MOONBASE THETA, OUT – S4 Episode 11 – “Almost Soon Enough”
by D.J. Sylvis
ANNOUNCER
Moonbase Theta, Out – a Monkeyman Productions Podcast. Season 4, Episode 11 – “Almost Soon Enough.” Please see the show notes for content warnings related to this episode.
(Content Warning – Distant fighting and gunfire)
INTRO
SOUND: Planetwide Media Theme
ANNOUNCER
The report indicated that the continuing increase in sunspot and solar flare activity is responsible for ongoing interference across the satellite communications network. The Science Wing will continue to monitor and provide updates.
(conversationally)
Now I know why my psychic has been warning me about cosmic energy surges!
(he chuckles)
CHIP
(joining in)
Oh, yeah. Ha ha.
ANNOUNCER
Sitting in today for Barnett Bell this evening is Chip Coxeter, from our award-winning morning show, “First and Foremost.” Chip, thanks for joining us after hours.
CHIP
Happy – and highly caffeinated – to be here. Thanks for having me on.
(after a pause, more professional, but unfamiliar with the copy)
“Reconstruction is complete and we are stronger than ever,” was the message from the Communications office of the NYC Conglomerate today, echoed by similar statements from Coalition Green and …
(he has a bit of trouble with it)
Xinopec – Xinopec leadership. All three megacorporations are back to full production and full protection for the residents of their enclaves and supercities, only four months after the Zero Day attacks. The statement from the NYC continues on to say, “While Security remains on alert and investigations continue, we are ready to focus on new growth and expansion.”
(brief pause)
No statement has been released by the Consortium, and the Ryders, as per their usual policy, have umm, declined to comment.
ANNOUNCER
When we come back, we’ll look at how this announcement should affect the markets; but first, a few words from our sponsors.
SOUND: Planetwide Media Theme
SCENE ONE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: The inner airlock cycling open (Base Gamma)
SOUND: Hallway background (ongoing)
SOUND: Helmets being opened; suits removed through the next dialogue
MICHELL
Finally, I can get out of this foutou suit.
TRINA
So yeah, that’s when the tunnel twists around and I can see the emergency lights at the Base entrance. Like some kind of beacon.
MICHELL
I can’t imagine making it all that way in the dark.
ZHONG
I was stuck in the ducts once when the lights went out. Wilder made me wait so I could finish the job.
TRINA
You know, the way you talk, I’m not sure how to feel about this Wilder.
MICHELL
(laughs)
That’s fair. At least she knew Zhong was in there.
TRINA
There is that. With the tags on our pods all screwed up, my crew just thought I’d checked out early.
SOUND: Slight footsteps as they start moving
MICHELL
So yeah, welcome to Gamma, I guess. I don’t know, we could find you a bunk first, or if you need the san unit, or the kitchen …
TRINA
Where’s Maria gonna be? Might as well get to it.
MICHELL
She’s usually at Comms or Security. Down this way.
ZHONG
I think I’m heading … somewhere else. I’m with you, just …
TRINA
It’s okay, buddy. We’ll find you after.
SOUND: One set of footsteps moving away quickly; Trina and Michell moving together down the hall
TRINA
You don’t have to be there either, if it’s …
MICHELL
No, that’d be twice as bad. Just … take it slow, okay?
TRINA
I’ll try. You know me, I’m a badger.
MICHELL
You made me play the badger!
TRINA
And you did great.
MICHELL
Just take it slow.
TRINA
I’ll try.
SOUND: Footsteps for just a moment, then we start to hear voices as they get closer
MARIA
(on a call, aggressive but not angry)
Look here, Base Lead Doctor Ray … I mean, nobody had to vote me Base Lead … we’ve heard the same news from below – the corporations are getting riled up and it doesn’t take much imagination to figure out that the Moon is gonna be on their to-do list.
ASHWINI (over speaker)
I grant your point, Mx.L’Anglois, and you can be certain that I never lack imagination.
