Goshawk | Ep. 22

0:00Hello and welcome to the White Vault Gothawk. I'm K. A. Statz, writer and creator, and I'm back again to tell you about how this show is made. We are an indie company with my husband Travis being my producer, director, and more, and we are primarily supported through fans via Patreon. Right now on our Patreon, we are offering the very last of the White Vault Supporter exclusive patches. Every season of the show, I've personally designed a patch to celebrate its release, and this year we have a Survivor patch to commemorate the conclusion of our longest-running story. If you've enjoyed The White Vault, consider joining our Patreon and helping make small shows and indie companies like ours possible.

0:38As a Patreon supporter, you could get access to ad-free episodes, behind-the-scenes posts, and more, such as bonus stories set in the haunting world of The White Vault. And for those who want to secure their own supporter-exclusive survivor patch, you can learn how by visiting and joining us on Patreon. Don't wait too long, as there is a cutoff date for production. And while you're there, you could also learn about how to secure your own guardian statuette. As always, to learn more, click on the link in the show notes or go to patreon.com slash foolandscholar. Now we delve again into the light of the White Vault.

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2:18You look so worried. Huh. Frustrated. Oh. Frustrated. Of course. It's so rare for you to be frustrated, I just couldn't recognize it. Huh.

2:35That kid? He'll get himself in trouble in no time. Just let him get a bruise in or two. He hired us as guides. Guides. Not bodyguards. Not babysitters. Besides, if we step in, he'll hate you for it. You'll make him look weak in front of his lady. At least he'll think so. Let him take a hit or two. Mouth like that. I think he's no stranger to threats. And I'd love to see it. But with money like he's got, he's probably a stranger to the consequences. No time like the present to learn. You're not thinking about him at all, are you? You're sweet on his girl. I heard you speaking with her earlier. Is she Russian?

3:42I'm not going to stop asking. You will tell me. Yeah, she is. But she's been in England for five years now. Dragana? You had small talk? Damn, you've got it bad. Careful now, she's here with someone, and that someone is paying us a lot of money. I was just being polite. You! You! I'll write that down for the history books. Bitch. Bustard.

4:24Oh, yeah, he said something stupid. Fuck him! That did it. So, are we gonna help?

4:47The White Vault. Goshak.

5:05Thank you.

5:38Uh, Dragona? Stay awake. Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, can you tell me, um... What did she mean, uh, when Amelia said it's in my blood? Dragona? Dragona! Dragona! Dragona? Dragona? I'm here, just resting. Oh, thank you. Just stay awake. What was I doing? Hold the knife in place. Uh, right, right. No. What? You have to take it out.

6:25We have to move more damage. She fit. Right. Yeah. You haven't done this before? You said she was stabbed before. She was. But I didn't have to patch her up. Fuck. All right. Then we take it out. After that, we move to the mine. Can't they find us here? Yeah. But we can't risk moving her again. Right? Hide us. I'll make a snow wall facing the lake. It won't take too much time, and it'll obscure us. Long enough to take the knife out, at least. Hopefully. And the boulder's hiding us from the other side. Kid Latt, do you need help with this, or not? I'm not sure I'll do well with... I've got this.

7:19Get us hidden. If they think they killed her, they may come back for her body. Whatever questions you have can wait until we're in the mine. Got it. Yeah.

7:36How are you feeling? It hurts like fuck. I would imagine. Sorry about this. Need more gauze.

7:52Looks like it went right in between the ribs. Too high to hit the lever. But the breathing problems makes me think it's hit to your lungs. I don't know. Still no blood pooling under the skin. But we can expect more bleeding once I take the blade out. You take too long. All right. Try not to move too much. Or scream. Sorry. Go.

8:29Fuck. Yeah, sorry. And now the band has to go around your torso, so try not to bleed everywhere. Hold this, put some pressure here. With my mighty strength. Shut up, you're doing fine. What was Ivy asking about, though? The luck. I'm so tired of seeing my own blood. Me too. So stop getting hurt. That's what I pay for.

9:06There. Packed and wrapped. Alright, Dragana. How does it feel? A little easier to breathe. Something's not... stabbing my lungs. Max, give me a couple minutes before we move again. Just rest for a bit. I'll get Ify.

