Season Two Episode One - To Hear the Falconer
SFX: Booing, jeering, and hissing of an angry crowd.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Order! Order! We shall have order!
SFX: the crowd settles reluctantly.
RENFREY: Thank you, Mister Speaker.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: The House recognizes Mister Ostrick Renfrey, Right Honorable Member for Axius North and Leader of the Opposition.
RENFREY: Thank you, Mister Speaker. And may I submit that it is the united position of the Formalist party that the Prime Minister's policy of inaction represents not only a betrayal of all those who died in the tragic destruction of Gatehouse Station, but a betrayal of all the peoples of the Centrum Assembly, who continue to face extinction while a new source of food and supply remains within our reach.
SFX: cries of “hear hear!” and other sounds of agreement from the crowd.
RENFREY: The Avalon Expedition, planned and launched under the current administration, was an unmitigated disaster, that succeeded only in securing a paltry amount of food and, drawing the ire of a deadly and alien enemy.
SFX: more sounds of agreement.
RENFREY: But from its failings we at least know where we may source our salvation, why now does the Prime Minister dither and delay when given a chance to redeem herself?
SFX: cries of “hear hear!” and “shame!” from the crowd.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: The House recognizes the Right Honorable Ms. Nicola Sarali, Prime Minister of the Centrum Assembly.
SFX: chair creaking.
PRIME MINISTER SARALI: Mister Speaker, my Right Honorable and learned colleague would do well to heed his own words? "A deadly and alien enemy". Since pursuing our ships back to Tantalus and laying waste to Gatehouse Station, the Advari have seen fit only to establish a blockade across Edric's Gate and prevent us from returning to the so-called 'Sanctum'.
SFX: jeering.
PRIME MINISTER SARALI: As I'm sure my colleague is aware from the expedition's logs, even a single Advari Lightship is capable of wreaking untold destruction. We should count ourselves lucky they have yet to attempt to advance any further.
SFX: more jeering and hissing that rises throughout.
RENFREY: And so you will do nothing while our people starve!? Have you no plan at all?!
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Orrrrrrdeeeeeeer!
SFX: the crowd quiets down.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Mister Renfrey, you will stand to address the chair and not the Prime Minister in your remarks, this house will not tolerate bandying from a sedentary position!
SFX: laughs and comments from the crowd.
DARIUS FARREN: Point of order, Mister Speaker.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Point of order! The House recognizes Fleet Admiral Darius Farren, Commander in Chief, Centran Defence Force and Right Honorable and Gallant Member for the Tripathia Archipelago.
SFX: noble music begins.
DARIUS FARREN: Mister Speaker. Though my right honorable friend the Leader of the Opposition speaks out of turn, I confess I share his concern. At present the Cardeus Brink system has been evacuated, and a multinational force installed at its perimeter should the Advari attempt to advance further into Tantalus. But even if they do not, our fortunes are barely changed from before the Avalon Expedition was dispatched. If our civilization is to survive, aggressive action against the Advari Blockade must be taken.
SFX: cries of support from the crowd.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Madame Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER SARALI: Mister Speaker, I fully understand the concerns expressed by the honorable Admiral Farren. Though I submit that it has not yet become necessary to resort to a violent or provocative course of action… one that we may not survive. It was the hope of former Expedition Director Ancelet that given the right circumstances, it may be possible to establish a fruitful dialogue with the Advari.
SFX: more shouting from the crowd.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Point of Order Mister Malcolm Finchbreck, Secretary of State for Defence and Honorable Member for Rialtis Southwest and the Brenrast Islands.
FINCHBRECK: Mister Speaker, far be it from me to speak out against the leader of my own party, but I submit without the many failings of former Director Ancelet, we would not be facing our current situation in the first place. She has already been denied the right to speak before this house and members on both sides would have preferred to see her formally charged with criminal negligence. I believe invoking her views and opinions in parliamentary debate at this stage is ultimately self-defeating, and I speak for a notable fraction of the cabinet and Modernist benches in this regard.
CROWD: Hear hear!
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Thank you, Mister Finchbreck for that inspiring display of loyalty. Madame Prime Minster.
PRIME MINISTER SARALI: Mister Speaker, honorable members of the House. While due consideration will be given to all of your concerns, at this time I will not authorize any manner of military action to be taken against the Advari without significant provocation. Thank you.
