MOONBASE THETA, OUT – S3 Episode 11 – “…”
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 – Transmitted directly from the Rio-Sao Paolo Enclave. Rio-Sao Paolo – stronger than ever!
The Consortium interrupts this broadcast for the following sponsored message.
(NOTE – there may be an ad inserted at this point before the episode)
SCENE ONE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We are in the Base’s bunkroom, a few hours after the events of Episode 10.)
SOUND: Bunkroom background – damaged (ongoing), includes walls creaking, the slow hiss of air escaping, foam dripping (fire suppressant), etc.
WILDER
(background, further away in the room, muffled a bit because wearing a mask)
Okay, have y’ got th’ other end?
ZHONG
(similarly)
I’m ready.
WILDER
On three … one, two, three!
SOUND: Wilder’s arm revs up strongly
SOUND: Both of them grunting with effort
SOUND: A slab of rock being moved to the side, other rocks sliding a bit
WILDER
Watch out there. Shore it up now, we got to get under.
SOUND: Rubble moving around
ZHONG
(breathing heavily)
I think that’s good.
WILDER
Yeah. Take a minute, then we’re goin’ in.
SOUND: A few footsteps, kicking rocks aside
WILDER
(close up now, taking off mask)
I think that’s as safe as it’s gonna get.
ROGER
Can’t I do something? I should be doing something.
WILDER
Just keep … handlin’ things out here. Help Pacey get people – y’know.
ROGER
Yeah.
WILDER
Tumnus, is she still … with us down there?
TUMNUS
Doctor Day is unconscious, but breathing and heartbeat are steady. I can’t see more until …
WILDER
That’s enough. I guess I’m headin’ in there.
SOUND: The snap of the elastic as she puts her mask back on
SOUND: A few footsteps, kicking rubble
WILDER
(muffled again, further away)
All right, here we go. Spot me.
ZHONG
I’m here.
SOUND: Wilder’s arm revving up
SOUND: Wilder wriggling her way under the rubble
ROGER
(jittery)
I still don’t get what she was doing. Why would she do that?
TUMNUS
She must have been working for the –
ROGER
I mean, sure, the Consortium, but … why? How? She’s stuck here too, it doesn’t make sense!
TUMNUS
I hope we’ll get to ask her.
ROGER
And how’d she hide it all from you? You’re everywhere!
SOUND: In the background, the rubble shifts, rocks tumble
WILDER
(faint, she’s in there now)
Dang it, keep it steady!
TUMNUS
I … have similar questions.
ROGER
I’m not saying – Tumnus, nobody’s blaming you.
TUMNUS
(after a pause, the last word if she were to say it would be ‘distracted’)
Maybe not. But I have been …
SOUND: Footsteps – with crutches – approach
MEDIC PACEY
(sounding weary)
Where are we at now?
ROGER
Wilder’s just gone in.
MEDIC PACEY
I’ve got Edwin stabilized, and Amal is okay. Michell is helping patch her up – I’m glad there was one other person awake with some training.
ROGER
Is anyone else …?
MEDIC PACEY
A couple of ruptured eardrums, I don’t think any of us are going to hear so well for a while. I’m gonna drag everyone in for an exam in the next couple days.
(ze coughs)
A lot of dust in the air.
TUMNUS
Wilder said she’d be sealing off the room when they’re done.
MEDIC PACEY
That’ll help.
(brief pause)
Everyone who’s not in the infirmary is huddled together in the lab right now.
ROGER
That’s fair.
MEDIC PACEY
You ought to go talk to them.
ROGER
And say what?
MEDIC PACEY
I don’t think it matters. They just need to know … things are being held together.
ROGER
Sure, Roger, go lie to the crew. This is why I didn’t want to be in charge.
WILDER
(background, still muffled)
I’ve got her now! Pull on my feet, but gentle like.
ZHONG
Can’t you just –
WILDER
Zhong, pull on my feet or I swear, when I get out of here –
SOUND: Wilder’s arm revs up
ZHONG
I’ve got it!
SOUND: Dragging Wilder back up, rubble shifting
SOUND: Wilder grunting, Zhong grunting
SOUND: Medic Pacey getting closer (crutches)
MEDIC PACEY
Take it easy, kid … bring her out this way.
WILDER
(closer, clearer now)
God dammit, every scrape I get, you’re gonna get two when I’m free.
