Transcripts

Found in the description for the episode, you’ll be able to find a list of trigger warnings for the episode, as well as a link to the transcript for the episode for those who need or want those things!

I’d also like to give a huge “Thank you!” to everyone who has put in time and energy to this project to help make it a reality.

And with that, thank you for listening, and enjoy the first episode of The Hades Project.

[Intro - Event Horizon [jupiter] by Gray Sienna]

Tanner

[Makes a noise like they’re about to start talking, but is abruptly cut off by loud alarms blaring over the intercoms.]

Computer System

Code Red. I repeat, Code Red. The knife roomba has escaped containment. If you see the knife roomba, do not approach. Under no circumstances should you approach the knife roomba. Notify one of the engineers and let them know where you saw it last. Stay vigilant.

[Tanner sighs.]

Tanner

As I was trying to say before I was interrupted, this is the audio log of Dr. Ashes Tanner, head of the medical and science officers aboard the USS Hades.

[Sound of a door opening and someone rushing in.]

Lucien

[Panting.]

Knife roomba. Roomba. Roomba with a knife. In the hallway. Knife roomba in the hallway.

Tanner

[Deep soothing breath, followed by footsteps and the buzz of an intercom.]

The… knife roomba was spotted in the hallway outside of the lab, please come deal with it.

[Another buzz as Tanner releases the intercom button. More footsteps.]

Thank you, Dr. Franklin, now... as I was saying--

[Loud metallic clang, followed by Tanner swearing and Lucien yelling.]

Amaya

[Very distantly shouting, sounds like it's coming from down the hall. Running noises, panting.]

Sorry, sorry, I'm coming!

Tanner

What the fuck is going on out there?

Amaya

Uhhhhh. Knife roomba?

Tanner

Yes. I gathered that much.

What are you planning to do about it? I have work I need to do.

Amaya

Ummmm, what I am… gonna do about it, is, um, go and get the arms?

Tanner

[Deep breath.]

What, exactly, do you mean by arms, Officer Suzuki?

Amaya

Um, they’re-- um.

[Brief stammering before mumbling the answer.]

...wooden poles we duct taped oven mitts to, for when we need to stop the roomba.

Tanner

[Exhausted.]

Just, please, get out.

Amaya

Right! Yep, you got it, doc!

[Noises of Amaya leaving.]

[Beat.]

Lucien

…I… wanna see how this plays out.

[Noises of Lucien leaving.]

Tanner

[Sighs.]

As I was saying…

[Pause as Tanner waits to see if there'll be another interruption, after a moment they continue.]

This is the audio log of Dr. Ashes Tanner, head of the medical and scientific division aboard the USS Hades.

Today is day…

[Pause.]

...17 aboard our new metal home!

Things have been going… alright.

[They do not sound convincing.]

Research has been going well… Well, as well as it can when I'm forced to share the lab with other science officers who apparently never learned basic lab etiquette and keep changing the incubator temperatures.

[Pause. Tanner lowers their voice slightly as they continue talking.]

As for… my other experiments… They all seem pretty healthy so far. Minor to nonexistent reactions to the doses I've given them. Although for my main subject, it's hard to tell if the side effects she does experience are from my experiments or her complete and utter disregard for her own wellbeing.

I'm supposed to up her doses specifically tomorrow. I don't like moving this fast, but she's young enough and fairly healthy… It should be fine…

[Tanner trails off, sounding unsure of themself. There's a pause as they recollect their thoughts before returning to their normal volume and sounding extremely annoyed.]

But it's not like it'll matter anyways, if the other science officers keep changing the fucking incubator temperatures.

[Music Interlude.]

Aiden

Right. Three engineers, two communications officers, one HR manager, a co-captain, and six doctors, and I barely see any of them. You’d think these folks would be more inclined to socialize, given that we’re only going to be seeing each other for the next, let’s see…

[Pause.]

2 years, 11 months, and 13 days.

[Deep sigh.]

[Alarms start blaring, same as before.]

Computer System

Aiden

[Sounding entirely too cheery for what’s just been announced.]

Surely this ain’t what it sounds like.

[Footsteps, followed by a buzz of the intercom system.]

Hello, Engineering?

Nim

[Over the intercom. Stammering and sounding very nervous.]

Um, hi? Hello, Commander Bailey?

Aiden

Hello, Nim, darlin’. I just heard the strangest announcement come over the system. Now, I’m sure it’s nothing, but I heard something about knives and roombas?

[A pause.]

Nim. Situation. Now.

Nim

[Rushing through the words.]

Okay, so I told her not to, but Vela may or may not have made a roomba capable of withstanding gravity and zero gravity conditions.

[Beat.]

And then added knives to it.

[Beat.]

And then it got out…?

Aiden

[Deep sigh.]

Where?

Nim

Main lab.

[The intercom buzzes, footsteps are heard as Aiden walks to the door and it opens.]

Aiden

I swear to God, if one of these idiots gets near that thing, I will--

[Aiden is cut off by the door closing.]

[Fade out.]

Amaya

[Faintly heard shouting over loud metallic noises.]

Rory, no, get away from that!

[Beat.]

Lucien—

[Beat. The metallic noises stop.]

Amaya

…Did you just…?

[Beat.]

Rory

Um. Yep. It appears I did, Amaya.

[Beat.]

Amaya

Huh.

Lucien

...Okay, but that was kinda sick. Up top!

[Sound of a high five, possibly concerningly wet depending on how closely you listen to it. Rory curses in pain.]

Lucien

Oh, fuck, right, sorry! Sorry!

[Noises of Tanner sighing and placing their head in their hands. You hear the door opening.]

Rory

...Sooooo, the good news is the knife roomba was taken care of…

Tanner

[Another sigh. Voice muffled from their head still being in their hands.]

And the bad news?

Rory

…I may have accidentally caught a knife by grabbing the sharp bit?

[Beat. Tanner takes a deep, shaky, breath.]

Tanner

Just… go to the medbay. I'll be right there.

[This is the voice of a broken person.]

Rory

Okay.

[Sounds of Rory leaving.]

Tanner

[Back to their recording.]

And you just met my main subject. I have a feeling these next three years are going to be… much longer than I bargained for.

End log.

[Sound of clicking, as the recording is finished and saved. Sigh, you hear Tanner get up from their chair, and start walking.]

I really hope Rory had the decency to at least make it a clean cut.

[Sound of the door closing. Music Interlude.]

[Sounds of walking as Aiden moves with a purpose through the winding hallways of the Hades. There is an ominous vent sound.]

Aiden

[Muttering.]

I swear if some kind of vermin snuck into the vents before lift off, I will be requesting a pay upgrade.

Cassian

[Calling out from the communications room.]

Oh, hey, Commander! Can I steal you for a second?

Aiden

[Sounding stressed. She's busy.]

Well, I’m a little busy right now, Officer Reyes. Didn’t you hear the announcement from engineering?

Cassian

[A little shy.]

Uh… No? We’re kind of dealing with something else in here.

[Beat. Quieter.]

...Also, I turned off engineering’s announcements two weeks ago.

Aiden

I do not blame you. So, what's the situation here?

Madison

Another weird ass message from mission control. And now that you’re here, it’s your problem!

Aiden

[Sighs deeply, maybe even bordering on a groan. Sarcastically.]

Thank you for the help, Captain Green.

[Back to normal tone.]

What do we have now, Cass?

[Typing and various computer noises.]

Cassian

Yeah, it’s another one of the deeply encrypted ones.

Aiden

[Beat. Confused.]

Then decrypt it?

Cassian

Oh, no, I already did that. That’s not the weird part.

Madison

Ultrapoltis finds it important that all of their messages not be easily intercepted or decoded. I assume, again, for the sake of privacy.

Aiden

Right, thank you, Captain Green... I’m well aware of the protocol.

Madison

[Clarifying.]

What’s strange, Commander Bailey, is the message itself. Every once in a while we get messages in different languages. I assume again for the sake of privacy? But this is something I’ve never seen. I mean it seems to be a warning of some kind, given the red lettering and bold letters, but I have no idea what it means.

Cassian

Yes, and it also came in with the signal for an emergency, Captain.

[Music begins.]

Madison

Ah.. Well, yes. That too.

Aiden

[Worried.]

What kind of emergency signal, Cass?

Cassian

Um… Code Violet?

[Pauses.]

...That’s the highest level. On par with… what was it? Certain death approaching!

[He is immediately cut off with the system blaring alarms.]

Computer System

Please enter security code provided in transmission. Failure to comply will lead to full system shutdown.

10...

[Pause.]

Aiden

Translate.

Computer System

9...

Aiden

Fast.

Computer System

8…

[Fade out.]

Tanner

[Tanner sighs. It was not a clean cut.]

