Episode 704: Mind Games, Part Two
Part 1, 2, 3, 4, Special Features,
Back at the restaurant, two Alliance Navy men join the crew at their table, sitting down in Rina's and Joshua's empty seats before they even get cold. The crew acknowledges their arrival.
Nika: Gentlemen
Kiera: Evenin'.
Arden: We can be friendly or we can ignore each other. Which one do you want to do?
One of the Feds says, in not so friendly a voice:
Fed #1: I thought we could talk.
Arden: That's cool.
Kiera: You wanna have a conversation, it's okay.
Fed #1: There's always the easy way to do things and then there's the hard way to do things.
Arden: Yeah. I guess we'll do it the hard way. Cuz I’m not very smart.
Fed #1: Okay.
Arden: (off Nika's look) I'll shut up now, my Captain says.
Fed #1: (to Nika) So you're the Captain? And that's your, ah, ship out there? (a beat) So you guys are headed out of Kalidasa?
Nika: That's right.
Fed #1: Where are you headed to in Georgia?
Nika: Why?
Fed #1: Just want to know.
Kiera: Out there. (vaguely points)
Fed #1: I meant like, what planet?
Arden: We know, but we can't tell you.
Fed #1: Can't tell us?
Arden: No.
Fed #1: Why? Is it a secret?
Arden: We just can't tell you.
Nika: Cuz it's just not your business.
Fed #1: I know it's not. (gets comfortable) Well, except that it is, right? We're here to gather intelligence.
Nika: Oh. Well, have fun with that.
She's supremely unimpressed.
Arden: No intelligence here.
Nika: Especially not if they're talking to you.
Kiera: Nope. Not a bit.
Arden: (agreeing) Yeah.
Fed #1: The alternative is that … we could wait and then we can get our information in a less pleasant way. But you know, you all are having your nice little dinners here and tell you what. You give us some new information, we'll buy those dinners for you and we'll buy you a drink. Even dessert. I think they got some of those small chocolate cakes.
Kiera: We're screwed. We never know where we're going.
Arden: We're going to Betelgeuse.
Kiera: No, we're not. We never know where we're going. It's just a crap shoot.
Fed #1: That doesn't seem likely to me.
Arden: The crapshoot? Or Betelgeuse?
Fed #1: That you don't know where you're going.
Kiera: I never know where we're going.
Arden: I don't know where we're going because I'm not the Captain.
Kiera: Yeah, me neither.
Fed #1: Then maybe the Captain can explain where you're going.
Arden: And she could lie.
Fed #1: So here's the thing.
And he leans in.
Fed #1: We could do this the easy way, all friendly and professional about it, or … if we don't get the information we want, then things will get a little rougher later.
Nika: Why do you want to know?
Fed #1: Cuz we're at war.
Nika: Hm.
Fed #1: No one's going to hold it against you when you get to wherever you're going. You don't even have to go there once, you know, we find out.
Arden: Lie to him.
Fed #1: Yeah, we may need some verification.
Kiera: Yeah, see, that's the problem. I was just thinkin', it doesn't matter what we say cuz if you can't verify it and we're being secretive about it, you're never gonna verify it. They'd be crazy to verify it so it's a total waste of a wave.
Fed #1: Not necessarily. If you guys cooperate, start by talking, and if it turns out that what you say is already true—you probably know where you're going. I'm not going to tell you until you tell me where you're going and then we'll know if you're cooperating.
What? Did anybody follow what he just said?
Kiera: Okay, so about where are we starting in the story here? I mean where do you want us to start?
Fed #1: Where are you going?
Kiera: Where am I going?
Nika: (drawling) To hell, if she doesn't mend her ways.
Fed #1: Where is this ship travelling?
Kiera: See, that's the problem. I really don't know.
Fed #1: (to Kiera) I don't know who you are, but the Captain knows where you're going.
Kiera: No. If you knew her, you'd really know she didn't know where we're going a lot cuz we're gonna detour.
And so we go a couple more rounds like this. Eventually, the Fed asks:
Fed #1: So you're just waiting for orders, here?
Kiera: Yeah.
