December 27, 2021 • 25 mins
"Forgive me for prying, but you don't seem fine. Your heart rate is elevated."
Magmell is a production of iHeartRadio and Bamfer Productions
Starring Aly Trasher, Julia Henning, and BJ Grip
Additional voices in this episode provided by Cat Tanchanco and Mak Manson
Written by Jeff Heimbuch & Lyndsie Scoggin
Directed and edited by Jeff Heimbuch
Produced by Jeff Heimbuch & Aly Trasher
Executed produced by Holly Frey
Audio engineered by Kori Celeste & Alex Gona
Original Musical Score by Kori Celeste
Additional songs by The Ramekins, as played by Rossco SoleTrain
Questions? Comments? Email us at projectmagmell@gmail.com
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Mag Mill was a production of I Heart Radio and
Bamford Productions. Ye, Jan, Jan at you home here? What
(00:40):
are you doing? Are you cooking? Yes? Well attempting? This
is unusual? Should I tell the fire department to stand by?
Or smart ass? Don't appreciate your domestic housewife, Janet. We've
been together for ten years and I've never known you
to be domestic? What's going on here? You're cooking? You
(01:02):
have your favorite music on? Something is up? Well? I
wanted to do something special to celebrate, to celebrate what
I offered a promotion today. You did. That's wonderful. Congratulations,
thank you. What is it? It's um, it's a pretty
(01:22):
huge one, actually, a once in a lifetime kind of deal. Well,
don't keep me in suspense. It's it's for Project Magma.
That that's great. Oh, I knew you'd get on board.
What do they have you doing? Are you on the
sustainability portion? You know I put in a good word
with you with Dr Fry, So I was just hoping
(01:43):
she would get around to making sure that the pilot
keV what they asked me to pilot the mission? Are
you fucking kidding me? Hang on, don't get upset. Don't
get upset. How can you expect me not to? I know,
I know, it was just very unexpected. I mean, they
called me in to talk about what I thought was
my application for the sustainability role, but they wanted to
(02:04):
and you turn that fucking music off. I can't even
hear myself think, Kevin. Three years, three years, Jenna. I've
been working on this project for three goddamn years of
my life, trying to make this project work, working towards
this goal, and then you swoop in and take it
behind my back. It's not like I stole it from you.
(02:24):
I wasn't even going for it. They came to me,
they asked me, you know how badly I wanted that, Jenna.
So now I'm the guy for getting an amazing opportunity. No,
you're the bad guy for taking the opportunity away from
your husband when you know how much it meant to me. Jesus, Kevin,
It's not like I was actively volleying for the position.
I wasn't working against you. I went and thinking it
(02:46):
was for something else entirely. But you accepted it anyway,
didn't you, Kevin? Didn't you? Yes? Un fucking believable, Kevin,
I love you, but you were acting like a real
dick right now. I can't you be happy for me?
This is a huge deal, not just for me, but
for the both of us. We are both going to
make history. But history doesn't remember the guy on the ground.
(03:09):
They remember the guys on the ship. Can come on, Jenna,
I love you, but I just I need some time. Yeah, yeah, okay,
wait where are you going out? I need some space?
(03:42):
Mag Mel Episode three, decidedly not feeling okay. Jesus, this
(04:11):
thing is really jammed in here having some trouble. What
was that I said? Are you having some trouble? Hang
on what I said? It looks like you're having some trouble.
Just give me a minute. Well, when you're done playing
handy woman here, I just wanted to let you know
that sandwiches are done, Sydney sandwiches. You're pulling out all
(04:31):
the good stuff today. What do you stress eating or something?
Do you want to eat or not? I do? I do? Thanks.
I wanted to get cleaned up after this, but I
am starved. Hey, can I ask you something? What's up?
When you were over on that ship? What happened? What
do you mean you were practically there with me the
whole time. I mean when we lost transmission for a bit,
you were gone an awful long time. I was offline
(04:52):
for only like a minute or two, said relax. I know,
I know, but I don't know. I just had this
terrible feeling while you were over there, and I was worried. Yeah,
but I came back, didn't I? Yeah? But did anything happen?
I thought I heard voices. I did too, but I
think we were just getting some I don't know, electronic
interference from the ship or something, just artifacts from some
(05:13):
of their previous transmissions. You know how those radio waves
work sometimes, got it? Te warp drive back online? Yes, Okay,
back in business, baby, Finally we should set a course
for shit. Yeah, where exactly are we going to go? Tee?
Is there anything around here? Again, we are an uncharted territory,
(05:35):
so my star maps cannot help. But with the warp
drive back in place, I can use the sensors to
try to find something. Yes, do that. I gotta eat
and then get cleaned up and then find a way home.
