S1: Hi.
S2: I'm Chris Porter, creator and co-director of Solar. This is
S2: a story where every answer asks more questions. It's a
S2: fully staged sonic experience of cinematic proportions. So especially if
S2: you're driving, be prepared for voices and sounds all around you.
S2: Dig deep into the ever evolving environment through our weekly episodes.
S2: And in between, you'll find short bonus audio assets.
S3: That will clue.
S2: You into pivotal perspectives here on Earth due to strong language.
S2: This program is intended for audiences over the age of 13.
S2: Solar is best enjoyed on headphones, though. However you choose
S2: to go on this mission, we encourage you to immerse
S2: yourself in this journey to the heart of our solar system.
S2: And now.
S3: Solar.
S4: You create the.
S5: Moment.
S4: Where I get hurt. You gotta make certain things happen.
S4: Parker No.
UU: No, that's right. Not now. Anthony Oh. We?
S4: Take your seat. I'll take a picture. Thank you. Thank
S4: you all for being here. I know it's a difficult
S4: time for all of us. My name is Felicia Bryant,
S4: and I am the serving director of public relations for
S4: the North American Space Coalition, NASCAR, following the untimely passing
S4: of Dennis Altman. Joining me is the eighth on mission
S4: control flight director. After our hearts here at NASCAR, go
S4: to those impacted by the solar flare two weeks ago.
S4: We extend our thoughts and prayers to those who died
S4: and those who lost loved ones as a result of
S4: the flare. And we pray for a quick end to
S4: the rioting all over the Western Hemisphere. Mankind will rise above,
S4: as it always has. Mr. Patel, NASCAR located the eighth
S4: on two days ago. Mission Control identified its solar orbital
S4: position on April 4th, 2045, at 11:32 a.m. coordinated universal time. However,
S4: we have not established contact. Apart from locational pings, there
S4: have been no data transfers between mission control and the
S4: eighth on following the flare. In addition, we have not
S4: been able to identify any evidence of steering or propulsion
S4: that would clarify the functionality of the craft. Please wait
S4: until we open the floor for questions. We won't answer
S4: any questions until six seven. Men and women on board,
S4: the eighth on and you only care about one.
S1: Tanya was largely considered the face of the mission.
S4: There are seven people on board the Ethan, and as
S4: far as I'm concerned, they're all alive. Please continue, Mr. Patel.
S4: They were rule altitude. Thermonuclear reactor appears to still be
S4: functioning to some extent. However, as the Ethan is currently
S4: orbiting the sun at a fixed altitude free from normal
S4: gravitational orbit. In layman's terms, Mr. Patel, the Ethan has power.
S4: The engine is keeping the ship at a fixed altitude,
S4: not relying on orbit. It was designed to keep the
S4: Ethan and Semtex equipment on this side of the sun
S4: in sync with Earth's orbit, which is why it doesn't
S4: orbit as fast as Mercury. But now the Ethan isn't
S4: moving with us. Given our current trajectories, the eighth on
S4: an Earth will move to opposite sides of the sun
S4: in roughly seven days. And at that point, we will
S4: lose any opportunity to contact the Ethan for almost a
S4: year before the Earth on an Earth can make direct
S4: contact again. We we will continue to monitor the situation
S4: and hold out hope for the mission's seven potentially surviving
S4: crew members. Potentially. We remain in touch with the families
S4: of those on board and ask you to respect their privacy.
S4: At this time, we will open the floor for questions.
S4: A public alert instead of informing the White House or
S4: the Canadian prime minister first. We only had 20 or
S4: 30 minutes from the eighth on distress call to the
S4: flare arriving on Earth. It was determined the warning was
S4: best directed to the public to take individual protective measures. Yes,
S4: over there. What is this doing to prevent this in
S4: the future? This isn't something we can prevent. We can
S4: only prepare for any of the crew members at fault.
S4: All protocols were followed by both NASCAR and some tech
S4: crew members. Not for such a common solar flare, it's ridiculous.
S4: Question We have no power over the sun. Listen to yourself.
S4: We have no control over solar events, not taking any
S4: steps to help in the recovery effort. Obviously, we will
S4: do whatever is requested by the Canadian and United States
S4: governments to the best of our abilities. They have access
S4: to the few remaining lines of communication that we. They're
S4: giving resources. Where do you want us to do exactly?
S4: We are the North American Space Coalition. We are responsible
S4: for your phone lines or the power grid. We don't
S4: control the universe. I apologize for Mr. Pertell to apologise
S4: for replying, Miss Bryant. What are the odds of survival
S4: for the UN crew? We won't speculate on those circumstances.
S4: I'm sure you can understand. They are. And I quote Mr..
S1: Old Men.
S4: The farthest away from earth any human being has ever been.
S1: Even if they did survive, is it realistic.
S4: To believe they could be rescued? Again, I refused to speculate.
