The Amalgamation (Episodes 11-15)

(OFFICIAL OPEN!/PROLOGUE)

 

(FETCHER stands in front of a huge iron door, looking very nervous. Before approaching or interacting with the door panel, he glances at his WristCom where a silenced video of Isaac and Janet is playing, seemingly on loop. He pulls up some coordinates over the video, double-checking he is at the right place. The doors clunk loudly and steam hisses out. Fetcher looks alarmed and holds his blaster at his side. There is no going back now.)

(The rudimentary armaments come to life on the wall around the door, blinking red and aiming at Fetcher, making him increasingly nervous, but they all suddenly turn back off by the mysterious power of the figure emerging from the smoke.)

ISAAC: Now, now. We won’t be having any of that.

(FETCHER watches as ISAAC steps out from obscureness. He is dressed in fine, brigh red ceremonial robes emblazoned with a Furnigation emblem, a trapezoidal cylinder topped with fire. His arms, all the way up to the elbows, are laced with black leather that is full of dials, wires and blinking red lights.)

ISAAC: That’s no way to welcome a prince home.

(ISAAC smiles, delighted. FETCHER stares.)

 

 

Characters:

ADMIRAL CALUCE

SHAWN MOTLEY

SELENIA GOULDING

FETCHER MOORES JR

JENNA MCCUSKY

ISAAC HAWSEN

JANET HAWSEN

JAN

PHEB

JACE STETT

ANJO JARD

CORRIN

PISTON

MOEN JARD

DOOREN STETT

CARMEN (CLUTCH) SANDERS

HECTOR

Denise

Constituents

Guards

PEARES

 

 

 

Episode 11

 

(SELENIA, LIAM, JENNA, JAN, PHEB, JACE and MOTLEY sit in an Amalgamation headquarters room, headed by ADMIRAL CALUCE who seems to stand in reverent silence in front of them. JENNA is not making a lot of eye contact with anyone. JAN has a hand on PHEB’s shoulder, MOTLEY has a hand on one of his navv’s neck. SELENIA, most noticeably of all, is sunken miserably into her chair, looking sleep-deprived and disheveled.)

ADMIRAL CALUCE: It has come to my attention that the crew ofThe Empress is in need of a repositions of its hierarchical order.

PHEB: It needs a new captain, you mean.

JACE: Pheb.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: Ah, no, not precisely. Lieutenant Liam has volunteered to descend from his position to fill the rol of captain. He will still fill this role, if there are no objections.

LIAM: There might be one.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: And whose would that be?

LIAM: My own.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: Explain.

LIAM: Pardon my saying so, Admiral, but it was me who overstepping my bounds that sent a highly-ranked Amalgamation officer to the Furnigation.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: And you are resigning because of this?

LIAM: I think it should be noted in my candidacy.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: (pacing) Well, per Captain Goulding’s request, she would like to atleast shed the mantle temporarily, leaving The Empress unheaded.

MOTLEY: Liam would be a fine captain. I’ve no qualms about what he’s done. 

(JACE, JAN & PHEB nod their heads in agreement)

JAN: It was a misunderstanding.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: Setttled, then. As for First Officer, are there any … nominations?

(All eyes rest expectantly on SELENIA, who does not act as if she even heard the Admiral)

JENNA: I would like to volunteer.

(JENNA stands up, there is shock all around the room)

ADMIRAL CALUCE: Dr. McCusky, you are The Empress’s trusted doctor-

JENNA: And I can become its trusted First Officer. I would like the position.

JAN: Ay, I’d vote for Jenna.

JACE: I would too.

PHEB: Me three!

MOTLEY: It’s not a bad idea.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: Settled, then! Jenna McCusky will fill the role of First Officer, which leaves only the role of pilot…

(The crew goes somber. It is a painful subject)

ADMIRAL CALUCE: … which we will fill temporarily. Empress crew, it has been a pleasure debriefing with you all today, but I do believe I will needing a word in private with your previous captain.

(SELENIA’s eyes flick up. Everyone else begins to leave)

ADMIRAL CALUCE: Please enjoy the mess hall dinner for me!

(Everyone leaves. ADMIRAL CALUCE sits next to SELENIA)

ADMIRAL CALUCE: You could go home, you know. We’re allowing you that leave.

SELENIA: (shrugs) There’s nothing there for me but a dying father and a dying land.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: And there seems to be nothing for you here but bad memories and misery.

SELENIA: Isn’t there an engine room you could assign me to?

ADMIRAL CALUCE: There’s plenty of other places you can smother your grief in tears and sweat.

SELENIA: (miserably) Then assign me to one.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: I am, Selenia. But where you need to be right now is amongst those who know you.

SELENIA: (snaps) Those who know me know what I did. I didn’t take the mission seriously. I led us all into danger.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: They don’t see it that way.

SELENIA: I’ve gotten us captured as slaves, stranded for fuel and nearly boarded by Freebooters.

ADMIRAL CALUCE: Now – 

SELENIA: I’m a terrible captain. I should never be allowed near that ship or those people ever again.

(A pause)

SELENIA: And Cl-

(She cannot even say her name)

(ADMIRAL CALUCE lets her vent and places a gentle hand on her back)

ADMIRAL CALUCE: Selenia. You must heal this wound before it hurts others and the only way to do that is to heal around those who care for you. To prove to yourself that worst about them and you isn’t true. With the Furnigation’s new offer of allegiance, the Amalgamation is headed for unprecedented times and we need Selenia Goulding as one of our officers at the forefront. Not down in a sweaty engine room. As of right now, you are forcefully committed to the role of pilot aboard The Empress. You were a magnificent pilot back in Dominion’s school if I do remember myself. You are also hereby forcefully commanded to enjoy a dinner with your friends and crew downstairs.

(ADMIRAL CALUCE helps SELENIA stand, who begrudgingly lets her help her put on her jacket and escort her to the door.)

-(An upper floor, CORRIN sits in his office, his face lit by an informational hologram he’s scrolling through. He pauses intermittently to highlight portions and file them into different folders or messages. He is just reaching to close the document when a voice comes on a communication device)

DENISE: Lietuenant Corrin, a call from holding cell 30.

CORRIN: Holding cell…? Don’t tell me it’s –

DENISE: It is.

CORRIN: (sighs) Patch it through.

(The call is sent through, there is a ringing then an ambient silence)

PISTON: I want to broker a deal.

CORRIN: (ignoring her, pretending to look busy on the document he was just scanning) Pitton, was it?

PISTON: Piston.

CORRIN: Not … any less stupid. Aren’t you only allowed one call?

PISTON: Why do you think I’m talking to you?

CORRIN: Really? A whole galaxy of like-minded criminals who probably owe you a favor and you decided to take your chance with me – the guy who threw you in prison in the first place?

PISTON: Well, I shot Throttle in the back.

CORRIN: Not instilling confidence. Also, there’s three of you? Was there a naming ceremony Clutch didn’t mention? You all know I don’t have some kind of … engine fetish, right?

PISTON: I know where Clutch is.

(A long pause. CORRIN’s whole mood changes. He shifts back in his chair, his face darkening)

PISTON: And if you rescind your charges – I’ll take you there.

CORRIN: Clutch is dead.

PISTON: Is that what you want to believe?

CORRIN: You’d say anything to get me to save your hull.

PISTON: We’re both gamblers, lieutenant. I did only get one call – but you answered. That tells me that we both hope the other had something worthwhile to say.

CORRIN: You misjudge my loyalties.

PISTON: I’m thinking you misjudge your own.

CORRIN: I don’t affiliate with liars.

PISTON: Then explain Clutch to me.

(CORRIN hangs up. He is shaken, but tries to go back to work. He takes a break after sufficient distraction, staring off into nothingness, lost in troubling thought)

-(The mess hall, the crew is sitting at one of the crowded tables and generally enjoying each other’s company. SELENIA sits flanked by JENNA and MOTLEY and makes weak, but not disinterested, conversation. JACE looks up and looks at the meal line)

JACE: Who’s the new guy?

JAN: I’m not sure what you mean, lass.

JACE: The one wearing his abnegationalist robes out in –

(She stops, thinking. JAN scans the people, confused)

JAN: The only praying lady garments I be seeing is our own lady Jenna.

JACE: Nevermind.

(She leaves JAN and the tray at the table and comes up behind the man)

JACE: Bartyl?

(The people ‘around’ Bartyl look confusedly at her)

Woman: Do you need something?

(JACE, realizing she might look a little crazy talking to someone who is not there to anybody else, grabs a tray and scoots back in line next to BARTYL)

JACE: Gonna cut in here, excuse me.

Woman: That is very rude.

JACE: I know, I’m sorry.

(As they scoot along, JACE watches as BARTYL idly busies himself scooping potato-like substance onto his tray)

JACE: (under her breath) Would you prefer the garlique taproot or humiliating me in public?

BARTYL: I wouldn’t call it a humiliation. That wasn’t my intent.

JACE: You’ve never appeared this openly.

Cafeteria Lady: You want the Chon Chow?

(JACE waves a hand to pass)

BARTYL: We can certainly go somewhere more private.

JACE: I’d prefer that.

(She dumps her empty and perfectly clean tray into the scrubber at the end of the line. The mess hall staff shoots her a dirty look. She exits into the hallway with BARTYL, whose tray disappears as they leave)

JACE: Alright, what spiritual frequency am I dialed into now?

BARTYL: You don’t seem happy to see me.

JACE: Why are you here??

BARTYL: To visit you. Wasn’t that obvious?

JACE: But what for?

BARTYL: I think about you. And I wonder if you’re still seeking the truth.

JACE: The truth?

BARTYL: You adorned the robes of an abnegationalist. In doing this, you promised to renounce the path of what is easy and pursue the path of what is right.

(They have walked down the hallway a fair bit and are now nearing the interrogation rooms that MOTLEY was taken to in Episode 2. Because it is lunchtime and there are no prisoners of note being kept here currently, this area is generally quiet)

JACE: Frankly, Bartyl, the time I ‘donned’ these robes because I wanted to be like Jenna, a charitable and gentle soul. Then we visited your temple and lost a valued friend. Are you here to tell me where Clutch is? Are you here to tell me where Fetcher is?

(BARTYL strolls into an interrogation room. JACE follows)

JACE: Why are we in here?

BARTYL: Because you act as if this is an interrogation. All I asked is if you are doing what is right?

JACE: I thought I was. But the truth seems illusive. I think it’s just not the right time for me. 

BARTYL: (nodding and fading) Indeed, we should know that the place we are in is always the right place, and the time we are in, is always the right time…

JACE: Hey! Bartyl!

(A guard bursts in through the door, seemingly panting and out of breath. He turns his back to her and faces the door, fumbling for his blaster, seemingly just to know it’s still there at his side, but he quickly pulls it out defensively when he realizes JACE is in the room with him)

ANJO: Stand down!

JACE: I’m not armed!

(She holds her hands up, confused)

JACE: I’m Amalgamation. Like you? We’re on an Amalgamation base? You’re wearing our insignia!

(ANJO looks down at his shirt, but keeps the blaster leveled at JACE awkwardly)

JACE: Unless you’re … not Amalgamation?

(ANJO lowers his blaster and stands awkwardly, not sure what to say)

ANJO: (a bad liar) No, I’m – I’m Amalgamation.

(A beeping, clicking in JACE’s head)

JACE: Then what’s your name?

ANJO: An…dree…fiss…

JACE: I just checked your unit number in the database and your name is most certainly not Andrephus.

ANJO: (Curses) I could’ve sworn I got that one right.

JACE: You’re not Amalgamation.

ANJO: (taking his helmet off grumpily) Fine. I’m not Amalgamation. (He raises his blaster again) But you’re not going to be telling anyone anything about that unless you direct me to the ship dock. Specifically the small spaceships. With escape pods. And manual control panels.

(JACE is now looking at the face of ANJO Jard, who to a nineteen year old girl is a complete heart throb. She is taken aback by his attractiveness)

JACE: Whooooooooooa.

ANJO: What?

JACE: No, yeah, I can take you to the shipyard  - ship port, no problem. (awkward laugh)

ANJO: We’ll have to make it look natural.

JACE: (blurt) I could – I could take your arm and you could hold the gun under your coat or whatever. You know, like under your arm?

ANJO: (taken aback) That could work.

(JACE and ANJO stroll down the hallway, arm in arm. ANJO has replaced his helmet and is taking this very seriously. JACE steers them toward the docking bay and with the lunch hour just getting out, they generally go unnoticed. They arrive at the port)

ANJO: (in his helmet) Which one of these will get me to Lison Quadrant unnoticed?

(He jams the gun hidden under their looped arms into JACE, but it’s completely unnecessary. JACE is more than willing to volunteer)

JACE: One of the Spike Nine models would be low profile aaaaand (beeping in her head) looks like number four isn’t due to manned until next week, so they won’t notice it missing for quite some time.

(ANJO is still mentally processing the helpfulness of his hostage, but quickly escorts her over to the Spike Nine ships on the far side of the dock)

ANJO: How do they – 

JACE: The handle’s up top, yeah, up there. And then they sorta swing down? You got it.

