Season One Episode Ten - Where Angels Fear to Tread

SFX: melancholy music plays. Thrusters fire and an engine rumbles.

CASS: Ship's Log, Guinevere. 154th Equinox, 305 PCU. We have accompanied the Shabayev along with the Union ships Tserekai and Hotstepper to a position a few hours outside the minefield where the Advari are holding our last Gate Component. Captain Maalsuwda and the Rodrigo have remained with Director Ancelet to protect the Avalon and the civilian fleet. The Advari call this minefield the Aegis of Invia. Vadric tells us he's served here before, and he's volunteered to assist us with this operation. It's strange just how much we've become used to having Vadric around. He's proven himself trustworthy many times over, but I can see there's a lot he's grappling with. It can't be easy to be surrounded by walking, talking proof that the entire belief system you were raised on just... got it wrong. Even for the most open minded person that's got to be a lot to handle.

SFX: music swells, then transitions. 

- Scene Change - 

SFX: music plays. Quiet background chatter and footsteps. 

REDFIELD: Please be seated. 

SFX: chatter and music slowly stop. 

REDFIELD: Using the extensive intelligence gathered by Union Forces and corroborated by our own Longboat reconnaissance sorties, we have been able to construct a relatively detailed image of the alien minefield. We have confirmed the presence of several large stations spaced at equidistant intervals along the minefield. Long range imaging suggests almost all of these stations are largely unprotected, with the exception of this particular station, where we have confirmed our captured Gatehauler and its gate component is berthed. 

SFX: shifting in a chair.

REDFIELD: A single Advari Lightship appears to be deployed in a fixed defensive posture near the hauler. Passive reconnaissance gathered over several months by the Union has confirmed that a second Lightship follows a circuitous patrol route along the minefield, which places a fixed time limit on our mission objectives here. We will need to secure the Gatehauler and withdraw from this system before the second Lightship can arrive to reinforce the enemy. But first, we will need a method of bypassing the minefield itself. For that, I will turn you over to Captain Farren.

SFX: fabric rustling. UI beeps and chirps. 

CASS: Thank you, Admiral. Vadric has confirmed that the mines seem to employ a system similar to our own IFF transponders, allowing Advari Lightships and fliers to pass through without issue. We will be making use of the Advari flier which was captured by the Shabayev when they first brought Vadric aboard. Vadric?

SFX: whispering. Seats creaking. 

VADRIC: Diom Lin. I appreciate your attention. 

SFX: whispering and shifting stops.

VADRIC: Most of our fliers operate without a pilot, though due to the damage my flier received during my capture, it will be necessary for me to pilot it personally. I will guide Captain Farren's vessel through the Aegis.

CASS: As Vadric's flier passes through the minefield, the Guin will be flying ballistic a close distance behind under silent running. However, given the position of the defending Lightship, we won't be able to dock with the hauler directly. Instead, we've calculated a trajectory that will carry us to a seemingly abandoned segment of the station where we hope to breach and enter undetected.

REDFIELD: Captain Farren's experience as a privateer makes her… suitably qualified to lead an armed shore party through the station. Curiously, thermal telescopy indicates no life signs aboard the Gatehauler itself, but we have no method of accurately determining how many Advari hostiles are between the breach point and the Gatehauler. Therefore, a section of marines, led by Commander Harper, will accompany Captain Farren as she escorts a four-person operating crew through the station to the Hauler.

CASS: Once we reach the Gatehauler, the technicians will board and prepare the ship to cast off while myself, Meds, and the marines maintain a perimeter.

SFX: chair creak.

CROFT: The real trick is gonna be staying alive long enough for that hauler's reactor to finish spooling up. You can be as sneaky as you like but at the end of the day there's just no way to steal a big ship like that from harbour without all hell breaking loose.

SFX: leather creak, footsteps. 

REDFIELD: I certainly hope you're not speaking from experience.

SFX: patting and brushing on fabric.

CROFT: Ah nah nah, I think there was a documentary on CBR or something.

REDFIELD: Hmm.

SFX: quiet, slow, tense heroic music begins.

REDFIELD: As the shore party secures the Gatehauler, the Shabayev, Tserekai, and Hotstepper will arrive in the system to provide a timely distraction. We will be operating under radio silence, so careful timing is imperative. In order to allow my force to carry out this diversion, and to provide an avenue for the Gatehauler to escape through, it will be necessary to remotely disable a portion of the minefield from aboard the station. Our Advari guest has assured us that this is possible.

VADRIC: The Aegis Stations are strange places, but I am confident what you ask can be done. Few Advari are aware of my disappearance, and fewer still are eager to question an Inquisitor of the Ventris Ardenti. I should be able to land and seek out the Aegis control systems without incident.

CROFT: And I'll be standing by with the Guin to take off and help escort the Gatehauler as the cavalry gets here. There's not too many fliers hanging around that station so hopefully we're in the clear.

VADRIC: Do not be fooled. The Sacred Lightships carry great foundries that are able to swiftly fabricate many unmanned fliers, even during battle. 

SFX: whispering.

VADRIC: Perhaps all of our technologies comes from these foundries, but I do not know for certain. Regardless, you will not be without opposition for long.

