They say space is quiet. That it's empty. Endless.
Peaceful. But I've learned the truth. Space isn't
empty. It's waiting. Watching. And right now,
I hope it's listening. Mayday, mayday, mayday.
I don't know what this ship is called, but I'm
from Earth. I don't know who they are. They won't
tell me. a--- Captain, I apologize for bothering
you at this hour, but I need your opinion. You
know you're not supposed to be on duty right
now, right? Yes, I do, but... I think you'll
agree that this is urgent. What's the situation?
I've picked up a distress signal. What kind?
I'll let you hear. I'm not sure there's anything
we can do, but it's going to be up to you. Why?
What's their heading? See, that's the unfortunate
part. They're heading at high velocity in the
other direction. It would take nearly all of
our fuel to attempt to rescue. Some people are
going to be very upset if this cargo doesn't
get to the ring on time. Pass it to the nearest
port. Well, I would usually just relay it to
the next station, but the reason I ask you, Captain,
is because the ship is Byran. What? Out here?
Yes. As in, probably came from Byra, looks like
headed back to Byra. Or some outer station.
Can't really tell. That's sort of Jax's thing.
Just let me hear the transmission. Thought you'd
never ask. Howdy, Captain. Good evening, Jax.
Here's the transmission. Mayday, mayday, mayday.
I don't know what this ship is called, but I'm
from Earth. When did you pick this up? Shortly
before I came to get you. We have to intervene.
Jax, engage backwards thrust. Whoa there. Captain,
with all due respect, I... Do it now. We're losing
time. Hold on to your britches. It ain't often
I get to punch it like that. But it never gets
old. You know corporate's gonna hear about this,
right? And when they ask me what happened, I'm
gonna say, well, Aaric insisted, and he's the
captain. And they'll say, yeah, sounds about
right. We didn't like his kind anyway, and now
he's fired. Come on now, Jax. I know this seems
unusual, but I need both of you to trust me on
this. Elara? I need you to contact that ship.
On it, Captain. This is Galactic Alliance cargo
ship Fortune. Do you read me? Over. This is making
me nervous, Aaric. Don't worry. She'll, respond.
I read you, I read you. Perfect. Do you have
any control of the ship? Yes and no. I don't
know how any of this works. That's alright. I
have someone who I think can walk you through
it. I'm assuming you've flown a Byran cruiser
before, Captain? More than a few times. I'll
take care of it. Just give me control of the
comms. Gladly. Jax, can I have a word? Yes, sirree.
I was expecting you to want to hear the next
station about this, not turn us around. What
do you think is going on? Honestly, I have no
idea. But that ship is definitely Byran Make.
He's gotta know something we don't. Aaric is the
only Byran I know that comes out this far. The
rest of them stay well away from human space.
Exactly. But he's a defector. And I get the vibe
that they're not. So what the hell are they doing
out here? I need all hands on deck! We won't be able to dock fully. We're
going to extend the gateway as far as possible.
And I'm going to board the cruiser. Captain,
I've never doubted you, but this is seeming a
little... Crazy, that's what. Come on, Cap, you
ain't the type to pull us into something blind.
If you know what we're dealing with, we ought
to know too. The situation is familiar. And if
I'm right, us doing nothing won't end well for
anyone. Trust me when I say this is important.
We can't risk anyone else not making it to her
in time. Fuel level 8%. Guess I should extend
the gangway now. Captain, this is extremely dangerous.
Elara, why don't you wake Misha? In case our
guests need some medical attention. Sure thing.
Are you ready for this, Captain? Yes. Are you
sure? I'm sure, Jax. Please, just ready the airlock.
Alright. Oxygen? Or whatever it is you breathe?
Check. Rescue equipment? Check. Tether? Secure.
Airlock ready when you are. Wake up. For now,
I suggest you get some rest. But in the morning,
I trust you will be willing to answer any questions
we might have about your circumstances. I...
of course. Sorry, I've never met a... non -human
before. Well, I'm pleased to be the first to
make your acquaintance, Miss... Oh, Alice. My
name is Alice. Very well. The rest of the crew
is human, but our crew is small. I trust you'll
get some rest knowing you're safe tonight. We'll
talk in the morning. Station 7, this is... Rigel.
