Episode 68: One Sword, at Least, thy Rights Shall Guard

0:28transcribed

0:419 months from now. Military vehicles approaching coming in from the southwest. Range 5 miles. Spin it round, face them. Open a channel and keep your foot near the gas. When I say go, you go.

1:09Oi, station! Are we good to go? Everything's all squared away, ma 'am. The field is yours. That's a good lad. All right, patch me through. You're on. U.S. military unit, you're trespassing in a recognized international zone. What you're doing? So illegal. Turn yourselves around and jog back to your evac points. That's an order. Over. This is Major Nathaniel Ryland, United States Army. Commander Task Force Sablevale, 11th Airborne Division, attached to U.S. Special Operations Command under Joint Tasking Authority. Be advised, you are interfering with an active United States military operation conducted under Executive Directive and Title X authorization.

1:57I am assuming tactical control of this grid effective immediately. Identify yourself and state your authority, over. Yeah, nah. Negative confirm. I don't recognize your so-called authority. Not provisional, not imaginary, not a gift from Father Bloody Christmas. Turn it round, mate. This is your one and only warning. Next time we talk, it'll be through me crosshairs. Over. Didn't you just issue a retreat order to a United States Army task force? Listen carefully, Cupcake. You are operating inside a secured operational envelope. That makes you a civilian obstruction to a federal mission. You need to go back to your station.

2:45Power down that soccer van you're driving and get off my field of battle. Go back to playing with your dolls, little girl. Who the hell is this? Over. Who am I? All right, then, yeah. Let's do this. I'm the voice of Antarctica, the continent you just picked a fight with. I'm the will of the last free patch of dirt left on Earth. and right now, I'm the one standing between you and the hole you're digging. You showed up thinking no one would push back. Came here with your flag and your orders and your empire nonsense. But this ain't law. This ain't order. This is you trying to plant a boot where it don't belong.

3:28And what you're getting back will be fire, sunshine. Just fire. I'm not a diplomat. Ain't no soldier anymore, neither. What I am is the storm you should have seen coming. I am the ice that'll chew your bones to splinters. I am the reckoning this world forgot it's still owed. You thought we'd fold. You thought we'd flinch. But out here, the ice kneels to no one. Who am I, yank boy? I am wrath personified. I am the bloody reaper sent to collect all your souls. and I promise you this one simple truth. None of you will live to ever see another day. Out.

4:19What? Sydney said I should harness my darkness so it serves me. Too much? Did I do a baddie again?

4:31And now, present day.

5:01announcements. With just under two months now before we start summer season, the number of bumble... well now, that was crossed out and it says ice feet. Yeah, that's Zeke Scriblin's all right. Bless his heart. Well, whatever name you want to use, them snow critters have started to become more difficult to spot than a college football fan in church Sunday morning. Goodness knows whoever Clemson is playing is gonna be getting whooped. We reckon that by the end of this month, all them critters will have gone back into hibernation or their little hidey holes. Until then, all external safety precautions remain in effect, y 'all.

5:41Okay, all y 'all department heads, you need to be submitting your final requests for summer lab listings and any important science doodads and doohickeys by this Friday to our temporary logistics arch fillet. Now y 'all know I ain't one to gossip but way Gladys and I heard it the government bean counter is going to be stingy with any financing they give us this next season. You'd be wise to ask for everything you want, need, would kind of like, and the kitchen sink on top because you'll be lucky to get half of what you need and close to nothing of what you want. Okay, well now here we go. Finally, some uplifting and happy news from back home.

6:24All right. It says here, the 2023 annual state fair in Des Moines. That's in Iowa, y 'all. Started this Monday and goes all week. Oh, I do love me some state fair. Now everybody knows my Georgia has the best one around, but in Iowa, I hear their state fair is a great state fair. I wouldn't miss it or even be late. Why are you giggling over there, Tommy? I'm going to just ignore the giggle posts over yonder and just finish reading my copy. All right. Okay. Going to read right down the musical act list they gave me. Let me get my readers on now. Okay. They'll have Tempest in Leisure Sway, Laser Claw, Dusty Reynolds, Rick Thunder in The Friction, and two of the 14 remaining members of Jetstream Gravy.

7:16Ooh, I know that last one. I met Mr. June backstage at a J Gravy concert over in Mobile in 78. He was a roadie and I was, well, probably not something to discuss right now. Ticket sales have exceeded all expectations and the show's promoters and organizers... Oh, now who are they trying to kid with this? The show's promoter's an organizer, the Office of Citizen Morale, estimate a record number turnout for... Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm not reading the rest of this. Ain't nothing but propaganda. I know thinking about all them wonderful state fair foods done got my mouth watering. So let's see what Alice is whipping up for today.

