Season One Episode Twelve - Forlorn Hope

SFX: a drone and computer telemetry beeps. A comm rings.

CAPTAIN DARNICK: (over comms) Guinevere, Hotstepper. Hostile mark is port, ten-high, range four-seven-hundred. Maintaining minimal power emissions. How copy?

SFX: a chair creaks, comm button clicks open.

CASS: Good copy Hotstepper. They'll pass by us first. Wait to make your attack until after we've started running.

CAPTAIN DARNICK: (over comms) Hotstepper confirms.

CASS: Meds, copy to the Tserekai.

SFX: a comm rings, then opens.

MEDS: Gawun, ja‘an-marakānduno sahimaki mi-ūnin. Randjo neren setsere, aichashi.

TSEREKAI CAPTAIN: (over comms) ‘an-Tselekai shirēn.

SFX: the music becomes tense and exciting. Another comm rings.

CAPTAIN WEISHEIMER: (over comms, interference) Guinevere, Siochana here. We're keeping our distance and flooding the area with wide-spectrum interference, hopefully they won't spot you until it’s too late.

CASS: Copy Siochana, appreciate it.

SFX: hydraulics as a chair turns

CROFT: Lightship is at twenty-two hundred kilometers Skip, gonna pass right by us.

CASS: Where are the other two?

MEDS: About seven-hundred-fifty kilometers behind, we shouldn't have to worry about them just yet.

CASS: Yeah. Let's just see how much we can hurt one of these things. Croft, load all four of our flechette torpedoes and double-shot the coilgun with canister rounds. Prepare a firing solution and aim for the sails on the port side, time-on-target.

SFX: buttons and switches click.

CROFT: Time-on-target, got it.

CASS: Wait for my mark.

SFX: whirring and mechanical spooling up sounds. A steady beep.

MEDS: Target acquired, tone and lock. Point blank range in 4, 3, 2-

CASS: Let 'em have it.

SFX: exciting music starts, four muffled torpedoes, two quick mechanical coilgun shots. Then two quick explosions. A positive beep.

MEDS: Direct hit, good effect on target.

SFX: a klaxon blares.

CROFT: They see us. I don't think they liked that, they've opened fire.

SFX: more alarms blare, the music is tense.

CASS: Heat her up Croft and get us out of here, max trim.

CROFT: I'm on it Skip, already on our way out.

SFX: engine fires, chairs rattle.

MEDS: Lightship appears to have lost some acceleration capacity, her turn rate has slowed.

CASS: Hotstepper, Tserekai. This is Guinevere. We've got their attention, begin your attack. Target starboard sails, recommend you fire at minimum effective range, good luck.

CAPTAIN DARNICK: (over comms) On it, Guinevere.

MEDS: Ja‘an-Tserekai, neren chashi. Chafo’iteni mi’an-fayaxai-ka’an burea-inyur-niran

TSEREKAI CAPTAIN: (over comms) Nelen seshi.

SFX: a quiet alarm.

CROFT: Lightship is lining up on us, I'm going evasive. Everybody hold on!

SFX: the distinctive screeching of the Advari Lightship gun warms up, then fires.

MEDS: Clean miss. We're out of their effective range.

CASS: Well done Croft.

SFX: a positive beep, telemetry sounds.

MEDS: Hotstepper and Tserekai have completed their run, consistent hits, the Lightship has lost almost all speed, and her weapons power seems to be severely weakened too.

CASS: Hotstepper, Tserekai, you've done everything you can, step on it back to the Avalon. Siochana, you make a break for it too.

CAPTAIN DARNICK: (over comms) Yeah, already underway.

TSEREKAI CAPTAIN: (over comms) Sho yakin man-Tselekai. Djen-hoi seīro.

SFX: rattling and engine sounds.

CAPTAIN WEISHEIMER: (over comms) Guinevere, Siochana here. We've got a malfunction in the reactor control, main engines are spooling down!

MEDS: They're still on the edge of Advari weapons range, they're not gonna get clear in time.

CASS: Croft, get us back there.

SFX: hydraulics as a chair turns.

MEDS: Cass, there's no way we could evac them in time. If we turn back, we're dead.

SFX: the ship rattles.

CASS: Belay my last Croft. Hold your course.

CROFT: I- Copy that Skip.

SFX: a comm rings, a warning alarm can be heard through the comm.

CAPTAIN WEISHEIMER: (over comms) Guinevere, Siochana, we've lost propulsion. Th- they're bearing down us. Somebody help us!

CASS: Turn it off.

CAPTAIN WEISHEIMER: (over comms) We need help! Somebod–

SFX: comm clicks off.

CROF: Sorry, Skip I-

CASS: Maintain heading, Croft. Steady as she goes.

SFX: a comm rings, unanswered. Fade out.

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

NARRATOR: The Sojourn, Season One Episode Twelve: Forlorn Hope by Daniel Orrett. Starring Larissa Thompson as Captain Cassandra Farren, Emily Serdahl as Director Elizabeth Ancelet, Laura Faye Smith as Tamara Melari, and Ben Prendergast as Mathias Croft. Also featuring Lelia Symington as Empress Valendra the Sixth, Tim Parker as Lord Cardinal Hastus Arvannis, 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: creepy Advari music plays, then fades out. Musical soft keypad tones.

VALENDRA: What? Where am I?

SFX: bootsteps.

ARVANNIS: Ah, your Eminence. You are awake. I'm afraid it was necessary to render you briefly unconscious to facilitate your exit from the palace. You are aboard a shuttleflier. Please be reassured, we are alone.

