1.08 \\ Pressure Wave

JENN TRELA: Hey everyone! This is Jenn, Stef's sister. She's still currently under the weather with the plague, so rather than pushing the next episode out another week she asked me to step in and do the opening comments for today's episode for her. COVID is no joke, y'all. I had it, and I am still recovering after 2 weeks. Wear your masks when you can, and if you're medically able to do so get your vaccines and boosters. Today's featured podcast is Human Error. Set in South Central Texas in the year 2033, Human Error dives into loss, love, and finding hope in the middle of an apocalypse. Society has fallen to a zombie-like outbreak, and it's up to Billie and their found family to survive and discover a cure. The show is created by Ali Hylton, one of Leader's brilliant strategists in today's episode, and the show was recently successfully crowdfunded. Congrats so much to them! Yay! The first 2 episodes are available to listen now, so stick around to the end of this episode to listen to the trailer. If Human Error seems like a show that you'd like, give the show a listen. You can follow them on Twitter at HumanErrorPod. And now, without further ado, please enjoy the eighth episode of SPECTRE: Pressure Wave.

SHOWRUNNER: SPECTRE is intended for mature audiences. Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. Please check the show notes at spectrepod.com for a more detailed description.

[SFX: The theme music begins to play, a haunting, dark humming that drones behind the previous episode’s recap.]

RHO: Previously on Spectre...

JEFFERSON: The men and I went on a little recon mission, and - get this - we found them. They were all dead, floating out in space nearby their abandoned ship. Something or someone absolutely wrecked them. It was definitely her. She killed like ninety percent of the entire team within like seconds.

KARL: Her? Meaning Rho?

JEFFERSON: The body-cam footage is pretty intense and you're probably gonna lose your lunch when you watch it because it moves around so much, but she was there... We went on board, hooked up to their internal systems, and their last logs noted seeing a smuggling ship called the Spectre on their radar. 

GRAPE: A small settlement of my people on the planet Nuheria are under attack by a group of colonizing invaders from another system that are aiming to take over. They've already lost many people.

[SFX:  The music escalates into an electronic melody with a surging arpeggio that pushes the tempo forward.]

LEADER: Well-met, Spectre crew. I humbly thank you for diverting your ship to help my people. 

EDWARD: We've come all this way, yes, but I must guarantee my crew's safety with at least some sort of plan.

GARYN: What are we fighting? Biological or synthetic?

WARREN: How many are there in total?

LEADER: They attack in small groups, but if they had enough to kill us all off in a single onslaught, I'm certain they would.

LEADER: Wait here.

EDWARD: Grape?

GRAPE: It appears the attack they were anticipating is underway.

ATTA: And we’re supposed to just wait here? Ain’t nothin’ doin’!

ATTA’S SUIT: Weapons systems activated.

STRATEGIST 2: Quickly! Come with us!

LEADER: Arm yourselves. We are under attack!

 [SFS: The SPECTRE theme song ends in a fade out, punctuated by a high-tone chord that reverberates into silence.]

[SFX: Without losing a beat, the action continues with explosions and other sounds of combat echoing all over the camp. The crew readies themselves as they wait for marching orders from leadership.]

INT. COMMAND TENT - NUHERIA SETTLEMENT - MOMENTS LATER

EDWARD: Where do you need us?

LEADER: With me. There are several small groups attacking from all sides, but none have breached the perimeter yet.

EDWARD: Atta, are you all set? Need any time to make final adjustments to your suit?

ATTA: Way ahead of you, bud. I'm ready to go.

[SFX: ATTA turns on the suit at full power, and it chirps its readiness.]

EDWARD: Macie, I need you to get back to the Spectre. Make sure no one sees you.

MACIE: What? I have to go back? But I wanna help!

EDWARD: I need you there to put the printer back to work. Build standard rifles, ammo, and other non-energy weapons. Nothing with electrical wiring. Make as much as you can.

MACIE: Okay. Comms if you need me?

EDWARD: Absolutely.

ATTA: Hey kiddo, make me something really spicy, okay? And make it red.

MACIE: (giggling) You got it!

EDWARD: Garyn, look for wounded and assist as you can. Stay safe and keep away from the fighting as much as possible.

GARYN: Understood.

[SFX: GARYN grabs his bag and a weapon and departs.]

EDWARD: The rest of you, stick tight to Leader and each other. We defend as a unit.

RHO: (simultaneously) Yep.

ATTA: (simultaneously) Aye aye.

