VOID
VOID
Difficult Choices - S6 - E10
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During our most recent episode, Jonas and Ursula have rekindled their relationship while Anko established boundaries with Pat. Terry was awarded the title of chief engineer as Pat was sent to the confinement deck. Regina addressed the crew about the journey home and Jonas received a message from an old friend on Earth.
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VOID - SEASON 6, EPISODE 10
Written by Sean McKnight
With Jeni Miller
Difficult Choices
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
During our most recent episode, Jonas and Ursula have rekindled their relationship while Anko established boundaries with Pat. Terry was awarded the title of chief engineer as Pat was sent to the confinement deck. Regina addressed the crew about the journey home and Jonas received a message from an old friend on Earth.
SOUND: CLATTERING OF METAL
INT. CHING SHE ENGINEERING - MORNING
MADDOX KANE
(uncomfortably emotional and exasperated)
Dammit Terry! I told you to step back!
TERRY MENDELSON
What was I supposed to do? The whole array was sliding!
MADDOX KANE
I know! I was trying to slide it into this slot until you got in the way!
Oh, sorry.
TERRY MENDELSON
MADDOX KANE
(composing themself)
Ok Terry. Look, I appreciate your enthusiasm but unless I ask to you to do something, please just stand back. Trust me.
TERRY MENDELSON
Right. Fine. I’ll be over here.
SOUND: VARIOUS MECHANICAL ADJUSTMENTS BEING MADE PAUSE A BEAT
TERRY MENDELSON (CONT'D)
How does it look in there?
MADDOX KANE
I’m really surprised this thing hasn’t exploded yet. Some of the circuits blew and much of the calibration is out of alignment.
TERRY MENDELSON
I guess it’s going to take awhile.
MADDOX KANE
It is.
TERRY MENDELSON
It’s good we have Captain Rex’s contract to check out first. That will give us some time to deal with this.
MADDOX KANE
I’m sorry if I’ve been less than affable with you. I’m frustrated by my current situation.
TERRY MENDELSON
It’s ok. I’ve been there myself. Stranded, no easy way to get back home. You start feeling desperate.
MADDOX KANE
That’s a good way to put it. Desperate. In my case to get home. I’ve never experienced that feeling before.
TERRY MENDELSON
Did you ever leave the Nepenthe?
MADDOX KANE
Yes, but our shuttle was limited. Whatever trips we had off-station never went far or took very long. I was always home or close to it.
TERRY MENDELSON
Pat and I were stranded for, I don’t even know how long. Months, years, time kind of blurred after awhile.
MADDOX KANE
I can’t imagine that.
TERRY MENDELSON
Don’t bother trying, it’s a terrible situation to be in.
MADDOX KANE
If you’re ok with it, I’d like to offer a fresh start between us.
TERRY MENDELSON
Works for me. Let’s do it.
MADDOX KANE
Good. Here’s what I need help with... I’m going to create a list of parts we have to find and then...
SOUND: TRANSITION
INT. CHING SHE JONAS' CABIN - MORNING
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Astrid, read message from Gerald Daniels.
ASTRID
Message origination, Earth. Written by Gerald Daniels. Reads as follows: Jonas, have received your messages, sorry for the delay in my reply. Things have changed here, gotten much better. My outlook is remarkably positive for the colony and for its people. We have accomplished so much since you’ve left. I hope some day you’ll be able to come home and rejoin us.
Council Seat Harris and I are work together so well, you wouldn’t believe it. After all this time, I finally understand his vision for the colony and its future. It’s beautiful. Oh, and Colonel Harlow is not the monster we made her out to be. I find her discipline, exhilarating. I miss you old friend. Please let me know if you’re ok. End of message.
STRONG SILENCE
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(to himself)
I can’t believe it. They broke him.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - MORNING
REGINA REX
What the hell happened to you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(walking in)
No, but I heard from one. My old friend Gerald.
