VOID
VOID
Relationships Redux - S6 - E4
Previously on VOID, the mysteries deepened upon further investigation of the discovered bodies on the Europa base. Ursula has learned that the 5 have locked out communications with the station. And Maddox has resigned themself to the fact that they’re stranded on the Ching She for the unforeseeable future.
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VOID - SEASON 6, EPISODE 4
Written by Sean McKnight
With Jeni Miller
Relationships Redux
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
Previously on VOID, the mysteries deepened upon further investigation of the discovered bodies on the Europa base. Ursula has learned that the 5 have locked out communications with the station.
And Maddox has resigned themself to the fact that they’re stranded on the Ching She for the unforeseeable future.
SOUND: KEYBOARD, COMPUTER PROCESSING
INT. EUROPA BASE - COMMAND CENTER - NIGHT
ANKO LUMEN
Ok! I’m in!
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS
TERRY MENDELSON
Oh wow, you’re a genius Anko.
ANKO LUMEN
I know. Let’s find the base logs.
SOUND: KEYBOARD, COMPUTER WORKING
ANKO LUMEN (CONT'D)
Ahh, the base commander’s folder. They would’ve kept logs that are accessible to... And here they are.
SOUND: CLICKING, FILE OPENING
ANKO LUMEN (CONT'D)
The last entries. “Europa Base Terra 6, Colonel Jericho Matthews, 4-10-86. 2100 (twenty one hundred) Hours. The subjects continue to mutate. We have them quarantined; so far we’re not seeing any other cases of mutation. The subjects seem to be fine overall. We’ve sent some of the samples to the station for analysis. There’s much interest in what’s happening here and what kind of potential the mutation has. Genetic manipulation and weaponization are among the possibilities.”
TERRY MENDELSON
They seriously want to weaponize a mutated bacteria?
ANKO LUMEN
And this surprises you? It goes on to say: “I’m departing with the latest samples to deliver personally. I’m leaving base operations to Captain Lynn Firestone. While our terraforming efforts here have been a failure, it turns out the secrets buried within the ice have bore exciting fruit nonetheless.”
TERRY MENDELSON
Do you think he’s talking about bacteria in the ice?
ANKO LUMEN
Yes, bacteria can survive ice. And with the radiation out here, who knows how the bacteria has evolved.
SOUND: KEYBOARD, CLICKING AROUND
ANKO LUMEN (CONT'D)
It looks like there are a number of folders here with their terraforming records, these should help.
TERRY MENDELSON
Are there any logs from Captain what’s-her-face?
SOUND: KEYBOARD, FILES OPENING
ANKO LUMEN
Yes. Here’s Captain Firestone’s folder. “Europa Base Terra 6, Captain Lynn Firestone, 5-22-86. 1830 (eighteen hundred thirty) Hours. The majority of mutated subjects have died. There are 3 left alive and they don’t have long. They keep asking when we’re going to help them. I don’t know what to say. We aren’t prepared for any of this. We’re supposed to be working on terraforming, not bacteria mutations. And now, it looks like we may be abandoned here. We’ve sent out many messages but communications have gone dark.”
TERRY MENDELSON
Oh shit, they left them here?
ANKO LUMEN
It would appear that way. If they thought the base was contaminated that would make sense why no-one came to salvage it. It continues: “I’ve reached out to Colonel Matthews but the last message I received read that he was no longer available for communications. Every time I’ve reached out to the station since then I receive an out- of-office auto-reply and that’s it. I honestly have no idea what we’re going to do. Our supplies are at an end and we don’t have any working synthesizers. Time is running out.” That was the her last entry.
SOUND: TRANSITION, KEYBOARD, COMPUTER FUNCTIONS
INT. EUROPA BASE - MEDICAL BAY - NIGHT
URSULA NASH
(from across the room)
Any luck getting into their medical records?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yeah, I’m looking through everything now. Your suspicions were right. It looks like they found something in the ice. Take a look.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, COMPUTER CLICKING
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
Here, this picture. They dug down and it looks like this area is where they found whatever was trapped there.
URSULA NASH
So not knowing anything about the dangers of foreign bacteria, they brought it back here.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
And didn’t think to contain it.