(ANJO gets in, attempting awkwardly to keep his gun secretly aimed JACE which proves difficult as the Spike Nine models are very small, usually manned by one to two men. He goes tumbling over himself at one point, but heroically scrambles to his knees)

JACE: The control panel is- 

ANJO: Here. I know.

(ANJO starts fiddling with the controls, very unprofessionally losing sight of JACE for moments at a time. She sidesteps to examine the cord that connects the ship to the dock)

ANJO: Hey. Don’t move.

JACE: Having trouble there?

ANJO: No.

JACE: It’s because it just barely got plugged in. If I just – 

(JACE squeezes her eyes shut and the ship whirs to life, all the lights coming in and meters flick to start. ANJO blinks in surprise. JACE leans in the spaceship door, recklessly close to the blaster trained on her)

JACE: I’m Jace, by the way.

(ANJO grunts and feigns disinterest. A ship mechanic walks by)

Hector: Everything alright, Jace?

JACE: Rootin’ tootin’ Hector.

(Hector walks away. JACE crawls into the cockpit with ANJO)

JACE: Why are you trying to get to the Lison Quadrant?

ANJO: I’m trying to send a signal.

JACE: With what? This thing sends off a placement beacon at most.

ANJO: I’ll figure it out.

JACE: (notices his WristCom) With that?

(ANJO glances at his wrist and throws her an unsure glance. They are nose to nose, the blaster down)

JACE: Here. Let me check the stats on that thing. Maybe I can help.

(She takes his wrist and as she begins to focus to tap into its mechanisms, all of a sudden the Spike Nine ship door slams shut and prepares for take off)

JACE: What the?

ANJO: What did you do??

JACE: No, I didn’t – 

(The ship begins the undocking process)

JACE: I didn’t do that! I don’t want to leave! 

ANJO: Well we’re undocking and I didn’t do it!

JACE: Bartyl – this isn’t funny!

ANJO: Who!?

(JACE squints, trying to concentrate and take back control with her chip, but to no avail. She checks the coordinates)

JACE: Magnum Opus?! Really? The Preservation’s home planet? 

ANJO: (shrugs) I have to go back to get my next placement. It’s where I’m from.

JACE: Gascaps.

ANJO: What?

JACE: It’s where I’m from too.

(Their ship begins counting down)

-(The barracks where the crew of The Empress are packing into dorm rooms to sleep for the night. MOTLEY is on a call with his new wife, KIERA, talking in low adoring tones. JENNA is folding some sheets while LIAM and SELENIA ready their own rooms)

(There is some beeping. LIAM looks at his WristCom and calls down the hallway)

LIAM: Crew? Did you see the new message from Administration?

(The rest of the crew check their WristComs)

JENNA: (reading) Jace has been … recruited by the Dominion Piloting school!

MOTLEY: (Calling off his communication device) Wow! That’s incredible!

LIAM: Good for her!

(Far away, on the other side of the Amalgamation headquarters, a Spike Nine ship takes off, unauthorized)

 

 

 

Episode 12

 

(A large domed conference room, walls made of discolored, riveted metal, full of balconies and amphitheater-style seating. It is crowded, smoke seeps from crevices, there is a small group of red robed authorities present on a boxy stand at the front. One is speaking. FETCHER is sitting uncomfortably amongst them)

Speaker: The time quickly approaches, my constituents, that the Furnace’s glow will illuminate the entire galaxy. It’s fire will burn the unworthy, leaving only those who have been prepared for salvation.

(As he continuously rambles on, FETCHER whispers to ISAAC, whom he’s sitting next to)

FETCHER: (nervously) I’m … I’m not sure sure about /this.

ISAAC: /Patience, prince. At minimum, you must present yourself to the congregation. If words come to you as if you must speak them, we urge to action on such feelings.

Speaker: Our lineages, those we care about, must earn their way to path of the unconsumed. Archrabbi Moores knew this and he carried these beliefs to his grave. But I bring you hope, constituents, in the form of Archrabbi Moores only son – Fetcher Moores Jr.

(There is a general collective surprised clamor that quiets quickly as FETCHER and ISAAC approach the mecraphone)

(ISAAC allows ample time for FETCHER to choose to speak. FETCHER approaches the mecraphone apprehensively)

FETCHER: G-Greetings.

(He is sweating bullets)

FETCHER: I… ah… I’ll admit my father and I were, uh, somewhat estranged, and I never, ah… never knew the entirety of his convictions.

(The crowd is riveted to him)

FETCHER: (ever the diplomat) But I hope to grow to understand. And I thank Isaac and Janet for welcoming me in when I, ah… desired sanctuary.

(He backs awkwardly away from the stand. Isaac helps him to his seat)

ISAAC: (whispers) Well done my liege.

FETCHER: Th-thank you.

Speaker: (steps back up) As you can see, there is always hope for those who embrace the truth. Remember this in your prayers tonight.

(They sing a great bellowing hymn to end the meeting. After which, some people approach the stand to talk to the descending ISAAC and FETCHER)

Woman: Your father gave my son a new perspective on life!

Older Woman: (grabbing his arm) He always explained things so clearly.

Man: He’s the one who found my family and preached the good word.

Younger Man: I wouldn’t be here if it not for Archrabbi Moores.

Man: His death was such a loss in the community.

(FETCHER, looking increasingly uncomfortable, is relinquished from the crowd by ISAAC, who warmly thanks the crowd and ushers FETCHER out a side door)

ISAAC: (to crowd) Constituent Moores thanks you for your words.

(ISAAC and FETCHER climb a cramped spiraling metal staircase to a higher level, but FETCHER stops a couple stairs from the door, preventing ISAAC from going any further)

FETCHER: Those people … they revered my father.

ISAAC: (patiently) They appreciated what he had done for them.

FETCHER: They cared … so much.

ISAAC: His death was a real loss in our community.

(ISAAC shimmies past to open the door into a semi-formal lounge where religious leaders are gathered)

FETCHER: Isaac… I’ve been meaning to ask a question. 

ISAAC: Please.

FETCHER: What exactly is the… ‘Furnace’?

ISAAC: (smiles) I’m glad you are seeking answers. But I must warn you of the gravity of the response. Would you still like to know? 

FETCHER: (solemn) Yes.

(ISAAC leads him to a back door and up one flight of stairs to an even higher landing)

ISAAC: (before pushing open the doors) Now you must understand my prince, that this room I am about to show you is a sacred space that is only allowed to be viewed by the most worthy – those who will not abuse the knowledge they see here.

FETCHER: I understand.

ISAAC: (smiles) But I am honored you have asked to see.

(ISAAC swings the doors open to reveal a beautiful domed room full of space-viewing equipment, telescopes and astrological maps line the room. There is a center window in the middle of the center wall that points directly out to space. FETCHER enters admirously)

(ISAAC gestures to the main telescope and FETCHER peers into it. It is focused on a massive speckled glowing white mass far out in space)

ISAAC: Locacinth. It’s very name is only meant to be spoken in these chambers. But it means ‘chaos that will bring order’

FETCHER: This is your Furnace?

ISAAC: It will eventually become the fiery destruction that will destroy 60% of our known galaxy.

FETCHER: But … how?

ISAAC: It may not look it from here, but our best data suggests it is a giant gas planet, surrounded by billions of tiny floating particles of ammonia-silicate, making it extremely volatile. For millions of years, its hydrogen-based core has been expanding. When enough friction is contained between the silicate particles, the universe shall be forced to begin anew. 

FETCHER: And what will set off such an explosion?

ISAAC: It is said a torchbearer will carry the flame. One day the universe will lead them in the right direction to do what must be done.

FETCHER: (ignoring the mysticism) Do you have a timeline on such a catastrophe?

ISAAC: Unfortunately a thing like this is nearly impossible to calculate, but we predict between three years and three billion.

FETCHER: A wide range then.

ISAAC: It could happen tomorrow.

FETCHER: So there really is no way of telling.

(The back door slides open, JANET enters with beverages)

JANET: They told me I’d find you here.

FETCHER: (still intent on his discussion with ISAAC) Does the Amalgamation not know about this?

ISAAC: If they do, they choose to ignore it. Convincing people to join a united galaxy that will soon be destroyed was not an appealing campaign idea to them.

FETCHER: So you’re not crazy fanatics after all! 

ISAAC: We do not think so.

FETCHER: I’m sorry, that was terribly rude of me. Forgive me.

(JANET hands ISAAC a cup of something warm and then hands one to FETCHER)

JANET: We know how the galaxy sees us.

ISAAC: (sipping) We choose our beliefs in spite of it.

FETCHER: And those beliefs say … you are the chosen? The people who will come out of this firestorm alive?

ISAAC: Who is to say? Out of chaos comes only what was meant to be. There are the unlucky and then there are the mentally prepared.

JANET: We have attempted to fortify this asteroid.

ISAAC: And its orbit is promisingly distant.

JANET: Except for now.

ISAAC: Yes, unfortunately at the moment, our trajectory is bringing us quite close. Hence the clear visual on our optic lens and your generally swift journey from the Amalgamation. We shall soon be safely flung back out into space come the next two cycles.

FETCHER: And what of the capsule Furnigationalists?

ISAAC: The what?

FETCHER: The capsule Furnigationalists? The men and women who commit flame-induced suicide on Amalgamation bases?

(JANET and ISAAC exchange a look)

ISAAC: This is a difficult portion of our doctrine to discuss, but I will try to provide you with the answers you seek. In short terms, it is a mercy.

FETCHER: (incredulously) A mercy!

ISAAC: For those who do not wish to see if they shall be left in Locacinth’s wake, we give them the opportunity to make use of what is left of their lives.

FETCHER: By killing innocents?!

ISAAC: By sparing the living. To live with the knowledge of impending death is a cruel existence. Ours is a religion of acceptance, of merciful pain-taking.

FETCHER: Why didn’t my father tell my mother and I any of this?

JANET: (quietly) It was a mercy.

FETCHER: (the pieces clicking) So we wouldn’t have to know.

ISAAC: Exactly. (gesturing to the telescope) That, my prince, is the ‘Furnace which shall burn brightly.’

(FETCHER, stunned, sits down)

JANET: It’s a lot to take in.

ISAAC: Locacinth is ancient, as are its prophecies.

FETCHER: I think I’d like to be shown to my quarters now. 

ISAAC: Of course. You shall have to begin your cleansing ritual of grief to rid yourself of anger, denial and fear. It is a painful process.

FETCHER: Yes.

(They leave. JANET and ISAAC escort him to his room, an apartment door on a metal landing)

ISAAC: I’m sorry we don’t have anything more spacious.

FETCHER: It is fine. Is… is there any chance a hail signal gets off this base?

ISAAC: You wish to make a galactic call?

FETCHER: I would very much like to talk to those I care about.

ISAAC: Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely.

FETCHER: I see.

(Waving a wire-braced arm, ISAAC summons two floating spherical droids from above)

ISAAC: I’ll leave you in the care of some bearing bots and my wife.

FETCHER: Thank you, Isaac.

(ISAAC walks down the walkway. JANET stations the bearing bots outside the door and enters with FETCHER. She kneels down to a drawer below the bed frame to unload blankets and pillows)

JANET: Let’s make sure you’re comfortable.

FETCHER: There’s really no need. I can – 

JANET: Out of curiosity, who are those you care about?

FETCHER: Pardon?

JANET: Those you wish to call. I assumed you had turned your back on the Amalgamation.

FETCHER: I – well – I suppose I have. But there is…

JANET: A woman?

FETCHER: Yes.

JANET: She is beautiful?

FETCHER: Radiant.

(JANET unfolds the blankets on his bed. She notices something on the back of FETCHER’s neck)

FETCHER: But as it is… I am not sure how things stand between us. Things can change.

JANET: (Getting closer to him) Better doors can open. May I?

FETCHER: (uneasily) May you what?

(JANET reaches her hands to the back of FETCHER’s neck, finding the datagram chip slot and tracing it right along his hairline. She breathes out in exhilaration)

JANET: You have the chip.

FETCHER: My chip has been deactivated for nearly fourteen years now. It’s of no use to anyone.

JANET: You have the chip, you have the power. You are the one.

(JANET begins kissing his hands, suddenly almost in tears – FETCHER pulls them away)

FETCHER: What are you doing?!

JANET: You are our liberator. (kiss) Our deliverer! (kiss) Our emancipator – you are the torchbearer!

FETCHER: I am no such man! Janet, I insist you stop!

JANET: (creeping up on him) Why? Am I not satisfactory?

FETCHER: This is not right! You are a married woman!

(She has pushed him up against a wall and is kissing his neck and chest)

JANET: As long as we are alone together in this room …

FETCHER: I am no prisoner here!

JANET: (abruptly angry, pushes away) No. You are not. But even a prince does not get to choose the kingdom he rules.

(JANET storms out, leaving FETCHER stunned and panting)

-(The next morning, FETCHER dashes down the corridor, glancing about warily. He makes his way to the lounge ISAAC showed him yesterday, but there are only two other Archrabbis)

ARCHRABBI YOLAND: Can we help you constituent Moores?

FETCHER: Ah, yes, I’m looking for Isaac. I have something I need to … talk to him about.

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: I’m not certain he was here. But I can escort you to some other locations he might be.

ARCHRABBI YOLAND: I seem to recall him having a field assignment.

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: Then we’ll check at Depart as well.

