Episode Transcript
Rogue Tyger
“The End Run,” Part 1
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 the distant reaches of space, a lone ship plunges into the unknown. Her crew?
REG MACORUM
Reg Macorum, ship’s captain.
GRAINNE
Grainne Kochowa, pilot.
ENLING
Shen Enling, ship’s doctor.
TORMAR
Tormar, engineer.
AIDAN
Aidan Vosky, mechanic.
ANNOUNCER
Having narrowly escaped the clutches of the Zenocrate cartel with the Royal Princess Nalini al-Zamin, the Tyger resumes course to the sanctuary of the core systems.
(BEAT)
Jabberwocky Audio Theater presents Rogue Tyger. Tonight’s episode: “The End Run,” part one.
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC ENDS
TYGER BRIDGE
(STANDARD BRIDGE AMBIENT)
SOUND: FTL DRIVE ENGAGES
GRAINNE
Jump completed, Captain.
REG MACORUM
Thank you, Grainne. It looks like we’ll make the Hraggedor system in good time.
GRAINNE
We’d get there faster if we didn’t have to dawdle.
REG MACORUM
And lose our ghosts? Perish the thought.
(BEAT)
We do still have a ghost, don’t we?
GRAINNE
Checking…
(BEAT)
Yes, it’s a freighter. Same one we saw three days ago. Same Xinwei registry.
REG MACORUM
Looks like they have at least five different ships they’re using to shadow us. It’s a good pattern.
GRAINNE
A good pattern — if you don’t check.
REG MACORUM
(CHUCKLES)
Of course we don’t check, Grainne. We’re poor clueless mercenaries.
GRAINNE
I don’t know if I’ve seen you like this before.
REG MACORUM
Like what?
GRAINNE
Excited about the future.
REG MACORUM
Perhaps I actually see a future now.
GRAINNE
One that doesn’t involve us getting crushed by the combined Zenocrate and Xinwei-Moore fleets?
REG MACORUM
That doesn’t matter. Maybe they’ll win. Maybe they won’t. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I’m not running.
GRAINNE
As far as they’re concerned, we are running.
REG MACORUM
Ah, but for the first time, we get to set the pace.
GRAINNE
For the first time, we have a chance to win.
REG MACORUM
We might simply “not lose.”
GRAINNE
I see. Well, if it’s all the same to you captain, I’d like to win this time.
REG MACORUM
Oh, I aim to Grainne, but come what may, come what may.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC IN
AIDAN’S CABIN
(STANDARD TYGER AMBIENT)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC OUT
AIDAN
So, what are you going to do when we get you to Acheron?
NALINI
When? No ‘ifs’ in your mind, Aidan?
AIDAN
On this ship? There’s always ‘what ifs.’ Better to think about what we’ll do when we get there.
NALINI
I don’t know. They’ll want to debrief me. I’ll need to learn about all the changes at court. My father will want —
AIDAN
But what do you want, Nalini?
(NALINI CONSIDERS THIS)
NALINI
To be alone, walking in the gardens of our home in the capital after a nice long bath.
AIDAN
That does sound nice.
NALINI
Oh you should see them, Aidan. All of our grounds in the capital are wonderful. It’s one of the few places my minders know I’m safe, so the gardeners let me be alone. That’s what I want: to be all alone.
AIDAN
(LEADING)
All alone?
NALINI
Yes! I mean… Look, I’ve gone from court intrigue to secret diplomatic mission to running for my life. Month and months and — Don’t you ever want a break from all this?
AIDAN
Well, maybe not all of it. Back on Haapsalu, to relax, I used to go fishing.
NALINI
Fishing!?
AIDAN
Yeah, I know. How much fishing am I going to do in the void of space, right? But I brought my fishing gear over there just in case we’re on the right kind of planet sometime.
NALINI
That flimsy stick is supposed to spear fish?
AIDAN
No, it’s — it’s a fishing pole. Haven’t you ever seen a fishing pole before?
NALINI
Why should I?
AIDAN
Well, I don’t know. It’s just- Listen, I can teach you. I’m sure there’s good rivers or lakes on Acheron. I mean, come on, it’s the Imperial throneworld, right?
NALINI
Why would a princess need to fish?
AIDAN
Well, it’s not a need. It’s relaxing. And you get to be alone. Possibly with one other person.
NALINI
Stop.
AIDAN
What?
NALINI
This won’t work.
AIDAN
The fishing?
NALINI
No! Yes. None of it. Don’t you see?