MCGURK (over speaker as well)
From what I hear, that’s part of the problem.
MARIA
Dammit McGurk, if you’re gonna butt in, come in here and do it.
MCGURK
I’m in the middle of things.
MICHELL
(they’re still out in the hall)
Maybe we should wait until she’s …
TRINA
Seems like a good time to me.
SOUND: Hallway background (crossfade out)
SOUND: Cubicle background (crossfade in)
MARIA
Tête de noeud. (Dickhead.)
(seeing Trina)
Who the hell are you? What the hell are you – Michell? Bon sang, Michell! Who’s this?
ASHWINI
Michell has arrived? Perhaps I should begin again with the –
MARIA
I’ve got it, I’ll catch him up. McGurk, end the call.
(brief pause, a bit venomous)
Baby bro, nice of you to stop by. And you brought a friend.
TRINA
Trina Haugen, Base Zeta. Heard a lot about you and thought we should have a face to face.
SOUND: Chair creaking as Maria stands up
MARIA
Maria L’Anglois. Why don’t you hold your face just a tick. Michell? You haven’t said hello yet, sib.
MICHELL
You were in the middle of a call. With my Base. Which sounded like something … important?
(when she doesn’t reply, carefully)
Hello.
MARIA
It’s good to have you back.
MICHELL
Thanks.
(after a moment)
Trina wanted to meet you. She came all the way back from the South Pole …
TRINA
I probably should have let you two catch up first.
MARIA
It’s not too late.
MCGURK
I can point you to the door.
MICHELL
Hold on! I want to catch up too, but there’s stuff we need to talk about, that’s why Trina’s here. Things have been moving, coming together on the other bases, and it sounds like things are happening here, too. We’re all part of the same Plan, right? So we should catch up together.
(after a silent moment, quieter)
I’m just gonna … olfactory, give me pine forest blend, point zero one –
MARIA
(cuts him off)
Cancel – olfactory, give me hickory smoke, point zero two.
SOUND: The little spritzing noise of the olfactory begins (ongoing)
MICHELL
Okay, qu’est-ce qui ne va pas chez toi?(What is wrong with you?) You’re acting weird.
MARIA
I’m not the one who comes in here like, “We’re all part of the same Plan,” while you’ve been off sneaking around like some foutou kid stealing sweet rolls! You stroll in with some new buddy, like you’re not gonna get called out in front of her. Let me tell you, you’re getting called out but good.
MICHELL
(just a little shaky)
What are you talking about?
TRINA
Hey, look –
MARIA
I’ll get to you. I’m sure you’re part of this. I expected it from you. That’s why I sent Michell in the first place, to keep an eye on you guys and let me know when things started running off the rails.
TRINA
Who asked you to do that? You’re not in charge here.
MARIA
Oh, don’t I know it. If I were in charge … Nobody needed to ask me, I do what I do to keep things safe; that’s what I’m here to do. Who else on either side of this rock understands Security?
MICHELL
You said you wouldn’t call it that anymore.
MARIA
That’s when I thought we were playing nice. That’s when I thought you understood! I trusted you, I warned you about the safe list for revivals, I told you there’s agents, spies out there. I thought you’d tell me when one of those spies woke up on Base Theta and found a way to contact Earth! That’s the one thing I said we need to be ready for, and I only hear because Ashwini-fucking-Ray assumes I already know! Goddamn it, baby bro –
MICHELL
God dammit back at you! I’m not your baby bro! I’m always your bro, but … you know what I mean. I can make decisions on my own, I don’t need you to say they’re okay. You thought you could trust me? I thought you trusted me, too. I guess we both fucked up.
MARIA
You’re just not getting it! I’m trying to protect you, the way I never did back when … I’ve got to have all the intel, I’ve got to be in on all the conversations, or it all spins out of control.
TRINA
Whoa, Maria. Look. You’re putting that pressure on yourself. You’re not carrying it all! This isn’t a solo run – you’ve got a whole party to work with, you’ve just got to become a part of that process.
