Season One Episode Two - Inclement Weather

SFX: A crowd murmurs and a gentle blaring of a trumpet. Ominous, droning music starts.

SFX: The clanging of soldier’s weapons standing to attention. A man speaks with a resonating, inhuman voice.

ORATOR: All hail Her Imperial Majesty, Sovereign of the Reverent and Justiciar of the Faith Eternal; Empress Valendra the Sixth!

SFX: The crowd claps in reverence. Soft footsteps as someone approaches a podium. The woman addresses the crowds with a strange, unnatural voice.

EMPRESS VALENDRA: Like millions before and millions to come, you have each volunteered yourself for holy sacrifice. The Sanctum of Advar is vast and bountiful, but its bounty is fed by faith, and by sacrifice. Today, through your selfless actions, you serve Holy Advar in the truest sense - by surrendering your living spirits that they may strengthen the barrier between our divine sanctuary and the cursed void beyond. For your noble standing and service to the Empire, you are granted the privilege of kneeling before your Empress as you make your final sacrifice. May you find peace and salvation in your deliverance from this world.

SFX: The drawing of blades is heard as soft drums sound distantly.

SACRIFICES: Praise be to Advar!

SFX: The drums intensify as the blades fall - the sound of cutting - and then silence.

SFX: Muffled thuds hit the ground.

SFX: The crowds explode into ecstatic cheering. The sound of lone, echoing footsteps as the crowd fades into the distance. Solemn, sad strings fade in.

INQUISITOR VADRIC: Your Majesty.

EMPRESS VALENDRA: My Lord Inquisitor. It is gratifying to see you. I trust your task was successful?

INQUISITOR VADRIC: The apostates were found and dispatched, your grace. Anisidora is safe once again.

EMPRESS VALENDRA: That is excellent news, Inquisitor.

SFX: Footsteps resume. The song warms up, melancholic. 

EMPRESS VALENDRA: Please; Join me.

INQUISITOR VADRIC: Of course.

SFX: The two walk together before a third set of footsteps approaches them.

LORD ARVANNIS: Your Eminence?

EMPRESS VALENDRA: Lord Cardinal, I have pressing matters to discuss with the inquisitor-

LORD ARVANNIS: Of course, Your Grace; Of that I have… no doubt. I merely wish to commend you on a fine ceremony. It is a privilege to serve a monarch of your… conviction.

INQUISITOR VADRIC (Through gritted teeth): Thank you, Lord Arvannis. You do Her Grace a great courtesy.

SFX: Arvannis leaves, and the two resume walking. The song becomes warmer and mellower.

-Scene Change-

SFX: A door opens and, as soon as it closes, the sound of passionate kisses. An object gets knocked on the floor.

VALENDRA: Castian… it’s wonderful to see you.

VADRIC: And you, my love.

VALENDRA: I could not bear this place without you. Plotters and sycophants in every shadow. I cannot remain much longer.

VADRIC: You must not leave again - not so soon. That bastard Arvannis suspects you. They all do. Whenever you leave the capital, there are only more whispers. I cannot placate them forever. Soon they will demand to know where you have been going.

VALENDRA: Let them make their demands. Fools! They serve at my pleasure, as they so often remind me.

VADRIC: All of the same, we must be cautious.

VALENDRA: Enough of this. There is something strange happening on the rim. I received a transmission on the household channel, from the Lightship Cloak of Mercy. The signal was interrupted at the source and the message was unreadable. There has been no word from them since, and I’ve been unable to establish contact.

VADRIC: Does the Court know about this?

VALENDRA: Arvannis will soon notice that one of his ships has not reported in, but the message was sent only to the Imperial Household. I have told no one but you.

VADRIC: Do we know their location?

VALENDRA: The message is indecipherable, but we can estimate their position. Contact was lost somewhere deep within the Callandra Nimbus - but they laid in a course toward Deacon’s Post right before their signal failed.

VADRIC: There’s… nothing beyond Deacon’s Post but ice. Perhaps it was some kind of accident?

VALENDRA: Perhaps. But this is only the latest in a number of strange reports from that region in the last few days. You may well be right and it could be nothing - but I want to hear for certain from you, before this becomes an issue of court. You’ll leave for Deacon’s Post at dawn.

VADRIC: Very well.

VALENDRA: Now, If this is to be our only time together for a while…

SFX: Valendra pulls Vadric closer.

VALENDRA: I won’t waste a moment longer in matters of state.

SFX: Soft kissing.

VADRIC: A wise choice, Your Grace.

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

NARRATOR: The Sojourn, Season One Episode Two: Inclement Weather by Daniel Orrett. Starring Larissa Thompson as Captain Cassandra Farren, Emily Serdahl as Director Elizabeth Ancelet, Laura Faye Smith as Tamara Melari, Ben Prendergast as Mathias Croft, and Stephen Trafford as Inquisitor Castian Vadric. Also featuring Matthew Kaufman as Lieutenant Jasper Ravi, Tim Parker as Lord Cardinal Hastus Arvannis, and Lelia Symington as Empress Valendra the Sixth.

SFX: Theme music continues and concludes.

SFX: An elevator stops and its doors open. Two sets of footsteps walking along a mildly busy area.

LT. RAVI: … The Sunbeam and Kestrel have joined the formation, and the Siochana is still running a deep-sky survey, but we’ve run into a few strange areas we can’t scan properly. Uh, the Union ship Abigail is still demanding information about the Mariana. I’ve explained that they already know everything we do but they’re not satisfied. Should I send the information again ma’am?

