MOONBASE THETA, OUT – S4 Episode 14 – “Never Stopped Saying I’m Sorry”
by D.J. Sylvis
ANNOUNCER
Moonbase Theta, Out – a Monkeyman Productions Podcast. Season 4, Episode 14 – “Never Stopped Saying I’m Sorry.”
INTRO
SOUND: Pocketcast Theme
BARNETT
We’re back with The Bellwether, and of course I’m your host, Barnett Bell. This is Part Two of our investigation, which my producer titled, “Soy, No Joy – The Tragedy on Moonbase Delta.” A little bit of a groan after our unnamed medic’s discovery at the end of Part One, but anything that lightens the mood, considering.
(brief pause)
My report continues based on that medic’s first-person account, as well as my own observations when I visited Delta during their shutdown sequence. It’s taken until now to put the two together, as I was not allowed to conduct direct interviews during that visit. It says something that I have more access to sources on the Moon now that I am back on Earth, and no longer employed by a major media outlet.
(brief pause)
Our first part ended with two shocking discoveries – first, that the agent responsible for the epidemic came from En-Soy-Ment brand food powder – we’ll get into that in more detail in a moment, but the second discovery was even darker – that the stasis containment area included a number of personnel apparently being held in waiting, none of whom was on the official base roster, and by comparing their listed positions seemed to be backups as if someone knew about the calamity ahead of time. As if someone knew ahead of time … that a number of the official crew were unlikely to survive.
(after a moment)
When the pieces came together, it revealed a plan so sinister that the medic was left psychologically reeling. They went through the following week in a daze – using their knowledge of the source of the infection to improve treatment, but only turning things around by continuing to work to exhaustion day and night. When Administrator Bajio – still recuperating himself – informed the medic that the base had been ordered into early shutdown, it must have seemed like – a relief? To leave everything on his shoulders, a relief and probably the best move to eliminate the disease completely, to send everyone into stasis and let things be sorted out on arrival at home.
(brief pause)
I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to be awakened, again on the Moon, mysteries unsolved. And until recently, unable to communicate with the world below to share their story.
(after another pause; resolute)
But now their story is being shared; and after a break, I’ll tell you about the steps I’ve taken to unravel the mysteries behind the tragedy on Base Delta. It starts with a deeper look into the Consortium, the corporation managing operations on that Base and several others across the Moon; and particularly involving a name you’ve heard from the recent Zero Day catastrophes, David Julius Stephens. At the time, Stephens was both an officer of the Consortium employed in Moonbase management; and also the driving force behind the rollout of the En-Soy-Ment line of products. Think about that; I’ll let it sink in while we break for a few sponsored messages.
SOUND: Pocketcast Theme
SCENE ONE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Inner office background (ongoing)
SOUND: A long slurp of coffee
ENCLAVE OFFICER
I don’t know what you think that I can do that you can’t –
(Maria is on speaker though all this; it’s a call up to the Moon.)
MARIA
It took them a day before they forwarded that message to the other Bases – a foutou day before I heard it, and knowing Roger I’m sure I was at the end of that list – a day of Ashwini and zir “Science Bros” making plans before I even knew we were under attack!
ENCLAVE OFFICER
“Under attack” is just a bit premature, Officer –
MARIA
I’m already fighting both sides of the Moon thanks to our “relationship,” now it’s gonna be the megas too and – premature? You heard what they said, they’re on the way back. Never mind the rest of the revolution, I’m betting they won’t treat your friends too kindly after the shit you’ve pulled –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Enough, Officer L’Anglois!
MARIA
And it’s not like it’s hard to find, your fingerprints are all over our personnel files, mine and Michell’s both … enough what?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Forgot the time delay again. Enough is enough. You think I’ve got time to listen to you to rant and rave? If they’re coming after you up there, they’re looking twice as hard for me down here.
