Episode Transcript
Rogue Tyger
“Uninvited Guests,” Part 2
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 deep 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
Far away from the core systems, this band of adventurers explores a wrecked ship. Will they find riches… or ruin?
(BEAT)
Jabberwocky Audio Theater presents Rogue Tyger. Tonight’s episode: “Uninvited Guests,” part two.
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC ENDS
TYGER AIRLOCK
(TYGER CORRIDOR AMBIENT – ALL DIALOGUE DONE “IN HELMETS”)
TORMAR
Doctor Shen, are you ready?
ENLING
Yes, Tormar
TORMAR
Mechanic Vosky, are you ready?
AIDAN
As I’ll ever be.
TORMAR
Pardon?
AIDAN
I’m ready.
TORMAR
I am cycling the airlock now.
SOUND: AIR RUSHES IN AND OUT
TORMAR
Pressure is acceptable. I am opening the airlock.
SOUND: AIRLOCK OPENS
TORMAR
First I shall go, then the Doctor, then Vosky.
ENLING
You’re the boss.
SOUND: FEET CLOMPING
COURIER AIRLOCK
(COURIER SPACESHIP AMBIENT)
TORMAR
Good. We can now close and cycle this airlock.
SOUND: AIRLOCK CLOSES
SOUND: AIR RUSHES IN AND OUT
TORMAR
And now the other door.
SOUND: AIRLOCK OPENS
TORMAR
Let us use the same sequence.
ENLING
The suspense is killing me.
TORMAR
Complacency may oblige you. Come.
COURIER CARGO HOLD
(COURIER SPACESHIP AMBIENT WITH ECHO)
ENLING
Well, well. Appearances do deceive.
TORMAR
I would not have guessed this vessel to have a cargo hold of this size nor in this location.
AIDAN
Yeah, it really is bigger on the inside than you’d think.
TORMAR
Mechanic Vosky, please close the airlock. Doctor. Is the air acceptable?
ENLING
Let me get some readings.
SOUND: AIRLOCK CLOSES
AIDAN
Airlock is secure.
ENLING
And our air should be clean.
AIDAN
We have air?
ENLING
Yup: proper mixture of gases for oxygen/nitrogen fans, proper air pressure, temperature’s not too cold, and the test scrubbers didn’t come back with any toxins. It’s garden variety air.
AIDAN
But I thought the main engines were offline. What’s powering the ventilation?
TORMAR
The system must be running on reserve power.
ENLING
Well, let’s not waste our suits’ reserves then… so long as you approve, Tormar.
TORMAR
I concur with your assessment, Doctor.
ENLING
All right.
SOUND: HELMET SEAL OPENING
TORMAR
You are not turning an adverse color.
ENLING
Thanks for checking.
SOUND: HELMET SEAL OPENING
TORMAR
(SNIFFS)
Hmm, somewhat metallic. Vosky, use the tab on your right.
AIDAN
I got it.
SOUND: HELMET SEAL OPENING
ENLING
You were just nervous about what would happen to us, weren’t you?
AIDAN
Well, this is another in the long list of ‘things I’ve never done before.’
TORMAR
Vosky, since you are limited to only two arms, hook your helmet on the back of your suit here.
AIDAN
Oh, thanks, Tormar.
ENLING
Nothing worse then losing your helmet when you need to make tracks. Speaking of which, shall we start exploring?
TORMAR
First, protocol dictates we contact the ship.
ENLING
This is going to be a long day.
SOUND: COMM BEEP
TORMAR
Tyger, this is Tormar, do you read?
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
Tyger here, Tormar. Everything okay on your end?
TORMAR
We are in what appears to be a cargo hold. It is most unusual.
ENLING
I have to agree. Grainne, do your scans show anything?
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
No. I read a faint power source, which is probably reserve batteries.
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
She’s also got some shielding, so we can’t get detailed scans of the inside. What are you seeing, Tormar?
TORMAR
There were Batori parts in the airlock, captain, but she is not Batori-built.
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
So, someone wanted to spend on quality Batori parts, but wanted to do some customizing.
TORMAR
My assessment is that this ship is a royal courier.
ENLING
Ooo, big time.
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
Any signs of which house?
AIDAN
Is the name “Sihaya” a clue?
ENLING
Where do you see that?
AIDAN
It’s on these spare pressure suits next to the airlock.
TORMAR
Captain, did you hear that?
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
Yes. Sihaya probably means Cee-tees.
AIDAN
Cee-tees?
ENLING
House Clarke-Timurin.
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
As you said, Enling, big time.
ENLING
Did you guys know about this?
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
All we knew was that there might be a courier out here.
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
All right everyone, this doesn’t change the drill: check her bow, check her belly, look for shiny things, look out for shiny traps.
TORMAR
We will check in within 30 minutes captain, regardless of our findings.
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
Sounds good. Tyger out.
AIDAN
Shiny traps?
ENLING
Oh, he’s saying that mainly to scare you. There’s likely nothing here.
AIDAN
Said the person with the blaster.
TORMAR
Are you apprehensive, Mechanic Vosky?
ENLING
Maybe you’ve seen too many tri-vids of “ghost ships.”
AIDAN
Hey, I’m just being cautious. I mean, something could be here.
TORMAR
Even with shielding, we should detect lifeforms this close.
AIDAN
Well, what if we don’t?
TORMAR
That is unlikely.
AIDAN
That’s what makes it frightening.
ENLING
Well, all the more reason to get control of the ship.
TORMAR
Agreed. Doctor, please go to the bridge and check on the logs and manifest.
ENLING
Will do. And I suppose you two will start in the engine room?
TORMAR
Correct. Perhaps we can tap into the main power if the damage is not severe.
