Episode 57: Truth is the First Lie we Tell Ourselves

0:28Shane Tok

0:42Scientific expeditions. But unlike in the past years where there was a concern about the area manager leaving the station for the expedition, this year such is not a concern. After I resigned from the NSF to accept the director position with Beauregard-Lowing, still being on station has allowed for an opportunity we've never quite enjoyed. Having a company executive physically travel to the Canadian station to conduct operations in person. Resigned, you say? I thought they sacked you. And you would be mistaken with your assumption, Agent Fowler. Not the way I remember, but nonetheless, here we are.

1:22What are we doing here again? You were discussing preparations for event four. We're only 20 days away, people, and I couldn't be more excited with just a hint of anxiousness. Yes, yes, Doctor, we all share your enthusiasm, but let's contain our glee and jocularity for the moment, shall we? According to the data output from ongoing monitoring by the laser infrarometer space antenna, there seems to be conflicting projections on the appearance point determined by the same monitoring efforts the week prior. Why? The LISA units, along with monitoring from Gravity Probe B we had reactivated, indicate minute fissures in the local gravitational constant, which we suspect are causing localized fluctuations in gravitational acceleration or subtle warping of space-time, especially in regions of high curvature, like near black holes, neutron stars, or the approach of a null space anomaly.

2:16And those fluctuations are not only moving, but increasing and decreasing, bigger and smaller. the potential appearance randomly eats observational cycle. The margin of error presently is plus or minus three quarters of a mile on a two-dimensional plane, of course. Sorry, Mr. Y-axis, no fun time for you this go-around. And I'm working on a predictive algorithm which would simulate the behavior of space-time around a fissure in gravity using computational models and would help adjust and account for any random directional shift on the intersection of quantum field theory and general relativity, where such a fissure might exist naturally.

2:56Ah, which would not only filter out the distortion, but in theory help refine the exit aperture point to an even more precise set of coordinates, but also strengthen the ability for sensors to pinpoint the gravitational anomaly as it traverses null space. Intriguing theory, Doctor. Perhaps it wasn't in the era having you added to Atlas. What? What? You said that last bit out loud, Wainwright. Oh, I'm aware. Right. Well, before the science squad gets themselves wound up like a broken clock, can we tick a few things off the list? I've picked who's going to the Canadian station. Doctors Lorenz and Dellum, you're up.

3:37You'll be keeping an eye on whatever gravitational doodah needs minding. Some scientific nonsense I don't pretend to understand, nor care to. Oh, Shep, you're going to be blown away by this station. All the advanced equipment and technology. Oh, it's like walking into, well, literally the future. Plus, I can't wait to get my hands all over those translucent arachnid carcasses. Get up close and perform an exploratory dissection. Feel their cold exoskeleton against my bare skin. Gross. You have the weirdest idea foreplay, Doctor. Moving on. Dr. Jovek. Present. That's still up for debate. You'll stay here.

4:31Track our progress from Atlas and try not to touch anything that hums. Oh, happily. I'm too old to be crossing ice tundras and exploring wandering dimensional pocketways. I have enough problems traveling to Little Scientist from me tonight. Tinko Torium. Drift it, you know what I mean. Next up, we need an engineer who knows their ass from a multimeter. Somebody who won't panic the second a light blinks red. Mr. Bustamante? Absolutely not. Opsec's priority one. I'm not about to hand Marshall Oldspice and his backup dancers another excuse to poke about. I told the DOD to keep him grounded, especially after Marlow's heroic cock-up that got Waters killed.

5:16They agreed. I pick who goes. Tweedle-dumb and Tweedle-bloody-dumber stay put. We're taking Drexler. No! He smells like Berkeley. Mr. Drexler? I thought you said seasoned. He's just a boy and only has a few seasons on station. nowhere near the experience level to be an acceptable selection. He also possesses an insatiable need to vocalize every fleeting thought that crosses his mind regardless of its relevance. Well, then tell us what you want, Lawrence, what you really, really want. I want to hurt, I want to hurt. I don't care who is selected, only so long as that person possesses the necessary experience and capacity for maturity to understand the magnitude of what they will be asked to care for.

6:05Yes, well that boy who runs on at the mouth is the heir apparent to Zeke Bustamante after his move to your old job. His performance reviews over the last three seasons have been extremely favorable, if not colorful, and he has experience in every mechanical and technical area within the Arches. A jack-of-all-trades, as they say. A jack-of-all-trades who doesn't know when to shut up. I mean, silence can indeed be gone, all right? Plus, the most important aspect is that the decision is mine to make. I made it so the rest of you sawed off. Sophisticatedly stated, as always, Agent Fowler. Oh, shut your gob.

