Starship Iris 3.02 Resupply

THEME

CHUCK WEATHERS

Tonight, on FREE PRESS with Chuck Weathers. (SPOOKY MUSIC) RJ McCabe. They were a rising star in the academy. What poisoned their mind into betraying the government they’d vowed to serve, the people who raised them and the tireless educators who gave them the tools they now wield against the one true human republic?

FX: THE SOUNDS OF MCCABE OPERATING A FOOT PEDAL LOOM.

CHUCK WEATHERS

And is it in any way connected to their exposure to illegal insurgent music?

MCCABE

Ooh, ooh, blaming the culture!

BRIAN

For sure, take a drink.

FX: THE WEAVING SOUNDS PAUSE

MCCABE

If we had actual alcohol right now, we’d be plastered.

CHUCK WEATHERS

We’ll take a hard look at a hard story of craven betrayal.

BRIAN

Doing the eyebrow thing again, take a drink!

KREJJH

Krejjh to all crew—

MCCABE

Computer, mute broadcast.

FX: THE CHUCK WEATHERS SHOW IS SILENT

KREJJH

Party in the cockpit! And by “party” I mean, uh mandatory crew meeting! (QUIETLY) Woo!

BRIAN

McCabe? You coming?

MCCABE

In a second. (PAUSE) Wow, his eyebrows are going for it.

THEME

ARKADY

Look, I don’t see any way around it. We’re ten days from Cresswin, and in the meantime, we need to stop and arm up.

MCCABE

I thought Thasia said the Rooks had zero weapons to spare.

ARKADY

Yeah. Good news is, they’re not the only source out there.

VIOLET

What’s the bad news?

PARK

They’re not the only source out there.

KREJJH

…the one place within spitting distance is Graylands Station.

BRIAN

Oh. Crap.

VIOLET

What?

BRIAN

Graylands Station is Neuzo two point oh, basically. No allegiances, no laws. Every vice you could imagine and some that wouldn’t come up if we had ten hours and, like, a whiteboard.

VIOLET

This may be a silly question, but is it safe?

MCCABE

If we seem tough enough and able to pay, they’re likely to consider us as more of an opportunity than a mark.

VIOLET

Uh-huh.

PARK

Although “likely” in this case is doing a lot of work.

MCCABE

The bigger problem—

VIOLET

(A LITTLE GIDDY WITH WHAT A BAD IDEA THIS IS) Oh, there’s a bigger problem, okay.

MCCABE

Is that Brian is still wanted by three mafias—two Dwarnian, one human—and they all have a presence there.

VIOLET

If this is a money-first sort of place, and there’s a bounty on him…

BRIAN

Yeah, you’re, uh, you’re catching on.

ARKADY

Do we know the amount?

BRIAN

The exact price on my head? Honestly, I try not to check. Doesn’t seem healthy, man.

MCCABE

Well, I do check and it’s. High.

ARKADY

So, uh, do we vote?

KREJJH

We can’t do this. We can’t take the risk.

VIOLET

Are you sure there’s nobody else we can ask?

ARKADY

Nobody on this side of space.

BRIAN

Captain Patel, I don’t see much point in voting. It’s what we’ve gotta do, right? Like, we can’t mount an assault on Cresswin using our feelings.

PARK

Graylands is likely to have what we’ll need. Assuming nobody shoots us on sight.

KREJJH

(WEAKLY) How do we manage to get in these scrapes when we’re all so dang likeable and charming?

BRIAN

(BEING BRAVE) Took the words outta my mouth.

ARKADY

Then we’re agreed. Krejjh, set course for Graylands Station.

KREJJH

On it, Captain Patel.

FX: SHIP SWERVES

ARKADY

Okay, we land, we stock up, we head back out.

MCCABE

Do you—do we even have contacts out here? Contacts who don’t want you dead.

BRIAN

None on my part.

PARK

Good news is, we won’t need them if we can pay.

ARKADY

Right, this should be straightforward. We’ve got ten thousand, nowhere near enough, so we compile every scrap of money we can, and then we pawn everything we can pawn. Furniture, rations, booze—

VIOLET

We don’t have any booze.

ARKADY

They don’t know that, do they?

VIOLET

Fair point.