VALENDRA: I am far from reassured.

ARVANNIS: Ha, indeed.

SFX: bootsteps. Musical soft keypad tones resume.

VALENDRA: Where are you taking me?

ARVANNIS: We have crossed far beyond the Aegis, soon we will leave the pathways and travel farther still, to a place even they do not reach. Have patience your Eminence. Your questions will be answered.

SFX: a sinister drone fades in, then out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: a serious and melancholy version of the CDF theme plays, then fades out. There’s quiet chatter on the Ops Deck.

BANKOLE: Sir, Hotstepper and Tserekai have returned to the fleet, they're forming up with the Shabayev and Rodrigo.

RAVI: Very good, Ensign.

SFX: a door whooshes open.

ELIZABETH: Cass.

SFX: running footsteps, a fierce hug.

CASS: I lost the Siochana.

ELIZABETH: We saw it. There's nothing you could have done.

CASS: Yeah…

ELIZABETH: The Lightship you ambushed has dropped well behind the others, they seem to have lost most of their power. It doesn't look like they’ll be able to recover in time to reach us so you've given us one less to worry about.

CASS: Good. But they won't fall for that again.

BANKOLE: Return gate crews report the Triumph's reactor has been affixed to the gate and rigged for forced magnetic bottle failure once everyone is clear. Detonation codes have been sent to your terminal, ma'am.

ELIZABETH: Thank you Arin.

RAVI: Director, Captain. The two remaining Lightships are at fifty-five-thousand kilometers, about to enter extreme coilgun range, but we think it'll be another twenty-nine minutes before they're close enough to use their energy weapons.

ELIZABETH: Understood Ravi. Inform Admiral Redfield and Captain Maalsuwda immediately.

RAVI: Yes ma'am.

SFX: a comm rings.

- Scene Change -

SFX: a door whooshes open, comm rings. Bootsteps.

FARADAY: Signal from the Avalon, Admiral.

REDFIELD: Thank you Mister Faraday, I see it. Mister Harper, you may beat to quarters.

HARPER: Aye aye sir.

SFX: a bosun’s whistle plays. Background chatter increases and distant machinery whirrs. Slow, exciting music plays.

HARPER: (into PA) General quarters, general quarters. All hands man your battlestations!

REDFIELD: Bring all starboard batteries to target bearing on the closest Lightship, the sails are our priority target. Signal the Rodrigo, Hotstepper and Tserekai to recommend they do the same. We will maintain continuous long-range withering fire until the enemy is upon us.

HARPER: Sir, the Advari are way beyond effective range. At this distance we're unlikely to score many hits, and we'll burn through a lot of ammo.

REDFIELD: Mister Harper, is there some future engagement for which you intend to save this ammunition?

HARPER: Understood, sir.

SFX: a siren blares.

REDFIELD: Clear for action! Mister Faraday, present for full broadside. All starboard batteries fire as you bear!

SFX: coilguns fire.

- Scene Change -

SFX: background chatter on the Ops Deck is more tense.

CASS: The Shabayev and the Unioners have opened fire.

RAVI: Director, the Return Gate crews are reporting a conduction cycling failure, it'll take them another sixteen minutes to get the gate online.

ELIZABETH: Damn it, that's time we don't have.

SFX: a quiet alarm.

BANKOLE: New contacts ma'am. Advari fliers, count is fifty-four, on fast approach from the Lightships. They'll reach us in thirteen minutes.

ELIZABETH: We still have the improvised mines that Meds came up with.

CASS: That won't stop them all. Ravi, get Farrier and Foxfire flights in the air.

RAVI: Yes ma’am.

SFX: footsteps. Fabric rustles, a wrist comm opens.

CASS: Guinevere, Ops. Heat up the drive, we've got fliers headed our way, I'm coming down to you now.

CROFT: (over comms) Roger that Skip.

SFX: a door whooshes open. Running footsteps

ELIZABETH: Cass! Stay alive out there.

CASS: You too.

- Scene Change -

SFX: mysterious, creepy music plays.

ARVANNIS: We have arrived in the system, Your Eminence. But a few more hours to our destination.

SFX: The pulsar arm swings by. Musical keypad tones.

VALENDRA: What.. What is that? In the distance? The star... is it... spinning?

ARVANNIS: Yes. A strange sight, is it not? You will see it far closer soon enough. You are blessed. Only a few of us have walked here since long before memory.

VALENDRA: Wait... is this what you spoke of? The Wheel? A- a great wheel in the sky?

ARVANNIS: Hah. You are sharper than your predecessors. You have a keen mind, it was your weakness as Empress. A powerful tool for a real leader, less so for the mere image of one.

VALENDRA: If I was truly as powerless as you claim, then why the façade at all? If nothing I do matters, wh- why keep me on the throne?

SFX: musical keypads. Deep whirring, a couple footsteps.

ARVANNIS: The weak mind is forever in search of conformity. Of structure and formula. A grand system maintained by minds greater than their own, from which they can derive comfort and security, and avoid the tiresome burden of thinking for themselves.

SFX: fabric rustling.

ARVANNIS: Faith is the greatest tool of conformity ever devised, conformity without reason, without even the need or desire to understand why. It was never necessary for you to do anything. You are their divine leader, anointed by Advar himself, and they will plow their fields and dig their mines and forfeit their lives in your name, regardless of whether you wish it, whether you ask it or whether you deserve it. And conform they must. The Harmony must never be broken. Would that we could show them all why. But you will understand soon enough.

