The Invenios Expeditions | Chapter 7 - The Decadis

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Shifting a little money here, a little there, and hoping it all works out? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can be a better budgeter and potentially lower your insurance bill too. You tell Progressive what you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll help you find options within your budget. Try it today at Progressive.com, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. Price and coverage matched, limited by state law. Not available in all states. Hello, this is Robin Shore, lead producer at Leviathan Audio Productions. If you listened to chapter 6 of the Inveneos Expeditions, you may have caught Gibson mention a podcast called Don't Push the Moose. And surprise, that's a real show, and you can listen to it exclusively on our Patreon at patreon.com slash leviathan chronicles. That's the only place you'll find it. And with that, Patreon supporters get the Inveneos Expeditions and the Leviathan Chronicles completely ad-free, plus access to bonus content like original music, artwork, cast interviews, behind the scenes videos, and more. Your support makes all of this possible. It helps us pay our cast and crew, and allows us to continue building Leviathan Audio Universe. If you're enjoying the show, please consider joining us at patreon.com slash leviathan chronicles. And now, please enjoy chapter 7 of the Inveneos Expeditions. The Inveneos Expeditions A Leviathan Chronicles Story A Leviathan Chronicles Story Chapter 7 The Decadess You have to find me! No, go back! No, I wouldn't ask my team to do anything I wouldn't do myself. Good luck, Amina. This discovery of the PX could be a game changer. Is it? No, you're the one to die. Whatever the cost. Whatever the cost! Whatever! That's the cost. If we pull this off, I'm gonna tell our future kid what a badass their line is. The PX doesn't belong to you. You have no business digging in out of this. You sabotage the world. No, I don't. I have a choice. Whatever the cost. You have to find me. I just wanted to make a difference. I wanted to make a better world for our children. You can't question my commitment. I just didn't want to stick around. Duh! Hold on, Dom! Glad I can always count on you, Samantha. Cardio, my apathy. Thanks to your heart. Running out of time, buddy! You may need to start this at all. Heart-relief is what's future for you. You're playing for the wrong size, Samantha Gale. We need to introduce you as the Ape Dome. Yes, you've been seen here! Dominique! Dominique! Dom! Oh. Oh. Oh. I need to find a radio. Ah. Cormorant's just down the hall. Alright. Please be there. Deccadus, come in. Do you read, Deccadus? Shit. Deccadus, this is Greenfang. Come in. Deccadus, do you copy? This is Deccadus' shit control. Deccadus, this is Greenfang. Requesting lighthouse coordinates. Repeat. Need North Star to lighthouse. Negative Greenfang. Lighthouse is dark. Deccadus, no. Come back. Need is high. Requesting lighthouse coordinates. Invite list is closed. Greenfang. And repeat. Need is high, Deccadus. I'm bringing pie to the pot. My own recipe. Transmitting coordinates, Greenfang. Watch your step. Deccadus out. Take what I can get. Samantha. Oh, Telly. You scared me. Sorry, I didn't mean to. What were you doing? Hey, sorry, I got lost. I was looking for the staircase to the library. The library is downstairs. Yeah, I guess I just... Can't sleep? Not well. Yeah, I get it. Come on, I was just heading there. Okay, thanks. Samantha Kell and Jeffrey Telly walk down the Inveneos' central staircase that led them to the ship's library. Little Insomniacotu, too, Telly. Yeah. Yeah, I think it's a combination of jet lag and insomnia and maybe some indigestion. I get that. You want some coffee or something? No, no, I think I'm fine. If you're not ready to talk about it, it's fine, but do you know what your plans are for the PX? I'm not trying to be insensitive, but I really want to get your cargo off my ship before we tie down in any harbor. We can't take the risk. No, I get it. We had a deal. Speaking of which? I know. I promised I'd help you get through the Suez and get a jump on historical explorations. Look, it's not about getting a jump. You're worried your ex-wife is going to find the Highland Rose before you will. I'm not worried about anything. Actually, that's not true. I'm worried about you and having stolen goods on my ship. If we get boarded, they're going to think I was in on it, and then we lose everything. Everything we built on the Inveneos. I get what it's like to lose everything. Look, you just have to get me to Jeddah. I gotta ask. I mean, I know Jeddah is the largest port in Saudi Arabia, but... But what? It doesn't seem like the kind of place that's good for a woman, especially one that doesn't like to play by the rules. Well, maybe that makes it the place people would at least expect to find a woman who doesn't like to play by the rules. Who's looking for you, Samantha? No one, Tully. I just want to get off your ship and into safe hands. Do you have transport already arranged? From what you've said, this PX isn't exactly stable at room temperature. I'm a little worried about you and the situation you're entering. Tully, what's really on your mind? I don't think this is about me. Your sudden concern. I appreciate the love, and you held up your end, but... What are we both doing up at three o'clock in the morning in the North Atlantic Ocean? I don't know what you're talking about. I think you do. Okay, look. You still haven't told me how the hell you plan on getting us through the Suez Canal. I told you since that missile incident, put the planet on a security alert. There's no private vessels allowed through the canal. Not without two weeks of paperwork and inspection. Same thing in Panama. Just trust me. Says the Eco-Spy who just stole from her own government for a reclusive billionaire no one has seen in a decade. Trust me. And why the hell should I do that? Because, Tully, I still have an