BRIAN

I mean, what are we gonna do about the, y’know, mob problem?

ARKADY

Oh, you’re staying on the ship at all times, Jeeter.

BRIAN

I’m our only translator.

ARKADY

Then it’s a bad day to be the rest of us.

BRIAN

Do you think, maybe, if I got a disguise, and we had McCabe at my back for security…?

ARKADY

That reminds me, McCabe, you’re staying on the ship, too. We need someone guarding the door. I’m gonna go take stock of everything we’ve got left that we can sell.

3.02.02 INT. FRUITBAT HALLWAY.

FX: COCKPIT DOOR OPENS. TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS OUT OF THE COCKPIT. COCKPIT DOOR CLOSES. WE’RE IN THE HALLWAY.

MCCABE

Don’t you think I could be of more use on the ground? Are you still penalizing me for—

ARKADY

Water under the goddamn bridge.

MCCABE

Is it because of what happened in San Ramos?

ARKADY

Water, bridge. (MAKES A WATER SOUND)

MCCABE

You were in crisis, and I aimed a weapon at you. That could have ended—very badly.

ARKADY

I was having a meltdown. You did what you had to.

MCCABE

I was—I was good at other things, when I was younger, did you know that? I could draw, really well. I was the fastest runner in my grade one year. I played the oboe.

ARKADY

What’s—

MCCABE

It’s a woodwind instrument with a double reed and—

ARKADY

I know what an oboe is! What does this have to do with anything?

MCCABE

When I saw you out there, and you were—not well. I used the only skill I had practiced ad nauseum.

ARKADY

I don’t think a little oboe solo was gonna—

MCCABE

Captain Patel. I could’ve talked with you. Reasoned with you. But I got scared and I fell back on what I’d trained myself to do.

ARKADY

And if you hadn’t, I could be dead.

MCCABE

Or maybe you’d be alive and you wouldn’t flinch whenever I try to talk to you!

BRIEF PAUSE

ARKADY

Yeah, okay, you know what? It was not great. It was not great for me. It screwed me up, uh, more, and I. Uh. I appreciate you can see that. And I appreciate you telling me you can see that. That means something.

But we don’t have time right now to… I put you on Brian duty because I trust you to keep him safe. That’s it. He’s worth a lot of money in a place where that really, really matters and I can’t be the one watching out for him because I have to be in charge and stay calm. You know how to assess risk and you know how to strategize in the moment and you can go apeshit when you need to.

If something happens to him…

MCCABE

You care about him a lot.

ARKADY

Don’t quote me on this, but yeah.

MCCABE

Why would I quote you? That’s a terrible quote. “Yeah”?

ARKADY

McCabe?

MCCABE

Yeah?

ARKADY

Shut up.

3.02.03 INT. FRUITBAT

FX: TRANSITION.

PARK

Everyone ready? Money, weapons, items to pawn?

MCCABE

The checklist is looking good.

VIOLET

Arkady, can you help me unbolt that trunk in our room?

BRIAN

You guys, selling the makeshift weapons locker to buy more weapons is a real O. Henry kinda move.

ARKADY

No, she’s right, Jeeter, it’s smart. We cut out anything that’s not essential. After you, Liu.

KREJJH

Clear the way, people! Give the lovebugs some privacy, pronto! Chop chop!

FX: FOOTSTEPS DOWN THE HALL BUT WE CAN FAINTLY HEAR KREJJH AS WE MOVE.

KREJJH

Remember, we respect and esteem the stuffing outta our doctor and our captain! Do not speculate about all the love poetry they’re probably gonna recite to each other the second they’re alone!

3.02.04 INT. FRUITBAT STORAGE.

FX: DOOR OPENS, TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS THROUGH, DOOR SHUTS.

ARKADY

Christ. Okay, we lug it to that wheeled pallet outside, good to go. You got a second wrench?

VIOLET

Here.

FX: BOLTS LOOSENING.

VIOLET

(TRYING SO HARD TO SOUND CASUAL) Hey, Arkady, when this is all over—

ARKADY

No worries, I think we should be able to manage it together.

VIOLET

(THINKING ARKADY IS TALKING BIGGER PICTURE) Yeah? That’s— (REALIZING ARKADY IS TALKING ABOUT THE TRUNK.) Oh.

