The Astral Gunslinger

An original radio drama by

Brandon Edwards

Characters:
Narrator: John's journal logs
John Vaugn: Kristen's most trusted friend, our main character.- Brandon Edwards
Kristen Cole: The leader of the gang, slowly going insane after the string of failed heists.-
Rupert Francis
Kira Keborn: The cook, although doesn't shy away from a good gunfight. one of the newest
of the group.- Rupert Francis
Cassie: 38, John's bestest friend, outgoing, always looking for something to shoot at,
especially if it's something Federation related.- Tyla Wilson
Myles Corres: The manipulative snake who Kristen trusts for some reason.- Logan Parker
Montano Decretes: The angel in Kristen's ear, always trying to guide him in the right path.-
George Gardhouse

The Astral Gunslinger

ACT I: Scene 1: INT. The Viper – Morning.

(Narrator, John, Kristen)

Music: Low and ominous

Narrator: Journal log, it's been a couple months since the Onberon Heist. I still feel horrible
about it all. We lost so many, and so much. Oh Kristen. You old fool. Look what you got us
into. A gang of 10 reduced to 6. I would say you're an idiot, but I just don't want to believe it.

SOUND: Footsteps.
KRISTEN:
JOHN!
John sits up, dazed.

JOHN:
Huh? What is it? Who...?
 KRISTEN:
JOHN WAKE UP!

JOHN:
I ain't even sleeping you fool!

KRISTEN:
Get up then.

JOHN:
Goddamn you.

KRISTEN:
You're no fun, John.

JOHN:
Goddamn it. You knocked my hat off.

KRISTEN:
No one gives a damn about your hat, Vaugn. Get up. Kira made breakfast.

SOUND: Footsteps.

JOHN:
Let me guess? Rations again?

KRISTEN:
For once no. Kira got us some hog rats from Carrida. Might last us a while.

JOHN:
Great. Hog rats. Delicious those are.
Kristen stops walking.
KRISTEN:
Unfortunately, John, we can't afford much else.

JOHN:
And who's fault is that?
Kristen continues walking.
KRISTEN:
Shut up, John.
John scoffs.
JOHN:
Alright, alright, I'll shut my trap.
ACT I: Scene 2: INT. The dining hall.

Kristen and John are sitting together on the table, Kira walks up to them with a plate of food.
The others enter the room.

KRISTEN:
Hey fellas! Take a seat. We eating good today.
Everyone takes a seat around the table. Kira gives everyone food, with the help of Montano.

KIRA:
Thanks Montano.

Montano pats Kira on the shoulder.

MONTANO:
Anytime.
Kristen clears his throat to get people’s attention.

KRISTEN:
Right. I know these past few weeks have been tough.

JOHN:
You said that right.
KRISTEN:
Shut it John. Anyway, I have a plan.

CASSIE:
You said that last time.

KRISTEN:
Now hold on! Have some faith. Damn. Me and Myles found the perfect place to rob on a
planet called Obedia. Nothing and I mean nothing could possibly go wrong.

JOHN:
There’s tons that could go wrong if you took Myles with you.

JOHN:
Sit back down you bumbling fool. You don't know your left from your right let alone how to
scout a robbery.
 MYLES:
You'll regret saying that.

JOHN:
Damn right I will.
KRISTEN:
Alright, alright shut it you two.
John groans.
KRISTEN:
Look, the point is, we have a plan. We can finally live our own lives after this job. Just...have
some faith. Please.

JOHN:
Fine. This better be worth it, Kristen.
KRISTEN:
It will be John. It will be. ANYWAY!

SOUND: Kristen clapping his hands.

KRISTEN:
As soon as we get into orbit we will get hailed by the planets security forces. There will be
Federation so Cassie, please keep your blaster to your side. Kyra and Myles, you set off a
distraction. I'll get you some detonators and you set it off a couple blocks away. That should
give the rest of us some time to get in, take the money and leave. If anything goes wrong we
leave and we meet up at the shipyards. Lets go people!
Everyone sits up and leaves the room to prepare.

NARRATOR:
God I hope Kristen is right about this. We can't lose anymore people. Not after Onberon. And
putting his trust in Myles? That fool has finally lost his mind.

An hour later...

ACT 2: The robbery: INT. The Viper

John sits in the cargo bay waiting for the rest of the gang as the ship lands.

CASSIE:
JOHN! JOHN! WE'RE HERE!

JOHN:
Ok, ok I'm getting up, calm down. How did you deal with the security?

CASSIE:
 Classic Kristen charm.

JOHN:
Right..
Kristen walks down the steps into the cargo bay with the rest of the crew following behind
him.

KRISTEN:
Riches await ladies and gentlemen! You know the plan! Kira! Myles! You have the
detonators prepped?

MYLES AND KIRA:

Yup.

KRISTEN:
Good. Good. Set them off and reunite with us on the ship. You two go first.

We hear the cargo bay doors opening and Myles and Kira leave together.
KRISTEN:
The rest of us! Lets go!

