Episode Three

Summary

Sanctuary – Episode Three: "Shadows of Power"

Release Date: July 25, 2024

Host/Author: Voyage Media
Starring: Lily Rabe as Rhea Williams

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1. Awakening and Inner Turmoil

The episode opens with Rhea Williams reflecting on her awakening on the terraformed Mars, a millennium after her birth on Earth. As the last to be awakened, Rhea discovers the societal decay that has plagued Mars over the past decade under her husband, Christopher Williams, the authoritarian president of Sanctuary.

Rhea Williams [00:31]: "I was the last to be awakened. So they already had over 10 years to screw this place up."

Rhea recounts the tragic events leading to Christopher’s rise to power, including the massacre of 250 former billionaires turned terrorists, who had continuously attacked Sanctuary. She exposes Christopher’s deceitful narrative surrounding the explosion that killed the prisoners, revealing it as a deliberate act to eliminate threats without facing trial.

Rhea Williams [02:01]: "He lied. The inquiry was a joke. The black box was destroyed in the explosion and never recovered."

Her internal conflict is palpable as she grapples with reconciling the man she loved with the dictator he has become, contemplating the necessity of killing him to restore peace.

Rhea Williams [03:11]: "But instead of pushing the blade in, I put it away. Not tonight. Loving this man was probably going to kill me in the end. If I didn't kill him first."

2. Unveiling Misha

Rhea's solitude is interrupted by the appearance of Misha, a seemingly feral teenage assassin assigned to protect her. Their interaction reveals Misha’s lethal capabilities and hints at a deeper connection between them.

Misha [05:43]: "How did you know I was here?"

Rhea Williams [05:45]: "Humans evolved to be able to feel it when we're being watched or followed. A survival mechanism against predators."

Despite the tension, a fragile rapport forms as Rhea explains her lifelong experience with threats and violence, setting the stage for Misha’s potential role in the unfolding conflict.

3. The Diplomatic Front

Christopher orchestrates a high-stakes meeting with the leaders of Mars’ divided nations within an impressive crystal citadel, symbolizing the fragile unity he seeks to maintain. Rhea perceives this meeting as another political maneuver by Christopher to consolidate power.

Rhea Williams [12:46]: "I had a feeling Christopher would be using me as a prop. He and Nan had already made me into a kind of symbol so they could use me for their bread and circuses."

The dialogue during the meeting exposes the underlying tensions between nations, particularly with President Wei of New China and Premier Kerkov of New Russia, who challenge Sanctuary’s authority and question the motives behind Christopher’s display of strength.

Premier Kerkov [14:04]: "The island is very close to our borders. What is to stop us from seizing it is part of New Russia."

President Wei [14:12]: "We would be forced to treat any attempt to seize the island as hostile. An act of war against all of us."

Rhea identifies Christopher’s actions as strategic yet ruthless, aimed at eliminating adversaries and showcasing Sanctuary’s dominance.

Rhea Williams [16:11]: "There it is. A show of strength. Ruthlessness to show you won't be fucked with."

4. Rising Tensions and Confrontations

As negotiations falter, Misha openly challenges Premier Kerkov, revealing her formidable combat skills and unyielding spirit. This confrontation escalates the diplomatic tension, forcing Rhea and Misha to flee back to Sanctuary.

Misha [15:23]: "I want to be a pirate when I grow up."

Premier Kerkov [16:46]: "Is this a joke?"

Rhea’s decision to leave the meeting underscores her disillusionment with Christopher’s leadership and her resolve to seek alternative paths for peace.

Rhea Williams [17:46]: "I don't think you need me here. You got this. I'm taking Misha back to Sanctuary."

5. The Unexpected Alliance

On their return, Rhea and Misha are ambushed by Madame Gao, the enigmatic Pirate Queen. This encounter unveils Madame Gao’s strategic disruption of Sanctuary’s defenses using an EMP, exposing the vulnerabilities within their seemingly impregnable infrastructure.

Rhea Williams [19:07]: "EMP took her out."