ARKADY

As long as you lift with your legs. (A BEAT) Of course you know that. Probably day one of doctor school.

VIOLET

Have you given any thought to where you’ll want to be, after the war?

ARKADY

Breathing. Hopefully. And, y’know, not behind bars.

VIOLET

So you don’t want to talk about it?

ARKADY

About the real possibility of ending up in a Regime POW camp? Not that much, no.

VIOLET

No, I mean—you don’t want to discuss this now, do you. The future? Us?

ARKADY

I think the odds we both make it are so small, we can bite that bullet another day.

VIOLET

Yeah. Okay.

ARKADY

Do you—?

VIOLET

(EXHAUSTED) Not if you don’t.

ARKADY

Okay?

VIOLET

Okay. My side’s free.

ARKADY

Mine too. On three. One, two—three!

FX: HEAVY FOOTSTEPS TO THE DOOR.

FX: DOOR OPENS.

KREJJH

Oh, I was just making sure nobody was listening in. Want a hand with that? A dashingly attractive purple hand, perhaps?

FX: HEAVY FOOTSTEPS OUT THE DOOR, WHICH CLOSES BEHIND VIOLET AND ARKADY.

ARKADY

I don’t need help.

KREJJH

You sure? I could just take a corner.

ARKADY

I am goddamn fine!

MCCABE

It’s tipping, it’s tipping!

VIOLET

Jesus, Arkady, let Krejjh help!

ARKADY

Fine!

KREJJH

Where are we—

VIOLET

To the pallet!

FX: HEAVY STEPS TO THE PALLET. A HEAVY TRUNK IS DROPPED ON TOP.

ARKADY.

(HARD EXHALE)

PARK

Everyone okay?

VIOLET

Thanks, Krejjh.

ARKADY

Thanks. Jeeter, are you prepared to be real goddamn quiet and not leave the ship under any circumstances?

BRIAN

I’ve got it.

ARKADY

McCabe, you good to make sure he does?

MCCABE

One hundred percent. Be safe!

ARKADY

We’ll do our best.

FX: KREJJH, ARKADY, VIOLET, AND PARK EXIT. MAIN EXTERIOR SHIP DOOR SHUTS BEHIND THEM.

3.02.06 INT. FRUITBAT KITCHEN.

FX: BRIAN BEGINS TO CROSS TO THE GALLEY KITCHEN.

BRIAN

Think I’m gonna head to the kitchen if you want anything?

MCCABE

Brian?

BRIAN

Uh-huh?

MCCABE

What did you do to antagonize three different mafia systems? The whole time I was working on the Iris Casefiles, I never found a hint of an explanation, and I researched the Dickens out of that report.

BRIAN

Haha, that is the question, isn’t it.

MCCABE

Well, that’s not the answer.

BRIAN

D’you want some tea or—we pawned the kettle and the leaves, looks like what we’ve got left are—

FX: FRIDGE OPENS

BRIAN

Ration slices, cold leftover beans Arkady made, so mostly cumin and garlic—

FX: FRIDGE SHUTS, CABINET OPENS.

BRIAN

And half-used cleaning products. Wait, are those blue-green squares bouillon cubes? No, it’s rat poison. We should not keep it there. D’you want some, uh, plain water?

MCCABE

(JOKINGLY TOUGH) I take mine lukewarm.

BRIAN

(AMUSED) Okay, dude.

FX: BRIAN REMOVES TWO CUPS AND FILLS THEM WITH WATER.

MCCABE

So, are you going to tell me or should I wildly speculate?

BRIAN

Full honesty, I don’t mind the speculating. Makes me feel mysterious.

MCCABE

Please.

BRIAN

It’s not a fun story, man.

MCCABE

Tell me.

BRIAN

Uh, so towards the fall of Neuzo, things were bad. The war had just ended, and since a neutral zone was no longer gonna be, like, a necessary evil, the Regime was talking about blowing it up, and whoever was left with it. Everyone who could leave was leaving fast. I’d been a waiter and a bartender now and then but suddenly I was spending all my time at the docks, translating for humans and Dwarnians trying to scrape together a ride to anywhere else.

