Season One Episode Eleven - Observer Effect

SFX: mysterious drone, telemetry sounds. A whooshing transition. Cass groans, sheets rustle.

CASS: Liz?

SFX: typing sounds.

ELIZABETH: O-over here. The Siochana sent over the new surface scans of the pulsar.

CASS: How long have you been up?

ELIZABETH: About three or four cups of coffee.

CASS: Mmnh. Come back to bed.

SFX: computer turns off.

ELIZABETH: Okay. You've convinced me.

SFX: quick footsteps and a cushy thud.

CASS: That was easier than I expected.

ELIZABETH: I'm easily distracted.

SFX: pillows fluffing.

CASS: You don't say.

ELIZABETH: And you are a really, really good distraction.

SFX: a quick kiss.

ELIZABETH: Speaking of which, when are you gonna wear the dress again?

CASS: What dress?

ELIZABETH: "What dress" she says. I of course refer to the fabled "Bankole's Promotion Party Dress."

CASS: Ugh, not this again.

ELIZABETH: Five months schlumping around in hoodies and cargo pants--

CASS: Hey!

ELIZABETH: -and then for one night and one night only you decide to give everyone in the bar a coronary. And next morning it's right back to schlump city.

CASS: You do extremely mean flirting, you know that?

ELIZABETH: The results speak for themselves.

CASS: Hey, I seem to remember that I was the instigator that first time after we got out of prison.

ELIZABETH: "The Instigator."

CASS: Oh shut up.

SFX: kissing.

ELIZABETH: You should know I had extremely specific goals and expectations when I came back over here a minute ago.

CASS: Mmm, so did I.

SFX: kissing. A comm beeps. Elizabeth groans. Comm opens.

RAVI: (over comms) Captain Farren, um, I've been trying to raise the Director but her comm's turned off. I don't suppose you've seen her?

ELIZABETH: (whispering) Tell him I'm not here.

CASS: Oh... I'm– I’m not sure, I um--

RAVI: (over comms) She has a briefing from the Greenhouse team concerning irrigation ditches.

ELIZABETH: (whispering) I'm definitely not here. I'm sick. I've got an alien parasite. Tell him that.

CASS: (whispering) I'm not telling him that!

RAVI: (over comms) What was that Captain?

CASS: Ah... nothing.. air filters. We'll have to call yo- I mean- I'll have to call you back... if I see her that is. Farren out.

SFX: beeps and the comm turns off.

ELIZABETH: Very smooth.

SFX: Cass groans.

ELIZABETH: Pretty sure he bought it.

CASS: You are incorrigible.

ELIZABETH: Yeah I am.

CASS: You know you're supposed to be running this place.

ELIZABETH: I am. We're in the middle of a very important morale meeting slash anatomical examination. Your attendance is mandatory.

SFX: kissing. Fade out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: chatter and ambient beeps of the Avalon Ops Deck. A door whooshes open.

RAVI: Director. Captain.

ELIZABETH: Mister Ravi.

CASS: Sorry we're late.

RAVI: I'm sure.

ELIZABETH: What have we got?

RAVI: Assembly is proceeding on schedule with the four components. We expect to have the return gate up and running within the week.

CASS: Hard to believe we'll actually be able to go home. I suspect there will be a large amount of paperwork in your immediate future.

ELIZABETH: Ugh, don't remind me. At least we can get fresh personnel, everyone here deserves the break. But there'll still be a lot to do managing a supply line from the Greenhouse back to Tantalus.

RAVI: Yes ma'am. We have dozens of silos of food down there already processed and ready to start loading once the Gate is open.

ELIZABETH: Not to mention most of this nebula is still unexplored, maybe now we can finally--

SFX: urgent beeping. Music starts playing.

BANKOLE: LIDAR hit ma'am. From one of our perimeter satellites beyond the edge of the system.

ELIZABETH: What is it?

BANKOLE: Three mobile contacts, large cross-section. Resolving.

SFX: telemetry beeping. A harsh double beep. A quiet alarm blares.

RAVI: Oh my god.

BANKOLE: Profile confirmed. They're Advari Lightships.

CASS: Condition Two. Inform the fleet.