SFX: whispering from the benches.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Admiral Farren, final remarks?
DARIUS FARREN: Thank you Mister Speaker. In truth I have little more to say. But only to remind the House, and all those watching across our Assembly, that where only a year ago we faced extinction at the hands of a resource crisis against which we could no longer take action, perhaps now we face extinction at the hands of an irresolute Prime Minister, who will not take action.
SFX: cries of support from the crowd.
DARIUS FARREN: Were it in my power, in the name of all those who starve and die in our streets, in the name of my friend, Winston Redfield, and all others who died at Advari hands… in the name of my beloved daughter… Cassandra… I would bring to bear the full fury of the Centrum Assembly against these monsters at our gates, and take from them, in repayment for their barbarity, the salvation our great people deserve!
SFX: music swells triumphantly as the crowd erupts in cheers and applause.
SFX: Intro music starts - “Wilderness” by Taylor Davis.
NARRATOR: The Sojourn, Season Two Episode One: To Hear the Falconer by Daniel Orrett. Starring Larissa Thompson as Captain Cassandra Farren, Emily Serdahl as Elizabeth Ancelet, Laura Faye Smith as Tamara Melari, and Ben Prendergast as Mathias Croft. Also featuring Jim Chee as Brynlock, Matt Surges as Post Captain Lewis Harper, Tori Danner as Prime Minister Nicola Sarali, and Special Guest Star Dominic Keating as Fleet Admiral Darius Farren.
SFX: Theme music continues.
SFX: yelling muffled through static, thumping, a door opens.
BRIGAND: We lost our guys at the loading gate boss, they're headed our way.
BRIGAND BOSS: How many of them are there?
SFX: mechanical sounds of a gun being loaded. Muffled gunfire.
BRIGAND: The lads reckoned there were two of them.
BRIGAND BOSS: Two of them? How useless are you people? I'll guard the payroll. Take Vennitch and Craddock, get down to the lower level and deal with–
SFX: electrical power winding down. Silence. Multiple guns rattle.
BRIGAND: The lights. They must have cut the power, boss.
BRIGAND BOSS: Give me that scattergun. You three, shut up and keep your eyes open, they're here.
SFX: mechanical sounds of guns being loaded and cocked.
VENNITCH: Hey boss... you sure they're here? I can't—
SFX: a single gunshot, a scream, and a body hitting the ground.
BRIGAND: Shit! Vennitch is down!
BRIGAND BOSS: Fire!
SFX: several different guns fire chaotically.
BRIGAND: Where are they? I can't see–
SFX: gunshot and another body hits the ground. Yelling and screaming as people attack and fall. Rushed reloading of a shotgun. Two shotgun blasts.
BRIGAND BOSS: Shit. Shit shit. Alright you bastards, where are you!? Come on then! Shit, shit!
SFX: panicked reloading of a shotgun. Footsteps. A single shot from a pistol.
BRIGAND BOSS: Aghhh, my leg!
CASS: Clear.
SFX: footsteps. Medical scanning, negative beeping.
MEDS: That's all of 'em, Cass.
BRIGAND BOSS: Alright wait, wait! You can take the money! Damned if I'm gonna die for what they pay those miners… was barely worth stealing.
SFX: a pistol reloads and cocks. Footsteps.
BRIGAND BOSS: Whoa whoa whoa! Put me in irons! There must be some–
SFX: a gunshot. A thud. Blood drips.
MEDS: Shit Cass... we could have taken him back to Nightbridge.
CASS: Money's over there. Grab it and let's go.
SFX: footsteps, then they stop.
CASS: What, you think I should have patched him up with our medical supplies and hauled him halfway around the planet so the locals could shoot him themselves?
MEDS: Put him in the brig then.
CASS: And then? The nearest security station still running is days out of our way. The bounty on this guy wouldn't even cover the fuel spent getting there. They'd probably have to let him go in a week anyway and he'd be straight back to robbing some other poor bastards.
MEDS: I don't know Cass, it's just--
CASS: Job's done. We're leaving.
SFX: footsteps recede as dark and sinister music plays.
- Scene Change -
SFX: discordant violins and metallic creaking as the Guinevere flies by. Melancholic music.
CROFT: Of course the only damn thing in here that survives without a scratch is that bloody microwave. You couldn't make this up.
SFX: clanking and footsteps as Croft fixes something.
