Glimmers of Hope - S6 - E6

During the most recent episode of VOID, Anko and Jonas came to terms with their relationship and decided on a fresh start. Pat and Terry were at odds and demonstrated that their relationship isn’t as stable as everyone thought. And the crew decided to move forward with terraforming Europa.

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Transcript

VOID - SEASON 6, EPISODE 6

Written by Sean McKnight

With Jeni Miller

Glimmers of Hope

VOID PODCAST LLC

voidthepodcast@gmail.com

NARRATOR

During the most recent episode of VOID, Anko and Jonas came to terms with their relationship and decided on a fresh start. Pat and Terry were at odds and demonstrated that their relationship isn’t as stable as everyone thought. And the crew decided to move forward with terraforming Europa.

EXT. EUROPA SURFACE - DAY

SOUND: VARIOUS READOUTS, MACHINES PROCESSING

ANKO LUMEN

(wearing a helmet)

Are you sure about those numbers?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(wearing a helmet)

I told you, I’ve run them 5 times. It comes out the same every time.

ANKO LUMEN

(incredulous)

I can’t believe it. After all this effort...

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The numbers are the proof Anko, your machines are working!

ANKO LUMEN

This is blowing my mind.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Mine too!

ANKO LUMEN

I’ve never had results like this, ever. With anything!

JONAS ALDRIDGE

It’s like you built this equipment for these specific conditions.

ANKO LUMEN

We’re not there yet. I still have some calibrations to make but the results so far are very encouraging.

SOUND: TRANSITION, KISSING, BED SHEETS RUFFLING

INT. CHING SHE REGINA'S QUARTERS - DAY

REGINA REX

(in the middle of attempting sex)

Can we maybe notdo this right now?

SEREBELLA REON

(surprised) I, uh, sure, ok.

PAUSE A BEAT

SOUND: BED SHEETS SHIFTING, FEET ON THE FLOOR, FOOSTEPS, GRABBING A DRINK

I’m sorry.

REGINA REX

SEREBELLA REON

It’s ok Regina. We knew there was going to be some time to adjust.

REGINA REX

It’s weird because I can’t feel much there. It’s hard to...

SEREBELLA REON

I get it, we’ll figure it out.

REGINA REX

(frustrated)

I can’t even get you off.

SEREBELLA REON

Don’t talk like that, of course you can. To be honest, I’m more worried about that on my side.

REGINA REX

You are?

SEREBELLA REON

I know you lost a lot of feeling so I wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to get you to feel anything.

REGINA REX

I can sort of feel sensations but it’s hard to zone in on it.

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, GETTING BACK IN BED

SEREBELLA REON

Try not to let it frustrate you if you can. We’ll work on it together, alright?

Ok.

REGINA REX

(reluctant)

SOUND: BODY MOVEMENT, SOUND OF A VIBRATOR

SEREBELLA REON

So, what about this, can you feel this?

REGINA REX

Maybe, slightly.

SEREBELLA REON

How about this?

REGINA REX

No.

SEREBELLA REON

Ok. What about over here?

REGINA REX

Oooo! That’s interesting.

SEREBELLA REON

See? Maybe it’s about exploring for the right spot, right?

REGINA REX

(starting to hit the right spot)

Riiiigggghht...

SOUND: KISSING, TRANSITION, KEYBOARD

INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - DAY

PAT MENDELSON

So about before.

MADDOX KANE

(in the middle of work)

Yes?

PAT MENDELSON

When I told you to shut up. I’m sorry.

MADDOX KANE

Oh, no harm done. Apology accepted.

PAT MENDELSON

Thank you.

MADDOX KANE

You’re welcome.

AWKWARD SILENCE

PAT MENDELSON

Don’t you have something you’d like to say to me?

MADDOX KANE

Such as?

PAT MENDELSON

Such as an apology for what you said. About why you leave love out of relationships.

MADDOX KANE

Why would I apologize for that?

PAT MENDELSON

Because it was insensitive given the circumstances!

MADDOX KANE

Actually, it seemed the perfect time for such an interjection.

PAT MENDELSON

(getting emotional)

I was upset! I was processing my feelings!

MADDOX KANE

Exactly the point. If you weren’t so emotionally attached in the first place, you wouldn’t have had those feelings to process.

PAT MENDELSON

(upset) But, but...

MADDOX KANE

Was there anything else you’re confused by in terms of unanswered apologies you think you’re owed?

PAT MENDELSON

(flustered)

I, I, no. I’m good.

SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS

INT. CHING SHE MEDICAL OFFICE - DAY

URSULA NASH

(walking in)

Ok Terry, let’s see how you’re doing.

