Season One Episode Seven - Theirs Not to Reason Why

SFX: Ominous music plays as an alien humming engine sound approaches. Crowds of people chatter casually. The engine hums down. Mechanical clicking, followed by several marching bootsteps. They stop marching, and a single set of light footsteps follows. Running footsteps squelch through mud. A heavy squelch as the footsteps stop. 

VILLAGER: Most holy Empress. To see you walk the soil of Sirianadin... You honour us beyond words with your visit to our humble Giftworld. I am but a wretch, unfit even to quail in your shadow, for you are the will of Advar made flesh. 

VALENDRA: You may rise. You need not kneel before me.

VILLAGER: Oh, as you say, eminence! Your every word is my command. 

SFX: a set of footsteps approach down a metal ramp. A popping sound as something is released from mud. 

LANTRIS: You are blessed, parishioner, as is your village. You have been selected for holy sacrifice.

SFX: An animal squeals.

VILLAGER: Oh, Diom Lin! We are exalted by your beneficence. Praise be to the Divine Illuminator! Praise be to Advar!

SFX: clapping.

LANTRIS: Go. Return to your village, inform your kin of their providence. The choosing will soon begin.

VILLAGER: Right away, most holy. Blessings to you both.

SFX: An animal squeals. Footsteps through mud. 

LANTRIS: You are... troubled.

VALENDRA: High Cleric Lantris, your powers of observation are truly remarkable.

LANTRIS: Then why insist on accompanying me here? We strongly contended that it was neither safe nor proper for you to leave the Throneworld.

SFX: sawing wood and hammering.

VALENDRA: In my lifetime I have seen only three worlds, now four. Like all monarchs I was born and raised in isolation, in a consecrate monastery, destined only to rule, and nothing else. I have never been permitted to venture beyond the Aegis, and even here among the inner worlds, my time among the people has been brief. It seems strange that I should know so little of those I rule, no?

LANTRIS: And now that you are here. What do you see?

SFX: an animal squeals in distress. Metal clunks into wood and the squealing abruptly stops. Distant, etheral chanting can be heard. 

VALENDRA: Squalor. Roughspun clothing. Thatched and crumbling homes. Simple wooden tools. These people live as though from some ancient time.

LANTRIS: The tools and technologies gifted to us by Advar are not meant for these people. They were meant for us, the servants of The Faith, that we may use them to protect and guide our subjects.

VALENDRA: These people are not treated as subjects. They are treated as livestock.

LANTRIS: You would serve your people better, Your Majesty, by freeing your mind of doubt.

VALENDRA: In that, I suspect you are right. How many here are due to be chosen for sacrifice?

LANTRIS: Five hundred and seventy seven, Your Majesty. 

SFX: Chanting continues, louder.

VALENDRA: No. They will be spared.

LANTRIS: These people are marked for holy sacrifice, they will not thank you for robbing them of their blessing. The will of Advar cannot be-

VALENDRA: I am the will of Advar made flesh! By my decree and His, they will be spared.

LANTRIS: This is a callow and foolish choice. Others in your place have walked this path before, though not for long. You are a servant of the Faith as much as I, do not think yourself irreplaceable.

VALENDRA: Perhaps time will prove you right. But today you will inform these people of my choice, and we shall leave this world untouched.

LANTRIS: This is-

VALENDRA: I would caution you against showing me defiance before my people. They gathered here today for a holy ceremony, perhaps the burning of a false cleric for her heresy would serve them just as well.

SFX: Chanting continues.

LANTRIS: Yes. Your Majesty.

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

NARRATOR: The Sojourn, Season One Episode Seven: Theirs Not To Reason Why 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 Lelia Symington as Empress Valendra the Sixth, Matthew Kaufman as Lt. Cmdr. Jasper Ravi, Matt Surges as Commander Lewis Harper, Marta da Silva as High Cleric Darsellia Lantris, and special guest star Jimmy Lockett as Vice Admiral Winston Redfield.

SFX: Theme music continues.

SFX: Atmospheric hum of environmental systems. The click of a button. 

REDFIELD: Where is your species’ homeworld? What bearing? What distance?

VADRIC (over comms): Elizabeth.

SFX: fabric rustles. The click of a button.

REDFIELD: I know you can understand me. How many of our ships have your people attacked?

VADRIC (over comms): Elizabeth.

SFX: a chair creaks. The click of a button.

REDFIELD: Director Ancelet is gone, you’re stuck with me. Answer my questions or I'll send you back to your people through an airlock.

