Vigilance | Ep. 11 | The Great Awakening

Summary

Dark Dice: "Vigilance | Ep. 11 | The Great Awakening" – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Dark Dice
• Host/Author: Fool and Scholar Productions
• Description: THE horror actual play podcast. (DnD) Each season, travelers embark on a journey into the dark corners of a fantasy world with dragons & monsters. They will never be the same again.
• Episode: Vigilance | Ep. 11 | The Great Awakening
• Release Date: February 25, 2025

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Introduction

In the eleventh installment of Dark Dice, titled "Vigilance | Ep. 11 | The Great Awakening," the adventuring team delves deeper into the mysterious and foreboding tower that serves as the central setting of the season. As they ascend the structure, the stakes heighten, secrets unravel, and alliances are tested in their quest to uncover the tower's dark truths.

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Plot Overview

Ascending the Tower ([02:08] - [05:40])

The episode begins with the team navigating the ominous stairs of the tower. Uncertainty looms as they anticipate the initiation process awaiting them. Tensions rise as they deliberate their approach, especially after Diana Azad notices Dr. Reichman sporting an armband bearing the symbol of Melachor—a mark common among the tower's cultists ([03:06]).

Encounter on the 40th Floor ([06:18] - [12:33])

Reaching the 40th floor, the team observes a bustling room filled with figures interacting with advanced smart glass technology. A commanding woman, revealed to be Creed, scrutinizes their identities before assigning them new armbands. This initiation marks their deeper integration into the tower’s enigmatic hierarchy. Notably, Creed introduces them to Dr. Brasuto on the 30th floor for upcoming assignments ([11:10]).

Blueprints and Basement Secrets ([16:06] - [17:20])

With access to the tower's blueprints, the team scrutinizes the building's layout, including restricted areas like the roof's maintenance crawl space and the basement's intricate levels housing fuel cells and potential excavation sites marked by Melachor’s symbol. This discovery hints at deeper, possibly catastrophic operations within the tower ([16:21]).

The Dragonfly Revelation ([27:03] - [28:07])

A pivotal moment occurs when Azad cross-references captured footage with ancient blueprints, unveiling the existence of the Dragonfly—a legendary military-grade machine capable of significant destruction. This revelation underscores the tower's potential for both power and devastation ([27:20]).

Plans for Sabotage and Escape ([29:00] - [33:23])

Faced with the Dragonfly's threat, the team debates escalating their mission to sabotage the tower's defenses. They consider using the Dragonfly to escape and potentially obliterate the tower, thereby neutralizing the imminent danger it poses. Internal conflicts emerge as they weigh the risks and morality of such drastic measures ([29:40]).

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Character Interactions and Development

Team Dynamics:

• Dr. Reichman: Exhibits leadership and strategic thinking, orchestrating plans to manipulate the tower's technology and assess threats. His ability to navigate complex situations is pivotal, though his ambitious ideas sometimes clash with team members.

• Cashier: The muscle of the group, Cashier balances the team's intellectual maneuvers with practical, force-based solutions. His skepticism towards reckless plans adds a layer of caution to the team’s strategies.

• Diana Azad: As the team's technical expert, Azad's proficiency with technology and information systems drives much of the episode's investigative progress. Her keen observations often provide critical insights into their environment.

Notable Interactions:

• Identification with Creed ([09:02] - [11:19]): The team's interaction with Creed reveals underlying tensions and the necessity of maintaining their covert identities. Azad's failed attempt to hide Flick's identity introduces vulnerability, highlighting the delicate balance between trust and secrecy.

• Blueprint Analysis ([16:06] - [17:20]): The collaborative examination of the tower's blueprints showcases the team's problem-solving skills and collective knowledge, setting the stage for informed decision-making.

• Dragonfly Debate ([29:00] - [33:23]): The intense discussion surrounding the Dragonfly's potential use exposes differing ideologies within the team, particularly between Reichman's proactive approach and Cashier's cautious stance.

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Key Decisions and Strategies

Initiation and Identity Protection ([09:02] - [10:15]): The team is compelled to adopt new identities to blend in, leading to strategic deception checks. While Azad struggles to conceal Flick's identity, she successfully hides the other members, reflecting the high-stakes environment they navigate ([10:05]).

Sabotage Plans ([25:03] - [33:23]): Faced with the discovery of the Dragonfly, the team debates multiple strategies:

• Disabling Shield Generators: Azad considers encrypting controls to prevent the tower’s defenses from activating, aiming to make their escape feasible ([24:59] - [25:14]).
• Utilizing the Dragonfly: Reichman proposes leveraging the Dragonfly to both escape and destroy the tower, though Cashier expresses concerns about its functionality and the risks involved ([29:00] - [31:18]).
• Alternative Exits: Exploring the rooftop and basement levels to find additional escape routes or gather more intelligence ([17:38] - [19:58]).

Team Coordination: The team's ability to synchronize their actions—such as Azad operating the smart glass systems while Cashier prepares for potential combat—demonstrates their collaborative efforts to overcome obstacles ([20:22] - [21:58]).

---

Insights and Themes

Trust and Deception: The necessity of adopting false identities and engaging in deception underscores themes of trust and survival. The team's internal conflicts about revealing information or taking bold actions highlight the moral ambiguities faced in dire circumstances.