Madame Gao [19:49]: "Consider yourself honored."

The confrontation escalates as Rhea attempts to negotiate, highlighting her resilience and tactical acumen, while Misha showcases her lethal prowess.

Rhea Williams [20:04]: "We have doctors. You'll be boarded."

Madame Gao [20:11]: "Now. Please, spare us the tedium of attempting to fight back."

6. Cliffhanger: Captivity and Unresolved Tensions

The episode culminates with Rhea and Misha captured by Madame Gao, setting the stage for future conflicts. Rhea's plea for release to tend to her injured daughter emphasizes her dual struggle between personal loss and political upheaval.

Rhea Williams [19:51]: "You are now prisoners of Madame Gauss. I'm here with my daughter. She's hurt. Please release us so she can receive medical attention."

Madame Gao’s ominous takeover leaves listeners on edge, anticipating the next episode’s developments.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rhea Williams [00:31]: "I was the last to be awakened. So they already had over 10 years to screw this place up."
• Christopher [01:24]: "It was our intention to apprehend the terrorists and put them on trial for their ongoing attacks on the citizens of Sanctuary."
• Rhea Williams [02:01]: "He lied. The inquiry was a joke."
• Misha [05:43]: "How did you know I was here?"
• Rhea Williams [16:11]: "A show of strength. Ruthlessness to show you won't be fucked with."
• Madame Gao [19:49]: "Consider yourself honored."

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Conclusion

Episode Three of Sanctuary, titled "Shadows of Power," delves deep into the complexities of leadership, betrayal, and the quest for peace on a politically fractured Mars. Rhea’s internal struggles, coupled with the intense political maneuvers and unexpected alliances, drive the narrative forward, leaving listeners eager for what lies ahead in this gripping sci-fi saga.

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Note: This summary omits advertisements, introductions, and concluding remarks to focus solely on the episode's core content.

Transcript

[Rhea Williams]

Voyage.

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[Rhea Williams]

My name is Raya Williams. I was born on Earth over a thousand years ago. But now I'm alive and on Mars, where humanity has created a new home. I was the last to be awakened. So they already had over 10 years to screw this place up. And they've done a stellar job so far. A month ago, my husband Christopher, the president of Sanctuary, was responsible for the deaths of 250 former 1 percenters. The former billionaires had become terrorists on Mars and launched constant attacks on the nation he founded. The nation we had planned to build before we left Earth. They also tried to kill me multiple times while I was asleep. But the first attack on me after I woke gave Chris the excuse he was looking for. He even gave a speech.

[Christopher]

Thank you, Nan. My friends, I want to be absolutely transparent. It was our intention to apprehend the terrorists and put them on trial for their ongoing attacks on the citizens of Sanctuary.

[Rhea Williams]

Total bullshit.

[Christopher]

Tragically, the ship blew up before they could be returned for a public trial.

[Rhea Williams]

Tragically, slash on purpose.

[Christopher]

According to the recovered black box, the prisoners attempted to hijack the ship by hacking into its autopilot system, but failed to disengage its security safeguards. That resulted in a fuel cell explosion that resulted in all hands lost.

[Rhea Williams]

He lied. The inquiry was a joke. The black box was destroyed in the explosion and never recovered. Along with any evidence that Chris was the one who sabotaged the prisoner transport. A perfect crime. Especially when you control the investigation. The powerful making their own rules. Exactly what we had fought against back on Earth.

[Christopher]

Nan has also entered her testimony for the record and it lines up with the recovered evidence.

[Rhea Williams]

Who better to validate your testimony than the neural artificial network? Nan. The artificial intelligence that oversees Mars entire infrastructure.

[Christopher]

Thankfully we suffered no casualties on our side. While they wished us harm and deserved punishment. This is not how it was supposed to end. Acts of terrorism, bombings, assassinations are a holdover from Earth before we came to Mars. And I hoped we wouldn't bring it here. Hopefully this closes a chapter to that part of our history as a species. Thank you.

