VOID
VOID
What is Coming is Better Than What is Gone - S6 - E11
In episode 10 of VOID, Jonas received a distressing message from an old friend on Earth. Terry and Maddox learned to work together as they continued maintenance on the warp drives. Ursula had to be escorted to the medical bay after being attacked. And Pat met her fate at the hands of someone unexpected.
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VOID - SEASON 6, EPISODE 11
Written by Sean McKnight
With Jeni Miller
What is Coming is Better Than What is Gone
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
In episode 10 of VOID, Jonas received a distressing message from an old friend on Earth. Terry and Maddox learned to work together as they continued maintenance on the warp drives. Ursula had to be escorted to the medical bay after being attacked. And Pat met her fate at the hands of someone unexpected.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING QUICKLY
INT. CHING SHE SHUTTLE BAY - EVENING
SEREBELLA REON
(running up to Terry)
Holy shit! Terry?! What did you...?
TERRY MENDELSON
(cutting her off, upset) I killed her! Me! I did it!
SEREBELLA REON
But we could’ve...
TERRY MENDELSON
No! You don’t understand. She would’ve gone down trying to kill everyone and destroy the ship. Look by the shuttle!
SOUND: MOVEMENT, FOOTSTEPS
SEREBELLA REON
Oh, wow. She has enough grenades, that’s for sure.
TERRY MENDELSON
She’s not the kind to go quietly. She wanted to kill all of you, except for maybe Anko.
ANKO LUMEN
(walking in)
I guess that’s good to hear.
TERRY MENDELSON
(upset)
If I didn’t kill her, she wouldn’t have stopped. I had to do it, it had to be me.
SEREBELLA REON
(approaching gently)
It’s ok Terry, we understand. You did what had to be done. It’s over now.
TERRY MENDELSON
I guess it is. I loved her, but I also deep down kind of hated her too.
ANKO LUMEN
She was complicated.
TERRY MENDELSON
She was. I know she wasn’t always a good person. But, can we give her some kind of dignified funeral?
SEREBELLA REON
I’m sure the captains can arrange something.
SOUND: TRANSITION
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - EVENING
REGINA REX
Wow, so she’s really dead.
SEREBELLA REON
Yeah, she is.
REGINA REX
How’s Terry?
SEREBELLA REON
He’s pretty shaken up. I think he’s going to need some time to recover from this.
REGINA REX
I would imagine. We’ll honor his request and give her a proper send off. How are Ursula and Maddox?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Both are fine. Luckily Terry put Maddox in the med bay so Ursula was able to get to work right away.
Even with cracked ribs.
REGINA REX
I guess we’re lucky no-one else was seriously injured.
SEREBELLA REON
That was all thanks to Terry coming out of nowhere.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What he did took a lot of bravery.
REGINA REX
And sacrifice. We should try to do something special for him once everything settles down. After that, we make our way to the coordinates of the Cambridge contract.
SOUND: TRANSITION, SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING
INT. CHING SHE AIRLOCK - MORNING
REGINA REX
We’re gathered to honor a member of our crew who has fallen. While the circumstances were unfortunate, Pat contributed a lot to the Ching She and her crew before her passing.
She worked hard and made an impression on all of us. Terry?
TERRY MENDELSON
(choking up)
Thanks Captain Rex. My wife Pat was a complex person. She was easy to love but not always. To me, she was the center of my universe. I wish we wouldn’t have drifted apart. I just want to focus on the good things when I think about her and remember our best days, not our worst. That’s all I have to say.
REGINA REX
Then that’s all that needs to be said. Let’s entrust her body to the cosmos.
SOUND: AIRLOCK OPENING, CASKET BEING SHOT INTO SPACE
SEREBELLA REON
I’m sorry Terry, I really am.
URSULA NASH
Me too. My condolences for your loss.
TERRY MENDELSON
Thanks Ursula, that means a lot.
ANKO LUMEN
I don’t know what to say Terry. Pat was special, I wish there was something I could do for you.