ELIZABETH: Hey Croft, could you take a break for a minute? I've just got to take a call.
CROFT: Sure thing boss. I need to eat something anyway.
ELIZABETH: I've told you, you don't need to call me ‘Boss’ anymore.
CROFT: Whatever you say, Boss.
SFX: footsteps recede. A comm rings. The door whooshes open and shut.
HARPER: (over comms) Director Ancelet. Or, uh, Elizabeth I suppose. I wasn't expecting to find you floating around Dalstaff.
ELIZABETH: Commander Harper. It's good to see you again.
HARPER: (over comms) Likewise. And it's actually Post Captain now.
ELIZABETH: Oh, congratulations!
HARPER: (over comms) Thank you. Benefits of being the last one left to promote, I guess. How have you guys been holding up?
SFX: gentle, sad music begins. Elizabeth sighs.
ELIZABETH: Hanging on. We took a hell of a beating on our way out of the nebula. Spent the next four days stuck on the bridge, sleeping on the floor while we got the rest of the ship repressurized. Since then we've just been finding whatever work we can to stay alive. Or they have anyway… I think I'm mostly just in the way.
HARPER: (over comms) My God, that's horrible. I'd heard that none of the civilians got their pay after the Expeditionary Board collapsed, but I was hoping you'd be in better straits.
ELIZABETH: Yeah… And Parliament won't even talk to us. I can't blame them, really. They sent me to find food, and I brought back just enough for a few more years of misery and pissed off an alien empire while I was doing it.
HARPER: (over comms) You're the only expert we've got. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if they were letting you help.
ELIZABETH: Thanks.
HARPER: (over comms) I'll see if I can talk to someone at the Admiralty for you, but, you know, even a Post Captain...
ELIZABETH: I appreciate it, either way.
HARPER: (over comms) There was one thing my promotion came in handy for that I thought you might want to know.
ELIZABETH: Oh?
HARPER: (over comms) Lieutenant Commander Ravi will receive a posthumous promotion to the rank of Commander, and he's to be awarded the Lyrion Cross for conspicuous valor. It's our highest honor. And I'll be delivering it to his partner on Axius personally.
ELIZABETH: Thank you, Captain... Uh, thank you for doing that.
HARPER: (over comms) I was very glad to. I won't take up any more of your time, but… I wish you the best of luck with whatever you do next, and thank you again for everything you did. Harper out.
SFX: comm clicks off. Music fades out.
- Scene Change -
SFX: a door whooshes open then closes.
CROFT: Welcome back guys.
CASS: Thanks.
CROFT: How much do we owe the skiff pilot?
MEDS: He's been paid. He's undocking now.
CROFT: Good stuff. Sorry about that Skip, the Guin's still in no state for atmospheric entry. I've done a bit more work while you were planetside, but we're hitting the limit of what I can scrap together. She needs a shipyard.
SFX: footsteps and fabric rustling.
CASS: The pay from this job won't cover a full repair, but we can put into Stranger's Home for a patch job. We can head down to Sibus and check in with Brynlock while we're there, see if he has work.
CROFT: Alright Skip but it might not be that simple. Two of the vector nozzles are cracked and one of the radiator vanes will need to be replaced. They're non-standard components, we won't be able to get them in Valeria Sibus, I'm not sure where the hell we could get them to be honest, but until we do I can only give you half-power, any more and we'll blow uh, ourselves up.
CASS: I get it, Croft. I've looked around. Just fly the ship.
SFX: footsteps recede.
CROFT: Yeah sure, Skip... You got it.
- Scene Change -
SFX: zipping. A door opens.
ELIZABETH: Hey you.
CASS: Hey.
ELIZABETH: I heard from Harper. Ravi– um… They're giving him a medal, posthumously I mean. He's going to take it to Axius- oh!
CASS: Come here.
SFX: kissing sounds. Zipping, something falls to the floor.
ELIZABETH: Heh. Okay... So… you're glad to be back then.
CASS: That must be it.
- Scene Change -
SFX: melancholic music plays. Pans clattering, a dial being turned. Something begins frying.
MEDS: Hey. What's cooking?
CROFT: Uhh, don't get your hopes up, I'm seeing what I can do with that jerky stuff we picked up on Senjin Wharf. There's not much though. Think we'll be back to hardtack for the burn to Valeria.
MEDS: No worries, better than nothing....agh.
CROFT: Shoulder again? You alright?
