The Castaways by X Minus One

Summary

Episode Summary: "The Castaways" by X Minus One

Introduction

In the May 5, 2025 episode of Relic Radio Sci-Fi, titled "The Castaways" from the X Minus One series, listeners are transported to the isolated Tehani Atoll in the South Pacific. This thrilling narrative, originally penned by Ernest Kinhoy, masterfully blends military tension with supernatural elements, offering a gripping tale of obsession, betrayal, and the unknown.

Setting the Scene

The story unfolds on Tehani Atoll, an isolated island transformed into a bustling military hub. General Frank Gados, the field director of the test operation known as Destruction, oversees the setup for a high-stakes bomb test intended to demonstrate new military capabilities. The island, six weeks into its development, buzzes with activity—"launches and tugs skitter back and forth," and army trucks navigate the rugged terrain (00:40).

The Mission

General Gados is depicted as a determined and no-nonsense leader, focused solely on the mission at hand. He ensures all preparations are on schedule, emphasizing precision and control:

"I want a complete roster check on all personnel before H hour."
— General Frank Gados (02:51)

His interactions with Colonel Allen and Dr. Fred Muller highlight the military hierarchy and the tension between purely scientific objectives and administrative duties.

Encounter with the Natives

The core conflict arises when Mr. Nate Cohen, a reporter, seeks an interview with General Gados regarding the impending bomb test. Gados is dismissive, prioritizing the mission over public relations:

"How in places am I supposed to run a bomb test and play mother hand to a bunch of reporters?"
— General Frank Gados (03:08)

Complications escalate as it becomes apparent that the indigenous Tahani tribe refuses evacuation, defying direct orders. Despite Colonel Allen's attempts to mediate, General Gados remains uncompromising:

"Look, Alan, they're either on the island or off."
— General Frank Gados (04:41)

The Curse

As tensions mount, Lieutenant Gilbert conveys a chilling message from the Tahani chief, invoking what appears to be an ancient curse:

"The island will remember the tears of its children and punish the invaders... Even as the children of the island end, so will he."
— Lieutenant Gilbert (07:09)

These ominous words foreshadow the supernatural elements that soon unfold, blending the military narrative with folklore and mystery.

The Failed Detonation

At the climax of the mission, precisely at H hour, the bomb, ominously referred to as "The Great Destroyer," fails to detonate as scheduled:

"General, it didn't go off. The bomb didn't go off."
— Dr. Fred Muller (12:01)

This unexpected malfunction raises suspicions and propels the story into a suspense-filled investigation. The failure is directly tied to the Tahani curse, suggesting an inexplicable force at play.

The Undersea Discovery

In a race against time, General Gados, accompanied by Colonel Allen and Dr. Muller, embarks on a perilous underwater mission to locate and disarm the dormant bomb. Utilizing an undersea salvage unit, they descend into the lagoon, uncovering a hidden spaceship and the Tahani tribe's true nature:

"They're the castaways. They're from another planet."
— Dr. Fred Muller (20:34)

This revelation transforms the narrative, revealing the Tahani not as primitive natives but as extraterrestrial beings stranded on Earth centuries ago.

The Revelation and Betrayal

The culmination of the story unveils a twist: General Frank Gados is exposed as a Tahani spy. His true allegiance and the authenticity of the curse come to light, leading to his demise:

"It was General Gaydash who was holding the gun. He was one of them. One of their spies..."
— Dr. Fred Muller (21:24)

The bomb's failure is attributed to the Tahani's advanced technology and their rightful place as custodians of their ancestral home.

Character Insights

• General Frank Gados: Represents unwavering dedication to duty, yet his character arc reveals the perils of obsession and the blind pursuit of progress without ethical considerations.

  "Stubborn idiots. They can't get in the way of progress."
  — General Frank Gados (11:13)

• Dr. Fred Muller: Serves as the moral compass, expressing empathy towards the Tahani and questioning the righteousness of the mission.