WARREN: (simultaneously) Aye.

GRAPE: (simultaneously) Copy that.

STRATEGIST 1: They've breached our perimeter to the north and the west. 

STRATEGIST 2: It's a full swarm. There are reports of attacks on all sides. Multiple groups on the offense.

LEADER: We must go. Now.

EDWARD: Spectre crew, we follow Leader's direction, understood? They know the settlement. They know their enemy.

GRAPE: (simultaneously) Understood.

WARREN: (simultaneously) Acknowledged.  

ATTA: (simultaneously) Sounds good.

RHO: (simultaneously) Yeah.

EDWARD: (to LEADER) We're all yours.

LEADER: Thank you. Follow me, and stay down. Use cover whenever possible.

[SFX: LEADER leads their STRATEGISTS and the smaller subset of the Spectre CREW out of the tent and into the fray. Rifle shots and energy beams ricochet off of the ground around the group, and fire engulfs several tents on the outskirts of the camp.]

LEADER: This way. Split to the left and right. Hide behind tents, boxes, whatever you can find. Wait until they get into a central location between us all, and follow my lead.

EDWARD: Rho and Warren with me. Atta and Grape, with Leader and the Strategists.

[SFX: The group separates and hunkers down in their chosen hidden positions.]

RHO: (hushed) I thought we weren't supposed to split up.

EDWARD: (hushed) Quiet.

A group of invaders approaches, lighting nearby tents on fire with a torch and shooting at anything that moves. They speak to one another in an alien language, their commander hissing and whistling orders while they respond in loyal acquiescence. As they get closer, WARREN notices another group of hostiles approaching from another direction.]

WARREN: (hushed) Ed. Five hostiles at three o'clock around forty or fifty yards away.

EDWARD: (hushed) Damn it. You and Rho head them off. Be as quiet as possible. 

RHO: (hushed) What, and leave you here alone?

EDWARD: (hushed) I'll be fine. Go on.

WARREN: (to RHO, quietly) C'mon.

[SFX: RHO and WARREN tread lightly toward the advancing hostiles and duck behind a stack of crates.]

RHO: (hushed) Okay, what's the plan?

WARREN: (hushed) Not sure yet. Let them get closer and then ambush them?

RHO: (hushed) And that's quiet how??

[SFX: Suddenly, ATTA lets loose a rage-filled war cry in the distance and unleashes a rain of bullets and energy beams so spectacular that, were they not in the process of being attacked, the hostiles would have been amazed by the display. In response to the sudden din, the group descending upon RHO and WARREN break into a run toward the source of the sound, hissing and screaming as they grow closer.]

WARREN: Damn it, Atta! Guess the element of surprise is gone. Shoot 'em up!

RHO: Don't have to tell me twice!

[SFX: RHO and WARREN fire upon the approaching forces, and several enemies fall as our heroes' aims strike true. Their seeming success is short-lived, however, as the situation suddenly turns dire. Within moments, other groups of hostiles from surrounding areas in the camp converge upon them, drawn by the sounds of combat. They're woefully outnumbered. The two are separated by several feet, dodging between tents and other cover as bullets whiz past them. The approaching hoard screams in collective rage and gnashes their teeth with terrifying bloodlust.]

RHO: Uh, Warren?

WARREN: Yeah, I see them. How many do you count?

RHO: Couple hundred now at least. Where did they all come from?

WARREN: Looks like we were lucky enough to show up for the big one.

[SFX: More shots are fired, but the impact on the throng of hostiles is minimal. The hoard continues to advance at alarming speed.]

RHO: Got any extra-secret, super-powered weapons you've been hiding in your back pocket?

[SFX: One of the hostiles breaks through RHO and WARREN's line of fire and lunges for RHO, hissing and growling with the ferocity of a wild animal backed into a corner. She reacts with lightning quick reflexes and uses her chip to violently throw them away from her, bowling them into a large approaching group and knocking nearly all of them to the ground.]

RHO: (straining) Because that would be really convenient right about now. Shitty of you, but really convenient.

[SFX: The dead hostile falls to the ground, and the two resume shooting. Two more enemies break through, and this time they make a beeline for WARREN who doesn't appear to see them.]

RHO: Warren! On your right!

[SFX: WARREN shoots one of them, dropping them to the ground immediately, but the other one gets close enough for hand-to-hand combat. As he grapples with them, RHO continues her barrage on the rest of the hoard.]

WARREN: (straining) Rho! Come over here!

