3.02 Resupply

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Strange Case of Starship Iris - Episode 3.02 "Resupply"

Title: The Strange Case of Starship Iris
Host/Author: Jessica Best (Procyon Podcast Network)
Episode: 3.02 Resupply
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Description: In 2189, Earth narrowly won a war against extraterrestrials. The Strange Case of Starship Iris delves into the aftermath, weaving a gripping tale of outer space, survival, espionage, resistance, identity, friendship, found family, romance, and secrets. This episode continues to explore these themes with engaging dialogue, character development, and unexpected twists.

---

1. Mission Briefing and Planning

The episode "Resupply" opens with the crew of the Starship Iris facing a critical shortage of supplies as they prepare for their next mission. Captain R. Katie Patel leads the discussion, highlighting the urgency of resupplying their stock before reaching their next destination, Cresswind, which is ten days away.

Key Discussion Points:

• Supply Shortage: The crew discovers that their current supply levels are insufficient for the journey ahead, necessitating a stop at Greylands Station to arm up.
• Weapon Scarcity: Despite the Rooks having no spare weapons ([02:57] RJ McCabe), Patel reassures the team that there are alternative sources available.

Notable Quote:

"We're 10 days from Cresswind, and in the meantime, we need to stop and arm up." — R. Katie Patel ([02:50])

2. Destination Greylands Station

Greylands Station, described as a lawless hub with numerous vices, becomes the focal point for the crew's resupply mission. Captain Patel navigates the risks associated with procuring weapons in such a volatile environment.

Key Points:

• Risk Assessment: The crew debates the safety of Greylands, considering the high likelihood of encountering hostile factions, including three mafias with a bounty on crew member Brian Jeter.
• Strategic Decision: Patel decides against voting among the crew, emphasizing the necessity of the mission and the lack of viable alternatives.

Notable Quote:

"How do we manage to get in?" — Violet Liu ([04:22])

3. Character Development and Backstories

Throughout the episode, characters such as RJ McCabe and Violet Liu reveal deeper layers of their past, providing context for their current motivations and relationships.

Key Points:

• McCabe's Regret: McCabe reflects on a past incident in San Ramos where tension with Patel led to dire consequences, highlighting his internal struggles and skills beyond his current role.
• Violet's History: Liu shares her harrowing experience on Nuzo, where she sabotaged a mafia parley by poisoning key figures, leading to her current status as a wanted individual.

Notable Quotes:

"You have to trust yourself to keep him safe. He's worth a lot of money in a place where that really, really matters." — R. Katie Patel ([06:22])

"I used what I've got. They were killing people. Entire families gone for nothing." — Violet Liu ([19:47])

4. Encounter with Yancey and Malcolm Hammond

As the crew prepares to resupply, they encounter Yancey and his associate Hammond—members of the Hi Hats Mafia—posing a significant threat.

Key Points:

• Threat Assessment: Yancey and Hammond confront the crew, demanding access and attempting to intimidate them with aggressive tactics.
• Tense Negotiation: The crew remains calm under pressure, with Violet Liu using her cooking skills to diffuse the situation by offering soup, which inadvertently reveals critical information about their identities and past connections.

Notable Quote:

"You routinely sear a hole in the sides of ships for people who don't pay the fee?" — Yancey ([15:18])

5. Revelation of Hidden Relationships and Espionage

A pivotal moment occurs when Yancey discovers a marriage license linking Krezh and Brian Jeter, unraveling hidden connections among the crew and the mafias pursuing them.

Key Points:

• Hidden Links: The discovery of Brian Jeter's marriage license implicates deeper espionage and betrayal within the crew, hinting at McCabe's possible involvement in past conflicts.
• Emotional Tension: McCabe and Patel confront their past, revealing lingering tensions and mutual respect, further complicating the narrative.

Notable Quotes:

"Who is Brian Jeter?" — Yancey ([23:21])

"You kept Brian safe, and you kept anyone from selling our fuel tank on the black market. And that's all we ask." — R. Katie Patel ([27:13])

6. Emotional Resolution and Team Dynamics

As the immediate threat from Yancey and Hammond dissipates, the crew reflects on their mission, personal struggles, and the importance of teamwork.

Key Points:

• Support and Understanding: Captain Patel offers McCabe emotional support, acknowledging his struggles and emphasizing the collective trust within the crew.
• Romantic Subplot: Patel reveals her romantic involvement with Sanaa, adding depth to her character and highlighting the interpersonal bonds that sustain the crew.

