Ep. 18: Questionable Sources

Despite the Federation's best efforts, the distress signal is leaked to the media. As speculation spreads across the stars, Captain Tanaka makes a choice resulting in major consequences.

Directed by Ro Glenn 

Written and Produced by Laurel Steele 

Editing & Sound Design by Alex Godina 

Assistant Sound Design by Max G 

Episode Art by Andrés Aranda

Graphic Design by Yesica Mendoza 

Sound Editing by Montse Márquez

Sound Mixing by Alin Brindis 

Science-Fiction Consultancy by Javier Calatayud

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Transcript

SPEAKER_15 0:04

Outcaster radio.

SPEAKER_06 0:08

I don't want to say you're too late.

SPEAKER_13 0:11

Good morning, Outcasters. This is Captain Tanaka. Tuning in on April 2nd, 2143. Following the Federation's directive, we're returning to our former drone repair duties in the theta sector. After everything that's happened over the past two months, the whole crew is feeling, well, a range of emotions. But the outcaster's reassignment is insignificant compared to today's universal news. As most of you know by now, the distress signal we handed over to the fleet last week has found its way to the media. The same distress signal that took the outcaster three weeks to reach, a week to decode, and three more weeks to deliver. The signal we were told to ignore. A signal we still don't understand ourselves. It's now bouncing around the cosmos. At least in part. Clumsy reports are spreading, diluting the urgency behind the original message. It's unclear how this happened or who's responsible. More worrying are the consequences. But Outcaster Radio wasn't created to promote worry. It began as a humble space for music and connection. And I intend to keep it that way. So, let's kick off today's playlist with Fooled by April by Zaynep, a piece born from her self-imposed year of isolation aboard an abandoned deep space scout vessel.

SPEAKER_02 2:48

I've been sweeping public comms bands for the past hour, Captain. I'm picking up everything from state-approved news to the fringier whisper networks. The latter frequencies came courtesy of Chapman, of course.

SPEAKER_13 3:03

Good work. For better or worse, none of them has played the distress signal in its entirety.

SPEAKER_02 3:11

That's right. So far, it seems like it's either fragments of the message or too distorted to make out.

SPEAKER_05 3:24

Already on it, Captain. I'm currently in talks with three insider contacts. Two within the Federation and one pretending not to be.

SPEAKER_12 3:33

Copy. Everyone else. Hold position and stay sharp. This league has the whole universe on edge, and we're not off the suspect list just yet. Joey and I are five clicks ahead. Bomber's not breaking any speed records, but we've got eyes on everything up front.

SPEAKER_08 3:54

Everything's green on our end. Just running the usual software diagnostics.

SPEAKER_06 4:02

Holding below the outcaster. All reading steady.

SPEAKER_11 4:08

Nav's locked captain. All outcasters cruising smoothly. Except Chapman. Where is that man?

SPEAKER_06 4:19

Circling. He's broadcasting from our public comms channel to deter any free wave reporters who might harass Tanaka for a quote.

SPEAKER_07 4:30

Oh, this I've gotta hear.

SPEAKER_16 4:34

Alright, you scoundrels. No comment from Captain T. No comment from my comrades. And definitely no comment from Dr. Fru Fru. So stop asking. This official statement is brought to you by Chapman's Moonshine Moonshine. Now available in strawberry, orange, blood orange, nebula, nebula light, blue, raspberry.

SPEAKER_04 4:59

You all won't believe what they're saying out there. One Nova Stream is calling the signal a Federation ploy to justify more government funding.

SPEAKER_05 5:09

Nothing excites the masses like a good conspiracy theory.

SPEAKER_04 5:15

And then there's this report claiming it's just static from a dying star. Like someone slapped together random data and called it urgent.

SPEAKER_11 5:27

Let them gossip. They've never been out here. They don't know what's waiting in the dark.

SPEAKER_02 5:37

Another stream says the Federation is trying to cover up some ancient weapon in the Andros periphery.

SPEAKER_15 6:04

Broadcast by the Fed fifty-seven frequency.

SPEAKER_13 6:14

Thanks to the amplifier gifted to us by Captain Lopez of the Seraphim, this broadcast now reaches farther than ever. To our interstellar listeners, thank you for tuning in and being part of this journey. This next track, Selena's So Long by the Mountain Peaks, feels just right for clearing the mind.

SPEAKER_05 7:01

I just talked to my old fleet contact, Kieran. They said the leaks confirmed internal. No way anyone outside could have done it.

SPEAKER_08 7:12

Kieran? You mean that Kieran? The one from the Perseus drill runs?

SPEAKER_05 7:20

Good goddess, Joe. It's just someone I used to work with. Is that what we're calling it now? Can I finish?

SPEAKER_07 7:36

By all means, don't let us interrupt beloved.

SPEAKER_05 7:42

As I was saying, Kieran says the fleet's calling it tampered. Some details have been added, some stripped out.

SPEAKER_08 7:51

It's not impossible, but more likely some rookie pressed the wrong button.

SPEAKER_06 7:58

Rookies don't get access to encryption keys. Someone higher up wanted this out.

SPEAKER_16 8:06

That's my thought as well, Joe.

SPEAKER_04 8:12

We keep talking about the who and the how, but not the why. What would someone actually gain from leaking the distress signal?

SPEAKER_11 8:23

Maybe they think the Andrew's periphery situation is too big to stay hidden.

SPEAKER_06 8:31

Or they're stirring up chaos. Pirates, rebels, rival governments. Someone might want instability.

SPEAKER_04 8:43

What if it's a rogue insider trying to do the right thing because the fleet won't?

SPEAKER_12 8:52

Right thing? It's reckless, is what it is.

SPEAKER_07 8:56

Sounds more like someone starting a fire and leaving the rest of us to burn.

SPEAKER_13 9:31

I'm all out of credits.

SPEAKER_12 10:05

Yeah, but we'd at least get it right.

SPEAKER_03 10:09

And yet here we are, sitting on something real and important, while everyone else reads lies.

SPEAKER_06 10:17

Whatever they read, the truth remains.

SPEAKER_15 10:21

The signal is very realcaster radio. This transmission is generation approved.

SPEAKER_13 11:09

Pardon the interruption, listeners. I've just received the fleet's official response to the distress signal leak. Please listen carefully.

SPEAKER_10 11:22

The Federation denies the veracity of the so-called distress signal leaked to the media earlier today. After thorough review, we confirm the transmission is unverified, originating from questionable sources. We urge the public not to trust unsubstantiated claims designed to sow discord. The Federation remains committed to stability across all regions and sectors.

SPEAKER_13 11:58

In that case, I suppose if the Federation deems the transmission we delivered as unverified, it won't hurt to play it for you now. So outcasters, this is the complete unaltered distress signal minus coordinates. Please note, some listeners may find this disturbing.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

This is a distress signal from Gizmec 3 in the Andros periphery. Our coordinates are. Repeat, primerophase active. Follows have awakened, threads unraveling. The void consumes. Repeat, the void consumes.

SPEAKER_09 13:49

Well, yes, there is no control that you can really.