MOONBASE THETA, OUT – S3 Episode 10 – “Volatile”
by D.J. Sylvis
D.J. SYLVIS
Please see our show notes for content warnings related to this episode.
ANNOUNCER
This is Consortium Channel 5, Moonbase Reports and Broadcasts – Please turn and look directly at this device for subscription identity confirmation.
The Consortium interrupts this broadcast for the following sponsored message.
SCENE ONE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We are in the Infirmary. Michell is sitting on the bed.)
SOUND: Infirmary background
MICHELL
Give me access to Base message logs. Search for my name.
SOUND: A slight spritzing noise (spray bottle)
MICHELL
(breathes in)
Give me … surveillance footage as per previously set parameters.
SOUND: Very quiet recorded conversation, laughter
MICHELL
(the laughter hurts)
Sound off.
SOUND: Infirmary background down
SOUND: Hallway background up (ongoing)
MICHELL
(muffled a bit, we’re hearing from outside the door)
Jump forward … forward … forward.
ROGER
(quietly, but we’re in his POV)
You didn’t give him back Security access?
TUMNUS
I’m feeding him dummy information, from before the shutdown. He doesn’t seem to know the difference. Or he doesn’t care.
SOUND: Slight spritzing noise again (muffled, hearing from outside the room)
ROGER
And he’s got olfactory in there?
MEDIC PACEY
He’s got my spray disinfectant. It’s lavender scented, it helps him calm down. Is there a reason you’re loitering in the hallway?
ROGER
Oh! Umm, well, that is …
TUMNUS
How is he doing, Doctor?
MEDIC PACEY
Medic.
TUMNUS
I’ve seen your file. You do have a doctorate in –
MEDIC PACEY
An unrelated field, so let’s stick with ‘Medic’. He’s … picking up the pieces. He’s fully revived, but … heart rate, adrenal levels, brain activity … keep jumping back and forth. Emotionally … you should ask him about that.
TUMNUS
I … wouldn’t know what to say.
MEDIC PACEY
Roger. You should ask him about that. He needs your help as much as mine.
ROGER
Me? I’m not … I could see what was going on, I got him in here, but I’m not …
MEDIC PACEY
This isn’t my specialty, and your diagnosis – you don’t mind if I discuss this with Tumnus present?
ROGER
We’ve been through it all.
MEDIC PACEY
Even though we’re talking event-specific PTSD in your case, there are reasons you could identify his symptoms. Michell’s more complex trauma –
TUMNUS
Should I turn off my ears at this point?
MEDIC PACEY
He’s given his approval for both of you. Though he doesn’t quite know who you are yet.
TUMNUS
That’s fair.
MEDIC PACEY
Complex PTSD is based more in repeated or continued events, in this case extending back to childhood, but the way it affects him, the way he’s reacted to it …
ROGER
Yeah. When I saw him freeze up, and then there were big gaps in what he remembered … I got that.
MEDIC PACEY
That’s why I need you in there. I’ve read the literature, but … you get it.
SOUND: Sliding door being opened
MEDIC PACEY
Are you coming?
SOUND: Hallway background ends
SOUND: Infirmary background (ongoing)
SOUND: Footsteps (Pacey uses crutches)
MICHELL
Oh. Medic Pacey. Roger.
(under his breath)
Surveillance off.
SOUND: Slight spritzing noise
ROGER
Yeah. Hey.
(after a pause)
How’re you … feeling?
MICHELL
(businesslike, maybe a tiny bit panicky)
I’m all right. Having some trouble with accessing my files, but I’m sure, back at my post …
MEDIC PACEY
You are free to go, any time …
MICHELL
I’m not sure how they’re gonna like that, out there. Maybe one more day.
MEDIC PACEY
Your call … but if you stay with me, we do the work. Roger isn’t here for a social call, I found him out in the hall and dragged him inside.
MICHELL
You were spying on me?
ROGER
I don’t spy on people! Well, not now. Not ever of my own accord. You know that.
MICHELL
Right. Me either.
MEDIC PACEY
I’m calling a group therapy session. You two have been circling each other – don’t make that face, L’Anglois, like I don’t hear you doing those searches while I’m trying to work –
ROGER
“Right. Me either.”
MICHELL
What am I supposed to do? I hear things, even though no one’s talking to me I hear them. You’re apparently the head of this anti-Consortium revolution, I’m supposed to ignore that?
ROGER
What are you gonna do? They left you up here like the rest of us. You think you’ve got a job now?
MICHELL
Someone’s got to keep an eye on you perturbateurs –
ROGER
Oh, I’m so glad you’re back, Michell.
MICHELL
You’re the one who brought me back!