Notable Quotes:

"McCabe, you've got, hands down, the worst job on the ship. And I think I'm in a position to know. But you did it well today." — R. Katie Patel ([27:25])

"In the last year, we've both had to process a number of sea changes. This is not the sort of thing I would keep from a friend." — R. Katie Patel ([25:36])

7. Conclusion and Preparation for Departure

The episode concludes with the crew successfully securing the necessary supplies and preparing to depart Greylands Station. Emphasis is placed on the strained but resilient relationships among the crew members as they ready themselves for the challenges ahead.

Key Points:

• Mission Accomplished: The crew gathers the required funds and weapons, ensuring their readiness for the journey to Cresswind.
• Future Challenges: The episode sets the stage for upcoming conflicts and deeper explorations of the crew's backstories and alliances.

Notable Quote:

"We all signed up for that. It's part of what a crew does." — R. Katie Patel ([27:16])

---

Additional Highlights

• Character Voices: The episode features a talented voice cast, including William Miracle as Chuck, Jackie Andrews as RJ McCabe, and Ishani Kanitkar as R. Katie Patel.
• Sound Design: Directed by Lauren Grace Thompson, the episode boasts immersive sound design by Jeffrey Nils Gardner, enhancing the storytelling experience.
• Music: The opening credits feature "Fear for the Storm" written by Jessica Best and Essie Winters, performed by Chiron Starr with harmonies by Aaron Bauman. The closing credits play "Rocket Science" by Amber Devereaux of Tin Can Audio.

---

Conclusion

Episode 3.02 "Resupply" of The Strange Case of Starship Iris masterfully balances high-stakes action with deep character development. Through intense negotiations, revelations of past betrayals, and heartfelt moments of camaraderie, the crew navigates the perilous landscape of Greylands Station. This installment not only advances the overarching narrative but also enriches the audience's understanding of the characters' motivations and relationships, setting the stage for future episodes filled with suspense and emotional depth.

For more information about the series, visit Procyon Podcasts.

Transcript

[RJ McCabe]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game?

[R. Katie Patel]

Well, with the name your price tool.

[RJ McCabe]

From Progressive, you can find options that.

[R. Katie Patel]

Fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law.

[RJ McCabe]

Not available in all states.

[R. Katie Patel]

Exploring deep space, Fighting rogue AI Just trying to get your replicator to work.

[RJ McCabe]

You don't have time for ads with.

[R. Katie Patel]

Fable and Folly plus your favorite sci fi stories. Stay immersive and ad free for as little as $4 a month. Join today at fableandfolly.com/ and get back to the star. So long can't dodge the dawn Red.

[RJ McCabe]

Light shines on and on and on.

[Violet Liu]

And on and on but it's not.

[R. Katie Patel]

The sea that's coming for me and it's not the storm no, it's not the storm so come sing me no songs Though once we go we are gone and gone and gone When I go to sea don't fear for me.

[Violet Liu]

Fear for the storm Fear for the storm.

[R. Katie Patel]

Tonight on Free Press with Chuck Weathers. R.J. mcKay. They were a rising star in the academy. What poisoned their mind into betraying the government they vowed to serve, the people who raised them, and the tireless educators who gave them the tools they now wield against the one true human republic? And is it in any way connected to their exposure to illegal insurgent music?

[RJ McCabe]

Blaming the culture, for sure.

[Violet Liu]

Take a drink.

[RJ McCabe]

If we had actual alcohol right now, we'd be plastered.

[R. Katie Patel]

We'll take a hard look at a hard story of craven betrayal.

[Violet Liu]

Doing the eyebrow thing again. Take a drink.

[R. Katie Patel]

Courage to all crew.

[RJ McCabe]

Computer, mute broadcast.

[Yancey]

Party in the cockpit.

[R. Katie Patel]

And by party, I mean mandatory crew meeting.

[Violet Liu]

Woo, McCabe, you coming?

[RJ McCabe]

In a second. Wow, his eyebrows are going for it.

[Violet Liu]

Look.

[R. Katie Patel]

I don't see any way around it. We're 10 days from Cresswind, and in the meantime, we need to stop and arm up.

[RJ McCabe]

I thought Fazia said the Rooks had zero weapons to spare.

[R. Katie Patel]

Yeah, Good news is they're not the only source out there.

[RJ McCabe]

What's the bad news?

[R. Katie Patel]

They're not the only source out there.