MEDIC PACEY
Keep going. She’s not gonna do that. You’re not gonna do that, Wilder.
WILDER
You wait an’ see. Okay, just a sec, I gotta wiggle myself around …
SOUND: Wilder’s arm revving up
MEDIC PACEY
When they get out, you leave Doctor Day to me. You help Wilder.
ZHONG
Can’t we switch?
WILDER
You know I can hear you. Okay …
SOUND: Shifting rubble
WILDER
Grab her! Be careful, she’s hangin’ kinda loose.
SOUND: A body sliding across the rubble
MEDIC PACEY
Unconscious, but she’s breathing. Wilder, I’ve got her, you need to sit down.
WILDER
Th’ hell with that.
ZHONG
(sounding unsure)
Here … I’ve got you …
WILDER
You put those hands back in your pockets.
MEDIC PACEY
Roger, help me get her on the gurney. Take her legs, and … one, two …
(both of them grunting)
Three! Thanks. I’ve got it from here. Wilder, I better see you in the next half-hour.
Wilder, if I don’t see you in the next half-hour, I’m sending Tumnus after you.
WILDER
Yeah, yeah.
SOUND: Wheels of the gurney moving
WILDER
Let us know if she …
MEDIC PACEY
Right.
SOUND: Wheels of the gurney moving
SOUND: Pacey’s crutches as she walks behind
MEDIC PACEY
(out in the hall, fading)
One side, haven’t you ever seen a gurney before?
ROGER
Let us know if she … what?
WILDER
You know.
TUMNUS
(after a beat)
Yeah.
SOUND: Tentative footsteps – two sets
DR. SEMAAN
(groans a little)
Shit, be careful there, L’Anglois.
WILDER
Oh, hell no.
MICHELL
She … she insisted on coming up here. I was just helping.
WILDER
She can stay. You get your ass … somewhere not here.
MICHELL
(a little upset)
I was just helping.
WILDER
I’ll bet you were. If I find out you were “helping” Doctor Day …
SOUND: Wilder’s arm revs up faster
MICHELL
Helping with what? Helping how?
WILDER
Like it was an accident, you came in, then she came running in, then everything went t’ hell.
ROGER
Wilder! He couldn’t have done anything!
TUMNUS
Officer L’Anglois has been under constant supervision –
WILDER
Like that means anything at this point –
DR. SEMAAN
(pained but insistent, yelling to get their attention )
Listen! I don’t know what this … pissing contest is all about, but could you move it to one side?
(she coughs uncontrollably for a moment)
I’m ninety-eight percent certain that explosion triggered a moonquake, and the whole network could still be unstable. Unless you’ve studied geophysics and seismology, maybe I should take a look!
SOUND: Footsteps through the rubble
DR. SEMAAN
One lucky thing – the tube must have collapsed the same time as the wall blowing out, or we’d all be having trouble finding air to breathe.
(she coughs again)
Wilder, could I get some help?
SOUND: Moving through the rubble again in the background, spontaneous through the rest of the scene
TUMNUS
Roger, a quake could have been completely coincidental. And if Doctor Day didn’t know the meeting was moved to the bunkroom …
(brief pause)
I don’t think she meant to hurt people.
ROGER
We can’t know that. There’s no way to know that.
MICHELL
Maybe there is.
ROGER
I forgot you were there. That’s got to be a first.
MICHELL
Maybe I can find out. I can look through her files, maybe I can turn something up.
TUMNUS
I’ve run twelve searches through every file she ever opened.
(the briefest pause as she searches again)
Thirteen.
MICHELL
(a little annoyance seeping in)
Is it gonna hurt if I try? This is what I trained for.
ROGER
Nobody’s a big fan of what you trained for.
MICHELL
This is how I can help.
TUMNUS
I … think we should let him.
ROGER
Really?
TUMNUS
Obviously, I missed something, somewhere. Officer L’Anglois and I can work together.
ZHONG
What’s going on? I can help, too.
ROGER
What’s gonna happen when … you know who finds out?
SOUND: Wilder’s arm in the background
ROGER
Just keep it quiet, okay? Until we know if there’s anything to know.
SOUND: Footsteps approaching
DR. RINGLING
(sounding dazed)
Is it … I heard voices. Did they … find her?
DR. SEMAAN
(across the room)
Kris? Is everything okay?
DR. RINGLING
Amal. Hi. Is she…?