REGINA REX
What’s wrong with that?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
He’s been indoctrinated by the council. They broke him and now he works for them.
REGINA REX
Jonas, I’m sorry about your friend. What does this mean for Earth?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Nothing’s changed. There are other colonies across the planet. We still have to get word to them; some might have the resources to evacuate. Others, well, at least they’ll have a warning.
REGINA REX
Maybe’s that the best we can do. It’s better than nothing at all.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I have to try to rescue him. I know he’s still in there somewhere.
Maybe, it’s even an act because he’s being watched.
REGINA REX
Maybe. But what if it isn’t an act? What if he has sided with them? Are you prepared for him not wanting to be rescued?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m prepared to fight for him, I know that. It’s the least he would do for me.
REGINA REX
Then, you might want to consider having to let him go. There may not be a choice Jonas, he may feel differently now for real. He’s not the same person you left back on Earth.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
We both have changed, you might be right. I guess we’ll find out when we get there.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE CONFINEMENT DECK - DAY
URSULA NASH
(walking in)
Hello Pat, it’s my shift so I wanted to see how you’re doing.
SILENCE
SILENCE
URSULA NASH (CONT'D)
Pat? Are you asleep?
URSULA NASH (CONT'D)
Pat? You need to get up from your bunk so we can talk.
SOUND: QUIET MOANING SOUND COMING FROM PAT
URSULA NASH (CONT'D)
Pat? Hey, are you ok? Wake up Pat!
SOUND: MOANING CONTINUES
PAT MENDELSON
(weakly from under the blanket)
My stomach. The food in here...
URSULA NASH
Shit!
SOUND: KEYPAD, LASER GRID BEING DISABLED, FOOTSTEPS
URSULA NASH (CONT'D)
(walking into the cell) Pat? Can you sit...
SOUND: RUSTLING, METAL TRAY BEING SWUNG AND HITTING URSULA
URSULA NASH (CONT'D)
Unnnnnh!!
SOUND: URSULA HITTING THE FLOOR, PAT KICKING HER MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE SHE’S DOWN
PAT MENDELSON
Serves you right. You neverliked me you bitch!
SOUND: DRAGGING URSULA ONTO BED, BEDSHEETS RUSTLING, TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - DAY
ANKO LUMEN
(walking in)
Good, you’re both here. I think Pat is planning something.
REGINA REX
What are you talking about?
ANKO LUMEN
I went to her cell awhile ago and she is not the person I thought she was.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
How do you mean?
ANKO LUMEN
At first she was her usual charming self, or so I thought. Until I upset her. Then, she became really agitated and threatening after I wouldn’t help her.
REGINA REX
Help her do what?
ANKO LUMEN
She wanted me to come talk to you about letting her out early.
REGINA REX
That would be a “hard” no.
ANKO LUMEN
That’s what I assumed. When I told her that, she turned on me. I think she’s been hiding this side of herself all along.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Maybe we need to talk to Terry about this.
REGINA REX
That’s a good idea. Let’s get him up to the bridge.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
It was Ursula’s shift, we should check in with her too.
ANKO LUMEN
We need to move quickly. I think she’s planning something terrible.
REGINA REX
She can plan all she likes, she’s not doing anything from that confinement cell.
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Serebella, get to the confinement deck, relieve Ursula and have her report to the bridge. Keep Pat under constant guard until you hear from me. Make sure you’re armed.
SEREBELLA REON
(over speaker) Always. I’m on it.
SOUND: TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING QUIETLY
INT. CHING SHE ENGINEERING - DAY
MADDOX KANE
(working on warp engines) Ok, now turn that left like I showed you.
SOUND: METAL CLUNK, POWER SURGE
TERRY MENDELSON
That’show that works, so cool!
MADDOX KANE
Yeah, see? The power coupler connects these two points of the fusion reactor.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS MOVING IN QUICKLY OUT OF NOWHERE, MADDOX BEING STRUCK IN THE HEAD
MADDOX KANE (CONT'D)
Now, we’re going to...Unghh!!