SFX: the pulsar swings by.

- Scene Change -

SFX: a quiet, tense synth heartbeat. Fingers drum on a surface.

CASS: Croft, range check.

SFX: switches click.

CROFT: Fifteen-thousand kilometers, Skip. Those fliers are coming our way fast. Hope those mines of yours do the business Meds.

MEDS: So do I.

SFX: a comm rings.

REDFIELD: (over comm) All callsigns, this is Shabayev Actual. Be advised, hostile bandits at nine-seven mark zero-three, count five-four, speed one-ten KM/S. Remain clear until…

SFX: the sound warps, static, a rising drone, intense breathing. The noise suddenly cuts out, except for the synth heartbeat.

CASS: Meds, what the hell am I doing here? It's happening again. The Siochana, I left them to die out there, I-

MEDS: No. Cass, we need you here. We all do. You gotta keep it together.

SFX: synth heartbeat.

CASS: ...Alright.

MEDS: I'm right with you. I am right here.

SFX: Cass’ breathing steadies as the heartbeat fades out.

CASS: I’m alright. I'm alright.

SFX: a button clicks the comm open.

CASS: Solid copy, Shabayev Actual, Guinevere is standing by.

- Scene Change -

SFX: background chatter.

HARPER: Avalon's fighters are in intercept posture sir.

REDFIELD: Time we did the same. Launch all fighters and longboats, staggered defensive line.

HARPER: Very good sir.

SFX: slow alarm. Fighters whizzing by as they are launched.

FARADAY: Admiral, enemy fliers at fifteen-hundred kilometers, they're about to reach the improvised mines.

HARPER: Proximity detonations in three, two…

SFX: many distant explosions, computer chirps as fliers are destroyed.

HARPER: All detonations confirmed.

REDFIELD: Report, Mister Faraday.

FARADAY: Scratch thirty-seven bandits. Seventeen still coming our way, they're headed for the Avalon and the civilian ships.

HARPER: The mines worked better than expected sir. Our fighters can easily mop up the rest before they get too close.

REDFIELD: All strike craft this is Shabayev Actual, target at your discretion, intercept and destroy. Mister Harper, signal the Guinevere to assist.

SFX: insistent alarm. Chatter increases. Music begins.

FARADAY: Vampire! Vampire! Vampire! Fast-movers, three-high, bearing nine-four mark one-six. They're being fired from the Lightships sir.

HARPER: Missiles. That's new.

FARADAY: I count ninety-four... scratch that, one-hundred-thirty-six inbound sir. Sir, they appear to be launching continuously.

HARPER: You mean–

REDFIELD: We know the Lightships are able to manufacture fliers in combat. It stands to reason they could fabricate missiles even more rapidly.

HARPER: That's not good.

REDFIELD: Redeploy fighters and longboats for point defence, signal the Guinevere, Hotstepper and Tserekai to switch to swivel guns and keep those missiles away from the civilians.

HARPER: Sir, we could be looking at a continuous barrage of missiles here. Their swivel gun ammo won't last long.

REDFIELD: Get the Avalon on the horn.

HARPER: Right away sir.

SFX: a comm rings.

- Scene Change -

SFX: a comm opens. Increased background chatter.

ELIZABETH: Avalon here, go ahead Admiral.

REDFIELD: (over comms) Director, we have reason to assume the Advari can maintain this missile barrage indefinitely. We won't be able to protect the civilians for long. What is the status of the return gate?

ELIZABETH: The cycling malfunction has been repaired. Gate crew reports we'll be able to begin transits in two minutes. The first civilian ships are already in a holding pattern. They'll begin jumping as soon as the gate is online.

REDFIELD: (over comms) Copy that, Director. We'll do what we can from here. Shabayev out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: creepy mysterious music resumes, then fades out. The pulsar arm swings by.

ARVANNIS: Tell me, your Eminence. Are you afraid?

VALENDRA: The truth is a foolish thing to fear.

ARVANNIS: Hah. Do you see those lights in the distance?

VALENDRA: Yes. What is that?

SFX: footsteps. Musical keypad tones.

ARVANNIS: At this moment, three of our holy Lightships are confronting the Outsiders in battle. Soon enough, the gravest threat The Harmony has ever faced will be vanquished. And the word of scripture will be restored.

VALENDRA: But the word of scripture is broken. Even if you destroy them now, you must accept there is life beyond the Sanctum. We are not alone.

ARVANNIS: You are a fool to see no distinction between the word of a God and the words of his Church.

- Scene Change -

SFX: slow, tense music fades in. Background chatter is quiet and intense. A distant explosion and cheering as an incoming missile is destroyed.

ELIZABETH: Ravi are we ready?

RAVI: Return gate is online and aligned to Tantalus, Director! The first Gatehauler is moving to transit.

ELIZABETH: Ah, thank God. Let's get this show on the road, and fast.

RAVI: The capacitors can only handle one or two transits at a time, ma'am. The second Gatehauler and the Winchell Chung are next in the pattern.

BANKOLE: Director. The Advari Lightships will have us within estimated maximum range of their energy weapons in forty-five seconds.

ELIZABETH: Alright we're gonna be under the gun people, literally and figuratively. Inform the damage control teams to stand by. Somebody get down to the infirmary and have a round of stimulants sent to Ops. We've got people who've been at their stations all night up here, and that was the easy part.

SFX: music swells, serious and focused. It fades.

