Season One Episode One - The Cold Divide

SFX: Gentle violin music fades in, cosmic ambiance underneath.

ELIZABETH: The Universe was cruel when she gave life to the Tantalus Cluster. She cast our worlds to the void, far beyond the edge of the nearest galaxy, islanded in a sea of black, and for millennia we have looked upward, seen infinity stretched out before us, and known that it was forever out of reach.

For over three centuries, we have rapidly colonized and settled the worlds of Tantalus, often with little regard for the limited resources of our tiny star cluster.

Too many years had passed when we finally realized the trap we had built for ourselves, and when we did, it was already far too late. The far-flung colonies of the Frontier Union had become completely reliant on the prosperous core worlds of the Centrum Assembly to escape starvation, and as both factions struggled to distribute our ever-dwindling resources, war became inevitable.

Through ten years of violence, humanity accelerated its fate. And once the war was over, we had fallen too far to recover.

Across the many worlds of Tantalus, the human race waited for the inevitable. But something changed. A year after the war’s end, a great cloud appeared in the night sky of every world in the cluster. My father, Doctor Sadavar Edric, was the first to study it. He found that it was a vast nebula, over three thousand light years away, hanging between Tantalus and the galactic rim.

We were never certain what lay within. But we were certain of the fate that awaited us if we ignored it.

It is the 45th of the Summer Solstice, 304 Post-Unification, and humanity stands on the razor’s edge. The nebula is now within our reach, and the coming months will shape the future of billions, but the choices that will guide us to salvation or to annihilation, will lie in the hands of very few.

SFX: Silence, then…

SFX: A shot is fired from a spaceship’s autogun, followed by more shots. Lively maritime-inspired music starts.

SFX: A staccato of bangs hit a spaceship’s armored hull.

CROFT: Agh. These guys aren’t taking a hint here.

MEDS: Slavers don’t tend to be the brightest lot.

CASS: Hard-a-starboard Croft, and bring us around, present minimal aspect.

CROFT: You got it Skip.

SFX: Dials and switches are flipped.

CASS: Meds, let's try them again.

SFX: A beep.

MEDS: You’re on.

CASS: I say again, this is Captain Cassandra Farren of the Privateer Corvette Guinevere. You can’t outrun us and you’ve got nowhere to go. Heave-to and prepare to be boarded.

SFX: More shots are fired from the slaver’s ship, they hit the Guinevere. An alarm sounds.

MEDS: Still no response.

CROFT: They’re still firing.

CASS: Alright then, let’s wake them up. Run out the coilgun.

SFX: Mechanical whirring as the coilgun extends and charges. The alarm continues

CROFT: Locked and loaded Skip.

CASS: Don’t hit anything too important, I’d rather not have to tow this thing into port.

SFX: Targeting lock alarm sounds a steady tone.

CROFT: Just a love tap. No problem.

SFX: The coilgun fires with an electric snap, followed by a moment of silence and a distant, muffled explosion.

CROFT (while clapping): Ha ha ha! Clipped one of their radiators! And.. their weapons have overheated.

SFX: A small ding.

CASS: Nice shooting Croft.

CROFT: I aim to please... See what I did there? Like… “aim”? heh heh heh

MEDS: Getting a signal… They’re cutting engines.

SFX: A gentle boop.

MEDS: ...They’ve struck their colours.

CROFT: Whoo! Chalk up another for the Guin!

CASS: Good work guys. Put us on a rendezvous burn Croft, let’s relieve these scumbags of their ship and hand them over to the nearest security station.

CROFT: Best dig out some spare food and blankets in case they have any poor buggers in their brig.

CASS: Good call.

MEDS: I’m on it.

SFX: The door whooshes open.

CROFT: Damn Skip, that’s three prize ships in a month. Just our luck that things pick up right before we’re leaving.

SFX: Soft, lightly dramatic music starts in the background.

CASS: Hopefully this one will at least pay back the ammo costs. What do you make of her?

SFX: Clicking as Croft uses the computer.

CROFT: Errr, transponder says she’s the Black Rabbit, four days out of some pirate hole on Valeria Sibus. Looks like an old Caspian-G with some extra guns welded to it, nice (laughs). We can probably get a decent enough price for her at auction?

