Star Hunter - Part 1: Apex Predators
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Welcome to Series 2, Episode 3 of the Curious Matter Anthology. I'm Jonathan Pezza, the creator and host of the series.

But before we jump in, there are a couple of announcements. We have our brand new Series 2 merch available on our web store. Show off your love of the show with a brand new t-shirt or mug by visiting www.curiousmatterpodcast.com. We are still an independent podcast producing this show out of a basement in Reseda, California.

So if you can, consider joining our Patreon, the only place to get early access to new episodes. So check us out there at patreon.com/curiousmatter. Andre Norton is known as the Great Dame of science fiction and fantasy, and we likely wouldn't have Star Trek without her. She created rich worlds and filled them with characters that felt like family.

people who rely on each other, and bond as they meet with the fantastic flights of Norton's imagination. Her work has been an undeniable influence over generations of writers. Born in 1912, she started her career in the 1930s and helped sculpt the speculative fiction genre into what we know today until her passing in 2005.

Her works have sold over 90 million copies worldwide, garnering countless accolades, including three Hugo nominations and a Nebula Grand Master Award. Her perhaps most well-known contribution to pop culture is the Beastmaster films and TV series. But don't let that campy and at times silly adaptation sway you from just how prolific she was. This story, Starhunter, was first published in 1961 as an ace double novel.

Two books in one paperback for only 35 cents. On one side sat this story, and if you flipped the book over to the back, there was a completely different cover with none other than the Beastmaster itself. You know, I almost didn't make Starhunter, and it's a title that I've been circling since the very beginning of the Curious Matter anthology.

It had tons of action and adventure, a cool cast of characters, and a bit of mystery, but I couldn't quite wrap my head around the way to tell it in a modern and dynamic way. Yet something about this one kept drawing me back in. And then it hit me. Science fiction today relies on shorthand, a shared cultural understanding of the language of science fiction.

There was a richness and a depth that I couldn't see because I was used to the common language of the genre. Concepts like xenobiology, faster-than-light quantum physics, cybernetics, and more were all in this story, only I couldn't quite see it at first.

You see, because for Andre Norton, none of that existed as shorthand yet. And so for her, she was making it up as she went along and had to express concepts that there were literally no words for before the audience had any frame of reference for these ideas. So my job when adapting this was simply translation, taking one language and making it another, the one we speak today.

Before we kick things off, I'd like to dedicate this episode to my late grandmother, Maria Pezza, another groundbreaker, a fearless explorer who, like our characters today, made a journey to a new world that felt as alien as any in our story. She raised two generations of my family, and she taught me that it was possible to reach for any star if you were willing to put in the work to get there. Okay, let's get on with the show.

Curious Matter is designed to be a completely immersive HD audio experience, and it's at its best when played through high-quality stereo speakers or headphones. So, without further ado, grab your popcorn, turn out the lights, and enjoy Star Hunter Part 1. Captain? Good morning. Report, please. We're green across the board, ma'am. Eighty hours from the Gravity Well of Sol, then another eighteen to landfall on Terra.

And our VIPs? In their staterooms, fast asleep. The best part of my day. Not all the time we shepherd two Scions on the same run. Precious cargo. Indeed. You on the lists? No, ma'am. Second-gen colonial. Hmm. What it must be like to live like one of them. Anyway, no shame being a podknocker. I'm a Brody DR6 myself. Not high enough to kick my heels up, mind you, like the cousins and close relatives, but puts a little change in my pocket. Ma'am.

I'm picking up a fluctuation in the PG drive. Abandon ship. Abandon ship. Make your way to the lifeboats in a calm and orderly fashion. Abandon ship. Abandon ship. Help! Mom! Please let me out!

Open the door! Anybody, please! Hold on, Elise! We're going to cut through! Stand back! Okay, okay! Hurry! Abandon ship! Abandon ship! Elise, we have to get to the lifeboat. Come with me. Abandon ship!

I've got you, sweetheart. It's going to be okay. Where's Mom? There isn't time. No! We have to find her! Stop! Put me down! Listen to me. She's gone. No! She's gone. Get inside and strap in. The ship's gonna break apart any second. Hold on tight, Elise. Ship,

Launch. This lifeboat has not reached occupancy. Scion Harley Cogan Brody is still aboard. Security override. Simmons Theta 0723. Authorized. Launch. Launch. Launch. Assume race positions. Launching in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Everything's going to be okay. Launch.