MEDS: Oh yeah yeah it's healed up well, it just… plays up in a fight. Recoil agitates it. Hey, Croft... I'm kinda worried about Cass.
CROFT: Yeah, I know what you mean...
MEDS: She wasted this guy down on the planet. One of the brigands?
SFX: Croft flips the jerky in the pan.
CROFT: Well... we do have to shoot a lot of people in this racket. And they're never exactly award-winning philanthropists.
MEDS: Oh, yeah no, I mean, this guy was a top shelf scumbag. Killed half a dozen miners in that raid. But you know, he was down and out, asking us to take him prisoner. She said we couldn't afford the fuel. I mean, honestly, yeah, she's right about that, but still...
CROFT: Yeah...
- Scene Change -
SFX: a lighter clicks on, a cigarette is lit.
ELIZABETH: Sorry. I know it's bad for the filters, and Croft's got enough work as it is… I've just been going out of my mind up here.
CASS: It's okay.
SFX: fabric rustling
ELIZABETH: Cass? There's got to be some way we could contact the Parliament. The pulsar data I have, I don't think they understand the–
SFX: aggressive fabric rustling.
CASS: For god's sake, I can't deal with this shit again!
SFX: gentle, mournful music plays.
ELIZABETH: I'm sorry it's just... I'm just a passenger here Cass, I, I need to-
SFX: footsteps, clothes being put on quickly.
CASS: What do you want me to do Liz? Go and land us in front of the House of Ministers and kick down the door? They don't want to know us that much seems pretty clear. And you know what? Good! None of this shit is our job anyway. The famine, the Advari, let some other poor bastard deal with it. This ship and this crew, that's all that matters. Keeping us alive, and keeping us together, that's all. I guess that's not good enough for you.
SFX: the door opens. Footsteps recede.
- Scene Change -
SFX: vector cone bursts and discordant, creepy ambiance as the Guinevere flies.
SFX: a door opens. An eerie, haunting drone pulses periodically in the background.
ELIZABETH: Hey, Croft.
SFX: hydraulic swivels.
CROFT: Alright, Boss? Trouble sleeping?
ELIZABETH: Yeah. Sorry I thought Cass was in here.
CROFT: Ah nah, think she's in the engine room. She always tries to keep herself busy whenever we go through here. Doesn't like to be on the bridge.
ELIZABETH: What? Oh, god, right. This is the Atamara Crossroads isn't it?
SFX: hydraulic swivel.
CROFT: Yeah...
ELIZABETH: I gotta say Croft, I feel like a fifth wheel on this ship... Like… I'm just in the way.
CROFT: Well.. There were three of us before, so I reckon that makes you a fourth wheel, and uh, that's a sensible number of wheels.
SFX: Elizabeth laughs. Sentimental music plays.
CROFT: You're not in the way Boss, we're all glad you're here. The Skip especially.
ELIZABETH: Thanks.
CROFT: Hey speaking of the Skip, I don't suppose you've noticed any kinda–
SFX: a persistent beeping.
CROFT: The hell?
ELIZABETH: What is it?
CROFT: We're getting a long-range comm, but it's gone to the ship's tac-com receiver, from back when she was a CDF prototype.
ELIZABETH: What does that mean?
CROFT: Means whoever sent it knows the transponder codes, and that's not many people... Let’s see who–
SFX: beeps as info displays. Music becomes more serious.
CROFT: Ahh, bollocks.
ELIZABETH: What?
SFX: a button press as the comm opens.
CROFT: Hey, Meds. Sorry to wake you but, check the transmission log. You seeing this?
MEDS: (over comms) Yeah. Yeah, I see it.
SFX: a menacing, quiet drone slowly rises.
CROFT: Uh, what d’you want me to do here?
MEDS: I'll tell her.
SFX: drone rises, then fades out.
- Scene Change -
ELIZABETH: She okay?
MEDS: I wouldn't count on it…
SFX: footsteps approach.
MEDS: We're all here, Cass.
CASS: Play it, Croft.
SFX: a recording begins.