SOUND: MADDOX HITTING THE FLOOR
TERRY MENDELSON
Pat!? What the hell!?
SOUND: METAL BAR SMASHING AGAINST THE FLOOR NEXT TO MADDOX
PAT MENDELSON
Do as I say or I’ll cave both your heads in.
TERRY MENDELSON
Are you out of your mind? What are you going to...
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS MOVING UP QUICKLY, WHOOSH OF METAL BAR SWUNG BY TERRY’S FACE
PAT MENDELSON
(cutting him off)
Shut up!! I’ve had enough of you!! Pick them up, now!!
TERRY MENDELSON
Fine! Ok!
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, TERRY PICKING UP MADDOX
PAT MENDELSON
Move! We’re going to the armory.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS, HATCH INT. CHING SHE CONFINEMENT DECK - AFTERNOON
SILENCE
SILENCE
SILENCE
SEREBELLA REON
(walking in)
Ursula? Where did she...? Whatever. Ok Pat. Get your ass up, I need to talk to you.
SEREBELLA REON (CONT'D)
Cut out the silent routine, I can see you under the blanket.
SEREBELLA REON (CONT'D)
If you are going to play games, I will break out the shock stick.
SEREBELLA REON (CONT'D)
Have it your way.
SOUND: SHOCK STICK POWERING UP, CELL OPENING, FOOTSTEPS
SEREBELLA REON (CONT'D)
Last warning.
SILENCE
SEREBELLA REON (CONT'D)
You asked for it...
SOUND: BLANKETS BEING RIPPED OFF, COMMOTION
SEREBELLA REON (CONT'D)
Ursula?! What is happening here?!
SOUND: TRANSITION, KEYBOARD BEING USED
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - AFTERNOON
REGINA REX
Terry? Maddox?
SILENCE
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Still no answer.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I can head to engineering to check it out.
ANKO LUMEN
I’ll come with you.
REGINA REX
Good, grab some weapons just in case...
SEREBELLA REON
(over comms)
Captain Rex! We’ve got a big problem!
REGINA REX
Serebella? What’s going on?
SEREBELLA REON
I’m here at Pat’s cell. She’s escaped. I found Ursula unconscious.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Ursula? Is she ok?
SEREBELLA REON
She’s breathing but still out.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(leaving)
I’m going to confinement.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
REGINA REX
I’m sending Anko to engineering, meet him there once Jonas arrives. Make sure you’re both armed to the teeth. We don’t know what to expect. She’s probably heading to the armory.
SEREBELLA REON
Can she get in?
REGINA REX
Maybe, with Terry’s help.
SEREBELLA REON
Do you think they planned this?
REGINA REX
I don’t know, but let’s prepare for the worst no matter what.
SEREBELLA REON
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too.
REGINA REX
Be careful, ok?
SEREBELLA REON
I’ll report in when I get to engineering.
REGINA REX
Anko, I need you to check the engines and look for sabotage.
ANKO LUMEN
Will do.
SOUND: TRANSITION, WALKING, FEET DRAGGING
INT. CHING SHE ARMORY CORRIDOR - AFTERNOON
TERRY MENDELSON
Maddox is kind of dead wait. Can I...
PAT MENDELSON
Over there, on the floor.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, FEET DRAGGING, BODY BEING SETTLED ON THE FLOOR
PAT MENDELSON (CONT'D)
Stay where you are.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, STOP, KEYPAD
TERRY MENDELSON
Pat, look I know that...
PAT MENDELSON
(cutting him off)
Keep your mouth shut!! Don’t speak unless I tell you too.
SOUND: KEYPAD
PAT MENDELSON (CONT'D)
(muttering to herself) I’ve seen that idiot Serebella punch this in a hundred times.
