MOONBASE THETA, OUT – S4 Prologue Episode 1 – “I pass, like night, from land to land”
by D.J. Sylvis
ANNOUNCER
Moonbase Theta, Out – a Monkeyman Productions Podcast. Season 4, Prologue 1 – “I pass, like night, from land to land”
And, before we begin, a few words from our sponsors.
SCENE ONE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Observatory Background (ongoing)
SOUND: A chair scraping back slightly across the floor, someone coughs
JAXON
(mid-thought)
… a lot has, umm, happened, a lot is happening, a lot needs to happen. So we can keep doing the Plan.
ASHWINI
(quietly, in the background)
Tumnus, ping that satellite again.
TUMNUS
It’s frustrating, I can’t get beyond passive access.
JAXON
(yawns over the end of the Tumnus line)
I’m sorry. It’s been a long …
(yawns again)
WILDER
Nobody’s been sleepin’ the way they ought to.
JAXON
Nobody’s eating, and I take the time to … work to be done, work to be done, work to be done. Umm, the next thing we’ve got is –
SOUND: A chair pushed back
MICHELL
You guys can sort out the next thing. I need to get the Rover checked and loaded. Zhong?
ZHONG
On it, boss.
WILDER
Excuse me?
JAXON
(a bit intimidated but pushing through)
Officer L’Angois – Michell, there are points where we need your input –
MICHELL
Just shoot us details along the way. Zhong’s gonna set up those repeaters Wilder asked for –
WILDER
You were able t’ read those schematics?
ZHONG
Of course.
JAXON
We can’t just shoot you details. You’re … a part of the details.
MICHELL
Je suis déjà restée trop longtemps. (I’ve stayed too long already.)
WILDER
Sit back down, bucko. You wanted to step up and take th’ hero’s journey, this is part of the process.
MICHELL
Well, do I sit down or do I step up?
SOUND: Zhong laughs at this
WILDER
Oh, don’t you start. And I’m your boss.
ASHWINI
Could you reduce the volume of your squabbling? I am engaged in several simultaneous tasks of importance, including the recalibration of an errant array antenna, composing a fiction within the Greek underworld to include a particularly charming self-insert, and wringing data out of a truly frustrating satellite network in order to follow the trajectory of the … well, I believe you’re aware.
WILDER
Right.
JAXON
How are things … looking?
ASHWINI
(gently – Roger is in the room)
The rocket is close to hitting midpoint – just past two hundred thousand klicks. They’ve had to do several corrective burns to maintain trajectory, but I’m sure that was anticipated.
ROGER
‘The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared,
Merrily did we drop
Below the kirk, below the hill,
Below the lighthouse top.
ASHWINI
Essentially.
WILDER
Roger, you know you don’t have t’ be … we can sort all this stuff without you.
ROGER
The Sun came up upon the left,
Out of the sea came he!
And he shone bright, and on the right
Went down into the sea.
MICHELL
Maybe you should get Pacey down here.
TUMNUS
I can alert zir if required –
JAXON
(the next few lines overlap)
If you want to sleep, there’s a cot in the corner I use sometimes.
ASHWINI
Oh yes, make yourselves more at home –
MICHELL
But if you’re all putting your heads down for nap time, I’ve definitely got –
WILDER
God dammit, Michell, this isn’t about you, think about Roger!
ROGER
I’m fine! I’m fine. You don’t need to think about me. And this is nowhere near my record as far as … not sleeping is concerned. I may be a little distracted, I might not have the most constructive input as we discuss the intricacies of “The Plan,” but … I’m here, okay? I’m still here.
TUMNUS
Of course, Roger.
ROGER
I’ve got to be here.
WILDER
Right.
(after a moment)
Jaxon? You were talkin’ about next steps.
JAXON
Right. Umm, right, next steps …
MICHELL
(quietly, grumbling)
Because some people need to step up.
JAXON
Before Officer – Michell leaves for the other Bases, we should decide how we want that to happen.
MICHELL
That’s easy. First, I get the Rover ready – Zhong?
ZHONG
On it – Boss.
JAXON
(overlapping)
How we want things to happen over there.
MICHELL
I take the Rover, follow the comms towers and we set those repeaters, pass by Base Delta, Base Alpha, straight on until Gamma.
ROGER
(muttering)
Straight on ‘til morning.
MICHELL
That’s how it’s gonna happen.