MCCABE

Why didn’t you leave?

BRIAN

Didn’t have the money. Prices were rising every day.

MCCABE

Oh.

BRIAN

The mafias in the area started scrounging up any ship they could, charging, well—criminal prices, packing them with whoever was desperate enough to agree, and then sending them off with whatever fuel was already in the tank. Sometimes it was enough to get them to at least a destination.

MCCABE

And sometimes it wasn’t.

BRIAN

Yeah. So I figured this out eventually, and I went back to mixing drinks and waiting tables, not wanting to be a part of that, still hoping to earn passage outta there. Two passages, because I knew Krejjh by then. I’d try to make money, and Krejjh would try to find a ship that was actually, like, viable, and we’d meet back up at the end of the day, compare notes.

MCCABE

So that’s why they hate you? Because you stopped working for them?

BRIAN

No. So I was a server for this big event, fancy, kind of a fiddling as Rome burned type of thing, and when I got there, turned out it was like, a mafia parley. Between the three biggest houses. We were short on staff and they were nightmare customers, I mean they’d shoot you if they didn’t like the canapes, so everyone in back of house was freaking out—

3.02.05 INT. FRUITBAT

FX: SOUND OF THE SHIP BEING HAILED. BRIAN AND THEN MCCABE RUN OUT OF THE KITCHEN.

MCCABE

Then what?

BRIAN

We need to answer that.

MCCABE

I was told not to let anyone in.

BRIAN

It’ll be worse if we don’t answer, just don’t, y’know, act suspicious.

YANCEY

Ahoy hoy! Wondering if I could have a few words.

MCCABE

With who?

YANCEY

You tell me. Who are you? Out and about in a place like this in a tiny junker. Could be dangerous. Someone could get hurt. A lotta ways for this to go real badly for you.

BRIAN

Thanks for the concern, but—

YANCEY

Wasn’t finished. Did it sound like I was finished? You think I come by the docks passing out vague warnings here or there like some sorta professional soothsayer? What kind of a business model would that be? I’m here to offer a little backup for a small fee. Itsy-bitsy.

BRIAN

We’ll take our chances.

YANCEY

No appreciation for the classics anymore. Hammond?

FX: A REALLY BIG BLOWTORCH STARTS UP JUST OUTSIDE THE SHIP.

MCCABE

Does that sound like…

BRIAN

A really big blowtorch just outside the ship? It does.

YANCEY

So the thing for you to ponder is, what are your odds if you let us inside, and what are your odds if my associate Hammond sears us a new door?

MCCABE

Whatever you want, we do not have it.

YANCEY

Everybody’s got something.

MCCABE

(LOW VOICE) Do you recognize this person?

BRIAN

(LOW VOICE) No. It’s a big universe out there.

YANCEY

Okay, testing my patience. Interesting strategy.

MCCABE

(LOW) Do we let them in?

BRIAN

(LOW) The blowtorch thing, I think odds’re good that’s a bluff.

MCCABE

(LOW) Why?

BRIAN

(LOW)…because I want it to be? Look, if Neuzo was any guide, there’s a lot more grifters here than like, toughs.

MCCABE

(LOW) Okay.

BRIAN

Hey, so sorry, man, but we’re not laying out the welcome mat today. We just washed it, so it’s all soggy. Metaphorically speaking, it’s—wet.

MCCABE

(LOW) What?

BRIAN

(LOW) Panic response, I dunno, dude!

YANCEY

No trouble, we brought our own.

FX: HISS OF A BLOWTORCH. SIZZLE OF METAL.

YANCEY

Metaphorically speaking.

FX: A CHUNK OF SPACESHIP WALL CLANGS TO THE FLOOR. FOUR HEAVILY BOOTED TOUGHS JUMP THROUGH THE HOLE.

YANCEY

Woo, nice work Hammond! Never gets old! Hello there. I’m Yancey. My friend with the welding mask is Hammond and the guys with the big guns are Jukes and Dekker. We’re just running a little routine inspection.

MCCABE

You routinely sear a hole in the sides of ships?