ace up my sleeve. What the hell does that mean? Samantha slipped Tully a small piece of paper with a series of numbers written down on it. Plot a course for the Invinios. These coordinates. I can tell by looking at this it's east of us. The Mediterranean, I'm guessing. What's waiting for us at these coordinates? Everything you could possibly want. Lujani, Somalia. This is where Kashi is keeping the prisoners. And look who's guarding the door. Shit. It's Hasan. He thinks he's tougher than us now that he works for Kashi. He does whatever Kashi wanna hard or tell him. Fucking lab dog. He'll never let the scene without a fight. I've got an idea. Hasan! Liban? Salah? I thought you were a sailor, not a doorman. What are you doing? We need to see the prisoners. These are Kashi's prisoners. Help us for all time's sake. Go away. We need to talk to them, Hasan. It's important. I don't take orders from you anymore. Please, Hasan. The king gave the prisoners to Kashi. You know I can't let you through. Come on, stop fucking around. We need to talk to them now. The prisoners belong to us, Salah. Because we make money for the king. You only make trouble. The king gave me their boat and the right to salvage. Do you want me to tell the king that you are stopping us from finding treasure for him on the boat? There is no treasure on that boat. Maybe that's what you think. But when you're wrong, what will Bashir say? I don't take orders from the king. I only take orders from Kashi. You think you scare us because you work for Kashi now? Don't test me, old man. I remember teaching you how to load that gun. You couldn't shoot straight anyway. Come on, Salah. He's still a boy. He's not going to hurt us. Hey! Kashi says you won't be around long anyway. If one works for me, not Kashi, keep your fucking hands off him. You broke the king's law. Crews cannot fight over crews. The king won't punish Kashi, but you, you small and weak. That's right. The king doesn't care about weak things. Fuck you! Hasan, stop! Just let us talk to the prisoners. I just need one of them. Give me one hour with them and I'll bring them back. I don't want to start a war with you or Kashi. Because Ahado will destroy you. I know. And besides, if we do find something in this ship, something of value, we both know Kashi was going to take it anyway and he would reward his loyal soldier like you. Hasan glared at both men, unmoving. One hour and you take only one prisoner. Yes, Hasan. One hour. I promise. Come on, Lebanon. Hasan stepped aside, allowing a mutual exchange of hateful glances between Leban and himself as they passed through. You tricked him into hitting you, did you? Of course. That was good thinking. Next time, you be the bait. I've got for your body parts to spare, you know? Inside the neglected building, Leban and Salah found the prisoners sitting on the stone floor in the main room. Who are you? Serena sat with Edward in one corner, separate from Archie, Cecilia and William in the other. You come to torture us more? No. My name is Salah and everyone will be okay. No one gets hurt if you listen to me. Which one of you drives the ship? The immortals exchanged uneasy glances at one another in silence. We don't have time for games. Who drives the ship? If you don't talk to us, then the other man, Cascio, will come back and he's not interested in your ship. Help us and we will help you. I'm Leban Werrily, Archie rose to his feet. Are you the captain? It's her. She's the one you want. Fucking traitorous pig! How dare you betray Serena? Leave her alone. Take me. I can help you. Edward, sit down. It's okay. It's okay. What is it you want to know? No. We want you to come with us. We need to go inside of your ship. Why? No questions! You listen. You obey. Captain Salah walked over to Edward. And if you try to run? And placed his hand on the man's shoulder. You'll never see any of your friends alive again. The End This way. We dragged your boat onto land past the beach. Did you need me to help you drag it further? What kind of ship is this? It's called a Zephyr. Where is it from? He told you. It's from a place called Leviathan. It's not on your map. Why were so many people on such a small ship? It was a lifeboat. Our city was flooded. I don't understand. You can drive away from a city. Did you leave on a boat? No. Not the way you think. Tell me about your home. How does one get there? You need a ship like the one you found us in. By the setting African sun, Serena could see the Zephyr ahead of them, sitting atop a sandbirm, slightly tilted, and with rusted metal cables draped over its dented and cracked hull. That's sadly not this one. You're Leviathan. It's a real place, isn't it? It was. Listen to me now. Kashi and his men, they will hurt you and your people. It's not a good man, but we can help you. Where was your help when Kashi beat the shit out of my friend? Look, they want to sell you, but they have no buyer. Yet, if there is money inside your ship or something we can sell, then maybe we can let you go. You wouldn't let us go? If you help us, right now. There's no money inside our Zephyr. Then why is the cabinet locked under the pilot's chair? Serena's heart fell. Her mind suddenly raced. That's just a fuse box. There's nothing there. Selah stepped closer to Serena's face. Show us. Go inside. Serena, Leban and Selah stepped inside the heavily damaged Zephyr craft. Beyond the hatch door that had been sought open, the sleek interior of the craft was damp with the smell of stale rain and seawater. Wires and strands of metal hung downwards from being ransacked. Looks like you already found everything. I think there might be more. Why did you bring me here? Go to the front. Sit in a cockpit. You know, the ship needs to be in water for me to steer it? I can't drive it far on land. This is not time for jokes underneath your chair. We found a box. A locked box. It's just a mechanical port. Fuses for the lighting and instruments. Show us. With two pairs of hungry eyes watching her every move, Serena bent down to access the safe box under the