DARIUS FARREN: (through recording) Cassandra. My daughter. I'm very grateful that you're safe. I know it’s been some time since we have spoken, and I regret that. I am aware of your current situation. Your ship is a unique prototype, and cannot be fully repaired without specific components which I am able to provide. I am also aware that Doctor Elizabeth Ancelet is travelling with you. Her research notes regarding the alien nebula have so far been ignored by our… esteemed Parliament, but personally, I believe that they may hold the key to saving our species from its own foolishness. I am able to devote significant resources to further study. I ask that you come to Centrum, and bring me your ship's logs and Doctor Ancelet's notes from your time in the Sanctum. In return I will be happy to repair and reprovision your ship to peak condition, and if it is still your wish, you may leave afterwards and I give you my word… I will not contact you again. I believe that, in spite of past misfortunes, you still remain loyal to something larger than yourself. I have enclosed coordinates and communications frequencies. I hope to see you soon. Farren out.
SFX: recording ends. A moment of hesitation.
MEDS: You know, there are other ways to fix the ship. We get a few good jobs, we might be able to arrange a private commission from Keeper's Dance.
SFX: footsteps.
CROFT: Or maybe we could find a yard in Merician space, we'll just need to avoid getting into a fight til we've built up a bit of cash. If we're really careful, no hunting for prize ships for a while, just keep to as many safe cargo jobs as we can, we could still bounce back.
CASS: Hold our course to Valeria Sibus, Croft. Steady as she goes.
SFX: footsteps.
CROFT: You got it, Skip.
SFX: rapid footsteps.
ELIZABETH: Whoa whoa, hang on. Shouldn't we at least talk about this?
SFX: footsteps stop. Morose music begins.
ELIZABETH: I mean what's the harm in giving over the data? The pulsar, that nebula, it's important! You were all there, you know it. This might be the only chance for anyone to find out the truth about that place. And I could help them, I–
SFX: footsteps recede, the door whooshes open.
CASS: I'll be in my cabin.
ELIZABETH: Cass, I'm just saying we need the repairs so–
SFX: the door closes.
MEDS: What the hell are you doing right now?
ELIZABETH: What?
SFX: slow footsteps.
MEDS: Have you not been paying any attention? We are not taking her back to that man, do you understand?
ELIZABETH: Yes, actually. I don't know if you've noticed but I know her pretty well by now.
SFX: footsteps stop.
MEDS: It doesn't sound like you know her at all.
ELIZABETH: This pulsar data might be how we save Tantalus.
MEDS: Or how you save Tantalus, you mean?
ELIZABETH: The hell is that supposed to mean--
MEDS: The decision has been made!
SFX: rapid footsteps, the door whooshes open.
ELIZABETH: The ship is falling apart… We could die out here.
MEDS: We die then. We are not taking her to him.
SFX: footsteps recede and the door closes. Music crescendos, then fades out.
- Scene Change -
SFX: whooshing as the Guinevere flies, quiet alarms sound and the vector cones fire.
CROFT: Alright everybody strap in, this is our stop.
CASS: Ping Traffic Control, Meds.
MEDS: Already on it.
SFX: a door whooshes open. Footsteps approach.
ELIZABETH: Hey.
CASS: Hey.
SFX: door closes.
ELIZABETH: Valeria Sibus. I've never been here.
CASS: Yeah, well… you're not missing much.
CROFT: Yeah this place is about as unsavory as it gets in Assembly space. Lot of gangsters and smugglers and pirates.
MEDS: Nightlife's pretty great though.
CASS: For the moment we're headed to a big station in low orbit called Stranger's Home.
SFX: the comm rings.
STRANGER'S HOME TC: (over comms) Kilo-delta-two-seven-oh-niner, Stranger's Home TC. Bearings to initial are three-one-zero mark two-seven, hands-on. Clear to approach bay Indigo-four, section three, how copy?
CROFT: Roger TC, Two-Seven-Oh-Niner copies all.
SFX: comm clicks off.
CASS: Right. Once we've talked to the repair yard I'm gonna head to the markets for some supplies.
ELIZABETH: Mind if I come? No offence but I really need to get out of this ship for a little while.
CASS: Alright, fine. Head down to the lazarette, there's a safe with some provisioning money in there, code is oh-four-five-one.
ELIZABETH: On it.
SFX: door whooshes open, then closed as footsteps recede.
CROFT: Hard seal in three, two…
SFX: a large, metallic thunk as the ship connects. A small alarm blares warningly. Metallic creaking.
MEDS: Okay… good seal.
CROFT: I got a master caution light for a second there. Meds, can you give me an integrity check?
SFX: beeping as information displays.