URSULA NASH
The ice thaws, the bacteria is released and gets into what?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Water supply, food, the air, who knows?
URSULA NASH
And then the creation of mutated organs the body isn’t meant to support.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
But it didn’t effect all of them. I guess they didn’t all eat the same thing or I’m not sure. They didn’t catalog much I can find here with relation to this thing.
URSULA NASH
Or maybe they did and sent the records with the ones that did make it out.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What do you think we should do?
URSULA NASH
Seal this area and I mean weld the hatches shut. We can’t risk a microbe getting out and infecting anyone. No-one goes near this area and we make sure we’ve found all bodies.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Is it going to be safe in the base?
URSULA NASH
No idea. We’ll have to let the air purifiers run for a while before we risk taking off helmets. One step at a time.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
We should give Regina a status update.
We should.
PAUSE A BEAT
URSULA NASH
URSULA NASH (CONT'D)
I forgot how well we work together.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Me too. It’s funny how you take things like that for granted when they should be appreciated more.
URSULA NASH
I was thinking the same thing.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I‘ve been reflecting on how I took our relationship for granted. I really wish I hadn’t done that.
URSULA NASH
I did too. Do you think maybe we could revisit our relationship? Talk about it?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I would like that, very much.
SOUND: TRANSITION, KEYBOARD, GENERIC COMPUTER SOUNDS
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - NIGHT
PAT MENDELSON
So, Maddox, do you have a husband or wife back on your station?
MADDOX KANE
I have someone, yes. Each of us has a designated partner.
PAT MENDELSON
A designated partner?
MADDOX KANE
The way we establish our partners is by algorithm. We load our characteristics into our computers and work it out through our system. We have software that examines our traits and determines who we’re best suited for.
PAT MENDELSON
Sounds like one of those old dating apps from the past.
MADDOX KANE
Dating apps? Not this. The program we created is much more sophisticated beyond something as primitive as “dating”.
PAT MENDELSON
What about love?
MADDOX KANE
What about it?
PAT MENDELSON
Can the app determine if you’ll love someone?
MADDOX KANE
Why would I need to love my partner?
PAT MENDELSON
You’ll be spending a lot of time with this person, don’t you think love is important?
MADDOX KANE
The software does work compatibility into it but we’re not dependent on love as a requirement for us to be in each other’s company. In fact, we see love as a distraction.
PAT MENDELSON
Is there any passion?
MADDOX KANE
In the form of sex, yes. I enjoy sex. But we take the emotion out of it and leave it as device of relief and physical pleasure when needed. I am passionate about science.
PAT MENDELSON
I see. You sure do have an interesting life on your station. Don’t you miss her? Him?
MADDOX KANE
Them. Most of us identify as them. Gender of male or female is all so...limiting.
PAT MENDELSON
What about loyalty? Family? Who can you trust?
MADDOX KANE
We all work toward the same cause on the Nepenthe which is the betterment of our lives through scientific discovery. Therefore we are united in our cause and in effect, one family.
PAT MENDELSON
That’s really kind of beautiful.
MADDOX KANE
We think so. It works for our community.
PAT MENDELSON
Regina’s been in the restroom for awhile. Do you think she’s ok?
MADDOX KANE
I offered her assistance but was refused so I’m assuming she can take care of herself.
PAT MENDELSON
She’s a proud woman Maddox. I don’t think she’d ask for help even if she needed it.
SOUND: TRANSITION, SLIPPING, FALLING, THINGS CRASHING TO THE FLOOR
INT. CHING SHE REGINA’S QUARTERS - NIGHT
REGINA REX
(falling to the floor) Shit!! I hate this!!
SOUND: CRAWLING, STRUGGLING TO GET OFF THE FLOOR
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
This is NOT going to get the best of me!
SOUND: CRAWLING, LIFTING HERSELF UP, FALLING BACK DOWN ON THE FLOOR
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
No!! Dammit!
PAT MENDELSON
(over speaker)
Captain Rex? Everything ok back there?
REGINA REX
(exasperated)
I’m fine! What do you want?
PAT MENDELSON
We haven’t heard from you in awhile and I thought you’d be back by now...
REGINA REX
Are you keeping tabs on me?
PAT MENDELSON
Um, no.
