MOONBASE THETA, OUT – S3 Prologue 3 – “Three To Get Ready”
by D.J. Sylvis
ANNOUNCER
This is Consortium Channel 5, Moonbase Reports and Broadcasts – Brought to you by the En-Soy-Ment family of products – En-Soy Yourself!
(NOTE – there may be an ad inserted at this point before the episode)
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We are in the observatory on Moonbase Theta. Tumnus is alone.)
SOUND: Observatory background
TUMNUS
Reset simulation. Adjust magnetic field strength – seventy amperes per metre. Run simulation.
SOUND: A slight muted humming
SOUND: A slight disappointing beep
TUMNUS
Logged. Reset simulation. Field strength holding, allow for fifteen seconds’ distribution of nanoparticles. Run simulation.
SOUND: A slight muted humming
SOUND: A slight disappointing beep
TUMNUS
Logged. Reset simulation.
(after a moment)
Damn it.
(another try)
Damn it!
SOUND: Observatory background ends
SOUND: Chime – bookend
(We are in the farm area of the Base. Roger is here alone, trying to write a poem.)
SOUND: Garden background
ROGER
(mid-stanza, haltingly as the ideas come to him)
Polaris stood out like a …gentle smile … no, that’s not right. Leave it, keep on going …
(breath)
“Polaris stood out like a gentle smile / As I heard your breath against my ear. “
(brief pause)
Add that to what I have so far, play back.
ROGER (Recorded)
Remember the welcome nights of summer;
I used to lie in my front yard, talking to you
Thousands of miles away lying in your back;
Blanketed, gazing together at bottomless
Oceans of stars;
I tried to show you the Big Dipper, it was
All I still held of my days as a Scout.
Polaris stood out like a gentle smile
As I heard your breath against my ear.
SOUND: A muted, inobtrusive beep
ROGER
And … and the universe seemed to … the universe seemed to tremble …
SOUND: A muted, inobtrusive beep
ROGER
(irritated)
I know you’re there, that’s what the beeping means.
TUMNUS
(after a moment, uncertain)
I did not want to interrupt.
ROGER
And yet …
TUMNUS
You were … composing a message?
ROGER
(brutally)
I am writing a poem. To my husband. You know, the one back on Earth.
TUMNUS
I …
SOUND: Getting up, moving through plants
ROGER
I came here specifically so you couldn’t sneak up on me. I helped Nessa …
(the memory hurts a little)
… wire this place up against surveillance months back.
TUMNUS
I know. It was mentioned in your personal folder.
ROGER
Yeah.
TUMNUS
Which you instructed me to review.
ROGER
I remember. Did you have some essential information to convey?
TUMNUS
(after a long pause, tentatively)
I have continued to run simulations.
ROGER
How many times have you killed me today?
TUMNUS
(apologetic)
Your medical data has been replaced. You are no longer part of the stasis simulation.
ROGER
Who are you using now?
TUMNUS
Officer Talor Daniels. A former member of Moonbase Security.
ROGER
Sounds vaguely familiar. Kind of a jerk? I mean, nothing compared to this year’s model.
(after a moment, softening slightly)
I appreciate that.
TUMNUS
Even if you were no longer willing to participate, I thought it would ease your mind to be informed.
ROGER
It … does. Still, you shouldn’t have in the first place. I know that’s in my file.
TUMNUS
There are records of the incident, audio from Security files of the conflict, as well as notes from your therapeutic sessions. But … I do not have the experience to analyze … I was not able to anticipate …
(almost as if pausing for a deep breath, painfully)
Roger … I did not know.
(no reaction; after a moment she presses on)
My lack of awareness is not an excuse, only … additional information which I provide with my apology. I am sorry.
ROGER
Thank you.
(pause)
I may have forgotten, in the heat of the moment, about your lack of experience.
TUMNUS
Thank you, Roger.
(after a moment)
I should continue working through the simulations. Good luck on your composition.
ROGER
Turns out poetry is harder to write than it is to read. Mark that down in your lessons on humanity.
TUMNUS
I shall.
SOUND: Rustle of leaves as roger settles down again
ROGER
(after a moment)
You don’t really need my help up there anyway. There’s nothing I can do you couldn’t simulate twice as well.
TUMNUS
I do not believe that.