SFX: electrical humming.

VADRIC (over comms): Elizabeth.

SFX: hollow thudding of a fist on glass. Footsteps. A door whooshes open, then closed. Redfield sighs.

RESEARCH ATTENDANT: That’s all he’s said for the last 48 hours Admiral.

REDFIELD: You told me it spoke to you and to the linguistics teams before it spoke to the Director.

RAVI: The logs do corroborate that, sir.

RESEARCH ATTENDANT: If I may… Admiral. I suspect he may have realized the change in command. It’s possible he’s reacting negatively to you specifically sir, perhaps due to his previous treatment aboard the Shabayev.

REDFIELD: Redouble your questioning, get him talking again by any means necessary.

RESEARCH ATTENDANT: Admiral, the subject has been under constant questioning for hours now. We’re still not sure what kind of food his species can process, we need to work with him to ensure his health and wellbeing before--

REDFIELD: Doctor, this species destroyed two of my ships, murdered over seven hundred officers and crew, and seized one of our Gate Components, leaving all of us trapped here. Finding out what this one knows may be the only way to protect the people aboard this fleet from whatever they do next. You’ll forgive me if I'm not especially concerned for its health and wellbeing. Get it done, Doctor. Lieutenant Commander Ravi, walk with me.

RAVI: Aye sir.

SFX: footsteps. A door whooshes open. Distant echoing background chatter. 

REDFIELD: I want you to make preparations to lock the habs and rig the platform for thrust gravity. The fleet will be setting course for the pulsar system within 72 hours.

RAVI: Admiral, the Belladonna is still engaged in ice mining operations, and we haven’t confirmed that the route to the vitrified planet is clear of hostiles. The director felt that–

SFX: electrical humming fades up. 

REDFIELD: I appreciate these are difficult circumstances son, but Director Ancelet has been properly relieved. 

SFX: air pressure is rapidly released. A door whooshes open.

REDFIELD: And from what I've seen in the logbooks, it wasn’t soon enough. 

SFX: Footsteps. A door whooshes closed. Accelerating humming.

REDFIELD: Irresponsibly joining scout missions on multiple occasions and leaving this fleet without its leader for weeks. Making no defensive preparations against an obvious alien threat. The director is an explorer, a civilian. It’s unreasonable to expect her to command this fleet in what is now clearly a military situation. It will take a firm hand and disciplined leadership to get us all out of this alive. I’m trusting you to help me get this done, Lieutenant Commander.

RAVI: I appreciate that trust, Admiral. I do.

REDFIELD: I’m glad. You’re a good officer, Mister Ravi. If I may say, I think it was a mistake for you to give up the Defense Adjutant position.

RAVI: Oh, well… I don’t have that much experience, sir, it was an emergency assignment. When Captain Farren arrived she took over and relieved me.

REDFIELD: She did not relieve you, Mister Ravi. There was no order. She is a civilian. The position was yours. You gave it up because she asked you to.

RAVI: Well, the captain felt that--

REDFIELD: She felt that you were weak, Mister Ravi. 

SFX: fabric rustling. Chirping, then a buzz. The electrical humming stops.

REDFIELD: What do you know about her? Really? She lived through the ambush at Jharid-Selan. She was there when the Arashi-Sakara went down over Axius. She’s seen more of war and death than I hope you ever have to see. She’s carried the worst burdens of leadership and found herself changed by them. She wanted to spare you that. But it’s how we bear those burdens that show us what we’re truly made of. That was your moment to rise to the occasion. But instead of standing your ground, you let her bail you out, and proved her right.

SFX: scratching of hair.

RAVI: I’m- I’m sorry sir.

SFX: fabric rustling and a chirp. The electrical humming resumes.

REDFIELD: I’m giving you another chance son. The kind most officers never get. I believe you’re capable of adequately protecting this fleet, but I need you to prove it to me.

RAVI: I understand sir. I’ll begin fleet departure preparations immediately.

SFX: the humming decelerates. Muffled sound of air pressure releasing. A door whooshes open. 

REDFIELD: Very good, Lieutenant Commander. Carry on.

SFX: footsteps recede.

- Scene Change -

SFX: rustling against a metal surface. Deliberate knocking against metal.

ELIZABETH: There’s got to be a service port or something behind one of these panels, some way to get into the door mechanism.

CASS: The mechanism is out there. It’s a cell, you’re not supposed to be able to open it from the inside.

ELIZABETH: You’re really not helping.

CASS: Helping what? Helping you tap on the walls for another hour?

