Where Angels Fear to Tread

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> Elizabeth: *So if this place is conjuring up loads of matter and energy to suit the needs of whoever comes along, then...*
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> Ravi: *Where is it coming from?*
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***Where Angels Fear to Tread*** is the first episode of Volume 4 and the tenth episode of Season 1 of *The Sojourn*.

## Synopsis

In a daring raid on a strange and alien installation, Admiral Redfield and the crew of the *Guinevere* attempt to retake their stolen Gatehauler from the clutches of the Advari.

## Summary

The episode opens with the *Guinevere's* ship log on 154th Equinox, 305 PCU. Cassandra Farren explains how the *Guin* has accompanied the *Shabayev*, *Tserekai*, and *Hotstepper* to the edge of the Advari Minefield, behind which the last Gate Component is being held by elements of the Holy Advari Empire.

Castian Vadric had volunteered to assist with the operation, and Cass muses over how he must be grappling with and coping with the coming of the Outsiders to CDC-41-Gamma. She trusts him, but worries such a sudden disillusionment with his faith might prove difficult to handle.

The scene transitions to a planning meeting aboard the *Shabayev* between the command staff. Admiral Redfield, Cass, and Vadric explain the plan for reclaiming the Gatehauler as follows;

* To pass through the Aegis of Invia, Vadric will fly his unmanned flyer through the minefield. The flyer releases an IFF signal of sorts that stops the mines targetting it. In its shadow, the *Guin* will fly ballistic, hoping to pass through the minefield in the flyer's "wake".
* Upon passing through the minefield, the *Guin* will dock with the only manned station within the Aegis. Here, a team of CMC Marines, alongside Cass and Meds (thanks to their experience as Privateers, will board the station in its bowels, and head towards the captured Gatehauler's location. There, they will spool the ship's engines, and move to escape.
* To clear their escape route, two plans are prepared;
	+ Vadric will disable the mines in the region they plan to pilot the Gatehauler through from the station itself. Vadric assures this is... probably possible.
	+ The *Shabayev*, *Tserekai*, and *Hotstepper* will appear at a timed interval and provide a distraction to the patrolling Lightship and its flyer compliment.
* The ships will then retreat through the local Lauralyn Conduit and ensure they aren't being followed.

Although there's some murmuring when Vadric's hand in the operation is described, the command staff offers no complaints. Commander Lewis Harper is asked to put together his 8-man group of marines by the Admiral.

Shortly after, Vadric and Croft speak aboard the *Guin*. Croft gives Vadric a two-way communicator, though admits it stands out like a sore thumb. Vadric draws his sword, which Croft immediately finds questionable. The Inquisitor questions whether the Tantalusians use such weapons of their own, which Croft explains that, yes, some do for ceremonial purposes. Croft asks if the Advari have guns if they're running around killing people with swords, to which Vadric simply explains that he's yet to be shot so far.

The marine boarding party includes several marines who had partaken in the commandeering of the *Guin* a few months back, and some aminosity remains. Paul Dalcop, now a corporal, particularly pokes at Croft's buttons, but he lets it slide, threatening them if they get dirt on his ship. Vadric leaves for his flyer, with Croft wishing him luck.

Commander Harper enters the bridge as the *Guin* exits the conduit and begins her approach towards the minefield. Harper comments that the minefield makes the Axius Blockade look like a couple of traffic cones. They engage the drive for only a few seconds, before travelling on ballistic behind Vadric's flyer.

The Guin narrowly passes two mines, testing the nerves of the entire bridge crew, before making it across the Aegis. Immediately after, Croft takes the *Guin* towards a seemingly abandoned part of the station, whilst Vadric docks.

The Marines breach and clear onto the station, with Cass and Meds boarding just after. They encounter not resistance, though Meds notes its oppressively dark within the bowels of the station.

Meanwhile, Vadric passes a group of Advari Workers, who welcome him aboard the station, despite not expecting more Inquistors to arrive. An Advari worker explains that Revion Jedrish Carradin of the *Cloak of Mercy* had arrived shortly before, offering to present the Revion to Vadric, but Vadric shuts him down, assuring the worker he just needs access to the control room, which is past the station's upper vestry. Vadric reports this development to Cass.

The boarding party continue their traversal. Meds muses on the purpose of the station; the entire section they've entered is abandoned, but mostly has atmosphere. Why build a station so big and leave it half empty, especially when other such stations along the inner edge of the Aegis are unmanned? She suggests that they may have built such a minefield during a war, and scaled down after the fact. Cass suggests this station being manned might be because it covers the most important Conduits, though she remains doubtful.

