Episode Transcript
Rogue Tyger
“The End Run,” 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 fights for survival. 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
Can the crew of the Tyger deliver Princess Nalini al-Zamin safely to Acheron?
(BEAT)
Jabberwocky Audio Theater presents Rogue Tyger. Tonight’s episode: “The End Run,” part two.
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC ENDS
TYGER BRIDGE
(STANDARD BRIDGE AMBIENT)
SOUND: FTL DRIVE ENGAGES
GRAINNE
All right, heads up. We have finally arrived in the Hraggedor system.
AIDAN
Okay, um… you know, Grainne, I know you insisted I’d want to see this and I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but so far this Core system isn’t looking that different from some other systems we’ve seen.
GRAINNE
Patience Aidan, wait until we’ve come about.
SOUND: ENGINE THRUSTERS FIRING
AIDAN
Is there going to be a big space station or somethi —
(REACTS)
Oh—! Wow.
MUSIC: ASTOUNDED MUSIC BEGIN
GRAINNE
I thought that would get your attention.
AIDAN
There must be hundreds of ships out there.
GRAINNE
Thousands, actually.
AIDAN
So many… Hey! There’s a Shantung speedster, and a Venusian Star-cruiser, and is that a Corvallan scout?
GRAINNE
It is.
AIDAN
But that’s, that’s ancient, isn’t it?
GRAINNE
It is. Many of the ships here are. They date back to the System Wars and the Unification Wars. There were hundreds of battles here before your people even met mine.
(BEAT)
Not every part of the Core can be pristine, Aidan.
SOUND: AIRLOCK OPEN
AIDAN
Are you kidding? It’s beautiful. Does it have a name?
SOUND: AIRLOCK CLOSE
REG MACORUM
The Skeleton Sea.
AIDAN
Okay, is that more because it looks like a graveyard or because people scavenge for spare parts? I noticed that star-cruiser didn’t have any weapon mounts left.
REG MACORUM
A little of both. Scavenging is theoretically why we’re here.
AIDAN
The “engine trouble?”
REG MACORUM
Right. Our “engine trouble,” Vosky.
(BEAT)
Has our ‘ghost’ jumped in to shadow us yet?
GRAINNE
Yes. This time it’s that courier we last saw two weeks ago. Xinwei registry of course. At least they give us variety.
REG MACORUM
Well, it’ll jump closer to the shipping lanes in a minute so as not to arouse suspicion. Make sure it picks up our call for engine help.
SOUND: COMPUTER BEEP
GRAINNE
Transmitting.
AIDAN
Won’t that get a ship to come to help?
REG MACORUM
Not at this edge of the system.
GRAINNE
It’s just for our ghost’s benefit.
REG MACORUM
As is this.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
SOUND: CHAFF SOUND
AIDAN
More of Tormar’s “engine trouble?”
REG MACORUM
The final touch.
GRAINNE
The “ghost” just jumped away.
REG MACORUM
Time to make our move.
SOUND: ENGINE THRUSTERS FIRING
GRAINNE
Taking us into the wreckage.
AIDAN
So how’s the Coutharian ship going to find us here?
REG MACORUM
It should already be waiting for us near that early Imperial dreadnought.
SOUND: HAIL SOUND
MINTHA
(RADIO FILTER)
Tyger. We read you on scope. This is Vermillion Sky.
AIDAN
Vermillion Sky? That’s the name of the ship?
GRAINNE
That’s what Tormar told us.
AIDAN
I didn’t think Coutharians were so poetic.
GRAINNE
You’re basing all Coutharians on Tormar?
AIDAN
(EMBARRASED)
Well, no.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
REG MACORUM
Vermillion Sky, This is Tyger. We read you. Transmitting verification code.
(BEAT)
Grainne?
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
SOUND: COMPUTER BEEP
GRAINNE
Done.
REG MACORUM
Where are they?
GRAINNE
They want to stay hidden until they’re sure of us.
AIDAN
Um, they are on our side, right?
MINTHA
(RADIO FILTER)
Tyger: Transmission confirmed. Ship profile confirmed. Voiceprint also confirmed. Stand by.
SOUND: MASSIVE METAL DOORS OPEN
AIDAN
Whoa! Part of the dreadnought’s hull is opening up.
REG MACORUM
Well, I’ll be. They were hiding inside her.
GRAINNE
Very cautious.
REG MACORUM
And ingenious.