MARIA
Rant and rave?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(overlapping her)
My name is all over the news, I got that goddamn reporter fired and she’s still outing me all over her pocketcast – ruining the public face of my enterprise before I could give it a public face! My name and pictures are everywhere, I’ve got team members defecting, none of them knew where I was headed but that’s just a matter of time. I’m surprised Monica Parker hasn’t come crawling out of the woodwork at this point.
(brief pause)
I’ve been losing pieces all over the board, Maria – you’re gonna have to keep things going up there by yourself just a little bit longer.
SOUND: Another slurp of coffee
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Could you freshen this up a bit, darlin’? Darlin’? Right, you’re shut down for the thing.
MARIA
Tu m’étonnes! (Tell me something I don’t know.) So much for, “I can help with difficulties on that end.” So much for, “we can both get what we want!” I’m stuck holding the bag again; I’ve done nothing but keep things going by myself.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
That’s my fault? You made that bed you’re lying in. You set yourself up, you and … McGurk against the rest of the Moon. You had your chance. You could have played it subtle, found the right ones and built your own network. I still don’t understand what happened with Adlai, and if that scientist is awake again she could have been a resource –
MARIA
My bed – my chance? What chance did I have when the place was already – Addie! Do you know how many times I’ve called Base Theta and Addie picks up – they’re working in the fucking comms room, they pick up as often as not – and every time they hang up again? That’s your big hope Addie! And how do I call and casually ask to talk to the traitor?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(over her lines)
Where’s your “baby bro?” Where’s Michell?
MARIA
That’s not gonna raise any flags at all when they already don’t trust me.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Where’s Michell? The whole point was that he would be your in on Base Theta! He’s supposed to be –
MARIA
Michell? Il est au pôle nord, ce tas de merde. (He’s at the north pole, that piece of shit.)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
The North Pole? Why the North Pole? He’s not after my –
MARIA
And we’re gonna come back around to that, the way you sent him up here unprepared and then fucked him right over, but that’s probably a better conversation for when you get here. You’re still gonna get here, right, that’s not something else that’s changed without you telling me?
ENCLAVE OFFICER
That’s not gonna change, I need the Moon now more than ever, but Maria – Officer L’Anglois – what’s your brother doing at the North Pole? What’s he after there?
MARIA
Don’t get me wrong, I’m far from done here. I’ve got Gamma, Eta, Alpha’s gonna be my next step –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
What the hell are you playing at? Stay back from Base Alpha, like I’ve told you before. Let it be until I get there.
MARIA
(overlapping)
Maybe I don’t mind so much that he went – I’ll look forward to seeing what he runs across.
(brief pause, she’s listening to his last line)
Oh yeah? Maybe we’ll let Alpha be, maybe we’ll go take a look together. When he gets back with news from the pole.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Goddamn it, you’re playing a dangerous –
MARIA
Sorry, can’t wait for you to reply. I need to keep things going here.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Don’t you dare – how do I reconnect the call without – dammit, dammit!
SOUND: He knocks a bunch of stuff off his desk in anger
SOUND: He stands up, the chair creaking a little (this can be behind the next line of dialogue)
ENCLAVE OFFICER
This will not stand, Officer L’Anglois. You can’t change the rules this late into things. If I’ve got to fight you and the megas to get where I’m going, that’s how it’s gonna be. If I have to fight you, and the megas, and Barnett fucking Bell and the whole pocketcast network, and Northern Africa and my own people, if I have to burn this whole system to the ground and start again, oh I’m gonna, I’m just gonna …
SOUND: He takes another slurp of his coffee
ENCLAVE OFFICER
(shouting by the end)
Can I just get a goddamn cup of fresh coffee?
SOUND: He throws the cup across the room; we hear it shatter
SOUND: He’s breathing heavily (ongoing)
SLIPSTREAM
(after a moment or two, uncertain)
Umm … you remember that I’m still in the room, right?
SOUND: His breathing slows back to normal
SOUND: A footstep or two; the creak as he sits back down again
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Of course. Of course I knew … you’ve been in the room. All this time.
SLIPSTREAM
Okay.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Okay.