Nika: It really is.
Fed #1: Well, let us have a look at your computers and we'll be all set then. Assuming you're telling the truth—
Arden: Really?
Fed #1: Well, if you're lying, then we may have to—
Arden: (heavily) Really? You want us to let you on our ship? To look at our computer? Really?
Fed #1: Yeah.
Does the Fed think we're idiots?
Arden: No. (a beat) Not unless we can inspect your computers.
Fed #1: That's not the way it works.
Arden: Oh no? Okay, then.
Nika: Then what in the world would make you think that's the way it works for us?
Arden: I think he's saying he has a bigger gun than us.
Kiera: The nice thing is it's a neutral place so it's—
Nika: (firmly) Being as this is not your turf, either.
Fed #1: Well we can follow you off the neutral zone and then just blow you up in space if you prefer.
Nika: Knock yourself out.
Okay, now the gloves are off.
Fed #1: But we don't have to. That's the thing. We don't have to. If all you're carrying is K-rations and dirty magazines for the boys on Boros or something like that, that's enough.
Oh, and now not only is he going to look at our computers, he expects to inspect our cargo too? What's his interest in our cargo?
Arden: Hey, he guessed! How did he know?
Fed #1: Sure. As long as you're being honest, then there's no problem.
Nika: You know what? If I told you I was carrying medical supplies, you wouldn't believe me anyway. So why should I bother?
Fed #1: Are you carrying medical supplies?
Nika says nothing.
Arden: The silence is deafening.
Kiera: We're both doctors. Of course we're carrying some medical supplies.
Arden: Yeah. (pats his bag) I have some right here.
Fed #1: (verbal eyeroll) As cargo. Cuz if you are, that's good enough. (a beat) You're not a medically flagged vessel, so you're not a hospital ship.
Nika: I didn't say I was actually carryin' 'em. I said if I told you I was carryin' 'em, you wouldn't believe me anyway.
Fed #1: Well, then we can just verify it and everything will be fine.
Nika: No it wouldn't.
Fed #1: Why not?
He's just not getting past the fact that we aren't going to let him on, is he?
Nika: Because you're not just a Navy, you're a bunch of extortionists. So, you know … (shrugs)
Fed #1: We're not demanding money from you.
Arden: No but you're demanding information.
Kiera: It's like the old fashioned doctor. You know, you-show-me-yours, I-show-you-mine. That's the way it's worked since I was, like … five. I mean, we show you ours? Really.
Fed #1: Tell you what. If you show me yours, as you say, we won't blow you up.
Kiera: But see, I don't believe you like you don't believe us. And we're at an impasse. This sucks! Let's change topics. (thousand watt smile) So, where were you born?
Fed #1: So you're not cooperating, that what you're saying?
Kiera: I think we're cooperating as much as we can.
Arden: Considering we're at war and everything.
Kiera: But you have to define what "is" is.
Arden: "Is" was.
Fed #1: I didn't use "is" in my sentence.
Kiera: I know, but this is really important.
Nika: Who's on first again?
Kiera: I don't know.
Arden: Third base.
Nika starts to chuckle.
Nika: No, I don’t like third base.
Kiera: See? They're tryin' to be friendly and because they can't pull a gun—
Nika: Really?
Kiera: Cuz if they do, they'll get in trouble—
Nika: Either that or he swings the other way.
Fed #1: (standing up) Okay. We'll do it the hard way.
Nika: (smiles sweetly) Bye!
Kiera: (ditto!) It was a great conversation. (to crew) Okay, I don't like them. Let's go.
Fed #1: Enjoy your meal.
Nika: What was your name again?
Fed #1: Lieutenant Jensen.
Arden: Lieutenant Jensen. Got it.
Jensen: Second Mate.
Arden: Only for a few more hours.
Jensen: (smirks) What? You think I'll get a promotion for bringing you in? Well, I might if you're carrying medical supplies.
Arden: No, I'm thinking … Nah. I'm just thinking. Have fun. Talk to you later.
Jensen: (faking it) I'm really afraid of your … freighter. Your freighter might—
Arden: Go back and look up General Custer. Go away.