Dr. Sinclair, could you grab some antiseptic for me, please?

Maia

Sure.

[Joking.]

I sure am glad that I requested extra medical supplies. At this rate, Rory and Lucien will use them all by day 20.

Rory

A ‘’Thank you for taking care of the knife roomba, Rory!’’ would suffice actually.

[Wincing.]

Tanner

[Sarcastically.]

Oh, sorry. Forgot to warn you that would sting.

Maia

Maybe don’t grab something called a knife roomba next time, Rory? I know that reckless science is kind of your thing, but clearly the track record is not off to a good start.

Rory

No promises.

Mal

Okay, but was it cool? Also I think I’m gonna name the lab skeleton, “knife roomba’’ tomorrow, you know, in honor of your bravery.

Rory

Thank you, Mal, I’m truly a hero. And yeah, it was sexy as hell. Might have to ask Amaya for one that we can keep in the lab.

[Tanner makes a warning noise. They are slightly too rough with their stitch. Rory makes a small noise of pain.]

...Or maybe in the shame lab.

Tanner

As long as I don’t see one in my lab, I don’t care. For all I know it would destroy my incubator.

Mal

I don’t know, it’s kind of a marvel of physics, if you think about it. That thing could move through areas of gravity and zero gravity. Engineering really outdid themselves this time. I don’t know how they’ll manage to beat this.

Maia

[A small groan.]

Please don’t encourage them, Mal. I didn’t order that many extra supplies.

Tanner

[Softer than previous. A little gentle even.]

Alright, you’re all done, Dr. Black. Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to return to.

Rory

[Also kinda gentle.]

Right, thank you so--

[Pause. The door has opened and closed.]

...much. And they’re gone. It’s like they don’t want anything to do with me. And I know that they’re like that with everyone, but I can’t help but feel like it’s somehow, I don’t know, different with me?

Maia

[Reassuringly.]

I’m sure it’s nothing, Rory. Here, let’s all go get some ice cream from the kitchen.

[Music Interlude, followed by the computer system still counting down, and typing.]

Computer System

4…

[Pause.]

3…

[Pause.]

2…

[Pause.]

Security code accepted.

Aiden

“This is a test of the emergency system.’’

[Pause.]

Oh, I will be having some words with mission control later.

Good work.

[Cassian thanks her.]

And Cassian?

Cassian

Yeah?

Aiden

Please, turn the Engineering alerts back on. As much as they can be a pain, it’s important information. Now, to find out about that--

[She is interrupted by the overhead alarm blaring yet again.]

Computer System

Code Red. I repeat, Code Red. The knife roomba has escaped containment… Again.

[Outro by Gray Sienna]

Tanner

Personal log of Dr. Ashes Tanner.

[Soft, like they don’t want to be heard.]

Commander Bailey told me about a weird message from mission control today. It seems strange that our own company would use scare tactics as an emergency drill, but as far as we can tell, that’s all it was. A drill. We’re still on course to arrive at Pluto. She also mentioned that there was an unusual noise coming from the vents. If I had to wager a guess, it’s likely a prank from engineering or the fault of one of the other scientists. Regardless, I told her that it’s probably nothing. As for my own project, I’m... worried. I’m not as well versed in research as I am as a medical professional and well… it seems like things are moving very quickly. My supervisors want me to increase the dosage on Dr. Black, but I’m worried about the effects that could have on her. Listen, experimenting on my crewmates wasn’t exactly what I was expecting when I agreed to this mission, but it’s certainly not the worst thing they could have me be doing. I don’t know… I think I’m going to adjust the doses. Enough to get a reaction that I can report back, but overall dial it back. The last thing I want to do is hurt her. Especially when she looks so much like… [Trails off, then clears their throat.]

Well, regardless, I have work to do, so this is Dr. Tanner, signing off.

End log.

[Promotions.]

If you liked The Hades Project, we recommend also listening to Aurora Everlasting, a cosmic horror podcast. Check out their trailer now.

[Trailer begins.]

[Heavy breathing.]

Anna Kästner

Just…

[Sigh.]

What is there to look at outside? Except for everything we see all the time?

Anna Kästner

I’ll go in.

Evelyn Coil

No way!

Margit Nilsén

So, this is my dead man’s log.

Evelyn Coil

What the--

Disembodied Voice

Malfunc--

Evelyn Coil

Hello?!

[Scream.]

Overlapping Voices

Don't look.

Voiceover

Aurora Everlasting. Find us on the podcasting app of your choice.

[Credits.]

This is The Hades Project. It is inspired by Wolf 359. Intro and outro music was produced by Gray Sienna. Thank you to our lab skeleton, Bona Lisa, and thank you for listening.

Episode 2: Vents

Trigger Warnings

Swearing

Sudden crashing noise (1:47)

Loud noise (6:54)

Loud noise (7:02)

Sudden loud noise (8:12)

[Intro theme plays - Event Horizon [jupiter] by Gray Sienna.]

Vela

[Sounds of a door opening, slow walking. Light metallic noises. Vela sighs.]

Log of Vela Klein, day 24? Sounds about right.

[General sounds of gas release and other space-y noises.]

Anyway, day 24. No big space disasters so far- if you don’t count knife roombas- but the crew has been complaining about hearing some weird noises in the vents.

[Cue aptly timed clang.]

Like that. It’s probably nothing, but the Commander asked me to take a look anyway to make sure nothing’s too wrong.

[A loud bang is heard in the distance, very clearly not from the vents.]

Tanner

[Muffled, from far away.]

Oh, for fuck’s sake!

Amaya

What was that?

Vela

Something that’s probably going to cause more work for us later, knowing everyone else.

Amaya

So what do you think the noises are? A breach in the hull maybe?

[More banging via vent, followed by a noise of pain.]

Vela

Wha-

[Pause.]

It’s probably nothing. Metal expanding or whatever.

Amaya

So we’re just going to ignore the voice? I swear I heard something.

Vela

It was probably just one of the others’ voices traveling through the vents.

Amaya

If you sa-

[Amaya is interrupted by the crash of a piece of the vent falling to the ground. She yelps.]

[Musical interlude.]

[Overlapping voices in the background make excuses for the mess in the lab.]

Tanner

Shut up, all of you!

[Pause.]

If you would all be quiet, then we can get this sorted out. Now, what happened?

[Silence.]

Okay, let me get this straight. There’s an explosion in my lab, and I find you three singed and covered in soot, and no one knows what happened?

[Silence.]

Great, because it looks like to me like someone decided it was a good idea to play scientist and then fucked up. Am I right?

Mal

Weeeeeell… you could say that, but-

Lucien

It wasn’t us!

[Beat.]

Tanner

It… wasn’t you?

Rory

Nope!

Tanner

So, you three are the only ones here and… you didn’t cause this mess?

Mal

Definitely not!

Lucien

No… It could have been something else? Could have been clones!

[Under their breath.]

Those exist, right?

Rory

[Under her breath in response.]

Yeah, I think they do.

Mal

[Conspiratorial.]

But do we even have clones?

Tanner

[Stage whisper.]

No, you don’t.

[The door opens. Footsteps.]

Tanner

Ah! Dr. Taylor! Do you happen to know what happened to the main lab?

Stella

Um, Doctors, Black, Franklin, and Paulitious were working in the lab? And it didn’t go well?

Lucien

See! It wasn’t us!

Tanner

I take it you didn’t see what happened.

Stella

No, I was just leaving to go talk to engineering about the clanging vents. They still haven’t figured out what’s going on, so I thought I’d come back to grab a few supplies.

Tanner

Thank you anyway, Stella. And you three won’t tell me what you did?

Rory

We told you! We didn’t do anything!

Lucien

It was our clones! We ran in before you did to stop them!

Tanner

Then where are these… clones?

Mal

Obviously, they escaped! You know, into the vents!

Tanner

There’s nothing in the fucking vents! Just tell me what you exploded, I’ll send you to the Shame Lab, and we can be done with this stupid conversation!

Rory

Like we said, we don’t know. Clones did it.

[Long Pause.]

Stella

I’m… just going to try to talk to engineering again. Uh… good luck with this.

[Footsteps and the door opening and closing.]

Tanner

[Tanner sighs.]

Fine. This is clearly getting me nowhere, so how about I just go fetch the Commander and she can sort this out?

Luc and Mal

[Spoken at the same time.]

It was their idea!/It was her idea!

[Musical Interlude.]

[More clanking in the vents.]

Vela

Alright, I double checked structural integrity and exterior readings, and everything seems clear.

Nim

Heating and cooling systems are all normal.

Amaya

Yeah, I’m not seeing anything out of the ordinary. I’m telling you, I really think something’s in the vents.

Vela

What would that even be?

Nim

Maybe it’s space demons.

Vela

Oh no, not the dreaded space demons. Whatever will we do?