SLIPSTREAM
So …
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Look, whatever you needed when you came here –
SLIPSTREAM
(overlapping)
You sent for me –
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Getting back to the grindstone right now is gonna be more important. I need that rocket, Slipstream. I … need that rocket. I need it ready to launch yesterday.
SLIPSTREAM
Uh … yes, Ser.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
So go on! Get back out there!
SOUND: Slipstream getting up
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Go!
SOUND: A footstep or two, fumbling the door open
SLIPSTREAM
(running into someone there)
Shit. Umm … pardon me … sorry …
RANDOM VOICE
Uh huh.
SOUND: Tools jangling as they walk
RANDOM VOICE
I’m here for that upgrade you requested.
ENCLAVE OFFICER
Right on time.
RANDOM VOICE
I can take it down to the shop so the noise doesn’t, you know …
ENCLAVE OFFICER
No need. You can do the work right here; I’ve got everything ready for you.
RANDOM VOICE
Umm, whatever you say.
SOUND: Starting to work on the Reception Bot – a few clanks and ratcheting
SOUND: Office background fades out
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
ANNOUNCER
Our program is brought to you by Planetwide Media – broadcasting everywhere on Earth and across the Moon! Our “Spotlight Sponsor” tonight is Shadowfax Transportation Services, NYC – Shadowfax, they’re the Lord of All Hansoms.
Note – there may be advertisements inserted at this point in the episode.
SCENE TWO
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Spacesuit background (ongoing)
SOUND: Fabric moving, Michell grunting a bit as he descends
MICHELL
Merde! Goddamn it … C’est juste une emmerdeuse … (She’s just a pain in the ass…)
WILDER
You know I can hear you cussin’ me out, right?
MICHELL
You can’t … prove that was about you. I’ll be down … in a minute.
WILDER
I’ll get the coffee on.
SOUND: A bit more movement, a solid “oof” from Michell as he lands
WILDER
Welcome back. You can take your helmet off; I’ve been breathin’ fine with those nanobot upgrades.
SOUND: Michell removing his helmet
SOUND: Spacesuit background ends
SOUND Cavern background (ongoing) – mostly quiet with occasional very low rumbling
MICHELL
You know I didn’t have to sleep in the Rover …
WILDER
Right. And then there’s another quake and we both wind up trapped? I’m warmin’ up t’ you but not that much. And we’ve got shit to do. After everything you’ve been tellin’ me, I’m ready to go criss-cross and take Maria on myself. I miss havin’ a L’Anglois that I can punch.
MICHELL
That’s not … it’s not that bad. I think. And Trina’s there.
WILDER
Yeah, she sounds like a firecracker. And you say Zhong’s been doin’ good work on your side.
MICHELL
He’s done good work everywhere.
WILDER
I probably owe him an apology or, like, twenty-seven.
(after a moment)
Anyhoo. I guess it’s gonna be a while before that happens, unless he gets homesick for Theta.
MICHELL
Delta.
WILDER
Jeez Louise, Michell, did you forget your own home base?
MICHELL
No, but we’re heading to Delta.
WILDER
Look, I was kiddin’ before, I need to get back and help our folks batten down the hatches. I’ve already been gone too long. Tumnus must be frantic.
MICHELL
You’ll be able to talk to her from Base Delta. She spends more time on our side now than anything. You’ll get to meet all the baby ACs while you heal up.
WILDER
Awww, that whole thing’s been workin’ out okay? What did she name them? Never mind, L’Anglois, no more tryin’ to distract me – I’m headed home to Moonbase Theta and that’s that. Nothin’ wrong with me that Doc Pacey can’t fix.
MICHELL
Bon sang, Wilder, I’m taking you to Delta if I’ve got to knock you out to get you there!
SOUND: Shuffling behind the next line when she tries to get up
WILDER
I’d like to see you give it a try, buddy. Just let me – just let me get to my goddamn feet and I’ll – whoa, shit.
SOUND: She falls back down
WILDER
I meant that to happen. Oww, I fell right smack down on my tailbone.
MICHELL
What’s going on with your arm?
