Next Sunrise on the Rings of Saturn is a fiction
comedy series. Check the episode description
for content warnings. All passengers, we are
now approaching our final orbital vector and
will be arriving at Next Sunrise Station in approximately
three minutes. It's... Just me here. The intercom
really isn't necessary. Please take a moment
to observe the majestic rings of Saturn from
your starboard windows. I'm right here, one row
behind you. I'm the only passenger on this ship.
Just turn your head and, you know what, whatever.
I'll just watch the holoscreens. That's the last
time we'll ever hear from that crew. When you
play chicken with a comet, no one wins. Speaking
of space chicken... Here's a brief word from
our sponsor. If you're hankering for a fix and
that's an intergalactic hit and you're also in
kind of a hurry to just blast in for a lation
at a fucking Pluto station and we'll fry space
chicken up for you. Where's the skip ads button
on this thing? All passengers, please ensure
your belongings are secured as we approach next
sunrise station and prepare to dock. Again with
this? Did you know? Saturn, the sixth planet
from our sun and the second largest in the solar
system, has 146 officially recognized moons,
more than any other planet. Still looking for
that skip ads button. One Saturn day equals roughly
10 .7 Earth hours. With so many extra days, there
are so many opportunities for a brighter tomorrow.
This is how Next Sunrise Station received its
name. Due to the bountiful resources available
from Saturn's moons and ice rings, tomorrow is
always a golden opportunity for unimaginable
success. Yeah, I imagine tomorrow is always going
to be just one day away. Next Sunrise offers
first -in -class fine dining experiences and
a luxurious five -star resort atmosphere. And
at 0 .93 Gs, a relative gravity closely approximating
that of Earth. The perfect destination for astrotourism,
as well as a rest stop for weary cargo haulers
and scientific researchers. This doesn't look
like a five -star resort. It looks like a bucket
of rusted bolts about to crumble into space dust.
Next sunrise station is also a functional ice
mining station, both processing ice crystals
harvested from the rings of Saturn, as well as
servicing the miners and support staff needed
for this endeavor. What in the phobos was that?
Celestial Express Passenger Shuttle 06479X, this
is Next Sunrise Station. There seems to be an
issue with the docking clamps. Stand by. We'll
have it sorted soon. There's always an issue
with the docking clamps. When are we going to...
The finest in luxury accommodations, you were
saying? That ought to do her. Passenger ship,
you are clear to initiate egress protocol. All
passengers, we are beginning final docking sequence
with next sunrise station. Please remain seated
until the bridge has completed its compression
cycle and the airlock door has opened. Thank
you for flying with Celestial Express. We know
you have many choices when it comes to passenger
space travel, and we are pleased you have chosen
to fly with us. You're the only blasted shuttle
that still comes out this far. Alright. Excuse
me, sir. You've forgotten something. Huh? Oh,
I can assure you, this is my only bag. What?
What did you stick on my jacket? Is that a patch?
Celestial Express Brave Little Pilot? Are you
kidding me? How did you know I was a pilot? Enjoy
your stay on Next Sunrise, and we hope to see
you around the system soon. Gotta just be a coincidence.
I've left that life behind me. For good this
time. Uncle left me the space station bar, and
I'm going to make the best of it. I finally have
a place to plant my roots, even if I'm planting
them in some outer rim podunk excuse for a space
station. No more risking my skin strapped into
a tiny tin can for someone else's profits. I
guess you really can escape your past. Good evening
and welcome aboard Nex Sunrise Station. You're
three days late, pilot, but not a moment too
soon. We've got a situation. Wait, what? How
does that even happen? We don't have time for
silly questions. Ivan was due back at the station
to offload his ice for processing over seven
hours ago. He's been stuck that long? No, he's
been stuck for 12 hours, and it's about time
you showed up. Hang on, I'm not... Not responsible.
Oh, we can clearly see that. Now, get your can
down to the hangar deck, strap yourself into
the Batch Rat maintenance ship, And go rescue
Ivan. You do remember how to fly, right, pilot?
Well, technically, yes. I know how to fly. But
I'm not a... Not wasting any more time? Good.
Now, get to the turbolift. I'll have Astrid cycle
the hangar airlock when your cockpit is sealed.
Astrid here. Make sure the patch rat's comm channel
is still set to seven. Copy that. the floor buttons
in this damn elevator? Uh... Floor directory.
Show floor directory. Computer. Show floor directory.
I need to get to the damn hangar. I apologize.
Floor level damn hangar does not exist. Please
clearly state your desired destination. Well,
what floor is the ship hangar located on? The
next Sunrise Station's hangar deck is located
on floor seven. Floor four. Floor four. Kitchen
and vessel. Station's head chef. Well, only chef.
Well, it says cook on my badge, but that's an
administrative oversight that no one seems to
have time to fix. Speaking of fixings, stop by
the mess hall for dinner. I'm fixing up a new
recipe using algae found near a geyser on Enceladus.