REDFIELD: This operation requires the utmost precision. If we fail to retrieve this final gate component, we will be left with no method of returning to Tantalus and we may well be trapped in this nebula permanently.

SFX: more urgent whispering and shuffling. 

REDFIELD: Commander Harper, select eight marines for your section. You have one hour.

SFX: whispering stops. 

HARPER: Yes, sir.

CASS: Are there any questions?

SFX: slight shuffling.

CASS: Alright. Fair winds, everyone.

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

NARRATOR: The Sojourn, Season One Episode Ten: Where Angels Fear to Tread by Larissa Thompson. 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 Kaufmann as Lieutenant Commander 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.

- Scene Change -

SFX: atmospheric and hydraulic whirring, quiet background chatter, light mechanical rattling. A door whooshes open. 

CROFT: Hey Vaddy, I brought you a present.

VADRIC: Thank you, that is most kind. 

CROFT: It's a wrist communicator, so you can stay in short-range radio contact with us. You press this button to talk, and this one to mute.

SFX: hydraulic whirring stops. 

VADRIC: It is somewhat... inelegant?

CROFT: Yeah… Best hide it under your glove or something.

VADRIC: I shall.

SFX: metallic rasp and shwing.

CROFT: Whoa, ok, that's err... That's a sword. Mhmm. That's uh, that’s yours?

VADRIC: Indeed. All Inquisitors carry the blade. It is an instrument of ritual, used in performing the holy sacrifices. Do you not have such weapons in your Tantalus Cluster?

SFX: sword sheaths.

CROFT: Yeah, there's a few. Centran captains wear them with their uniforms, Provosts too. It's kind of a weird tradition thing. Centrans love all that kinda crap. I don't think they ever really use them in a fight though. Are you taking that on the mission?

VADRIC: Yes. Though it is a tool of ceremony, my familiarity with its use in battle is... extensive.

SFX: door whooshes open and closed.

CROFT: Sorry if this is a stupid question but don't your people have like... Guns? I don’t- I… Aren't you just gonna get yourself shot trying to run at people with that thing?

VADRIC: It has yet to happen thus far.

CROFT: Huh. Fair enough.

SFX: door whooshes open and closed. Heavy bootsteps and rhythmic metallic rattling.

DALCOP: Hey spinner, where am I dropping my stuff?

CROFT: Right back there, private.

DALCOP: It's corporal now.

LARSEN: And his head's never been bigger!

SFX: people laugh. 

DALCOP: Just means there's more of my face for you to appreciate, Larsen. 

HARPER: That's enough, Corporal.

CROFT: Alright you lot, since you're not stealing my ship this time - yay - I'd like to welcome you aboard. Go on through the EVA Bay, ladders are up past the galley, take your stuff through to the cargo bay. If any of you have dirt on your boots, let me know so we can leave you behind.

SFX: bootsteps and chattering start, then fade away.

VADRIC: I must board my flier, I will be prepared for departure shortly.

CROFT: Good luck Vadric, watch your back over there, yeah?

VADRIC: Thank you… I- I shall.

- Scene Change -

SFX: mysterious, tense music plays. Rattling and engine noise. A door whooshes open. 

HARPER: Captain Farren.

SFX: a hydraulic chair turns. 

CASS: Commander Harper, take a seat.

HARPER: Thank you.

SFX: the door whooshes closed. Hydraulic chair turns back. A beep. Whooshing and rattling stops. 

MEDS: We've cleared the conduit. Minefield perimeter at one-zero mark eight, seven-four-zero kilometers.

CASS: On scopes.

SFX: mysterious, ethereal choir music swells. Telemetry beeps scan. 

HARPER: Damn. Makes the Axius Blockade look like a couple of traffic cones.

CASS: Croft, lay us along the trajectory we calculated, try to bring us out of the field as far from the populated segment of the station as you can.

SFX: thrusters fire. Music becomes quiet and tense. 

CROFT: In position, skip.

MEDS: Vadric, can you hear us?

VADRIC: (over comms) Yes, I am receiving you.

CASS: Form up in front of us when you're ready.

VADRIC: (over comms) I will stay close as we pass through the Aegis. I do not know how large the margin of safety is.

CROFT: Nice and cozy.

CASS: Engage the drive for four seconds, then cut power to everything except passive sensors and life support.

SFX: switches flick and the engine ramps up power. 

CROFT: Alright, here goes nothing.

SFX: A sudden muffled blast lasts a few seconds, tense music swells. The engine cuts out and the music goes quiet. 

MEDS: Velocity two hundred and five meters per second. We're on course.

SFX: quiet telemetry beeps. Music fades out. 

VADRIC (over comms): We are passing into the Aegis.

CASS: How long until we reach the other side?

MEDS: Ninety seconds.

SFX: quiet telemetry beeps. A quiet alarm chirps. 

MEDS: Proximity alert. We're passing a mine at nine thousand meters, bearing three two two mark five.

SFX: a new beep increases in frequency. An alarm starts chirping. 

CROFT: Yeesh. That's pretty damn close. Should I move us out of the way?

