[[SFX: Song 'No Fear' by Molly Roth plays]]

 

MOLLY ROTH:

​

The blind leading the blind. I don’t know where we’re going, but I’m going to find the path.

 

The stars lighting the way, I dance in their glowing. So I’m going to stay the path.

 

[[SFX: Crickets chirping continuously]]

 

RENI:

​

This is Captain Reni Alders, of the Science Vessel Miriam.This is log 624 Beta 5. I have been tasked to locate and obtain a rare chemical by the Official Malmo Lab. I’ve taken a jumppod down to the surface of Planet Idris 70-2, after initial scans showed traces of the chemical. I’m headed into Sector 17, where we believe I will have the most success obtaining it. Will give further updates as it becomes relevant. Captain Alders out.

 

[[SFX: Branches and underbrush crunching under feet]]

 

RENI:

​

[[Panting]] Alders here. I put on my new, experimental chem suit, having previously tested it under controlled circumstances, with high success. It proved durable when I first emerged onto the planet’s surface but-

 

[[In pain]] The situation quickly deteriorated upon locating the specimen. The plant was highly resistant to my equipment, forcing me to use...less than safe methods for opening it. I have obtained the chemical but as a consequence I am badly...burned. The neurotoxins have flooded my suit, and I have no idea how much time I have before...I am fully incapacitated. On top of this, I have sprained my ankle, so I’m not moving as fast as I need to be.

 

I can see my jumppod over the hill. If I can just make it there...the environmental protocols will switch on, and they’ll flood me with a neutralizing agent.

 

[[Barely able to talk]] Can’t. Talk. anymore. I just need to…

 

[[SFX: The jumppod’s air hatch hisses open and then clunks shut]]

 

RENI:

 

[[Gasps in air, then begins to cough]]

 

COMPUTER:

 

Systems detect large amounts of hazardous contents. In order to prevent spread of disease, you will now be decontaminated. Please hold still.

 

[[SFX: Bang of the decontamination bomb]]

 

RENI:

 

Shit. Ow.

 

[[Breathing heavily]] Captain Alders again. I’m not dead. Nailed it. End log.

 

[[Breathing becomes more normal]]

 

Computer, patch me through to the Miriam.

 

COMPUTER:

 

Affirmative.

 

[[SFX: Electronic beep of comm linking up]]

 

RENI:

 

Reni to the Miriam. I’m back in the pod.

 

[[SFX: Silence]]

 

RENI:

 

I say again, Miriam, this is Reni.

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

Captain! We were getting worried. Glad to hear from you. Did you get the sample?
 

RENI:

 

Yeah, and it almost killed me. Why in all the stars did I let myself get talked into something so stupid?

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

I believe, Captain, that the very very large amount of credits are what persuaded you. I argued against it. As did Valentine, you may recall-

 

RENI:

 

Yeah, yeah, alright, Biy, I get the point.

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

Just doing my job.

 

RENI:

 

I didn’t know you acting like my conscience was in your job description.

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

Oh, well, fair enough. My hobby then!

 

RENI:

 

[[Scoffs]] I won’t argue with that.

 

Ugh.

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

You alright, Captain?

 

RENI:

 

I’m going to feel this one for a while. Fell hard when my ankle got caught. Fuck, I haven’t even checked the chem yet.

 

[[SFX: Reni opening her bag.]]

 

[[SFX: Reni popping the lid of the container]]

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

So? Is-is it alright...Captain?

 

RENI:

 

Thank all the moons of Chenta. It’s okay.

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

As are you, thank goodness. Are you coming back now?

 

RENI:

 

Yeah, Haven’s been dying to have a turn at delivery anyway, they can deliver the chem.

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

I’ll tell them, they’ll be ecstatic.

 

RENI:

 

Ugh, I can only imagine. Right, see you shortly. Computer, end connection.

 

[[SFX: Electronic beep of comm connection ending]]

 

COMPUTER:

 

Connection ended.

 

[[SFX: Moment of silence]]

 

Aboard the Miriam

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

Captain, I really wish you would let me come with you.

RENI:

 

You know that would mean paying to dock another jumppod. We can’t both fit into the same one.

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

I don’t like you dealing with Johan Merks on your own. That man can’t be trusted

 

RENI:

 

Who can, these days? I’ve dealt with him plenty of times before, Biy. I can take care of myself.

​

BIYLATTEN:

 

As your first officer, it’s my duty to-

 

RENI:

 

Oh, not that again. Biy, the only one responsible for my safety is me.

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

Captain, if I’d been on the planet with you, I could have helped with the retrieval. You might not have gotten poisoned.  

 

RENI:

 

Your suit hasn’t ever been put under that kind of pressure, Biy. We had no idea if it would fare any better. It wasn’t worth taking that chance. It all worked out, we got the chem, that’s what matters in the end. Besides, I’m fine.

​

BIYLATTEN:

 

For now! You and I both know neurotoxins react strange in you, in any Chentage. Just because you look more human than Haven or I, does not mean you react the same way.

 

RENI:

 

I don’t need a lecture on my own biology Biy.

 

Sorry.

