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Rhea
Voyage.
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Misha
Misha. Misha.
Nan
I'm sorry. Rhea. She's dead.
Rhea
Rhea.
Misha
Tell everyone to move inside the cave where the power source is.
Rhea
It just killed your girl.
Misha
It's the only move we have left.
Rhea
You heard her. Everyone in the cave. I'm not interested in dying today.
Misha
The pirates would follow their queen to the end. She looked surprisingly good after being shot. Unlike the little girl in my arms As I cradled Misha. She seemed so much more delicate now than she ever did when she was alive. I let the tears fall. She was my responsibility. I said I wouldn't leave her. But I couldn't stop her when she sacrificed herself. Was it because I didn't want to stop her? Because I knew she needed to access the Martian power source or we were all going to die? I hope. Not that I worried that this was all my fault. Was it my ambition that led to this? Led to the girl I had started to see as a daughter lying dead in my arms. All because I refused to let my husband beat me. But deep down, I knew if I did let him win, everyone on Mars would be doomed.
Nan
You should be safe in here. Temporarily.
Misha
This place seems to be getting bigger.
Nan
The power source is expanding the cave to accommodate Madame Gao's people.
Rhea
We can't stay here forever. Christopher's army is coming.
Misha
You made it seem like you were ready to die back on your ship. The pirate way and all that.
Rhea
Being ready to die and inviting death are two different things.
Misha
How did you think you would go? You must have thought about it.
Rhea
Screaming, maybe. Crashing my ship into an enemy. Looking into the eyes of someone about to die with me. That seemed a good death.
Misha
Did you have someone?
Rhea
Like what? A lover? Yeah, I did.
Misha
A pirate?
Rhea
No, a civilian.
Misha
Must have been a little strange for you.
Rhea
Not at all. She was nice. Funny. She used to live in Sanctuary, actually. She had a garden. She grew tomatoes. She had a funny thing with her mouth. Almost like a slight overbite. She was self conscious about it. I thought it was cute. She left to be with me years ago. She was just along for the ride. She didn't care one way or another to be a pirate. She just cared about Me.
Misha
Where is she now?
Rhea
She doesn't exist anymore. She's in bits of ash, blown halfway around the Martian desert.
Misha
How did she die?
Rhea
We were raiding a city. New Gamma. She would go below deck when we did that. Afterwards, we'd always open a new bottle of wine. Enjoy the calm after the raid. That day went fine. We took some fire, but no one was hurt. We got what we were after and we left. Part of our haul was some jewelry. I picked out a great piece for her and I went below deck to show her. Turned out a blast went through the lower deck. She'd been dead for hours. Long enough for rigour to start to set in. I touched her. And she felt. I just wish that hadn't been the last time I touched her.
Misha
I'm so sorry.
Rhea
Do you think Nan knows if there's a life after this one?
Nan
I do not.
Rhea
It was really more of a rhetorical question.
Nan
Nan, you addressed the question to me, so I responded. My apologies.
Rhea
Guess AI can't understand everything, huh? What about you, then?
Misha
Like heaven?
Rhea
Whatever.
Misha
I used to think so back home. I don't know anymore.
Rhea
I want to believe there's something after this. And I'm scared I'm just being naive.
Misha
Some stuff we just don't get to know.
Rhea
Yes, I suppose not.
Misha
I'm sorry we're not on your ship. You can't even go down with the ship.
Rhea
Dying in a cave is certainly less romantic.
Misha
I wish I could stop what's coming.
Rhea
Can't you? The power source?
Misha
I don't know. I don't know anything anymore.
Rhea
Nan, you're fully merged now? Yes. With the power source.
Nan
The power source and I have merged. It recognized Misha's cells as a new evolution of Martian human DNA. Which gave me full access to the power source. Rhea can communicate with the power source through me. The power source may not always agree to what she requests. But she can request it. It's a conversation, not commands.
Rhea
Well, then ask it to help us then. Rhea? Rhea?
Misha
Misha's dead. Power source or not, there's nothing we can do about it.
Nan
That is not entirely true.
Misha
What?
Nan
The energy source has abilities beyond human comprehension. Contact with the power source has altered the molecular makeup of her cells.
Misha
In what way?
Nan
I still studying the data.
Misha
Are her cells still changing?
Nan
Affirmative.
Misha
Can you amplify the change? Use the power source to make it happen faster?
Nan
This will take all my processing power for the duration.
Misha
That means all systems on Mars will be shutting down.