  "They're not kanakas, General."
  — Dr. Fred Muller (05:29)

• Lieutenant Gilbert: Acts as the voice of reason and cultural sensitivity, striving to bridge the gap between the military and the Tahani.

  "What right have you now to carry us over the sea to a strange land where we would die weeping for our homes?"
  — Lieutenant Gilbert (06:06)

Themes and Conclusions

"The Castaways" delves into themes of colonialism, ethical military conduct, and the clash between technology and tradition. It underscores the consequences of disregarding indigenous wisdom and the supernatural, highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding in the face of conflict.

The episode concludes with the liberation of the Tahani and the failure of the bomb as a testament to the enduring power of cultural heritage and the futility of imposing destructive progress without regard for native inhabitants.

Notable Quotes

• General Frank Gados on Leadership:

  "I want a complete roster check on all personnel before H hour."
  — General Frank Gados (02:51)

• Colonel Allen on the Tahani's Refusal:

  "The Tahani are still on the island."
  — Colonel Allen (04:21)

• Lieutenant Gilbert’s Plea:

  "Maialani is a bad island. My people have lived on Tahani from the time that our ancestors were cast away on the island."
  — Lieutenant Gilbert (06:02)

• Dr. Fred Muller on the Curse:

  "The great destroyer will not destroy."
  — Dr. Fred Muller (07:08)

• Final Revelation About the Tahani:

  "They're the castaways. They're from another planet."
  — Dr. Fred Muller (20:34)

Conclusion

"The Castaways" serves as a compelling narrative that intertwines military ambition with mystical folklore, ultimately championing the preservation of indigenous culture and the ethical dilemmas inherent in technological advancement. Through its rich storytelling and memorable dialogue, the episode invites listeners to ponder the true cost of progress and the value of respecting ancient wisdom.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Relic Radio.

[Announcer]

This is Relic Radio. Sci Fi Old Time Radio Science fiction stories from relicradio.com.

[Narrator]

Countdown for blast off.

[General Frank Gados]

X/5.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

4, 3, 2.

[Narrator]

X minus 1. Fire from the far horizons of the unknown. Come transcribed Tales of new dimensions in time and space. These are stories of the future, adventures in which you'll live in a million could be years on a thousand maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with street and Smith Publishers of Astounding Science Fiction presents Heck.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Heck.

[General Frank Gados]

Heck. Heck minus one.

[Narrator]

Tonight's story, the Castaways by Ernest Kinhoy. In the South Pacific, night comes on rapidly. The sun dips below the flat horizon. The sea is crimson for a moment, and then night falls. But on Tehani Atoll, giant arc lights turn night into day. Across the waters of the lagoon within the barrier reef, launches and tugs skitter back and forth, while on the curving half moon of the island, army trucks and jeeps scuttle down the rough roads bulldozed by the Seabees just six weeks ago. A low quonset hut stands near the beach, surrounded by tangled wireless. This is the preliminary command post. And inside is General Frank Gados, field director of the test operation Destruction.

[Colonel Allen]

Everything's on schedule, General. Radiological surveys complete, instruments placement checked.

[General Frank Gados]

Or get me Navy. And tell them H hour is as ordered. Send a periodic time check to air force on any week talk and observation control on the Missouri.

[Colonel Allen]

Yes, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

I want a complete roster check on all personnel before H hour.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Colonel Allen]

Oh, Nate, Cohen wants to see you.

[General Frank Gados]

Who the devil's he?

[Colonel Allen]

AP man. He's been selected by the press radio pool to interview.

[General Frank Gados]

I haven't got any time. Tell him to speak to Major Dwight Friedenberg. He's the pro.

[Colonel Allen]

I think perhaps you'd better see him, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

The.

[Colonel Allen]

The directive on public relations from Washington was very clear.

[General Frank Gados]

How in places am I supposed to run a bomb test and play mother hand to a bunch of reporters?

[Colonel Allen]

Washington said.

[General Frank Gados]

All right, all right. Bring him in. Borelli?

[Colonel Allen]

Yes?

[General Frank Gados]

Give me some black coffee, will you? Yes?