ELIZABETH: Do you want to get out of here or not?

CASS: He’s got my ship. There’s no reason to think I'll ever set foot on it again.

ELIZABETH: Not with that attitude you won’t.

CASS: Elizabeth. He has a Ship of the Line out there. This place is his now. We’re done. And even if we could somehow get things back to normal, I’m… I’m not sure I want that.

SFX: footsteps slowly approach.

ELIZABETH: I don’t know. I was starting to like where normal was going back there–

SFX: footsteps stop.

CASS: Stop. Stop that.

ELIZABETH: Ok… Sorry.

SFX: clothing rustles. 

CASS: When he stepped out of that airlock last week, you can’t imagine the relief I felt. I had an out. There was no horrible mistake waiting for me anymore. I could breathe.

ELIZABETH: I get it, I- I do. But would you really prefer to sit here while he gets everyone killed in some mad crusade?

SFX: Cass sighs. Muffled, a door whooshes open. Muffled footstops. A radio mic opens.

REDFIELD (over comms): Doctor Ancelet, Ms. Farren. I hope you’ve been well treated.

ELIZABETH: If you’re back to find out where I hid the bourbon, it’s just through airlock four.

REDFIELD (over comms): Very droll, Doctor. Ms. Farren.

CASS: What do you want?

REDFIELD (over comms): My technicians have been having some difficulty with your former vessel. Being a prototype with such a unique flight model, there are no recorded specifications for our pilots to study, and it seems you’ve made a number of modifications to the ship yourself. If you were willing to teach our personnel to operate the craft safely, I could offer you comfortable quarters and regular contact with your crewmates.

ELIZABETH: *laughs* You can’t be serious.

CASS: You want me to help you operate the Guin, after you’ve stolen her from me?

REDFIELD (over comms): That ship was designed and built under the name CSV Huntress. She is the formal property of the Centran Defence Force.

CASS: She was the formal property of the salvage yard the “Centran Defence Force” threw her in. She was never commissioned into the fleet and completely legal for salvage and sale. You should take better care of your things.

SFX: sinister music plays. 

REDFIELD (over comms): Protest your individualism all you like. But legal or otherwise, you bought that ship with a military salary, from a military ship-breaking yard, that you only knew existed from your military service. I examined the Letter of Marque in your cabin, the one signed ‘Fleet Admiral Darius Farren’. Everything you’ve ever earned as a privateer came at his leave, and at the leave of the CDF. And now the CDF can get you out of this cell. I’d suggest you think about it.

SFX: the radio mic closes. The dark music swells.

- Scene Change -

SFX: Background chatter. Footsteps. A code is entered into a keypad.

DISPENSING MACHINE VOICE: Please select your sandwich.

CROFT: Ooh. Salami and Tomato Pesto.

SFX: Negative beep. 

DISPENSING MACHINE VOICE: I’m sorry, ~Third Technician Mathias Croft~. Premium sandwiches are reserved for crew members of officer rank. Your alternative sandwich selection is: ~Jellied Meat Substitute 4-B~. Dispensing.

SFX: whirring and gross jellied substance dispensing sounds.

CROFT: Oh, come on.

SFX: a bosun’s whistle blows. Footsteps.

OFFICER OF THE WATCH (over PA): Attention on Shabayev, attention on Shabayev. All hands be advised, departure stations for fleet transit in 72 hours. I say again, cast off in 72 hours. Bravo and Capstan shifts will stand double-duty until departure preparations are completed.

SFX: the crowd groans. A metal tray is thrown.

FEMALE TECHNICIAN: Double shifts? He’s already got me burning my rec hours trying to figure out the avionics on that new corvette.

FARADAY: This is my section’s first break in 35 hours. Most of my relief crew were on the Bracewell when she went down. I’m back on duty in 10 minutes.

SFX: a chair scrapes across the floor.

MEDS: What’s on the menu this time?

CROFT: Misery for the most part. That prison kitchen I used to work in had better food than this. After I got there, anyway.

MEDS: No change there then. Even when the entire human race is on rations the navy somehow manages to find some that are even worse.

SFX: eating and disgust noises. Cultery is set down.

CROFT: Have you spoken to anyone around here? Half the crew were transferred to the Avalon to help Redfield staff the place, everyone left here is being run ragged just trying to keep the ship the right way up.

MEDS: Yeah, these people have been through it. Two ships lost and a lot of casualties on the Shabayev. This crew needs a month’s shore leave, but I don’t think they’re gonna get it. 

