Episode Transcript
Rogue Tyger
Previously on Rogue Tyger (Season One)
INTRODUCTION
HOST
Welcome to Jabberwocky Audio Theater.
RATING ANNOUNCER
The following audio theater is rated AD-G for general audiences.
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
In a far-flung future, in a corner of the galaxy where Earth is no longer known, humans and a dozen sentient species have forged an interstellar civilization. The Imperium is at a time of relative peace, some forty years after the last great conflict. Yet the great Houses still vie for greater influence over more systems, more people, and more resources. Alliances and enemies are found and lost among the stars, and fortunes await those who brave the big black between them.
(BEAT)
We begin the story of Rogue Tyger in the star system of Haapsalu, a necessary but hardly newsworthy possession of House Kalmar. The third planet in the Haapsalu system supplies the House — and some of the rest of the Imperium — with the bounty of its agriculture and aquaculture. But none of that excites Aidan Vosky, a young man ready to make a name for himself and find adventure. And so young Vosky makes his way to one of the spaceports that dot the planet in an effort to finally leave his home.
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC ENDS
SPACER CONCLAVE
REG MACORUM
Yes, I’m sure the gear works just as well as you say. I just need my extra crew member and I’m hitting space.
AIDAN
Hey, um sir?
REG MACORUM
And what are you selling?
AIDAN
Do you need a pilot?
REG MACORUM
Ha! And you’re a veteran spacer.
AIDAN
I mean like a backup pilot for long runs.
REG MACORUM
Look kid, no one’s going to hand you the reins to the ship they’ve poured their sweat, blood, and monits into. Try the Navy. They have monits to burn.
AIDAN
(EDGE)
I don’t want to join the military.
REG MACORUM
Uh huh.
(BEAT)
Okay, so you a mechanic?
AIDAN
What?
REG MACORUM
I don’t need a pilot, but I do need another grease monkey.
AIDAN
I’m a good mechanic.
REG MACORUM
That so, Mr. Pilot? Well tell me this. What would you do if you discovered your coolant intake, standard Bearce intake, was clogged?
AIDAN
I’d take a good snake with a nanoscrubber attachment and clear the gunk out.
REG MACORUM
I guess they can’t afford the manuals out here in the sticks, because if you had those, you’d know they recommend flushing the whole system with a Bearce 47-series vacuum pump.
AIDAN
I read the manuals cover to cover, and yeah, if you want to spend too much money you can use the Bearce 47. Everyone knows it’s overkill. You’ll wear out your gaskets in a year. My way costs 15 minutes and a little sweat… or do you have money like the navy boys?
REG MACORUM
(CHUCKLES)
I guess you’ll see.
AIDAN
How’s that?
REG MACORUM
You’re hired. Come on, I wanted to leave port in two hours — looks like it’ll be 20 minutes.
SOUND: MACORUM BOOTS WALKING OFF
AIDAN
I’m hired?
REG MACORUM
Gotta keep up. We’ve got all the snakes and scrubbers you want. Never got around to getting that vacuum pump.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
In addition to Captain Reg Macorum, Aidan also meets the ship’s pilot.
TYGER BRIDGE
GRAINNE
Grainne Kochowa. That’s what it sounds like above water anyway. You don’t need to worry about titles. Call me Grainne.
AIDAN
Okay.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
As well as Tormar, the ship’s Coutharian engineer.
TYGER CARGO HOLD
TORMAR
Why could the captain not get someone with more appendages?
AIDAN
Uh…
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
And Shen Enling.
TYGER CORRIDOR
AIDAN
You’re the ship’s doctor?
ENLING
And occasional bottle washer.
SOUND: BULKHEAD DOOR OPENING
TYGER SICK BAY
(SLIGHT CHANGE IN THE AMBIENT TONE)
ENLING
Come on in, water’s fine — and since its the sick bay, it’s sterile.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
Before he has a chance to show his mechanical skills, the Tyger is ambushed by pirates, and Aidan Vosky quickly proves his worth as a pilot.
TYGER BRIDGE
SOUND: AIRLOCK OPENS
AIDAN
Where do you need me Captain?
REG MACORUM
Right where I am, after the next turn.
SOUND: AIRLOCK CLOSES
AIDAN
The pilot’s chair?
REG MACORUM
Don’t worry, I’ve cleared away the debris. See what I’m doing?
AIDAN
Yes, keep at least one asteroid between you and the enemy ship.
REG MACORUM
The problem is, when his friend arrives, the one we thought we lost aerobraking, we’re sunk.
AIDAN
What about chaff?
REG MACORUM
That’s what I’ll be working on. Ready?
AIDAN
Uh, sir?
REG MACORUM
Why am I handing the reins of the ship that I’ve sweat and bled over to you?
AIDAN
Uh, yessir.
REG MACORUM
Because Vosky, I’m betting you’ve tried fancy flying before, but you haven’t done fast repairs in combat before.
AIDAN
Yes, sir.
REG MACORUM
If I’m wrong, we’re all dead in two minutes anyway. Ready?