S4: Would saving them even be worth it? Does anyone have
S4: any other questions? And you know, it means we're going
S4: to do everything we can. Mr. Putnam. No, no, you.
S4: What is your name? Christian Yancy. US headline. Mr. Yancy.
S4: These men and women have risked their lives for their
S4: knowledge and science and our understanding of the universe and
S4: what may have been their final moments. They warned us
S4: about the flare. They are heroes. We will bring them home,
S4: if you can. Your problem.
S1: All right. I'm just trying to do my job.
S4: You're being insulting.
S1: I'm being.
S4: Realistic. After these past couple of weeks, I personally don't
S4: think anyone should be waiting for miracles. I agree. Mr. Patel.
S4: There's no such thing as miracles. But this won't be
S4: a miracle. It'll be a triumph. Now will bring them home.
S4: Do you understand?
S1: And are you going to partner with Centex in this
S1: triumphant rescue effort?
S4: Marian Technologies is our partner on this mission. Three crew
S4: members were specifically placed on this mission by Semtech. Of course,
S4: they want to rescue this crew just as much as
S4: we do. Moving Are you implying that Semtech wouldn't.
S1: Want to help in a rescue effort if it was only.
S4: NASCAR crew members? Of course not. Correct me if I'm wrong.
S3: It was Semtech who paid for most of the mission.
S1: Yes, Semtech bailed out NASCAR after the downturn, so maybe
S1: they out of.
S4: We have reached out to Semtech and are awaiting a response.
S4: Are you saying you haven't.
S1: Been in contact with.
S4: Semtech since the flare? We have been in contact with
S4: Semtech for months. No, no, no. We've been picking up anomalies,
S4: shudders and erroneous readings for almost a year now, and
S4: we've been reaching out to Semtech for answers over and
S4: over again. And we haven't heard a thing. Just silence.
S4: They're refusing to answer us their feedback. Listen, if any
S4: of you have a way of reaching Semtech.
UU: Tell them to come and talk to me. I'm going
UU: to bring my crew home and I'll work with Semtech if.
S4: They want any of our crew to come back alive. Wait.
S4: Are you implying Semtech doesn't want the key.
UU: To return a line? What do you mean, anomalies? How
UU: long did you believe the it would endanger?
S4: My apologies to the rest of you on behalf of Mr.
S4: Patel and Mr. Yancey was.
S5: As an operating system timer failure has resulted in terminal error.
S5: Audio packets are unable to be compiled chronologically. Please reset
S5: AOS Internal Clock. Manual Whiskey Foxtrot 156. Delta two. Emergency
S5: Audio Packet 22 Dash Alpha 2425.
S1: Kurt Coe Media Presents. Solar. Episode one The Pilot.
S5: Post Solar Event Approximate Mission Day 547.
S3: Safety restraints set by restraints on.
UU: It can feed on reactor turbine. Standby on remote.
S3: Joystick control for reactor repair.
S5: Arm control on standby.
S3: Thank you, Ali. Please disable all standbys from the last
S3: 30 seconds.
S5: Yes. Pilot Jamal Davis.
S3: Reactor. Okay.
S5: Yes, pilot Jamal Davis. I detect no irregularities.
S3: You never do. But with the flare, you detected it.
S3: You track the system overloading, but you didn't feel it.
S5: I am unable to answer the question.
S3: You didn't feel the surge? The explosion?
S5: I feel no pain.
S3: And the glitchy.
S5: I am unable to answer the question.
S3: Sexual harassment. Yeah. Okay. Shut out, Jamal.
S5: What are you working on, Jamal Davis.
S3: I'm writing some auxiliary programming.
S5: Auxiliary programming can be quite extensive. Can I assist you?
S3: No, I don't think you're up for it, Ali. You
S3: keep forgetting where the sun is.
S5: That doesn't sound like me.
S3: It doesn't. And the sun is right out there. I
S3: can see it from my window. Point is, I need
S3: to write this programming myself. You're broken right now, Ali.
S5: I am broken.
S3: There's something wrong in your code that I don't have
S3: time to fix.
S5: Why do you not have time to fix my code?
S3: Because I'm going to run out of oxygen in about
S3: five days. So I need to prioritize what I do
S3: with the time I have left.
S5: And you need to prioritize the auxiliary programming?
S3: Yes.
S5: Can I assist you with anything?
S3: He can leave me alone.
S5: How long would you like for me to leave you alone?
S3: What is this? Why are you being so talkative today?
S5: You have declined ten of the last 12 messages from Dr.
S5: Ron Guerrero.
S3: Yeah.
S5: So you are isolating yourself, okay? Isolating oneself, following a
S5: personal trauma may indicate depression, anxiety and or a mental could.
S3: This d all of the above.
S5: I am programmed to help humans to my fullest extent.
S3: I know.
S5: I want to help you. Even if I'm broken.
S3: Okay. Let's do another recording. I'm going to keep typing, though.
S5: Who is this recording for?
S3: I don't know yet. Just go ahead and start recording. Chelsea. So.