SFX: a door whooshes open. Jellied meat subsitute is dispensed in the background.

CROFT: I heard one of the officers saying Harper was planning to increase the rum ration, try and placate the crew.

MEDS: Bad idea. I’ve seen how that solution pans out more than once.

CROFT: My thoughts exactly. Keep your wits about you.

- Scene Change -

SFX: tense yet triumphant music plays, then fades out. 

REDFIELD: Commander, the readiness reports I'm receiving from the Shabayev are nothing short of disgraceful. Eleven separate deckhands reported late for duty shifts? Midshipman Fowler confined to quarters for disorderly conduct? What’s going on over there, Lewis? I've come to expect better of you than this.

HARPER (over comms): I’m sorry Admiral. With the staff shortages and the accelerated repair schedules, we’re having a hard time keeping the crew motivated. I hope to have better results for you soon.

REDFIELD: See that you do, Commander. I appreciate this is a difficult and demanding situation for the crew, but we’ll likely have to ask even more of them before long. If any of us are going to survive out here, they’ll need to learn to adapt.

HARPER (over comms): I understand sir. Shabayev out. 

SFX: the call ends. A door chimes.

REDFIELD: Enter.

SFX: a door whooshes open. Distant background chatter can be heard. 

RAVI: Evening, Admiral. I have the latest ice mining figures.

SFX: footsteps approach. Tapping on a data pad. 

REDFIELD: Thank you Mister Ravi, are we on schedule?

SFX: a door whooshes closed, the background chatter cuts out. 

RAVI: Yes sir, looks like this final batch will be collected in time for the fleet to depart. The local ice here has been unusually free of impurities. In fact it requires almost no processing at all to make it ready for human consumption. Quite remarkable really. Drinking water may become more of a struggle once we’ve left the ice field.

REDFIELD: We can always dispatch vessels back here if need be.

RAVI: Understood, sir.

SFX: contemplative music plays. A chair creaks. Fabric rustles.

REDFIELD: Mister Ravi, I don’t suppose you’re a student of recent military history?

RAVI: Oh absolutely sir. I applied to the academy in the last year of the war. I was slated to serve on the Axian front but the armistice came through before I graduated.

REDFIELD: You’re from Axius yourself?

RAVI: Yes sir. I’d wanted to serve under Commodore Hawker. My partner and their family were on Dalais when she drove off the Union attack. I wanted to repay her for that.

SFX: a chair creak.

REDFIELD: Ariana was the best of us. I fought alongside her and the others many times. Anthony and Darius of course. I find myself wondering what they would be doing if they were here. If they would have made the same choices as I have.

RAVI: I don’t think you have any reason to doubt your decisions, Admiral.

REDFIELD: You misunderstand, Mister Ravi.

SFX: a chair creaks.

REDFIELD: I may speculate about what might have been, but I never doubt. Darius would often say that you must never let them see you bleed. It’s something you’d be wise to remember. To the eyes of their troops, a commander must be more than human. Infallible, steadfast, and entirely confident. No margin for doubt or regret. A commander wields the moral authority to send members of his crew to their deaths. For a crew to accept that, they need to have complete faith that it’s for a greater purpose, that the man leading them can only have done it for the right reason. You must never let them see you bleed, Mister Ravi. Never.

- Scene Change -

SFX: environmental system humming. The distant whoosh of the Avalon’s rings. 

CASS: You’re quiet. You okay?

ELIZABETH: Thinking about Ravi. I just… didn’t expect that from him.

CASS: Don’t hold it against him. He did his job. You don’t get to only follow the orders you like.

ELIZABETH: So I guess whatever happens next, we get to sit it out from inside this cell.

CASS: Maybe.

SFX: fabric rustling.

ELIZABETH: You can’t seriously be considering his offer.

CASS: I don’t know alright, just drop it.

ELIZABETH: No I won’t drop it! I didn’t realize comfy quarters were all it would take for you to ditch me and help that moron get us all killed.

CASS: Is he really any less likely to get us all killed than I was? Protecting this fleet is the job you appointed him for.

ELIZABETH: Only after you turned it down. *sigh* I wanted someone who could think for themselves. To a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

SFX: melancholy music fades in.

CASS: At this point, do you honestly think we’re getting home without a fight? I hate to break it to you but I don’t know how to fight aliens in an uncharted nebula any better than he does, and I'm not an admiral. Just because you don’t like him doesn't mean we’re not safer with him in charge.