AIDAN
Ready, sir.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
The Tyger manages to evade the pirates, and during a quiet moment, Aidan admits he didn’t venture into space simply for adventure.
TYGER SICK BAY
ENLING
The captain wouldn’t have picked you unless he had some purpose for you in mind.
(SOUND OF DOWNED SHOT)
AIDAN
Well he picked me in all of two nanoseconds, so I guess he must have a pretty definite plan for me.
ENLING
Hmph.
(BEAT)
Another?
AIDAN
I’m pacing myself.
SOUND: POURING OF ANOTHER GLASS
ENLING
If you want to be Grainne’s protege, you’ll need to do better. This is one of the few times she’s on the table and I’ve never seen her under it.
AIDAN
She looks so peaceful. Is she all right?
ENLING
All her vitals are fine. Her brain activity is, well, it’s not bad. It’s sorting some stuff out. Don’t you try dealing with a shock like that. You’re only human. At least I’m assuming.
AIDAN
As far as I know, yes.
ENLING
Saluvians aren’t known for their genetic diversity.
AIDAN
My mom’s from here, from Haapsalu. I don’t know where my dad came from.
ENLING
And he left when you were how old?
AIDAN
How —?
(BEAT)
You enjoy reading people, don’t you?
ENLING
Another reason I’m out here.
(PAUSE)
I’m happy to sequence your DNA after we’re through all this.
AIDAN
And what would that do?
ENLING
Tell you where your dad came from.
AIDAN
But you already know that’s not my question. I want to know where he went.
ENLING
And you know that’s a clue.
(BEAT)
AIDAN
Maybe.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
The pirates are defeated, and the crew return to their original course: Flatrock, a bustling independent spaceport that serves as the gateway to the frontier worlds. Aidan is thrilled, but unbeknownst to him, Reg Macorum may have other plans.
TYGER BRIDGE
ENLING
You think this delivery at Flatrock is really going to settle things? Set us down a new path to respectability?
REG MACORUM
It might. Danger’s still there though.
ENLING
And what about Aidan? You still need him for his original purpose?
REG MACORUM
I don’t know. He worked out quite well, didn’t he?
ENLING
Better than you were planning for.
REG MACORUM
Don’t get sweet on him Enling. My plans haven’t changed, but maybe Vosky doesn’t have to die after all.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
On Flatrock, Aidan and Reg try to perform a simple delivery, but at the last moment, Reg is called away, leaving Aidan alone in a warehouse.
WAREHOUSE – DAY
AIDAN
Hello?
SOUND: METAL JANGLE/TRYING LOCK
AIDAN
What the—? Hey! Who locked this? Come out here!
SOUND: EXPLOSION
AIDAN
Oh no. Oh no no no no…
(FLAME NOISE FADES IN)
SOUND: COMM BEEP
AIDAN
Captain!
SOUND: STATIC
AIDAN
(COUGHS)
Captain!
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
But in the nick of time, Reg arrives to rescue Aidan.
WAREHOUSE – DAY
REG MACORUM
Aidan! Where are you?
AIDAN
(WEAK)
Here. Is that you, Cap —
(COUGHS HARD)
REG MACORUM
Come on, put your arm around me.
AIDAN
The cargo… issa trap.
REG MACORUM
I know.
(COUGHS)
Come on. Not much time.
AIDAN
But the cargo…
REG MACORUM
Damn the cargo. Use your legs.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
Reg and Aidan hunt down clues as to who set them up, eventually meeting with underworld fixer Vic Ratha, who pieces things together and offers a deal to patch up the Tyger’s broken one.
GATEWAY INN – NIGHT
VIC RATHA
But it all fits: the traps, the technical expertise… Setting me up is the sort of elegant underhanded move I would expect of your people.
REG MACORUM
They’re not mine anymore.
VIC RATHA
But you’ll handle them, won’t you? You do that, I will make sure Moran forgets all about your missing cargo. In fact, I might make him hire you for another gig.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
So now the Tyger has to face down the Zenocrate Cartel.
PARK – NIGHT
AIDAN
Who’s Zenocrate?
REG MACORUM
The Zenocrate Cartel is my former employer.
AIDAN
More than just a shipping company, I take it.
REG MACORUM
They handle anything and everything, with most things not above the table. Zenocrate likes new markets and I was good at delivering them.
AIDAN
So what happened?
REG MACORUM
The important thing now is that they lost the Flatrock market a little over a year ago.
AIDAN
And they want back in.
REG MACORUM
Zenocrate plays to win.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
The Zenos almost get their revenge, but the Tyger’s crew has a few tricks up their spacesuit sleeves.
PARK – NIGHT
REG MACORUM
So what are we going to do?
THUG ONE
You’re going stay right where you are, with no sudden movements.
HARDIN
Boys! So glad to see you.
THUG ONE
Wish we could return the favor. Who are your friends?
REG MACORUM
We’re not his friends.
THUG ONE
Huh, well this one’s very wise.
SOUND: HOVERCRAFT APPROACHING
THUG TWO
Hey, do you hear that? Is that…?