YANCEY

For people who don’t pay the fee, sure. Keeps the workday interesting. They say fear is the mindkiller, but I dunno, I think it might be boredom, you know? We were told to check out anything unusual and I’d say you folks count. You, the tidy-looking one. I think Jukes and Dekker would prefer it if you’d hand over that rifle. And I find it better to avoid making those two displeased. Real trigger-happy bunch.

MCCABE

…here.

YANCEY

Thanks much!

BRIAN

That blowtorch is a nice piece of equipment. How’d you come by it?

YANCEY

The High Hats look after their own, I find.

BRIAN

(FREAKED OUT) Uh-huh.

YANCEY

Let’s take a look at your IDs, see who was so rude to us earlier.

MCCABE

Here.

YANCEY

“Terry O’Hare.” What is it you mold minds about?

MCCABE

Hm?

YANCEY

Says you’re a teacher.

MCCABE

Art history.

YANCEY

(RAPIDFIRE) Favorite movement?

MCCABE

(RAPIDFIRE) Bauhaus.

YANCEY

(RAPIDFIRE) Favorite artist?

MCCABE

(RAPIDFIRE) Anni Albers.

YANCEY

(RAPIDFIRE) That’s textiles.

MCCABE

(RAPIDFIRE) Textile art is art.

YANCEY

(RAPIDFIRE) More of a craft.

MCCABE

(RAPIDFIRE) A distinction without a difference.

YANCEY

You got me there! And you, come on, let’s see. “Name: Zane Yaeger.” You’re a cook?

BRIAN

Short-order.

YANCEY

Well, we’re calling crafts art so let's call a fry cook a chef while we’re at it, eh? This’s and that’s. You make anything good?

BRIAN

Uh, I’ve got this soup…

YANCEY

Perfect, I’m just hungry enough for a spot of soup! Kitchen’s this way, yeah?

3.02.06 INT. FRUITBAT KITCHEN.

FX: YANCEY AND CO HERD MCCABE AND BRIAN TOWARDS THE KITCHEN.

MCCABE

You honestly expect us to cook for you? Like this? Now?

BRIAN

It’s okay, Terry.

YANCEY

There, see! Lemons into lemonade. Gonna take a look around your ship now if that’s okay with you? Hammond, Jukes, you’re with me. Dekker—

FX: SMALL BEEP OF A TRANSLATION APP

YANCEY

Watch our new friends, yeah?

FX: SMALL BEEP OF A TRANSLATION APP

APP

Let op onze nieuwe vrienden, ja?

DEKKER

Ja.

FX: GUN COCKS.

YANCEY

Translation apps. So useful. Are either of you interested in the dazzling world of linguistics?

MCCABE

Not really.

BRIAN

Hate words. Can’t stand ‘em.

YANCEY

You’re missing out. Alright, we’re tossing the place, and you’d better hope we don’t find anything interesting or you’ll have headquarters to deal with. Ta!

FX: YANCEY, HABLE, AND JUKES EXIT.

BRIAN

Well, this is not great. There’s a lot of stuff in the ship that would indicate something’s up.

MCCABE

(WHISPERING) Shouldn’t we watch what we say around—?

BRIAN

Our new companion here only responds to orders in English if there’s some kind of hand signal. We probably don’t have a language in common, unless you’ve got some conversational—I’m guessing—Dutch you’ve been keeping under a bushel. I’d say just be careful not to use any names that’d link us back with the files.

MCCABE

I never should’ve handed over my rifle.

BRIAN

It’s okay. They’ve got superior numbers. Not much you could do without opportunity.

MCCABE

Earlier. When the topic of the High Hats came up. Are they one of the groups that you—

BRIAN

Yeah, they kinda—want me dead. Can you hand me the pot? The cast iron?

MCCABE

You’re not actually cooking right now, are you?

FX: MCCABE HANDS BRIAN THE POT ANYWAY.

BRIAN

When someone has a lot of guns on their side, I’ve found it’s generally better not to tick them off.

MCCABE

So we tell the others. We radio out.

BRIAN

Our professional babysitter with the firearm is bound to notice that.

FX: BRIAN PUTS THE POT ON THE STOVE.

BRIAN

Pass me the spatula?

MCCABE

How can you be so calm? We’re about to die. And if Yancey radios back to the boss…

FX: BRIAN SWITCHES ON THE STOVE. IT’S PROBABLY AN ELECTRIC STOVE.

