’re doing, making history?
REGINA REX
I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
End of episode 11