TUMNUS
Doctor Day has been taken to the infirmary.
DR. RINGLING
Oh. Okay. All right. And she didn’t … no. She didn’t.
DR. SEMAAN
(closer now, gently)
Hey. You probably shouldn’t be in here, it’s not the safest place.
DR. RINGLING
Right. Of course. I’ll … I can go.
DR. SEMAAN
Give me just a minute, and I’ll …
SOUND: A footstep or two, rubble shifting
DR. RINGLING
Oh!
DR. SEMAAN
What is it? What have you got there?
DR. RINGLING
Nothing. Nothing … important.
DR. SEMAAN
What is it?
DR. RINGLING
Nothing. I just …
(doing the Doctor Raptor voice)
Better get back to the lab, there’s science to do!
SOUND: Footsteps walking away, unsteady
WILDER
(across the room, background)
We are still losing atmosphere. I’m gonna have to shut the room up soon.
DR. SEMAAN
(torn)
Kris? Kris? I’ll …be there in just a minute.
SOUND: Footsteps in the rubble
ROGER
(after a moment)
Well.
MICHELL
(sighs)
I’ll start out in the lab, check in on things in there, and take a look at Doctor Day’s workstation.
ROGER
Okay. I’m not comfortable with any of this, but … okay.
MICHELL
I’ll let you know. Tumnus?
TUMNUS
I’ll meet you there, Officer L’Anglois.
MICHELL
Right.
(after a moment)
Just call me Michell from now on, okay? Michell.
SOUND: Footsteps walking away
SOUND: Wilder and Dr. Semaan working in the background for another few moments
SOUND: Bunkroom background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE TWO
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We are outside at the Freehold launch site.)
SOUND: Launch site background (ongoing) – machinery, voices occasionally in the background
PAYLOAD
(in the distance)
Let’s clear this junk off the launch pad! We’ve got the transporter in an hour! Where is Sensor?
TECH VOICE 4
(similarly)
Just about ready to test the propellant delivery system.
PAYLOAD
Finally. That was set for yesterday!
AHNUNG
(up close)
Alex! They said you were out here.
ALEX
(a little bit flat)
Just doing one more walkthrough. The flame deflectors don’t quite match my design.
AHNUNG
(anxious)
But they’re okay?
ALEX
They should be.
AHNUNG
Okay. You didn’t sound sure.
ALEX
Sorry. It’s not the best day.
AHNUNG
Too much of the Roger – Moonbase Theta stuff?
ALEX
That’s not helping.
AHNUNG
This can all be a lot. The closer we get to launch, the more everyone is … just a lot, I guess. I don’t take enough breaks myself. With our people on the inside now, I need to double-check everything. It’s gotten a lot more personal.
ALEX
Yeah.
AHNUNG
I guess it always was, for you. Do you hear anything from Addie?
ALEX
About what?
AHNUNG
I don’t know, how they’re feeling about it all. About the people. I can check on the technology, that’s the part I know. I don’t know the people. All sorts of different factions coming together with different priorities … some of them think we’re running away, some think this is the first strike against the megas …who knows what else is going on in those heads. It’s making me antsy.
ALEX
I’ll see what I can find out.
ELIO
(distant as well)
They’re down here!
AHNUNG
(amused)
Looks like company. I still don’t know how you got Elio inside.
ALEX
That’s all Elena. She’s got them eating out of her hand.
ELIO
Alex! Ahnung! We got to see inside the capsule!
ELENA
I wanted to see what my options are, since Addie already called shotgun.
ADDIE
You’ve still got two other seats to choose from. One is definitely more comfortable than the other. Ask me how I know.
ELENA
I’m going to pass.
ADDIE
Stephen, you know what I’m saying.
STEPHEN
Not even a little bit. Hi there. Stephen Abdoulaye, Northern Africa Coalition.
ALEX
Alexandre … Bragado-Fischer.
STEPHEN
(no recognition)
Pleased to meet you.
PAYLOAD
(background)
We’re ready to start the test – could everyone clear the site?
SOUND: An alert begins to sound – not too annoying, continues for a bit
TECH VOICE 4,5
(both at varying distances, staggered, saying essentially this)
Hey, clear the site! Clear back behind the painted lines.
TECH VOICE 5
(closer to our group)
Alex! Could you folks back up, we’re checking the propellant system.