MARIA
Que savez vous à propos de ceci? (What do you know about it?) You don’t know what we went through to get here, how much is riding on getting this right …
TRINA
I know I’ve got a kid back on Earth I haven’t seen for a good year longer than I promised him. We’ve all got reasons we need to get this right.
MARIA
I still don’t know why you’re even awake.
MICHELL
It’s not just you and me anymore, Maria.
MARIA
Like I don’t know that.
MICHELL
It can’t be, not if we’re gonna get through this.
MARIA
Then I might be screwed. I don’t even like other people besides you. I tolerate McGurk.
MCGURK
That’s fair.
MICHELL
Hey, I’m still working with Roger. And I mean, Wilder’s still working with me.
MCGURK
As long as someone gets to the North Pole in the next couple days, that is.
MICHELL
Wait, what?
MARIA
McGurk, you asshole.
MICHELL
What did he mean? What’s going on? Maria?
MARIA
I was getting to it, okay! Not like I wasn’t gonna tell you.
TRINA
Tell us what?
MARIA
That’s why Base Theta called in the first place.
MICHELL
Maria, what?
MARIA
It’s just … shit, it’s all just … aaaaaaaaaahhh!
SOUND: A little spritz of the olfactory at just that moment
MICHELL
Olfactory off! Somebody, now, what’s going on?
TRINA
And what’s it got to do with Wilder?
MCGURK
(after a moment)
So … turns out she might be a little bit, uhh, trapped up there. In some kind of a hole.
MARIA
It’s not a hole, it’s one of the putain de supply stashes! How she found a supply stash before we did –
MICHELL
What the hell, Maria! What the fuck? You’re going on about all of this shit and Wilder’s trapped?
MARIA
I wasn’t going on about anything –
MICHELL
(all rushing out, panicking)
Is she okay? Does she have food – does she have air? How do you know it’s a supply stash?
TRINA
How’s she calling out, does she have one of those mining rigs?
MICHELL
Tumnus has to be losing it. Who did they send after her?
MCGURK
Yeah, that’s the thing.
MICHELL
What else?
TRINA
They were calling to get you to send someone after her.
MCGURK
You got it.
MICHELL
(shouting now)
Maria!
MARIA
They needed someone with an extra Rover! We don’t have an extra Rover!
MICHELL
We just got here in an extra Rover!
MARIA
And they don’t know how to find her – she said the entrance was almost invisible and it’s not like we have a map of all the stashes –
TRINA
Michell –
MICHELL
Right –
TRINA
Zhong’s thing, it’s still installed –
MICHELL
It’s a chance. I have to go after her.
MARIA
Hold on a minute. Why’s it gotta be you who goes? What about this one, or one of my crew? I could send McGurk –
MCGURK
I don’t know about that.
MICHELL
Stop it! Just stop. Maria, I’m going. I’ve got to save her.
MARIA
I thought there was all this urgent stuff we need to talk about!
MICHELL
Trina, you’re okay with staying here for a while?
TRINA
As long as your sister will have me.
SOUND: Maria growls in frustration
MICHELL
I’m taking that as a yes. Come on, we’ve got to go find Zhong and get instructions on the tracker. McGurk – get someone to load up our Rover with supplies.
MCGURK
Boss?
MICHELL
Do it!
MARIA
Get it done, McGurk.
MICHELL
I want to be out the door in thirty minutes.
MARIA
Can you just hold on a goddamn minute?
MICHELL
I really can’t. We’ll catch up when I’m back.
(brief pause)
Sois sage (be good), Maria. Come on, Trina.
MARIA
Michell …
SOUND: Cubicle background (crossfade out)
SOUND: Hallway background (crossfade in)
SOUND: Fast walking footsteps (ongoing)
MICHELL
What the hell was she doing? What was she thinking?
TRINA
Wilder or Maria?
MICHELL
(fading out as they go)
Zhong? Zhong, get your ass out here!