AIDAN
See!? Nalini, I just want —
NALINI
No, just stop trying, just —
(FENDING OFF TEARS)
SOUND: BULKHEAD DOOR OPENING
ENLING
Whoa, there!
NALINI
I’m sorry.
ENLING
Well, that’s new.
NALINI
(QUIET SOBBING)
(SOBBING FADES AS NALINI EXITS)
AIDAN
What did I say?
ENLING
I can only imagine.
AIDAN
But I didn’t say anything. We were just taking about when we got to Acheron and she…
ENLING
Ah. I see.
AIDAN
What? Enling? What do you see?
ENLING
She has to say goodbye sometime and she’s probably having a hard time doing it.
AIDAN
But she doesn’t have to say goodbye.
ENLING
Aidan, the instant we land on Acheron — if we land on Acheron — everything will be different.
AIDAN
I know that.
ENLING
But you haven’t lived it. You’ve never even been to the Core. Take it from someone who grew up here. Class and caste matter.
AIDAN
It shouldn’t be that way.
ENLING
And yet the Imperium persists even in the face of such injustice.
(BEAT)
Come on, let’s see how Tinker and Tormar are doing messing up my skimmer.
TYGER CARGO HOLD
(LEAD IN WITH METAL CLANKS, ETC.)
TINKER
Engineer Tormar, the seal check is complete. Would you crosscheck?
TORMAR
I concur. No visible flaws, Six-five-one. Let us pressurize the cabin.
TINKER
Pressurizing.
SOUND: SWITCH THROWN
SOUND: PRESSURIZED HISS AND SEAL
ENLING
What are you people doing to that poor skimmer?
TORMAR
We are endeavoring to make it spaceworthy, doctor.
ENLING
I kind of hoped you were joking.
TORMAR
Would I joke with you?
ENLING
Ignoring that possible trick question, I can’t imagine the hoverjets will work well in space.
TINKER
The skimmer’s maneuverability will be severely hampered without an atmosphere, but structurally, it can now withstand the vacuum of space.
TORMAR
You can see where we have reinforced the hull plating.
AIDAN
Is the hatch working out? I tried to make sure it fit snugly with the new canopy.
TORMAR
It functions adequately. Thank you, Mechanic Vosky.
ENLING
Wait, you had a hand in this thing?
AIDAN
Hey, I’m going to be one of the people flying in it, right? Besides, I didn’t want these guys to think I was shirking my duties.
ENLING
You mean, because of your time being a personal guide?
AIDAN
Yeah, well, that’s not going to be a problem now, right?
TINKER
There is a problem?
TORMAR
No, the cabin pressure is satisfactory.
ENLING
No problem, Tinker.
(TO AIDAN)
We can talk later.
TORMAR
All seals are holding. If sufficient time is available, we should test it in vacuum.
SOUND: ALERT SOUND
REG MACORUM
(INTERCOM)
All right, everyone: we’re ready to begin the final leg of our pleasure cruise. If all of you will join me in the galley, we can review the plan before we go our separate ways.
TORMAR
(GRUNTS)
That is inconvenient.
ENLING
Ah, c’mon Tormar, nothing like testing things during real-life conditions.
TYGER GALLEY
(STANDARD TYGER AMBIENT)
REG MACORUM
So you can see here the ships have caught up to us. They have plenty of ships to shadow us, but there is a pattern. Best of all, between Grainne’s piloting and Tormar’s tricks, we’ve they’re convinced our FTL drive and engines are getting worse.
TINKER
It would be imprudent to underestimate House Xinwei-Moore. Even though their chosen mercenaries from the Zenocrate Cartel have failed, they will have contingency plans.
REG MACORUM
You mean the double agents you suspect are working for your own House?
TINKER
Her highness and I have discussed what intelligence we have. We have reason to believe that Xinwei-Moore has been infiltrating House Clarke-Timurin for the past year. Our ship being disabled and the attempted abduction may be the result of a long-planned conspiracy.
REG MACORUM
Well, Grainne did report an increase in the number of Xinwei freighters shortly after you contacted your agent on Flatrock.
AIDAN
Meaning there was a leak somewhere down the line.
TINKER
There must be many ‘leaks’ Mechanic Vosky. We have received next to no communication from our House. We do not know who to trust.
REG MACORUM
Still, I’d be more comfortable if more people on your side knew about our plan. We could use the help.
TINKER
They know we will arrive on Acheron in two to three days. They know we are on the Tyger and our general course. Unfortunately, our enemies may know that too, which means they know we must go through Hraggedor. A Xinwei force may await us there.