Amaya

[The eye roll is audible.]

Seriously, I just think we should just climb up there and look around.

Vela

Or maybe space ghosts. Oooooooo.

Nim

I don’t know, I think space demons could be pretty sexy. I mean, they’ve got the horns-

Amaya

[Interrupting.]

OK! Getting back to the issue at hand.

Vela

[Teasing.]

Boo, you suck!

Amaya

Uh, anyways, all the systems look good, and it’s not a structural issue, so something’s just gotta be up there.

Vela

You just want to crawl around the vents.

Amaya

You can accomplish two things at once.

Nim

Well, Thea said she last heard it around medbay. We should probably head over there before it moves.

Vela

Alright. Amaya, get a flashlight, Nim, you grab the vacuum cleaner. We’re gonna go catch us a space ghost.

Nim

It’s a demon!

[Musical interlude.]

[Sounds of vents and hollow thumps and crawling throughout. You can hear the occasional grunt from Vela and Amaya as they move.]

Nim

[Over the intercom, a little staticky.]

Okay, do you see the next juncture ahead? Take a right up there.

Vela

Got it.

[Some more grunting and moving.]

Nim

[Over comms.]

Everything looks normal from the hallways. Do you guys see anything?

Amaya

Uh, not yet, but-

[There’s a banging sound, most definitely not Vela and Amaya. The two go still, holding their breath.]

Amaya

Um, what was that?

Vela

It’s nothing, I’m sure it was just-

[The banging again, louder this time. Amaya gives a little yelp.]

Vela

Okay, maybe there is something up here.

Amaya

Is this a bad time to mention that I might believe in ghosts?

Vela

You might?!

Amaya

I don’t know, okay?! I haven’t decided yet, I always said that I don’t have proof either way, but I’m kind of starting to get a little-

Nim

[Interrupting hurriedly over comms.]

Wait, guys, I hear it! It’s moving towards the lab! Keep going straight and then take the next left. Hurry!

[Amaya and Vela groan as the vents continue to make noise.]

[Musical Interlude.]

Aiden

So. Dr. Tanner tells me we’ve had a little situation.

[A beat.]

Do any of y’all want to explain what’s going on here?

[Silence.]

Aiden

Do I need to ask again?

[More silence. And then-]

Mal

[Rushed and nervous, tripping over her words.]

Okay, it really was an accident, we-we didn’t mean to make an explosion. We were just trying something and it got a bit out of hand and-

[A loud crash. Kepler falls through the vent.]

Aiden

What the-

[Kepler stands up, gives a little “eep!”, and runs off out into the hall. Moments later, another crash; Vela and Amaya also fall out of the vents. They groan.]

Amaya

[😳]

Uh, Vela… You’re, um, kind of laying on top of me?

Vela

Oh, sorry.

[Vela and Amaya scramble to get up and dust themselves off, trying - and failing - to not make eye contact with each other.]

Aiden

What in the hell is going on?!

Vela

[A bit out of breath.]

We figured out the vent issue.

Amaya

Who was that? I’ve never seen that guy before.

Aiden

I’m sorry, are you saying you think there’s a stowaway on board?

Nim

[Far away and muffled from out in the hallway, chasing down the mysterious man.]

Hey, wait!

[More running.]

He’s headed towards the comms bridge!

Vela

Oop! Gotta go!

[Vela runs out, footsteps echoing down the hallway. The door closes.]

Tanner

[Deep sigh.]

This crew is going to give me a fucking aneurysm.

[Musical Interlude.]

[Sounds of Nim and Kepler running.]

Nim

Hey, stop!

[Nim catches up and tackles Kepler to the floor. Grunts and crashing and stuff.]

Kepler

[Out of breath.]

Get off of me!

Nim

Dude, why were you running? Who are you?

Kepler

Kepler? Kepler Richmond?

[Long pause.]

I’m a communications officer? Did you not read the manifest?

Nim

…we have a third communications officer?

Kepler

Yeah, duh. I’m on the night shift.

Nim

We don’t have a- y'know what? Never mind. Why were you hiding in the vents?

Kepler

Just ‘cause. I like it up there.

Nim

That cannot be comfortable.

Kepler

Eh, it’s not that bad. I’ve got blankets and stuff.

[Footsteps are heard. Bryn walks by.]

Bryn

Oh, hey, Kepler. Hey, Nim.

Kepler

Hey, Bryn.

Bryn

Why are you guys on the floor?

Nim

You knew about this guy?

Bryn

Yeah, he’s been hanging out in the vents for awhile now. Why? Did no one else know?

[Event Horizon Outro by Gray Sienna.]

Rory

[The click of a recording.]

Personal log of Rory Black.

Things have… been going well, I think?

I don’t know, it’s hard to tell when we haven’t even been up here for a month.

My research is going fine, there’s not really much I can do until we arrive, I’m more just here to be… useful? I guess?

I’m supposed to be Dr. Tanner’s lab assistant until we get there, but… they won’t even look me in the eyes. It’s like they’re avoiding me and I-I don’t know why. I don’t know what I did wrong.

A-and I know they’re like this with everyone, but it feels... different. I don’t know, I'm-I'm probably just overthinking it….

[Pause.]

Anyways, the vaccine experiments seem to be going well. I haven’t noticed any major side effects yet. A few minor pains and I had a mild cough the day after my last dose, but nothing bad. Dr. Tanner says we’ll be upping my dosage tomorrow, so I guess I’ll keep you updated on that.

[Sigh.]

We’ll make it work. I always do.

End log.

[Recorder clicks off.]

[Promotions.]

If you liked The Hades Project, we recommend also listening to Neighbourly, which follows the residents of Little Street house by house. Check out their trailer now.

[Trailer begins.]

Narrator

Psst. Come here. Yes, you. Welcome to Little Street. Under the skin of each house hides a secret that most of its keepers would do anything to bury. How well do any of us really know our neighbors? Curious to discover what dwells behind the doors of Little Street? Subscribe to Neighbourly, distributed wherever good podcasts are found. For more information go to neighbourlypod.carrd.co or follow us on social media @neighbourlypod. That's Neighbourly with a "U" by the way. Thanks for listening! Come visit us soon.

[Music fades.]

This is The Hades Project. It is inspired by Wolf 359. Intro and outro music was produced by Gray Sienna. Thank you to our lab skeleton, Nick Bone-as, and thank you for listening.

Episode 3: There's Nobody

Trigger Warnings

Swearing

Suicidal ideation

Crying/Panic Attacks

Accidental poisoning

Brief mention of medical treatment.

Sudden loud noise (5:38)

Lucien

[Fuzzy audio.]

This is Dr. Lucien speaking. I’m doing my general spacewalk and everything seems to be well. I haven’t noticed anything out of place.

[Coughs.]

I haven’t noticed anything out of place… I, um... I’ll finish my check and everything will be fine after that… I-I...

[Trailing off, then coughs again, louder.]

[Short musical interlude, followed by the telltale noises/typing of the Communications Room.]

Cassian

Bryn, read me the readings please… uh, yes those ones.

[Pause.]

Hold on, I’m, um, seeing something weird. I’ll call you back in just a second.

[Buzz as the intercom turns off.]

Now… what are you?

[More typing noises.]

What? Is that? No-- no that’s not--. Please tell me I’m seeing things… and that something in my scanner is broken because if that is… If that--. That’s not Dr. Franklin. Nope. I'm just seeing things, that’s not Dr. Franklin. Dr. Franklin is not floating. Not floating. In space.

[Long pause.]

Shit.

[Intro - Event Horizon [jupiter] by Gray Sienna]

[The click of a recorder.]

Mal

[Crying.]

Day… No one cares what day it is, it doesn’t matter what day it is. We’ve been here a month. Just.. one month. Somebody already could have died. Dr. Franklin could have died today. They… poisoned themselves two days ago. Didn’t tell anyone. You know, because obviously that’s a thing nobody needs to know about, right? You know, we just, we have medical officers, but it doesn’t matter. Who cares? They’re not here for anything, they can’t help with anything--. It-it’s fine. I’m sure they had their reasons, it's just, they… they took a short space walk outside and passed out. Cassian had to suit up and save them, but they’re gonna be fine. They're fine. But, I just… I don’t know what they were thinking. They should have told us…

[Crying, followed by a music Interlude and the click of the recording.]

[A new recording clicks on.]

Maia

Log of Dr. Maia Sinclair.

[Pause.]

It has been a day. We almost lost a crewmember today, but it’s fine. Dr. Franklin is fine… And as much as I want to help, Dr. Tanner has it covered, so… I can’t do anything. I can’t do anything. Dr. Sinclair, signing off.

[Recording clicks off, followed by another click on.]

Rory

Audio… audio log of… no. Personal log of Rory Black.