SOUND: Footsteps fade out
SOUND: Hallway background fade out
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
ANNOUNCER
Our program is brought to you by Planetwide Media – broadcasting everywhere on Earth and across the Moon! Thank you to our “Spotlight Sponsor” for this broadcast – LaGrone Pharmaceuticals, providers of quality pain relief. “Your LaGrone is La Gone”
Note – there may be advertisements inserted at this point in the episode.
SCENE TWO
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Shelter background – the idea is a radio hut in a war zone, we hear muffled voices, vehicles / bots outside, occasionally yelling in the distance (ongoing) – no fighting / gunfire except where noted
SOUND: In the room, we hear someone doing minor robot repairs
NASHWA
(Arabic, translation is, “Do you have me set up with full access now?”)
اديتني حرية دخول كامله؟
NAC 2
(Arabic, translation is, “We’re getting there. I’m routing the calls through several different satellites successfully.”)
تقريبا، عمالي بحول الاتصالات عن طريق عدة أقمار صناعية .
NASHWA
(Arabic, translation is, “I couldn’t get through to the Moon earlier.”)
مقدرتش اكمل اتصالي بالقمر.
NAC 2
(Arabic, translation is, “That takes a bit more work. For now, keep sending those through me.”)
ده عاوز وقت اكتر شويه. حاليا ابعت دوول ليه
SOUND: A tool falling to the floor
ELIO
Oops, sorry.
NASHWA
(still on the radio, but in English now)
Understood. We’ll talk more soon.
(to Elio)
Let me get that for you.
SOUND: Chair creaking a little as they shift
ELIO
Thank you. Have they got you connected now?
SOUND: Some small mechanical repair noises from her side of the room
NASHWA
It seems like it. I can’t talk to the Moon from here, but I can pass messages through.
ELIO
And Alex is still …
NASHWA
I think so.
ELIO
Roger would have said something.
NASHWA
Oh, speaking of!
SOUND: Tapping a few keys before playing the message
ROGER (recorded)
(down but trying to sound playful)
Hey, Earth-baseians, following up at the request of my master’s voice on a few points. First, I’m sending all the callsigns and encryption files we had for the old satellite network – I’ve tried them all a hundred times, but maybe something will work from your end. I’m also gonna hit send on a big data packet – this one’s gonna take some time – with everything you asked for on our genetic archives.
NASHWA
Good, that will be useful.
ROGER (rec.)
I checked those files personally; you’re getting the goods. Nine hundred and ten samples, fully sequenced; as well as Doctor Austen’s unpublished logs on some new beneficial mutations and how they’re useful. Not sure how you even knew about those; I guess maybe … Elena told you. She would know.
NASHWA
He sounds okay.
ELIO
Maybe.
ROGER (rec.)
So feel free to soak in those for a while; we’ve got stasis-locked samples of everything when we’re ready to start some sort of trade run. After we figure out the Big Bad and all, I mean, once you get a … rocket thing … going …
(after a moment, shaking it off)
Right. That’s enough for me, but not enough for you – I’m turning the mic over to our next guest, Agriculturalist and renowned socialist agitator, Haaaarrolllld McVett!
NASHWA
Oh, Harold!
ELIO
(overlapping)
Really?
HAROLD (recorded)
So which button do I –
ROGER (rec.)
Nothing, it’s on, I’ve been – just talk already –
HAROLD (rec.)
Greetings, comrades! That’s mostly for Roger’s benefit, but hello! Again. And let me tell you, you’re in luck with those genetic archives, they’re the real deal.
(note – pronunciation below is “Pata-now”)
I gathered some of the samples myself, back in the day, on an expedition into the Pantanal right after I was hired. Nice place there – you wake up some mornings cuddling a golden anaconda, but generally, they didn’t want none of me … but I digress. What I need be getting to is … I hate this part of things, really, but we’ve got a bit of a security issue developing up here. And by that, I mean it’s an issue with Security, I’m sure they’re gonna find a way to reach out to you soon –
SOUND: A few keystrokes as the sound cuts off
NASHWA
I should probably save that for later.