Power and Control: The tower’s advanced technology, particularly the Dragonfly, embodies the allure and danger of power. The team's contemplation of using this technology for their ends raises questions about control and the ethical implications of wielding such destructive capabilities.

Isolation and Paranoia: Navigating the tower's restricted areas fosters a sense of isolation and paranoia. The ever-present symbols of Melachor and the guarded floors amplify the eerie atmosphere, emphasizing the psychological toll on the characters.

Survival and Sacrifice: The episode delves into the lengths individuals will go to survive, even if it means betraying their principles or each other. The team's willingness to consider drastic measures reflects the high-stakes environment they inhabit.

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Notable Quotes

• Host ([00:58])

  "Welcome citizens to the 11th episode of Liberty Vigilance. We're nearing the end of our story and just wanted to extend a sincere thanks to all of you for your support."

• User ([02:20])

  "What is this initiation thing like? That doesn't sound nice."

• Dr. Reichman ([09:12] at [11:02-11:10])

  "I find things. Whether it be information or people." "What are your specialties?"

  "We have an upcoming expedition you will complement nicely."

• Cashier ([24:05])

  "You're great. I don't know how you do all this stuff, but I am all for it. That's great."

• User ([31:00])

  "If freaking stupid Fringers can activate this thing, hey, I'm pretty sure we can figure it out."

• Dr. Reichman ([30:09])

  "If we make destroying this our priority and blow our cover in the process, what's to say this Spirit of Gulion won't have a plan B?"

• User ([32:25])

  "I want to blow it up."

---

Conclusion

Vigilance | Ep. 11 | The Great Awakening culminates in a crescendo of tension and revelation. As the team grapples with the formidable Dragonfly and contemplates their next moves, the episode sets the stage for the climactic resolutions of the season. The intricate interplay of strategy, ethics, and survival instincts propels the narrative forward, leaving listeners eager for the subsequent developments in this harrowing journey.

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Note: This summary excludes non-content sections such as advertisements, intros, outros, and unrelated podcast segments to focus solely on the episode's core narrative and discussions.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

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[User]

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[Advertiser]

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[User]

I can say to my new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hey, find a keto friendly restaurant nearby and text it to Beth and Steve. And it does without me lifting a finger so I can get in more squats anywhere I can.

[Cashier]

1, 2, 3 will that be cash or credit?

[User]

Credit.

[Dr. Reichman]

4 Galaxy S25 Ultra the AI companion.

[Cashier]

That does the heavy lifting so you can do.

[Host]

You get [e-mail] compatible with select apps.

[User]

Requires Google Gemini account.

[Cashier]

Results may vary based on input Check.

[Host]

Response welcome citizens to the 11th episode of Liberty Vigilance. We're nearing the end of our story and just wanted to extend a sincere thanks to all of you for your support. Atrius endures only because you listen and share your love for our stories. And in fact, Dark Dice was just listed at number 40 on Feedspot's 100 Best D and D podcasts, right between Dragon Friends and Noct Prone. And we're about to hit our 10 year anniversary as podcast creators, a feat that feels entirely unreal to us. So thank you again whether you support us on Patreon, on our Kickstarter, in various posts on Reddit, or among your friends, or in the comment sections of YouTube or Spotify. Thank you and remember, Atreus endures.

[Narrator]

Liberty Vigilance Episode 11 the Great Awakening the team continues up the stairs all right.

[User]

So while we're walking up the stairs we need to decide what we're going to ask. What's going to happen? We don't know what's going to happen when we get up there. What is this initiation thing like? That doesn't sound nice. And what, we're just gonna walk up the stairs? Why is you guys plan always just as walk into the problem? Seriously, answer the question.

[Dr. Reichman]

I guess that depends on if the gentleman we killed on the way in here was the initiation or if there are more tests to come.

[Cashier]

Yeah, good question. Well, we've gotten told a lot of information about everything that's going on. I feel like they wouldn't tell us that if we didn't past the initiation. Right? We Know about dragons and stuff. Now that's pretty out there.

[Dr. Reichman]

So perhaps we just need to explain our names and what we might be useful to them for to this Creed person. And we'll be added to the list. Possibly even find out its location.

[User]

Wait, did that Dr. We just talked to have the same mark?

[Narrator]

Diana Azad recalls seeing a small armband on Dr. Reichman bearing the symbol of Melachor. The same symbol has been seen represented in a variety of forms on the majority of the cultists within the complex.

[User]

All right, let's just walk up and talk to another weird person.

[Cashier]

Sounds like a plan. It's what I've been doing since I got out here.

[Dr. Reichman]

So just to be clear, Diana's going to be doing the talking on this one.

[User]

Wait, really?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Cashier]

If we tryna sound like smarty pants, I'm going to sit in the back.

[User]

All right. Smart talk. I can smart Talk.

[Narrator]

On the 12th floor, the team sees the do not enter symbol. The team passes it in disregard and sees the same symbol again. Upon reaching the 15th floor, is there.

[Dr. Reichman]

Any way we can even peek in without being in trouble?

[Cashier]

We could just open the door.

[User]

Maybe pretend to be intoxicated.

