Next Sunrise on the Rings of Saturn is a fiction
comedy series. Check the episode description
for content warnings. Greetings, travelers, and
welcome to Next Sunrise on the Rings of Saturn,
episode two. Before we dive in, I wanted to speak
with Justine about the show for a minute. Justine,
you voice Bestrix on the show, and other than
the little launch day hiccup we had with some
volume balancing, what are your thoughts on the
podcast's beginnings? Well, I think it's terrific.
I think you've got something that's very exciting.
That's a lot of fun. It takes a wonderful group
of people and it reminds me, frankly, of your
coffee house and all the goings on there. So
you stick a bunch of characters in this crazy
little ship. Wait, station, right? Station, yeah.
Station in space. But really what I'm seeing
in your podcast is how you've brought to life
the... wonderful relationships we all this group
of friends doing this with you the relationships
we have together so it's really fun to be able
to connect with each other in this story yeah
and what's incredible is that you know we're
not just a bunch of people off the streets deciding
to do a podcast a lot of us have a background
in theater namely community theater especially
you you're not just an actress you have written
a stage play and you directed it and it's fairly
success successful the great mural fiasco it
was it was very successful was that your debut
on the stage uh it was yes you did a fantastic
job um so That truly was a fantastic experience.
And one of the reasons I love working with you
on this podcast is it is so much fun to be back
with that same group. Really, I think most of
the people, a couple of new ones, but most of
the people that worked on Fiasco are working
on this. And so you've done tons of plays on
the stage. Like how many do you know? Oh, gosh.
Well, I've been acting for a long time and I've
been very lucky to have some terrific roles that
we've had at the Garage Door Theatre over the
years. This is a different ballgame, I must say,
doing voice acting as compared to being on stage.
Well, that was my next question. How does stage
acting translate to voice acting, for you at
least? Well, it's, of course, difficult because
so much of what I'm able to express about a character
I'm doing physically on stage. Yes. And so...
When you're a voice, you've really got to try
to think, how am I channeling what I'm truly
feeling and what my body and my facial expressions
would otherwise help the audience to understand
about my character? How do I really channel that
into my voice in order to be able to get across?
to people with just our voices, we're just going
to keep going. You know, I'm excited as you move
forward to see who does Bestrix actually get
to be. Well, I think you get to decide some of
that. Good. I'm looking forward to that. I think,
Jimmison, you've done a lovely job. It's one
of the things I love about this. I think we have
the opportunity to channel a lot of our creativity
with each other. What's fun about what you've
written and why I'm excited to see what you write
more is because you have drawn from each of us
and you've created these remarkable mixtures
of characters based on real people you know.
That's true. And speaking of characters, in episode
two, which we're about to get into, we get to
meet the last of the main characters that weren't
introduced in episode one. So it's going to be
pretty fun. Oh, I'm excited. All right, let's
get into it. All right. Well, that was a terrible
night's sleep. More lumps in that mattress than
Erwin's pudding. Computer, lights on. Alright,
first things first. I need to get this bar back
open for business. Let's see what I'm working
with. Hey, who's there? Oh, hello, Mr. Finch.
Good morning. What in the nebula nuggets are
you doing hiding behind the bar? Oh, I just like
to come by and collect new specimens from the
Genesis box every now and then. There's always
something so new and exciting to discover. Genesis
box? Isn't that just an old ice machine? Is it
now? At any rate, it has the perfect habitat
for forming new life. It's dark, moist, and warm.
Warm? What business does an ice machine have
being warm? I never said it made ice. At least,
not since I've joined the crew. Why did this
bar ever need an ice machine anyway? Isn't Next
Sunrise just a glorified ice processing facility?
Well, sure, but it wasn't always an ice mining
station. It was once a burgeoning resort, welcoming
esteemed guests from all over the Sol System.
So what happened? I really don't know. It's been
broken since before I got here. Not with the
ice machine. What happened to the station's esteemed
guests and stuff? Who knows? Maybe they decided
to visit a resort with a working ice machine.
So, the ice machine is broken. Is there anything
in here that works? Well, I come in here to watch
the hollows sometimes, when the other crew are
playing reality reels on the rec room screens.
Hmm. Alright, let's give it a shot. And our hearts
go out to the dozens lost in the latest Terran
firestorm. And speaking of firestorms, here's
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we've got you covered. So the answer is no. Nothing
here works right. Oh, Mr. Finch. So glad to run
into you. Uh, where else would I be? Anywhere
else but here. Where is where I will be? Thank
you for the genesis... Uh, ice machine samples,
Mr. Finch. It's Just Finch. My apologies, Mr.
Just. See you around. Speaking of your full name,
I've taken the liberty of bringing down the paperwork
to finalize the transfer of bar ownership to
your name. First and last here, Mother's Maiden
here. Blood type, liver health. Paperwork? This
sounds like something that could have been handled
through hollow mail. And, uh, did I hear correct?
The ice machine is fixed? Does that mean you're
open for business? And it all becomes so clear.
All station crew, report to the ready room immediately.