SOUND: Cargo bay doors opening, footsteps.

KRISTEN:
Alright stop here. John you're with me going for the vault, Cassie, Montano, you two look
around to make sure nobody interrupts our little homecoming party.

A loud explosion is heard in the distance.

SOUND: Explosion

KRISTEN:
Alright that's our cue. Lets go!

SOUND: 2 blaster shots, door getting kicked in

KRISTEN:
HEY FELLAS! THIS A ROBBERY! FOLLOW OUR DEMANDS OR YOU MAY BE
SHOT BY MY GOOD MAN MR V OVER HERE! YOU!

BANK TELLER:
Oh my God no…
 KRISTEN:
Oh my god yes my good man. Show us to
the vault por favor.

We hear as they shuffle towards the bank vault.

TELLER:
Thi-this is the-the vault sir...

KRISTEN:
Put in the access codes. And hurry up.

MUSIC: Intense.

CASSIE:
KRISTEN! WE HAVE INCOMING!

MONTANO:
Already? Goddamn that’s early. Get him to hurry up!

KRISTEN:
Jesus. Already.. HURRY UP!

Kristen hits the bank teller in the face.

SOUND: Kristen hitting the bank teller.

KRISTEN (cont'd):
COME ON!

SOUND: Electronic ding, vault doors opening, Kristen shooting the bank teller
JOHN:
Jesus, Kristen. Why?

KRISTEN:
Just. Grab what you can.

LAWMAN:
KRISTEN COLE!

KRISTEN:
Goddamn it.
 LAWMAN:
Get your ass out here right now!

KIRA:
Kristen! Don't listen to them! They got us!

MYLES:
Yeah, we kinda stuck here boss!

KRISTEN:
DAMN IT! Don't worry you two! We'll get you out!

LAWMAN:
Yeah sure you will.

SOUND: Lawman shooting Kira, Kira’s body hitting the floor.

JOHN:
KIRA! NO! YOU BASTARDS!

SOUND: Blaster shots.

MYLES:
What now boss?

KRISTEN:
Let me think.

MONTANO:
Wait. Do you have anymore detonators left?

MYLES:
Yeah, why?

MONTANO:
I need you to blow a hole in the wall behind us. We'll take to the roof and Cassie, run back
and get the ship here stat.
There's a bit of a pause.

KRISTEN:
Well you heard him! Get going!

SOUND: Gang moving backward.

 JOHN:
Always been the brightest of us.

KRISTEN:
Alright get back!
SOUND: Explosion.
LAWMAN:
They're going out the back! Get them!

JOHN:
Kristen, they're onto us!

KRISTEN:
Yes I know John. Cass, go now, get The Viper, you'll see us on the roof.

CASSIE:
Alright. Good luck down here. Try not to die, any of you.

Cassie runs to The Viper, and the others begin climbing up to the roof.

SOUND: Cassie running.

JOHN:
Good luck! Don't get yourself killed either!

CASSIE:
Thanks John!

KRISTEN:
Ok let's go fellas!

LAWMAN:
GET DOWN FROM THERE!

MONTANO:
NO GET LOST!

JOHN:
They ain't gonna listen, Montano.

MONTANO:
Worth a shot.
SOUND: The Viper approaching the gang.

JOHN:
Oh thank the stars.

CASSIE:
COME ON WE'RE GETTING OUT OF HERE!

ACT II Scene 1: Int: The Viper

MONTANO:
Jesus Christ, Kristen.

KRISTEN:
What?

MONTANO:
What the hell is happening to us? That was a complete mess. We lost Kira. Thats one more
lost. We can't afford to lose anymore.

KRISTEN:
For God's sake I am trying Montano. We all are.

MONTANO:
You brought Myles with you to scout a robbery. I mean come on, Kristen. You call that
trying? Have some common sense.

MYLES:
Oh shut your mouth. You have no business saying th-

MONTANO:
Oh but I do! I have as much of a business to say that as anyone else here! How do we know
you didn't rat us out?

MYLES:
I wouldn't dare.

MONTANO:
Oh so we're just supposed to trust you? You got Kira killed you fool.

MYLES:
No! Shut up! They were waiting for us. You're just saying that 'cos you don't have the balls to
do anything else for us.

MONTANO:
LIES! DECEPTION! Look around you, Myles. We're scrounging for scraps like common
mice. We're no better than any other criminal.

KRISTEN:
No, no, we're different Montano. You know that.

MONTANO:
Maybe. But why does that matter? We still kill, we still rob and for what? For some
unforeseen dream of a better life?? Get a grip.

KRISTEN:
Ha-

MONTANO:
Have some faith? Is that what you're about to say for the billionth time? For God's sake
Kristen. Nothing changes. Whatever faith exists, it sure as hell ain't looking after us.

JOHN:
Montano...

MONTANO:
Please John. Not you. You don't deserve this. None of you do!

JOHN:
Please. We're trying. We have no other choice. Most of us don't have anywhere else to go.
We need this money.

KRISTEN:
One more job. One more job. One more!
Kristen sounds almost deranged.