ADDIE
Sure, we’ve got it. To the safe zone, everyone.
ELENA
I’ll race you, Elio.
ELIO
You wish!
SOUND: Two sets of quick footsteps, one using a cane
SOUND: The others follow more slowly
AHNUNG
NAC, huh? I’ve never met anyone from down that way.
STEPHEN
We don’t … circulate much. But this launch was of particular interest.
AHNUNG
Everyone says you’re the place that really fought the megas to a standstill.
STEPHEN
Fought might be overstating it. But we’ve held our own.
AHNUNG
I’d like to hear how you managed it.
STEPHEN
You’re from up North, right? Elio mentioned you. Walk with me?
AHNUNG
Sure.
SOUND: They walk away
SOUND: The alert again for a moment
PAYLOAD
(over a speaker now)
Everyone maintain current positions – testing is about to begin.
ADDIE
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, kids.
ALEX
More new people, huh?
ADDIE
They’re pouring in now, word has gotten around. I mean, I hope not too far, you know? But everyone wants to see the rocket go whoosh!
ALEX
But things are still … secure? With these people?
ADDIE
I greet everyone personally, I give them the once over before they get inside.
(laughing it off)
I know you’ve been through all that Consortium bullshit. But things are different here.
ALEX
Yeah. I get that.
ELIO
(coming up to them)
Elena, come on!
(breathing a bit hard)
Did you get to meet Stephen?
ALEX
I did.
ELIO
I like him. He flew here in an ultralight, he’s going to let me try it out after the launch.
ALEX
Oh, really?
ELIO
If you say I should be careful, I’ll … tell Cas and Pol that you don’t love them anymore!
ALEX
I wasn’t going to say anything. You know what you’re doing. So you … like Stephen?
ELIO
He’s a good guy.
ELENA
I think so, too. Hi.
ADDIE
Welcome back.
ELENA
We were talking on the way over. He’s an aeronautics engineer, that’s why they sent him.
SOUND: The alert warning again, but now sounding more serious, maybe an additional tone
PAYLOAD
(loudspeaker)
All right, folks … nothing serious, but please evacuate the launch area. Just a safety precaution.
ELENA
That doesn’t sound promising.
ALEX
“Nothing serious” is never a good sign.
TECH VOICE 5
Sorry, folks, we need you to head back to the building.
ADDIE
What’s the trouble?
TECH VOICE 4
(in the background, to someone else, faint)
Is there time for a reset on our schedule?
TECH VOICE 5
(laughs nervously)
No trouble, just … learning how the system works, always gonna be a few bugs.
ADDIE
You folks go in, I’ll go get the inside scoop.
TECH VOICE 5
Addie, you can’t just –
(sighs)
ELENA
Go catch them. We’re okay here.
SOUND: Footsteps hurrying away
TECH VOICE 5
(fading)
Addie! Payload won’t be happy.
ALEX
I guess we better get inside. No more racing, Elio.
AHNUNG
(sounding concerned, coming up on them)
Oh hey, there you are.
ELIO
Where’s Stephen?
AHNUNG
(hurrying)
He’s up there … trying to help. Let’s get inside.
SOUND: Quick footsteps (Remember Elio and her cane)
AHNUNG
Come on, in here.
SOUND: Heavy outside door opening
SOUND: Launch site background ends
SOUND: Doorway background (just inside, small enclosed space) – ongoing
ELENA
What’s going on?
SOUND: Door closing again
AHNUNG
Alex, that feeling I had? It’s gone up from antsy to full-on panic.
ALEX
Because of the alarm? They’ve had a dozen of those this week … I guess that’s not such a good sign, is it?
AHNUNG
It’s not, but … Stephen told me a few things, too. You know, fresh eyes, and he’s got the know-how to see what’s solid and what parts of the process they’ve fudged.
(after a moment, concerned)
It might hold together, they might get up there without problems. He’s talking it over with them, making suggestions, but he’s new. I don’t think Payload will delay the launch on his say so.
ALEX
(whistles quietly)
Shit. That’s … shit. Maybe if I talk to Addie …
AHNUNG
I don’t know.
ALEX
Shit.
ELIO
I don’t think you should say anything. To Addie.
ALEX
What else can we do?
AHNUNG
If they won’t stop … this might be our only chance. That’s the hard part.
