Difficult Choices - S6 - E10

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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Transcript

VOID - SEASON 6, EPISODE 10

Written by Sean McKnight

With Jeni Miller

Difficult Choices

VOID PODCAST LLC

voidthepodcast@gmail.com

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