MADDOX KANE
Loss is something we all must face. On the Nepenthe we have a similar ceremony. We believe that life came from the universe so it seems fitting to commit back to it at the end.
TERRY MENDELSON
Thanks Anko, thanks Maddox, I appreciate the sentiment.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
She was an intense, passionate person Terry. She won’t be forgotten.
TERRY MENDELSON
That’s kind of you Jonas.
PAUSE A BEAT
REGINA REX
You know Terry it’s custom to go to the cantina and drink ourselves stupid whenever a funeral comes up.
TERRY MENDELSON
Thanks Captain Rex but I’ll take you up on that another time. Right now I need to be alone for awhile.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - MORNING
ANKO LUMEN
(walking in)
You wanted to see me Captain Rex?
REGINA REX
Yes. I need to discuss with you what happens when we get back to the station.
ANKO LUMEN
Well, based on our findings I present what we learned to the 5 and then we... Oh shit.
REGINA REX
Exactly. We don’t know what’s going on at the station. And from what we know we can’t trust the 5 regardless.
ANKO LUMEN
That puts us in a spot, doesn’t it?
REGINA REX
It certainly does.
ANKO LUMEN
Have you talked with Jonas about this?
REGINA REX
Not yet. He doesn’t know much about the station; he’s focused on his dealings with the colony on Earth.
ANKO LUMEN
I see. What about Serebella?
REGINA REX
She’s checking to see if there’s any contact with her brothers.
She’s been trying for weeks to get in touch with them. I’ve heard nothing from my contacts. But then again, they’re mainly bartenders.
ANKO LUMEN
I haven’t heard anything from anyone either. It’s worrisome and very strange.
REGINA REX
Who would be next in line to present your findings to?
ANKO LUMEN
I guess that would be the person in charge of the terraforming exploration department of the station. Her name is Dr. Loretta Dawls. She’s been overseeing all of the stations’ efforts to terraform other planets for years.
REGINA REX
I think you should try to get in touch with her too. Maybe send her some of your data? Do you know her?
ANKO LUMEN
I do. She was one of my professors. That’s a good idea. It would be wise to send someone credible our findings as a backup.
REGINA REX
Can you trust her to keep the information from the 5?
ANKO LUMEN
I’m not sure. She answered to them directly but I don’t know the extent of her relationship.
REGINA REX
Don’t send her all the data then. Just enough to get her to understand how important this is. See how she responds.
ANKO LUMEN
I can figure that out.
REGINA REX
Encrypt all messages you send and don’t trust anyone.
SOUND: HATCH, FOOTSTEPS RUNNING
SEREBELLA REON
(running in, out of breath)
Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!! You have to hear this message!!
REGINA REX
You’re sweating, what message?
SEREBELLA REON
Astrid, read last message sent from my brother, the one from this morning.
ASTRID
Serebella. There’s been an uprising at the station. The government has collapsed. The 5 are, were, a lie. The station is in chaos but seems to be settling down as the balance of power is restored. We have a lot to tell you, come home. Please.
REGINA REX
Holy shit.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HUGGING
INT. CHING SHE MEDICAL OFFICE - DAY
URSULA NASH
Ow!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Sorry, didn’t mean to hug you so hard.
URSULA NASH
It’s ok, the ribs are healing but they’re still tender.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
How’s Maddox?
URSULA NASH
Maddox is fine. A nasty bump on the head, but they’ll be fine.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
How are you?
URSULA NASH
I’m good. You would think I’d be happy she’s gone but I’m not.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You’re not?
URSULA NASH
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad it’s over with Pat but I feel bad for Terry. He was really bonded to her.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You’re right. That has to be rough on him. Now he’s kind of alone without her for the first time in a long time.
URSULA NASH
His world has shifted dramatically.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Even if someone doesn’t like a person, there’s usually someone left behind who cared about them.
URSULA NASH
In this case, deeply I would bet as his life centered around hers.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
We’ll have to do the best we can to rally around and support Terry.
