Alpha 8: The Arrival

James from HeyDaddyO Audio, we thought you'd enjoy another podcast that blends science fiction and everyday life.

Alpha 8 is the story of an alien who crash lands on Earth and takes on the guise of a working mom, all while being sought by a governmental agency. Alpha 8 just won gold at the 2024 Signal Awards for Best Fiction Podcast. And Alpha 8 is available wherever you get your podcasts. So now, here's Season 1, Episode 1 of Alpha 8. Yeah, this is Michael. This is Dr. Stevens from the NARB. Is this Michael Peterson?

Yes. You might want to sit down. It's 3 a.m. I'm doing more than that. We need your expertise. Pack a bag. A car will be waiting in your driveway in 30. What's this about? What you've been waiting a lifetime for. You'll be briefed on the plane. Let me guess. You need to leave town? No more than a few days. Did someone discover another object transversing across the sky? Help, the sky is falling. You joke, my dear Larson, but you have no problem cashing them checks.

You're right. It's just if you keep catering to the believers, are they just going to keep calling? Alpha 8, Episode 1. The Arrival. Alpha 8 is a production of Busy Media Group, created by Stephanie Ailey. This episode was written and directed by Stephanie Ailey. Sound design by Experience J. Original sound composed by Stephen Bias. Story editing by Jake Farargo. We'll see you next time. This is Beale Control. Music.

You are approaching a restricted airspace. I repeat, you are approaching a restricted airspace. 40,000 feet, approaching at 5,000 knots. What are we looking at? I don't know, but it's incredibly fast. Are we talking SR-71 fast? What the hell? Oh my god! Shut it off! Shut it off! What was that? What is that noise? Commander Gary. Status? Get back online. Make communication with that aircraft. Yes, Commander. Willis, what are we looking at? Russia? North Korea?

I don't know, sir. Nothing we've ever seen, sir. Maybe it's a UAP or a satellite drone gun rogue. Get a bird up there. Ground that aircraft. There's no time, sir. It's projected to make impact at 2120. That's the emergency crew for retrieval. This is Beale Control. Do not attempt to land. Adjust your course or we will be forced to respond. Move, people. This is your last warning. 2,000 feet. 800 feet. 400 feet. Impact is imminent, sir.

Willis, you got those coordinates? See that fire? It's two clicks north of our location. Ramirez to Beale Control. We are out of roadway. Permission to approach on foot, Oman. This is Beale Control. Clear to approach. Over. Copy that. Listen up. Aircraft touched down at 2130. Gear up. Taking two teams, Willis and Adams with me. Davis, go catch up to those guys from Delta. Satellites didn't pick up any heat signatures, gentlemen. So watch your six. We don't know what's out here. Let's move.

This is Bravo Leader to Delta. We're half a mile southwest of impact zone. Ready to go when you're in position. Over. Leader, this is Delta Leader. We're in position. Over. Bill Control, both teams are in position. Are we clear for go? Affirmative, Bravo Leader. You are clear to approach. Over. Roger. Out. Delta Leader, are you seeing this? Bravo Leader, come in. Never seen anything like this. It's not a plane or helo, but it's big.

Round. If it's a drone, it's nothing I've seen. And it's definitely not part of our fleet. We're moving in. Delta out. What is that? We're under attack. Field control, do you read?

Get off me! They need our help. Ramirez, give the order. Bravo leader to Delta. Delta leader, come in. Bravo leader, this is field control. Stand by. Over. Stand by. They need us, sir. Bravo Leader, stand down. Air support is on approach. I repeat, stand down. Willis, you catch that last command? No, sir. I don't think I did. Willis, Adams, we're moving from the north. I'll approach from the south. Bravo Leader, come in. Commander, we've lost contact with all of them. I found Brady's radio.

Brady, I've got Brady. I don't know where I am. Force happened. Davidson's down, sir. We've got your support. Ten minutes out. Over. This is Dr. Michael Peterson, lead researcher at NARB, the National Anomaly Resolution Bureau, reviewing ground reports from an incident three days ago near the Beale Airfield. Bravo Leader, come in. They're not dead, sir. They appear to be sleeping. Say again. Willis, over. Bravo Leader, something's out here, man, but I can't see. What the? No, no, no!

Willis, Willis! This is Bravo Leader to field control. Go ahead, Bravo Leader. Willis is down, Willis is it? We're under attack. Something's out here.