 

[[Sigh]]

 

I know you mean well. But really, we can’t afford more than one pod right now, not with Haven still out with one. Things are tight as it is, and...I know that’s been my fault. But this map Merks says he has, who knows where it leads and…

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

I know. You can’t turn down even a remote possibility it leads to answers. Just...take care, Captain. I do not trust Merks.

 

RENI:

 

Neither do I. I’ll com you if I need help. In the meantime, make sure Haven gets back in time. You know how distracted they can get.

 

BIYLATTEN:

 

You can count on me.

 

RENI:

 

I know.

 

[[SFX: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com “Playing in the Sun”]]

 

Merks Estate, Undisclosed colony

​

[[SFX: Repeated knock on door]]

​

[[SFX: Door opening]]

​

MERKS:

 

Well, well, Alders! Didn’t think I’d be seeing you for a good ol’ time.

 

RENI:

 

That’s Captain Alders to you, Merks. And I work fast.

​

MERKS:

 

Fast for an Earthen glacier “Captain”.

​

RENI:

 

Yeah, well, I was motivated this time.

 

MERKS:

 

Yeah, I’ll bet you were. Still haven’t given up on whatever dream your chasing, have ye? Well c’mon in, let’s square up.

 

[[SFX: Door closing]]

 

MERKS:

 

Get you a drink?

 

RENI:

 

Not in the mood. Let’s just get this over with.

 

MERKS:

 

Tch, always so rude.

 

RENI:

 

Look, I had to work my ass off to come up with the insane price you’re asking for. Taken on jobs way outside our sphere.

 

MERKS:

 

Sciency business just ain’t the lucrative market it once was?

 

RENI:

 

Oh, cut the crap. I’ve got your money. You’ve got the “map to end all maps”. I’ve held up my end of the bargain, now it’s your turn.

 

MERKS:

 

Alright, alright, sooo impatient. Here ya go, scan em in.

 

[[SFX: Electronic beeping as credits are uploaded]]

​

COMPUTER:

 

Credit transfer confirmed.

 

RENI:

 

My map?

 

MERKS:

 

Nym! Get down here!

 

NYM:

 

Yes. Coming.

 

RENI:

​

Assume that’s one of your bazillion servants.  Can’t even get a map on your own?

 

MERKS:

 

Ye always assume you know everything, don’t ye?

 

[[SFX: Sound of Nym coming downstairs]]

​

NYM:

 

Here, sir.

 

MERKS:

 

Here ye are. The map.

 

RENI:

Okay, well, hand it over.

 

NYM:

 

I...I mean, I can’t-

 

RENI:

 

[[With a huff]] What, do I have to frisk you like some common night prowler? Is that part of the bargain?

 

MERKS:

 

[[laughing]] She ain’t got anything you’d care to have.  No, the map is on her.

 

RENI:

 

Look, I always knew you were a bastard, but I didn’t know you were an idiot too. Tell her to hand it over.

 

MERKS:

 

Unless you want things to get particularly...messy, I’d rather not. Nym, take it off.

 

NYM:

 

Yes

 

[[SFX: Rustle of fabric as Nym takes off her shirt]]

 

RENI:

 

What the- why the hell is she taking off her shirt? Merks, what kind of game are you playing, why is she turning-

 

MERKS:

 

There’s yer map.

 

RENI:

 

Her back...Are those-?

 

MERKS:

 

Looks like a painting, don’t it? All that silver and black. There’s a constellation. That’s a nebula.

 

RENI:

 

I-

​

[[Scoffing]] It-it’s amazing, it’s impossi-ble.

 

It’s impossible. What kind of game are you playing? Is it some kind of projection? I want the actual map, Merks.

 

MERKS:

 

There it is before you. Kit and caboodle.

 

RENI:

 

I didn’t pay for a person! I’m not buying this girl like cattle. Which I would hate to think you did, Merks, given slavery is a class five offense.

 

MERKS:

 

And what class is desertion again?? You want the map? She’s the map.

 

RENI:

 

[[With a groan]] And what about you? Girl. What’s your name?

 

MERKS:

 

Name’s Nym.

 

RENI:

 

Nym. What do you want?

 

NYM:

​

I-I don’t. I-

 

RENI:

 

By the almighty stars. Hasn’t anyone ever asked you your opinion? Strike that, I know the answer. Merks has never cared what anyone else wants.

MERKS:

 

That’d be Herald Merks to her, Alders. Don’t go encouraging disrespect. She’ll learn that soon enough out there.

 

Well Nym? You wanna stay here? You know I ain’t gonna stop those men from oggling at you. And I ain’t gonna stop punishing you if you stab one of them again. I ain’t got time to be running on some wild goose hunt followin’ that back of yers.

 

Cap’n here’s paid good money. Money I expect you to earn for me if you turn down her offer, ye get it?

 

NYM:

 

Yes, I- I get it. I would like to go. I want to go.

 

MERKS:

Don’t go tellin me, tell her.

 

NYM:

 

Cap-captain. I want to go.

 

MERKS:

 

There you have it. Now put yer shirt back on girl, she’ll have plenty of time to stare at ye on that piece of junk she calls a ship.