MEDS: Mmmm, we're good. Bit of structural strain in the mizzenhull while we docked but uh… yeah. We're holding together. Just about.
CASS: Alright guys, let's go.
- Scene Change -
SFX: in the distance, cranes whir and welding torches fire and spark. Multiple pairs of footsteps approach.
MR. TORDAN: Hey Captain... err?
CASS: Farren.
MR. TORDAN: Captain Farren. Frank Tordan, Dockmaster. Listen just so ya know, your berthing fee covers you for twenty two hours but we got a packet ship coming in here after that that needs this bay, is that good with you?
CASS: Actually we're needing repair services, I've got a fittings list here.
SFX: typing.
MR. TORDAN: Jeez, the hell you guys been doing with that thing?
CROFT: You don't want to know, mate.
MR. TORDAN: Alright I'll get my boys on it, we'll see what we can do in your budget with the time we got.
CASS: Thanks.
CROFT: Alright you two go ahead, Meds and I will get this lot acquainted.
CASS: Right.
ELIZABETH: See you later.
- Scene Change -
SFX: a crowded street bustles.
ELIZABETH: Busy place.
CASS: Yeah. Keep an eye on your wallet. We'll try this one. You're wearing a sidearm, right?
ELIZABETH: Yeah.
CASS: Good. Let me do the talking.
SFX: a door opens and closes, the street noise becomes muffled.
ARMS DEALER: Can I help you?
CASS: I need at least four belts of six-point-three Swivel, and do you have Blocker IRs?
ARMS DEALER: Sorry, no heat seekers. Pirates hit my last supplier. I got AS Javelins, right here. Laser guided. These are mil-spec shit so it'll cost you extra. Eighty two hundred each.
CASS: Eh, that's out of my budget right now. Just give me the swivel belts.
SFX: a rolling chair moves, typing.
ARMS DEALER: Sure.
SFX: footsteps.
ELIZABETH: Wait wait wait wait, hang on. You must be getting almost nothing but tramp schooners and stuff through here lately right?
SFX: typing stops.
ARMS DEALER : Yeah, so?
ELIZABETH: Well. Ammo's not like fuel or food right? Not every ship needs it. And anyone who does is gonna be buying cheap. You're never gonna shift top shelf stuff at full price right now. There's no market for it. Give us the fancy torpedoes at a...pff… thirty percent discount? Nobody else is gonna buy them. And it looks like they take up twice the space of the cheaper ones. You still make a sale and next time your supplier comes through you can fill more of your stock up on the cheaper stuff that you might actually sell. It'll pay off in the long term.
ARMS DEALER: You got a lot of nerve, lady.
CASS: We don't mean any trouble she's just--
ARMS DEALER: Nah she's right. I been sitting on them Javelins all year and I got kids to feed. You got your discount. I'll get this ticketed for you, where's your ship at?
CASS: Bay Indigo-Four.
ARMS DEALER: Alright, back with you in a sec.
SFX: footsteps recede.
CASS: What was that?
ELIZABETH: Eh, I minored in Diplomacy, there's a bit of crossover with Business and--
CASS: This isn't some spring market on Firewatch, Liz. There are people around here who don't take kindly to being told how to do their jobs. If you'd have pulled that shit in the wrong store they might have--
ELIZABETH: I don't think--
CASS: Let's just get back to the ship.
- Scene Change -
SFX: somber, quiet music plays. Footsteps.
CASS: Croft.
CROFT: Morning Skip. Sleep well?
CASS: No. How are we looking?
CROFT: Okay so good news is, it looks like we're not going to explode...uh, yet.
CASS: That's a start.
CROFT: And we should be able to make planetary landings again without much trouble. Problem is the budget is running pretty thin beyond that. I don't think we're gonna be able to manage a full tank of fuel, we should be good for a bit of distance but we better hope we find some work soon.
CASS: What about the cracked vector cones?
CROFT: Ach, sorry Skip. I asked around but the whole design is proprietary, it's not something we can fix with aftermarket materials. But as it is, it should be solid enough to get us to Centrum or--
CASS: Why would we be going to Centrum?
CROFT: Yeah sorry Skip, I only meant that uh...
SFX: hair scratching.
CROFT: Well since there's no other way to replace the parts I thought you might–
CASS: Go and fetch Meds. We're going to speak to Brynlock, see if we can find some work.
CROFT: Yeah. Sorry, I’ll uh… Sure thing, Skip.
