MOONBASE THETA, OUT – S4 Prologue Episode 4 – “I know the man that must hear me”
by D.J. Sylvis
ANNOUNCER
Moonbase Theta, Out – a Monkeyman Productions Podcast. Season 4, Prologue 4 – “I know the man that must hear me”
Please see the show notes for content warnings related to this episode. (Note – content warning is for physical injury and emergency response, references to accidental death)
And, before we begin, a few words from our sponsors.
SCENE ONE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Aircraft background – grounded, so we only hear occasional slight beeps, maybe some static / faint voices on the radio
SOUND: Nima and Elio humming again, but Nima stops quickly, then Elio trails off a moment or two later
ELIO
What other music do you like? I’ve been getting into synthwave, k-funk, blisspop …
(after another moment)
I think the girls are okay now. Cas is sleeping; I can see Pol wagging her tail.
(after another moment)
What do you think is happening out there?
NIMA
I thought it was just a scan – maybe they caught us landing – but after this long, it’s got to be an attack. There’s not much cover around the airfield.
ELIO
You think we’re being attacked?
NIMA
The megas test the defenses at least once a week. The NAC was able to hide for a long time … but they were ready when the storm came.
ELIO
Stephen said that things were safe here.
NIMA
(scoffing, in Arabic – translation is, “Obviously, he always keeps himself safe.”)
طبعا، دائمان مأمن نفسو
(in English again)
The facility where he works is well protected.
(after a moment, more gently)
They’ll have a place like that for you, too.
ELIO
But not where you’re going?
NIMA
I am going back home, as soon as it’s safe to make the crossing. Palestine is different.
ELIO
How? What’s it like?
NIMA
There, we’ve had the storm for generations.
NASHWA
(over the radio)
All right, friends. It’s safe to disembark. See you on the tarmac.
NIMA
Finally!
(realizing how that sounded)
I know the dogs were anxious.
ELIO
Cas, Pol, wake up. We’re home.
SOUND: Dogs barking a time or two, whimpering
ELIO
(wistful, unsure)
Our … new home.
SOUND: Some beeping, unlatching, door popping open
NIMA
Watch your head. And their feet.
ELIO
Here we go, girls. Be careful.
SOUND: Dogs panting, collars jangling
SOUND: Footsteps down a metal staircase
SOUND: Dogs following, a bit confused
NIMA
This way.
SOUND: Footsteps on tarmac (quiet)
SOUND: Open outside background
(We can hear Stephen and Nashwa mid-conversation as we get closer.)
STEPHEN
(enthusiastic)
… with their records I think I have a solution to the orbital inclination problems on that last satellite launch. It’s the boat tail aerodynamics I couldn’t –
TECHNO 1
You’ll have to make some tweaks to the launcher design –
STEPHEN
Of course, and after we test the flowfield –
NASHWA
(note – pronunciation of his name is “Ab-doo-lie-yay”)
Save it for your team, Mx. Abdoulaye. You’ve got what you need to take the next steps, that’s all I have to know.
STEPHEN
Right. Of course.
NASHWA
Nima! And another newcomer; several! Oh, what big, lovely – girls?
SOUND: Dogs barking joyously
ELIO
Cas and Pol, very good girls who are very glad to be back outside!
NIMA
(in Arabic, translation is, “They’re not the only ones.”)
مش بس همى
ELIO
I’m Elio.
NASHWA
Welcome, Elio. I’m Nashwa, I coordinate activities for this base.
STEPHEN
“Coordinate activities” as in they run things here!
NASHWA
We’ll find all of you a place to rest soon, those ultralights aren’t the most comfortable.
(to Cas and Pol)
I’m sure you two didn’t like being stuck for so long!
SOUND: Dogs barking a little
ELIO
We kept them calm. It turns out they like being serenaded, right Nima?
STEPHEN
Just a minute. Nima was singing? Nima? To the dogs?
NIMA
(dangerously)
I was not singing.
STEPHEN
I’ve got the data from the flight recorder –
NIMA
(in Arabic, translation is, “I don’t think you have anything.”)
ما اعتقد معك شي
STEPHEN
All right, never mind.