SOUND: KEYBOARD, SCANNING, SCAN COMPLETE

TERRY MENDELSON

I feel fine doc, I’m ready to go.

URSULA NASH

Let me be the judge of that but yes, so far these scans look good.

TERRY MENDELSON

I’m chompin’ at the bit to get back to the base.

SOUND: KEYBOARD

URSULA NASH

I bet you are.

TERRY MENDELSON

What do you mean?

URSULA NASH

I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help noticing the tension between you and Pat.

TERRY MENDELSON

Oh, that. You know how it goes, relationships.

URSULA NASH

(probing)

Yes, I understand. If you ever want to talk about it, you can talk to me if you like.

TERRY MENDELSON

Thanks.

SOUND: COMPUTER PROCESSES FINISHING

URSULA NASH

These scans are good, you’re clear Terry. Just watch the heavy lifting for the next few days.

TERRY MENDELSON

I will.

SOUND: STANDING UP, FOOTSTEPS

TERRY MENDELSON (CONT'D)

(reluctant)

Pat’s a good person. She’s passionate, you know?

URSULA NASH

I understand, Jonas can be like that too.

TERRY MENDELSON

Really?

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS MOVING BACK IN

URSULA NASH

Yes, we’ve had our share of scraps from emotional misunderstandings.

TERRY MENDELSON

Some of it is about that. But...

URSULA NASH

Yes?

TERRY MENDELSON

She doesn’t always trust me. Trust that I’m capable.

URSULA NASH

Maybe she’s overprotective.

TERRY MENDELSON

No, it’s more that she thinks I’m incompetent. She treats me like I’m a fool.

URSULA NASH

That’s not very respectful.

TERRY MENDELSON

It’s frustrating too.

URSULA NASH

You’re welcome to sit down and talk more Terry, I’m not busy.

TERRY MENDELSON

Thanks, I’d like that.

SOUND: TRANSITION, COMPUTER PROCESSING

INT. EUROPA BASE - COMMAND CENTER - EVENING

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Look at this. I told you these results were different.

ANKO LUMEN

I’ll be damned. It looks like the ocean beneath the surface is much more vast than we thought.

SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, KEYBOARD

JONAS ALDRIDGE

And over here, see? Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur. Everything we need.

ANKO LUMEN

Did you see how high the radiation levels are on the surface?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

I know. We’d only survive with suits anyway. At least until we can generate an atmosphere.

ANKO LUMEN

Which means we’ll have to drill down about 25 kilometers or so to both reach the ocean and be far enough away from the radiation to be safe.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Can your equipment handle that?

ANKO LUMEN

Not to that depth. We can get down about 250 meters but that’s about it. We’d need access to the industrial laser drills on the station. We’re also going to need Sulfur Hexaflouride, a lot of it.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Do you think you can get access?

ANKO LUMEN

Normally yes. But with the uncertainty of what’s happening at the station, I have no idea.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

How much do you know about the 5?

ANKO LUMEN

Not much. They stay well guarded at the station, there’s very few that are granted access to them.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Why is that? Shouldn’t they be more engaged with the station’s populace?

ANKO LUMEN

You’d think but I don’t even know anyone who’s ever seen them in person.

No-one?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

ANKO LUMEN

No-one that I know.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

That’s kind of strange.

ANKO LUMEN

Like the heads of corporations they have underlings that manage everything. They seem pretty removed from the populace actually.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What about pitching Europa terraforming to them?

ANKO LUMEN

The data we’re generating will help make our case but there are no guarantees. Time will tell.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

If we can’t get access to the resources we need this whole thing becomes an academic exercise instead of a way to save humanity.

ANKO LUMEN

If Maddox is right about the comet they may not have a choice.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

The only thing we can do is warn them. The future will be in their hands.

SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS

INT. CHING SHE MENDELSON’S QUARTERS - NIGHT

PAT MENDELSON

There you are.

TERRY MENDELSON

(walking in) Uh, yeah, hi.

PAT MENDELSON

I finished my shift on the bridge with Maddox. Wow are they a piece of work. Might be the coldest person I’ve ever met.

TERRY MENDELSON

(distracted) Uh hmm.

PAT MENDELSON

Are you listening to me? I’m trying

to tell you about my day.

TERRY MENDELSON

Yes dear.

PAT MENDELSON

Don’t “yes dear” me! What’s going on?

AWKWARD PAUSE

TERRY MENDELSON

I don’t like the way you treat me.

PAT MENDELSON

What are you talking about?

TERRY MENDELSON

You’re mean, you insult me and you don’t respect my feelings or opinions.

PAT MENDELSON

Where is this coming from?

TERRY MENDELSON

It’s coming from me.