ELENA
As long as there’s a chance, we can’t back out. All those people; everyone Nessa told me about … Wilder, and Michell, and Roger …
ALEX
Roger …
ELENA
It’s too important. We can’t not go, right?
ELIO
I don’t like this anymore.
ELENA
We can’t not go.
ALEX
You can. Elena, you can stay here. I’ll take your place.
ELIO
Alex, no!
ELENA
You can’t do that. You really can’t. I’m the one with everything in my head.
ALEX
You’ll write it out; you’ll record it for me. If something goes wrong, your head is still here, you can start over.
ELENA
And what about yours?
ALEX
I’m not that important. All I do is look up at the moon and wait. Besides … Se o Roger ainda estiver lá em cima… ele não precisa de mais mensagens, ele precisa do marido dele. (If Roger’s still up there … he doesn’t need more messages, he needs his husband.)
ELENA
You can’t just decide to take my place!
AHNUNG
Alex, you’re not thinking straight. If it’s not safe, it’s not safe.
ALEX
We’ll talk it over, as much as you want. But I know this is the answer.
SOUND: Heavy outside door opening
ADDIE
Hey, kids, everything’s okay again.
(they laugh)
Olly olly oxen free! Come on!
SOUND: Footsteps
SOUND: Doorway background ends
SOUND: Launch site background (ongoing)
SOUND: Outside door closes again
ADDIE
That was a fun one, wasn’t it? I guess it happens a lot, though. Some of the old-time launches would be held up for days over one little thing.
ELENA
Well, safety first.
ELIO
(flat, echoing her)
Safety first.
ADDIE
Hey, kiddo, why so glum? Everything’s okay now.
ELIO
Thanks, Addie. You’re right.
ADDIE
We’ll be at countdown before you know it! What a ride it’s gonna be! Don’t you think, Elena?
ALEX
Actually, you’ve got a new competitor for shotgun on the trip.
ELENA
Not until we talk.
ALEX
We will. I better go tell Payload.
SOUND: Footsteps walking away (continues, fading, to end of scene)
ADDIE
Wait, what? What happened?
(shouting)
Alex? What happened?
TECH VOICE 4
(distant)
Let’s get everyone back to their positions!
OFFICER DANIELS
(similarly background)
Right, everyone, you heard the call, back to work!
SOUND: Launch site background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE THREE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We are in Michell’s cubicle on Base Theta.)
SOUND: Security cubicle background (ongoing) – basically the same as Roger’s cubicle
SOUND: Sliding door opens, quick footsteps, closes again
SOUND: Sitting down in chair
SOUND: Heavy electronic component set down on desk
MICHELL
(businesslike, feeling himself again)
Okay, let’s see what we can do with this.
TUMNUS
I don’t understand what ‘this’ is. You removed a device from the physics workstation with that little ‘aha’ noise, but I can’t connect to it or see inside it.
SOUND: Unscrewing the back of the component
MICHELL
That’s why it’s an ‘aha’. This is a transmitter, it’s shielded and deliberately cut off from the Base systems. It’s got its own storage, power supply, encryption … actually pretty slick.
TUMNUS
Oh.
MICHELL
Against nine Consortium regulations that I can think of, but …
TUMNUS
Where could it transmit to? There’s no one else on the Moon – no one awake, the only satellite within range went dark during the shutdown …
MICHELL
I can’t tell yet. There could be a repeater somewhere we don’t know about, even another satellite that’s shielded … there’s a lot of ways to make something like this work.
TUMNUS
You sound pretty familiar.
MICHELL
I know a few things.
SOUND: Small electrical spark
MICHELL
Merde!
(brief pause)
This stuff was my job.
TUMNUS
Right.
MICHELL
It was. I’m not saying it is now.
TUMNUS
I’m not questioning you.
MICHELL
But you’re watching over my shoulder.
TUMNUS
Should I not?
MICHELL
(sighs)
I don’t know how to feel about you yet. Ashwini was on a watch list for a lot of reasons, and you’re zir baby, right?
TUMNUS
That’s one way to look at it.
MICHELL
But I know if you don’t stick around, Wilder’s not gonna trust me.
TUMNUS
That’s true, too.
MICHELL
(muttering to himself)
Okay, if I can break this connection, the failsafe might let me –
TUMNUS
Why is that important to you?
MICHELL
I don’t know. Give me a second here. I think this might … yeah! Cracked the damn thing.
(brief pause)
I mean, Wilder’s in charge, what she thinks of me matters.