ELIZABETH: I told you to stop calling me that. You can tell Captain Jinn that if she’s unhappy with the reports we’ve sent her, then she’s welcome to join me for a completely pointless meeting where I’ll read the exact same reports to her, just... in person. 

SFX: Footsteps continue.

ELIZABETH: You may want to word that differently, but it’s up to you.

SFX: A lighter clicks on and lights a cigarette.

ELIZABETH: Isn’t this place supposed to have a bar? We’ve been walking around this big circle for ten minutes.

LT. RAVI: Oh, uh… Most of the recreational areas haven’t been set up yet, I didn’t think they were a priority under the circumstances. Since word came in about the Mariana we’ve had all of our main duty shifts working around the clock.

ELIZABETH: Well, they sound like some people who could really use a drink?

LT. RAVI: I- yeah, sorry. I’ll- I’ll- I’ll look into it right away.

SFX: Soft typing on an electronic tablet.

ELIZABETH: Good. And, listen, try and slow down a little? Sure, this isn’t what anyone had expected but we’re in no real danger right now. Let’s see if we can’t establish a bit of normality around here.

SFX: A soft electronic communications chime sounds.

LT. RAVI: It’s Melari. Captain Farren is waking up.

ELIZABETH: Good! I’ll be right there. Now get back to Ops and put some coffee on or something.

LT. RAVI: Yes ma'am.

SFX: Elizabeth sighs as Ravi walks away.

-Scene Change-

MEDS: Cass? Can you hear me?

SFX: The rhythmic beeping of a heart rate monitor and the crumpling sound of a medical bed’s sheets. Calm music fades in.

CASS: Urgh… Where…?

CROFT: Glad to have you back, Skip.

MEDS: You’re on the Avalon. Don’t move too much, we got here this morning but you’ve been out of it for almost three days.

CASS: … Three days? (Sigh) How did we…?

CROFT: We were caught in the blast when the Mariana went up. Damage wasn’t too bad, but your old noggin went straight into the bulkhead. Reckon that probably smarts a little.

MEDS: How’s your eyesight?

CASS (sighs): Not bad. Just… a little blurry.

MEDS: Turn your head to the left.

SFX: A box opening and scanner sounds.

CASS: What the hell happened out there? What was that thing?

CROFT: Beats me, skip. But it wasn’t one of ours. Whoever they are, they don’t seem to like us very much.

SFX: The Medbay doors open and close

ELIZABETH: Captain Farren! Finish sleeping on the job, I see? Glad to see you’re okay.

SFX: Box closes, a table clatters as tools are put on it. The music turns somber.

CASS: Thank you. I’ll be fine. I take it there were no survivors from the Mariana?

CROFT: I’m sorry skip. But when we were getting out of dodge, that weird alien ship snatched up what was left of the Mariana and towed it off somewhere. 

CASS: God… Sixty people on that ship. If we had just been there sooner, we might have-ELIZABETH: Hey. There was nothing else you could have done. No way in hell you could have seen this coming. All we can do now, is just get on with the next thing.

MEDS: She’s right.

ELIZABETH: And, on the bright side… you did discover sapient alien life. That probably looks good on the resumé.

CROFT: She’s got a point, Skip.

SFX: A quick awkward silence punctuated by the heartbeat monitor.

ELIZABETH: Well, we’re arranging quarters for each of you. Get settled in, and get some rest. Captain Farren, I’ll see you in the Ops Center in the morning.

CASS: Elizabeth? Cass is fine.

ELIZABETH (Chuckles): Now you’re getting it.

-Scene Change-

SFX: A soft, maritime-inspired march plays over a bustling space, lively with activity and voices softly exchanging information.

LT. RAVI: No, I- I’m sorry, like I said, we didn’t receive any more data from the Mariana, we don’t believe they had time for any broadcast-

SFX: The atmosphere of the Ops Center as Ravi listens to the response.

LT. RAVI: I can assure you that is not the case Captain, we’ve not withheld any information from you, the reports you received are- 

SFX: A door slides open on the background, footsteps approach. Faint, brief static sound.

LT. RAVI (Sigh): Damnit…

CASS: Everything okay here?

LT. RAVI (Gasp): Oh, good morning Captain! Welcome aboard the Avalon.

CASS: Thank you. Lieutenant…?

LT. RAVI: Uh, Lieutenant Jasper Ravi, ma’am; CDF. I’m here as Director Ancelet’s Defence Adjudant.

CASS: Oh. I thought that position had gone to Admiral Redfield.

LT. RAVI: Oh, the Shabayev is still unaccounted for after the jump. We’ve only been able to find a few ships and none of them are CDF Vessels. My original post was just commanding the security garrison aboard the Avalon, now I’m helping the Director coordinate the Expedition.

CASS: How’s that been going?

LT. RAVI: Uh, good, good. She’s not like any of the COs I’ve had in the service. She’s very…

SFX: Scratching sounds.

LT. RAVI: … Energetic?

CASS (Amused): Yeah, I’ve noticed that.

LT. RAVI: Uh, to tell the truth, it’s a lot to handle. But uh, not because of her or anything, I uh- It’s just I’ve… only been a Lieutenant for three months.

CASS: I’m sure we’ll hear from another navy ship before long. You’ll have your old position back soon enough.

SFX: An elevator arrives and its doors open.

ELIZABETH: Good morning everybody! Almost nine thirty and the station is still in one piece! Let’s see if we can keep that up ‘til lunchtime. Cass? Let’s go to my office, I’ll bring you up to speed.

SFX: Steps as a door opens and closes, the sound of a chair being sat on.

ELIZABETH (Sighs): Best thing about this room - check it out.SFX: A lighter clicks on and lights a cigarette. A computer beeps, and a very loud fan starts to spin up.