ELIZABETH: That’s bullshit and you know it. We’re not going to survive out here if the people on this fleet are just as scared of the man leading them as they are of what’s out there. You earned the respect of the people here, they trust you and it isn’t because they have to, it’s because they chose to. We were a good team. You and I were the best people for this job, and every last person on this fleet could see it but you. But hey if you want to throw that away, don’t let me stop you.

SFX: Cass’ theme swells, then fades out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: background chatter. Timpanis rumble. A door whooshes open and footsteps approach. Someone rises from a chair quickly and a console chirps. 

RAVI: Admiral on deck.

REDFIELD: At ease, Mister Ravi. Report.

RAVI: We’re ready to rig the platform for thrust gravity, but the Kestrel and the Triumph have powered down their reactors and are refusing to assume formation for departure, sir.

REDFIELD: Damned civilians. 

SFX: a comm console rings. A hydraulic whir and fabric rustling.

BANKOLE: Hail from the Kestrel, Admiral.

REDFIELD: Thank you Mister Bankole, on speakers.

KESTREL CAPTAIN (over comms): Avalon Control, this is the liner Kestrel. The military takeover of this expedition was not approved by any of the ship's captains. You haven’t even told us where we’re supposed to be going. We demand that you put Director Ancelet on the line immediately or this ship isn’t moving an inch.

SFX: tense music plays

REDFIELD: Kestrel, this is Vice Admiral Redfield. Your vessels have been legally commandeered by the Centran Defence Force. You will be properly compensated upon our return to Tantalus. Cooperate as ordered or we will be forced to take more drastic action. Please do not complicate this situation any further.

KESTREL CAPTAIN (over comms): Avalon Control, Kestrel. Neither myself nor my crew have consented to any kind of seizure of this vessel. Take whatever actions you see fit, we will not cooperate until we speak with Director Ancelet. 

SFX: The transmission cuts off. A negative beep. 

BANKOLE: Admiral, the Siochana has joined the Kestrel and Triumph and is also powering down their reactor.

REDFIELD: Damn it. Mister Bankole, signal the Shabayev to go to condition two and begin broadcast jamming fleetwide.

BANKOLE: Aye sir.

SFX: a repeating negative buzz.

REDFIELD: Mister Ravi, launch Farrier and Foxfire flights, order them to isolate the Kestrel first. I want a marine team in a longboat in ten minutes.

RAVI: Admiral, we could lose control of this situation fast. Even if we draw from the Shabayev’s contingent, we don’t have enough marines to pacify more than two of these ships. We could be looking at a general revolt.

REDFIELD: I’m aware of the situation Lieutenant Commander, you have work to do.

RAVI: Ad– Very good sir.

SFX: tense music continues

- Scene Change -

SFX: Condition two claxon sounds. Angry chatter. 

HARPER (over PA): I say again, all hands condition two, deck crews to ready positions.

DALCOP: Ah, screw you! 

MIDSHIPMAN: You there! Hold fast. Report to the Boatswain for disciplinary action at once or I shall have you in irons. The rest of you will oblige me by smartening yourselves up and finding your stations, with haste!

SFX: raucous laughter.

CROFT: I’m gonna take a wild guess that it doesn't normally take this long for one of these ships to get to ready stations. Look at this bloke.

MEDS: They’re drunk. Courtesy of the Acting Captain.

CROFT: I’d say that’s a sound medical observation.

SFX: rough grabbing.

MIDSHIPMAN: Mister Faraday, I will stand for no more of your dawdling.

SFX: shoving.

FARADAY: Get off me you prick!

SFX: a punch and a crash. Cheering and shouting.

MIDSHIPMAN: Seize that man! Get me the ship’s Corporal! 

CROFT: This is gonna get nasty.

MEDS: Yeah, let’s get out of here.

SFX: rough grabbing.

DALCOP: You running away again, spinner? Huh?

CROFT: Oh, you can piss right off.

SFX: loud background clattering. 

DALCOP: If you’re lucky, I’ll leave you in better shape than your buddies on that freighter.

MEDS: Hey, private.

DALCOP: What’d you want–

SFX: a punch and a crash. The crowd roars.

CROFT: Hey I was gonna do that! 

MEDS: Too slow.

FARADAY: Get ‘em!

CROFT: Okay I guess this is happening then.

SFX: cacophonous fighting sounds fade out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: a door whooshes open, footsteps approach.

RESEARCH ATTENDANT: Oh, Admiral. I’m afraid the subject is not--

REDFIELD: Leave, Doctor. You’re dismissed.

RESEARCH ATTENDANT: Yes sir.

