0:01

Hello and welcome to the midseason finale for

0:03

this season of Among the Stars and Bones.

0:06

Were. Taking a break after this one. With.

0:08

The next episode available on the main

0:11

feed July Third: And. Available one

0:13

week earlier, the patrons. Reminder

0:16

also that Among the Stars and Bones

0:18

features characters in a hostile environment and

0:20

is intended for mature audience. As

0:23

such a contains material which may be

0:25

upsetting or triggering for some people. In

0:28

particular. This episode contains discussions

0:30

of a drug induced break

0:32

from reality and Ptsd. Specific

0:35

content warnings with time stamps can be found

0:38

in the show. Notes: Please.

0:40

Make. Use of them if you need to. Attention

1:45

of Jennifer Connelly.

1:47

You. Doc says initiative. Her.

1:50

About it as Task Force

1:52

Status Report. Mission.

1:54

Planet and tear. Status.

1:57

Report Six. One

2:05

com current. Commence

2:09

Report: Controller Bombs Reporting

2:11

Day: Fourteen March Twenty

2:13

Ninth, Twenty Two, Eleven.

2:16

There was a. Moment after my last report when

2:19

I was sure we would soon have

2:21

a breakthrough when we would know how

2:23

to safely tweet and transport than up

2:25

and I just so that in this

2:27

report I could make a formal request

2:30

for Medivac and begin the process of

2:32

ruling a line. Through this whole episode.

2:35

And of course. Nothing. To

2:37

be further from reality. Approximately

2:41

one thirty Am Central Time two

2:43

days ago, not long after planetary

2:46

sunset. hear the number nine to

2:48

screw with state. The. First

2:50

alarm was not ways until they

2:52

started runnings who are hundreds and grabbing

2:55

people. Garbled messages sent through to

2:57

me and it took a few

2:59

moments to realize what was happening. I.

3:02

Tried to raise francis the got

3:04

no response. It soon

3:06

became. Clear why he and his

3:09

team were compromised. Them are part

3:11

of the push through our fingers

3:13

pods and holes. I

3:15

acted several security protocols to deny

3:18

access, but it proved impossible to

3:20

completely restrict the marines and despite

3:22

whatever separation there is between a

3:25

conscious mind of those affected by

3:27

these nights and the work of

3:29

the night's themselves. It.

3:31

Has become clear that they have

3:33

at least some ability to utilize

3:36

previously learned skills and knowledge. If.

3:39

We didn't act fast. We were going to

3:41

be overrun. With. Of it was

3:43

already too late for some. People.

3:46

Have since reported seeing other members

3:48

of her auditors being tackled blast

3:50

and. Tried. To way. still

3:54

i run it everyone i could

3:56

as fast as possible we did

3:58

our best to get people who

4:00

were trapped in rooms with compromised people

4:02

outside, and we made for the one

4:04

place we felt we had a chance,

4:07

the mine. We

4:09

managed to go unnoticed by taking a

4:11

wide berth and mounting the ice and

4:13

snow built up against the mining compound

4:15

walls to keep us away from the

4:17

night. Several of

4:20

Francis' soldiers were waiting near

4:22

the compound entrance however, and

4:24

spotted us making for the side door. We

4:27

sprinted for it and had a good head

4:29

start on them, but were held

4:31

up by the need to get everyone inside. It

4:34

was a terrifying moment let me tell you,

4:37

but thankfully the airlock doors were made

4:39

to allow the passage of large numbers

4:41

of miners at once, and

4:44

I already had some previous experience in

4:46

resetting the access codes. A

4:49

head count once we were safe showed 62

4:51

made it inside

4:54

the mine. Four others,

4:56

including Ben, are trapped

4:58

in a lab in the Xeno-Archaeology pod.

5:01

They are safe at present and we

5:03

are in communication with them. They're

5:06

scared as you'd expect, but

5:09

I think they are better for knowing someone else is

5:11

out there. It's a vast

5:13

improvement on last time. I say

5:17

last time like it's something from

5:19

the distant past, not two months

5:21

ago. Anyway,

5:25

in terms of the state of our opposition,

5:28

I can't quite

5:30

call them our enemy when it's obvious

5:32

they're as much hostage as hostile, but

5:35

there appears to be all

5:37

surviving members of Nabonidus. That's

5:39

56. Captain Francis and

5:41

his entire military team, which adds

5:43

25, plus we have to assume

5:48

the 16 other members of Herodotus

5:51

that were lost in the scramble.

5:54

Several of them have been spotted outside,

5:57

so It seems that they must have

5:59

been... Converted.

6:01

I suppose. So

6:04

that's a force of ninety seven

6:07

to was sixty two with a

6:09

good number of them made up

6:11

of highly trained marines. How.

6:13

Much that will have a bearing on

6:16

things only time will tell. On

6:19

the positive side, we are quite

6:21

secure have. The. Door is

6:23

robust enough for our purposes and

6:26

the main entrance for large machinery

6:28

about from being electronically secure. Was.

6:30

Frozen in place due to lack of

6:33

use since this site was closed down.

6:35

There. Is there a secondary exit? But.

6:38

We also managed to secure it in

6:40

time. I. Go People stationed on

6:42

look out at both locations away doing

6:44

what we can to be sure that

6:46

if they get through one of the

6:48

doors the have a hard time getting

6:50

any further. Additionally,

6:52

we have the mines administration and

6:55

control building where we have access

6:57

to never night as equipment. Some.

7:00

Of our own equipment and even some

7:02

of the mines original type. That.

7:04

Means that we've been able to get

7:06

come with seeds from all com found

7:08

that compound and even the cameras around

7:10

the mine. So. Far

7:12

always the occasional movement and but mostly

7:15

they have people watching the doors to

7:17

make sure we don't go anywhere. There.

7:20

Have been some attempts to butter the

7:22

doors down. But. Thankfully in

7:24

effect tool. As

7:27

a real sense of waiting night.