pilot's chair. She placed her fingers on the handle, releasing the security hatch. Quickly Serena reached her arm deep inside. She felt the satchel containing the parcel, but passed it further inside. It was a small button next to a dial. Serena turned the dial several notches before pressing the button. Get back. Get back from the chair. Leban stuck his hand within the open cavity under the pilot's chair and removed the satchel, holding it high above his head like a freshly caught fish. I didn't lie. That's just a spare part for the ship. Silla eyed Serena menacingly before reaching his hand inside the satchel and pulling out a silver cube that glistened even in the half light in the Zephyr. I don't know what this is, and I don't know Leviathan, but I know value. You wanted to hide this, and now it's mine. Let's take her back to Hassan, and then we can examine the objects in a place where I have tools. Tools won't help you. I'm in the night with you. Come on. Get up. Get up. We're going. I promise you, it's not what you think. Shut up. You already lied once. Maybe there's diamonds inside. It's heavily banned. It could be gold. We have to open it and find out. And remember... The Zephyr exploded into a violent mushroom crowd of orange flame stretching over 50 feet into the sky. 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She saved so much, she got a seat close enough to actually see and hear them. Sordov, you were made to scream from the front row. We were made to quietly save you more. Expedia, made to travel. Savings vary and subject to availability. Light-inclusive packages are at all protected. Tully, how much longer until we reach the coordinates? Any minute now. I just thought we'd get here faster. Well, you didn't exactly give us time to take on fuel back in the Azores. And I don't like the idea of running by Gibraltar with the tribe and drive at full sale. Not exactly a discreet way to enter the Mediterranean, given what we have on board. I thought discretion mattered. So does timing. We're on a schedule. Oh yeah? Who's schedule? Captain, I'm showing a vessel on an intercept course heading to us. What kind of vessel? I'm not getting any AIS signal. Looks big. Very big. Definitely merchant. How far are we from the shipping lanes? We're between Mallorca and Sardinia, so most of the traffic is about 150 miles south of us. No major port this close. Cut your engines. What? What are you talking about? Cut your engines, Tully. Now! First, tell me why. Because otherwise, we'll get passed by. Or worse, run over. I'm not sure how much nautical experience you have, but typically boat engines allow the ship to move out of the way. Just cut the fucking engines, Tully. Do you trust me? Not unless I have to. Then do it. Abby, bring us to full stop. Power down the engines. Aye, Captain. Hey, Tully. Why are we stopping? Did your hat blow off or something? No, Oberlin. I'm trusting Samantha. Oh. I'd better come up to the bridge. Captain, this vessel is getting closer. Now two miles off our starboard. Same heading? Right. I get the sense these are friends of yours. Friends is a strong word. Gibson, are you in the flight deck? I am now, Captain. I want eyes in the air to see what ship feels like paying us a visit. Should I launch a Seahawk, sir? No. We don't need that much range. Let's get something smaller. How soon can you get the hummingbird in the air? As soon as you give the word. The word is given. Take her up to 1500 feet and sling the camera feed to the bridge. Aye, Captain. Launching hummingbird. On the tip of the Inveneos' bow, a small round portholes. A small quadrotor drone rose through and continued directly up. The underside of the hummingbird was dominated by a glass semi-sphere camera array, giving a 360-degree visual feed. Hummingbird now holding at 1500 feet, Captain. Are you getting this? Flight deck, we are receiving the feed on our end. Okay, so what's going on? Why are we... Oh, that's a big ship. That's one of the TI-class super tankers. There's only four of these in the world. Looks like they made five. And apparently it's heading right for us. I see. Are we going to move? Apparently not. I see. Target vessel now one mile out and maintaining course. That doesn't give us a lot of time. Sam, do your oversized friends have a name? It's called the Deccadis. Abbey, hail them on radio. Are you crazy? No comms, tell me. Just sit tight. Oh, just sit tight while we get keel hauled by a super tanker six times our size? That's the plan? It doesn't sound like a big deal. No, it doesn't. Captain, this thing is huge. It's got to be as big as the USS Rakin. Oh, shit. Captain, I'm seeing a flare light from the deck. I think it's a laser. What the fuck? Holy shit. What was that? Captain, that boat took out our drone. I saw that. Really great friends, Sam. Your buddies owe me $25,000 for a new quadro. Look, no radio, no video. This is low profile. There is literally a steel plate on the deck. There is literally a steel mount just off our starboard side. Low fucking profile. Just sit tight. Sit tight? Does that iceberg even see us or is it just going to fry us with a laser? Sit tight. Captain, it's less than 400 meters. If we're going to move, it has to be now. Trust me, Tully. I don't trust that no radio having laser shooting behemoths, let alone you. Abbey, spool up the Cyclone engines and get us to- Oh my god, Tully, look! The gargantuan vessel bored down on the Inveneos, now blocking the sun from view on the bridge. It was seconds away from smashing into the right side of the Inveneos when the front bow of the super tanker suddenly split open. The outstretched bay doors widened horizontally, flanking both sides of the Inveneos. Oh, I now feel like a ship in a bottle. Yeah, I'm straight. Did we just get eaten by a floating Pac-Man? As the tanker continued forward, the Inveneos was swept into the interior of the ship. I think I understand how Jonah felt. Which Tully could see contained several rows of floating docks with yachts, speedboats, and even two fishing trawlers tied off