VOID
VOID
The Cambridge Contract - S6 - E12
During the most recent episode of VOID, Terry started to come to grips with what happened to his partner. Serebella received a message from the station about an uprising of the citizens and the downfall of the 5. Regina revealed the details of her contract and steered the ship towards the coordinates of the Cambridge mission.
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VOID - SEASON 6, EPISODE 12
Written by Sean McKnight
With Jeni Miller
The Cambridge Contract
VOID PODCAST LLC
NARRATOR
During the most recent episode of VOID, Terry started to come to grips with what happened to his partner. Serebella received a message from the station about an uprising of the citizens and the downfall of the 5. Regina revealed the details of her contract and steered the ship towards the coordinates of the Cambridge mission.
SOUND: ALL HAIL
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - MORNING
REGINA REX
Ok everyone, we’re approaching the coordinates. Until we know what we’re dealing with stay at your stations unless otherwise instructed.
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Ursula? Check in.
URSULA NASH
(over comms)
Standing by in the med bay.
REGINA REX
Terry, check in.
TERRY MENDELSON
(over comms)
Standing by in engineering with Maddox.
Serebella.
REGINA REX
SEREBELLA REON
(over comms)
Standing by on the cannons.
REGINA REX
Jonas how are things in the docking bay?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(over comms)
Anko is on the manipulator system operating the boom. I’m on the hatch and containment.
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX
Good to go everyone. Astrid, scan the coordinates I’m inputing now.
SOUND: DIFFERENT KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
(To herself)
Zenith, altitude according to that
star, and azimuth...
ASTRID
Scanning entered coordinates. Please stand by.
SOUND: SCANNING, NOTIFICATION
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Object discovered.
REGINA REX
Astrid, identify object.
SOUND: PROCESSING
ASTRID
Unable to identify object.
REGINA REX
Shit. That’s what I thought. Ok. Astrid, scan object for defenses. Is object hostile?
SOUND: SCANNING
ASTRID
Object appears to be lacking any defense capabilities. Spectrum scan indicates no sources of combustible materials or explosives. Object has not reacted to our presence.
Hostile intent is not detected.
REGINA REX
Huh. Ok, let’s approach slowly.
SOUND: BUTTONS, ENGINE THRUST
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
So far so good. Astrid, monitor object for any changes as we approach.
SOUND: SCANNING
ASTRID
Monitoring object now.
SOUND: ENGINE THRUST DIMINISHING, KEYPAD
REGINA REX
Getting a visual. Continue standing by everyone. Jonas, can you see it yet?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(over comms)
One moment. Uh, yes, I see it now. It’s not very big.
ANKO LUMEN
(over comms)
It looks like a small space probe. If it’s from the station, what’s it doing way out here?
REGINA REX
I guess we’re going to find out. Astrid, scan object for hazardous radiation levels, high-energy particles or other dangerous energy signatures.
ASTRID
Scanning object for hazardous agents.
SOUND: SCANNING, NOTIFICATION
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Scan complete. No hazards detected.
REGINA REX
Ok guys, hook it up and bring it in.
ANKO LUMEN
Roger that.
SOUND: BOOM ARM EXTENDING, TRANSITION
INT. CHING SHE DOCKING BAY - LATER
REGINA REX
Before we crack this open Jonas, you’re sure you scanned it again?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Yes, as soon as Anko pulled it in, we sealed it in containment and completed every scan.
REGINA REX
Fine.
SEREBELLA REON
And you say I’mparanoid.
REGINA REX
Hey, I don’t want this thing blowing up in our faces, ok? Terry, what do you think?
TERRY MENDELSON
(approaching and walking around probe)
I think I can break this seal over here without damaging it. We might be able to find a control panel of some kind. Or at least a port we can connect to.
REGINA REX
Ok. Let’s do it.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, TORCH IGNITING, METAL CUTTING, METAL PLATE FALLING TO THE FLOOR, TORCH SHUTTING OFF, SORTING THROUGH WIRES AND MECHANICAL PANELS
TERRY MENDELSON
Yep, we have a port right here. We can connect to it to extract the data in this thing.
ANKO LUMEN
Hang on a sec, I have an adapter dongle we can use.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, RUMMAGING, FOOTSTEPS, DONGLE BEING SLOTTED INTO PORT, CABLE CONNECTING TO DONGLE
ANKO LUMEN (CONT'D)
Astrid, extract data from probe.
SOUND: SCANNING, FAILURE SOUND
ASTRID
Unable to extract data. Data encrypted.
