Theirs Not to Reason Why

> *"Never let them see you bleed."*
> -Vice Admiral Winston Redfield, quoting Admiral Darius Farren.
>
>

***Theirs Not to Reason Why*** is the first episode of Volume 3 and the seventh episode of Season 1 of *The Sojourn*.

## Synopsis

With Elizabeth and Cass trapped in the Avalon’s brig, the expedition’s crews prove increasingly discontent with the new authority of Admiral Redfield.

## Summary

The episode begins with Empress Valendra the Sixth visiting Sirianadin, a Giftworld in the Holy Advari Empire. There, her doubts regarding the Faith, seeded from the previous few episode's events, come to fore, as she elects to spare the 577 sacrifices prepared for the day. High Cleric Darsellia Lantris disputes this choice, reminding the Empress that she is a servant of The Faith and is replaceable, but Valendra rebukes her, and chooses to cancel the sacrifices regardless.

Meanwhile, on the *Avalon*, Redfield attempts to interrogate Inquisitor Castian Vadric to little effect; Vadric only says "Elizabeth" in response to every question the Admiral asks, frustrating him greatly. The research assistant aboard suggests that Vadric was aware of the shift in command, and is responding negatively to it. Redfield commands a redoubling of questioning, explaining that finding out what Vadric knows may be key to the survival of the Avalon Expedition.

Redfield and Lt. Cmdr. Jasper Ravi discuss the coming plans for the Avalon Expedition Fleet, specifically regarding the move of the *Avalon* into orbit around the Vitrified Planet. Ravi explains that some specifics of the plan are still in the works, stating that former Director Elizabeth Ancelet had thought it best to move slowly and methodically towards their destination. However, Redfield disagrees, disparaging the former Director's actions as irresponsible. He also critiques Ravi's surrender of the position of Defense Adjutant to Captan Cassandra Farren, saying that it was a critical moment in Ravi's career that he squandored. Ravi apologises, and Redfield agrees to give him another chance, saying such an offer is rare for command staff who fail in the field.

In the holding cells, Elizabeth tries to break out, to no effect. Cass, in the cell over, bemoans that they're both done, explaining that even if things could return to normal, she doesn't want that. Elizabeth tries to get Cass to look on the bright side of things, but ultimately fails. Redfield enters the cells, and gives Cass an offer; if she teaches Redfield's technicians how to fly *Guinevere*, she'll be provided with better quarters, and contact with the rest of her crew. Cass disputes this, reminding Redfield that he stole the ship from her, but Redfield equally rebuffs her back, explaining how everything Cass has ever been afforded was from the CDF, and now, again, the CDF is giving her the option to leave her cell.

Meanwhile, aboard the CSV *Shabayev*, Mathias Croft and Tamara 'Meds' Melari adjust to their new lives as pressganged servicemen. Due to the loss of relief crews aboard the CSV *Bracewell* a week or so earlier, along with Redfield moving much of his staff aboard the *Avalon* to speed up running of the platform, the crew of the *Shabayev* are forced to undergo longer, double-duty shifts, much to everyone's dismay. Faraday talks of the direness of the situation with another technician, explaining that this was his first break in 35 hours. Croft and Meds comment on the state of the crew and the ship, pointing out how Commander Lewis Harper, the acting command officer of the *Shabayev* whilst Redfield was commanding the platform and the rest of the expedition, was planning on increasing rum rations - a decision Meds immediately criticises as a bad idea.

In his office aboard the *Avalon*, Redfield tells Cmdr. Harper that the readiness reports from the *Shabayev* are disgraceful. Harper apologises, explaining that between staff shortages and the accelerated repair plan, the crew are exhausted and are struggling to stay motivated. Redfield explains that more will likely be asked of them soon enough, given their dire situation. Ravi enters with the latest ice mining figures from the *Belladonna*, explaining that the ice is remarkably clear of impurities, marking it quite to process into drinking water, but also explains that once they leave the ice field, it may be hard to source drinking water.

Redfield asks the Lt. Commander if he's a student of recent military history, which Ravi explains he is. He says that he joined the naval academy late in the war, slated to join the fleet around Axius, but the armisitice came before he graduated. Specifically, he wanted to serve under Commodore Ariana Hawker, because his partner, Alex, and their family were on the moon of Dalais when she drove off an attack from the Frontier Union Militia. Redfield reminises on those days, explaining how he served alongside her, along with Commodore Anthony Hadleigh and Admiral Darius Farren, during the Frontier War. Ravi presumes this nostalgia shows Redfield's doubts, but the Admiral rebukes him, explaining that he lives and commands by something Adm. Farren once said; "you must never let them see you bleed."

Back in the holding cell, Elizabeth talks about how Ravi's betrayal surprised her. She realises that Cass is considering Redfield's offer, and rebuffs her for it, but Cass explains that Redfield is no more likely to get them all killed than she is, again echoing the doubts about herself she first showed on the Vitrified Planet. Elizabeth presses the issue, explaining that the expedition is no better off being leader by someone they fear, instead of someone they are loyal to. She says that herself and Cass were the best people for the job, and that everyone in the fleet knew that except Cass.

On the command deck of the *Avalon*, the crew scramble to get the fleet ready to move to the Vitrified Planet; however, the crews of the *Kestrel* and *Triumph* refuse to heed Redfield's command, explaining that they didn't agree to a military takeover of the expedition. Redfield explains that the ships have been legally commandeered by the CDF, but the civilian crews continue to hold their ground, with the *Siochana* joining them. Redfield orders the *Shabayev* to begin jamming the civilian fleet, launches both Farrier and Foxfire Flights to approach, and orders a marine boarding party to board a longboat to deal with the situation, which Ravi follows through with, despite seemingly harbouring objections after the last time he tried to use marines in such a way.