In the distance, the marines clock several figures moving in their direction. The marines form up around the shore party, noting that the figures appear to only be armed with spears. As the incoming group whispers prayers, Harper orders his men not to shoot unless fired upon. Suddenly, of course, they are, with one of the spears killing Private Pritchard instantly. Cass notes how the Advari warriors just... threw themselves at the boarding party, with no concern for themselves.

Cass reaches out to Vadric, asking for an explanation of the spear throwers. Vadric notes that they're probably just peasants taken from Giftworlds, pushed into service, but warns the boarding party of other inquisitors, who will present a much greater threat. Vadric is forced to mute, however, as both Revion Carradin and High Cleric Lantris enter.

Carradin expresses concerns about his current orders - to travel beyond the Veil - but Lantris scolds him, telling him to say whatever is necessary to remind his crew of their service to Advar. Carradin then updates the High Cleric on the latest word from Advar Primaris - Hastus Arvannis has apparently taken the Empress from the throneworld. Concerned, and against his orders, Vadric follows Lantris deeper into the station, silencing his comm.

Meanwhile, Harper comes alongside Cass and apologises for his part in commandering the *Guin* months earlier. Cass waves him off, but Harper continues, explaining he was commissioned only a few months before the end of the Frontier War, seeing sporadic action over Dalais. He compares his service record (and family history) to Cass, explaining how he had to work hard to be where he was. Harper says he envies Cass; Cass returns that "[she] was about to say the same."

The *Shabayev* and her fleet arrive via Conduit, preparing their distraction, whilst the boarding party continues traversing the station, finally finding the docking umbilical that connects to the Gatehauler. As part of their squad board and begin spooling up the Gatehauler's engines, the rest of the party form up on the gangway, preparing for a volley fire if needs be. Cass still hasn't heard from Vadric.

Understandably, as Vadric sneaks his way into Lantris' vestry. A worker notifies Lantris that her Shuttleflier is ready to leave, but as Lantris asks if there's been more word from the Cardinal, Vadric kills the worker. As Lantris turns, she's greeted by Vadric, who immediately asks where Valendra is.

At the umbilical, the Advari repulsive forces arrive, killing Private Waters in the opening attack. The first of the Inquisitors arrive, straining their defences of the Gatehauler. Meanwhile, as the assault fleet begin their distraction tactic, one of the *Shabayev's* picket boats reports that the minefield is still active. Redfield breaks radio silence, immediately authorising his backup plan - cut a hole through the minefield with overwhelming fire.

Back at the umbilical, Harper orders his men into a volley fire stance, using the gangway as a bottleneck to take out the approaching hostiles. Hearing that the Gatehauler is almost ready to flee, The Admiral orders the *Guin*
to push off and provide cover for the Gatehauler, as the Advari Lightship makes its way towards the fleet.

Aboard the station, Lantris taunts Vadric about his motives. Vadric defends the Outsiders, claiming they just want to live, but Lantris is uninterested, saying if only Vadric knew what she did, he would think differently. No matter, Vadric continues to demand the whereabouts of Valendra, but Lantris, trained as an inquisitor herself, is unshaken, taking a single sip from her glass before launching it at Vadric, drawing her sword, and meeting him in combat.

The Marines move to retreat aboard the Gatehauler as even more hostiles flood towards them. Meds questions where Vadric is, but Cass explains they have not the time nor the knowhow to retrieve him, and that they'll just have to trust he knows what he's doing.

With their path through the minefield cleared, the *Shabayev* and cohort prepare to take the brunt of the Lightship's attacks. However, despite the direct hit, the damage to the Ship-of-the-Line is minimal. Chief Petty Officer Faraday notes that the Lightship's main weapon appears to severely drop off in effectiveness at longer ranges.

Back in the vestry, Lantris continues to taunt Vadric even as she's being overwhelmed by his swordmanship. She points out how the Outsiders would reject him if they knew how much blood he has on his hands, how many people he's killed in the name of the Faith Eternal. Vadric disputes this, claiming that it was the Faith that made him that way, but Lantris latches on, asking if that's why Vadric is always seeking new owners to serve; he wants to be a weapon, so that he never has to bear the blame for the deeds of his wielder. Vadric yells and continues his clashing.

The Admiral reports his findings to the rest of his fleet, keeping the entire battle line at a distance from the lightship. In return, they launch several barrages of Coilgun fire into the Lightship's sails. Sergeant Larsen is killed by the intercessors just as the marines board the Gatehauler and seal the way behind them. Cass pleads to Vadric to leave the station now if he can, as the Gatehauler dusts off.

Vadric is wearing Lantris to her last, and demands to know where Valendra is once again. Lantris suggests that if he had only stayed in the throneworld, he could've protected her better. Vadric slashes and shoves Lantris away, but the High Cleric continues, saying that the Empress may have simply gotten bored of Vadric, treating him like a plaything like the true leader of the Advari did Valendra, before now discarding him. Lantris questions if Vadric believed Valendra actually loved him, which finally sends Vadric over the edge, as he stabs the High Cleric through. Lantris has one final word, claiming this is all Vadric can be, before he puts her out of he misery, sheathing his sword.