 

[[SFX: Rustle of fabric as Nym puts her shirt back on]]

 

MERKS:

 

Well, Alders? I know you’ve been searching for...well, whatever the hell it is you’ve been looking for, for years now. You gonna accept the deal?

 

RENI:

 

Yeah.

 

[[Sigh]] Yeah, we got a deal.

 

Look, I don’t have a ton of time to stand around shooting the breeze, I’ve got things to do.

MERKS:

 

Oh, for sure. A piece of that junk ship might fall off if you’re not there to hold it on. Go on, Nym, get your things.

 

[[SFX: Nym running back upstairs]]

 

RENI:

 

What...the hell, Merks?

 

MERKS:

 

Hmm?

 

RENI:

 

I’ve dealt with you for over two years, and this is the first you’ve ever tried to sell me a person.

 

MERKS:

 

Ye make it sound so much worse than it is. I sold you a map. Ain’t my fault it comes attached to the girl

 

RENI:

 

And where did the girl come from? Tell me honestly, is she a slave?

 

MERKS:

 

Slave is a harsh word, Alders. Indentured servant, rather. Saved her from being shipped off to a mining colony,when she was barely a kid. She didn’t have parents, a place to go. I took her in, so yeah, she’s grown up working for me. But she ain’t a slave.

 

RENI:

 

[[Scoffs]] Semantics.

 

[[SFX: Cork of bottle being popped]]

 

[[SFX: Drink being poured]]

MERKS:

 

Still sure I can’t tempt ye?

 

RENI:

 

You know what? Yeah. Straight, no ice.

 

[[SFX: Drink being poured]]

 

[[SFX: Reni downing her drink]]

 

[[SFX: Glass being set down]]

 

RENI:

 

So if you’ve had her working for you all these years, why are you just now trying to sell her off?

 

MERKS:

 

Well for one, she never used to be a nuisance. But ye could say that’s cause of number two, which is: that map? Didn’t used to be there.

 

RENI:

 

What?

 

MERKS:

 

Only started showing up properly in the last...eh, six months? Freaked the other servants out, can tell ye that much.

 

RENI:

 

And your guests? You mentioned stabbing?

 

MERKS:

 

[[With a hearty laugh]] Oh, yeah. This one fellow got a little too fresh, wanting to get his hands on Nym, take a look at her back. Can’t say I blame the girl, really, but rules are rules. I can’t just go letting my servants stick knives into my guests.

RENI:

 

I’m sure more than a few of them deserve it. If someone tried that on one of my crew, I’d help stab them

 

MERKS:

 

You run your little mottley gang the way you want, I’ll run my estate the way I see fit.

 

[[SFX: Nym coming back down stairs]]

 

NYM:

 

I’m...I’m ready

 

RENI:

 

Oh, thank the stars. Where’s your bags?

 

NYM:

 

This is...it. It’s all I have.

 

RENI:

 

Okay. Right. Well, Merks, I wish I could say it’s been a pleasure, but it never is

 

MERKS:

 

[[Laughs]]

 

And yet you keep coming back. Good luck on your wild goose hunt. Lemme know if you actually find something. Maybe you’ll find riches, and I can say I was the one who first knew Nym!

 

[[Laughs]]

 

RENI:

 

Yeah, right, I’ll be sure to send a postcard. Nym, let’s go. We’re on a tight schedule, I don’t want to have to pay over fees for the jumppod.

 

[[SFX: Door opening]]

 

MERKS:

 

Bye bye now, Nym. Don’t go stabbing more people!

 

NYM:

 

Bye.

 

[[SFX: Door closing]]

 

RENI:

 

So. Any last words for the place you grew up, kid?

 

NYM:

 

I hope this place rots in hell.

 

RENI:

 

Sounds about right. C’mon, the pod’s waiting.

 

[[SFX: Song ‘Choices’ by Ben Moody and the Captive Swans, featuring Molly Roth, plays]]

 

BEN MOODY AND MOLLY ROTH:

 

And where your path leads we will follow you

 

BEN MOODY:

 

To the end. To the end.

 

BEN MOODY AND MOLLY ROTH:

 

And where your heart beats we will follow you

 

BEN MOODY:

 

To the end

 

MOLLY ROTH:

 

To the end

 

BEN MOODY:

 

To the end

 

CREDITS

 

‘Back of Stars’ was written and directed by Lacey Shaw.

The role of Reni was voiced by Teresa Avila. The role of Computer was voiced by Gill Hert. The role of Biylatten was voiced by Emma Currans. The role of Johan Merks was voiced by Henry. And the role of Nym was voiced by Nicole Penrod.

 

The opening music was “No Fear” by Molly Roth and the closing music was “Choices” by Ben Moody and the Captive Swans,featuring Molly Roth.

 

Special thanks to Ben Moody for our logo and cover art.

 

You can find us online at our website: inkstainprod.wixsite.com/pathofthemiriam, that’s inkstainprod as in productions, P-R-O-D.wixsite.com/pathofthemiriam.

You can also follow us on Tumblr and Twitter at @PathoftheMiriam.

If you like our show and would like to help us continue, you can support us on patreon.com/pathofthemiriam. Thank you very much for listening.

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