6:49That leaves me and Wainwright. I will be leading the expedition, of course. Yes, Wainwright, you couldn't be more wrong. I'm in charge. Oh, that will absolutely not be the case. All right, Grandad, you want to do this, let's do this. You are a government contractor now, not the bloody boss. You are contracted to work on a government project called Project Atlas. And in that situation, who do you think the government is? Oh, you are. Oh, I'm sorry. Who is Agent Jocelyn Fowler? Jeopardy rules, I suppose. Suck it, Trebek. Spot on, Jovec. Master the bloody obvi as usual. You will be in charge of all the science operations and matters while we're on the station, but I'm steering the bloody ship.

7:35I'm sure a simple phone call to Beauregard, Laurie. No call from your lot is simple anymore, Larry. Not after that genius from Bolo sold secrets to the bloody Chinese. Took me sticking my own neck out just to keep you off desk duty in a bunker somewhere next to Jovac. You vouched for me? The Department of Defense begrudgingly gave their authorization for you to attend, so long as I was in command. Absolutely insufferable.

8:09Right. Now that that's sorted, let's move on to the travel prep and see if we can manage ten whole minutes without another tantrum.

8:30Good morning, Deputy Marshal. Or, I guess for you, it's good evening. Hello, Ms. Kirkland. Not a very good evening based on the email I just read. Oh, bass. I wouldn't worry about that. I already heard. Senator Hawk's staff were asking questions about the takedown of Kyla McCona and want more detail. Ms. Kirkland, they're asking people I used to work with directly and people I've known for years. And they're telling me the questions they're asking are very biased and seem motive driven. From what I remember reading, that incident was almost ten years ago and was extensively investigated by the Marshals, Honolulu PD, and the State Sheriff's Office.

9:13Not to mention the AG, and each agency came to the same conclusion. It was a good shoot. Yeah, well, then for an old case that is supposedly settled, they are kicking up a lot of dust. Look, I still don't think there's much to worry about, but for the sake of argument, what are you hearing about the questions being asked? Questions around the initial tip-off, where it came from, and if that criminal informant was given favors in exchange for his information. Questions around the surveillance means used to ascertain the fugitive while inside that specific home, and a lot of questions around the exigent circumstances of a warrantless search.

9:54Again, these were all settled matters in the official investigations conducted. Oh, right, I almost forgot about that one. Sorry. And questions around the internal agency investigations, where the matters were deemed lawful and therefore settled. That, too. None of the marshals I know or have talked to have indicated they've ever went through this level of vetting before their confirmation hearing. Given the recent shift in the president's foreign policy, some amount of additional scrutiny isn't unexpected. You know, making sure there aren't any troublesome international connections or ties. But, Beth, let's not get too worried here.

10:32You were born and raised in the prairies of Kansas. Doesn't get more apple pie and Yankee toodle than that. Yeah, apple pie. Any more on the start date of the confirmation hearings? Has there been a date set? Well, I was going to wait until tonight when I expect to get official word from the Senate Judicial Committee clerks. But everything is pointing towards the hearings taking place on Monday, April 24th. Typically, the director of the marshals will get a courtesy advanced copy of the agenda saying who will be approved and who the committee may wish to further question in session. And if we find out they want to question me?

11:16Oh, will you stop that? Senator Victor Hawks is chairman of the committee, and it's a very publicly known fact that he is a major booster and supporter of the president. You're so popular that I can't foresee any way that would happen. All right, a devil's advocate, Ms. Kirkland. Humor me. In theory, if they needed you to testify and given the circumstances of where you are and physical impossibility of current travel, there is a prescribed method which allows for teleconference attendance and would be permissible. Just please, please, Bass, promise me you'll be more glass half full as we get closer to the date.

12:09Don't worry about something until I have something to worry about. Yeah, you're not the first person to tell me this. Oh, I'm sorry, Ms. Kirkland. I have another call coming in. No problem. I'm late for my next meeting anyway. Anyway, hang in there, deputy, and remember, glass half full. Thank you, I will. Night, ma 'am. Good night.

12:34Hello? Sur advisory marshal, deputy. Don't say my name. I'm on a burner, and I don't want anyone to know I'm calling you. Are you alright? Are you safe? What? Oh, yes, yes, you dumbass. I'm fine. It's not me I'm worried about. Oh, God. The sat phone Chuck sent you has NSA type 1 encryption. And I know because it was me who picked it out for Chuck to send you. Beth, I can't be confident that they won't try to intercept your incoming calls. But I am positive that my own cell and office are being tapped. And that's why I'm calling you this way. And I'm also monitoring DOD and NSA satellite traffic on my laptop as we're talking, just to make sure.

