VOID
VOID
Discoveries on Europa - S6 - E2
In the season 6 premiere of VOID, the crew were catching up from their long journey to Jupiter. Serebella and Regina’s relationship has begun being tested by Regina’s handicap. Jonas and Ursula have made amends. The Mendelson’s are plotting their takeover of the Ching She and Maddox Kane has revealed disturbing news about the fate of Earth...
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VOID - SEASON 6, EPISODE 2
Written by Sean McKnight
With Jeni Miller
Discoveries on Europa
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
Intheseason6premiereofVOID, the crew were catching up from their long journey to Jupiter.
SerebellaandRegina’srelationship hasbegunbeingtestedbyRegina’s handicap. Jonas and Ursula have made amends. The Mendelson’s are plotting their takeover of the Ching She and Maddox Kane has revealeddisturbingnewsaboutthe fate of Earth...
SOUND: PACING
INT. CHING SHE CONFINEMENT DECK - NIGHT
MADDOX KANE
I told you, I’m not saying another word about Earth until we agree on some changes.
REGINA REX
What do you want?
MADDOX KANE
First, I want to be let out of here and at least given a proper cabin. I’m tired of relieving myself under watch like an animal.
REGINA REX
Fine. But the cabin will remain locked.
MADDOX KANE
As long as it has a bathroom with a shower I’ll be happy.
REGINA REX
The cabin you’ll be in will have all the major amenities along with a food and drink synthesizer.
MADDOX KANE
Sounds good to me.
REGINA REX
It also has a camera feed just outside the hatch so Pat here will be watching your hatch very closely.
MADDOX KANE
Don’t you think we should also discuss me becoming part of the crew?
REGINA REX
Don’t you think that’s wildly premature given that you’ve already escaped once?
MADDOX KANE
That was while I still had the crystal. Since you made the genius decision to flush it out the airlock, it behooves me to work with you.
REGINA REX
Oh, how gracious. If you even think you have a chance of getting on my crew you’ll show me the respect due the leader of a ship. And you’ll show the rest of my crew the same respect. Unless of course you’d like to look for the crystal yourself? I can certainly send you out the same airlock we used for your crystal if you like.
MADDOX KANE
(begrudgingly)
I understand Captain Rex.
REGINA REX
As for you actually joining the crew? That depends on what information you’re willing to share and if we can establish trust with you or not. So far, we’re not off to a great start.
MADDOX KANE
Ok, look, Earth and the station are doomed. Bernardinelli-Bernstein is going to destroy both.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Who?
MADDOX KANE
Not who, what.
REGINA REX
It’s the largest comet in recorded history.
MADDOX KANE
It’s trajectory was altered by the shockwave of a supernova. We plotted it from Nepenthe and there’s no doubt. It’s now on a direct collision course with Earth. The impact will destroy both the planet and the station.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
How long until it hits Earth?
MADDOX KANE
The last calculation we ran was 5.3 years. That was 6 months ago.
URSULA NASH
That’s it?
SEREBELLA REON
We have to warn the station! My brothers!
URSULA NASH
We can’t so easily. We have to be careful.
SEREBELLA REON
What are you talking about?
URSULA NASH
(reluctant in front of Pat)
I received a message from Max that there were problems at the station and that I should not send any messages until I hear from him.
SEREBELLA REON
I need to know what’s going on with my family.
URSULA NASH
So do I.
REGINA REX
And so do others. For now, I suggest we all send messages to whoever you need to. But keep the message light, like you don’t know anything. The 5 monitor every message going in and out of the station.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
As much as I hate to say this, we can’t warn them yet until we learn what’s happening. Maybe, I can get word to Earth though...
REGINA REX
No. They monitor all planet communications as well.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
They do?
REGINA REX
Yeah, they’ve been since the beginning. It’s not a big secret on the station, only to the people of Earth. Let’s find out what’s going on with the station first, then we’ll warn everyone.
MADDOX KANE
I think one of the bigger questions is what happens when you do warn them...
JONAS ALDRIDGE
They can start planning evacuations.
MADDOX KANE
To where?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That’s what we’ve been trying to figure out. Maybe Europa is a starting point.
MADDOX KANE
You’ve obnoxiously optimistic.
URSULA NASH
Tell me about it.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What’s that supposed to mean?
REGINA REX
You can be a little blinded by your own delusional optimism Jonas.
Maybe this comet is it. Maybe it’s the end.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Maybe it is. But it’s only the end if we choose to do nothing. I’m not necessarily blindly optimistic, I’m just not so quick to give up. I think humanity deserves a fighting chance.