- Scene Change -

SFX: intense chatter and alarms. Battle music plays.

MAALSUWDA: (over comms) Shabayev, Rodrigo. They've got us in range of their main guns now, looks like the first Lightship has sighted in on you Admiral, she's preparing to fire!

REDFIELD: Thank you, Rodrigo. Mister Faraday, helm's a-larboard, take evasive action!

SFX: more alarms, engines roar. The Lightship powers up, then fires. Damage warnings, screams.

HARPER: We're hit! Minor damage amidships and we've got fires in the boat bay.

REDFIELD: Get the DC parties moving! Sharp's the word and quick's the action!

SFX: a fire extinguisher is used.

HARPER: Aye aye sir!

REDFIELD: All ahead flank Mister Faraday! Manoeuver to evade and return fire.

FARADAY: Aye sir, all ahead flank speed!

REDFIELD: Mister Harper, my compliments to the gun decks and they're to load all batteries with canister shot, with a will! Copy to Captain Maalsuwda and have him do the same.

HARPER: Yes, sir!

CAPTAIN DARNICK: (over comm) All ships, Hotstepper. Swivel guns are getting low on ammo over here. There's too many of these damn missiles, we can't get 'em all!

HARPER: Two of our longboats report low ammo too sir. Enemy missiles are starting to get past us, on course for the civilians. We won't be able to hold them back much longer.

REDFIELD: Understood, Mister Harper.

SFX: an alarm blares, cut to silence.

- Scene Change -

SFX: the pulsar swings by. Footsteps.

VALENDRA: If these Outsiders are such a grave threat to your "Harmony," it seems odd that a mere three Lightships have been sent to destroy them. You are Lord Cardinal and Revion Proctor. Surely you could marshal the full force of the Empire against them.

ARVANNIS: Ha! Perhaps I have given your insights too much credit.

SFX: dramatic fabric rustling, slow menacing footsteps.

ARVANNIS: On how many worlds have you walked, Your Majesty?

VALENDRA: ...Only the four inner worlds. I was never permitted beyond the Aegis.

ARVANNIS: Then you have seen all that remains to be seen of our Empire. And even now you see much of what remains of its might brought to bear.

SFX: the pulsar arm swings by.

VALENDRA: What?

ARVANNIS: The Reaches have laid empty for lifetimes beyond counting, Your Majesty. Since before even the Aegis was wrought.

- Scene Change -

SFX: quiet but intense battle music. Chairs rattle, swivel guns fire.

CROFT: Scratch four more missiles, Skip but we're burning through our ammo here, not long before we're down to harsh language.

CASS: Copy that.

MEDS: The Swift Conveyance is through the gate, Cass.

CASS: Good, who's next?

MEDS: The Friendly Expedience and the Belladonna.

SFX: proximity alarm blares.

CROFT: I got a lot of incoming here Skip, and-

SFX: warning alarm sounds.

CASS: What is it?

CROFT: Agh, it's the radiator safeties, we're building up a lot of heat in the swivel guns.

CASS: Override, we can't stop!

SFX: warning alarm stops.

CAPTAIN BLAKE: (over comms) Guinevere, this is the Expedience, we're taking a lot of hits over here. We're losing structural integrity in the engine section.

CASS: Croft, keep us close to the Expedience, don't let anything else get through.

CROFT: On it Skip.

SFX: cranking, engine fires.

CASS: Captain Blake, make your transit as quickly as you can, we've got your back.

MEDS: Fourteen more incoming to the Expedience, bearing two-eight-one mark five-nine.

CROFT: I see ‘em, hang on.

SFX: locking beep sounds. Swivel guns fire, alarms sound, distant explosions.

CAPTAIN QUINTERO: (over comms) Guinevere, this is Belladonna, we've got missiles coming up behind us fast, we won't be ab-ab-ab--

SFX: static and interference.

MEDS: Belladonna is hit, she's lost comms but she's still intact. They won't take another hit like that.

SFX: the ship rattles. Cass sighs in frustration.

CASS: We can't risk the Treasure Ship, she's carrying almost a quarter of the food and topsoil. Stay on her Croft.

CROFT: Aye skip, I got 'em covered.

SFX: tone and lock. More swivel gun fire.

CROFT: Scratch thirteen...fourteen!

CASS: Expedience, Guinevere. You're all clear, Captain!

CAPTAIN BLAKE: (over comms) Thanks Guinevere, we're making our transit now!

CASS: Croft, hard about, get us in range to cover the Belladonna!

SFX: tone and lock. Swivel guns fire. A harsh bleep.

CROFT: One step ahead of you Skip, but I got a problem here.

CASS: What?

CROFT: Port swivel is jammed, mechanical stoppage. And we're out of ammo on the starboard swivel.

MEDS: Expedience has cleared the gate, six more missiles bearing for the Belladonna and fast.

CASS: Clear that stoppage!

CROFT: I'm trying Skip, I can't-

SFX: several distant explosions, followed by another, bigger explosion. A computer beep.

MEDS: We lost the Belladonna.

SFX: silence.

CASS: Head us back to cover the next group.

CROFT: Aye aye Skip.

- Scene Change -

SFX: sparking and crashing. Loud background chatter, an alarm blares.

HARPER: Sir, the Avalon's taken a lot of missile hits, and the second Lightship is bearing down on the Tserekai.

REDFIELD: Tserekai, Shabayev, take emergency evasive to port!

UNION TRANSLATOR: Ja'an-Tserekai sho mi'an-Shaba-yebu, bu-manexai chazeno!