SFX: a distant, muffled klaxon

VADRIC (over comms): The mine is not reacting to our presence, it is unlikely it will detonate.

SFX: beeping intensifies in volume and speed. A quiet drone begins. 

HARPER: Unlikely?

CASS: Hold your course, Croft.

SFX: beeping crescendos, then slows and reduces volume. The muffled klaxon continues. Someone breathes out. 

SFX: silence except for telemetry beeps. 

SFX: beeping begins again, increasing in speed and volume. Someone breathes in. 

CROFT: Skip?

CASS: Steady as she goes…

SFX: Beeping further intensifies. 

VADRIC (over comms): Our passage is almost complete.

SFX: beeps slow, drone crescendos. 

MEDS: And... We're clear of the field.

SFX: people exhale and sigh. Relieved music plays. 

CROFT: Oh shit, we did it.

VADRIC (over comms): I must approach the main landing bay. Lutiata visival.

SFX: music plays. 

CASS: Meds, any movement?

MEDS: They don't seem to have spotted us.

CASS: Alright. Croft, when we're close enough, bring us down onto the station's hull on the far side. As few vector bursts as you can.

CROFT: Copy that.

CASS: Commander, you should get down to the bay and prepare your team.

HARPER: On my way.

SFX: thrusters fire. A door whooshes open, then closed. A heavy, muffled thud reverberates through the ship, followed by distant grinding. A beep. 

CROFT: We have soft seal.

CASS: Easy part's done. Alright Meds, grab your gear, let's get down there. Take care of the ship while we're gone, Croft.

SFX: seatbelts unbuckle. A door whooshes open. 

CROFT: You know it. Good luck.

SFX: music swells, then fades out. 

- Scene Change - 

SFX: a cutting torch buzzes. 

DALCOP: I'm almost through the hull, sir!

SFX: cutting torch stops, thick metal plates creak and groan. 

HARPER: Alright, affix fastropes, standard breach protocol. Larsen, stand by to flash and clear. Pritchard, you take point.

PRITCHARD: Yes sir.

SFX: guns loading and charging, metallic rattling of belts and rappelling gear. 

LARSEN: Standing by, sir.

SFX: Someone grunts as they kick heavy metal three times. It falls into a large room. 

LARSEN: Flash out!

SFX: A pin is pulled and a canister lands in the large room. It beeps, then explodes.

HARPER: Go, go go!

SFX: Zipping as marines descend the fastropes. Bootsteps. Scanning, then a negative beep. 

PRITCHARD: Clear left.

DALCOP: Clear right.

LARSEN: Clear, negative contact.

HARPER: Shore party, you're all clear.

SFX: more zipping and bootsteps. 

CASS: Shore party is aboard.

CROFT (over comms): Copy that Skip, good luck in there.

CASS: Vadric, have you touched down?

VADRIC (over comms): I have. I am proceeding aboard the station.

CASS: Good luck.

MEDS: Not a lot of light in here.

HARPER: Section, affix taclights.

DALCOP: Copy that.

SFX: rattling and clicking. Mysterious music plays. 

HARPER: Looks like they were right, nobody's home.

MEDS: Guess we got lucky.

CASS: Maybe…

SFX: music swells. 

- Scene Change - 

SFX: mysterious music continues. Quiet, serene background chatter. 

ADVARI WORKER: My Lord Inquisitor, Diom Lin.

VADRIC: Thank you.

ADVARI WORKER: We were not expecting the arrival of another Inquisitor. What do you require of our facility?

VADRIC: I seek access to the control room for this section of the Aegis.

ADVARI WORKER: Of course my Lord. But shall I first present Revion Carradin to you? The Cloak of Mercy arrived shortly before you–.

VADRIC: No. 

SFX: background chatter stops. 

VADRIC: That will not be necessary. There is no business the Revion and I must discuss at present. I require the control room and privacy.

ADVARI WORKER: Yes, my lord. It is at the heart of the station, past the chambers on the upper vestry.

VADRIC: You may return to your duties.

ADVARI WORKER: Praise be to Advar.

SFX: a deep rumble begins. Bootsteps walk away as the chatter fades out, then run a few steps forward into silence. 

VADRIC: Captain Farren, be attentive. It seems I am not the only Inquisitor on this station, and the Revion of the Lightship knows my face. He may be able to guess my purpose in being here.

CASS (over comm): Copy that, Vadric. Watch yourself over there, we'll be on alert here.

VADRIC: Good.

SFX: Mysterious music swells. A door slides open. Music fades out.  

- Scene Change - 

SFX: Bootsteps and quiet rattling. 

LARSEN: Hatchway ahead.

HARPER: Alright Dalcop, Pritchard, stack up. Barkov, Waters, watch that hallway. Larsen, Dubois, on our flank.

CASS: What have we got Meds?

SFX: a scanner, then negative beep. 

MEDS: The next room is hard vacuum. We'll have to take this hallway around.

HARPER: Section traverse left, open order, by files. Let's take it slow.

SFX: Guns rack, then rattling and bootsteps continue. Mysterious choir music resumes. 

MEDS: Looks like nobody's been down here in years. Why build a station this big and leave half of it empty?