8:03All right, for breakfast, she's having the Dr. Jovac special. Frosted flakes, a big stack of griddle cakes, and low-fat bacon. She'll also have stuff for the rest of y 'all. Uh, okay. And for lunch, ooh, Miss Alice is throwing a pre-game tailgate special lunch. Come get you some grilled burgers and dogs with all the toppings you could want. She'll be fixing up some chicken, some Texas... Sorry about this, Marshall should. Some Texas barbecue baby back pork ribs. And for any vegetarians, she'll have tofu dogs and portobello burgers on quick standby, garden salad, or roasted cauliflower mac and cheese.

8:44Now, every one of y 'all weekend warriors knows you can't have a proper tailgate party without no subs. Lord knows Mr. June always swore by that. Zeke and Miss Alice will allow one beer or wine with your meal. Those not partaking can always have their juice or Coke of preference. For suppertime, she's... Oh, Lord, sweet dimple baby Jesus, help us all. Gonna need more than fairy godmothers and the U.S. Marines for this one here. Tommy, it's happening. What? Oh, no. Oh, gee whiz, I'm not ready. Oh, nothing is set up or in place. Oh, boy. All right, y 'all. I'm going to ask everyone to be remembering the Golden Rule here now as I read this notice out.

9:34Tonight, for supper time, Miss Alice is going to fix up her Owatonna Minnesota nachos with special Wisconsin State Prize winning melted cheese. dinner will start at 1800 tonight form an orderly stampede starting at 1730 hours outside the galley now she says here just like last year she had more than enough everything to make sure everybody gets proper seconds and thirds ain't nobody has to go without so let's remember we civilize people this goes for you bigs boys too now don't make me jerk another knot in your tail boys I still got that switch and I know them bigs boys backsides. Last matter of business.

10:26Oh, hey now, how about this? With permission granted by our own man Zeke, our own resident from an alternate reality, Sandra Derecha will be taking over full time running a Reno's bar. hop on in from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the late lunch crowd and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. for you barflies and probe crawlers. Well, now good on you young lady for keeping his stream going. Wow, this is quite an idea Mr. Etchahaz Bruin. I just made a punny like Jack Benny. Wow, listen here. She's gonna have trivia game nights, open mouth nights, comedy nights. Well, this is going to grab the number one hotspot location from B2 Lounge, all right.

11:13So there you go. You take care now, my polies. Let's remember to use our best Sunday manners as we're waiting for these nachos now, y 'all. I ain't above going up somebody's backside if you act all ugly. You best keep that in mind. You have a wonderful and blessed day. Thank you.

11:41Recording started.

11:46Halt! Who is goings there, Tovarish? Mikkel, it's me, Bass. You called me Tovarish. What is this? You will advance so I can recognize you as Tovarish, Tovarish. Mikkel, seriously. What is all this? Why are you standing sentry? Okay, Tovarish, if that is your real names. It's not. I was asked to stand here by big man, new leader pants, and magic bell to make sure nobody stormed in the kitchen to try to grab the cheesy meaty chips or, more important, recipes. Big man, new leader pants give Mikael authorization to mop on site. Da! I will defend my post. This is my mop. There are many like it from catalogs of Granger, but this, this one is Mikael's.

12:32Okay, private pile, let's not go full metal janitor over here. I'm actually not here to see Miss Alice or anything appetizer related. I'm here to see Mr. Retcher. If I'm not authorized to go in, would you please send her out? Что? Easy Bake? Oh, you want to see Easy Bake? She is in supply closet or I'm coming getting stuff for the naughty nachos night. Okay, thanks, Mikkel. I'll wait a minute. You know about the nachos? Tovarish, Mikhail is Russian. I make vodka in my births and have taught many Grinton skills to plants my... Mikhail is headcat, Dadio. This isn't Red Squares, Bill. Stop on your headband.

13:23Stop on your head. Thanks again, Mikhail. This is my mop. This is my brush. This cleans up station. This cleans up lunch.

13:37Morning, Marshal. Everything all right? Oh, please don't ask me for the nacho recipe. Alice doesn't share it with anybody, and even if I had it, I couldn't... No, no, no, Mr. Retro, it has nothing to do with nachos, I assure you. Oh, you. You'd only be like the 17th person to ask for it since news came out. What's up? I actually wanted to see you because I wanted to thank you personally for taking over Reno's bar that place meant a lot to that old man and I think he'd be really happy knowing that it's in your hands well thank you Marshall you're the first person to mention that to me today well I mean news following an announcement like Mrs.