Nika: Ooh, beautiful! Nicely done.
Nika high fives Arden and then waves her fingers at Jensen and his men.
Nika: (still sweet) Bye-bye guys. Have a nice night.
They walk off but don't go very far. They go back to their table. Nika throws some credits on our table and says quietly:
Nika: Go. Now.
Kiera: Darn it. I wanted ice cream.
Arden: You know they're—
Nika: I'm well aware of that. Just go.
The only way out is by elevator behind the bar. The crew walks over, pushes the call button and when Kiera steps inside, Jensen and his men try to crowd in with her. Arden blocks the door.
Arden: It might be better if you take another elevator. My redhead friend here is getting kinda sick.
Jensen pushes in, regardless. Kiera groans she needs to find the stairs, she can't wait, and she eels out. Arden reaches in and presses the down button before Jensen can make a move. The elevator doors zip shut and the car descends, trapping Jensen and his men inside.
Of course, there isn't any other exit from the club except that elevator, so chances are very likely Jensen and his men will be right back before we can leave. And they won't be coming back happy. Arden goes over to the bar and asks for the manager. Uh … what manager?
Arden: Anybody of authoritative nature. Would that be you?
Bartender: No way! Hold on a second. (gets on a comm) Uhhh, we have a problem.
A little while later, the elevator comes back up. The door opens up and we see a guy, maybe an accountant by the look of him. Balding. Pudgy. He goes right to the bar. He has a faint German accent as he speaks.
Pudgy: What seems to be the problem?
Arden: We're just trying to keep the peace. These gentlemen (points to the general collection of Feds) wanted to share the elevator with us and we didn't want any trouble.
Kiera: No, they wanted to share our ship with us. I don't mind the elevator.
Pudgy: I need you to come down and file reports. Come with me.
Nika: (staying Arden) I don't think there's any need for filing for it. If you wouldn't mind sen—.
Pudgy: A report must be filed. I've been told. Come with me.
Arden follows the man right into the elevator. Kiera's right on his heels and Beglan follows after.
Kiera: (bad Russian accent) Come, Nika. We must file report.
Nika: (boards, says softly) I hate you.
Pudgy closes the doors and puts his hand on a bio-scanner and when it scans his hand, the elevator drops. The doors open on something very like a police station, complete with plexiglass windows dividing offices … and holding cells.
Pudgy: Come with me.
Arden: What is your station on the station?
Pudgy: My position? I am the Director.
Arden: So you're like the Big Cheese on the place. You know we just want to be peaceful.
The Director: Yes. But you weren't very peaceable, were you?
Arden: Yes, actually we were.
The Director leads the group down the corridor toward the guard station.
The Director: Then why is there problem?
Arden: Because the big bullies back there wanted to start a fight with us. I was just trying to be peaceful.
The Director: It is my experience, Mr.—what is your name?
Arden: Arden.
The Director: Mr. Arden, it takes at least two people to have the conflict.
Arden: That's true. But if someone punches me in the face—
The Director: Were you punched?
Arden: Not yet, but I was going to be if I stepped into the elevator with those guys.
The Director: Do you think so?
Arden: I do. I felt threatened.
The Director: Well, then you have grounds for some complaint.
Arden: I've complained. Can I go now?
The Director: No. I must see their side as well.
He leads them to a holding cell. Arden digs in his heels.
Arden: No, no. I don't want to be held. I have no problem filling out a report but I don't want to be held.
The Director: I am afraid your wants are no longer relevant at this stage.
Arden: I'm sorry. You're neutral on the entire thing, correct?
The Director: Yes.
Arden: So … why are we being … singled out?
The Director: You are not being singled out. The other gentlemen are also in a separate holding cell.
Yep. There they are, looking daggers through the plexi.
Arden: (sighs) Fine.
The Director: We find that it is best to be … very disciplined here.
He waves us into the cell and Arden walks in. The women follow.
The Director: Out here in the Black, there is not room for … how shall we say … latitude.
Arden: Latitude is a terrestrial term.
The Director: Yes. You perhaps will perhaps learn what discipline means.