ELIO
I can go, if you need me too. Not for a walk, but outside at least.
NASHWA
Oh no, Elio, it’s not you. Quite the opposite – it sounds like something that needs to be shared, and I’d rather wait for the group.
ELIO
You’re not big on secrets, are you?
NASHWA
I don’t have the space for them.
SOUND: A small tone from the radio setup; a few keystrokes
NAC 2
Did those messages come through?
NASHWA
They did. I saved the second part – could you coordinate a group call when it’s safe this evening?
NAC 2
I’ll put one together.
NASHWA
I should talk soon to the Ryders as well – do they have anyone in range?
NAC 2
There should be another transport by morning.
NASHWA
Thank you.
SOUND: A few keystrokes ending the conversation
NASHWA
That transport will be more refugees from the east; the Xinopec has really been squeezing them.
ELIO
We’ll need to set up more sleeping room. And talk to Beni Suef about provisions. I’ll work on that after this bot is back together.
NASHWA
Thank you. There’s so much to handle right now. Everyone left around the world – and now above as well – has been trying to connect.
ELIO
I can’t blame them.
NASHWA
I can’t either, which is why I spend so much time at this console.
ELIO
Are any of the calls from … someone I’d know?
NASHWA
I’m afraid not. Though friends outside the Great Lakes Supercity say they’ve seen activity in the North.
ELIO
I hope so.
NASHWA
I’ve asked them to keep checking in.
SOUND: A sudden burst of gunfire, not directly nearby but loud enough to be heard inside; a mechanical alert noise and shots back (automated response)
ELIO
Oh! That was … close.
NASHWA
Just a sentry, I hope.
SOUND: The door slams open
FREE FOLK 1
Elio! Elio, did you hear that?
ELIO
Is everything okay?
NASHWA
Did someone get hurt?
FREE FOLK 1
I don’t know! That was too close! Shit!
SOUND: Footsteps outside (the door is still open)
SOUND: Dogs barking outside
ELIO
Girls?
ELENA
(outside)
Someone should keep watching the coast.
NIMA
(similarly)
You can watch just the same from inside.
(entering on this line)
Cas, Pol, come inside now. Elio’s here.
SOUND: Dogs whining, barking a time or two
ELIO
It’s okay, it’s okay.
NIMA
They were always safe. Unlike some people.
NASHWA
What happened?
ELENA
Just a single drone doing a sweep. Our bots took care of it.
NIMA
It’s never a single drone.
ELENA
It is lately.
SOUND: One more burst of gunfire from outside, far in the distance
NIMA
It’s never a single drone.
SOUND: The dogs barking, a bit of distant commotion outside
FREE FOLK 1
That’s it! I’m sorry, Elio, that’s … just it!
ELIO
It’s okay.
FREE FOLK 1
How can this be okay?
ELIO
I was talking to the girls. I’m sorry. I know it’s not what we’re used to, but –
FREE FOLK 1
I know what’s going on is important. But I shouldn’t be the one here doing it! They can take care of things, they’re supposed to be doing it –
NIMA
Who do you mean by “they?”
FREE FOLK 1
I don’t know why you let Riley stay behind and brought me, but you’ve got to send me back!
ELENA
Hey, calm down.
FREE FOLK 1
Elio, tell them to send me back.
ELIO
(gently)
Here, sit down.
FREE FOLK 1
It’s not … I’m just not good out here.
ELIO
You don’t have to stay; we’ve got other people who can help.
NASHWA
There will be a truck going back tonight.
ELIO
More refugees are coming in, they’ll need to get room and food ready.
FREE FOLK 1
I can help with that.
ELIO
I’d like to ask a favour, too. I need someone to take the girls back for a while.
FREE FOLK 1
Cas and Pol?
NIMA
Really?
(grumbling)
They shouldn’t have been here anyway.
ELIO
Girls? You’re gonna go with Cyril, just for now. Be good for them.