MINTHA
(RADIO FILTER)
Welcome to the Skeleton Sea, Captain Macorum. A pleasure to be meeting. Prepare for docking.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
REG MACORUM
Captain Mintha, I presume. The pleasure is all ours.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
GRAINNE
They’re coming alongside.
SOUND: ALERT SOUND
TORMAR
(INTERCOM)
Captain, I am in the cargo bay. We are ready for docking.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
REG MACORUM
Thanks, Tormar, I’ll be right there.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
AIDAN
Do you need me down there?
REG MACORUM
Yes, but check with Enling at the skimmer when you get down there. Remember, we’ve got an hour at best to do the transfer.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC IN
TYGER CARGO HOLD
(STANDARD CARGO HOLD AMBIENT)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC OUT
SOUND: BULKHEAD DOOR OPENING
AIDAN
Hey, Enling! I’m back.
ENLING
Were you trying to pack all of sick bay? It’s been thirty minutes! Over here by the skimmer.
SOUND: BULKHEAD DOOR CLOSING
AIDAN
Not all of it was in sick bay. I had to check storage for the, uh, what did you call these?
ENLING
Self-bonding field dressings.
AIDAN
Yeah. I hope we don’t need to use them.
ENLING
That makes two of us.
AIDAN
Did I miss anything?
ENLING
Well, the two captains had to do a little pomp and circumstance.
AIDAN
Say, what happened to Tormar?
ENLING
You didn’t notice he bolted right after we docked — before Captain Mintha came over?
AIDAN
No. Is there some bad history between them?
ENLING
Oh, there’s history.
(BEAT)
He’s been getting gussied up for the past half hour.
SOUND: BULKHEAD DOOR OPENING
TORMAR
Is the captain here?
SOUND: BULKHEAD DOOR CLOSING
ENLING
Which one?
TORMAR
Ah! She is there. Excuse me.
(COUTHARIAN WALLA UNDERNEATH)
AIDAN
So, she’s not his, um, wife or something, is she?
ENLING
Well, I swear all the Coutharians I’ve ever met are related somehow. They do this geneology thing when-
(WHAT’S THAT?)
Oh wait, listen:
(SLIGHTLY DISTANT, RIGHT ON STEREO MIX)
TORMAR
Blessings upon you and your family Mintha ur Saithu ney Kalpa.
MINTHA
Blessing upon you and your family Tormar ney Domash ur Virain.
TORMAR
It is pleasing to see you again, Captain Mintha.
MINTHA
And it is pleasing to see you too, Tormar, though I worry for you on this human craft.
TORMAR
Her captain, as you know, is a good steward.
(COUTHARIAN WALLA UNDERNEATH)
AIDAN
Why aren’t they speaking, you know, their native tongue?
ENLING
They don’t want to be rude.
AIDAN
You mean all this time on the Tyger, Tormar’s been polite?
ENLING
Come on, Aidan. He wants to impress the girl. You know how that goes.
AIDAN
Really? Tinker’s going to be heartbroken.
ENLING
Said from recent experience? Like I said, if you need to talk.
AIDAN
Shh, they’re coming over here.
TORMAR
Honored Captain, these are the crewmates I must escort to the Human Throneworld.
MINTHA
A pleasure to meet both of you. But as your captain and I discussed, better for us to know little.
TORMAR
They will board in the skimmer when preparations are complete.
ENLING
Well, the skimmer is ready.
TORMAR
Excellent, Doctor. Captain, shall we inspect your cargo hold?
AIDAN
(COUGHS)
ENLING
(WARNS)
Aidan…
AIDAN
What?
MINTHA
Something amiss?
ENLING
No, captain. We will see you soon. Well, actually not. We’ll be hidden in skimmer.
(BEAT)
We’ll be on board soon.
AIDAN
Yes.
MINTHA
True. Since we may not speak again. Success to your mission.
ENLING
Thank you.
(PAUSE)
AIDAN
Well, I guess this is it.
ENLING
It is. If you need to do anything else before we leave, I’d do it now.
AIDAN
What do you mean?
ENLING
Well, Grainne and I are exchanging message rods for our families just in case.
AIDAN
Just in case what? Oh.
ENLING
Yeah.
AIDAN
Hmmm. Where’s the captain? Ours, I mean.
ENLING
He went to brief Tinker and the Princess in the galley, but he might be done by now.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC IN
TYGER GALLEY
(SAME GALLEY AMBIENT AS BEFORE)
AIDAN
Captain!