[Colonel Allen]

This is Mr. Cohen. General Gator.

[Mr. Cohen]

How do you do, General?

[General Frank Gados]

Lousy, as a matter of fact.

[Mr. Cohen]

That an official statement?

[General Frank Gados]

No. You can run some of that. The world is at the crossroads baloney.

[Mr. Cohen]

I wrote that yesterday. General, what effect you think the new bomb will have on the world situation?

[General Frank Gados]

I can't tell you that even if I knew. My job is to set the blasted thing off and see that nobody gets hurt and collect the data.

[Colonel Allen]

Can I speak to you a moment?

[General Frank Gados]

Later, Alan.

[Colonel Allen]

Go ahead.

[General Frank Gados]

Cohen.

[Mr. Cohen]

Can you release anything on the scientific principles Involved?

[General Frank Gados]

I don't even understand it myself. There. Wait a minute. Dr. Muller? Yes. Come over here a minute, will you? Cohen, this is Dr. Fred Muller, civilian scientific director. He's the only one who knows what's inside that warhead.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

How do you do, Mr. Cohen?

[Mr. Cohen]

How about a statement, Doctor?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Oh, I'm afraid all I'm allowed to say is that the bomb is new, it's extremely powerful, and off the record, it's very tricky and dangerous.

[Mr. Cohen]

What'll happen if it goes off prematurely?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

I don't think we have to worry about that. In fact, we wouldn't even know about it. If you'll excuse me.

[Mr. Cohen]

How about the natives?

[General Frank Gados]

Well, what about them?

[Mr. Cohen]

Aren't they going to be evacuated from the island?

[General Frank Gados]

They already have been.

[Colonel Allen]

General Gaydot.

[Mr. Cohen]

I saw the Tahani chief outside when I came in. The whole tribe squatting down at the motor pool, having a conference.

[General Frank Gados]

What?

[Colonel Allen]

Alan, I've been trying to tell you, sir. The Tahani are still on the island.

[General Frank Gados]

Why, the LCTs are ready, aren't they?

[Colonel Allen]

Yes, sir, but they won't go. They refuse A schedule called for their.

[General Frank Gados]

Evacuation to Mailani three hours ago.

[Colonel Allen]

I realize that, sir, but I hoped we could still get them off without Vile.

[General Frank Gados]

Look, Alan, they're either on the island or off. Now, wait a minute, Cohen. That's all.

[Mr. Cohen]

What are you gonna do about the natives, General?

[General Frank Gados]

Never mind. I'll issue a statement later.

[Mr. Cohen]

You're gonna force them.

[General Frank Gados]

Go on, get out. I haven't got time.

[Mr. Cohen]

All right, General.

[Colonel Allen]

Thanks.

[Mr. Cohen]

Thanks a lot.

[General Frank Gados]

All right, Alan, let's have it.

[Colonel Allen]

Well, sir, the tiny been kicking up all along. They won't leave.

[General Frank Gados]

They won't. Do they know what's gonna happen to the island? Do they know that we're gonna blow it higher than the kites?

[Colonel Allen]

I told the chief. He just said they won't go.

[General Frank Gados]

They'll go all right. If I had. Yeah. Hey, get him in here.

[Colonel Allen]

The chief?

[General Frank Gados]

Yeah. And that. That lieutenant who interprets.

[Colonel Allen]

Yes.

[General Frank Gados]

How do you like that, Dr. Muller? I haven't got enough trouble? No.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

I feel rather sorry for the Tahani. Can't make much sense to them. We arrive and tell them they've got to get out.

[General Frank Gados]

Look, I appreciate your finer feelings, Muller, but I can't let the Kanakas hold up the bomb test.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

They're not kanakas, General. Captain Cook discovered the island in 1788.

[Colonel Allen]

What's the difference?

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Gilbert reporting, sir.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Aloha, Kalahere.

