Work Text:
[Transcript Begins]
[00:12]
Dr. Ryland Grace [RG]: I don’t even know why I’m doing these anymore.
[Rests against the wall of the Crew Dormitory]
[00:53]
RG: It uh, the taumeoba. It ate through all the astrophage on the ship. My running theory is that it uh- [readjusts glasses] is that because I had them in the aluminum and steel alloys while I was breeding them, instead of evolving to survive Venus’ nitrogen rich atmosphere [sigh] They evolved to escape through them. So, my entire ship is a leak, which is- [stares at ceiling] fantastic.
[01:24]
RG: I was able to seal them before they got to the beetles, so, hopefully I didn’t completely just [sighs, almost a sob] doom humanity.
[02:01]
RG: So, I sent them and some xenonite samples through on the beetles, along with all of our logs up until this point. If anyone on Earth sees this, it’s because I activated the failsafe on the Hail Mary to have all of the logs transmitted back. You should be getting them in [counts on fingers] twelve years, I think?
[02:47]
RG: Mary would know but uhhh, the taumeoba have wreaked havoc on the electrical systems. So [raises arms to the camera] if my wounds open up again or if scurvy starts to get me, Armando is offline, so-
[03:09]
RG: In no uncertain terms-
[03:14]
RG: I’m fucked.
[04:05]
RG: Really, I don’t know what I’m doing. I- I know where Yao’s gun is. I know where Illyukhina’s lethal injection-heroin cocktail is. I know where DuBois nitrogen tanks are.
[04:31]
RG: I’ve had a lot of time to think. About what I would’ve chosen.
[04:46]
RG: My brother Courtland…I was told he died in a prison riot. Either beaten to death or shot, they- they didn’t give us the details. [Sob] My mom died in childbirth so there’s- there’s not really a way to simulate that.
[04:51]
RG: Can you drown in Zero G?
[05:02]
RG: See I’m kinda torn on that one because on the one hand [gestures with hands] I’m not doing anything here. We’re running on emergency backup power and solar so…yeah. Barebones. I had to override one thing just to keep the ship’s broadcasting capabilities up.
[05:22]
RG: On the other, Court literally shot our dad to save me from being drowned. So, I dunno, would that be an insult to his legacy?
[05:48]
RG: I don’t know.
[06:08]
RG: I think the only reason I’m still going is just…some distant hope that Rocky is gonna make it back to Erid. Back to Adrian.
[06:24]
RG: Even if I can’t make it back home.
[06:31]
RG: I’m sorry Colt.
[06:54]
RG: I know we promised [raises hand up, pinky extended]
[07:13]
RG: We weren’t going to be split up. Not by foster care. Not by our lives. We promised Court we’d stick together.
[07:27]
RG: I’m sorry I let you down, Colt.
[07:53]
RG: [Buries face in hands] This even hinges on whether or not you ever see this.
[08:09]
RG: And you surviving this long. I don’t know if you did. I hope you did.
[08:16]
RG: God, Colt, I hope you’re still alive.
[08:25]
RG: You’re nothing if not a survivor.
[08:39]
RG: As for me, I don’t…don’t really see a way out of this. It’s not like I’m on Mars. And a botanist, like that one Matt Damon movie or something.
[09:04]
RG: I’m tired, honestly. I- my burns have been hurting a lot. I’m probably deficient in just about every vitamin. My body- I don’t think my body can still keep going.
[09:25]
RG: I know you want me too, Colt.
[09:31]
RG: I’m scared of letting you down again.
[09:47]
RG: I’m scared of dying. I don’t wanna die.
[09:53]
RG: I think the only reason I’m not…completely opposed to the idea is that I- I dunno. Maybe Court is there. On the other side. Waiting for me.
[10:03]
RG: Waiting for us.
[10:14]
RG: The ship’s battery is getting low, so I should probably turn off the lights. Conserve power I guess.
[10:25]
RG: Rocky’s been rubbing off on me so [sets camera on bunk, facing his] I can’t sleep without someone watching me so, to whoever watches this first, thanks for watching me sleep.
[10:31]
RG: And if I don’t wake up, well…
[10:46]
RG: It’s not like you can do anything. And Colt, if you’re watching [stares at the camera] I’ll say hi to Court for you. I love you. So much.
[Rustling as Dr. Grace pulls a quilt over his body]
[10:54]
RG: This is Dr. Captain Ryland Grace saying goodnight…and well, if I don’t wake up…I guess I’m also saying goodbye.
[Breathing]
[Breathing]
[Snoring]
[Labored Breathing]
[27:03]
[Silence]
[34:56]
[Camera Dies]
[Transcript Ends]