[Long pause.]

I’m… Lucien almost died today. The idiot poisoned themself and then went on a space walk. I swear to god, I’m gonna--

[She trails off. There’s long pause.]

I didn’t realize how attached I got. I wasn’t expecting…

[Long pause.]

The last time I was this scared was when I lost… my mom.

Fuck.

[Sound of something crashing to the ground and breaking.]

Fuck. Just-- end log.

[The recorder clicks off.]

[A new recording starts.]

Aiden

Command log. Aiden Bailey, all that jazz. I’ll go back over that with the formalities later. We just had a fun little emergency.

[Pause.]

Well, I guess, at least the first one that I hadn’t known about. Dr. Franklin… When that… sugar, honey, and iced tea, when that fool gets better, I’m gonna--. Hm. Threatening the crew on your official log, are we, Aiden Delilah? It's… it's fine. I just won’t send this one.

[Another recording begins. ]

Cassian

I'm… Sorry, yes, Officer’s log. This is Cassian aboard the…

[Pause.]

...Back aboard the USS Hades. I… uh, sorry, I just arrived back in my quarters. I was supposed to be on duty for another few hours, but Commander Bailey told me to just rest. Um, but if I’m being honest… I would much rather be working right now. It sounds much better than being alone with my thoughts.

[Pause. He buries his face in his hands. Muffled.]

I know that I did all that I could. I went out there and brought them back in as soon as I saw them on my scanner. I… I just felt so helpless, looking at him. They looked so…

[Pause. Clears his throat.]

Anyways, they’re with Dr. Tanner now. I just… I just hope that he's going to be okay.

[Click off. Brief music interlude.]

[Recording clicks on.]

Madison

Captain’s log. At my earliest convenience, I will be killing all of these scientists. Particularly Dr. Franklin. End log.

[Recording finishes. A brief pause, then another recording starts.]

Amaya

Audio log of Officer Amaya Suzuki aboard the USS Hades-- it's day whatever. I just found out along with everyone that apparently, Lucien accidentally poisoned themselves ages ago and nobody found out until they passed out on their space walk.

[Deep breath.]

Luckily, Cass was there to save them and they’re okay for now, but, I just… How could I not have noticed? If I had noticed, then maybe I could have told someone and they would be okay and all of this wouldn’t have happened, but I didn’t because I’m an idiot.

[Pause.]

I should have noticed. It’s just like my dad all over again, you know? Why didn’t I notice?

[Clears her throat.]

Um, end log.

[Yet another click off. Another log begins.]

Madison

In light of my previous Captain’s log, I have been informed by Commander Bailey that I cannot threaten to kill the science officers… or anyone else upon the crew. So, I guess this is my formal redaction of my previous log and as well as a sincere apology to Dr. Franklin, as well as the rest of the crew on the USS Hades. I promise that I will not kill any of you. End log.

[Recording clicks off. A new recording begins shortly after.]

Tanner

Officer’s log. This is Dr. Tanner aboard the Hades and I am going to kill Dr. Franklin…

[Pause.]

After they’re better. Dr. Franklin was on a spacewalk by themselves today and didn’t think to tell me beforehand that he had accidentally poisoned himself two days ago. So they passed out while they were in space and almost died. Thankfully, Officer Reyes was able to go out there and collect our doctor. They’re back safe on the station now and I’m treating him for the poison. They should be fine.

[Pause. Softer.]

Point is… I know I’m not supposed to care about the people up here. I know they’re just part of the job for me. And as much as I hate some of the things that Dr. Franklin does… he's starting to be my friend. I don’t want to see them die.

[Recording finishes. A new log begins.]

Aiden

[Sounding much more official from when we last heard her.]

Official log. This is Commander Aiden Bailey aboard the USS Hades, on route to the planet Pluto for Ultrapoltis’ Hades Project. Earlier today, we had an incident where one of our science officers became unconscious during a space walk, due to a previous sickness. They were safely brought back aboard the ship and successfully treated for their ailment. It seems that all is well and we are on course and on schedule for continuing our journey. End log.

[Recording clicks off. Music Interlude. Then, another log begins.]

Mal

This is Dr. Mal Paulitious reporting. It’s been a little while since Dr. Franklin was hurt and I gotta say, it's been nice. They're recovering and they're leaving little gifts and notes around for people. It’s really sweet. We’ve been talking a lot more too, about our hobbies, our interests, life back on Earth. I even told them where I got my plague doctor mask… And that’s not really a story I like to tell all that often. But, I’m glad the kid’s okay. It would have been terrible to lose them in that way, you know? But it’s fine, they’re making a full recovery and it’s all thanks to Dr. Tanner. And you know? I think I'm starting to have a lot more hope about this mission. Maybe that was just our big bump in the road and everything’s going to turn out okay. I like to think so, at least. Well, this is Dr. Mal, signing off.

[Recording finishes. The final log begins.]

Lucien

[This is an old record log, it sounds fuzzy.]

This is Dr. Lucien Franklin of the USS Hades speaking. This will be short, I barely have the energy to keep myself up. If you haven’t been able to tell from my recent reports, I have… accidentally poisoned myself. I checked my vitals while Dr. Tanner was distracted this morning, but it seems I’m only getting worse. I attempted to solve this myself, but... seeing how I do not have a medical degree, it didn’t seem to work. I can’t go to Dr. Tanner about this, they’d think me an idiot for poisoning myself with my own project, so… if all goes well… nobody will notice, but knowing my luck, this is going to kill me. This may be the last time you hear from me. I would tell you to tell somebody of my death, but there’s nobody. This is Dr. Lucien Franklin, signing off... Perhaps for the last time.

[Log finishes.]

Computer System

Delete audio log?

[Clicking noise.]

Computer System

Log deleted.

Lucien

[Sighs.]

I might have been wrong about there being nobody.

[Sound of the door opening.]

Rory

[Calling out. Excited.]

Hey, you free? I just thought of the best prank to get back at engineering for what they did last week.

[Event Horizon Outro by Gray Sienna]

[A phone ringing. A click as they pick up the phone.]

Dem/Et

[Eerily together. They sound like one person speaking. There are moments where their voices don't quite match up, but this is offset by the crackling of the long distance call.]

Hello, Officer Lowry. Officer Patel. How has everything been going?

Bryn

Everything’s been going as planned. We’re scheduled to arrive at Pluto on time.

Dem/Et

Good. And the subjects?

Thea

The crew is doing well, everyone's gotten settled in. No one suspects anything so far. I've been spared the details of the experiments, but there’s been no major developments, so I assume everything is going well there. No one is suspicious on that end either.

Dem/Et

Wonderful. I know you will make sure it stays that way.

Thea

Of course.

Dem/Et

I’ll be checking in. Notify me if any issues arise.

Bryn

Yes, sir.

[Promotions]

If you like The Hades Project, we recommend also listening to Hope's Hearth, a GM-less actual play podcast where friends explore identity, community, and the ways people find strength and love in dire situations. Check out their trailer now.

[Trailer begins.]

Characters and cast members:

Captain Oleaun - Izze S.

Dirk

Scottie - Izze S.

Suds - Amber

Sophia - Will

Danielle

[Music slowly fades in as narrator speaks.]

Captain Oleaun

Now I don’t claim to be a master storyteller. Quite the opposite honestly. But if you join us around the hearth, you might hear some fantastic tales.

Captain Oleaun

Tales of bravery…

Dirk

There is an enormous wave of magic. And for just a moment. Everything goes still.

Captain Oleaun

Tales of kindness.

Izze S.

And, gives the gardener a piece of toast.

[Dirk giggling]

Scottie

You’ll feel better, eat the toast

Captain Oleaun

Tales of loss...

Suds

No battle should ever be worth the cost.

Captain Oleaun

Tales of lives being lived...

Sophia

You know, Sophia says to Long John Silver, Some people say I’m weird.

Captain Oleaun

And tales of creation...

Danielle

Once upon a time, there was a dog.

[Music fades out.]

Izze S.

Listen to Hope’s Hearth, a GM-less actual play podcast set in a solar hope punk universe where friends and guests explore identity, community, and the ways people find strength and love in dire situations. Catch it every Wednesday wherever you listen to podcasts. We hope to see you around the hearth sometime soon.

[Credits.]

This is The Hades Project. It is inspired by Wolf 359. Intro and outro music was produced by Gray Sienna. Thank you to our lab skeleton, Captain Jack Marrow, and thank you for listening.

Episode 4: Symptoms

Trigger Warnings

Swearing

Coughing/Slight difficulty breathing

Sudden loud noise (2:28)

Hospital mention

Breakdown/slight suicidal ideation

Rory

[Starts to talk, but interrupts herself with a coughing fit.]

Audio log of Dr. Aurora Black. It’s day… something of our journey.