[General Frank Gados]

Hey, look, I haven't got time for ceremony. Gilbert, tell the chief. He and his Tribe have got to get off the island. We're providing homes for them on Mailani. Translate, Gilbert.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

The chief says you do not understand. Maialani is a bad island. My people have lived on Tahani from the time that our ancestors were cast away on the island. The spirits of our ancestors are buried in the earth. Our fathers are buried here.

[General Frank Gados]

Our father's fathers. If he thinks I'm going to move his graveyard, he's crazy.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

In our ancestors time, the Tehani came in a great bird canoe. We were cast away on this island. We have made it our home. What right have you now to carry us over the sea to a strange land where we would die weeping for our homes?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

We will not go by the waters of Babylon. There we sat down and we wept when we remembered Zion.

[General Frank Gados]

Well, thank you, Dr. Muller. You're a great help. Take Gilbert.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Yes, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

Tell him I have no choice. He's got till midnight to get his tribe on board those LCTs peacefully or I'll have the marine detachment carry him aboard.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Yes, sir.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Isn't that rather harsh, General? After all, justice is on their side. We're preparing to blow up their island and we haven't asked them about it.

[General Frank Gados]

Dr. Muller, will you kindly confine yourself to the scientific aspects of this operation? I'll take care of administrative matters.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

If you could explain to them what's at stake here.

[General Frank Gados]

Any further explaining I've got to do, I'll do with the marine detachments. I'm not going to hold up my schedule.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Well, Gilbert, I. I told him, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

All right, get him out of here. I've had enough.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Oh, no.

[General Frank Gados]

No.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Koala.

[General Frank Gados]

What the devil's that?

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Some kind of a curse, sir. I can catch some of it. The island will remember the tears of its children and punish the invaders the great destroyers will not destroy. And the evil man who is the chief will travel far through the blackness of night. Even as the children of the island end, so will he.

[General Frank Gados]

All right, Gilbert, take him away.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

You, in here, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

Colonel Allen, get a detail from the marine detachment with tear gas and small arms down to the motor pool. And in one hour have those natives on that transport. And I don't care how they do it. Is that my coffee, Vereli?

[Colonel Allen]

Yes, sir.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

They must know about the bomb. The great destroyer will not destroy.

[General Frank Gados]

You worried about that curse?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

I should think you might be. He threatened you personally. If I were you, I'd carry a pistol till they got off the island. The chief looked as if he'd cheerfully strangle you with his bare hands.

[General Frank Gados]

I'm supposed to end the way they do. What's that?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Probably the Tahani saying goodbye to their island. I think I'll go down to the motor pool.

[General Frank Gados]

Well, stay out of the way and get back here in an hour. We gotta have this wrapped up and headquarters moved out to the Missouri by dawn.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Instrument room checking in, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

That's the last. Have the Missouri take over control and send to my jeep. Yes, sir. Are the LCT standing by for those natives? Yes, sir.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

They're on the beach.

[General Frank Gados]

The bomb unit is assembled in place, General. 2330 right on the nose. Robin, start evacuation procedures.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Mr. Honey, you stopped.

[General Frank Gados]

Alan's probably moving him out to the beach. Check in with Navy and Air Force. Borelli.

[Colonel Allen]

Yes, sir.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

What's that coming from the beach?

[General Frank Gados]

It's a honey making trouble. Come on.

[Narrator]

General.

[General Frank Gados]

Hey, yo, Gilbert, what is it?

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Colonel Allen ordered the Marines.

[General Frank Gados]

Well, what happened? The natives just got up and started marching. Did they embark?

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

You don't understand, sir. They marched up the cliff and right off into the lagoon. What, all of them? The women and the kids too. They didn't even try to swim.

[General Frank Gados]

What were you doing all this time, just standing around with your thumb in your mouth? There was a Marine detachment.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

We couldn't stop them, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

They just walked over the cliff.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

They didn't even scream. Not even the kids. We sent the crash boats out, but.

[General Frank Gados]

We couldn't get them. Any of them, the crazy idiots. Were there any reporters there?

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Well, Cohen and a live photographer.

[General Frank Gados]

Well, get his film and hold it till I release it.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

What are you going to do? Postpone H hour.