CASS: Not sure. From what we could tell the other stations were completely unmanned.

MEDS: Maybe they built this whole minefield for some kind of war and then scaled down once the bad guys were gone? Abandoned the other platforms and left a skeleton crew just to run this one?

CASS: Could be. This platform is the closest to the center of the field. Maybe it covers access to the most important Lauralyn Conduits but... I don't know, something doesn't add up.

SFX: deep echoing banging. Guns snap to attention. 

HARPER: Hold.

SFX: A gun cocks. 

CASS (whispering): What is that?

DALCOP: Movement, eleven o'clock.

SFX: several quick bootsteps. 

LARSEN: Contact, ten-plus foot mobiles. Range twenty-two meters.

CASS: Can they see us?

SFX: quiet, suspicious whispers. 

MEDS: Yeah, they see us.

HARPER: Weapons tight. Do not fire unless fired upon.

SFX: whispering becomes talking.

LARSEN: Positive ID on twenty-plus enemy contacts.

SFX: whispers increase in volume. More bootsteps. 

DALCOP: Sir I'm not seeing firearms. Looks like just... some kind of spears?

PRITCHARD: They're getting close. Eleven meters!

HARPER: Steady.

SFX: metallic banging. 

MEDS: What's that one doing?

WATERS: Get back!

HARPER: Steady! Steady!

ADVARI SPEARMAN: Sirita! 

SFX: all sound cuts out except a slim projectile whistling through the air. 

PRITCHARD: Agh!

ADVARI SPEARMAN: Diom Advar! 

LARSEN: Man down! Man down!

SFX: Guns fire. People scream and spears are dropped. 

HARPER: Cease fire, cease fire!

SFX: gunfire slowly stops. Creepy, tense music begins. 

CASS: All hostiles down. They just… threw themselves at us. 

LARSEN: Pritchard?

SFX: fumbling and rattling. A heavy body is shifted.

MEDS: Puncture wound through the torso. 

SFX: scanning. A negative beep. 

MEDS: He's dead.

HARPER: Shit.

DALCOP: What the hell was that? Huh? Spears? I thought these people were more advanced than us...

CASS: We should keep moving.

SFX: Harper inhales deeply. 

HARPER: Larsen, take point. Everybody stay sharp.

SFX: music swells, then fades out. 

- Scene Change - 

SFX: rushed footsteps on carpet. 

CASS (over comms): Vadric, we came under attack by some kind of Advari guards, but they didn't have any kind of firearms, just spears.

VADRIC: Peasants taken from the Giftworlds, no doubt. Pressed into service to defend this place. They offer little threat, but do not lower your guard. Should you encounter Imperial Inquisitors you will face a far greater challenge.

CASS (over comms): Copy that, we're still moving towards the loading area, we should be about te–

SFX: a door opens. Rushed footsteps stop. 

REVION CARRADIN (distantly): High Cleric, is this truly what the Lord Cardinal suggests?

SFX: footsteps approach as the voices get closer. 

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS (distantly): I'm unsure how exactly events will transpire, but it may prove necessary, yes.

SFX: footsteps stop. 

VADRIC (whispering): Lantris?

REVION CARRADIN: I-It may be difficult to convince my crew to accept this course of action. To pass beyond the veil is unthinkable to- 

SFX: Lantris sighs. 

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: You will tell them whatever they need to hear to motivate their service to Advar. You said you brought word from Primaris, speak.

REVION CARRADIN: Yes, Most Holy. From his last message, it would appear that the Lord Cardinal has now taken the Empress from the Throneworld.

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: Ha. Has he? I thought the sentimental old fool would never cease his dithering. Perhaps now we'll be finally free of her childish impulses.

REVION CARRADIN: Yes, Most Holy.

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: Return to the Lightship and await my word. I have duties to conclude here.

SFX: sharp fabric rustle. 

REVION CARRADIN: I live to serve.

SFX: fabric rustles, footsteps recede. 

CASS (over comms): Vadric, what's your situation?

VADRIC: Valendra…

SFX: mysterious music swells, footsteps quickly follow. 

CASS (over comms): Vadric, do you read me? Check i--

SFX: footsteps resume. Music swells, then cuts out. 

- Scene Change -

CASS: Vadric, come in, what's your status?

SFX: several bootsteps walk on metal. Cass sighs. A single pair of bootsteps approach. 

HARPER: Captain Farren, if I may. I… wanted to make sure there was no animosity for the part I played in commandeering your ship. Your medic keeps um… giving me threatening glances.

CASS: No hard feelings, Commander. You were following orders, that's the job.

HARPER: I suppose I shouldn't really be surprised that you feel that way. 

SFX: Harper clears his throat. 

HARPER: I never saw much of the war myself, I only got my commission a few months before the armistice. Did get to see some action over Dalais, though. Hardly as impressive as your service record.

CASS: It was a long time ago.

HARPER: Still. Master and Commander at twenty-four, Post Captain at twenty-seven. Benefits of such a prestigious upbringing I suppose. My father was a dock worker. I envy you.

SFX: Cass sighs. 

CASS: I was about to say the same.