Arden: I know what it means. I just don't—
The Director: Please get comfortable. While you can.
Nika: (to Arden) Tattle to the teacher much?
Arden: No. Why?
Stellar job. Just stellar. The Director locks our crew in their plexiglass cage and leaves. Arden turns to Nika and says:
Arden: You could have stepped in at anytime and told me to shut up.
Elsewhere on the station, Rina is stranded on the concourse with her very sick husband. She asks Joshua if he can stand. He's still conscious and he struggles to his feet. They resume their journey to the ship but the screaming in his head gets worse the closer they get to their ship. Joshua stops, holding Rina still.
Joshua: (very rocky) Which way are we going? What … direction? Can we go the … other direction? Please? Like … that direction … (points ahead) … that direction is bad.
Rina: Okay.
Joshua: Let's go in the other direction cuz … that direction is gonna be … good … Cuz this is … bad …
Rina: Okay. We'll take the long way home.
The station is laid out like a giant wheel, with ships docked along the outer rim. Walking in the opposite direction will bring them around to their ship from the opposite direction. It will be longer but it will let them avoid whatever it is ahead of them that's killing Joshua's mental equilibrium. They turn around and start staggering back the way they came. As she turns them around, Rina sees a nine or ten-year-old girl staring at them from a distance. Joshua passes out, nearly taking Rina to the floor with him. Rina looks up and sees the girl flinch as Joshua goes down. Rina puts two and two together and comes to a decision.
Rina: (accent showing) Devushka, could you help me here? Please? I need your help.
The girl stays where she is, just staring at them as if … Making her usual weird intuitive leap in logic, Rina thinks the girl is a Reader, possibly a projective telepath. She thinks the girl has been following them back to the ship. Why? Hoping find out, Rina keeps talking to the girl.
Rina: Is there doctor nearby? A clinic? Could you show me?
Girl: (very quietly) You don’t want to go there.
Rina: I'm sorry. Could you come closer. I cannot hear you.
Girl: (Louder) You don't want to go there.
Rina: (soft) Go where?
Girl: To the doctor. Not with him.
The girl is closer now and has the wary look of a skittish animal. Rina speaks very softly so as not to startle her off.
Rina: Why not with him?
Girl: He won't leave.
Rina: Does this happen with everyone who sees doctor? Or just special people?
Girl: You know what he is. You think I'm one of those, too.
Rina: Are you?
Girl: I'm different. (a beat) But you don't want to bring him to the doctor.
Rina: All right.
Girl: You should take us—take me to your ship.
Rina: There is problem. Quickest way to ship is where he doesn't want to go.
Girl: Yeah. It's kinda hard in that direction.
Rina: Is that where doctor is?
Girl: No. Well … No, that's where … the … the animals are. We can go this way.
And the girl ducks through a doorway leading to a narrow side passage. Rina hauls Joshua over her shoulders in a fireman's carry and does her best to follow. By degrees, they make their way back to Exeter's berth, bypassing the source of Joshua's mental distress. The … animals, as the girl described it. Rina recognizes the surroundings the closer they get to their ship and she ends up taking the lead the rest of the way. Rina gingerly puts Joshua down and opens the lock on the jetway leading to the ship's airlock, then laboriously hauls him up in a fireman's carry again for the trip across.
Rina: (to self) Bliad’, getting heavier every day … didn't seem so heavy this morning …
Rina gets everyone aboard, locks up the airlock, and turns aft for sickbay. Luckily, it's right next to our portside airlock so it's only a few steps away. She gets Joshua onto the exam table and now she has to figure out what meds, if any, she can give him. The girl watches everything closely from the med bay door. Then:
Girl: Can you get into the medical cabinet?
Rina: Actually, no. Why do you need to get in medicine cabinet?
Girl: (cocking head) You want him better, don't you?
The girl isn't coming off quite so shy now, more like street kid working an angle. The wind goes up Rina's back but she keeps a tight grip on her expression. If the girl's a Reader, as Rina suspects, she's going to have to be careful as to what she thinks or says. And right now, she's thinking …
Rina: I do want him getting better but I don't know what to give him. I'm not a doctor.