TUMNUS
Roger is currently acting as chair for Base meetings –
MICHELL
Right, don’t give me that. Wilder’s in charge.
(brief pause)
What I wouldn’t give for my olfactory right now. I could use some pain au chocolat.
SOUND: The slight spritzing sound of the olfactory; continues through scene every thirty seconds or so in the background
MICHELL
Hey! Did you do that?
TUMNUS
I did not.
SOUND: A series of faint beeps as the device displays information
MICHELL
It’s definitely a Consortium interchange. I don’t know where it’s connecting to …
TUMNUS
But it is connecting.
MICHELL
It’s not sending, not unless I flip this back, but yeah.
TUMNUS
I should let Wilder know.
MICHELL
Go ahead. But there might be more, once I …
SOUND: Pushing a few keys
MICHELL
Merde. How good are you with encryption?
TUMNUS
As good as your average artificial consciousness, I figure.
MICHELL
Here, I’m gonna patch you in. There’s a lot of … something stored in there, but I can’t get to it. Maybe you’ll have better luck.
TUMNUS
I’ll give it a shot. Oh. Oh. Analyzing.
SOUND: Clicking a physical cable into a connection
MICHELL
I’ll keep at the hardware.
SOUND: Olfactory spritzes out (whatever the timing might be, put one right here)
MICHELL
(breathes in)
Oh, I missed that.
TUMNUS
I wish I could appreciate scent in the ways you do.
MICHELL
Where we grew up … there was a bakery across the courtyard. I woke to this every morning.
TUMNUS
That sounds lovely.
MICHELL
Maria and I shared a room. Before my parents woke up, we’d just lie there and … breathe it in.
(after a moment, embarrassed)
How are you doing with the code?
TUMNUS
It’s locked down tight. But I’ve got a few ideas.
(after a moment)
If we can fully access the device, do you think we can … send messages back to Earth?
MICHELL
That has to be what she was doing, so …
SOUND: Knock on the doorframe, door slides open
ZHONG
Michell? I finished in the lab – nothing out of place.
MICHELL
Okay, thanks.
ZHONG
So … what is that thing?
MICHELL
We’re still figuring that out.
ZHONG
Oh. Okay. That circuit there looks like –
MICHELL
Could you do me a favour? It’s pretty important. I need you to check for any other devices like this. Everywhere, really. They could be anywhere.
ZHONG
Of course! I’m on it.
MICHELL
Oh hey. Did you fix the olfactory in here?
ZHONG
Not me. Wilder did that herself. I’ll go check on the … things.
SOUND: Door slides closed again
MICHELL
Someone needs to take charge of that kid.
TUMNUS
(pronunciation – Hi-pack-row-soar-us)
Oh! I think I’ve – the encryption key was based on Hypacrosaurus DNA sequences, a little predictable …
MICHELL
Are you in or not?
TUMNUS
I am in. The main directory is a series of text messages back and forth with a contact, “Daniels,” on Earth.
MICHELL
I guess she didn’t want to be overheard. Daniels? Can’t be the same one … can you summarize what she told them?
TUMNUS
She reported on what we we’ve been doing, and received instructions to disrupt our plans, but … doesn’t seem to have mentioned anyone by name. They pushed for individual details, but she was reluctant.
MICHELL
Whatever difference that makes.
TUMNUS
There are a number of subfolders with various attachments.
MICHELL
Yeah, I can see … the biggest one looks like audio files. I thought you said she sent them texts?
SOUND: A few keys tapping
ROGER (Rec., from S2E9)
“Broadcasting, this is Moonbase Theta, owned by the Rio – São Paolo Enclave. We have lost all contact with them, and any other agency on Earth, since November 17, 2098.”
MICHELL
That’s Roger, but the date code – that’s after we lost contact with the satellite.
SOUND: A few keys tapping
ALEX (Rec., from S2E9)
“I have to get out, baby. Slip through one of the cracks before it all comes down in pieces, maybe head for
one of those freeholds. There’s a construction site we were working on-“
TUMNUS
And that is his husband, Alex. This message was never received by Communications.
MICHELL
She’s got everything in here, going both ways back a year or more.
SOUND: A few keys tapping
NESSA (Rec.)