SOUND: Dogs panting
STEPHEN
Nashwa, if you’re good, we should get to work on this data.
NASHWA
You’re taking your friend with you? I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.
STEPHEN
Oh, they’re just … it slipped my mind. Wind Shear? Downwash? Some technical term –
TECHNO 1
What? Wind Shear is my cousin, my name is –
SOUND: Dogs barking excitedly with the next line
ELIO
(shouting)
There’s Elena! Let’s get her, girls.
SOUND: Dogs barking and rapidly moving away
SOUND: Uneven footsteps, the sound of Elio’s cane as she follows
STEPHEN
Come along, it’s a bit of a drive. Make sure you bring all your files.
TECHNO 1
Like I would forget my files!
SOUND: Two sets of footsteps, one hurrying to catch up
STEPHEN
(fading at the end as they move away)
At the facility, they might have news about the rocket. It could have landed by now.
NIMA
Now, maybe we can actually talk.
NASHWA
You could be a little more gentle with Stephen.
NIMA
I brought his ass back here, that’s gentle enough.
NASHWA
And that’s appreciated. His work is more valuable than you think.
NIMA
Whatever. That’s for you. I want to talk about things for me.
NASHWA
It’s going to take time to get you home. They’ve started sending bots in from the Red-iterranean coastline, that’s where the fighting was tonight. But you have my word.
NIMA
And I won’t be going home empty handed?
NASHWA
My word on that as well.
(after a moment)
How do you feel about these newcomers?
NIMA
The technos will fit in with Stephen well enough. Elena has information we can use. Elio …
(surprised at this next realization)
I don’t know what to think about Elio.
NASHWA
You’ve just spent a lot of time with her.
NIMA
(after a moment)
I don’t know.
SOUND: Footsteps, one set uneven with cane sounds
ELIO
… I don’t think it’s a Freehold or an Enclave, not exactly.
FREE FOLK 1
What else is there?
ELENA
We’re about to find out. Hello, I’m Elena.
FREE FOLK 1
Cyril. Riley’s back in the ultralight, their pack broke open.
ELIO
With most of our food, which is why Cas and Pol are there helping.
NASHWA
(chuckling)
We can wait, things are safe here now. That’s our last person to gather in?
ELENA
(sadly)
That’s … the last one who made it out.
ELIO
Right.
FREE FOLK 1
We lost our … I don’t know who’s in charge now. I don’t even know where we are, just Africa.
NASHWA
That’s as good a place as any to start from. You’re in Sixth of October City –
NIMA
(overlapping with Nashwa, not quite a correction)
مدينة أكتوبر السادس
NASHWA
Within what was once Egypt, now an unallied territory of Northern Africa. The corporations managed to break down the regional governments here, even established some of the first Enclaves in cities like Cairo, but they couldn’t hold on.
NIMA
And Cairo Enclave remains in ruins.
ELIO
What’s important about the sixth of October?
NIMA
It was the beginning of the Fourth Arab–Israeli War.
NASHWA
Egypt, Syria, Palestine, many other states joined together to fight for the return of the Sinai Peninsula –
NIMA
Which they technically lost, and then Egypt recognized Israel, and all the land is mostly underwater now.
NASHWA
Admittedly, the symbolism is a bit mixed. And not ours any longer; some of us are Arab but none are bound to any state.
NIMA
But neither are you free.
ELENA
Is anywhere free at this point?
ELIO
Stephen said this was the last one.
NIMA
(definitely making this an insult)
Stephen is an idealist.
NASHWA
Stephen is a good person, and we need that idealism. But … we still struggle. We’ve kept the corporations at arm’s length longer than most. We’ve kept our people safe. And more than our people – you’re far from the first refugees.
NIMA
The bases are overflowing with them, fleeing their cities, and Enclaves … and Freeholds.
FREE FOLK 1
Bases? Like the Moonbases?
NASHWA
Not like the Moonbases. Though some have hopes in that direction.
ELENA
Well, whatever you’re building, here or wherever. I’m in.
ELIO
Of course. Any way we can help.
FREE FOLK 1
I want to save Africa!
NIMA
Africa just saved you.