BRIAN

Whether or not the boss knows me personally, odds’re good they’ll have heard of me. I do know my price went up after the Casefiles went out, so they’ll probably be able to put two and two together there, figure out who I am. Hand me the beans?

FX: MCCABE OPENS THE FRIDGE, RETRIEVES A TUPPERWARE OF BEANS, HANDS IT TO BRIAN. CLOSES THE FRIDGE

MCCABE

And yet you’re standing here, making soup?

FX: BRIAN EMPTIES THE BEANS INTO THE POT.

BRIAN

Pass the, uh, bouillon cubes? The blue-green ones?

MCCABE

I…

BRIAN

Pass ‘em super calm?

MCCABE

Here.

BRIAN

Thanks.

FX: CUBES OF RAT POISON ARE ADDED TO THE BEANS.

MCCABE

Is this how you got a price on your head? At the mafia parley, you fed them, uh, soup?

BRIAN

That’s part of it.

FX: THE MIXTURE IS PERIODICALLY STIRRED WITH A SPATULA.

MCCABE

That’s a bad end.

BRIAN

It’s not great, no.

MCCABE

It doesn’t happen all at once. It hurts.

BRIAN

Not like a bullet in the head, I know. But I’m not a gun kinda guy. I use what I’ve got.

They were killing people. They were killing so many people, and not to protect anyone, y’know? Not to make anyone safer. Entire families, gone. For nothing. For a number in a bank account. And the people at the parley, the higher-ups. They weren’t gun people really, not anymore. They didn’t even have to make threats. They just waved a hand and let people die.

When I majored in linguistics, I told myself I was gonna help save the world.

MCCABE

Yes. I um, I get that.

BRIAN

Build a bridge of peace between us and the Dwarnians. Peace and art and understanding. But the things I saw in Neuzo, man. I looked at that big fancy dinner, at the people in their best clothes who had made all that crap happen, who were gearing up to do more, and I thought, ‘This might be the one thing I can actually do, to make life a little better.’

MCCABE

So you—

BRIAN

There were poison testers but they were in the kitchen. It was my job to bring the food out. I think they assumed nobody would have the, uh, guts.

MCCABE

You poisoned the heads of three mafias.

BRIAN

Two. The third guy, the leader of the High Hats, had a cold so he wasn’t eating much. Of course, the two other groups suspected them when it all went down. So while their heavies started pulling weapons on each other, I ran to the valet station and I stole the keys to someone’s very expensive and well-fueled racing ship, and that’s how my future spouse and I and most of the waitstaff made it off Neuzo.

MCCABE

And the ship belonged to…

BRIAN

The leader of the High Hats.

MCCABE

Do you ever regret it?

BRIAN

No. The universe was a safer place without them.

MCCABE

But surely someone took over when they died and the cycle started again.

BRIAN

Yeah, sure, but not right away. The in-fighting bought everyone left on Neuzo a week or two to get away for real.

MCCABE

You saved lives.

BRIAN

I mean, probably? Didn’t take too long for word to get back what happened, but then we fell in with—well, you know the rest, and we basically slid off the grid. (A BEAT, THEN SIGNIFICANTLY) I think the soup’s done.

MCCABE

So how do we—

BRIAN

If I give you an opportunity, can you use it?

MCCABE

Of course.

BRIAN

Can you use it without thinking less of yourself?

MCCABE

What are you—

BRIAN

Heard you talking to our current acting captain. The walls’re thin, you know that.

MCCABE

Yeah, I think I can.

BRIAN

(CALLING) Soup’s up! (TO MCCABE) Ready?

MCCABE

I still can’t believe that you—

BRIAN

Yeah. I kinda think that’s how I got away with it.

YANCEY

(CALLING, ADVANCING DOWN THE HALLWAY) Impeccable timing, don’t you think, Hammond, Jukes? (PAUSE) Hammond and Jukes agree with me. “Zane Yaeger”. I don’t think I’ll be trying that soup after all.

BRIAN

Mm?

YANCEY

Funny story, found a room with a stash of pictures of you and a Dwarnian. Funnier story, there was a marriage license for someone named Krejjh and someone named Brian Jeeter.