[Violet Liu]

The one place within spinning distance is Greylands Station. Oh, crap. What? Greylands station is newso 2.0. Basically. No allegiances, no laws, every vice you could imagine, and some that wouldn't come up if we had 10 hours. And like a whiteboard.

[RJ McCabe]

This may be a silly question, but is it safe? If we seem tough enough and able to pay, they're likely to consider us More of an opportunity than a mark. Uh huh.

[R. Katie Patel]

Although likely in this case, is doing a lot of work.

[RJ McCabe]

The bigger problem.

[R. Katie Patel]

Oh, there's a bigger problem, okay.

[RJ McCabe]

Is that Brian is still wanted by three mafias. Two Dwarnian, one human. And they all have a presence there.

[R. Katie Patel]

If this is a money first sort of place, and there's a bounty on him.

[Violet Liu]

Yeah, you're. You're catching on.

[R. Katie Patel]

Do we know the amount?

[Violet Liu]

The exact price on my head? Honestly, I try not to check. Doesn't seem healthy, man.

[RJ McCabe]

Well, I do check, and it's high.

[R. Katie Patel]

So do we vote? We can't do this.

[Violet Liu]

We can't take the risk.

[RJ McCabe]

Are you sure there's nobody else we can ask?

[R. Katie Patel]

Nobody on this side of space.

[Violet Liu]

Captain Patel. I don't see much point in voting. It's what we gotta do. Right, like we can't mount an assault on Cress when using our feelings, Greylance.

[R. Katie Patel]

Is likely to have what we'll need. Assuming nobody shoots us on sight. How do we manage to get in.

[Violet Liu]

These scrapes when we're all so dang likable and Charming? Took the words out of my mouth.

[R. Katie Patel]

Then we're agreed. Krej, set course for Greylands Station.

[Violet Liu]

On it, Cap' N Patel.

[R. Katie Patel]

Okay, we land, we stock up, we head back out. Do you.

[RJ McCabe]

Do we even have contacts out there? Contacts who don't want you dead.

[Violet Liu]

Not on my part.

[R. Katie Patel]

Good news is we won't need them if we can pay. Right? This should be straightforward. We've got 10,000. Nowhere near enough. So we compile every scrap of money we can, and then we pawn everything we can pawn. Furniture, rations, booze. We don't have any booze. They don't know that, do they?

[Violet Liu]

Fair point. I mean, what are we gonna do about the, you know, mob problem?

[R. Katie Patel]

Oh, you're staying on the ship at all times, Jeter.

[Violet Liu]

I'm our only translator.

[R. Katie Patel]

Then it's a bad day to be the rest of us.

[Violet Liu]

Well, do you think maybe if I got a disguise and we had McCabe at my back for security.

[R. Katie Patel]

That reminds me, McCabe, you're staying on the ship too. We need someone guarding the door. I'm gonna go take stock of everything we've got left that we can sell.

[RJ McCabe]

Don't you think I could be more use on the ground? Are you still penalizing me for water.

[R. Katie Patel]

Under the goddamn bridge?

[RJ McCabe]

Is it because of what happened in San Ramos?

[R. Katie Patel]

Water bridge?

[RJ McCabe]

You were in crisis and I aimed a weapon at you. That could have ended very badly.

[R. Katie Patel]

I was having a meltdown. You did what you had to.

[RJ McCabe]

I was good at other things when I was younger. Did you know that I could draw really well? I was the fastest runner in my grade. One year, I played the oboe.

[R. Katie Patel]

What's.

[RJ McCabe]

It's a woodwind instrument with a double reed.

[R. Katie Patel]

And I know what an oboe is. What does this have to do with anything?

[RJ McCabe]

When I saw you out there and you were not well, I used the only skill I had practiced ad nauseam.

[R. Katie Patel]

I don't think a little oboe solo was gonna.

[RJ McCabe]

Captain Patel, I could have talked with you, reasoned with you, but I got scared and I fell back on what I trained myself to do.

[R. Katie Patel]

And if you hadn't? I could be dead.

[RJ McCabe]

Or maybe you'd be alive. And you wouldn't flinch whenever I try to talk to you.

[R. Katie Patel]

Yeah, okay. You know what? It was not great. It was not great for me. It screwed me up more. And I. I appreciate you can see that. And I appreciate you telling me. You can see that that means something, but we don't have time right now to. I put you on Brian duty because I trust you to keep him safe. That's it. He's worth a lot of money in a place where that really, really matters. And I can't be the one watching out for him because I have to be in charge and stay calm. You know how to assess risk, and you know how to strategize in the moment. And you can go apeshit when you need to if something happens to him.