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

NARRATOR: The Sojourn, Season One Episode Eleven: Observer Effect 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 Kaufmann as Lieutenant Commander Jasper Ravi, Matt Surges as Commander Lewis Harper, Tarek Esaw as Ensign Arin Bankole, and Special Guest Stars Jimmy Lockett as Vice Admiral Winston Redfield, Angela Tran as Captain Maxine Blake, Pam Kearns as Captain Bridget Volkova, and Martin Roach as Captain Omar Maalsuwda..

SFX: Theme music continues.

- Scene Change -

SFX: shouting and yelling. A quiet ping.

ELIZABETH: Your attention please.

SFX: shouting continues.

ELIZABETH: Your attention, please!

SFX: shouting continues.

REDFIELD: SILENCE!

SFX: shouting slowly stops.

REDFIELD: The Director is speaking. It would avail you all to listen.

ELIZABETH: Thank you, Admiral Redfield. As the captains and executive officers of every ship in the fleet, military and civilian, you have been brought here to discuss our next steps. By now you are no doubt aware that three Advari Lightships have been spotted en route from the closest conduit beyond the edge of this system. We have confirmed that they are on a direct heading for our position and they will reach us in five days.

SFX: murmuring. A quiet ping.

CPT LABELLE: Ma'am.

SFX: murmuring stops.

RAVI: Captain Felix LaBelle of the Liner Kestrel.

ELIZABETH: Yes, captain?

CPT LABELLE: How did they find us?

SFX: a fist banging a table, a chair rattles.

CPT DARNICK: It's him! That alien bastard told 'em where we are.

RAVI: Captain Lucas Darnick, Union Warship Hotstepper.

VADRIC: I assure you, I did not.

MEDS: Vadric didn't do a damn thing. Now shut up and pay attention.

CPT DARNICK: Don't talk back to me hisa, I had friends on the Abigail. What is this traitor even doing here?

MAALSUWDA: Darnick, sit down.

CPT DARNICK: Yes, sir.

SFX: murmuring and fabric rustling. A quiet ping.

RAVI: Captain Omar Maalsuwda, Union Warship Rodrigo.

MAALSUWDA: Melari is the Guinevere's Quartermaster, she has every right to be here, and every second we waste bickering those ships get closer.

CASS: To answer your question, Captain LaBelle, we can't say for sure how they found us. It's possible they were able to track our course back from the minefield attack somehow.

REDFIELD: It hardly matters now. They are here, and a decision needs to be made. With the crews working double duty, the return gate can be assembled and aligned to Tantalus before the Advari reach us. But it'll be a close run thing.

SFX: murmuring. A quiet ping.

RAVI: Captain Keagan Quintero of the Freighter Belladonna.

CPT QUINTERO: Perhaps this is a foolish question but… is there any way we can fight them off?

VADRIC: There is not.

SFX: more murmuring.

REDFIELD: With the full strength of our force at the minefield I was only able to slow one of these ships down, and even that was only because we had the freedom to maintain a long-distance engagement. With the return gate here and our infrastructure down on the Greenhouse, we're essentially backed against a wall.

SFX: a quiet ping.

RAVI: Captain Nikau'o Kovacs of the Fuel Tanker Sunbeam.

CPT KOVACS: The Avalon is a mobile platform. Couldn't we just load up the return gate? Relocate to another part of the nebula?

ELIZABETH: Unfortunately there's no way we could dismantle and load up the gate in time. And even if we could, we only have two Gatehaulers and one of them took a beating at the minefield.

CASS: Even if we did relocate, we have no reason to think they wouldn't just find us again. Besides, the return gate may not be able to connect back to Tantalus from deeper inside the nebula.

SFX: murmuring. A quiet ping.

RAVI: Commander Lewis Harper, Executive Officer, CSV Shabayev.

HARPER: If we're able to get the gate online in time, could we send word to Tantalus for reinforcements?

REDFIELD: Even if we knew they'd get that message immediately, there's simply no way a force could be assembled in time. And even if it were possible, we still don't fully understand the strength of these Advari vessels. Even a full flotilla might be outmatched.

SFX: a quiet ping.

RAVI: Captain Maxine Blake of the Merician Treasure Ship Friendly Expedience.

SFX: a chair squeaks.

CPT BLAKE: The way I see it, we've only got one option. We've got to run. Pack up as much of the food as we can carry and jump back to Tantalus before they get here.

ELIZABETH: This nebula is the most important discovery in human history. There's so much about this place I still don't understand but… it- it's important, I know it.