TRANSLATION APP BEEP

YANCEY

That name sound familiar to you, Dekker?

TRANSLATION APP BEEP

APP

Komt die naam je bekend voor, Dekker?

DEKKER

Ja.

YANCEY

Hey, Textiles! No sudden movements.

MCCABE

I’m tying my shoe.

(FX TYPING INTO A PERSONAL DEVICE)

YANCEY

“Who is Brian Jeeter.” (REACTING TO WHAT COMES UP) Holy—

FX: TWO GUNSHOTS. TWO BODIES CRUMBLE TO THE FLOOR.

MCCABE

Arkady was right about ankle holsters. Brian?

BRIAN

I’m good, dude, are yo u—?

FX: A GUN COCKS.

DEKKER

(THREATENINGLY) Vaarwel.

MCCABE

Parles-tu français, Dekker?

DEKKER

Oui.

MCCABE

Faites attention aux haricots.

DEKKER

Wat?

FX: A HOT AND VERY HEAVY POT OF BEANS SMACKS AGAINST DEKKER’S HEAD.

FX: DEKKER COLLAPSES

BRIAN

...”watch out for beans”?

MCCABE

…it sounds better in French. (A BEAT) Thank you. For the opportunity.

BRIAN

Anytime. Now maybe we should go hang out by the hole in our ship so that nobody steals our engine?

3.02.07 INT. FRUITBAT.

TRANSITION

FX: WELDING

PARK

It’s not pretty, but I think this will hold.

FX: KNOCK AGAINST THE WALL.

ARKADY

Nice of them to leave the blow torch.

MCCABE

Right, they were real princes.

ARKADY

Krejjh, we got everything?

FX: A HEAVY BOX WHEELED PAST.

KREJJH

Those Regime jamokes better invest in sunglasses.

BRIAN

Why?

KREJJH

For the fireworks.

ARKADY

You don’t wear sunglasses to—doesn’t matter. All boxes in?

VIOLET

Everything’s accounted for.

ARKADY

I think we’ve all earned a breather. Violet, Brian, take five. McCabe, come see me when you get the chance. Krejjh, back to the cockpit; the sooner we can get the hell out of here, the goddamn better.

KREJJH

Aye aye and good riddance!

ARKADY

Park, give Krejjh a ping when you’re done with the wall.

FX: FOOTSTEPS OUT. BLOW TORCH SOUNDS CONTINUE.

MCCABE

Where’d you learn how to—? Sana.

PARK

“Learn” implies I know what I’m doing.

MCCABE

Well, good thing it’s only the boundary that separates us from the void.

PARK

McCabe.

MCCABE

Yes? Sorry, sir.

PARK

We’ve been over this. I’m not your boss.

MCCABE

I know. And maybe someday that will stop being weird.

PARK

Thank you. For what you did. I know it isn’t. It can be challenging, to.

MCCABE

Are you asking me if I’m going to spiral? Stop being able to perform?

PARK

I’m asking. If you’re okay.

MCCABE

You seem very invested in this mission.

PARK

We all are.

MCCABE

I know.

PARK

Also. You should know that Sana and I are involved.

MCCABE

In what?

PARK

(DYING) Romance—romantically.

MCCABE

Wow, really? Does everyone know?

PARK

Only Arkady. And realistically, Violet. I trust this group with my life, but I don’t want Krejjh and Brian taking bets on our nicknames for each other.

MCCABE

Why are you telling me?

PARK

In the last year, we’ve both had to process a number of sea changes. This is not the sort of thing I would keep from a friend.

MCCABE

Okay, sir. Park. Jin Seon? Park.

FX: WELDING SOUNDS STOP

PARK

Jin Seon Park to Krejjh, we are patched. I think.

KREJJH

Copy that, my friend! Onwards and outwards!

FX: THE SHIP TAKES OFF.

MCCABE

I will never get used to that.

PARK

Tell me about it.

TRANSITION.

3.02.08 INT. FRUITBAT KITCHEN.

FX: KITCHEN DOOR OPENS.

MCCABE

Captain Patel, you wanted to see me? Don’t eat that soup.

ARKADY

Wasn’t gonna. Do you wanna explain why it smells like rat poison?