ROGER
Because Wilder forced me! And as entertaining as it was to see her push you around, it doesn’t make up for what you did to her, or to Nessa or … all the bullshit you laid on me when you took the avoidance train to Stasis Town! “Roger, merde, I was a prick, I did this terrible thing and this terrible thing and now the blood is on your hands.” Thanks for that, buddy. None of that stuck with me at all when I was sitting all alone at night on this fucked-up moon.
SOUND: Slight spritzing noise
MICHELL
That was all your choice. Just because you couldn’t stand the thought of a stasis pod –
ROGER
It is so hard not to punch you right now!
SOUND: Footsteps with crutches – Pacey stepping in between them
MEDIC PACEY
All right, break it up, this conversation has passed the boundaries of therapeutic usefulness – as much as I’m tempted to grab a bag of popcorn and let you both have at it.
(brief pause, cheerfully)
Did you know Jaxon can make us popcorn?
(back to work here)
This might be a good time to remind you both that distrust of others and an extremely negative worldview are symptoms of the trauma you’ve suffered.
MICHELL
Aren’t they also symptoms of just … living in the world?
SOUND: Tumnus laughs
TUMNUS
Sorry. I never thought of that.
ROGER
He’s got a point. How can you tell if you’re suffering from a disorder or … the world is the problem?
MEDIC PACEY
Funny. But you do know, don’t you? Both of you. I’m not arguing against the world being a screwed-up place. But your reactions to those screwed-up moments … I can understand those, too …
MICHELL
(muttering)
You’re doing a hell of a job guiding this session.
MEDIC PACEY
But it’s how they spin out of control, right? How they keep you from living your life. Folks sometimes describe it as waves coming in. The water’s always there, but sometimes it laps at your feet, sometimes it rises to your waist and you’re more concerned … sometimes the memories flood in and you can’t even breathe. That’s a lot more than just living in the world. That’s when you need outside help to cope.
ROGER
I’ve had outside help. Oddly enough, they didn’t prepare me for being this specifically screwed over.
MICHELL
You took a job on the Moon and you didn’t think about stasis pods, or spacesuits, or …
ROGER
You didn’t think betraying half the crew when we’re stuck here together might bite you in the ass?
SOUND: Michell getting up off the bed
MICHELL
I didn’t have any other foutou choice, okay? You’ve got a husband and a garden and those dogs you won’t stop going on about – the Consortium owns me. I wasn’t even fifteen when Maria and I sold ourselves to the company to get out. I do what they say or – there isn’t any or. I do what they say. And then they took her away too and lured me up here with the promise of finding her again … and someone couldn’t keep the goddamn comms towers working.
ROGER
You wouldn’t let me go to fix them!
MICHELL
I couldn’t! I had my orders and it was fucking killing me! Don’t you think I wanted to – don’t you think I would have given anything – and then you finally did get over there and it was all … you found out …
SOUND: Michell slumps back down again
MICHELL
(flat, drained again)
That was the end. Maria … she’s my family. Since that day we ran away, she’s my world. Now I don’t even know … Base Gamma, one pod, critical failure. I don’t even know if she’s alive.
ROGER
Shit. I mean … shit. You even said Gamma, in that last message. I didn’t put it together.
(rallying a little bit)
That doesn’t excuse what you did here, but …
MICHELL
I know.
(after a moment, wearily)
I had my work to do, every message back and forth with more orders. I tried to quit when I got this assignment, did you know that? I was ready to resign my commission, first time I ever talked back to a superior and I was right in his face … the way I always wanted when I was a kid, the way I wanted to be to them. I was doing it and I was … now that I know what it is, in the middle of a triggering thing right there in his office, I would have made it through but then he brought Maria into it. And I can’t let her down.
(a long pause, then)
I can’t let her down.
SOUND: Slight spritzing noise again
MEDIC PACEY
This is where we get to the ‘complex’ part of your complex trauma.
MICHELL
Ça explique tout, pas vrai?
ROGER
Wilder’s got a thing she says – “I know those feels.” At least, the triggering part. And someone I can’t let down.
(brief pause)
But it wasn’t like running away, and your family …
MICHELL
We weren’t all lucky enough to grow up without parents.
(after a pause)
She went into Security first, it was the only job they offered … and she needed to keep us going. Then I followed her lead. Shit, she’s got all this in her head too, and she had to raise me … we never talked about it, really. We thought we were free.
ROGER
Boy, did they sell you the short end of the stick.
MICHELL
It was a stupid thing to hope for.
MEDIC PACEY
Have a little more compassion for that Michell; he’d been through a hell of a lot. To come through that with any sort of hope is a big deal.
