[[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: Gravel continuously crunching as Nym and Reni walk]]

 

RENI:

You’re awfully quiet...This is going to be a long walk if you don’t say a word to me.

 

NYM:

Sorry! Sorry, I-

 

RENI:

And stop apologizing.

 

NYM:

Sor-

 

[[A huff as she cuts herself off]]

 

RENI:

Better.

 

[[SFX: A vehicle’s motor whines as it passes Reni and Nym]]

 

NYM:

This will be my first time on a ship.

 

RENI:

You’ve never been off world?

 

NYM:

Well, I guess when I was very small. Two or three times, but I don’t remember, so I suppose it doesn’t really count.

 

RENI:

No it doesn’t. Damn, I can’t imagine never going off world.

 

NYM:

Have you spent a lot of time out there then?

 

RENI:

Heh, you could say that. Spent the better part of my life in space. Mostly on a ship, but if not a station. Kind of part of who I am.

 

[[she laughs]]

 

When I was little, I actually suffered terra sickness. The lack of darkness and stars and the weight of stronger gravitation. Kind of like what the ancestors had once, called uh, motion or sea sickness.

 

NYM:

Wow, it must be amazing out there.

 

RENI:

Definitely can be. But I have heard from others that it can be overwhelming, the first time someone goes to space. I wouldn't know, but I would be remiss if I didn't try to warn you ahead of time.

 

NYM:

I appreciate it.

 

[[SFX: Sound of jumppod taking off]]

 

RENI:

Alright kid, last chance. We could turn around, go back to the estate, I get my money back, and-

 

NYM:

Is that what you want?

 

RENI:

What?

 

NYM:

You paid for a map. You paid a lot for a map. You must have thought it was worth it, when you heard about it. Don't you want to know where it leads?

 

RENI:

Yes...

 

NYM:

Well so do I! You think you want to know? You can't begin to imagine how much I want to know. This thing just appeared on me and it's...growing. Changing. And you heard what the master-what Herald Merks said. I couldn't ever make up on the money he'd lose out on. I am coming with you.

 

RENI:

Alright. Then, we'd better get a move on. There's the pod. Come on.

 

NYM:

It's so small.

 

RENI:

Well, yeah, it's not meant for comfort. It's gotta get you from one place to another, quickly. Meant for three people max. And we're talking standard humanoid size people. Get any oddly shaped people, and you might barely be able to get just one in. So jumppods are good for quick turn arounds, or when you don't want to pay the exorbitant price to actually dock your ship planet side. Which is especially true on a little colony like this, where you don't even have a proper docking bay.

 

NYM:

Oh.

 

[[SFX: Beeping as code to jumppod is entered]]

 

[[SFX: Jumppod doors opening]]

 

RENI:

Okay, you get in first. Yep, that's right. See those tabs?

 

NYM:

Mhmm.

 

RENI:

Pull them out. That's your safety belt.

 

[[SFX: Click as belt is fastened]]

 

RENI:

Good, my turn. Got to do this one at a time, otherwise it inevitably ends with someone's elbow in someone else's eye.

 

[[SFX: Click as Reni's belt is fastened]]

 

RENI:

Computer, initiate jump sequence.

 

COMPUTER:

Affirmative. Please state destination.

 

RENI:

Oxia Space Port. Sector 34.

 

COMPUTER:

Destination confirmed. Locking hatch now.

 

[[SFX: Hatch being sealed]]

 

COMPUTER:

Launch in 10, 9, 8

 

[[COMPUTER continues to count down]]

 

NYM:

[[panicked]] Okay, okay, okay, okay. Just, uh, gonna go into space. It's okay! Yeah!

 

RENI:

Uh-whoa, whoa. Just,uh, take a deep breath?

 

NYM:

[[panting raggedly]]

 

COMPUTER:

3,2,1. Launch initiated.

 

[[SFX: Jumppod taking off]]

 

NYM:

Oh, hell! Oh boy.