SFX: Quick footsteps.
MR. TORDAN: (far away) Ah, Captain Farren! Captain Farren!
CASS: Ugh.. Mister Tordan.
SFX: footsteps as Mr. Tordan approaches.
MR. TORDAN: Hey Captain, sorry to nag but just wanted to check you'd be good to clear out soon? That packet ship I mentioned is coming into the holding pattern and-
CASS: We've got an appointment down on the moon, I don't know how long we'll be.
MR. TORDAN: Oh… right, well I might be able to give you an extension until end-of-day today, but this client is very-
CASS: Thank you, I appreciate it. Excuse me.
SFX: quick footsteps resume
MR. TORDAN: I–
SFX: a handheld comm opens.
CASS: Liz, meet us down on the cargo lift, we're taking a skiff down to Valeria Sibus.
ELIZABETH: (over comms) On my way.
SFX: morose music swells, then fades out.
- Scene Change -
SFX: metro train rattling and screeching.
METRO PA: Now approaching; Red Light District. Please bring all belongings with you when departing the metro.
ELIZABETH: What's this place we're going?
CROFT: The Crafty Dragon, it's a pub, run by this chap named Brynlock. It's right by the metro station.
ELIZABETH: And this guy runs a Privateer auction house?
CROFT: Yeah, Assembly Registered Prizemaster and all that, and he brokers cargo jobs and stuff, but that's just the downstairs bit.
ELIZABETH: Right…
SFX: metro screeching to a slow halt. Doors open and a friendly chime sounds.
CASS: This is us, let's go.
- Scene Change -
SFX: footsteps. The gentle ambience of a quiet pub.
BRYNLOCK: Captain Farren, I don't believe my eyes.
CASS: Brynlock.
SFX: hands patting backs.
BRYNLOCK: Meds and Croft too, I'd written you all off for dead.
CROFT: Nah Bryn, still alive and kicking.
MEDS: Just about.
BRYNLOCK: And hello, who is this brightening my humble establishment this evening?
ELIZABETH: Elizabeth.
BRYNLOCK: Enchanted, I'm sure.
CASS: Alright, don't start.
MEDS: I'll get us a round of drinks.
SFX: footsteps recede.
BRYNLOCK: Wait hold on, weren't you on the news? Elizabeth something-or-other? The expedition?
CROFT: Yeah it's a long story.
CASS: We're looking for work. Whatever you've got.
CROFT: Things have got pretty down to the wire lately.
BRYNLOCK: Agh, I'm sorry to add to your woes but things are pretty scarce around here just now. I just gave out my last passenger contract yesterday. I had some prospecting jobs going in Atamara but they've gone radio silent lately. People saying they might have got hit by those Paleborn, poor bastards. If you hang around a few days I might be able to-
CASS: Sorry, we're burning through docking fees already.
BRYNLOCK: Well.. I hesitate to suggest, but there's always... upstairs work. I've got a couple of smuggling jobs that ship of yours would be perfect for.
CASS: No. We don't do that.
BRYNLOCK: I know, legal work only. Forget I mentioned it.
MEDS: Drinks.
ELIZABETH: Thanks.
CROFT: Cheers, Meds.
SFX: gentle, haunting music plays.
CASS: Is there really nothing else you've got?
BRYNLOCK: Sorry Captain. Rough times for everyone right now. I've got your comm, I'll let you know if anything comes up. Enjoy your drinks.
CASS: Shit...
MEDS: Cass, you haven't slept in days. After these drinks why don't you and Elizabeth head back to the ship and get some rest. Croft and I will see what else we can dig up down here.
CASS: Alright, fine.
SFX: sad music fades out.
- Scene Change -
SFX: door opens. Cranes and power tools whirring, welding torches firing.
ELIZABETH: Cass, listen. Maybe we should be thinking about going to Centrum. I know I'm new to all this but it really seems like we're at the end of our rope here.
CASS: I really don't want to talk about this.
MR. TORDAN: Ah Captain Farren, I-I'm glad I found you. I-I'm afraid your extension has run rather long, my other client’s become quite impatient and-
CASS: Get the hell out of my way!
MR. TORDAN: Captain I'm sorry but I'm afraid I must insist that-
CASS: Get your hands off me!
SFX: shoving and pushing sounds. People shout “whoa”.
ELIZABETH: Cass!
