Voiders I: Lone Star

Cashier (C): Welome to Galaxy Burger, how can I help you this Astronomical day?

G: How's it going? Could I get a Dodo burger, extra red sauce-

C: I'm sorry, what accent is that?

G: It's Irish.

C: I can't...I can't understand you! Are you French ma'am?

G: Feck sake. Dodo Burger, extra ketchup and chips please.

C: I'm sorry ma'am, we don't sell chips here. Do they sell those in France?

G: [sighs] Fries.

C: Okay, I think I got that. Sorry, we don't get many foreign types out here in the Tantam Void...That'll be 7.50 ma'am.

G: Ah jaysus, bit steep no?

C: I'm sorry?

G: Ah nothing. Here's 8, keep the change love.

Grace sits down at a table, and lets out a long sigh.

G: So this is it?

Luke Molloy (L) comes up behind her and sits down opposite her.

L: Alright sis, see you're trying out the local cuisine.

G: What the fuck are you doing here?

L: That's a lovely way to greet your family.

G: I told you, I said to you I never wanted to see you again.

L: Yeah, I know you did.

G: Then, clearly much like the girl that served me my food you seem to have a difficulty understanding me because...you're sitting here, I'm seeing you.

L: Ah, I didn't think you were being serious like, here give us a chip.

G: In what way did 'if I see you again Luke, I will throttle you I swear to God' not sound serious to you?

L: I found us a job, [Luke takes a bite out of the chip] Oh god, that chip is awful."

G: Okay, hang on. Few things...firstly, 'us'? No, there's no us. I...I don't want to see you. Secondly, a job? Did I ask for employment from you?

L: I have a ship.

G: So do I.

L: Mine's bigger.

G: Congrats. Then get in it, and shag off.

Grace takes out her gun and sticks it into Luke's Knee.

L: Is that a gun barrel jammed into my knee.

G: Uh huh.

L: Okay, okay. You're mad. I understand. But, this is 500, 000 credits! Think about that now. What a difference that could make to your life? You could...open up a chain of Galaxy Burger restaurants! Wouldn't that be lovely? Get yourself a lovely uniform? Marry the chef, push out a few sprogs.

Grace holsters her gun.

L: Aha! That's after getting your attention!

G: 500, 000? How did you find a job with that kind of payout? Luke...who are you after getting involved with? The Dead Presidents? Oh Jesus Luke don't tell me you've involved yourself with those lunatics?!

L: No it's not those psychopaths Grace. It's a Bounty we're after!

G: A bounty? And when exactly did you get your license to hunt criminals, Luke? Because you're a Business Graduate. Would we not be better off leaving it to the Stygian Rangers or Tenebris Cultra?

L: No, no. This isn't Government sanctioned, [ lowly]It's a personal hit. A Primean with deep pockets wants a fella dead. Killed her parents apparently.

G: Luke, personal contracts are a bad idea. They're a complete legal minefield and you never really know who you're killing.

L: Relax, this lad is a proper bastard.

G: Who's the target?

L: It's just some scumbag raider. He's floating around the Tantam Void in a shitty old cardboard box. Easy target, easy money.

G: There's no such thing.

L: Look, just come over with me to the ship. Meet the client...if you're not happy, then off you go. I'll even pay for your lunch here...how much was it?

G: Where'd you get that wad of cash?

L: Our client. She's footing the bill for everything! Now, how much was it?

G: 8 credits.

L: Bit steep no?

G: That's what I said! Wait, no. Feck off. I'm not coming.

L: Fine. But I just want to see one thing before I leave forever, I want to see you eat that burger!

G: I do that...and you leave?

L: Yes.

G: Fine. [She picks up the sloppy burger] I mean...I ordered it.

Grace takes a bite, chewed, swallowed and gently lays the burger back on the tray. She remains motionless for a second, then stands up and says:

G: Fuck you.

L: Yes!

G: Five seconds! That's all you're getting.

L: Of course.

G: And you're paying for this shit. That was...disgusting.

.....

INT: Grace and Luke are at the hatch door of the client's ship, The Legacy.

L: Now, this one is like...super fancy. So you know, act professional.

G: Oh, I'm sorry Luke. I'm sorry that your sister is a washed up Fleet Commander. But, if I remember...well, that's your fault isn't it?

The hatch door opens, standing in the threshold is Luke's wife Maggie Molloy.

M: And just where the hell were you?! Who the hell is this?!

She slaps Luke

L: Ow! Maggs stop! This is my sister!

M: Wait, this is your sister?

L: Yes!

She slaps Luke again

M: You bring your sister aboard and never bother to tell your wife?!

G: Wait...wife? You got married?!

They all slap Luke

L: Would ye'e all stop hitting me please?!

G: You got married?! You got married and you never told me?!