Things worsen on the *Shabayev* as, drunk and disorderly, the crew aboard the ship, including Private Paul Dalcop, begin to get rowdy. A midshipman attempts, to no avail, to control the situation, whilst Croft and Meds watch from the sidelines. Faraday pushes the midshipman, causing a brawl to begin; Croft and Meds try and flee, before Dalcop picks a fight with Croft, and is knocked down hard by Meds. The two are then dragged back into the brawl.

Redfield goes to interrogate Vadric again, explaining that he knew the captain of the CSV *Republic* well, having served with him and his brother aboard the CSV *Barricata* during the Frontier War. He explains that the captain has a wife back on Destrum who has no idea what's happened to him, in an attempt to get a rise out of Vadric. The Inquisitor simply replies "Elizabeth" again, much to Redfield's frustration.

Cass finally agrees to speak with Redfield. At first, she agrees with his terms, until Redfield repeats his line about "never letting them see you bleed", making Cass realise that he's just parroting the same lines, mentality, and lies that her own father used to force upon her. She goes back on the deal immediately, much to Redfield's frustration; the Admiral explains that he put so much of his life and livelihood on the line just to get to his position; he was the best of the best, and he suffered for it. Equally, he chagrins, Cass never had to earn Darius' attention and respect. Cass returns that whilst she always had his attention, she *never* earned his respect. She explains that she too burned herself just trying to get a modicum of his respect, and never did. She explains the crew needs Elizabeth, before Redfield makes a decision that will haunt him forever.

Later, on the Ops deck, the weight of Cass' words and the decisions he has to make about the fleet - and fast - put immense pressure and strain on Redfield. Just before his MARDET (Marine Detatchment) can start breaching the *Kestrel's* hull, and whilst the situation aboard the *Shabayev* continues to worsen, Redfield has a panic attack, leaving the Ops deck suddenly in the hands of Ravi, who quickly regains control of the situation under pressure.

Meanwhile, Cass is returned back to the holding cell, in a much better mood than before. Elizabeth is surprised to see her, given that she'd left just before to take Redfield's offer, but Cass explains she turned it down, but not for the reasons Elizabeth wanted. She sees that Redfield is scared, in just the same way she is. Elizabeth asks for clarification, which Cass says she'll explain later, along with others things that she's tired of talking herself out of what she wants.

The riot continues on the *Shabayev*, with Croft and Meds just about making it through the crossfire (the latter in her element much more than the former). However, the fighting stops suddenly when Redfield arrives, rousing his crew back into shape with a speech, which finally puts an end to the brawl. Croft says it was a good speech; Meds still doesn't like him.

Shortly after, Redfield returns to the holding cells, and comes admitting inadequacy in his command. He explains that he was not prepared to lead the civilian fleet like Elizabeth was, and his entire command has suffered because of it. As such, he elects to return command of the expedition back to Elizabeth, on the condition that he be allowed a say in all major command decisions from then on. Elizabeth agrees to the terms, and dismisses Redfield from her cell. Redfield also returns the *Guin* to Cass, explaining that he could never get the ship - or its crew - working, before he leaves. Elizabeth asks if she should be worried about Redfield, but Cass explains if he had anything else he could do in his situation, he would've already done it.

Back in her office, Elizabeth and Ravi discuss the coming move of the fleet, given that the civilian crews are back on-board with the idea. Ravi tries to apologise for his actions, but Elizabeth refutes it, explaining she understood why he did them, given that he was beholden to the chain of command.

Cass enters the office, and Ravi quickly leaves for the second time. Elizabeth explains they're all getting used to normal again, before asking Cass what she wanted to tell her. Before she can finish, however, she's cut off by a kiss as the two embrace. Elizabeth states she wasn't sure if she was going to have to do that first, fearing Cass would've been highly against the idea, but Cass reassures her jokingly, before the two re-entangled.

Finally, Elizabeth visits Vadric in his cell, wondering why, during all the chaos and the marines leaving their posts by his cell, he didn't try to leave. Vadric explains he didn't mean harm; he was curious who the fleet would choose as leader. He believes they chose well.

## 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

* Lelia Symington as Empress Valendra the Sixth
* Matthew Kaufman as Lt. Cmdr. Jasper Ravi
* Matt Surges as Cmdr. Lewis Harper
* Marta Da Silva as High Cleric Darsellia Lantris

### Guest

* Jimmy Lockett as Admiral Winston Redfield

### Additional Voices

* Jill Raymond as Research Assistant
* Tarek Esaw as Midshipman Arin Bankole
* Ryan Philbrook as Private Paul Dalcop
* Katte Noel as Marine Corporal
* Andrew Latheron as Faraday
* Arthur Tisseront as Midshipman
* Matthew Vanston as Kestrel Captain
* Lelia Symington as Technician
* Shakira Shute as Sandwich Dispenser
* Toby Ridehalgh as Officer of the Watch
* Varun Sathi as Advari Villager

## Trivia

* The episode's title references Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem *The Charge of the Light Brigade*.
* Dan has stated that this episode is intended to be a two-parter, with the first part being *Theirs Not to Make Reply.*

## References

1. ↑ *Theirs Not To Reason Why* Transcript
2. ↑ https://www.thesojournaudiodrama.com/