[Cashier]

Would anybody have the capacity to get intoxicated in this place?

[Narrator]

I don't know.

[Cashier]

They didn't check us for booze on the way in, so.

[Narrator]

Prolly or drugs?

[Cashier]

Drugs either.

[Dr. Reichman]

I'll try opening the door. Take a quick peek.

[Narrator]

The door is locked by a traditional physical keyhole. Only Flik has ever seen anything similar.

[Cashier]

Yeah, not so much. We could certainly try to get in, but I do not have the capacity to assist in that. Not unless we're breaking the door down. And I assume we're not. We want to be in good with our new dragon buds.

[Dr. Reichman]

Worth a try.

[Narrator]

The team continues up another 15 floors, all of which appear to be residential. At the 30th floor, an old sign of embossed steel is visible next to the doorway. Its text, written in worn faded atrion, has largely eroded to the point of illegibility.

[Cashier]

What sort of check would that be?

[Narrator]

That would require a successful perception check.

[Cashier]

Can I intimidate it?

[User]

I'm just perceiving it.

[Narrator]

After a few moments, Azad traces her fingers over the letters to discern the word hangar.

[User]

That's where they made clothing hangers. I never thought about where they produced those things.

[Narrator]

Through the doorway spans a large four story room piled with makeshift scrap homes. It's clearly been repurposed for residential use.

[Cashier]

Okay.

[Narrator]

The team continues upward. Floors 34 and 35 are off limits and locked. Also requiring a physical key.

[User]

Does anyone, anyone, actually want to see what's in these?

[Cashier]

I. I don't have an especial burning desire to.

[User]

All right, let's avoid getting murdered, all right? Let's just go.

[Narrator]

The team continues up to the 40th floor, and Wyatt points out another faded sign with raised and worn atrion lettering.

[User]

Okay, yeah, reading. All right.

[Dr. Reichman]

Wow, I am doing terribly.

[Cashier]

Aww, Bru.

[User]

Br.

[Cashier]

I don't even see anything there, you guys. What are you talking about?

[Narrator]

After a brief examination, Claire Hout and Wya discern the word bridge.

[Cashier]

Bridge.

[Narrator]

Through the glass door, a single story room is visible. The layout encompasses a large portion of the 40th floor, and a massive floor to ceiling window gives a breathtaking view of the shining colony in the distance.

[User]

Is there anybody in there?

[Narrator]

Inside, numerous figures, either Fringers or former citizens, work on various smart glass surfaces, entering data and taking notes.

[User]

Can I see what they're doing? Are they like, on the spark? Are they utilizing the smart glass?

[Narrator]

One of the figures stands out. A stern looking woman working diligently to transcribe data from a stained piece of cloth onto a holographic desk. She has distinct scarring around her, bright, seemingly purple eyes and extremely short dark hair cut close, and militaristic perception.

[User]

19.

[Narrator]

Using her privacy hood to peer closer, Azad believes the commanding woman is transcribing names. A list of names already presently transcribed on the screen is significantly lengthy.

[User]

Okay, guys, so what if the dossier is actually not a physical book or a data pad, but is embedded into the actual, like, walls of the building? I can download it, but I would need access to the smart glass.

[Cashier]

Well, how are we gonna get access to that?

[User]

I just gave you my section. I contributed. Now it's your dice's turn.

[Cashier]

Well, I mean, look, you know how I would try to get access to this, and it would involve us blowing our cover IMMED immediately. So maybe someone else should come up with this particular plan.

[User]

All right, before we, like, enter in whoever's closest to me, I'm literally, I'm just gonna, like, grab their arm and whisper to them. Like, I'm not gonna be talking because I still have my privacy hood on and no one can tell because it's under, like, a big hooded thing and I just look like I'm tweaked out. So if you guys can just do the talking and have me sit there like some crazy person on drugs, I can just try and download it to my freaking privacy hood.

[Cashier]

All right, Works for me.

[Narrator]

With her Keen perceptive skills. Azad is also able to hear a voice coming through the door.

[Cashier]

We can never let that happen to the fuel cells in the basement. If you ever let the pressure levels get that high again, the whole tower could.

[User]

Hello?

[Narrator]

The door opens and a dark haired man disengages from a conversation on his privacy hood while he approaches the team.

[Cashier]

Hello.

[Narrator]

Come in. He has a dark complexion, a slim build, a bachelor's mark and first tier lethality.

[User]

Uh, what floor are we on?

[Cashier]

Yeah, sorry, we got a little lost. We're new here. This is the 40th floor. Are you here to speak with Creed?

[Dr. Reichman]

We are.

[Cashier]

Then please come in. You're expected.

[Narrator]

The man brings the team to Creed before returning to his oddly shaped and floor bolted seat. Hazard is surprised as her privacy hood suddenly connects to a localized Internet hotspot. The stern woman addresses the team. Awaiting response.

[Advertiser]

Greetings. My name is Creed. Please state your names.

[Cashier]

I totally forgot what my cover name was.

[Dr. Reichman]

Greetings, Creed. I'm Scar.

[Cashier]

I'm Head Smasher H. Interesting.

[User]

She twitches and says Zid. Yes, it's very easy for her to twitch in these environments because everything smells bad. All these people look gross. Senior Officer Thracious Wyatt, Special Defense Force.