I am… struggling a little bit in regards to being on the same page as Dr. Tanner, but we’re making it work. There’s not much for me to do yet anyways, since I don’t have the appropriate samples. As for the vaccine tri--

[Another coughing fit.]

Sorry, um, as for the vaccine experiments they’ve been… going. The side effects are getting worse. Survivable, but rough. Today I have a checkup with Dr. Tanner, just to see how I’m faring. If I’m doing good enough then we’re gonna go up on the doses again today. This vaccine is really important, so Ultrapoltis is kinda rushing the experiments, but it’s okay, I can take it. Taken a lot worse in the past. I’ll… keep you updated! End lo--

[Another coughing fit, the recorder clicks, ending the recording and cutting Rory’s coughing off.]

[Intro plays - Event Horizon [jupiter] by Gray Sienna]

[A soft metallic banging, it sounds like someone knocking on a metal door.]

Tanner

Come in, it’s open.

[Quiet footsteps.]

Rory

I’m, uh, here for my checkup?

Tanner

Right. Uh, go sit on the exam table, I will be right with you.

Rory

Mhm. Okay.

[Quiet footsteps before a loud clang and the sound of someone hitting the floor. You hear Tanner getting up out of their chair quickly and rapid footsteps as they approach Rory.]

Tanner

Rory? Fuck, Rory, are you alright?

Rory

C-careful there, doc. You-you’re starting to sound like you-

[Brief coughing fit.]

Like you care.

Tanner

What happened?

Rory

Just a little dizzy spell. It’s all good.

Tanner

No. A “dizzy spell” is not all good. How long ago did you start coughing and feeling dizzy?

Rory

[Mumbling.]

...after the last time we upped my doses.

Tanner

That was weeks ago! Why didn’t you say anything sooner?

Rory

...the vaccines are important, I didn’t wanna fuck up your research.

[Tanner sighs.]

Tanner

Rory, the point of these experiments is for you to report side effects back to me so that I can see if they’re going to cause any long term effects and adjust what I need to, but that only works if you tell me when you’re not feeling good. These reports are essential to my research. Just please start reporting these things to me. Now, what symptoms are you experiencing?

[Musical interlude.]

Annie (HR)

What symptoms are you experiencing?

Lucy

I’ve been coughing a lot. Nothing I do seems to make it go away. I keep getting sick and it just makes the cough worse. I’ve also been very tired, I barely have the energy for anything anymore.

Tanner

[Sounding not as tired as we’ve heard them before, younger, but voice tense with worry.]

I think it’s some kind of auto-immune disease. She’s been getting sick easier and more often. We don’t have access to any historical records for her family and Lucy can’t remember any history of autoimmune disorders, at least in her close family.

[Brief typing noises.]

Annie (HR)

Alright, well, we’ll take some samples and run some tests and see if we can find anything. It’s likely nothing serious, but it never hurts to make sure.

Lucy

Thank you, Dr. Blackwell.

[Musical interlude.]

[Birds chirping and a soft breeze in the background, they’re clearly outside.]

Lucy

Oh, I missed this.

Tanner

Yeah? Good picnic?

Lucy

Mm, quite. Every time you bake something you somehow manage to top yourself.

[A light giggle that slowly dissolves into a coughing fit. Eventually it dies down and it’s subtle, but you can tell Lucy is struggling to catch her breath.]

Tanner

Are you okay?

Lucy

It’s okay, Ashes. This is nothing new.

Tanner

[Deep sigh.]

I know.

[Quieter, mumbled under their breath.]

That’s what scares me.

Lucy

[Chuckles quietly.]

You worry too much. Always have.

Tanner

I just… I don’t want to lose you.

Lucy

[Sigh.]

I know and I don’t want to leave you, firefly, but life has a way of throwing hard to beat things at us. The good thing is that you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.

[Light coughing.]

Tanner

Here, drink some water.

[Pause.]

What could possibly be a good enough reason to lose you, though?

Lucy

I don’t know, Ashes, but you will when you come across it.

Tanner

You mean if I come across it.

Lucy

[Lucy hesitates.]

...Right. If.

Tanner

I mean it, Lucy. I’m going to find a cure, a treatment, something. You’re going to be okay. Hell, when I find it, I’ll even name it after you.

Lucy

I know you’ll find a cure. You’re smart and determined. I always knew you were gonna do good things, even back when we first met. I know you’ll find it. I believe in you, firefly.

[Musical interlude.]

Lucy

[Sounding very weak and tired, but firm.]

You should go. Even if it can’t help me, there are more people out there. That’s what you’ve always wanted to do, Ashes, help people.

Tanner

[Sigh.]

Yeah, but what if something happens and I’m not here to help? I’m not just gonna leave you, Luc.

[Clothing rustles.]

Lucy

Go. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. If things start getting worse I’ll check myself into the hospital, I promise. I love you, Ashes, and I know you love me, but there’s more in this world than just me, and you deserve to see it. Go. Do what you do and help people.

Tanner

[Tanner sighs again. Pause.]

...Okay, I’ll go.

[More clothing rustles as Tanner hugs Lucy.]

You have to promise that you’ll hold on for me, though. I’ll bring back a cure, I promise.

Lucy

I’ll try. I love you, Ashes and I know you’ll always come back to me, but, please, remember, no matter what, I’ll always be right by your side, firefly.

Tanner

[Hum of contentment.]

I know. I love you too.

[Musical interlude.]

Tanner

Okay, you’re gonna be okay, but we’re going to postpone upping the dosage until you’re a bit more stable. You’re gonna be fine, I just need you to make sure you get some rest.

[Rory starts to protest but Tanner cuts her off.]

Tanner

Not debatable, Rory. Go rest.

Rory

[Dramatic sigh.]

Fine. I really am fine though.

Tanner

[Noise of affirmation, but somehow they make it sarcastic.]

Do you need help back to your room?

Rory

Nah, I’ll manage. It’s not that far from the lab anyways.

[Noise of the lab door opening.]

Tanner

Okay. Page me if you need anything or your symptoms get worse. I don’t want you getting out of bed any more than you have to today.

Rory

Okay, okay!

[Sound of the lab door shutting behind her. Noise of Tanner sitting down.]

Tanner

Just hang on for me. I’ll be back soon.

[Musical interlude, followed by the click of a recorder.]

Rory

[A quiet cough.]

Personal log of Rory Black… Well, I got Dr. Tanner to look me in the eyes for once. All it took was me nearly passing out in the medbay.

[Sigh.]

We’re not going up on my dosage again for a while, they say it’s too dangerous… Part of me is almost… disappointed. I-is that wrong? Like… I’m not doing great, but it’s manageable and I-I don’t know much about it, I’m not a microbiologist and Dr. Tanner isn’t exactly…

[She trails off.]

I’m not a microbiologist, but Ultrapoltis said the vaccine was… important. I wanna tell Dr. Tanner to keep going, but… I don’t wanna seem like I’m telling them how to do their job or something.

[Mumbled, barely audible.]

I don’t wanna upset them more than I already seem to have.

[Pause.]

...I’m doing worse than I told them… a lot worse. I downplayed… most of the symptoms. I-I know- I know I shouldn’t have, but...

[Frustrated groan.]

God, I don’t know. It was the only thing that made me of use onboard, until we get to our destination. I just… I feel useless. Dr. Tanner already hates me enough, now that I can’t keep up with the trials, they’re gonna think I’m a waste of space even more than they already do. I just… I came here wanting to do something good with my life. I just wanted to help people, but I’m a fucking astrobiologist! What help is that to anyone? Even worse, I’m an astrobiologist with no astro to biologize!

[Coughing.]

And I can’t even be Dr. Tanner’s lab assistant, ‘cause they refuse to talk to me about their research, even about the vaccine trials, which I’m literally the test subject of!

[Pause.]

I just wanted to do good. I just wanted to help people, but it seems like everything I’m doing is wrong and I don’t know how to fix it. I can’t even be sick right!

[Pause.]

It's okay. We'll make it work. I always do.

Tanner

Personal log of Dr. Ashes Tanner.

[Sigh.]

I’m worried about Dr. Black. Vela is having limited reactions, as to be expected, and Cassian has had zero adverse effects, which… well, that’s an issue for a different day. Dr. Black… Rory… her condition is much worse than I thought it would be right now. I have to draw back for her safety, even if it means that I send a few false updates to mission control.

[Pause.]

I look at Rory and I can’t help but to see her. And I know that’s not fair to Rory, it’s not her fault that she looks almost identical to Lucy, but I just…

[Pause, followed by a sigh.]

I miss you, Luc. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through these years without you and I…

I know that I had to come up here to protect you. They said… Well, it doesn’t matter what they said because I’m up here and you’re down there and you’re safe from them. But I...