14:20Alice Nachos is like a garage band having to follow Elvis who? Elvis Presley The king of rock and roll? Ah, never heard of him. Your reality was tonight Elvis? Inexcusable. Great singer. But for his own originality... Oh, you mean Elvis Costello. I mean, he's alright, I guess. If you like cheap buddy Holly knockoffs. Normally I blame my old age for the missed reference, but this is a whole... You know, in addition to offering congratulations on running Reno's bar, I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to help. Um, you... You mean like throwing out the ceremonial first drunk? Well, whatever you need.

15:14Extra set of hands now and again, some extra capital to help you get started. I was just reminded that Mikkel has his own line of flavored spin-off distribution warehouse in his birth, and I could get you some of that. I appreciate that, Marshall. And your offer is very generous. But? Please, go on. I bartended in college, even for Reno a few times when he wasn't feeling the best. And I saw you tending bar at his wake, so... Hey, do you think Dr. Jennings is free? Okay, I am not that bad. No, you're not. I appreciate the offer. But I think I have everything in hand. Besides, it'll be a nice change after three years in the galley.

16:03A new adventure. New routine. I'm excited for the new opportunity. Good. Well, again, just wanted to say thank you. And to let you know if there's anything you can do to support. Thank you, Marshall. I appreciate it. Get the spot that can be seen With elbow grease and Mr. Clean left, left. You left your message table. Oh, stop. Who goes there, Terrence? It's Thomas. Recording stopped.

16:41You've been quiet for a full two minutes, Jocelyn. Uh-huh. Well, maybe I'm thinking. Or maybe I don't feel like spilling me guts to some brain whisperer what reads about anger on the back of a cereal box. All right, that's fair. But so you know, I'm not here to fix you. I'm here so you don't have to fight this war alone. You called it the thing inside last time. That's what you named it. Did I? Sounds like something I'd say after too many. It ain't poetic, love. It's rage, plain and loud. Rage isn't a monster. It's a messenger. You just don't like what it says. You ever stared down someone, what, deserved it?

17:28Proper deserved it. And you held back because your kit said so? Not because it was right, just regs? You bottle that up enough times, and one day, the cap flies off. So it's overflowing? It's bleeding, Bremer. Dripping through the cracks, got me biting at everyone, Ferguson, Alice, the wrens. I even had words with the bloody vending machine. I think I threatened its life. What do you do with it, the rage? I want to crack something wide open. Not metaphorical, neither. I want the snap. My hands remember what peace cost, and they ain't forgave me yet. You were trained to hold the line. You still are.

18:15But your line's moved, hasn't it? Moved? Oh, it's vanished, love. Foggy is the mercy in November. Can't tell where I end and the next threat begins. Does it scare you? What, the rage? No. But you don't feel scared anymore. Uh-huh. That's the kicker. I ain't angry. I'm calm wall angry. That's the bit that keeps me up. Controlled burn? No, love. It's not a burn. It's a blaze with manners. And wears a nice coat, says please and cheers, and then kicks your teeth in. Do you think it keeps you alive? I know it does. Everyone thinks that I'm the stoic, quiet type, but it's pressure, not poise. I'm holding the damn shut with grit and sarcasm.

19:09Where does it come from, do you think? From being told over and over that my pain didn't count, that I was too strong to be breaking, so... I held it. Still do. And now it squats in my gut like it pays rent. What's it protecting? I don't know. Maybe the girl who cried for help and got told to shut it. The woman who begged someone to really see her and got saluted instead. Or the girl who thought somebody truly loved her and... It turns out he didn't. It protects the version of me what never got to screen. Then maybe it's not rage. Maybe it's your shadow. And maybe it's time to stop hiding her in the dark.

20:01Oh, you want to let her out? She's not one for a cuppa and a chinwag. I didn't say let her drive. I said stop pretending she's not in the passenger seat. Ugh. I punched a locker last week. Didn't even blink. Skin was torn, bleeding, and I didn't clock it till later. That's how far gone I am. Jocelyn, that's not gone. That's numb. Rage keeps us warm when we've forgotten how to feel. And if I stop being angry, then what's left? You. Just you. You. Tired, bruised, unfinished, but you. Just me. Bloody hell, that sounds terrifying. It is. But it's also real. And it's yours. Alright then. How do I manage it?

21:05It's not about managing, honestly More like harnessing it Making it serve you rather than you serving it First, we start treating it like an enemy Second, we build you somewhere safe, to put it Not bury it, store it Visit it when you need it But let it rest when you don't Like a weapons locker? Exactly, exactly that With your name on it. Your lock, your key. Jay Fowler. Stenciled. And then when the world goes sideways... Then you use it. But not before. You get to choose when now. Huh. You know, for a shrink, you've got decent instincts, lad. And you know what? For a patient with a maelstrom inside, you've got a hell of a grip on your sails.