7:30

Whatever. Is driving The actions of

7:32

our colleagues is binding. It's time. Waiting.

7:35

To see what we do next. So

7:39

we have eyes and the ability to

7:41

linkin with our systems and data. Though

7:43

obviously we are short on lab equipment

7:45

and anything that hadn't been bought down

7:47

to the site and so on. And

7:51

allows positive note A is that we

7:53

are well stop to the food and

7:55

water. Neither neither said set

7:57

up a portable commissary in the.

8:00

The area around the administrative building.

8:02

Which. I expanded own and also topped

8:04

up with stock the day before. all

8:06

this phone sideways. There. Is

8:08

also additional food deep down just outside

8:11

the anti chamber itself. When.

8:13

We arrived we found a site tunnel

8:15

that's filled with a week combination of

8:17

not been i disappointment and left over

8:20

mining tools and though. It

8:23

wasn't the best option for a failed

8:25

kitchen, the we needed something down there.

8:28

So in the short term, we

8:30

aren't going to run out of

8:32

supplies or say the minds internal

8:34

power supply cannot be interrupted from

8:36

outside. All

8:39

I know we I mean marginally better

8:41

shape. And then we were on. Tessa.

8:44

Was. Safe and supplied but we

8:46

need Now with a plan.

8:50

I'm in discussions with department heads about

8:52

of course of action the oh no

8:54

doubt. hey more about it when they

8:56

reported. That

8:58

a moment, I'm declaring a state

9:00

of emergency. But. I'm not issuing

9:02

an emergency. We call order. That.

9:05

Would be no point. Whatever.

9:07

This is containing it and preventing

9:09

it from getting off. World has

9:11

to be the first priority. Though.

9:14

We're still not sure the exact

9:16

mechanisms involved it's there is a

9:19

nice nice can spread from person

9:21

to person and quickly. So

9:24

while I do hope we can count

9:26

on your support to reveal any findings

9:28

and give advice, we are clearly going

9:30

to be on our own when it

9:32

comes to surviving the situation and finding

9:34

a solution to undo what has been

9:36

done to. Our friends. I

9:39

have no interest in a close Ninety

9:41

Nine situation being forced on us. Of

9:44

course, getting to what we need from

9:46

here is going to. Controller

9:48

dozens of men would fight. I have

9:50

to go where they hope to have

9:52

better news for you soon or with

9:54

him and pans out. And.

9:57

See. Him. Down.

10:00

Investigation Report.

10:06

Cannot support. This

10:08

is Cathy Winters reporting on Day

10:10

Fourteen of the Never Noticed Relief

10:13

Missions. Such. Who and

10:15

I guess were doing data investigation

10:17

that in real time now? Miller

10:19

there because I'm sitting there in

10:21

front of a bag of surveillance

10:23

feed watching a bunch of now

10:25

might possess people move around outside.

10:28

They're everywhere at the moment. Outside

10:30

is the never notice area in

10:33

a compound and a better not

10:35

be in my boss. Why don't

10:37

want anyone touching my stash of

10:40

star clusters? Ah, I

10:42

love those who take a new

10:44

wait. Wow, I didn't write any

10:46

star clusters of. Money Give while

10:48

I don't give them to just anyone

10:50

Could go over a see them getting

10:53

rid of. The.

10:55

Be worse though, he could have Sylvan. The in

10:57

there are ones. You. Fair point

10:59

if it hadn't been for bomb as

11:01

a linux or yeah, I

11:04

was just trying to get to sleep when the

11:06

alarm sounded. I just started

11:09

to register with forces were saying over the

11:11

loudspeaker. Went to the marines. Try to force

11:13

their way into my room. I

11:15

think I. Broke one of their wrists, pushing their

11:17

hands out with a chair to get the

11:20

door closed. But fan, Of course I was

11:22

trapped. I only

11:24

got out because when thorns realized what was

11:26

happening she started getting people to run down

11:28

for it or screaming and to draw them

11:31

away. The truth

11:33

about that would imagine. I'd

11:35

either still be trapped or the good

11:37

one. One of them. on

11:40

a tiny bit luckier through i wasn't

11:42

alone and we have more warning we

11:44

still had to get out grown from

11:46

fear that gone on the marlins thankfully

11:49

phone said access to the transform the

11:51

feeds from the marines so we knew

11:53

what areas to avoid have to be

11:55

on the lookout for the napa night

11:57

is true that we don't have frequencies

11:59

says But

12:01

I handed it to her. She got

12:03

it together quick. Only a handful of us

12:05

would have made it in here otherwise. Anyway,

12:09

Miss Connolly, that's our stories.

12:13

Now, I've noted that the possessed... Are

12:16

we going to call them that? We

12:18

need a collective noun or something here.

12:21

There seems to be a running theme of coming up with names

12:24

for things with you. Well,

12:26

let's call them possessed

12:28

for now. They

12:30

seem to be moving with greater purpose.

12:33

At least, compared to what I saw of them before.

12:37

I don't know why. It

12:39

could be as simple as them having

12:41

a goal rather than mere survival like

12:43

when they first arrived. Or

12:47

nothing really at all when they were locked up.

12:50

They've regained strength, too. But

12:53

even compared to the footage of them all

12:55

walking out of the mine the day they

12:57

were first possessed, they seem to

12:59

be faster, more physically

13:01

coordinated. An

13:04

indication that nanite influence increases over

13:06

time. Maybe. But

13:09

the members of Herodotus that are newly part

13:11

of their group don't seem to be moving

13:13

glunkily or without purpose. It's

13:16

got me wondering if it's a question of numbers.

13:19

The way they move in sync with each

13:21

other has certainly got a hive mind feel

13:24

about it. So perhaps

13:26

it's the number of minds in

13:28

the hive that makes the difference. You're

13:31

talking about people we work with, like lab

13:34

rats. Remembering how

13:36

much Ramirez makes me laugh isn't going

13:38

to help me save her. Or

13:41

Moon Switera. Or Captain Francis. Or

13:43

anyone from Nabinitis, for that matter. You're

13:47

right, it's just... hard.

