DUST Presents: DERELICT: FATHOM E1 - In the Dark We See

J. Barton Mitchell (0:00)

Hi, everyone. My name is J. Barton Mitchell, and I'm the creator of the immersive sci-fi audio experience, Derelict, which you're about to listen to, thanks to the fine folks here on the Dust podcast.

You're going to hear our very first episode from Season 1, which we called Fathom, which is set in the future inside a research base on Earth that has been built around an enigmatic artifact discovered at the bottom of the ocean, an artifact that appears to be, for lack of a better description, a giant door and set into the ocean floor.

The base, called Fathom, was built to research the door, but more specifically, to open it, a decision that, as you might imagine, turns out to be ill-advised. It's a very immersive, movie-like audio experience that's influenced by such things as Aliens, HP. Lovecraft and even 2001, A Space Odyssey. Please give it a listen and if you like what you hear, you can find us on any of your favorite podcast platforms by clicking on the link in the episode notes below or by visiting us at derelictpodcast.com. The good news is the second season of Derelict is right around the corner, so you have just enough time to catch up before new episodes begin dropping this fall. Thanks again for listening and thanks again to the people at Dust for sharing our work.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (1:26)

They say that, in the dark, the eyes begin to see, and in the silence, we begin to listen. Believe me, nowhere is it darker or quieter than in this place, the bottom of the ocean, 19,000 feet down. It's why I came here, after all, isn't it? Why I buried myself, the furthest away I could possibly get. Loss is an insidious thing. And whatever we try to escape, we inevitably bring with us, even to the darkest, quietest places.

Jesus.

Dani Payne (2:48)

Dr. Graff? Are you okay?

Elizabeth Laidlaw (2:54)

I'm fine. Klayton, thank you.

Dani Payne (3:04)

Dreams again?

Elizabeth Laidlaw (3:04)

Is that a crime?

Dani Payne (3:07)

Would you like a sedative? It can really help you sleep.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (3:13)

No.

Dani Payne (3:14)

Eva, according to the biologues, you haven't slept a regular cycle in more than a month.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (3:18)

How many times do you have to say, I'm fine?

Dani Payne (3:20)

Logs don't lie, Eva.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (3:24)

And they don't tell the whole story, either, Sarah. What's up with the repairs?

Dani Payne (3:30)

Well, you'd have to ask Freeman for the whole picture. But last I heard, it was going well. They have most of the supports for Fathom West patched, working on North Nell.

I know why you're asking. I haven't heard if the access to Relay's backup or not.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (3:47)

Hopefully not much longer.

Dani Payne (3:50)

Couple of weird things, though.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (3:52)

What?

Dani Payne (3:53)

Well, they finally got the mainframe open.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (4:03)

There wasn't?

Dani Payne (4:11)

They're going over it now, though.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (4:13)

Well, no one knows Mack like Emerson.

Dani Payne (4:17)

That's the other thing. No one knows where Emerson is.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (4:22)

What do you mean, no one knows?

Dani Payne (4:24)

Mack's personnel tracking is down now and no one can raise her on coms. She may be outside. Checking the capsule's exterior.

With all the eddy activity, though.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (4:34)

Well, people don't just disappear. Especially down here. And Emerson's sort of aloof. Anyway, she'll show up at lunch. Sarah, I need to get up now. No, I still think so it is. Thank you.

Doctor.

Jesus.

J. Barton Mitchell (4:54)

Good morning, Dr. Graff.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (4:56)

Good morning, Mac.

I was just talking about you. I heard Emerson is poking around in your brain.

J. Barton Mitchell (5:03)

Miss Emerson is attempting to determine the cause of my minor malfunctions. My own diagnostics continue to show no errors or latency.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (5:12)

Well, something's up. Yesterday, you told me it was snowing in Chicago in June.

J. Barton Mitchell (5:19)

It is puzzling. I was extensively stress tested before being approved for deployment. An explosion such as the one Fathom Base experienced last week should not have caused any permanent damage.

Will you be returning to sleep, Dr. Graff?

Elizabeth Laidlaw (5:34)

No. No, I don't think so.

J. Barton Mitchell (5:37)

I'll prepare your coffee. You have two new voicemails if you would like them.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (5:44)

Who's the first from?

J. Barton Mitchell (5:45)

The first voicemail is from your wife, Dr. Graff.

Elizabeth Laidlaw (5:48)

She's not my...

Play it. Please, Mac.

J. Barton Mitchell (5:55)

Playing message from Angela Graff. Time stamp at June 17th, 11:45 p.m. Hi.