The Invenios Expeditions | Prologue #3 - Driftwood

Race the rudder! Raise the sails! Raise the sails! Captain and unidentified ship approaching, over! Roger that. Wait. Is that an Enterprise Sales solution? Meet sales professionals, not professional sailors. With LinkedIn ads, you can target the right people by industry, job title and more. Start converting your B2B audience into high quality leads today. Spend £200 on your first campaign and get a £200 credit for the next one. Go to linkedin.com.slash.lyd to claim your offer. Terms and conditions apply. This episode is made possible by the generous support of our listeners on Patreon. Join us at patreon.com.slash.Livyathan Chronicles to hear episodes add free, unlock exclusive content and dive deeper into the Leviathan universe. We thank you for supporting us and making the Inveneos Expeditions possible. The Inveneos Expeditions. A Leviathan Chronicles story. The Inveneos Expeditions. Prologue 3. Driftwood. The Arabian Sea. 30 miles off the Somali coast. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey God, maybe it is a ship. But where did it come from? Who knows? This could feed us for months. You need to tell the captain right away, before it drips out of our territory. Right! Right! Move! Move! Move! Move under the way! The hot midday sun bore down on a dilapidated 85-foot fishing trawler named Zika Habib that swayed gently in the light ocean waves off East Africa. Coming through! Hey, be careful! The effects of sun, salt, and sea were evident at all points around the ship, with red rust blossoming around most screws and rivets in the hull. Let me through! Hey, hey, what is it Hassan? They need to speak with the captain! The vessel was crewed by a pirate clan that used the ship as a floating base of operation in the water southwest of Sukotra. Move! Move! The youngest member of the crew, Hassan Tafali, tore across the ship's compartments to the upper deck, where he urgently climbed up the final stairs to the bridge. There, the ship's captain, Muhammad Sala, was conferring with his closest lieutenant, Liban Uggas, a man twenty years his senior, with only one functional leg. We don't meet the king's quota. What about moving more people to Bazaar so they can set the cat with him growing a quadro? Cascio is already floating the market there. There's no profit left. What if we ventured farther at sea? There or there? We have to spend a lot more on fuel, Sara. That we're not even knowing. Hey, Sara, we found a ship! A ship? Abdi made contact on radar. What? Fifteen miles away. No sign of military. Are you sure? Where did he come from? From... from nowhere, sir. Um, it... it just appeared. Boats don't magically appear, Hassan. The radar doesn't work well, so Abdi wasn't sure. How big? He thinks maybe fifty, sixty feet? That's too small to be commercial. Private Yad? Private Yad means richer hostages. We could make our quota and fill back the last three months. Hassan, how fast is it moving? It's not moving, Captain. It's... it's a drift. Disabled? Tell me how disabled boat drifts one hundred miles without radar picking it up sooner. Because our radar is broken, Sara. And twenty years old. Could be easy pickings if they're drift without power. What's the heading? Southeast, heading 135. That's near Cascio's territory. He has more boat than us. And they're faster. They're way closer. That bastard would try to poach us whether this ship is in his zone or ours. We have to move fast. If we see it, he can see it. Hassan, how are these skiffs? Ah, ah, ah. Three of them run, but they take on water, Captain. The other two won't start their engines. Tell Abdi to get three of them in the water right now. We are taking this boat and whoever's on board. Go, Hassan. Now! Hit the alarm. Everyone on alert. A private yacht in the Arabian Sea. This really saves our ass. I go down to clear a room in hold for hostages. Need to make sure the luck is working. No, Liban. You are on the boat with me. Liban looks surprised by his captain's request and looked down at his prosthetic leg. Sara, you know with one leg, I'm not going to be much use in the fight. You're more valuable than any gun or fist, Liban. If it's a private vessel, we won't need much firepower. We need to talk with the people we find, and you're the best in our camp with languages. Smart. But it won't