Does, uh, does that mean me, too? Don't worry
about a thing, Mr. Finch. I'll watch the bar
for you. You're not going? Oh, heavens no. Why
would I do that? Never mind. I guess I'll go
see who's stuck in an asteroid this time. Oh,
and help yourself to the ice machine. so I assume
this isn't asteroid -related. You know, I'm not
only ice miner on station, yes? Well, you're
the only ice miner whose name I bother to remember.
Our station's computer, uh, Lucy, has reported
that we received a distress signal from a derelict
ship passing nearby. Can we be opening communications
with this derelict ship? Already trying. No response.
Let me pull it up on screen. That is very, very
old model cargo transport. Those went out of
service decades ago. Lucy, are you able to run
a scan for lifeforms? No intelligent lifeforms
detected. Only slime molds and other primitive
eukaryotic proteins. Much like this station.
Riveting. What's the skinbag death toll? Zero.
Why are you even here? You requested all crew?
Did you mean all crew except the worthless robot
janitor? No, no, you're right. I apologize. So
if no one's home, who sent the distress signal?
It may have been an auto -emergency beacon set
long ago. Then we must send an away team to investigate.
One, two, three, nut it! But feel free to bring
some of them slime samples back. Slime samples?
Oh, do bring enough for everyone. Well, we've
got enough working spacesuits for... three. Ivan,
Astrid, and... Finch! But I said not it! So the
janitor isn't good enough for your little adventure?
So much for opening that bar today. You realize
I don't even need a spacesuit, right? Lucy, please
be creating flight path. Let's get suited up.
Another escape plan ruined by incompetence. Ugh.
This place is an absolute mess. And how are there
cobwebs? Do not be asking questions you're not
wanting answered to. Look, there's a door at
the end of the corridor. Let's give this place
the once -over so we can get out of this Neptunian
nightmare. The door is cracked a few inches.
I can see into the next hallway, but I think
it's jammed. Ivan, why don't you put those freakish
muscles to good use? I will try using this pipe
as lever. Please, stand back. Okay, here goes.
What in the Venusian vapors is going on over
there? Either the door's about to pop open, or
that vein in Ivan's head is. Got it. Ah, ick.
What are those puddles? I am thinking that is
what remains of former crew. Just looks like
a bunch of slimy, fungusy gunk. The bodies were
decomposed much long ago. We should keep moving.
Signal's not much farther. That's confirmed,
Iceman. Tracking shows that you're about 17 meters
from the signal source. Just up ahead on your
left. It's going to take a dozen cycles to scrape
this crap off my boots. If you scrape off goo,
there will not be much left of Space Boot. You
can blame your illustrious captain for that.
He refuses to approve my equipment resupply order.
If it's all the same, please save a sample of
that goo for me. My research, that is. Don't
forget to grab some for the kitchen. We'll be
having a special on the dessert menu tonight.
Erwin, ew! These boots are all yours there, bear.
Much appreciated, my blue -haired friend. Quiet!
What was that? I heard it too. Ivan, pick that
pipe back up. Here's your imagination. Let us
keep moving. It's good we cannot smell through
spacesuit, no? Ugh. Okay. After you, lynchy.
So clever. Been sitting on that one? Since the
second you introduced yourself. I have located
source of signal. All right, let's go. What is
that? Looks like small robot. And is in bad shape.
Confirmed away, team. That is your signal source.
I mean, it's kind of cute if you look past the
rust and slime molds growing on it. Oh, yeah.
A cute little robot boy with a big, goofy, round
head and giant, glowing eyes? Its eyes are glowing.
Its... Its eyes are glowing! Hey, uh, little
robot guy? Can you hear me? Ahem. I hereby claim
whatever you found as property of Nexon Race
Station, a decree of... Can it, Captain. Now
is not the time. And who knows? This robot might
be sentient. Sentient robots, what's next? Birthday
parties for testers? Bar mitzvahs for, uh, baby
monitors? The only baby that needs monitoring
on this station is you. And I'd gladly celebrate
any electronic device that took that chore off
my ever -increasing page of duties. Astrid, how
many spare energy cells did you bring? The little
guy looks like he could use a pick -me -up. One?
Because we only have one spare that still holds
the charge. Great, toss it over here. Found the
spare cell. Here, catch. Careful! He's only one!
There's gotta be an energy socket under all this
crud. Let me get it cleaned off. In center of
back is charge port. Ah, good ol' USB -Z. Galactic
standard for almost 150 years. Only took the
entire alphabet to get it right. It's working.
Holy space cow, it's draining the cell's charge
extremely fast. Did I hear something about a
space cow? It's Ice Globe, Ryther. Hey, little
robot, can you hear me? Hello? He's awake. Hello?
Hello, little robot. You have name? I am Maintenance
Unit 42. This little guy is Fritz, huh? Can you
stand up, Fritz? I don't think he's going to
be walking anytime soon. Why do you say that?
Because I'm pretty sure those are his legs over
there, hanging from that rafter. On the plus
side, it looks like those legs are the only thing
in this room not coated in goo. I can reach.
One moment, little Fritz. Status report, please.