MICHELL
I wish I remembered how it felt.
MEDIC PACEY
That might take some time. But if all these other, more painful versions of yourself are still marching around inside making your life difficult … maybe that one’s in there, too. We’ll keep working, keep digging, until we find a way through.
MICHELL
If I can keep away from Wilder for that long.
ROGER
You’ve got a point there.
MEDIC PACEY
That’s probably not gonna be an end goal either, not if you really want to sleep at night.
SOUND: A few footsteps with crutches
MEDIC PACEY
But that’s for advanced learners, we’ll take the baby steps first. End of session. Pay my receptionist on the way out.
SOUND: We hear some various key tapping and beeps as ze updates zir records
MICHELL
(after a while)
Look, Roger …
ROGER
What?
MICHELL
(after a pause, more of a plea than a threat)
You better not tell anyone about all this.
SOUND: Roger gets up from the chair
ROGER
Right. Well, I’ve got a meeting starting soon. It’s been swell.
SOUND: Footsteps exiting the infirmary
SOUND: After a few seconds, we hear the spray bottle spritzing one more time
SOUND: Infirmary background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE TWO
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We are in the Enclave Officer’s office back on Earth.)
SOUND: Enclave Officer’s office background (ongoing)
SOUND: The crackle of a soldiering iron for a moment
SOUND: Access panel being closed
ENCLAVE OFFICER
That’s got to do something … of course no one saved the manual, but that looks like the right circuit. Now, hold in the button for three seconds … three … two … one.
SOUND: Short booting up effect
RECEPTION BOT
(in Italian)
Selezionare impostazioni – restrizioni generali. Prego inserire la password.(Press Settings- General Restrictions. Enter your password.)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
What the hell? There’s not any password. Reset.
SOUND: Short booting up effect
RECEPTION BOT
(switching to German)
Um Ihre Neuanmeldung abzuschließen, müssen Sie noch Folgendes tun – (To complete registration, you still need to-)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Stop, stop! Dammit. Reset.
SOUND: Short booting up effect
RECEPTION BOT
(switching to Romanian)
Vă doriți o perioadă de probă, gratis? (Would you like a free trial period?)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
We’ve definitely voided the warranty at this point, might as well keep going. Reset again.
SOUND: Short booting up effect
RECEPTION BOT
(switching to French)
Vous perdrez toutes les modifications apportées à vos documents ouverts n’ayant pas été enregistrées. (You will lose any changes made to your open documents that have not been saved.)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Nice try, darlin’. Si toute autre mesure échoue, redémarrez le système. (If all else fails, reboot the system.)
SOUND: Short booting up effect
RECEPTION BOT
(switching to Portuguese)
E sim, vou ver a lua contigo. (And, yes, I will look at the moon with you.)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Dammit, English. English!
SOUND: Click, beep, bot swiveling to face him
RECEPTION BOT
Verbal command accepted. Communication setting – English – accepted.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Are you kidding me – never mind. It’s the results that matter. Less time talking to myself.
SOUND: Sitting down in an office chair
ENCLAVE OFFICER
All right, we’ve got a lot to do today, you and me, let’s start out with a cup of coffee. Coffee, double double?
RECEPTION BOT
That is not within my code authorization.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Coffee. Cof-fee. Double double – look it up if you’re stuck on that part.
RECEPTION BOT
That is not within my code authorization. Coffee subroutines have been locked down, authorization Parker-Monica-1.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
That son-of-a … nicely played. Nicely played. What can you get me?
RECEPTION BOT
Your query is too broad. Please specify.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
What can you get me … to drink?
RECEPTION BOT
Available beverages include Tea-Earl Grey-Hot –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Like washing my mouth out with soap –
RECEPTION BOT
Tea-Twinings Peppermint-Chilled; Water-Sparkling; Water-Still; and En-Soy-Milk in Regular, Chocolate and Durian varieties.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Durian?
RECEPTION BOT
Processing. En-Soy-Milk, Durian flavour.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
No, just hold on –
SOUND: A dispenser spout filling a glass (like at a soda machine)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Never mind. Let’s get going, not enough day and a long task list. Set up a secure comm channel – not that it matters much these days, not another set of ears left in the compound. Regardless, record secure message for Agent Q36, NYC – we have successfully disrupted operations in the Detroit Enclave, hansom production is reduced forty-five percent. Continue sabotage on your end and we’ll slow the city to a crawl. Send message.
RECEPTION BOT
Message is sent successfully.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
All right, what’s the code for our rep in Zhoukou … 808 something … Darlin’, in my private directory, biometric access, look up 808 …
RECEPTION BOT
Agent 808.838, Zhoukou Prefecture. The current time in Zhoukou is –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I know, they’re sleeping, it’s just a message.