[RJ McCabe]

You care about him a lot.

[R. Katie Patel]

Don't quote me on this, but yeah.

[RJ McCabe]

Why would I quote you? That's a terrible quote. Yeah.

[R. Katie Patel]

McCabe.

[RJ McCabe]

Yeah.

[Yancey]

Shut up.

[R. Katie Patel]

Everyone ready? Money, weapons, items to pawn.

[RJ McCabe]

The checklist is looking good.

[R. Katie Patel]

Arkady, can you help me unbolt that.

[RJ McCabe]

Trunk in our room?

[Violet Liu]

You guys selling the makeshift weapons locker to buy more weapons is a real O. Henry kind of move.

[R. Katie Patel]

No, she's right, Cheater. It's smart. We cut out anything that's not essential. After you. Mew. Clear the way, people. Give the love bug some privacy, pronto.

[Violet Liu]

Chop, chop.

[Yancey]

Remember, we respect students.

[R. Katie Patel]

Okay, we lug it to that wheeled pallet outside. Good to go. You got a second wrench here? Hey, Arkady, when this is all over. No worries. I think we should be able to manage it together.

[Violet Liu]

Yeah, that's.

[RJ McCabe]

Oh, right, the trunk.

[R. Katie Patel]

As long as you lift with your legs, of course. You know that probably day one of doctor school. Have you given any thought to where.

[RJ McCabe]

You'Ll want to be after the war?

[R. Katie Patel]

Breathing, hopefully, and, you know, not behind bars.

[RJ McCabe]

So you don't want to talk about it?

[R. Katie Patel]

About the real possibility of ending up in a regime POW camp? Not that much. No. No. I mean, you don't want to discuss this now, do you? The future us? I think the odds we both make it are so small, we can bite that bullet another day.

[RJ McCabe]

Yeah.

[Violet Liu]

Okay.

[R. Katie Patel]

Do you? Not if you don't. Okay. Okay. My side's free. Mine, too. On three. One, two, three.

[Violet Liu]

Oh. I was just making sure nobody was listening in.

[R. Katie Patel]

Want a hand with that? A dashingly attractive purple hand, perhaps? I don't need help.

[Violet Liu]

You sure? I could just take a corner.

[R. Katie Patel]

I am goddamn fine.

[RJ McCabe]

It's tipping. It's tipping.

[R. Katie Patel]

Jesus, Arcady, let Crash help. Fine. Where are we? To the pallet.

[Violet Liu]

Why?

[R. Katie Patel]

Everyone okay? Thanks, Crash. Thanks, Jeter. Are you prepar to be real goddamn quiet and not leave the ship under any circumstances?

[Violet Liu]

I got it.

[R. Katie Patel]

McCabe. You good to make sure he does 100%.

[RJ McCabe]

Be safe.

[R. Katie Patel]

We'll do our best.

[Violet Liu]

I think I'm gonna head to the kitchen. If you want anything.

[RJ McCabe]

Brian.

[Violet Liu]

Mm.

[RJ McCabe]

What did you do? Due to antagonize three different mafia systems. The whole time I was working on the Iris case files, I never found a hint of an explanation. And I researched the dickens out of that report.

[Violet Liu]

That is the question, isn't it?

[RJ McCabe]

Well, that's not the answer.

[Violet Liu]

Do you want some tea or. We pawned the kettle and the leaves. Looks like what we got left. Ration slices, cold leftover beans Arcady made. So, mostly cumin and garlic and half used cleaning products. Wait, are those blue green squares? Bouillon cubes? No, it's rat poison. We should not keep it there. Do you want some plain water?

[RJ McCabe]

I take mine lukewarm.

[Violet Liu]

Okay. Dude.

[RJ McCabe]

So are you going to tell me or should I wildly speculate?

[Violet Liu]

Full honesty. I don't mind the speculating. Makes me feel mysterious.

[RJ McCabe]

Please.

[Violet Liu]

It's not a fun story, man.

[RJ McCabe]

Tell me.

[Violet Liu]

So, towards the fall of Nuzo, things were bad. The war had just ended. And since a neutral zone was no longer gonna be like a necessary evil, the regime was talking about blowing it up. And whoever was left with it, Everyone who could leave was leaving fast. I'd been a waiter and a bartender now and then, but suddenly I was spending all my time at the docks translating for humans and Dwarnians, trying to scrape together a ride to anywhere else.