PAT MENDELSON

That’s a load of crap Terry, you never cared about this stuff before.

TERRY MENDELSON

Well, I do now. I was talking to Ursula...

PAT MENDELSON

(cutting him off, getting angry)

“Ursula”, oh now she’s “Ursula” instead of “Dr. Nash”?

TERRY MENDELSON

What does that have to do with anything?

PAT MENDELSON

Fine! What did “Ursula” have to say?

TERRY MENDELSON

Nothing really, just that I should demand proper...

PAT MENDELSON

(cutting him off again) Demand??

TERRY MENDELSON

Ask! Ask for the proper respect I’m due as a person.

PAT MENDELSON

Really? And Ursula knows you so well does she?

TERRY MENDELSON

At least she listens to me.

PAT MENDELSON

Oh she does, does she? Was she there to bail you out when New Hope security was looking for you on the station?

Well...

TERRY MENDELSON

PAT MENDELSON

(interrupting)

Was she there when you were gambling on the Venus shuttle and lost all our possessions?

AWKWARD SILENCE

PAT MENDELSON (CONT'D)

Was she there when we nearly starved to death, stranded on our ship?

No.

TERRY MENDELSON

PAT MENDELSON

No she wasn’t! I was! I was there for all of it and more. Best you remember that.

SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS

INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - NIGHT

JONAS ALDRIDGE

(walking in)

Hey Captain Rex, Anko and I have some exciting news. I, uh...

REGINA REX

What’s wrong?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

You have a really big smile on your face.

I do?

REGINA REX

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Yeah, it’s freaking me out a little.

ANKO LUMEN

Me too. Are you ok?

REGINA REX

Of course I am!

PAUSE A BEAT

REGINA REX (CONT'D)

Ok, I know I’m different than I’ve been lately. But just tonight, we, I, had a, uh...

ANKO LUMEN

A what?

REGINA REX

(awkward)

I had a bit of a break-through with my handicap.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

That’s great! What happened? Give us all the juicy details!

REGINA REX

Yeah, no. That’s ok, I’d rather not. Let’s just say I feel better than I have in awhile and let’s just leave it at that.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Sure.

REGINA REX

Now then, why are you two goofballs looking so happy?

ANKO LUMEN

We had a breakthrough ourselves. We’ve gotten some incredible results that are looking promising.

REGINA REX

How promising?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

If Anko’s calculations are correct...

ANKO LUMEN

(interrupting)

And they nearly always are.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Nearly. His terraforming equipment looks to be able to generate an atmosphere.

ANKO LUMEN

Which will eventually become breathe-able. And if we can drill down far enough, we’ll be able to use my purifiers to make drinkable water.

REGINA REX

This is crazy! So your stuff

actuallyworks?

ANKO LUMEN

This time, yes it does.

REGINA REX

What does this mean?

ANKO LUMEN

After some more tests, it may mean that we’ll be able to move to the next phase.

REGINA REX

Which is?

ANKO LUMEN

Returning to the station to get the approval of the 5 and get back here to start terraforming.

REGINA REX

How much more testing time do you need?

ANKO LUMEN

A few weeks at the most to be sure. I don’t want to go back to the 5 with incomplete data.

PAUSE A BEAT

JONAS ALDRIDGE

What’s wrong?

REGINA REX

Incomplete data may not be the real concern here. We’ve been cut off from the New Hope completely and don’t have any clue what’s going on there.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

Has anyone heard back from the station?

REGINA REX

Not that I’m aware of. Anko?

ANKO LUMEN

No. Nothing from my aunt or my colleagues.

REGINA REX

Nobody I reached out to has responded to...

SOUND: COMPUTER CHIME

ASTRID

Warning, unidentified ship approaching.

REGINA REX

Now what? Astrid, scan ship and identify.

ASTRID

Scanning unidentified ship.

SOUND: SCANNING

ANKO LUMEN

How did we miss this thing? It came out of nowhere.

REGINA REX

Seemingly. That worries me.

SOUND: SCANNING COMPLETE

ASTRID

Scan complete. Ship identified as New Hope harvester.

REGINA REX

A harvester ship, here?

ANKO LUMEN

They must’ve finally decided to scrap the base for parts.

JONAS ALDRIDGE

How do they do that?

ANKO LUMEN

They’ll dismantle and destroy the base. Eventually they’ll disintegrate everything to leave no trace.

They?

JONAS ALDRIDGE

ANKO LUMEN

Well, not really “they” anymore. They used to use manned crews, now it’s all automated by drones. That ship is run entirely by machines.

REGINA REX

Why are you sweating?

ANKO LUMEN

Because my equipment and data are down there on the base and if we don’t stop that harvester we lose everything.

END OF EPISODE