MCCABE

No. Let me just, uh. Dump that.

FX: MCCABE DISPOSES OF THE SOUP.

ARKADY

Ration slices for the rest of the mission. Not looking forward to that.

FX: MCCABE BEGINS TO WASH THE POT.

ARKADY

Just soak the pot. One of us’ll get it later.

FX: MCCABE IS STILL WASHING THE POT.

MCCABE

It shouldn’t sit, it’ll dry out.

ARKADY

Not if you soak it.

MCCABE

I can’t just leave it for someone else—

ARKADY

We clean up each other’s messes. Shit, do I wish Krejjh wasn’t always shotgunning hazelnut creamer and leaving those empty little packets all over the cockpit? Of course. But we all signed up for that. It’s part of what a crew does.

FX: MCCABE IS, IF ANYTHING, WASHING THE POT HARDER.

MCCABE

I shouldn’t—the stakes are so high, one of you shouldn’t have to stop everything to—

ARKADY

McCabe, step away from the pot.

FX: MCCABE SETS THE POT DOWN.

ARKADY

I’ve got a feeling you don’t wanna have this talk, but we’re having it. Look, the work you do, it sucks.

MCCABE

I’m…sorry?

ARKADY

Not—Your job, McCabe. You’ve got hands-down the worst job on the ship, and I think I’m in a position to know. But you did it well today. You kept Brian safe, and you kept anyone from selling our fuel tank on the black market, and that’s all we ask.

MCCABE

There are people who wouldn’t blink, doing what I do.

ARKADY

Yeah, and the hell of it is, I wouldn’t trust a goddamn one of them with a gun.

MCCABE

Sometimes I see the faces of the people I’ve—

ARKADY

Yeah.

MCCABE

I’m more afraid of what will happen when it stops.

ARKADY

McCabe, have you considered therapy?

MCCABE

Just because you’re all better—

ARKADY

I’m not. I’m me with slightly more tools. And real meds. And a ship that won’t leave me landlocked in a bombing zone, if we’re lucky. That’s not— I think I know where you’re at. I don’t think you can do it forever, and I don’t think you should. When this is all over, if you wanna go be a champion bassoon player, by all goddamn means. But I’m glad you did it today. We’re all glad. (A BEAT) Okay?

MCCABE

Oboe.

ARKADY

What?

MCCABE

It wasn’t the bassoon, it was the oboe.

ARKADY

I always get those two mixed up.

MCCABE

You wouldn’t, if you knew any bassoon players. (A BEAT) Thank you, Captain.

ARKADY

Yeah, yeah, go clock out for fifteen minutes.

FX: DOORS OPEN AS MCCABE EXITS THE KITCHEN.

MCCABE

(UNDER THEIR BREATH, A CHUCK WEATHERS IMPRESSION) Just who is the traitor RJ McCabe? Eyebrow eyebrow eyebrow.

BRIAN

Hey dude, do you wanna come up to the cockpit? Krejjh has a round of “I Spy” going.

MCCABE

How would that even work? There’s nothing out of the window but darkness.

KREJJH

Yeah, and I’m playing to win!

MCCABE

You know what? Sure. On my way.

CREDITS MUSIC

JESS

This episode features—

WILLIAM

William Mericle as Chuck Weathers

JACKIE

Jackie Andrews as RJ McCabe

ISHANI

Ishani Kanetkar as Arkady

CINDY

Cindy Chu as Violet Liu

CHRIS

Chris Choi as Jin Seon Park

JAMIE

Jamie Price as Brian Jeeter

BRI

Bri LeFever as Krejjh

ARMAND

Armand Cabral as Yancey

PAT

Pat King as Dekker

AJ

AJ Halma as the Translation App

JESS

Written by Jessica Best

LAUREN

Directed by Lauren Grace Thompson

ELEANOR

Production coordination by Eleanor Hyde

JEFFREY

Sound design by Jeffrey Nils Gardner

JESS

Opening credits music is “Fear for the Storm” by Jessica Best and S.E. Winters, performed by Chiron Star with Erin Bauman on vocals and harmonies arranged by Jamie Price.

AMBER

The closing credits music is “Rocket Science” by Amber Devereux of Tin Can Audio