within the tanker. Over there. There's a berth on the far left for us. Oh yeah? How do you know? I know. On the far left, floating docks stood a heavyset man wearing a dark turtleneck and double-breasted blazer festooned with gold buttons. He stood motionless while several deckhands urgently scurried around him, tying off lines to the Inveneos and securing it to the interior of the decadus. Follow me. Let me do the talking. Please, after you. Well, I'm glad Sheffy's not doing the talking. I hope they validate parking. Samantha Tully and Oberlin walked down the gangplank of the Inveneos to set foot on the interior dock of the decadus. Holy! This place is like a floating airplane hangar times ten? There are some serious boats in here. Whoever is running this operation has some pretty swanky friends. Samantha! Oh, and I think we're about to meet our master of ceremonies. What an unexpected pleasure to see you again. Welcome. Hello Boris. Uh, quite an operation you have here. Captain Boris Fedorov, may I present Jeffrey Tully? Captain of the Inveneos and his first officer Oberlin St. Clair. Welcome aboard the decadus, gentlemen. My apologies about your drone craft, but we try to keep a low profile surrounding our ship. So I've heard. This is incredible. Wow! I mean, just look at this. How many yachts are parked here? It depends greatly upon where we're sailing, Mr. St. Clair. Many of our guests prefer to arrive by helicopter, but others prefer the comfort of their own vessels. Guests? What kind of guests? Ah, Captain Tully. I believe I've read about you recently, no? The treasure hunter de jour. You found the shipwreck, the Elando Cortes. I think I saw you on the cover of some magazines. Uh, yeah. I mean, along with Oberlin. It took us a while, but yeah, finally found it. And may I ask, what was it that led you to find the wreck? After so many years of searching. I guess you could say, I just got lucky. Ha ha ha ha! Well, if you're a lucky man, I think you've come to the right place. Well, that sort of begs the question, doesn't it? What is this place? What's the racket? Smuggling? Tully! Ha ha ha! I see Samantha didn't tell you about the decadus. Always with your secrets, sir. No, Mr. Tully. Nothing so primitive as smuggling. I think you'll understand the nature of our operation when you come upstairs. Upstairs? Yes, Mr. St. Clair. What you see here is a very small part of the decadus. Our boat port is really just an accommodation for discretion. Well, now I'm really interested to see what's upstairs. I'm sure Samantha would be happy to show you around. After all, this isn't her first time aboard the decadus. No, it isn't. Somehow I'm not surprised. What time do we start, Boris? In three hours. I'll leave instructions to save you a seat. Thank you. And you've made the preparations? The usual arrangement. The usual arrangement, then. Good. Gentlemen, I must apologize, but my duties require me to be elsewhere on the ship. I wish you a good evening and good luck. Hey, Oberlin. Yeah? Does it bother you when the guy who shot our drone and swallowed our boat says, good luck? I think it does. Yeah, me too. So what's upstairs, Samantha? And what starts in three hours? I'll show you, but there's only one problem. What's that? We're decidedly underdressed. Within the hour, Captain Fedorov had appropriate black tie apparel brought down for the entire crew of the Inveneos. Tully, Oberlin, Sheffi and Gibson all wore crisp tuxedos along with black cummerbunds, while Abby wore crimson floor-length velvet gown, and Yuki surprised with a tailored tuxedo of her own. I think we're the most dapper crew ever to be swallowed by another ship. Fair point, Chief. And I have to say, Sheffi, you're looking most keen in your new threads. Oh, it helps me to marry you then. But I'm the big Yuki, Miss Abby. You're the one that makes the little chef. Oh, Sheffi. You do me a Yuki, but I take twice to see you, I don't want. Such a charmer. Oh, I fucking give up. I thought our dress whites in the navy looked sharp. I could get used to this. But, uh, can someone tell me what the hell we're doing? I can. Samantha Kell entered the library wearing a tailored white pantsuit with oversized black sunglasses. Good evening to you, Miss Kell. I see you wear your sunglasses at night. I see you know how to tie a bow tie. Is the moonlight shining too brightly in the cargo hull that our ship seems to be trapped in? We're not trapped. Not yet. We're guests. Guests of whom? The decadence isn't an easy ship to get on board. Funny. We seem to have no problem. I'd like to make sure we can get off the board. I'm gonna try to make sure of it. Try. Follow me. All of you. Samantha and the Inveneo's crew traversed the gang plank and walked down the long dock to an ornate elevator at the far end of the cargo. Along the way, they passed several other ships, some more luxurious and even larger than the Inveneos. Hey! I recognized that boat. We saw it a few days ago when we had the Seahawk Airborne. The seven of them entered the large elevator, and while there were no numerals on the buttons, Samantha pushed the red one at the top. A few moments later, the brass doors opened to a cupcophony of orgiastic sounds, lights, and activity. Holy shit. The crew walked out of the elevator and onto a casino floor that was larger than any gaming venue that they had ever seen. Oh my god, this place has got to be larger than five football fields. The gargantuan interior of the decadence had been converted into an opulent temple of gambling, with rows of slot machines, roulette leaves, and blackjack tables stretching the length of the entire ship. Slap my ass and call me Sam. Why? Never did I know I like it. Damn straight. Crystal chandeliers hung over thick marble fountains, while a uniformed waitstaff swiftly ferried trays of champagne flutes and delicacies on dishes. Welcome to the decadence. So...it's a casino? A big floating casino? It's more than that. This is the main floor. But there are other levels on the ship where guests can indulge in any desire, sin, or