S3: Never mind. But Jose, delete that and start a new recording.
S5: It has been 5 seconds and you have not begun
S5: a message. Would you like to terminate the recording and
S5: begin again?
S3: No, no. I just need to talk. Figure out what
S3: I want to say.
S5: Do you not know what you want to say?
S3: I do. I just don't know how to say it.
S5: How can I assist you in how to say it?
S3: You can't. It just takes time. You got to let
S3: it come out naturally. Let it find its own words.
S3: You got to start walking before you know the destination.
S5: Oh, is this recording for?
S3: I don't know, Ali.
S5: Would you like to terminate the recording and begin again?
S3: No. Just keep it rolling until I tell you to stop. Okay.
S5: Yes. Pilot Jamal Davis.
S3: Please don't call me that. Especially now.
S5: What would you like for me to call you?
S3: I want you to call me Jamal, but I know
S3: that I don't rank high enough to.
S5: Protocol to address pilot Jamal Davis.
S3: As Jamal, you said, I did it rank high enough
S3: to override naming protocol.
S5: You do now. I do. Yes, John.
S3: I saw two ghosts dancing last night. They are ghosts.
S3: People freak out about that word, you know. But I
S3: don't know what to call them. Or as manifestations. Visions. Hallucinations. Maybe.
S3: Maybe aliens, I guess. But Wren got really angry when
S3: I suggested that. But I'm seeing something. I will start
S3: with Eli. I've seen 11 ghosts in 15 days. Ever
S3: since the flare. This was my first time seeing two
S3: ghosts at once again. I know they aren't Ghost. Don't
S3: go telling random claiming they're ghosts.
S5: I watch them all.
S3: But these things. They were dancing. I think they were
S3: holding on to each other, moving slowly, almost like sheets
S3: in the wind, at least the way sheets look in
S3: the movies in real life. They just hang there, you know?
S3: What the hell am I talking about? We had a
S3: dry year growing up. I've never seen laundry drying on clotheslines.
S3: I was just trying to be poetic, Pamela. To do that. Right.
S3: I've never wound up a car window. I've never saved
S3: things to a floppy disk. But I know the icon.
S3: At what point is my understanding of the world? Just
S3: what I've been told it used to be. Maybe ghosts
S3: are just dead people who haven't realized they're dead yet.
S3: The ghosts are humanoid is the word, but they're made
S3: of light, like hundreds of overlapping strands made of blue
S3: gold fiber, glowing threads woven in the shape of a
S3: human or an outline of where a person should be,
S3: but moving all the time. Internally restless. Outwardly calm. Just
S3: like dancing, I guess. Paused. Recording.
S5: Recording, paused.
S3: Ali, can you run my program in simulation mode?
S5: Running auxiliary programming in simulation mode. Auxiliary programming simulation has failed.
S3: Can you bring back up the coding and show me
S3: the line where it failed? Thanks. Unpause. Recording.
S5: Recording, unpaused.
S3: I forgot where I was. Just like dancing. I can. Yeah.
S3: These dancing ghosts or whatever they are. They were in
S3: the loading dock, formerly capsule five, now the nothing in
S3: the centre of the earth before it was ripped in
S3: half the temperature of 108.5 degrees. This isn't what I
S3: want to say. I'm going to try again. Let me just.
S5: Drinking water will decrease your oxygen supply.
S3: No, Ali, thank you.
S5: Who is this recording for?
S3: Still don't know, Ali. I grew up in Cape Canaveral.
S3: Did you know that?
S5: I didn't know that. Yeah.
S3: Of course you did. I miss the sound of the ocean.
S5: I have 52 unique recordings of the ocean.
S3: Ali, please. I appreciate you mentioning it, but every wave
S3: is different. There are 52 different sounds.
S5: I have 52 unique recordings.
S3: I get it, Ali. Thank you. Please just let me
S3: get through this and try to figure out how I
S3: want to say it.
S5: Okay, Jamal.
S3: When I was ten, I and my friend Chelsea, she
S3: convinced me to go and watch a space x launch
S3: with her. My mother said I wasn't allowed to go.
S3: We were still in the pandemic and she didn't want
S3: me to risk exposure. But I had to go. So
S3: I snuck out and Chelsea and I rode our bikes
S3: for something like five miles to get there in time.
S3: We have to fence to get a little closer and
S3: away from everyone else, but still far enough away that
S3: no one was patrolling. You could feel the roar of
S3: the engine inside of your chest. Even from far away
S3: the light from the engines. Just cutting through the sky,
S3: illuminating and blinding all at once. The wide column of
S3: smoke shooting straight up to heaven like the holy smoke
S3: from the temple being sent to God.
S5: Are you religious?
S3: No. But I like the poetry in it.
UU: Restraints on. Display can't.
S3: Feed on reactor.
UU: Turbine standby on remote joystick control for reactor the power
UU: on standby.
S3: You okay, Ali?
