DERELICT WAR - Series Recap and S3 Crowdfund Launched

Summary

DERELICT WAR – Series Recap and S3 Crowdfund Launched

Podcast: DERELICT
Episode Title: DERELICT WAR - Series Recap and S3 Crowdfund Launched
Date: March 10, 2026
Produced by: Night Rocket Productions

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Episode Overview

This special episode serves two purposes: a tense, cinematic recap of DERELICT's core story so far—teasing its mysterious deep-sea discoveries, moral conflicts, and cosmic dangers—followed by a direct call to fans announcing the crowdfunding launch for Season 3, DERELICT: WAR. Host and creator J. Barton Mitchell (JBM) personally invites listeners to help bring the next chapter of this gripping, science fiction saga to life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Series Recap: The Vault, FATHOM Base, and the Threat Beyond

(00:00–01:29)

• Discovery and Dread:

  • Maas-Dorian, a powerful corporation, uncovers an ancient artifact—described as a "door" or “the Vault”—buried nearly 20,000 feet beneath Earth's ocean.
  • The company's secret laboratory, FATHOM, is constructed to study and ultimately open the Vault, but deep uncertainty and fear surround what lies within.
    • "I think whatever is on the other side of that door out there, it's not friendly. I think it's trying to get out." (A, 00:06)

• Escalation and Catastrophe:

  • Characters speak of catastrophic events: a failing power grid, explosion aboard the ship Eldritch, and a war threatening to engulf all involved.
    • "The entire grid's knuckling." (A, 00:16)
    • "Just lost the Eldritch...It exploded." (B & A, 00:32–00:33)

• Personal Sacrifice and Leadership:

  • Tension mounts as characters face impossible choices and terrible losses for the greater good.
    • "I lost something. Something perfect. And I'm gonna bring it home." (A, 00:38)
    • "You're the only one who can get the others through that ship. I'm sorry. But it's going to come down to you." (A, 00:33–00:37)

• War Brewing:

  • The recap teases a coming conflict—"Mars versus Dorian"—connecting personal stakes with galaxy-scale consequences.
    • "So it's to be war between us then, I think." (B, 00:56)
    • "Mars versus Dorian. Jesus Christ." (A, 01:00)

• Mysterious Forces and Key Figures:

  • Mentions of unnamed key players (e.g., Dr. Graff, Killian) and enigmatic entities intensify the intrigue.
    • "Killian is so important to what is happening here." (B, 00:43)

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2. Season 3 Announcement & Crowdfund Details

(01:29–02:18)

• Direct Call to Action:

  • JBM steps in to thank listeners and introduce the crowdfunding campaign, encouraging the community to pledge support for DERELICT: WAR.
    • "[...] Our crowdfund for season three, Derelict War, is now live on Kickstarter. If you've enjoyed the show and would like to support Derelict and help us bring season 3 to life, please visit derelictpodcast.com/war." (JBM, 01:29)

• What's on Offer:

  • Details are given about donation tiers, stretch goals, and exclusive content including:
    • “The Traveler” bonus season for backers
    • Concept art and info about the new season’s direction
    • Teasers and trailers available to prospective supporters

• Early Support Emphasized:

  • The team stresses the difference made by early backers within the first 48 hours, which boosts campaign visibility and drives momentum.
    • "Backing within the first 48 hours really helps us out tremendously. Early support builds momentum by increasing the campaign's visibility on Kickstarter, which helps more people discover the crowdfund." (D, 02:18)

• Closing Gratitude:

  • Warm, heartfelt thanks to the listener community—signaling the project's reliance on and appreciation for its passionate audience.
    • "Either way, we're tremendously grateful to have you with us on this journey and thanks for listening." (D, 02:36)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Foreboding Premise:

  • "I think whatever is on the other side of that door out there, it's not friendly. I think it's trying to get out." (A, 00:06)

• Loss and Determination:

  • "I lost something. Something perfect. And I'm gonna bring it home." (A, 00:38)

• Imminent Conflict:

  • "So it's to be war between us then, I think." (B, 00:56)

• Creator's Direct Appeal:

  • "[...] We've launched the crowdfund for season three, Derelict War. If you’ve enjoyed the show and want to help us bring season three to life, please visit derelictpodcast.com/war." (JBM, 01:29)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–01:29 – Cinematic series recap: the discovery of the Vault, tragedies, core characters, and setup for war
• 01:29–02:18 – Host J.B. Mitchell announces the Kickstarter launch for Season 3, outlines rewards, new trailers, and urges early support

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Summary: For New and Returning Listeners

This compact episode is a high-octane audio montage, plunging listeners into the heart of DERELICT’s tension—immense cosmic mysteries, doomed expeditions, corporate warfare, and human resilience set deep under the sea. Ending with the news that Season 3 is on the horizon (if fans rally), it’s both a love letter to listeners and a clarion call for support. New listeners are primed for the wild narrative ahead, while seasoned fans are urged to join the next phase and keep the perilous journey alive.

Transcript

[A]

Eleven years ago, an energy company comes down here. They unearth that. It's a door.

[B]

We call it the vault.

[A]

I think whatever is on the other side of that door out there, it's not friendly. I think it's trying to get out.

[B]

I can open it. I can give them what they want.

[A]

The entire grid's knuckling.

[B]

It's a domino.

[A]

Everyone hold on to something. Dr. Kraft. What have we done to ourselves? So we ancient blame. So we sacrifice. Oh, my God. Just lost the eldritch.

[B]

It exploded.

[A]

You're the only one who can get the others through that ship. I'm sorry. But it's going to come down to you.

[B]

A leader.

[A]

I lost something. Something perfect. And I'm gonna bring it home.

[B]

Killian is so important to what is happening here.

[A]

Little ones, right? Made for this.

[B]

So it's to be war between us then, I think.

[A]

Mars versus Dorian. Jesus Christ.

[B]

Who is this Dr. Graff you keep talking about?

[A]

You have no cards to play here.

[B]

Because what's coming, you cannot hope to face without me. Derelict Season 3 Now crowdfunding support [e-mail] War

[C]

hey, everybody, JBM here. I hope you enjoyed that series recap. And we have a special update about season three. Our crowdfund for season three, Derelict War, is now live on Kickstarter. If you've enjoyed the show and would like to support Derelict and help us bring season 3 to life, please visit derelictpodcast.com war or click the link in the episode notes below. On the Crowdfund page, there's info about our different reward tiers and stretch goals, highlights and concept art on where we're headed next with season three. And you can even listen to the trailer for Derelict War as well as the trailer for a Blaine Backer exclusive bonus season we're calling the Traveler. We're really excited to be at this point and to share more about what we have in store story wise. So please check out the crowdfund [e-mail] war or click the link in the episode notes below and help us keep the story going.

[D]

Lastly, if you're considering joining us on this campaign, backing within the first 48 hours really helps us out tremendously. Early support builds momentum by increasing the campaign's visibility on Kickstarter, which helps more people discover the crowdfund. So becoming one of our first backers is really the best way you can help us reach our goals for season three. Either way, we're tremendously grateful to have you with us on this journey and thanks for listening.