ELIZABETH: Interdependent extractor system!

SFX: The fan keeps spinning up and getting louder.

ELIZABETH: You have no idea how hard it is finding places to smoke on a spaceship.

CASS: I can imagine. You know, that really is rather loud.

ELIZABETH: So; Here’s where we’re at. We expected at least some inaccuracy when making the jump over here, but it seems to have been a lot worse than we guessed. Our detection range covers most of this strange interstellar ice field and we’ve managed to find and contact eight ships, including yours. All the ships we’ve contacted are now in formation with us, but most of the fleet is still missing…

SFX: The fans disengage.ELIZABETH: ... including all four of the Gatehaulers carrying the components for our Return Gate to Tantalus.

SFX: A chair creaks as Cass leans back.

CASS: Well… that’s bad news. How could have we been scattered so far? Surely the margin for error couldn’t have been this large?

ELIZABETH: It wasn’t. I guess it must be something about this Nebula; There are regions that play havoc with our scanners, and even just this ice field is far larger and more densely packed than should be possible. This place isn’t playing by any astronomical rules I know about. Not to mention we’ve now got funky alien sailing ships flying around. God knows what other weirdness we’re gonna bump into out here. Pretty exciting though.

CASS: That’s… certainly one perspective.

ELIZABETH: Come on, Cass! Look at where we are! We’re off the edge of the map here, this really is the unknown. It- It’s been what? Three days, and we’ve already seen enough to completely reevaluate half of what we thought we knew about the universe. You’re allowed to be excited.

SFX: A communications chime sounds.

ELIZABETH: Go ahead.

LT. RAVI: Signal from Perimeter Patrol, ma’am.

SFX: The two get up. Door opens and closes, the ambience of the busy Ops Center returns.

ELIZABETH: Patch them through.

SFX: Electronic beeps as a transmission comes in, with static at first, but clearing up. Rapid, contemplative music fades in.

FARRIER LEADER: Actual, this is Farrier Leader. We’ve bumped into something strange over here. Farrier Three noticed a certain area that seemed to be... refracting our ranging lasers. When she went in to check it out something happened. I saw it, looked like her fighter just jumped about 3 clicks to starboard in less than a second.

ELIZABETH: Is your pilot okay?

FARRIER LEADER: A little shaken up but otherwise fine. Can’t understand how though, that kind of acceleration should have been a death sentence. Whatever this thing is we’ve marked it with a beacon, but we’re holding clear for the moment.

ELIZABETH: Hold on. Ravi, mark Farrier Squadron’s current location on the nav map for me.

SFX: Confirmation beeps.

ELIZABETH: Now overlay any areas where we’ve been encountering scanning problems from our deep-sky survey.

SFX: Confirmation beeps, followed by processing noises and a chime.

LT. RAVI: Partial match at Farrier Three’s impact point.

ELIZABETH: That’s what I thought... Get the Siochana on the horn, send them the exact bearing from Farrier Three’s impact point to where she re-emerged, and tell them to redirect all scans along that specific line.

SFX: Computer processing noises.

CASS: What are you thinking?

ELIZABETH (Mumbling): Not sure yet. I think…

LT. RAVI: Telemetry coming in now. Whatever this is, it’s long and narrow, stretches across all our scanning range, but meanders, like a river.

ELIZABETH: Or an ocean current. Ravi, exactly how many ice fragments do we detect within this stream?

SFX: The music slowly swells, becoming more grandiose. The computer beeps as it is queried.

LT. RAVI: This can’t be right…

ELIZABETH: It’s zero, isn’t it?

LT. RAVI: Yes ma’am. I’d never spotted it without the data, but it’s like a string of empty space running through the Ice field. No fragments anywhere along it.

ELIZABETH: I know what this is. It’s a Lauralyn Conduit.

CASS: A what?

ELIZABETH: Until now they were theoretical. Basically, a Lauralyn Conduit is a permanently warped region of space, through which apparent superluminal motion is possible. Move a few meters inside the tube and come out hundreds of kilometers from where you started. They were proposed as a way to travel faster-than-light centuries ago, ‘til everybody got together and agreed they were pretty much impossible. Looking pretty possible now though.

CASS: Wait, so you’re saying this is like a naturally occurring Drift Gate?

ELIZABETH: Not exactly. A Drift Gate can be reoriented, and so long as you have a gravity well to lock on to - you can set one up wherever you like. This conduit is more like a road; you could travel down it in either direction but only to wherever it leads.

CASS: So this must be what happened to the fleet. If these conduits are spread across the whole nebula then…

ELIZABETH: Like jumping into a pinball machine. They must be all over the nebula by now. Well. There’s only one thing for it.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Footsteps on a metallic floor, slightly echoing off of the small space.

CROFT: Woah woah woah, We’re doing what now?

CASS: We’re flying into the conduit.

CROFT: Are we still talking about the thing that just used one of our fighters as a ping pong ball?

CASS: The fighter pilot didn’t know it was there, she only glanced the field. We’re gonna be entering carefully and seeing where it leads. Based on the simulations there shouldn’t be any problems.

SFX: Beeping, followed by wiring and pressurizing sounds, and an opening door.

CROFT: (Under breath) Shouldn’t be any problems… Alright, but if we have to repaint the hull again, Meds is doing it.

CASS (Chuckling): Hey, don’t worry about that. I’m letting you take the helm. I have every confidence in you.

SFX: Door opens, footsteps, door closes.

CROFT:  Right…

MEDS: Escape pods on hot standby.

