Undertow - 7.0 - A Machine of Grace
Unfortunate timing executed flawlessly
Undertow - Episode 7.0 - The team makes a hasty retreat through the seemingly never-ending halls of Poseidon's Reach only to come face to face with the fate they've made. Follow us on Twitter for news and updates. Join us on discord to hang out with cast and crew! Want to support the show? Please check out our Patreon for advance releases, bonus content and more!
Cybernautica is intended for mature audiences on account of mature language, theme and violence. Please be advised.
Transcripts Available at www.redfathom.com
EPISODE CREDITS:
Luke Alphonso as Waylon Grant
Abigail Turner as Jonny
Alexander Doddy as Nick Ballard
Bianca Skinner as Derby Bell
Jordan Cobb as Alex Webb, The Siren
John Patneaude as The Gentleman, Andrew Indri
---
Dan Boud as the Narrator
Written by Damian Szydlo
Direction by Amanda Hufford
Sound Design by Chris Henry
Script Editing by Jupiter Sanders
Show theme by Doug Maxwell
TRANSCRIPT
FADE IN
[quick rerun of last few lines from 6.0 before the squeal of metal supports being crushed and water rushing in to flood the room]
JONNY
[DO NOT RECORD - LINES FROM LAST EPISODE]
“That’s the plan. We’ve got the girl with Derby in tow. No doubt we’ll be coming in hot so be ready to move… the damage from where I’m standing seems to be a wicked kind of bad.
NICK BALLARD
[DO NOT RECORD - LINES FROM LAST EPISODE]
“Acknowledged. I’ll leave the car runnin’ then. You just get here.”
JONNY
[yelling over the destruction]
“Let’s move it! Come on!”
DERBY
[still dealing with gunshot wound from Waylon]
“There should be a set of pressure doors ahead! Just… follow the bodies.”
[sounds as the group press on forward to the doors, closing them and sealing the flooding off… for now]
JONNY
“Can’t imagine those doors holding for long!”
WAYLON
“Alex. I… feel a presence beneath. Something… of incredible power but… in great pain. I can feel it through the floor, the walls. The stories that the Mer tell, about the depths. They’re true, aren’t they?”
ALEX
“They are. I’ve been doing everything that I can… to help it dream. To stay asleep. It was easier when we were doing that together. I felt my hold on it slip when I was pulled out of the water. I’ve been so damn careful…”
JONNY
“Alright, you listen to me this time, the both of you. We talk on the move, got that? Fantastic.
[give a moment as the band gets moving, lines going forward are on the move until otherwise stated]
Used to be that the only monsters I believed in were the ones up top the Core. Guess seein’s believing. What the fuck was that thing? What are we dealing with here?”
ALEX
“It’s… confusing. They call it the Leviathan. spliced it like they did the Mer. Fused their tech to it. Manufactured a life but couldn’t figure out how to make the controls work right. They went too far, this time. They really went too far.”
DERBY
“And that’s where you came in. Control.”
ALEX
“When I was a kid I… used to sing to the sea. Or more specifically to the whales, before I realised they were all dead. When I got older it became kind of a comfort thing. When I felt most alone. Nobody ever noticed… Until five years ago.”
WAYLON
“When ‘it’ heard you… so did Kraken.”
ALEX
“When they figured out some random girl was able to not only make contact where they’d failed, but to… relax her… That’s when they came for me. Amplified my powers with their tech but it was barely enough. I did everything I could just to keep it subdued.”
WAYLON
“Can you calm her now?”
ALEX
“It doesn’t exactly work like that. Or it does… but it’s not like a switch. I need time and to not be running for my life. Until then, she’s just feeling my distress and lashing out… and she’s always in such pain…”
JONNY
“Well, that’s just great, innit? Can’t we just knock you out? Can’t stress if you’re sleeping, right?”
ALEX
“Oh? Does sleeping make your pain go away?”
DERBY
[interupting]
“This way. The kills I made are getting more interesting… inspired, even. Which means I wasn’t bored yet. We’re not far from where I started.”
JONNY
“Fuckin’ sick you are, Bell.”
DERBY
“Pretend that you don’t love the killing, hero. I know better. I’ve seen the way you fight. Take notes. You’re going to love my work in the atrium.”