FETCHER: (Relieved he doesn’t have to be alone) Thank you.

(They exit the lounge and ARCHRABBI NORFOLK waves down some bearing bots to search)

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: Nifty devices, aren’t they?

FETCHER: Oh, the bearing bots? Yes.

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: Only work on the base, but they’re terminally effective. Some of my best work. Haven’t needed an upgrade for years.

FETCHER: You invented them?

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: (holds up braced arms) And the controls. They run on those magnetized circuits all along those metal beams. (pointing) Basically keeps the whole thing afloat and moving. 

(They continue walking down towards the bottom of the asteroid base) 

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: Name’s Archrabbi Norfolk. I thought I heard Archrabbi Moores gave you his whole name. Is that right?

FETCHER: Yes, sir. Fetcher Moores Jr.

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: Typical of him. Well, atleast it’ll be easy to remember.

(They reach a lounge where JANET and some other women sit smoking. FETCHER stiffens)

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: Ah, Janet. Your husband around?

JANET: (eyes FETCHER) He’s down at Depart.

(A bearing bot floats back to ARCHRABBI NORFOLK who reads its message)

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: Well, so he is! (to FETCHER) I can leave you with Janet, constituent Moores, if you’d like help finding your-

FETCHER: /ah, no need! I will find it myself.

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: (chuckles) Or I can spare you the excursions and have you follow a bearing bot down.

FETCHER: That would be most appreciated.

(ARCHRABBI NORFOLK and FETCHER exit the lounge)

ARCHRABBI NORFOLK: And when you inevitably get fitted for Archdeacon bracers, come see my worshop at C-53. I’ll do it for you special. Don’t get too lost and if you do, don’t have too much fun without me!

(ARCHRABBI NORFOLK leaves up a flight of stairs. FETCHER follows the bearing bot to the lowest level of the base that flaunts a giant slit allowing boarded spaceships to exit and enter into space)

FETCHER: (to a guard) I’m looking for Archrabbi … you know, I’m not sure of his last name. Isaac?

GUARD: Archrabbi Hawsen, sir, and I believe he’s just checking in at Dock D3.

FETCHER: Thank you very much.

(The bearing bot returns to its station high above and FETCHER navigates the loading docks to find D3. ISAAC is there, half on and half off a ship, speaking in low tones to crew members who are unloading a piece of long cargo)

ISAAC: Fetcher!

(The crew members take a step back, supposedly putting themselves between him and the mysterious cargo)

ISAAC: You are not meant to be down here.

FETCHER: I’m sorry, I – ach- 

(FETCHER holds his head)

ISAAC: What is the matter?

FETCHER: Headache. Coming on. I guess. Isaac, I need to talk to you – where are you going?

ISAAC: Worry not about it. Can whatever you need to discuss be detained for a slight moment?

(ISAAC begins to lead him away)

FETCHER: It’s about your wife – 

Crew member: (obliviously rounding the ship) Captain Hawsen, are we clear to unload?

FETCHER: Unload?

(ISAAC looks nervous)

FETCHER: You’re not going somewhere, you’re coming back?

(ISAAC doesn’t answer)

FETCHER: And what are you bringing back?

(Tensions rise visibly. The crew glance between themselves) 

FETCHER: (firmly) What have you brought back, Isaac?

(ISAAC’s hand levitates defensively towards his black arm bracer. One crew member fingers their gun. But no one is still sure what to do before FETCHER can march up to the long shape and remove the cover. All take a reactionary step forward except for FETCHER, who staggers back, shocked at the sight of a cold, dry dead body)

FETCHER: What – 

(A crew member grabs him and drags him behind the ship where they cannot be seen. ISAAC checks for onlookers and follows)

ISAAC: Constituent Moores, you must understand – 

FETCHER: (scared) What is going on here? Why do you have that?

ISAAC: - that this body was found and we were alerted.

FETCHER: What?

ISAAC: We are not ready for this information to become public to the the general constituency yet. This man was one of our own and a military leader, one Commander Kapes.

FETCHER: The one who extended an alliance to the Amalgamation?

ISAAC: The very same.

FETCHER: Who killed him?

ISAAC: We have reason to believe…. the Amalgamation did.

 

Episode 13

 

(A completely different scene – a high up office or personal room where a padded table stands in the middle of the room. A supposed masseuse rounds the figure on the table and another finely-dressed man with slicked back sandy hair watches over the shoulder the masseuse. The half-naked figure belly down on the bed looks anything but relaxed. There is extensive surveillance equipment hanging above them)

MOEN JARD: Push up.

(The masseuse obeys, digging fingers below the subject’s shoulder blades and pushing up)

MOEN JARD: Perfect. Now down.

(The masseuse complies)

MOEN JARD: Excellent. Now find the rib connections like we did before. Good. Now dig. A little harder. Excellent. Make sure they separate in just the slightest – 

(The subject stifles a gasp of pain)

MOEN JARD: Now keeping the fingers here, good, find the connection, and tracing back the scapula muscle, right. Right there. If this were a real subject, you’d push very hard right there and that would … do the job.

(The subject’s eyes clench and nostrils flare, perhaps in fear but most likely in pain. The “masseuse” removes their hands and the subject’s grip on the table relaxes in relief)

MASSEUSE: Thank you, fellow Jard.

MOEN JARD: Well done. You are excused. We’ll see you for Dislocation 2030, Interrogation Tactics Exam 2.

(The masseuse and subject exit, Moen returns to a cup or a cracker on his desk, gazing absent-mindedly out his window at the main floor below. He notices someone he knows marching at an unnaturally swift pace towards his lift. He quickly finished his snack and exits his room, passing the masseuse and aching subject on the way out. He meets this person halfway down a hall. It is a woman with short neck-length hair and a doublet/vest over a white shirt, the average Preservationalist style)

LECE JARD: Moen.

MOEN JARD: Yes, what is it?

LECE JARD: It’s Anjo.

MOEN JARD: Where did they place him?

LECE JARD: Here.

MOEN JARD: What?

LECE JARD: He’s here.

(They rush back to the lift, through the courtyard and to a lower level of the building where there are multiple guards surrounding a holding cell)

Guard: (announcing) Progenitors approaching.

Other Guard: (announcing) Fellow Moen Jard and Lece Jard.

(The guards part to reveal ANJO, sitting on a metal bench looking warily up at JACE who is standing in full declaration)

LECE JARD: Anjo, what is the meaning of this?

MOEN JARD: Your placement was in the Lison Quadrant.

ANJO: I know, I was headed there when the vessel was directed here.

JACE: I am an Amalgamation ambassador, demanding to know what was done to our vessel!

LECE JARD: Your vessel? Did this woman subterfuge you?

Guard: It is a Spike Nine model from the Amalgamation.

(A man comes running breathlessly down the hallway)

Placement Officer: I’m sorry, fellow Jards, I just got the news. The coordinates told me he was still hiding in the Amalgamation offshoot until his WristCom went down. 

JACE: Who is this? Is this who’s in charge?

ANJO: My placement officer. He monitors where I am and where I go.

LECE JARD: So this woman took over your coordinates.

MOEN JARD: That’s Jace Stett.

LECE JARD: What?

MOEN JARD: That’s Jace Stett.

(JACE groans)

LECE JARD: So we know who changed the coordinates…

-(A high office room identical to the one Moen was just in, except this is darker and obviously someone else’s. A figure is in discussion on a device behind a desk)

DOOREN STETT: (on the communication device) Well, try a circuitback system. The signal is strong enough, the commands just have to be clear. 

(Light as MOEN JARD enters the room, followed by LECE JARD, ANJO, JACE and a handful of convoyers and about a hundred curious eyes beyond the doorframe)

MOEN JARD:  When were you going to tell me about this surprise family reunion, Dooren?

DOOREN STETT: (hanging up the device) When I was sure it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore. Is that my Jace I see?

JACE: (cordially) Progenitor.

(Stepping out from behind his desk, we aren’t really surprised by what we see – a taller, older male version of the JACE we first met, with slicked back jet-black hair and official buttoned vest)

DOOREN STETT: I simply called my daughter home.

MOEN JARD: And what of my son? Why is he here?

DOOREN STETT: He was a mere happenstance, but a fortunate one under the circumstances, wouldn’t you say? I noticed their coordinates lined up so I took the opportunity to extract them from their current situation.

JACE: (unbelieving) You moved that ship from three solar circuits away?? That’s impossible! It’s way too far!

DOOREN STETT: (to MOEN JARD) I was hoping to have time before Displacement for your educational organization to reteach her the basics.

(Despite himself, MOEN JARD looks proud of his reference to his organization)

JACE: I am an Amalgamation ambassador demanding – 

DOOREN STETT: You are no such thing. You are my misguided daughter who failed her internship.

(JACE is stung)

JACE: I don’t need reteaching. I know the Preservationalist creeds.

(DOOREN STETT strides right up to her and fingers her collar)

DOOREN STETT: Then what is this?

JACE: It’s nothing. Undergarments.

(DOOREN STETT violently yanks her shirt’s collar down over her shoulder, revealing the thin signature mottled white and purple)

DOOREN STETT: Abnegationalist undergarments. Your beliefs have obviously been allowed to be muddled and it is my right to remind you, before you have no other choice, of the principles that will always stand. Ryl, find my daughter an escort. The Conical will do.

(A convoyer (RYL) nods and steps forward)

DOOREN STETT: Take Anjo too. And get those ridiculous garments off of her.

MOEN JARD: Dooren, you have no right to order around my son – 

ANJO: It’s alright, I’ll go. I enjoy the Conical. I need a refresher.

DOOREN STETT: And I believe I am going to need a word with two of you, fellow Jards, as Displacement is upon us and there is much to be done to prepare. I’ll be seeing you, my daughter, when you have returned to the sense I bred into you.

(RYL escorts JACE out, with ANJO following. DOOREN STETT throws all of the hallway bystanders a threatening look and closes the door on MOEN JARD, LECE JARD and himself)

-(We are (finally!) back on the Amalgamation base where SELENIA and JENNA are entering a top floor, SELENIA drying her freshly-showered hair with her hand while JENNA casually braids her own behind her head)

JENNA: So is it true that as captain, you had access to more Amalgamation files than the crew?

SELENIA: Sure.

JENNA: And as first officer, will I have the same access?

SELENIA: Yeah, sure, why?

(LIAM comes up, followed by JAN and PHEB along with a gentlewoman they are ushering forward)

LIAM: First Officer McCusky, this is Dr. Gittull. She’ll be heading the ship we’ll be safeguarding in our next mission.

SELENIA: Ah, we’ve been assigned already! Wonderful.

JENNA: (shakes Dr. GITTULL’s hand) Lovely to meet you. We shall do our best to aid you in whatever you need from us.

GITTULL: Our research mission is a bit distant from the Amalgamation’s safe borders. We are a little nervous.

LIAM: The Empress will take care of you.

(MOTLEY approaches)

MOTLEY: Sorry. Cheese strudel line went long.

SELENIA: (teasing) You know you don’t have to gain newly-wed weight.

MOTLEY: Darn rations are leaving me behind schedule. You alright Jan?

(As LIAM, JENNA and Dr. GITTULL chat, JAN seemingly is standing, swaying with a blanker expression on his face. When MOTLEY calls his name, he snaps out of it)

JAN: Wha- oh! Yes, me lad. As righted as gravity. (Shakes Dr. GITTULL’s hand) You must be Dr. Gittull.

(What JAN and everyone else seemingly doesn’t notice is that PHEB has snuck off to follow a figure down the hallway that as he approaches. It’s CORRIN attempting to hack into a side console)

PHEB: (fake whispers) Where are you going?

CORRIN: Scamper, kid! 

(They sneak out of sight, PHEB following CORRIN who tries unsuccessfully to get rid of him)

-(JACE lays on the floor of a domed planetarium, a holographic projection of planets and stars swirl above her head. There is a calm woman’s voice recorded as narration. ANJO sits cross-legged on the other side of the room, respectively watching the upper display. JACE is mimicking, word for word what it is saying)

Holograph: And as life spread, so did chaos, so did destruction, so did death.

JACE: (at the same time) /And as life spread, so did chaos, so did destruction, so did death.

(The projection above the two of them explodes for emphasis)

JACE: Always thought that part was a bit dramatic.

ANJO: (annoyed) Are you even listening?

JACE: Listening? I have this stinking thing memorized. I wasraisedPreservationalist, you know.

ANJO: Then why does your dad want you back in here?

Holograph: And so ended the era of true coexistence, where each would give where another lacked.

JACE: (sarcastically) I’m sure it’s for some altruistic reason like that.

(She rolls over onto her stomach to look at ANJO, the projection goes on unheeded)

JACE: The bigger, juicier question is how on Magnum Opus my father managed to control a space pod from two thousand arcseconds away.

ANJO: (shrugs) Couldn’t tell you.

Holograph: (talk over) Every progenitor was allowed one child before having their reproductive faculties stifled.

JACE: (narrows eyes at ANJO) Or won’t tell me.

(ANJO looks innocently at the ceiling projection. JACE looks too, annoyed. It is projecting an end screen of a galactic map, with words of encouragement ending the segment)

JACE: Is that an accurate map? As in it’s up to date?

ANJO: As far as I know.

JACE: Can you pause it?