SOUND: Drinks from the glass
ENCLAVE OFFICER
That’s not too bad, really. Recording – Test numbers look good on the nanobee virus. Prepare for launch on my signal. Stock up on some of that special toffee first and ship it my way. Send message.
RECEPTION BOT
Message is sent successfully.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
That one’s almost a shame, I like those nanobees. Message, Agent 6060-842, Coalition Green Headquarters … requesting confirmation that all shipments of En-Soy-Ment Gold have arrived in the target Enclaves. Make sure we’ve got a few medics on the inside, too, before that hits the streets. Send.
SOUND: Drinks from the glass
ENCLAVE OFFICER
How about another one of those, with an espresso shot?
RECEPTION BOT
Coffee subroutines have been locked down, authorization Parker-Monica-1.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Yeah, yeah. Access my subfolder, Advertisements-Pending, and play the most recent file? I want to see how those new actors worked out.
RECEPTION BOT
Accessing.
SOUND: A slight computer beep
AD VOICE 1
(over a speaker)
Sweetheart, where are we going for our big anniversary dinner?
AD VOICE 2
Right downstairs! This year, I’m doing the cooking.
AD VOICE 1
Are you sure? I love you, but there’s a reason we order out so often.
AD VOICE 2
Oh, you!
(to the ‘camera’)
My wife doesn’t know I splurged on En-Soy-Ment Gold for tonight!
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(in the room, overlapping a bit with the recording)
Not bad, not bad.
AD VOICE 1
This is amazing! Are you sure you cooked it?
AD VOICE 2
You’re lucky it’s a special night!
(again, to the audience)
En-Soy-Ment Gold – for special meals and special moments.
SOUND: A slight computer beep
ENCLAVE OFFICER
They’ll do. Put it out on all the feeds.
RECEPTION BOT
All commercial feeds broadcasting from the Rio-Sao Paolo Enclave have been terminated.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Not here. You gotta go around the – send it off to 6060-842, they’ll know what to do.
RECEPTION BOT
Message is sent successfully.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Could you maybe change your response once in a while? Use more of that sweet vocabulary.
RECEPTION BOT
That is not within my code authorization.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(sighs)
Time for more adventures in bot repair.
SOUND: Chair creaking as he stands up
SOUND: Picking up tools, opening repair hatch
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Try to track down Daniels for a live call. They should be waiting to hear from me.
RECEPTION BOT
(reverting back to Welsh)
Chwilio … (Searching …)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Oh, great.
SOUND: Enclave Officer’s office background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE THREE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We are in the Bunkroom on Moonbase Theta – it feels more enclosed than the previous group meetings in the laboratory, and people are closer together.)
SOUND: Bunkroom background (ongoing)
SOUND: People filing in, background murmurs, very subtle footsteps
DR. JUST
(conversationally, moving away as he speaks)
That is why I’ve suggested examining the Dsup nuclear protein for protecting chromosomal DNA. Of course, I’d need a fresh batch of test subjects.
DR. SERANO
(following, fading into the background)
Oh, Edwin. There are other phyla within the kingdom, you know!
JAXON
I brought some snacks for everyone.
DR. SERANO
Here, there’s room on my footlocker.
JAXON
Okay, sure.
ZHONG
So where are we supposed to sit?
JAXON
Excuse me. Excuse me, this is my bunk.
SOUND: Sliding across mattress to sit
ROGER
(fading in as he approaches)
Yeah, it’s been something, all right. Pacey’s with him now. I didn’t think this was a great time to throw him back in the mix.
SOUND: Wilder’s arm revs just a little bit
WILDER
Th’ best place to throw him is topside without a suit.
TUMNUS
This was all your idea.
WILDER
And it was worth it. Anyway, we got bigger fish.
ROGER
It would be a …you know, a gesture, if you’d at least fix his olfactory.
WILDER
Fine, I’ll look into it. He probably broke it himself.
JAXON
(in the background)
Ashwini! There’s room over here.
ASHWINI
(similarly)
Oh, excellent.
ROGER
I guess it’s time. Gotta say, I’m not sure at all about this one.
TUMNUS
It is the next step in the plan.
ROGER
I get that, but … shouldn’t we have one Base in working order before we …
WILDER
(in the background)
Not a chance, buddy.
ZHONG
(similarly)
Fine! I’ll sit on my own bunk.
TUMNUS
Can we really wait that long?
ROGER
Your point. All right then.
(raising his voice to call the meeting to order)
Okay, folks, if everyone could settle in, I guess it’s time. Thanks for switching locations, I hope the bunks are more comfortable.