[RJ McCabe]

Why didn't you leave?

[Violet Liu]

Didn't have the money. Prices were rising every day. Oh, the mafias in the area started scrounging up any ship they could, charging, well, criminal prices, packing them with whoever was Desperate enough to agree and then sending them off with whatever fuel was already in the tank. Sometimes it was enough to get them to at least a destination.

[RJ McCabe]

And sometimes it wasn't.

[Violet Liu]

Yeah. So I figured this out eventually. I went back to mixing drinks and waiting tables, not wanting to be part of that, still hoping to earn passage out of there. Two passages, because I knew Grej by then. I'd try to make money, and Krej would try to find a ship that was actually, like, viable, and we'd meet back up at the end of the day, compare notes.

[RJ McCabe]

So that's why they hate you? Because you stopped working for them?

[Violet Liu]

No. So I was a server for this big event. Fancy kind of a fiddling as Rome burned type of thing. And when I got there, it turned out it was like a Mafia parley between the three biggest houses. We were short on staff, and they were nightmare customers. I mean, they'd shoot you if they didn't like the canape. So everyone in back of house was freaking out.

[RJ McCabe]

Then what?

[Violet Liu]

We need to answer that.

[RJ McCabe]

I was told not to let anyone in.

[Violet Liu]

It'll be worse if we don't answer. Just don't, you know, act suspicious.

[Yancey]

Ahoy. Oi. Wondering if I could have a few words.

[RJ McCabe]

With who?

[Yancey]

You tell me. Who Are you out and about in a place like this, in a tiny junker? It could be dangerous. Someone could get hurt. A lot of ways for this to go real badly for you.

[Violet Liu]

Thanks for the concern, but wasn't finished.

[Yancey]

Did it sound like I was finished? You think I come by the docs, passing out vague warnings here and there, like some sort of professional soothsayer? What kind of business model would that be? I'm here to offer a little backup for a small fee. Itsy bitsy.

[Violet Liu]

We'll take our chances.

[Yancey]

No appreciation for the classics anymore.

[RJ McCabe]

Hammond, does that sound like a really.

[Violet Liu]

Big blowtorch just outside the ship? It does.

[Yancey]

So the thing for you to ponder is, what are your odds if you let us inside? And then what are your odds if my associate Hammond sears us a new door?

[RJ McCabe]

Whatever you want, we do not have it.

[Yancey]

Everybody's got something.

[RJ McCabe]

Do you recognize this person?

[Violet Liu]

No. It's a big universe out there.

[Yancey]

Okay. Testing my patience. Interesting strategy.

[RJ McCabe]

Do we let them in?

[Violet Liu]

The blowtorch thing? I think odds are good that's a bluff.

[RJ McCabe]

Why?

[Violet Liu]

Because I want it to be. Look, if Nuzo was any guide, there's a lot more grifters here than, like, tufts, okay? Hey, so sorry, man, but we're not laying out the welcome Mat today we just washed it, so it's all soggy. Metaphorically speaking, it's wet.

[Yancey]

What?

[Violet Liu]

Panic response? I don't know, dude.

[Yancey]

No trouble. We brought our own. Metaphorically.

[R. Katie Patel]

Speaker.

[Yancey]

Ooh. Nice work, Hammond. Never gets old. Hello there. I'm Yancy. My friend with the welding mask is Hammond. And the guys with the big guns are Jukes and Decker. We're just running a little routine. Inspector.

[RJ McCabe]

You routinely sear a hole in the.

[Yancey]

Sides of ships for people who don't pay the fee? Sure. Keeps the work day interesting. They say fear is the mind killer, but I don't know, I think it might be boredom. You know, we were told to check out anything unusual. And I'd say you folks count you the tidy looking one. I think Jukes and Decker would prefer it if you'd hand over that rifle. And I find it better to avoid making those two decisions. Displeased. Real trigger happy bunch here. Thanks much.

[Violet Liu]

That blowtorch is a nice piece of equipment. Where'd you come by it?

[Yancey]

The hi hats. Look after their own, I find, huh? Let's take a look at your IDs, see who was so rude to us earlier.

[RJ McCabe]

Here.

[Yancey]

Terry o' Hare. What is it you mold minds about? It says you're a teacher.

[RJ McCabe]

Art history.

[Yancey]

Favorite movement.

[RJ McCabe]

Bauhaus.

[Yancey]

Favorite artist?