WILDER
I had to make a few field repairs, she’s just chargin’ back up again. Oh, ow ow ow.
MICHELL
(after a moment)
The ACs actually named themselves. After where they’re from. Epsie, Deltie … Batie.
WILDER
(a guffaw)
Batie? Somebody’s got to tell the poor little guy.
MICHELL
We’re on it.
WILDER
Look, Michell. After all the catching up last night, all the back and forth that’s goin’ on, the corporations looming over us … there’s too much big stuff to deal with. I gotta go do my part.
MICHELL
You can do your part wherever you are. There is big stuff coming; I don’t think it’s gonna matter where you are on the Moon when it happens. What matters is getting as ready as we can for the fight.
WILDER
And you don’t think Base Theta needs some gettin’ ready?
MICHELL
I think you need to let the medics get you ready first.
WILDER
All right, goddamn it, you might have a point. I’ll think on things a little.
(brief pause)
I’ll have plenty of time for thinkin’ while you haul me up and out of here.
MICHELL
Thanks, I’ve been looking forward to that.
WILDER
You can handle it, tough guy. Here, try on the harness; if it’s not sittin’ right I’ll need to make some adjustments.
MICHELL
Fine. Should I take off my pressure suit?
WILDER
I’m gonna let your brain to catch up with what you just said.
MICHELL
(congenially)
Va te faire foutre. (Go fuck yourself.)
SOUND: Wilder laughs
SOUND: Fabric rustling as he tries the harness
WILDER
That’s one heck of an attitude for the champion of th’ story. Hang on, you’ve got it all twisted.
MICHELL
Don’t start with that hero’s journey crap again.
WILDER
Turn around.
(brief pause)
Well, you’re not the villain anymore. There, that’s not too bad. And I’ll fit right in, snug as a bug in a backpack. Now take it off again, I’ll fix it so the straps can’t shift.
SOUND: A bit more rustling
WILDER
I’ve got all my stuff in a pile here – that’s the pile beside the bigger pile – if you want to load it all into a cargo net.
MICHELL
Sure.
SOUND: Shuffling his feet as he follows her instructions
WILDER
I can’t deny you’re a few steps further on with that journey. But miles to go, I figure.
(after a moment)
I mean … you’ve never even said you’re sorry.
MICHELL
What?
WILDER
You. Never really said you’re sorry.
SOUND: A few shuffling steps back
MICHELL
What are you talking about?
WILDER
You know what I’m sayin’.
MICHELL
I never said I’m sorry? How many times do you want me to say it? I started when I was barely awake again and you choked me out against that wall, I said it again when I went through therapy with Pacey, when I broke the encryption on those messages for Roger, when I volunteered to be the first one to go to the near side, and pretty much every day since then including when I came up here to save your stranded ass. Fuck, Wilder, I’ve never stopped saying I’m sorry.
WILDER
You may think those things count inside your head, but I was around for most of ‘em, and I’ve never heard you say it. Not the real, right words, not understandin’ what you did. You said it to get people off your back, to push down your guilt, to get where you wanted to go. I ain’t never heard you say, “I’m sorry,” because you were actually … sorry.
MICHELL
God dammit, this is just why I wanted to stay half the Moon away from you … ahhhhh!
(he cries out)
Je ne sais pas pourquoi je ne peux m’éloigner de ceci! (I don’t know why I can’t get away from this!)
SOUND: Michell groaning, frustrated
SOUND: Wilder adjusting the straps in the background, tightening them down
WILDER
(after a long pause)
I think this is as tight as I’m gonna get it. You’re good to –
MICHELL
(hesitant, low energy)
Look. There’s no point in going back through all my history – you know the big stuff already. I’ve been a mess – back on Earth, on Base Theta, ask Maria I’m still basically a mess … but there’s nothing I regret as much as what happened before the shutdown, including how I caught you up into it.
(a long, aching pause)
Nessa was … not my first time, but my first big time, and I wasn’t ready to deal with it. I never really listened, or treated her like a real person, I just … and then I was the same with you, obviously not the same as … but you were just an obstacle to get out of the way, a problem to bypass.