NASHWA
You’ll all find your place. There is no one ‘Africa’ – there is barely one NAC, we’re a coalition of groups with a common need. You asked how we were different from the Enclaves and Freeholds … we’ve maintained a cooperation, an interconnection of support. We work with other groups reaching across the desert and far to the south, with the Resistance in Palestine and the Protectors of Mecca, we’re building connections with the indigenous in the Americas –
ELIO
Ahnung –
NASHWA
Another reason why Stephen was there.
FREE FOLK 1
The Freeholds had a network.
NIMA
The Consortium corrupted your network from the inside. Zero Day – that great strike against the megas – was organized to bring you all down.
ELENA
That’s verified?
NIMA
It’s even on the news.
NASHWA
It’s what the corporations do – drive people apart, keep them in walled cities like Cairo and Jerusalem –
NIMA
(in Arabic, translation is “We won’t wait for another October.”)
مش راح نستنا لاكتوبر ثاني
NASHWA
Cutting off those connections, because they know our mutual support is our strength. This is why the Cairo Enclave was brought down, why they reach our shores but no further. We push their bots back time and again, because we do not stand alone.
(after a moment)
This is a good place for you to begin from, the story here runs deep.
SOUND: Dogs barking, running up to us
NASHWA
Hello again, lovelies! That’s enough serious talk for now. Nima, they’re bunking across from you for tonight – would you show them the way?
NIMA
Come on, then.
FREE FOLK 1
What about Riley? And the food!
ELIO
I’ll wait here for them.
ELENA
(starting to move away, talking to Nima)
I’d like to get involved with something right away. They mentioned having problems with bots? I could help with that.
SOUND: Dogs barking, capering, following the folks heading away
NIMA
(distant)
Go back! Go back … to Elio!
ELIO
(calling out, teasing Nima a bit)
It’s okay, girls! Stay with the group, be good to Nima!
(after a moment or two)
Thank you for allowing us in.
NASHWA
It is our duty to take in the wayfarer. And how I’ve met some of my closest friends.
ELIO
Not everyone is safe. Or tells the truth.
NASHWA
We have systems in place to account for that. And Nima brought you; she tends to leave folks she doesn’t trust on random islands.
ELIO
(chuckles)
I’m not really surprised.
NASHWA
What do you think of Nima? You’ve just spent a lot of time with her.
(after a moment)
It’s all right if you’re still making up your mind.
ELIO
(figuring it out as she replies)
I like Nima. I trust her and … I admire her. I think meeting her has been good for me. I don’t quite understand her, not yet.
NASHWA
I hope you’ll spend more time with her. I think you might be good for each other.
(after a moment)
And that would be your final friend approaching!
ELIO
They’ve got a lot to carry. I’ll give them a hand.
SOUND: Uneven footsteps moving away, with the cane sounds as well
SOUND: Outside background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(The scene ends.)
SCENE TWO
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Moonbase hallway background – just a bit of A/C (ongoing)
SOUND: Muffled voices behind a thick door
WILDER
(still muffled at this point)
Tumnus, if th’ goddamn airlock door doesn’t open –
SOUND: Airlock door opening
TUMNUS
(overlapping)
Overriding now –
WILDER
(clear now)
– I’m settin’ Eliza loose – right. Where’s Pacey. Pacey!
TUMNUS
Medic Pacey is here.
MEDIC PACEY
(overlapping)
I’m right here.
SOUND: The airlock door closes again, we hear it cycling
ROGER
Who is it?
SOUND: Wilder’s arm cycling as she enters
WILDER
He’s not –
MEDIC PACEY
Get them on the gurney. Watch it!
SOUND Wilder’s arm again
DR. SERANO
I’ve got them.
ROGER
Is it Alex?
SOUND: Someone being placed down on the gurney; harsh beeping noises
MEDIC PACEY
Get back! Please!
ROGER
Is it Alex?
DR. SERANO
(overlapping)
O-two saturation is down.
MEDIC PACEY
Heart rate is erratic. Tumnus, get things ready –
TUMNUS
The infirmary is prepared.
ROGER
Wilder! Is it Alex?