SFX: a quiet ping.

RAVI: Captain Rachel Weisheimer of the science vessel Siochana.

CPT WEISHEIMER: I must concur with the Director. The scientific potential here is far too significant to abandon. Not to mention even a fully loaded shipment of food with our current haulage capacity would barely improve the situation back in Tantalus. With careful subsistence planning it would only buy the cluster two or three weeks, maximum.

CPT LABELLE: That is better than nothing, isn’t it? And I agree with Captain Blake, there is no alternative.

CPT KOVACS: Agreed. Tantalus gets nothing if we all die out here.

SFX: murmuring.

CASS: They're right, Elizabeth. I know it's the last thing you want, but we don't have a choice. We have to go.

ELIZABETH: Yeah... I know.

CPT BLAKE: Kay, well. We have some of the largest ships ever built here. Between the Avalon, our two treasure ships and the two Gatehaulers, we can load up 90 percent of our current food stock from the Greenhouse, about 110 megatons.

RAVI: If I may, Captain. It might be wiser to use one of the treasure ships to load a huge quantity of topsoil, harvested from the Greenhouse.

CPT BLAKE: You want us to use a quarter of our haulage space for soil? Are you mad?

CPT WEISHEIMER: Actually Captain, that's not a bad idea. It's not just a lack of foodstuffs that is maintaining the famine in Tantalus. Overdevelopment has created a shortage of phosphorus and fertile soil, making growing food even more difficult. But the soil on the Greenhouse is extraordinarily rich, even just this much would be invaluable back in Tantalus, far more so than a shipload of food. It would actually improve our natural crop production rather than just mitigating the problem for a short time.

ELIZABETH: Good call, Ravi.

HARPER: Transiting the entire fleet through the gate will take hours, we can only send through one or two ships at a time. Even if the gate is online when we expect, we'll be cutting it very close.

CASS: We need to slow the Advari down.

ELIZABETH: Any ideas? I'll take anything at this point.

MAALSUWDA: Between the Guinevere, Hotstepper, and Tserekai we have three fast attack ships. We may be able to bushwhack the Advari at the edge of the system, damage their sails enough to buy us some time. It's risky, but it's proven effective before.

REDFIELD: It could work, with the Shabayev and the Rodrigo held back to support at range and protect the civilians. Their fliers are a concern however.

MEDS: I think I have an idea for that. The Avalon finally has a full inventory of supply drones again, and there's still a cargo bay full of fertilizer in the lower service ring.

ELIZABETH: You want to do what Favara did? Improvised explosives?

MEDS: Without too much work we should be able to throw together a few dozen makeshift mines, give their fliers something to worry about.

ELIZABETH: I love it.

CASS: There's one thing we haven't addressed here. If we all escape from this nebula, we'll be leaving behind a return gate leading straight to Tantalus. There'd be nothing stopping the Advari from following us through.

VADRIC: I am unsure why my people would wish to travel to your homeland. Most refuse to accept its very existence. But words I overheard at the Aegis have given me pause.

MAALSUWDA: We can't take the risk. The Frontier Union has suffered enough in the last few decades. I will not leave my people at the mercy of the Advari. We have to destroy the return gate after transit.

HARPER: It could be done with remote detonation codes or a timed trigger, but that's heavy duty engineering. We'd need a nuclear explosion.

ELIZABETH: Nuclear weapons are strictly controlled under the Cape Thornwood Mandate. We don't have anything like that.

CASS: We'd have to use a ship's fusion reactor, rigged to overload.

SFX: murmuring. A quiet ping, more murmuring. A second quiet ping.

VOLKOVA: May I speak?

RAVI: Captain Bridget Volkova of the Triumph.

SFX: fabric creaking.

VOLKOVA: Director Ancelet. I would like to volunteer the Triumph's reactor for this task.

ELIZABETH: Captain Volkova, are you sure?

VOLKOVA: We were never supposed to be here, and the Triumph would only be a burden during the escape. My crew could be easily transferred to another ship.

CPT LABELLE: There is space aboard the Kestrel, I would be happy to take your crew aboard.

VOLKOVA: Thank you. But, Director, I'd like to ask a favour in return.

ELIZABETH: Of course, what is it?