SOUND: KEYPAD, FAILURE SOUND
PAT MENDELSON (CONT'D)
Dammit! Why isn’t it working?!
TERRY MENDELSON
Well, it is biometric too.
PAT MENDELSON
What are you talking about?
TERRY MENDELSON
The thumb print thing below the keypad. You need both the number and the approved, you know, thumb, like Serebella’s.
PAT MENDELSON
(beyond frustrated) You’ve got to be kidding me!!
PAUSE A BEAT
PAT MENDELSON (CONT'D)
Wait a second. With your fancy promotion, your security clearance went up.
TERRY MENDELSON
(stumbling to cover up) Well, I, uh, not for weapons though. I’m sure it wouldn’t...
SOUND: METAL BAR SMASHING THE WALL
PAT MENDELSON
Remember the part where I bash both your brains in? Get over here, now.
SOUND: KEYPAD
PAT MENDELSON (CONT'D)
Your thumb. Do it!
SOUND: FINGER PRESSING KEYPAD, SECURITY LOCK DISABLING, HATCH OPENING, METAL BAR TAPPING THE WALL, FOOTSTEPS
PAT MENDELSON (CONT'D)
Get back.
Ok.
TERRY MENDELSON
SOUND: TERRY SLOWLY WALKING BACKWARD, HAND HITTING HATCH BUTTON, HATCH SLAMMING SHUT, FOOTSTEPS RUNNING, PICKING UP BODY AND DRAGGING AWAY QUICKLY
PAT MENDELSON
Oh Terry, you’re such a dumb ass. I have exactly what I want.
SOUND: GUN CABINET OPENING, GUN COCKED, TRANSITION, FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
INT. CHING SHE CONFINEMENT DECK - AFTERNOON
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(running in)
Go ahead Serebella, I’ve got this.
SEREBELLA REON
(running out)
I checked her vitals and breathing, she’s stable.
SOUND: HATCH, FOOTSTEPS SETTLE
URSULA NASH
(stirring from being unconscious)
Oh that bitch hit me with a tray. I’m going to throttle her.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I think Serebella will beat you to the punch on that one.
SOUND: MOVEMENT
Ouch!
URSULA NASH
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Take it easy. She knocked you out cold.
URSULA NASH
I think she kicked me too. My ribs feel like...aaaahhh!! Yep! She cracked them.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Let’s get you to the med bay, ok?
URSULA NASH
That’s a good idea.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE ENGINEERING - LATE AFTERNOON
ANKO LUMEN
There you are. Is Ursula ok?
SEREBELLA REON
(running in)
She’ll be fine. Jonas is taking her to the med bay. How does it look here?
ANKO LUMEN
I’ll tell you in a second.
SOUND: PROCESSING SOUND FINISHING
ASTRID
Engine integrity examination complete. All systems normal.
ANKO LUMEN
(sigh of relief)
Good. I think we’re ok. It doesn’t look like she tampered with anything.
SEREBELLA REON
She probably didn’t have time, I’m guessing they wanted to get weapons.
They?
ANKO LUMEN
SEREBELLA REON
Don’t you think it’s possible she and Terry planned this?
ANKO LUMEN
I guess it never occurred to me.
SEREBELLA REON
Think about it, he just got promoted so he can access most of the ship now. Including the shuttle bay and the armory. They have the perfect hostage too. We needMaddox in order to fix the warp drive.
ANKO LUMEN
You’re right. I wonder if she was playing me all along.
SEREBELLA REON
What do you mean?
ANKO LUMEN
She was always eager to work with me. We kept getting closer and then we had sex.
SEREBELLA REON
You had sex? All of you?
ANKO LUMEN
No, just Pat and I.
SEREBELLA REON
And Terry was cool with that?
ANKO LUMEN
He encouraged it.
SEREBELLA REON
I think they totallyplayed you.
ANKO LUMEN
You might be right. I was distracted, maybe I missed some signs...