TSEREKAI CAPTAIN: (over comms) Chachele Shaba-yebu, aitocho, in-leo nashān, gaiha ten sho-sho-sho–

SFX: the Lightship powers up, then fires. Static crackles.

HARPER: Tserekai's hit... she's gone, sir.

REDFIELD: Damn it.

MAALSUWDA: (over comms) Shabayev, Rodrigo. I'm tightening formation to fill in for the Tserekai. Recommend we try to coordinate fire on the starboard sails of the closest lightship.

REDFIELD: Copy that Captain, I concur. Hard a-starboard Mister Faraday, zee plus eight hundred meters.

FARADAY: Aye aye sir.

SFX: an insistent alarm.

HARPER: Admiral, gun crews report we're out of canister shot.

REDFIELD: What do we have left Mister Harper?

SFX: several negative beeps.

HARPER: I… ugh… nothing sir. We've used everything we- Wait... what about langrage, sir?

REDFIELD: Hah. If ever there were a fitting situation, this is it. Proceed, Commander.

HARPER: Yes sir!

SFX: PA turns on.

HARPER: All hands, this is the XO. On my authority, begin loading any loose metallics into the coilguns. Scrap metal, coupling bolts, pull the chaff from the chaff launchers. Anything that isn't nailed down is to be loaded into the guns immediately!

SFX: a new alarm blares, fades out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: a missile comes in, then explodes. Clattering and screaming. Alarms blare.

ELIZABETH: Somebody get that fire out!

OPS OFFICER (FEMALE): Right away ma'am!

RAVI: Sunbeam is now moving into the approach pattern to transit, ma'am.

ELIZABETH: Thank you Ravi.

BANKOLE: First Lightship now moving into close range. She's turning towards us!

ELIZABETH: Everybody brace yourselves!

RAVI: (into PA) All hands, brace for impact!

SFX: Lightship powers up, then fires. More alarms and screaming.

ELIZABETH: Damage report!

RAVI: Direct hit through the central habitat ring, critical damage! We're venting atmosphere in sections B-eleven through B-sixteen.

ELIZABETH: Evacuate those sections and seal emergency bulkheads.

RAVI: Right away ma'am.

ELIZABETH: Rig the habs for thrust gravity. It'll be our turn through that gate soon.

BANKOLE: Ma'am. I'm not sure we can do that.

ELIZABETH: What do you mean?

SFX: background settles from the previous chaos.

BANKOLE: That last hit seriously compromised our structural integrity ma'am. Even if we make it to the gate I'm not sure the Avalon can survive the transit stresses in this condition.

ELIZABETH: There's still a chance we'd make it through though, right?

RAVI: I don't think we can take the risk ma'am. There are almost eight-thousand people on this platform. We have to abandon ship, make for the gate with lifeboats and pods. We can get everyone through safely that way.

SFX: background chatter continues.

ELIZABETH: Ok. You're right. Let's do it.

SFX: keypad beeping. Sad music starts to play.

RAVI: I'm going to recall the Guinevere to pick you up ma'am. You have the detonation codes for the return gate, we have to get you out of here now.

ELIZABETH: It's my understanding that the captain goes down with the ship–.

RAVI: Ma'am, please.

ELIZABETH: Alright. I'll take the detonation codes and get down to the docking ring to wait for the Guin. But I want you in a pod Ravi, as soon as the evacuation is complete. You understand me?

RAVI: Yes ma'am.

SFX: footsteps and a hug.

ELIZABETH: Good luck.

SFX: The door whooshes open, running footsteps. The PA turns on. Alarm blares.

RAVI: Now hear this. All hands, abandon ship. Repeat, all hands, abandon ship. Follow emergency lighting to evacuation muster points, and proceed to your assigned lifeboat or escape pod immediately. I say again; all hands, abandon ship.

SFX: sad music swells, then fades.

- Scene Change -

SFX: creepy music plays, then fades out.

VALENDRA: But... what you say makes no sense. I have seen so many sent to worlds beyond the Aegis.

ARVANNIS: And how many have you seen return? Merely another form of sacrifice, your grace.

VALENDRA: I do not understand. These worlds were lost to us? How?

ARVANNIS: Not lost to us, but given up, and those who lived there put to the sword, along with all others sent there since.

VALENDRA: Why? So much death, so much deception, for what reason?

ARVANNIS: Because that is what He asks of us.

SFX: the pulsar whooshes by, creepy music returns then fades out again.

- Scene Change -

SFX: electrical crackling, creaking and metallic groaning. Footsteps. Whirring and a thud.

CROFT: (over PA) Docking complete, we got hard seal.

SFX: a door chirps, then opens.

ELIZABETH: Cass!

CASS: Get aboard quick, we don't have long!

SFX: running footsteps on metal. The door closes.

CASS: Croft, she's aboard, seal up the airlock, we're on our way up!

CROFT: (over PA) Copy that, Skip.

SFX: footsteps on metal.

ELIZABETH: How are you guys holding up in here?

CASS: Well, we're completely out of swivel gun ammo and the Shabayev's just told us there's another wave of fliers coming in fast.

ELIZABETH: That's not good.

CASS: You still have those detonation codes?

ELIZABETH: Right here. We need to trigger it ten seconds before we transit.

CASS: Alright.

SFX: a door opens as Cass and Liz enter the Quarterdeck.

CASS: Meds, who's left to go through the gate?