[RJ McCabe]

Anni Albers.

[Yancey]

That's textile.

[RJ McCabe]

Textile art is art.

[Yancey]

And more of a craft.

[RJ McCabe]

A distinction without a difference.

[Yancey]

You got me there. And you? Come on. Let's see. Name? Zane Yeager. You're a cook?

[Violet Liu]

Short order.

[Yancey]

Well, we're calling crafts art, so let's call a fry cook a chef while we're at it, eh? This and that. You make anything good?

[Violet Liu]

I got this soup perfect.

[Yancey]

I'm just hungry enough for a spot of soup. Kitchen's this way. Yeah.

[RJ McCabe]

You honestly expect us to cook for you like this now?

[Violet Liu]

It's okay, Terry.

[Yancey]

There, see? Lemons into lemonade. Gonna take a look around your ship now, if that's okay with you, Hammond. Jukes, you're with me. Decker, watch our new friend.

[RJ McCabe]

Yeah.

[Violet Liu]

Yeah.

[Yancey]

Translation apps. So useful. Are either of you interested in the dazzling world of linguistics?

[RJ McCabe]

Not really.

[Violet Liu]

Hate words. Can't stand them.

[Yancey]

You're missing out. All right, we're tossing the place. And you'd better hope we don't find anything interesting or you'll have headquarters to deal with. Ta.

[Violet Liu]

Well, this is not great. There's a lot of stuff in the ship that would indicate something's up.

[RJ McCabe]

Shouldn't we watch what we say around.

[Violet Liu]

Our new companion here? Only Responds to orders in English if there's some kind of hand signal. We probably don't have a language in common. Unless you've got some conversational. I'm guessing Dutch you've been keeping under a bushel. I'd say just be careful not to use any names that would link us back with the files.

[RJ McCabe]

I never should have handed over my rifle.

[Violet Liu]

It's okay. They've got superior numbers. Not much you could do without opportunity.

[RJ McCabe]

Earlier, when the topic of the hi hats came up. Are they one of the groups that you.

[Violet Liu]

Yeah. They kinda want me dead. Can you hand me the pot? The cast iron.

[RJ McCabe]

You're not actually cooking right now, are you?

[Violet Liu]

When someone has a lot of guns on their side, I've found it's generally better not to tick them off.

[RJ McCabe]

So we tell the others, we radio out.

[Violet Liu]

Our professional babysitter with the firearm is bound to notice that. Pass me the spatula.

[RJ McCabe]

How can you be so calm? We're about to die. And if Yancy radios back to the.

[Violet Liu]

Boss, whether or not the boss knows me personally, odds are good they'll have heard of me. I do know my price went up after the case files went out, so they'll probably be able to put two and two together there. Figure out who I am, hand me the beans.

[RJ McCabe]

And yet you're standing here making soup.

[Violet Liu]

Past the bouillon cubes. The blue, green ones. I pass them. Super calm.

[RJ McCabe]

Here.

[Violet Liu]

Thanks.

[RJ McCabe]

Is this how you got a price on your head at the mafia parlor? You fed them up soup?

[Violet Liu]

That's part of it.

[RJ McCabe]

That's a bad end.

[Violet Liu]

It's not great. No.

[RJ McCabe]

It doesn't happen all at once. It hurts.

[Violet Liu]

Not like a bullet in the head. I know. But I'm not a gun kind of guy. I use what I've got. They were killing people. They were killing so many people. And not to protect anyone, you know, not to make anyone safer. Entire families gone for nothing. For a number in a bank account. And the people at the parley, the higher ups, they weren't gun people, really, not anymore. They didn't even have to make threats. They just waved a hand and let people die. When I majored in linguistics, I told myself I was going to help save the world.

[RJ McCabe]

Yes, I. I get that.

[Violet Liu]

Build a bridge of peace between us and the Dwarnians. Peace and art and understanding. But the things I saw in news, oh, man, I looked at that big fancy dinner at the people in their best clothes who had made all that crap happen, who were gearing up to do more. And I Thought this might be the one thing I can actually do to make life a little better.

[RJ McCabe]

So you.

[Violet Liu]

There were poison testers. But they were in the kitchen. It was my job to bring the food out. I think they assumed nobody would have the guts.

[RJ McCabe]

You poisoned the heads of three mafias?

[Violet Liu]

2. The third guy, the leader of the hi hats, he had a cold, so he wasn't eating much. Of course, the two other groups suspected them when it all went down. So while their heavies started pulling weapons on each other, I ran to the valet station and I stole the keys to someone's very expensive and well fueled racing ship. And that's how my future spouse and I and most of the wait staff made it off Nuzo.