SEREBELLA REON
Does Earth even have the ships to stage an evacuation?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I have no idea. It’s been years since we left. They could maybe plan something, maybe even a coordinated effort with the station?
REGINA REX
Good luck with that. The station couldn’t give a damn less about Earth. One thing at a time. Let’s find out what’s going on with this base first and work from there.
MADDOX KANE
So what about it?
REGINA REX
What about what?
MADDOX KANE
What am I going to do now? If you’re not going to let me on the crew and I’m not going to be your prisoner...
REGINA REX
You’ll assist on the bridge once they get to the surface. We’ll see what you’re worth after that.
SOUND: TRANSITION, PUTTING ON HELMETS AND GEAR
INT. ICARUS SHUTTLE - MORNING
REGINA REX
(over comms)
And at the first sign of trouble haul ass out of there. No hesitating, you understand me?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(with helmet on)
Yes Captain Rex. We’re not going to take unnecessary risks.
TERRY MENDELSON
(with helmet on)
You mean beyond the one we’re taking now?
SEREBELLA REON
(with helmet on, cocking gun)
Suck it up Terry, and don’t worry I’ve got your back.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Open the hatch Anko, let’s do this.
SOUND: HATCH OPENING, FOOTSTEPS IN MAG BOOTS MOVING SLOWLY ONTO ICY SURFACE, HATCH CLOSING BEHIND THEM
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
Take your time on this ice everyone.
ANKO LUMEN
The readings show the thickness of the crust to be about 15-20 kilometers.
TERRY MENDELSON
That thick? How the hell are we supposed to live here?
ANKO LUMEN
That’s what we’re here to figure out.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS ACROSS ICY SURFACE THEN STOP, BUTTONS BEING PUSHED
SEREBELLA REON
Nothing. We’ll have to cut through. Terry you’re up.
SOUND: LASER CUTTER TURNING ON, LASER CUTTING THROUGH METAL, HATCH OPENING
INT. EUROPA BASE - MORNING
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Looks like we’re in. Serebella you’re on point.
REGINA REX
(over wrist comm) Keep me posted.
SEREBELLA REON
Roger that. I’m up front, Jonas second, then Anko. Terry you’re bringing up the rear. Everyone keep your head on a swivel.
SOUND: WALKING CAUTIOUSLY
ANKO LUMEN
We should probably see if there’s power first.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Keep your eyes open for signs to engineering.
SEREBELLA REON
(from off to the side) There’s a sign here for the operations center.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I guess we’ll start there. Lead on.
SOUND: WALKING CONTINUED
TERRY MENDELSON
I wonder why they completely abandoned this place. Seems like they could’ve used it for something.
ANKO LUMEN
Bases like this were rumored back at the station although no-one ever had any details. From my understanding, they made multiple attempts to terraform but could never make it work.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
The 5 want to terraform? Why? I thought the whole focus was on the station and to its expansion.
ANKO LUMEN
(sounding doubtful as he says it)
The 5 have many projects for the sake of building to the future. All of it to better the station. Bases like this were built for expansion.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You sound like their spokesperson.
ANKO LUMEN
For a long time, I was. But now, I’m not so sure anymore.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I thought you wantedto be in their good graces.
ANKO LUMEN
I thought so too.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS STOPPING
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Looks like this one is sealed. Terry, you know what to do.
SOUND: LASER CUTTING THROUGH DOOR, TRANSITION
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - MORNING
PAT MENDELSON
They’ve been awfully quiet.
REGINA REX
That’s a good thing. No news is usually good news. At least for now.
MADDOX KANE
And I’m over here staring at the ice because...?
REGINA REX
Because you’re in charge of monitoring the ice’s stability. We have no idea how the weight of the shuttle will impact the ice.
MADDOX KANE
Considering there’s a base on the surface and that the crust is 20km thick, we can probably assume...
REGINA REX
(cutting off Maddox)
We assume nothing. Keep your eyes glued to that screen. That’s an order.
MADDOX KANE
Yes Captain Rex.
PAT MENDELSON
Do you think they’re safe?
REGINA REX
Probably. According to the thermal scans there were no signs of any personnel left. It really just boils down to the structural integrity of the base. I can’t imagine any other threats.
SOUND: MADDOX COUGHS AND GRUMBLES
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
You have something you care to add?
MADDOX KANE
People are not the only threats in space dear captain.
REGINA REX
I’m well aware, I’ve been out here a few times before.
MADDOX KANE
I’m sure. And so you know then that it’s not always the most evident threats that are the most dangerous. It can be something more subtle, even invisible that can deal death and you wouldn’t even see it coming.
PAT MENDELSON
That’s not very reassuring.
