Episode 77: Icarus

The Beyond is both breaking and expanding. The last living remnant transports as the Lucy is left with a slimmer crew and a dead engine. Protist’s true intentions are revealed as Ramulus is tasked with a rescue mission that will require great patience and determination. Kyla comes face-to-face with the beast as the walls of Brise Soleil close in. Meanwhile, Cwrig, still marooned, looks for a new adventure with his “mechanical” friend.

Transcript

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Speaker 9 0:04

Ow! Steady on. I pipe down, it's not that bad. After a week of enduring your general touch without success, I'm beginning to think ow! For being made of metal, you're proving to be the sensitive sort, bucket. If I could move my other hand, it'd be across both your faces by now. Ooh. It's this mist. I can't move. It's doing something to my servos or YOW! Ow! Ow! Ow! Boy!

Speaker 2 0:36

What happened?

Speaker 9 0:38

Was it you? Sadly, no. It seems to be raining radio receivers.

Speaker 3 0:44

What?

Speaker 9 0:45

Wait, hang on.

Speaker 8 0:51

What's that then?

Speaker 11 0:58

Do you have it?

Speaker 2 1:00

Uh who are we speaking to?

Speaker 11 1:03

I hear my sunstone engine struggling through the receiver. You should have followed my blueprints better. Are you the one who gave us instructions on that blasted coin? Did you find it? The last living remnant. Uh the living machine.

Speaker 9 1:21

Does does he mean you back it? Perhaps we should speak to Bowden and Magnus? Is that him?

Speaker 2 1:27

Uh yes! We got him. Alright. Just go with it.

Speaker 11 1:33

Excellent. Then it's time you are paid.

Speaker 2 1:35

Uh thank you. Much applied. But now? Look up, Sorry.

Speaker 9 1:46

And now ornate iron cages are falling from the sky? When do the pigs fly in?

Speaker 11 1:51

If you want to be paid, all three of you must enter the lift and close the door.

Speaker 9 1:56

What about the boys?

Speaker 11 1:57

I won't wait. Neither will your payment.

Speaker 2 2:00

Good enough for me. Reggie? Grab bucket. I'm not sure. Reggie, this is why we came out here in the first place. Grab them and let's go.

Speaker 9 2:14

Oh no, you don't. Magnus, won and help me. Put me down. Oh, for pity's sake, at least bring my arm. Oh, right.

Speaker 8 2:25

Sorry.

Speaker 2 2:34

So where's our payment?

Speaker 11 2:37

Come and get it.

Speaker 2 2:39

Huh?

Speaker 12 4:32

Where am I?

Speaker 2 4:33

Why is it so hot? The one drawback of working underground ventilation.

Speaker 12 4:39

Underground.

Speaker 2 4:41

Welcome to the habitat.

Speaker 12 4:52

What is this place?

Speaker 2 4:54

This is impossible. Genius, isn't it? A replica of our beloved Brissolase diverse ecosystem. But how? Who? Obviously not me. I'm a biologist, not an engineer. It was like-minded craftsmen from Cerek who designed and built it. Of course, I also utilize the advancements we used in salvation. Extraordinary, isn't it? A circular facility, with this lab at its edge enclosing acres of untainted jungle. All reinforced glass for optimum viewing into the walled jungle enclosure.

Speaker 12 5:32

Viewing of what?

Speaker 2 5:34

You'll see. Whoa! The room is moving! Yes, you might find yourself a bit queasy on the first ride. But isn't it accelerating? See how our observation of the jungle follows the circular design? Soon we'll both have a bird's eye view. Now let's begin. Begin what? Bring up the subject and control variable. Is that Kyla Brandon? Yes. Why is she being tied to that post? Kyla! Oh, she can't hear you. Soundproof. Wait! What are you doing? I'm picking up where Barium left off. You're crazy! I'm completely rational, Ramulus. Now, in the cage on the far side, right here, is the Chimera. Inspired by a book your father saved from the remnant. It is made by science, not the whimsical, duplicitous power of the mist. She's a hybrid, built from the DNA of no less than five distinct species, and a very special sixth edition. I I don't even Which gives her qualities of strength, dexterity, fierceness, and endurance. It's disgusting. Yes, beautiful, isn't she? But I lacked one last test in a controlled environment. What? For unrivaled brain development and critical thinking, I can and have tested every one of its other attributes. But intelligence, that requires a new kind of test. And I can think of no better assistant than Miss Branton.