[Advertiser]

Interesting.

[Cashier]

And lick.

[Dr. Reichman]

Gree told us to come see you. Said you might have some assignments for us.

[Advertiser]

Yes.

[Narrator]

As each person states their name, she stares them down, typing on an invisible keyboard. Assad suspects that Creed may be attempting to discern the identities of those she's scanning.

[User]

I was going to try and find the dossier with my privacy hood information systems, but now I am completely focused on maintaining our fake identities.

[Narrator]

That will require a series of successful computer use checks.

[User]

Computer use? I have a 12.

[Narrator]

Azad fails to save Flick's identity.

[User]

Doesn't matter.

[Narrator]

However, he has none on record. Azad is able to successfully hide her own identity in addition to those of Sylvanas clairhout and Horatius McBride.

[Cashier]

Cool. I am indeed headstrong Smasher.

[User]

All right. Thracius just literally gave up her whole name. So I'm just gonna let it happen because I would know that she should be on file if she's looking in any of the databases for any of the military people in Atrios. So I am going to start searching.

[Narrator]

For the dossier Azad needs to roll a computer use check to determine how long it will take to locate the files she's seeking.

[Advertiser]

Your words are true. Excellent. I've added you to the list. What are your specialties?

[Dr. Reichman]

I'm sorry, we've been added to A list? What's that?

[Advertiser]

A list. We need to know who you are and where your specialties lie. It allows us to remain organized and make the best possible use of every resource we house. It also ensures that we have enough resources to feed, water and house everyone properly.

[Dr. Reichman]

Ah, perfect.

[Advertiser]

You are brethren, though not blood relatives. And everyone is treated equally here. So what are your specialties?

[User]

Meds. Meds. Meds. And drugs. And drugs. Needles.

[Advertiser]

Okay.

[User]

Guns.

[Advertiser]

A firearms specialist.

[Cashier]

Oh, well, I mean, look, you know, my name's Head Smasher. I was not given that name because I'm pretty good at gardening. Although I am.

[User]

There's no plants on this world.

[Cashier]

I'm really more of a smasher of heads.

[Advertiser]

Brute force.

[Cashier]

Yes, it's like a one word resume. He doesn't actually say that part.

[Advertiser]

What about you, Scar?

[Dr. Reichman]

I find things. Whether it be information people.

[Narrator]

Clairhout is reasonably sure Creed has optical implants and may be using them to take pictures of the team and flick.

[Advertiser]

What do you do?

[Cashier]

That's kind of my thing too.

[Narrator]

I find stuff I'm good at looking.

[Dr. Reichman]

Sharp eyes, this one.

[Advertiser]

Perfect. We have an upcoming expedition you will complement nicely. Please report to Dr. Brasuto on the 30th floor.

[Narrator]

Creed pulls up a holographic map of the building.

[Advertiser]

He will require your assistance. I know you walked a great distance to get here, only to be sent back down. But the documentation process is extremely important to our continued success. Dr. Brasuto will be your direct superior for the time being. He is in room. Never mind. He is in one of the scrap homes on the 30th floor. Floor? He should not be far from the ones with a flag outside.

[Cashier]

Well, all right.

[Narrator]

Azad has downloaded what she believes to be the entire list Creed was working on. The file is particularly large and Azad is under the impression that it could be the document Investigator Quinn was seeking.

[User]

Okay, so now that I know that the blueprints are also available, can I start on that? Do you want me to roll again?

[Narrator]

Azad must make both a computer use and deception check to download the blueprint while avoiding the detection of Creed.

[User]

I'm supposed to look crazy and twitchy. Give me that blueprint.

[Narrator]

Azad acquires a map of the tower, seemingly without attracting attention.

[Advertiser]

I apologize for moving you around so much, but it is important that I personally meet each new initiate we take on.

[Dr. Reichman]

We're eager to prove ourselves. That was a Dr. Basuto, you said, correct?

[Advertiser]

That is correct.

[Dr. Reichman]

May I ask what he's in charge of? What kind of work we'll be doing?

[Advertiser]

Dr. Prasuto is Director Yale's assistant. He oversees the DRD scientific research that takes place at this location in Yale's absence.

[Dr. Reichman]

Creed is a citizen, and citizens have records. Let's see what's in your profile.

[Narrator]

That will require an investigation. Check.

[User]

I know nothing of Creed, but I know scrap a lot about Basuto. Sylvanas, did you get another one?

[Dr. Reichman]

Seriously? That's my third.

[User]

Maybe we should take the grenades away from him.

[Narrator]

Wow.

[Dr. Reichman]

That's my third this time.

[Cashier]

Yeah, yeah. Maybe don't use the grenades today.

[Narrator]

Clarhout determines Creed's real name as Maxine McCready with the Department of Special Services. She's currently listed as undercover, possibly missing.

[Cashier]

Ooh.

[User]

All right, what did I get on Basudo?

[Narrator]

Azad determines that Dr. Basuto is Director Yale's right hand. He's also probably the same Dr. Basuda that Dr. Reichman spoke of.

[User]

Where we get the armbands?

[Advertiser]

Ah, yes.