[RJ McCabe]

And the ship belonged to the leader.

[Violet Liu]

Of the hi hats.

[RJ McCabe]

Do you ever regret it?

[Violet Liu]

No. The universe was a safer place without them.

[RJ McCabe]

But surely someone took over when they died and the cycle started again.

[Violet Liu]

Yeah, sure, but not right away. The infighting bought everyone left on Nuzo a week or two to get away. For real.

[RJ McCabe]

You saved lives.

[Violet Liu]

I mean, probably. It didn't take too long for word to get back what happened, but then we fell in with, well, you know the rest, and we basically slid off the grid. I think the soup's done.

[RJ McCabe]

So how do we.

[Violet Liu]

If I give you an opportunity, can you use it?

[RJ McCabe]

Of course.

[Violet Liu]

Can you use it without thinking less of yourself?

[RJ McCabe]

What are you.

[Violet Liu]

I heard you talking to our current acting captain. The. The walls are thin, you know that.

[RJ McCabe]

Yeah, I think I can.

[Violet Liu]

Supes up. Ready?

[RJ McCabe]

I still can't believe that you. You know.

[Violet Liu]

Yeah, I kind of think that's how I got away with it.

[Yancey]

Impeccable timing, don't you think, Hammond? Jukes. Hammond and Jukes agree with me. Zane. Yeager. I don't think I'll be trying that soup after all.

[Violet Liu]

What?

[Yancey]

Funny story. Found a room with a stash of pictures of you and a Dwardian. Funnier story. There was a marriage license for someone named Krezh and someone named Brian Jeter. That name sound familiar to you? Decker?

[R. Katie Patel]

Yeah.

[Yancey]

Hey. Textiles. No sudden movements.

[RJ McCabe]

I'm tying my shoe.

[Yancey]

Who is Brian Jeter?

[RJ McCabe]

Holy shit. Arcady was right about ankle holsters. Brian.

[Violet Liu]

I'm good, dude. Are you favel?

[RJ McCabe]

Parlez du francais? Deca ou fete asencionoz Article.

[Violet Liu]

Watch out for beans.

[RJ McCabe]

It sounds better in French. Thank you for the opportunity.

[Violet Liu]

Anytime. Now. Maybe we should go hang out by the hole in our ship so that nobody steals our engine.

[R. Katie Patel]

It's not pretty, but I think this will hold. Nice of Them to leave the blowtorch.

[Violet Liu]

Right.

[RJ McCabe]

They were real princes.

[R. Katie Patel]

Krezh, we got everything. Those regime chamoks better infest sunglasses.

[Violet Liu]

Why?

[R. Katie Patel]

For the fireworks. You don't wear sunglasses, too? Doesn't matter. All boxes in everything's accounted for. I think we've all earned a breather. Violet, Brian, take five. McCabe, come see me when you get the chance. Krej, back to the cockpit. The sooner we can get the hell out of here, the goddamn better. Aye, aye, and good riddance. Park. Give Krejiping when you're done with the wall.

[RJ McCabe]

Where'd you learn how to Sena?

[R. Katie Patel]

Learn implies I know what I'm doing.

[RJ McCabe]

Well, good thing it's only the boundary that separates us from the void.

[R. Katie Patel]

McCabe.

[RJ McCabe]

Yes. Sorry, sir.

[R. Katie Patel]

We've been over this. I'm not your boss.

[RJ McCabe]

I know. And maybe someday that will stop being weird.

[R. Katie Patel]

Thank you for what you did. I know it isn't. It can be challenging to.

[RJ McCabe]

Are you asking me if I'm going to spiral? Stop being able to perform?

[R. Katie Patel]

I'm asking if you're okay.

[RJ McCabe]

You seem very invested in this mission.

[R. Katie Patel]

We all are.

[RJ McCabe]

I know.

[Violet Liu]

Also.

[R. Katie Patel]

You should know that Sanaa and I are involved.

[RJ McCabe]

In what?

[R. Katie Patel]

In romance. Romantically.

[RJ McCabe]

Wow. Really? Does everyone know?

[R. Katie Patel]

Only Arcady. And realistically. Violet, I trust this group with my life. But I don't want Krej and Brian taking bets on our nicknames for each other.

[RJ McCabe]

Why are you telling me?