MR. TORDAN: Alright, I'm calling security.
ELIZABETH: No. Please, I'm sorry, we're all under a lot of pressure right now.
MR. TORDAN: You and all the rest of us, lady.
CASS: Come on, we're going.
MR. TORDAN: I'll be making a written report of this!
- Scene Change -
SFX: door opens and closes, footsteps approach.
CROFT: We're back.
CASS: Any luck?
MEDS: Sorry, Cass.
CASS: It's alright. It was a long shot.
SFX: door opens and closes again.
ELIZABETH: Hey guys.
CROFT: Alright.
ELIZABETH: Listen, I was thinking. It's a long burn, but maybe we could go to Firewatch. My father is fairly wealthy. He might be able to help us out.
CROFT: Well Firewatch is really out of the way of pretty much everywhere, but I reckon we should be able to make it on the fuel we've got at the moment.
MEDS: Yeah problem is we'll be dry when we get there. So… if we don't find work then we're stuck there.
CROFT: Much cheaper docking fees though, it's not a busy place. So we'll have a lot more time to figure something out.
MEDS: What do you think Cass?
SFX: muffled dockyard sounds.
CASS: I don't know... I...
ELIZABETH: My dad will help us.
CASS: Alright... Firewatch.
CROFT: Right then, I'll get up to the bridge.
CASS: Keep her warmed up, Croft. I've got… something I need to do first.
- Scene Change -
SFX: typing. A wooden door slides open and footsteps approach.
CASS: Mister Tordan.
MR. TORDAN: Captain Farren.
CASS: We'll be departing momentarily. This is everything we owe you for the mooring and repairs, plus an extra fifty by way of apology for my… outburst… earlier. You were just doing your job and I... I know it's not much. I'd give you more but... everything's just falling apart, I-
MR. TORDAN: It's alright. We're all in the same boat right now, I get it. You can keep the fifty, it's fine. I didn't bother calling security in the end. I hope… things start looking up for you guys soon.
CASS: I– Thank you.
MR. TORDAN: Where you headed next?
CASS: Uh, Firewatch, actually. Unfortunately we couldn't find any work here.
MR. TORDAN: Firewatch? Hang on, you might actually be in luck. I've got...
SFX: typing.
MR. TORDAN: Twenty pallets of photovoltaic sheeting waiting for delivery to a client on Firewatch. I've been waiting on a proper freighter but I reckon we might be able to fit them into your cargo bay. They should pay a decent price on delivery.
CASS: Really? I... I don't know what to say.
MR. TORDAN: Ah don't worry about it Captain. Whole world's gone to shit, all we can really do is try and watch out for each other.
CASS: Thank you.
SFX: slow, sentimental music swells, then fades out.
- Scene Change -
SFX: door whooshes open and closed, footsteps. Gentle, haunting music plays.
CROFT: Alright Skip, cargo's loaded, we're all set to go.
CASS: Thanks Croft. Ah... Listen up everyone. I know I owe you all a dozen apologies. I need you to know that... I can't lose any of you, okay? Not like– I- I'm trying. I'm just… really trying here.
CROFT: We know Skip. You're all good.
CASS: Alright, let's get out of here.
SFX: a quiet beeping.
MEDS: Traffic control signals clear for departure.
CASS: Clear all moorings Croft, ahead slow.
SFX: “Captains” by Show of Hands plays.
CROFT: Copy that.
ELIZABETH: Cass.
ELIZABETH: We're gonna be okay.
CASS: Yeah. We're gonna be okay.
SFX: the Guinevere's engine fires as she flies away.
NARRATOR: You have been listening to The Sojourn, Season Two Episode One: To Hear the Falconer, written and directed by Daniel Orrett, story by Lead Writer Daniel Orrett and Staff Writer Larissa Thompson. Produced by Executive Producer Daniel Orrett, and Producers Larissa Thompson and Gabriel Fonseca. 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 Kennedy Phillips, Simon Alison, GM Hakim, Wilson Skomal, James Takahashi, Ciaran Daly, Brandon P. Jenkins, and Toby Ridehalgh. Music by Sam Redfern. Also featuring “Wilderness” by Taylor Davis which is used with the given permission of Taylor Davis representatives and “Captains” by Show of Hands, which is used with the given permission of Show of Hands representatives. Continue listening for the next episode.
SFX: “Captains” by Show of Hands continues.