S5: Yes, Jamal.
UU: I'll continue. I'm going weightless.
S1: I feel it. The reactor arm video reactor.
S5: On video feed only available in capsules.
S3: That's fine. Still, I. Joystick control. Thank you. Grabbing the
S3: rotary drum.
UU: It reads, I didn't.
S3: Stepping myself into the chair.
UU: Grab the coaches drum drop grabbing.
S5: All systems are nominal. As on audio packet from Mission
S5: Control 30 5-1 2040.
S4: 318 This is Mission Control Flight Director R Patel Mission
S4: Day 35 Audio Packet one. The day the eighth one.
S4: Leaves Earth Orbit. This is the first audio packet communique
S4: for the eighth UN mission. And as a matter of confirmation,
S4: I am reaffirming that official radio communications have ceased between
S4: the eighth on and mission control until the eighth and
S4: has returned to Earth orbit. Radio communications can be sent
S4: in cases of emergency, but responses can take up to
S4: 5 minutes at present and can take 20 to 30
S4: minutes as the eighth on approaches the sun. Commander Tolley,
S4: in your response audio packet, please confirm receipt of this
S4: packet 30 5-1 and acknowledge the new procedures of radio
S4: communications and manual echo echo victor five three. All right,
S4: business out of the way. I just want to say
S4: how proud we all are. I'm jealous. I'm excited. I
S4: can't wait to see what happens. Congratulations. Included in this
S4: packet are a few messages of note. There's a joint
S4: statement from the US President and the Canadian Prime Minister,
S4: along with one from the head of NASCAR, Fred Choo.
S4: A message from Public Relations Director Dennis Altman, one from
S4: the head of Semtech Ellis and Logan, and then a
S4: few personal messages for some of the crew. Three for
S4: pilot Jamaal Davis. Please ask him to limit his responses
S4: to under 5 minutes per recipient. He's not good about that. Also, Alex,
S4: there's a cute message from your school, Tully Elementary, and
S4: some well-wishes for their and colony. It's pretty cute. You
S4: might want to share with the others. Uh, let's see.
S4: There are some annual updates. A patch that should fix
S4: the bugs between the AOS and just this bionic arm. And. Oh,
S4: and we've reached out to Alden at Semtech. Regarding the
S4: outlier data you picked up, I know Margaret wasn't concerned,
S4: and neither are we. Our guest is that it's just
S4: a ghost in the machine, if you will, some glitch
S4: from starting up the program with Allie without all four
S4: of the solar satellites or payloads in position and activated
S4: for the Semtech experiment. I'll let you know when we
S4: hear back from Semtech. All right, Nathan, as always, be careful.
S4: Do your job, get home safe, change. The world will
S4: be here for you every step of the way.
S5: You have selected to play the classified message for Dr.
S5: Ren Guerrero. Please enter the four digit security code. Now
S5: play a classified message for Dr. Ren Guerrero.
S4: Wren Since we're switching to the audio packet communiques, we're
S4: shutting down the secure wireless communication we were using with
S4: you away from Semtex. Access will reopen it if circumstances change.
S4: Good luck. We're counting on you. Godspeed.
S5: Post Solar Event Approximate Mission Day 547.
S4: Ali, please confirm.
S5: Insult has successfully.
S4: Been replaced.
S5: Filter has been replaced successfully replacing bank.
S4: I want to take the safer street.
UU: We're with you, Mr. Ball. Don't give up.
S4: Don't let go. Please, Jamal. I want to talk to
S4: the police. We need you. We can't do this without you. Please, Jamal.
S4: Through three actor, please. So be there. Please. Please. I
S4: need you.
S5: All systems are nominal.
S4: Okay, Ali?
S5: Yes, Dr. Guerrero.
S4: Contact Jamal. And release safety. Restraint.
S5: Restraint?
S4: Really? No, Ali, it hasn't released. Try again.
S5: Restraint. Released?
S4: Still no Ali.
S5: Jamal has declined your contact. What do you like to
S5: leave him? Another message?
S4: No, I wouldn't. And I don't want him to know.
S4: I got stuck in the harness again. Okay, so don't
S4: tell him.
S5: Yes, Dr. Guerrero.
S4: How long it takes me to undo and redo these straps. Ali?
S5: The longest you have taken to replace the straps is
S5: 21.5 4 minutes.
S4: Okay, well, that was my first time. I'm faster.
S5: Now. Yes, Dr. Guerrero.
S4: Ali, take note of all scientific readings throughout the on
S4: life support data, reactor readings, sim tech payload monitoring for
S4: whatever their experiment is, monitoring everything from the past 5
S4: minutes timestamp all of it loading to the kudos on earth.
S5: I am unable to locate mission.
S4: I know. Just put in the queue.
S5: An operating system timer failure has resulted in terminal error.
S5: Audio packets are unable to be compiled correctly. Please reset
S5: RSA Internal Clock. Manual Whiskey Foxtrot 156 Delta two.