SFX: footsteps hurry away. The door whooshes closed. Tense quiet music plays. Heavy footsteps, followed by a dull thud. The mic opens. 

REDFIELD: Ready to talk yet?

VADRIC (over comms): Elizabeth.

REDFIELD: I’m afraid you’ll have to wait, she’s got a queue forming.

VADRIC (over comms): Elizabeth.

SFX: fabric creaking and straining. 

REDFIELD: You must find this very amusing. I can’t say that I do. I knew the captain of the Republic. He and his brother were with me on the Barricata back in 297. He’s got a wife back on Destrum right now with no idea what’s happened to him. 

SFX: the mic closes. Then reopens. 

REDFIELD: I know you can understand me. Do you even care?

SFX: the mic closes. An exhale blows over the comms.

VADRIC (over comms): Elizabeth.

SFX: an angry thump and angry heavy breathing. The comm beeps.

MARINE CORPORAL (over comms): Pass the word for Admiral Redfield.

SFX: footsteps, then the mic opens.

REDFIELD: Go ahead.

MARINE CORPORAL (over comms): Captain Farren is requesting permission to speak with you sir.

REDFIELD: Thank you Corporal. Please escort the captain to interview room B, I'll be there shortly.

SFX: a door whooshes open and footsteps receed. Tense music swells then settles down again. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: a door whooshes open. 

MARINE CORPORAL: Admiral. Captain Farren for you sir.

REDFIELD: Give us the room please, Corporal.

MARINE CORPORAL: Aye sir.

SFX: footsteps recede and the door whooshes closed behind them. 

REDFIELD: Am I to assume you have considered my offer, Captain?

CASS: I have. I’ll help you with the Guin, and however else I can.

REDFIELD: I appreciate this can’t have been an easy decision, but I'm glad you made it. These... civilians seem insistent on creating a general panic. Perhaps hearing from you may help them see reason.

CASS: I’ll speak to them, Admiral.

REDFIELD: Thank you. I’ll have your personal effects returned to you shortly. Please join me on the Ops Deck as soon as you can.

CASS: Thank you, Admiral.

SFX: light footsteps recede, the door whooshes open. The footsteps stop.

REDFIELD: It’s a shame Director Ancelet doesn’t have your sense of pragmatism. People need leaders who set a strong example of dignity and cooperation. Leaders who indulge in selfish emotionality and petty squabbles inspire only panic. You must never let them see you bleed, Captain.

SFX: the door whooshes closed. 

REDFIELD: Is something wrong?

CASS: *whispering* I never saw it. How did I not see it?

REDFIELD: Captain, I really don’t know what–

SFX: two footsteps. 

CASS: I know where you are, I’ve been there. Everything you’re doing here. It’s his voice ringing in your ears.

REDFIELD: Your father is a great man and I will not waste my time listening to this juvenile display. Now come with me.

CASS: No. I won’t help you do this to yourself.

SFX: slow creaking. 

REDFIELD: I had hoped, Captain, that I could at least continue to respect you for your past service. But it’s clear to me now that any sense of loyalty you had is long gone.

CASS: That man is three thousand light years away. He’s not going to give you marks out of ten for the decisions you make out here. Think for yourself.

REDFIELD: Do you have any idea how hard I worked to get where I am now? My ship was in the top rankings for every fleet wargame in six straight years, my tactical dissertations are required reading at the Harcourt Academy. I talked myself out of marrying, out of settling down, talked myself out of anything else I wanted. While the other captains were putting their ships in for shore leave I was making sure mine was at the top of the list for every colour guard detail and ceremonial escort they had. Every opportunity to excel. My crew hated me for it. But I would do it all again. I earned a seat at his table.

CASS: Listen to me. You can take charge of this fleet, you can fight the Advari on their own turf against impossible odds, fill all of these ships with food and bring every last one of us home alive and I promise you, he will never even look you in the eye. You will dance in his shadow forever.

REDFIELD: Of course you don’t understand. You were his daughter, you never had to win his attention or fight for his respect, you had it.

CASS: I may have had his attention, but never his respect. I burned away years chasing it, I did things I can never escape and you’re about to do the same. Please don’t. The people out there don’t need you, and they don’t need me. They need Elizabeth, and both of us know it.

SFX: heavy footsteps walk away and the door whooshes open. 

REDFIELD: We’re done here.

SFX: dark music swells, then fades out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: background chatter. 

RAVI: Kestrel is refusing to allow our marine boat to dock sir. They’re maneuvering to prevent a safe seal. MARDET requests permission to perform a forced breach?