[Rhea Williams]

I spent the last month trying to reconcile the man I fell in love with with the man, he's become a man capable of killing 250 people and sleeping like a baby the next night. What I'm starting to realize is those two men are the same person. The second one, the new guy, is just the old guy with power. It's easy not to do anything wrong when you're powerless. I woke up to the crickets. They brought them to Mars in order to make it feel more like Earth. We brought a lot of things to remind us of our home. But there was no way of mistaking Mars for Earth. The clean air was just one reminder that we weren't in Kansas anymore. He sleeps so deeply that he doesn't even feel the small blade I hold to his neck. Sleeping like an innocent. Like he wasn't a mass murderer because he got away with it. Sanctuary bought his bullshit hook, line and sinker. I thought about plunging the knife in. Just a few centimeters more and I'd sever his carotid artery. He'd bleed out before they could get to him. Without blood to his brain, even the miraculous nanotechnology that kept me alive after those same terrorists blew me to pieces wouldn't be able to bring him back. Dead is still dead. But instead of pushing the blade in, I put it away. Not tonight. Loving this man was probably going to kill me in the end. If I didn't kill him first. I got up and went out to the gardens. I get why he did what he did. That's the kind of justice we grew up with. And he blamed them all for the loss of our child, Albert, which they were to blame for. Despite it all, I still love him. And I know deep down he still loves me. I also know that it won't matter a damn in the end. Speaking of end, I was tired of being alone with my thoughts. Good thing I wasn't really alone. You can come out, Misha.

[Misha]

How did you know I was here?

[Rhea Williams]

Humans evolved to be able to feel it when we're being watched or followed. A survival mechanism against predators. Especially when they want to kill you. It's an intention thing.

[Misha]

I'm not planning on killing you.

[Rhea Williams]

Yet.

[Misha]

You feel that?

[Rhea Williams]

You're not subtle about it. In Japan, they call it qi. China Qi. It's all energy. If you practice, you can feel someone's killing intent. You constantly give off that low level vibe. You should learn to dial it down. It'll be easier if nobody can feel you coming.

[Misha]

You're not scared?

[Rhea Williams]

People have been trying to kill me since I was your age. It started with kids trying to steal my shit. Or because I wouldn't join their gang. Later, when Chris and I became union organizers, it was the bosses set contract killers. All my life, I just kept getting a more expensive class of people trying to kill me.

[Misha]

What would you do if I really came after you?

[Rhea Williams]

I'm not showing you my cards. Where's the challenge?

[Misha]

You're fun, you know that?

[Rhea Williams]

Your idea of fun is a bit twisted. But you're not out to kill me tonight.

[Misha]

How do you know that?

[Rhea Williams]

It's just your default setting.

[Misha]

Glad we understand each other. You should get back in sight before the President wakes up and thinks we're plotting against him.

[Rhea Williams]

Especially since we're not.

[Misha]

You really are everything he said you'd be and more.

[Rhea Williams]

What's the most powerful man on Mars do when he's gotten rid of all his personal enemies? Use the island he acquired as a carrot. Christopher could dangle that carrot and set up a meeting with the other powerful nations that had divided Mars up. Like a butcher carving meat. Diplomatic talks, really. An excuse to consolidate more power. Nice ship.

[Nan]

Thank you, Rhea. I printed it barely a year ago.

[Christopher]

We had to keep it under heavy guard to keep it from being bombed.

[Misha]

Dan would have just printed a new one.

[Christopher]

Raw materials are expensive and finite. That's why the other nations keep raiding each other. Banned us.

[Rhea Williams]

Misha was as clueless as I was about what these meetings would be like. Apparently, bringing a half feral teen killer to diplomatic meetings wasn't on the top of Christopher's list. No one can accuse my husband of being stupid. Homicidal maybe, but not stupid. Only reason she was coming along was to protect me. More like keep an eye on me and make certain I don't cause him any new headaches. So what's the goal of this meeting? Show off how strong Sanctuary is so they'll stop raiding us.