perversion that their heart desires. How does this place exist? It doesn't. At least not legally. The decadence sails mostly in international waters. And access is only by helicopter or charter boat. A rich man's playground. Rich doesn't cut it. This kind of access is extended only to the very truly wealthy. Heads of state, religious leaders, third world autocrats, CEOs, cartel bosses. Seems like a lot of effort to get your rocks off. It's more than that. It's what money can't buy. What's that? Privacy. Complete and utter discretion. The complete absence of accountability and freedom from any prying eyes. So all those ships that were docked downstairs... Belong to guests of the decadence. They can park their yachts in the interior of the ship and disappear from view while they enjoy the buffet. So what do we do? Well, you're all dressed up and have everywhere to go. Have fun and explore the ship. Explore the decadence? Relax. I mean that literally. There's a full spa on the gate level. And there's also three nightclubs with DJs if you'd want to go dancing. Plus the karaoke bar, cigar lounge. Wait, wait, wait. Would you say karaoke bar? And if you're hungry there's... Yes! I'm in! Who's with me? Ah, screw you guys. I'm glad someone found what they were looking for. Frankly, I find this whole enterprise repulsive. I think it's reprehensible that a... That... That... What? Chief? Abigail looked at Oberlin, whose gaze was now focused far away. Oh, shit. Was that Liverpool playing Arsenal? This line of sight had landed on a massive bank of multiple television screens. Fuck, I hate those punters. Most of which had European football matches playing. Oh, look at that goal. That was masterful. Excuse me! But I've got 50 quid that says nothing about it. And that's the decadence. Something for everybody. Well, listen, I have an appointment with some people elsewhere on the ship, so... What kind of people? People that like to shuffle cards and bet on the outcome tully. I'm sure you'll all find some mischief to get into. I'll see you back on the Inveneos. Something doesn't smell right. I'm gonna follow her. Huh? Don't go too far, guys. Well, then there were three. Abby, you think we should... Hey, where are you going? Did you hear what she said? There's three clubs on the ship, and I have my dancing shoes on. But I thought you said... I'm not wasting this dress on watching octogenarians bet on red. Sheffy said he'll teach me the forbidden Liberian tango. Yeah, I did. We had one time a bubba-bashin' of that on a cruise, yeah? He said it can get you arrested in seven countries. We are over there, but I ain't been in Luxembourg on business. You know what I'm saying? Damn straight. I don't give a damn. No, I guess I'll go have a drink at the bar. Uh, what to get? What to get? Good evening, sir. What might I prepare for you? Um, just a rum and coke, I guess? Any type of rum you'd prefer? Uh, cheap kind? All cocktails are complimentary. Ah, the really expensive kind. Right away, sir. Anything else? No, no. It's just me. Drinking alone? Gibson turned and found himself staring at a woman with a gun. He turned and found himself staring at a woman with dark hair cut even shorter than his own. She wore a nose ring, leather collar, and had a small tattoo of a purple flower decorating the nape of her neck. Oh, hi. Hey, listen, I'm not really interested in... Stop. Don't worry. I'm not one of the decaduses entertainers. I'm one of the guests. My name's Dahlia. Hi, Dahlia. I'm Gibson. I didn't mean... Didn't mean what? No, I just might not be your type. I heard you say you were drinking alone? I did. Well, so am I. That makes you my type. You don't really strike me as a type that would be drinking by themselves. The person I came with... They're finding themselves occupied. So you came here with someone? Doesn't everyone? Who did you come here with, Gibson? Oh, I came here on a boat with my crew. The Inveneos. Inveneos? Sounds like a war cry before people with swords and shields go into battle. No, no. It actually comes from the Latin word in Vino, which means to seek or to find. And what have your crew and your ship been looking for? Well, it's kind of a long story. I'd love to hear it. Hair, word, Barbados. 1780, aged, rum, and coke. Thank you. Make it two, please. I think I'm about to hear a very interesting story. And on the distant end of the decadence casino floor, Captain Tully found himself having to exert concerted effort to keep pace with Samantha's lengthy strides as she approached a large crowd that had congregated near one of the ship's grand fountains. Hey, hey, did I talk to you? I thought I'd find you knee-deep in ships at the back of that table. Yeah, not my style. Well, there's always the bingo parlor on the third level. What are you doing? I mean, what are you really doing on this boat? Keeping up my end of the bargain. I don't like the game you're playing. I'm off to play poker. You don't like poker? I love poker. What I don't like is secrets. Where are you going? I told you, Tully, I'm going to play some cards. I think you're playing us, and I think you're trying to sell the PX and get rid of us. You're either out of your mind or you found the free tequila bar. Either way, you're making me late. Move. Where's the PX, Samantha? I checked the cargo hold of the Inveneos, and the PX is gone. It's not there. You want to tell me what you did with it? The PX is safe, Tully. I'll see you back on the ship. Can I be honest? Please. I'm trusting you less and less, and I'm not letting you out of my sight. My ship and my crew are being held against our will on an amusement park boat for criminals. How do I know you're not in on it with these guys and that Captain Fedorov? What about the captain? You two seem awfully familiar. We go back. Well, I don't. What's your point? How do I know you're not selling the PX to Fedorov and us down the river? You probably don't, but that's not my problem. I'm not selling the PX, Tully. It's meant for something Dominique died for, and that's why we're going to Jeddah. Not