(another brief pause)
That’s what I do, I get into a problem, I look for the easiest solution, to hell with the consequence. And the consequence was … what happened to you. What happened to … her.
(after another few moments)
I’m trying to change things now, I’m trying to … change me. Because I’m guilty, yeah, every day. Even with therapy, with pills, the guilt is so much it could drown me. But I’m changing because I wish I’d changed before I did those things, I wish I’d been a different person in time to …
(a deep breath)
I am sorry, Wilder.
WILDER
(after a few moments of her own to absorb all of that)
Well. All right, then.
(after another moment)
You are changing, Michell. Look around – this is definitely not the easiest solution.
MICHELL
You’ve got that right.
SOUND: The shuffling back and forth while he continues packing stuff up
MICHELL
You’re not bringing this big thing under the tarp? That’d be an extra trip –
WILDER
No, that can stay. It’s the weirdest thing – the other supplies almost make sense – the bots, the crappy food, the big secret comms repeater that got me out of this pickle. But who sends an admin console up to the north edge of nowhere?
MICHELL
Val did say in the end, they were dragging half her inventory out the door – maybe it was just a mistake.
WILDER
Could be. Anyhoo, it’s not good for much as is – I poked at it a little while I was waitin’ but I couldn’t get in. It’s probably not set up yet.
MICHELL
(distracted)
Right … probably.
SOUND: The tarp being pulled off, buttons being pushed
WILDER
You’re into the damn thing already, aren’t you?
MICHELL
Just a minute … I think it’s the same Security codes …
SOUND: Typing, fast and furious
WILDER
Oh, lord.
MICHELL
And … I’m in.
WILDER
(simultaneous)
“I’m in.” What a hacker. Hang on.
SOUND: Grunting as she pushes herself up
WILDER
Shove over, I want to see.
MICHELL
It’s not doing anything yet.
WILDER
Hold on a second …
MICHELL
“Administration Console – Moonbase Iota?”
WILDER
The hell? There ain’t no Base Iota.
MICHELL
Maybe it’s some kind of training thing? A simulation or …
WILDER
Click on there. No, there – open that up!
MICHELL
I’m doing it.
WILDER
Jumpin’ Jiminy Cricket! That doesn’t look like a simulation.
MICHELL
Construction plans, Base layout, personnel files … you know, Iota is the next letter after Theta …
WILDER
Like, this was gonna be the next Base they meant to build?
MICHELL
Someone meant to build it.
WILDER
Are all the supply stashes set up like this?
MICHELL
How would I know?
WILDER
It could be a big thing. A whole other Moonbase project.
MICHELL
Shit. This is gonna save some time. There’s a map of every other supply stash.
WILDER
Let me see that.
MICHELL
Wait ‘til Val sees this! I mean, Zhong’s gonna be kinda upset.
WILDER
Ow, ow. I need to sit down again. You can save all that stuff off the console, right?
MICHELL
Sure.
WILDER
You do that. I guess I better set up that comms rig one more time before we go. Eliza! Eliza, time to wake up, darlin’. There’s work to do.
SOUND: Wilder’s arm cycles
SOUND: Michell on the keyboard in the background
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE THREE
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Comms cubicle background (ongoing)
SOUND: Chair creaking as Addie leans back, maybe sipping a drink as well
(Addie is listening to a pocketcast over the speaker in the background.)
SLAM ANNOUNCER (see Pocketcast Promo)
Sofia Benitez with a brutal dropkick combined with an absolutely blistering villanelle! The crowd was stunned by that quatrain, the longest silence I’ve heard in the Asunción stadium since that match back in 2087 at Los Escondidos where Abrigado used the same combination to decimate the home team! The repeating lines that match were –
SOUND: A quick knock and the door sliding open; Addie shuts off the pocketcast immediately
SOUND: A few footsteps
ROGER
Morning, Ralph.
ADDIE
Morning, Sam.