Speaker 8 7:55

I can't breathe! I've not done I'm not gonna have to see! Oh, what do they want us to do? We've got a cloud! That's impossible! This one is not gonna probably throw it in a management, Jenny! Please!

Speaker 9 8:14

Uh, not to interrupt this uh touching moment, but perhaps we should explore. On second thought, sit tight and have a good cry. I'll see if anyone's up. We were invited after all.

Speaker 2 8:56

Hello, Kyla. Can you hear me?

Speaker 6 8:59

Beetle? You have no right to hold me like this.

Speaker 2 9:02

You did escape me once, but I won't lose you again. Kyla?

Speaker 6 9:08

You're there. Where? How?

Speaker 12 9:10

I'm right above you.

Speaker 6 9:12

You were with me.

Speaker 12 9:17

Proceed around. It's an experiment, Kai.

Speaker 6 9:20

What kind of experiment?

Speaker 12 9:21

He's pitting you against this monster. Kai Mira. If you can survive 30 minutes, the beast is called off. He wants to test his intelligence against his level. When your clock's gone loose, the beast is released with you. You can find a place to hide and barricade yourself for a building like the tower in the center of the preserve.

Speaker 6 9:45

What do I do? I don't know which direction. Hi.

Speaker 12 9:48

Can you hear me?

Speaker 6 9:51

Yeah.

Speaker 12 9:53

With you right now, I can't make these next decisions for you, but you can. And you have to. Whatever you decide, I'll still be right there beside you, watching you, and anything that could hurt you.

Speaker 6 10:06

Oh.

Speaker 12 10:07

There's a tracker in your earpiece. And in the kind of mirror skin. It's all about teamwork. I'm going to keep talking and tell you everything I see, okay?

Speaker 6 10:15

Yeah. Yeah, okay.

Speaker 12 10:19

Let's just talk. What do you know about this thing's habits already?

Speaker 6 10:23

Um it's only attacked at night.

unknown 10:26

Good.

Speaker 12 10:27

What else?

Speaker 6 10:28

It probably ambushes its prey. It can climb or leap as a venomous bite and fled when it was confronted.

Speaker 12 10:37

What's that tell us?

Speaker 6 10:40

It's a stealth hunter. It tries to avoid direct conflict.

Speaker 12 10:44

I can see the tower in the clearing thanks to these lights. But there's no telling what's inside.

unknown 11:07

Hey, I'm right here.

Speaker 6 11:11

I know. I'm here. I'm at the tower. I made it through the clearing.

Speaker 12 11:37

I can see you even from here. The chimera signal is still idling by its cage. Weird, it hasn't moved. Only 15 more minutes to go. This might actually. Kyla! It's running through the clearing towards you! It's as if it knows!

Speaker 6 11:49

How is that possible? I don't know, but it's moving fast! I've seen it move. It won't take long to get here. This place is torn apart. Everything smashed. Claw marks are everywhere, and human bones picked clean.

Speaker 12 12:16

Kyla, just listen, talk to me. I can't see you, but I have your signal. You're seeing claw marks?

Speaker 6 12:21

Yeah. Um it looks like that thing broke in and there was a fight.

Speaker 12 12:26

Okay, now do you see what they were using to fight with? Something you could use.

Speaker 6 12:37

Yes, it's one of those long electrical prods.

Speaker 12 12:42

It's approaching fast. Brace yourself.

Speaker 6 14:25

I think it's dunned. No. No, no. Ram! The bra just lost its electrical current. I don't have anything to fight with.

Speaker 12 14:37

Calm down. Take a breath and think. Trust your instincts. Kyla? Are you there?

Speaker 6 14:54

It's waking up. I'm having a hard time breathing. I love you, Ram, but I have to say goodbye.

Speaker 12 15:03

What are you talking about? Kyla?

Speaker 2 15:09

Kyla! I I've lost her signal. Where'd she go? Impossible. I don't see her. Where is she? Kyla! Do you hear me? Miss Brandon, are you there? But the beast is still circling inside. I don't understand. If it killed her, why would it still be moving in a circle? You're feeble-minded. Of course you don't understand. My creature is smarter than all of you combined. Smarter than anything Barium created.

Speaker 8 15:35

Yes.