MEDS: Sunbeam just made her transit, only the Kestrel left, but those fliers are headed straight for her, thirty-plus bandits.

CASS: Croft, what do we have left to shoot 'em with?

CROFT: Uhhh…

SFX: several negative beeps, one positive one.

CROFT: We got two torpedoes Skip, that's it.

CASS: That'll have to do. Liz, get strapped in. Croft, blow out the clamps and go to full burn the second we're decoupled.

SFX: seatbelt clicks.

CROFT: Er Skip that's gonna melt a bigass hole in the Avalon.

CASS: The docking ring has been evacuated, do it.

SFX: exciting music starts, beeps, warning blares and mechanical clunking.

CROFT: Alright, everybody hang on!

MEDS: Clamps released!

CROFT: Here we go!

SFX: music intensifies, engine fires. Another warning alarm. Adventurous music swells.

- Scene Change -

SFX: background shouting and a fire extinguisher is used. A comm rings.

REDFIELD: Hotstepper, this is Shabayev Actual, what is your situation?

SFX: alarm continues blaring.

REDFIELD: Hotstepper, this is Shabayev Actual, do you read?

HARPER: It's no good sir, she's vented bow to stern. I don't think there's anyone left alive over there.

SFX: a fist hits a surface.

REDFIELD: Damn it. Head us three points a-starboard Mister Faraday, six-eight-zero-zer-

SFX: an alarm blares. Electrical sparking, a scream.

HARPER: We're hit Admiral! Port-dorsal gun deck. Two of our batteries are out of commission.

REDFIELD: Mister Faraday, roll the ship to compensate. Keep every gun we have trained on the enemy.

FARADAY: Yes sir!

MAALSUWDA: (over comms) Shabayev, this is Rodrigo. I’ve got problems over here. We've melted the rails on all of our main guns and the reactor is trying to scram from the heat. I’ve got people working on it, just… give us a few minutes and we'll be back in the fight!

SFX: a heroic, yet sad version of ‘The Sapphire Flag’ plays.

REDFIELD: Negative, Captain. You've done everything you can out here. Break off and make for the gate, get your crew back to Tantalus while you still can.

MAALSUWDA: (over comms) Hah. Not a chance. I'll be damned if I'm going to throw in the towel before you do.

REDFIELD: Captain, your weapons are down and you've taken heavy damage. A lot of your people have died on this expedition. Some of them should make it back to the Union alive.

MAALSUWDA: (over comms) in-defare, in-mika deika… Alright Centran, we'll do it your way. Laying in a course for the gate. Thank you.

REDFIELD: Fair winds, Captain. You fought bravely.

MAALSUWDA: (over comms) So did you, Admiral. Amal Karah.

SFX: music swells, then fades out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: an alarm blares. A ping.

BANKOLE: The Rodrigo is making a run for the gate, sir. The closest lightship is right on top of us, range twelve-hundred kilometers!

RAVI: Status of the evacuation?

BANKOLE: The last lifeboat just left sir, we're empty!

RAVI: Alright everyone, clear the deck. Get to your pods now!

SFX: the alarm continues blaring.

RAVI: You heard me! Get out of here!

SFX: footsteps and the door opens.

BANKOLE: What about you sir?

RAVI: I'm staying here. I've got an idea to buy the others a little more time.

BANKOLE: Sir, you'll need help. If you're staying, I'm staying too.

RAVI: Alright Ensign. Take your station.

BANKOLE: Aye aye sir.

SFX: sad, heroic music swells then fades.

- Scene Change -

SFX: chairs rattle, quiet music resumes.

CROFT: Skip, we're approaching the Kestrel but she's in a bad way. She's lost comms and they're all over her.

CASS: Load torpedoes!

SFX: muffled loading of torpedoes

MEDS: Cass, this is not going to achieve anything and you know it, they're done for. We have to get through the gate and detonate the bomb while we still can.

CASS: No! I'm not leaving anyone else to die out here. Croft, fire one!

CROFT: Copy that Skip.

SFX: a whoosh as a torpedo is fired.

VOLKOVA: (over comms) Guinevere. This is Captain Volkova aboard the Kestrel. Captain LaBelle is dead, the engines are gone. We're not going to make it, save yourselves while you can. Get out of here!

SFX: tone and lock.

CASS: Fire two!

SFX: another torpedo fires. Alarms blare.

ELIZABETH: Cass, she's right. We have to-

CASS: No!

CROFT: Fliers are making a pass at us, everybody brace for-

SFX: an Advari gun powers up, then fires. Groaning. Crashing, blaring, and electrical sparking. Med groans in pain.

CASS: Meds!

ELIZABETH: Shrapnel, Cass this looks bad! I need the medkit!

MEDS: (in extreme pain) I'm alright, I'm alright…

SFX: alarms and computer noises.

CROFT: Skip we just got our asses handed to us. Multiple hull breaches! We lost two of the vector engines, manoeuvring is way out of whack!

SFX: alarm continues blaring.

ELIZABETH: Cass!

CASS: Alright, Croft get us out of here!

CROFT: On it Skip, making for the gate!

SFX: the engine powers up. An insistent alarm.

ELIZABETH: Wait... what's that?

CASS: What?

CROFT: It's the Avalon. They're moving.

CASS: Hail them.

SFX: a comm rings, then cuts off.

CROFT: I can't, we've lost the comm system.

ELIZABETH: What is he doing?

CROFT: They don't seem to be making for the gate, they're just reorienting the platform. Turning about.

CASS: But why would–

SFX: intense music starts. Cass gasps.