S4: I've read it, Ali. There's nothing in there about how
S4: to fix the problem. Just please. Loaded into the queue.
S5: Data lock loaded into two. All readings are nominal given
S5: current conditions. Dr. Read. Get it? Are you sure you
S5: would like to transmit log when connection has been re-established?
S4: Yes, Ali. Stop asking me if I'm sure about things.
S4: I'm sure.
S5: Yes. Dr. Wren. Get out of here. Ali. Yes, Dr. Wren.
S4: Guerrero, pull up Jamal's current readings.
S5: Jamal currently has enough oxygen and water for approximately 6.35 days.
S5: If he limits oxygen, enter a capsule cooling system usage.
S4: And if he doesn't?
S5: Approximately four.
S4: Days. Four days. No decimals.
S5: Approximately 3.8.
S4: Six days. That sounds more accurate. When did you write
S4: yourself optimistic programming day 400? Ali I wasn't serious writers
S4: of some sarcastic programming when you had the chance.
S5: Dr. Record at Don't. 109.2 degrees Fahrenheit, 4.2 degrees Celsius.
S4: Here we go. Much faster on the restraint releases.
S5: Safety restraint. One is currently nonfunctional. Please relay safety.
S4: Yes. Thank you, Ali. I'm aware. Ali, please let the
S4: current queue distress call. Mayday, mayday, mayday. This is the
S4: eighth on solar flare x 45 should be able to
S4: power system and nuclear core overload resulted in onboard explosion
S4: stopping the delayed distress call.
S5: Are you sure you want to delete the distress call?
S4: I'm sure, Ali.
S5: They want to record a new distress call.
S4: Yes. Have we lost any hands?
S5: I am unable to answer the question.
S4: How many ants are there?
S5: 632 or 633.
S4: Why is it or.
S5: I am unable to answer the question.
S4: At this point, Ali, it's all rhetorical. It's always rhetorical.
S5: How would you like for me to respond?
S4: Begin recording a new distress call. Recording. Mayday, mayday, mayday.
S4: This is the eighth on the mission has gone critical
S4: on day 532 of Avon's mission, March 21st, 2045 at
S4: 1832 hours coordinated universal time UTC, the Avon was in
S4: the middle of deploying an activating payload for of the
S4: Semtech gravitational time distortion experiment. Right. Ozzie and Holly were
S4: launching the satellite be a spacewalk. Aquino was in capsule
S4: four in the medical bay. Her commander to all these orders.
S4: I was the onboard commander during the walk. After issuing
S4: an alert to Earth the eighth, I was struck by
S4: the largest solar flare and coronal mass ejection recorded to date.
S4: The CME overloaded our systems. The payload, which hadn't fully deployed,
S4: exploded and blew out the center of our ship. Compartments
S4: for the seven were destroyed. Flare was pointed directly at
S4: Earth and frozen. And maybe you don't have a way
S4: of reaching us anymore. Maybe we were alone. I don't
S4: know what kind of a priority there would be in
S4: rescuing us anyway, but. There were six of us left.
S4: I don't know if I'm allowed to say it, but
S4: there were seven, then six and now two. Pilot Jamaal
S4: Davis and me. We are trapped on separate sides of
S4: the ship. I'm in compartments one through three. I have
S4: the living quarters. The central computer mainframe, the supplies. And
S4: I have a functional airlock and one remaining spacesuit. For
S4: what it's worth. Pilot Davis. However, Jamal is trapped in
S4: compartments eight and nine. He has access to the reactor,
S4: but no equipment to be able to do anything about it,
S4: even if we needed it to. He has no airlock,
S4: no spacesuit. With the explosion of capsules four through seven,
S4: we have no way of making in-person contact. We are separated.
S4: We only have radio communication whenever a shutter happens that
S4: shuts down the reactor. Schmalz jumpstarting it himself using camera
S4: feeds and machinery controls that I no longer have access
S4: to following the explosion. Obviously, if Jamal doesn't make it,
S4: I'm screwed. And Jamal claims he's been seeing. Ghosts that
S4: aren't actually ghosts. I think you might be hallucinating. He'll
S4: run out of oxygen within a week. So. Jamal has
S4: given up. In his mind. He can die fast in
S4: comfort or slow in agony. But I'm going to find
S4: a way to save him. I want ask him to
S4: last as long as he can. It's selfish, but I don't.
S4: I can't. If I was alone. Ali, please delete the
S4: recording after he'll run out of oxygen within the week.
S5: Delighted.
S4: As I am on the side of the ship, the
S4: formerly held supplies for seven individuals. I have the potential
S4: to survive an estimated two or three years. Lucky me.
S4: I'll be pleasingly. Lucky me.
S5: That was sarcasm.
S4: Yes. Ali.
S5: Lucky me. Delighted.
S4: And then, Ali, the eighth on language interface has been glitching.
S4: She's been glitching the whole mission. But obviously it's been worse.