SOUND: Chair creaking again
ROGER
No rush, I’m happy to sit on this side. What’d I miss?
ADDIE
Abso-fucking-lutely nothing, amigue. Quiet night for once. I’ve been catching up on my pocketcasts,
ROGER
Anything good?
ADDIE
Whatever I can pull down.
(after a moment, a little sheepish)
This was a Slam play-by-play, I miss following the matches.
ROGER
I thought I heard something like that.
(brief pause)
You’ve been playing cards in here? It’s a regular den of iniquity.
ADDIE
Just some solitaire. Want me to deal you in?
ROGER
I’m good. We used to play Sueca back before … you know, but it takes more people.
ADDIE
There was this night back in Sao Paolo, I lost my shoes at a game of Sueca. Literally, my shoes … had to walk home broke and barefoot. They were good loafers too, ostrich skin with this silver buckle –
ROGER
Did you ever play with Alex? Everyone fought to get him on their team.
ADDIE
(a bit uncomfortable)
A few times. He liked to pair up with Moddy Sarah. There was a card sharp, all right! I’ve been playing since I was six years old; I still couldn’t keep up.
ROGER
Right, I heard about them. I’m sorry.
ADDIE
It sounds like they gave it all for the cause, it’s a good way to go.
(after just a second, embarrassed)
Mierda, I can’t keep my big mouth shut.
(after another pause)
They called him out on the pocketcast, he’s still a big name after so long.
ROGER
It’ll be one hell of a retrospective, after …
(after a moment, false brightness)
So … six years old, huh?
ADDIE
My mom was … kind of a big wig; I spent a lot of time waiting on late dinners.
ROGER
My last set of fosters was like that too. We mostly had to do for ourselves.
ADDIE
Leftovers while I stayed plugged into the senssuround –
ROGER
A sandwich in the back yard. I’d leave the lights on inside – it was harder to see the sky, but I could pretend someone was waiting.
ADDIE
Right.
ROGER
Not to get caught up in the past. We’ve got plenty of strife right now. Any word on the Base Alpha thing?
ADDIE
McVett’s on his way – they told the near-side he was bringing back the big Rover and then meeting up with folks about … some kind of farm stuff. Then … Zhong, right, that’s his name –
ROGER
Yeah –
ADDIE
Zhong’s the only one over there who knows where he’s really headed. They’re gonna meet up and try to bust in. No Val, no Maria L’Anglois, they’re gonna decide who to let in after they see what’s in there.
ROGER
I can’t believe these words are about to come out of my mouth, but I wish Michell were there right now. He’s the one everybody on that side could talk to. Things would be a lot simpler without all the secrets.
ADDIE
(uncomfortable, feeling guilty)
Yeah … right, I know what you mean.
ROGER
Every time we try to hide things, it just comes back to bite us in the ass.
ADDIE
You’ve got a point there.
ROGER
It used to be a big part of my job, and I … started to feel worse and worse about it. Especially during the shutdown, I got into this mess where I was supposed to be spying on people, and it just …
(brief pause)
Alex was against me going back to work for the Consortium, he saw it a long time before I did. It sucks to be in a position where you can’t trust your friends; it’s twice as bad to be the friend that shouldn’t be trusted.
ADDIE
(they groan)
Urrrrrrr … okay, okay, Roger! Sé que hablas de mí. (I know you’re talking about me.) You don’t have to bring Alex into it, that’s so not fair.
ROGER
I know it’s not fair. Better than anyone. But … what’s going on?
ADDIE
(tortured)
Quit twisting the knife already!
ROGER
I’m really not.
ADDIE
For real? ¿Es en serio? (Are you serious?) Shit-sticks, I shouldn’t even have to … shit, meirda, shit. Okay, you gotta know first that I haven’t talked to anyone, not since I got here, not since before the rocket and Payload and … Alex … I haven’t made a call, I’ve been – you’ve seen me, you know what I’ve been doing. ¿Cierto? (Right?)
ROGER
O…kay?