JAXON
But when you get there, whatever you find, how you … get things started …
TUMNUS
(in the background, overlapping a little)
I don’t think the trajectory matches those figures.
JAXON
… we need to talk about that.
ASHWINI
(background as well, overlapping)
I believe you’re correct.
ROGER
Wait, what? What’s going on?
ASHWINI
Just a miscommunication.
(to Tumnus, quieter)
My error, friend. I meant to say centripetal, not centrifugal. Though it’s moot in either case, we cannot advise them on their flight path.
ROGER
I mean, that sounds like something.
ASHWINI
It’s just a minor variation.
(ze yawns)
I beg your pardon.
JAXON
Don’t – you’ll make me –
(yawns again as well, laughs a little)
I like that word. Centripetal, centripetal, centripetal force …
ROGER
As long as things are still …
TUMNUS
They are. Still.
MICHELL
So are we looking at the stars or is there work we’re gonna do?
WILDER
Well, you’re back to eleven even faster than predicted.
MICHELL
Look, I’m not – I just – everything over there is waiting. The other bases. Maria. I need to know.
WILDER
Yeah, I get ya.
(brief pause)
Look, people, we’ve got a lot to figure out. But nobody’s makin’ really great decisions at this point – or a heck of a lot of sense, comes down to it. Why don’t we all just do our thing – take some naps, look over a certain set of schematics, polish th’ damn Rover if that’s your thing. We’ll have another face to face in the mornin’ and iron shit out.
ASHWINI
Prosaic as always.
JAXON
(a little bit overwhelmed)
Thanks, Wilder. I’m still … together, they’re all a lot.
WILDER
You’re tellin’ me. We’re all still sortin’ ourselves out. And not even a week since Doctor Day went all …
JAXON
That’s on the list too … what if we wake up the other bases and … I should update my list. I should check on the kitchen. There’s work to be done, done, done … maybe muffins.
ASHWINI
Well, I’m sold. I’ll walk that way with you. Tumnus, you have the conn.
TUMNUS
Understood.
JAXON
(quietly singing as they go)
Centripetal, centripetal, centripetal force …
SOUND: The door sliding open
SOUND: Footsteps walking away, fading
ROGER
Tumnus?
TUMNUS
Yes, Roger?
ROGER
Everything really is … okay, so far? It’s all copacetic out in space?
TUMNUS
There have been … minor difficulties in keeping on course, but each time they’ve corrected. Someone on board knows what they’re doing.
WILDER
Of course. They’ve gotta.
ROGER
Not Alex. He can’t find his way to the store without a navigator.
(he yawns)
I might just … rest my eyes a minute or two, as long as you’re keeping watch.
TUMNUS
You can count on me.
SOUND: Chair sliding out, a few footsteps
ROGER
I’ll just be a few … I’m just gonna … oh Alex, that damn poem, you better be …
SOUND: Falling into the cot
SOUND: Gentle snoring
WILDER
Finally. I’ve seen toddlers go down easier than that one.
(after a moment)
Weren’t you two fast and furious to get all your prep done?
MICHELL
Oh, yeah. No point in waiting around here. Zhong?
ZHONG
You got it.
SOUND: Footsteps as he leaves
MICHELL
I’ll be here in the morning. We’re on the same side, Wilder.
WILDER
(laughs)
Well, not for long. But I get you. We’ll see how it all goes. I’ve got my own little trip planned, once I know you’ve got things started.
MICHELL
You’re going to check up on me?
WILDER
In a hundred different ways, are you kiddin’ me? But not this one, this quest is my own.
TUMNUS
It does not have to be.
WILDER
We talked about this. Nobody’s done proper repairs on the solar panels at the poles since … whenever the near side shut down. But now it needs doin’, and there’s no better team for the job than me and Eliza.
SOUND: Eliza whirring to life
WILDER
That’s right, girl, we’ll give them what for!
TUMNUS
You only just took over, your leadership is vital, your safety is vital –
WILDER
We can argue it all again later. Mx. L’Anglois here was just about to leave – ain’t that right, Michell?
TUMNUS
Actually, if you don’t mind, I needed a moment before that happens.
WILDER
Speakin’ of unapproved side projects.
SOUND: Tools jangle as she stands up
WILDER
You two have your talk; I’ll go check on whatever Zhong is doin’.