Took the words right out of my mouth, Magmal were
returned after these messages, and now back to Magmal said
(06:44):
see Seish keeps free Jesus Earth to sid I've been
(07:04):
standing here for like ever. Sorry, sorry, I was just
somewhere else. What did you say? I said, the wonders
a steaming hot shower can do for you. Oh good,
feeling better? I take it much. How's things going in here? What?
What the hell were you just up to? You were
staring at this thing? What? Oh? Right? Yeah? Do you
(07:28):
know what it is? I don't know, but you were
probably right. It looks like an idol of some kind.
It's not really clay, though, like you thought, well, then
what is it? Stone? Maybe? But I've never seen stone
that looks like this before. Somebody carved this thing out
of stone. They used to carve intricate statues out of
(07:49):
marble and ancient Greece, so this would have been easier. Okay,
but still, I mean, what the hell is it? I
didn't take that good of a look at it when
I was over there, but now, my god, it's ugly
as Hell's that ugly? Different? You would say that kind
of just looks like a man sitting on a box,
but like a man with like weird growths coming out
(08:09):
of him. It looks like a guy I dated in
high school. Yeah, your high school sweetheart had tentacle appendages
coming out of his face. No, he had an uncompt beard,
which was even worse. Regardless, I only grabbed it because
it like called out to me. I guess. I mean,
I can't imagine they brought this thing from home me either.
Maybe they stumbled across some huge new discovery with it.
(08:30):
It's interesting, though, where did they get it from? It
doesn't look like any deities the ancient tribes on Earth
used to worship. What about the Mars stuff? I don't know.
I was just about to check that before he came in,
before you went off into day dreamland. You mean, hey, T,
can you see if this thing matches anything in your files?
Of course I'll start looking. Hey, how's that? Reading? That
(08:52):
ship's log coming along to slowly? As I said, it
is badly damaged, and I keep running into errors. How
come the log keeps showing up as ours and refusing
to read ours? What do you mean? I mean as
the Magma's log? I think due to the ships being
so similar and the extreme damage done to it, there
is a glitch in which our ship is reading it
(09:14):
as its own log, hence causing another error is that normal? Truthfully,
I am unshore, but much of this backup technology has
a terrible retention rate, so I am not entirely surprised.
So if I bang on some panels, do you think
it would work? I mean that usually does the job
for me. I was joking. Mostly I will keep at
it and try to get some answers, provided you do
(09:37):
not harm my panels, I said, I was joking. God,
with a billion dollar program, you think they would create
technology that would I don't know work correctly. As an aside,
we need to have our check in Janna oh Man,
can't said go first? Already had mine? Seriously, this is
what happens when you take two hours hours? Do we
have to? I mean, we're in the middle of a
crisis here, which is exactly why we need to do
(09:58):
these It's not like command is going to get these
ports back anyway right now, Janna, Fine, let's go get
it over with. Today is March. This is Jenna Session
number six one seven. Hello Jenna, how are you today? Dude?
(10:20):
We were seriously just talking in the other room. Do
we really need to start each session with that? You
know what my programming dictates, it's better to start fresh
with each of these, to get a clearer head so
you can talk freely. I always talk freely. I don't
just mean with your language. You know what I am
referring to. So let us begin again. Hello, Janna, how
(10:42):
are you today? I'm absolutely amazing, proteus. How are you?
I'm glad to hear it. How are you holding up
with everything going on? Dude? This is important, Janna. The
more you comply, the faster this session will be over.
It's fine, okay, everything, it's fine. I'm just one big
ball of fine. Forgive me for prying, but you don't
(11:05):
seem fine. Your heart rate is elevated. Can you stop
checking my vitals please? You know it's part of the
standard procedure. Yeah, and it's fucking creepy. What's worrying you?
What's worrying me? Oh? I don't know. Maybe it's um
the overwhelming sense of dread of being stranded out in
uncharted space, far from home, with no idea how the
(11:27):
hell we got here or what the hell we're going
to do. But yeah, everything is just peachy. Fucking keen
in't it your sarcasm aside? I do understand the gravity
of the situation. But do remember that the ship is
well stocked, and should it be an emergency, you and
SID will be able to sustain yourselves for many years
if necessary. Gee, that does make me feel a whole
(11:50):
lot better. Wow, Why don't we change topics for a
moment and focus on new developments. That's the newest development
I've heard. Why do you have some other bad news
to tell us, Tea? Let's talk about what happened on
the other ship, the coast ship? You mean, yes, if
that is what you wish to call it. What about it?
You were there with said you saw it all too,
But I wasn't there with you. I can't see what
(12:13):
is inside your head unless you tell me that's a
brain t and not one made of circuits and hard drives.