 

RENI:

Just...close your eyes and try and...I don't know, uh, say the alphabet backwards. Count all the nebulas you know?

 

NYM:

Okay, okay. Z...Y...um-Oh, hell, hell.

 

RENI:

X, Nym. It's-it's X, next.

 

NYM:

Right, right. X. Uh...

[[groans]]

 

RENI:

Oh, yeah, that can happen sometimes. Just put your head down and breathe.

 

[[SFX: Jumppod continues for another moment, then begins to whine down]]

 

[[SFX: Clank as jumppod docks]]

 

COMPUTER:

Launch complete. Welcome to Oxia Space Port. Please use caution as you exit the pod. Thank you, and have a good day.

 

[[NYM is still breathing raggedly]]

 

RENI:

Kid. Hey, kid. Kid? Nym?

 

NYM:

Is it over?

 

RENI:

Yeah, we've landed. And you definitely didn't get a little bit of puke on me.

 

NYM:

Oh, Goddess. I am SO sorry!

 

RENI:

We talked about over using that word. And it's not like it's the first time it's happened. Doubt it'll be the last. I need a sanitation zap anyway.

 

[[SFX: Click as she undoes her belt]]

 

RENI:

Here, let me get it. Your, uh, your fingers are shaking.

 

[[SFX: Click as NYM's belt is undone]]

 

NYM:

Thank you.

 

RENI:

Don't mention it....ever.

 

[[SFX: Jumppod door hisses open]]

 

RENI:

Here we are. Oh, jeez, don't topple over.

 

NYM:

I'm not! I won't. Which one's yours?

 

RENI:

Uh, this one, closest to us. The Miriam.

 

NYM:

Wow, it's-

 

RENI:

Yeah, it's a wreck, I know.

 

NYM:

What? No! It's gorgeous!

 

RENI:

Oh, um...yeah, she is, isn't she. Let's get you on board.

 

(to The Miriam) Access code Sigma Alpha 10, Captain Reni Alders.

 

[[SFX: Beep of confirmation]]

 

RENI:

Follow me.

 

[[SFX: Ship hatch opening]]

 

[[SFX: Steps on metal stairs]]

 

[[SFX: Hatch closing]]

 

RENI:

Right, let's get you-

 

SHIP COMPUTER:

New bio signature detected. Signature unrecognized. Prepare for incineration in 10 9 8  (continues to count down)

 

NYM:

Ah, Captain!

 

RENI:

FOX, knock it off!

 

FOX:

Ha ha ha. That never gets old.

 

NYM:

[[panting]] Wha-wha-what's-?

 

RENI:

FOX, I swear to every moron who decided to put you together, you do that one more time, I will unplug your core and I will send it hurtling into the endless obliterating vacuum of space!

 

[[She huffs]]

 

Nym, this if FOX. He's our...AI program. FOX, this is Nym. She'll be staying with us for...a while.

 

FOX:

Another human? Reni,what're you trying to do? Contaminate the whole ship? First that mechanic, now this, what would your parents say?!

 

RENI:

Well, considering they're dead, I'm gonna say: not a hell of a whole lot.

 

NYM:

It's...nice to meet you, FOX.

 

FOX:

Charmed. Need to run some diagnostics now. Uh, would love to stay and chat but I'm bored

 

(fading away) Goodbye.

 

[[SFX: Door opens and closes]]

 

HAVEN:

Hey Captain, welcome back. Aren't you happy to see FOX in such fine form? He's- who's this? Someone new? Oh, gosh, lemme get out my bio scanner annnnd-

 

[[SFX: Bio scanner beeping]]

 

HAVEN:

Wow. You've got all sorts of things in you.

 

NYM:

Uh...

 

RENI:

This is Haven. You'll have to forgive them, they're...overzealous when it comes to their bio scanner.

 

HAVEN:

One day, when we come across something carrying a species wiping disease, you'll thank me.