ZHONG
Where is Doctor Pacey?
DR. SERANO
I’m sure you mean Medic Pacey.
ROGER
Ze’s … got a patient at the moment.
ZHONG
Is somebody hurt? What happened? Who isn’t here?
ROGER
We don’t have to take attendance, I’m sure we’ve got quorum. Doctor Ringling, am I right? Dr. Ringling?
(after a brief moment)
Okay, let’s dive in. There’s only one big issue to discuss today – sending someone to the other side. When this came up the other day things kinda went … kablooey, so we took some time to think and reflect and hopefully you’ve done just that. Wilder, we could use a bit of a recap?
SOUND: A footstep or two
SOUND: Wilder banging her shins against a locker
SOUND: Wilder’s arm revs up a little
WILDER
Dang it. Sorry, close quarters in here. Right. Tumnus, if you could start up the presentation I got ready?
SOUND: Presentation starting up
SOUND: Someone groaning
WILDER
I heard that. Don’t you think I don’t know who that was. Now, we’re gonna call what we’re talkin’ about Stage 2 of the Moonbase Environmental Emancipation Project, Stage 1 bein’ what we’ve all done up t’ this point. So thank you, next, am I right?
(she laughs nervously, we fade out at the end of the next part of her line)
Fine. Tumnus, next clip? These are the factors Nessa identified for why we can’t depend on just one Base to get us through. There’s supplies, skilled personnel in vital areas …
SOUND: Bunkroom background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE FOUR
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We’re back in the Enclave Officer’s office back on Earth. He is on a call with Officer Daniels.)
SOUND: Enclave Officer’s office background (ongoing)
SOUND: Sipping his glass of milk
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Uh huh.
OFFICER DANIELS
(over a speaker, calling in)
– and then I had to hide in a crate of bonito flakes for the border crossing into some Xinopec outpost – do you know what bonito are? Do you happen to know what bonito are?
SOUND: Chair tilting back
SOUND: Another sip of milk
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Aren’t they … some kind of fish?
OFFICER DANIELS
They’re fish! Six hours packed up in a box with –
(she sniffs)
I still smell like fish a day later, and then when they finally let me out –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Look, not that I don’t enjoy your travel diaries, but this isn’t the report I called for.
OFFICER DANIELS
And you’re not the boss I report to on paper, we’re making this up as we go along. My point –
(taking a breath)
My point is, that was when the Ryders said I’d damaged their shipment and they needed a credit authorization, and that’s when I found out that my credit levels have … “dropped below the acceptable minimum.” That’s the charge code you gave me, by the way.
(she imitates his voice)
“The sky’s the limit, just get the job done.” Well, the sky turns out to be right about where I am now.
SOUND: Empty glass being set down
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Just a minute here.
(talking to the Reception Bot)
Darlin’, I don’t think I can take another one of those. You said you’ve got tea …
RECEPTION BOT
Tea-Earl Grey-Hot –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Ugh.
RECEPTION BOT
Or Tea-Twinings Peppermint-Chilled.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I don’t suppose that last one’s got caffeine in?
RECEPTION BOT
Tea-Twinings Peppermint-Chilled is decaffeinated. Tè decaffeinato.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Don’t start that again. Fine … Earl Grey it is. Dammit.
RECEPTION BOT
Processing.
SOUND: A dispenser spout filling a glass
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Now, where were we?
OFFICER DANIELS
You’ve got that thing the whole way in your office now?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
That’s none of your concern.
OFFICER DANIELS
You’re not … never mind, I can’t even ask that. We were talking about my credit, which has gone the way of the dinosaurs.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Right. I guess I knew this day was coming –
OFFICER DANIELS
Nice of you to spread that information around –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
They must have found all the usual accounts. I can divert a bit of money I’d been saving from Rights Management, they always … funded my more outrageous projects, but …
(brief pause, to Reception Bot)
Could you go into my files and find the subroutine marked “Gorman-G-III” and execute?
RECEPTION BOT
That does not fall within my proscribed areas of service.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
What if I said, “Pretty please?”
OFFICER DANIELS
I’m so glad I’m not in that office.
RECEPTION BOT
Passphrase accepted. Subroutine engaged, accessing back door into Rio-Sao Paolo Enclave Payroll.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
There we are. Just give it a day or two.
OFFICER DANIELS
And how do I manage for that day or two?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Scrape by. We’re all making do, Officer. Now, your real report?
OFFICER DANIELS
Well, like I said I’m stuck until there’s money flowing. I’m about a full day’s journey from my final destination. But I sent some messages ahead, they know I’m coming and I’ve got a way inside.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Good, good. You won’t have much time to work your way up once you get there.