[Narrator]

After walking over to a desk, Creed gathers enough armbands bearing the symbol of Melachor for the entire team and hands them out here.

[Advertiser]

Wear them proudly. If you are noticed without one beyond our checkpoints, you might not be recognized by our brethren.

[Cashier]

Horatius slaps that armband right on there.

[Advertiser]

Anything else?

[Cashier]

I'm not really a questions guy. That's why my name isn't Questions.

[Dr. Reichman]

Gray mentioned this was all heading to a close. Are we. Are we close to the Awakening now?

[Advertiser]

There is not much time to wait. Now, on the topic of change, you will find that names change frequently in the Fringe to reflect the lives of its inhabitants. Similarly, I hope that you will embrace your new lives here and that your names may one day change to reflect who you will become after the Awakening comes to pass.

[Narrator]

Creed stares at Wyatt.

[Advertiser]

Such things as head smashers and scars will not be needed.

[Cashier]

I hope so, too.

[Advertiser]

Well, thank you for your time.

[Dr. Reichman]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

The team departs from the room and reaches the stairwell.

[Dr. Reichman]

Hello, old friends. Oh, God.

[Narrator]

Here we go.

[Dr. Reichman]

At least we're going down this time.

[Cashier]

I really hope we find a way to destroy this building and every last one of these stairs.

[Dr. Reichman]

Son of a bitch.

[Cashier]

What?

[Narrator]

On the way out. With a moment of clarity, Clairhaut suddenly recognizes the man in the chair as Hadrian Baker.

[Cashier]

Nothing.

[Dr. Reichman]

Never mind. I. I'll tell you later. We really just need to focus on the task at hand and getting that dossier.

[User]

Now that we're out here, can I look at the blueprints and look at the levels for the basement and the levels for the roof?

[Narrator]

The blueprints show the roof is now only two floors up. Just about a five foot tall maintenance crawl space.

[Dr. Reichman]

Ouch.

[Narrator]

Marked as off limits. There is nothing denoted as being present on the roof except for an unmarked oval symbol.

[User]

All right. And the basement.

[Narrator]

The basement floors are labeled as such. Basement Floor 1 Elite Residential Basement Floor 2 Goptum Controls G O P T M M meaning gravity, oxygen pressure, temperature, moisture management. Basement Level 3 Security on Basement Level 3. Six large cylindrical structures labeled fuel canisters are also depicted. Additionally, there appears to be a hidden staircase in the corner of that floor which descends to a fourth basement level labeled excavation site and marked by a symbol of Melakor.

[Cashier]

So what are they digging up?

[User]

I don't know. I mean we were a mining colony so an old mine or rocks.

[Cashier]

Can I do. Could I have like a. Can I, Can I check? Because I'm like a miner, you know. Can I think of the sorts of things they might be digging up for fuel?

[Narrator]

That would require a successful knowledge Atreus check.

[Cashier]

Ah, come on. Oh no. Ah no. Well gee, they could be trying to dig up some fuel but I have no idea what it could be. Unless it has something to do with Melachor and we don't know what it is.

[User]

All right, so I want to relay the information about the blueprint having that five foot crawl space because I think we should check out the rooftop.

[Dr. Reichman]

Is this oval symbol something we can recognize?

[User]

An oval.

[Dr. Reichman]

I was just thinking when you were talking about the blueprint of the roof, there was an oval, A strange oval.

[Cashier]

The roof appears to be drawn as like this is the entrance and this is the stairway up and it's just this odd oval.

[Dr. Reichman]

Got it.

[User]

But what about where was the crawl? Like so. Okay, the crawl space looks like it's.

[Narrator]

An entire floor directly beneath it.

[User]

And it lets out to the roof?

[Cashier]

Nah, it connects to the same staircase on the way up.

[Narrator]

So the entire floor beneath it is.

[Cashier]

Just a crawl space between the bridge.

[Narrator]

Whatever that is and the roof.

[User]

It's gonna sound really stupid, but I don't know how to say it in atrium. Anybody got a dungeoneerings pack?

[Cashier]

Maybe I have something like that. Let me see what I do have. I have engineering, garbage, privacy, hood. I have an omni tool. I have a rapid ascension tool.

[User]

How many floors does your ascension tool go?

[Cashier]

Well, it can go up at least 100ft.

[User]

How many floors is that?

[Cashier]

Well according to my memory stories around 10 floor. So it could go up about 10 stories.

[User]

Okay, well some of the stories we saw were like two stories tall. Okay, so were there Any residential stories within the next 10 stories down from the roof?

[Cashier]

Yeah, the one just below us is actually residential.

[User]

All right, guys, so how about we go down there, we try to stick our heads out the window, see if we can get the ascension thing onto the roof, have someone go up, find out what the hell that is up there, that oval or anything. Try to be sneaky about it, so maybe send someone sneaky, and then from there we can go down. And if these things in the basement are fuel cells, and then we overheard her saying that the fuel cells are probably gonna blow, then now that we have the dossier, we could just blow this place to hell and get the hell out of here. Frick. There's no hell. We can just blow this place to smithereens and then leave promptly.

[Cashier]

Get the smithereens out of here.

[Dr. Reichman]

I love that all the walls in the bridge can become transparent. Would that pose a problem to anyone trying to stealthily climb up the outside of it?