- Scene Change - 

SFX: lively, slightly tense music plays. A door whooshes open. 

LT. CMDR. GATES: Admiral Redfield, sir. All ships report successful transit through the Lauralyn Conduit. We're on course to reach the minefield in twenty minutes.

REDFIELD: Thank you, Ms. Gates. Signal the Hotstepper and Tserekai to form on our wing and maintain radio silence until we engage.

LT. CMDR. GATES: Aye sir.

SFX: a comm link rings. 

REDFIELD: Bear her two points a-starboard Mister Faraday, ahead slow.

FARADAY: Aye sir, ahead slow.

SFX: music swells, then cuts out. 

- Scene Change - 

SFX: an alien sounding door opens. Guns rack and bootsteps quickly enter. A scanner beeps a negative tone. 

WATERS: Clear left.

LARSEN: Clear right.

DALCOP: Negative contact.

SFX: bootsteps move forward. Tense, lively music resumes. 

CASS: This is it. Docking umbilical is through here, Gatehauler is on the other side.

HARPER: Okay Gatehauler team, get onboard and get that reactor spooled up. You have twenty minutes.

SFX: an alien door opens, then mechanical pumping and winding starts. 

MEDS: No guards. Isn't that a little strange?

CASS: If I had to guess, I'd say they don't want their people to see our technology. I imagine that'll change once they know we're here.

SFX: quiet mechanical work in the background. Music continues.

HARPER: This gangway makes for a defensible position, clear sight-lines and the enemy will be forced through this bottleneck to reach us. We can hold them back with volley fire until the Gatehauler is ready for dust off.

MEDS The Shabayev must be approaching the minefield by now. Any word from Vadric?

CASS: Still nothing.

SFX: Music swells, then fades out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: heavy bootsteps on carpet. 

ADVARI WORKER: Revion Carradin reports that your shuttleflier is standing by shortly to return you to Primaris, Most Holy.

SFX: measured high heel steps. 

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: Good. Have we received any further signal from the Lord Cardinal since the Cloak of Mercy arrived?

SFX: a muffled stab and grunt of pain. Silence.

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: I would caution you, there is little wisdom in making me repeat myself.

SFX: a slight gasp and fabric rustle as a sword is quickly drawn from a sheath. Sinister music plays. 

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: Oh, our wayward inquisitor returns.

VADRIC: You will tell me where she is being taken.

- Scene Change -

SFX: Lively tense music resumes. 

GATEHAULER CREW MEMBER (over comms): Safety check complete, we're beginning the reactor startup procedure. Estimate five minutes.

CASS: Copy that, five minutes.

SFX: a distant engine warms up. 

CASS: Vadric, check in. Are you in position? Vadric, are you receiving me?

ADVARI SPEARMAN: Diom Advar!

SFX: an alien weapon fires. 

WATERS: Ugh!

MEDS: Man down!

DALCOP: Shots fired! Shots fired!

LARSEN: Contact, right! Four hostiles, they've got firearms.

SFX: chaotic gunfire and screaming.

HARPER: Take cover!

MEDS: Those must be the Inquisitors.

CASS: They know we're here now. 

SFX: more gunfire.

CASS: There'll be a lot more of them in a minute.

HARPER: Hold and give fire, keep them back as long as you can!

SFX: gunfire continues as music swells. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: tense music continues. Radio chatter in background. 

FARADAY: Minefield bears zero-zero-zero range fifteen hundred meters. One minute remaining, sir.

REDFIELD: Very well. Lieutenant Commander Gates, you may beat to quarters.

LT. CMDR. GATES: Aye aye sir.

SFX: a bosun’s whistle plays. 

LT. CMDR. GATES (over P.A.): General quarters, general quarters. All hands man your battlestations.

SFX: a klaxon begins. Chatter increases.

FARADAY: Admiral! Picket boat two reports activity from the minefield. It looks like it hasn't been disabled.

REDFIELD: Reduce trim Mister Faraday. Break radio silence on my authority. All ships, this is Shabayev Actual, minefield is still active, I say again, minefield is still active, reduce your speed and stay in formation.

CAPTAIN DARNICK (over comms): That alien bastard! He's betrayed us!

REDFIELD: Or has been captured or delayed, Captain. The reasons are irrelevant at this stage. We shall have to cut a hole ourselves. All ships, Shabayev. Go to weapons loose and target mines between bearings three zero zero and six zero. Attempt to cause secondary explosions if possible.

UNION TRANSLATOR: 'an-Tserekai ra-hotostepa. Sho mi'an-Shaba yebu. Djafo'iteni mi'an-amihima burea-hurī-aisho-aisho ra-siku-aisho, rata djai kemi minaiy-neifan.

REDFIELD: It is imperative we create a path wide enough to accommodate the Gatehauler, before the Lightship has a chance to engage us and command our entire attention. Clear for action, all batteries fire at will!

SFX: large, muffled mechanical whirring as guns are readied. Music swells and everything fades out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: gunfire resumes. Music is tense and focussed. 

CASS: Counting thirty-plus hostiles coming our way!

MEDS: More of those guys with the spears, they're going to charge us!