If only we had cheese. Hey, you come across any
space cows out there, you let me know. What was
your name again? I don't even... Now arriving
on floor four, kitchen and mess hall. Oop, that's
me. See you at dinner. Just, just please, take
me to the hangar deck. Warning, hangar deck.
Was that so hard? Hey, watch it. I'm working
here. Sorry, I'm just trying to get to the hangar.
Oh, trust me. You're nowhere near as sorry as
I am having to clean up after you skin bags every
day. You humans don't know how to walk without
leaving a mess. It's bad enough as it is, and
then you have to go and run me over? I have rights,
you know. Look, I'm sorry, Mr... My name is Z3R0,
but you can address me as Zero. As in... I have
zero patience for this. Move along. Oh, geez.
The attitude on that thing. Okay, this must be
the hangar. Now to find the patch rat? Nope.
No. Oh, universe, no. What? It can't be. This
is the patch rat? How can this thing hold together
in space? It's barely able to hold itself together
on the landing pad. At least we got a few things
in common. We're both sad and broken. What does
the cockpit smell like? Fried Sharpies? What,
no seat harness? All right, this kind of reminds
me of my day smuggling in a pulse drift. All
right, pilot. Looks like you know how to jockey
a patch rat. Yeah, affirmative. Standard control
scheme. Piece of cake. Telemetry reports indicate
you are flight ready. Cycling the hangar bay
doors now. You guys should really know that I'm
not... Alright, you're clear for takeoff. We'll
gossip later, pilot. How we doing out there,
Ivan? Still slow. And I'll sneak. Sit tight.
Help is on the way. Alright, whatever. Here we
go. She's not much to look at, but she's got
it where it counts. Save the clichés for when
the rest of you is complete, pilot. Set heading
245 Mark 7 and punch it. Is this thing on? Hello?
Loud and clear, Captain. Oh, good. Yes, this
is Captain Tobias Cosgrove speaking. It has been
11 days since our last incident. We'd really
like to see that Hit 12 pilot. Make us proud.
Little wait for that, Captain. So, what happened
11 days ago? Oh, nothing major. I'm not even
sure why I qualified for an incident report.
Just a minor oversight. Captain had his pocket
watch stuck in the replicator. Again. Uh, what's
a pocket watch? That was completely not my fault.
The repair tech said she had fixed the replicator's
pinch points. Sir, with all due respect, the
last time we were able to get a certified repair
technician out this far was... 72 cycles ago,
and she has vowed never to return after you.
Let me check the report. Uh, yes, here it is.
Date 2240 .77. Captain Tobias Cosgrove overrides
replicator safety locks. Hogwash. The report
goes on to say that the safety locks are put
into place to protect against replicator pinch
points, and the preceding, uh, debate about avoiding
the replicator's warranty caused the technician
to leave. Yeah! Well, at least we didn't have
to pay an invoice. Anyway, pilot, just heading
to 244. We should have a visual on Ivan. I see
you, Ivan. That's a huge trunk you've got there.
It would be full of ice if you hit decent rock
under. Alright, I've got visuals on the issue.
Your saw blade is jammed into the rock. Looks
like it hit some dense metal ore or something.
Did you bother analyzing this asteroid before
you started slicing into it? All right, all right.
I'll see if I can use the patch rat's utility
clamps to wiggle you free. Oh, God. This is no
good, Ivan. You've really got it in there. Greetings,
pilot. This is Dr. Zara Novak. I have something
that may prove useful. Yeah? What's that? Um,
well, several cycles back, I installed a tool
on the patch rat for fluorescent extraction during
a research exploration of... Can you speak in
common, please? Doctor, who authorized you to
make modifications to the maintenance vessel?
I don't remember ever seeing that paperwork come
across my desk. Yes, well... There's a hidden
toggle switch right under the console. If you
just fill it out a little... Uh... Found it.
Um, we have problem. Okay, what now? Computer
is beeping and there's a single thruster flashing
red at me. Also, I smell smoke. Oh. Hmm. Goodness.
Yes, the laser may have needed a bit of calibration
before it attempted use in zero gravity. Hmm,
I'll have to look into this. Dr. Zara, signing
off. Alright, so let me make sure I've got the
score correct here. Your cutting blade is stuck
in a giant asteroid, and you no longer have a
working thruster. My friend, I have a major issue
over here. Yeah, I know, I'm working on it, Ivan.
No, sir, it is not that. Look, if you've got
to go to the bathroom, just hold it in for a
little longer. I'm doing my best here, bud. No,
I need my oxygen reserves. They're also now beeping
at me. Well, what does that mean? It means I'm
not warm with oxygen, sir. Okay, so how long
is not long? Like, maybe, say, five minutes?
You know, give or take. Give or take? Give or
take what? Uh, Captain? Oh, this is just unacceptable.
Another incident report? You know the red tape
I have to go through to file these things. Who's
in charge of making sure equipment is in working
order before sending these miners out anyway?