I know when you are deflecting. How did you feel
going over there? It was standard up, not a big deal, yes,
But how did you feel? You said yourself. We are
in an extreme and abnormal situation, so visiting another vessel
(12:34):
was bound to elicit some emotions from you. I mean
it was fine, Sure, a little scary since I didn't
know what I was walking into, But look it all
turned out okay, Now, didn't it. Did you hear the
things that Sid claimed to do? You mean the whispering? Yes? No? Well,
I mean I thought so at first, but I think
(12:57):
it was just the interference and my nerves getting to me.
There was nothing they are. Sid was being all paranoid
and it just got into my head. And what did
they say? What did who say? The whispering voices? You
said you thought you heard them at first, Yeah, but
as it turns out, I didn't. What did you think
you heard? Then? How could you do this to me? Nothing?
(13:22):
You hesitated for a moment. Why you know you can
trust me, Janna? You can tell me. There's nothing to
tell Okay, what about when the transmission was lost? What
about it? Do you want to tell me what happened then? Well,
when a device isn't broadcasting or receiving properly, generally the
(13:43):
signal is lost until it is restored. What happened on
the ship, Janna? What was that loud noise before the
transmission cut out? I already told Sid my elbow hit
a pan, knocking it to the floor, and after that nothing.
I waited until the signal came back. I'm surprised us
to Janna about you hiding things puts us all at risk?
(14:05):
Well I didn't. Did you look around at all? Did
you see anything else you might want to share with me?
I look at me, Jenna. No, okay, I won't push
if you are not ready to talk about it, but
at some point you will need to. I know. It's
just I'm fine, it's nothing. Nothing happened, and I'm back now,
(14:29):
safe and sound. Okay. Let's just move on and try
to figure out how to get us home. Okay, And
how are you doing otherwise? Do you want to talk
about the other? Is T enough? I said nothing happened
over there. I wasn't going to ask about that again.
I was going to ask about the other elephant in
the room, so to speak. I'm not talking about the
(14:50):
said thing, and neither am I. I mean the recording,
the one from your hut. Yes, I know, the one T.
You don't need to remind me. Last time we spoke,
you were still defiant about its contents. Have you processed
it at all? Yes? And I'm feeling okay about it.
There is nothing I can do about it now. So
your body says you are decidedly not feeling okay. You
(15:13):
cannot keep holding things in, Janna, it is unhealthy. Please
let me help you. I said that I'm fine. Why
do you insist we talk about this right now? I
am here to ensure your well being as well as
help you overcome behavioral patterns that may compromise the success
of the mission. Right now, you are displaying signs of deception,
(15:34):
and without confronting the betrayal of your husband, you may
repeat the same mistake. Believable. You know why don't when
you stay out of my fucking business, you fucking machine.
Your business is my business, Janna. Your well being and
mental health are essential not only to me, but also
the mission. I only have two mission functions on this trip.
While my primary mission was to help you both explore
(15:56):
the Helix stampula, my secondary mission is to assist those
also on the mission in whichever way possible, including these
therapeutic check in sessions while on board the Magmaal. You
are in my care and I need to make sure
that you continue to function at optimal levels. Optimal levels.
I'm not a fucking robot t I'm a human being.
(16:18):
I'll process my own fucking emotions on my own fucking time,
not when a goddamn tin can tells me to do
you understand I did not mean to make you upset.
Jack a little too late for that. If you just
give me a minute to expect. We're done here, Jenna,
We're done. Engage computer mode, computer mode engaged, fuck off
(16:38):
from a computer mode, engaged for horror and programming to
detected Magmaal will returned after these messages, and now back
(17:02):
to macmill. Okay, Tee, let's try Tamil. No matches detected. Damn,
how about Varsie, no matches detected. Jesus, what is this thing?
(17:26):
What are you doing? I'm just trying to figure out
this idol you brought back. I can't make heads or
tails of this thing. You still can't figure out what
language it is. We really don't have it on file. No,
I've tried a ton and nothing matches up like Hebrew,
no matches detected. I haven't got a clue then, and
you've got nothing, Tea, No, I have been unable to no. Wait,
(17:50):
hang on, what is it? I've had a background process
working on decrypting the ship log. Did you do it? No?
But some bits and pieces have come across that may
be helpful. Well, spit it out already. According to a
bit of data I was able to uncover. The language
appears to be an offshoot of ancient Sumerian Sumerian that's
from like three tho b C. How do you not
(18:13):
have that in your memory? Banks, I said, an offshoot
of Sumerian. Sumerian is effectively a dead language. It went
extinct around eight hundred BC and used very sparingly until
one hundred a D. I was not programmed to know it,
nor was I programmed to know languages deriving from it. Well,
can you translate for us? No, the data from the
(18:35):
ship log does not contain an accurate translation key. I
might be able to surmise some of it or find
already translated portions as I continue to decrypt it, but
at the moment it cannot be fully translated. Well that's
just great. Okay, are you Are you able to find
out what happened to the other ship yet? No? Not yet,
But there is more in this data package more bullshit.