SFX: Advari soldiers yell in the background. 

HARPER: Open or-der! Section will form two ranks for volley fire!

SFX: rapid bootsteps. 

LARSEN: Enemy closing at thirty meters!

HARPER: Steady... On my command!

SFX: coordinated rustling as the marines get into position.

DALCOP: Here they come!

HARPER: Make ready!

SFX: several guns load.

HARPER: Pre-sent!

SFX: several guns aim. 

HARPER: Fire!

SFX: a huge blast of volley fire from several guns. People yell in pain.  

GATEHAULER CREW MEMBER (over comms): One-one this is Gatehauler. Reactor is online. Ready for dust-off in two minutes!

HARPER: Stand! Hold your positions!

SFX: an engine rumbles to life as the music fades out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: klaxon resumes, urgent radio chatter in background. 

FARADAY: Thermal sensors confirm the Gatehauler has started its reactor!

REDFIELD: Guinevere, you may push off and provide cover for the Gatehauler at your discretion.

CROFT (over comms): Copy that Admiral, I'm getting underway.

SFX: an alarm blares. 

LT. CMDR. GATES: Lightship is launching fliers and bearing for our position. She'll intercept us in three minutes.

REDFIELD: Shore party, this is Shabayev Actual, report.

SFX: alarm sounds over comms.

HARPER (over comms): Copy Actual. Mission objective secure. Under heavy fire, have sustained casualties, preparing to withdraw to Gatehauler for dust-off.

REDFIELD: Understood, Shore party.

HARPER (over comms): Shabayev, Shore Party, Interrogative: We lost contact with Vadric. What is the status of the minefield, was it disabled?

REDFIELD: Shore Party, minefield is still active but we have cleared an escape route for the Gatehauler, we're sending you the heading now.

HARPER: Solid copy Actual, Harper out.

SFX: music swells, then fade out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: low rumbling. 

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: Valendra is far beyond your reach. Besides, have you not new masters now? Why else would you be here if not because the Outsiders have turned you to their cause.

VADRIC: They wish only to survive.

SFX: a sword shwings. Measured high heel steps. Glasses clinking and being placed on a surface.

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: I care nothing for their motives, neither would you if you knew as I do. But I should not be surprised. You who turned from your faith merely to warm the Empress's bed. And now you lick the boots of these Outsiders.

SFX: A deep rumble rattles the glasses. Liquid is poured into them. 

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: It seems your devotion can be bought with little more than a kind word.

VADRIC: Speak carefully if you wish to live.

SFX: a sip of liquid. A glass is placed on a surface. 

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: Hah. I too once trained as an Inquisitor, much as you did. I am not defenseless.

SFX: a tense drone begins. Rattling, a sword is unsheathed dramatically. 

VADRIC: Tell me where she is. Speak quickly and I will not prolong your suffering.

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: Truly I am shaken with fear. Hyah! 

SFX: The drone stops. A glass is thrown and is hit in the air by a sword. Swords clash. Fade out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: Lively, tense music resumes. Gunfire continues. 

CASS: Gatehauler reports ready to push off, we've gotta get out of here!

HARPER: On my command, section will fire and withdraw, in close order!

SFX: music swells, energetic rumbling. Gunfire resumes. 

MEDS: What about Vadric?

CASS: There's nothing we can do from here. We have to trust he knows what he's doing.

HARPER: On my lead! By the left, with-DRAW! 

SFX: volley fire sounds. Alien guns fire back. 

LARSEN: Incoming fire!

SFX: cry of pain and crackling as a heavy body hits the floor. Fade out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: music resumes. Background chatter is focused and intense. Klaxon continues. 

LT. CMDR. GATES: Longboats confirm the path through the minefield is clear, sir. Lightship is entering extreme firing range.

REDFIELD: Tserekai, Hotstepper, tighten formation and bear away on my heading, we need to draw their fire.

UNION TRANSLATOR: 'an-Tserekai ra-hotostepa, cha'akina ya'an-darīn rata ka'aīro buami-ūnin. dja'abi mi'an-ūki ara-maneshin.

SFX: An alarm blares. 

LT. CMDR. GATES: Sir, Lightship is firing its main gun!

REDFIELD: All hands, brace for impact!

SFX: The Advari gun screams as the Shabayev is hit. 

REDFIELD: Report! 

SFX: alarms continue blaring. 

LT. CMDR. GATES: Direct hit, but only superficial damage. Fire on Deck seven. DC teams are on route.

FARADAY: Looks like the effectiveness of their weapons drops off at long range.

REDFIELD: So it would seem.

SFX: Fade out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: sword clash, glass breaks, Lantris and Vadric grunt, wood breaks. Lantris breaths heavily. 

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: I wonder, do your newest masters know you for what you truly are? How many you have killed at The Faith's bidding?

VADRIC: If I am a killer, it is because that is what you have made me.

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: Oh ho ho. Is that why you forever grasp for new owners whose whims you might serve? Hmm? If you remain a weapon, you need never bear the blame for your wielder's deeds. Ha. A fine theory, but how much peace of mind has that truly brought you?

SFX: Vadric yells, swords clash once more.