[SFX: RHO tosses another break-through hostile into the air and on top of the approaching throng.]

RHO: I'm a little busy!

WARREN: That is an order! Over here! Now!

[SFX: As WARREN slices the neck of his opponent, he simultaneously reopens fire on the hoard, picking off a few more hostiles.]

RHO: Fine!

[SFX: RHO unleashes a flurry of bullets as she runs over to WARREN.]

RHO: What?!

WARREN: Get behind me!

RHO: What, and use you as my own personal meat shield?

WARREN: Just do it! Put your back up against mine, and do not, under any circumstances, disconnect. Got it?

RHO: Okay, okay!

[SFX: RHO does as she's ordered and continues shooting at anything hostile that moves. As the two fight for their lives, a tinny, high-pitched beep begins to emanate from a thick, metal cord wrapped around WARREN's neck. Suddenly, what sounds like a sonic boom explodes from WARREN's chest, and a pressure wave immediately follows it, radiating outward and toward the throng. The sound is similar to when RHO uses her chip, just larger and more bombastic. Wild. It blows at least two dozen hostiles into the air, and they crash to the ground, their bodies twisted and broken.]

RHO: Holy shit!

WARREN: Rotate left!

[SFX: WARREN turns his body, and RHO follows suit, continuing her defense of firing wildly in as many directions as she can manage. The beeping from WARREN's necklace persists. Moments later, there is another sonic boom and resulting pressure wave that pummels another two or three dozen hostiles with a force so strong that most are dead upon impact. The hoard slows with hesitation and shock.]

WARREN: Left!

[SFX: The two rotate again. Another sonic boom. Another pressure wave. More hostiles are thrown into the air. The hoard, now a mere fraction of their original numbers, ceases their advance and begins to shrink away, calling out orders of retreat to their fellow comrades and disappearing off into the distance. RHO and WARREN are left panting, guns still held aloft and unsure of what just happened.]

EDWARD: (over comms) Warren? Rho? You alright?

WARREN: Yeah. We're alright.

EDWARD: (over comms) Come on over here. Looks like we have a full retreat.

WARREN: Copy.

[SFX: Pulling his back away from RHO, WARREN turns to head toward EDWARD, but RHO grabs his arm.]

RHO: Excuse me, what the fuck?

WARREN: Not now, Rho.

RHO: No. What the actual hell? I know that sound. That pressure wave that came out of you. Do you have a fucking chip?

WARREN: Not. Now.

ATTA: (in the distance) Get your asses over here!

RHO: (short beat) Fine. Not now. But later.

WARREN: Yeah... later.

[SFX: The two dust themselves off and go to rejoin the main group. Transition music plays as we join CICELY at her desk as she waits impatiently for someone to pick up the comms line.]

CICELY: C'mon, pick up, pick up.

[SFX: After a few rings, JEFFERSON answers.]

JEFFERSON: (yawning) You've got Sigma.

CICELY: Jefferson, it's Dr. Bennett.

JEFFERSON: Oh, hey, doc! Getting awfully familiar there, aren't you? What happened to my anonymity?

CICELY: Fine. Sigma. Where are you right now?

JEFFERSON: Oh, well, you know... I'm - I'm  not by the nav system at the moment so I couldn’t tell you exactly, but I'm pretty sure we're outside - uh - oh, the Perileos system. Yeah. Maybe.

CICELY: What's your destination?

JEFFERSON: Cic, you know I can't tell you that.

CICELY: Can't you?

JEFFERSON: Under strict orders from Commandant Karlos, milady. I'd love to tell you, but--

CICELY: When are you one to do things by the book?

JEFFERSON: You do have a point, but--

CICELY: You know what? It doesn't even matter. You've been re-dispatched, and your orders are to come back to Upsilon immediately. No detours, do not pass go, immediately.

JEFFERSON: What, and miss out on all the fun? Ehhh… (blows raspberry)

CICELY: I'm serious, Sigma. Come back to the facility ASAP.

JEFFERSON: (serious) Doc, I'm sorry. I just can't. All due respect, but Dr. Amos told me that I'm not to follow any orders coming from you. I’m sorry.

CICELY: (deliberate) You are not ready to be out on deployment. We still have tests to run--

JEFFERSON: Oh, doc, I am so sick of tests, c'mon! I'm a mover and a shaker, y'know? Like, I’m supposed to be out here in the universe, kicking ass! That's me. That's what I do.