CROFT: (Sarcastic) Haha, very funny. I don’t see her asking you to fly.

SFX: Footsteps.

MEDS: Croft?

SFX: Footsteps stop.

CROFT: What?

MEDS: Why are you wearing a fur hat?

SFX: A ruffle of an adjusted hat and footsteps resume.

CROFT: Ice field. It’s bloody freezing outside.

-Scene Change-

SFX: A door chime.

CASS: Come in.

SFX: The doors open.

ELIZABETH: Permission to come aboard?

CASS: Permission granted. Tea?

SFX: The doors close, rustling of someone sitting down on a sofa.

ELIZABETH: Got any coffee? I take in so much caffeine that tea doesn't really register anymore.

SFX: Cups and pots being handled, coffee powder being pressed, and coffee machine warming up.

CASS: That explains a lot.

ELIZABETH: Was thinking about pillaging the supply vaults for some actual coffee beans, but I decided I should give it at least a week before I start abusing my power.

CASS: (Chuckles) Croft is helping load up the last of the scanning gear. We should be ready to get underway within the hour.

SFX: Coffee starts pouring. 

ELIZABETH: Great. I’m ready when you are!

CASS: Woah hang on. You’re not seriously suggesting that you’re coming with us?

SFX: Coffee stops pouring, and “Elizabeth’s Theme” fades in.

ELIZABETH: Why not?

CASS: Because you run this place! There could be anything out there. Standard practice is to make sure the area is completely safe before the senior officer comes in.

ELIZABETH: Ehhh, you’ve been in the Navy too long. Anyway, you got to see the aliens, I want to see this conduit.

CASS: With respect ma’am, you should take this seriously. Sixty people died on the Mariana, and now that they know what happened the rest of the people on this fleet are going to be scared - I know I am. They’re trapped in a strange and dangerous place and like it or not, it’s your example they’ll be looking to for encouragement.

ELIZABETH: What kind of example do I set by sitting in my office while you risk your lives exploring this place?

CASS: It’s not that simple! This is a multinational expedition and there’s a lot of conflicting interests, especially with the fleet scattered. If anything happened to you we could have anarchy on our hands.

ELIZABETH: I’m touched to know that your concern for my safety is based solely on morale.

CASS: That’s not what I meant.

ELIZABETH: I know. But listen, I want to do this. I understand the risks and I really do appreciate your concern, but I can’t sit this out. Not after we’ve come so far.

SFX: The sofa creaks.

CASS (Sighing): You’re the boss.

ELIZABETH: Thanks. I promise to take everything as seriously as possible. You won’t get so much as a smile out of me.

CASS: Hmm, oh, I’m sure.

SFX: The sound of sipping and a sigh.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Doors open, footsteps. As Croft speaks, the flicking of switches, pressing of buttons, and fastening of seatbelts. Bright, calm exploratory music fades in.

CROFT: Welcome aboard this midday service to God only knows where, please keep all hands and feet inside the spacecraft at all times. We anticipate significant turbulence and possible nausea as we pass through the invisible wall of cosmic terror, to your left.

CASS: Avalon Control this is Guinevere actual, ready to cast off.

LT. RAVI (over comms): Avalon copies, you’re cleared for departure.

ELIZABETH: No crazy parties while I’m away, Lieutenant.

LT. RAVI (over comms): I think that’s more your area ma’am.

ELIZABETH: Damn straight.

SFX: A distant thud from the ship, followed by maneuver rockets.

LT. RAVI: Fair winds Guinevere. Control out.

SFX: Maneuvering thrusters fire.

MEDS: Six-hundred meters.

CASS: Okay Croft, bring us to station-keeping just over the field and we’ll lower ourselves in.

CROFT: On it skip.

SFX: Maneuvering rockets firing in bursts, an ominous ethereal hum in the distance.

MEDS: In position.

ELIZABETH: I don’t know about you guys, but, I’m excited!

SFX: A klaxon starts sounding.

CASS: Ok Croft. Let’s do it.

CROFT: Everybody hold on to your lunch. Can’t be wasting food these days....

CASS: Contact in two, one-

SFX: An energy buildup sound, before a thunderous release as the ship is accelerated forwards. The music swells and becomes grandiose.

MEDS: Woah! I’ve got no telemetry, reacquiring.

CROFT: Yeah I got it, I got it.

SFX: A rushing, muffled sound outside the ship, 

CASS: Limited attitude control. Keep her bow along the current!

MEDS: We’re leveling out.

CROFT: That’s it! We’re steadied out and… Hoo, hoo! Going like a bat out of hell!

SFX: The ship shakes and rattles as it travels through the conduit.

ELIZABETH: Woo-hoo-hoooo! Ha haaaoooh!

MEDS: Exit aperture coming up, four seconds to impact.

CASS: Brace for deceleration!

SFX: The whooshing and rattling cease as the ship leaves the conduit, and the music calms once again.

ELIZABETH: Well… that was fun!

CROFT: Thrusters at station-keeping, skip.

CASS: Meds, where are we?

MEDS: Running a sweep now. 

SFX: Computer beeps as readouts come through.

MEDS: From what I can tell, we’re on the edge of a system just beyond the perimeter of the ice field, looks like we’ve moved… huh, almost four light-seasons.

ELIZABETH (Chuckles): Amazing! Stable interstellar flight through a corridor of contracted space - exactly as Lauralyn theorized. If only she could have seen this...

CROFT: Hoho, that’s one hell of a shortcut.

CASS: Let’s make sure this thing goes both ways. Croft, rig the message buoy for the Avalon and launch.

CROFT: Roger that, skip!

SFX: Computer beeps, followed by soft metallic clanging.