 

[[SFX: Scanner shuts off]]

 

HAVEN:

Havenislich-Ich-Nat-Evelisch at your service. But you can call me Haven.

 

NYM:

Nym...um-It's just Nym.

 

HAVEN:

Nyyyym! I like it. Welcome to the Miriam!

 

RENI:

You keep shaking her hand like that, you're going to break it. Nym, I apologize for my crew, they're useless. It's why I got stuck with them.

 

HAVEN:

You love us all, Captain. Well...maybe not FOX.

 

[[SFX: Door opening and shutting]]

 

BIY:

A new crew member? Reni, you sneak.

 

RENI:

She's more of a passenger. Nym, this is Biylatten. But we just call her Biy.

 

BIY:

Yes, because you are all lazy. It is good to meet you, Nym.

 

NYM:

I-I-I

 

HAVEN:

[[laughs]]

Oh, right, I forgot that human grounders aren't used to aliens wearing wobbly water suits and sporting bright blue see through skin.

 

BIY:

Don't forget my gold veins. I've been told they're quite the head turner.

 

NYM:

I'm sorry!

 

RENI:

That's her favorite word.

 

NYM:

I-I didn't mean to be rude, I just-

 

BIY:

It is alright. I was unnerved the first time I saw a human.

 

HAVEN:

Biy is our second in command, and pilot when the captain is away. Or-incapacitated.

 

[[SFX: Reni punching Haven's shoulder]]

 

HAVEN:

Ow! Jeez Captain! Anyway, her main job is biologist. With a dabbling of weaponry and propulsion thrown in.

 

BIY:

Well, the three do often seem to go hand in hand.

 

NYM:

You're-you're Drykad, right?

 

BIY:

I am. You know of my kind then?

 

NYM:

Not really. But the mast-I mean, Herald Merks, he had some old fairy tales in his collection. One of them had a story about Drykads.

 

[[SFX: A strange crackling noise, mixed with something that sounds like laughter]]

 

RENI:

Don't look so startled, Nym. She's laughing. Laughter is not easy in that contraption.

 

BIY:

I shutter to think of what horror stories have been told about my species in such books.

 

NYM:

I mean, I guess they got some things right, about living underwater. I mean-is that-is that why you wear that suit?

 

BIY:

Oh, yes. I cannot survive without being submerged in water. I was very surprised to hear you know what I am, given that a spaceship is the last place you would imagine finding a Drykad.

 

HAVEN:

Yeah, space travel isn't really your forte.

 

RENI:

I guess as passengers, but that's with the special aqua pods.

 

BIY:

Hmm, yes. As you can imagine, Nym, space travel isn't a very good way of life for us. The idea of me, a fully Drykad, being employed on a space ship was..insane. Luckily for me the captain has always enjoyed crazy concepts, this suit being the best one she's come up with yet.

 

RENI:

Flatterer. Right, Biy, do you think you could show Nym to her room? The spare one, up in the loft?

 

BIY:

Of course. It would be my pleasure. Should I just step out and help you out with your bags?

 

NYM:

I don't have any other bags. It's just this.

 

BIY:

Traveling light! I...admire that. Come along then, Nym.

 

NYM:

It was nice to meet you, Haven! And Captain?

 

RENI:

Huh?

 

NYM:

Thank you.

 

[[SFX:Clanking as Nym and Biy walk away]]

 

HAVEN:

Captain! Are you bluuushing?

 

RENI:

I'm going to clean up. Don't bother me.

 

[[SFX: Reni stomping away]]

 

HAVEN:

[[laughing]]

Aye aye Captain!

 

[[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:

‘Welcome Aboard’ was written and directed by Lacey Shaw.

The role of Reni was voiced by Teresa Avila. The role of Nym was voiced by Nicole Penrod. The role of Computer was voiced by Gill Hert. The role of FOX was voiced by Ben Moody. The role of Haven was voiced by Hy Park. And the role of Biylatten was voiced by Emma Currans.

 

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.