matter where languages speak. If Cascio finds the boat first, we need to hurry and get on the water, Sara. Now! The Zipta Habun exploding in a flurry of activity as crewmen swarmed across the main deck like bees. Lines were passed off, and the wooden skiffs were lowered into the water from the rusted dams. The crew worked with practiced efficiency, fueled by the promise of treasure, and a chance to make a year's salary in a single day. Sulla and Liban grabbed a machine gun, a machete, and a radio before jumping onto the first skiff. Hassan, I will do the other boats behind me. Make sure you've got ropes, ladders, and guns. Underpass. Come on. Get those boats in the water. Faster. Move, move. On me. Stay wild on my flank. Go, go! Hassan, when we reach the target, I want you to hang back until Liban and I can speak with the hostages. Aye, aye, captain. And keep your eyes sharp. We need to know if we get any company. We'll keep our eyes peed, sir. Now go. Go! The skiffs bore across the flashing ocean, skimming across the sea like skipping stones, with each crewman hoving on tightly to ropes, boards, or whatever they could grab. The wind whippeth through their hail, and filled their lungs with the scent of salt and diesel. Hassan, Abdi, are the boats leaking? We were taking on water back near the Monastery, but as long as we have moving, we can drain it out. That's not the way too long when we find the ship. Water comes in faster if we're standing still. Understood. Let's keep going. The water splashed and frothed beneath each boat's bow as they charged forward. Four more kilometers. We can shit. Sala, what is it? I see something on the horizon. Aim at the binoculars. Damn it, it's Kassu. What? Shit! How far? About five clicks to the south. He's got his whole crew with him. Fuck. How many boats? I see six. Six to hour three. We need to get the ship first to claim it before Kassu. I'm trying. I have the engine being. Let's just hope she holds. I've got an idea. What? We are taking a shortcut. What? Trust me. Hassan, I will join the other men to stay on course. I'm going to veer off and try to close some distance through the reef lines. Captain, the reef is too shallow for boats. How? I know the reef, Hassan. He's right, you know. We're veering off. I will see what they target, Hassan. Make sure your guns are ready. Yes, Captain. Have you decided we need more hold in the boat? I decided that Kassu's not going to win this time. Whatever this boat is, it's ours. Not if we get stuck on the reef or lose an engine. See what I mean? There's a cut through the west side that we can feed through. I've done it before. But will you navigate at this speed? By having you watch at the bow. Too old for this, Salah. I need a spotter. Come on, LeBard. Okay, in position. The reef is coming up on the right. Hang on! Reef right. Now straight. Reef left. Reef left. We are halfway through. How's the right side? You've got about three feet. Good. Good, Salah. Keep going. Two kilometers away. Salah, there's a lot of sinking out on the left. Salah. I see it. We almost out. I see blue water. The glare is too strong. I can't see LeBard. Left or right. Quickly, left or right. Right. Go right, Salah. Salah yanked the wheel of the skiff, forcing the edge of the boat as well as LeBard's arm to dip into the water. The skiff shot out of the reef flats and streaked in the direction of LeBard's outstretched hand. Open water. We did it, LeBard. Yes. Yes, Salah. Salah looked over the left edge of his boat and saw the shallow reef drop away into the deeper blue sea. We're gaining on cash show. Less than a kilometer south. Get ready. Hand me the binoculars. Not much further. Anything? Nothing. We're almost there. Keep your eyes peeled. We're almost there. We're almost there. We're almost there. Keep your eyes peeled. Where is it? I can't see it. We're close. You must be low on the water. LeBard! LeBard! Look there. At two o'clock. I see it. As Salah and LeBard emerged back onto the deep, shimmering waters of the Arabian Sea. Oh my god. A glint on the horizon cut LeBard's sharp eye. Salah, it looks strange. Squinting against the sun's glare, he saw a sleek, silverish oval shape floating in the water 300 yards ahead. It looks like a submarine or maybe something else. Get us closer. As this gift drew closer, Captain Salah's eyes widened with