[General Frank Gados]

It's too late for that now. Calling H hour off isn't gonna bring the natives back.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

100 men, women and children just walking into the water, it's.

[Narrator]

It's horrible.

[General Frank Gados]

I know. I'm not happy about it either. Nothing we can do now. I gave him a chance to get off.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

I was just thinking about the curse the chief put on you. Even as the children of the island end, so will he. That's what he said to you, Jimmy.

[General Frank Gados]

I know. I heard him.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Your jeep's waiting, General.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

The great destroyer will not destroy. That must mean the bomb.

[General Frank Gados]

Don't worry, Dr. Muller. It'll take more than a mumbo jumbo curse from a native witch doctor to stop this operation. At each hour that bomb goes off.

[Narrator]

It is now h hour. Minus 1 minute, 30 seconds. 8. Minus 130.

[Colonel Allen]

Video screens hooked in, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

All right, check control stations.

[Colonel Allen]

Observation station one.

[General Frank Gados]

Observation station one.

[Colonel Allen]

Radiation station control check.

[General Frank Gados]

Test the firing circuit, Dr. Muller.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Right, General.

[Colonel Allen]

Damage control station all set. Communication? Communications all check in, sir.

[Narrator]

It is H minus 1 minute. H minus 1.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Take a good look at that island on that screen, Dr. Mullen. When you throw that key, it just won't be there anymore. Nothing but an atom mushroom over the lagoon.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Quite a funeral pyre for the Tahini.

[General Frank Gados]

Stubborn idiots. They can't get in the way of progress.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Progress? I wonder if it is, General.

[Narrator]

It is. H minus 30 seconds. H hour minus 29, 28, 27.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

The Great Destroyer. That's what he called the bomb.

[Narrator]

Hold it.

[General Frank Gados]

Muller, Allen, report.

[Colonel Allen]

All checked in, sir. Cameras running.

[General Frank Gados]

Sound fire warning. Standby for firing. Ready, Mueller?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Ready.

[Narrator]

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

[General Frank Gados]

Fire.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

General, it didn't go off. The bomb didn't go off.

[General Frank Gados]

Correlli, signal standby. Condition red. Alan, check readings. Mother, what's wrong? What happened?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

I don't know. The bomb didn't go off.

[General Frank Gados]

What do you mean? Why didn't it?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

I don't know, except for one thing. The Tahani chief said the great destroyer would not destroy. It didn't, General. The bomb didn't go off.

[Mr. Cohen]

How about it, General? What happened?

[Colonel Allen]

Have you got a statement?

[General Frank Gados]

Nothing you can use, Cohen. Not till we find out what went wrong. Hey, who let you come aboard this ship?

[Mr. Cohen]

I walked on. You don't know why the bomb failed?

[General Frank Gados]

It didn't fail. It just didn't go off.

[Mr. Cohen]

What's that tank thing on the deck, General?

[General Frank Gados]

Undersea salvage unit, mark 4. They call it a bottom crawler.

[Mr. Cohen]

Somebody going down?

[General Frank Gados]

Well, that bomb is down there in the lagoon somewhere. Could go off at any second. Somebody's got to go down and find it and disarm it.

[Mr. Cohen]

That's a lovely job. Who's elected?

[General Frank Gados]

I am. Wow. And Dr. Muller, he's the only one who knows how to dismantle it.

[Colonel Allen]

Crawler's ready, General.

[General Frank Gados]

All right. Come on, Mueller. I'm ready, Alan. As soon as we hit shallow water, get those gates open. We'll pull the crawler out. Then you get away in a hurry. If that bomb goes while we're working on it, I don't want any casualties.

[Colonel Allen]

Yes, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

Inside, Muller.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

All right, I'm in.

[General Frank Gados]

Now, remember, get this LST out of the lagoon in a hurry. You got that? Allan, you take your orders from Admiral Yancy.

[Colonel Allen]

Yes, sir.