OFFICER DANIELS
And you’re welcome.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
How about our busy little bees on Base Theta? Any news from up there?
OFFICER DANIELS
Nothing to add since that last recorded message. That’s pretty much all I’ve got, so …
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Which message was that?
OFFICER DANIELS
It would have been what, two days ago? Just before the Ryders said, “This is how we’re gonna sneak you over the border …” I swear, I’m gonna have to shave my head to get rid of the smell.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I don’t have anything that recent.
OFFICER DANIELS
Check your filters. Check your trash bin.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Did you schedule the action? Did you give them a date?
When did you schedule the action?
OFFICER DANIELS
Calm down, calm down, it’s got to be … wait, what day is it today?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(to Reception Bot)
Could you tell the Officer today’s date?
RECEPTION BOT
The date is Thursday, April Second, Twenty-Ninety-Nine.
OFFICER DANIELS
Shit! It’s Thursday? What time, what time is it – on the Moon?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Convert to Coordinated Universal Time?
RECEPTION BOT
The current Coordinated Universal Time is Thirteen-Thirty-Two –
OFFICER DANIELS
It’s now. Holy shit, it’s now.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
What do you mean, it’s now?
OFFICER DANIELS
It’s happening right now. The last report from my agent was – action as of this date –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Are you trying to tell me it’s happening –
OFFICER DANIELS
Sign off! Sign off, shut up, I’ve got to go check in! I’ll – I’m gonna – back soon.
SOUND: Small beep indicating the end of the call
SOUND: Enclave Officer’s office background (ongoing)
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE FIVE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We rejoin the meeting in the bunkroom on Base Theta.)
SOUND: Bunkroom background (ongoing)
SOUND: Presentation still running
SOUND: Occasional muttering, whispers in the background
WILDER
Tumnus, explain that last chart one more time? I mean, for th’ folks at the back.
TUMNUS
Diagram Twenty-Eight A presents a comparison of available resources across the near-side Bases Alpha through Eta. The X axis indicates available physical supplies and the Y axis shows specialized personnel.
DR. RINGLING
Where did this data come from? Didn’t Roger say he wasn’t able to retrieve information on specific personnel?
TUMNUS
That’s true, but I was able to run a series of searches across archival news feeds and communications records –
ROGER
Before some unnamed corporation – or lunar cryptid – destroyed the comms towers.
WILDER
All of which was covered if you’d been here for the first half of th’ presentation.
DR. RINGLING
Oh. Of course. Sorry.
DR. SEMAAN
We were having an … important science conversation.
DR. RINGLING
About science.
ROGER
Tumnus, I believe you had the floor?
DR. RINGLING
Very nice.
ROGER
Thank you.
TUMNUS
Right. Diagram Twenty-Eight A allows us to analyze –
ASHWINI
Look here. As much as I enjoy the ambience and … agglomeration of odours we can enjoy here in the bunkroom, isn’t this all something we can distill to a single point? Are you going to send an emissary to the Bases on the other side?
SOUND: A few quiet footsteps in the background
SOUND: Any group noise suddenly quiets during the next line
ASHWINI
If we were to resolve that key issue, presumably the rest could be debated in … some sort of committee to which my attendance is not required. Might I call the question? I believe that’s the appropriate procedure. What’s everyone looking at?
SOUND: After a moment, an uncomfortable cough or two
SOUND: A whisper in the background again
ASHWINI
Officer L’Anglois. I was not aware you had rejoined us.
WILDER
(whispering to Roger)
I thought y’ said he wasn’t comin’.
ROGER
(similarly)
I don’t know what to tell you.
MICHELL
I … I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just …
DR. RINGLING
(overlapping, whispering to Dr. Semaan)
I can’t believe they’d bring him back, not after Nessa.
MEDIC PACEY
We were just doing a few laps to check out basic mobility. Mine and his. Just … go about your business.
ROGER
Oooookay.
(brief pause)
Last thing was, Ashwini called the question, that means … umm …
DR. SEMAAN
It doesn’t mean anything when you bring in Base Security to swing the vote your way!
WILDER
What are you talkin’? I didn’t want him here!
MICHELL
I’m not in any official … capacity.
DR. SEMAAN
That’s a likely story!
ZHONG
Hey, give the guy a break. He’s stuck up here like the rest of us.
(in a stage whisper)
I’m on your side, buddy.
MICHELL
Uh, thanks.
ROGER
All right, I think we can have all our, “What about the new guy?” conversations after we adjourn.
DR. SEMAAN
But what about him? What? About? Him?