CASS: Works for me. We’ll take her into Stranger’s Home on our way to Cardeus. It’s only one gate out of our way.

CROFT: Sounds like a plan.

CASS (sighing): Alright, I'm going below. Keep me posted.

SFX: beeps and footsteps as Cass prepares to leave the bridge. The door opens.

CROFT: Hey skipper. This was the last one. At least for a long while.

CASS: Yeah. I suppose it was.

SFX: Intro music starts - “Wilderness” by Taylor Davis.

NARRATOR: The Sojourn, Season One Episode One: The Cold Divide by Daniel Orrett. Starring Larissa Thompson as Captain Cassandra Farren, Emily Serdahl as Director Elizabeth Ancelet, Laura Faye Smith as Tamara Melari, and Ben Prendergast as Mathias Croft, also featuring Stephen Trafford and Austin Light.

SFX: Theme music continues.

SFX: Two sets of footsteps on a metallic floor.

MEDS: So, what did we get for this one?

CASS: 30% the stock price. Probably could have pushed for more, but we’ve got a steady client for a while and the auction houses have it just as rough as everyone else these days.

MEDS: Hey that’s not bad though. Might be able to restock my medbay before the big jump.

CASS: We still patching ourselves up?

MEDS: Croft just finished fixing that heat sink, last I heard he was making some breakfast.

CASS: God help us.

SFX: A door whooshes open. Croft is whistling.

CROFT: Hey, morning skip, just in time for grub.

CASS: Mathias Croft, what have I told you about eating off the control panels?

MEDS: Ah, come on Cass it’s a change of scenery.

CASS: Fine, but please no more egg-free ration-paste omelettes, I know you’re trying, but it really just doesn’t-

CROFT: No rations this time captain, thought I’d break out something special for our last breakfast in Tantalus.

SFX: A plastic container is opened, food sizzles within.

CROFT: Scrambled Egg on toast with Diced Sausage, please hold your applause.

MEDS: Holy shit, where did you get that?

CROFT: Present from some of the Agriculture guys on Firenna. They were grateful after we quite literally saved their bacon in that warehouse raid.

CASS: I’m not going to ask how long you’ve had this and kept it a secret.

SFX: They sit and begin to eat.

MEDS (mouth full): Damn, this is my kinda morning.

CASS (laughs): It’s a step up from synthetic protein blocks.

MEDS: Don’t knock the protein blocks. I grew up on those things.

CASS: You know, they’re saying if this all works out then we should be back in a few months, just as soon as they set up a return gate. Maybe we can stop off on Maiala’s Rest some time. You could check on your old clinic?

MEDS: Place has probably burned down in a food riot by now, and anyway – I doubt I have too many fans back home.

CROFT: Eh, I never saw the appeal of staying in the same place anyway.

CASS: Here’s to that. A few quiet months charting a weird nebula, with all of our fuel and food paid for. We should have been dashing explorers from the start.

CROFT: I dunno Skip, I’m hoping for at least a little excitement. Plus, maybe we’ll save humanity while we’re at it.

MEDS: And maybe we can request payment in real food.

CROFT: Oh, we should totally ask about that.

SFX: A trilling noise sounds from the console.

CASS: Looks like we’re coming up on the Drift Gate.

SFX: Footsteps as they move to their chairs. A door whooshes open.

GATE CONTROL (over comms): Guinevere this is Gate Control, pattern reads minimal traffic. You are cleared for entry.

CASS: Roger that Drift Gate Control, Guinevere out. Brace for deceleration.

SFX: The Guin’s engine’s woosh as she decelerates. Distant radio chatter and static plays.

MEDS: Wow, that’s a lot of ships – guess we’re really doing this now.

SFX: The console trills again.

GATEHOUSE CONTROL (over comms): Corvette Guinevere, this is Gatehouse Traffic Control – you are locked for approach pattern four-alpha, bay fourteen, vector is green.

CASS: Acknowledged Gatehouse, transferring to automatic.

SFX: Switches are flipped.

CROFT: Entering Drift-gravity environment, switching to VTOL.

CASS: Got it.

SFX: Mechanical shifting noises as the docking bay doors open, a confirmation beep, and the sound of the Guin’s vector engines firing.

SFX: A roar of a distant angry mob fades in. Dramatic music fades in.