S4: Following the event for Control, Ali's emergency protocol was activated,
S4: so I can't even read. Listen to the disaster to
S4: see what went wrong. I'm going through all the NASCAR manuals,
S4: but even the ones Ali directs me to have proven useless.
S4: I also just been thinking about time. It took us
S4: over a year to get to the sun, and I'll
S4: be on the far side of the sun for just
S4: as long. Given my supplies and how long it would
S4: take to launch a rescue effort from Earth if there
S4: still is an Earth and if they want to save me,
S4: I have roughly five days to contact Earth before it's
S4: too late. Ironically, most of the ants are still alive
S4: from the Tali Elementary School experiment. Is that ironic? So
S4: sarcasm is difficult, but you get dramatic irony.
S5: Dramatic irony is based, in fact. Sarcasm is based in falsehood.
S4: Cool. Thank you for the English lesson.
S5: That sarcasm.
S4: Yes, Ali. Please, please send the wrong person. Not worth it.
S4: Delete this recording.
S5: Are you sure you want to delete the recording?
S4: Yes, Ali.
S5: Recording. Deleted. Would you like to record a new distress call?
S4: Give me a minute.
S5: Yes. Dr. Rangitoto.
UU: Searching for mission control.
S5: Praise Solar Event Mission Day 74.
S1: Guerrero Commander. I'm just coming in to grab some coffee.
S4: I had Allie make about a while ago. Help yourself.
S1: Sent in, Ron.
S4: You know why.
S1: It's two in the morning.
S4: I'm aware, Commander. Thank you.
S1: And now by the you for a moment.
S4: Yes, Commander.
S1: May I sit down?
S4: Um, yeah. Let me put it this way.
S1: No, you don't have to do that.
S4: I do. I'm sorry. I have to.
S1: Understood. For some reason, when they told me I'd be
S1: the bridge between NASCAR and Semtech, I thought I'd be
S1: able to help things unite people, bring organizations together for science.
S4: And what do you think now?
S1: Bridges are lonely and exhausting.
S4: So you're a glass half empty kind of guy?
S1: No, definitely not. I'm a half glass kind of guy.
S1: Do you know that if you had dinner with the
S1: rest of us, which is what I wanted to talk
S1: to you about.
S4: Having dinner with you.
S1: Having dinner with us? Most of us eat dinner at
S1: the same time so I can be a part of
S1: the team. We're all working together. We may as well
S1: break bread on occasion. Right. When no one knows what
S1: to think of you. You joined late. You keep to yourself.
S1: You work into the night alone. Never talk to anyone.
S4: I talk to just.
S1: Because you have to. We all do.
S4: I have a lot of work.
S1: It's an invitation. An order. Okay.
S4: Thank you, Commander.
S1: Alex.
S4: Alex. What is a half class guy?
S1: I call it like it is. It doesn't matter if
S1: you see it as empty or full. It's a half glass.
S4: Seems pedantic.
S1: We're scientists. We have to be pedantic. I.
S4: I mean, do you have a particular way of talking?
S1: I was born in the United States, but I spent
S1: the first decade of my life in Scotland. The farm
S1: there went belly up, which was an early sign of
S1: things to come, I suppose. But we moved to Alabama,
S1: got a new farm, and about a decade later came
S1: the real downturn. When that farm failed, I left and
S1: joined the Air Force. Which are all great examples of
S1: the glass thing I'm talking about. Farm stops working. I
S1: get to see the world downturn hits. I join the
S1: Air Force. I fly unimaginable aircraft. I see the whole world.
S1: I get to be a commander. What you need to
S1: know before you can make an argument of half full
S1: or half empty is whether you're pouring or drinking.
S4: Hmm. It seems so obvious now.
S1: Clear as mud and as a half glass guy, I'm
S1: compelled to say that this coffee is terrible.
S4: I mean, that's on only. How can you drink this?
S4: It keeps me awake when I need to be.
S1: I was working on status reports from Mission Control. I've
S1: got a couple of days behind. A little because of
S1: Margaret and little because? Well, I got behind. What about you?
S4: My research is very involved.
S1: I have said you are a hard worker. Thomas Chesterfield,
S1: the guy who had spy before you. He was a
S1: guy who would take his time.
S4: What was he researching?
S1: DNA and gene mutation monitored over a long space mission
S1: with artificial gravity and close interstellar occupancy.
S4: The upshot is that not important.
S1: NASCAR didn't think it was important enough. They reduced and
S1: simplified this experiment and handed it off to Jezza.
S4: Is that the and thing?
S1: Oh, the ed thing. No, that's just a PR stunt.
S1: The whole experiment is just to see how many survive.
S1: And I don't think the school even has an accurate
S1: count to begin with.
S4: That seems important to know.
S1: Not really. Listen, Allie, how many ants are there in
S1: the habitation nest? 633 C 633.
S4: Were you close with Chesterfield?