VOLKOVA: Foreman Sedgewick has been working as a punitive labourer on the Greenhouse. I'd like him to be brought aboard the Kestrel with myself and my crew to face trial back in Tantalus.

ELIZABETH: Of course. If Captain LaBelle approves we can arrange that right away.

CPT LABELLE: Mmm, that’s quite acceptable.

VOLKOVA: Thank you both.

MAALSUWDA: It's starting to sound like we have the makings of a plan here.

CPT QUINTERO: Uh…. Can I ask a question?

SFX: chair rolling. Head scratching.

ELIZABETH: Of course.

CPT QUINTERO: There are military people in the room, and people who've fought these Advari before. I want to ask what the rest of us are all thinking. Do we have… any chance at all here? Truly?

SFX: creaking, sniffling, a cough. Fabric creaking.

REDFIELD: Truly? I don't know.

SFX: quiet, uncomfortable chair creaking.

ELIZABETH: We can begin evacuating the Greenhouse and loading food and topsoil into the ships immediately. Captain Farren will take the lead on the specific battle plan with Admiral Redfield and Captain Maalsuwda. We'll reconvene for that at 1900 hours. Until then, I'm certain you all have a lot to do. Good luck everyone, let's go to it.

- Scene Change -

SFX: melancholy music plays.

CASS: Ship's log Guinevere, supplemental. 159th of Equinox, 305 PCU. The Advari fleet will enter the inner system in twenty-two hours. We've spent the last four days preparing a defence and evacuation plan. My plan. They all look at me like I know what I'm doing. And every moment it's all I can do not to panic. They deserve better than me.

SFX: melancholy music swells, then fades out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: glasses and cutlery clinking, quiet murmuring.

MEDS: You think we get to live through this one?

CROFT: Ah yeah we'll be fine. You and me have got out of tougher situations than this.

MEDS: I'm pretty sure we haven't.

CROFT: Yeah fair play, we definitely haven't.

SFX: quiet background chatter.

MEDS: Well, I doubt we're gonna get a better time to open that bottle.

SFX: plastic crinkling.

CROFT: What bottle?

MEDS: This one. Compliments of that bartender back on Gatehouse Station.

CROFT: Oh man I totally forgot about that!

MEDS: I don't know how the hell this is still unopened. We don't have anything like that kind of restraint.

CROFT: I know right! We didn't even drink it after that time we had to crawl through cow shit!

MEDS: Yech, don't remind me.

CROFT: Alright but we better go easy on this. I gotta fly a spaceship and fight aliens tomorrow.

MEDS: How's this. We'll drink half and then finish the rest after we kick their asses and get out of here.

CROFT: You got a deal.

SFX: bottle cork pops, liquid pours.

CROFT: Fair winds.

MEDS: Fair winds.

SFX: glasses clink. Drinking, glasses slam. A door whooshes open.

CASS: Hey guys.

CROFT: G’day Skip. Pull up a pew.

CASS: Thanks.

SFX: chair scrapes on floor.

MEDS: How's the planning coming?

CASS: It's done. Everyone's just finishing their prep and loading up food anywhere there's space. They even drained out the Sunbeam's fuel haulage tanks and filled them with dehydrated produce.

CROFT: Damn.

CASS: Nothing left to do now but… wait.

MEDS: Always the worst part.

SFX: quiet music starts.

CASS: You know guys. You didn't sign up for any of this. We're privateers. We came out here for what looked like a comfy job and an easy paycheck. Now that gate is going to be open before they get here, and I have a duty of care to you both before anything else. I'd understand if you'd rather we made a run for it. This isn't your fight.

MEDS: Come on, Cass, we both know you couldn't do that if you wanted to. Just abandon them all here, and Elizabeth? Even if you could, you'd never be able to live with it. I don't think I could either.

CROFT: Me neither. These are good people. I'm making it my fight.

CASS: Alright. Thanks guys. I just had to ask.

MEDS: Mhm. We know.

SFX: glass clinking. Liquid pouring.

CASS: Here's to us then.

ALL: Fair winds.

SFX: glasses clink. Music swells, then fades out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: door comm beeps, then whooshes open. Ambient Avalon murmurs and beeps.

RAVI: Director. With your permission, I'll dismiss the Capstan shift for the night. Looks like everyone's heading down to the bar.

ELIZABETH: Good, permission granted. You get down there and join them. Have fun.