Girl: I can help him.
And hinked, Rina's caution goes right out the window.
Rina: Oh really. So where did you study medicine, little girl?
Girl: (very quietly) I study everything. Everything.
Rina: Sudden onset migraine. Extreme nausea. What would you presecribe?
Girl: Open the medicine cabinet and I'll get it for you.
Rina: Why can't you just tell me what it is? If you're supposed to know? You're a doctor, yes?
Girl: M'not a doctor.
Rina: Then how do you know?
Girl: I just study things.
Study things and just know? Like … Like Joshua's ten-minute pick-up?
Rina: Ohhhh … I see.
Girl: No you don't.
Rina: No, I think I do.
Girl: You don't.
Joshua: Drugs … please … oh, God … something ….
Joshua starts coming to and moans on the table. Rina moves for the medicine cabinet, a large affair big enough to walk in, like a closet, really. Thanks to Arden's recent acquisition of Valerie, he had Kiera change the combination on the biolocks for security reasons and of course, Kiera had to tell the Captain and the XO what the combo was. And luckily for Rina (and the XO), the XO promptly told his wife. However, there is still a chance that Arden's changed the locks yet again … Rina punches in the code she knows and puts her palm on the lock.
Click!
The lock opens and the door goes loose.
Rina: I think we keep the meds for Joshua's migraines in there.
The girl goes in, starts poking around, and Rina stands in the door, watching closely to make sure the girl doesn't palm anything. Which the girl promptly does. Right in front of her, as she finds a vial and plugs it into an injector.
Girl: (holding injector out) You wanna do it?
Rina: (takes it) Sure.
Girl: You're awfully trusting. For someone like you.
Not that trusting. Rina checks the label. The vial is Flomoxizylene, a Flomoxipan derivative that Joshua used to wean himself off the drug Blue Sun had him addicted to. Since Joshua took it before without harm, Rina is reasonably sure it won't hurt him now. She injects into him, puts the injector aside, and turns to the girl.
Rina: Thank you. Now, the three bottles you took. (holds hand out) I saw you do it.
Girl: I saved your friend. It's just a small payment.
Rina: Friends don't charge friends.
Girl: I'm not your friend. You're his friend. Right? (crosses arms) You can try and take it from me.
Rina: All right. Come out of there.
Stealing from people she's helping? It's wrong. Oh, she is so getting swats on her behind. Rina moves into the cabinet to give that brat a spanking.
Rina: Come out of there … (whispers to self) …I hate kids …
Rina reaches for the girl, the girl kicks out low, and when Rina moves to block the blow aimed at her knees, the girl slams a fist right into Rina's solar plexus. Despite her size, the girl packs a powerful punch, and Rina instantly blacks out.
Wham!
Joshua wakes just in time to see his wife fly out of the meds cabinet and slam into the opposite wall. Rina slides into a limp pile on the floor, out like a light. He grabs his head and blinks. Nope. Nothing changes. His wife is still on the deck and the cabinet door swings gently on its hinges. What the hell?
Joshua: Uhn … my head still hurts … (rises groggily) … Um, … Unknown Assailant …?
The girl steps out of the cabinet and Joshua blinks at her, then at his wife, then back at the girl.
Joshua: … Damn … Hi.
Girl: You're Joshua.
Joshua: (blinks) Okay. So you know my name already. Can you return the favor? What's your name?
Girl: Mische.
It sounds like "Meesh". There's nothing of the skittish street waif about her now.
Joshua: Mische. So I assume you had a good reason to kick my wife's ass.
Mische: (shrugs) She was gettin' all grabby.
Joshua: Yeah … she tends to do that occasionally. Like, uh … did you do something that … Never mind. It's—
Mische: (eyeing Rina) I might have broke her rib, but I think she'll be fine.
Joshua: Do you mind if I check real quick?
Mische: (shrugs) Okay.
Joshua slides off the table and gets on the deck next to his wife. His head is still killing him, but the edge of the pain is blunted and he can function. It's miles away better than how he'd been in the station corridor. As he checks Rina, he hears Mische say quietly behind him:
Mische: You know, in your disabled state, I could probably hurt you too. If I have to.