REG MACORUM
Well, Vosky. All ready?
AIDAN
As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.
REG MACORUM
Ha! This isn’t what you expected when you came on board, is it?
AIDAN
No sir.
REG MACORUM
Well, if it’s any consolation, this isn’t at all what I expected either.
AIDAN
Captain?
REG MACORUM
Yeah?
AIDAN
There’s a question I had. About that day back on Flatrock.
REG MACORUM
You mean the warehouse?
AIDAN
Yeah.
(BEAT)
There was a moment… there was this moment when the door was blocked and the smoke was coming in, I wasn’t sure you’d come in for me.
REG MACORUM
(PAUSE)
Yeah?
AIDAN
Yeah.
REG MACORUM
(PAUSE)
Yeah.
(PAUSE)
Yeah, you’re not wrong.
(BEAT)
In fact, you’re right a lot of the time. I should get used to that.
(PAUSE)
You angry?
AIDAN
(PAUSE)
Am I going to to be part of your cold equations in the future?
REG MACORUM
No.
(BEAT)
Fact is, if we get out of this like I hope, maybe there won’t be a need for so many cold equations.
AIDAN
I’m glad.
REG MACORUM
I’m glad I came back for you.
AIDAN
Maybe you had to.
REG MACORUM
Ha! That could be.
SOUND: HANDS CLASP
REG MACORUM
Good fortune, Mister Vosky.
AIDAN
And to you, Captain Macorum.
REG MACORUM
See you on the other side of time… in one place or another.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC IN
TYGER BRIDGE
(STANDARD BRIDGE AMBIENT)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC OUT
GRAINNE
Captain, Vermillion Sky has undocked is and ready to jump.
REG MACORUM
Thank you, Grainne.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
REG MACORUM
Safe travels, Captain Mintha.
MINTHA
I would say the same, Captain, but I am thinking — better to wish you luck.
REG MACORUM
Thank you, captain.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
GRAINNE
We’ll need it.
REG MACORUM
Vic said he’ll check in with us at Oh-Eight-Hundred Standard. That’s less than an hour.
GRAINNE
We have to hope that enough of his independent captains thought there’s profit in this.
REG MACORUM
All we have now is hope… and the knowledge that Vic is resourceful.
GRAINNE
(HOPEFUL)
Come what may?
REG MACORUM
(SMILES)
Indeed. Come what may.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
REG MACORUM
Tormar, all set?
TORMAR
Yes, everything is fine. The cargo is secure.
REG MACORUM
Good. See you on Acheron.
SOUND: SWITCH CLICK
GRAINNE
I wonder if the cargo feels as fine as Tormar suggests.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC IN
SKIMMER
(CRAMPED AMBIENT)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC OUT
AIDAN
Well, I suppose the good news is: we can see outside of the solar shielding of the canopy without anyone seeing us.
ENLING
Since all we can see is the bulkhead of a cargo hold, I’m not sure there’s much point.
AIDAN
You suppose Tormar has his own cabin?
ENLING
Unless he’s getting close with Mintha.
AIDAN
Can’t be any closer than we are in this skimmer.
SOUND: SEATBELT RUSTLE
AIDAN
Ow! What are you doing, Tinker?
TINKER
If your harness becomes loose in flight, you may shift and injure the princess.
NALINI
I’m sure he’s quite secure.
TINKER
I only wish to protect you, your highness.
AIDAN
I get it. My side. Your side. I’m secure.
ENLING
Oh, this is going to be a long trip.
SOUND: FTL DRIVE ENGAGES
NALINI
That’s our first jump. We’re on our way.
TINKER
I calculate we will be on Acheron in 20 hours.
ENLING
Barring complications.
AIDAN
Well, that’s why we made the skimmer spaceworthy.
ENLING
Sure, as long as we use the term “spaceworthy” loosely.
AIDAN
Hey, it’ll work, we just need to — TINKER! I’m just scratching my leg!
ENLING
It’s going to be a long trip.
MUSIC: CLIFFHANGER MUSIC CUE
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
You’ve been listening to Rogue Tyger, episode twenty-seven, “The End Run,” 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 Erin Goldstein, Nick DePinto, Brooks Tegler, Samantha Merrick, Phil Amico, Yasmin Tuazon, William R. Coughlan, and Sophia Medley.
(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 great 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.