MADDOX KANE
I’m not trying to be. I’m being honest. We conducted tests on our station and found that pathogens can survive in space. For years in fact and even repair damage to themselves.
REGINA REX
That’s kind of scary and miraculous all at once.
MADDOX KANE
Indeed. On the Nepenthe we had our own unique bacteria and fungi all generated from our skin microorganisms.
REGINA REX
Do you think that’s a concern on the base?
MADDOX KANE
No idea. It all depends on what kind of experiments they were conducting as well as things like storage and disposal. I just hope their suits are well sealed.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS, BUTTONS, SWITCHES
INT. EUROPA BASE - MORNING
ANKO LUMEN
This looks like the main control panel. Nothing, it’s dead.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Shit. We’ll have to find their power source directly.
SEREBELLA REON
I think this place is dead, literally. We could split up to cover more ground, work in teams.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Ok. Sounds good.
SEREBELLA REON
You and Terry, me and Anko. No-one works alone or wanders off by themself.
ANKO LUMEN
I think it best for me to stay here to get the computers booted once you restore power.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Looks like Terry is our new Gilban. Think you can get the power going?
TERRY MENDELSON
I’ll give it a shot, no promises.
SEREBELLA REON
Terry, keep your firearm holstered unless Captain Aldridge gives the command.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Which we’re going to avoid since we don’t want to create any holes that might compromise hull pressure.
TERRY MENDELSON
Understood.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Let’s go.
SOUND: TRANSITION
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - DAY
PAT MENDELSON
So you were born orbiting Proxima Centauri.
MADDOX KANE
I was among the first born there. My parents and grandparents traveled there and established the Nepenthe first.
PAT MENDELSON
And you grew up raised by scientists.
MADDOX KANE
Our community of 100 is comprised entirely of scientists, yes.
REGINA REX
Why 100?
MADDOX KANE
We found that given the size of our station, our resources and the demands of survival that 100 was the perfect number for our community.
REGINA REX
Give or take.
MADDOX KANE
No, it’s always exactly 100. It’s planned specifically around our life and death cycles. We plan for a birth to occur when a death is expected. We have it down to within hours of each other. We’ve gotten very good at the timing.
PAT MENDELSON
What if something goes wrong with the birth?
MADDOX KANE
Our births never go wrong.
REGINA REX
You’ve never lost one person?
MADDOX KANE
Not one, each person being born perfectly.
PAT MENDELSON
You seem so sure of yourself. You’re so confident.
MADDOX KANE
It’s not confidence, it’s science. The math explains all. Once you have the numbers equated, things fall into place as expected.
REGINA REX
Sounds cold to me. Takes the humanity out of the experience.
MADDOX KANE
What are you referring to?
REGINA REX
It sounds like you reproduce on the station using science over sex.
MADDOX KANE
That’s exactly what we do.
REGINA REX
Where’s the fun in that? What you’re describing is cold and sterile.
MADDOX KANE
Why does birth have to be anything but? It’s the production of a life, nothing more. Nature does it all the time without any kind of fan fare. Life or death goes constantly unnoticed. A black hole is a collapsed star but no-one weeps for the star.
PAT MENDELSON
Do you get emotional about anything?
MADDOX KANE
Rarely. We see caving to emotions as a weakness, a distraction. I’ve been mildly excited about certain scientific discoveries. Although I must confess to experiencing frustation after my arrival here.
REGINA REX
Wow, your crew has to be hating Gilban right about now. He’ll be testing their emotional limits...
MADDOX KANE
My people are not easily swayed to reaction.
REGINA REX
You don’t know Gilban. He’s going to hate the no sex thing, he’s a horny bastard.
SOUND: TRANSITION
INT. EUROPA BASE - DAY
SEREBELLA REON
(nervous)
What do you think about what Ursula said?
ANKO LUMEN
About what?
SEREBELLA REON
About trouble at the station.
ANKO LUMEN
I don’t know. She seemed pretty shook up about it. I’m not taking it lightly.
SEREBELLA REON
Neither am I. Have you reached out to anyone?
ANKO LUMEN
I sent a message right after she told us. It’s probably a little soon, but I haven’t heard anything. You?
SEREBELLA REON
I reached out to my brothers. They’re slow to respond. We’ll see.
PAUSE A BEAT
SEREBELLA REON (CONT'D)
Who did youreach out to? You never talk about your family.
ANKO LUMEN
My aunt. I’m closest to her.
SEREBELLA REON
What about your parents?
ANKO LUMEN
My father’s passed. I’m not very close to my mother.
SEREBELLA REON
Wouldn’t she be concerned about your safety? Or hers at least?