The UAP, it's gone, the UAP is gone, over. . Music. Dr. Stevens, come in. Are you all settled? I'm still waiting on a few more boxes. They should be here today. Good. Now, if there's anything you need... No, but thank you. I appreciate you bringing me in. Don't thank me yet. The commander's not happy with the progress. It's only been 72 hours. I know, but their clock started ticking the minute the UAP breached our atmosphere. I am getting closer.

We just need to demonstrate some goodwill. That we're making progress. The fact that everyone is alive is an insane sign of goodwill. You heard the recording. We need something tangible. If not, that thing will be on ice and shipped off to an unnamed facility. I'll find a way to get through. Get me something worth reporting. It's been five days since our first encounter with Alpha-8. That's what we're calling it. So, what do we know?

Its translucent surface is impossible to detect unless it's wet. The team created a simulation device to mimic rain conditions, forcing Alpha-8 to become visible enough for us to capture it. It doesn't seem to want to hurt humans. Not a single casualty. It disarms a threat by temporary paralysis. So, why is it here? What does it want? Larson, I'm in the middle of something, so I can't... Glad I caught you. The boys tried calling.

Yeah, I, um... A package came for you, another set of LPs, I'm guessing. Starting to think you care more about your jazz music and that job of yours more than us back home. Uh-huh. Anyway, I'm checking on your flight. Am I picking you up tomorrow? Larson, I was actually about to call you. I can't. No, no. We talked about this. I'm still needed here. This is a big moment for her. I know. I know. It's out of my hands. I can't come home. Not yet. Then she needs to hear that from you.

And it needs to be soon. I will not be the bad parent again. I'll make it up to you. Not to me, Michael. To Taryn. I'll make it up to Taryn, to all of you, but right now, I'm needed here. You know, I have to go. We still can't clearly distinguish all Alpha 8's features, but it appears to be anatomically similar to humans. It left a print, a hand-like print, on the viewing window when I stepped away from the isolation room. Six digits instead of five.

If we want to develop a connection, the environment in the isolation room, it just won't work. It isn't conducive to developing a relationship of trust. So we relocated Alpha 8 to Sector 39. This will allow us to observe it in a more humane environment. It includes a bed, table, bookshelf stacked with all the classics. I mean, it is unclear if Alpha 8 can process our English language. Paging Michael Peterson. You're wanted in sector 39 at 1300.

Samantha, updates? Nope. Alpha 8 went all ghost mode. Been like that ever since. Kinda crazy it doesn't just... run. I mean, it's invisible. Could vanish in the halls, no one would be the wiser. It must need something from us. Do you think it sleeps? It's not like we would ever know. I mean, does it even have eyes?

We'll have to investigate. I bet it does. What's with the clothes? It's for Alpha 8. We're going to send R23 into the pod. Activate the robot. And you thought Frumpy Chic was the way to go. Standard issue sweats and all I could find. Observations for day 8. We're sending R23 into the pod to deliver clothes to Alpha 8. Frumpy clothes. We are delivering these highly functional sweats to Alpha 8. So, now what? Just wait? Hope it's smart enough to know how to put clothes on?

Acclimating Alpha-8 to human behavior will help us communicate. Oh my god, you are not... What are you doing? Your pants, seriously? What? Kids learn from watching their parents. We can't expect Alpha-8 to know how to get dressed. We have to show it. Pants? Slip them on like this. That's it. One leg at a time. Perfect. Now... Sweatshirt. Everyone loves a great sweatshirt. That's it. Over the head. It's working. Through the sleeves. Whoa. I was right. Anatomically. Human-like.

Featuring the voices of... Jasmine Ashanti as Larson and Alf Eigt Richard Leacock as Michael Cameron Illy as Daniel Malachi Josiah White as Jackson Sydney Thomas as Taryn Todd Guideshek as Dr. Stevens and Principal Riley Samuel Gibson as Ramirez and Coach Jessica Meckler as Samantha Jake Farago additional performances by Stuart Pankin, Jessica Lynn McKay, Gabe Brown, Stephanie Ailey, Chris Power, John Copperford, Myla Ailey,

Joe Bratcher, Jamie Suter, Wendy Pierce, Craig Ailey, and Christy Glasgow. Alpha 8 is executive produced by Haywood L. Brown, Craig Ailey, and June Baia. Additional music and sound by Epidemic Sound. Alpha 8 was recorded at Dave & Dave Recording Studio. For more information about the show, please visit alpha8audio.com. Special links to Joe Bratcher, Twin Bridges, and everyone that supported the show. Thank you for listening to this special presentation of Alpha 8.

If you'd like more, look for Alpha 8 wherever you get your podcasts.