JOHN:
Kristen?

KRISTEN:
We just need one more job, John.

JOHN:
I know.
Kristen sighs.

SOUND: Kristen walking away.

Kristen (cont'd):
Everything well come together eventually, John. That goes to all of you. Have some
goddamn faith.

ACT III SCENE 1: O captain my captain:

NARRATOR:
Everything's a mess. Kristen is losing it. Everyone can see it. We just lost Kira in the lost
robbery. We can't keep doing this. Whatever Kristen has cooking up in that head of his better
be good. But the killin'? Why? He always preached no killing without reason and there he is.
That bank teller didn't deserve to die.

SOUND: Door opening.

KRISTEN:
GET UP! I HAVE AN IDEA!

CASSIE:
Are we all going to die this time?

KRISTEN:
Goddamn. Y'all have no faith at all. Come on. In the dining hall. Let's go.

SOUND: John getting up, grunting as he stands. Montano approaching him.

MONTANO:
Hey.

JOHN:
Howdy.

MONTANO:
You alright, John?
JOHN:
I'm fine. I just feel like somethings wrong with Kristen.

MONTANO:
Stuff happens. He'll be fine.
John stops.
 JOHN:
Stop it Montano. You're in denial. He's not fine. We've lost so many of our friends because of
his mistakes! He keeps killing. Unnecessary cold-blooded killing. Its grim, Montano. You
more than anyone should be able to see that, and if you don't, you're as blind as a bat.

MONTANO:
John please. Have some faith.
John sighs.
JOHN:
Don't start. Not you. Please.

MONTANO:
Fine. But just be patient with him. It's as hard for him as it is for the rest of us. You know
that.

JOHN:
Yeah I know. And I know I ain't a good man either. I know I ain't. I'm just afraid. I don't want
to lose any of this, and I'm watching it crumble away in front of me. All of us. We need to
survive as much as anything else. But I just don't want to have a trail of blood behind us.
Kristen preached that. To all of us. What changed?

MONTANO:
I don't know, John. Just be patient with him.

John sighs again.

JOHN:
Thanks. Be safe Montano.

Sound: The door opens.

KRISTEN:
HEY! YOU TWO! COME!

JOHN AND MONTANO:

Hey, Kristen.

KRISTEN:
One more job fellas!
JOHN:
Can't we wait for a while? You know...so the law calms down a bit?

KRISTEN:
No of course not my boy. We most move with haste! Get them
while they're weak!!
SOUND: Explosion.
KRISTEN:
What the hell?

MONTANO:
What was that?

MYLES:
Federation fighters. Took them long enough.

JOHN:
What do you mean?
MYLES:
You know its about time we got a kick up our ass to do something. You lot weren't taking me
anywhere in life and you lot have quite a big bounty on your heads.

JOHN:
You...

MYLES:
Oh shut up, John. Look at Kristen. He's lost his damn mind. We ain't getting anything from
him no more.

KRISTEN:
You. You will...you will eat those words. You..

MYLES:
Look at him, he can barely speak a full sentenc-
Kristen unholsters his gun, pointing it right at Myles.
SOUND: Gun unholstering.
MYLES:
Wonder when this would happen to be honest. Only a matter of time, wasn't it?
SOUND: Explosion, alarm.

MONTANO:
Jesus.

CASSIE:
 We're going dow- wait whats going on?

SOUND: Crash.

John awakens from the crash.

SOUND: Fire crackling.

JOHN:
Jesus! Ugh. I guess you had it coming Myles, you fool.

CASSIE:
JOHN! JOHN! You alright?

JOHN:
I'm fine, Cass. What about the others?

CASSIE:
They're fine I guess. Myles is, well obviously dead. Good riddance.
John attempts to get up but groans in pain.

CASSIE:
You sure you alright?
JOHN: I'm fine.
KRISTEN:
Fellas! Montano’s dead! But don’t worry, I still have a-
SOUND: Gun unholstering and clicking.

KRISTEN:
Cassie? What are you..?

CASSIE:
You got us into this.

KRISTEN:
Myles called the law! Not me!

CASSIE:
Your cold-blooded kills, you're clearly losing your goddamn mind. You're just not the same
leader anymore.

KRISTEN:
Please. I have a plan. This is a good one, Cass. John. Trust me. Please. Plus. I know you. You
can't kill me. You don't have the heart.
SOUND: Blaster going off, Kristen crying out in pain.

KRISTEN:
My leg! My goddamn- AHHG

CASSIE:
You're right. But i ain't going to let you get off easy either.

JOHN:
There's some Federation transports coming over the ridge. You need to go. There's a speeder
right over there, somehow survived the crash. Get in and go, and don't look back.

CASSIE:
Bu-

JOHN:
Don't worry about me. I won't make it. Look at me Cass. Look around us. Please. Go. It
would make me feel so glad to see you go safe.

CASSIE:
I'll come back for you.

JOHN:
Heh. I know you will. Now go!

SOUND: Speeder starting up, and leaving, John coughing, taking his last breath.