L: It was a whirlwind thing. We were partying on Alchemelia, drank one too many Demetrian Ciders-

M: There was a Danté Fuego impersonator.

L: There was a Danté Fuego impersonator, we just...we just got caught up didn't we darling?

G: How long are ye'e married?

L: Two weeks.

G: How long are ye'e together?

L: Two weeks.

G: Oh my god.

She slaps Luke again

L: Ow, again.

G: Luke, there's milk in my fridge that's older than your relationship!

L: Surely it's gone off no?

M: See? It's stupid what we did. But an annullment is like...5 grand so...till death do us part I suppose.

L: Well don't sound too imprisoned anyway.

G: I can't believe you didn't tell me!

L: Eh, to be fair...you are very hard to find.

G: Wait, how did you find me?

Artemis Lex (A) appears

A: With great effort, and no small amount of expense.

G: you're the client I take it?

A: If by client you mean financier of this highly dangerous Galactic assasination then, yes...I am the client.

L: Eh, Grace this is Artemis Lex.

A: Of the Platinum Provence of Hera Prime.

G: Do you introduce yourself like that every time you meet new people?

A: And you must be the former Fleet Commander. I must admit, after the way your brother described you I'm...a bit confused.

G: I know right? Words don't do me justice.

A: You told me she was an expert in Stellar Combat Technique's Luke.

G: Eh, don't talk accross me like I'm not in he room.

L: She is Ms. Lex. She led a squadron of Skylark Fighters while serving for the Astral Legion.

A: She has a ketchup stain on her jacket.

G: That was the burger, which you paid for actually so...sound for that.

A: 16 Class II M-Type Porcupine Lancers are bearing down on your position Ms. Molloy. You've 5 seconds before they're within firing range...Your ship has no Sub-Light capabilities due to a core breach...what do you do?

G: Nothing, you're already dead.

L: Grace! She's joking Ms. Lex.

G: No I'm not. it's a trick question.

L: Ms. Lex-

A: She's right.

G: I know I am.

A: I like her. Come, let me show you our operation.

G: Lead the way Arty.

A: Please don't call me that.

They walk Toward the Control room

L: [Quietly] You're doing good, just try and act a little more professional.

G: I take it Ms. Lex here doesn't know about my dishonourable discharge?

L: No, and let's keep it that way. As far as she's aware, you left the Legion after 5 years of dedicated service. You came to the Tantam Void to find yourself.

Artemis opens the door to the control room

A: Welcome, Ms. Molloy...to the Brain Center of the Lex Family Revenant, the indomidable pursuer, the galactic assassin, the-

M: Why are you showing it to me again?

A: What?

G: No, no Maggie. She meant me.

A: Ms. Molloy, not Mrs. Molloy.

M: Oh yeah, sorry I forgot we had another lady of Molloy!

L: Awh, you're taking my name?

M: Yeah, any excuse to drop my maiden name.

G: What is your maiden name?

M: McGee...

G: Maggy McGee?

M: Yeah...my parents had a great sense of humour.

L: I didn't know that!

G: Ah yeah, it's not important to know your wifes name before you get married.

A: The Retribution!

G: What?

A: The name of the ship, it's The Retribution!

G: Oh.

A: What? What's wrong with it?

G: I dunno. It...it doesn't feel like that to me. Feels more like a...Betsy or...Bertie.

A: This ship cost me 70 Million Credits...my entire inheritance pumped into this WarVessel...And you expect me to call it Bertie?

G: Bill?

A: If we wish to truly strike fear in the heart of Chieftain Krassus, then I doubt-

G: I'm sorry who?

A: Our target, Chieftain Krassus.

G: As in Chieftain Krassus, leader of the Buzzard Klan, that Chieftain Krassus?

A: Yes. As far as I am aware there is only one.

G: Right okay. And tell me Ms. Lex...who exactly are the crew members that you intend to bring with you on this...mission?

A: Well, if you're on board then you would be our Captain.

G: Uh-huh. Who else now?

A: Your brother would be First Officer.

G: Mm-hmm...oh would he now?

A: Mrs. Molloy is our head of Engineering.

G: Maggie has a Masters in Quantum Engineering does she?

M: Yep. Oh yeah, got it from the eh, University of New Jamaica.

A: And I of course am here to ensure the job is done. And when you lay waste to his horde of vessels and swathes of ravenous followers...I shall be there to look him in the eyes and say...I am the Heir of the Lex House! Sole Survivor of the Tragedy of Shepherd Pass! I and I alone amassed this Crew of Interstellar Mercenaries to ravage your armies and destroy your Legacy! I am Artemis Lex, the last Lex...and you Krassus...you are no more!

G: Right, okay. Eh, Luke....a word.