ANJO: Pause it? What for?

(It goes black)

JACE: Gascaps. Something wasn’t sitting right.

ANJO: I’m sure it will come back around again.

JACE: Come back around-?

(The Conical which went dark now lights up as it begins the projection again from the beginning. JACE groans)

JACE: Now I get it. I’m being tortured.

Holograph: In the beginning, all planets were made unequal…

JACE: (standing up) There has to be a way out of here.

ANJO: You’re not supposed to leave.

JACE: You’re not supposed to let me. What’s the matter with our parents? Don’t they know what could happen when they put two young adults all along in a dim room?

ANJO: (only a little flustered) My father trusts me.

JACE: (feeling the walls) But do you trust him?

ANJO: (standing up, angry) Would I let him hide me all around the galaxy if I didn’t? Would I have let him cram my head full of all those codes and slippery numbers? Would I have LET CLEMMA DIE if I didn’t?!

(JACE turns to face him, letting a pause stretch out between them before she speaks)

JACE: Do you like what you do for them, Anjo?

ANJO: (composing himself) I don’t have to like it to know that it has to be done.

(A silence. ANJO realizes the projection stopped and is broadcasting the stilled galactic map overhead)

ANJO: The projection stopped.

JACE: Didn’t find the door, but I did find the control box and I’m … gifted with technology.

(They gaze at it, taking a moment to admire its beauty. They walk amidst it and unknowingly around and nearer to each other. ANJO catches a flattering glimpse of JACE in the soft light as she studies a sector)

JACE: Do you have maps memorized?

ANJO: Many.

JACE: What about Abnegationalist texts?

ANJO: A few.

JACE: Check the Theological Surplus Guide.

ANJO: (trained) I can’t tell you anything without the proper codes –

JACE: (closes eyes and interrupts him) Plus abeo simulare.

ANJO: How did you –

JACE: I hacked into the Preservation’s home database with my mind. It’s what I do. Though it’s so primitive, it’s almost hard to call it a database.

ANJO: You don’t have the locket. You need both.

JACE: (eyes still closed, concentrating) Ooh, sneaky. Federal Preservational Code, Annex 12 says that as long as you are on the upper north quadrant of Magnum Opus, you can answer with only half of the required encoding to the highest ranking High House representative, preferably in private. (Opens eyes) Which is probably hidden in there so dexterously since dear old dad didn’t want the same restrictions. Clever, but sloppy. As a Stett, I outrank you as a Jard, and this (She gestures to the Conical) is about as private as it gets.

ANJO: (grudgingly) What do you want to know?

JACE: This planet. 

(She points to one farther down in the diagram)

ANJO: (shrugs) It’s a frost planet. Tiny. Uninhabited.

JACE: But where did it come from?

ANJO: Where do you mean where did it come from? It was here when the galaxy was formed.

JACE: I don’t know if that’s true. Some old time Abnegationalists enjoy the study of star and planet placement. They incorporate it into their religious studies, giving meanings and predictions of the future to such things and they love serene little ice planets like these ones. But I’ve never heard of one at these coordinates. That’s why I asked you to check the Surplus Guide in your own mental database since I’ve never been able to find a digital copy.

ANJO: Alright, alright.

(His lips begin silently moving in pneumonics and silent verbal memory tactics. His eyes glide side to side behind his eyelids as if reading)

JACE: Look for the starmap.

ANJO: You’re right. It’s not there.

JACE: Check the glossary.

ANJO: Not mentioned.

JACE: Do you have A Celestial Map of our Galaxy’s Inception?

ANJO: Yes.

JACE: Check that one too.

ANJO: Not there.

JACE: Interesting.

(JACE paces around it) Then where did it come from?

ANJO: (still searching his mind) It’s not anywhere. It’s not in Bibliogalactica or any of the Manuals of the Universe, even in the oldest ones.

JACE: Have any modern starmaps?

(She closes her eyes to check)

ANJO: You’re right. It just … appears. 

JACE: There it is.

ANJO: Recently too. Only about five hundred years ago.

JACE: That’s insanely young for a planet. But through those years it seems to never have completed a full circuit of orbit. It’s direction so far is just down and away from whatever this is. (She points to a large glowing white patch)

ANJO: That’s Sirriculum.

JACE: That’s Sirriculum?!

ANJO: The holy galactic anomaly that the Furnigation thinks will explode and restart the universe, yes.

JACE: Oh, wow. Maybe … maybe they’re onto something there?

ANJO: Well, this planet seemed to come from somewhere near it. Maybe it is an anomalic place of creation or destruction. What if it’s the biggest star we’ve ever seen that’s about to go supernova?

ANJO: We’d know.

JACE: Maybe the Furnigation is tampering with the truth about it. (She circles the area with her finger) Humanity lives amongst the stars now! There has to be more information regarding this.

(She closes the projection with her chip and continues searching for the door along the wall)

ANJO: (Solemn) Who’s stopping me from stopping you?

JACE: (looks at him) You are, I guess.

(She finds the door, roots around at the hinges and locks and opens it to let light spill in. ANJO follows her out into the hallway)

-(The upper deck of The Empress. The ship is facing a planet where a mining pod is coming back up with a load of rock samples. LIAM stands at the front, leaning on the communication panel. JAN picks at his fingernails. SELENIA sits behind CLUTCH’s old station, head lolling back. MOTLEY scratches his navv’s chins. All look extremely bored)

Com: Load 12 ascending.

LIAM: Confirmed.

(JENNA, in the back, is silently but intently sorting through some images and files on the First Officer’s holographic computer. SELENIA trots over to her side when she notices)

SELENIA: (quietly) What are you looking for?

JENNA: (whispering, in confidence) Anything we have on the Furnigation’s locations.

SELENIA: We know generally where they are. And where they want us to stay out of.

JENNA: But what do we know about their base or the technology they use? Or what about how close they are to Speculation A12?

SELENIA: Their ‘Furnace’?

(JENNA is uncharacteristically intense as she sorts through the data. SELENIA returns warily to her seat)

MOTLEY: Incoming call.

LIAM: (bored) Patch it in.

MOTLEY: Addressed to Selenia Goulding.

SELENIA: (waves it off) Old software data. Patch it to the main frame.

MOTLEY: Well…

LIAM: (barely paying attention) Where’s it from?

MOTLEY: It’s being relayed through the Amalgamation, but it’s from somewhere else.

FETCHER: (suddenly from the transmission) It’s from the Furnigation.

SELENIA: (takes her a moment, she bolts up in her seat) Fetcher?!

(Everyone stands and is suddenly alert. JENNA looks shocked)

SELENIA: Fetcher, what’s – what’s this about?

FETCHER: Good evening, Captain Goulding. I’m calling on behalf of the Furnigation.

SELENIA: (scoffs out of habit and disbelief) You? On behalf of the Furnigation?

FETCHER: They’ve asked me to represent them.

SELENIA: Represent them? In what?

FETCHER: In the making of war demands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 14

 

SELENIA: What are you talking about?

FETCHER: I guess I shall try to make it simple for you captain – the Furnigation is outraged. We extended an alliance to the Amalgamation and in return, our representative was killed and left floating near one of your Plumonium mines. How do you plead?

LIAM: (taking over) I am sure we did no such thing!

FETCHER: (angrily) I am not talking to you! I chose Captain Goulding to answer for these crimes. 

SELENIA: I don’t speak for the entire Amalgamation!

FETCHER: Your answers will more than suffice.

SELENIA: “We”! You act as if you’re one of them!

FETCHER: (furious) Because I AM ONE OF THEM! You certainly never acted like I was one of you! Not ONE THING I ever did was good enough for ANY of you!!

SELENIA: Fetcher - !

JAN: (whispering) Lad’s off his rocker!

JENNA: (concerned) Jan, please.

FETCHER: No. Emotions are meaningless. We’re not here to talk about the past. Only the future consequences for what the Amalgamation has done. The Furnigation hereby demands that the Amalgamation prove their innocence and extend a more generous hand towards alliance, or there will be dire costs.

LIAM: We have extended the same allegiance and assistance we would have to any allying power. What more would you ask?

FETCHER: The Furnigation demands specialized treatment.

SELENIA: On what terms?!

LIAM: Selenia, please, keep your head level.

SELENIA: You can’t just spring something like this on me and expect me to – 

FETCHER: Ironically, you are not the only reason I called this particular ship, Captain. Shawn Motley – will you answer for the Amalgamation?

MOTLEY: (surprised) To the best of my ability.

FETCHER: When you were employed by the Allied League of Mercenaries, was “Stryker” a prominent name in your organization?

MOTLEY: Yes sir.

FETCHER: And what did it mean?

MOTLEY: A title, sir, that an assassin would take upon himself before a kill.

LIAM: What is this about?

(A plethora of digital and scanned documents appear on the screen, flipping themselves through. The crew goes silent) 

FETCHER: And Sergeant Motley, what would these be?

(MOTLEY looks uncomfortable)

JAN: Lad?

MOTLEY: (unwillingly) An assassination agreement.

FETCHER: And this mark?

(The page zooms up on a logo) 

MOTLEY: (quietly, ashamedly) Makes it certifiably legal by concerned parties.

FETCHER: This document was leaked to us when we went digging for answers to Commander Kapes’ demise. It is signed by three high-ranking officers of the Amalgamation. How do you plead?

SELENIA: Not guilty!

LIAM: Selenia. 

SELENIA: The Amalgamation wouldn’t do this! 

LIAM: What does the document record as the reason for action?

(The papers zoom up on the phrase “in the interest of preventing alliance”)

FETCHER: It seems an alliance was never truly extended to what is referred in these documents as the “scourge of the galaxy” – our own Furnigation. In order to make recompense for these treasonous actions, we demand - 

SELENIA: That’s not true. The Amalgamation just needed time to think. It was a big change, there have to be – 

(LIAM grasps SELENIA by the shoulders)

LIAM: (firmly) Selenia.

(SELENIA suddenly stares LIAM in the eyes, her expression changes to realization – of LIAM’s authority and maybe a little of his masculinity. She becomes more silent)

(LIAM turns back to the screen, standing between it and SELENIA. He opens his mouth to respond)

JENNA: (stepping forward) When an alliance is extended, is it not the job of both parties to work to sort out their differences and challenges that arise?

FETCHER: (a little taken aback) Jenna?

JENNA: (kindly) It’s me.

FETCHER: I see that.

JENNA: The Amalgamation cannot speak for all its free members. The point of bringing so many forces together is to learn to respect differences while operating with a shared and agreed upon code of rules. Whoever did this has done wrong by the Furnigation and the Amalgamation.

LIAM: This must be assessed through the proper channels. The Council are the ones who would decide such negotiations. We are one ship of crew members. We do not answer for all – 

FETCHER: This Council?

(A scene flashes onto the screen, it is the Admirals, being held hostage. They sit stubbornly but nervously tied to chairs while nefarious looking figures circle them intimidatingly)

LIAM: Admiral Caluce!

SELENIA: Why are you doing this? This isn’t like you!

JAN: (holding SELENIA back) Lass.

JENNA: What are your demands?

FETCHER: All Furnigation prisoners will be released at once.

(A list of Furnigation prison files pop up on one screen)

FETCHER: A fifth of the Amalgamation’s mining planets and other assets located in this map are to become the Furnigation’s property at once.

(A map appears on another)

FETCHER: Any space weapon mounted on a model H12 spaceship or newer is to be handed over at once.

(Another list on another screen, the room is becoming overwhelmed by these requests)

FETCHER: And the crew of the The Empress is to turn themselves over in submission to the Furnigation for questioning.

JAN: (muttering, lowly) So that’s what they’re calling it nowadays.

LIAM: These demands are completely unreasonable and you know it! The Council members would be the first to agree that their lives are not worth the fall of an entire galactic faction!

FETCHER: (threateningly) I do not think you are understanding the situation, lieutenant. We have been planning for this contingency for some time. All around the galaxy – our agents are finally being ordered to come out of hiding.

LIAM: You’re bluffing!

FETCHER: Am I?

(The large main screen flickers with multiple grainy images – crazed-looking miners backing other miners into corners swinging their self-implode pull tags, pastors holding detonation switches while standing at the podium, college students locking doors and handing out explosives to terrified peers)

FETCHER: We’ve stationed them all around the galaxy. In homes, in base sites, in churches, in schools. Oh, and here’s a special one for Seargent Motley and Captain Goulding.

(The computer zooms up on a star map of a beeping blip. In a cottage on Nigilla, there is something (presumably a bomb) beeping on SELENIA’s father’s chair as KEIRA spoonfeeds him)

MOTLEY: Keira!!

(His navvs bark at the commotion)

SELENIA: (pounding screen, losing it) He’s senile! They’re all I have!

MOTLEY: (phoning frantically) Keira!

KEIRA: (answering) Shawn?

MOTLEY: Don’t move! I need you to take some deep breaths – 

(There is the sound of a door crashing on the transmission)

KEIRA: (distant) Who are you!? What are you doing in my hou-

(The line goes dead)

MOTLEY: Keira? KEIRA!!

(He slams the communication device and breaks it. The navvs howl)

JAN: (assessing) They’ve somehow cut all our outgoing and ingoing communications.

SELENIA: (in tears) You’ve been waiting for this excuse all along!