RAVI: Actually I was going to take the night watch, keep an eye on things, just in case-

ELIZABETH: We're fine, Ravi. They're not here yet. Go and enjoy yourself while you have the chance. That's an order.

RAVI: Yes ma'am. What about you?

ELIZABETH: I'm staying here. I'm backing up the pulsar data and putting hard copies on every ship, gathering as much as I can while we're still here. There's something important about it, I just... can't quite figure it out yet.

RAVI: Very well. Goodnight ma'am.

SFX: door whooshes open. Typing.

ELIZABETH: Goodnight Ravi.

- Scene Change -

SFX: quiet, mellow fiddle music plays. A door whooshes open.

VADRIC: Captain Farren.

CASS: Hey Vadric!

VADRIC: I have observed that many of the crew were coming here to consume harmful beverages in anticipation of their demise.

CASS: Yep! You want one?

SFX: glass slides on wood, glasses clink.

VADRIC: Thank you, I shall.

SFX: a door whooshes open. Footsteps

RAVI: Captain Farren.

CASS: Hey Ravi, you want to join us?

RAVI: No Captain, that's quite alright.

SFX: Cass grunts sadly.

VADRIC: I have noticed a strange animosity between yourself and the Lieutenant Commander.

CASS: Yeah, me too, Vadric. I wish I knew why.

SFX: bottles open, fizzy beverage pours.

VADRIC: May I discuss a personal matter with you, Captain Farren?

CASS: Of course, Vadric.

VADRIC: I have been... troubled. Since we returned from the Aegis of Invia. I fear I have done great harm in my life. A weapon in service to an ignoble cause. I do cherish the words of my people's Faith. The kindness and communion of purpose they speak of. But since learning of your people, I have come to question their application. Many Advari have been sacrificed at my hand. More than I can recall. Now I fear their lives were ended for no reason. And it is... difficult to bear.

CASS: I think I know what you mean. Maybe more than most.

VADRIC: How does one learn to... absolve one's self?

SFX: fabric rustling.

CASS: I'm sorry, Vadric, but you don't. What's done is done, and it'll stay with you. It has to, or else they really did die for nothing. You don't get to forgive yourself. You can learn to bear it, but it won't get easier, nor should it. But you're still here. You can still work for something better. It won't wash away your mistakes, but it will help others.

VADRIC: I understand.

- Scene Change -

SFX: chatter increases, fiddle music gets a bit more lively. Glasses clink together.

MEDS: Captain Maalsuwda.

MAALSUWDA: Tamara! Sit, sit.

MEDS: Managed to find some Komusār. The bartender said it was earmarked for the captain of the Hotstepper but that guy's an ass so we're drinking it.

MAALSUWDA: Yes he is, I apologize for that.

SFX: liquid pours.

MEDS: Eh, I'm used to it.

MAALSUWDA: Ūnan romin.

MEDS: Ūnan romin.

SFX: glasses put on table.

MEDS: Gotta say, you seem a lot more cheerful than most of the people in this room. You know something I don't?

MAALSUWDA: Ahh. Sure maybe we're all going to die tomorrow, but we're all going to die at some point. Why not now?

MEDS: I can't imagine your husbands would love that perspective.

MAALSUWDA: Oh, they would not. But at least I wouldn't be around to hear the scolding for getting myself killed out here. Anyway, look around you. There are far worse ways to die. Unioners, Centrans, Mericians. Eggheads and Cattle Rustlers and Privateers. All standing shoulder to shoulder. Never thought I'd see the day.

MEDS: Yep. All it took was mass starvation, a magic nebula, murderous aliens, and near-certainty of death. Good for us.

MAALSUWDA: Hah!

SFX: liquid pours.

MAALSUWDA: So what are you doing when you get back to Tantalus?

MEDS: Eh, I'm not a plan-ahead kind of person. Just keep on keeping on. You?

MAALSUWDA: I think I'll take my husbands to Centrum. After ten years of war I dare say that planet owes me a holiday. I may try fishing.

MEDS: I'll drink to that.

SFX: Maalsuwda laughs. Glasses clink together.

- Scene Change -

SFX: a muffled fiddle is playing a light jig. A door opens. A man coughs, glass bottles fall over.

DRUNK CREWMAN: Oh... Admiral Redfield sir! I didn't expec- I didn't know you were here sir.