ADDIE
But at the same time, the thing is …
SOUND: Drumming their fingers on the desk
ADDIE
The thing is … look, you know what you were saying, about how you got into a big mess during the shutdown? I might still … technically … be in that kind of mess. A couple of different ways. But again … no puedo dejar de repetir esto (I can’t say this enough) … I haven’t talked to anyone since I got here.
ROGER
I’m still not sure … do you think the megas are gonna come and get you? They’re after all of us, I don’t think it matters anymore what you –
SOUND: Addie pounds his fist
ADDIE
Tonto de culo (you asshole), Roger! That’s what I’m doing here, that’s why they sent me! I’m supposed to be the guy bringing things down from the inside. Right now.
ROGER
Oh. Oh, okay. Shit.
(after a moment)
Shit. I think … I ought to be on that side of the desk.
SOUND: Clumsy shifting around in the cubicle, chairs creaking, something falling off the desk
ADDIE
Sorry … sorry … sorry.
ROGER
Okay. Shit, Addie, this is … why’d you tell me? Why not Ashwini or Jaxon or … somebody not-me? I don’t want to …. You’re not saying you’re the reason the whole rocket happened like it did –
ADDIE
No! No, Roger, I … guess my promises are crap now, but I promise, that was … I fixed things so I’d get a free ride, but the rest of it just happened. I wouldn’t … Payload, and Alex … I wouldn’t. I don’t even think it was the guy that I worked for, but … I wouldn’t.
ROGER
I hope that’s true.
ADDIE
I’m gonna … I’ll tell you everything, all about it. It’s the guy, the same one as Doctor Day, the same one as … Maria maybe, I know nobody knows for sure but I’ve been dodging her calls just in case. And also my mom, a little, I’ve kinda been a double agent.
ROGER
For the coolness factor, I’m guessing.
ADDIE
You got me. But look … I’m picking your side, right? I’ll tell you everything, I’ll help any way I can. I’ve been helping.
ROGER
I don’t even know what to do with this. It’s not like I’m gonna call Security on you.
ADDIE
Whatever has to happen now, happens. I just needed to get it out. To you.
ROGER
Thank you?
SOUND: A knock; the door sliding open
JAXON
Oh, hey.
ROGER
Jaxon! Hey! Good to see you!
JAXON
Hi. I wondered if you had opinions on –
ROGER
You might want to hold off on asking for opinions.
JAXON
Okay?
ADDIE
Yeah. Jaxon, amigue, I guess I ought to tell you that I’m … kind of a spy. I mean, not anymore, hand to my heart I’m not, but … I was. I’m supposed to be.
ROGER
(after a moment)
Well, there it is.
JAXON
I, umm, thought you might be.
ADDIE
Really?
ROGER
Really?
JAXON
It just made sense. But it made sense that you’d change, too. I wasn’t worried.
ADDIE
Shit, man, that makes one of us.
ROGER
This is the strangest confession I’ve ever been a part of.
ADDIE
What are you gonna … do?
JAXON
We should talk to Ashwini. But I wondered if either of you had opinions on quiche?
SOUND: After a moment, both Addie and Roger laugh
ADDIE
Quiche?
ROGER
Hey, espionage is one thing, but quiche is serious business.
ADDIE
I’m positive about quiche.
JAXON
You can come help me in the kitchen. Roger, you’re okay in here?
ROGER
I guess I’m okay.
ADDIE
I’ll be back, if they let me.
ROGER
Addie. You swear that the rocket … and Alex …
ADDIE
Yeah.
ROGER
Okay.
(a moment later)
Shit! Shit, a call. That’s gotta be Wilder. Uhh, hello? Wilder?
WILDER
And Michell, though he’s busy hackin’ the mainframe.
JAXON
They didn’t leave yet?
WILDER
(over the speaker)
No, we didn’t leave yet, but I swear, we’ve got a really good reason.