FETCHER: Unlike you, we are not afraid of collateral damage. We just needed someone to light the fuse. Forever The Empress will go down in history as the one to provoke us.

LIAM: Who’s to say you’d call it all off even if we did comply!?

FETCHER: Who’s to say indeed? Certainly not me! MAY THE FURNACE BURN BRIGHTLY!

(The call ends, SELENIA buries herself, sobbing, in LIAM’s chest who looks completely dumbstruck. MOTLEY paces and runs his hands through his hair frantically while his navvs follow and whimper concernedly. JENNA leans back, pale and trembling slightly, but seemingly silently resigned)

-(JACE and ANJO sneak around the hallways. A patrol is coming around the corner. JACE twists a lock off a hallway door and shoves ANJO into it. They immediately find, to both their discomfort and awkwardness, that it is a small machine-bearing closet. ANJO has to arch his back to avoid being burnt by the mechanisms and ends up pressing into JACE as she closes the door. They both sit there in the dark, flustered, half listening for guard’s footsteps and half listening to their own heartbeat in their ears)

(ANJO breathes out and JACE realizes where his face is and how close he is to her. Their noses brush and their breath mingles. There is some serious tension)

(And then suddenly, the distance between them is gone and their lips are locked. Guard footsteps thunder past them but they don’t hear them. The lights on the machinery glow brighter and flare as JACE’s chip is overwhelmed)

(They break the kiss, ANJO’s nose still pressed into her cheek)

ANJO: They really should have warned me about the teenagers in a dim room thing.

(JACE giggles uncharacteristically)

ANJO: They gone?

JACE: I think so.

(They step, blinking, out into the hallway then slink further down, holding hands)

JACE: Wait… I know that smell.

ANJO: What smell?

JACE: That smell – coming from there. Look, a vapor cloud! Where do I know that smell?

(She gestures down an eerily dim hallway strangely unkempt and full of trash and refuse. There  is uncomfortable low pounding music playing from deep inside somewhere and a cloud of stiff-smelling vapor is escaping from beneath a door)

ANJO: (uncomfortable) We really shouldn’t go down there. It’s where they keep the ashen -

JACE: It doesn’t look like a bad hiding place. Maybe there’s an alternative route…

(She lets go of his hand and slinks solitarily down to the door. She listens to the continuous music and hear moans of delirium, exhaustion and pain)

JACE: (whispering back) Why shouldn’t I, Anjo? 

(JACE turns back around to find that ANJO is gone! Panicked, thinking he’s been caught, JACE fumbles with the latch and backs into the room)

(Immediately, she stumbles over something warm and soft on the floor and coughs on the thick smog surrounding her in the air. She slides down a wall, holding her hands over her mouth, her eyes watering. She is circled by unconscious outstretched bodies that moan and writhe. She is horrified. She sees a door on the far end of the room along with some device that is emitting the smoke. The room reeks of warmth and sweat. She keeps low to the ground and crawls across, away from the door she came in from and towards an elusive light)

(She has almost reached the far door frame and machine. She nears the switch but an arm shoots out from the floor to stop her)

CLUTCH: (croaks) Jace?

(JACE whisks open the door and the light pours in, along with air that disrupts the perpetual drug fog. JACE coughs violently as she turns to see the owner of the arm – an emaciated Carmen “Clutch” Sanders. JACE grabs her under her arms and drags her through the now open door. Other bodies begin to blink and stir, but JACE slams the door behind them)

(In this new brighter, but still dim white strangely-oval room full of grates and fixtures, JACE kneels gasping while CLUTCH lays wheezing. JACE scrambles over to her, propping her shoulders on her lap)

JACE: Clutch? Clutch?!

CLUTCH: (smiles weakly, eyes squinting) Hi Jace.

JACE: What are you doinghere?!

(CLUTCH begins coughing violently and JACE holds her. After she’s done, she starts to shiver and shake)

JACE: We have to get you out of here. What was that stuff?

CLUTCH: Jackash.

JACE: You mean –

CLUTCH: (nods) Remember that stuff I used to save Motley? (swallows with difficulty) Well, it’s killing me now.

JACE: Who did this to you?

CLUTCH: After I hid Anjo, I came back to the Preservation to hide.

JACE: Back?

CLUTCH: (leans on her forearms gingerly) There’s no easy way to say this kid, but I was an espionagist. A spy. And not always for the Amalgamation. I had connections here. It was the only place I could think to go where the Amalgamation couldn’t question me for what had happened. I figured I’d lay low and come back with some cover story some other day.

JACE: Then what happened?

CLUTCH: I needed relief.

JACE: You’re taking that drug willingly?

CLUTCH: (breaking) I was at first.

JACE: Oh, Clutch, we have got to get you out of here.

(JACE attempts to help CLUTCH to standing but produces a low stumble at best. CLUTCH’s limbs are thin and uncoordinated. She is deep in the stages of addiction)

CLUTCH: Ugh, my head. I need to go back in.

JACE: Absolutely not.

CLUTCH: I need more. I wasn’t finished. I’ll just finish.

JACE: Not of that you don’t. What was that place?

CLUTCH: Den of addicts. Where they toss the refuse when they’ve just about kicked the bucket. Dope ‘em up and let ‘em starve to death.

JACE: And you were – (swallows)

CLUTCH: Considering it, yeah.

(Coherent, authoritative voices coming from the den)

JACE: How do we get out of here?

CLUTCH: It’s been a hellish couple of months, kid. Don’t ask me to remember my own name.

JACE: You don’t know the way out?

CLUTCH: Throttle says to go that way.

JACE: That’s a vent. And Throttle’s dead!

CLUTCH: (shrugs) Just saying it like I see it. Ugh my head is splitting. Can we dim the lights? I’m still coming down.

JACE: (more to herself) Well, dead Throttle’s more helpful than barely-living Clutch right now.

(JACE kicks the grate open)

CLUTCH: (pleading) We have to go back in there. Just a few more minutes and I’ll be done. I just need to finish.

(JACE ignores her and starts pushing her towards the grate, of which CLUTCH can barely muster resistance. She groans and grinds her teeth the whole time)

JACE: (behind her) Where does this lead?

CLUTCH: (irritated) How am I supposed to know?? It’s coming off a tumbler chamber. (grumbles) Sending the doped one first, real mature.

JACE: A tumbler chamber?

(A whoosh and the vent fills with dusty air. CLUTCH and JACE cough)

JACE: What is this? Are they trying to gas us out?!

CLUTCH: It’s doing what a vent does, dipstick. Vents air.

(JACE coughs)

CLUTCH: It’s getting too narrow up here. I won’t fit.

JACE: Whatever. Keep going.

CLUTCH: No, really. I can’t go any further.

(JACE peers up past CLUTCH’s bony shoulder and sees she is not lying)

JACE: So we’re going to have to … go back?

CLUTCH: Pretty sure that’s how that works, yeah.

JACE: Well that’s not very Hero’s Journey of us.

CLUTCH: It’s a miracle we fit this far. Who makes these things so big??

(There is an awkward moment of shuffling where the girls attempt to turn around but find the vent too narrow to accomplish even that)

JACE: (defeated) So we have to go back … backwards.

CLUTCH: (wiggles butt) Enjoy the view. It’s coming your way.

(They wriggle backward. CLUTCH has to stop to catch her breath a couple of times. The air continues blowing around them. There is a lot of eye-rubbing)

(In not too long, the dismantled grate comes into view behind them. There is a muttering noise)

JACE: Do you hear –

(Suddenly JACE is whisked away from behind. She yelps and grabs CLUTCH’s ankle and they both go flying backwards)

CLUTCH & JACE: Waaaa- AAAAAH!!!

(They both go tumbling down toward the room they first exited which now is somehow below them! Arms catch JACE but CLUTCH goes crashing to the floor of the startingly bright white room occupied by three guards. JACE thrashes in one of their grips)

JACE: Let me go!

CLUTCH: (muttering from the floor) Blasted tumbler chamber…

JACE: What’s she saying?! She’s my friend! Is she hurt? Let me go!!

GUARD 1: She’s lamenting being an idiot about forgetting that tumbler chambers have enormous servomotors that turn the room. 

GUARD 2: We put ashens in here to clear ‘em up. Nothing like bouncing and rolling against ceilings and walls to wake you out of your stupor.

GUARD 1: It’s hilarious to watch. 

GUARD 2: (Amused) Most just cry the whole time.

GUARD 1: Didn’t expect you to have one with you. Shoulda known better. 

GUARD 3: Musta followed her in there.

JACE: Let me go!!

GUARD 1: The more time you spend squirming is the less time you have to make up an excuse to daddy.

GUARD 2: Progenitor.

GUARD 1: Progenitor, right. 

(GUARD 2 nudges battered and basically helpless CLUTCH on the floor with his boot)

JACE: Leave her alone!!

GUARD 3: Suggestion denied, fellow Stett. Her intuitions will be more malleable than your own. I’m sure she’ll have a few answers we’ll hardly need to pry from her.

JACE: Haven’t you done enough to her?!

GUARD 1: We ain’t done nothing. She did it aaaaall to herself.

GUARD 2: No need to be cruel. Leave her here. She’ll crawl back to the den.

JACE: No! Let us go!! Put me down!!

(Leaving a barely-breathing CLUTCH behind them, JACE and the three guards march down the hallway, passing a short, dark corridor where three dark bodies huddle, hidden)

ANJO: You don’t have to stand so close.

CORRIN: Oh, I’m sorry, am I not blending into the shadowswell enough for you!?

PISTON: Can we testosterone later, boys?

ANJO: (to PISTON) They’re far enough now. We have to get Jace back.

PISTON: (to ANJO) I don’t know how realistic that’s going to be.

CORRIN: (stepping in between, to PISTON) As much as I am literally in the dark, I can see that this is obviously not Clutch. 

PISTON: No. It’s not.

CORRIN: I did not break you out of prison and fly you fourteen tentrometric light years to a Preservationalist base to be standing in the dark with “not Clutch.” Who is this? ‘Brake Pad’?

PISTON: This is Anjo. He’s the boy Throttle was trying to save.

CORRIN: Well good for you and whoop-dee-doo, side quest completed. Now that you’ve got your way-too-young-for-you man meat, where. Is. Carmen!?

(ANJO takes off into the main hallway and PISTON follows, unconcerned. CORRIN tags along, frustrated)

CORRIN: Hellooooo, when is someone going to take the one guy who gave you a ride here seriously!?

ANJO: The whole planet’s evacuating. There will be plenty of exit rides soon.

CORRIN: The planet’s what now?

ANJO: The Preservation is being told to leave. It’s in our best interest. It’s nice to see you, Piston.

PISTON: You would not believe where I’ve looked for you.

CORRIN: You guys know each other?

(PISTON has maneuvered behind him and grabs an arm with a gun pressed against his spine)

CORRIN: Did I just get backstabbed?

PISTON: A little bit, yeah.

ANJO: He might be a good meat shield.

PISTON: He’ll last the night. But we’ll see if my trigger finger gets frisky.

CORRIN: Gascaps.

(They trundle down the hallway)

 

-(FETCHER suddenly rolls off a cot in a dim room. His throat is red and he clutches it, coughing haggardly. He glances around, panicked, then forces himself to calm down. He begins to think. Bearing bots from up above gravitate towards him protectively. Memories we cannot witness flood his mind and horror spreads across his face)

FETCHER: (terrified) What have I done?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 15

 

(Aboard The Empress)

SELENIA: Where’s Jenna?

LIAM: (to MOTLEY) Are we getting any lines patched through?

MOTLEY: They’re completely willing to patch me through in Internal Communications, but it’s like the signal is getting permanently deflected.

JAN: I’ve pulled up the schematic you wanted, captain.

SELENIA: Has anyone seen Jenna??

LIAM: (to MOTLEY) We have to get through to Caluce – keep trying!

(SELENIA turns the corner to the hallway. She hears the hiss of a hatch and quickly makes her way to the end. JENNA is buckling on a suit and readying a pod)

SELENIA: Jenna?

(JENNA turns but says nothing. She is smiling softly but her eyes are all sadness, pleading for understanding)

SELENIA: What are you doing?

JENNA: I have to go.

SELENIA: No you don’t. You don’t have to go anywhere.

(JENNA nears her, taking SELENIA’s hand gently)

JENNA: (emotionally) How do I explain so much so briefly?

SELENIA: (unbelieving) Is this … because you love him?

JENNA: It’s because I love you. And this crew. The Empress. The Amalgamation. It’s because I’ve fallen madly in love the idea that we’ve been working towards – that a universe can exist without war.

SELENIA: (pleading) Let me come with you.

JENNA: You’d be in too much danger.

SELENIA: (angry, emotional) But you’d put yourself in the same danger!?

JENNA: I am inconsequential.

(SELENIA wraps her up in a fierce hug) 

SELENIA: Don’t you ever say that. You are irreplaceable is what you are.

(They stay like this for a few moments. The escape pod beeps as it becomes ready to launch. JENNA pulls away)

JENNA: I was able to pull up Furnigation records due to my new First Officer status. It’s thanks to my study of the abnegationalist texts added to the extracted coordinates of a Fetcher’s call that I have to thank for knowing exactly where I’m going.