9:37We're hidden a bit, for now. It'll be better in a few minutes when the new snow covers the ground. How'd it go? How are you? Better. Less punctured. We're just gonna rest here for a few minutes before we move to the mine. Hand me that. What? No, it stabbed you. Yeah. And, well, because it's a good knife. Fine. Do you think you can answer some questions? About Amelia and what she was saying? can try. My dad? He died because of this stuff, so... Does that mean this is happening because of something he did? What? Why would you think that? Did he know Amelia, too? Is he why this is happening? Is he the reason why I'm in this shit right now?

10:42She said this bad luck was in my blood. Seems impossible, right? After all this time. So it is his fault. No. No. He did what he could to stop this shit. And anyways, I don't think she was talking about bad luck. I'm not relaxing poolside right now, so I don't think she was calling me lucky. I think she was talking about my dad. No, Yuri. I think she was saying you're lucky. Yeah, and this kind of luck is matrilineal. What? It means it comes from your mother. I know what matrilineal means. I just don't understand what you're saying. That bitch. That's how she did it. All the meetings. I don't understand.

11:45This is my life. Someone explain it. There's a kind of... So, you saw it. The light and the monsters. So don't think about it too much. But you understand now that these kinds of things are real, right? Yeah, I guess. Shit, it's getting colder. So, there are some people who have... unnaturally good luck. And you have the possibility to have that luck. What? This kind of luck isn't random. And it's passed down from mothers to their children.

12:36Luck is a chance. And I can tell you now, none of this is lucky. This is shit. This is a mess. A disaster. Just because it's possible. Doesn't mean you have it. It's complicated. If you don't want to think of it as luck, some people call it favor. But maybe you're running here with Adele and her sister. Maybe that made him think. It? What? It the luck? No. No. This doesn't make any sense. How? How would anyone consider this lucky? It's getting colder. How are you feeling, Dragana? Like shit. Stabbed shit. But if your mother has the luck, she could be from a Russian family. Do you have a similar?

13:35I mean, what did you say she did, Dragana? Irina? She's a photographer. Give me another minute, please. Yeah, now, how many people can say they're a professional wildlife photographer? Really? Like maybe a handful in the whole world, if they feel like making actual money. Are you shitting me? I earned my job. I've worked... Oh, shut up! Jean died, kid lad. They shot him. And Mika... This isn't... This isn't lucky. This... This feels like dying. Kidgut. That was phrased like shit. Yeah, I heard it. I'm sorry. Irina, look at it a bit differently with me, alright? If someone was going to get caught, who would it be?

14:43If someone was going to die, who would it be? Between you and Shane, it would be him. Get what? And Adele and her sister running into Jason here? If any of you were to die, well, maybe it wasn't going to be you.

15:08Are you... Dragona, is this my fault? Is Jean... Irina, no, it's not your fault. But you both just said it was. What am I going to tell Adele? It doesn't work like that. It's not like you put them in a situation. Just that in the luck of... someone has to draw a short straw. Lance, someone I worked with explained it. Like being the lucky prey. The Predator. Fuck on time. The Predator will hunt regardless. For prey to be lucky, Predator must starve. Luck is only tipped, not forced. Dragana, that was not very well explained. Terrible job. I was stabbed recently. Yeah, I know. How can you? We do this a lot.

16:18Are you okay? No, but we should get moving. Give me your arm. Yeah. We need to leave. Adele is waiting. I... We'll talk about this later. Whatever you need. I'll help her. Can you take her back? Yeah, of course. Wait, shh. Get down. It's over there.

16:58Dracana? Fine, fine. Get out. I think it's going uphill. The mine. No. Isn't that where you said... But... Adele!

17:44The coffee did not smell fresh, so it's tea. Hope that's okay. Wonderful. Thank you. I expect to call any minute now. They won't wait long to get back to me. Then we'll know where to go next. That's fine. Refueling takes time. For the plane and for me. The pilots certainly can't fly again after such a long trip. It would be unsafe. Let's not make any assumptions or plans until we know what we're doing. I'm just relieved we landed safely. It's Hulta. I'll be back.

18:24That's Dís? Dís? I heard from my husband that you've called several times. I was on a plane. What do you need? What has happened with the conference? My reports say there have been earthquakes in Cairo. Hulta, the conference is over. The Sinabani family attacked us all and... I'm so sorry. Trikve is dead.