(after a moment, fading as she leaves the room)
That’s right, Eliza. If that happens to take us by the kitchen, where Jaxon headed talkin’ about muffins, I won’t complain.
(There is an awkward silence.)
MICHELL
Umm, Tumnus? Hello?
TUMNUS
Hello.
MICHELL
What did you need? I’ve got to get suited up and out to the surface.
TUMNUS
Aren’t the Rovers currently docked within the mining tunnels?
MICHELL
Yeah. I’m just … going up to the surface for a minute, before that.
(after an embarrassed pause)
What is it?
TUMNUS
Yes. Well … Mx. L’Anglois … Michell … we don’t know each other all that well, beyond the obvious –
MICHELL
(smug)
Mine’s the one personnel file you haven’t read.
TUMNUS
Oh, no. I broke your Consortium Security encryption some time ago.
MICHELL
You did what?
TUMNUS
But I don’t … know you. And yet, because of your position and your … destination, I need to ask you for a very private, very personal, favour.
SOUND: Observatory Background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE TWO
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Office Background – ongoing
SOUND: Occasional racket from outside – faint shouting, large trucks moving in
SOUND: Knock on glass
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Come on in.
SOUND: Door opening, footsteps
SLIPSTREAM
Hi. They, uh, said you asked for … they didn’t tell me your name, which makes things a little bit awkward. You were looking for –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Someone who actually knows a thing or two, most of your folks are running spooked like cartoon characters. Your name is?
SLIPSTREAM
Slipstream. Umm, Ser.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(after a theatrical sigh)
Right. You may not know who I am, but I’ve been inside this facility for some time now, my influence if only recently my person, culminating in the … events of recent days. You must have been among the faction cooperating with Officer Daniels –
SLIPSTREAM
Daniels? Oh, you must mean –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Officer Daniels, whatever alias she was working under. You know who I mean, you were working for her, which means you were working for me. Pay attention, and we might extend that relationship.
RANDOM VOICE
Hey, is this where we’re supposed to –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Yes, right in here.
RANDOM VOICE
And it goes –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
You’re going to install them right behind that desk.
SOUND: Clanking noises as they wheel the Reception Bot in
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Careful! Give them some dignity.
RANDOM VOICE
Uh huh.
SOUND: Various mechanical noises in the background as they work on the installation
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Where was I? Oh yes, our relationship. I find myself in the market for a liaison with your … technical personnel, and I was told you’d fit the bill.
SLIPSTREAM
Whatever … I can do to help, Ser. But why me in particular?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
First, I was told you’re agreeable, which I’d have to say checks out so far. But second, and maybe just a little bit more important …
SOUND: Chair creaking as he leans forward
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I heard you were quite involved in getting that rocket off the ground, the one that’s headed Moonward at this very minute.
SOUND: A sudden clank and rattle
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Gently, dammit!
(after a moment, back to Slipstream, hits the name hard)
You were one of the big brains behind that launch. Which means you and I have a lot to talk about. Plans to make, webs to weave. We’ll be spending a lot of time together, Slipstream.
(brief pause)
Now. While they finish up this very important installation, maybe you could point me towards some decent coffee in this place?
SOUND: Office Background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(The episode ends.)
PRODUCERS
Today’s episode featured Leeman Kessler, Cass McPhee, Cole Burkhardt, Jen Ponton, Tina Daniels, NayMyo Win, Tau Zaman, D.J. Sylvis, Glory Duda, and Robin Howell.
Written by D.J. Sylvis; Cass McPhee is our audio engineer. Our theme music is “Star” by the band Ramp; our cover art is by Peter Chiykowski.
Looking for more great audio fiction? Check out 1972, a historical drama telling the powerful story of Shirley Chisholm and Angela Davis.
We’d like to take a second to thank our associate producers for this season. Marty Chodorek, June Madely, Timothy LaGrone, Marilyn Reid, Marissa Robertcop and Linda Boyer. We also want to make sure we thank our executive producers Sarah Mueller and Beka B. Thank you so much for helping us create Moonbase Theta, Out season four, we genuinely would not be able to do it without you.
Want to help make this show possible AND get early ad-free access to every episode? Support us at Patreon.com/MonkeyManProductions. For a full list of our cast and crew, as well as transcripts, official Moonbase Theta, Out merch and more, visit MonkeyManProductions.com. And, as always, keep watching the moon.