wonder and confusion. I can't tell what it is. Look at the back. Those are engines. This is a ship. I'm telling you. Before them floated a strange marine craft so sleek and formidable in its ethereal design that it seemed to exist beyond the boundaries of known technology. How did it get here? Its long polished lines evoked the grace and power of a great whale moving through the ocean depths. Salah and LeBard stood in awe, marveling at the wondrous creation before them. LeBard, I don't know what this is, but it looks like it can feed our crew for months. Here, I'll pull alongside of it. Asan, Abdi, I need you here, now. Open up. Hello. Open your arch. We are here to help you. There's no entry point on the ship. We can't get inside without tools. We need to bring it back to land. Then we'll tow it into the shore and take care of it there. When Asan gets here, we'll have him run lines off the back of his skiff. Abdi, we found it. Where are you and Asan? We need you here right now. It's sitting low, might be sinking. Most of the body is underwater. I'm going to get on top of it and tie a tow rope. Salah, the surface, it's soft. Doesn't matter. Can you find any tie points? We need to get lines on the ship fast. Salah, I can hear people inside. The ship, it has passengers. Could be good ransom. Hey, hey, we're here to help you. We're here to help you. We're here to help you. This is what we've been waiting for. The king will be pleased with us. This buys us time. Asan, hurry! We're here, Captain. Oh my God. Is this the ship? Yes, yes. We have to hurry. Come on, get the ropes ready. Salah, Salah, look. We've got company. The hyenas have arrived. From the south, five aluminum skiffs with center consoles and outboard engines approached Salah's modest fleet. A small cigarette-style raser charged forward from the center. Captain Salah. Captain Karsho. What the fuck are you doing out here, Sonny? I found this ship. This is my bounty. This is my territory. This ship is mine. You know these are my waters by law of the king. Your waters, your ships, your territory, your bounty. Boys, see how much Captain Salah owns? We only came out here to help you. What are you talking about? Why would you help us? I'll tell you why. From behind, Captain Karsho moved a tall woman standing well over six feet. It looks like your boat's good use of help, eh? Her sharp eyes scanned Salah's crew, then pointed her gaze downward at the standing pool of water that was growing in the hulls of Salah's three weathered skiffs. Maybe Salah wants to be a submarine, Captain, too, eh? Shut your mouth, Ahado. You have your grand-bitchen. Fuck you, old man. I'll skin your bones before you can ask for the mission. Hey! Hey! What are you doing? Hey! Hey! Fuck Karsho. Everyone calm down. Be nice, Ahado. Yeah! You don't work for me, Levan, but I advise you to watch your tongue when you speak to Ahado because she likes to cut tongues out and collect them. Ahado smiled, exposing pointed teeth as she pulled back her vest and rested her left hand on a leather pouch hanging off her belt. What are you doing out here, Karsho? I told you. We are here to help you, Salah. I don't need your help. Our radar showed this, this ship, whatever it is, might be sinking. We wanted to make sure that you didn't lose something before you found it. Go back to camp, Karsho. Go back to Luhani and tell King Bashir I'm bringing home a prize for our camp. Ha! Salah, you are not bringing home anything with those leaky boats of yours. Salah looked down and saw the water in the hull of his boat continuing to rise. It is 60 miles to camp and that is against the current. In two hours, all of those boats will drift into my territory. And like you, Salah, I protect what's mine. What do you want, Karsho? My boats have bigger engines. My crew tows this ship back into camp at Luhani. We break it open, see what's inside. We split the reward. I'll give you half, Mom. You mean I'll give you half? Oh, we could just take it right now. Hey! Try to come near our boat and I shoot those teeth out of your bitch, Mom. I'll kill you with your own crippled leg. You old fool. Hey! Hey! Easy, ahado. What do you say, Salah? We found it. Why should we split with you? Don't be a fool, Salah. You know you need my help. Just ask for it. And if I refuse? What would the king say if you let a ship like this sink? If you lost a chance to make your quota... Mohamen, no. Okay, you win. Just ask for it. Please, will you help us, Karsho? Ah, yes! Yes, Salah. Petit Mo. I will help you. I will help the king's nephew. Ahado, have our men tie up this beautiful ship and drag it back into camp. How lucky we found it. Captain Salah and his boats are going to follow behind us. Fucking Karsho, he's right. We couldn't do it against the current. At least we'll get half. Don't be a fool. He's never going to give us half that lying shit. Come on, let it back into camp. At least we'll find out where the ship came from. Yes, online, in person, and on the go. Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you. Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup. Ah, the Regency Era. You might know it as the time when Bridgerton takes place. Where's the time when Jane Austen wrote her books? The Regency Era was also an explosive time of social change, sex scandals, and maybe the worst king in British history. Volker History's new season is all about the Regency Era, the balls, the gowns, and all the scandal. Listen to Volker History, Regency Era, wherever you get podcasts. You're now listening to the trailer for Redacted, a brand new horror comedy. Today, we're playing a simple game of Call My Blood. Okay, you've been uncharacteristically quiet. What do you think? Is that one of the victims? What do you mean? Reyes. No, cut it out, Jacob. Why are you pretending to be Jordan? Redacted is a brand new monster of the week horror comedy about Jacob Cain, a failing actor who assumes his late brother's life and finds himself in the Redacted unit, a covert agency tasked with containing impossible creatures and phenomena known as aberrations. Inspired by late 90s and early 2000s television, featuring incredible guest writers from the world of podcasting, film, and games, welcome to the Redacted unit. Redacted airs Fridays, 9 a.m. Central. Search Redacted on the podcast player of your choice, or visit theredactedunit.com for more info. Hush. Six hours later, back on land in the beachfront pirate camp of Lujani, the strange craft had been towed and pulled onto a sand beach and was surrounded by men shouting and brandishing industrial tools. It had taken Kachos and Salas men over two hours of heavy grinding with buzzsaws to open the hatch seal, revealing a disoriented total of tired, dehydrated, and frightened people. Who are you? Huh? Where are you from? Where is NZ? Where come NZ? How's what she blend? Can I see her? Where is she? Who are you? Do you know who? Speak! Speak damn it! Iban, Iban! They won't speak! Maybe it's shock. I don't know. I've never seen a ship like these. We need to find out who these people are, how much they were. And how the hell they came out of nowhere. We have to tell the king soon. If we don't then Kachos will jump in. Salah! Shit. It looks like you have made some new friends. Tell me, what have you learned, petit-maux? Who are all of our new friends? Don't know Kachos. We're still talking. That's funny. I only hear you talking, Salah. Go away, Sonny. Come back in an hour. Iban needs to speak to them. Ah, Salah. Your lieutenant is so smart. Not so many languages, eh? He has twice the brain even if he has half the legs. I think it's time for me to introduce myself. Watch me start the conversation, Salah. You could learn something. I'm Captain Kassos. And I'm going to speak to you in English. You look like you could speak English. Where do you come from? What is this shit? Who are you? I... You look valuable. Maybe not so valuable after all. Valuable people speak to Captain Kassos. So, I'm going to ask one last time. Where are you from? Where are you from? I am losing my patience. Ahado! Kassos' towering second-in-command stepped forward with a predatory grace. She sieved lethality as she slowly walked past the cowering row of hostages, standing taller than each one. Who are you? Speak. I... Who are you? Ahado's right biceps snapped and instantly her hand was on the man's face, squeezing his jaw open. Edward, let go of him! So, she does speak English. If you don't speak, then maybe. You don't need your tongue. I'll be very happy to take it. Let go! Watch her! Go look him! I'll kill every one of you if you hold him! Enough! I'll talk! Hold back! I'll talk! Just stop it! You speak English too? Yes. Just... please