13:52

I know it is. But none of us

13:54

did what we had to do to survive

13:56

Tethin in order to fail here. One

14:04

person who seems to have been forgotten in

14:06

the middle of all this is Johann Müller.

14:09

He's locked inside his med bay. I

14:12

can't bring up the bay itself because

14:14

of obvious privacy issues, but

14:16

the hallway outside of the bay does give a

14:18

view of the door, and I've seen

14:21

his face through the window. Interestingly,

14:24

he doesn't seem to have any of the possessed

14:26

outside of his room. I

14:29

don't know if that's an oversight on their part,

14:31

or perhaps has more to do

14:33

with the fact that possession failed to work on

14:35

him. He's stuck

14:37

there, though, because he was still

14:39

locked in the pod since we weren't 100%

14:43

sure it was safe to have him out, and

14:45

Captain Francis wasn't having it anyway. At

14:49

least he's not so restrained. Dr.

14:51

Chang felt it was unnecessary once the

14:54

Nordesil had had time to work. Keeping

14:57

him locked up was precautionary, but he

14:59

is much more lucid now. We

15:02

had a conversation earlier, and I

15:04

was able to patch through to an intercom

15:07

and explain the situation to him. He's

15:10

surprisingly calm, considering,

15:14

and seems much more himself. Here's

15:18

some relevant parts of the conversation. So,

15:22

what you're saying is that you

15:25

don't entirely remember what was going through your

15:27

mind when you did some of the things

15:29

you did? No.

15:34

Okay. So this

15:36

isn't the easiest thing to admit, but when

15:39

I was 16, some

15:41

stuff went down at home. I

15:44

ran away, left their

15:47

Enclave, fell in with

15:49

a rough crowd, and ran

15:51

away to an unregulated zone. Oh.

15:55

I see. Though I

15:58

don't understand the connection. The

16:00

crowd I ran with, they got

16:02

me into some stuff. Hallucinogens.

16:06

Not the designer stuff. Street

16:09

level, backyard stuff. The

16:12

sort of stuff that can cause very bad

16:14

reactions in some people. And

16:17

it did for me. I

16:19

got really paranoid. Started

16:21

having episodes. I'd

16:24

be walking down the street and think that

16:26

people were about to change around me. Into

16:29

something... bad. I

16:33

don't remember what. The

16:35

details were fuzzy, but like... In

16:38

a dream, it all made sense at

16:40

the time, you know? And

16:42

that's what it felt like with this? Yeah.

16:47

It was like... It was happening to

16:49

someone else. And I

16:51

was just... Sort of watching

16:54

it. So what caused it?

16:57

Look, I can't be sure, but I feel

17:00

like I was seeing the signs that

17:02

the me who went through all that read as

17:06

the people around me are going to change.

17:08

And... No,

17:10

that doesn't make sense. They

17:13

weren't doing the same kinds of

17:15

things you remember from when you were younger?

17:19

That's... Sigh... It's

17:22

more like because I don't remember

17:24

exactly what it was like when I was younger.

17:27

Man, my head is going round and

17:29

round. Hey, it's okay.

17:33

Take your time. But let

17:36

me ask you this. How

17:39

did you react back then? I

17:42

used to watch people closely, waiting

17:45

for confirmation. Or

17:47

whatever my brain thought of as confirmation.

17:50

That, I remember. Once

17:53

I had a sense that someone around me definitely

17:55

wasn't who they appeared to be, the

17:58

instinct was always to run and hide. Leave

18:01

anything that could ID me. Find

18:03

a den that felt safe. Lay

18:06

in supplies and just get off the grid.

18:09

And I was already pretty off the grid to begin with. Okay,

18:13

well that fits. You

18:16

left your recorder, hid your

18:18

files, turned off all transponders, scrambled

18:20

the access logs and did a

18:22

number on the server's file structure.

18:26

It sure made our job a lot tougher. Even

18:29

realizing that you weren't accounted for took some

18:32

time. Sorry

18:34

about that. I felt

18:36

like I knew they were going to come looking for me.

18:39

There's one action that doesn't quite

18:42

make sense, though. You

18:44

sabotaged the lifters stationed at door one,

18:46

didn't you? Did

18:48

I? We're pretty

18:50

sure. You don't remember? No,

18:54

I... Wait. Something...

19:00

I just got this thought in my head. Like

19:02

I was being called to go beyond that

19:04

door. I

19:07

don't know. But I was

19:09

pretty sure it didn't come from me. I

19:12

think. Was it like

19:14

a command? I don't think

19:16

so. More like a strong

19:19

compulsion. Before or

19:22

after you followed Hollister, Meisner and

19:24

Zum? I... The

19:27

thought was there a lot, actually. Whenever

19:30

I was down there. Maybe

19:33

that's what started this? I

19:36

don't know. That footage

19:38

you showed me. Just

19:40

before everyone else changed. I

19:43

think that's why I walked out when I did. Because

19:46

part of me knew... Somehow...

19:49

That if I didn't go then... I

19:52

wouldn't be able to. Do

19:54

you still feel a... A

19:57

pull or a compulsion now? No,

20:02

not in some time actually. Interesting.

20:09

Anything else? Yeah,

20:12

one question. What happened

20:14

at the end of all that? Back

20:17

when you were younger? Oh,

20:20

right. Well, my

20:22

family is pretty connected. I

20:25

see. Oh,

20:29

you're one of those

20:31

muleers. Yeah, those

20:36

muleers. They eventually tracked

20:38

me down, swept everything

20:40

under the rug. They're

20:44

good at that. Which was

20:46

why there are redacted sections in your file.

20:49

Yeah. Say,

20:51

do you have any idea when I might be able to

20:54

get out of here? We're working

20:56

on it. I can't promise

20:59

anything, but just sit tight.