[User]

Okay, well, then I can cause a malfunction in one of the screens or attempt to cause malfunction in one of the screens so that it's opaque just long enough for the rapid ascension tool to get you past the floor.

[Cashier]

Sounds good to me. I mean, I'm not the one going up there, but it sounds hypothetically good to me.

[Dr. Reichman]

Should we take a quick look at the crawlspace before we walk back down there?

[User]

She just, like, moves her hands in the direction of the crawlspace.

[Narrator]

The team ascends up to the next floor, which they now know to be the maintenance floor. The airtight door currently barring admission to the crawlspace is held with a simple electronic lock.

[User]

It could just be a normal lock. Like if it doesn't have the sign, then we should just open the door and see what's in there.

[Dr. Reichman]

I will try. Opening the door.

[Narrator]

Using his hacking tool, Investigator Clairhout easily bypasses the lock. The team quickly sneaks inside, but lights instantly flicker to life upon entry. The room is vast and open, walled with working smart glass surfaces that emit holographic graphs and diagnostics when approached.

[Cashier]

Wow.

[User]

Diana walks in and spins around like a Disney princess.

[Narrator]

There are also various unidentifiable mechanical objects standing about.

[User]

This is my domain.

[Dr. Reichman]

Can I see anything dangerous inside?

[Narrator]

To Investigator Clairhout, some of the objects look similar to generators. Upon looking around entirely, it is found they are alone in the room, and the ceiling is oddly concave. A dome above them.

[User]

That was a role to try and identify the advanced technologies that you stated.

[Narrator]

Were in the room, examining the mysterious Technology up close. Azad notes that it appears to be a similar, albeit larger, version of shielding technology used by the Vigilant to stop bullets.

[User]

How big are they?

[Narrator]

Azad ascertains the shielding in the room to be gigantic, each console weighing easily over a thousand pounds and turned to face the ceiling.

[User]

Okay, so can I, like, tell where the. Where what it is they're protecting?

[Narrator]

Assad's best theory is that the shields were designed to protect the floors beneath from threats located above and beyond the building.

[User]

All right, so she'll be deactivating those before she leaves, but she's going to keep exploring.

[Narrator]

By examining the smart glass readout, Azad is able to determine that the purpose of the room is to maintain the shielding.

[User]

I want to know what's on them.

[Narrator]

The smart glass contains the vital statistics on the room itself, the shield's integrity currently listed as inactive, and the integrity of the building itself, which is listed as stable across the board.

[User]

Ah, okay, so can I look through the backlog and find out when the last time there was a marked as compromised integrity?

[Narrator]

Searching through the log history, Azad finds an interesting collection of updates.

[User]

Can I see the report? Like the data report, up until a.

[Narrator]

Few weeks ago, many, if not all, of the windows were listed as compromised and had been logged as such for a very, very long time. The log history was written by perhaps a variety of users, but all utilized a single username and password. It's apparent that it was multiple users based on the variety of entry formats and the wide gap in the entries.

[User]

Spelling proficiencies, query diagnostics. What grade is the glass, and could it be set to full opacity and cast the tower into darkness?

[Narrator]

All of the tower's windows were gradually replaced with smart glass of an impeccable defensive grade over the last few months.

[User]

Query. Structural. Could I control the shield generators from here?

[Narrator]

Hazard concludes she could safely control the shield generators from this room, though they are currently off.

[User]

All right, guys, so once we find a way out of here, because we have the dossier, I can just shut this place down and make it accessible. And once we get the dossier back, they would be vulnerable to attack, and that would be someone else's problem or our problem if we want to blow them up.

[Cashier]

You're great. I don't know how you do all this stuff, but I am all for it. That's great.

[User]

Computers have information on them, and I read it and then I tell it to you guys. Yeah, so let's find out what's on the roof, and then on the way Back down. We can deal with this.

[Dr. Reichman]

Can I actually, is there anything about the curvature of the roof that I can deduce as being important? Is it part of the shield?

[User]

Structurally? There's a flat roof built atop the domed roof. But the domed roof may have been at one time used for precipitation collection. I hate this place. So she's just gonna.

[Dr. Reichman]

Can we get a look outside? Diana?

[User]

We're in an interior room with no exterior access. However, I can prevent the shield generator from ever coming online. Let's just get the hell out. I mean, let's just get the smithereens out of this building.

[Narrator]

Azad encrypts the controls to a new 73 digit password.

[Cashier]

Okay, so does that mean the generators are off presently?

[User]

They were off when we walked in.

[Cashier]

I see. So they are not presumably the generators that are supplying power to the building. Or are they?

[User]

No.

[Cashier]

No, they're not. Okay. Okay, cool. In that case, I don't really see why we shouldn't. Well, I'm sure there are plenty of reasons why we shouldn't go to the roof, actually. But it is a thing that. It's a thing we could do.

[Dr. Reichman]

Would it be wise to send one of us to the roof just in case? It's guarded and I could maybe bluff my way out of my presence there.

[Cashier]

So by one of us, you really mean you? Yeah, you can go to the roof.

[Dr. Reichman]

Just take a quick peek. I'll tell you guys if there's no one up there.