CROFT: Aaaaand… probe away.

SFX: Soft beeping as data comes through.

ELIZABETH: Looks like it worked.

MEDS: She’s right, the probe has entered the conduit.

CROFT: Not much of anything close-by skip, but we’ve got some decent readings on the star system.

SFX: Readout chimes softly as the data pours in.

ELIZABETH: Main sequence star... a few rocky planetoids... Two gas giants.

CASS (Sighing): We’re not equipped to survey the whole area. We should get back to the Avalon and-

SFX: A small alarm sounds on Meds’ console.

MEDS: Hold on Cass, I’m picking up something on wide-band.

SFX: Garbled static, but within it a clearly artificial pattern.

ELIZABETH: That’s artificial. Definitely.

CASS: Could it be another of those alien ships?

CROFT: Can’t say I wanna stick around and find out.

ELIZABETH: Wait… is that?

MEDS: Shit, you might be right!

CASS: What is it?

MEDS: I can’t make out any of the data, but the carrier signal is stamped with a prefix code. GH-0007-VG.

ELIZABETH: That’s one of our Gatehaulers.

CASS: Where’s the signal coming from?

MEDS: Origin point is in orbit around the closest gas giant. She’s listing away from us on a weird vector. Could be damaged.

SFX: A chair creaks.

ELIZABETH: Cass, there’s no time to wait for a survey team. That gate component is too important, and they could be in trouble.

CASS (Sighs): You’re right. Croft, lay in a course and take us to full burn.

CROFT: You got it.

SFX: A lever is pulled, switches are flicked. The main engine powers up and starts thrusting. A faint, somber echo of “Elizabeth’s Theme” can be heard as the ship departs.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Thoughtful, vast ambient song plays. A door opens.

ELIZABETH: Check out the view.

CASS: Woah…

ELIZABETH: Class-II gas giant with an E-Type ring system. Beautiful…

MEDS: Signal source coming into view now.

SFX: The computer beeps, then blares a soft, attention-grabbing sound.

CROFT: Woooah, shit. That does not look good.

MEDS: Looks like hundreds of hull perforations, almost every compartment is vented.

SFX: A couple of footsteps.

CASS: What happened?

ELIZABETH: My guess is the gate-jump sent them right through those rings. Those must be micro-meteoroid hits.

CROFT: Poor buggers...

CASS: Any chance of survivors?

SFX: Data is imputed onto a computer, followed by a confirmation signal.

MEDS: I can see at least one area that still has atmosphere. No way to get reliable life signatures from here though.

ELIZABETH: What about the gate component it was carrying?

CROFT: Those bays are pretty sturdy, but we’d have to inspect it to be sure.

MEDS: The hauler’s orbit will intercept with the rings again on the far side. It’ll pass back into the danger zone in just under 2 hours. And she’s far too heavy for us to tow.

CASS: No choice then... Croft, bring us to the closest edge of those rings and prepare four EV Suits.

CROFT: Copy that.

SFX: Metallic clicks and rustling as Croft gets up from his seat, followed by footsteps.

ELIZABETH: Four suits? I see you’ve given up on trying to keep me out of harm’s way.

CASS: Yeah, I was trained to identify unwinnable battles.

-Scene Change-

SFX: A muffled noise of opening doors, followed by breathing. 

CROFT (through suit helmet): Oh, ho-hoah!

SFX: A muffled thud.

MEDS (through suit helmet): You okay over there?

CROFT (through suit helmet): Oh yeah, yeah I’m good. Just never really got the hang of the whole... spacewalking thing.

MEDS (through suit helmet): You saying that never came up in the days of the Dread Pirate Croft?

CROFT (through suit helmet): Yeah, yeah.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): You were a pirate?

MEDS (through suit helmet): Oh yeah. Criminal mastermind this guy... For all of a week. Caught trying to redirect a cargo pod full of mustard.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Now hang on, you guys have no idea how much difference condiments make to those protein bricks, okay? It was a noble cause.

SFX: A set of soft metallic thuds.

MEDS (through suit helmet): No power to the airlock.

CASS (through suit helmet): Croft. Cutting torch.

CROFT (through suit helmet): One step ahead of you.

SFX: The sound of a blowing torch muffled out, followed by cutting, also muffled.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Creepy ambiance, the sound of breathing on spacesuit. An electric sound before a muffled thud, with each step of magnetic boots. A scanner sounds out, before sounding a positive chime.

MEDS (through suit helmet): Clear.

CASS (through suit helmet): Looks like there’s some emergency power in this section. Croft, see what you can find on that console.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Sure thing skipper.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): These guys couldn’t have known what hit them. Came all this way just to get taken out by bad luck.

SFX: Beeping followed by a confirmation tone.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Got something. Oooh... looks like this is one of the old Grathan models. Huh, still got the magnetically insulated holds, where they used to keep the Riberite before they converted her into a Gatehauler, how about that?

MEDS (through suit helmet): Yeah that’s fascinating, now where’s the gate component?

CROFT (through suit helmet): Two decks down, but the deck above us right now still has pressure.

CASS (through suit helmet): We’ll split up. Meds, you and I’ll go check those compartments for survivors.

CROFT (through suit helmet): I’ll get downstairs and see what’s up.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Mind if I give you a hand?

CROFT (through suit helmet): Sure thing boss.

CASS (through suit helmet): Thanks, you guys stay in contact. Let’s go.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Distant whirring and bellowing, creating a creepy ambiance. A suspenseful, but light song starts playing.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Oof… one thing’s for sure, we ain’t salvaging much. This ship is one hundred percent knackered.