CROFT: That doesn’t look too friendly.

GATEHOUSE CONTROL (over comms): Guinevere be advised , we are experiencing civil unrest around pad fourteen, security units are en route. Acknowledge, over.

CASS: Copy that Gatehouse, just seen it ourselves. Holding at forty meters.

MEDS: Food riot. Probably hoping to steal from landing ships.

CROFT: Check out all those banners, lot of Union types down there.

MEDS (sarcastically): I’ll try to contain my surprise.

SFX: Distantly, a bullhorn siren blares.

SECURITY (through megaphone): This is an unlawful demonstration. Disperse! Disperse!

SFX: Distantly, stun rounds are fired into the crowd; the crowd begins screaming. The music swells.

CROFT: Looks like the Feds have cleared out the pad.

CASS: Bringing her in.

SFX: The engines power down as the music fades out.

-Scene Change-

SFX: The Guin’s cargo lift descends to the pad.

DECK OFFICER: Permits and registry please.

CASS: Sure; Guinevere. 2709-HC. We’re signed on for the expedition.

SFX: Soft beeps as the Deck Officer enters the information into his datapad.

DECK OFFICER: Captain Cassandra Farren. Registered Privateer?

CASS: That’s me.

DECK OFFICER: I have a note here from the Expedition Director citing special consideration for the… Defence Adjutant Position. Tactical Advisor. You’ll be receiving an additional payment contract on top of your current rate.

CASS: What? N-No, the-there must be some kind of mistake. I never applied for the position, and I’ve been out of the navy for years.

DECK OFFICER: Would you like me to convey a message ma’am? Ma’am?

CASS: Uh, no, that-that won’t be necessary. I’ll speak to her myself.

SFX: Footsteps as the Deck Officer walks away.

MEDS: You okay?

CASS: Yeah, I’ll be fine, just got to get this squared away. Where are you two headed?

CROFT: Don’t know about you Meds, but I’m headed for the bar.

MEDS: Works for me.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Drinks are poured and patrons chatter in the bar.

MEDS: Firewatch Whiskey.

CROFT: The same.

BARTENDER: Ration cards please.

SFX: Two beeps as their ration cards are processed.

BARTENDER: You’re the crew of the Guinevere, right?

CROFT: Aw yeah, that’s us. Can I help you?

BARTENDER: Listen, I’ll throw you a discount on drinks if you introduce me to your Captain.

CROFT: Sorry mate, I’m afraid you’re not quite her type. Sure she appreciates the sentiment though.

MEDS: Anyway, I’m not sure how much use we’d get out of a discount, we’ll be thousands of light-years from here in a few hours’ time.

BARTENDER: Damn, you’re headed off with the fleet!? You guys are braver than me, or crazier.

CROFT: Still trying to figure out which.

BARTENDER: So what do you guys think is out there?

CROFT: I’m holding out hope for something we can barbecue. There, I said it. Gotta be some extragalactic space cows out there, right?

BARTENDER: No seriously. I mean, a big cloud just suddenly appears in the sky four years ago? That’s some weird shit. Like, how does that even happen? And how could there be food there after just four years?

CROFT: It’s been there a lot longer than four years mate. More like a few thousand. Just took a while for the light to reach Tantalus. From what they’re saying, there could be planets with all kinds of plants and animals out there.

MEDS: Plus it's not like there’s anywhere else to look, and they’re paying us.

BARTENDER: Hey listen, take a couple of bottles for the road. They’re on the house.

SFX: Slamming sounds as the Bartender places some bottles on the counter.

MEDS: No need. You must be pretty short on stock as it is.

BARTENDER: Oh I am, but thanks to you guys that’s gonna change soon enough. Go on take them, I insist.

MEDS: Thanks. We appreciate it.

BARTENDER: My pleasure.

SFX: Footsteps as the Bartender walks away.

CROFT: So, I heard what the Skipper was saying back on the pad, shame she’s turning that job down. Bet it pays well.

MEDS: You know Cass. She’s come a long way since it happened, but I’m not sure she’ll ever accept that kind of responsibility again. I think she’s just happy taking a job where she doesn’t have to get shot at.

CROFT: That’s rough. Here’s to Tantalus. You’re a giant dumpster fire. But you’re our giant dumpster fire. See you again soon.