Aaric. I wasn't expecting to hear from you for
another two days. There's not a problem with
the cargo, is there? No, no. No issue there.
Not exactly. I mean, everything is fine on that
front, but... Something has happened that I'm
going to need you to keep in confidence until
I know more. And that is? I think it's happening
again. Dreams are funny things. Sometimes they
feel more real than real life. Like your mind
is living another life. Other times, they slip
through your fingers the second you wake up.
I used to have the same dream. Over and over.
I was home, in my bed. I could hear voices down
the hall. Smell dinner on the stove. I knew that
if I got up, and walked into the next room, I'd
see my family, right where I left them. But I'd
never get there. Something always stopped me.
A locked door, a missing floor, an endless hallway
that stretched on forever. And then I'd wake
up. And I'd remember I wasn't home. I wasn't
anywhere close. And I was alone. I've had that
dream before. Who's there? That's the question,
isn't it? How are you reading my mind? Am I dreaming?
Would you like to be? Maybe. Then yes, you're
dreaming. I don't want you to lie to me. I know
it was you who spoke to me earlier. Why did you
tell me to wake up? It was a test. I had to know
if you were real. And how am I supposed to know
you're real? You're just a disembodied voice
inside my head. I'd argue we're closer to my
head than yours. Do I even want to know what
that means? I don't think you're ready for that
story quite yet. Regardless of what you want
me to know, I'd like to know what's going on.
And I'd like if you could at least do me the
courtesy of showing yourself. If that's what
you want. Are you happy now? He materialized
before me as if he'd been there the whole time.
Although he didn't sound it, he was human. Mid
-thirties, maybe. His haircut looked almost military.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he just
stood there with a smirk on his face. No, I'm
not! Is this how you treat all your guests? I
don't have guests. Yeah, I can tell. So what
does that make me? I'm not quite sure yet. Can
you stop looking at me like that? You'll have
to forgive me. It's been a very long time since
I've seen another human. How long? Long. That's
not an answer. Well, it's the one you're getting
right now. To be honest, I'm still reeling a
bit from the realization that you're a real person.
What did you think I'd be? I thought maybe I
imagined you. Or that I just wouldn't see you
again. That it was a fluke. Someone on the ship
somehow making it through for once. But you're
not crew, are you? You're too young. No, I'm
not. The fortune rescued me. Rescued? It's a
really long story that I'd rather not get into
right now. I'm not in that situation anymore.
I understand. Well, I'm glad you made it here.
How are you finding it? Um... The guy, the...
Alien. He seems nice enough. You know, he didn't
mention what his name was. Tall, black eyes.
Well, I don't think he's known for his bedside
manner. But his name is Aaric. Because he'd be
the one doing this. Fortune is his. So you know
him? What's he like? I have to speak with him
tomorrow and - I think he's going to question
me. I don't know him. But we've met. You don't
like him. I don't trust him. I'm not saying you
can't. But for me, it's personal. I'm sure he'll
be kind to you if you're just cooperative. And
you're free to make your own judgement. But I
can't say there isn't an ulterior motive here.
I don't think Arik's altruistic spirit was what
compelled him to rescue you. What is that supposed
to mean? That was the least restful sleep of
my life. I guess I could eat. It's been a while
since I've had real food, actually. Follow me.
I'll lead you to the missile. Sounds good. You
never did tell me your name. You're right. That
was rude of me. Captain Aaric. Although, just
Aaric is fine. Forgive me, I had a lot on my mind
last night. I'm sure. The crew is eager to meet
you, Alice. But don't let them intimidate you.
They mean well. I come from a big family. I think
I can handle it. Very well. I'll take the lead.
And guess who didn't? Me. Jax. Elara. I'd like
you to meet our guest. This has been episode
one of Fortune, created by Morgan King, with
additional sounds and music courtesy of Artlist
.io. Thank you so much for listening, and I hope
you'll join us next time.