REDFIELD: I'm out of uniform, sailor. No need to salute.

DRUNK CREWMAN: Ah yes sir. Sorry sir.

REDFIELD: You may want to skip the next round, I think you've had enough.

SFX: thumping, another bottle falls over.

DRUNK CREWMAN: Yes sir... I will sir... it's just...

REDFIELD: Yes?

DRUNK CREWMAN: I'm scared, sir.

REDFIELD: Me too, son. But all I can ask of any man is what that man can deliver. I trust you all to do your jobs the best you can, and together we'll carry the day.

DRUNK CREWMAN: Yes, sir.

REDFIELD: Go get some rest, sailor. You'll need it.

DRUNK CREWMAN: Right away, sir.

SFX: unsteady footsteps. Two slaps on a door button with negative beeps, before a final slap opens the door. Footsteps.

CASS: Admiral.

REDFIELD: Captain Farren. I hope you're well.

CASS: Thanks. Gotta say I didn't recognize you for a minute there without the uniform.

SFX: fabric rustling.

REDFIELD: Yes, this sort of socialization with the troops is... new to me.

CASS: Yeah, I was the same when I served. Inscrutable dignity in the eyes of one's crew. "A Captain must never suffer themselves to be a person." One of my father's favourite lectures.

SFX: footsteps, fabric rustling.

REDFIELD: Yes. It was.

SFX: liquid moving in a glass.

CASS: I've found I quite like being a person.

REDFIELD: Captain… I must apologize. I have... misled you. And everyone here. I'm afraid… my wartime service was not nearly as illustrious as I have allowed others to believe. Through most of the war… I… coordinated military logistics around Keepers Dance Fleet Yards. Far behind the lines. I saw some action now and then, but most of my time was spent finding ways to shorten supply lines or meet fulfillment demands or tighten deployment schedules. I… was a middle-manager. A bureaucrat. I never held the breach over Axius. I never served with Commodore Hawker. In fact, I only met her twice, if you can even call it that. Both times I sat at the far side of a wardroom table from her, while I recorded your father's briefing notes. If she were alive today, I doubt she'd even remember my name.

CASS: But... you were at Atamara. They gave you the Order of Whitecourt, it's in your service record.

REDFIELD: By the time my ships arrived the battle was practically over. They pinned medals on our chests just for having been there. I'm a fraud, Captain. I never endured what you endured. Never made a difference. I never mattered.

SFX: muffled fiddle music continues.

CASS: I think you did endure what I endured, Admiral. You let that man warp your sense of worth and blind you to your own merits. Ariana Hawker, or anybody else, wouldn't have had a single torpedo to fire without you managing that shipyard. And since you've been with us out here, this expedition has been running like clockwork. Hell, you pulled our Gatehauler out of that minefield against all odds without losing a single ship. We actually have a chance of getting home because of you. You do matter. You always have.

- Scene Change -

SFX: lively exciting fiddle music plays. Whooping. A glass breaks.

CROFT: Alright alright, I'm hearing twenty five Clarion and half a bottle of Dogwatch Gin on Vadric. Any increase on that?

PATRON: I’ll take one in love, thanks. ??????

VADRIC: This is... a game of some kind? An exercise of strength?

MEDS: Yeah, it's an arm wrestle. We each keep an elbow on the table and try to push the other's hand down with just the strength of our arms.

VADRIC: I see. And this precipitates great excitement?

CROFT: Thank you Private Barkov, that's twenty Clarion on Vadric!

MEDS: Seems like it.

HARPER: Give me thirty-five on Meds!

CROFT: Thank you Commander Harper and that's no further bets, no further bets! Everyone step back from the table please.

SFX: people groan, shuffling.

MEDS: You ready?

SFX: thump on table.

VADRIC: Indeed.

SFX: fiddle music stops. People rhythmically thump the table, knock glasses.

CROFT: And three, two, one. Go!

SFX: fiddle music resumes. People cheer. Someone exhales heavily.

HARPER: Come on Meds!

SFX: Vadric grunts. A loud crash. Cheering and general noisemaking.

CROFT: Ayyy and Meds takes it!

VADRIC: You are indeed formidable.

MEDS: Damn straight.

CROFT: Alright alright everyone clear off, you've had your fun.

SFX: cheering settles and moves away.