MEDS: Fair winds.

SFX: Glasses clink.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Footsteps and a door wooshes open. Quiet radio chatter and console beeps fill the background.

CASS: Director Ancelet.

ELIZABETH: My reputation precedes me! And you’re Captain Cassandra Farren if I'm not mistaken. Welcome to our little adventure.

CASS: Thank you, ma’am.

ELIZABETH: Oh no no no, none of that. Call me Elizabeth, or Liz. Anything but ‘ma’am’. I’m about to have thousands of people calling me ‘ma’am’ every day, I don’t need it between us.

CASS: I was shocked to hear that your father wouldn’t be staying on to lead the expedition. Is he well?

ELIZABETH: Ah, enjoying retirement on Firewatch. I wasn’t expecting him to leave either, but spending four years building the biggest Drift Gate in history probably justifies a holiday.

CASS: Well, I’m glad the two of us have had the chance to meet before the jump. I was surprised you weren’t with the command staff overseeing the fleet traffic.

SFX: A lighter clicks on and lights a cigarette.

ELIZABETH: No smoking on the Command Deck. Not to mention, I wasn’t about to miss this.

SFX: Beeps sound as a rumble builds in the distance. Soft, lightly dramatic music fades in.

CASS: Wow.

ELIZABETH: The first Wanderer Platform colonized my homeworld. It’s pretty exciting to think I’ll spend the next few years living on one.

CASS: That engine module is bigger than most cruisers, I can’t imagine the power behind that thing.

SFX: “Elizabeth’s Theme” plays.

ELIZABETH: We’ve had to clear the approach lane just to make sure she doesn’t torch anyone’s ship with her drive plume.

CASS: Sixty thousand people depending on you for leadership, you must be nervous.

ELIZABETH: Oh, not at all. If I was nervous then you’d have every right to be nervous, and so would every one of those sixty thousand people. But I’m not nervous, I’m ready to see what’s out there. Cigarette?

CASS: No thanks. I don’t smoke.

ELIZABETH: Fair enough. But you look like you need one more than me right now. You gonna tell me what’s up or do I have to start guessing?

CASS: I was told you wanted me as Defence Adjutant for the expedition.

ELIZABETH: Well, you seemed like the obvious choice.

CASS: Actually, I didn’t realize anyone had looked into my time with the CDF when we signed on to the expedition. I’m sorry but I’m not a soldier anymore, and I’m happiest when it’s just me and my crew. We’re glad to be onboard and we’ll do our part, but I’m afraid I can’t accept your offer.

ELIZABETH: I can understand that. It’s not what I was expecting but I appreciate your position. Don’t suppose there’s anything I can do to persuade you? There’s nobody else on the expedition who has your experience.

CASS: Sorry. I hate to have to turn you down like this, but I’ve worked for a long time to put that part of my life behind me.

ELIZABETH: Say no more, I’ll assign the position to Admiral Redfield of the Shabayev. But come talk to me after the jump if you change your mind. I’m happy to keep the job open for you. Either way, I’m glad you’re coming with us.

CASS: Thank you.

ELIZABETH: Now that the Avalon is here I’d better check over my speech. The fleet makes the jump in four hours. But you should give me a call when we’re settled on the other side, we can grab some drinks.

CASS: I, err… Yeah. Sure.

SFX: Footsteps as Elizabeth walks away.

CASS: Elizabeth. Best of luck.

ELIZABETH: To us all.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Triumphant music plays softly.

ELIZABETH (through a loudspeaker in the halls of Gatehouse Station): The coming voyage is born from desperation, and common suffering. But it is also born from unity, from companionship. Famine and strife have held our worlds in their grip for a long time, and their influence has inspired much violence and brutality, but in more recent years that influence has brought us together, and now through our common effort – we have the means to escape the confines of Tantalus, and reach out across the void for salvation. Though we embark upon this mission to preserve our species, we must not allow ourselves to ignore the grand opportunity before us.

SFX: An engine fires, the music swells.

ELIZABETH (through a loudspeaker in the halls of Gatehouse Station): Humans by their very nature are explorers, both through exploration of the self, and through exploration of the universe, and we have a long journey ahead of us.

SFX: Engine sounds build in intensity.