21:02

Okay. I mean, it's

21:05

not like I'm not comfortable hunkered down in

21:07

a small space, but I

21:09

am going to start getting pretty hungry

21:11

soon. Oh, yes.

21:14

I checked with the doctor. He said

21:16

there's water you can use in the fridge behind

21:18

you. He also

21:20

said that he keeps a stash of

21:22

snacks in the bottom drawer next to

21:24

the one with bandages. It's

21:27

not much, but if you ration it

21:29

out a bit... Got it. He

21:32

also said the nordicil is on the top

21:34

shelf of the blue cabinet. One

21:37

every 24 hours as regular as you

21:39

can keep it. Yeah,

21:41

I've taken it before, but

21:43

thanks. Oh, and

21:46

Kathy? Yeah? You

21:49

probably already know not to let them touch you.

21:52

And since they can't get to you, I know

21:54

that means you think you're safe. But

21:57

you've got to watch out. When

21:59

Things are quiet... That's when they're

22:01

about to do something and. Keep your

22:03

eyes open and. Will do. You.

22:06

Take care. I'll check in later see

22:08

how you doing. You

22:10

to and. Thanks

22:12

for watching over me.

22:16

Not that many people have ever done that.

22:19

Of course. By.

22:25

That. We can't

22:27

be certain that he gets and of we

22:29

won't be able to get a full body

22:31

scan to be sore until we get out

22:33

of here. I think he must have had

22:35

some exposure to the knights, but. I

22:38

don't know, it didn't take with

22:41

the or something. It

22:43

could just be coincidence, the odd

22:45

behavior he saw causing his mind

22:47

to spiral because the rest of

22:49

his colleagues gave off a vibe

22:51

that reminded his subconscious of his

22:53

ass. But then he mentioned the

22:55

compulsions he was getting to do

22:57

so. I

22:59

don't know. It's something

23:02

I've read celia and on as they and

23:04

sang work through his. Anyway,

23:07

I better wrap this up. I

23:09

was going to check in on him again and then have a

23:11

little over. To

23:15

him. Why are you giving me the

23:17

is? that you didn't give them to

23:19

just anyone? You're

23:22

right, I think. The

23:25

whole. Other.

23:29

Score! Oh

23:33

this old guy. Oh

23:40

well, as I say, oh

23:42

yeah, I'm. I'm

23:44

going to start looking to see if

23:47

there's any never noticed entries about the

23:49

containers that we might have missed. Kathy

23:53

Winters. Signing. Him.

24:00

You know, archaeology report. Sir!

24:04

We're in a siege from a hostile force being controlled by

24:06

something else that wants to do nasty things to us. Must

24:09

be Tuesday! It's Sunday.

24:12

It can't be Sunday. If it was Sunday, the bad

24:14

guys would have the day off and we could get out of here. Why

24:17

just the bad guys? When

24:20

was the last time you took the day off? Umm...

24:24

Ooh... He's got you there. He's

24:26

got us all there. Yeah,

24:29

well, we'll get back to the Workaholics Anonymous

24:31

meeting after I do this report. We

24:34

are currently safe. We're stuck

24:37

in Lab B in the Archivold, leading the door

24:39

sealed, and the code changed. Viz,

24:42

how many out the corridor? Four

24:47

that I can see. Gotta be a

24:49

couple more out of sight. They know

24:52

there's four of us in here. You

24:54

figure the Triforce-Perian numbers. Probably.

24:59

As you can hear, I'm stuck in

25:01

here with rampaging Remy Seng, the heroic

25:03

Hudson Deshae, and the

25:06

always amazing Anatoly Andreyevich

25:08

Clemenka. You

25:10

sound like you're introducing the members of your band.

25:12

I call drums. Okay. Guitars

25:14

where it's at anyway. Let me guess. I'm

25:17

stuck with bass. Look, as long as

25:19

we don't have to wear some sort of uniform, I'll take whatever. They

25:22

already picked out the other way. Hahaha. It's

25:27

possible we've gone slightly stir-crazy already. Anyway.

25:32

First we knew that something was wrong was when the alarm sounded. Hudson

25:35

stuck his head out and could see a bunch of them in

25:37

the corridor, so we had no choice but to stay put. We've

25:40

been doing a last deep dive through the symbols on the

25:42

walls, seeing if there was anything more to be gleaned from

25:44

them. You know me. I

25:46

normally would have been doing something like that down on the side

25:49

itself, but I just finished another conversation

25:51

with Hollister when Remy proposed a bit of a conference.

25:54

So, we grabbed us all a bunch

25:56

of food from the cafe and we were settling in for a late

25:58

night group session When the hammer came down. We

26:02

got here while they pounded the door for

26:04

of it when it became obvious they weren't

26:06

going to get in and that from the

26:08

chat up there was no way anyone was

26:11

getting to wasn't a time soon we'll just

26:13

drugs act work. Mean

26:15

else can we do? Were

26:19

pretty limited in but at least we have

26:21

access. What uttered he had it. Not

26:24

unsealed one I yoda

26:27

useful information know where

26:29

spinning our wheels. I

26:32

don't think there's much more be gleaned from

26:34

the symbols around the site. Zoning to be

26:36

learned, at least the know archaeological it is.

26:40

Which was also the same is my second

26:42

conversation with of. The

26:44

good idea let myself laugh. The handle too

26:46

ease with the first time in a be

26:49

there was more disgusted at. And

26:52

I as I got a little more but. Of

26:55

of just the that's. What

27:00

do you want This time? Got more

27:02

plane to spread around. Want to blame

27:04

me for the state to the economy?

27:07

Bats separatists, Not

27:10

Victor. Look, I'm not here for that.

27:12

I want to focus on the what

27:14

it's meant. That you

27:16

out of this. Truth

27:19

at home that it. You

27:24

can spend the next five minutes trying to goad me

27:26

into leaving so he feeling sorry for yourself until you

27:29

die or you can try to work with me when

27:31

you to understand these two sides were going to solve

27:33

this. Must

27:38

have given you chuckle. Going through my

27:40

notes and records and seeing how far

27:42

off I was. The whole religious interpretation.

