- INTRO
- Intro theme
- ATHAN
- REDACTED Postmortem is a spin-off series of our main series REDACTED.
- ATHAN
- They provide world-building details and are encouraged for the full experience.
- ATHAN
- We highly recommend you listen to the paired REDACTED episode this is titled after before proceeding.
- ATHAN
- Previously on REDACTED.
- KEEL
- Called him Curvy Pete.
- LUCAS
- You mean… scurvy?
- KEEL
- No.
- SLOAN
- Postmortem incident report regarding the case of ATPS-0457, colloquially known as Nightfisher. TRU members in attendance, Jordan Kane. Meeting recording by public relations Agent Sloan Summers.
- SLOAN
- All right, Agent Kane, take it away.
- JACOB
- This was a pretty simple case, actually. And we entered the field with a complete dossier on the Aberration.
- JACOB
- Per research assembled by Agent Hauksdottir, the Aberration can be best summarized as a phantom trawler, with history going back over two centuries.
- JACOB
- Its origins trace back to a hurricane in 1821. Nearby docks reported hearing six distress rings from the Nightfisher's bell, but they never made port--and no trace of them was ever found.
- JACOB
- According to the legend, the Nightfisher was later known to materialize and target vessels that perceived as threats to its hunting grounds.
- JACOB
- In order to ward it off, the vessels would complete the same six-ring sequence as an opener to a respectful lament for the lost ship.
- JACOB
- Now, fast forward to our case. We confirmed 12 vessel disappearances in the sector over a six-month window prior to her engagement.
- JACOB
- The first 11 were total losses--with no survivors and no distress calls reaching Coast Guard.
- JACOB
- The 12th crew survived the attack and reported receiving a radio transmission, a shanty about the Nightfisher itself.
- JACOB
- It was our first actionable intelligence on the Aberration's nature. Agent Hauksdottirr was able to piece the rest together during her research on the legend itself.
- SLOAN
- She was able to derive a reliable containment method as well?
- JACOB
- She was. The theory was completing the full lament beyond six rings would permanently banish the manifestation instead of just warding it off.
- JACOB
- The difficulty is completing the lament would only work in close proximity to the Aberration.
- JACOB
- This was the inherent challenge of the mission, given that when the lament begins, the Nightfisher flees, which it apparently does very quickly.
- JACOB
- Agent Kipp devised a solution. A custom hexacopter equipped with a focus speaker rig and a wireless mic sync'd to the ship's bell.
- JACOB
- The intent was to pilot the drone in pursuit of the retreating Nightfisher and broadcast the full lament at range.
- JACOB
- Per The Curtain recommendation, we chartered the Brinehold, captained by Captain Keel. To be candid, we weren't really sure what he was saying half the time, but he did his job where it counted.
- SLOAN
- So I've heard. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I did get a kick out of the reports I've read.
- JACOB
- Yes, certainly a--uh, certainly a character.
- JACOB
- ...Anyway. We got in position and cast nets in hopes of getting the Nightfisher's attention. It worked. And in no time, we heard its bell as it drew closer.
- JACOB
- This is where things went south. All of our gear experienced total electrical failure. Lights, GPS, sonar, and, of course, Agent Kipp's drone.
- SLOAN
- This... equipment failure. Were you able to determine the cause?
- JACOB
- We suspect being in close proximity to the Nightfisher comes with some kind of electrical interference.
- JACOB
- My immediate thought was to ring the bell and send it running. Give us time to return again with a new plan. But the team convinced me to stay in the field.
- SLOAN
- Interesting decision. Can you elaborate as to why you decided to continue putting Curtain assets in harm's way, despite your containment plan effectively going into the shredder?
- JACOB
- Happily. The team raised concerns that further delays may cost the lives of more victims. And they were confident a new solution could be improvised.
- SLOAN
- How very noble. You're… certainly lucky that the outcome was favorable. Please continue.
- JACOB
- So of course the Nightfisher was still after us. Thanks to Captain Keel at the helm, we avoided getting obliterated like the other victims.
- JACOB
- Then we improvised by using harpoons to tether us to the Nightfisher, keeping it close enough for the full lament to be played out on the ship's bell.
- JACOB
- This successfully banished the Nightfisher, as we hoped.
- SLOAN
- Yes, thank you, Agent Kane.
- SLOAN
- Managing public exposure has been simple enough.
- SLOAN
- The survivors are already with Processing, so there's that.
- SLOAN
- As for the attacks and subsequent deaths, a lesser-known terrorist organization has already taken credit and already even claimed that they sent a ghostly transmission.
- SLOAN
- This type of piracy is on their MO, so it's tracking with the public.
- JACOB
- Wow. Lucky.
- SLOAN
- No, not luck, we told them to. They work for us.
- JACOB
- Oh.
- SLOAN
- Is there anything else for the record?
- JACOB
- Nope. (putting on a pirate voice) That there report be all for me and my crew.
- SLOAN
- Well, in that case… (clears throat, also in pirate voice) I'll see ye again atop the hurly blue.
- SLOAN
- On the morrow.
- SLOAN
- Yo ho, yo ho.
- JACOB
- (Laughs) Yes! On the morrow, Sloan.
- JACOB
- (Normally) Bye.
- JACOB
- Have a good night.
- OUTRO
- Outro theme
- ATHAN
- Thank you for listening to another episode of REDACTED Postmortem.
- ATHAN
- Starring Jamie Petronis as Jacob Kane and Lyssa Jay as Sloan Summers.
- ATHAN
- If you're enjoying REDACTED, visit theredactedunit.com for more info, theredactedunit.com/discord to connect, and patreon.com/theredactedunit for behind the scenes and additional bonus content.
- ATHAN
- Some new bonus content coming very soon.
- ATHAN
- Until then, thanks for listening.
Transcript from the production script, matched to the final audio.