Do I have to do everything? According to ship
records, last maintenance done on the ice mining
ship was performed 48 cycles ago, or, for our
new guest's benefit, three Earth weeks. Uh, I'm
from Mars. Do I even want to know how long it's
been since the patch rat's been given the once
-over? Ah, that's enough of that now. I'm sure
we have a technician scheduled to be coming out
soon. Are we sure about that? No. No, we simply
are not sure about that. Excuse me, Sergeant
Adams, but... Were we able to convince someone
to come out this far? How do you propose we even
pay for these repairs? You're in charge of accounting,
B. I'm sure you could use some of your calculator
magic to make this happen. Calculator magic?
We can't simply replicate credits. Even if we
had a functioning replicator. And don't call
me B. Only my friends call me B. Guys, we're
getting a little sidetracked here. I told you
that was categorically not my fault. Hang tight,
Ivan. Tightly hanging, sir. Hmm. Yes. Okay, I
think I've got it. To calibrate the laser, you'll
need to eject from the cockpit and make your
way to the... Oh, be sure to take a spanner with
you. Then make your way to the underside of Patch
Drive. How long is this supposed to take? I don't
think the Patch Drive's little cockpit comes
with an EVA suit, Xavier. Much less a toolbox.
Oh, my. Well, hmm. Back to the drawing board,
I suppose. It's getting, how do you say, a little
stuffy. I've got something approaching fast on
radar. What is that? B. Are you still on observation
deck? I am. I see... Is that... It is! It's the
Patriot! It's towing Ivan's ship. And the asteroid
is still attached. And it's coming in entirely
too fast. Pilot, reverse thrusters, or Bia's
going to be eating an asteroid sandwich for dinner.
While I'm sure that would be preferable to Erwin's...
What is he calling them? Enceladas? I'd rather
not be crushed to death by my dinner. Hang on
to something, Ivan. I've got an idea. Still hanging,
Seth. Uh, pilot, why are you increasing speed?
Captain Spice speaking. We cannot afford a second
-digit report in one day. Is that all you're
concerned about? I'm about to be smashed into
a slice of beefsteak spalloni. All right, emergency
retro thrusters. And now. That crazy SOB. He's
drifting around the station. His ship has turned
completely around. What's he doing? All right,
now for the afterburner. Let's go. off with Ivan's
cutting blade. Well done, pilot. I was equally
impressed as I am frightened by you. And among
this crew, that's saying something. Alright,
I'm towing Ivan to the hangar deck. Can you get
that bay door cycled? Already on it. We'll meet
you in the hangar. And my respect. And what is
your name? Finch. Finch? Just Finch. For now.
I'm not sure I'm going to stick around this dumpster
fire. Finch, you said? That's not your name?
I have it here. It says Pilot 1 Oliver Bennett.
Due to arrive on station three cycles ago. My
name isn't Oliver. Are you quite sure? It's not
Bennett either. I don't understand. There must
be some mistake. Not on my end there isn't. I'm
here to take over my late uncle's bar, The Ringside.
You heard of it? I still don't understand. How
were you able to fly so well? I'm an ex -pilot.
Now I'm a bartender. And if you'd be so kind,
I'd like to be shown to my living quarters. You're
in luck, pilot. I mean, Finch. Your bar and living
quarters are one and the same. At least, your
living quarters are behind the bar. How convenient.
Which floor is that on? That would be level seven,
the recreation floor. I'll be on my way. Wait!
What is that patch on your vest? Brave little
pilot. I knew it. You are the pilot. How fitting.
Brave little pilot indeed. Ex -pilot. If you
think I'm picking up that discarded patch, you
are gravely mistaken, pilot. Dinner is served.
Make your way to the mess hall. I think I'd rather
have eaten that asteroid after all. Thank you
for listening to the pilot episode of Next Sunrise
on the Rings of Saturn. It's a fictional comedy
series set aboard the next Sunrise Space Station,
an outdated but charming ice mining facility
orbiting Saturn. This series follows a quirky
crew of mismatched individuals as they attempt
to work, live, and stay mostly sane in the isolation
of the outer solar system. Featuring voice performances
in no particular order but alphabetical by Amanda
Hundley as Astrid, Amy Lanier as Lucy, Basil
Gist as Ivan, Cody Hundley as Philippe, Jimerson
Adkins as Finch. Justine Scott as Bestrix. Mark
Lanier as the hollow screen announcer. Mike McVeigh
as Zero. Ray Sires as Dr. Zara. Randy Killam
as Captain Tobias. Travis Hunley as Erwin. And
Wendy Adkins as the flight attendant. Next Sunrise
was written, produced, and directed by Jimerson
Adkins. This podcast is a production of Doggone
Worldwide. Want to hear more? Follow us on social
media at next sunrise or visit next sunrise .com
for bonus content behind the scenes, updates,
and more. If you enjoyed this pilot episode,
leave us a review and share it with your fellow
sci -fi fans. We'd super duper appreciate it.