AIDAN
So we’re splitting up?
ENLING
Relax Aidan, if there is something aboard that isn’t on our scans, you can be sure of one thing.
AIDAN
What’s that?
ENLING
It won’t be nice.
AIDAN
If I find any kaoliang, I’m not sharing.
SOUND: BULKHEAD DOOR OPENING
TORMAR
Come, by the layout we know, the engine room should be in this direction.
AIDAN
So what can you tell me about the House of Clarke-Timurin? Growing up in Haapsalu, I mainly learned about the Houses of Kalmar and Malde.
TORMAR
Hmph, they are still predominantly run by humans. How much difference can there be?
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES IN
TYGER BRIDGE – SPACE
(STANDARD TYGER BRIDGE AMBIENT)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES OUT
SOUND: PROXIMITY ALERT
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
GRAINNE
Captain, I believe we have another craft nearby.
REG MACORUM
I wondered if something would turn up. Is it a shuttle or escape pod from the courier?
GRAINNE
I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure the sensors picked up a jump. How many escape pods have FTL?
REG MACORUM
Depending on the pedigree of this boat, it’s possible… but point taken. Do you have a fix on it?
GRAINNE
There’s plenty of rocks in here, but — wait, it just jumped again!
REG MACORUM
Is it correctional? Are they still in-system?
GRAINNE
Looks like it. These aren’t amateurs. They’ve just jumped again.
REG MACORUM
Where are they?
GRAINNE
Closer. Captain, they’re avoiding the minefields too well for me to think it’s coincidence.
REG MACORUM
So we have competition for the salvage.
GRAINNE
I don’t think random scavengers would avoid the minefields so expertly. It might even be a rescue craft.
REG MACORUM
If it is a royal courier, that’ll be a warship and they won’t be happy to see us either.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
REG MACORUM
I’m bringing the missiles online. How much maneuvering room do we have?
GRAINNE
Not much. There’s a thick minefield to port and we can’t go too far aft before — Captain, they just jumped three spatials from the courier!
REG MACORUM
They’re way too good for my liking. Detach from the docking collar and let’s get some eyes on target.
SOUND: HYDRAULICS & EXPLOSIVE BOLTS
SOUND: MANEUVERING THRUSTERS
GRAINNE
I’m easing her up over the line of the courier. Let’s try and not to get into a fight, okay?
REG MACORUM
We need to get our crew back before we can do that.
GRAINNE
The visitor should be in sight now.
REG MACORUM
If it’s a warship, I’ll —
(BEAT)
Well, I’ll be. It’s the Silver Star.
GRAINNE
A warship might have been better.
REG MACORUM
Don’t you malign my old ship now. She looks magnificent — like she just came out of the shipyard.
GRAINNE
It’s not the ship I’m worried about.
REG MACORUM
We should be. I hear they have beam weapons.
GRAINNE
You know what I mean.
SOUND: HAIL SOUND
GRAINNE
And on cue. My guess is Sylvia wants to chat.
REG MACORUM
Of course she does.
GRAINNE
Do we want to ignore her, stall for time?
REG MACORUM
No, put her on. Let me find out what they’re up to.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
GRAINNE
You’re on.
REG MACORUM
Well, well. Captain Sylvia Malabar. What brings you to this corner of completely barren space?
SYLVIA MALABAR
(RADIO FILTER)
Not so empty, Captain Macorum. Look at all these wonderful asteroids laden with minerals. We’re simply here for some honest prospecting.
REG MACORUM
I don’t remember any mining lasers on the Silver Star. Have you been upgrading her on me?
SYLVIA MALABAR
(RADIO FILTER)
Oh, we’ve got all sorts of new bells and whistles, Reg. It helps to have a captain who knows how to take on a job and see it through.
REG MACORUM
No matter what gets broken along the way?
SYLVIA MALABAR
(RADIO FILTER)
I seem to recall you decided to break some things, Captain. A rather important bond one might say.
REG MACORUM
One might say it was already broken.
SYLVIA MALABAR
(RADIO FILTER)
Not Darius.
REG MACORUM
And you?
SYLVIA MALABAR
(RADIO FILTER)
Hey, I got a ship out of it.
REG MACORUM
Well why don’t you go enjoy it and leave me and my ship in peace.
SYLVIA MALABAR
(RADIO FILTER)
Because you’re greedy Reg. You’ve got two ships there… and you don’t look like you’re sharing.
REG MACORUM
I thought you were prospecting. You’re welcome to any rocks in these parts. We won’t tell.
SYLVIA MALABAR
(RADIO FILTER)
Oh, but what is a ship like the one you’re searching, but a big artificial rock? Won’t your ship be nothing but a floating rock if a stray missile were to take out its engines?
REG MACORUM
What do you want, Sylvia?
SYLVIA MALABAR
(RADIO FILTER)
I want your boys to play nice with my boys. Better yet, I want you all to find a new sandbox.
REG MACORUM
Let me get back to you on that.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
GRAINNE
Transmission cut.
REG MACORUM
Put the wrecked courier between us and the Silver Star and get Enling and the others on the wireless.
GRAINNE
What’s up? What was with all the artificial rock business?
REG MACORUM
Being nasty to us was just a fun diversion for her. She’s sent a boarding party to the courier already and if we don’t warn “our boys” about hers, they could wind up dead.
MUSIC: CLIFFHANGER MUSIC CUE
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
You’ve been listening to Rogue Tyger, episode twelve: “Uninvited Guests,” part two 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 Phil Amico, Yasmin Tuazon, Nick DePinto, Erin Goldstein, Brooks Tegler, and Carol McCaffrey.
(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 wonderful cast and crew and other fun 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.