REDFIELD: Hail the Kestrel again.

SFX: a hydraulic chair turns. 

BANKOLE: Uh, Admiral. Broadcast jamming is in effect per your order, sir. Shall I signal Shabayev to discontinue?

REDFIELD: Of course, my apologies. Discontinue jamming and open hailing frequencies.

SFX: hydraulic chair turns. A computer chirps. Indistinct radio chatter starts. 

RAVI: Admiral, the Sunbeam and Belladonna have shut down their reactors, entire fleet now refusing to cooperate sir.

REDFIELD: Um, understo--

BANKOLE: Kestrel still refusing to open comms Admiral. Shall I signal to resume broadcast jamming?

REDFIELD: No. I’m sorry, yes. Resume jamming.

SFX: comm rings. 

BANKOLE: I still have MARDET Actual on the line, Admiral. Requesting breach permission.

RAVI: Signal from Shabayev, Admiral; marked urgent. Commander Harper requests permission to speak to actual.

REDFIELD: Put us through to the Shabayev.

RAVI: Uh, the connection is marked private, Admir--

REDFIELD: Just put it on speakers. 

SFX: the comm connects, and static bursts. 

HARPER (over comms): Admiral, we have a developing situation over here. We’ve got reports of, erm, brawling among the crew. With the marines off ship, we’ve been unable to contain–

SFX: the dialog becomes muffled and loud breathing overwhelms everything. Tense music builds. 

BANKOLE (muffled): Sir? MARDET needs orders.

SFX: The muffling effect stops. Breathing settles. Only the atmospheric noise of the room can be heard. 

REDFIELD: Mister Ravi, you have the deck. 

SFX: Footsteps receed. 

RAVI: But sir–

SFX: the door whooshes open and closed. 

RAVI: Mister Bankole, signal the marines to hold fast. Please transfer all incoming transmissions to my terminal. 

SFX: the background chatter resumes. The mic opens. 

RAVI: Commander Harper, if you are in need of security or medical support, we stand ready to render assistance.

SFX: chatter fades out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: a door whooshes open. 

MARINE CORPORAL: Step back into the cell please, Captain.

SFX: footsteps. 

ELIZABETH: Look who’s back.

CASS: I was missing my cellmate.

ELIZABETH: Flattery will get you everywhere. Thought you’d be in guest quarters by now. Was going to ask you to sneak me some pillow mints.

CASS: I turned him down. But not for the reasons you wanted.

ELIZABETH: Oh?

CASS: He’s afraid.

ELIZABETH: Given where we are and everything that’s happened, I can’t really blame him.

CASS: No. He’s afraid of far worse than that.

ELIZABETH: You’ve lost me.

SFX: A gentle version of Cass’ theme on piano rises.

CASS: I’ll tell you later. In fact you know what, I’ll tell you more than that later. I’m tired of talking myself out of what I want.

SFX: music fades out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: A blaring klaxon and rowdy shouting. Punches land and people grunt and groan. Clattering and crashing.

CROFT: Ugh. Bloody hell.

MEDS: You alright?

SFX: punches land. Exciting music. 

CROFT: Yeah, just might need a new pancreas after this. You doing okay over there?

MEDS: Yep.

SFX: a satisfying punch. 

DALCOP: I ain’t finished with you, spinner!

CROFT: Dude, you really need to chill out.

REDFIELD: Eyes front!

SFX: the shouting shops. So does the music. 

FARRADAY: Oh shit, it’s the Admiral.

SFX: an inspirational version of the CDF theme music begins to build.

REDFIELD: Is it the crew of some tattered cargo schooner that I find here? Without discipline? Without courage? Surely you, who would give so quickly into despair cannot be sailors of the Centran Defence Force? I do not ask you not to be afraid. Fear and despair are not the same. We are alone and far from familiar stars, we face an implacable and alien enemy, and the price for our failure may well be the end of our civilization. Under such circumstances, fear is inevitable! I do not ask that you banish your fear. I ask only that you be ready to give it purpose! 

SFX: quiet chattering, the music swells. 

REDFIELD: Do not despair, but find your courage! Atop your courage the Sapphire Flag has flown farther from the waters of Centrum than ever before, and atop your courage it shall fly farther still!

SFX: huzzahs and cheering. 

CROFT: Fair play to him, that was a pretty good speech.

MEDS: I still don’t like him.

SFX: music fades out.