(18:58):
I've managed to uncover or where the other ship retrieved
this idol? Wait, what you mean like a location? Yes,
it appears to be from a planet approximately two thousand
kilometers away. Um, that's not much further away than the
black hole? Is there anything else on it? To atmosphere
readings and their findings unknown? Great? Okay, but do you
(19:19):
know what that means? What they found this stuff on
some alien planet one that hasn't been discovered yet by
command back home. That that means there is other life
out there. We don't know that, Sydney. How can we not?
That ship is one of ours, and and it definitely
came from somewhere. What is it doing all the way
out here? Yeah? But more importantly, why is all the
(19:42):
crew missing? You should be thinking about that. If they
did visit some alien world, what happened that they're no
longer on that ship? Okay? Okay, but this is still
a huge discovery. What if what if they were sent
all the way out here, like like on a secret
mission or something, and they found what they were looking for?
What if they got out here the same way we did, Sydney,
(20:04):
did you ever think of that? Okay? Then then maybe
they're in trouble too, and we could help them. The
crew might still be alive out there and we could
save that. I can't even save ourselves. We're stuck. Maybe
maybe it was a generational starship maybe a mission we
hadn't heard about yet. Maybe they found a whole new
world and are setting up shop there, but they can't
(20:26):
get in touch with command either, so they're just waiting
for someone to find them. We could help with a
scientific breakthrough, Sydney, I need you to get real. Okay.
I know this is your first big mission, but I've
been on hundreds of expeditions in our Solar System and
stuff like you're saying that doesn't happen. I'd know about it.
Besides entering into an unknown atmosphere in an unknown planet,
(20:49):
we'd have a whole list of issues and complications that
we'd have to deal with. It's dangerous. Okay, then what
do you suggest? Well, we could try and set a
course for home to how far away is it? Again?
One systems are fully restored. Return trip estimated at eight years,
seven months, and three days. You want to wait eight years? Yeah,
it's a long time and it sucks, but we have
(21:11):
enough food and fuel to make it back, don't we teach? Indeed,
success rate of a return trip is set at nine percent. See,
we've already been on this ship for two years, and
even I can see the seems unraveling. Do you do
you really think we can handle another eight years. Look,
I know that theoretical science isn't all there, but we
can try to slingshot ourselves back in that direction using
(21:32):
the black hole. It's a risk, but we could try
to set the correct course and hope for the best
possible outcome, though possible. Without the correct calculations, there is
no way to know exactly where the magma would wind
up or if the ship would even survive the trip.
So you're telling me the options are either wait another
eight years or or fly into a black hole. That's it? Oh?
(21:56):
Those both both seemed reasonable to you. I didn't say reasonable,
but they are the sensible ones. Yes, you're willing to
wait eight years as opposed to taking a detour to
a planet that may possibly have a way home for us. Yes,
you would wait eight years, So so what difference does
another few hours make? Because it's uncharted territory, Sydney, we
(22:18):
could be walking into a hostile situation. This whole fucking
thing is a hostile situation. No, I can't calm down.
I've been trying to be calm around you for months
and you keep throwing everything in my fucking face and
now we are really in a life or death situation,
and your solution is to sit idly or instead of
(22:40):
actually doing something about it. I'm just trying to make
sure that we are safe. Can't you see that? Funk
being safe? We're beyond that now we need help. This
place might have it. Why can't you fucking get that
through your head and see that if not turn around
and we go home. You feel that strongly about it? Huh? Yeah,
(23:01):
I do. What's it going to hurt? It's just a
few hours. What's the worst that could happen? Proteus? Are
you able to set a course for that planet based
on the information in the ship's log? Yes, based on
current functional systems, we can make it there in approximately
four hours. Okay, are you really sure about this? Yes? Please?
(23:29):
You don't really have any other options? All right, fuck it,
set the course. Let's go setting course now. I'm coming
up to the bridge to prepare for the ship for
manual control, just in case, of course, Channa, Yeah, thank you, Yeah,
don't mention it. Mag Mel starring Ali Trasher, Julia Hennig,
(24:07):
and b J. Gribb. Additional voices in this episode provided
by cat Ton Chanko and mac Manson, written by Jeff
Heimbuck and Lindsay Skagin, Directed and edited by Jeff Heimbuck,
Produced by Jeff Heimbuck and Ali Trasher. Executive produced by
Holly Fry. Audio engineered by Corey Celeste and Alex Gona.