[A deep, shaky breath. They sound close to tears.]

I’m... still terrified that I’m going to make it back and you’ll be…

[Another shaky breath. Hastily.]

Nevermind, this was stupid. End log.

[There is a click as Tanner turns off their recording.]

[Outro by Gray Sienna.]

[Credits.]

This is The Hades Project. Intro and outro music was produced by Gray Sienna. Thank you to our lab skeleton, Boney Hawk, and thank you for listening.

Episode 5: Something Something Time Loop

Trigger Warnings

Swearing

Explosions (1:14 - 1:19), (2:56 - 3:03), (4:41 - 4:48), (7:33 - 7:40), (12:11 - 12:18), (14:31 - 14:38)

Alarms (0:43 - 1:14), (7:31 - 7:36), (11:46 - 12:14), (14:10 - 14:32)

Snoring (0:05 - 1:14), (10:45 - 12:14), (15:55 - 17:29)

Heavy breathing (2:41 - 3:07), (4:35 - 4:40), (5:26 - 5:30),

Panicked/frustrated talking (5:18 - 5:30), (5:34 - 5:48), (6:01 - 6:13), (12:06 - 12:07), (12:27 - 12:41), (16:08 - 16:10)

Brief mentions of death

Loud noise (13:32 - 13:35)

[Sounds of the lab, accompanied by typing on a console. A little snoring from Tanner.]

Cass

Hook this up to the port. No, the one below it.

Mal

Right.

[Pause.]

Are you sure we won’t wake Tanner with this? I think this is some of the first sleep they’ve gotten all week.

Cass

It’s coding. As long as you don’t knock anything over, it’s fine.

[Pause.]

What do you need this for anyways?

Mal

So I’m trying to process this reading I got earlier today from that meteor that passed by, but it’s out of range, so I need the parameters adjusted to account for that.

Cass

That should be pretty easy, let me just…

[He trails off and does a bunch of typing, before finishing with a flourish.]

There! That should be it.

[A chime, followed by beeping from the computer.]

Mal

Woah, what’s that?

Cass

I don’t know, that’s weird.

[Some more typing.]

What the- what’s “the Hades Trials”?

[An alarm blares.]

Computer System

Alert: Files deleting. Full system shutdown in 3… 2… 1…

[A loud explosion.]

[Intro plays - Event Horizon [jupiter] by Gray Sienna]

[At the airlock. Mal is getting suited up to go on a spacewalk. Amaya zips up the suit.]

Amaya

Okay, you’re all set to go. You should have three hours of oxygen in the tank, not that you’ll need all of it.

[Pause.]

Mal? You okay?

Mal

Uh, yeah, sorry. Just got déjà vu or something... I should only be out there for 20 minutes, I’m just taking some readings, and I’ll be right back in.

Aiden

Good, I need to meet with Captain Green in a little bit, so let’s make this quick.

[Heavy footsteps. The airlock door hisses open, and there’s sounds of a spacewalk, followed by the same explosion.]

[Amaya zips up Mal's spacesuit.]

Amaya

Okay, you’re all set to go. You should have three hours of oxygen in the tank, not that you’ll need all of it.

[Pause.]

Mal? You okay?

Mal

Okay, what’s going on?

Amaya

Uh... I’m getting you suited up for a spacewalk? Like you asked?

Mal

No, I already did the space walk. You were there, remember? We already had this conversation four times. You told me I had three hours, but I don’t need three hours, and the Commander has a meeting with the Captain, and Cass and I-

[Pause.]

We die today, don’t we?

Aiden

Officer Paulitious, what are you talking about? Are you alright?

Mal

[Brushing it off.]

Yeah, Commander, I’m fine. Probably just remembering some weird dream. All good here, though. No problem.

Aiden

Sure...

Amaya

Are you sure you’re okay to go on a spacewalk, Mal?

Mal

I’m fine, really. I promised Tanner I’d get those readings and they’d probably be pissed if I backed out now. Then I’d really die today.

Aiden

Well, just be careful, alright?

[The same sounds as before. Heavy footsteps. The airlock door hisses open, and there’s sounds of a spacewalk, followed by the explosion.]

Mal

Alright, so I know I don’t normally call meetings, but things are pretty… fucked. I think.

Rory

Fucked in like, the normal way or worse?

Mal

[Chuckles nervously.]

Worse, I’d say. I think we’re stuck in some kind of… time loop? Like, I’m supposed to do a space walk because I volunteered to get those meteor samples for Tanner, but I know I’ve done my space walk, and then I come back here, and Cass starts helping me out, and then all of the sudden, there-there’s lights and alarms and--.

Aiden

Alright, calm down, Officer. You’re rambling.

Mal

No, I’m serious, something’s going on! I’ve done today like six times already, and it always goes wrong. Something always causes the ship to explode, and then the day starts over again, and I’m back in the airlock with Amaya and the Commander. Something is really wrong, and I don’t know what it is!

Madison

Mal, time loops don’t exist, that’s not how science works.

Bryn

Why would we be in a time loop anyways? That doesn’t make sense.

Mal

[Groans in frustration.]

I don’t know why we’re in a loop, but I know we’re in one! And based on the fact that I’m the only one who seems to remember, it probably means it’s because I fucked up and need y’all’s help! Can someone please back me up here?!?

Aiden

Alright, folks, let’s all calm down and take a breath. Let’s not get heated. Everyone, y’all are dismissed back to your duties.

[Several people walk away. The door opens as they leave.]

Officer Paulitious, are you feelin' okay? You been taking care of yourself?

Mal

Of course I’m okay! Why wouldn’t I be?

Aiden

Alright… if you say so, but um… maybe you should take the afternoon off and rest up anyways.

[Footsteps as Aiden leaves. The door closes.]

Mal

[She sighs and turns to Rory.]

You believe me, right?

Rory

I believe… that you believe you’re in a time loop.

[She coughs.]

Fuck, Mal, I don’t know. Maybe just try doing different stuff than you normally do?

Mal

Yeah, sure.

[A brief pause. The same alarms and explosion as before.]

Amaya

Okay, you’re all set to go. You should have three hours of oxygen--

Mal

You know what? I might use the whole three hours this time around. Fuck it.

Amaya

Uh, what?

Mal

Yup. I could just stay out there for three hours. It won’t matter in a bit anyway, so let’s test it out, yeah?

Aiden

Officer Paulitious, are you alright?

Mal

Yes, sir! Just sick of this shit is all. I’ve lived through seven Tuesdays back to back and I know you’re probably going to tell me to just hit the showers and chill, but we can just skip all that and let me get those samples.

Aiden

Um, okay. Officer Suzuki, maybe you oughta go out there with her, just in case.

Amaya

Uh… sure.

Mal

Why not?

[The airlock opens. Cut to Amaya and Mal on a spacewalk.)

Amaya

So… are you good? You kind of got a little snappy at Aiden back there.

Mal

Yeah, I guess you could say I’m fine.

Amaya

Yeah, I definitely don’t believe that at all. You’re not very convincing.

[A moment.]

Seriously, what’s up?

Mal

Okay, before I answer, will you believe me? Because I know I sound crazy right now, but I’m serious, and I just need someone to go with me on this.

Amaya

Um, sure, I’ll believe you.

Mal

Cool, cool. You say that now, at least.

[Mal sighs.]

We’re stuck in this weird loop thing. I’ve gone through this like seven times already. Well, not this but today. And it always ends bad; something triggers an emergency and we fucking explode or something.

Amaya

...ah, I see.

Mal

[Mal groans, disappointed.]

You don’t believe me, do you?

Amaya

No, no, no, I believe you! It’s just… well, you know…it’s quite the thing to drop.

Mal

Yeah… I guess you’re right, but I can’t exactly prove it to you, ya know? You’ll forget anyways.

Amaya

I suppose you’re right…

[Pause.]

Well, do you know why it’s happening? Maybe just don’t do that?

Mal

That would be great if I knew what actually caused it. The loop ends with me and Cass in the lab looking at code shit before something explodes and I don’t know if we cause the explosion or someone else.

[Pause.]

I guess I can rule out Tanner because they’re asleep every time.

Amaya

Well, if it’s an explosion, then maybe it’s a structural problem. Something could overheat and the pipes could burst, or the oxygen tanks get lit up for some reason? I mean, any uncontrolled flame would be a big issue on the Hades.

Mal

Oh, you’re a genius! Would you be willing to come to the lab and check things out for me?

Amaya

Um, sure, I guess I don’t have anything else on the schedule for today.

[Dodododo - musical interlude!]

[Various sounds of lab machinery, Tanner snores, and walking.]

Mal

We should probably keep things a bit quiet if we can, but I’d really appreciate it if you could check any spark-making potential while I get my equipment set up for these samples.