JONNY
“Oh, you just keep pushin’ and -”
[squeal of metal, critical damage causes more water to flood in as the runners pick up the pace]
JONNY
“Shit! That atrium of yours better not be too much farther!”
NARRATOR
The floor of the junction was treacherous, to be sure. Uneasy ground, splitting at the seams. Buckling under the colossal strength of the Leviathan. Like an ally laying in wait, the ocean was only too eager to find its way through every new opening the creature made. All the while the immense pressure continued to build, punching bolts from walls and supports in an effort to push even more liquid into the breach. To join the torrent filling the hall under their feet.
Each pounding step became harder to manage. The flood underfoot providing the appropriate physical resistance, a partner to couple with Jonny’s intrusive thoughts. Doubt was growing, maturing into actual fear that was new to her. That they might not make it. Not even during her worst, most hopeless moments had anything shaken her resolve like this. Usually desperation only amplified her drive to succeed. Fed her adrenaline. Turning a corner, the sight of their ‘exit’ did little to ease the sinking dread… but it certainly helped them push a little harder.
Charging out onto the second floor mezzanine, the water that had been underfoot steadily spilled over the edge, down to flood the auditorium below. Indeed, a shallow pool had already formed down there and was filling fast.
Last into the domed room, Waylon quickly found his way to the doors holo-pad, his eyes clouding over as he sifted through the memories of those who had manually operated the security doors before him.”
WAYLON
[murmuring]
“It was a safety drill. Routine. Pressurised security doors meant to section off a safe area for base personnel in case of evac impossibilities… though it would only hold for so long. A deathtrap. 22389.”
[doors slide shut and lock down, give scene a second to change, water stops rushing, grows more ‘calm’]
THE GENTLEMAN
“Not going to lie, I was starting to wonder if you folk were going to make it or not.”
WAYLON [NARRATOR]
“If there had been any small moment, any chance to indulge in the relief that might have come along with slipping past this clear and present danger… the man standing on the other side of the room had stolen that. Unfortunate timing executed flawlessly. Without a doubt, the only thing that was keeping us safe, at least for the moment, was the empty air between the balconies we stood upon. I of course knew who he was, or at least what he represented. He was the fail-safe. The shadow that had followed behind the anomaly. Lin Feng Mien’s boogie-man. Executioner and cleaner, both. Sent to preserve the secret we had uncovered. That a Kraken executive had died during a heist. A misstep that had lost them control of their most valuable weapon. That mere men had stolen fire from the Gods. That those same Gods were fallible… and that if they were fallible they could be challenged.
This is what Lin had meant when she said that I’d doomed the both of us by digging this case up again. By speaking her name. Was Kraken so powerful as to be alerted to the very memory of such an event? The utterance of a protected name? Were the ripples truly that strong? How far did this conspiracy actually run?”
JONNY
“Whoever you are, this isn’t the best time for a standoff. We’re… oh, let’s be generous and say we’re a few minutes out from this place finding its way to the bottom of the drink. A raincheck, perhaps? Kill you later, maybe?”
THE GENTLEMAN
“Funny. A rain-check. Kind of hard to cash that in now-a-days, don’t you think? It’s always raining in Neo-Atlantis.”
JONNY
“It can’t rain all the time…”
DERBY BELL
“Save your breath, Jonny. I’m afraid self-preservation isn’t going to be on this one’s list, is it, Mr. Indri?”
JONNY
“Indri? The Gentleman? I thought he was dead.”
DERBY BELL
“So did I. But, here he is, isn't he? Walkin’, talking… breathing perfectly good air. Hoping to do some killing soon too, am I right?”
THE GENTLEMAN
“I’m afraid so, Ms. Bell. Seems I’m on the clock for Kraken again. Or, so I’m been told. Wasn’t given much of a choice in the matter. Just a humble slave to the powers that be.
[chuckles]
You know, those things up there… we’re wrong about ‘em. I’ve seen the face of ‘em. We look up and see man-made Gods and hell, they’d profess to be just that if they ever deemed to speak to us. Problem is, ain’t no God I know who’d offer me a spot in their heaven… and figuring out how to imitate Lazarus isn’t any proof of divinity to me.”