URSULA NASH
We’ve had so much loss on this journey. Too much.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Way too much. I’m over it, I don’t want to lose anyone else. I don’t care who it is.
URSULA NASH
I’m glad we’re on the home stretch.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Me too. Last two missions. This Cambridge thing and then, home.
SOUND: TRANSITION, MURMURS INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - DAY
REGINA REX
(talking over everyone as they settle down)
Listen up everyone! We’re all caught up on what’s going on at the station now, at least to a degree. Here’s what’s next. We’ve plotted the coordinates of our final mission before we head home. This contract is mine. For those of you who don’t know, the 5 were the shadow organization behind it.
Unfortunately I didn’t know that at the time I agreed to take it on.
SOUND: MURMURS
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Regardless. That apparently doesn’t matter anymore since the government of the station has collapsed.
There’s still concern about who’s behind the 5 and why. That, needs to be addressed. Even though the contract at this point is moot, we’re going to the coordinates listed anyway to investigate whatever’s there. Maybe we can get some answers to take back to the station with us.
URSULA NASH
How far do we have to travel?
REGINA REX
The coordinates are not too far. We can get there in about 5 days.
ANKO LUMEN
Do you have any idea what to expect when we get there?
REGINA REX
None. The details in the contract are pretty vague. Astrid, project Cambridge contract on overhead display.
ASTRID
Projecting Cambridge contract.
SOUND: PROJECTION OPENING
ANKO LUMEN
Wow, this is really broad, especially for a station-sanctioned contract.
URSULA NASH
Who is this listed as the client? The FDR? The Federation for Democratic Responsibility, what is that?
REGINA REX
That was where the guy was from that I met with.
SEREBELLA REON
That FDR logo looks familiar.
URSULA NASH
What do they do?
REGINA REX
I don’t really know. It was kind of a no-questions asked kind of thing. Very hush-hush.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Who else did you meet with?
REGINA REX
No-one, just him. He found me at the bar and offered me the contract.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
And you just took it while you were at the bar?
REGINA REX
That’s where I do business Jonas, I never go to people’s offices.
ANKO LUMEN
Maybe we should do some research on the FDR. Astrid, provide information about the Federation for Democratic Responsibility.
ASTRID
Scanning archives for Federation for Democratic Responsibility.
SOUND: SCANNING
ASTRID (CONT'D)
The Federation for Democratic Responsibility or FDR provides data and research identifying illicit activities and ideologies with the goal of strengthening security and destroying threats posed by adversaries of the station and its government.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Isn’t there more information about them?
REGINA REX
If Astrid had anything more, it would keep going.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That’s not much information.
SEREBELLA REON
Sounds like they wanted it that way. When you’re an organization that does research on people you want to destroy they probably keep a low profile.
URSULA NASH
All it says here is that you’re supposed to go “retrieve the object at the marked coordinates”. That’s it?
That’s it.
REGINA REX
URSULA NASH
And you agreed to pick it up not knowing what it is?
REGINA REX
Look, I was drunk during the meeting. I remember asking 2 questions; how dangerous is this thing and how much do I get paid. And for what I got paid, I didn’t need to ask any more questions.
From what he told me, the object poses no threat. But I’m also not supposed to do anything besides retrieve it.
SEREBELLA REON
And what happens if you tamper with this thing?
REGINA REX
He threatened something like “dire consequences” and losing my ship but I don’t think that matters much now.
ANKO LUMEN
What’s the connection to the 5?
REGINA REX
From what I understand, this organization is the 5. Or some sort of front for them.
ANKO LUMEN
I wonder how many other organizations the 5 were behind...
SEREBELLA REON
Whoa!! I just remembered the body camera we used on security detail had that same FDR logo on it! I knew it!
ANKO LUMEN
I guess that’s how they collected some of their research.
SEREBELLA REON
Yeah but not just our body cameras. Those were the same cameras used all over the station. They’ve been profiling people this whole time every moment of every day.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
To what end?