SFX: Footsteps as the two walk.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Just hope that Gate component is in good shape.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Right with you there. Not much use finding a food supply out here if we can’t get any of it back to Tantalus.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): So, how long have you been privateering?

CROFT (through suit helmet): Joined up with Cass about four seasons back. Soon as I saw that ship of hers, I knew I wasn’t letting it out of my sight. Followed it all the way here.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Did you serve with her in the war?

CROFT: Oh no, nah nah nah - we first met when I signed on to the Guin, the skipper had been out of the fleet for a year by then.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): She ever talk to you about it?

CROFT (through suit helmet): The war? Hm, never really asked. It’s not her favourite subject, I can tell you that.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Yeah, I got that impression.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Her and Meds talk about it sometimes. She pulled the skipper out of some sketchy times back in the day. I guess they’re on the same page having served together and all.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Meds was in the CDF?

CROFT (through suit helmet): Oh yeah. Marine Corps. You didn’t know that?

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Well she left half the boxes empty on her personnel form.

CROFT (over comms, laughs): Yeah yeah, that’s her. She’s got this whole “mysterious badass” thing going on but don’t believe a word of it, she’s a big softie.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): I’ll take your word for it.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Heh heh.. Mind giving me a hand with this door boss?

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Sure.

SFX: The plasma torch charges up and turns on, the sound of sparks as it cuts through the metal.

-Scene Change-

SFX: A click, followed by a loud, continuous rush of air, before it stabilizes with an electronic noise, and then a confirmation chime.

CASS (through suit helmet): Atmosphere positive. Two more bodies.

SFX: Scanning sound, followed by a flatline tone.

MEDS (through suit helmet): Staff medic. She’s dead.

CASS (through suit helmet): I knew it was a longshot but... I thought, maybe if this compartment still had air-

SFX: Clanging metal in the distance as objects fall, followed by a grunt of pain.

CASS (through suit helmet): This guy’s still alive! Quick, help me get him on his back.

SFX: The man breathes rapidly and is in pain.

CASS (through suit helmet): No no no- Don’t try to talk.

SFX: The man gasps, soft thuds are heard. A scanner starts to work over the mans’ harsh breathing.

MEDS (through suit helmet): Abdominal perforation, significant blood loss. Looks like part of the bulkhead.

SFX: The sound of plastic being sifted through, followed by a beep.

MEDS (through suit helmet): This is coagulant foam, somebody tried to treat the wound already. He must have been like this for the last four days. Pass me the Sedazine, top pocket.

SFX: A plastic wrapper being removed.

CASS (through suit helmet): We’re going to anesthetize the area, try not to move too much. It’s going to be okay.

SFX: The sound of a jet injector applied to the man, his breathing subsides and stabilizes.

MEDS (through suit helmet): We can’t remove this, too much damage. Right now it’s the only thing keeping him from bleeding out.

CASS: Oh shit...

-Scene Change-

SFX: Creaking and grinding of metal, followed by the sound of collapse.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): There it is!

CROFT (through suit helmet): We-hey! Looks like it’s in pretty good nick!

SFX: A computer softly beeps.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): You’re right. Bit of damage to the superstructure, but the Drift Coils are intact.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Ehh, get some of your Avalon guys on to that with a bit of sandpaper and that should buff right out.

ELIZABETH (over comms, snorts): Fair enough. Give ’em something to do.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Yeah, only problem is getting this thing out of here. The decoupling rockets should be able to move it clear, but I’ll need an hour or so to mess with their burn times.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): We might want to get another ship out here to help tow it back to the Avalon once it’s free. Any way we could get a message back?

CROFT: Yeah, no worries boss. Let me sign you into the Guin’s interface, you can record a message and I’ll get it on to a remote probe back into the conduit.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Hmmmmm, not bad at all!

CROFT (through suit helmet): You’re on.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Ravi, it’s me. We’ve found one of our Gatehaulers out here. The ship’s a write-off, but the Gate Component is still intact. We’ll need a hand towing it back, so get one of the freighters out here as soon as you receive this message.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Aaand, space-pigeon away. Better get started on these decouplers before we’re all smashed to bits.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Quiet but energetic music starts. The man grunts as a scanner is analyzing his condition.

CASS (through suit helmet): Is he okay?

MEDS (through suit helmet): Fading in and out. This was a hell of a wound. I’ll try and steady his breathing but there’s not much else we can do without getting him back to the ship.

CASS (over comms, sighs): That’s not going to be easy. We’ve got a lot of hard vacuum between us and there and no spare suit.

SFX: Cass’ communicator beeps.

CASS (through suit helmet): Go ahead.

ELIZABETH (over comms): Cass, it’s Elizabeth. Good news - we’ve found the gate component and it’s in good condition. It’ll take us an hour or so to get it free but there should be a freighter on it’s way to help us with the tow.

CASS (through suit helmet): Copy that. We’ve only got an hour and a half ‘til we hit those rocks, so you should get clear as soon as you’re done.

ELIZABETH (over comms): I couldn’t agree more. Any luck on your end?

CASS (through suit helmet): We’ve found one survivor but he’s in bad shape, and without another suit we can’t get him out of this compartment. Did you guys see any EVA gear on your deck?

ELIZABETH (over comms): Uhhhh… Afraid not. But maybe if we-

SFX: The man coughs and moans as he regains consciousness.

WOUNDED MAN: Kayda?

MEDS (through suit helmet): He’s coming around.

CASS (through suit helmet): Wait one.

WOUNDED MAN (Confused): Uh- Oh... Where am... ...Kayda? Kayda…?