19:00Hilda, I'm sorry. So sorry. I... I was there. I couldn't help him. I tried. I'm so sorry. I... We sent the Grippalvíður. I know. There were attacks from others. Other Grippalvíður, we think. And guardians. We... We weren't prepared. He was... Triqvi had his own. We both did. And more. But the attack was too sudden and unexpected. A guardian was there, in Cairo, and there were other Griplafiður. Was it a guardian that... No, not him. It was true sons of the Sina Benny. They killed Trikvi, Linnea Valzygna and Iva Imiho. Maybe more. I... I am in Sweden, at the Valzygna site. But Vyther called. He said something was wrong.

20:13He hasn't heard anything from Cairo. I need to tell him. And Otter. These, who have you told? You. You. First. Just you. Unless you prefer... No. No. I will. What is happening with the Swedish side? Or ours? Active, both of them. Gear destroyed, guards missing. We assume they've been taken. I'm heading to Svalbard next, at least. That was the plan. I came here to discuss findings with Vyther, but things have changed. Where are you now? In America. The EY have a lead on a new fisher site and a rogue family member. Koskja EY didn't have a plane, so it offered ours. the EY, I think we can trust them.

21:14Also, there's something else. Remember when I told you I heard the Griplavir speaking? She told me to come with him here to America. It was an order. I didn't think I should refuse. Vilda. Your development is not something I can take on right now. Do what you have to. Do what you think Everything is right for the family. We don't have a full grasp on the rules anymore. I don't know what to tell you. No one is safe. Take care of yourself. Thank you. You too.

21:58Were you able to explain? She... I wish I didn't have to tell her. I wish it never happened.

22:13I know. She didn't mind me taking the plane. I don't think she has the... capacity to think about something so trivial right now. She told me to do anything I think is right. And I think the best thing I can do at this point... is help you. That is good to hear, because I received an extensive email from my family. Do we know where we are going? Yes. Would you prefer the long or short story? We've got time. Somehow Jason got from here in Portland up to a city called Orono. There was a short video in the email, no audio, of security footage from the University of Maine. Jason met up with several students there.

22:59The university was able to identify the people he was speaking with. Some graduate students from the Ecology and Environmental Sciences program. They met, but it seemed like they already knew each other. Did you find any evidence of him having met them before? No, but we think he was already in communication with them while he was still in Japan. This was probably their first in-person meeting. Either way, he had a plan and we were wholly uninformed. The first in-person meeting was outside a library. They spoke for several minutes before leaving in a car belonging to one of the graduate students.

23:34The university had its plate information registered. It was just the one student? On that day, yes. But he was spotted again the next day when three graduate students got into a rental truck that Jason was driving. Each had hiking packs and gear. They drove away heading north and only one has been seen in the city or the university since that day. Do you think the students know anything about the sites or the fissure? I do not want to guess. Alright. Any ideas where Jason went with them? Yes. Thankfully, the students are far less mysterious. They are... Jacob Short, Patricia Lee, and Aster Owens.

24:12Jacob and Patricia had registered with their advisors that they would be going to an artificial pond site in Aroostook County. It appears they plan to take water samples for a wetland ecology study on an array of mains, inland lakes, and ponds. That topic is something Jason knows a bit about, so securing a position with the students would have seemed authentic. Do you know where they went exactly, or just the county name? One of the locations both Patricia and Jacob left with their advisor lines up with the recent Fisher site readings coordinates. And the third student? Aster Owens didn't stay with the others.

24:48She drove the rental truck back to Orono. She gave you the information, then? She gave it to the Iwai family agent, posing as... Yes, she did. And the site where she dropped them off was... I'm guessing it was not where Jason was supposed to be going. No. His original orders were to go to a location near Mount Marcy in New York State. But recent updates show that the Fisher-Sign-Inland location has ended. You look very worried. Worried. Confused. Cher, please. If you can. Imagine... One moment. Imagine this space on the floor between us is this part of the US. Yes? Okay. Near me is Maine. Near you is New York.

25:37So I'm more north. Borders don't matter. So here... I don't know the area well, but let's say that represents Mount Marcy. That fisher site ended. But then there was this chain of readings up the mountain range that appeared and died out within hours. A chain going north? To the site in Maine, yes.

26:04So something was moving? Away from a focal point? Like an earthquake? No, not at all. Readings only appeared in one direction, from the Mount Marcy Fisher Reading location to the new Fisher site location. It's less... I worry the movement seems very unnatural. Or Holtine does.

26:29Dees?

26:33Sorry, I was thinking. What's your opinion? Well, we don't know the purpose of the fissure sites, except to expel excess radiation and heat. so perhaps the site in Maine developed at a much faster rate and the exhaust was redirected? I'm not a scientist. This is all too new for me.