ANKO LUMEN
I thought that was going too easily. Astrid, decrypt data lock.
ASTRID
Decrypting probe data lock.
SOUND: PROCESSING
ANKO LUMEN
This could take awhile.
SOUND: TRANSITION, PROCESSING CONTINUED
INT. CHING SHE DOCKING BAY - AFTERNOON
ANKO LUMEN
So what are you going to do when this whole thing is over?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I can’t stay on Earth anymore so after we finish there, I’ll guess I’ll see what I can do on the station to help with the exodus. I mean, if we get that far.
ANKO LUMEN
Well, with whatever is happening at the station, I guess the future is uncertain for all of us.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Especially with the imminence of the comet in play. What were you planning on doing?
ANKO LUMEN
I don’t actually know that now. I had a whole career arc planned for when we get back but now, that’s over.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Maybe it’s time for a change, not that we have much choice anyway.
ANKO LUMEN
I’ve been thinking I’m kind of enjoying the space thing. I might try to become a regular crew member somewhere, maybe here on the Ching She if Regina goes out again. You don’t want to explore space anymore?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I’m more of a homebody so this adventure was all I needed for a space experience in my lifetime. I’m happy exploring my relationship with Ursula.
SOUND: PROCESSING FINISHING
ASTRID
Encryption decoded. Access to data is now available.
ANKO LUMEN
We’re in!
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Let’s get Regina and the others.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, WHEELCHAIR, FOOTSTEPS
REGINA REX
(entering on wheelchair) Did you find anything out yet?
ANKO LUMEN
We have it on this monitor.
REGINA REX
Let’s open the directory and see what’s in this thing. There might be a manifest.
SOUND: VARIOUS CLICKING AND INTERACTING
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Bingo!
SOUND: DOUBLE CLICK, SCROLLING
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Looks like it left the station almost 8 years ago.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
The destination was the moon? Why was this going to the moon?
REGINA REX
Right there, that’s why. This was intended for Yehuda Salazar.
MADDOX KANE
Who?
REGINA REX
Dr. Salazar had a base on the moon that produced clones.
MADDOX KANE
Had?
SEREBELLA REON
We blew it up.
MADDOX KANE
Oh.
SEREBELLA REON
Yeah, he wasn’t a good guy.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
What is that directory marked genomes?
SOUND: DOUBLE CLICK, SCROLLING
REGINA REX
Whoa. This looks like a genetic directory of everyone on the station.
MADDOX KANE
It looks to be organized according to skills. Engineers, chemists, mechanical. There’s a rejected category too.
SOUND: DOUBLE CLICK
REGINA REX
The subcategory here is interesting: Unnecessary Skills.
URSULA NASH
Cooks, artists; wait, doctors? No offense to anyone here but why are doctors not necessary I wonder?
SEREBELLA REON
What’s that directory there? The one that says Termination List...
SOUND: DOUBLE CLICK, SCROLLING
REGINA REX
Oh, wow.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Is this what I think it is?
REGINA REX
Yeah, I think so. It’s a plan to terminate the populace of the station.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
To what end?
URSULA NASH
It seems to me that they were going to manufacture clones and replace the populace of the station.
SEREBELLA REON
Why would they do that?
ANKO LUMEN
I would assume that with a genetically engineered clone they could design the subject to be much more compliant and remove free will as a characteristic of their profile.
MADDOX KANE
So they were trying to engineer a mindless working class to take over the station’s population. So typical.
Typical?
ANKO LUMEN
MADDOX KANE
Typical in that those in power always want to remain that way, no matter the cost. To ensure they stay in power they manipulate the system wherever they can. The power addicted wealthy don’t seem to change much.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That tracks. I read in the history archives that the government eliminated voting in the 2020s. And the majority of the population lived in “company towns” at that point too.
URSULA NASH
Yeah, there was a conservative political party that installed a “leader for life” if I remember correctly.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
They did but that didn’t end well and that’s when the riots in the 30’s happened where thousands died protesting.
REGINA REX
It looks like the 5 were playing from a similar playbook behind the scenes.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That’s where it starts, always in the background where no-one is paying attention.
URSULA NASH
But why then is the probe all the way out here?
PAUSE A BEAT
REGINA REX
Here’s the navigation log.
SOUND: DOUBLE CLICK, SCROLLING
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
It seems like it was on track to go to the moon.
URSULA NASH
Yeah, but look right here. There’s an error that appears to have sent the probe off course accidentally.