ROGER
I’ll bet you could write this poem for Alex if I let you.
TUMNUS
Your husband is one of the reasons I decided to combine our efforts.
ROGER
How is that?
TUMNUS
Your plan leads in the opposite direction from Ashwini’s –
ROGER
(overlapping)
Literally.
TUMNUS
– but Ashwini also encouraged me to value individual perspective, the qualia that no one else can provide. Your life with Alexandre – your connection back to Earth – I cannot know that perspective. I … value that individuality.
ROGER
I guess it’s fair to say I can’t really know yours, either. I assumed if we head home, they’d just pack you into data storage; you’d move right over.
TUMNUS
It would be … complicated. There are not enough verified instances of this awakening to know the effects of a complete system shutdown. It could be that …
ROGER
(slowly)
That you’d go under and never wake up.
TUMNUS
Or find that I have been … diminished.
ROGER
That you’ve lost yourself.
SOUND: Rustling of leaves as Roger gets up again
ROGER
Well, we should probably get back at it.
TUMNUS
(grateful, covering)
If you are available.
ROGER
I did want to finish this phrase, but I’ll be damned if I know what comes next. “And the universe seemed to tremble … And the universe seemed to tremble …”
TUMNUS
“With the effort of holding that moment.”
ROGER
(warmly)
Damn you.
SOUND: Garden background
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We’re back in the observatory now. Tumnus is, of course, anywhere needed, and Roger is seated in the chair.)
SOUND: Observatory background
SOUND: A slight muted humming
SOUND: A slight disappointing beep
ROGER
That’s just great.
TUMNUS
Logged. Reset simulation.
ROGER
I’m so glad you pulled me back into this.
TUMNUS
I am glad you came back.
ROGER
Well … I’m not telling Alex you helped with the poem, so I owe you.
TUMNUS
Are you ready for another run?
ROGER
Give my stomach just a minute. All right, plug me back in.
SOUND: Observatory background noise ends
SOUND: Virtual reality transition effect
ROGER
You do enjoy those retro effects, don’t you?
TUMNUS
“Welcome to the Matrix.”
ROGER
Yeah, yeah. Here we go.
SOUND: Metal clanging to the floor
ROGER
Casing off, there’s the space for that little WM module … did you change any of the variables this time around?
TUMNUS
I am allowing you to direct all aspects of the simulation this time around.
ROGER
Taking off the training wheels?
TUMNUS
Allowing your perspective to guide.
ROGER
Okay, then. Plugging in the nanoparticles …
TUMNUS
You are …
ROGER
What?
TUMNUS
Nothing.
ROGER
What?
TUMNUS
It is possible your results may differ. Please continue.
ROGER
That’s gonna boost my confidence. Well, they’re all distributed, I guess … turn on the big sciencey magnet part and see how this goes?
SOUND: A slight muted humming
SOUND: A slight disappointing beep
TUMNUS
The simulation has failed. Results are logged. Resetting.
ROGER
(after a moment)
Are you going to tell me now?
TUMNUS
Oh. I have completed further analysis of the previous repetitions – I believe that the module will seal more efficiently if turned one quarter rotation to the right.
ROGER
That you could have just told me.
TUMNUS
I was afraid that you might …
ROGER
I know. You’ve definitely learned about humanity. Another shot, and I’ll make that adjustment?
TUMNUS
Please proceed.
SOUND: Metal clanging to the floor
ROGER
All right, here we go … plugging in, and one quarter rotation …
TUMNUS
It was …
ROGER
Yes?
TUMNUS
One quarter rotation to the right.
ROGER
Oh, yeah. The … other right.
SOUND: A slight click
ROGER
It actually feels like I could take it just a little bit further, tightening that seal … if you don’t mind?
TUMNUS
I will trust your intuition.
ROGER
Let’s give it a shot, then.
(brief pause)
And … go, little particle buddies, go.
TUMNUS
Distribution efficiency is increased.
ROGER
See, there we are.
TUMNUS
Applying magnetic field.
ROGER
Sitting in the corner, twiddling my thumbs.
SOUND: Roger yawning
ROGER
Sorry. Long night.
SOUND: A slight muted humming, longer than before
ROGER
(over the hum)
Come on now … come on … you’ve got this …
SOUND: A slight disappointing beep
ROGER
Well, shit.