[User]

Okay, if there is, and I mean it's. It's a roof. So we find out what's up there and then we have to go back downstairs anyways. So try not to get seen because otherwise we have to fight our way through 40 something floors.

[Dr. Reichman]

I will do my best.

[Narrator]

Claire had a. Lights, the stairs to the roof access.

[Dr. Reichman]

Can I go up to the roof? Stealthily.

[Narrator]

Upon sneaking through the top door, a guard immediately notices him.

[Cashier]

Hey.

[User]

You're not allowed up here.

[Host]

Turn around or else.

[Narrator]

Behind the guard rests a machine of sorts, though it is not attached to the roof.

[User]

What is it?

[Narrator]

A team of eight men and women currently weld and repair the strange machine.

[Dr. Reichman]

Oh, so sorry. I'm looking for floor 40. I need to talk to Creed.

[Host]

That's down two floors.

[Cashier]

Go, go.

[Dr. Reichman]

Thank you, May.

[Host]

I'll be perfect.

[User]

Are you wearing a privacy hood?

[Dr. Reichman]

Yes.

[User]

Can you just replay what you just saw for me and for everybody else?

[Dr. Reichman]

Here you are.

[Narrator]

Claire Haught wasn't able to get a clear look at the machine, but was able to record the exchange on his privacy Hood, Why are they lighting it on fire?

[User]

All right, so can we have now that we have like this short video of a guard yelling at him, can we examine it? Computer use NAT20.

[Dr. Reichman]

Nice.

[User]

Damn. I did a thing.

[Narrator]

Against all odds, Azad cross references the images to out of date yet stored mechanism blueprints from the Department of Research and Development. The mechanism matches an old file labeled Dragonfly.

[Cashier]

Wow. Real life. Travis drawings.

[User]

Oh no, he didn't draw those guys.

[Cashier]

Wow. Real life. Somebody else drawings. All right.

[Narrator]

It's a legendary yet secretive piece of pre colonization technology. Rumored to have been brought onto the planet during colonization centuries ago.

[User]

What else is in the file?

[Narrator]

A military grade machine of war, the Dragonfly is capable of moving its sturdy extensions in a way that allows it to hover, ascend and descend in a controlled manner. The old charts also state that these ancient machines were typically armed with explosives that can easily level towers. Azad views a series of conflicting blueprints showing a similar yet differing machine. She shares these images with her team.

[User]

This doesn't really make a lot of sense. It seems like there's multiple versions of propulsion systems. In some of them it seems like the extensions. I guess so. There's the wings and some of them it looks like the extensions turn and other ones it looks like they flap. And in other ones it looks like there's gas propulsion.

[Cashier]

Well, you know, it's metal. Maybe you need to propose it in a lot of different directions for it to work at all. It's pretty heavy.

[User]

That's true. All right. Okay, so bad guys have a thing. Does the one that we're looking at, did it look like it had any weapons on it? Like guns or something? Let's look at this again.

[Narrator]

She can plainly see from the video and charts that the version Clearhout saw on the roof was heavily armed. Not only were guns mounted to the underside, but additionally self propelling rockets capable of housing powerful explosives hung from below.

[User]

All right guys, we can't let them have this.

[Cashier]

Yeah, that seems like it'd be a really horrible idea. I kind of want one though. Can I make one? This looks great.

[User]

She just likes, she's gonna, she's doing what I'm doing. I can't see what I'm thinking.

[Narrator]

Azog puts her hands on her head.

[User]

So I'm just going to, I'm going to open the door and I'm going to just start spouting techno babble at this guy saying I was sent up here to check out like aerodynamics or something and I mean I'm not really going to be lying. Cuz I really want to mess with it. I really want to see what it is.

[Cashier]

Well, if you want to try that, be my guest.

[User]

I guess. I mean, huh?

[Dr. Reichman]

I already blew my cover too, so I'll need to stay down here, I guess.

[User]

We might end up killing them, so you might just be able to come up.

[Cashier]

Okay, so I tell you what. I'll stand by the door with my cane, and if you say a certain word, I'll just run in and start beating the shit out of them. What word's it gonna be?

[Dr. Reichman]

If we make destroying this our priority and blow our cover in the process, what's to say this Spirit of Gulion won't have a plan B?

[User]

Hey, guys, I don't. I don't plan on destroying it. I plan on. I plan on using it to get out of here.

[Cashier]

Does. Do we even know if it's functional?

[User]

I mean, I know how a train works. I'm sorry, that's not.

[Cashier]

Do we.

[User]

And I understand. I understand aerodynamics and stuff like that.

[Cashier]

Do we know that the Dragonfly is finished and able to fly?

[User]

Honestly, we don't need it to get too far, because I'm also planning on blowing up the building. Okay, hear me out, okay?

[Cashier]

I mean, I get you. What I'm saying is, what if it can't go anywhere because it can't fly, Period. They may not even be done with the thing.

[User]

Yeah, I haven't thought that through. I really, really want to see this thing.

[Dr. Reichman]

And even if it does, who has the piloting skills to fly it?

[Cashier]

Well, I've operated some heavy mining equipment before, so I can.

[User]

There we go. Mining equipment. And I mean, come on, guys. If freaking stupid Fringers can activate this thing. Hey, I'm pretty sure we can figure it out.