everything has a price. I know that's hard for you to grasp. Then where are you going in such a hurry? I'm late for a card game. You can come and watch if you'd like. Maybe I will. But do me one favor, and just stand over there. Oh yeah? Why? My apologies. Madam Count, we have a seat at the table waiting. Because sometimes I worry. If you'll be so kind as to follow me? That you just have bad luck, Tully. Shit. At this age, people aren't just watching. They're cheering. Together, this winter, everyone is all on the same team. Comcast, proud partner of Team USA. The countdown is complete. There's no going back. Doctor Active is clear. Hang on! Tron Aries, now streaming on Disney Plus, rated PG-13. Well, a lot of it's technical, and you probably find it boring to hear me go on. No, no. I loved your more about your shit and the adventures. Yes, Captain? Uh, excuse us. Please. Hey, Gibson, come over here. I need to talk to you. Of course. Uh... I'm sorry. I understand. Hey, what's up, Captain? Walk with me. I need you to keep this quiet, but I need eyes on Samantha Kell. I don't trust her, and I want to follow her wherever she goes on the decadence. I want to see what she's doing and who she's talking to. And the sandfly drone on the Invenios do that, you know, discreetly. Yeah. Yeah, we engineered the sandfly to mimic a Juvenile dragonfly. Used it back in the Navy for our SR office. Intelligence surveillance recon. Never had a single compromise. Think you can get a signal through the walls of the ship? We can try. I've had it charged up since we left San Miguel. Okay, let's quietly head back to the Invenios and get you in the flight chair. Where will you be? I'll grab a radio and take the sandfly back up to the casino room. Got it. Let's fly. Gibson. Gibson, do you read? I read you, Captain. Got a clear audio signal. Good. I'm on the casino floor looking for Samantha. I'm going to lean over and open my tuxedo pocket. You pilot the sandfly directly upward. There's high ceilings on this deck of the ship, so no one should see a bug flying around up there. Roger that. Connecting to flight telemetry. Outward drone upward and there. Got a visual feed of the casino floor. You can see you, Captain, in about a ten yard radius around you. Can you clock Sam? Do you see which way she went? I'm looking around, but I'm not seeing her. For the sunglasses. Go further left, closer to the fountain. I think I see a bunch of people over there. Yeah, I see that too. See if I can zoom in. Yeah, that looks like a poker tournament. A lot of people watching. I'm walking that way. The velvet rope keeps people back. No, wait. I think I see her. Yeah, it's Sam. Definitely here. She's being led through the crowd. This is the VIP area. They're sitting here down. Can you get in a little closer? Enough to get an audio feed? Let me try, Captain. See a molding on the wall where I think I could blend the sandfly. You can be out of sight. Try to pick up some audio from there. Audio and visual. I want to be able to see the cards everybody's holding. Welcome, Madam. The elegantly dressed dealer gestured for Samantha to sit down at the last position on the wide half circle poker table with six other players. A drink, Madam? No, thank you. She quickly let her eyes scan her opponents and carefully noted the amounts of chips each held in front of them. Okay, what do we have? First guy, American, Texas A&M ring, wedding band on the other, small stack. It's here for the girls, not money. He'll be easy to push out. The buy-in is three million dollars. I'll sign. Next guy, wearing a Dostasha Arab. Looks like three and a half in front of him. He's ahead, but not by much. Probably didn't play hold him in college. He'll also be sober. He'll play tight passive, much for any heavy raises. Your credit slip, Madam. Please sign here. Samantha scribbled her name on a small sheet bearing the Decadesis logo of the Eye of Providence flanked by a pair of Icarus wings. Your chips, Madam. The logo was also evident on the three million dollars of chips that was brought before her. The third and fourth seats are harder. Woman, olive skin, diamond, milagro charm on her pendant. Maybe Mexican or South American. At least four million in front of her. Women play smarter than men. She's the most dangerous at the table. The other guy, African, hard to tell. He's got a little more than three million in front of him, but he's sweating. Looks nervous. New hand. Players ready? The next guy, Indian businessman. I see, but he's the shortest stack at the table. And he's turning to smile at his buddies. He's just here for the t-shirt. He'll be gone in two hands. Madam Cal, would you like to cut the deck? Hey, hey, what's with this woman? There he is, the big swinging deck at the table. Ah, shi-bar. Mr. Yoon wishes to express his displeasure at this player's privilege when he clearly has the highest chip count at the table. Korean med forties? Looks like he's back in eight million in chips, which means he's already knocked out a few players. He's gonna try to push his stack around and play loose. By all means, with a stack so big, why don't you cut the cards? As well as any tension at the table. Ah, shi-bar. Turn the cards. Let's go now. The cards have been cut. The blinds are 50 and 100 thousand dollars. To you, Mr. Abouti. Without speaking, the African gentleman slayed 100 thousand dollars toward the center of the table. The Mexican woman, the small blind, followed with 50 thousand dollars. Players, good luck. Clubby, clubside, shi-bar. Queen of spades, ace of diamonds. King of clubs, nine of diamonds. Jack of diamonds, eight of clubs. Three of diamonds, seven of spades. Six of hearts, two of spades. Ace of diamonds, ace of hearts. Well, fuck me. To you, Mr. Said. I'm out. I'm in. 100. I'm in. 100. Raise 300. Raise 300. Ah, my fault. This has got something. Call. Call 300. To you, Madam Cal. C300. Raise 200. Ha ha ha. Let's try this woman now. Shi-bar, yeah. That's great. Call. I'll raise more for you. What are you going to do now? Call. Raise 100 thousand dollars. To you, Mr. Abouti. An additional $300,000 to call. Call. He's not thinking. To you, Madam Hernandez. Auntie is now $600,000. I call. Mr. Callahan. Well, shit. That escalated quickly. I'm out. Fold. And to you, Madam Cal. I... Raise. What are you doing? With parking aces, you should just go all in. No, no, she's slow playing her hand. Trying to sweeten the pot. Man, that's risky. Call Madam. Four players. The top is $2.4 million. Here comes the flop. Three is close. Five is close. Six is done. Well, that didn't help. You're still holding the highest pair. This is to you, Mr. Abouti. Check. To you, Madam Hernandez. Huh. Raise 500 thousand. Let's make it interesting. Hmm. I see your pendant must be bringing you good luck. I'll call. 500 thousand. 