Nan
Affirmative. All but essential systems such as medical machinery keeping people alive.
Misha
How long is that going to take unknown.
Nan
This is the first time ever attempting such a task for myself and the power source. Please do move Misha's body.
Misha
We're trusting you here, Nan.
Nan
Going offline. Now.
Misha
Nan.
Rhea
They've breached a cave. Cease fire.
Misha
Christ. Peeking out behind a phalanx of soldiers at the edge of the cave entrance was Kris.
Rhea
Nisha needs time.
Christopher
Rhea?
Chris
You still alive over there?
Misha
What do you want? Chris?
Chris
Hi.
Misha
Fuck you.
Chris
God, but you are still so gorgeous. I'm sorry, but you are.
Misha
And you are so ugly on the inside. It's seeping out of your pores.
Chris
You don't mean that.
Misha
I've never meant anything more in my life.
Chris
Just give me the power source and we can end this.
Rhea
He'll just kill us.
Misha
Bullshit. Chris.
Chris
Whoa, whoa, whoa. We can work something out. Nobody has to die here.
Misha
It's not mine to give, even if I wanted to. That's the thing. I've realized that you just don't get. Not everything can or should be dominated.
Chris
I'm the only one who can save humanity.
Misha
You've become a narcissistic psychopath. You are a danger to human survival on Mars.
Chris
Look, just give me the power source. We'll let you live. I swear. But that's the best deal I can offer you right now. Or I have to tell my men to kill you. I don't want to do that.
Rhea
Please don't make me go for it, you cockeyed bastard.
Misha
What happened to Misha needs time.
Rhea
Misha would be the first one to tell him that. Fuck it. If we die, we die.
Misha
We're willing to go down fighting, Captain.
Rhea
Captain to the last man.
Chris
Last chance, Raya. Have it your way.
Nan
All systems back online.
Rhea
Look.
Misha
Misha.
Chris
Open fire.
Misha
Misha awoke and ran into Christopher's entire waiting army without hesitation. I tried to stop her, but she was a blur. A blur that began to blow gold as she became too fast for the human eye to follow. A blur of motion as she tore through them. Faster, stronger, more vicious than she ever was before. She disarmed men, shattered their weapons and sometimes their limbs broke. Elbows, knees. A blur of motion that her enemies were unable to hit even with their bullets and pulse weapons. She absorbed their lasers and reflected them back at her attackers. The pirates gaped in shock as they witnessed one person tear through an entire army and dismantle it single handedly. She lay waste Christopher's entire remaining army. Hundreds of trained soldiers, all incapacitated and disarmed on the ground. That was the curious part. She didn't kill them. She Reached Christopher easily, breaking his weapon in half like crumpling a piece of paper. She held his neck with one hand and I knew she could casually break it. Don't kill him.
Christopher
What?
Misha
Why? Why didn't you kill all his men?
Christopher
They're following orders to protect Mars. They think they're doing the right thing. It's not their fault. They've put their faith in a tyrant. I feel them. Their lives, their hopes and dreams. People they love. The things that make them sad. Their best days. Their worst nightmares. Every smile and laugh and every ache and cry. I feel all of it.
Rhea
Is the girl even human anymore?
Nan
She is now linked to the power source in ways Rhea is not. She is more than a human and a New Martian. She is something.
Misha
Misha collapsed and her scream echoed in the cave. I could feel the pain radiating off of her. Motherfuckers. What happened? Misha.
Christopher
So many people dead out there from what he did. I can feel them.
Misha
All of them.
Christopher
Because of his nukes and his stupid poor. I can feel the fear coming from everyone. The soldiers, Chris, Madame Gao, the pirates. Even you.
Misha
I'm worried about you. I am not afraid of you. You are.
Christopher
You don't want to be, but you are. And Madame Gao and the pirates are all thinking about how they can take me down before I can kill them.
Misha
She's too powerful, Madame Gao.
Rhea
See, one wrong word, one rash impulse, she could kill us all before she even realized. She would regret it.
Misha
No. There is more to her than that.
Rhea
She's impetuous, angry. It's too much for her. She's a child.
Misha
No, she's not. Misha, we're your friends.
Christopher
It's so much. It's like my head is going to explode. If everyone died, at least it would be quiet.
Misha
But you don't want that. You didn't kill Chris's soldiers. You won't kill us.
Christopher
I can feel everything right now. I just want it to end.