SOUND: Slightly confused barking
FREE FOLK 1
Okay. Okay. Let’s go help with the containers that are gong back.
SOUND: A few footsteps, dogs following, panting and barking a little
ELENA
We should get back outside too; keep an eye on things.
NIMA
On the tide coming in? All the work is happening below.
ELENA
It’s weird to hear you wanting to stay in the bunker.
NASHWA
How is your project coming along?
NIMA
Slowly. But we’re starting to get somewhere.
ELENA
I’ll link up my pad and show you. We’re almost at four kilometers now, stopping every half-K or so to seal and pump out the water. It’d go faster unsealed, but then I couldn’t test for buoyancy.
NASHWA
Four kilometers is a good start – the full crossing is only twenty.
ELENA
I’m still watching the numbers, but the tethers are holding and I’m seeing positive response to dynamic forces. If the segments continue to perform successfully –
NIMA
We could be ready to make the crossing within a week.
ELIO
Nima! That’s amazing!
NIMA
It’s almost soon enough.
NASHWA
Inshallah. Will the Resistance be ready?
NIMA
We’ve been ready. They’ve been holding in Al-Khalil since the last attempt, regaining strength.
ELIO
How many times have they tried to break into Jerusalem?
NIMA
It never stops. They rebuild the walls, but they won’t forget where we’ve been.
NASHWA
We should set up a call that way soon, so we can coordinate planning. It won’t be easy, with new refugees coming in, but …
NIMA
This was promised.
NASHWA
You’ll have our support.
ELIO
We’ll help with anything you need, Nima.
ELENA
And I’ll be with you on the front lines.
NIMA
You?
ELENA
Of course. Where else would I be?
NIMA
Back in your lab. Or in here, watching things where it’s safe.
ELENA
I’m not worried about where it’s safe.
NIMA
I’ve noticed.
ELENA
We can talk about this later, there’s work to do.
NIMA
Which can happen from here! There was a drone, there could be more.
ELENA
You don’t know that!
NIMA
I know it better than you!
ELENA
I’m not new to this, Nima. Not anymore.
NIMA
I forgot you invented resistance.
ELENA
I’m going back out there.
NIMA
You’ll be safer inside, Elena.
ELENA
Good thing you’re not in charge.
NASHWA
We can all discuss this together –
NIMA
We’ll be safer if you’re inside.
ELENA
Fuck you, Nima.
NASHWA
All right.
NIMA
Nashwa, let’s go somewhere we can talk about planning.
SOUND: Angry footsteps, the door crashing open
NASHWA
(apologetic)
We’ll be back. Elio, if a call comes through …
ELIO
I can work the console from here.
SOUND: Slow footsteps, the door closing
SOUND: Elena sighs
SOUND:A screw being turned, slight robot noises that stop again
ELENA
What are you working on?
ELIO
This medic bot – it’s only responding half the time. The software checked out, so I’m testing the sensors.
ELENA
Here, let me –
ELIO
Okay.
SOUND: A few more robot-y noises, a bit of mechanical movement
SOUND: After a moment, Elena growls and throws the tool aside
ELENA
Where the hell does she get off? “We’ll be safer?” After everything I’ve done out there – sneaking across a firing range every night to salvage components so there was still a hope of making this crossing – and then I found the only way to make it happen! What do I have to do, take a bullet myself?
ELIO
Please don’t.
ELENA
You too, Elio?
ELIO
I’m sorry, it’s just … it does feel like you’ve been pushing things. A little. Every time I see you, you’re working, you were going to come by to visit –
ELENA
Right, the flowers –
ELIO
Before, you used to spend time out in the gardens with Alex and you’d sit at night and laugh with Moddy Sarah, and I know things have changed but … it feels like then, you were running toward something – and now you’re running away.
ELENA
There’s just more on the line now. It’s all a lot bigger, it’s more important.
ELIO
The Plan was pretty important.
ELENA
(she sighs)
It was. It is. But I’m not part of that anymore.