- Scene Change -

SFX: stately, intense music plays. Klaxon and chatter resumes. 

REDFIELD: Tserekai, Hotstepper. Maintain distance from target, it seems their weapons are less effective at long range.

UNION TRANSLATOR: 'an-Tserekai, chasenzea buami'an-fo'i. Kisho bu-pinzao-niran, sirio ya'an-maneshin mi-entsa-yur.

LT. CMDR. GATES: Lightship now in effective coilgun range, Admiral.

REDFIELD: Mister Faraday. Would you wager those sails do something important?

FARADAY: That seems like a safe bet, sir.

REDFIELD: Then I dare say we should put some holes in them. All starboard batteries, fire as you bear!

SFX: Muffled whirring, clunking, then batteries firing. Fade out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: alien gunfire continues. People scream in pain. 

LARSEN: Ah!

DALCOP: Larsen's down!

SFX: gunfire continues, bootsteps.

MEDS: Leave her! Get back! Cass, everyone else is on board, we gotta go!

SFX: an Advari yells. 

MEDS: Get back! 

SFX: gunfire. 

CASS: Close the door!

SFX: a beep. The door shuts. Thumping against the door. 

MEDS: We're sealed up.

CASS: Bridge, shore party is aboard. Get us out of here, now!

GATEHAULER CREW MEMBER (over comms): Aye ma'am! Going to max burn, brace for acceleration.

CASS: Vadric, if you can hear me, you need to get off the station right now. I say again, get out of there now!

SFX: music swells. The Gatehauler engine fires. Fade out. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: Swords clash. Vadric grunts, Lantris cries out in pain. A body falling into loose objects and onto the floor. Vadric grunts. Glass tinkles.

VADRIC: Where is she!?

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: You allowed her to send you away. Perhaps if you had stayed she might have been better protected.

SFX: shuffling and clattering as Lantris stands. 

VADRIC: Be silent!

SFX: swords swing and clash. Metal screeching. Lantris grunts. Once again Lantris is pushed into something. A drone rises. Bootsteps slowly approach. 

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: Perhaps she simply grew bored of you. Perhaps you have been her plaything as she has been ours, and now you have been discarded. (laughs) Or were you fool enough to actually believe she loved you?

VADRIC: Arggh!

SFX: an intense exchange of sword blows. The drone stops. A sharp stab, liquid drips onto the floor. Lantris groans and coughs wetly. Her body collapses to the floor. She laughs. Tragic music plays.

HIGH CLERIC LANTRIS: This… this is all… that you are.

SFX: metallic ringing. A sword is stabbed into flesh. Lantis breathes weakly, then stops. A sword is re-sheathed. Music fades. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: energetic music blares. Rumbling, klaxons, and urgent background chatter. 

CROFT (over comms): Shabayev, Guinevere here. Gatehauler is on her way out, I'm keeping an eye on her. We're forming on your wing.

REDFIELD: Copy Guinevere.

SFX: a beep. 

FARADAY: Admiral, I'm reading a minor drop-off in weapon and engine power from that Lightship since we started hitting their sails. Should have enough of a lead to get clear.

REDFIELD: Very good Mister Faraday, bring us about. Make for the conduit. Run out the sternchasers and maintain fire.

FARADAY: Aye sir.

SFX: A horn blares. Big machinery moves. An urgent chirp from the computer. 

LT. CMDR. GATES: Admiral, I'm receiving a friendly IFF ping from an Advari flier near the station, it's on course for the conduit.

REDFIELD: I see him. All ships, Advari flier at two one zero mark three four zero is friendly, hold your fire.

UNION TRANSLATOR: sho ya'an-in-tū-wun-aisho-ko-hurī-foa-aisho-zeta mi'an-karānwa, aichadeyu.

SFX: a positive beep. Music becomes easy and free. 

LT. CMDR. GATES: Immediate area is clear of hostiles, Admiral. They're launching more fliers but at this range they won't catch us before we hit the conduit.

REDFIELD: Very good, Lieutenant Commander, all stations; damage report.

LT. CMDR. GATES: DC Teams report the fire on deck seven is under control. Hotstepper has sustained minor damage, and we've lost two fighters. Superficial damage to Guinevere and Tserekai, moderate damage to the Gatehauler, but no casualties.

REDFIELD: A rather productive evening I'd say.

SFX: a bosun’s whistle plays. 

REDFIELD (over PA): All ships, all hands; this is Shabayev Actual. Mission accomplished.

SFX: cheering and clapping. Triumphant music swells. 

- Scene Change -

SFX: a champagne cork pops. People cheer. A door whooshes open. Light fiddle music plays. People laugh.

FARADAY: Admiral on deck! Huzzah for the Admiral!

REDFIELD: Thank you. As you were.

SFX: cheering, clapping, and whooping.

MEDS: Still alive then?

CROFT: Just about. We took a hit near Sickbay and some of your stuff got knocked around a bit but I've cleaned it up for you.

MEDS: Aw, you missed me.

CROFT: Uh, 'course I did. 

SFX: fiddle music continues. 

REDFIELD: Exceptional work, Lewis. Your performance on the station was exemplary.