REGINA REX
Maybe we’ll find out when we pick this thing up.
SOUND: TRANSITION, KNOCKING AT HATCH, FOOTSTEPS, HATCH OPENING
INT. CHING SHE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE TERRY’S QUARTERS - DAY
MADDOX KANE
Hi Terry, is this a bad time?
TERRY MENDELSON
(drunk)
Kind of but that’s ok. Come on in, I could use a break from it being a bad time.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
TERRY MENDELSON (CONT'D)
Do you want something to drink? I’ve got some good stuff I borrowed from the cantina. Captain Rex said it was ok.
SOUND: GLASSES CLINKING, SITTING DOWN
MADDOX KANE
No, I’m good, thank you. I don’t really drink.
TERRY MENDELSON
Ever?
MADDOX KANE
No. We never had alcoholic drinks on the station. Inebriation was considered dangerous.
TERRY MENDELSON
That must’ve been boring.
MADDOX KANE
It was fine. We found other ways to indulge vices.
TERRY MENDELSON
Vices?
MADDOX KANE
(uncomfortable, changing the subject)
Look, Terry. I stopped by because I wanted to thank you.
TERRY MENDELSON
Thank me? For what?
MADDOX KANE
For saving my life. I understand you carried me to the med bay and eluded Pat. That is, before you, well, before you...
TERRY MENDELSON
(finishing their sentence) Killed her.
MADDOX KANE
Yes, that.
TERRY MENDELSON
Uh sure. You’re welcome. I’m glad your injury isn’t too bad. She shouldn’t have hit you.
MADDOX KANE
Lump on my head for awhile with a nasty bruise. Not too bad. Will be ready to get back to the warp drive in the next day or 2.
TERRY MENDELSON
Good. I’m looking forward to it. I could use something to work on. I deal with my problems best when I’m working with my hands.
MADDOX KANE
Me too.
AWKWARD SILENCE
MADDOX KANE (CONT'D)
How are you doing? Really?
TERRY MENDELSON
It messes with my head. A lot. But then I remember that she wanted to turn everyone against Regina and Jonas and take over the whole damn thing. She planned to kill anyone who didn’t go along.
MADDOX KANE
And you agreed to this course of action?
TERRY MENDELSON
In the beginning. Sure. That was the plan. Infiltrate. Turn favor our way. Take over.
MADDOX KANE
And then?
TERRY MENDELSON
And then, I got to know everyone and felt “seen” for a change for me and being accepted for who I am. I didn’t need to be reprimanded for every little thing. I was actually promoted and felt appreciated for the first time, maybe ever.
MADDOX KANE
It’s sad you had to go through that Terry. Even though they were all scientists, I grew up with love and opportunity right away. It sounds like you had to fight for yourself.
TERRY MENDELSON
Every step of the way. With the crew of this ship, it just feels... Easy. It doesn’t feel like work.
With Pat, it was constant struggle.
MADDOX KANE
I know I sound cold sometimes.
TERRY MENDELSON
But?
MADDOX KANE
But it sounds like it worked out for the best. Not just for the practicality of our safety but just as importantly for your future.
TERRY MENDELSON
I didn’t really think of it that way.
MADDOX KANE
Objectively Pat was toxic and didn’t sound like that was going to change. If you have a toxic agent in your life, it will stay toxic no matter how much you hope otherwise unless the nature of it changes from within.
TERRY MENDELSON
Thanks Maddox. Sometimes the things we need to hear aren’t the things we want to hear.
MADDOX KANE
It’s time to focus on yourself Terry. Leave the past behind. Don’t take too much time to mourn the dead. You only cut down on the good days of your future that way.
TERRY MENDELSON
Wow, thanks Maddox. I had no idea you were such a philosopher.
MADDOX KANE
It’s more about reality than philosophy but I have studied some of the greats.
TERRY MENDELSON
I don’t doubt it. Now tell me more about philosophers and your “vices”.
SOUND: BOTTLE OPENING, DRINKS POURING END OF EPISODE