ELIZABETH (through a ship’s comms): Across these coming months we will live and work in places no human has ever seen, and though we may stumble and make mistakes, we will push on together, we will further the cause of space exploration farther than it has ever reached, and when our task is done…

SFX: A siren blares distantly.

ELIZABETH: we will build a common future for humanity.

SFX: The music reaches it’s height. Ships enter the Drift Gate and are launched with intense kinetic energy into the void.

-Scene Change-

SFX: From silence, sounds of rocks hitting the hull and muffled crashing fades. An alarm sounds, sparks flying.

CASS: Agh… Everybody ok?

MEDS: I’m good, Croft’s screwed his arm to shit but he’ll be alright.

SFX: Metal grinding against metal as Croft’s arm is freed.

CROFT: Agh… I’ll take your word for it.

MEDS: Any idea where we are?

CROFT: Looks like we’re on the bridge.

MEDS (sarcastic): You’re hilarious.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Sparking and debris falling.

CASS: Instruments are rebooting, no sensors just yet. Looks like some kind of Ice belt.

SFX: console static, then gentle beeping.

CASS: Okay, we’ve got a partial sensor image, but it looks like there’s pretty much nothing but ice for a million clicks in any direction.

CROFT: I take it we reached the Nebula? Agh…

SFX: A metallic thump.

CASS: Looks like it, our travel distance is pretty much what we expected, and local radiation is consistent with long-range scans of the Nebula’s perimeter.

MEDS: The question is, where’s the rest of the fleet? Could there have been some kind of malfunction with the gate?

CASS: Possibly, but we knew there would be a degree of inaccuracy in the jump coordinates. It seems like the only thing we can do is scout beyond our current sensor range and see if we can find the Avalon or anyone else from the fleet.

CROFT: What do we know about this Ice Belt?

CASS: That’s the strange part, scopes are still taking images but from what’s come in so far, it looks like the belt is huge, stretching across multiple solar systems and the space between. It’s at least 8 light-years in radius, it shouldn’t be possible.

CROFT: Sounds like we’ve got a lot of ground to cover. Let’s get go-.

SFX: Croft’s seltbelt unfastens as he attempts to stand.

MEDS: The only place you’re going for the next few hours is the Medlab.

CASS: She’s right, you should get some rest. Meds and I can handle things for a while, we’ll keep you posted.

CROFT: Don’t mess with the seat, I have it how I like it.

SFX: The door wooshes open.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Dark, ominous music plays underneath.

CROFT: Meds! Listen I gotta get out of this bed, I’m going nuts in here not knowing what’s going on.

SFX: Plastic crinkling as Meds unwraps medical supplies. A hypodermic needle goes into Croft’s arm as he grunts.

MEDS: You’re not missing much, mostly it’s just a whole lot of ice out there. Let me have a look at that. Looks like the regenerator is doing its job. Go on, you can get up. Drink lots of water and don’t operate any heavy machinery.

CROFT: What, like, say a, spaceship?

SFX: Footsteps and a door wooshing as Meds moves to the bridge. Sounds of someone eating a power bar.

MEDS: Is that a ration bar? What happened to “no food on the consoles?”

CASS: Captain’s prerogative.

MEDS: Any luck with the scopes?

CASS: Afraid not, we’re pretty much flying blind out here, it’s difficult to-

SFX: The console beeps.

CROFT: What is it?

CASS: I think we’ve got something, metallic object – 18 kilometers off the port bow.

MEDS: A ship?

SFX: More console beeps.

CASS: Could be, the signal is patchy, seems like it’s partially merged with that ice fragment. I’m taking us in for a closer look.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Foreboding music swells.

CROFT: Whoa.

CASS: That’s a union ship, Florencia Class.

MEDS: The Mariana, she jumped with us and the rest of the fleet.

CASS: Looks like it’s embedded in the ice.

CROFT: If there’s anyone alive in there, they might know where the rest of the fleet is.

SFX: A gentle siren sounds.

MEDS: Wait. I’m picking up another ship, in the Mariana’s shadow.

CROFT: Must be one of ours right, or a clump of loose debris.

CASS: We’re in range, Meds open a channel to th-

SFX: A strange and ethereal sound resonates.

MEDS: Holy shit!

CASS: Croft, kill the engines. Bring us to silent running now!