HARDIN
Sounds like a hovercraft.
THUG ONE
It can’t be. It — Look out!
SOUND: HOVERCRAFT REVS FORWARD
SOUND: BLASTER FIRES
SOUND: BLASTER FIRES
SOUND: METALLIC IMPACT
SOUND: BLASTER FIRES
SOUND: BLASTER FIRES
THUG ONE
(CRIES OUT)
SOUND: BLASTER FIRES
THUG TWO
(CRIES OUT)
SOUND: BODY TUMBLING
(A PAUSE AS THE DUST SETTLES)
SOUND: HOVERCRAFT POWERS DOWN
AIDAN
That was some shooting.
HARDIN
Is it safe?
REG MACORUM
Of course, this is our ship’s doctor.
ENLING
I’m assuming those weren’t friends of yours.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
With Flatrock behind them, the Tyger goes off in search of fortunes elsewhere, and settles on the out-of-the-way Russahn system.
TYGER BRIDGE – SPACE
REG MACORUM
I got a tip before we left port at Flatrock. There was a courier headed their way that was overdue. Grainne did some investigating and they might have come through this system to avoid attention.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
But before the crew can find the riches the derelict vessel may hold, Reg’s old ship, the Silver Star, shows up, intent on capturing the prize for themselves — and perhaps the Tyger as well.
SILVER STAR BRIDGE – SPACE
SYLVIA MALABAR
Bring us alongside the docking collar. I want anyone aboard who’s a bit an armsman on that boat.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
Trapped on the wreck, Aidan, Tormar and Enling come up with a desperate plan, aided by a mysterious robot they found aboard.
COURIER SPOOKY
THE ROBOT
We must get to the bridge.
ENLING
Getting to the bridge is easy. Getting into it is another matter. We already saw that it’s locked up with at least three goons inside.
AIDAN
And probably heavily armed goons.
THE ROBOT
Nevertheless, if we are able to reach the bridge, I can activate the contingency plan.
AIDAN
Does that involve getting backup?
THE ROBOT
No, but it will destroy this ship.
AIDAN
Is there another contingency plan?
TORMAR
I have an encrypted beacon they can home in on.
THE ROBOT
Then we should get to the bridge.
AIDAN
And the circle continues.
ENLING
This is a crazy plan.
THE ROBOT
This plan has merit. We can pursue it.
ENLING
And what’s the chance all of us survive?
THE ROBOT
I do not predict an improvement in your emotional state with knowledge of the odds, Doctor.
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
With a tremendous slice of luck, the crew manage to commandeer the wreck and send it into harm’s way, with the Silver Star attached.
SILVER STAR BRIDGE – SPACE
SOUND: METAL SHEAR
JOCHI BORTAY
I don’t know how they did it, captain, but they’ve started the wreck’s engines. I can’t raise Walsh or his team on the bridge. Damn it!
SYLVIA MALABAR
Breathe, Mr. Bortay. Course?
JOCHI BORTAY
We’re headed straight towards an asteroid.
(BEAT)
Captain, we have to decouple from the wreck. It’ll hit the rock in less than 10 minutes.
SYLVIA MALABAR
Signal Rikken and all the teams to abandon the wreck. I want everyone through the airlock who can make it.
SOUND: ALARM KLAXON
COMPUTER VOICE
Warning. Collision imminent. Change course now.
JOCHI BORTAY
Great. We’re going to hit a minefield before we hit the asteroid.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES IN
TYGER BRIDGE – SPACE
SOUND: BEACON SIGNAL
GRAINNE
I’ve got the signal from the beacon!
REG MACORUM
Thank the fates. How close can we jump to them?
GRAINNE
Close enough to knock.
REG MACORUM
Then let’s do it.
SOUND: FTL DRIVE SPINS UP
ANNOUNCERLAND
ANNOUNCER
Will Aidan, Enling and Tormar leave the wreck in time? Will Reg and Grainne manage to rescue them? And will they all escape the Silver Star and her crew? Find out in Season Two of Rogue Tyger.
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
You’ve been listening to a special recap of Rogue Tyger, season one.
(BEAT)
Rogue Tyger is a production of Jabberwocky Audio Theater in association with Arlington Independent Media and was transcribed in Deepest Springfield.
(BEAT)
Tonight’s episode featured the vocal talents of Brooks Tegler, Nick DePinto, Erin Goldstein, Phil Amico, Yasmin Tuazon, Francis Abbey, Bjorn Munson, Neil Conway, Carol McCaffrey, William R. Coughlan, and Kim Davenport.
(BEAT)
Music was composed by John Maestri and arranged by Jason Chmiola, with final sound mixing by William R. Coughlan.
(BEAT)
And the episode was written and directed by Bjorn Munson.
(BEAT)
Visit our website, jabber audio dot com, for full show notes about all our fantastic cast and crew and other interesting details.
(BEAT)
This is William R. Coughlan, reminding you to join us next time for more Rogue Tyger.
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC ENDS
CONCLUSION
HOST
Hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Text © Bjorn Munson, under license to Jabberwocky Audio Theater. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.