27:46

A little. I did

27:48

have the benefit of hindsight that might have gone down

27:50

the same path of we've been first if. You

27:53

don't believe that? look? Say what

27:56

to do both. answers

27:58

must live the site you visit This

28:01

place, it's too simple. It's

28:03

pure storage. It's its only function. I

28:06

think this is where they buried their mistakes. What's

28:09

the matter, sir? But the

28:11

mistake itself must have been made elsewhere. Your

28:14

side. The other side. Do

28:17

you think these nanites were a mistake? A

28:20

genie they decided to bottle when it got out of hand?

28:24

You don't bury mistakes. Not

28:26

a mistake like this. You destroy them. Fire

28:29

them into the sun. Nuke them from orbit. These

28:32

nanites. Stay

28:34

here. By

28:36

design. Okay,

28:38

sure. I didn't want to admit

28:40

it, but... you're right. You

28:44

really hold on to the idea that the Proximons are

28:46

more enlightened, don't you? Look,

28:48

I'll admit that what I saw on Tef and shook that

28:50

a little. Thousands of

28:52

them were murdered there by one of their own. But...

28:55

yes, I do. Take

28:57

it from the only other human who knows them as

29:00

well as you do. They're

29:02

no better than us. They

29:05

just have better toys. They're

29:07

still children running around with a loaded weapon. Theirs

29:10

is just a ray gun. Alright.

29:14

Let's talk about how they got this particular ray gun. You

29:17

think this is a weapon? Don't you? Sure.

29:22

What do you want to know? You said

29:24

to Celia you thought it was a lab, right? The

29:26

other side? Yes, but I

29:29

don't know how much more helpful I can be. I was

29:32

but a passenger on the meat bus. Couldn't

29:34

even turn my head to look at anything it didn't need me

29:36

to look at. Well, what was your

29:38

sense of the layout, though? I'd say...

29:40

I'd say

29:43

it's about how you'd expect. What

29:45

I glimpsed at the top level suggested administration,

29:47

the mentalist laboratories, and the bottom is the

29:49

storage. But here's

29:51

something strange. There

29:54

are levels below the storage. And

29:56

I don't mean the industrial guts of the place either.

29:58

We didn't go to the store. down there because whatever

30:00

we wanted was on the storage levels. But

30:03

I want to look at some signs. Not

30:06

a good look. But it wasn't anything

30:08

to do with more storage. So there

30:10

was something else at the bottom? Yeah.

30:13

Weird, right? What do

30:15

you put further down than storage? There's

30:18

something else too. Something about

30:21

the orientation of the place. Yeah.

30:24

It felt... upside

30:28

down, maybe? Not

30:30

sure what gives me that sense. I wasn't

30:32

exactly focused, so... Do you

30:35

mean that instead of

30:37

being designed around keeping someone out, it

30:39

was more focused on keeping something in?

30:43

Yes. Interesting.

30:47

Do you work out something similar about this site?

30:51

It... there's some thinking on

30:53

it. They

30:55

weren't worried about someone sweeping in and stealing stuff. They

30:58

kept this place really hidden, so that's not surprising.

31:01

Still, if what was stored

31:03

there was as dangerous as what was stored here... I

31:07

don't think it was the same thing. I

31:10

think it's an important component. But

31:12

I don't think it's the danger. Then

31:15

why did these nanites pilot you across frozen wastes

31:17

to get it? That

31:19

wasn't plan A. You're

31:22

forgetting. And

31:24

I suppose I had too. When

31:27

we were all taken over, we

31:29

tried to go through the chamber A door first, but

31:32

we couldn't get it open. It

31:35

was only after that we tracked across the

31:37

wastes. Because of Mueller?

31:40

He locked you out. Mueller?

31:43

The Xenotech? He seems

31:46

to be immune or something, but also

31:49

like he had enough of an inkling about what

31:51

was happening that at some point he sabotaged the

31:53

equipment? I see. I

31:57

must confess he's the sort of person you barely notice when

31:59

he's there. I'd forgotten all about him.

32:02

I guess I just assumed he was mixed in with the rest of

32:04

us. Do

32:06

you know why he wasn't affected? Not

32:10

yet, but Celia and our medical officer are looking into

32:12

it. That

32:14

actually sounds almost promising.

32:17

We're going to throw everything we've got at this. If

32:20

there's a way. I

32:22

know. Whatever

32:27

we took from the second site, I

32:29

think they still need something here in the first.

32:32

Think about it. It's where we tried

32:34

to go when we were first taken. This

32:36

is the part the Proximans wanted to guard. This

32:39

is the one they buried impossibly twelve

32:41

miles under the surface. So

32:45

they still need you to get in there somehow? Yes.

32:51

And? They're

32:54

going to try something. What

32:57

makes you say that? A feeling. And

33:01

also, have

33:03

you noticed how my hand isn't beating the wall

33:05

anymore? Before

33:09

you ask, yes, I did

33:12

pass on that warning. You

33:14

didn't do any good. I passed it

33:17

to Francis, of course, and the trouble was that he and the

33:19

squad were the thing they were going to try. I

33:22

guess there's further evidence of the whole hive mind

33:24

right there. For all the

33:26

good evidence. So, we

33:28

can add to prevent Nanite-possessed people from getting back down

33:31

into the mine and past the vault door to the

33:33

to-do list for this week. Guess

33:35

we're lucky that Adrian and the rest fled to the mine. Or,

33:39

unlucky, because now they're between the possessed and what

33:41

they want. It's

33:46

becoming increasingly obvious that there's nothing more to be gained

33:48

from what we have here and the already

33:50

stored data. But the

33:53

only chance for anything that's going to drive our understanding

33:55

forward and get ourselves out of this predicament is going

33:57

to involve getting to the other side. The

34:00

annoying thing is that there's a port quite close to the

34:03

exit of our pod. I can

34:05

see it on the external feed now. But

34:08

what are the odds that even with a head

34:10

start, I can make the run, get the things

34:12

started in this cold, and get away before one

34:14

of these possessed people, as Kathy puts it, gets

34:17

me? You mean gets

34:19

us. I'd be coming with you.