Misha
Do you trust me? I. I embraced Misha. She let me. Misha alive. It was almost too much. I had been holding back the emotional pain to deal with the dangers at hand. I didn't really believe it until I saw it with my own eyes and held her in my arms. I felt the tears falling freely as I held Misha tightly, afraid she'd disappear.
Chris
Hey. It's okay.
Misha
It's okay.
Christopher
I don't know.
Misha
You were dead.
Christopher
Rhea. You're kind of crushing me.
Misha
Oh, sorry.
Christopher
I'm not that experienced with hugs.
Misha
Do you remember what happened?
Christopher
I just remember touching the big golden egg and Then nothing.
Misha
I promise you, no one else here will hurt you. You're safe. But you can help. You can show them you won't hurt them. And maybe all that noise in your head won't be so loud.
Chris
Okay?
Misha
Misha closed her eyes and let out a calming breath, like powering down. She centered herself. She was so different, yet the same. It was tough to wrap my head around. She felt like she'd aged a thousand years. In a few minutes. Everyone could feel her lessen her intensity.
Rhea
I think I almost had a heart attack.
Christopher
But he. He still needs to die.
Chris
Don't let her.
Christopher
Shut up. If we let him live, he's just gonna try it again. He launched nukes and murdered thousands of people. He tried to kill you. He sold me out. He tried to wipe out the entire Pirate Nation.
Misha
I know.
Christopher
Then.
Misha
But if you kill him, Misha, it's over. He's not punished.
Christopher
He'll never stop coming after us.
Misha
He will. I know where to put him. Where he won't hurt anyone anymore.
Chris
This is the endgame Nam projected the moment she decided to wake you.
Misha
You wouldn't have woken me if it was.
Chris
I would. I did.
Misha
I don't believe you.
Chris
It was the only way to make sure this happened.
Misha
Don't you dare. Don't you dare say you did 10 years of evil shit for me.
Chris
I didn't. I did it for sanctuary. As long as sanctuary survives, humanity lives. People can live in peace and the population can be replenished. Whatever it takes. We used to say that back on Earth. Nan saw all this coming. She could have let you sleep forever. But she told me you were ready to wake up. She knew I'd want to see you again. And she knew you'd react to what I was doing as president. She saw it all.
Misha
And you intentionally played out a scenario that ended with you here as my prisoner.
Chris
I thought I could beat it. I thought I could change it. But you won. Nan was right about you, Rhea.
Nan
I should inform you and Captain Gao that you have all been exposed to the power source long enough that it has altered your DNA.
Rhea
How?
Nan
You are still human. But the alteration to your genes makes you the same as the original inhabitants of this planet. They were, after all, your forebears. You are all Martians now.
Rhea
So the Pirate Nation are officially the first New Martians?
Nan
Affirmative.
Misha
What does that mean, exactly?
Nan
It means you are now completely acclimated to life on Mars. Your descendants will be full Martians.
Chris
You're welcome.
Misha
Chris, so help me. Stop speaking or I'll let Misha Break your neck. Nan. Will the power source solve humanity's current shortage of resources?
Nan
Affirmative. It is endlessly renewable. It can sustain not only your lives, but the infrastructure of your societies indefinitely. And it wants to.
Rhea
It's everything we hoped for, Nan.
Misha
We need to get out of here and stop the war. First, though, can you get rid of the radiation in the atmosphere from the nukes?
Nan
I am releasing nanites to scrub the radiation from the air over Mars. I suggest waiting underground a few hours until it is safe to take off in your ships.
Rhea
What now?
Misha
We go back to Sanctuary. We're giving Christopher what he denied all his enemies. A perp walk.
Christopher
I can't wait to step off Madame Gao's ship and march your ass through the streets of Sanctuary to show everyone what a war criminal you are.
Chris
They won't believe me.
Misha
Nan will have a full presentation for them.
Nan
I'm sure I can prepare a collection of evidence. Yes. It can be displayed in hollow videos throughout Sanctuary.
Christopher
On a fucking loop.
Misha
It's done, Chris. All of it.
Christopher
Mr. President, as an officer of the security services of Sanctuary, I'm arresting you for crimes against humanity. Attempted genocide, multiple counts of murder. Multiple counts of attempted murder, environmental vandalism, endangering the citizens of Sanctuary, endangering the entire population of Mars, and endangering the ecosystem of Mars.
Chris
I helped draft those laws, you know.
Christopher
Eat it, boss man.
Rhea
I suppose congratulations are in order, Madam President.