WILDER
Shit, Roger. But he’s still kickin’.
MEDIC PACEY
Did you have to resuscitate?
WILDER
A little. I slapped the vest on and kept goin’.
ROGER
His heart! You have to – he takes pills, I can’t remember the name.
WILDER
I think they’re in his pouch.
ROGER
I’m right here, honey. I’m right here.
WILDER
Doc Just was behind me –
SOUND: Airlock door opening again
SOUND: Addie groaning
DR. JUST
I’ve got the next one. Bruises, possible fractured right radius and ulna –
ADDIE
I’m fine, amigue, I’m fine, I just need to …
(they groan)
Is Alex okay? What’s happening to Alex?
DR. SERANO
Edwin, let me, you are not certified emergency personnel.
DR. JUST
I had to drive the Rover, Jules.
DR. SERANO
Sit down against the wall. Do you know your name?
ADDIE
Adlai. Addie. Is that Alex?
ROGER
Pacey, what’s going on? Why aren’t you –
MEDIC PACEY
Wasn’t there one more?
DR. JUST
(solemn)
Out in the Rover. They were already gone.
ADDIE
Wait, Payload … gone? Oh, shit.
SOUND: Alex groaning
ALEX
Não consigo ver os medidores. Que raios está errado com a minha cabeça? O que tá errado com o meu peito? (I can’t see the gauges. What the hell is wrong with my head? What’s wrong with my chest?)
ROGER
(in broken Portuguese, badly accented)
Você tá aqui, amor. Você na lua. Eu tá aqui com você. (You’re here, honey. You’re on the Moon. I’m with you.)
ALEX
Roger?
ROGER
Alex, I love you, I’m here.
SOUND: A sudden, more urgent beeping (ongoing)
SOUND: Alex groans again
MEDIC PACEY
All right, infirmary, now. Jules, bring the other one.
ROGER
What does that beeping mean? What’s happening? Just a minute –
MEDIC PACEY
Roger, you can come, but I need you to shut up.
SOUND: Gurney moving away, footsteps, Pacey’s cane
ALEX
(after a moment, as they move away)
Addie?
ADDIE
(painfully)
Right … behind you, amigue.
ALEX
Addie … what happened?
SOUND: Gurney, footsteps, cane, beeping, all fade out
TUMNUS
Wilder. What did happen?
WILDER
I couldn’t tell. Later on I’ll go out and see if I can haul the thing back here or somethin’. All I know is … shit.
TUMNUS
Poor Roger.
WILDER
Not the reunion they were plannin’.
TUMNUS
Should we call back Officer L’Anglois?
WILDER
(after a moment of consideration, sighs)
Nothin’ he can do. They’re already more than halfway to Gamma. We’ll catch up after all that’s been sorted.
(another moment)
There’s bound to be a lot to sort when they get there.
SOUND: Hallway background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(The episode ends.)
PRODUCERS
Today’s episode featured Becca Marcus, Corey Spruill, Serena Rahal, Tom Zalatnai, Tal Minear, Dalia Ramahi, Leslie Gideon, Jen Ponton, Tina Daniels, Teddy Hannah-Drullard, Leeman Kessler, Gabriel Taneko, Journee LaFond, David S. Dear, and Hazel Stapp.
Written by D.J. Sylvis; Cass McPhee is our audio engineer. Our theme music is “Star” by the band Ramp; our cover art is by Peter Chiykowski.
Looking for more great audio fiction? Check out The Night Post, a captivating queer supernatural drama about survival, tradition, and the vast unknown.
We’d like to take a second to thank our associate producers for this season. Marty Chodorek, June Madely, Timothy LaGrone, Marilyn Reid, Marissa Robertcop and Linda Boyer. We also want to make sure we thank our executive producers Sarah Mueller and Beka B. Thank you so much for helping us create Moonbase Theta, Out season four, we genuinely would not be able to do it without you.
Want to help make this show possible AND get early ad-free access to every episode? Support us at Patreon.com/MonkeyManProductions. For a full list of our cast and crew, as well as transcripts, official Moonbase Theta, Out merch and more, visit MonkeyManProductions.com. And, as always, keep watching the moon.