CASS: Croft! Go to max trim! NOW!

SFX: intense music swells, then fades down.

- Scene Change -

SFX: music continues.

HARPER: Kestrel has been destroyed sir, but the Rodrigo made it out.

REDFIELD: Understood Mister Harper, what is the status of-

HARPER: Sir! Signal from the Avalon.

REDFIELD: Put it through.

SFX: a comm opens.

REDFIELD: Lieutenant Commander, what are you still doing aboard that platform?

RAVI: (over comms) Admiral Redfield, listen carefully. I am turning to bring the Avalon's main engine to bear on the closest Lightship, minimum range. You have forty seconds to get clear of the platform's drive plume. Do you understand?

SFX: sad, heroic music plays.

HARPER: ...Ohh shit.

REDFIELD: I understand son. Shabayev out. Mister Faraday, you heard the man, full emergency thrust, any heading. Get us clear now!

FARADAY: Right away sir!

HARPER: Thermal buildup in the Avalon's drive cone!

REDFIELD: All hands brace for impact!

SFX: music and distant rumbling swells. Music builds, then cuts out to total silence. Suddenly, an engine fires at full power, burning. Muffled explosions, strange screeching, then a massive explosion builds then fades. Shrapnel flies past. The Shabayev’s blaring alarm fades in.

HARPER: Holy shit! Scratch one Lightship! She's been cut clear in half sir! She's done for!

REDFIELD: My god.

FARADAY: Come on Avalon! Huzzah!

HARPER: Huzzah!

SFX: cheering and clapping fade out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: mysterious music returns.

ARVANNIS: We approach The Wheel, Your Majesty. And now your patience will be rewarded.

VALENDRA: The star… we are too close, we must move away!

ARVANNIS: Haha! Steady your nerves, Empress. This place wears the mask of a star as you wear the mask of a leader.

SFX: an alien alarm sounds. The music intensifies.

ARVANNIS: Closer! Yes, closer!

VALENDRA: You're insane! We're burning up! You must stop!

SFX: a high pitch drone rises with the music.

ARVANNIS: Is the truth not a foolish thing to fear, Your Eminence?

VALENDRA: Stop, you're mad! You'll kill us both, you must stop!

ARVANNIS: Haha! Blessed are the Lightsingers! For though they drink of pale fire they burn only with inviolate purpose!!

SFX: crescendo stops, creepy dulcimer music.

- Scene Change -

SFX: crashing, alarms, screaming.

HARPER: Another hit, Admiral. We can't take much more of this.

REDFIELD: What's the status of the Avalon?

HARPER: Can't raise her, sir. Looks like she overloaded her engines with that little manoeuver, she's got cascading secondary explosions all along her central axis, looks like major structural collapse. I think she's going down sir.

REDFIELD: Very well. Mister Harper, I have a final order for you.

HARPER: Sir?

REDFIELD: You will remove this ship's black box and logbook immediately, proceed to the boat bay, take any skiff still spaceworthy and make the jump through the gate to Tantalus.

HARPER: Sir, you need me here. I- I can stay to-

REDFIELD: Lewis. You have already excelled yourself. Take our story back to Tantalus. Make sure they know what we did, the good and the bad.

SFX: sad music.

HARPER: ...Yes sir. I will.

SFX: a door whooshes open. Music fades out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: unsettling ringing, mysterious music.

VALENDRA: Hello!?

SFX: her voice echoes. More ringing and eerie harmonizing.

VALENDRA: What is this?! Arvannis?! Where am I!?

SFX: more echoing. The ringing intensifies.

VALENDRA: What is that? I- I can't... The sound.. I…

ARVANNIS: Empress.

SFX: the sound settles, though crystalline ringing continues quietly in the background.

VALENDRA: Arvannis. Where are we? What is this place?

SFX: Arvannis’ voice can be heard before he speaks. Mysterious, eerie music continues to echo around and surround us.

ARVANNIS: This is the truth you sought, Your Majesty. This is his domain, his chrysalis, his chariot. It has had many names through many ages. The High Cleric would call it a Mechanism, far too simple a term for something so sacrosanct, but a mechanism it is all the same. One through which our Lord brings hearth and bounty to his Sanctum and to his subjects, but only so long as we serve his single will.

VALENDRA: Who? Who do you speak of?

SFX: intense ringing echoes and fades.

ARVANNIS: I speak of the Divine Illuminator! Your shield and savior, Master of Hosts and redemptor most holy!

VALENDRA: You're insane. Even if I were to believe the words of the scriptures, which I doubt now more than ever, they tell us that Advar is long gone from this world.

SFX: the word ‘Advar’ echoes clearly.

ARVANNIS: As I said, a simpler truth, for the easy acceptance of simpler people. But its purpose is the same. Our people do not need to fully understand in order to do our Lord's bidding. Why busy their minds with complications? So long as the sacrifices continue, so long as the Harmony is maintained, the Sanctum endures, and Holy Advar is satisfied.

SFX: ‘satisfied’ echoes menacingly.

VALENDRA: You have seen the Outsiders yourself. The Great Nothing is a lie. There is life beyond, and they came here without obstruction by any barrier. These sacrifices are meaningless! Everyone you have killed has been for nothing.

ARVANNIS: Not for nothing. Did you know, in times long before memory, our people had many different beliefs. Most were centered around the idea of life after death, heh, that one's piety and good deeds would be rewarded in a new life. The Faith is not so self-centered. We do not live by its strictures or sacrifice ourselves in the hope of some personal reward, we sacrifice for each other. It is true there is no barrier, the sacrifices do not protect us from some threat from beyond, but that falsehood was a carefully chosen one, one that appeals to our people's sense of community and selflessness.