[Christopher]

It's about convincing them that we need to work together towards common goals.

[Misha]

Sounds pretty lame.

[Christopher]

We're not at war, are we? That means diplomacy is working because we keep talking and don't have to start killing.

[Misha]

So it's good for Sanctuary.

[Christopher]

Misha, every country is a dream. Rhea and I dreamed up Sanctuary as a place where anyone and everyone could come and live and be safe together. It's not a kingdom where some guy stands up and declares he's the leader because he has the army to force everyone to listen to him. We choose who leads Sanctuary together. That's our dream.

[Misha]

It's a good dream.

[Christopher]

The other nations have their own dreams. Some of them counter to ours.

[Misha]

I still don't want to Go.

[Christopher]

Unless you can convince Rhea to stay behind. You're coming.

[Rhea Williams]

I think it's time I met the other leaders of Mars Politics.

[Misha]

Make me sleepy. Wake me if you need my blade.

[Rhea Williams]

You're good with her. I always said you'd be a great dad.

[Christopher]

Rhea.

[Rhea Williams]

I'm not ready to talk about it. Not yet.

[Christopher]

I know. I don't know if I am either. And I've had 10 more years, but it's still right here.

[Rhea Williams]

Just not okay. I can't handle it right now.

[Christopher]

Okay. You and Misha seem to be getting along.

[Rhea Williams]

We understand each other. She still wants to kill everyone she meets.

[Christopher]

Baby steps. Maybe you could show her a different way.

[Rhea Williams]

Maybe she is special. Just like you told me.

[Christopher]

It's a different world. A different time. When you're ready. What do you think of trying again?

[Rhea Williams]

For a child? I never really thought I could after the explosion. But you said Nan repaired me.

[Christopher]

All of you. You okay? I mean, with all this going on. I know it's been an adjustment, but we can really do this together. I want your input. I've missed your input.

[Rhea Williams]

I wanted so badly to believe him. Input. I can give you the other thing. I'm not ready yet.

[Christopher]

Okay. I get it. In the meantime, uh. Do you want to practice some more?

[Rhea Williams]

It was a distraction for us both. Our loss was still a raw open wound between us, driving us apart and keeping us drawn together at the same time. Like fucked up magnets with shifting polarities. I tried to convince myself I had misjudged him. That his intentions were good. Or at least could be good with me guiding him. Marriage is complicated. We compartmentalize. We still love each other. We just might hate each other too. We were able to lose ourselves in each other. The trip passed. The only way to get the leaders of the various factions of Mars to gather in one place was on neutral ground. Which turned turned out to be the most ostentatious thing I've seen since waking up. A crystal citadel floating in the air, held up by electromagnetic waves. It could never have been built on Earth, but Nan was able to print it using reconfigured sands of an entire subcontinent. And also make it bulletproof. Practically blast proof and impervious to anything up to a nuclear strike.

[Nan]

Welcome to the first general meeting of the leadership of Mars since the reawakening of Rhea Williams. The last to be awakened and the woman who helped save everyone and bring you all here to Mars.

[Rhea Williams]

I had a feeling Christopher would be using me as a prop. He and Nan had already made me into A kind of symbol so they could use me for their bread and circuses. Entertainment to distract the masses. And also a celebrity for the powerful to say they got to meet. I just woke up and I'm already so tired of these political games. I honestly don't know how he's done it for the last 10 years on his own.

[Christopher]

We have a lot to discuss.

[Nan]

President Wei of New China has motioned to speak. President Williams, do you?

[Christopher]

Of course.

[President Wei]

We would like to welcome the first lady of Sanctuary to Mars.

[Rhea Williams]

I'm honored, but I don't want to slow things down.

[President Wei]

President Wei, the honor is ours. And patience is a virtue that I, for one, feel must be cultivated on Mars.

[Nan]

The floor recognizes Premier Kirchhoff.