Amaya

[Still sounds confused, but on board if it means helping Mal out.]

Yeah, sure. It’s probably time for a maintenance check anyway.

[Sounds of Amaya walking away and shuffling through somethings, then a door opening.]

Cass

Hey, you needed to see me?

Mal

Yeah! I gotta adjust these parameters real fast for a really high radiation reading, but I can’t really figure it out. Think you could take a crack at it?

Cass

Yeah, no problem.

Mal

Thanks, you’re like a coding wizard.

Cass

[/lh]

I know, I’m a genius.

Mal

Hell yeah you are!

[Sounds of rapid typing and beeps begin to sound.]

Amaya

[From across the room.]

Everything looks okay to me so far, where are your burners so I can check the tubing?

Mal

[Sounding a bit worried about things being okay.]

They’re right behind us. You sure everything looks good?

Amaya

Yeah, I think so…

[Beep beep! (the same one as before)]

Cass

[Confused, like before.]

Woah, what was that? That’s weird.

[Typing.]

What the- what’s “the Hades Trials”?

Mal

Hades Trials? What’s that?

[The same alarm as before blares.]

Cass

What the-

Amaya

Uh, what’s going on?!

Cass

I don’t know- wait, something’s deleting the files, I-

[BOOM. Explosion time once again.]

[Silence. And then, the telltale sounds of the airlock.]

Mal

[Getting real tired of this.]

Oh, come on!

Amaya

Jesus-

[She stumbles, panting heavily. She’s def freaking out.]

What was that?!

Mal

[Snaps into Mal comfort mode.]

Whoa, wait. This is new. Are you good, A?

Amaya

[Not registering her. She’s straight up panicking.]

Ohmygodohmygodo-

Aiden

[Absolutely no clue where this came from.]

What the hell- what just happened?

Mal

Really not the time, Commander!

[Beat.]

Hey, Amaya, can you breathe for me? What’s happening?

Aiden

Amaya, are you okay?

[Dododo - transition ooooo]

Amaya

Okay, what just happened?

Mal

I told you before! Time keeps repeating! I come to do this stupid space walk to get those samples for Tanner, I go back to the lab, and it explodes. This has been happening for ages now and I’m not exactly sure why you remember now too.

Amaya

Okay…

[Beat.]

Have you just tried not going on the space walk?

Mal

[Frustrated groan.]

Of course I’ve tried! But when I did Tanner just got someone else to go instead.

Amaya

Have you tried stopping anyone else from going out?

Mal

Yes. But somebody goes anyway because they think I’m kidding around.

[Beat.]

Wait a minute…

[A crash, followed by electricity crackling.]

Amaya

Mal! What did you do that for? You ruined the sensor!

Mal

How long will it take to fix it?

Amaya

[Sigh.]

A few hours, at least.

Mal

Good. That should buy us some time for the asteroid to pass then.

[Transition to the Lab.]

Cass

Hey, Mal. You needed me?

Mal

Cass!

[Pause.]

Yeah, my computer’s being weird for some reason. Think you could take a look?

Cass

Sure, just give me a bit.

[Typing. A small ding is heard and the alarm starts going off.]

Huh. The Hades Trials? That’s weird. Wait something-- something is deleting the files, I--

Computer System

Alert: Files deleting. Full system shutdown in 3… 2… 1…

[The beeping grows and there is an explosion.]

Amaya

Okay, we’re close. We’ve got to be.

Mal

Yeah, I don’t think we can take any more of this. Especially that damn lab accident. Got any thoughts?

Amaya

[Sighing.]

Well, I think we can safely rule out any engineering or structural issues. We’ve triple checked everything I can think of. It’s probably gotta be something in the lab.

Mal

Yeah, it can’t be whatever I took from that asteroid since the accident still happens even if I don’t go get it. But it’s been a few turns since we’ve sat down to figure it out, so what are the consistencies? We know the spacewalk started this whole thing, probably some radiation or exposure or something.

Amaya

[Sighs.]

Right. But skipping it doesn’t make a difference, so it can’t be the trigger for the explosion or anything. It’s just how the reset is happening.

Mal

It always happens when Cass starts messing with my computer, regardless of what we’re doing. And I told him I needed his help before I even went on the spacewalk, so he’s always been there to mess with it. Do you think it could be that?

Amaya

I mean, I don’t see how coding starts a lab fire, but at this point I’d settle for any explanation.

Mal

You said earlier that a spark in the lab would be a serious issue. Could a computer cause that?

Amaya

I guess it could, if it got overheated or something got messed up. Come on, let’s go take a look.

[Interlude.]

[Tanner is once again snoring.]

Mal

Do you see anything?

Amaya

[Muffled.]

Woah. Dude, your wiring is super messed up, the plastic is all kinds of broken. This is a fire hazard waiting to happen. It’s a miracle this didn’t cause an issue before.

Mal

Wait, really?! You mean to tell me this all happened because whoever set up my computer messed up???

Amaya

[Getting up, speaking normally.]

Listen, for a state of the art ship built by an advanced company, the Hades is kind of a piece of junk. Trust me, things break way more often than they really should.

Mal

Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’m not sure what was on that meteor to cause time to loop, but I guess I'm glad it happened. I’ll see if I can use a different computer to study whatever it is.

Amaya

I still don’t get why you went back out to get that stuff from the asteroid.

Mal

It caused time to loop for me, so I gotta know what it is. And who knows? It might come in handy later on. At this point, I don’t know what’s going to happen and a little insurance would be nice.

Amaya

Yeah… weird mission we’re on… Well, at least no lab fire right? So, we’re all okay.

Mal

That’s definitely true. Do you think we should tell everybody what’s been going on? We’ve been acting kind of weird from their perspective. And I probably owe the Commander a ton of apologies. Even if she doesn’t remember, I did yell at her and kind of break the door panels.

Amaya

Yeah, we should probably call a meeting.

Mal

[Super cheesy.]

Yeah, I guess you could say it’s time we all had a talk.

Amaya

Really, already?

[They both laugh.]

[Outro Event Horizon by Gray Sienna.]

[Knocking.]

Aiden

Come in.

[The door opens and Vela walks in.]

Vela

Hey, Commander, can I talk to you about something? It's about Dr. Tanner…

[The door closes.]

[Announcements.]

Hi there, it's Jupiter! I've got a couple of quick things to talk about today. First, I want to thank you for listening. We are so incredibly thankful to every single person who has listened to an episode of The Hades Project. We are now at the midpoint of our first season. With that, we're going to be taking a short break, so you can expect Episode 6 to air on September 22nd and then we will continue our bi-weekly schedule through the end of the season. Now, don't fret, we're not going to be silent. On our normal posting Wednesdays, you will still be getting content from us so keep your eyes open for that. Additionally, I want to let you know that our theme, Event Horizon, produced by the absolutely wonderful Gray Sienna is now available to stream. So go give it a listen or like 20 listens or a hundred or however many you desire. Gray is an absolutely amazing artist and we would love for you all to go listen to their work. Thank you so much and we hope that you enjoyed the first half of The Hades Project season one.

[Credits.]

This is The Hades Project. Intro and outro music was produced by Gray Sienna. Thank you to our lab skeleton, Dee Ceased, and thank you for listening.

Episode 6: Failure

Trigger Warnings:

Swearing

Coughing/Struggling to breathe

Talk of medical procedures

Character death

Suicidal ideation

Self deprecation

Rory

I fucked up. I-I fucked up--

[Coughing.]

I think I fucked up bad th-this time.

[Coughing.]

I d-don’t know i-if I’m gonna--

[Coughing fit, the recorder clicks, cutting her off.]

[Intro - Event Horizon [jupiter] by Gray Sienna]

Rory

Personal log of--

[She clears her throat.]

Personal… personal log of Rory Black. I’m… starting to wonder if I should tell Dr. Tanner how bad my symptoms really are… They just keep getting worse and… i-it’s probably just from all the coughing making my throat sore, but… I… I coughed up a lot of blood this morning.

[Frustrated groan..]

I just-I don’t know how to tell them that I… Well, basically lied. Not exactly the most trust inspiring in a lab assistant! Fuck, I don’t know. It’s probably just going up on the doses. I’m probably just having a reaction and it’ll fade as my body gets used to it, like it did last time. I’m probably just being overdramatic.

[A sharp exhale.]

No, it’s fine. I’m… I’m fine. End log.

[Recorder clicks off.]

Rory

I fucked up. I-I fucked up--

[Coughing.]

I think I fucked up bad th-this time.

[Coughing.]

I d-don’t know i-if I’m gonna--

[Coughing fit, the recorder clicks, cutting her off.]

[A beat. Recorder clicks back on. Slow footsteps. The door opens.]

Rory

Doc--. Help…

[There’s a heavy thud and silence.]

[The door opens.]