MICHELL
I can just go.
MEDIC PACEY
We’re due for another few laps before dinner as it is.
WILDER
(surprising herself)
No! I mean, no. That ain’t fair. We don’t throw people out o’ the meeting. At least, not when we’re decidin’ somethin’ this important. It affects everybody the same. Roger.
ROGER
All right, then … it looks like we’re ready to decide. Do we take this show of ours on the road? Umm … is there anything specific we do for the voting? Do folks have to close their eyes or anything? No? Well, then I guess we’ll just –
TUMNUS
Roger, something is happening.
SOUND: We hear running footsteps from far off down the hall, coming nearer over the next line and completing when Dr. Day comes through the door
SOUND: Background murmurs increase
ROGER
Who is it? What’s going on? Who else isn’t in the room?
SOUND: The footsteps come to a halt as Dr. Day rushes in
DR. DAY
(very out of breath)
What … are you doing? You’re not supposed to be in here! Get out!
WILDER
We’re not in th’ lab, y’ can’t have every place on th’ Moon.
DR. DAY
(more forcefully)
No! Get out, now! Get out of the bunkroom!
DR. SEMAAN
I don’t get the joke.
DR. DAY
(shouting, still half out of breath)
Go! Go! Now!
DR. RINGLING
It’s not a joke.
SOUND: We hear several people jump to their feet at once
DR. RINGLING
Get out! You heard her! We have to get out of here!
SOUND: People start to scramble for the door
SOUND: More of the background murmurs from before behind some of the next stuff
SOUND: An emergency alarm repeats in the background
TUMNUS
All crew exit the bunkroom.
ZHONG
What’s going on! Doctor –
DR. DAY
Just get out!
DR. JUST
I swear, if this is another practical joke –
DR. DAY
Edwin, go! Everyone, go! Go!
TUMNUS
All crew exit the bunkroom.
MEDIC PACEY
Clear the door! Don’t push!
DR. SERANO
My hedgehogs!
WILDER
What th’ hell did she do?
ROGER
Wilder, go! Run now, talk –
TUMNUS
All crew exit the bunkroom.
ASHWINI
(bury this one)
Fly, you fools!
DR. SEMAAN
Kris, what’s going on?
DR. RINGLING
Amal! Amal!
DR. DAY
Get out! Get out! Get –
(Suddenly, just as the room reaches pandemonium, everything else is eclipsed by the following sounds as one wall explodes, triggering the collapse of the lava tube this corner of the Base is built into.)
SOUND: An earth-shattering series of explosions that lasts several seconds
SOUND: Flying debris
SOUND: Screams and shouts from various crew
SOUND: Running footsteps in the hall, fading
SOUND: The hiss of escaping air
SOUND: Layered beneath, the tremors of a low-level quake
(Before anything else, the sounds of human beings fade – the screams, the footsteps – and we’re left with a moment at the end that is just the alarm, the aftershocks, and the sounds of furniture continuing to break apart inside the room before the scene comes to an end.)
SOUND: All explosion-related effects end
SOUND: Bunkroom background ends
SOUND: Chime – bookend
SCENE SIX
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We’re back in the Enclave Officer’s office back on Earth.)
SOUND: Enclave Officer’s office background (ongoing)
SOUND: Sporadic pacing back and forth
ENCLAVE OFFICER
What’s the time?
RECEPTION BOT
The current time is Twenty-Thirteen and –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
On the Moon?
RECEPTION BOT
The Coordinated Universal Time is Twenty-Three-Fourteen and seven seconds.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Do I have any messages? Any missed calls?
RECEPTION BOT
There are no messages or missed –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Dammit. Dammit!
SOUND: More pacing
SOUND: Picking up a glass and taking a sip
SOUND: Slight gagging noise
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I can’t. No matter how many times I try, I can’t. Get me that … peppermint tea. Very cold.
RECEPTION BOT
Please finish your current beverage or dispose in the appropriate receptacle. The Consortium appreciates your commitment to recycling!
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Obviously they do. What’s the time now?
RECEPTION BOT
The current time is –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Never mind. If she doesn’t call in soon …
SOUND: Crossing to the desk
SOUND: Sitting in his chair
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Let’s give it five more minutes. Another five minutes.
SOUND: Pen on paper for a minute or two
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(after a silent pause)
The quiet is killing me. Could you … I don’t know, read something?
RECEPTION BOT
Please select reading material. I have access to a variety of news feeds or periodicals, and your Level One Consortium Access –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I’m back to Level One?
RECEPTION BOT
– includes all text media previously classified as ‘public domain’. A surcharge will be added to your account for text to speech translation.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Just pick something, will you?