L: Oh..Yeah grand. Excuse us Ms. Lex.

A: Don't be long...I wish to disembark from this Greasetrap as soon as possible.

....

Luke and Grace enter into a nearby room, she closes the door behind her

G: A Raider, you said...in a cardboard box?

L: Yeah...Why? have you heard of this guy?

G: Heard of him? He's only one of the biggest Klan leaders in the Tantam Void.

L: Yeah but, they're just shitty little Pirate Groups...They're not Exactly the Lyca Pirates or anything.

G: Luke, the Klans of the Tantam Void are some of the worst Pirates in the Galaxy, and the Buzzards are up there.

L: Are they really that bad?

G: Yes. I've heard of them...so that puts them above the other Thousand Klans in this Sector.

L: What are they like?

G: Bad, okay? Bad enough that you shouldn't be next nor near a plot to take out their leader. I should've copped it when I heard the name Lex...That massacre was big news when it happened. Jesus Luke...what were you thinking? How did you get involved in all this?

L: I met Artemis on Alchemelia, the morning after I married Maggy. I woke up in the Marriage Suite, went downstairs to grab us some food. She was sitting at the bar...drinking and crying...I went up to her. She told me she'd been cleaned out...was pushed out of her families business by its shareholders...all she had left was her inheritance, which she'd all but spent on this ship. She told me her plan was to find some Mercs and hit the guy that killed her family.

G: And you jumped at the chance to rob her of her last few pennies?

L: No, it wasn't like that. You know the types on Alchemelia as well as I do sis, most would've chucked her out the airlock soon as they hit Voider Space. I told her me and Maggy were Mercenaries...And that I had a sister that was an Ex-Fleet Commander. I only told her that to get her out of Alchemelia. Suddenly things were in motion...before I knew it I was in too deep. Suddenly she's spending, what little funds she hasn't dumped into this mission...on finding you. You know before talking to you I actually thought we could do it.

G: Yeah well, hate to burst your bubble bro but a Bounty Hunter you are not. I think I know the answer to this question but, Maggie...is she actually an Engineering Graduate?

L: No...but she is genuinely good at engines. She used to build LandSpeeders in her dads shed.

G: Luke a groundflyer is one thing, an Anti-Matter Core is another.

L: She has't blown us up yet!

G: This mission is ludacrous...you need to tell her-

Artemis appears

A: There's no need. Seems I've heard everything I needed to hear.

L: Ms. Lex-

A: I want all of your belongings and that of your wife's packed within the next hour Mr. Molloy or I call the authorities.

L: On what charge?

A: Attempted theft and impersonating a member of the Astral Legion. You did tell me you were once an officer did you not?

L: Shit.

A: Get off my ship, all of you. I should never have trusted the dishonest words of such a dishonest people.

L: Hey now!

G: Let's go Luke, good luck Mrs. Lex...I hope you find what you're looking for.

A: Just...get off my ship...please.

.....

INT: Grace, Luke and Maggie are sat in Galaxy Burger.

G: Would...anyone like a chip?

M: [depressed] I had it...I had the chance to actually make enough money to buy my own ship...all you two had to do was smile and nod...and take out a dangerous Space Pirate.

L: No Maggie...Grace was right we had no business getting involved in all that...I don't think I did our nationality any favours on the Intergalactic stage either...I just wish I had the chance to talk to her again...make her understand we're not all lying conmen.

G: You might get your chance, she's heading toward us now.

L: What?

Artemis Lex enters

A: It seems in my fury I was quick to eject you from my ship.

L: Apology accepted, and Ms. Lex let me start the healing process by saying-

A: No, not you. Ms. Molloy...Grace...In my earnest to relieve myself of these two, it would appear that I also rid myself of your potential services...if you would still consider accompanying me-

G: No, sorry. Bounty Hunting just isn't my gig. And before you ask, no...I don't know anyone off hand that could help you in your mission.

M: Bit harsh?

G: [sighs] But I'm sure I can put you in the right direction...There's a Township nearby, The Winded Gypsy...full of the type you're after.

A: Thank you...that's...very kind.

G: It's the least I can do.

Alarms and claxons sound out overhead

Announcement beep

Cashier on the Tannoy:

[Calmly and Chirply]

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are currently under attack by a local Pirate Klan. We would ask you now to please assume the brace position, and ensure trays are properly stored in the emergency slots provided."

A: My ship!

Massive crash, explosions, people screaming

End

Written & Created by Paul Walsh

With:

Síona Stokes as Grace Molloy

Lauren Grace Thompson as Artemis Lex

Paul Walsh as Luke Molloy

Sophie Hughes as Maggie Molloy

&

Katie Stanley as Galaxy Burger Cashier

Featured Trailer- Hughes & Mincks: Ghost Detectives

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