(pronunciation met-uh-sih-KWOY-uh glip-toe-stroe-boe-EYE-deez)
“ – that was a grove of Metasequoia glyptostroboides, sweetness, and I remember that walk so well. So fondly. Oh – I’m attaching more notes for the MEEP project, if you could mix them into your database and let me know what links up. From there, I think our next step would be –“
TUMNUS
Who was the recipient on that message?
MICHELL
(quietly)
Elena. Elena DeSoto, one of Nessa’s partners back on Earth.
TUMNUS
I should tell Wilder. About all of this.
(after a moment)
Wait. Michell, look. In the incoming messages, June 9, 2098.
MICHELL
Shit.
SOUND: A few keys tapping
MARIA L’ANGLOIS (Rec.)
“Hell, I gotta try one more time. Michell, are you out there? Michell L’Anglois, Base Theta, little bro I hope this gets to you. I’ve been trying for a while now. There’s something wrong with the comm towers, I’m not allowed to give anyone access to investigate. Another few days, I may let them anyway. “
SOUND: Another key tap, just one
MICHELL
(really shaken)
That’s … Maria. That’s Maria, back when … I kept trying, wondering why she didn’t reply.
TUMNUS
She must have wondered the same thing.
SOUND: Another olfactory spritz timed right here, giving us a bit of a pause
SOUND: A fist hitting the desk top
MICHELL
This damn transmitter! I built one in high school, so I could keep in touch with her when she went to training. Why didn’t I think of building one? Maria …
TUMNUS
(after a moment or two)
I’ll go check in with Wilder.
(For a few moments, there is silence.)
SOUND: Another key tap, just one
MARIA L’ANGLOIS (Rec.)
“Things are truly and completely fucked on our side. Believe me, I am ready to get off this rock and back to Earth! But I can’t stop thinking about you, stuck over there. You’re still new, you don’t know how dirty the Consortium has done us … dammit! If anything happened, I’ll take the whole Enclave apart with my bare hands. I may do that anyway just out of principle, but it’ll be more fun if you’re by my side. Let me know the minute you get this, kid. You gotta find a way.”
SOUND: Another keystroke, a pause, and then another
MICHELL
(after a long pause)
Computer, queue up all audio attachments for playback. I want to hear every one.
SOUND: Security cubicle background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE FOUR
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(We’re in the Observatory on Base Theta.)
SOUND: Observatory background (ongoing)
SOUND: An optical telescope being adjusted
SOUND: In the background, we hear the data flow from the radio telescope as well
JAXON
(quiet, intimate, just a wee bit tipsy)
I just don’t understand why you’d prefer numbers and equations to actually looking out there.
ASHWINI
(fondly, ze has been drinking a bit more)
You’re going to want to figure that out if you keep coming around. Care for a refill?
SOUND: A knock on the doorframe
SOUND: Sliding door opens a bit
ROGER
Umm, hello?
ASHWINI
Mx. Bragado-Fischer, may I help you?
SOUND: Door opens fully
ROGER
Just making sure everyone has a place to sleep for the night. Wilder pulled out some mattresses from the bunkroom before sealing it off.
ASHWINI
I will be sleeping here in the observatory, as I have every night since arriving on this Moonbase.
JAXON
I didn’t know it was that late. I have to – I better check the kitchen. No one ever cleans.
(singing as he walks off, fading out)
Work to be done, work to be done, work to be done …
ASHWINI
(annoyed)
Thank you for your assistance, as always. If there was nothing else …?
ROGER
Yeah, I guess I’ll poke my head in the lab and then …
SOUND: A tentative footstep or two
ROGER
Huh. You’re just using the feed for outgoing at this point?
ASHWINI
I’m sorry?
ROGER
You’re sending out data, not receiving it.
ASHWINI
Oh, yes. I forgot that you’d learned to read the stream.
ROGER
You taught me. Well, Tumnus, though she wasn’t really Tumnus yet.
ASHWINI
Yes, I understand you’ve become quite close.
ROGER
She’s really something.
(pauses for a few seconds, uncertain)
Hey. I’ve said this to some other people, but not to you. I’m sorry for my … choices during the shutdown. They were putting a lot of pressure on from Earth, but I could have talked to everyone more directly and made a better plan. I should have asked your advice, or at least … told you about it all.
ASHWINI
That would have been preferable. Though I don’t suppose it would have changed the subsequent events.
ROGER
Anyway, I just wanted to apologize. I screwed up.