REG MACORUM
Captain Sylvia Malabar isn’t one to admit failure. She’ll be after us with as many Zenocrate ships as she can muster.
ENLING
Even if we assume they don’t know we’re letting them follow us, how can we be sure they’ve fallen for our “engine trouble.”
TORMAR
(WELL I NEVER)
Even trained engineers would find my engine flares convincing.
ENLING
Hey, I’m not questioning your expertise Tormar, just their level of paranoia.
TINKER
I predict a seventy-four percent chance the “ruse” will be successful, Doctor.
REG MACORUM
I notice you haven’t mentioned the odds for our little counter-attack.
TINKER
There are too many variables.
REG MACORUM
That’s why I’d like more support from, say, a Clarke-Timurin battlecruiser, to even things up. We have given you our support. Pledged it in fact.
TINKER
Our House has never had a space fleet as Xinwei-Moore does. That is why we agreed to the plan proposed by you and this Mister Ratha. Your ships should be sufficient provided the weapons systems work. And the number of enemy ships is not too great.
REG MACORUM
(DRYLY)
As you said, too many variables.
TINKER
As you said, you have pledged your support to our House. For her highness’ benefit, would you repeat the details regarding the Coutharian vessel? Our house has had little contact with them.
REG MACORUM
(PAUSE)
For king and country, eh?
(BEAT)
All right, while we’re lost among the wrecks of the past few millenia in the Hrageddor system, we have arranged a rendevous with a Coutharian vessel out of Uthar Kretik carrying a diplomatic legation to Acheron.
TINKER
Do we know anyone on this vessel?
TORMAR
I know her captain.
REG MACORUM
To maintain our “ruse” as you put it, we have about an hour to get her highness, you — Tinker — Aidan, Enling, and Tormar aboard.
TINKER
I wish no offense to Engineer Tormar, but I do not understand why the Coutharians, especially a diplomatic vessel, would agree to aid a freelance freighter
TORMAR
No offense taken. My part is small. There is not a soul on Uthar Kretik who would not help Captain Macorum.
REG MACORUM
I wouldn’t go that far, but I would say the Coutharians wouldn’t mind hurting the Zenocrate Cartel.
TINKER
You are keeping a secret?
REG MACORUM
I keep many secrets. Including, as agreed, you and her highness’ presence on the ship. Their captain trusts that whatever, whomever they are transporting, will hurt Zenocrate. They will not know or ask about Clarke-Timurin.
TINKER
Based on your previous actions, I am satisfied. But you understand our concerns.
REG MACORUM
Absolutely. Your highness? You haven’t said anything for a while. Are you all right?
NALINI
Wha—? No, I am fine. I was just thinking of what we do when we land on Acheron.
TINKER
Do you have any further questions, your highness?
NALINI
Will this work?
REG MACORUM
You mean, will we succeed?
ENLING
Will we survive is the real question.
REG MACORUM
Have a little faith, doctor. They’re going to need you on the ground.
ENLING
You better be groundside too after this escapade. If you’re not there to buy the first round of kaoliang…
REG MACORUM
I promise.
SOUND: HAIL SOUND
GRAINNE
(INTERCOM)
Captain, I have an encrypted channel open with Vic. Should I put him through?
REG MACORUM
Absolutely.
SOUND: COMPUTER BEEP
VIC RATHA
(RADIO FILTER)
Captain Macorum, I must say you do move quick. So you’ll be wanting us to put the plan in action then?
REG MACORUM
Yes. In fact, in regards to our “order”… I was wondering if, instead of twelve, we might have two dozen — and in half the time.
VIC RATHA
(RADIO FILTER)
(CHOKES)
I just don’t know if you’re bold or insane, Captain. Getting you such numbers so quickly — and in good enough condition. Well, that won’t be cheap.
REG MACORUM
You know my buyers. They’ve given me their word. I’m giving you mine.
VIC RATHA
All right, we’ll proceed with the “amended” plan. But remember Reg, I said I wanted to do business with you — and you’re no good to me dead.
MUSIC: CLIFFHANGER MUSIC CUE
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
You’ve been listening to Rogue Tyger, episode twenty-six: “The End Run,” part one of five.
(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 Erin Goldstein, Brooks Tegler, Nick DePinto, Sophia Medley, Yasmin Tuazon, William R. Coughlan, Phil Amico, and Francis Abbey.
(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 terrific 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.