ELIO
Alex took your place on the rocket.
ELENA
(a bitter laugh)
And look how that turned out.
ELIO
If Alex hadn’t gone, I think he might have wound up in a pretty dark place.
ELENA
I … can see that happening.
(after a moment)
Nessa used to say she could find something lovable and worthwhile in anyone. I used to be like that, too.
(another pause)
I sometimes think that she was my conscience, and now that I’m not even working for her …
ELIO
You have to be that for yourself.
SOUND: For a long moment, we just hear Elio working on the bot
ELENA
Alex doesn’t even know about … Moddy Sarah, or any of this. At least he made it up to Roger.
ELIO
That means we still get Elena down here.
ELENA
Lucky you.
ELIO
I think … I didn’t get to know Nessa, but from what you’ve told me … she’d be proud of what you’re doing here.
ELENA
Maybe. She’d want me to go take a look at those flowers.
ELIO
As soon as I’m able to get around again, I’ll take you there.
ELENA
Deal.
ELIO
Here. I thought I knew what these readings meant, but …
ELENA
Right. The input is getting garbled. There’s a couple of things that could be …
SOUND: A few more mechanical / robot noises as the scene fades out
SOUND: Shelter background fading out
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE THREE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Inner Office background (ongoing)
SOUND: Enclave Officer sipping coffee
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Give me that one more time, darlin’?
RECEPTION BOT
My first move was – white pawn, E-4. You countered with – black pawn, E-5. An Open Game.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Of course it’s an open game, we just started the damn thing.
RECEPTION BOT
The term, “Open Game” refers to –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Just make your move.
SOUND: A mechanical servo extending, the slight click of a chess piece being set down
RECEPTION BOT
Move completed. White Knight, F-3.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I see that, you don’t have to give me a play by play.
RECEPTION BOT
(after a moment)
Would you like a list of defensive moves for Black?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Of course not, I know the rules of the game.
(after another moment)
Fine, yes.
RECEPTION BOT
The list of legal moves from your current position are –
(suddenly switching)
Incoming message from Officer Talor Daniels.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Good, let’s have it. I’ve been wondering when you’d check in. How’s your little Freehold reunion?
DANIELS
I’ll tell you when it happens.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Dammit, Daniels, you’re supposed to be there by now!
DANIELS
Do you think I don’t know that? This has been the longest crossing in the history of ever, though at least this time I’m hiding in dry goods.
(the Enclave Officer laughs)
Shhhhh! Keep your voice down. I told them I don’t work for you anymore.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
That’s just as well.
DANIELS
Who knows where they’d have dropped me.
SOUND: EO fumbling with the chess pieces (maybe small clicks as they knock into each other?)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Right, right.
RECEPTION BOT
That is not a legal move for Black – King’s Bishop.
DANIELS
What are you doing with that robot?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I’m learning to play chess. Never actually been in a match before –
DANIELS
(overlapping)
One game is not a match –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Thought I should give it a shot.
DANIELS
I just wanted to check in. If you and Slipstream don’t need me, I’ll go back to my shipping container and some very constructive sulking.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
You’d know more than I would about Mx. Slipstream, but I hear the rocket project is coming along.
DANIELS
You asked for my help –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Indeed. We’re coming along, now I need to know if Africa has done the same.
(to Reception Bot)
All right, all right, here’s my move.
SOUND: He drops the chess piece and it rolls under his desk
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Dammit. I don’t suppose you can reach that? I dropped my piece – the pointy one.
DANIELS
Having some trouble with your bishop there?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
The Moon, Daniels. Nobody gets there before I do. Whatever side they’re playing for.
DANIELS
Okay, I’m just gonna say something. Maybe it’s time to give up on the Moon? Zero Day was like, a hundred times more effective than anything we made happen up there. Why not focus on that?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I can’t reach it with my foot … we need to get you out of that chair, darlin’.
(back to Daniels)
I appreciate the feedback. But you’re seeing all of this from the viewpoint of a piece on the board. I’m up above all of that.