[R. Katie Patel]

In the last year, we've both had to process a number of sea changes. This is not the sort of thing I would keep from a friend.

[RJ McCabe]

Okay, sir. Park Ginsun Park.

[R. Katie Patel]

Jinson Park. To Krei. We are patched, I think. Copy that, my friend.

[Yancey]

Onwards and outwards.

[RJ McCabe]

I will never get used to that.

[R. Katie Patel]

Tell me about it.

[RJ McCabe]

Captain Patel, you wanted to see me? Don't eat that soup.

[R. Katie Patel]

Wasn't gonna. Do you want to explain why it smells like rat poison?

[RJ McCabe]

No. Let me just dump that.

[R. Katie Patel]

So ration slices for the rest of the mission. Not looking forward to that. Just soak the pot. One of us will get it later.

[RJ McCabe]

It shouldn't sit. It'll dry out.

[R. Katie Patel]

Not if you soak it.

[RJ McCabe]

I can't just leave it for someone else.

[R. Katie Patel]

We clean up each other's messes. Shit, do I wish Krej wasn't always shotgunning hazelnut creamer and leaving those empty little packets all over the cockpit?

[Violet Liu]

Of course.

[R. Katie Patel]

But we all signed up for that. It's part of what a crew does.

[RJ McCabe]

I shouldn't. The stakes are so high. Maybe you shouldn't have to stop everything.

[R. Katie Patel]

McCabe, step away from the pot. I've got a feeling you don't want to have this talk. But we're having it. Look, the work you do, it sucks.

[RJ McCabe]

I'm sorry.

[R. Katie Patel]

Not your job. McCabe, you've got, hands down, the worst job on the ship. And I think I'm in a position to know. But you did it well today. You kept Brian safe, and you kept anyone from selling our fuel tank on the black market. And that's all we ask.

[RJ McCabe]

There are people who wouldn't blink doing what I do.

[R. Katie Patel]

Yeah. And the hell of it is, I wouldn't trust a goddamn one of them with a gun.

[RJ McCabe]

Sometimes I see the faces of the people I. Yeah. I'm more afraid of what will happen when it stops.

[R. Katie Patel]

McCabe, have you considered therapy?

[RJ McCabe]

Just because you're all better?

[R. Katie Patel]

I'm not. I'm me. With slightly more tools and real meds and a ship that won't leave me landlocked in a bombing zone. If we're lucky. That's not. I think I know where you're at. I don't think you can do it forever. And I don't think you should. When this is all over, if you want to go be a champion bassoon player, by all goddamn means. But I'm glad you did it today. We're all glad. Okay. Oboe.

[Violet Liu]

What?

[RJ McCabe]

It wasn't the bassoon. It was the oboe.

[R. Katie Patel]

I always get those two mixed up.

[RJ McCabe]

You wouldn't if you knew any bassoon players. Thank you, Captain.

[R. Katie Patel]

Yeah, yeah. Go clock out for 15 minutes.

[RJ McCabe]

Just. Who is the traitor? Argent Cape. Ira Ibrahim.

[Violet Liu]

Hey, dude, do you want to come up to the cockpit? Crunch has a round of I Spy going.

[RJ McCabe]

How would that even work? There's nothing out the window but darkness.

[Violet Liu]

Yeah, and I'm playing a win.

[RJ McCabe]

You know what? Sure. On my way.

[Yancey]

This episode features William Miracle as Chuck.

[RJ McCabe]

Weathers, Jackie Andrews as RJ McCabe, Ishani.

[R. Katie Patel]

Kanitkar as R. Katie Patel and Cindy Chu as Violet Liu.

[Violet Liu]

Chris Choi as Jinsun Park Jamie Price as Brian Jeter Brie Lefever as Krish.

[Yancey]

Armand Cabral as Yancey Pat King as Decker A.J.

[Violet Liu]

Hallma as the translation app written by.

[RJ McCabe]

Jessica Best directed by Lauren Grace Thompson.

[R. Katie Patel]

Production coordination by Eleanor Hyde Sound design.

[Yancey]

By Jeffrey Nils Gardner Opening credits music.

[R. Katie Patel]

Is Fear for the Storm written by.

[RJ McCabe]

Jessica Best and Essie Winters and performed by Chiron Starr with Aaron Bauman on vocals and harmonies arranged by Jamie Price.

[R. Katie Patel]

The closing credits music is rocket science by Amber Devereaux of Tin Can Audio. The Fable and Folly network where fiction producers flourish.