34:22

Don't forget my sister is here. She's

34:24

part of Nebonites. I didn't know. That's

34:26

hardly a surprise. Sorry,

34:29

I... Well, she's

34:31

one of the survivors, right? She wasn't one

34:33

of the ones that... Yes,

34:37

she's alive and around here somewhere. Right, well, then yes of

34:40

course. If we can bust out

34:42

of here. I mean two heads are better

34:45

than one, right? Although this

34:48

isn't a problem of archaeology. It's

34:50

going to involve a lot more tech

34:52

and medical and bio. To

34:56

which end, Jen, we've started a conversation about how we

34:58

get a bunch of us out of here. I'd

35:01

say we need a mixed team of at least

35:03

five or six to have any chance of making

35:05

sense of what we find. But it's

35:07

going to take a lot more than that to make it happen. We'll

35:11

need a diversion or two, but then we don't

35:13

know whether or not they'll take the bait. I've

35:16

been talking with Adrianne and Kathy and Celia and

35:18

a couple of the military research team, and we're

35:20

working on something. So,

35:22

with a bit of luck the next time you hear from me, it'll

35:25

be from the road. I'll

35:52

try as best I can to develop a working hypothesis

35:54

of what we are dealing with here. initial

36:00

attack and fleeing to the mine is

36:02

surprisingly mundane. Despite being

36:04

at ground zero, as it were, it seems

36:06

that in the initial stages the Nenites did

36:08

not think to come looking in the tucked

36:10

away room with the scanner that I was

36:12

in, and the Nabinidus

36:14

people did do their best to give away

36:17

their location, so once I felt

36:19

compelled to move, I found that

36:21

by avoiding the noise I avoided the problem for

36:23

the most part. Once I

36:25

was outside, I hid on the

36:27

north side of the Nabinidus compound, and

36:29

monitored communications until the group Adrian was leaving

36:31

out, passed close enough that I was able

36:34

to make the run to join them. Adrian

36:38

acquitted herself admirably, which

36:41

is why I'm here in one piece, in control

36:43

of my own faculties, and in a place to

36:45

calmly continue to work through all of this, even

36:48

while outside, a hundred hostile people who

36:50

aren't just people right now, are trying

36:52

to get to us. So,

36:58

I started talking about the Ophiocordyceps

37:01

unilateralis fungus that impacts carpenter ants

37:03

last time. With that as

37:05

a basic model, I've been able to look at the

37:07

data and continue to build out my ideas. That

37:11

particular fungus surrounds the ant's brain and

37:13

exerts influence on it, but

37:15

it also directly manipulates the muscular

37:17

system. We seem to be

37:19

dealing with something similar here. Further

37:22

analysis of the scans we took confirms

37:24

that there are a whole lot of

37:26

microscopic interlaced networks of nanite construction. They

37:30

have penetrated the muscles and seem to

37:32

be able to directly stimulate them. Other

37:35

networks seem to block off the nerves,

37:37

preventing the victim's brain from sending its

37:39

own signals. There

37:41

are only a few, much less dense tendrils

37:44

of networks that are in the brain directly,

37:47

unsurprisingly in the parts of the brain to do

37:49

with motor function and knowledge of how to do

37:51

things. Additionally, there

37:53

are tendrils in the optic and cochlear

37:55

nerves. I think, Doctor,

37:58

that these pieces of network are in a to

38:00

monitor sensory input and tap relevant

38:02

parts of the victim's knowledge and skills. Yes,

38:06

and it appears to be an earlier part of the

38:08

process. You recall that Hollister,

38:10

one of the first affected, mentioned a

38:12

blue glow that no one else saw.

38:15

I think that might be a symptom of the

38:18

moment this wire tap on a person's vision occurs.

38:21

That makes sense. Monitoring a

38:23

situation before gaining full control to decide how

38:25

to act once you have it. Hmm,

38:28

indeed. Now looking

38:30

at this as a whole, the sight,

38:33

the biological data, the events that have

38:35

occurred thus far, as

38:37

well as putting into play ideas

38:39

and information passed on by Ben,

38:41

Hollister, Kathy and others, this

38:43

is what I believe we are dealing with. What

38:48

the Proximans developed here is some

38:50

sort of nanite-based hive mind. I

38:53

believe its purpose is as a weapon

38:55

intended to disrupt or devastate a population.

38:59

These nanites, once deployed on

39:01

a planet or colony or base, would

39:04

result in the people being converted to members

39:06

of this hive mind. In

39:08

the case of smaller holdings, that

39:11

would likely mean that the entire town

39:13

or settlement or facility would be overrun

39:16

and removed as a problem for the Proximans. In

39:19

the case of an entire planet, chaos

39:21

would be sewn, with the

39:23

unaffected population forced to divert energy and

39:26

resources to deal with the problem on

39:28

their doorstep, reducing or

39:30

eradicating their ability to wage war.

39:34

That's a nasty way to win a war.

39:37

What could possibly drive them to do

39:39

something so barbaric? I

39:42

agree, but right now, that's

39:44

not my concern. I'm

39:46

less worried about why this thing exists as I

39:49

am worried about what to do about it. Currently,

39:53

we believe it is spread via touch, having

39:56

reviewed all the events that occurred when the

39:59

Nabennidus crew returned. I

40:01

note that some of them grappled with Hudson

40:03

Diche, though his assailant wore gloves, and

40:06

later Private Swanson. They

40:08

pulled at his gear and probably got it loose. Almost

40:12

immediately afterwards, they surrendered and

40:14

complied with Captain Francis' orders. At

40:17

the time, Francis felt this was

40:19

a result of him threatening the members

40:21

of Nabonidus who were carrying the containers

40:23

they retrieved from the as-yet-undiscovered secondary

40:25

site. However, it is

40:27

my belief that they did so because they felt they

40:30

did not have the upper hand in the situation, but

40:33

having successfully passed their knights to the

40:35

Marines, they soon would. Which

40:37

explains why only the Marines were

40:40

initially affected. They were spending

40:42

less time with the rest of us while

40:44

focused on the security of the Nabonidus crew.