stop. I'll tell you anything. Just... just let him go! Sinclair, no. Ahado, release him. Kassos nodded at Ahado who released Edward's jaw and turned to look at her captain. Captain Kassos walked away leisurely toward the heavy-set man that had pushed his way to the front of the crowd. Where... are your people from? He rested the muzzle of his Kalashnikov rifle against Sinclair's chest. We are from... Leviathan. You have been listening to the Inveneos Expeditions, a Leviathan Chronicle story. Written and created by Christof Laputka, the Inveneos Expeditions is made possible by the generous support of our listeners. To listen ad-free and get exclusive bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage, become a subscriber at patreon.com slash Leviathan Chronicles. The Inveneos Expeditions was executive produced by Amish Jhun, produced by Robin Shore, original music by Luke Allen, editing by Luke Allen and Robin Shore, sound design by Jonathan Stevens and Robin Shore, casting and production by Claire Dodin, directed by Christof Laputka, starring Lex Damon as Sonny Kassos, Georgina Elizabeth O'Conn as Ahado, Isaac Robinson Smith as Muhammad Sala, Patrick Cabarty as Leban Ugas, Sophia Mahmoud as Hassan, Miles Greer as Abdi, Brittany Cox as Serena Narobi, Christopher Swindle as Edward Carnell, Time Winters as Sinclair Rousseau, and Melissa Medina as The Narrator. Additional voices by Miles Greer and Michael Woodley. For a full cast list and to learn more about our other audio productions, go to leviathanaudioproductions.com or follow us on social media. Thank you for supporting Leviathan Audio and thank you for listening. Oh please, not that music. That music gives me nightmares from my childhood. Could we get something a little bit lighter, some lighter music here? Are you a fan of true crime TV shows? And what about Unsolved Mysteries, the show that jump-started all of our love of true crime? I'm Ellen Marsh. And I'm Joey Taranto. And we host, I Think Not, a true crime comedy podcast covering some of the wildest stories from your favorite true crime campy TV shows all the way to Unsolved Mysteries. Baby, you will laugh, you will cry, you'll think about true crime in a whole new way, and you'll also ask yourself, who gave these people mics? New episodes of I Think Not are released every Wednesday with bonus episodes out every Thursday on Patreon. And every Monday you can listen to our True Crime Rundown, where we go over the top true crime headlines of the week. So come and join us wherever you listen to your podcasts. The war is over and both sides lost. Kingdoms were reduced to cinders and armies scattered like bones in the dust. Now the survivors claw to what's left of a broken world. Praying the darkness chooses someone else tonight, but in the shadow dark, the darkness always wins. This is old school adventuring at its most cruel. Your torch ticks down in real time, and when that flame dies, something else rises to finish the job. This is a brutal rules-light nightmare with a story that emerges organically, based on the decisions that the characters make. This is what it felt like to play RPGs in the 80s, and man, it is so good to be back! Join the Glass Cannon podcast as we plunge into the shadow dark, every Thursday night at 8 p.m. Eastern on youtube.com slash the glass cannon, with the podcast version dropping the next day. See what everybody's talking about and join us in the dark. Hi, this is Rob Benedict. And I am Richard Spate. We were both on a little show you might know called Supernatural. It had a pretty good run, 15 seasons, 327 episodes. And though we have seen, of course, every episode many times, we figured, hey, now that we're wrapped, let's watch it all again. And we can't do that alone, so we're inviting the cast and crew that made the show along for the ride. We've got writers, producers, composers, directors, and we'll of course have some actors on as well, including some certain guys that played some certain pretty iconic brothers. It was kind of a little bit of a left field choice in the best way possible. The note from Kripke was, he's great, we love him, but we're looking for like a really intelligent, decoveny type. With 15 seasons to explore, it's going to be the road trip of several lifetimes. So please join us and subscribe to Supernatural then and now.