(24:31):
Original musical score by Corey Celeste. Additional songs by The
Ramikins as played by Roscoe SoulTrain. Magmal is a production
of I Heart Radio and Bamfer Productions. Questions comments email
us at Project magmaal at gmail dot com. Until next time,
(24:51):
We'll see you when we see you
Mag Mill was a production of I Heart Radio and
Bamford Productions. Ye, Jan, Jan at you home here? What
(00:40):
are you doing? Are you cooking? Yes? Well attempting? This
is unusual? Should I tell the fire department to stand by?
Or smart ass? Don't appreciate your domestic housewife, Janet. We've
been together for ten years and I've never known you
to be domestic? What's going on here? You're cooking? You
(01:02):
have your favorite music on? Something is up? Well? I
wanted to do something special to celebrate, to celebrate what
I offered a promotion today. You did. That's wonderful. Congratulations,
thank you. What is it? It's um, it's a pretty
(01:22):
huge one, actually, a once in a lifetime kind of deal. Well,
don't keep me in suspense. It's it's for Project Magma.
That that's great. Oh, I knew you'd get on board.
What do they have you doing? Are you on the
sustainability portion? You know I put in a good word
with you with Dr Fry, So I was just hoping
(01:43):
she would get around to making sure that the pilot
keV what they asked me to pilot the mission? Are
you fucking kidding me? Hang on, don't get upset. Don't
get upset. How can you expect me not to? I know,
I know, it was just very unexpected. I mean, they
called me in to talk about what I thought was
my application for the sustainability role, but they wanted to
(02:04):
and you turn that fucking music off. I can't even
hear myself think, Kevin. Three years, three years, Jenna. I've
been working on this project for three goddamn years of
my life, trying to make this project work, working towards
this goal, and then you swoop in and take it
behind my back. It's not like I stole it from you.
(02:24):
I wasn't even going for it. They came to me,
they asked me, you know how badly I wanted that, Jenna.
So now I'm the guy for getting an amazing opportunity. No,
you're the bad guy for taking the opportunity away from
your husband when you know how much it meant to me. Jesus, Kevin,
It's not like I was actively volleying for the position.
I wasn't working against you. I went and thinking it
(02:46):
was for something else entirely. But you accepted it anyway,
didn't you, Kevin? Didn't you? Yes? Un fucking believable, Kevin,
I love you, but you were acting like a real
dick right now. I can't you be happy for me?
This is a huge deal, not just for me, but
for the both of us. We are both going to
make history. But history doesn't remember the guy on the ground.
(03:09):
They remember the guys on the ship. Can come on, Jenna,
I love you, but I just I need some time. Yeah, yeah, okay,
wait where are you going out? I need some space?
(03:42):
Mag Mel Episode three, decidedly not feeling okay. Jesus, this
(04:11):
thing is really jammed in here having some trouble. What
was that I said? Are you having some trouble? Hang
on what I said? It looks like you're having some trouble.
Just give me a minute. Well, when you're done playing
handy woman here, I just wanted to let you know
that sandwiches are done, Sydney sandwiches. You're pulling out all
(04:31):
the good stuff today. What do you stress eating or something?
Do you want to eat or not? I do? I do? Thanks.
I wanted to get cleaned up after this, but I
am starved. Hey, can I ask you something? What's up?
When you were over on that ship? What happened? What
do you mean you were practically there with me the
whole time. I mean when we lost transmission for a bit,
you were gone an awful long time. I was offline
(04:52):
for only like a minute or two, said relax. I know,
I know, but I don't know. I just had this
terrible feeling while you were over there, and I was worried. Yeah,
but I came back, didn't I? Yeah? But did anything happen?
I thought I heard voices. I did too, but I
think we were just getting some I don't know, electronic
interference from the ship or something, just artifacts from some
(05:13):
of their previous transmissions. You know how those radio waves
work sometimes, got it? Te warp drive back online? Yes, Okay,
back in business, baby, Finally we should set a course
for shit. Yeah, where exactly are we going to go? Tee?
Is there anything around here? Again, we are an uncharted territory,
(05:35):
so my star maps cannot help. But with the warp
drive back in place, I can use the sensors to
try to find something. Yes, do that. I gotta eat
and then get cleaned up and then find a way home.
Took the words right out of my mouth, Magmal were
returned after these messages, and now back to Magmal said
(06:44):
see Seish keeps free Jesus Earth to sid I've been
(07:04):
standing here for like ever. Sorry, sorry, I was just
somewhere else. What did you say? I said, the wonders
a steaming hot shower can do for you. Oh good,
feeling better? I take it much. How's things going in here? What?