DANIELS
That’s just … deeply insulting.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
And above is where I intend to stay.
DANIELS
You know what, fine. You know better than I do. Never mind that I worked on every one of those Bases before their shutdowns, I saw all your plans falling apart, what happened on Base Delta was just –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
What happened on Delta was not my responsibility! That kind of thing will not happen this time around – that batch was incomplete but the committee said this is your test case, take it or leave it. I barely had time to install replacement personnel under glass – my own little “break in case of fire” measure, even that couldn’t keep things from going to pieces. They ignored my analysis, reduced my influence to Base Theta and from there they ran the other Bases into the ground. That was not. My. Fault.
DANIELS
What keeps it from happening again? You said they’re all going to be after you.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
They’re after me already. They’re just a few moves back, and catching up fast.
RECEPTION BOT
Warning – Black is approaching Timeout.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Like I don’t know that.
(back to Daniels)
One thing I can take credit for – I shook things up but good. I woke things up – now they realize the mistake they made when they shut down the program, squabbling amongst themselves about who was making a profit and who wasn’t. They could still have the Moon if they’d learned to cooperate.
DANIELS
You’re really just talking to yourself at this point.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Not just, not only. You need to be aware that they’re coming – after me, after your friends there in the NAC, and their friends up above. I can’t get a word back from Adlai, and Maria L’Anglois is less useful at this point than I’d hoped for … but maybe you can move in a direction I can’t.
DANIELS
You are getting into chess. Isn’t it better if they don’t know who’s after them?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
There’s some pretty big brains up there, I don’t think the possibility has slipped their minds. But perhaps, if they knew just how close things are getting, they’d be open to new moves in the game, new … options.
DANIELS
You’re always thinking, Ser.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
They deserve to know. There’s not just one more player on the board here. It’s coming at them from every direction.
DANIELS
I’m … suddenly very happy to be where I am right now. I better go.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Get back to me when you –
RECEPTION BOT
The call has been terminated.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Ah, well. I think my point came across.
RECEPTION BOT
Black has timed out.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
What are you talking about? Oh, the game.
RECEPTION BOT
Please retrieve the piece Black – King’s Bishop so I may reset.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Never mind, don’t worry about it. Turns out it’s not quite the metaphor I was hoping it’d be. Just get me a double espresso.
SOUND: The coffee being prepared
SOUND: Inner office background, fading out
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(The episode ends.)
PRODUCERS
Today’s episode featured Evan Tess Murray, Jeff Van Dreason, Cass McPhee, Alicia Atkins, Cat Blackard, Tau Zaman, Leeman Kessler, NayMyo Win, Becca Marcus, Steven LaFond, Serena Rahal, Hesham Elshazly, Tal Minear, Dalia Ramahi, Leslie Gideon, D.J. Sylvis, Robin Howell, and Kristi Boulton.
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? You can’t go wrong with Starship Q Star, the funniest, queerest, most fantastic science fiction series we’ve heard in a long while.
Our Executive Producers are Sarah Müller and Beka B, and our associate producers are Marty Chodorek, June Madeley, Timothy LaGrone, Marilyn Reid, Marissa Robertcop and Linda Boyer. Today we’re shouting out Reid Branson.
Thank you guys so much for your support, and helping and trusting us to bring this story to life. We love what we’ve done with it and we can’t wait for you guys to hear all the work the cast and crew has put in, and we hope you love it as much as we do.
And speaking of your support: everything helps, from leaving us a great review and subscribing on your podcast app of choice to sharing your feelings with us on Twitter and telling your friends about our show. For behind the scenes updates and early access to every episode, we would love to have you join us on Patreon. Visit us at MonkeymanProductions.com to learn more (and to visit our store if you need an En-Soy-Ment sticker or a T-Shirt featuring your favourite doggos!). But beyond all of that, we are so glad that you’re listening and sharing in this story with us. Thank you. And, as always, keep watching the moon.