SEREBELLA REON
We all did. They played all of us with their little, cutesy “act”. Here, take this.
SOUND: HANDING ANKO A GUN
ANKO LUMEN
You know I hate guns.
SEREBELLA REON
They have access to the armory. Remember? I said that 30 seconds ago?
ANKO LUMEN
Does she even know how to use weapons?
SEREBELLA REON
Yes, I trained her.
ANKO LUMEN
Oh shit.
SEREBELLA REON
Oh shit is right. And now they’re both armed with who knows what else. We have grenades in there too. They could blow the whole damn ship up if they felt like it.
ANKO LUMEN
What do we do?
SEREBELLA REON
Find them, quietly. If they see us, they’ll probably start firing. We survey the situation before we make our move.
ANKO LUMEN
And if they start firing?
SEREBELLA REON
Don’t hesitate. Kill them both, we need to rescue Maddox.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS, SHUTTLE PREPARTIONS, FOOTSTEPS SLOWLY APPROACHING
INT. CHING SHE SHUTTLE BAY - LATE AFTERNOON
SEREBELLA REON
(whispering)
Stay behind me. She’s over there loading supplies.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS SLOWING AND STOPPING
ANKO LUMEN
(whispering) I see her.
SEREBELLA REON
Where’s Terry and Maddox?
ANKO LUMEN
I don’t see them. Maybe they’re on the shuttle prepping it for take- off.
SEREBELLA REON
Damn. I hate that we can’t see them. Keep your head on a swivel, be ready for surprises.
I will.
ANKO LUMEN
SEREBELLA REON
Good, move quietly to the right side over there. It’s a blind spot from where she is. When you get there, cover me. I’m going to get a shot lined up on her first and then confront her. We have the element of surprise on our side. Do not fire unless I tell you to.
ANKO LUMEN
Ok.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS MOVING TO THE RIGHT QUIETLY, MORE SHUTTLE PREPARTION IN THE BACKGROUND, FOOTSTEPS SLOWLY GETTING IN POSITION, GUN POWERING UP
SEREBELLA REON
(to herself) Got you.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS MOVING CLOSER, BECOMING MORE PROMINENT, BODIES SHUFFLING
SEREBELLA REON (CONT'D)
(approaching Pat)
I’ve got you in my sites Pat! Don’t move!
PAT MENDELSON
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve got you in my sites too. You didn’t think I’d just be standing here without a weapon did you?
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS AND SHUTTLE PREPARTION STOPPING
SEREBELLA REON
(stopping, gun trained on Pat)
You know I’m the better shot and my site has you right between the eyes. If you flinch I’ll blow your head off. Where’s Terry?
PAT MENDELSON
And you’ll have a hole in your gut the second you pull the trigger. I have no idea where Terry is. Maybe he’s behind you.
SEREBELLA REON
Doubtful. Is Maddox on the shuttle?
PAT MENDELSON
(playing with her now)
I guess Maddox is still in there, you should probably check.
SEREBELLA REON
Pat, drop the gun and stop playing games.
PAT MENDELSON
And then what? I go back to my cell and then shot out the airlock for mutiny? I’m well aware what Regina will do to me.
SEREBELLA REON
It doesn’t have to go this way.
PAT MENDELSON
You’re right. Just let me take the shuttle and some supplies and I’ll be on my way. That seems fair doesn’t it?
SEREBELLA REON
You know I can’t do that.
PAT MENDELSON
Sure you can, because if you don’t I’ll have to kill each and every...
SOUND: LASER SHOT FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, GUN DROPPING TO THE FLOOR, PAT SLUMPING TO HER KNEES, FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING
PAT MENDELSON (CONT'D)
(disbelief) Te, Ter, Tttterry?
SOUND: PAT HITTING THE FLOOR, DEAD
TERRY MENDELSON
Sorry honey. I’m so sorry.
END OF EPISODE