Episode 22
SAWA
Jeanne is calling.
NOVA
Mmm (waking up) what?
SAWA
Jeanne is calling.
NOVA
Tell her to call back.
SAWA
That course of action is ill-advised.
NOVA
(Grumbles)
Yeah, I know, I know. Fucking leash protocol. Tell her I’ll be there in a couple minutes.
SAWA
Understood
NOVA
It’s too fucking early for this day to be going straight to hell.
Sound of stiff legged walking. Kicking clothes around, stumbling.
Shit. I really gotta (sighs)
Her door opens and closes (likely a mechanical door)
HATOV
(Softly)
Nova?
NOVA
Ah, fuck, morning. Stay quiet while I’m on the radio.
HATOV
Is it (beat) Jeanne?
NOVA
(annoyed)
If it was anyone else, I’d have ignored it. Go back to bed.
SAWA
Jeanne is growing impatient.
NOVA
Yeah, yeah. Just, stay (mumbling) ah goddammit this is the kid who almost fucking killed us (beat) how am I supposed to trust you?
HATOV
When’s the last time you trusted anybody?
NOVA
(beat) I really don’t think that’s any of your business.
HATOV
Do you regret doing it?
NOVA
(beat)
Go back to sleep.
HATOV
But
NOVA
I know this isn’t you trying to be malicious, but you really need to back the fuck off.
Door opens and shuts
Sound of receiver being lifted.
Morning Jeanne.
JEANNE
Nova, you’re fucking up.
NOVA
I wonder if it has anything to do with sleep deprivation.
JEANNE
Cut the sass. Where are you?
NOVA
It’s not sass, sleep is important, and a regular schedule can
JEANNE
(Warning)
Nova
NOVA
The Republic
JEANNE
You’re early. Why?
NOVA
I snagged a hitchhiker on planet. I wanted to make some extra cash since you’re going to cut my pay.
JEANNE
You were late getting to Gnorria.
NOVA
Yeah, notice how I didn’t argue?
JEANNE
Jesus, You’re in a mood. Well at least that explains your spending.
NOVA
You know this short leash is bullshit. You don’t have to monitor me so cl(osely).
JEANNE
I’m just seeing how you’re adjusting. So that hitchhiker. Where are they?
NOVA
Dropped off at the embassy yesterday.
JEANNE
(Disapprovingly)
So, you’re pushing your luck and your vessel. If you keep tempting fate, something’s going to give.
NOVA
I’m going to get new paneling while I’m here. Probably, I mean the market’s kind of small, but worst-case scenario I can work on the outside and it should get me to Canos well enough where I will get what I need.
JEANNE
Nova, this self-destructive streak you’re on
NOVA
I’m not self-destructive.
JEANNE
You’ve got to stop it. I can’t afford to keep checking on you. First Canos, then Gnorria, and now your ship’s probably at what? 15% probability?
NOVA
17, there was a malfunction mid-jump
JEANNE
God, Nova.
NOVA
I fixed it, got here early. Appointments should run on schedule and I plan to fix Sawa so she’ll run during hyper jumps.
JEANNE
That’s the most logical idea you’ve had in half a year.
NOVA
(blandly)
Yeah, I’ve (beat) been adjusting.
JEANNE
(pause)
When’s the last time you had a decent meal?
NOVA
(Surprised)
Uh
JEANNE
Tell me you’re not living on prepackaged snacks. You have the tech on there to keep things fresh, you can even cook a little.
NOVA
I don’t feel like it.
JEANNE
Nova, you need to
NOVA
The cooking supplies are Alula’s. I don’t want to use them.
JEANNE
(Sighs)
You told me you weren’t going to die.
NOVA
And I’m currently breathing. I don’t see the problem.
JEANNE
(Suddenly weary)
Yeah, that’s the issue. If you keep this up, I’m going to call you back.
NOVA
Jeanne
JEANNE
I’ve been nice, but you’ve had eight months. This route is wasting your skills and now I’m more short staffed than ever. I think we both know that Gideon can’t handle a six-planet cycle. We’re splitting it right now, but it’s a bad arrangement.
NOVA
And you think giving me a nine-planet cycle will fix that?
JEANNE
I wouldn’t assign it if I didn’t think it was possible. Besides, being busier might be good for you.
NOVA
How about you let me keep the year you promised and get rid of this leash protocol instead?
JEANNE
Because you’ll drift if I do. You fucked up Nova, it took time to find you.
NOVA
But find me you did.
JEANNE
(Exasperated)
After Canos we’ll meet and talk more about this in person, alright?
NOVA
We won’t be getting anywhere, but if you want to waste my time, then be my guest.
JEANNE
Bye Nova
NOVA
Yeah, bye.
Quiet falls. Nova’s fingers tap against the table.
She stands abruptly, the chair clatters to the floor
Door opens. Agitated clattering.
HATOV
(Startled)
Nova, what’s wrong?
NOVA
I’m going out, wanna come?
HATOV
Going where? It’s early.
NOVA
‘snot early, our time is just off. You ever been to a bar?
HATOV
Aren’t they closed? The sun’s still high.
NOVA
What? No, this isn’t a planet, it’s a moon and the sun’s usually up on this part of it.
HATOV
Oh.
NOVA
You can do whatever but know that I’m going to be gone for a couple of hours.
HATOV
I think people might be looking for me.
NOVA
Yeah, I know. You’re costing me, but it’s fine. I don’t really care. Do you want to come or not?
HATOV
But if they find me, I mean, they know what I look like.
NOVA
Mostly, they know the clothes you’re wearing and your hairstyle…and your eyes. We can fix that.
HATOV
Can you even drink with the rebreather?
NOVA
Yeah, carefully. It’s a stupid thing to do but (beat) nobody is really going to stop me, are they?
HATOV
Nova, are (beat) are you okay?
NOVA
(snaps)
Are you?
(irritably)
Fuck, shit, goddamn it. Just tell me what you’re going to do
HATOV
(long pause, packing)
I’m (beat) I’m going to stay by your side.
NOVA
(pause)
Galaxy eyes, if that’s not the stupidest answer you could’ve given.