CICELY: I hear you, but you're not ready--

JEFFERSON: Look, I'll be careful. I promise. Pinky swear.

CICELY: It's not about you being careful--

JEFFERSON: Doc, you got my word. I'll tell you immediately if anything goes squirrely, okay?

CICELY: No, Sigma, that's--

JEFFERSON: I gotta go. Got another call patching through. (short beat) I won't tell Dr. Amos about this. Hugs and kisses!

[SFX: The line goes dead, and CICELY punches the disconnect button, furious that she couldn't get through to him.]

CICELY: Damn it!

[SFX: The transition music swells, once again sending us back to Nuheria as the group gathers to debrief on what just happened. Rain falls around them outside of the tent.]

STRATEGIST 1: Clearly, we were... mistaken... about their numbers.

ATTA: Hah! You think?

EDWARD: Atta...

ATTA: Fine. Zippin' my trap, your highness.

GRAPE: They had never presented such a show of force before? 

STRATEGIST 1: No. Never.

STRATEGIST 2: As Leader previously advised, their modus operandi have been small guerilla attacks that picked off our people one by one.

LEADER: It seems this was their plan all along.

EDWARD: I'm inclined to agree with you.

GRAPE: You think they gradually reduced the numbers of the settlement while they planned one large onslaught that would wipe the whole settlement off the planet.

ATTA: But we sure showed them, didn't we? Bam! Pow! Right in the tentacle-y kisser!

[SFX: ATTA’s suit moves along with her as she mimics combat.]

LEADER: Yes, you did prove to be quite an asset, but...

ATTA: But? No buts here, my friend! I doubt they'll try that again. They're scared stiff!

STRATEGIST 2: Leader is right. We are indebted to you for your actions and bravery, however we are now faced with a different issue.

EDWARD: What's that?

STRATEGIST 2: We lost many of our people tonight.

LEADER: It could have been much worse, but if the invaders execute even one more attack, I fear we won't be able to withstand them without assistance.

EDWARD: What do you suggest?

STRATEGIST 1: Your weapon. The one that threw large sections of them into the air. Would it be possible to share that with us, even if only for the purposes of building one of our own?

[SFX: Ominous music plays in the background.]

WARREN: I--

EDWARD: (quickly) That unfortunately is not possible.

ATTA: Wait. What are y'all talking about? What weapon?

EDWARD: Atta, there is no weapon.

[SFX: ATTA hmphs in disappointment.]

LEADER: If there is no weapon, then what caused such massive, devastating casualties to the invaders?

EDWARD: It's impossible to tell.

STRATEGIST 1: We were back quite a ways, but I saw bodies being thrown an impressive distance.

STRATEGIST 2: Not only that, but the piles of broken, mangled bodies are still out there now. Something happened. Something beyond typical guns and ammo.

GRAPE: I also can confirm that there was a defined, controlled pressure wave at least two or three times. I didn't see much else; the wave was moving away from us and my view was obstructed.

LEADER: You two. Rho and Warren, correct? You were in proximity. What did you see?

[SFX: A thunderclap sounds in the distance.]

RHO: Beats me. All I know is there was this huge boom, and then a ton of those assholes were in the air, raining down on us like a fresh summer rain.

LEADER: And you?

WARREN: (quickly) It all happened really quickly. I didn't see much.

EDWARD: We can go look around. Perhaps their weapons malfunctioned.

GRAPE: Unlikely. We've already determined that these people had nothing but rudimentary weapons. Nothing more than shotguns and rifles.

LEADER: Yes, that's correct.

RHO: No disrespect meant, but they also supposedly didn't have the numbers that we experienced tonight.

LEADER: That is... also correct.

EDWARD: Warren, Rho, come with me. Let's look for evidence. Atta, assist Garyn, and Grape, check on Macie's progress back on the Spectre. Leader, I trust it's alright if we do a sweep of the area. See if there's anything that might tip us off as to what happened.

LEADER: Yes, that's perfectly fine.

EDWARD: Alright. Everyone, out.

[SFX: The group splits up and departs, and music transitions to the Spectre. A 3D printer whirs as it works double-time to build rifle after rifle and bullet casing after bullet casing. MACIE has already collected a healthy stockpile, but it's not enough to outfit the entire camp. As the rhythmic printing continues, MACIE begins to make up lyrics along to the beat.]

MACIE: (ad lib) Printing, printing, printing. Printing pretty bullets...

[SFX: MACIE continues to sing along but is soon interrupted by a call coming through comms.]