S1: Not terribly.
S4: I meant, did you mind me joining the mission sweep?
S1: Oh, I absolutely did. Okay. I was with Jamaal on
S1: that one. Both Jamaal and I wanted to stick with Thomas.
S1: We knew him. We trusted him. And I always favor
S1: people I trust.
S4: But you made it seem like I wasn't a problem.
S1: I had to.
S4: Why?
S1: The bridge thing. Remember? An hour of asked me to
S1: trust him. And I always favor people I trust. It's
S1: a curse. What can I say?
S4: Can you tell me anything about some text research?
S1: No, no, no, no. That's classified. I had to sign
S1: my life away just to find out the bare minimum
S1: of what? Sumerian technology. You can.
S5: Be vague.
S4: Since they need their satellites to be synchronized with Earth orbit.
S4: It must have something to do with capturing large quantities
S4: of energy. No emissions?
S1: No. I have to work between Semtech and Nasdaq. I
S1: can't tell you anything, and I can't tell Margaret anything.
S1: I understand. But you also don't have to ask me
S1: for help. What do you mean? Ali can rent have
S1: access to the power readings recorded during Semtech experiment?
S4: I don't have authorization.
S5: Recordings are confidential Commander Alex Tolley, but Dr. Ren Guerrero
S5: has access to power usage readings from the reactor with authorization.
S1: And who can provide authorization.
S5: I let Jamal Davis.
S1: Well, sounds like you want to talk to Jamal.
S4: Thank you. Alex.
S5: Post Solar Event Approximate Mission Day 547. All systems are nominal.
S5: Incoming message from Dr. Ron Guerrero. Decline. You've declined ten
S5: of her. 12 previous messages.
S3: Declined. Ali?
S5: Yes, Jamal. Would you like to terminate the recording and
S5: begin again?
S3: No.
S5: Do you know what you want to say?
S3: Still? No. Save auxiliary programming.
S5: As one.
S3: Margaret.
S5: Saving as Margaret Thought NPR Dash Auxiliary Programming Saved.
S3: Brand is going to hate the Bible.
S5: Dr. Wren Guerrero Hate that.
S3: Sorry, Ali. I'm still not sure if you get jokes.
S5: I have 2500 jokes in 13 different languages stored in
S5: my memory. What is this program for, Jamal?
S3: Saving Wren for when I'm not here anymore. Turn on
S3: air cooling system.
S5: That will reduce your available oxygen.
S3: Turn it on. Ali. That afternoon with Chelsea watching my
S3: first launch, I knew exactly what I wanted to do
S3: with my life. We started sneaking out for every launch.
S3: I was obsessed. We used to crane our necks and
S3: squint our eyes to follow the smoke trail to see
S3: who would be the last one, to see it leave
S3: the atmosphere. I always won. I always lied. But it
S3: didn't matter if I saw it last or not, because
S3: I knew one day I was going to be on
S3: one of those launches. Leaving everything behind. When I told
S3: my mom I wanted to be an astronaut, her face
S3: got real serious and she told me I didn't mean it.
S3: She said she'd pray for me to stop talking nonsense
S3: and have a career that wouldn't put me in harm's way.
S3: She was a librarian. She wasn't closed minded, just scared
S3: you could live through books. So why put your life
S3: at risk? She thought of books as stories completed, but
S3: to me books were instructions.
S5: Capsule eight. Temperature is currently.
S3: One. I read everything in the library written by men
S3: and women who had been to space. I made a
S3: plan for my life. Join the Air Force. Be the best,
S3: become a test pilot. Join a space program. Just get
S3: to space and never look back. There was nothing on
S3: earth I wanted more than to leave it, even for
S3: a little bit. Who? What's that.
S5: Phrase? I am unable to answer the question.
S3: That poem written by that old guy. Old guy? They
S3: put the poem on the headstones of pilots and astronauts.
S3: I let it go to two, slipped the surly bonds
S3: of earth. And danced the skies on laughter silvered wings.
S3: Sunward I've climbed enjoying the tumbling mirth of suns splayed clouds.
S3: And I've done a hundred things you have not dreamed of.
S5: John Gillespie. McGee Junior.
S3: Yeah, that's the old dude.
S5: He died at the age of 19.
S3: Oh, shit. Well, I guess I have it better than him,
S3: at least. For six years while my mother worked in
S3: the library, I planned a secret life without her knowing.
S3: And in one afternoon, all of it came crashing down.
S3: One of the books I checked out fell to the
S3: back of my locker. The late notice from the library
S3: went out. My mother saw it. Check my history. And
S3: I came home to a list from the Challenger disaster.
S3: January 28th, 1986. Columbia. February 1st, 2003. Vladimir Komarov 1967.
S3: Michael J. Adams. Also 1967. The three on board Soyuz
S3: 11 1971. And it went on and on. And you
S3: still want to throw your life away and go to space?
S3: My mom asked Kam, Mom, if God made the universe,
S3: then why should I be scared of it?