SFX: ‘selflessness’ echoes and reverberates.

ARVANNIS: They cannot know why they sacrifice, but they must.

VALENDRA: Then why? If not to protect the Sanctum, then why sacrifice so many?

ARVANNIS: Since His first coming here, since He enshrined us in His blessed Sanctum, He has charged us with a threshold which we must not pass. An unchanging limit on how many thinking minds may live within His Sanctum at one time. Our ancestors cast down their cities and gave up their lives to restrain our hubris, and bring our people below this sacred threshold, and we must never surpass it. That is His one and only command.

VALENDRA: What happens if we cross it?

ARVANNIS: I do not know. Foolhardy is he who would tempt the wrath of God.

VALENDRA: Wait... Thinking minds. The Out- the Outsiders. You do not know for certain, do you? If they count towards your threshold, that is why you are so desperate to drive them out!

ARVANNIS: We are the chosen of Advar! We are the children of God!

VALENDRA: And now it is in your eyes I see doubt. Your actions betray your fears.

ARVANNIS: The Outsiders must be destroyed regardless, they trespass in his Holy Garden!

VALENDRA: There is no God here. This is a machine or… engine of some kind, one beyond our knowing for certain, but not a God.

ARVANNIS: And what is the measure of a God? Does he not fill our lands with bounty? Does he not command powers beyond our understanding, does he not ask for worship in return? But I need not waste my breath. Soon you will understand, like every other who came before you. You will stand before his gaze and you will see why his will must be done. Walk towards the music.

SFX: echoing and music intensifies, rising in tempo.

VALENDRA: What?

ARVANNIS: There. The sound. You must walk towards the sound. You came here in search of truth, did you not? There is no other way out of this place. You made your choice, you have crossed a threshold of your own. You will walk towards the music!

SFX: echoing. The music doesn’t relent. Footsteps through a small layer of water.

VALENDRA: Arvannis? Where have you gone?! You cannot leave me to die here! Arvannis!

SFX: the music continues.

VALENDRA: So be it.

SFX: a deep rumbling. Footsteps through a small layer of water.

VALENDRA: Show your face to me, tin God. Make your threats and speak your bidding. I am not so easily deceived!

SFX: the rumbling builds, the music increases tempo and volume.

VALENDRA: Ha, I... No. What... No, I... No.. Nooo!

SFX: eerie violins play the ‘Specularia’ theme, then fade out.

- Scene Change -

SFX: mournful music plays. Distant rumbling.

FARADAY: The Guinevere and the last of the escape pods and boats are reaching the gate sir, but that last Lightship is right on top of us. We have critical hull damage, reactor output is sub-optimal. Weapons stations receiving limited power.

REDFIELD: You may take whatever power you need from the retrograde engines Mister Faraday. We won't be taking one step back.

- Scene Change -

SFX: mournful music continues.

CROFT: That's it Skip, the last of the pods are through.

CASS: Good. Liz, get ready with that detonator.

SFX: fabric rustling, a click as the detonator primes.

ELIZABETH: I'm ready.

SFX: a short alarm.

CROFT: Uh, Skip...

CASS: What is it.

CROFT: The Avalon... She's gonna blow.

ELIZABETH: My god.

CASS: Everybody brace!

SFX: distantly, an explosion builds, then fades. Mournful music continues.

ELIZABETH: Ravi…

CASS: Where's the Shabayev?

MEDS: Cass, I've got nothing, no other contacts on scopes. I think it's just us.

CROFT: Gate transit in eighteen seconds.

CASS: Alright... Let's go home. Liz, send the detonation signal, the gate'll blow right after we're through.

ELIZABETH: Okay. Thirty second countdown. Sending.

SFX: A button presses, a negative beep. The music stops. It presses again, another beep.

MEDS: What's going on?

ELIZABETH: It's not working.

SFX: button press, beep.

CASS: It has to work.

SFX: repeated button presses and beeps.

ELIZABETH: The signal's not getting through, or there's a fault with the reactor, I- I've no way to tell. It's just not working!

MEDS: Cass, if we leave that gate open...

CASS: Fire a torpedo!

CROFT: Can't Skip, we're out.

ELIZABETH: What do we do!?

CROFT: Gate jump in seven seconds. We're at thirty four percent hull integrity, I have no idea if she'll even be able to take this, Skip.

CASS: There's nothing we can do. Hold your course, Croft.

CROFT: Transit in three... two...

SFX: build up as they line up to the Gate.

CROFT: one.

SFX: “Ashes” by The Longest Johns plays.

NARRATOR: You have been listening to The Sojourn, Season One Episode Twelve: Forlorn Hope, written by Daniel Orrett, 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 Dave Chick, with additional voices by Andrew Latheron, Joe Bianco, Brandon Nguyen, Lelia Symington, Andrew Goulding, and Cooper McEuen. Music by Sam Redfern, including a rearrangement of “Wilderness” by Taylor Davis which is used with the given permission of Taylor Davis representatives. Also featuring “Ashes” by The Longest Johns, used with the given permission of The Longest Johns representatives. This was The Sojourn, Season One Volume Four. Please visit www.thesojournaudiodrama.com for more information on the series and upcoming volumes. Thank you for listening.

SFX: “Ashes” by The Longest Johns continues.