PAUSE A BEAT
ANKO LUMEN
Maybe it wasn’t an accident.
REGINA REX
Meaning what?
ANKO LUMEN
These probes were always accurate in terms of navigational features. It’s extremely rare for them to not work properly. Especially one of this importance. I’m guessing that there is more than one probe that was being incorporated into the procedure.
REGINA REX
Do you think someone sabotaged this one on purpose?
ANKO LUMEN
It’s possible. I knew a lot of engineers that didn’t trust the 5. I wouldn’t be surprised.
SEREBELLA REON
Maybe they can use this data to trace the probes back to whoever was helping the 5 with them in the first place.
REGINA REX
We’ll take this evidence back to the station and offer it up to whoever is running things now.
Anko, download all the data onto a drive as a backup. I don’t want this probe to be the only copy of the data.
SOUND: DEVICE BEING CONNECTED, DOWNLOADING DATA, TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE CANTINA - EVENING
URSULA NASH
(walking in and grabbing a drink)
Hey you.
Hey.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(already having a drink)
SOUND: DRINK POURING, FOOTSTEPS, SITTING DOWN
URSULA NASH
What’s wrong? You look worried.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I am.
URSULA NASH
About what?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Once Terry and Maddox finish prepping the warp drive, we’ll be heading to Earth. And getting there much faster.
URSULA NASH
And?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
And what happens if I reach Gerald and he’s not Gerald anymore? What if he really is on the side of the council now?
URSULA NASH
Is that really so bad?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You don’t know the council. Especially Harris. They’re evil Ursula. I’ve seen them wipe out entire levels of the colony to suit their needs. They don’t give a damn about the people there. They only care about their religious agendas and their own self preservation.
URSULA NASH
And he’s joined them?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I don’t know if you call it that. But they tortured him and broke his will enough that he’s working for them. He might be too far gone; I can’t say for sure one way or the other.
URSULA NASH
I guess we’ll find out when we get to Earth. You’re not alone in this Jonas. We’re here to help you.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That is a relief.
URSULA NASH
But Jonas, if he really is on their side, have you thought about what you’ll do if you can’t sway him back to you?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I guess I would have to leave him there.
URSULA NASH
And if the situation gets hostile?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Oh, well with Serebella and the resources we have here between armor and weapons, they’ll be outmatched. The colony has a pretty lame security force that doesn’t pay attention half the time and doesn’t have much in the way of armament.
URSULA NASH
But Jonas, fighting some moon miners we don’t know is one thing. Are you certain you can handle having to fight your friend?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(somewhat evading the question)
They don’t have any working guns. They don’t have ammunition for them either. They have clubs and knives, that’s it. With our firepower and body armor, they don’t have much of a chance against us.
URSULA NASH
And they’ve been able to rule the colony that way?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
They rule through fear, distraction and control. They feed the colony constant lies and no-one challenges them. Everyone’s focused on day-to- day survival. Some revolts have happened but nothing that’s taken hold.
URSULA NASH
If it comes to a showdown between you and your friend? Didn’t you tell me that the council wants you dead?
JONAS ALDRIDGE
Well yes, they did try to execute me but with Gerald’s help I escaped.
And now?
URSULA NASH
JONAS ALDRIDGE
And now, I guess I don’t know.
SOUND: TRANSITION, HATCH, FOOTSTEPS
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - NIGHT
REGINA REX
Hey Terry and Maddox. Thanks for joining me on the bridge. I need a status report on the warp drives.
MADDOX KANE
The calibrations are complete. It should be ready to go.
REGINA REX
Should?
MADDOX KANE
As you know, warp technology is still in its infancy. We’ve only started to really understand it on the station where I’m from.
Unfortunately it can be unpredictable.
TERRY MENDELSON
Are we sure this is worth the risk?
REGINA REX
If we use cryostasis, it will literally take a couple of years to get back to Earth. That is time we can’t afford to lose given the comet that’s on track to collide with Earth.
MADDOX KANE
There’s also the concern of evacuation. Both inhabitants of Earth and the New Hope will have to formulate evacuation plans on a massive scale.
REGINA REX
That’s going to take awhile, especially given the chaos that’s happening there with the downfall of the 5.
TERRY MENDELSON
So it’s a race against time.
REGINA REX
Which is why need those warp engines online and ready to go.
MADDOX KANE
They’re ready to the best of my knowledge. The technology on this ship is a little out of date.
REGINA REX
You’re not inspiring a lot of confidence here Maddox.
MADDOX KANE
I’m not trying to, I’m being honest and realistic.