SFX: Music becomes percussive, fades out as the Guin’s engines slowly turn off.

CROFT: Done, she’s running cold. What… the hell is that? 

CASS: My thoughts exactly.

CROFT: Are those… sails?

SFX: The console beeps.

MEDS: The Mariana is hailing them.

CASS: Put it on speakers.

SFX: Static.

MARIANA CAPTAIN (through comms, staticy): ---the Frontier Union warship Mariana, we are engaging our linguistic analysis programs, identify yourself or we will open fire.

SFX: Radio static.

SFX: Garbled, non-human speech plays through the static.

MARIANA CAPTAIN (through comms, staticy): Our translation system is struggling to adapt to your language. We have crossed the void to reach this place, from a star cluster named Tantalus.

SFX: Static.

MARIANA CAPTAIN (through comms, staticy): Are you receiving me?

SFX: Static, then —

SFX: A deep, threatening surge comes from the strange ship, followed by a salvo of violent, discordant blasts of energy.

CASS: Shit!

SFX: Intense, frantic music plays.

CASS: I’m taking us in, heat her up Croft.

CROFT: Righto skip.

MEDS: Cass! This is suicide! We have to get out of here!

CASS: I’m not leaving these people to die!

SFX: A salvo from the strange ship fires.

MED: They see us, incoming fire!

SFX: The shots hit the Guinevere. A siren rings.

CROFT: Glancing hit Skip, superficial dama- agh!

SFX: A small explosion on the bridge.

CASS: Croft! Get back to the Medlab, we’ve got this!

CROFT: I’m alright skipp-

CASS: Medlab, now! That’s an order!

CROFT: …Alright.

CASS: Look for anything resembling a communications array!

MEDS: What? Why?

CASS: Getting out of here won’t matter if that thing reports our location.

SFX: The console scans the strange ship.

MEDS: Aft quarter, dorsal hull! Looks like some kind of array, but this design is totally different from anyth-

CASS: Lock on torpedoes!

SFX: Torpedoes load into the Guin’s launch tubes, the targeting computer beeps as it locks.

MEDS: Ready.

CASS: Fire!

SFX: The torpedoes launch.

MEDS: Direct hit.

CASS: I’m bringing us around. Load four more torpedoes and open a channel to the Mariana.

MEDS: Channel open.

CASS: Mariana, this is the Guinevere, what is your status?

MARIANA CAPTAIN (over comms): Good to see you Guinevere. We struck the ice when the gate dropped us here, most of our systems are trashed but we’ve managed to get our Drift Drive back online. we’re trying to pull ourselves clear.

CASS: Tell your people to brace for impact. I’m gonna try and cut you loose!

MARIANA CAPTAIN (over comms): Roger that, Guinevere.

MEDS: Cass, this is insane! There’s no way we can get them out of here!

CASS: Target four shots around the edge of their hull, watch for blast damage!

SFX: Target lock.

CASS: Fire!

SFX: Four torpedoes launch. Cass’s theme swells.

MARIANA CAPTAIN (over comms): That’s done it Guinevere! We’re free!

CASS: On my six Mariana! Full burn!

MARIANA CAPTAIN (over comms): We’re underway!

CASS: Stay tight, we’re almost clear!

SFX: An insistent alarm sounds from the console.

MEDS: I’m reading an energy spike from that ship! Looks like they’re about to-

CASS: Mariana! Take evasive action!!

SFX: The strange ship powers up, energy crackles, the music swells. A distant explosion.

MEDS: Oh god…

SFX: The shockwave approaches the Guin. Metal crashes. Another distant explosion.

SFX: Cass’s theme plays on the cello.

NARRATOR: You have been listening to The Sojourn, Season One Episode One: The Cold Divide, written by Daniel Orrett, produced by Kallum Weyman, creative consultation by Alasdair McCabe and Larissa Thompson, scientific consultation by Gabriel Fonseca, sound design and audio editing by Kennedy Phillips, with additional voices by Hayden Emmett-Bird, Austin Light, Stephen Trafford, and Justin H. “EckhartsLadder”. Music by Sam Redfern, including a rearrangement of “Wilderness” by Taylor Davis which is used with the given permission of Taylor Davis representatives. Continue listening for the next episode.