What the hell were you just up to? You were
staring at this thing? What? Oh? Right? Yeah? Do you
(07:28):
know what it is? I don't know, but you were
probably right. It looks like an idol of some kind.
It's not really clay, though, like you thought, well, then
what is it? Stone? Maybe? But I've never seen stone
that looks like this before. Somebody carved this thing out
of stone. They used to carve intricate statues out of
(07:49):
marble and ancient Greece, so this would have been easier. Okay,
but still, I mean, what the hell is it? I
didn't take that good of a look at it when
I was over there, but now, my god, it's ugly
as Hell's that ugly? Different? You would say that kind
of just looks like a man sitting on a box,
but like a man with like weird growths coming out
(08:09):
of him. It looks like a guy I dated in
high school. Yeah, your high school sweetheart had tentacle appendages
coming out of his face. No, he had an uncompt beard,
which was even worse. Regardless, I only grabbed it because
it like called out to me. I guess. I mean,
I can't imagine they brought this thing from home me either.
Maybe they stumbled across some huge new discovery with it.
(08:30):
It's interesting, though, where did they get it from? It
doesn't look like any deities the ancient tribes on Earth
used to worship. What about the Mars stuff? I don't know.
I was just about to check that before he came in,
before you went off into day dreamland. You mean, hey, T,
can you see if this thing matches anything in your files?
Of course I'll start looking. Hey, how's that? Reading? That
(08:52):
ship's log coming along to slowly? As I said, it
is badly damaged, and I keep running into errors. How
come the log keeps showing up as ours and refusing
to read ours? What do you mean? I mean as
the Magma's log? I think due to the ships being
so similar and the extreme damage done to it, there
is a glitch in which our ship is reading it
(09:14):
as its own log, hence causing another error is that normal? Truthfully,
I am unshore, but much of this backup technology has
a terrible retention rate, so I am not entirely surprised.
So if I bang on some panels, do you think
it would work? I mean that usually does the job
for me. I was joking. Mostly I will keep at
it and try to get some answers, provided you do
(09:37):
not harm my panels, I said, I was joking. God,
with a billion dollar program, you think they would create
technology that would I don't know work correctly. As an aside,
we need to have our check in Janna oh Man,
can't said go first? Already had mine? Seriously, this is
what happens when you take two hours hours? Do we
have to? I mean, we're in the middle of a
crisis here, which is exactly why we need to do
(09:58):
these It's not like command is going to get these
ports back anyway right now, Janna, Fine, let's go get
it over with. Today is March. This is Jenna Session
number six one seven. Hello Jenna, how are you today? Dude?
(10:20):
We were seriously just talking in the other room. Do
we really need to start each session with that? You
know what my programming dictates, it's better to start fresh
with each of these, to get a clearer head so
you can talk freely. I always talk freely. I don't
just mean with your language. You know what I am
referring to. So let us begin again. Hello, Janna, how
(10:42):
are you today? I'm absolutely amazing, proteus. How are you?
I'm glad to hear it. How are you holding up
with everything going on? Dude? This is important, Janna. The
more you comply, the faster this session will be over.
It's fine, okay, everything, it's fine. I'm just one big
ball of fine. Forgive me for prying, but you don't
(11:05):
seem fine. Your heart rate is elevated. Can you stop
checking my vitals please? You know it's part of the
standard procedure. Yeah, and it's fucking creepy. What's worrying you?
What's worrying me? Oh? I don't know. Maybe it's um
the overwhelming sense of dread of being stranded out in
uncharted space, far from home, with no idea how the
(11:27):
hell we got here or what the hell we're going
to do. But yeah, everything is just peachy. Fucking keen
in't it your sarcasm aside? I do understand the gravity
of the situation. But do remember that the ship is
well stocked, and should it be an emergency, you and
SID will be able to sustain yourselves for many years
if necessary. Gee, that does make me feel a whole
(11:50):
lot better. Wow, Why don't we change topics for a
moment and focus on new developments. That's the newest development
I've heard. Why do you have some other bad news
to tell us, Tea? Let's talk about what happened on
the other ship, the coast ship? You mean, yes, if
that is what you wish to call it. What about it?
You were there with said you saw it all too,
But I wasn't there with you. I can't see what
(12:13):
is inside your head unless you tell me that's a
brain t and not one made of circuits and hard drives.
I know when you are deflecting. How did you feel
going over there? It was standard up, not a big deal, yes,
But how did you feel? You said yourself. We are
in an extreme and abnormal situation, so visiting another vessel
(12:34):
was bound to elicit some emotions from you. I mean
it was fine, Sure, a little scary since I didn't
know what I was walking into, But look it all
turned out okay, Now, didn't it. Did you hear the
things that Sid claimed to do? You mean the whispering? Yes? No? Well,
I mean I thought so at first, but I think
(12:57):
it was just the interference and my nerves getting to me.