[General Frank Gados]

Good luck closing the hatch. The radar and Geiger counter warmed up, Muller?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

We're just thinking of something, General, but curse part of it came true. The bomb didn't go off. Well, the second part of that curse was that you would end where they ended. That was at the bottom of the lagoon.

[General Frank Gados]

What are you trying to do, Muller?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Nothing. Was just thinking. This crawler is going to take us right down there where the Tahani died.

[General Frank Gados]

I'm not worried about a handful of dead natives, Muller. I'm worried about that bomb. Okay, they're opening the gate.

[Announcer]

Let's.

[General Frank Gados]

USU 4 to Control. Depth 50ft. Bottom Sandy. Dropping off Sharp. Anything on sonar?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Mueller, School of fish.

[General Frank Gados]

You ever been down in a crawler before?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Only in the tank at New London. Think I've got a Geiger reading dead ahead. Hang on. Getting something on sonar now.

[General Frank Gados]

Left the point. USU 4 to Control. Over. USU 4 to Control. Over. That's a fine note. The radio's out.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Dead ahead. Looks too large to be the bomb.

[General Frank Gados]

Can't see much on the forward vision plate. Hey, wait a minute. That's part of the reef ahead.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

That's where the Gynga reading indicated. The bomb must have settled in a.

[General Frank Gados]

Hole in the reef. We'll have to go after it in diving suits. The suits are in the locker. Let's get this over with. The less time I spend down here waiting for that bomb to blow, the better I like it. Mueller, is your helmet clamped tight? You getting me all right, on your headset. Okay, I'm gonna fill the lock. Here goes the outer door. Let's go.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

This isn't like that diving tank in New London.

[General Frank Gados]

Look out for that coral. It can cut you to ribbons.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

There's a hole of some sort there.

[General Frank Gados]

It'll I get the light up. See if you can get a Geiger reading out of that hole.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Just a.

[Colonel Allen]

There.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

It's down there, all right.

[General Frank Gados]

Careful. I'll drop down first.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

See anything down there?

[General Frank Gados]

Muller, get down here fast.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

What is it? Find something.

[General Frank Gados]

The bottom of this hole, it's.

[Narrator]

It's metal.

[General Frank Gados]

And the sides.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

But it's the coral reef.

[General Frank Gados]

Look. Welded joints. These are hull plates of some kind.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Look out above us.

[General Frank Gados]

It's closing. Grab it.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Too late.

[General Frank Gados]

A metal hatch. It just slid over the top.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

This is impossible. What's going on?

[General Frank Gados]

Like an airlock.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

The water's being pumped out. General.

[General Frank Gados]

Realize what this means? I'm not sure. There's an inner door opening. Careful.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

It's a passageway. What do we do now?

[General Frank Gados]

There isn't much we can do. We can take off our helmets, though. The dial shows good air. All right, come on.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

What is this? An undersea fort? What's it doing here? What does it mean?

[General Frank Gados]

Whatever it is, our bomb must be down here. Wait. There's someone there.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

I can't see. There's a shadow. Who is it? Who's there? Welcome, Dr. Muller. Welcome to our ship. We've been waiting for you, gentlemen. It can't be. Do you see it? It's the Tahani. Chief.

[Colonel Allen]

How long has the bottom crawler been down? Barely four hours, sir.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Two since we lost contact.

[Colonel Allen]

I'll keep trying.

[General Frank Gados]

Yes, sir.

[Colonel Allen]

Giving him enough time, I'm gonna send another crawler down.

[Mr. Cohen]

What do you figure happened to him, Colonel?

[Colonel Allen]

Well, there are a lot of things. Hey, how did you get in here?

[Mr. Cohen]

I walked in. When are you gonna release this, Colonel? It's the biggest story since the election. BOMBER Dud and Dr. Mueller and General Gaydash. Dead.

[Colonel Allen]

They're not dead. At least we don't know they are. As long as that bomb doesn't go off, there's still a chance. Gilbert, Radiation control interaction. Get the hot squad into the honey lagoon as soon as it's cleared. And get me a PT vote with radiation screen.

[General Frank Gados]

What is it, Colonel?

