Ep. 22: Stardust to Stardust

The Outcaster crew reaches the end of their mission at the Harbinger crash site, where duty demands one final task. As questions linger about the doomed vessel and new clues emerge from the wreckage.

Directed by Ro Glenn 

Co-Written & Produced by Laurel Steele 

Editing & Sound Design by Alex Godina 

Episode Art by Andrés Aranda 

Sound Editing by Montse Márquez

Sound Mixing by Alin Brindis 

Science-Fiction Consultancy by Javier Calatayud

Transcript

SPEAKER_08 0:03

Outcaster radio I don't know what this video too live.

SPEAKER_02 0:11

Good morning, Outcasters. This is Captain Tanaka. Broadcasting on July 23rd, 2143. We're 100 kilometers from the Harbinger's crash site, yet we're still seeing debris. The scale of destruction is staggering, unlike anything I've encountered in my career. Two days ago, we completed an exhaustive search and rescue mission that yielded zero trace of the Harbinger crew. Alive or otherwise. We're still trying to answer other interrogatives. Who would do this and why? In cases like these, Federation Protocol dictates that crash sites like the Harbingers be eliminated. Not to erase history, but to ensure no one exploits what's left behind. Currently, the Outcaster crew has their drones placing final charges on debris. And in a few minutes' time we'll detonate the site and continue on our way. It's a somber task, but necessary. Let's begin today's show with In the Stacks by the Vasconcellos. A melody for the moments that demand precision.

SPEAKER_06 2:16

Ket and Cho, your sectors look good. Withdraw your drones and relocate to a safe vantage point. Silk, your quadrant is looking a little light on charges.

SPEAKER_00 2:31

Sorry, I'll pick up the pace. I'm just stuck in my head right now. It's okay, that happens.

SPEAKER_03 2:40

It's just that destroying this place, it feels so final. Like the harbinger will just be gone.

SPEAKER_07 2:53

Leaving this wreck as is isn't an option. The second we leave, it'd turn into a tourist destination for raiders, hoping to make a few extra credits on materials.

SPEAKER_03 3:07

I guess that makes sense.

SPEAKER_05 3:13

Doesn't mean it's easy watching a ship get wiped out.

SPEAKER_04 3:20

We still have no clue who attacked them or why.

SPEAKER_08 3:31

Disgruntled test subject. Based on their equipment, the Harbinger crew were engineers, not anthropologists. Nor alienologists, clearly.

SPEAKER_02 4:47

A track that moves with the same elegance as the ocean waves that inspired it.

SPEAKER_06 5:18

Your explosive to wreckage ratio is getting a little aggressive.

SPEAKER_07 5:25

Copy, Amara.

SPEAKER_06 5:31

I still see Ada lingering around the field. What's going on?

SPEAKER_04 5:38

Well, during salvage, I noticed that all of the intact hull plating was reinforced with iridescent bolts.

SPEAKER_05 5:47

I saw those too. Everything else got obliterated.

SPEAKER_04 5:54

So I did a chemical analysis, and the results are perplexing.

SPEAKER_06 6:02

Go on.

SPEAKER_04 6:07

The bolts are coated in an alloy I can't trace to any Federation manufacturing specs. Also, its molecular structure doesn't match anything on record.

SPEAKER_06 6:20

That still doesn't explain why you're parked on the edge of 300 live charges.

SPEAKER_04 6:28

Well, I also found trace amounts of the alloy on the emergency transmitter Joe found inside the Harbinger's bridge. And Chapman's in there now looking for other samples. I'm just keeping an eye on him.

SPEAKER_07 6:50

Minutes before we annihilate the crash site, of course. You might want to wrap it up in there, buddy.

SPEAKER_08 7:02

Treasure! I found treasure.

SPEAKER_04 7:08

Be more specific.

SPEAKER_08 7:12

The Super Slurper 17 strikes again.

SPEAKER_07 7:18

Was it the supernatural setting?

SPEAKER_08 7:22

If only no, it's the new alien alloy detector.

SPEAKER_04 7:28

Unidentified alloy.

SPEAKER_08 7:31

As soon as I fired her up, a metal cube about the size of a void snapper hatchling burst through the bridge's floor panels.

SPEAKER_04 7:41

A what?

SPEAKER_07 7:45

Roughly the size of a Federation toolkit. I hate that I know that.

SPEAKER_08 7:51

Popped out of the floor as soon as I stepped in.

SPEAKER_04 7:57

Send me the readings, Chapman.

SPEAKER_08 8:01

Coming your way, Kettalicious. Beep-pity beep boop boop.

SPEAKER_04 8:09

Yep, it's made of the same mystery material I've been pulling from the bolts. But this is pure.

SPEAKER_02 8:19

Chapman, secure the cube and prepare for transport back to the outcaster.

SPEAKER_08 8:26

Already hitched a ride on Silkster's drone.

SPEAKER_04 8:56

Music across the Milky Way.

SPEAKER_02 9:06

And now, by special request from Chapman, here's a supernova swing by the Void Riders. All right, Outcasters. Final charge is confirmed. Confirm your locations are outside the detonation radius. Also, I want shields at 100% in case of runaway debris.

SPEAKER_05 9:47

Southern Ridge got a prime view. Joey and I are in the starboard sector.

SPEAKER_00 9:55

Above the primary charge, best seat in the house.

SPEAKER_07 10:02

Clear visuals. Standing by.

SPEAKER_02 10:08

Okay. Here we go.

SPEAKER_00 10:13

Detonation in 25 seconds. 25, 24, 23, 22, 21. From back here, although twinkling lights look kind of pretty. Give it a second. 14, 13, 12, 11, 10.

SPEAKER_07 10:31

It's moments like these. I wish there were sound in space.

SPEAKER_08 10:35

I'll take care of that. Four, three, two, one.

unknown 10:41

Boom! Kaboom!

SPEAKER_08 10:46

Shh boom, baby.

SPEAKER_00 10:50

Incoming debris.

SPEAKER_08 11:02

Now cracks a noble heart. That's beautiful.

SPEAKER_07 11:09

Good night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

SPEAKER_01 11:21

Outcaster radio.