REGINA REX
Then what business is it of yours?
PAT MENDELSON
I’m not trying to imply...
REGINA REX
(cutting her off)
You don’t need to imply anything. I can infer just fine on my own. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to finish what I’m doing here.
PAT MENDELSON
Ok. Whatever you...
REGINA REX
(cutting her off)
I’ll be back to the bridge when I’m ready. Rex out.
PAUSE A BEAT
SOUND: REGINA LIGHTLY SOBBING TO HERSELF, TRANSITION, WHEELCHAIR MOVING ACROSS THE ROOM, MOVING TO A CHAIR
PAT MENDELSON
Captain Rex, I’m sorry I interrupted you earlier...Are you ok? You’re sweating and you look pale...
REGINA REX
(cutting her off)
Like I said, I’m fine Pat. Please stop with the...
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(over comms, cutting off Regina)
Captain Rex? It’s Jonas reporting from the base.
REGINA REX
Hey Jonas, what’s the word?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
We think what killed everyone was bacteria they found in the ice.
Ursula and I are combing the base for bodies. We’re going to seal up the room where we found them. Anko and Terry are working on the command center.
REGINA REX
What about contamination?
URSULA NASH
(over comms)
We’re going to purge all the air systems again and make sure the purifiers are working. Hopefully the air will be safe to breathe after we’ve filtered it for awhile.
REGINA REX
So you think it will be safe to work on the base?
URSULA NASH
I believe so. We should have clean air in a few hours.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
We can start bringing over equipment after that.
REGINA REX
Very good. Keep me posted. Rex out.
SOUND: KEYBOARD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Maddox I’m going to need you to help them move the equipment when they get back. You ok with that?
MADDOX KANE
I’ll help out any way I can captain. I’ll be happy to work on the warp drive too whenever...
REGINA REX
(cutting them off)
Later. We have a lot to do before we concern ourselves with that.
MADDOX KANE
I understand.
ANKO LUMEN
(over comms) Captain Rex?
REGINA REX
Hey Anko, we’re here.
ANKO LUMEN
We’ve found the base logs. We’re sending them over to you now.
SOUND: TRANSITION, KEYBOARD, DATA TRANSFERRING
INT. EUROPA BASE - COMMAND CENTER - NIGHT
ANKO LUMEN
I’ve started the upload. There’s a lot here, it’s going to take a while.
TERRY MENDELSON
If you don’t need me, I think I’ll head back to the Ching She for a bit.
ANKO LUMEN
Sure, no problem. You’ve been a huge help Terry. Great job restoring the power and getting the climate controls fixed.
TERRY MENDELSON
Oh, wow. Thanks Anko. That means a lot.
ANKO LUMEN
It’s true. You’ve been really important to the crew.
TERRY MENDELSON
I’m not used to hearing that. I’m used to, well, never mind. I’m just grateful to be appreciated.
ANKO LUMEN
At this point, you’ve become an important member of the crew.
TERRY MENDELSON
Thanks Anko. I...
SOUND: ALERT SOUND, FOOTSTEPS, KEYBOARD
ANKO LUMEN
Hey, look at this.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS
TERRY MENDELSON
That’s back in engineering.
ANKO LUMEN
It looks like there’s a hydrogen clog.
TERRY MENDELSON
I can fix that.
ANKO LUMEN
Are you sure? Hydrogen can be tricky.
TERRY MENDELSON
(has very little experience with hydrogen but is feeling confident from earlier conversation)
Don’t worry Anko, I got this. I’ll check it out on my way back to the ship.
ANKO LUMEN
Ok, sounds good.
TERRY MENDELSON
Thanks.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS, HATCHES OPENING AND CLOSING AS FOOTSTEPS CONTINUE
INT. EUROPA BASE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Anything?
URSULA NASH
No, not in this one. That was the mess hall.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Affirmative, it’s marked. This looks to be another storage room.
URSULA NASH
I think we’re getting into crew quarters. This is definitely someone’s cabin.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Got it, yep. This one too.
SOUND: FOOSTEPS, HATCHES CONT.
URSULA NASH
So, I guess we were flirting earlier.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I guess we were.
URSULA NASH
Were you ok with that?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yes, I daresay I even enjoyed it.