500 call. To you, Mr. You. Ah, damn it. What's so funny? I'm going to get a shit out of this. Damn it. Call. Hey. Mr. Youn will call. 500 thousand dollars. Mr. Abouti. I fooled. All bets in. Three players. The pot stands at $3.9 million. And now, the time. Welcome to 4th Street. Ace of Spain. Yes. Three of a kind. All aces. Shit. The map is going to win. Haven't reached the river yet. Hernandez. Hmm. Raise 200. Weak raise. She's bluffing. Wants me to think she has an ace. That's her low. Well, now that's interesting. 200, huh? Hmm. Let's see if you're as good at playing your cards as you are at showing them. The call is 200 to you. Oh, I'm in. 200 thousand. Let's make it a fiesta. Well, but remember, in a fiesta, someone always has to clean up the mess. May the best woman win. It's so much fun. Are you doing the world made? Let's have more fun. Okay, I'll have more fun. $1 million raise. Mr. Yoon raises both women. $1 million. 800 thousand. No. What's this guy doing? He's got a two and a four. He's trying to bluff. Well, they beat that. I call. It's a fiesta now. Madam Cal. Be careful, Samantha. Wow. Now you've got me curious to see what hand you're trying to bluff me with, and I'm willing to pay 800 thousand to find out. I call. The madam calls. The pot stands at 6.1 million dollars. And now, the final cost. The river card. Ace of cards. Yes. Four of a kind. All aces. Four of a kind. I knew she didn't have an ace. Now let's see if I can't get a little more out of this arrogant prick. Raise 500 thousand. Hey, hey, Jimmy. Jimmy, you saw this, right? This is it. Why is a woman weaker than a man? Look, she's raising money for me. Oh, you're so stupid. You're scared now. Mr. Yoon has expressed both a desire to call and raise an additional 400 thousand dollars. Does he no longer wish is the displeasure of looking at your disgusting sunglasses? Something's not right. Gibson, did you say this guy has? He's got nothing. Two and a four. What suit, Gibson? Tell me what suit. What? Uh, playing the sand fly over to the left. Let me get on the camera. Yeah, two, four. Looks like clubs. Two of clubs, four of clubs. Fuck, don't you see? He's got a flush. A straight flush. Ace, two, three, four, five. All clubs. It's the highest hand in poker. The fucker got lucky on the river. He's got the nuts. Shit. Sam's walking to a trap. She's got a little... Tony ripped off his earpiece and ran to the high stakes poker table that was now surrounded by excited onlookers. Get out of my way. Mr. Yoon raises an additional $400,000, Madam Cal. You will need to use all your chips and go all in to meet the call. Samantha paused, then removed her sunglasses. She held them in front of her, considering them. Then tossed them in the center of the table beside the millions of dollars in casino chips. She stared directly at Mr. Yoon. And in front of me, a woman was sitting in front of me. I'll try again. I like Korean. I'll get you a whole bottle of beer, a whole bottle of engine screw, and a whole bottle of beer. I only have $400,000 left. But, uh, do you think you look stupid? Mr. Yoon has expressed his surprise at your evidently poor mathematical skills. He politely reminds you that you have only $400,000 left in your embarrassingly small stack of chips. Not $50 million. I bet my ship the invinias. What? Are you out of your mind? You gotta let me through. She can't do that. You gotta let me talk to that crazy lady at the table. Hey, you need to step back, sir. You don't understand. She can't do that. It's my ship. Sir, I'm not gonna warn you again. You need to step back. No fucking way I'm gonna warn you again. Sir, I've already warned you. Sir, move! Sir! Get the sass all out of here. And I'll be expecting you to swim back here and go back. Mr. Yoon graciously accepts your foolish wager and expresses his great desire to watch you swim back to Europe. All in. All wages are settled then. Mr. Yoon, Madam Cal, please show your cards. Twin rockets. Pochettasis. For of a kind. Watch the face of this woman who shows me her cards. Straight flush. The high hand. Mr. Yoon wins. Samantha's heart froze. She began to lose all feeling in her arms a numbness that quickly spread to her hands that lay motionless on the green felt of the table. There were sounds around her. People speaking excitedly. Everything was muffled. She had lost everything again. The dealer started to sweep the enormous pile of chips toward Mr. Yoon when suddenly... Stop! Don't touch the chips. I'm sorry, but Madam lost the hand. Look at his cards. The Four of Clubs. Look at it. The corner is peeling. It's a fake card. I must apologize, but I don't... Look! Look at the damn card. Samantha leaned over the table and picked up Yoon's card, the Four of Clubs, which possessed an ever so slightly frayed corner. It's a false card. Watch! Using her nails, Sam peeled back the corner of the playing card revealing a thin layer of film. In one swift pull, she yanked off the film and the card now appeared as the Five of Diamonds. Cheated. The motherfucker cheated. He must have done it when he cut the deck. Remember? He wanted to cut the deck. Sir, I must inform you that no one, but absolutely no one, cheats on both the deck it is. What are you talking about? I'm not cheating! What the hell is this? Mr. Yoon did not cheat in any way and