SELENIA: You won’t have the propulsion.

JENNA: That’s why I need you to guide me from the ship. At least until I get to deep space. You need to quell the panic here. I know you can do it. You had your weaknesses as a captain, Selenia, but I know you’re great with people. I can trust you with that.

(JENNA enters the pod. SELENIA hands her helmet and prepares the disembarkation pad)

SELENIA: (through the glass) And you? What will you do?

(JENNA gives her a meaningful look)

JENNA: He’ll listen to me.

(The pod takes off. SELENIA marches back to the deck, renewed with some strange vigor)

SELENIA: (loudly) ALRIGHT, I need all eyes on that pod.

LIAM: What pod?

SELENIA: The one Jenna just took off in. Keep up, captain.

MOTLEY: It’s true, captain. (looking at his board) A pod just unencapsulated from port. 

SELENIA: Jan, look on Jenna’s station computer, see what navigational tips I’m sure she so gracefully left for us.

JAN: There’s a route chart here, capt- ah, miss.

SELENIA: Excellent! Plug her in! While you boys were reacting, us girls were responding! Motley, any signals yet?

MOTLEY: Still jammed. We’re getting a call from the science ship down below though.

DR. GITTULL: (tinny, through a computer) Hello – hello? Is everything alright? Communications with the Amalgamation are down.

MOTLEY: (answering) We’re here Dr. Gittull. We’re working on it.

SELENIA: Of course we’re able to contact them, they’re half a mile away. I could call out to them through the window.

LIAM: No good. We need the Amalgamation headquarters.

SELENIA: Try Caluce’s personal number, 5305 was it?

LIAM: 5805.

SELENIA: (slyly) I knew those private calls would pay off. Caluce’s favorite indeed! It should route to Internal Communications. Try a video message but hide the visual and isolate the audio. Jan, I want you to kill about 85% of the engine and route the power to communications.

LIAM: We don’t want to be caught with cold engines if we’re attacked! It’ll take too long to get up to speed! 

SELENIA: I said 85% - do the math! It’s just enough!

LIAM: It could work…

SELENIA: As for the Furnigation… 

(she leans on the controls confidently)

SELENIA: Let’s bring the furnace to them.

-(JACE is taken to a penthouse high up in a skyscraper on Magnum Opus where movers are emptying the house. Her father, Dooren Stett and Head of Servants is there directing traffic when Jace arrives escorted by security)

HEAD OF SERVANTS: No, we can’t have the dishes just in the ottoman. Pad it with blankets or whatnot to secure it. 

DOOREN: Jace! How many personal affects do you still have here?

JACE: Um, hi dad. I just broke out of daddy-demanded brainwash camp. Any outraged questions or belligerent remarks?

HEAD OF SERVANTS: Do not call him that! He is progenitor! We are proper Preservationalists.

JACE: (angrily) Right. That’s what we’re going to focus on right now. Where did they take Clutch?

DOOREN: Who?

JACE: (watching the move) What’s going on here?

HEAD OF SERVANTS: What’s it look like! We are moving as quickly as we can! We were just offered top floor amenities.

JACE: On a ship? Why are we moving?

DOOREN: All of Magnum Opus is evacuating.

JACE: Magnum Opus has been a Preservationalist base planet for over 1,200 years! 

DOOREN: The Furnigation is finally making their ultimate move. We are preparing to let the Amalgamation and them sort this conundrum out. We will return when the dust has settled.

JACE: What does the Amalgamation have to do with this?

DOOREN: They declared war. It appears your precious “free-thinkers” have played a little too fast and loose.

JACE: A war? They wouldn’t do that.

DOOREN: All over the galaxy, Furnigationalists are preparing to blow up whatever they’re standing on. There is even talk of their “holy star” finally giving way to its own gravity and taking half the universe with it. Incredible timing, if you ask me.

JACE: (snidely) No one did. I need to see Clutch. And where did you take Anjo?

(They walk into JACE’s old room)

DOOREN: The Jard fellow? I couldn’t care less. Now if you have nothing here in your old home of value, I suggest you begin boarding with me.

JACE: I’m not going any-

(Suddenly JACE straightens up, eyes wide but mouth clamped tight. She looks rigid and paralyzed, but not seemingly able to put up a fight. DOOREN takes his time pacing over to her)

DOOREN: Do you know how… long I have had to bear your undiluted complaints and nonsensical requests? How long I’ve had to …. LISTEN to any and all the drivel that comes off your tongue? (in a mockingly patronizing tone) “An internship in the Klaxom Quadrant! I want to join an Amalgamation crew! I’m an abnegationalist now!” You’re violently bothersome. You’ve only ever been one thing and that is a Stett Preservationalist! Why do you think I installed that wretchedly expensive chip in your head? It wasn’t so you could do some drab party tricks for those Amalgamation dogs. It was so I could make you do this.

(JACE lifts an arm)

DOOREN: And this.

(JACE lifts her other arm)

DOOREN: And this.

(DOOREN gets uncomfortable close to her face, his eyes boring into hers)

DOOREN: (quietly, vehemently) Quit making me wish I didn’t have a mentally-delayed idiot for a daughter and get. In. The escape ship.

(JACE turns away silently and walks out of the room without a sound)

DOOREN: (muttering, under his breath) We’ve laid too many plans for this. (He turns back to continue guiding the move)

-(FETCHER on the Furnigation base, racing along an empty corridor. He sees a bearing bot up ahead and ducks into a doorway. The bearing bot floats ominously down the dark passageway towards him, FETCHER grits his teeth. It stops right at the threshold of his door way – he is caught now!)

(and then – nothing. The bearing bot seemingly freezes. Seconds tick by. FETCHER watches. He steps hastily out in front of it, ready to run, but the bearing bot remains motionless. FETCHER waves a hand in front of its sensor. It doesn’t flinch. Suddenly it dies and goes crashing to the floor and FETCHER watches it. Then, it raises back up, blinking and hovering, then dying a crashing back down again)

FETCHER: Is that … me?

(He tests it out. They fly, crash, reboot when he exerts a mental effort. He touches the back of his neck)

FETCHER: They – they turned my chip back on. How did they do that?!

(A murmur from the end of the hallway sends him ducking again)

CONSTITUENT 1: Just send it back up to the system.

CONSTITUENT 2: But I thought the power was all going to the front…

(They pass. FETCHER continues to creep. JANET appears)

JANET: Fancying a walk?

(FETCHER faces her but says nothing, looking slightly up)

JANET: (points bossily) Back. 

(Two bearing bots hum down and point their tasers straight at her. JANET is startled)

FETCHER: Back yourself. Who turned my chip on?

(JANET glares)

FETCHER: Answer me! Who made me make those demands?

(JANET blinks)

JANET: You mean … you didn’t?

FETCHER: Of course not!

(JANET’s eyes get wide. FETCHER starts to dread what he knows is coming next)

JANET: You are the torchbearer! Fate compelled you!

(Ignoring her, FETCHER looks up and sees NORFOLK’s lab room number)

FETCHER: Norfolk.

(He dashes away to the banister leaving JANET gripping her chest, passing huddled masses on the central floor, weeping, praying and singing which gives him confused pause for a moment. But he meets no opposition on his way up the stairs. He bursts into room C-53)

FETCHER: Norfolk!

(The room is dark except a few screens glaring brightly. There is distant sobbing. FETCHER looks around but it looks unoccupied. He approaches the screen to see a map tracking a blipping dot towards a large object. FETCHER investigates the large object)

FETCHER: That’s … Locacinth. The furnace or fiery end.

(He touches the blip)

FETCHER: Then what is this hurtling towards it?

(Out of nowhere, a chair comes crashing down on him, hitting his back hard and sending him careening towards the screen, smashing the glass. FETCHER tumbles, injured to the floor)

(NORFOLK’s crazed face gleams out of the darkness)

NORFOLK: You weren’t supposed – TO LIGHT IT!!

(FETCHER grimaces in pain but rolls out of the way as NORFOLK’s slams the chair down again)

FETCHER: Norfolk!

NORFOLK: They called you the torchbearer – 

FETCHER: Norfolk, stop!!

NORFOLK: BUT YOU WEREN’T SUPPOSED TO LIGHT IT!

(FETCHER doesn’t manage to evade the next swing. It cracks against his skull. He cries out in agony)

NORFOLK: THIS IS YOUR FAULT – READING TOO MUCH INTO COMPLIMENTS AND FLATTERING WORDS!!

(Another blow, FETCHER’s shoulder snaps)

FETCHER: Stop, Norfolk, stop!

NORFOLK: But it wasn’t supposed to ACTUALLY HAPPEN. I DON’T WANT TO DIE!!

(FETCHER closes his eyes and clenches his jaw. Every lightbulb and screen in the room powers up with a whirring sound that quickly deafens as it speeds up. NORFOLK is blinded as light and flashing fill the room in unbearable volume. He drops the chair and covers his ears. Bulbs around the room explode due to the overly powerful current. It is all so LOUD! NORFOLK hunches over and stumbles out of the room)

(The room whirrs back to a manageable atmosphere and FETCHER lays, severely bruised and battered, on the floor panting. He cradles an arm as he forces himself to sit up and yelps at a twinge in his back. He calls bearing bots to his aid and they float down through the door to lodge under his arms. He fumbles to standing and limps to the original screen. He pulls up the stats on the blip)

FETCHER: An escape pod from The Empress?

-(Aboard The Empress)

SELENIA: How’s the line coming through?

MOTLEY: Almost through!

LIAM: Selenia … you realize Dr. McCusky only has propulsion for one trip, right?

SELENIA: Right, that’s why we’re monitoring her – so we can be the ones to pick her up. 

JAN: The captain’s right, lass. There’s no returning from where she’s going.

SELENIA: What do you mean? She was headed to the Furnigation, just to keep a safe distance and talk Fetcher down. They have the whole galaxy currently under their thumb. They’re not going to gun down a tiny escape po-

(LIAM drags her to his screen)

LIAM: She is headed to the white hole.

JAN: Aye, the one known as the “The Furnace.”

SELENIA: (shocked/in denial) What? Why would she do that?

MOTLEY: (On his comm in the background) Hello, Internal Communications? This is Sergeant Shawn Motley. I have Level 4 clearance.

SELENIA: A white hole!? What’s a white hole!?

LIAM: It’s an unexplained force of nature that the Furnigation worships.

JAN: It’s said that she’s the fiercest of space storms and to stare into her eye is to stare into her singularity, seeing the past itself. Once approached, everything will be condensed to match her own gravity so completely that it’ll be like nothing was there to begin with.

LIAM: As far as we know, quantum physicists have speculated that it is the opposite of a black hole with no idea of what it actually does. Especially with the Furnigation’s obsession of it, the Amalgamation has stayed well enough away.

JAN: (solemnly) It’s no good news. 

(In their respective scenes, FETCHER and SELENIA say simultaneously: )

FETCHER & SELENIA: Then why is she moving towards it!?

(Far away, in her basically defenseless monodirectional escape pod, JENNA is praying outloud as she fiddles with the controls with trembling fingers)

JENNA: (a bit breathless) Alright, universe. I came here. I came here beyond all reason that it was a good idea. I came here because I felt you telling me too. Now what?

(She is thousands of miles away from the white hole, seen as a strange, extremely long, bright object through her viewport. It is tremendous to behold and she cannot help but staring at it for a few moments. She scans it nervously, noticing a planet below her that glows from the white hole’s reflected light)

JENNA: Now what …

(A glint! What is that?! Something familiar catches her eye, a vessel on the edge of this massive galactic anomaly - a ship with a large funnel-shaped attachment)

(She peers at it when all of a sudden an ear-piercing mic feedback erupts from her tiny cabin and she jolts backward in surprise)

FETCHER: (in a terribly scratchy radio voice) Selenia?

JENNA: Hello, come in. Please state your call sign, repeat, please state your call sign. 

(A pregnant pause)

JENNA: This is The Empress’s Dr. McCusky, over.

FETCHER: It’s … it’s you?

JENNA: This is First Officer McCusky, over.

FETCHER: I thought only Selenia would be reckless enough to – 

JENNA: Fetcher!?

FETCHER: It’s me, Jenna!

JENNA: Why are you contacting me!? Weren’t those war demands enough?

FETCHER: It wasn’t me – 

JENNA: Better question yet - How are you contacting me?

FETCHER: I’m not sure!

JENNA: I’m half a parsec away from you and on a completely different spectrum of frequencies!

FETCHER: I know! But the communication console I was working on suddenly had it as an option – 

JENNA: (suddenly) It’s a satellite.

FETCHER: Well that’s what I thought too, but now I’m talking to you – are you in an escape pod??

JENNA: (looking out her viewport) The anomaly… the… the Furnace – it’s being used as a giant transmission disk somehow. Those ships must be enhancing the signal somehow. It’s the only thing that would produce a wavelength long enough to carry this communication between two such distant points –

FETCHER: You’re near Locacinth and you’re in an escape pod?? Jenna – you could die!! Any number of things could go wrong! Those things aren’t made for deep space travel and you know that!

JENNA: (accusatorily) Fetcher – what did you do? First turning on us and now this. Did you put those satellites there?

FETCHER: (pleading) I did nothing of the sort, I swear, Jenna, I wouldn’t, and as for the war demands -!