There was nothing they are. Sid was being all paranoid
and it just got into my head. And what did
they say? What did who say? The whispering voices? You
said you thought you heard them at first, Yeah, but
as it turns out, I didn't. What did you think
you heard? Then? How could you do this to me? Nothing?
(13:22):
You hesitated for a moment. Why you know you can
trust me, Janna? You can tell me. There's nothing to
tell Okay, what about when the transmission was lost? What
about it? Do you want to tell me what happened then? Well,
when a device isn't broadcasting or receiving properly, generally the
(13:43):
signal is lost until it is restored. What happened on
the ship, Janna? What was that loud noise before the
transmission cut out? I already told Sid my elbow hit
a pan, knocking it to the floor, and after that nothing.
I waited until the signal came back. I'm surprised us
to Janna about you hiding things puts us all at risk?
(14:05):
Well I didn't. Did you look around at all? Did
you see anything else you might want to share with me?
I look at me, Jenna. No, okay, I won't push
if you are not ready to talk about it, but
at some point you will need to. I know. It's
just I'm fine, it's nothing. Nothing happened, and I'm back now,
(14:29):
safe and sound. Okay. Let's just move on and try
to figure out how to get us home. Okay, And
how are you doing otherwise? Do you want to talk
about the other? Is T enough? I said nothing happened
over there. I wasn't going to ask about that again.
I was going to ask about the other elephant in
the room, so to speak. I'm not talking about the
(14:50):
said thing, and neither am I. I mean the recording,
the one from your hut. Yes, I know, the one T.
You don't need to remind me. Last time we spoke,
you were still defiant about its contents. Have you processed
it at all? Yes? And I'm feeling okay about it.
There is nothing I can do about it now. So
your body says you are decidedly not feeling okay. You
(15:13):
cannot keep holding things in, Janna, it is unhealthy. Please
let me help you. I said that I'm fine. Why
do you insist we talk about this right now? I
am here to ensure your well being as well as
help you overcome behavioral patterns that may compromise the success
of the mission. Right now, you are displaying signs of deception,
(15:34):
and without confronting the betrayal of your husband, you may
repeat the same mistake. Believable. You know why don't when
you stay out of my fucking business, you fucking machine.
Your business is my business, Janna. Your well being and
mental health are essential not only to me, but also
the mission. I only have two mission functions on this trip.
While my primary mission was to help you both explore
(15:56):
the Helix stampula, my secondary mission is to assist those
also on the mission in whichever way possible, including these
therapeutic check in sessions while on board the Magmaal. You
are in my care and I need to make sure
that you continue to function at optimal levels. Optimal levels.
I'm not a fucking robot t I'm a human being.
(16:18):
I'll process my own fucking emotions on my own fucking time,
not when a goddamn tin can tells me to do
you understand I did not mean to make you upset.
Jack a little too late for that. If you just
give me a minute to expect. We're done here, Jenna,
We're done. Engage computer mode, computer mode engaged, fuck off
(16:38):
from a computer mode, engaged for horror and programming to
detected Magmaal will returned after these messages, and now back
(17:02):
to macmill. Okay, Tee, let's try Tamil. No matches detected. Damn,
how about Varsie, no matches detected. Jesus, what is this thing?
(17:26):
What are you doing? I'm just trying to figure out
this idol you brought back. I can't make heads or
tails of this thing. You still can't figure out what
language it is. We really don't have it on file. No,
I've tried a ton and nothing matches up like Hebrew,
no matches detected. I haven't got a clue then, and
you've got nothing, Tea, No, I have been unable to no. Wait,
(17:50):
hang on, what is it? I've had a background process
working on decrypting the ship log. Did you do it? No?
But some bits and pieces have come across that may
be helpful. Well, spit it out already. According to a
bit of data I was able to uncover. The language
appears to be an offshoot of ancient Sumerian Sumerian that's
from like three tho b C. How do you not
(18:13):
have that in your memory? Banks, I said, an offshoot
of Sumerian. Sumerian is effectively a dead language. It went
extinct around eight hundred BC and used very sparingly until
one hundred a D. I was not programmed to know it,
nor was I programmed to know languages deriving from it. Well,
can you translate for us? No, the data from the
(18:35):
ship log does not contain an accurate translation key. I
might be able to surmise some of it or find
already translated portions as I continue to decrypt it, but
at the moment it cannot be fully translated. Well that's
just great. Okay, are you Are you able to find
out what happened to the other ship yet? No? Not yet,
But there is more in this data package more bullshit.