THE EXECUTOR[PSYCHIC COMMUNICATION]
“Watch your step, Mr. Indri.”
DERBY BELL
“It was you, wasn’t it? That came for me after I stuck my head up from the canals. I didn’t catch a look at you before you blew your own fool head off.”
THE EXECUTOR [PSYCHIC COMMUNICATION]
“That’ll be enough, Mr. Indri. Enough conversation. You have a job to do. Finish it. Kill them. Return Alex Webb to us. Alive.”
THE GENTLEMAN
[Ignoring The Executor]
“Reckon that was likely me. Heard about it second hand, but I’m afraid I’ve little recollection of the event itself. Damn shame, too. A confrontation between us would really be something to remember, wouldn’t it? Suppose I’ve got the chance to fix that now.”
DERBY BELL
“You can’t remember?”
THE GENTLEMAN
“They’ve brought me back more than a few times, or so they tell me. Tabula Rasa, every time. Turns out I’m not as cooperative as they’d like. Suppose the pay’s not quite right.”
WAYLON
“We’re running out of time.”
DERBY BELL
“Keep quiet, fishman. You’re in over your head. This one’s on me.”
[saunters to the edge of the mezzanine, casual and seductive in words and body language]
“At the end of the day that’s what we sold our souls for, isn’t it Mr. Indri? Promises the factions made us in those squalid little hubs of theirs. The chips never did add up to actual wealth. Favours from pretenders. Merc life’s a beggars lot. Not meant for lions. Not meant for us.
So, we called our price, didn’t we? Sold our service to Kraken and they gave us everything we asked for. Everything we’d earned in cold, hard credits. I’ve felt silk on my skin, washed blood off my hands in sinks made of gold… But I never asked to live forever… did you? Never promised them a damn thing past my own expiration date. I know that wasn’t in MY contract.”
THE GENTLEMAN
“Wasn’t in mine, neither. I… I didn’t go out the way I thought I would, Sandra.”
DERBY BELL
“I know you didn’t, baby. But, before we continue I’ll ask that you leave that name out of your goddamn mouth. Cassandra’s dead. There’s only Derby Bell now.”
THE EXECUTOR
“Mr. Indri… She’s distracting you from your goal. Do not fail us again… This moment of rebellion will be a short-lived joy that the board will not tolerate.”
THE GENTLEMAN
“Fair enough, Ms. Bell. I apologise for the misstep. You see, I’m mighty distracted right now by this little bird that’s been chirping in my ear. Thinkin’ maybe you could have a remedy for it?”
DERBY BELL
“I think I know just the thing. Won’t last long against their power, but I’m sure it’ll be just enough to do this our way.”
THE EXECUTOR
“Mr. Indri this is-
[cut off by Derby Bells telepathic power]
THE GENTLEMAN
[sounds relieved]
“My thanks. What I’d meant to say was that it didn’t happen the way I expected… but that death was still ‘mine’. They took that from me. Took the moment I’d tailored for myself. When they wake me up, bring me back, I go through it again. I have no regrets…. Except for that moment. It was supposed to be the end, not the beginning.
Even if I… or one of these ‘versions’ of myself broke free. Went back to lay eyes on my husband, on Wayne… I wouldn’t even remember it, would I? Figure if I can’t remember, well, I’m little better than a ghost already.”
DERBY BELL
“Not much they can offer a ghost, am I right? Can’t even trust this’ll be the last time they promise you something, can you? Tabula Rasa’s a fucking bitch.”
THE GENTLEMAN
“She sure is.”
DERBY BELL
“Well, let me offer you something you can trust. Something real. We can kill each other, right here and now in the belly of this place.”
ALEX
“Mom? You can’t -”
DERBY BELL
“It’ll be a legend, Andrew. One lost with us. Think of it. Just you and me. Oh, they’ll wonder about it, top-side. Those unfit to even lace our boots, they’ll dream about how this went down.
Kraken sent you to retrieve my daughter, didn’t they? Kill the rest of us, I assume? Choice seems clear to me. Be the dog of your master's desire, or choose the death you deserve. Right here. Right now. With me.”
THE GENTLEMAN
“Alright. I see your play, Ms. Bell. You’re anglin’ to get the best of me quick enough to catch up to your friends. I’m afraid it won’t go the way you want it to.”