denies any allegation. We demand to speak to the captain. This is a violation of our rights. How dare you? I'm just serving you! Oh, you can speak to the captain. I'm right here, and our rules regarding cheaters are very clear. We don't tolerate them, period. And since we operate in international waters, I think you'll find your rights to be rather different in your home country of who gives a fuck. Take them both. You're a scumbag! Hey, you can't even get in here! I'm not cheating! Do you know who I am? You! I'm gonna get you! You're gonna kill my family! We have rules on the deck of this. You come onto my boat and try to run some bullshit card scam. This ship is a sanctuary for those who can afford it, and you're fucking it up by existing. Two things happen to cheaters on my ship. We confiscate your winnings, and we give you every swimming lesson. I'd catch my breath if I were you. You're going to need to hold it. Get him off the floor. Jasper, throw those cards away and get a fresh deck. And give everyone at the table $25,000 in ship credit. Yes, Captain. And you. I suppose I owe you some thanks. I suppose you owe me something. My cabin, one hour. Ladies and gentlemen, Madame Edmossiere, I must apologize for the interruption. Sometimes our housekeeping can be a bit noisy. Now, let us resume our revelry. Who'd like to join me in a champagne toast, eh? Come, there's caviar on the Lido deck. Shocking how poker has become a contact sport. You shouldn't have brought them on board, Samantha. Well, let's start with thank you, Samantha, for putting $6.9 million in my pocket. Appreciate it, to be sure. But bringing unclear visitors on the ship could jeopardize everything on board. The decadence operates on privacy. You know that. I get it. But I have it covered. Trust me. If I didn't trust you with my life, you wouldn't be here. And neither with your friends. They're not my friends. And I wouldn't do anything for life, but for the peace. I can't imagine why. You said you were coming alone. Plans change. I needed a ride. Transportation has never been your problem. You could have chartered a helicopter out of Sardinia, or arranged passage on one... Not this time. It got complicated. Life is complicated. I... I lost Dominique. Oh. I... I'm sorry, Sam. Truly. I don't have a lot of time. Will you help? Of course. You know that. Nice to see you haven't lost your skill at cards. Second, I was worried you forgot to rig the deck. The game is always rigged. You know that. Felt like old times in Cairo. Throwing in the Inveneos was a nice surprise. Not like you to deviate from the plan. The guy was a misogynist asshole and I wanted to take all his chips. I needed the boat to sweeten the pod. Well played, as always. Do appreciate the six million in pocket money, Sam. Running decadence for the sanctuary group doesn't compensate me as well as Narasafild pays his people. You should work for us. There's room for you at Avetera. A comforting thought. Maybe someday, Samantha Kell. I assume your newly confiscated winnings will cover our passage through the Suez and need to be in Jeddah by Thursday. Of course. We'll reach Port Said by midnight tomorrow. Are you carrying anything we need to be concerned about? No, Oris. Just trying to lay low. Good to hear it, Samantha. Decadence needs to stay a secret and we don't need anything that would make people curious. Why? Are you expecting any trouble? Since the missile crisis, everyone's been a little bit... The canal director is currently being thoroughly entertained in my private opium den that I keep for the real VIPs. He'll make sure we have a smooth passage through the canal. We'll get the Inveneos through and have you in Jeddah by Thursday. Good. Good to hear. I'll go tell Tully. I know he'll be thrilled. You have been listening to the Inveneos Expeditions, a Leviathan Chronicle story. Written and created by Christoph LePutka. To view the blueprints of the Inveneos, go to inveneosexpeditions.com. The Inveneos Expeditions is made possible by the generous support of our listeners. To listen, add free and get exclusive bonus content and behind the scenes footage, become a subscriber at patreon.com. The Inveneos Expeditions was executive produced by Amish Jani. 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 Dodan. Directed by Christoph LePutka. Starring Matt Shale as Captain Jeffrey Tully. John Patrick Higgins as Oberlin St. Clair. Laura Post as Abigail Eventon. Justice Slocum as Gibson Donahue. Stephanie Wong as Yuki Yamamoto. Amado Dapolito as Sheffi. Lindsay Rousseau as Samantha Kell. Norman Bradley as Captain Fedorov. Isaac Robinson Smith as Muhammad Sala. Patrick Cabarty as LeBon Ugas. Sufian Mahmoud as Hassan. Brittany Cox as Serena Narobi. Christopher Swindle as Edward Carnal. Michael Pazuto as Archie. June Yoon as Mr. Yoon. Maya Harla as Dahlia. And Melissa Medina as the narrator. Additional voices by Francisco Almenada. Kay Bo Foster. Jennifer Sun Bell. Halaasius Bradford. Danny Pardo. David Agredowski. Samantha Parker. Beau Bridgeland. Norman Bradley. Iman Sanon. Gabby Mayorga. Darrell Brown. Ryan Gimm. And Michael Woodley. For a full cast list and to learn more about our other audio productions, go to LeVytheAndAudioproductions.com or follow us on social media. Thank you for supporting LeVytheAndAudio and thank you for listening. LeVytheAndAudioproduction. You're now listening to the trailer for Redacted, a brand new horror comedy. Today we're playing a simple game of call my bluff. Kay, 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? The 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.c. Search Redacted on the podcast player of your choice or visit the redactedunit.com for more info. Hush. 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 for 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 Run Down where we go over the top true crime headlines of the week. So come and join us wherever you listen to your podcasts. 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 Dukovny 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.