Speaker 2 15:36

This is not what I anticipated. I must get eyes in that building. I'm putting an end to this experiment. Clearly, she failed. We don't know that. You don't comprehend the significance of this moment. Chimera won! You see, I have created an animal that rises to the top of the food chain. Indestructible. Do you realize what this means for us? For people! The sky's the limit, Ramulus. What about Kyla? Who cares about her? Chimera?

Speaker 12 16:12

The beast isn't moving. The the signal's stagnant. What? Why?

Speaker 6 16:20

What I miss?

Speaker 12 16:21

Kyla!

unknown 16:28

Found your truck, beetle?

Speaker 6 16:30

Wasn't in my earpiece. It was in my skin. This ugly thing is the only creature that can go stealth.

Speaker 2 16:36

You killed Chimera?

Speaker 6 16:38

Let's get down to your quick beetle.

Speaker 12 16:43

Kyla? Can you hear me? What was that? An explosion at the base of a large labyrinth tree.

Speaker 3 17:04

Shut the south must fall!

Speaker 12 17:05

The electrical fire's detected! The stability of the entire facility is straining!

Speaker 2 17:09

It's Leonus, sir! How did she get down here? Grab the embryos and make for the high front. Let everyone else fall into the earth with the rest of it. No!

Speaker 5 17:34

Wherever Reggie is, he's gonna miss this. What are you mumbling about?

Speaker 1 17:50

I'm sorry. For what? I'm sorry I dragged you along. I know you wanted to follow Sam's advice, and I didn't like you. Yeah. That was a mistake. I know. Everything you said about me was right. I'm selfish.

Speaker 5 18:05

I don't think that's true anymore. Forgive me. Seriously? Yeah. Of course. Your brother mode. What are we gonna do? Well, no food, no water, no power, no friends, no situation. If you say hopeless, come on, man. Maybe Moby. There's never hopeless.

Speaker 7 19:18

Do over.

Speaker 12 19:25

Why are you coming here? I have to get a bummer off now. Stay with me, Tyler. Stay with me.

Speaker 7 19:32

I'd love to stay with you. Can I go to sleep? It's so late. Oh good night, Ram.

unknown 20:09

Finally, where have you been?

Speaker 10 20:16

Getting lonely. Impatient! It's been weeks. Then you'll be pleased to hear that I've acquired it, the living machine. As promised. This is only the beginning of what we can do together. Now, you could hardly say that I haven't proven myself. You have? And even through the mist I see you flying up there. Isn't it time you came down and we talked? Face to face. I think not.

Speaker 11 20:55

What? You have been extremely helpful, Seareg. But we're through.

Speaker 10 21:02

Through? My short-sighted friend. I don't think you appreciate. Oh, I do, friend.

Speaker 11 21:12

I do. But I'm not Mortimer and I am not Roy Goodwin. I will not be fooled and manipulated. The day we meet face to face, dear, is the day destruction comes. For you.

Speaker 10 21:31

You mortal! Deal you talk to me! Is that what they've done, Elion? I told you they would destroy themselves. It was only a matter of time. You will wrong, my friend. You will wrong.

Speaker 9 22:11

Anyone else? Oh my. That is a new species.

Speaker 4 22:37

Oh. Hello?

Speaker 9 22:39

Hello.

Speaker 4 22:41

Did you see my Picasso bird?

Speaker 9 22:43

Yes, quite a colorful trail it leaves.

Speaker 4 22:46

Why are there wires where your arm should be?

Speaker 9 22:50

Complicated. I traveled with less than ideal companions.

Speaker 4 22:55

What are you?

Speaker 9 22:56

I am a tail unit android.

Speaker 4 22:58

Oh what?

Speaker 9 23:00

A living machine, you could say. Like a walking computer, but infinitely smarter and much better looking. And you?

Speaker 4 23:07

I'm Finley.

Speaker 9 23:09

Very pleased to meet you, Finlay. My name is Bur well, my friends call me Bucket.

Speaker 23:38

Icarus was written by Colton Grellier and Chris Nelson. Featuring the voice talents of Sam Van Fossen, Garrett Lewis, Logan Polson, Jamie Cloutier, Stephen Dean, Joshua Prentice, Madelyn Durie, Joshua Lindevaldsen, Amber Lambie, Ashley Banker, Jacob Lindsay, Taryn Nunley, and Joshua Nicholson. Sound design by Sam Lee. Music by Seth Norris. The Encounter is written, performed, and produced by Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Visit us online at encounterseries.com.