CASS (through suit helmet): It's OK, we're from the Avalon. We're going to get you out of here.

SFX: The medical scanner is at work.

WOUNDED MAN: Uh- Kayda... Wh- Where is-

SFX: A sharp tone sounds. The song becomes dark.

WOUNDED MAN (Sobbing): Oh God... Oh no no.

MEDS (through suit helmet): The medic.

CASS (through suit helmet): I'm sorry. We were too late to save her.

MEDS (through suit helmet): Don’t try to move, you’re badly wounded.

CASS (through suit helmet): Were you close...?

WOUNDED MAN: I… I’d hardly spoken to her, we were… we were in different departments. But we were the only ones left alive wh-... when it happened. … We were both hurt. She sealed up the bulkhead and got the air back online.

SFX: The man chuckles without humour.

WOUNDED MAN: We were trapped here together for… god, I don’t know how long, I-. W- we just talked... about her family, the schools we went to, music, gah, anything…

SFX: The song gets progressively more unnerving.

WOUNDED MAN: I told her to stop giving me all the stims. She- she- she wasn’t as badly hurt, she could have saved herself- She could have saved herself... She wouldn’t listen…

SFX: The man starts crying.

WOUNDED MAN: She wouldn’t listen.

CASS (through suit helmet): She saved your life. You’ve been in here for almost four days.

WOUNDED MAN: But- What happened? I don’t-, I- I-... It was so sudden I-

SFX: The man starts breathing quickly, and the medical scanner sets off beeping rapidly indicating something is wrong.

MEDS (through suit helmet): Look at me! Try to take slow breaths.

SFX: The man’s respiration becomes labored, gasping for air and his voice cracking. The medical scanner continues beeping.

CASS (through suit helmet): It’s a panic attack.

MEDS (through suit helmet): Hold him. I’m sedating.

SFX: The sound of plastic as Meds reaches for a sedative. The man’s confused and stuttering.

CASS (through suit helmet): Please, focus on my voice, breathe. You’re gonna be okay.

SFX: The man gasps for air a few times more, with less intensity each time, before falling unconscious. Cass lets out a disturbed exhalation. The unnerving song becomes a somber echo of Cass’ theme.

MEDS (through suit helmet): You ok?

CASS (through suit helmet): Yeah, yeah, I just… First time seeing that from the other side. Now I know how you felt.

SFX: Two muffled thuds in the distance, followed by a communications’ beep. A new, calmer song begins.

ELIZABETH (over comms): Cass, it’s me, can you cycle me in?

CASS (through suit helmet): Just a second.

SFX: Air rushing as the airlock cycles, followed by a hiss as the pressure equalizes.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Croft is still working on the decouplers, but check it out - I think I’ve got a way to get your patient out of here.

SFX: A loud thud as something is dragged through the floor.

MEDS (through suit helmet): What is that?

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): It’s a food container, but it’s got pressure seals. Croft and I crammed one of our spare oxygen tanks in there and hooked up a remote valve. Won’t be comfortable, but should be enough to get this guy out of here.

SFX: A very loud noise in the distance, more felt than heard, reverberates through the entire ship. Clanging as objects crash against the bulkheads.

CASS (through suit helmet): What the hell was that?

SFX: A communications beep. A klaxon can be faintly heard echoing through the ship.CROFT (over comms): Hey skip, we’ve got a problem over here.

CASS: What is it?

CROFT (over comms): One of the external fuel tanks just went up in the aft quarter - nowhere near us but it took a big chunk of the ship with it.

MEDS (through suit helmet): Well then there’s no problem right?

CROFT (over comms): No no, you don’t get it. Our orbit’s changed, we’re on a steeper trajectory.

SFX: A pad sounds as it processes the data.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Shit he’s right. We’re going back through those rings sooner than we thought!

CASS (through suit helmet): How much time do we have?

CROFT (over comms): From what I can gather, it’s gonna be somewhere between close and too close.

CASS (through suit helmet): How are we looking on the decouplers?

CROFT (over comms): No time I’m afraid. Even if we could fire them now, there’s no way we could get the gate clear of the rocks on this new orbit.

CASS (through suit helmet): Damn... Any ideas?

CROFT (over comms): Well the housing around the gate is pretty solid, there’s a good chance it could survive passing through the rings if we leave it in there. We’ve got a freighter on the way that could pull it out on the other side.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Well that’s great but it doesn't stop the five of us from being shredded!

MEDS (through suit helmet): Wait, Croft. What was that thing you pointed out on the DeCon screen when we arrived?

CROFT (over comms): Shit, you might be onto something there!

CASS (through suit helmet): What?

CROFT (over comms): This old ship has mag-shielded bays for back when it was lugging around Riberite. It’s still a longshot but there’s nowhere else on this ship that’ll handle those rocks any better. Only problem is it’s six decks down from you. I can come up now to help you guys with that crate-

CASS (through suit helmet): No, get yourself down there now. We’ll be right behind you. Meds, is it safe to put this guy in there in his condition?

SFX: Footsteps, and the sound of the box’s seals opening with a hiss.

MEDS (through suit helmet): That Sedazine will keep him out for a good few hours, and it’s not like we have another option. We’ll have to be careful moving him.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): I’ll help you.

SFX: The man grunts as he’s moved into the box. A thud as he’s deposited inside and it is closed.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Ready.

CASS (through suit helmet): Let’s go.

SFX: The airlock cycles, followed by footsteps.

-Scene Change-

SFX: Rushed steps to the sound of klaxons in the background.

CASS (through suit helmet): Let’s speed things up, keep a grip on that crate.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): I’ve got him.