SOUND: Cubicle background ends
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SCENE FOUR
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
SOUND: Server room background (ongoing)
SOUND: Door sliding open, then closed again
TRINA
Damn, it’s chilly in here. Maybe my nanobots will activate. Okay, which one did I plug into last time …
SOUND: Fiddling a bit with cables, plugging one in
TRINA
I think that does it. Uhhh … hello? Is this thing –
SOUND: Val is heard over the speaker throughout the scene
VAL
Trina, I hear you. Hi! Are you doing okay?
TRINA
Let’s … take our time getting into what’s okay. Anything new from your end? Maria’s still not telling me anything. Have you heard from Michell?
VAL
Secondhand. He found Wilder and they’re heading back soon.
TRINA
Thank gods for that.
VAL
They’re heading straight to Base Delta, which doesn’t sound good. Roger didn’t tell me why, or for which one of them … or if it was serious.
TRINA
I guess they’ve got a lot to keep together on their side.
VAL
We’ve got a lot over here! And with things the way they are, all the important calls are going through them. I feel like we’re only getting half of every story.
TRINA
It might not be on purpose, let’s face it – even our shit can be too much to tell. They don’t know what it’s been like with Maria.
VAL
And without Michell.
TRINA
They don’t seem to mind that as much. I’m glad he came to our side.
VAL
How are things with Security over there?
TRINA
Val, I’m just about at the end of my rope. I’ve been trying to keep it low key, you know … but she’s getting on nerves I didn’t even know I had. The way she leaves her dishes in the kitchen is stressing me out. Don’t just leave your bowl sitting dirty on the counter!
(she sighs)
But that’s because I promised to hold off on the big stuff, and that’s not my style. She’s been back and forth to Base Eta a couple of times – I followed her the last run, but she leaves McGurk out front so I can’t sneak in. At least he didn’t see me.
VAL
That’s not good. I mean, she’s the one who said stay away from Eta because it’s the comms hub … if she’s there, she must be talking to someone.
TRINA
That’s what I figure.
VAL
Keegan keeps saying they’re gonna check it out on their own. That and Base Alpha.
TRINA
Alpha’s got to be locked down pretty tight. But Eta is tempting.
VAL
What do you think?
TRINA
We probably only get one chance. I dunno, maybe check back in with Roger and them, get their take?
VAL
I’m lucky to get their take on farming the way the last few calls have gone. It’s … it’s so frustrating, Trina. I need them to talk to me. I need information. Information is inventory.
TRINA
I’m with you, it’s just … things feel precarious. Like any false move could bring it all down.
VAL
But what if the waiting is that false move?
TRINA
You said Michell’s on his way back, right? And Wilder. That’s a big in with Theta, I’m sure we can get better answers then.
VAL
Maybe that will get Zhong to leave Base Beta, too – we can get everybody in one room, face to face.
TRINA
(laughs)
You’re already planning the hors d’oeuvres, aren’t you?
VAL
(surprised laugh)
Well, I can’t trust you! You told me what supplies you sent with Monsieur L’Anglois!
TRINA
I didn’t do that! That was –
SOUND: Somewhere outside, down the hall, a loud clanging noise
MARIA
(far off as well, but bellowing)
McGuuuuuuurk!
TRINA
I better go. So we’re gonna hold in place until Michell gets back?
VAL
As best we can. I hope he hurries.
MARIA
(still far off)
Triiiiiiiiina!
TRINA
Me too, Val. Me too.
SOUND: A moment or two later, the door opening, and closing again
SOUND: Footsteps fading away
SOUND: Server room background fades out
SOUND: Chime – Bookend
(The episode ends.)
PRODUCERS
Today’s episode featured Danyelle Ellett, D.J. Sylvis, Glory Duda, Robin Howell, Cat Blackard, Cass McPhee, Tina Daniels, Leeman Kessler, Journee LaFond, Caroline Mincks, Cole Burkhardt, Alicia Atkins, and Rissa Montañez.
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? Instead of a show, we’re going to point you toward a newsletter – The End, curating completed fiction podcasts for your listening pleasure. Find them at the end dot F Y I to subscribe.
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’s shout-out is for Denise Cicuto.
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.