ANKO LUMEN
If I contacted her about anything, she would see it as whining. “Come home ready to advance the station and establish myself with the 5 or don’t come home at all”. That was the last thing she said to me right after my father passed. They both saw me as nothing more than a failure because my name wasn’t of notoriety yet like my peers.
SEREBELLA REON
That sucks.
ANKO LUMEN
It was about bragging rights with their friends. Who accomplished what, who ascended to what position. It was never about science or real change. It was about stature.
SEREBELLA REON
That’s a lot of pressure to be under.
ANKO LUMEN
I always leaned into the science. I wanted to transform a planet, not my social standing. My father called me his greatest disappointment just before he died. There were no “I love yous or we’re proud” in my home.
SEREBELLA REON
Do you have siblings?
ANKO LUMEN
No.
SEREBELLA REON
What about a cousin you were close to? Anyone?
ANKO LUMEN
No, just me. I had a few friends growing up but only those arranged by my parents.
SEREBELLA REON
They “arranged” friends for you?
ANKO LUMEN
I was awkward growing up. Socially and physically.
SEREBELLA REON
Even more than now?
ANKO LUMEN
Very funny. My parents wanted me to be around children smarter than me. To challenge me.
SEREBELLA REON
The pressure on you must’ve been...
ANKO LUMEN
(finishing her sentence) Constant.
SEREBELLA REON
Maybe you’ll get a chance to prove yourself here on Europa.
ANKO LUMEN
I don’t care about proving myself to her anymore. That desire died on Titan. No, I’m doing this for me.
(mumbling a little on this last part)
And for Jonas.
SEREBELLA REON
What was that?
ANKO LUMEN
And for Jonas! He’s believed in me this whole time when no-one else did. I had given up. I feel like I owe him, especially given how I’ve treated him.
SEREBELLA REON
Wow, Anko, be careful. You might just be making some friends here.
ANKO LUMEN
Perish the thought.
SOUND: TRANSITION, WALKING
INT. EUROPA BASE - DAY
TERRY MENDELSON
What is Earth like?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Unfortunately the surface is starting to look more and more like Mars. It’s become a desolate orb of radiation and garbage. Those still alive live underground.
TERRY MENDELSON
Oh. That’s depressing.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
People make due. There are pockets of survivors all over the planet. Some are in better shape than others. I don’t know what it’s like now, it’s been too long and I never heard anything back.
TERRY MENDELSON
Heard back from who?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
My best friend Gerald, back on Earth. I had to leave him there. I tried to contact him but I’m afraid Harlow has him.
TERRY MENDELSON
Harlow?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
It doesn’t matter. I won’t know anything until we get back.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS STOPPING
TERRY MENDELSON
Hey! Here’s a sign for engineering.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
About damn time.
SOUND: WALKING RESUMES
TERRY MENDELSON
(teasing)
So no-one else back on Earth? No- one before you and Dr. Nash got all hot and heavy?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That’s none of your concern and no. Gerald was my best friend, and my family. What about you Terry? Do you have family on the station?
TERRY MENDELSON
No, I was an orphan. I don’t know my parents.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m sorry to hear that.
TERRY MENDELSON
Don’t be. The way I see it is that they were crap people to begin with since they were so quick to abandon me.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That’s a good philosophy.
TERRY MENDELSON
I may not always be at top of the game but I bust my ass to make things work. I was the one who chose industrial machinery mechanics, not my counselors. And because of that choice I met Pat.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Sounds like you’ve made the right decisions.
TERRY MENDELSON
Thanks Jonas, it’s nice to hear someone compliment my thinking for a change.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Here we are.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS STOP, LASER CUTTER, HATCH DOORS BEING SLID OPEN, WALKING SLOWLY
TERRY MENDELSON
(exploring the area)
I don’t think anyone’s been in here for awhile.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(exploring the area across from Terry)
Why is there so much debris floating around?
TERRY MENDELSON
I have no idea.
SOUND: WALKING CONTINUES WITH OCCASIONAL PAUSES, TERRY STOPS
TERRY MENDELSON (CONT'D)
Hey! I think I found the power source.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(still exploring)
Do you think you can get it working?
TERRY MENDELSON
I’m not sure. It’s a fairly old looking system though. I might actually be able to figure this out.
SOUND: TERRY OPENING A PANEL, JONAS WALKING THEN STOPPING, DOOR BEING WORKED OPEN
TERRY MENDELSON (CONT'D)
Hey! Yes, I can totally work with this. It’s an old T-5 RTG!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(jarred, uneasy)
That’s great to hear Terry. You need to take a look at this first though.
SOUND: WALKING THEN STOPPING
TERRY MENDELSON
Sure, what did you...Oh shit! The bodies! There are so many!
END OF EPISODE