13:11They're tapped your phone? Just shut up for once in our lives and let me talk. Okay. They're digging into you, Beth. Hard. Oh, my God. Person who I've never met before. I already know that. I have no shortage of people getting in contact with me about my past case files. Especially the McCona debacle back in 2014. I'm sure you're going to ding me on that. Diane, Beth. They're asking me questions about Diane. What? Very personal questions. About your marriage questions. The accident. The aftermath. how you dealt with everything. If they're going to try to get you on anything, it's going to be about her.

13:55What did you tell them? I am not... I am not a moron, Bass. I just told them the basics, and I left out anything that would paint you in a less than favorable light. I knew they were going to try to railroad me, but I never thought they would sink this low. It's the upper tier of who we work for. They'll do anything they need to.

14:25They know your phone was just activated, but they won't be able to listen in for at least another ten minutes. Fucking lightweights. I could crack it in four. NSA type 1 or not. They're setting me up not just to fail, but to discredit me. They're going to try to humiliate me. and on national television in the court of public opinion. On the air of those confirmation hearings, I'm going to look like an idiot. Bastards! Beth, you need a lawyer that isn't provided to you by the White House. You need somebody on your side. Devil's advocate. What? Oh, nothing. I've got somebody in mind. He's one hell of a lawyer.

15:08Okay, I'm jumping off now so the trace fails. Although, at this rate, we could probably talk about whatever you want. Okay, remember that trip you and your friends were talking about taking? Yeah. Not the one domestically. The original destination that I won't stay on the line regardless. I know where you mean. Take it. I'll bankroll you. I'll bankroll you and all your girlfriends. Hell, I'll even bankroll, uh, what's his name? The one you're dating steady now? How the hell did you know that he and I had gotten... Damn it. Bath every time. I fall for that every time. Look, just be safe, okay? And get ghosted.

15:47I look forward to seeing you soon. Same here.

15:58Recording started.

16:12Uh, Franklin? It's Supervisory Deputy Martin. Ah, you probably already smell who it is. Can we chat for a minute? Let me guess. Just like the courtroom procedural drama I'm watching here, you need legal advice. How'd you know? All everybody comes down here for is legal advice. Once, just one time, I'd love to hear, well, hi, Franklin, just coming to check up on you and have a social call. Or, hey, Franklin, what can you tell me about cryptocurrency investing? Or even, Franklin, my man, I hear you're a demon in the sheets. How about some pointers? Deputy Marshal, I can show you how to perform Satan's death charge.

16:57Dr. Jennings will be walking funny for days. All right, all right. I get it. Look, this is a serious situation and serious business to me. I can honestly use your expertise. And I could use a favor. A real liberating favor. And you know I can't let you out of the tube, Frank. Which is why I'm not asking for that. Uh-huh. Look, even though I don't honestly believe I have a soul or they even exist, I'm going to hedge my bets and not agree to part of them. Oh, you walking apes all have, I assure you. But no, that's not what I'm asking for either. Then what? Just tell me already, because I'm not here to play games, and if you can't help, then I'm going to tell you.

17:39I want a watch, buddy. A watch? That's it. I can get you a watch. No, no, no, no. Watch hyphen buddy. Somebody to binge watch television shows with. Somebody to talk to about the plot, share ideas, theories that don't involve going online to the cesspool of humanity that his message forms. Why would I care what some creeper in his mom's basement thinks? That's it. You don't want your freedom, or souls to eat, or whatever other demon perversions you're into. You want somebody to watch television. of course i want to get out of here and yes i'll take whatever souls i can get started to go through withdrawals in here perversions i have who's it's what's it's galore i'd love to try out but yeah a tv watch buddy that's my ask all right one show we'll watch the series together one episode a week at specific date and time we watch we'll have to play it by ear reasonable terms I get to pick the series no greater than five seasons 20 20 10 no not a trailer or teaser more done the bargain is struck

19:05well won't get me on the cover of demon deals digest but a W is a W it's Franklin's time to shine! Oh! Oh! All right. What's the legal advice you need, Javert? In the process of gathering information on my background and history with the Marshal's Service, the Senate Judiciary Committee is interested in a particular old case of mine. Yeah, Cheryl Lynn popped in a few weeks back and mentioned something about that. Nothing like being the last one to hear about what happens on the station, let me tell you. How do you know they're interested? People I work with, colleagues, friends, all have gotten contact with me to let me know.

19:47Questions are being asked and old details are being scrutinized. Okay. Tell me about this case of yours. What happened? It was about ten years ago. We were on loan to the District of Oregon to assist with a task force operation going after the worst fugitives they had. It was the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. Oof, that's not a very catchy name. I thought you cops all had catchy names like Operation Clean Sweep or Operation Payback. Yeah, not every time. Anyway, so one of the jackets we're given was from a shipper named Kalo Makana. Ironically, he had fled three times from prosecution.