CROFT: Vaddy, you're breaking my heart, mate. I had my best spatula down on you winning that.

VADRIC: My apologies. I mourn the loss of your spatula.

MEDS: Gone but not forgotten.

CROFT: So Vadric, you looking forward to seeing Tantalus? It's a bit of a mess right now but it's got a lot of good stuff. Lots of planets and uh... asteroids and uh… pubs! Lots of pubs. Those are the good bit.

MEDS: You missed your calling as a travel agent.

VADRIC: I am unsure. I have... no concept of such a place as your Tantalus Cluster. I fear… I will not be welcome.

CROFT: Don't worry about that mate, you'll be safe with us. We'll always have a place for you.

VADRIC: I… Thank you for your kindness.

- Scene Change -

SFX: slow but energetic fiddle music plays.

RAVI: Capstan ale, thanks.

SFX: a bottle is opened.

RAVI: So anyway, he comes up to me and he says, “Where’s your uniform?” and I say—

BANKOLE: Wait wait, you mean Professor Kulkarni?

RAVI: Yeah! From Applied Astronavigation.

BANKOLE: I had him in second year! He was so intense.

RAVI: Right? You'd turn up two minutes late and he'd just stare at you like he was trying to… melt you with his… heat vision.

CASS: Hey Ravi.

RAVI: Captain.

BANKOLE: Ah, I'm gonna go talk to... someone. I'll catch up with you later. Good to see you Captain.

SFX: chair sliding on floor, footsteps quickly retreat.

CASS: You too Arin.

RAVI: Captain, I'd prefer to be left alone if you don't mind.

CASS: Ravi, I want to know what's going on with you. What did I do? Y’know, whatever it is, I'm sorry. I'd like to hear about it.

RAVI: I don't see why you're so concerned now, Captain. You certainly weren't when you arrived here.

CASS: What?

RAVI: Don't patronise me, Captain. You decided I didn't have what it takes to be Defence Adjutant the moment you saw me. You never even gave me a chance to prove it.

CASS: I..? Ravi, I never wanted that job. I came here trying to avoid that kind of responsibility.

RAVI: Well you didn't try very hard, did you? I trained for this my whole life, and when I finally had an opportunity to rise to the occasion, you showed up and took it away so you could gallivant around with the Director while I filed the paperwork.

CASS: Ravi, I'm sorry. I… I thought you were glad to be rid of the job. I was- I was trying to protect you.

SFX: fist thumping on table.

RAVI: I didn't need your protection. At least the Admiral saw that. He promoted me because he saw my potential. You just wanted me out of the way.

CASS: Ravi, that's not–

SFX: chair scraping, footsteps.

RAVI: Enjoy your evening, Captain.

SFX: Cass sighs. Music fades out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: creepy pulsar sounds. Typing. A door whooshes open. Footsteps.

CASS: Liz, why are you still up here?

ELIZABETH: I'm sorry Cass, there's something about this pulsar. Its masscon readings are implying its structure is somehow fractal in nature. It's not right.

CASS: Please just come down and have a drink. We might not have another chance.

SFX: pulsar noises stops.

ELIZABETH: I won't have another chance to do this either. I need to get as much data as I can while we're still here.

SFX: lighter clicks repeatedly.

CASS: Liz... Please.

ELIZABETH: Okay. ..Okay yeah. You're right. I'm sorry. Let's go.

- Scene Change -

SFX: fun fiddle music. Chattering and laughter. A door whooshes open.

MEDS: Cass!

CROFT: Skip!

CASS: Look who I found.

ELIZABETH: Hey guys!

CROFT: Ayyy, Boss! C’mere! Got your favourite standing by over here, one Solar Flare, extra bitters.

ELIZABETH: Aw thanks Croft. How is this guy so sweet?

MEDS: I know, right. It's insufferable.

SFX: Cass laughs.

CASS: I'm gonna grab us another round.

SFX: footsteps.

VADRIC: Director Elizabeth. May I speak to you privately for a moment.

ELIZABETH: Of course Vadric, no problem.

SFX: footsteps, a door whooshes open and closed, fiddle music and bar chatter becomes muffled.

ELIZABETH: What is it?

VADRIC: With your permission, Director Elizabeth. I wish to... leave. To remain in the Sanctum when you return to your homeland.

ELIZABETH: Oh. If you're worried about how you'll be treated, I promise I won't let them… stick needles in your eyes or anything.

