OBSCURUM: Episode Nine - "The Final Call" Summary

Introduction

In the gripping finale of Season One of OBSCURUM, titled "The Final Call," host Gabe Leonard delves deeper into the enigmatic drone phenomena that have unsettled rural America since 2019. This episode serves as a culmination of investigations, personal accounts, and elusive government responses, painting a comprehensive picture of the mysterious aerial intrusions over the Midwest.

Overview of Drone Sightings

The season's central narrative revolves around a surge of unidentified drone sightings across Nebraska, Colorado, and surrounding states starting in 2019. These sightings have sparked a myriad of conspiracy theories, ranging from covert military operations to extraterrestrial activities. "The Final Call" seeks to unravel these threads by presenting firsthand accounts and probing the responses from authorities.

Sergeant Mark Halady’s Firsthand Account

A pivotal segment of this episode features Sergeant Mark Halady from the Rice County Sheriff's Office, who recounts his direct encounter with the drones on New Year's Eve of 2019.

Mark Halady [05:32]: "I was standing outside of my squad car in a small church parking lot, and I was looking straight up. I went north on the road from this small town, straight north, and it accelerated from 40, 50 miles an hour up to, oh, I bet you it was 80, was outrunning me..."

He describes observing multiple drones hovering and maneuvering in ways that defied conventional drone behavior. One particularly large drone, estimated to be 80-100 feet above, moved erratically before ascending thousands of feet high.

Mark Halady [07:14]: "There's no reason to be doing 20, 30 miles an hour flying around eastern Faribault and all of a sudden slow down to five miles an hour to pass directly over me."

His account highlights the drones' advanced capabilities, such as adaptive speed and coordinated movements, suggesting they were not operated manually.

Interaction with the FAA

Sergeant Halady took proactive steps by contacting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to report the anomalies. However, his experience with the FAA was less than reassuring.

Mark Halady [08:54]: "I called the FAA and air traffic control, and air traffic control took the message. And then I had an FAA supervisor from Texas somewhere call me and question me about this."

The FAA's ambiguous responses and apparent reluctance to acknowledge the drones heightened Halady's suspicions that these were not mere civilian drones. He suspected a cover-up or misclassification of the aircraft.

Mark Halady [09:47]: "Oh, absolutely not. I kind of got the idea that he wanted to be able to put, these were planes so he didn't have to file a report."

Despite following up, Halady received no further communication from the FAA, leaving many questions unanswered.

Additional Accounts and Expanding the Mystery

The episode also introduces Sergeant Anthony Rigano from the Elgin Police Department in Illinois, who shares his parallel experience of drone sightings in January 2020.

Sergeant Anthony Rigano [15:20]: "There were at least 30 drones up in the air over the area of the water treatment facility... Some of them were huge. I'd never personally seen a drone that big."

Rigano's encounter mirrors Halady's, featuring large drones operating in formations and displaying autonomous behavior, such as shutting off lights when spotlighted.

Sergeant Anthony Rigano [19:23]: "At one point... one of the drones... it stopped moving and then elevated and then it lowered itself behind a tree."

These overlapping incidents across states suggest a coordinated or widespread phenomenon, now straining the capacities of local law enforcement and federal agencies.

Government and FAA Responses

Throughout the episode, both Halady and Rigano express frustration with the lack of substantial responses from federal authorities. The FAA's general stance was dismissive, attributing sightings to misidentified planes without providing concrete evidence.

Mark Halady [22:38]: "We heard recently that there were these coveys of drones flying at night over Nebraska, Colorado. We don't know who they belong to. We don't know who's operating them."

This lack of transparency fuels public distrust and speculation about the true nature of these drones, whether they are advanced military craft, experimental technology, or something beyond our current understanding.

Ongoing Investigations and Theories

Gabe Leonard emphasizes the persistent gaps in the investigation and the resilience of the phenomena.

Gabe Leonard [20:09]: "The impression I got was they said these are very consistent sightings that we're getting into these various different areas."

Leonard connects these historical sightings with newer incidents in the Northeast, hinting at a possibly expanding pattern that transcends geographical boundaries. Theories discussed include potential military experiments, surveillance operations, or even extraterrestrial activity, though no definitive evidence supports any single explanation.

Special Announcement and Future Directions

As the episode nears its conclusion, Gabe Leonard shares a special announcement, teasing future developments and hinting at unresolved mysteries.

Gabe Leonard [26:51]: "Next Tuesday, we're dropping a raw teaser of what we first experienced in New Jersey as the chaos unfolded right here on our podcast feed. Stay tuned."

This announcement suggests that the investigation will continue into subsequent seasons, potentially exploring new sightings and deeper government secrets.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mark Halady [07:14]: "There's no reason to be doing 20, 30 miles an hour flying around eastern Faribault and all of a sudden slow down to five miles an hour to pass directly over me."

• Mark Halady [09:47]: "Oh, absolutely not. I kind of got the idea that he wanted to be able to put, these were planes so he didn't have to file a report."

• Sergeant Anthony Rigano [19:23]: "At one point... one of the drones... it stopped moving and then elevated and then it lowered itself behind a tree."

• Gabe Leonard [20:09]: "The impression I got was they said these are very consistent sightings that we're getting into these various different areas."

Conclusion

"The Final Call" encapsulates the essence of OBSCURUM's investigative journey into the mysterious drone sightings that have perplexed communities across the Midwest. Through detailed firsthand accounts, interviews with law enforcement, and an examination of governmental responses, the episode paints a vivid picture of an unresolved and potentially escalating phenomenon. As Gabe Leonard hints at future revelations, listeners are left with a compelling urge to stay informed and engaged with the unfolding mystery.

Key Takeaways:

• Multiple law enforcement officers have reported unusual drone activities with capabilities beyond standard civilian drones.
• The FAA has been unresponsive and dismissive, leading to increased skepticism and distrust.
• The mystery extends beyond initial sightings, with new incidents emerging in different regions.
• The quest for answers continues, with OBSCURUM promising further exploration in upcoming seasons.

For those intrigued by the unexplained and eager for deeper insights into rural America's hidden struggles, "The Final Call" serves as a powerful conclusion to a season filled with suspense, investigation, and the relentless pursuit of truth.