Beyond the Dark Productions - ‘The Strata’ - Chapter 9 | Original audio drama
AudioEve for Tessa
Word Count: 4100
Role: Supporting
Payment: $100 flat rate
Tessa is a long-time inhabitant of the Deadlands, a bleak and unforgiving wasteland outside The Strata. To outsiders she is tough, uncompromising, and sometimes brutal. However, those who become part of her inner circle see a different side of Tessa. She is loyal, compassionate, caring, and fiercely protective of those close to her.
She is savvy and reads people well and is generally a good judge of character.
Tessa lives in the Vault, a giant subterranean habitation encased in hard steel that protects it from not only the harsh elements of the wasteland but also from thieves and marauders who scour the surface for resources. As a ‘custodian’ of the Vault, Tessa has sworn an oath to protect the Vault from any threat that may emerge. Although originally built to house many hundreds of inhabitants, the Vault has seen its population dwindle in recent years. Now, the only ones left are Tessa and a few of her fellow custodians - a group of guardians with no one left to protect.
With the people gone, Tessa has struggled in recent years to keep up morale. She feels unfulfilled and without purpose wandering the halls of an empty Vault night after night. However, like the other custodians, she has sworn to stay and protect the Vault until her dying breath, regardless of how many people are inside, and that is what she intends to do.
- english
- female adult
(Addressing two newcomers who up until now have been held as her captives. She realises the pair may not be the enemies she thought they were. Her manner is still firm and authoritative, but also conciliatory) “I’m going to put this rifle away now. That’s not an invitation for the two of you to try something stupid. It means I’m extending you an offer of goodwill - a sliver of trust. If you try to put one over me, you can consider that offer revoked.”
(Struggling with her emotions as she describes the recent death of a fellow custodian. Trying to remain calm and strong despite the painful memories) “One of the other custodians, he, uh… he and Nnadi were on a supply run last week when they got ambushed. The poison from the tox-bomb went through Powell fast, he never stood a chance. It took him in less than a day. Nnadi absorbed a lower dose, but it’s... it’s still enough to kill him eventually. It’s just taking longer.”
(Talking to herself as she readies a defensive system during an attack. Urgent and somewhat breathless as she goes through the checklist) “Okay, okay... let’s see here... turret initiation sequence. Power level good on Turret One. Ammo dispenser max capacity. All checks complete. Up you go, baby!”