The *Guin* reports that the Gatehauler has made it to formation, and the entire fleet begins their escape towards the conduit. As they retreat, they receive a friendly IFF ping from an incoming flyer, who escapes with them into the conduit. Aside from a few lost strikecraft and superficial damage across the rest of the fleet, the entire group is intact. Redfield declares mission accomplished.

Aboard the *Shabayev*, the entire fleet celebrates their victory. Redfield arrives to fanfare as the party continues. Croft reports that the *Guin* took a hit near sickbay, saying all Meds' supplies have been rattled about, but he went to the trouble to clear it up already, which Meds teases him for. At the same time, Redfield praises Harper for his work commanding the mission, though the Commander himself itself so sure he deserves it. Redfield reminds him that casualties are inevitable, and because of their sacrifices, thousands more will be saved. Redfield says he'll recommend harper for a commendation upon returning to Tantalus.

Away from the others, Vadric observes the party going on from a distance, before Cass approaches. He explains that his species aren't used to such regular festivities, and both he and Cass concur on that. Cass asked him what happned on the station, but Vadric doesn't explain much, saying only that he was waylaid and did not reach the control room in time. Cass understands the Inquisitor is used to working on his own, but explains that he needed to keep them up-to-date. If the *Shabayev* hadn't detected that the mines were still active, a lot of people could've died. Cass accepts his subsequent apology, and asks him to lighten up just a little for the festivities.

Far away and far between, aboard the *Avalon*, Elizabeth is working late as usual, before she's joined on the deck by Ravi. Elizabeth says she couldn't sleep, asking about the status of the *Shabayev*, although nothing has been heard yet. So, in the meantime, she distracts herself with scan data. Namely, she finds herself unable to explain the Gas giant they had found the Mericians around recently. Long distance scan data suggested it was a barren, average sized, and resource-low gas giant, but in person, it was the exact opposite, being a verifiable gold mine of usuable fusion fuels.

Having already ruled out equipment fault, Elizabeth is at her wits end. Ravi suggests it could've been a mix up - they had gotten data from the wrong planet? - but there's no gas giant that comes close to matching the data they had gathered within the system. Suddenly, Ravi has a revelation, connecting the apparent barrenness of the gas giant at range to another phenomena noted a days prior. They had deployed a prospecting probe back to the Callandra Nimbus to prepare for a water harvesting mission back there, but the readings they received were entirely different to what they had on record. Despite writing it off as a faulty probe, they found no evidence of a fault.

The probe had reported significant impurities in the ice water, which would make it far more difficult to process than what the Avalon had experienced in the months prior. There was no way it could've changed... right? Elizabeth points out the one unifying factor between the data changes - whether or not someone was there. Director Ancelet suggests that the nebula seems to be changing itself to meet the needs of the observers, and believes the Pulsar has something to do with it, as its structure just doesn't make sense, as if it's dynamically interacting with the conduit network, even at a distance.

Elizabeth posits a theory - if the Nebula is indeed changing to meet their needs, it still doesn't get to cheat thermodynamics and make something out of nothing. So if the nebula is conjuring a significant amount of matter and energy to suit the needs of the observer... where is it coming from

## Cast

### Main

* Larissa Thompson as Captain Cassandra Farren
* Emily Serdahl as Director Elizabeth Ancelet
* Ben Prendergast as Mathias Croft
* Laura Faye Smith as Tamara 'Meds' Melari
* Stephen Trafford as Inquistor Castian Vadric

### Supporting

* Matthew Kaufman as Lieutenant Commander Ravi
* Matt Surges as Commander Lewis Harper
* Marta Da Silva as High Cleric Darsellia Lantris

### Guest

* Jimmy Lockett as Vice Admiral Winston Redfield

### Additional Voices

* Katte Noel as Sergeant Larsen
* Ryan Philbrook as Corporal Paul Dalcop
* Jasmine Yates as Lieutenant Commander Gates
* Joe Bianco as Captain Lucas Darnick (Hotstepper)
* Aaron Jones as Revion Jedrish Carradin
* Max Marshall as Advari Worker
* Cooper McEuen as Shabayev Teldrani Translator
* Andrew Latheron as Chief Petty Officer Faraday
* Cooper Mortlock as Private Waters
* Andrew Goulding as Private Pritchard
* Chris Harris-Beechey as Gatehauler Crewman.

## References

1. ↑ *Where Angels Fear to Tread* transcript
2. ↑ Episode description on TheSojournAudioDrama.com