OBSCURUM: Episode One - "The Arrival"
Introduction
In the inaugural episode of OBSCURUM, hosted by Gabe Lenners and produced by iHeartPodcasts, listeners are introduced to the enigmatic phenomenon of unexplained drone sightings over the Midwest. Titled "The Arrival," this episode delves into the mysterious events that began in 2019, primarily affecting Nebraska and Colorado, and sets the stage for an investigative journey into rural America's hidden stories.
Chapter 1: Phillips County – The First Sightings
The episode opens with Gabe Lenners recounting his transition from aspiring meteorologist to a seasoned broadcaster in Los Angeles. His roots, however, lie in Imperial, Nebraska—a quintessential small town where agriculture dominates livelihoods, and community interactions are deeply personal.
Quote:
"In this part of Colorado, there are no mountains, ski resorts or cities. Instead, the area is flat with fields and rolling grasslands."
[00:05:30]
Gabe describes the night of late December 2019 when his family noticed unusual drone activity near their home. A local family friend, a laid-back small-town cop, alerted them about "giant drones lighting up the night sky." Skeptical at first, Gabe's LA experience taught him that reality often surpasses fiction.
Quote:
"When they first arrived that night in late December, hovering over farms, I didn't know what would transpire, how it would all end, or if the end was actually the beginning of a much bigger story."
[00:07:15]
Determined to investigate, Gabe ventures out and witnesses multiple drones—seven in total—displaying perplexing behavior. Their brightness and movement defy conventional explanations, confirming that this was no ordinary aerial phenomenon.
Chapter 2: The Rumor Mill – Community Reactions and Theories
The following day, Gabe immerses himself in the local rumor mill, seeking to understand community perceptions. He visits a local bar, where conversations range from alien conspiracies to nuclear warfare theories sparked by the drone sightings.
Quote:
"I was thinking about how this reminds me of that movie Signs with Mel Gibson. If I was by myself right here at night, there's no lights. This could get creepy."
[00:12:45]
Gabe meets Tim, a family man who, along with his wife, experienced close encounters with the drones. Tim describes the drones as silent, hovering low—approximately 200 to 400 feet above ground—and equipped with spotlights, making them indistinguishable from conventional aircraft at a distance.
Quote:
"If these unidentified aircraft were searching for something and hovering outside the windows of folks I'd grown up with, I couldn't let it go."
[00:18:20]
Additional testimonies from residents like Dallas Behney reinforce the pattern of silent drones with distinct spotlights, fueling speculation about their purpose—ranging from surveillance to more nefarious activities like sex trafficking or illicit operations.
Interviews and Witness Accounts
Gabe's investigation leads him to various witnesses who provide firsthand accounts of the drone sightings:
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Sarah and Chris – A couple who observed drones peering into their home, heightening fears of intrusive surveillance.
Quote:
"When it's in your window, it's different. When they were all flying high up in the sky, that, that's one thing. But when they're intruding on your home, it's completely different."
[00:10:50] -
Mark Seale and Nathan King – Hosts of other true crime podcasts, briefly mentioned to highlight the network of investigative storytelling in the region.
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Dallas Behney – Describes the drones' spotlights and silent operation, comparing them to his father's ultralight planes but noting significant differences in behavior and sound.
Quote:
"I saw some of the neighbors, you know, they came out and they're like, wow. They were just going over the lake. The geese were just going crazy."
[00:16:30]
Theories and Speculations
As sightings increase—from initial reports of 6-10 drones to later accounts of 20-30—theories become more varied and complex. Gabe discusses potential explanations:
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Government Surveillance: Authorities labeling the drones as "mobile command vehicles with antennas," possibly for monitoring or communication purposes.
Quote:
"Authorities are calling it a mobile command vehicle with antennas."
[00:09:05] -
Militarization and Testing: A voice note from a local authority hints at possible FBI involvement instructing the downing of unidentified objects, suggesting a covert operation or testing of new technologies.
Quote:
"Someone on his team talked to the FBI and the FBI instructed them to shoot one of these objects out of the sky if they got the chance."
[00:23:50] -
Extraterrestrial Activity: While not explicitly confirmed, some community members speculate about alien visitations, drawing parallels to popular culture references like "War of the Worlds."
Conclusion: Unanswered Questions
"The Arrival" concludes with an escalation in tension as drone sightings persist and authorities remain tight-lipped. Gabe hints at deeper layers to the story, suggesting that what began as unexplained aerial phenomena might be intertwined with larger, more sinister narratives yet to be uncovered.
Quote:
"If you have any information surrounding the events detailed in this podcast or have your own similar account, please visit our website@obscurumseries.com and share your story."
[00:30:00]
Final Thoughts
Episode One of OBSCURUM masterfully sets up a compelling investigation into the mysterious drone sightings in rural America. Through detailed eyewitness accounts, community interviews, and probing theories, Gabe Lenners invites listeners to question the reality of these obscure events and anticipate the unraveling of a much bigger story in the seasons to come.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
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"When they first arrived that night in late December, hovering over farms, I didn't know what would transpire, how it would all end, or if the end was actually the beginning of a much bigger story."
[00:08:10] -
"They say that you have to learn from the past to prepare for the future. That's never been more true than now."
[00:15:00] -
"These drones, yeah, it was silent. You couldn't, you couldn't hear anything. You just saw the lights basically and saw him as they were headed west."
[00:19:45]
Further Engagement
Listeners are encouraged to engage with the series via the OBSCURUM website and social media platforms to share their own experiences and theories, fostering a community-driven exploration of these unsettling aerial mysteries.
Production Credits
Produced by Imagine and Leonhars Entertainment for iHeartMedia, "The Arrival" features music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound, with digital design by Labyrinth Branco and video editing by Alex Semy Kopenko. Special thanks are extended to contributors and the host's family for their support.
Follow OBSCURUM:
- iHeartRadio App
- Apple Podcasts
- Official Website: obscurumseries.com
- Social Media: @obscurumseries on all major platforms
Stay tuned for Season One's subsequent episodes as OBSCURUM continues to peel back the layers of the unexplained and the unknown in rural America.