The Room (audio story)

 was the second story in the audio anthology Graceless IV, produced by Big Finish Productions. It was written by Simon Guerrier and featured Ciara Janson as Abby and Laura Doddington as Zara.

Publisher's summary
Buried under steel and iron and concrete, and protected by high security, there's a secret room. From here, General Onora Cormorant directs the Gloit forces as they wage war across the whole planet. But stopping the war will take much more than just getting into that room...

Plot
Abby explains that Sergeant Sharding Klondike is forty-one years old, is married to Melanie, has two children and that her favourite food is honey-bread. Abby goes on to explain that Sharding is about to become the one billionth person to die in the War. Just like Sharding, Abby explains that many of those fighting in the War fantasise about living on the pale, pink moon above, considering life below to be unfair.

In the lecture hall, Abby getting information on the War and the moon. She calls upon her military aide, Kronchev, to explain why no-one ever tried to claim the moon when it lacked any defences. He goes on to answer that it would be a waste of material and funds, to which Abby retorts that maybe someone would want a moonbase one day. The population of the moon, known as Moonies, are now at a population of around twenty thousand people split into three communities. Abby orders Kronchev to launch missiles and kills all the people on the moon.

At some point previously, Abby and Zara arrive in a muddy field. They get rounded on by a big, territorial lizard creature. Zara is excited as it could potentially be the last of its kind. Abby does not share that interest, and quickly points out that the reason they were suddenly vanished in the history books were from the nuclear missiles that were about to hit the surface of the planet. At the last second, Zara convinces Abby to try to save the lizard creature by absorbing the blast of the missiles, that Zara has now nicknamed Chris.

From the field, they arrive at an eatery where they order their usual breakfasts from Marcella. The two of them discuss how they couldn't absorb the blast this time, in contrast to the nuclear reactor. They debate that maybe it's due to the differing sorts of radiation. Zara is annoyed that they couldn't save Chris, and proposes that maybe if they went back in time to end the War, that Chris would survive. Abby warns her that changing history is extremely dangerous, but is willing to hear her hypothesis.

Abby and Zara attempt to use their powers to enter a military base by convincing the numerous guards that she is holding an identification pass. Zara tells Abby that one of the opposing sides of the War, the Gloit, have locked up a very dangerous weapon in this base. It's something so dangerous that the even the Gloit don't wish to admit they've made it.

Further in the base, General Cormorant is mapping out the War with the help of Kronchev. The General's briefing is interrupted by Abby who states that the War would be over much sooner if they just surrendered. As part of her plan, Zara has begun to lower their defences. Abby attempts to use her powers to force the General to call off the War in the name of peace, but it is interrupted when the General notes the opposition preparing their attack. Abby's plan has gone wrong. The opposition hasn't in fact put down their weapons, but is actually preparing to launch exterminator missiles at numerous Gloit communities. The General rushes to get their shields back up. It's too late, and the missiles hit.

Back at the eatery, the two of them order two more breakfasts, admitting that their plan was definitely not successful. The two of them discuss the opposition - the Marshalled Forces - who appear to have automated responses to anything the Gloit attempt. Abby and Zara note that if they were to go back in time and stop everyone from dying, it would be 'setting history right' and not 'changing history', thus making it acceptable. Abby then suggests they leave well alone, much to the disagreement of Zara who has faith that they can get both sides to surrender at the same time.

On their second attempt, the two of them infiltrate the opposing forces, lead by Designate Slink. Zara notes that whenever they inveigle their way in, they usually have under a minute before the effects of their powers fail and their identity is questioned. Similar to before, Slink notices a command sequence programmed into the computer. The two of them own up to it. As their defences fail, they detect numerous Gloit missiles pointing right at their city states.

Abby and Zara teleport both General Cormorant and Designate Slink to a desolate area to face one-another. Abby reveals that they've been taken to the Baralta Plain on the moon to discuss peace. Slink explains that what they've done is careless as the wastelands of the moon is filled with unfiltered, deadly shards of dust. However, Cormorant is less than interested. Reaching into their minds, Abby knows that they both want to make a peaceful society. Their conversation is cut short when they spot an armoured vehicle approaching, fitted with guns. Cormorant reveals that everyone's view on the perfect moon colony is false.

Abby and Cormorant are brought forward to a hearing, while the other two are being hunted. The judge states that their being on the moon and using up the valuable oxygen is a capital offense. The judge leaves them with one choice - prove their worth to society, where they will work until they die, or receive capital punishment for being illegal trespassers.

Slink and Zara are chained up and are being forced to work in a mine. Together, they form an escape plan. Meanwhile, Abby and Cormorant are being forced to manually irrigate a field, as a strength test. Cormorant convinces Abby that their best opportunity to escape is to simply wait for Zara to reach them, to which she agrees. As Zara and Slink are running down the mineshaft, narrowly avoiding being shot by the guard, the shaft suddenly collapses.