Joshua: I don't doubt. But if you know my name, do you know anything about me?
Yup. Rina's out like a light. Joshua turns around.
Joshua: But if you know my name, do you know anything about me? I'm not going to hurt you. I have no desire to get in a fight with you.
Mische: She seems to like you but she seems to mostly worry about you.
Joshua: (deep breath) Are you … so you … Are you a Reader?
Mische: Mm-hm. That's why you got sick.
Joshua: Because of you?
Mische: Mm-hm.
Joshua: Why am I not sick now?
Mische: I drugged you.
Joshua rolls with it.
Joshua: Which drugs?
Mische: The Flomoxizylene.
Joshua: (sighs) It took me a long time to get off of those. (sighs again) All right. We'll just take that in stride.
Mische: But you're no good all unconscious.
Joshua: No, I'm not … not pointing the finger of blame here. So ... it's … it's only you causing me to be sick? (off her nod) All right.
Mische: You need to learn how to filter things better.
Joshua: Thanks, I appreciate that.
Mische: You can make the howling stop. (a beat) I made it stop for you.
Joshua: I'm happy to learn. I'm always happy to learn.
He sits on a rolling chair.
Mische: We probably don't have time.
Joshua: Do you have a by-mail course or something I could learn?
Mische: No. You probably just need to leave and go someplace else.
Joshua: Yeah, I'm all about leaving. I wanted to refuel and leave and we had to stay for three days.
Mische: (very quietly) Yeah. That's the way they work.
Joshua: What's that?
Mische: That's the way they work.
Joshua: Who is they? The station?
Mische: The station.
Joshua: All right. And what do you do on the station?
Mische: I find out what people are doing here.
Joshua: And what do you do with that information?
Mische: They use it to make deals and …make plans.
Joshua: So you work for the station?
Mische: Well … I work for Niska.
Joshua: You work for Niska.
It's not a question.
Joshua: Okay. Is there anything I should know about Niska?
Mische: He's a horrible, horrible person.
Joshua: (gets it) Okay.
Figures. Joshua sighs a curse in Spanish. He gingerly bends down and gets his wife off the floor and onto the exam table. He gets her straightened out and secured, then turns back to Mische.
Joshua: So, he's a horrible horrible person. Is he a Reader?
Mische: No.
Joshua: Okay, I didn't think he was if he's got you doing that sort of work. (a beat) Are you looking to leave? Are you looking to stay?
Mische: I'm working on it.
Joshua: I'm happy to offer you passage out. If you want it.
Mische: Well, it's not that easy to get away from Niska. Just being in a different place doesn't really do anything.
Joshua: Is that in terms of … political power? Financial power? All of the above.
Mische: That kinda stuff, yeah.
Joshua: Okay. Um … Do you know of any way we can refuel quicker so we can get out of here or will we have to suffer the 72 hours or whatever is left before we can—
Mische: Oh no …
Joshua: (sharpening) What do you mean, oh no?
Mische: I think that's one of the things that he … they want. You got the Pescaline D. They like that. He might not let you leave without … your cargo.
Joshua sighs. Right. Niska's going to take their cargo as a payment to leave. But we can't hand it over. The pain in Joshua's head ebbs as the drugs take hold, helping him think.
Joshua: Okay. I think I need to talk to the rest of my crew about this. Especially my Captain.
Mische: They're not going to try to hurt me are they? I don't like them grabbing me.
Joshua: No. I will not let anyone hurt you. I apologize for the fact that you … hurt … Rina.
Mische: Don't tell them what I am.
Joshua: I won't. I have some practice about that sort of thing. Do you know where they are?
Mische: A cell.
Joshua: (quietly pissed) All right. Well, then. You're welcome to stay here while I get Rina awake and see how she's doing …
Mische pulls a bottle of stimulant off the med cabinet shelf and hands it to him. Joshua shoots a dose into his wife and Rina jerks upright with a curse.
Part 1, 2, 3, 4, Special Features,
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