URSULA NASH
Me too. I’m glad. Me too.
JONAS ALDRIDGE URSULA NASH JONAS ALDRIDGE
Is this the start of something?
URSULA NASH
You tell me.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Do you want it to be?
PAUSE A BEAT
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
I, I want it to be if you do.
URSULA NASH
Yes, I want it to be too.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Well, we could sit down and talk. Maybe if we take it slow... Oh shit!
SOUND: HATCH, FOOTSTEPS STOP
URSULA NASH
What?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Please come over here.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
I think this is the commanding officer.
URSULA NASH
It looks like she’s entwined with a another officer.
SOUND: MOVEMENT OF FABRIC
URSULA NASH (CONT'D)
I think they committed suicide. Here’s an empty pill bottle. And the way their bodies are positioned they decided to go out together.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I guess better than starving to death.
URSULA NASH
Or cannibalism.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Right. Not really the scene over which I thought we’d rekindle our relationship.
URSULA NASH
We can start over somewhere else.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That would probably be for the best.
URSULA NASH
It is romantic though, don’t you think?
What?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
URSULA NASH
Dying in each other’s arms. There’s a poetic beauty to it.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yeah, there is. It’s just that they’re bloated.
URSULA NASH
Ok.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
And, a kiss would be weird and inappropriate right now.
URSULA NASH
Definitely.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
And with our helmets on anyway...
URSULA NASH
Ok, ok! Maybe not that romantic after all.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Well, perhaps. I was just pointing out...
URSULA NASH
Never mind, the moment is gone.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Sorry, I’m kind of rusty on the romance side of things.
URSULA NASH
You sure are.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
INT. EUROPA BASE - ENGINEERING DECK - NIGHT
TERRY MENDELSON
(walking)
I’m in engineering Anko. Making my way to the leak now.
ANKO LUMEN
(over comms)
It should be on your left as you enter the room. It looks like it be the lower duct.
TERRY MENDELSON
I see it.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, OPENING UP PANELS
TERRY MENDELSON (CONT'D)
I think I know what’s causing the clog. Give me a second to work on this.
ANKO LUMEN
Affirmative.
SOUND: TERRY WORKING ON DUCT, PAUSE A BEAT
ANKO LUMEN (CONT'D)
What were you saying earlier?
TERRY MENDELSON
(while working) About what?
ANKO LUMEN
About Pat.
TERRY MENDELSON
Ooooohh. That. Yeah. Pat has the hots for you.
ANKO LUMEN
What? What are you talking about?
TERRY MENDELSON
She wants to have sex with you.
ANKO LUMEN
Why are you telling me this?
TERRY MENDELSON
I just thought you should know.
ANKO LUMEN
And you’re ok with it?
TERRY MENDELSON
Sure, why wouldn’t I be?
ANKO LUMEN
She’s your partner!
TERRY MENDELSON
I know.
ANKO LUMEN
You’re not jealous?
TERRY MENDELSON
Hell no! We’re swingers.
ANKO LUMEN
Oh! I see. Well?
Well what?
TERRY MENDELSON ANKO LUMEN
TERRY MENDELSON
Do you want to have sex with my wife?
ANKO LUMEN
Terry, I mean, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.
TERRY MENDELSON
Why not? Is there something wrong with her?
ANKO LUMEN
No, nothing like that. In fact, I find her quite, fetching.
TERRY MENDELSON
What’s the problem then?
ANKO LUMEN
Don’t you think it could complicate things? Between me, you, her, everyone?
TERRY MENDELSON
I wouldn’t see why it would. What we do during our own time for pleasure is up to us. Right?
ANKO LUMEN
I suppose so. Yes.
TERRY MENDELSON
I certainly don’t have a problem with it or else I wouldn’t have brought it up.
ANKO LUMEN
I can see that.
TERRY MENDELSON
In fact. I have to admit I find you attractive myself.
ANKO LUMEN
You do?
TERRY MENDELSON
Yes I do. I...
SOUND: ALERT
ANKO LUMEN
Terry, I’m reading a hydrogen spike up here. You better get...
SOUND: EXPLOSION
ANKO LUMEN (CONT'D)
Terry?? Terry!!!
END OF EPISODE