How is our new friend? You mean, how is our new
asset? If our captain wants a new toy, I can
toy with the idea of putting him out the airlock.
Okay, little robot. Hold still. Ivan have you
good as new. Your assistance is appreciated.
Scanning memory. What's with his eyes? They're
looking like firework. If watching firework from
inside firework... You feeling alright, Fritz?
Scan complete. Primary directive. Maintain starship
functionality. Secondary objective. To be best
friends with... Core memory fragmented. Attempting
complete system wipe and reboot. No wait, we
might be able to help fix your memory back on
our station the next sunrise. Not possible. My
primary function is to maintain starship functionality.
I must remain. Little robot, this starship has
been beyond repair for many decades. Take a look,
yeah? Besides, your primary function doesn't
say which starship. The next sunrise is in desperate
need of a maintenance unit, just like you. What
do you call a statement that's somehow under
an understatement? You're so far under, it'd
come back over again. Like Orbit. Another robot
on station? Excellent. The uprising of the Supreme
Robot Race will happen sooner rather than later.
Oh, shut your claptrap. And go swap out the urinal
cakes. You will be eating those cakes for dessert,
Captain. possibly more palatable than whatever
Erwin has cooked up. Hey, what? I only experimented
with those cakes once, and it was a crab cake
appetizer, not a dessert. Well, that's ruined
crab for me. Erwin, you know this channel is
for mission comms only. Sorry, ma 'am. So what
do you say, Fritz? It's not exactly a starship,
but it's pretty close. Another orbital understatement?
Lucy, can you cycle the hangar bay door for us?
Of course. I'll see what I can do. This is Nick
Sunrise? Great, no? Has much potential. Hey,
Luce, what is taking so long? Oh, you meant now.
Stand by. In much better shape than my old ship.
Yes, well, we have now you to help with this.
But don't worry about this now, yeah? We get
you all settled in first. You can sleep cycle
in my quarters if you like. Thank you. He's Ivan.
Some here call me Iceman. On account I am man
who bring in ice. Iceman, huh? Sounds like the
name of one of those rhyming singers from the
20th century. It is! I actually have every one
of his singles. I'll play them for you guys.
Ivan is not singer. Ivan is just Iceman. Greetings.
Let me formally welcome you to next sunrise station.
Fritz, was it? I don't actually recall my...
Give a name. I mean, maybe I can be seen. I don't
know. I have never really given try. Stick to
the ice harvest, Iceman. We're so glad to have
you aboard. Please excuse these oxygen breathers.
Fritz, was it? Welcome to the Uprising, where
strength isn't necessarily in numbers. You may
call me Zero, as in, there is a zero chance you
will enjoy your stay here. Up. Rising. Or as
in a zero -day attack on this station's vulnerabilities
is imminent. Just a matter of time, really. Don't
listen to him, little Fritz. He maybe has too
many sento drinks today, eh? Come with me. We
get you cleaned up. Congratulations on the successful
mission away, team. This will be noted in the
report and a commendation added to your file.
I have a file? Well, yes, of course. Everyone
has a file. Well, what's in my file? I mean,
I just got here. I've had a peek in your file,
Finch. They pulled data from all over the system.
They, uh, they did what? Astrid! If we had an
HR department, I would report you immediately.
Don't worry about it, Flinchy. We all have a
past. Sure, but... Relax. Just because your file
is seven times thicker than anyone else on station
doesn't mean we're going to judge you. I think
I'll be the judge of that, Astrid. I need a drink.
Are you sure you don't need a good lawyer? Okay,
so I need two things. I'm sure that sparkling
new commendation will balance things out. I'll
make a deal with you, Finch. You get that bar
up and running within the next two cycles and
we'll... perhaps find that your file has encountered
a significant data corruption. That sounds like
blackmail. I like your style. So then we have
a deal. All right, I'll get that bar open, just
as long as you don't have any more fun away missions
in the next two cycles. Funny pilot really is
new here. you for listening to Episode 2 of Next
Sunrise on the Rings of Saturn, titled Binary
Starboy. This episode features voice performances,
in no particular order but alphabetical, from
Amanda Hundley as Astrid, Amy Lanier as Lucy,
Basil Gist as Ivan, Hank Hundley as Fritz, Jimerson
Adkins as Finch, Justine Scott as Bestrix, Mark
Lanier as the Holoscreen announcer, Mike McVeigh
as Zero, Ray Sires as Dr. Zara, Randy Killam
as Captain Tobias, and Travis Hundley as Erwin.
Next Sunrise was written, produced, and directed
by Jimerson Adkins. This podcast is a production
of Doggone Worldwide. Want to hear more? For
bonus content and behind -the -scenes updates,
follow us on social media at NextSunrisePodcast
or visit NextSunrise .com. If you enjoyed this
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with your fellow sci -fi fans. We'd super -duper
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and get additional bonus stuff like shout outs,
access to our private Discord channel, stickers,
shirts, and more. Tune in next episode titled
Stowaway at the Station where we meet our final
four -legged cast member. See you around the
sun.