Tanner

Lu-?

[Footsteps.]

Fuck. Rory! Rory, can you hear me?

[Pager buzzes.]

I need immediate assistance in the medbay. It's Rory-- shit. I'm starting chest compressions, someone get the fuck down here, now.

[Sounds of chest compressions.]

Come on, Rory. You can't do this. I can't-- I can't lose you too.

[A heart monitor fades in.]

Tanner

Okay, so I’m going to get this set up and...

[The heart monitor slows, then flatlines.]

Tanner

Goddamnit. No, no, come on.

Rory, stay with us. Maia, chest compressions.

[Under their breath.]

Stay with me.

[The noises fade out.]

[The sound of the heart monitor fades in again, but it’s a steady beat and a lot quieter than it was before.]

Rory

[The soft sound of her stirring awake. A wince of pain as she tries to get up too fast. A beat as she surveys her surroundings.]

...Dr. Tanner?

[She speaks again, quieter this time.]

Maia?

[Distant footsteps echoing down the hall, getting closer.]

Dr. Tanner?

Maia

Nope, just me. Sorry to disappoint.

Rory

You could never disappoint me. Wh-what happened?

Maia

[Tired sigh.]

I’m… not fully sure. Tanner paged me, said you were in the medbay, unresponsive. There was a lot of internal bleeding. You’re going to be on bed rest for a while.

Rory

Where’s Dr. Tanner? I-I thought… I thought they were….

Maia

They were here. They did most of the fixing you up, if I’m honest. They said something about going back to their quarters once you were stable.

[There’s movement as Rory attempts to get out of bed and noises of pain.]

Maia

And where, exactly, do you think you’re going?

Rory

...I need to talk to them.

Maia

Nope. You need rest. Quite frankly, so do they. I’ll tell them you want to talk to them in the morning, okay honey?

Rory

Fine.

[Silence.]

Maia

Good mornin--

Rory

[Cutting Maia off.]

Did you talk to Dr. Tanner?

Maia

I… told them…. They… they didn’t respond. They’re okay, alive at least. I heard them moving about their room, but… last night was… a lot. I think they just need some time.

Rory

I just… I have to talk to them. I have to apologize. This is my fault, I should’ve told them, but I didn’t want to upset them, and now I’ve just completely fucked it all up.

Maia

You haven’t fucked it all up, dear. Tanner’s just… dealing with things in their own way… A lot happened yesterday... Just be patient with them. I’m sure they’ll come around.

Rory

...I guess.

[Silence.]

Rory

[Heavy sigh.]

Personal log of Rory Black…. It’s certainly been an eventful past few days. I… died. Apparently the tests that Dr. Tanner was doing weren’t vaccine trials.

I-I think they were testing a virus out on me? I don’t fully understand it, but…apparently I flatlined. My heart stopped. I died. The rest of the crew is really angry…. I haven’t seen Dr. Tanner since… I don’t know. I just… the last thing I remember before… before I… well, died was their face and it-it was afraid. They were… afraid. I should’ve told them. I should’ve told them. They probably don’t want to see me. Can’t say I blame them. I fucked up. I fucked up.

[The recorder clicks off.]

[Recorder clicks on.]

Rory

Okay, hi again, sorry. There was… one more thing I wanted to… talk about, I guess. I think… I think I met someone really important….

[Recorder clicks off. The heart monitor beeps before flatlining, Tanner speaks in the background, but it echoes.]

[A loud gasp..]

Lucy

Hi Rory.

Rory

Wha-who are you? Where… is this the medbay? Why does it look…. You--you look…

Lucy

My name’s Lucy. Now, we don’t have a lot of time and I have a lot to tell you, okay? It’s not my place to tell you who I am, but you’ll find out soon, I promise you that. Ashes… is going to take this hard. They won’t admit it, but they need you. It’s not going to be easy, they… definitely don’t make it easy, but trust me, when I say it’s worth it… They used to laugh, believe it or not. Oh, Rory, you should’ve seen how they danced. They had this… light. It was like nothing else… it… faded when I got sick… I know you’re going to be part of the reason they get that light back. It’s not going to be easy for either of you, but sometimes… sometimes it felt like their smile burned brighter than the sun. Please, don’t blame them for this. Things are… going to get very, very bad for them soon and they’re going to need someone to fall back on. Please, be that person. They won’t let you in, not just yet, but you’ll know when. Just be there. Ashes is a better person than they’ll ever be able to believe and I know you can see that too. They’re going to need your trust. Be their anchor and they’ll show you how to fly. Rory, I promise. A-and, when that time comes, please tell them that… I love them and I’m sorry I couldn’t hang on, but the thing to make it all worth it, might just be closer than they think. Tell them… tell them not to hide themself away.

[Softer.]

The world deserves to see your light, firefly.

Rory

I… I don’t think I can forgive them. I never blamed them in the first place.

Lucy

For the record? I’m glad it’s you.

[The sound starts to fade out as she says that, overlapping instead with the noise of the heart monitor, before that slowly fades out as well into complete silence.]

[You hear footsteps walking along the hall before stopping abruptly.]

Rory

God, just do it.

[Pause.]

I don’t even know what to say to them.

[Pause.]

No, fuck it.

[Knocking. Rory raises her voice.]

Um, hi, Dr. Tanner?

[Beat. No response.]

I… c-can we talk?

[Pause.]

Please?

[Still no response. A deep sigh.]

Okay, um, you-you know where to find me, if you, uh, change your… mind. I guess.

[Rory walks away from their door.]

[Silence.]

Rory

Personal log of Rory Black. I really did fuck up this time. They won’t even talk to me. I haven’t… I haven’t seen them since… Fuck. This is all my fault. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do what… she told me to. God, I don’t even know if that was real! I died, for all I know that could’ve been a… like a… death hallucination?

[A frustrated groan.]

God. I just feel so fucking helpless. I feel so fucking helpless!

Tanner

[Fuzzy audio. This is an old, recorded log..]

Personal log of Ashes Tanner. Hi, there! I’m sorry that I haven’t sent a message sooner… I was waiting for the Communication’s Room to finally be empty before I sent this because the communications officers aboard this ship are... eccentric at best and I don’t need them, or anyone for that matter, making fun of me for this. Anyways… If I think sending this out right, and I think that I am… But you know physics was never my strong suit. Point is… Happy birthday, Lucy. I love you so much. I can’t wait to see you again.

[Outro by Gray Sienna.]

[Credits.]

This is The Hades Project. It is inspired by Wolf 359. Intro and outro music was produced by Gray Sienna. Thank you to our lab skeleton, Patella the Hun, and thank you for listening.

Episode 7: Flatline

Trigger Warnings:

Descriptions of medical procedures

Hospital-like noises

Character death

[The door opens.]

Tanner

Lu-?

[Pause.]

Fuck. Rory! Rory, can you hear me?

[Pager buzzes.]

I need immediate assistance in the medbay. It's Rory-- shit. I'm starting chest compressions, someone get the fuck down here, now.

[Sounds of chest compressions.]

Come on, Rory. You can't do this. I can't-- I can't lose you too.

[Intro - Event Horizon [jupiter] by Gray Sienna]

Aiden

[Intercom buzzes.]

Dr. Tanner, could you please report to my office?

Tanner

[Fuzzy, over the intercom.]

I’m a little busy, Commander.

Aiden

Now, Doctor. That is an order.

Tanner

[Sighs.]

Right… be there in a few.

[The intercom buzzes off.]

Vela

Just like that? Commander Bailey, are you nuts?

Aiden

Trust me. And let me be the one to bring it up. We need to be delicate with Dr. Tanner.

Vela

Okay. What are we going to tell them?

Aiden

Good question.

[Knock on the door.]

Aiden

It’s open.

[The door opens and there are footsteps as Tanner enters.]

Tanner

Commander. What did you need to talk about? I’d really like to get back to work.

Aiden

Doctor, please sit.

Tanner

Officer. Did you need something in particular… or? Can I help you with something?

Aiden

Actually, you can. How’s your research going, Doctor?

Tanner

It’s been successful so far, but I have a lot to do. Is that all, Commander?

Aiden

It’s uh, microbiology, right? Goes hand in hand with the medical thing as well, huh? Doing anything with that?

Tanner

I’m confused. Do you have something you’d like to say?

Vela

Who’s Lucy?

Tanner

That is none of your business.

Aiden

Dr. Tanner. This is important. What are you doing here?

Tanner

Other than my job, I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Vela

Lucy is dead. The higher ups at Ultrapoltis thought you would stop whatever you’re doing when you found out, but--

Aiden

[Cutting her off.]

Officer Klein-

Vela

No, Commander. What are you doing, Tanner? What is so important?

Tanner

If you must know, I’m doing what’s been asked of me. I was hired as a researcher