[Rhea Williams]

Nan briefed me before we left Sanctuary. The ones to watch out for are President Wei of New China, the only nation that posed a separate serious threat to Sanctuary. And Premier Kerkov, who has a chip on his shoulder the size of a stadium and a tendency to lead his Cossack style army on constant raids into the other territories.

[Premier Kerkov]

The island is very close to our borders. What is to stop us from seizing it is part of New Russia.

[President Wei]

The rest of us. Comrade Kerkov, we would be forced to treat any attempt to seize the island as hostile. An act of war against all of us.

[Premier Kerkov]

You would go to war with us over an island?

[Christopher]

It's a matter of principle. We're all equal or we're all enemies.

[Premier Kerkov]

What are we really doing when Madam Gao is not present?

[Christopher]

I was hoping she'd come.

[Rhea Williams]

The pirate Queen? From what I've heard, she might be worried that you would use this meeting as an excuse to take her into custody.

[Premier Kerkov]

Why are you looking at me?

[Christopher]

You're the most likely to try something like that.

[President Wei]

Or just try to kill her.

[Premier Kerkov]

I am justified. She has been a thorn in my nation's side for years.

[Christopher]

I was thinking of offering the island to her.

[Premier Kerkov]

So it goes from a terrorist base to a pirate base.

[Christopher]

Her fleet has been airborne all this time. If she has land and resources, she might stop raiding the rest of us.

[President Wei]

We are not against the idea.

[Premier Kerkov]

Because she used to be one of your people. How do we know she is not still working for you?

[President Wei]

Madame Gao is a woman who dances to her own tune.

[Misha]

I want to be a pirate when I grow up.

[Rhea Williams]

Inside voice.

[Christopher]

Madame Gao's fleet has air advantage over the rest of us. And according to Nan, she's closer to finding the Martian power source than the rest of us. Imagine if she got to it first and controlled it. Do you want that?

[President Wei]

You Think giving her a land base would allow us to know where she and her people are.

[Christopher]

When you have land, you're tied down. You have to defend it. It's a strength, but also a weakness.

[Premier Kerkov]

And if she attacks, we will know where to find her.

[Christopher]

I think our raid on the oligarchs proves that Sanctuary has no problems keeping our borders safe.

[Premier Kerkov]

That accident was there prisoner transport. Very well played.

[Christopher]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Rhea Williams]

There it is. A show of strength. Ruthlessness to show you won't be fucked with. Chris thought it all through. He knew these talks were coming up. Killing all our old enemies was his way of killing a lot of birds with one bomb.

[Premier Kerkov]

I did not think you had it in you. Does not mean you are ready for wars.

[Rhea Williams]

I was going to interrupt and try to ship things back to negotiation before Chris got us into a multi front war with that temper of his. But someone beat me to it.

[Misha]

This is bullshit.

[Premier Kerkov]

Is this a joke?

[President Wei]

Who is this girl?

[Misha]

A citizen of Sanctuary and officer of the security forces.

[Premier Kerkov]

The fierce lady's bodyguard. A child.

[Misha]

You've insulted my president. If you'd like to fight a child and see what happens, I'm happy to invoke truth and reconciliation.

[Premier Kerkov]

Hey, I like this girl. This is a real child of Mars. She is the future. We make this world for her and her children. Moy. Apologies, Christopher. I meant no harm.

[Christopher]

Why don't we break for lunch? We can continue our discussions afterwards.

[Rhea Williams]

What's truth and reconciliation?

[Christopher]

A duel to the death to resolve disputes. That's a thing from the outer lands.

[Rhea Williams]

What if he said yes?

[Misha]

Then we'd be cleaning up a dead guy's blood off the deck right now.

[Rhea Williams]

I don't think you need me here. You got this. I'm taking Misha back to Sanctuary.

[Christopher]

Maybe that's a good idea.

[Rhea Williams]

Goodbye, Chris. We got on the transport airship to fly us back to Sanctuary. The only person I really wanted to meet wasn't there Madame Gal, the pirate warlord. Everything I learned about her from Nan told me she was someone I needed on my side. An independent leader who seemed to pick her spots to use force judiciously. But Nan had limited records of her. Suggesting she was somehow avoiding Nan's detection. Which was odd. I think Chris knew she wasn't going to show. I was mad that he played me and I'd let him.