JENNA: Then who’s controlling the ships? Who put them there??

(she directs her meager spacecraft to tentatively close the distance while FETCHER tries to disconnect the communication device from its source to make it portable)

FETCHER: Stay right where you are. I’m going up to the sacred chambers to look for you, it should have strong enough surveillance tech. I’m keeping the call online so I won’t lose you.

(With a successfully disconnected communication device, FETCHER pokes his head warily out into the hallway and hears a disconcerting sound – a mob being rallied)

NORFOLK: (down below, adamantly) He has known our ways for too short a time – he cannot have such responsibility and should be stopped.

(A muttering of discussion) (Constituent PEARES speaks up)

PEARES: Norfolk, the time has tolled. Your fears have no place in fate. The torchbearer has arrived, prepared or not. You have had many years to prepare for the end as well.

NORFOLK: But the end can be prevented! Can’t you understand – this is what the religious texts failed to dictate – that we can act! And he is here! Accessible! In my quarters on the fifth floor! And those who believe it is not too late may assist me in (sinisterly) accessing him.

CROWD MEMBER: But will killing him snuff the Furnace?!

CROWD MEMBER 2: What if that is a worse fate!?

CROWD MEMBER 3: (wailing) There is no way out!

JENNA: (from FETCHER’s communication device) What’s that noise?

FETCHER: (quietly, lowly into the mic) Trouble.

(Using his newfound control of the bearing bots, FETCHER does his best to lower them to hide his escape, but between being new to the effort and clueless as to the Furnigation layout, it is clumsy at best. The crowd continues to argue and get riled up down below. During a short rest period, a little weary from the mental exhaustion, FETCHER once again notes the black strap bracers with blinking red lights wrapped up the Archrabbi and priest’s arms)

FETCHER: (sweating) I need to get me one of those.

(He continues sneaking until he finds the narrow auditorium and podium that he was first introduced to the Furnigation from. He dashes across the empty theater. He finds the stairway and rushes to the upper chamber. It is empty. He looks through the main telescope)

FETCHER: I’m here.

JENNA: What’s going on there?

FETCHER: (ignoring her question) Anything else you’ve managed to find out?

JENNA: My gauges are estimating about a three hour journey to contact before I’ll be in range to receive full readings.

FETCHER: I’m afraid I mightnot have that kind of time. Wait. What am I talking about!? You’re in an escape pod! You don’t have that kind of time! 

JENNA: But I’m nearing it! 

FETCHER: Even nearing it could be dangerous!

JENNA: (irritated) What do you want me to do, Fetcher!? Learn about itor sit here safely? I can’t do both! There are hundreds if not thousands of people being held hostage all over the galaxy and they’re scared and could lose their lives if I don’t risk minea little!

FETCHER: Call The Empress – see if they’ve found anything else about it!

(FETCHER hears angry voices outside the door)

CONSTITUENT: And what if he desecrated the holy chambers by entering uninvited!? 

CONSTITUENT 2: (justifying) Then we punish him for heresy – no true torchbearer would be so disrespectful!

CONSTITUENT 3: Check the sacred chambers!

(FETCHER lunges for a pendulum chord and measuring tape and wraps it desperately around the handles of the door. He is halfway to pushing a heavy machine to block the door when, suddenly, his head splits with pain)

FETCHER: ACK!!

JENNA: What is it!? Are you alright!? Fetcher!?

FETCHER: (through gritted teeth) Why. Is this all happening. At the same time!?!?

(FETCHER’s head is flooded with a new connection – a familiar yet limited one)

FETCHER: It’s – It’s Jace!

JENNA: Jace is with you!?

FETCHER: N-No, she’s c-contacting me. Aaaaagh, but it’s – it’s painful and … limited.

JENNA: What’s she saying?

FETCHER: It’s a code. Some kind of dots and lines.

(Morse code beeping. FETCHER attempts to push more machinery while receiving it)

FETCHER: I’m looking up a key. This code is ancient.

JENNA: What’s she saying?

FETCHER: “I” … “T”…

JENNA: “It”…

FETCHER: “B” “U” “R”

JENNA: Burr – Burns!? “It burns”!?

FETCHER: “P”… “S”

(JENNA and FETCHER share a stupefied moment)

FETCHER: “It” … “burps”…?

JENNA: That can’t be right.

(FETCHER throws his unbruised shoulder against the door in reconciliation to attempts to get in while still listening his communication device)

JENNA: “It burps”? What burps!? Try decoding it again. It has to be one letter off. Are you sure you had the right key?

SELENIA: (over JENNA’s com) Jenna … Come in, Jenna.

JENNA: (Answering call) Selenia – what is the Furnace!?

SELENIA: The bigger question is what are you doing going towards it!?

JENNA: (firmly) What is it, Captain!?

SELENIA: Turn the pod back or I’m reeling you back in myself! 

JENNA: SELENIA WHAT IS IT!

SELENIA: (after a moment) Liam says it’s a white hole. Jan calls it a space storm with some kind of “singularity” in the past. I don’t know if anyone really knows. Which is exactly why you shouldn’t go towar-

(JENNA hangs up on SELENIA)

JENNA: A white hole. Of course. So instead of sucking in all matter and light it, well, expels or burps it out! That’s why it would make such a good transmission dish on such a massive scale!

(FETCHER’s voice crackles indiscernibly over her com)

JENNA: Jace must know that because she’s discovered or is with the person who sent these – 

(JENNA’s eyes widen) 

JENNA: The gunships her father was hiding! They’re these! They’re not gunships, they’re satellite ships! Sonic enhancement parabolic dish ships! It’s Jace’s father – Dooren! He’s sending out some massive signal!

(A scene as JENNA works this out, a scene of DOOREN STETT climbing into a comfy escape ship with a dead-eyed JACE sitting next to him. He glances at her distastefully and enjoys a refreshment of some kind. The ship prepares to take off)

JENNA: But what signal?

-(The Empress– SELENIA is slamming the console in anger)

SELENIA: Jenna, come in, Jenna! Don’t you dare hang up on me! You and your idiotic suicidal stunt! Don’t you DARE HANG UP ON ME!

LIAM: Motley, get her back on the line!

MOTELY: I can only handle one stressful transmission at a time, captain! It’s not exactly my job!

LIAM: You’ll handle what you’re told to.

MOTLEY: (grumbles) Yes, sir.

JAN: Captain.

LIAM: Yes, Jan? (He turns to face him)

(JAN is suddenly a different man. He is pale and terror-stricken and is leveling a blaster at SELENIA and LIAM) 

LIAM: (suddenly and obviously defensive) Jan… 

(LIAM raises his arms submissively)

JAN: Captain.

LIAM: I think he means you, Selenia. (nudges her)

SELENIA: (turning around, frustrated) What!? 

(Upon seeing JAN’s demeanor she is instantly sobered)

JAN: Captain … Pheb’s missing… Why didn’t I notice him missing?

SELENIA: (arms raising) Jan…

JAN: (furious) What did you do to him!?

SELENIA: I’m sure he’s down in the engine room…

JAN: None of you ever care for him! Leave it to old Jan to watch out for the tyke! If it weren’t for me – none of ya would notice if you squashed him under ya boot! Now WHERE IS HE!?

LIAM: Jan, we haven’t done anything – 

JAN: (scared) Why didn’t I notice he was missing? He was gone the entire trip and I knew, but it was almost like I – I refused to know…

(MOTLEY, behind JAN’s back, has begun making hand signals to his navvs on the floor behind him. They begin to tense and watch with rapt attention)

LIAM: Jan – 

JAN: Stay back! I want you to burn! Burn for what you’ve done! Burn! Burn! BURN!!

(MOTLEY whistles and the navvs suddenly charge JAN from behind)

JAN: AcK!!

(JAN topples over and the blaster goes flying. LIAM lunges for the weapon and MOTLEY bolts up to tackle JAN)

MOTLEY: (with effort) I’ve got him! I’ve got him!

(LIAM holds a blaster aimed at the tussle)

SELENIA: He’s not himself!

(More grappling. JAN is giving up a mad fight, but even crippled, MOTLEY is still the larger and stronger of the two)

LIAM: (with the gun) Stay down! STAY DOWN!!

JAN: MAY THE FURNA – URNNH!!

SELENIA: (to LIAM) What are you doing!?

LIAM: Trying to handle this!!

(SELENIA pulls her blaster on LIAM)

SELENIA: Stand down! How do I know you’re not crazed out of your mind too!?

LIAM: I’m not! 

SELENIA: Then put the blaster down!

LIAM: I’m just – 

SELENIA: PUT THE BLASTER DOWN!

(LIAM takes a moment, then lowers the gun and raises his arms compliantly)

LIAM: I’m alright, Selenia.

SELENIA: All the way down!

(LIAM places the gun on the floor and raises slowly. MOTLEY grunts from the grapple he has JAN thrashing in. The navvs growl lowly, biting down on Jan’s extremities to help restrain him)

LIAM: It’s me. It’s just me, okay? Just doing what I was trained to do, okay? I’m not crazed. I don’t want you to burn – I would never hurt you, Selenia.

(SELENIA lowers her weapon)

SELENIA: (looking at JAN) What’s wrong with him?

MOTLEY: For an old guy – nnh- he’s really giving up a fight.

SELENIA: He’s not part of the Furnigation.

LIAM: Maybe this is what’s happening at all edges of the galaxy. They’re not Furnigation agents, they’re confused, scrambled citizens, somehow being emotionally hijacked.

SELENIA: Or mentally. Motley, does Jan have record of ever having a datagram chip placed in his head?

MOTLEY: You want me to look that up now??

LIAM: I’ll do it (gets to a computer)

SELENIA: We should have a tranquilizer in the med kit. You have him, Motley?

MOTLEY: I’ve got him. I can hold him.

LIAM: (on a computer) He did! Well, sort of. It was a prototype, a predecessor to the original. More like conductive metal detailing that fit around certain lobes or skully… bits. Seems like it was a common phase for rudimentary long-range Freebooter communication in the 4000’s.

SELENIA: (unlocking the on-deck med kit) Which is when he was a Freebooter.

LIAM: But it’s been inactive for decades now. The Amalgamation ran him through a series of electroprocessing tests upon recruitment and he consistently came out clean.

SELENIA: And just imagine – people with these prototypes or earlier, similar models could be spread all over the galaxy by now. The Furnigation aren’t awakening agents, they’re …

(a pause)

LIAM: You can say it.

SELENIA: Mind-controlling people…

LIAM: Fetcher’s call … that might not have actually been him at all!

SELENIA: Or it was someone working through him.

LIAM: But how could someone have the range!? And the power!

MOTLEY: 200 for tranquilizer, please? I’ll take 200 for tranquilizer.

SELENIA: What?

MOTLEY: Can I get off the floor with the crazy guy??

(SELENIA tranquilizes JAN and MOTLEY grunts to his feet, stretching his back and arms when he gets to standing)

MOTLEY: Whoo! Still got it.

LIAM: We have to call Caluce.

MOTLEY: What do you think I was trying to do earlier!? Floss?!

SELENIA: We have to call Jenna.

MOTLEY: (grumbles) Make up your mind.

SELENIA: And whatever this is – we have to stop it immediately.

(An epic beat. A pause. The crew thinks)

LIAM: … Actually where is Pheb?

SELENIA: … right after we find Pheb.

(A call incoming)

MOTLEY: (cursing) Stars above.

 

 

 

-(a dark abandoned monitoring room. CORRIN sits tied to a chair with an extension cord, PISTON veers a glowing blue cyber blade under her nails, ANJO paces) 

CORRIN: So … was the plan to sit here in uncomfortable silence? Because… it’s going great.

PISTON: (annoyed) He wants to wait for Jace. 

ANJO: She was supposed to just be behind us. She’d want us to wait.

CORRIN: They’re evacuating. She’s probably gone.

ANJO: We wait.

CORRIN: You might not have that luxury, kid. Her dad was pretty adamant – 

ANJO: We wait.

(PISTON rolls her eyes. Another awkward silence)

CORRIN: You know… I’ve been a model hostage. Any chance I could get a clue as to what’s going on?

PISTON: You really still don’t know? I lied. Was that part not obvious? We didn’t come here for Clutch – I made you come here to find Anjo.

CORRIN: Are you guys like … lovers?

ANJO: What? No! Ew! She’s like my evil big sister.

CORRIN: Affectionate.

PISTON: I was never good enough for Throttle. I was always his second Clutch. Throttle was looking for Anjo to stop him. When I killed him, I had long before decided I wanted to do the opposite. Might as well disappoint him in death as I did in life.

CORRIN: Stop him? Stop him from… what?

(ANJO suddenly becomes solemn) 

ANJO: All my life I was hidden around the galaxy in various places like a Preservationalist secret. Never to speak or show my face unless I was told to. Never to learn anything except what they jammed in my head. I was treated like property. I was treated like something blown out with the debris. But I wasn’t helpless. Because with all that time hiding – I learned to listen. And when people don’t know you’re there – oh ho ho ho! The things they’ll say! I learned about the Furnigation’s treasured Furnace and in the name of keeping more data safe for the Preservationalists – I gathered more. And I kept learning. I learned all there is to know about that galactic irregularity the Amalgamation thinks is a “white hole.” And I began to hate. Hate all the organizations that gathered and warped this information – that were the very reason I had to keep hiding and withering away inside.