(18:58):
I've managed to uncover or where the other ship retrieved
this idol? Wait, what you mean like a location? Yes,
it appears to be from a planet approximately two thousand
kilometers away. Um, that's not much further away than the
black hole? Is there anything else on it? To atmosphere
readings and their findings unknown? Great? Okay, but do you
(19:19):
know what that means? What they found this stuff on
some alien planet one that hasn't been discovered yet by
command back home. That that means there is other life
out there. We don't know that, Sydney. How can we not?
That ship is one of ours, and and it definitely
came from somewhere. What is it doing all the way
out here? Yeah? But more importantly, why is all the
(19:42):
crew missing? You should be thinking about that. If they
did visit some alien world, what happened that they're no
longer on that ship? Okay? Okay, but this is still
a huge discovery. What if what if they were sent
all the way out here, like like on a secret
mission or something, and they found what they were looking for?
What if they got out here the same way we did, Sydney,
(20:04):
did you ever think of that? Okay? Then then maybe
they're in trouble too, and we could help them. The
crew might still be alive out there and we could
save that. I can't even save ourselves. We're stuck. Maybe
maybe it was a generational starship maybe a mission we
hadn't heard about yet. Maybe they found a whole new
world and are setting up shop there, but they can't
(20:26):
get in touch with command either, so they're just waiting
for someone to find them. We could help with a
scientific breakthrough, Sydney, I need you to get real. Okay.
I know this is your first big mission, but I've
been on hundreds of expeditions in our Solar System and
stuff like you're saying that doesn't happen. I'd know about it.
Besides entering into an unknown atmosphere in an unknown planet,
(20:49):
we'd have a whole list of issues and complications that
we'd have to deal with. It's dangerous. Okay, then what
do you suggest? Well, we could try and set a
course for home to how far away is it? Again?
One systems are fully restored. Return trip estimated at eight years,
seven months, and three days. You want to wait eight years? Yeah,
it's a long time and it sucks, but we have
(21:11):
enough food and fuel to make it back, don't we teach? Indeed,
success rate of a return trip is set at nine percent. See,
we've already been on this ship for two years, and
even I can see the seems unraveling. Do you do
you really think we can handle another eight years. Look,
I know that theoretical science isn't all there, but we
can try to slingshot ourselves back in that direction using
(21:32):
the black hole. It's a risk, but we could try
to set the correct course and hope for the best
possible outcome, though possible. Without the correct calculations, there is
no way to know exactly where the magma would wind
up or if the ship would even survive the trip.
So you're telling me the options are either wait another
eight years or or fly into a black hole. That's it? Oh?
(21:56):
Those both both seemed reasonable to you. I didn't say reasonable,
but they are the sensible ones. Yes, you're willing to
wait eight years as opposed to taking a detour to
a planet that may possibly have a way home for us. Yes,
you would wait eight years, So so what difference does
another few hours make? Because it's uncharted territory, Sydney, we
(22:18):
could be walking into a hostile situation. This whole fucking
thing is a hostile situation. No, I can't calm down.
I've been trying to be calm around you for months
and you keep throwing everything in my fucking face and
now we are really in a life or death situation,
and your solution is to sit idly or instead of
(22:40):
actually doing something about it. I'm just trying to make
sure that we are safe. Can't you see that? Funk
being safe? We're beyond that now we need help. This
place might have it. Why can't you fucking get that
through your head and see that if not turn around
and we go home. You feel that strongly about it? Huh? Yeah,
(23:01):
I do. What's it going to hurt? It's just a
few hours. What's the worst that could happen? Proteus? Are
you able to set a course for that planet based
on the information in the ship's log? Yes, based on
current functional systems, we can make it there in approximately
four hours. Okay, are you really sure about this? Yes? Please?
(23:29):
You don't really have any other options? All right, fuck it,
set the course. Let's go setting course now. I'm coming
up to the bridge to prepare for the ship for
manual control, just in case, of course, Channa, Yeah, thank you, Yeah,
don't mention it. Mag Mel starring Ali Trasher, Julia Hennig,
(24:07):
and b J. Gribb. Additional voices in this episode provided
by cat Ton Chanko and mac Manson, written by Jeff
Heimbuck and Lindsay Skagin, Directed and edited by Jeff Heimbuck,
Produced by Jeff Heimbuck and Ali Trasher. Executive produced by
Holly Fry. Audio engineered by Corey Celeste and Alex Gona.
(24:31):
Original musical score by Corey Celeste. Additional songs by The
Ramikins as played by Roscoe SoulTrain. Magmal is a production
of I Heart Radio and Bamfer Productions. Questions comments email
us at Project magmaal at gmail dot com. Until next time,
(24:51):
We'll see you when we see you
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