22:00Huh. makes me think of what an instructor said one time to me. In the service, we're a lighthouse. Standing sentry and making sure people, ships, life, avoids the rocky shores of danger.

22:17Lighthouses. All my life I've been living like a lighthouse. Standing alone, weathering storms, guiding others while never leaving the rock I'm chained to. But no one ever tells the lighthouse what it costs to burn every night and not be warmed by my own night. That may be true, but even lighthouses need maintenance, Jocelyn. They still need someone to clean the lens, refill the fuel, fix the cracks when the sea's been cruel. You don't have to stop being strong, but maybe, just maybe, You let someone come ashore once in a while. Not to rescue you. Just to sit beside the light with you. Cheers, Doc.

23:12We're not done. No, but I think we've started.

23:24Recording started. U.S. Marshal Bass Marlow. It is September 12th, 2023, and the current time is 1745 hours, approximately 15 minutes away from the station, getting stoned off their gourd from the cannabis-infused nacho cheese. I debated telling Ms. Alice what was going on after making that discovery last year, but I simply didn't have the heart to take something so anticipated away from the station. while it's safe enough and I don't believe there's any danger inherent I will be declining the offer this year as well as I told Kendra what was going on so as not to risk the baby she's just over six months along at this point and she has the cutest little baby bump almost all of her clothes still fit for the moment and going to get to the point where we need to start getting creative thankfully there are no shortage of comfy sweatshirts and pants in the station store.

24:21There's so much to do between now and December 19th when the baby arrives. But this isn't the place or time to talk about that, is it, Marshal Marlowe? Right down to business. Okay, item one. All final steps have been taken for all the new deputy marshals under me to arrive in November. The new supervisor deputy marshal McMurdo and chief deputy I have met in the teleconference. The plan is for everybody to meet November 4th, 2023 in McMurdo for initial briefings just a few days after all the stations reopen for the summer season. We'll be ensuring everybody is clear on their assignments and will be able to deal with the isolation.

24:57Item two, news from back home continues to be bleak. Last week two additional countries had their ambassadors expelled again on what is claimed to be evidence of espionage. Yemen and Hungary, this has led to even more fuel to the fire and protests popping up in major cities. Most have remained peaceful, but there is a sense of foreboding as each week goes by. Tensions are high enough there, even if talk of Puerto Rico of separating themselves from the United States and establishing themselves as a self-governing country. There is enough worries back home and amongst the countries that I've decided to try to do what I can to keep those concerns away from Antarctica.

25:37While there are edicts in place restricting foreign visitors to federal installations and stations, there is nothing that says we can't visit them. So, as the new marshal, I have been requesting permission to visit various stations from all the other nations on the ice. Given the attempts from the Chinese and others to try to murder me, Zeke and Kendra think this is a horrible idea. I think it's critical to try and do whatever I can to try to unscrew and repair damages caused by Campbell and his organization. item three new staff rosters for dewalt speakers and dexter's coming in for the summer season what we can scrub and search for any flags of concern for those 150 or so new people coming in same for palmer which is even less mcmurdo on the other hand simply isn't possible to a fully complete job they have around 900 new staff arriving to replace those who left at the end of last summer season there is simply no way to properly search that many people thus we have to rely on the near-perfect track record of the NSF, making sure none of their workers have falsified backgrounds.

26:39So very reassuring. Item four. It shouldn't be surprising that Congress and the Senate are gridlocked on just about everything on Capitol Hill at the moment. The political divide between the two parties is as palpable as ever. And it goes out saying we were never meant to have just two political parties as a nation, but that is a rant for other day. What was interesting, no, I don't scratch that, what was reassuring was the announcement from Senator Buxton just a day ago saying she was officially putting her name in as a candidate for her party in the 2024 presidential election. I believe most people suspected that she would be running and many were surprised that it took this long to announce.

27:19Not unsurprising, there has been no formal statement from the president or his staff on the entry of the Center and leading up to the primaries in early 2024. Item five, pending budget cuts. Seems to be a topic on almost everybody's mind. This goes part and parcel with the current gridlock in the house at the moment. Funding bills are being bounced back and forth like a tennis ball as funding for specific research is taking a backseat to defense spending. Oh, thank you, whoever is out there. a new legal notice was just posted in the poughkeepsie journal with the key words we use to identify one another it's gable he's alive he made it notice of sale supreme court county of duchess mclp assistant company inc plaita versus blah blah blah defendants pursuant to an order confirming referees report and safe judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on On August 10th, 2023, I, the undersigned referee, will sell at public auction at the rear lobby on September 28th, 2025 at 2.30 p.m.