40:47

Yes, and there may have

40:49

been some design involved. Strategically,

40:51

the Marines were more useful at that

40:53

time. Yes, true. I

40:56

do not have hard data on some of

40:58

the following conjecture, but am drawing

41:01

this from what we have observed and what others

41:03

have noted. The

41:05

weapon appears to have been developed in such a way

41:08

as to be able to configure itself to

41:10

different species, even ones

41:13

that the Proximans had no familiarity with.

41:17

Well, they had no reason to design this

41:19

to attack us. Exactly.

41:22

At the time this was created, we'd

41:24

only had the printing process interior, sir. We

41:27

were hardly a threat to a species who

41:29

could create nanotechnology this advanced. This

41:32

doesn't seem like something you would create to

41:34

attack someone technologically inferior to

41:36

you. Are

41:39

you speculating on a species more

41:41

advanced than the Proximans? Again,

41:44

that is far too big a question for right now,

41:47

though it remains a possibility. But,

41:50

as you say, it wasn't designed for

41:52

us and yet has adapted itself to us.

41:55

I believe there may be several stages in

41:57

this process. I cannot currently...

42:00

do further testing on the remains

42:03

of Maisner and Thong. But

42:05

I would wager that after doing enough to

42:07

gain basic control over the two of them

42:09

and Hollister, the Nanites piloted them

42:12

to that place beyond the second door in

42:14

order to properly

42:16

configure themselves to humans. Effectively,

42:20

they became a combination of laboratory

42:23

and death subject. The

42:25

location would suggest that heat might be a factor

42:28

in that process. It

42:30

is much warmer in that room than

42:32

anywhere else save the main storage area

42:34

below, which they could not

42:36

access. So

42:38

Zun and Maisner were consumed

42:41

in that process, perhaps

42:44

incubating a new and improved

42:46

version of the Nanites, and

42:49

then Hollister spread it? I

42:52

believe so. The multistage aspect

42:54

of this is also evident in the use

42:56

of two sites, and the

42:58

speculation by Hollister that the cylinders taken

43:00

from the other sites were different from

43:02

the original ones here. Tethi

43:05

has also observed that the... possessed,

43:07

as she calls them, do

43:10

seem more physically capable and coordinated now

43:12

than in earlier footage we have of

43:14

them. And there is

43:16

also the idea that Hollister floated, that

43:18

the work is not complete and for

43:21

some reason the possessed now

43:23

need access to the vault to finish it. Yes,

43:27

again speculative, but it

43:29

supports the idea that this is a kind of

43:31

bioweapon, intended to ensure

43:33

that anyone threatening the Proximons could

43:35

be incapacitated and forced to fight

43:37

themselves. Of

43:39

course, I realize that it is

43:42

to myself and Chong that everyone will be turning

43:44

for a solution. There

43:46

are only really two things that we have in

43:48

our favor on that score. The

43:50

second site and Johann Müller. Indeed.

43:54

The Former will almost certainly contain useful

43:56

information if we can safely get to

43:58

it. And you hand

44:01

me that if get these recent conversations

44:03

with him are any indication. was almost

44:05

certainly exposed to these nights and yet

44:07

to as near as can be determined

44:09

appears on on unless his state of

44:12

mind when he was found is related

44:14

to the knights attempts to control him.

44:17

And I do want to point out. If.

44:20

Touch is as important a part of this

44:22

as we believe in the course of his

44:24

treatment, eye contact with him more than once.

44:27

It was unavoidable given our strongest

44:29

was reacting when was captured. I

44:33

will gloves, but we had no reason

44:35

to suspect anything communicable at that time.

44:38

Yes, Which also. Suggests he

44:40

not a carrier of the night's

44:42

either. He's a dead end. But

44:45

Why? There are a

44:48

number of possibilities, but. I

44:50

too can only speculate without doing

44:52

more testing. But there

44:54

was that rejected information in his

44:56

file. It turns out

44:58

that he had some. Youthful

45:00

indiscretions involving a street drug

45:03

known as rapture. Now,

45:06

I'm no expert in neurology, but

45:08

I am aware it's not like

45:10

the many legal designer narcotics and

45:12

hallucinations available in the wake of

45:14

the criminalization. It's. Cheap.

45:17

Easily. Created. And can

45:19

have a major impact on brain

45:21

chemistry. Some. Of the damage can

45:23

be bombing and. So. You're

45:26

supposition Nice that was have a changed in

45:28

his brain is made enough difference that the

45:30

knights couldn't. Match. On. Possibly.

45:34

It. Is the only way I'm

45:36

currently aware that Johan could be

45:38

different. It would also

45:40

suggest that and then I'd need to

45:42

do something from the body itself in

45:45

order to create tend to maintain their.

45:47

Network bundles. And without that

45:49

missing component, they couldn't. Take.

45:53

Root. Something.

45:55

Like that. Well.

45:57

There it is. Jennifer, We have something.

46:00

And fiverr lines of inquiry to pursue.

46:02

What we don't have is the ability

46:04

to move freely in order to pursue

46:06

them. I think

46:08

it's time to chicken response see other blend

46:10

to ship. A few of us. Out of

46:12

here is going. Yes, Sir.

46:16

This is where I will leave it for today. And

46:19

reports. Report.

46:29

To match report what's left of Captain

46:31

Francis Reporter I am compromised. Repeat I

46:34

uncompromised. I am no longer in control

46:36

of my body to the best to

46:38

my knowledge no member of my teammates.