SFX: mysterious, sad music plays.

VADRIC: No, it is not that. I have learnt much from you, about the true nature of our universe. But with that truth has come great shame for my past misdeeds, and I do not know what place remains for one such as I. But there is one whom I love dearly, and I fear she is in danger. I must go to her.

ELIZABETH: I'll be sorry to see you go, Vadric. Meeting you and learning from you… has been an incredible experience. I'll never forget it.

VADRIC: Then… you will allow me to depart?

ELIZABETH: Yeah. Yeah Vadric, I will. They'll probably shit-can me as soon as we get home for letting the greatest scientific resource in human history just wander off to see his girlfriend, but whatever. When will you go?

VADRIC: I hoped to take my flier and depart now, while the others are occupied with their recreations. The pilot and physician have expressed excitement for me to return with them to your Tantalus Cluster, and I do not wish to hurt them with the truth.

ELIZABETH: Okay... Then I guess… this is it.

VADRIC: I am sorry to part ways, Director Elizabeth. I hope we will meet again.

ELIZABETH: Me too Vadric.

SFX: sudden hug.

ELIZABETH: Thank you for everything.

VADRIC: I... You are quite welcome.

ELIZABETH: Go, now while they're distracted. I'll clear it with launch control. Go.

VADRIC: Thank you... farewell.

ELIZABETH: Farewell…

SFX: footsteps.

- Scene Change -

SFX: a door opens. Quiet, romantic music plays. A chair scrapes.

CASS: Whatever happens next, things are gonna be different now.

ELIZABETH: Yeah. They are.

CASS: It probably sounds insane after everything we've gone through, but... I don't want this to end. This place was way easier for me than Tantalus. So far away from everything I've done, so far away from him. And… you were here. In all the quiet moments when we weren't about to die, when it was just you and me, in this new world... It was like a dream.

ELIZABETH: I love you too.

SFX: the women laugh softly.

CASS: I love you.

SFX: romantic music swells, then fades out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: only the Avalon’s whooshing can be heard.

CROFT: What time is it?

ELIZABETH: Four bells.

SFX: quiet clattering of bussing tables in the background

CASS: Not long now.

MAALSUWDA: Last one to Tantalus picks up the bill. Hmm?

REDFIELD: I'll take that bet, Captain.

ELIZABETH: You might change your mind when you see the receipts.

MEDS: This was a good night.

REDFIELD: Yes. It was. Thank you all.

SFX: rustling. Lighter clicks, cigarette lights. Exhale.

ELIZABETH: Seems weird to just pack up now. What are you supposed to do the night before a battle?

CASS: Try to sleep, unsuccessfully.

MAALSUWDA: Sing.

ELIZABETH: I like the sound of that. Anyone know any songs?

SFX: chair creaks.

CROFT: Meds?

MEDS: Yeah... Yeah, I do.

SFX: chair creaks, footsteps. Mic stand is dragged across a floor, tapping on mic.

MEDS: (singing) From through the quiet night, came she, the Grey Stablemaid.
To lands where few had walked, we exiled she bore.

SFX: orchestral musical accompaniment comes in.

Your sins I now requite, spoke she, the Grey Stablemaid.
In cold and bitter lands, she cast us ashore.

Cruel winds and frigid rain, brook no rest nor comfort,
Sharp stone, beneath our feet, fights not to be tamed but she
turns her head, hides her eyes,
chooses not to see.

Far through the quiet night, roams she, the Grey Stablemaid.
Her children long forsworn, to stone and to tide.
Remembered will you be, rooked she, the Grey Stablemaid.
In cold and bitter lands, we exiled abide.

SFX: foreboding Lightship droning. Advari dulcimer music plays.

SFX: The Sojourn Ending Theme plays.

NARRATOR: You have been listening to The Sojourn, Season One Episode Eleven: Observer Effect, 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 Jordan Andrew, with additional voices by David John Bores, Matthew Vanston, Joe Bianco, Andrew Goulding, Hesham Elshazly, and Lelia Symington. Music by Sam Redfern, including a rearrangement of “Wilderness” by Taylor Davis which is used with the given permission of Taylor Davis representatives. “The Grey Stablemaid” written by Daniel Orrett and performed by Laura Faye Smith. Continue listening for the next episode.