20:23Needless to say, I was very familiar with him, given two of his three returns to custody were by me. I was anxious to go for the three-peep, but this go-around, he fled from Honolulu and was hiding in Eugene, Oregon. So, we're working a handful of cases we have when one of our other people on my unit gets some information from his criminal informant. He says he has some news about one of the guys we're looking for. Surprise, surprise, it's my boy McConaughey. According to CI, Kalo was staying with an old friend in the West University Eugene neighborhoods. The informant was looking for a deal on an upcoming possession of stolen goods case he was staring at.

20:56So the local marshal's office agreed to drop those charges if his tip panned out. Following so far? Three of us stake out the address, a known drug pad, and we watched from a surveillance unit me out to look like a work fan. Thankfully, it didn't take long at all before we saw him exit a car and head in the duplex address that we were given. We call it in, ask to have a warrant issued from the local magistrate to enter the address and secure McConaughey. See, we had arranged to have a rotating judge available 24 hours for exactly this reason. So we expect within one or two hours to have a warrant and have local police assist in the execution.

21:28Let me guess. that's where things went south with the warrant. No, we got the warrant alright, but not until it was 90 minutes too late. We're waiting for a copy of the sign warrant to be driven down to us and have the unis get prepped when it all went sideways. You see this car pulls up, a real hoopy piece of crap, clanks to a stop in front of the house and this guy gets out. Dragging a woman who was kicking and screaming up the drive into the house. Smack her across the head and telling her to stop yelling for help. Okay, Hey, all right. I see where this is starting to go. What happened next?

22:01We had a call to make. We had to make it right then and there. We all heard and saw the woman screaming for help. We saw her resisting efforts to enter the house, and we were all aware of at least one dangerous and wanted felon who was also inside. We radioed quickly to SITREP and requested immediate backup. All three of us agreed we can't wait given the circumstances, and we have to make the entry now. So we stack up, announce ourselves, and ram the door. As soon as we go in, there's a junkie on the couch smoking meth. He raises a gun towards us and is handled immediately. We call in shots fired and all hell starts breaking loose inside the house.

22:36These geniuses have put bars on all the windows because of the constant break-ins. So none of them can bolt out except coming down the stairs past us. And essentially, we cornered frightened animals all around us and we didn't know how it number would be. I send the other two marshals upstairs to clear the second floor and I proceed ahead myself. The first room is empty and nobody in the corners. As I approached the next door, I could hear muffled screams. I went past it to the last room down the hall, which was the kitchen. I was able to clear it and headed back to the door with the muffled screams.

23:05As soon as I announced myself, bullets are coming flying through the door. I discerned two, maybe three shooters from inside. With backup still a ways away and there's somebody screaming inside, I did what I needed to do. Bust through the door, guns blazing, shooting the bad guys? No, no. Back in the kitchen, I saw a fire extinguisher. So I take it from there, punch it through the drywall, between the studs, into their room, and follow it with a flashback. It goes off, and I use the damage from the extinguisher and the concussion from the grenade to the drywall and barge through, order them to drop their weapons.

23:37They elected to start firing wildly, so I shoot both of them and stop and control the situation. Unfortunately, with all the panic fire, the young lady they brought into the house was hit and passed away. Backup arrives, various agencies investigate the incident, and the matter leading up to it. State, local, us and the marshals, U.S. Attorney General who loves to make our lives hell. Everybody and their sister looked into this one. So, who was the dead girl? Oh, a local girl who lived nearby. Apparently her brother owed one of the men inside the house money, so he kidnapped her to make him pay.

24:10Oh, bummer. Yeah. Since it was me who did the shooting, the marshals had jurisdiction and led the internal investigation with coordination from the Eugene police. and findings where the decisions made, while perhaps not optimal, were proper. The marshals acted in good faith, responding to the cries from help, and made a decision that any reasonable person would have made. Although we didn't have a warrant in hand, there were exigent circumstances that allowed us to enter. We were acting on credible information from a known and proven CI, so forth and so on. If it was already investigated, if you and the other two marshals were cleared, Why do you think the Senator's staff is looking so hard at this?

24:51Because they want to find something to use as ammunition to get my confirmation rejected for that reason. Something that will discredit me or make me not the poster boy for the U.S. Marshals and tarnish my reputation. Franklin, I'd like you to review everything on this case and tell me where the most likely areas are they may try to use and help me prepare against it.

25:13I need copies of everything you have, or you can get me on this case. The notes and reports, local agencies, the review and investigation, emails, everything. I have all that already had together for the pre-hearing background review. I can email it all to you. What's your address? Uh, yeet underscore master underscore 69 at tiktokfanatic.com. I have no idea what that's supposed to mean, and I probably don't want to. Uh, I can start emailing you files in about an hour. Franklin, I appreciate you looking into this. Oh. No need to thank me. I'm getting somebody to watch Verdict Impossible with. Wait, that's the show you're watching?