Episode 14.1 - The Outer Rim - Part 1

The Strata

Tanix awakens from a deep cryosleep to find himself aboard the ship Basilisk, part of a high-stakes mission in the Procyon system's Outer Ri

Key takeaways

• Tanix suffers from severe disorientation and memory loss following an extended period in cryosleep.
• The mission involves infiltrating a meeting with Declan, a member of the 'Terran' faction, using a cover story.

Main topics

• Cryosleep recovery and disorientation
• Espionage and undercover identities

Notable quotes

They told me there would be no dreams in cryosleep.

Conclusion

The episode establishes a tense, character-driven sci-fi mystery cente

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:00) I'm Alan. And I'm Sean. And together we host the Prancing Pony Podcast. Every week I explore Middle-Earth with Sean or with other co-hosts lately with in-depth analysis and plenty of nerd humor. From The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings and more, it's a great way for first-timers to experience J.R.R. Tolkien's captivating world. And for longtime fans, it's a deep dive into their favorite stories. So if you're ready to take the next step into the most beloved world in fantasy literature and become a part of a vibrant, active community of listeners, then look for The Prancing Pony Pod... wherever you listen. Speaker 3 (0:32) Learning English is hard. That's why I make easy stories in English, where you can have fun while you learn. You can listen to stories full of action, romance, Speaker 6 (0:44) and Speaker 3 (0:45) mystery. Each episode, I tell stories for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners. And there's a story for every mood. Whether you want something to wake you up or relax before going to bed, Easy Stories in English is the podcast for you. Speaker 5 (1:11) You're listening to The Strata, a Beyond the Dark production. Season 14, The Outer Rim. Part 1. Speaker 7 (1:45) They told me there would be no dreams in cryosleep. That time has no meaning here. Blissful nothingness is what I was promised. Maybe that's how it is for other people. Regular people. But it didn't take long to discover that, for me, cryosleep was a very different proposition. There's no tranquility down here. No peace. Not ever. Speaker 7 (2:18) Sometimes, the images that confront me make no sense at all. They're just abstract nightmares that claw and bite, tearing at the frayed edges of my sanity. Shapeless demons that are always there, no matter which way I turn. But as bad as they are, they aren't the worst of it. It's the dreams grounded in reality that somehow bite deeper. Distant memories that taunt me, dragging my failures out into the light and laying them bare, forcing me to relive them over and over. A past that I can't change, and which I can never seem to escape. There are times when I've wondered if this hell is ever going to end, or if I'll be condemned to stay here forever. Just when I think I can't take it anymore, as my grip on sanity seems all but lost, I feel it. The coldness, the biting chill that seeps into my bones. As painful as it is, I experience a strange sense of relief. Because this pain can only mean one thing. They're finally pulling me out. Speaker 2 (4:06) Okay, I think he's finally coming around. I think I've got him. Tanix, can you hear me? Speaker 2 (4:15) Hear that, Bozeman? I told you. He's talking. He's going to be okay. Speaker 7 (4:20) What's going on? Speaker 2 (4:21) Looks like you owe me 50 quid. Yeah, Speaker 6 (4:24) we'll see about that. Speaker 2 (4:28) That's it, Tanix. Listen to the sound of my voice. Sit up for me if you can. That's it. It'll mop. Speaker 6 (4:37) So what the hell happened? Why did it take so long? Speaker 2 (4:40) What do you think I am, Bose? A freeze tech? I know as much about cryo-sleep as you do. But I'll say this much, they must have had him down deep. Like, way under. I've never seen anything like it. Speaker 7 (4:54) Who are you people? What is this place? Speaker 2 (4:59) Hey, Tanix, see if you can focus. Here, on my face. There you go. Good. Welcome to the Basilisk. My name's Renisha, and this is Bozeman. Do you remember our names from the brief? Speaker 7 (5:15) Brief? What are you talking about? Speaker 2 (5:19) You were given details about the mission before you went into cryo-sleep, right? You were told about me and Bose, and about the Terrans? Speaker 7 (5:29) What the hell are Terrans? Speaker 6 (5:32) Oh, great. Just great. This guy's brain's a fright. Either that, or he's a complete idiot. And either way, we're screwed. Speaker 2 (5:40) Just hang on, Boseman. He's just come out of a deep cryo. I guess it can... well, it can take time to readjust. Speaker 6 (5:50) Time we don't have, Nisha. We're hitting the spaceport in five bloody minutes. I Speaker 2 (5:55) know that. Speaker 6 (5:56) Okay. So how's he supposed to complete the mission with his brains all scrambled like that? He can't even keep his eyes open. Oh, good. One chance to make this happen. And this is the guy they sent. Come on, must think it was some kind of joke. Speaker 2 (6:13) We're still going to make it work, Bose. I'll take care of it, okay? I'll do the talking. Tanix just has to be there at the meet, that's all. He doesn't need to say much, if anything. Speaker 6 (6:26) You're really willing to risk it? One wrong word from this bloke and your cover's blown. Speaker 2 (6:31) Well, you said it yourself. We only have one chance. It's now or never. So, what's it gonna be? Speaker 6 (6:43) Pull him out of the capsule and get him on his feet. Let's see if he can stand up at least. Speaker 2 (6:52) Come on, Danix. Hold on to me. Let's get you out of there. Speaker 7 (6:59) Shit, I'm dizzy. Speaker 7 (7:02) And see straight. Speaker 2 (7:03) After effects of the cryo. It'll wear off. Put your hands on the console here. See if you can stand straight. How are your legs? Not Speaker 7 (7:13) great, but... Speaker 6 (7:14) Yeah, I think I can stand. Well, look at that. Everything's going to be fine. He's practically firing on all cylinders. Give Speaker 2 (7:22) him a minute, Bose. You'd be a little unsteady after a freeze like that yourself. Speaker 7 (7:28) Can someone tell me what's going on? I don't understand. Speaker 2 (7:32) Are you still fuzzy on the brief? Do you remember anything about the mission? Speaker 7 (7:37) I'm telling you, there was no brief. I don't have a clue what I'm doing here or what this... mission of yours is all about. Speaker 2 (7:45) Technically, it's your mission now too, but let's not split hairs. Why don't you, uh... Why don't you tell me the last thing you do remember? What happened right before you went into Cryo? Speaker 7 (7:58) Uh, well... It's a little foggy, but I remember I was at the Millicon facility in Dockerton. My unit had just completed a sweep along the northern perimeter, and when we got back, my commanding officer told me I needed to... Lie down on an examination table. Say they needed to prep me for some kind of procedure? Speaker 2 (8:17) Wait, that's the last place you remember? The Strata? Are you shitting me? Speaker 7 (8:24) Technically, Dockerton, but... Yeah. Why?