- Scene Change -

ELIZABETH: I don’t suppose you grabbed me any cigarettes when they let you out of here?

CASS: You know, it didn’t even cross my mind.

SFX: a door whooshes open. 

REDFIELD: Captain Farren, Director Ancelet.

ELIZABETH: Admiral.

REDFIELD: I have a proposal I would like you to hear. It is not in my nature, to admit inadequacy. But these are extreme circumstances. The civilians will not accept me as they have accepted you, and any attempt to force the issue would destroy this fleet. Perhaps they are right, perhaps not; that will be the judgment of history. Regardless, it’s clear the fleet has suffered in the absence of your leadership, Director, and it seems my own ship has suffered in the absence of mine. However. You should not mistake my acceptance of your leadership for an endorsement of it. To be blunt, I believe it’s only good fortune that has so far spared you from the kind of adversities you are not prepared to handle. But those moments are coming, and soon. I will return to my vessel and answer to your leadership only on the condition that I be included in all major command decisions from this moment forward.

SFX: gentle music plays. Metallic creaking as Elizabeth stands. 

ELIZABETH: I accept. And I appreciate your candor. You’ll report to the Avalon for the morning briefing tomorrow. Dismissed, Admiral.

REDFIELD: Yes ma’am.

SFX: footsteps and the door whooshes open. 

REDFIELD: Oh, Captain Farren. I’ll be returning your ship and crew. We never did get it working. Or them for that matter.

SFX: the door whooshes closed behind the footsteps. 

ELIZABETH: Well that was interesting. Your doing?

CASS: I think I may have set the gears turning, but I'm kinda surprised myself.

ELIZABETH: Do you think we have to worry about him trying anything?

CASS: I don’t think so. Anything he was willing to try, he’d have tried before saying that. The rest was just bluster.

ELIZABETH: Doesn't mean he’s wrong. About me.

CASS: No.

ELIZABETH: We were supposed to be explorers.

SFX: Elizabeth’s theme fades up, then ends unresolved. 

- Scene Change -

RAVI: The civilian fleet has returned to formation after your broadcast Director, and the Shabayev will be flying close escort for next week’s burn to the pulsar system.

ELIZABETH: Thank you, Lieutenant Commander.

RAVI: Director. I wanted to try and explain my actions during the takeover--

ELIZABETH: It’s okay, you don’t need to do that. I wouldn’t look good in a uniform, but I know what it means to you, Ravi. You acted on principle.

SFX: the door whooshes open. 

RAVI: Thank you ma’am.

CASS: Good evening, Ravi.

RAVI: Excuse me Captain.

SFX: the door closes. 

CASS: That’s the second time he’s done that. Was it something I said?

ELIZABETH: Give him some time. It’s been a weird few days, for all of us. Now, didn’t you say you wanted to tell me some–

SFX: quick footsteps, then sudden kissing. 

ELIZABETH: All this time I've been thinking I was gonna have to do that first.

CASS: Yeah, me too.

ELIZABETH: Then I was expecting you to say it was a terrible, terrible idea because we’re the two most senior officials on the platform et cetera, et cetera…

CASS: Oh it totally is. Just a terrible, terrible, deeply irresponsible idea...

SFX: more kissing. Cass’ theme crescendos, then fades out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: footsteps approach. 

VADRIC (over comms): Elizabeth.

SFX: the mic opens.

ELIZABETH: Vadric.

VADRIC: Diom Lin.

ELIZABETH: I looked over the logs. Seems that while he was trying to control the civilian ships, Redfield reassigned most of his marines away from here. There was a good while there where nobody was guarding this place, and you knew it. But you never moved an inch.

VADRIC: I no harm intend. I was... curious.

ELIZABETH: About what?

VADRIC: Who your people would choose. In the end, they chose well.

SFX: Fair Winds plays.

NARRATOR: You have been listening to The Sojourn, Season One Episode Seven: Theirs Not To Reason Why, 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. Assembly editing by Aiden Brookstone. Audio mixing by Dave Chick, with additional voices by Jill Raymond, Tarek Esaw, Ryan Philbrook, Katte Noel, Andrew Latheron, Arthur Tisseront, Matthew Vanston, Lelia Symington, Shakira Shute, Toby Ridehalgh and Varun Sathi. Music by Sam Redfern, including a rearrangement of “Wilderness” by Taylor Davis which is used with the given permission of Taylor Davis representatives. This was The Sojourn, Season One Volume Three. Please visit www.thesojournaudiodrama.com for more information on the series and upcoming volumes. Thank you for listening.