ASHWINI
(begrudgingly)
Well … I was, at least in part, responsible for the resurgence of gothwave in the 80s. So we have all made our mistakes. I suggest we look forward.
ROGER
To the new mistakes we’ve yet to make?
ASHWINI
(laughs, surprised)
Indeed. Would you like a drink?
ROGER
You’ve still got alcohol? Where did you even … never mind, I don’t care, yes please and thank you.
SOUND: A glass being filled
ASHWINI
(musing on the question from before)
I had to divert my efforts to outgoing. Without data correlation from Earth, it’s all I have left. And it was always my planned final focus.
ROGER
Oh, right … zir plan. I heard a lot about zir plan.
(he drinks)
You really think there’s something … more out there?
ASHWINI
You really don’t? You seemed quite enraptured by the idea, in those messages you composed.
ROGER
I didn’t think you noticed. Or listened to them. I was under the impression that every time I turned one in, it was destined for deletion.
ASHWINI
Oh, I never sent them out, but I always listened.
SOUND: Roger laughs and drinks again
ASHWINI
(drinking as well – pronounciations “Gin-kaang” and “Luh Gwin”)
I found them strangely interesting. In the end, I can’t say I never stole an idea or two for the missives that I personally composed. I could feel the shape of some of your earlier influences … a little Jinkang, a stirring of Octavia Butler, at least a breath or two of Le Guin …
ROGER
More contemporary stuff too, but … guilty. I mean, you recognized them, so I’m not the only one.
ASHWINI
You would be hard-pressed to find a medium or genre where I’m not at least familiar with the more popular representation. I’m not only Narnia and unlabeled music files in the wee hours of the morning.
ROGER
Hey, didn’t C.S. Lewis write some science fiction?
ASHWINI
(drinking)
We do not discuss it with outsiders.
SOUND: Glass being refilled
ROGER
Of course, look where a head full of spiraling galaxies and alien civilizations got me.
ASHWINI
(definitely a bit tipsy by this speech, savouring each phrase)
I would say that with different intonation. When I look out on the universe spread before us, the stars and the void between, great gaseous clouds and strange forms of matter, all the unending varieties of experience, surely containing other lives and civilizations and unbearable knowledge … look where a head full of nonsense and dreams has taken me thus far.
ROGER
Even with the mess we’re in at the moment?
ASHWINI
Even with.
SOUND: A bottle falls over
ROGER
You are definitely drunk, Doctor Ray.
ASHWINI
You should definitely catch up, if you intend to navigate this conversation.
ROGER
I’m doing my best.
SOUND: Another bottle being opened
ASHWINI
Good work there. Pass that over.
(ze takes a drink)
Now tell me, Roger Bragado-Fischer … what is your position on … fan fiction?
SOUND: Roger laughs suddenly, caught off guard
SOUND: After a moment, Ashwini’s laughter joins his
(We linger in that for another few moments before the scene ends.)
SOUND: Observatory background (ongoing)
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(The episode ends.)
D.J. SYLVIS
And that was the penultimate Season 3 episode of Moonbase Theta, Out! With Leeman Kessler, Jen Ponton, Tina Daniels, Cass McPhee, Dallas Wheatley, Shereen Lani Younes, NayMyo Win, Teddy Hannah-Drullard, Cole Burkhardt, Tau Zaman, Gabriel Taneko, Leslie Gideon, Robin Regalado, Philomena Sherwood, Jas LaFond, Becca Marcus, Kristi Boulton … two very special returns, Elissa Park and Cat Blackard … the introduction of Corey Spruill as Stephen Abdoulaye, and special guest appearances by Nathan Comstock and Max Kreisky! Oh, that list just keeps getting longer.
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. Today we wanted to slip in a bit of a plug for something that’s not a show, but a blog about shows – our own Reception Bot, Nerys Howell, runs “A Sky Full of Pods, a blog covering fiction podcasts” – and of course we love both the reference and the enthusiasm that she has for promoting all the folks telling stories in this form. You can find it and subscribe to updates at sky full of pods dot wordpress dot com.
Here we are, Moonbaseians, on the verge of the Season 3 finale! Two weeks from now, and I’ll tell you, it’s huge, it’s packed with reveals, and I don’t know how I’ve kept the secrets for this long! Join us again on May 9th – and make sure you’ve padded the edge of your seats, you’ll be spending a solid 45 minutes or so perched right there!
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)