SFX: Explosions and crashing can be heard in the background, muffled and distant.

MEDS (through suit helmet): No change in vital signs, looks good.

CASS (through suit helmet): One more deck.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Skip! on your right!

CASS (through suit helmet): I see you.

MEDS (through suit helmet): That does not sound good.

SFX: The crashing noises get louder and closer. The sound of small objects whizz by.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Get in there quick, it’s shielded!

SFX: A tense, relentless song begins as the crashing intensifies.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Shit, the crate’s caught on the hatch, give me a hand.

SFX: A metallic grating sound.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): He’s in!

SFX: A rapid sound of something piercing flesh - the sound of venting air and EV suit alarms.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): -Agh!

CASS (through suit helmet): Take my hand!

MEDS (through suit helmet): Her suit’s breached!

CROFT (through suit helmet): Sealant, stand back!

CASS (through suit helmet): You okay?

SFX: A spray-like sound as the foam sealant is applied to the breached EV suit.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Well I haven’t had a smoke in like four hours...

CASS (through suit helmet): She’s fine. Is the container breached?

MEDS (through suit helmet): No, I think we’re okay. Vitals unchanged.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Let’s hope this chamber does the job.

SFX: The unstopping hail of impacts outside intensifies, and a rumbling builds up.

CASS (through suit helmet): How long now?

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Another twelve seconds.

SFX: The sound of pierced, torn, and screeching metal, and then slowly, silence. The music has stopped.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): That’s it. We’re clear.

MEDS (through suit helmet): Are we through?

CASS (through suit helmet): Everyone still air-tight?

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet, in pain): Ahh, for the most part.

MEDS (through suit helmet): Yeah.

CASS (through suit helmet): Try the hatch.

SFX: The hatch creaks and moans as it is opened, heard faintly and muffled through the suits.

CROFT (through suit helmet): Looking good, skip. Woooah... shit.

SFX: Sorrowful strings start playing.

CASS (through suit helmet): There’s almost nothing left…

MEDS (through suit helmet): That was damn close.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Well, at least we won’t need to look for an airlock.

LT. RAVI (over garbled comms): Away party, this is the Freighter Belladonna, do you read?

SFX: The song swells with snare drums, giving way to the “CDF Theme”.

CROFT (through suit helmet): There they are, look!

CASS (through suit helmet): We copy Belladonna, can see you from here. Good to hear from you.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet): Is that you Lieutenant?

LT. RAVI (through suit helmet): Yes ma’am.

ELIZABETH (through suit helmet, laughing): Your timing sucks!

-Scene Change-

SFX: A melancholic string version of “Elizabeth’s Theme” plays. A door opens, and the beeping of a heart rate monitor and the mechanical wheezing of a respirator can be heard. Footsteps, and the door closes, fading away the medical devices’ noises.

CASS: How’s he doing?

MEDS: He’ll live. But the nerve damage went untreated too long. Lower body paralysis, nothing I can do.

CASS: God damn it.

MEDS: The time he was in there, there’s a good chance the damage was done long before we arrived. They’re getting him psychological help on the Avalon. Important thing is, we got him out alive.

CASS: Yeah.

SFX: A door opens, and footsteps can be heard as Elizabeth and Ravi arrive mid-conversation.

ELIZABETH: Listen, I’m touched you wanted to come out here and personally make sure your boss was okay, but I did leave you in charge of the station.

LT. RAVI: Sorry ma’am, I didn’t think.

ELIZABETH: Don’t worry about it. Just let me know when we’re getting underway.

LT. RAVI: Yes ma’am.

SFX: Footsteps fading into the distance as a door opens, then closes.

ELIZABETH: Good kid. Needs to calm down.

CASS: How’s your arm?

ELIZABETH: Jury’s still out. Hoping for a nice dramatic scar... gives that daredevil vibe you know?

CASS (sarcastic): Of course.

ELIZABETH: As fortune would have it, the gate component came out ok. We’re setting up a tow line now.

CASS: That’s good news. Listen, I wanted to ask you something.

ELIZABETH: Oh?

CASS: You still holding that Adjutant job open?

ELIZABETH (Surprised): You serious?

CASS: You’re right, Ravi is a good kid, and he’s doing his best. But he’s young, and this place isn’t what we expected. There are hard decisions coming and he doesn't deserve to be the one who has to make them.

ELIZABETH: You sure about this?

CASS: I am. I wish to God I could let somebody else do it. But nobody else should have to.

ELIZABETH: Alright then. A- And listen, I can’t pretend to understand what you went through in the war... but I think I’ve got an idea just how hard this is for you. I appreciate it.

CASS: Well, you know, I got a look at one of those senior staff cabins with the nice leatherette sofa and the coffee table. It kinda won me over.

ELIZABETH: Wa- Was that a joke? You just made a joke.

SFX: Cass chuckles. Footsteps as the conversation fades into the distance.

ELIZABETH: You can’t just spring something like that on me, I thought I had you figured out! Now I’ve got to re-evaluate your entire personality! 

SFX: Cass laughs.

ELIZABETH: You’re right though, great sofas.

CASS: Yeah.

SFX: The song ends in a bittersweet, mellow note.

SFX: The Sojourn Ending Theme plays.

NARRATOR: You’ve been listening to The Sojourn, Season One Episode Two: Inclement Weather, written by Daniel Orrett, produced by Daniel Orrett, Larissa Thompson, and Gabriel Fonseca. Creative consultation by Larissa Thompson. Scientific consultation by Gabriel Fonseca. Sound design and audio editing by Kennedy Phillips, with additional voices by Kennedy Phillips and Jonah Scott. 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.