46:40

We are all under the same console

46:42

as the members of an avid a

46:45

Disgrace. Summer.

46:48

I should have seen this comments about

46:51

moment of my last report when I

46:53

restarted recording. In hindsight.was, a lot like

46:55

what was noted about Sector Hollister and

46:57

the others before. They were all. Taken

47:00

over. Some of

47:02

the squad or also have it clumsy

47:04

when I get the rinds later that

47:06

evening. Bought by. I

47:09

didn't put us together. If

47:11

I hard, I could have ordered all

47:13

of us to contain ourselves, even as

47:15

a precaution. For nice

47:18

it's to lift. The.

47:20

Irony? yeah it's I had been

47:22

reviewing the request to provide a

47:24

non example, but yeah my my

47:26

last briefing packet some nice. I

47:30

am a non I'd samples. I

47:33

was taken a short nap. When it happens. I.

47:36

Needed a break but wanted to get in one

47:38

more sweet for the night before actually get in

47:40

some proper rak type. I.

47:43

Taught my people on the heightened state of alert because

47:45

of what color are Told me. It

47:47

seemed a long shot, but these people were

47:49

going to be able to do anything from

47:51

where they know what I wanted to be

47:53

extra vigilant just in case. We.

47:57

Should have been looking a little closer to home. When

48:00

I woke, I wasn't in the chair anymore.

48:03

Or he was already on the

48:05

most. I could hear others around

48:07

me, other moraines, We

48:09

are in the storage has already

48:11

freeing prisoners. I tried to fight

48:14

but it's not even an arm

48:16

wrestle. There's. No sense

48:18

he can resist the motion post

48:20

fight against the impulse sword well,

48:22

your limbs, the stove. You're simply

48:24

not involved in the decisions being

48:26

made by your body. On

48:30

surprisingly, all hell broke loose.

48:33

Surge died from another night. As com

48:35

pinder the Herodotus. As. Near

48:38

as I could tell my marines and I

48:40

were the front lines. Dragged

48:43

people from their class brought them

48:45

taking and scream and back to

48:47

the members of nominate us held

48:49

them dying Mother nominated people laid

48:51

hands on the. And

48:54

dragged I'm off to the isolation summers

48:56

where we'd been holed nominate us to

48:58

wait until they turn go too much

49:01

do I guess I ever this works

49:03

we were to newly made to be

49:05

able to do to them what of

49:07

and don't have so far north than

49:10

any way. To

49:12

probably ties. Since.

49:16

Eyes already repeated the process three

49:18

times before the alarm was raised.

49:20

From then on, we weren't as

49:22

successful. People. Were ready for

49:25

us rom from us. I. Nearly

49:27

got the group that was were teller. But

49:29

they. Had a not presence of mind to lock

49:31

themselves and. And. The high

49:33

ever barnes wonder by Pelham people I can get

49:36

them to The mines are perfectly work. I think

49:38

I was in the farthest reaches of the her

49:40

out of the com pines before I was stopped

49:42

and sent off. That. So. They must

49:44

have done an excellent job at a meeting detection

49:46

long enough to get most of them sees. As.

49:49

It off we stood outside the mine.

49:53

Just. Waiting. I

49:56

don't think I managed to remain that still

49:58

even on a per. Drawing attention.

50:03

And wasn't until trend tried to get

50:05

my attention. tried to speak to me

50:07

and I remembered. I still had

50:09

control of my Suisse. Aren't.

50:12

More to the point, I target I'm not.

50:14

While where my tactical gear. Including

50:16

my columns unit. Which.

50:18

I've always kept voice activated, keep my hands

50:21

free to hold a weapon. I.

50:24

Was able to contact parts letter know

50:26

that I was still able to communicate.

50:29

Able to record this message too many

50:31

of my status. Able

50:33

saved adviser of our general

50:36

disposition and deployments on give

50:38

up deaths over the last

50:40

he dates. I

50:42

ask what she not tell me any more

50:44

than she must have no plans, just Ncs

50:47

these nights. Are you able to understand what

50:49

we're talking about? And

50:52

nice. I am able to relay the

50:54

following. Which. I've also just

50:56

reported the Barnes. Just

50:59

like I don't think we are able to pass on

51:01

these nights to other things. I. Think

51:04

it takes a while for the knowledge

51:06

to get study entrenched and things like

51:08

yet memory scales of people they talent.

51:12

Because waves that around for close

51:14

to forty eight hours. But a

51:16

quarter hour ago vaccine just. right?

51:20

Nice! I am watching my hands as they are

51:22

made to open the containers of hardware we brought

51:24

with us on this mission. Ordinance

51:28

Tactical Explosives.

51:31

I given Bar Zola one and I

51:34

can meet a few suggestions about what

51:36

you might try to do to stop

51:38

or slow us. Because.

51:41

For. Years. And

51:44

an are maybe take we

51:46

wells breached the my. After

51:50

that I imagine things will

51:52

get messy. Sought

51:55

help a sauce. I'm

52:01

from her. Own.

52:26

Me: What on

52:29

Julia? Eve is eighty

52:31

and harm the. Seal Valentine

52:33

as to mean Hattersley sort of how?

52:35

the as healthy as. Intense as

52:38

annoying as in Roger

52:40

Drawn because as Johann

52:42

Mueller Christmas using has

52:44

been pillow her agree

52:46

that argued as Kliman

52:49

to reach the saw

52:51

as hudson. Edmunds

52:53

Young as Remy Dream

52:56

Crosley as Victor Hollister

52:58

Secure. As soon as the cecilia thing

53:00

as. An excuse as

53:02

doctor to him. Oliver Smith

53:05

as Captain Francis to the

53:07

Mountain. Be computer.

53:14

Move. Move. Move.

53:27

Move. Move. Good.

54:02

Reporting by fifty, resume

54:04

and and recommending a.

54:08

H P for Tiffany.