LILLIAN: (over comms) Macie? Are you there?

MACIE: (startled) Hmm? What?

LILLIAN: (over comms) Macie, I'm not getting a response from Edward or Warren on comms. Is everything alright?

MACIE: Uhh... Yeah, mm-hmm! Everything is great. Uh- Nothing concerning happening here at all.

LILLIAN: (over comms) Macie...

MACIE: Promise! The Spectre is wonderful. Just making some stuff on the 3D printer is all.

LILLIAN: (over comms) What are you making?

MACIE: Umm... Nothing bad. Just guns and ammo.

LILLIAN: (over comms) Macie Vincent, you tell me what is going on, and you tell me right now.

MACIE: Okay, okay, okay. Fine, fine! Hold on a sec. This thing is too loud.

[SFX: MACIE puts the printer on pause.]

MACIE: Okay. So. We're on this planet called Nuheria because Grapey-poo has a cousin who needs help. It was super urgent which means we didn't have time to wait for you to give the thumbs up, so we just went, and we're helping.

LILLIAN: (over comms) Helping how, exactly?

MACIE: ... Fighting. 

LILLIAN: (over comms) What?!

MACIE: We were ambushed! I barely got away so I could come here and make more weapons for everyone. We didn't know it was gonna happen.

LILLIAN: (over comms) What's happening now? Where is everyone else?

MACIE: Last I heard from Grape is that there was some kind of explosion or something, but everyone's okay. Well, on our crew anyway. Edward made me come here when the attack started so I could start making all this stuff and prep the Spectre for a speedy departure if we had to jet.

[SFX: There is a pregnant pause as LILLIAN calms her anger and considers her next steps. Ominous music begins to play in the background.]

LILLIAN: (over comms) Macie, I want you to listen to me very carefully. Before you do anything else, I need you to go to the bridge and send me your exact coordinates. I need as much detail as you can provide about the situation, the people we are dealing with, and what the exact current status is.

MACIE: Are you sending another team? I'm sure we could use any help you can find.

LILLIAN: (over comms) Possibly. I'll need to put a call out to any mercenaries in proximity.

MACIE: Don't be mad, please? Eddy was just trying to--

LILLIAN: (over comms) I'm not mad, Macie. Just disappointed.

MACIE: Well, that's worse.

LILLIAN: (over comms) Just don't tell anyone we've talked, alright? I don't want to get their hopes up about any potential support.

MACIE: Okay. Anything else?

LILLIAN: (over comms) Yes. If you leave the planet, or if there are any further developments, inform me immediately. I will expect regular updates as things progress.

MACIE: You got it!

LILLIAN: (over comms) I'm serious, Macie. Tell no one we spoke.

MACIE: Geez, have a little faith, Cap!

LILLIAN: Promise me.

MACIE: Fine, fine. Promise. I won't say a word.

LILLIAN: Good. I'll reach back out with an update in a few hours. Lillian out.

[SFX: The call disconnects, and the closing theme begins to play while the credits run.]

SHOWRUNNER: You have just been listening to Spectre, an indie, sci-fi, audio drama podcast. I'm Stef Howerton, the creator and showrunner, and I am so glad that you chose to spend some time with us today. If you have a moment, I'd appreciate it if you could rate and review Spectre on your podcast platform of choice. It’s a really great and easy way to help new listeners find the show, and the more people who listen, the more we can do in future episodes. This episode featured the voice talents of myself, Stef Howerton, as Rho, Allen Chan as Warren Lee, David Ault as Edward Whitlaw, David S. Dear as Garyn Beikirch, Tal Minear as Macie Vincent, Newton Schottelkotte as Atalanta Harris, Marcus Rothenberg as Grape, Stephanie Tobin as Lillian Dunne, Lindsay Zana as Dr. Cicely Bennett, Justin Reighard as Jefferson Hammond, Aubrey Poppleton as Leader, and Orion Tuesday Ibert and Ali Hylton as the Strategists. Sound Design by Brad Colbroock, and Music by Tim Rosko. For a written list of credits and a full script of this episode, please visit spectrepod.com - that's s-p-e-c-t-r-e-pod.com. You can also chat with us on Twitter or Instagram via the handle @spectrepod. Thank you so much again for spending part of your day with us. There are a plethora of great podcasts to listen to out there, and I'm so honored that you opted to listen to Spectre. Have an absolutely wonderful day.

[SFX: The theme music fades to silence.]