Abby gets a jolt of pain on the field and attributes it to something having happened to Zara. A guard approaches them and allows them to finish their shift. The guard tells them to prepare for the next day, which entails the exact same, as does every single day on the moon. In the mineshaft, Zara reckons the collapsed shaft fell on the guards, concealing them inside. She and Slink both press forward. Zara is disappointed to hear that Slink's newfound perspective still hasn't changed her view on the War. They reach the end of the tunnel, and behind them, they hear the moving of rocks and the calling out of the guards, hot on their tails.

In their bunks, Abby and Cormorant rest up and take food pills. They decide to share a shower. Abby is still trying to get used to her newfound youth and mobility. Cormorant joyously celebrates how they survived their first shift. Meanwhile, in their common room, a guard explains to Zara and Slink that they must work extra hard in tomorrow's shift if they wish their tribunal to have a positive outcome. They go to their sleeping quarters. Slink takes this opportunity to explain to Abby that as a child she was tortured by the Gloit, who carved a tale into her skin about a Gloit peasant murdering one of her kind. Zara is appalled that this war is potentially based upon a fairy tale, but Slink makes it well known that when she was hostage, not everyone survived.

On their second day, Abby and Cormorant are visited in their field by Judge Engin. Despite Abby's furrow not being straight, the judge deems it a reward for them to do it again but with the aide of a machine. She takes her leave. Cormorant falls ill almost immediately, coughing up blood. Back in the mine, Zara and Slink argue about being a member of the community. Slink refuses to be a part of their indoctrination, and wishes to escape.

While taking Cormorant to the medical bay, she is suddenly shocked to find that Cormorant was faking it all along. He is, in fact, using this charade to get them to Mineshaft Forty-Two to find Zara. In the distance, a guard tells them to stop or she shoots. Cormorant knows that if they run, the guard will shoot them dead. Abby states that it all depends on how desperate Cormorant is to escape.

Zara and Slink have been climbing for a while, trying to escape. Slink, who is ahead of Zara, suddenly becomes aware of another person ahead of her, in a level passageway. Slink rushes off to investigate, leaving Zara to clamber after her. As she's about to fall, Zara is met by Abby. Now together, Zara points out that Cormorant and Slink both worked together to save her life, much to their disagreement. Zara explains that ending the War could be equally as simple.

Abby and Zara try to use their powers to force both of them to agree to a ceasefire and an end to the War, but the two Generals are unaffected. In a huff, Zara gives up all attempts at ever trying to end this War and sends Slink back. Before sending Cormorant back, Abby comes up with a plan.

Abby, taking over from Cormorant, has just ordered Kronchev to launch the missiles at the moon. Cormorant then awakens from his induced sleep. Kronchev informs Cormorant that the missiles are not programmed to be disabled, leaving Abby to explain that there's only one person who can help now - Slink. Cormorant needs Slink's help to blow the missiles out of the sky, thus saving the twenty thousand people on the moon. Slink and Cormorant both know that to lock onto the missiles, Cormorant will need to release his codes, leaving him somewhat defenceless. However, Cormorant is too stubborn and refuses, allowing all inhabitant of the moon to die, live on global television.

Back at the eatery, they order breakfast. Abby thinks they were in the right to at least try, even if they fail. Mysteriously, Abby informs their waitress that herself and Zara have magical powers and is offering her anything. The waitress simply wants them to end a war - any war, before going off to get her toast. Abby informs Zara that the War will end in under a minute, leaving Zara mystified.

It becomes apparent that Abby has given Cormorant the co-ordinates for this tiny café in this tiny village of retirees. If Cormorant truly regrets her actions, she will work together with Slink to avenge the people of the moon by sending missiles to café. Indeed, the missiles can be heard approaching. Abby gives Zara a choice - let it happen, or get involved. Zara is left thinking what she wants to do as she watches Marcella buttering their toast.

Cast

 * Abby - Ciara Janson
 * Zara - Laura Doddington
 * General Onora Cormorant - Nichola McAuliffe
 * Marcella - Victoria Alcock
 * Judge Engin - Jennie Goossens
 * Kronchev - Annie Jackson
 * Slink - Carol Starks

Worldbuilding

 * The Baralta Plain is a vast area of the pale, pink moon filled with sharp, dangerous shards of dust.
 * The inhabitants of the moon are known as Moonies.
 * The two sides of the War are known as the Gloits and the Marshalled Forces.

Story notes
to be added

Continuity

 * Abby and Zara speculate that their inability to absorb the radiation of the missiles is due to it being a different type of radiation from the nuclear reactor. (AUDIO: The Bomb)
 * Zara wants to change history again by rescuing Chris the Lizard, but Abby warns about the dangers of changing history. (AUDIO: The Battle)
 * General Cormorant resists their powers due to their lack of uniform, much like Dodyk. (AUDIO: The Bomb)
 * Slink suggests that Abby and Zara could attempt to teleport many slaves out at once but Zara explains that they tried something similar before but it ended with many casualties. (AUDIO: The Line)