CORRIN: (nervously) Where is this going … ?

ANJO: And then – finally – a glimmer of life. A hiding location in an isolated mountain village that would take me in under an alias. I would be safe there. I could walk amongst people there. I lived there. I finally felt seen. 

(A pause)

ANJO: (furiously) But it was destroyed.

CORRIN: This is verging on villainous monologue…

(Another pause, PISTON giggles, ANJO doesn’t seem to notice)

ANJO: They found me. It was destroyed because I was there.

PISTON: (quietly) Tell him about Clemma.

CORRIN: (hesitantly) Girl you loved?

(ANJO seizes CORRIN’s chair, his eyes ablaze with rage)

ANJO: She was so much MORE THAN THAT. She was the first thing I’d ever held or touched. She was the first thing that had ever LOVED ME BACK.

(ANJO retreats into the darkness)

ANJO: After her, I couldn’t love. I couldn’t feel anything but hate. Hate for these damnable organizations that ruined everything for me. Distraught, alone, back in hiding, I began thinking. Thinking of my position in the scheme of things, of what I was able to do with just one wrongly-coded message… one doctored code …

CORRIN: (super under his breath) Gascaps, this is the villainous monologue.

ANJO: I made Dooren hide the ships. Imade him put them around the Furnace to boost the signal. Imade Fetcher give those war demands. Ihad Commander Kapes killed and doctored those documents to blame the Amalgamation. The time has come for those two galactic super pests to have it out with each other while the Preservation retreats peaceably – waiting for the aftermath of a clear playing field once the dust has settled. When there’s only one power in the universe – I won’t have to hide anymore.

PISTON: (gleefully) And want to know how he did it all?

(CLUTCH bursts in in a prison uniform, PHEB behind her. She points a gun at ANJO. PISTON bolts up with her own weapon, now in a sudden standoff)

CLUTCH: (growls) Enlighten me.

CORRIN: Clutch!

CLUTCH: Anyone mind telling me why it was the kid here who rescued me and not a qualified agent?

PHEB: I’m qualified!

CLUTCH: Stay behind my leg. The grownups are dictating violence, sweetheart.

PISTON: What do you want?

CLUTCH: To do what Throttle wanted but you couldn’t do. Gall, to think Throttle was the goodguy the whole time! Pisses me off!

ANJO: How did you – 

CLUTCH: How did I know? Gall I’m glad you asked. I was a Preservationalist espionagist, kiddo. I laid half the lies you worked your scheme around. 

ANJO: (spits) You’re trying to trick me! It’s not going to work. I know what I’m talking about! I’ve spent the last five years laying these plans.

(A voice from an intercom)

MOEN JARD: Clutch – did you find him?!

ANJO: Is that my progeni-

CLUTCH: Father, yes.

ANJO: He wouldn’t – 

CLUTCH: Put yourself in his boots for a second. His entire planet mysteriously has to evacuate and he suddenly gets two lines of news. One from his loyal employee who served him flawlessly for the past couple decades, or his moody teenage son who he just recently reconnected with? Who do you think he believed?

ANJO: You’re lying!

CLUTCH: No, kid, I’ve done plenty of that, but for once, I’m laying it straight. Your father isn’t an idiot either. After years of tracking your information intake, he realized something wasn’t lining up with all the questions you were asking.

MOEN JARD: Clutch? Come in, Clutch?

CLUTCH: Yeah, I got him Moen, you can send in whatever disciplinaryreinforcements you think necessary now. 

PISTON: Gascaps!

ANJO: There’s nothing you can do. The timer has started. The ending just ticks nearer now.

CLUTCH: A timer controlled by the datagram chip in your head.

ANJO: One started by it, yes.

CORRIN: Wait – what?! Preservationalists don’t allow that kind of technology!

CLUTCH: (mockingly) Especially for a prodigal son such as yourself!

ANJO: I couldn’t follow all of their antiquated ways! How much they expected me to mentally store away – it was impossible! The chip gave me the capacity I needed!

PISTON: With his connections, it’s top-of-the-line. Best model.

ANJO: The finished version. No reason not to take the best of each nations before they brawl themselves into oblivion.

CLUTCH: And you’re using it to terrify the Furnigation and paralyze the Amalgamation all while causing a war?

PISTON: (sneering) Not bad, I’d say.

CLUTCH: Turn it off.

ANJO: I wouldn’t even if I could. Jace and I will rule the information age together! There’s nothing stopping that transmission!

CLUTCH: Then you should’ve been paying more attention.

ANJO: What?

CLUTCH: Because that kid did not stay behind my leg.

(PHEB jumps out from untying CORRIN from behind, who leaps up and aims his weapons. He gets the first shot and shoots PISTON in the leg)

PISTON: AGH!!

(PHEB grabs PISTON’s blaster and holds it, CORRIN backs up to CLUTCH)

CORRIN: We keep meeting like this, Clutch. Are we in love?

CLUTCH: Gall I hope not. That would take the fun out of everything. 

CORRIN: So, Anjo, mind telling us how to stop all this?

ANJO: Nothing can enter a white hole! My plan is foolproof!

MOEN JARD: (popping up on a monitor) Except for maybe something made from its own matter.

ANJO: What!

(ANJO squeezes his eyes shut and turns off the monitor that MOEN JARD appeared on, but he promptly returns on another one)

MOEN JARD: Not much is known about white holes, but through the research Anjo had me do, I learned a thing or two for myself.

(ANJO strains and the monitor blows. MOEN JARD appears on another one)

MOEN JARD: And I am a professor after all. I was naturally curious.

ANJO: Stop talking!!

CLUTCH: You’re under too much strain already, kid. Give it up.

MOEN JARD: One theory retains that matter that is spontaneously issued forth – ejected if you will – can be returned. It’s the only thing a white hole will accept.

CORRIN: But what matter do we have? 

(-JENNA in her escape pod notices something below)

JENNA: A planet.

(-FETCHER, his back forcing the door closed, the entire room tilting, sees a significant circled star map)

FETCHER: A planet.

(- In that distant dark monitoring room)

CLUTCH: A planet.

ANJO: No.

MOEN JARD: Just a little one – but one that came from it all the same.

ANJO: You can’t move a planet! I’ve been working on this plan for years! You have mere seconds! What are you going to do!?

MOEN JARD: Your parabolic transmission dish ship white hole signal is actually remarkably plotted, which as a professor I am very proud of, but as the father of an evil genius, am very not. I had an unwitting hand in designing it, so I know a thing or two about how it works. I’m using it to relay this message to a certain individual that Clutch recommended – one Fetcher Moores Jr on the Furnigation base.

(FETCHER yelps as he receives this all in his head, painfully, as he simultaneously attempts to hold back a mob with a half-beaten body while staying coherently on the line with JENNA)

ANJO: Who? That Furnigation lackey’s wannabe son? What could he possibly even think to do at a time like this!?

MOEN JARD: One thing you failed to take into account was how close the asteroidal Furnigation base would be to the Furnace at the time of collision.

ANJO: I wanted them to be close! I wanted them to feel the heat as the Amalgamation turned against them and realize everything they thought about their sanctified deaths was a lie!

MOEN JARD: Well, as cruelly lyrical as that all is, they are also close enough … to influence it. 

(JENNA’s escape pod)

JENNA: No.

FETCHER: (grunting) What?

JENNA: (realizing) No. I don’t want you to do it.

MOEN JARD: Within a timely manner I might add.

ANJO: What are you suggesting?

FETCHER: (On the Furnigation base, really struggling to hold the doors closed) Yeah, what are you getting at, Moen!?

JENNA: Don’t move the planet like he’s suggesting!

FETCHER: Move a planet… 

(FETCHER loses his balance and the sacred chamber doors bursts open. Machinery topples over and FETCHER rolls out of the way. Three priests hold their bracers, ready to control the bearing bots around them. Even though they were adamant about entering, they now still seem hesitant to shoot)

PRIEST 1: The torchbearer must be stopped! 

PRIEST 3: The sacred chambers must be protected!

FETCHER: With what?

PRIEST 2: You blasphemer! With the technology we have been trained to use from the beginning!

FETCHER: (rising up) Well, to some it might come a bit more … naturally.

(The bearing bots that had been hovering around the intruders facing FETCHER now turn on the priests and click their guns into automatic mode. Their lights turn red and sinister. FETCHER is in control. The entire Furnigation base creaks as it tilts in his favor, so he has the upper ground)

PRIEST 3: (intimidated) What do you mean?

FETCHER: Just be aware that the reason they turned off the chip in my head - was because I was just too fragging good with it.

(The entire Furnigation base floor groans and tilts. The priests lose their footing and go flying back through the door they just entered. FETCHER prepares himself by grabbing a piece of equipment bolted to the floor. The room tilts back upright. FETCHER walks to the knocked out pile of priests and eyes their armbands and robes)

(Three minutes later, FETCHER strolls down the hall in full Furnigation priest paraphernalia, his bare arms blinking with bracers. Bearing bots descend and follow him like lackeys. He finds a balcony that overlooks the huddled masses in the central chamber who didn’t come to look for him. He calls out)

FETCHER: Constituents!!

(The crowd looks up at this man surrounded by bots, an intimidating figure)

FETCHER: I go to light the torch! I command you to flee! Take the ships in Depart and exit!

(The crowd starts moving hurriedly to lower levels)

(JANET climbs the balcony to him, FETCHER allows her to approach)

JANET: I’m coming with you.

FETCHER: I have no need – 

JANET: Isaac is dead.

(A moment)

JANET: He ended it in our chambers. I have nowhere else to go.

(FETCHER says nothing more but turns to return to the sacred chambers and doesn’t stop JANET from following him. When he gets there, his communication device is babbling)

JENNA: Fetcher! I don’t want you to do this!

(FETCHER peers out the enormous window to the side, watching ships take off as he straps the doors closed once again)

FETCHER: Is that all of them?

JANET: That’s all of them.

FETCHER: Then we can begin.

JANET: Where are we going?

FETCHER: (sighs) To light the furnace.

(After a brief peak through the telescope, FETCHER takes his place in the center of the room, arms stretched, bearing bots covering every wall. Slowly, the base begins to roll, the top becoming the bottom and the bottom becoming the top. JANET goes tumbling but finds something to hold onto, watching FETCHER in awe. FETCHER somehow stays upright, as if magnetized to the floor. The bearing bots push on the walls all over the base, carrying out his commands. JANET holds on and keeps reverently quiet as best she can. The base turns over again, faster this time.)

-(JENNA sits in her escape pod as she notices something in the distance start to move. What she once thought was random space debris wasn’t insignificant at all, but a nearby asteroid Furnigation base that is now rolling through the distance expanse of space that divides it from the white hole. The asteroid nears it, aiming for the low protoplanet below. She watches horror-stricken as she continues shouting into her communication device but without any response)

(The base rolls and rolls, gaining momentum. With no friction to stop it, it reaches the planet with massive impact which no one aboard is likely to have survived, blowing JENNA’s escape pod back and as if in some gigantic game of billiards, ricocheting the planet into the white hole from whence it came. As the planet swoops towards the anomaly, it takes most of the gunships with it, crushing any ability the transmission dish had. The white hole swallows the planet, or somehow, as they watch, the two become one, sending out a massive beam of light and technically, space and time matter all over the galaxy. Everything is white and blinding for a few moments. FETCHER spirals past broken pieces of debris and then he whips past moments from time, people talking in offices, ships soaring through space, crops growing, lone people staring at screens. He sees the last time he talked to JENNA, then his conversation with SELENIA, his admission onto the Furnigation’s base, his Father’s death, etc. No one else in the galaxy is so much the wiser when: )

(Suddenly, we are back on the deck of The Epicenter, where Selenia storms in, her old hairstyle and clothes obviously from the first episode. Motley, uncrippled, and Clutch, unaddicted, are sitting at their stations. Jan and Jenna onboard in their respective med decks and engine room.)

SELENIA: (roaring into cabin) Who turned us portward?

JENNA: Pardon?

CLUTCH: She means to the left.

SELENIA: Exactly! Who turned us left?

(With a singularity in the past, opposite of a black hole whose singularity is in the future, FETCHER has blown the galaxy into the previous timeline. And because this timeline leads directly to the same occurrences that causes the expansion and warping of time and space matter, this is an infinite time loop our characters are now trapped in, supposedly for eternity) 

MOTLEY: That would be First Officer Fetcher, ma’am. He’s been giving directions from down in the engine room.

SELENIA: The engine room??

CLUTCH: Where you sent him to get rid of him.

SELENIA: And who’s obeying him from down there??

JENNA: Probably the boys.

FETCHER: (appears in doorway) Or anyone with ears and any shred respect for the Amalgamation on this pathetic little skiff.

SELENIA: Fetcher, you have no right to turn my ship behind my back! 

FETCHER: (sarcastically) Cheer up, Captain Crunch. I only did it because we might get a better signal actually facing the Teshoon moons.

(It is jarring, this leap from one developed timeline back to its infantile stages. Their choices are remade precisely, their circumstances diverge never, and their fates remain forever established. Our characters fade into black as they infinitely perform it all again)

 

~Fin~