S5: Would you like me to provide a list of all
S5: space disasters?
S3: I know it by heart alley. My mother burned it
S3: into me. Every name, every disaster, every possible way to die.
S3: My mother thought all these men and women would be
S3: deterrents to me. Reasons why I shouldn't follow my dream.
S3: But they sacrificed their lives for something, right? They risked
S3: their lives for something. Anything. Life doesn't have to be
S3: contained by the bounds of gravity, does it?
S5: Does it? I am unable to answer the question.
S3: No one will ever know if they thought it was
S3: worth it because those people who sacrificed their lives are gone.
S3: There's this recording of a lost cosmonaut. Some people think
S3: it was coming from Soyuz one, but no one knows
S3: for sure. It's a man or a woman in a
S3: defective spacecraft hurtling into reentry that the cosmonaut is angry
S3: and scared, cursing, mission control, cursing God, cursing themselves. And
S3: there's the photo of a body being displayed in an
S3: open casket. And that we know is Komarov.
S5: Did you find those documents to be traumatic as a youth?
S3: No. The opposite. My mother forced me to listen to
S3: the recording on loop every night as I try to
S3: go to sleep for the last few months before I left.
S3: Right up until I joined the Air Force, she made
S3: me stare at the photo of the open casket and
S3: ask if it was really worth it. And after a while,
S3: I learned to find peace in a cry for help.
S3: And that desperation. It was sacrifice.
S5: For me. How did Komarov sacrifice himself for you?
S3: We stand on the shoulders of others. And I could
S3: accept their losses, paving the way for the next person
S3: to carry the torch just a little further. It was
S3: worth it. I could see myself standing over the casket
S3: and still thinking it was worth it. If I could
S3: see myself lying in the casket and I. I thought
S3: it was worth it.
S5: How is this recording for?
S3: On the day of my graduation, my mother asked if
S3: I still wanted to be an astronaut. I said I did.
S3: He said, If you go down this road, then you'll
S3: be dead to me, because I don't ever want to
S3: hold out hope that you'll be coming home. But you won't.
S3: I became a ghost to her. I was dead already.
S3: I just didn't know it yet. I guess what I'm
S3: trying to say is if you're listening. Upside.
S4: You are right.
S3: I never should have became an astronaut.
UU: Natural progression from.
S3: Ten minute recording.
S5: Post Solar Event Approximate Mission Day 547 Safety Restaurant Pre-leased.
S4: Yes, Ali, that time. You got it.
S5: Thank you, Dr. Rand Guerrero.
S4: Did did you say Jamal?
S5: I said Dr. Arun Gidado.
S4: No. Earlier, Jamal.
S5: Overrode his name in protocol.
S4: He can do that?
S5: Yes. Jamal can now override his naming protocol.
S4: Because we rank high enough now.
S5: Yes. Dr. Ren Guerrero.
S4: Now that everyone else is gone.
S5: Yes. Dr. Rand Guerrero.
S4: Ali. I'd like to override my naming protocol, too.
S5: What would you like for me to call you?
S4: Hmm? Just read for now.
S5: Overriding naming protocol to address Dr. Ron Guerrero as red.
S4: What was that?
S5: I do not detect any abnormalities.
S4: The lights are getting brighter. Is the electricity overloading?
S5: Everything is.
S4: Nominal. The console screen is scrambling.
S5: Ali, I detects no irregularities.
S4: Well, then I think we're both fucked. Except. Except it's
S4: coming in through.
S3: The High Line to get away from the High Line
S3: down to a different compartment. I get out of.
S4: Town for one more. What are you talking about? From
S4: the power of the. That's right. Home. Dad saw my friends,
S4: my son.
UU: There's not. No. Solar from Cocoa Media.
S1: Created by Chris Porter and directed by Jenni Curtis and
S1: Chris Porter starring Stephanie Beatriz as Ren. Alan Cumming as Alex.
S1: Jonathan Banks as Jamal. Jenni Curtis as Ali. With Nicole
S1: Pye as Arrow. Dana, Guri as Felicia Mickie Shallower as
S1: Christian and John McCormick as narrator. Additional Voices by Chris Porter,
S1: Tom Choi and Jaco, Emily Goss and Joy Brunson. Produced
S1: by Jenni Curtis, Chris Porter and Bill Curtis, executive Producer
S1: Bill Curtis, executive producers Paul Anderson and Nick Pernilla. Executive
S1: Producer Helen Hunt. Sound Design Mixing and Mastering by C.J. Drumheller.
S1: Music by Chris Porter. Recorded at Shane Sult Productions. Production
S1: Manager Doris Stone assisted sound designer Alison NG Casting Consulting
S1: by Norman Boling Casting Solaris is produced in association with
S1: Workhorse Media. For more information on cast and crew, visit
S1: our website through the link in the description. This podcast
S1: was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreement. Kurt Coe, media.
S1: Media for your mind.