[Mr. Cohen]

What happened?

[Colonel Allen]

Bomb must have blown.

[Mr. Cohen]

How about Mueller and the General?

[Colonel Allen]

If they were down there in that lagoon, you guess. Now, get out of my way. I'm busy.

[General Frank Gados]

Radiation reading 75 and steady.

[Colonel Allen]

Take her in as close to the beach as you can.

[General Frank Gados]

Steady as she goes.

[Mr. Cohen]

Any danger of any more explosions?

[Narrator]

No.

[Colonel Allen]

When she goes, she goes.

[General Frank Gados]

Radiation 82.

[Colonel Allen]

That's still safe. Cohen, is that something on the beach?

[Mr. Cohen]

Yeah, looks like a body. Maybe you blew one of the Tahani back out of the lagoon.

[General Frank Gados]

No.

[Narrator]

No moving.

[General Frank Gados]

Gilbert Glass.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator]

It's a man.

[Colonel Allen]

All right, head into the beach.

[Narrator]

Who is it, Colonel?

[Colonel Allen]

Can't tell.

[General Frank Gados]

He's in a diving suit.

[Colonel Allen]

It's either Muller or General G. Get his helmet off. Easy now.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

Twist to the right.

[Mr. Cohen]

There.

[Colonel Allen]

It's Mueller. Gilbert, help me get him out of this diving suit. We got to get him. No medics.

[General Frank Gados]

No radiation burns, superficial bruises, mild shock.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

He'll be all right, Colonel.

[Colonel Allen]

Can he talk?

[General Frank Gados]

For a while.

[Colonel Allen]

Go off.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

It didn't.

[Mr. Cohen]

He's still out of his head.

[Colonel Allen]

Quiet, Cohen. Go on. Dr. Muller, what did you find?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

A ship. A giant metal ship. There, under the lagoon.

[Colonel Allen]

Submarine?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

No, no, it was the spaceship.

[General Frank Gados]

Spaceship?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Camouflaged right next to the reef. When. When we went inside, we found the Tahani chief and all the tribe alive.

[Mr. Cohen]

They drowned in the lagoon.

[General Frank Gados]

I saw them.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

No, they didn't commit suicide, as we thought. They just dived underwater into the rocket airlock.

[Colonel Allen]

Rocket airlock. Now, look, Mother, I know you've suffered the shock, but.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

But it's True.

[General Frank Gados]

Can't be.

[Colonel Allen]

Spaceship built by Polynesian savages.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

But they're not savages. They're the castaways. They're from another planet. Don't you understand? Their spaceship was wrecked here 400 years ago. They've been waiting ever since for a chance to go home.

[Colonel Allen]

He's out of his mind. Better give him a sedative. Doctor.

[Lieutenant Gilbert]

No, no, Wait a minute, Colonel. Remember their story about the great bird canoe? Maybe there's something to the legend.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Not a legend. It's true. They'd exhausted their fuel, came down out of space, couldn't find anything here on Earth to replace their fuel source. Until we developed atomic power.

[Mr. Cohen]

Atomic power? You mean they stole our bomb?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

That's right. Fished it out of the lagoon, hauled it aboard.

[Colonel Allen]

Yes, but how could they convert it to atomic drive?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

They made me dismantle it for them at the point of a gun. Then just before they blasted off, they let me go.

[Colonel Allen]

But what about the General?

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Remember the Tahani curse? I see.

[Colonel Allen]

You mean they killed him.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

You don't understand. I said I dismantled that bomb at the point of a gun. It was General Gaydash who was holding the gun. He was one of them. One of their spies, sent out to bring back the rocket fuel they needed. And the Tahani curse wasn't a curse at all. It said that when they left the island, so would. He.

[Colonel Allen]

Is with them now.

[Dr. Fred Muller]

Yes. And after 400 years, the castaways are going home.

[Narrator]

You have just heard X Minus One, presented by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with street and Smith Publishers of Astounding Science Fiction. Your announcer, Fred Collins. X minus One was an NBC Radio Network production.

[Announcer]

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