REGINA REX
I see.
MADDOX KANE
But yes, those drives could blow and we would all die.
SOUND: TRANSITION, KEYPAD
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - NIGHT
REGINA REX
Everyone is at their stations and ready to go. Terry and Maddox, are you at the ready with the warp drives?
TERRY MENDELSON
(over speaker)
We’re good to go and standing by Captain.
PAUSE A BEAT
SILENCE
REGINA REX
I have to be honest with all of you, we are putting ourselves at great risk with the use of the warp drives. Terry and Maddox have worked hard to get the drives up and running but that doesn’t guarantee our safety. I’m afraid we don’t have much choice but to use them in order to get to Earth as quickly as we can. If anyone has any objections, now is the time to voice your concerns.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
I can only speak for myself when I say I’m ready to take that risk and that I believe in you, our crew and the ship Captain Rex.
ANKO LUMEN
Me too. I am too. Me too.
URSULA NASH SEREBELLA REON MADDOX KANE
(over speaker) Me as well.
TERRY MENDELSON
What the hell, I’m ready.
REGINA REX
Ok then. Astrid, confirm plotted course back to Earth. I really, really don’t want to hit any asteroids or smash into a planet along the way.
ASTRID
Confirming plotted course to Earth.
SOUND: PROCESSING
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Plotted course confirmed.
REGINA REX
Here we go. Powering down main engines.
SOUND: BUTTONS, KEYPAD, MAIN ENGINES POWERING DOWN
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Powering up warp drives. Negative ion friction shields deployed.
SOUND: BUTTONS, KEYPAD, WARP DRIVES POWERING UP, SHIELDS MOVING INTO PLACE
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Maddox, Terry, how are things looking?
MADDOX KANE
Drives are stable captain. I would recommend that you proceed.
REGINA REX
Make sure you’re strapped in everyone; here we go.
SOUND: BUTTONS, KEYPAD, WARP DRIVES ENGAGING, ACCELERATING AND SETTLING IN
JONAS ALDRIDGE
(struggling from the g- force to speak)
The Gs are kind of intense.
SOUND: WARP DRIVES AT FULL, BUTTONS, KEYPAD
JONAS ALDRIDGE (CONT'D)
Ooof, that’s better.
REGINA REX
Yeah, sorry, g-force stabilizers are on now.
URSULA NASH
How long will it take us to get to Earth?
REGINA REX
Astrid, confirm arrival time to Earth.
SOUND: PROCESSING
ASTRID
Given current rate of speed, the Ching She will arrive at Earth in 6 days, 22 minutes and 40 Seconds.
JONAS ALDRIDGE
That’s incredible. It would’ve taken what, 2 years normally?
REGINA REX
Something like that. Maddox, Terry, check in.
MADDOX KANE
Warp drives are stable captain.
TERRY MENDELSON
Yeah, looking good so far.
MADDOX KANE
One important note captain, it’s dangerous to suddenly turn off the warp drives, they should be powered down gradually should any issues present themselves.
REGINA REX
Thank you for the heads up Maddox.
SOUND: KEYPAD
REGINA REX (CONT'D)
Settle in folks, it looks like we’ll be cruising like this for awhile.
SOUND: TRANSITION, WARP DRIVES IN THE BACKGROUND, KEYPAD
INT. CHING SHE BRIDGE - MORNING
REGINA REX
Ok everyone, we’re 6 hours into it. I think everyone can relax a bit, get some rest and resume your regular duties. Maddox and Terry, I’d like you to alternate shifts monitoring the drives.
TERRY MENDELSON
(over speaker) Roger that.
URSULA NASH
Thanks captain, I’m heading to the med bay.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
SEREBELLA REON
(getting flirty with Regina)
I’m going to get some rack time. Will you be joining me?
REGINA REX
(flirty back)
Soon. Let me finish some things here and I’m right behind you.
SEREBELLA REON
Don’t wait too long.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS, HATCH
JONAS ALDRIDGE
You two are so cute.
REGINA REX
Shut up Jonas.
ANKO LUMEN
If I’m not needed on the bridge, I’d like to...
SOUND: ALERT, EXTREME POWER SURGE
ASTRID
Warning, severe energy surge detected.
MADDOX KANE
(over speaker)
Captain Rex, we’ve had a spike in the...
SOUND: CRACKLING DISTORTION, MADDOX GETTING CUT OFF REGINA REX
Maddox? Terry? Talk to me! What’s going on?
END OF EPISODE