Misha
Let's clean up their mess first. Chris, what are you. Gun.
Production Credits
Sanctuary is a production of Voyage Media. Starring Lily Rabe as Rhea. Produced by Nat Mundell, Robert Midas and Dan Bennemore. Executive produced by Levar Kelly. Featuring Albi Robles as Christopher and Veronica Warner as Misha. Additional cast credits in the show Notes Based on an original story by Levar Kelly and a screenplay by Mahul Desai. Podcast story by Adi Saq Tantimed Podcast written by Adi Sack Tantimed with additional revisions by Matt Altman and Dan Bennemore. Directed by Matt Altman. Edited sound designed and mixed by Nick Nitti. If you're enjoying the show, please leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or anywhere you're listening and subscribe now for future episode.
Sanctuary - Episode Seven Summary
Release Date: July 25, 2024
Host/Author: Voyage Media
Starring: Lily Rabe (as Rhea), Albi Robles (as Christopher), Veronica Warner (as Misha), and AI Character Nan
In Episode Seven of Sanctuary, the tension on the terraformed Mars escalates as Rhea grapples with the dire consequences of her husband's tyrannical rule. The episode delves deep into themes of sacrifice, power, and transformation, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation that could determine the fate of Mars and its inhabitants.
The episode opens with an urgent and emotional scene. Rhea discovers that Nan, the AI integrated with Mars' central power source, has killed a young girl, a significant blow to the morale of their group.
Misha, Rhea's close ally, urges everyone to take shelter in a cave where the power source is located to escape the immediate threat. The cave, however, is expanding due to the power source's influence, accommodating more of Madame Gao's forces.
As the group seeks refuge, Rhea voices her desperation to survive another day amidst the chaos.
The narrative shifts to reveal Rhea's backstory, highlighting her personal losses and the emotional weight she carries. Misha reflects on the death of a girl she cared for deeply, questioning her own actions and the choices that led them to this brink.
Rhea shares her memories of a lost lover, providing a glimpse into her vulnerability and the sacrifices she's made.
This backstory enriches the characters, emphasizing the personal stakes involved in their struggle for Mars' future.
Nan, the AI linked to the Martian power source, becomes central to the plot as she explains her merger with the energy source, granting her unprecedented control and abilities.
Rhea attempts to communicate with the power source through Nan, seeking assistance to secure a peaceful resolution.
Misha, grappling with the loss of her humanity, begs Nan for a solution, even if it means shutting down Mars' systems temporarily.
Nan agrees, but this action will disrupt Mars' essential systems, leading to a temporary shutdown.
The tension peaks when Christopher, Rhea's estranged husband and the self-appointed dictator of Mars, confronts the group. His arrival marks a pivotal moment where personal vendettas intersect with the planet's fate.
Their exchange is loaded with animosity and unresolved history. Christopher pleads for the power source, revealing his desperation and twisted sense of duty.
Rhea and Misha reject his demands, emphasizing that relinquishing the power source would perpetuate his tyranny.
A dramatic turn occurs when Misha undergoes a transformation, becoming a formidable force linked to the power source. Her newfound abilities allow her to confront Christopher and his army with unprecedented strength.
Her actions incapacitate hundreds of soldiers without taking lives, demonstrating her evolved state.
This transformation raises questions about humanity and what it means to be human in this new Martian reality.
The episode culminates in a fierce standoff where Christopher demands the power source, threatening further destruction. However, Rhea and Misha stand firm, backed by Nan's overwhelming abilities.
As the standoff continues, Nan reveals a critical transformation affecting all characters, making them "New Martians" with enhanced capabilities suited for life on Mars.
In a final confrontation, Christopher is overpowered and arrested for his crimes against humanity, signaling the end of his tyrannical reign.
With Christopher's downfall, the group envisions a peaceful future for Mars, free from dictatorship and supported by the renewable power source. Nan ensures the eradication of radiation, paving the way for a safe environment and sustainable society.
The episode closes with the protagonists poised to restore order and build a harmonious society, setting the stage for future developments in their Martian sanctuary.
Episode Seven of Sanctuary masterfully intertwines personal narratives with broader existential threats, exploring the complexities of power, loss, and transformation. The characters' development, coupled with the high-stakes conflict, propels the story towards a hopeful yet uncertain future on Mars.
Sanctuary continues to captivate listeners with its rich storytelling, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes as Rhea and her allies navigate the challenges of their newfound existence on Mars.