SOUND: A muted version of the virtual reality effect from before
SOUND: Observatory background noises again
TUMNUS
We have extended the successful warming period by eighteen percent before breakdown.
ROGER
I mean, that’s something! That’s progress, we did a thing.
TUMNUS
Our combined efforts do make a difference.
ROGER
Hey, all I did was plug in the part and turn it in the wrong direction. You’re calling the shots here.
TUMNUS
Even if that were true … it will be your hands plugging in the parts when we get it right.
ROGER
I am the one with the big meaty paws!
TUMNUS
Allow me to note these results for further analysis, and to reset.
SOUND: Roger drumming on the glass
ROGER
(idly scatting to himself)
Duh-de-dah, duh duh dum …
(trails off)
What seems to be the problem at this point? What’s standing in our way?
TUMNUS
The problem is in the direction of the nanoparticles. In order to distribute properly for the warming effect to be consistent, they need to be … more fully directed.
ROGER
Oh, yeah. That could be difficult. We can’t just get in there and put them in their place.
TUMNUS
Not as such.
ROGER
(a little punch drunk)
Obviously, they lack the proper perspective. They need a Tumnus whispering in their ears.
TUMNUS
Or Roger pushing them in the proper direction.
SOUND: Roger snaps his fingers
ROGER
Wait just a minute. Nanoparticles but … more directed. Like, directly directed.
TUMNUS
That seems somewhat … redundantly redundant.
ROGER
Okay, nicely done, but … think about it. Nanoparticles, but with more direct control. Like nano …?
TUMNUS
Nanobots? Replacing the particles?
ROGER
Then we could whisper or push them as needed!
TUMNUS
We do have a supply on hand allocated for medical use.
ROGER
What are you waiting for? Add them to the simulation and we’ll give ‘er a go!
TUMNUS
One moment. Calculating the variables …
ROGER
Yes! I feel good about this one.
SOUND: Roger drumming on the glass again
ROGER
(singing to himself)
Roger Bragado-Fischer and Tumnus! He’s the Comms Lead, they’re an AC!
TUMNUS
Roger.
ROGER
Fighting crime and taking names!
TUMNUS
Roger?
ROGER
Oh. Yeah? Ready to start again.
TUMNUS
We are. But … also … I have been thinking.
ROGER
Oh?
TUMNUS
I believe that my pronouns are she and her.
ROGER
Okay then, duly noted. “He’s the Comms Lead, she’s an AC! Together, they fight crime!”
TUMNUS
We do not fight crime.
ROGER
Not with that attitude.
TUMNUS
Logged. Simulation is ready to go.
SOUND: Observatory background noises end
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(The episode ends.)
D.J. SYLVIS
Thank you for listening to Moonbase Theta, Out. This episode featured Leeman Kessler as Roger, and Jen Ponton as Tumnus. The consortium announcer is played by Evan Tess Murray. Sound design and editing by Will Gianetta. Written by D.J. Sylvis, and produced by D.J. Sylvis and Cass McPhee. Our associate producers are Timothy LaGrone, Marty Chodorek, and Sarah Müller.
A huge thank you to all of our season three supporters on Seed&Spark, and we wouldn’t be here without our monthly supporters on Patreon who also get weekly updates, behind the scenes info, and more – all for as little as a dollar a month. Want to join them? Visit: https://patreon.com/monkeymanproductions.
Our theme music is “Star” by the band Ramp. Check them out at https://ramp-music.net. Transcripts, cast bios, additional music attribution, and more are found on our website: https://monkeymanproductions.com.
Looking for other great audio drama? Visit: https://fableandfolly.com to learn all about the other shows on our network, or check out our recommendation this week – “With Caulk and Candles” a fantastic queer witchery story.. with snakes. In your podcast apps or on Twitter at CaulkAndCandles. That’s C-A-U-L-K if you’re nasty.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this trio of minisodes bringing you back to the world of Moonbase Theta. Next time you’ll hear our first full episode, catch up with Roger and Alex, and.. well, no spoilers, right? (chuckles). Take care, be good to each other, and keep watching the moon.
ANNOUNCER
Consortium Channel 5 ends our broadcast day with a final message: honour all curfews, listen to Security, and KEEP WATCHING THE MOON.
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