DERBY BELL
“I suppose we’ll have to see about that.
[turns to regard her group]
You mercs get my daughter home. I’ll be along shortly.”
ALEX
“Mom!”
DERBY BELL
“You’ve got to trust me, baby girl. This won’t be the first time I rise from the ashes. I’ll be damned if it’s the last. Go on, now. I’ll be right behind you.”
ALEX
[said more like a goodbye as Alex realises her mother is lying]
“You won’t…”
JONNY
“Come on, sweetheart! We might still have enough time to make it out of here. Fuck me if I didn’t think we were screwed, but as long as the other side hasn’t broken apart yet… Nick! How are we doin’?”
NICK BALLARD
[over coms]
“Southside’s still holding, but not for long. I’ve got our vessel commandeered, though, I have to admit, it’s going to be a bit of a cosy ride back to the surface.”
JONNY
“Sounds like fun. Waylon, get that door. Every second’s gonna count. Alex! Let’s go!”
[Jonny, Waylon and Alex leave]
NARRATOR
Jonny clasped her hand onto the wrist of Alex Webb, dragging her almost-slack body along one foot after the other while the Siren stole one last look back at her mother. There was a smile on the woman's face as she drew the blade off her back. The grace in her practised movement was as natural to her as breathing. With one final tug through the door that might lead to their escape, Alex lost sight of her mother forever. She never witnessed that wry smirk falter as her battle-suit deployed a stimulant to combat the wound Waylon had gifted her. With any luck, the numbing agent would last long enough to make this a death worth dying for.
In one fluid motion, Derby pitched herself over the rail of the mezzanine to drop onto the floor below with a splash that seemed to separate the water beneath her for a moment. She spun her blade with a slow practised flourish, the tip skimming across the surface of the water… An invitation to her partner for what would surely be their first and last dance.
[the sound of steam rising as the monofilament edge touches water]
How the gentleman found his way down to meet her, she’d never know. He was just ‘there’. His presence disturbing the surface of the water less than even the strangled droplets trickling down from above. With a flick of his wrists, the top joint of each of his fingers unclasped, becoming its own anchor to a molten line of monofilament much like the one that was drawn over the edge of her blade. Eight whips no thicker than fishing line, and every one of them able to finish this duel on contact.
She was impressed, though she wouldn’t have the time to acknowledge it. They’d never tested their skills against one another before, at least not like this. Sure, she’d heard all the stories. Even watched him work. The last time, the only time they'd met, had been a game of cat and mouse through the canals where a freak accident had taken him out of commission before she had the chance to.
She’d asked The Gentleman for a dance, and without a doubt that was precisely what she’d been given. The blade that had become her signature had almost sprung to life on its own, a natural extension of self. An expression of spirit. It whirled expertly, arcing in almost every direction at once, her defence an impenetrable sphere against an onslaught of glowing serpent-like whips. First blood would without a doubt be the last in this clash.
[sounds of the two fighting, monofilament cords parried by her blade, faster and faster.]
This was impossible. Indri was nowhere near as accomplished a psychic as she. There was somehow, unbelievably, no opening. No moment her senses weren’t screaming in her mind about some new and immediate danger. It was only a matter of time; she realised with a smirk. This was it. Her moment. Not how she’d expected it would come, but hers all the same.
DERBY BELL
[calm and determined]
“When you see me, you should think of fire.”
[sounds of the monofilament weapons striking one another over and over, water splashing with the movement]
“Risen from the ashes. Again and again.”
[Derby cries out as one of the whips takes her arm, we hear it fall into the water along with her sword]
[breathing heavy, manages a bit of a laugh]
“I… once challenged Poseidon. Told him in no uncertain terms that if he wanted my life, he’d have to come claim it himself.”
THE GENTLEMAN
[calmly as he approaches his downed opponent]
“I’m afraid I don’t follow.”
DERBY BELL
“Poseidon’s Reach. Should have seen it coming.”
THE GENTLEMAN
“I’ll see you soon, Derby Bell.”
DERBY BELL
“I’m counting on it, Mr. Indri.”
[Sound of a monofilament whip severing Derby’s head, striking her down.]
[FADE OUT]