HARPER: Thank you, sir. But I'm not sure if uh… I’m not sure if I would call it that.

REDFIELD: Casualties are an inevitability of conflict, Commander. But thanks to your leadership, those who died today will allow thousands more to see home again before long. You did everything that could be asked of you. I have logged today's events in your service record, and I intend to recommend you for a commendation as soon as we return to Tantalus.

HARPER: Thank you, sir.

SFX: fiddle music fades into the distance, footsteps approach. Fabric rustling.

CASS: Hey, Vadric. What are you doing over here?

VADRIC: Observing. Your people celebrate far more than I am accustomed to. It is… difficult… to sustain.

CASS: Yeah, I get that. 

SFX: distant fiddle music and chatter continues. 

CASS: Vadric… what happened out there?

VADRIC: I was... waylaid. I did not reach the control room in time, and for that I apologize.

CASS: Thanks. Listen, I assume you're used to working on your own, but you should’ve let us know what was going on. We're lucky the Shabayev was able to detect that the mines were still active. A lot of people could have died.

VADRIC: I understand. I am very sorry that I caused concern. I give you my word it will not occur again.

CASS: Alright. Just try to enjoy yourself a little, okay? I'll see you later.

SFX: fabric shuffles, footsteps recede. 

VADRIC: Very well.

 - Scene Change -

SFX: gentle telemetry, ambient beeps. The sound of the Avalon moves in the background. Typing, and a strange, irregular interference pattern plays. A door whooshes open. 

RAVI: Oh Director. You're up late.

ELIZABETH: Yeah I couldn't sleep. Any word from the Shabayev?

RAVI: Not yet ma'am. Uh, light lag is extensive but we're hoping to hear something soon.

SFX: a chair squeaks, footsteps. 

ELIZABETH: Good. I'm distracting myself with this scan data. I still don't understand what happened with that gas giant where we found the Mericians. I thought it must have been an equipment fault but I've ruled that out. The long range scans we took when we arrived clearly show a barren, average sized, and resource-low gas giant.

RAVI: Everything in the Mericians logs as well as the Guinevere's confirms the opposite. Abnormal dimensions and vast quantities of exploitable fusion fuels.

ELIZABETH: But I mean… (frustrated grunt) our scan images are subject to light lag as much as anything else. The images I gave to Cass date back to three weeks prior to the Mericians arrival in that system.

SFX: fabric creaking, typing.

RAVI: Is it possible that there was some kind of orbital change, were we, I don’t know, looking at a different planet?

ELIZABETH: I don't see how. There's nothing in the system that fits the bill. But surely… it couldn't be the same planet, how could that even happen?

SFX: typing. Mysterious, introspective music begins. 

RAVI: Wait wait, hang on a second.

SFX: beeping. More typing. 

RAVI: Before he left, the Admiral was planning our resource mission back to the ice field to extend our water supplies. We dispatched the prospecting probe through the conduit three days ago, but the readings were… totally different to our records of the area. Bankole and I wrote it up as a faulty probe but they've not found any mechanical evidence of a problem.

ELIZABETH: Mmmm what was the data showing?

SFX: typing.

RAVI: Here we are. Significant impurities in the ice water. Far more difficult to process than what we experienced when the Avalon was back there. But there's no way that could have changed, we're looking at precisely the same asteroids.

ELIZABETH: Unless... I mean... There's only one unifying factor between these changes in data.

RAVI: Whether or not someone was there.

ELIZABETH: Yeah... Dead gas giant until someone shows up, then it's a fuel dump. Dead ice field until someone shows up and then it's full of drinking water.

RAVI: And back again as soon they leave, as though...

ELIZABETH: As though this place, the nebula was... helping us. Changing itself to meet our needs.

RAVI: But that's... I mean that's just impossible, right?

SFX: a click as interference stops playing. Music becomes exciting but tense. 

ELIZABETH: I'm certain that pulsar has something to do with this. The more we analyze its structure the more it doesn't make sense. And it seems to be somehow dynamically interacting with the conduit network, even at a great distance. 

RAVI: The structures we found on the Greenhouse would suggest the Advari were studying it at some point too.

ELIZABETH: Let's assume for a second that what we think we are seeing here is possible, and it is happening. That leaves an even scarier question.

RAVI: What?

ELIZABETH: Well whatever this place is, it still doesn't get to cheat thermodynamics.

RAVI: It can't make something out of nothing.

ELIZABETH: Right. So if this place is conjuring up loads of matter and energy to suit the needs of whoever comes along, then...

RAVI: Where is it coming from?

SFX: Music swells, tense and full of unspoken secrets.

SFX: The Sojourn Ending Theme plays.

NARRATOR: You have been listening to The Sojourn, Season One Episode Ten: Where Angels Fear to Tread, written by Larissa Thompson, story by Daniel Orrett and Larissa Thompson, 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 Jordan Andrew, with additional voices by Katte Noel, Ryan Philbrook, Jasmine Yates, Joe Bianco, Arron Jones, Max Marshall, Cooper McEuen, Andrew Latheron, Cooper Mortlock, Andrew Goulding, and Chris Harris-Beechey. 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.