[Misha]

You look pissed. More than usual.

[Rhea Williams]

I thought I was hiding it.

[Misha]

I know that look too well. I grew up seeing it everywhere. Can I ask you a question?

[Rhea Williams]

What?

[Misha]

You think the President wants To go to war.

[Rhea Williams]

I think Christopher wants to pick a fight with everybody just to prove he can win. Whether it turns into a war. Yeah, it's very possible.

[Misha]

I hope not. They just push buttons and things go boom. It wouldn't be good for Sanctuary.

[Rhea Williams]

No, it wouldn't.

[Nan]

I'm registering a massive gunship behind you, closing fast. The only ship of that size is Madame Gauss.

[Rhea Williams]

Cool.

[Nan]

That was a warning shot. And registering an electromagnetic charge building from their carrier.

[Rhea Williams]

Nan. Damn it. EMP took her out.

[Misha]

Took out the whole ship.

[Rhea Williams]

We're falling.

[Misha]

He stopped.

[Rhea Williams]

Some kind of tractor beam. Emp? That's why there's no records of the pirate raids. They knock out Nan's surveillance with the emp, seize their target in midair, and anyone they hit either joins them or is killed.

[Misha]

Man, she's good.

[Madame Gao]

Consider yourself honored.

[Rhea Williams]

You are now prisoners of Madame Gown. I'm here with my daughter. She's hurt. Please release us so she can receive medical attention. We have doctors. You'll be boarded.

[Madame Gao]

Now. Please, spare us the tedium of attempting to fight back.

[Rhea Williams]

Put the knife away.

[Misha]

Good idea. Better to slip it out when they're not expect.

[Rhea Williams]

That's not what I meant. Misha. No. She's a whirlwind of violence. She leaves her blades sheathed and uses her hands, feet, elbows, knees, striking and twisting, spinning like a dervish. Kicked to the knee or groin. Sweeping and buckling their legs to bring them into a spinning kick. Elbow to the side of another man's head, she batters them with her ruthless skill and speed. I watched until I felt cold steel brush against my neck as Madame Gao came up silently behind me. Guess she decided it was time to step in.

[Madame Gao]

Do I need to tell you what happens next, little girl?

[Rhea Williams]

Madam Gao. Nice to meet you.

[Madame Gao]

Your daughter is a wild one. What's your name, dear?

[Misha]

Nisha. I've been wanting to meet the Pirate Queen for a while now.

[Madame Gao]

I recognize that voice. Yes, it's you.

[Rhea Williams]

You know her?

[Madame Gao]

The shadow that has killed my men.

[Rhea Williams]

Of course she is.

[Madame Gao]

Helm.

[President Wei]

Current altitude 30,000ft, my queen.

[Madame Gao]

Perfect. Throw them both overboard. Nothing personal. All respect, dear.

[Narrator]

Sanctuary is a production of Voyage Media. Starring Lily Rabe as Rhea. Produced by Nat Mundell, Robert Midas and Deb 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 Mohawk Pool Desai Podcast story by Adi Sac Tantimed Podcast written by Adi Sac Tantimed with additional revisions by Matt Altman and Ed Bennemore Directed by Matt Altman Edited Sound designed and mixed by Nick Missitti 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 episodes.

[Podcast Host]

Hey listeners, if you're looking for another sci fi fiction podcast to check out, I want to tell you about Enemy Within. A scientist's wife is pregnant and has severe epilepsy that could endanger her and her unborn child. To help her, the scientist proposes his wife receive the next generation of the Genesis implant which will integrate with her brain and cure her epilepsy. And it works, but it also turns her into an unstoppable killing machine. This is ex Machina meets Terminator 2, my badge of honor for it. One listener review said they had to turn it off because it was too intense. I love the show. Look for Enemy within from Voyage Media anywhere you listen to podcasts.