[Dr. Reichman]

Yeah, that stupid.

[User]

I'm pretty sure we can figure it out.

[Cashier]

This is the most reckless I've ever seen you before. And I like it, and it's great, but I don't know, have some reservations about this.

[User]

I want to play with it. The other thing was, if I can utilize this to. If I can utilize these gun shields to actually supercharge the building, then I might be able to overload the fuel cells that we saw in the basement levels to actually get them to explode. But I would only do that after we find out whether or not we can actually get the. What was it called? The Dragon off of the roof. I'm not sure if it'll fly, but I'm a scientist and I need to try.

[Dr. Reichman]

I Don't know if we should kill anyone just yet. If you can take a look at it, that would be great.

[User]

All right.

[Dr. Reichman]

But we might need a better plan to get you back.

[User]

Who? Well, I can just say I'm here to check on something. I don't know. Gears, the flange. If anybody knows.

[Cashier]

I need to see if your flanger works on this. It needs to be tuned well, while.

[Dr. Reichman]

They'Re still welding it. It doesn't seem to be going anywhere today. And the only thing stopping us from coming back up here is a couple dozen flights of stairs. We could always keep looking around first.

[User]

Here's. Here's. I mean, if you want to, we could. I'm. I really. I just want to. I want to. I want to play with it. All right. So, yeah, okay. Let's go downstairs, away from the amazing technology on the roof.

[Cashier]

Don't worry, my friend. We'll get there.

[Dr. Reichman]

If there's any way to play with it in the future, we will be back.

[User]

Fine.

[Cashier]

Well, I think that the predominant plan. You know, I think we were thinking about exploring the rest of the tower before we do it, but the predominant plan seems to be kicking the ass of the people on the roof, getting to the Dragonfly, flying it out, and then blowing this place up.

[User]

I want to blow it up.

[Dr. Reichman]

I'd like to talk to Dr. Basuto on the way down and see if that can get us access to some. Anymore, any more places.

[Cashier]

All right, let's get going.

[Narrator]

The team heads down the stairs to meet with Dr. Basuto.

[Host]

Liberty Vigilance is created and produced by Travis Vengraf with editing and writing assistance from KA Stats. Starring Peter Lewis, Shawn Francis, Caitlin Stats, Daniel Thoreson and Ashley Burch, with narration by Wayne June. Guest voices include Max Lando and Sainty Nelson. The music was created by Ryan McQuinn and Stephen Malin. Vigilance was mixed and mastered by Brandon Strader with COVID art by Dan Stanek. The original game master was Travis Vengraff, with assistance by KA Stats. If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider supporting us on Patreon or by liking and reviewing our show on itunes. We'd especially like to thank citizens Dan Gill, Zach Israel, Fallon Gannon, Adam Farber, Scott Morrison Sariuko, Maria Bergland, Matthew Shluga, and Jonathan Wade. This broadcast is the creation of fool and Scholar Productions. Thank you for listening, and may the Archon watch over you. Score. On the count of three, we all clap. One, two, three.

[Cashier]

Awesome.

[Host]

Synchronized. Okay, my dog is really confused.

[Narrator]

The clap got my dog's attention.

[Cashier]

Also, he just ran up to me like, what.

[User]

What do you.

[Host]

I'm Amy Nicholson, the film critic for the LA Times.

[Cashier]

And I'm Paul Scheer, an actor, writer and director.

[Host]

You might know me from the League, Veep, or my non eligible for Academy Award role in Twisters.

[User]

We love movies and we come at them from different perspectives.

[Cashier]

Yeah, like, Amy thinks that, you know, Joe Pesci was miscast in Goodfellas, and I don't.

[User]

He's too old.

[Host]

Let's not forget that Paul thinks that.

[User]

Dune 2 is overrated.

[Cashier]

It is.

[User]

Anyway, despite this, we come together to host Unspooled, a podcast where we talk about good movies, critical hits, fan favorites.

[Cashier]

Must sees, and in case you missed.

[Host]

Ems, we're talking Parasite, the Home Alone.

[Cashier]

From Grease to the Dark Knight.

[User]

We've done deep dives on popcorn flicks.

[Host]

We've talked about why Independence Day deserves a second look.

[Cashier]

And we've talked about horror movies, some that you've never even heard of, like Ganja and Hess.

[User]

So if you love movies like we.

[Host]

Do, come along on our cinematic adventure. Listen to unspooled wherever you get your podcasts. And don't forget to hit the follow button.

[User]

In humanity's search for other worlds, we found something unexpected. It's a massive collection of tiny pocket realities, and each one is a story. So we can actually transcend our usual four dimensions of space and time to go physically into these stories? Yes, using the Muse pod. But when we explored those stories, things didn't go as planned.

[Host]

Mr. Darcy, that horrid man.

[Dr. Reichman]

I am Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

[User]

None of us have been the same since Beth died. What happens when classic stories go wrong? I go in to fix them.

[Narrator]

Ah, humbug.

[User]

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo? For the love of God, Monfetor. Subscribe and listen to Muse, the latest audio drama from Dayton writers, movement and realm.

[Dr. Reichman]

I am Dracula, and I bid you welcome.