SOUND: Drinking, pen on paper behind the next line
RECEPTION BOT
(a bit more lyrical than their regular speech)
“As I sit down to write here amidst the shadows of vine-leaves under the blue sky of southern Italy, it comes to me with a certain quality of astonishment that my participation in these amazing adventures of Mr. Cavor was, after all, the outcome of the purest accident.”
ENCLAVE OFFICER
That’s nice. I don’t even care what the words are, just keep saying them.
RECEPTION BOT
“I fell into these things at a time when I thought myself removed from the slightest possibility of disturbing experiences. I had gone to Lympne because I had imagined it the most uneventful place in the world. ‘Here, at any rate,’ said I, ‘I shall find peace and a chance to work!’”
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(sounding drowsy)
That’s good. That’s really good.
SOUND: A computer beep that is a bit more strident than necessary
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(fully alert)
What’s that?
RECEPTION BOT
There is an incoming call from –
SOUND: Standing up suddenly from his seat
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Connect me!
SOUND: A slight computer beep
ENCLAVE OFFICER
What the hell happened to you?
OFFICER DANIELS
Nice to hear your voice, too, Ser.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Report?
OFFICER DANIELS
Well, funny story on that one …
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Goddamn it, report!
OFFICER DANIELS
Okay! There’s nothing. Nothing. I know you’ve been waiting, I’ve been waiting on my agent to report back, I’ve got messages backed up in the queue, but no reply. I don’t know what’s happening up there.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Shit. Shit. That could be very, very bad or very, very good. Right?
OFFICER DANIELS
I … guess so. You’ve pretty much covered all the bases on that one. Oh, that’s a sports metaphor I used there.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Ha ha.
OFFICER DANIELS
They should have reported back by now if they were able to. That’s all I can tell you. A lone agent is always a risk.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Isn’t there some way to verify? That satellite –
OFFICER DANIELS
– is useless without someone to receive the message.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Right. Right, I get that. Well, I guess we wait and see.
OFFICER DANIELS
Meanwhile, that credit thing came through. I’ll be back on the road come morning, should reach my destination by end of day.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Of course. Get your ass down there. They’ve got to be close to completion, you’ve got to get inside.
OFFICER DANIELS
You can count on me, Ser.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(he sighs)
Whatever’s happened on the Moon, we’ve still got other options.
(brief pause)
All right, enjoy your trip. Ask them for something gourmet this time around.
OFFICER DANIELS
I don’t even want to think about it. Good night.
SOUND: A slight computer beep
RECEPTION BOT
The call has been terminated.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Right. Is there a way ping that tracker for Officer Daniels without setting it off? I’d like to keep an eye on her progress.
RECEPTION BOT
That does not fall within my proscribed areas of service.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I never would have thought I’d say this, but I’m gonna get tired of having to say pretty please.
SOUND: A footstep or two.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Let’s work on liberating you tomorrow. See if we can break that coffee thing, too.
SOUND: Enclave Officer’s office background ends
(The episode ends.)
D.J. SYLVIS
You’ve been listening to Moonbase Theta, Out, featuring Leeman Kessler, Jen Ponton, Tina Daniels, David S. Dear, Tau Zaman, Cass McPhee, Shereen Lani Younes, Cole Burkhardt, NayMyo Win, Dallas Wheatley, Teddy Hannah-Drullard, Sarah Rhea Werner, Hazel Stapp, D.J. Sylvis, Nerys Howell, and Kristi Boulton. With special appearances by Jackie Hedeman and Molly Olguin. 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.
If you want to help make the show possible, you could join our moon superhero Patreon backers, starting from a dollar a month. It means so much to us, and you get early episode access, weekly behind-the-scenes updates, and bonus content as a thank you. Go to: 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. I hope you caught those two special appearances in the En-Soy-Ment ad today! Jackie and Molly are the co-creators and co-stars of one of our absolute favourite stories – The Pasithea Powder, a sci-fi thriller about interplanetary war and politics and moral ambiguity and friendship – it’s so deep and so touching, you won’t want to miss a beat. That’s Pasithea – P-A-S-I-T-H-E-A Powder, in your apps or at Pasithea Powder dot com.
So … yeah. I tried to warn you this was a big one! Come back two weeks from now for the aftermath, both on Earth and on … well, hopefully still on the Moon. It’ll be the penultimate episode of Season 3! Keep your fingers crossed, friends!
ANNOUNCER
Consortium Channel 5 ends our broadcast day with a final message: honour all curfews, listen to Security, and KEEP WATCHING THE MOON.
(NOTE – there may be an ad inserted at this point after the episode)