Star Hunter Part 1 Apex Predators Hunter's log entry, Terra Standard 0723.2224. After a three-year survey of Jamala B, it has been determined that no intelligent life, artifacts, or mineral resources are present on the New World. As such, the planet has been classified of low value, according to the T-Fed charter, and remitted to guild management. We all know that this is the risk we take.

and attempting to reach farther out into the void of space. But I admit, I had high hopes for this one. The failure to find pay dirt has left me... well, the costs add up, don't they? In an attempt to recover my expenses, I have accepted a charter. Notify the relevant authorities and purchase the permits per usual. At least there's no shortage of wealthy a-holes willing to shell out for the chance to be the first to pillage a new world. Welcome to Jamalabi. My name is Ras Hume and I'll be your guide during the expedition.

I hope the accommodations so far have been up to your expectations. The Hunter's Guild has done its best to extend you every luxury available on the trip. If you have any special requests, Rovald, my assistant, will be happy to see to them. He has already prepared the weapons and gear per each of your specifications. If there's anything you need to make your stay more comfortable, please let me know. The first of my charges is Harmon Starnes, a first-timer.

Recently put out to pasture by Starn's inner corp and looking for a little adventure now that he's a free man. Shouldn't cause a fuss so long as he gets what he's looking for.

Everything has been spectacular so far. So exciting. A new world, untasted, untested, and so many new species to uncover. The campfire is a nice touch. The second is Kirk Chambris of the Chambris Clean Fraternal Estate. Talk's a big game, but Psyche Val has him flagged for supervision. We'll see if his stomach can keep up with his mouth soon enough. Jamala presents a fruitful bounty to explore.

I am grateful for this opportunity. The last one is Marina Yaktisi. She's a bit of an enigma. Smarter than the other two combined. Higher in her line, too. Claims to be an amateur exobiologist. Interesting pastime for someone in her position. This camp is so rustic, so tree visceral. Just crazy.

Wonderful. I for one can't wait to hit the trail. You've each installed a customized skill pack with weapons and survival training, as well as my own research from our survey of D'mal. I've also granted you three temporary access to the Hunter's Guide, which contains the sum total of the Guild's collected knowledge from almost two centuries of exploration.

With the psycho conditioning we provided, each of you has the tools for a prosperous hunt. You three are the first civs to set foot on this rock and experience the unique bounty this world has to offer. I personally found your entries on hunting the Skysnake of the Northern Mountain quite exhilarating. The fear, the sweat, the adrenaline. It must be glorious to live a life so...

Adventurous, Fout Hunter. A glory you shall each get a share in, soon enough. And you are sure that we will be safe out there? It's all a little more daunting now that we're here. First timer, huh? It is not my first time. I didn't pay a hundred million creds to be safe. I'm here for blood. Just point me towards my prize and I'll do the rest. So much bravado for a chambrise.

Your family is usually so reserved, no? You mean spineless, Starnes. I'm a bit of a black sheep in that line. I'm here to guarantee each of you finds the experience you seek. And, of course, making sure you don't get eaten by the first apex we come across. Your NFOs tend to get their knickers in a twist when you lot die doing something stupid. I'm sure we're all grateful of that. I think it's fair to say that's why we hired you. The famous Ras Hume.

I for one would love to hear about your experiences at the Battle of Teegarden Star someday. If you'd be willing, of course. Seems like a lifetime ago. That's not a no. I'd much rather hear about the Rigel Ranger. It's not every day you kill a Scion and live to tell about it.

That is how you were drummed out of the navs, am I right? It's my job to keep you alive. No, it's your job to help me bag a watercat so I can show those trust fund a-holes in the clan boardroom what a real trophy looks like. I'm not here for your folksy out hunter wisdom, and sure as hell not for your protection. Well, I for one would like to hear what he has to say. I second that. Mr. Hume, if you please. Jamala B isn't the kind of destination you are used to, Mr. Chambers.

This planet is unique. Trinary suns, radiation. Yeah, we all have the dossier. Radiation filtered by a unique atmosphere that fostered a biodiversity four times the density of Earth. This planet has more apex predator adaptations than anything we've surveyed in 200 years of exploration. Without that force field surrounding our camp, it is likely you'd be dead already.

Why demand we undergo psychoconditioning if it's of no help in precisely what you're describing? The Verifiers and I were only able to catalog a fraction of the biosphere. You came here to be hunters, but on Jamala, even the predators have predators. Pit Dragon, I have eight meters. Hunter's Guide, entry 12686283.

Species: Jumalin Pit Dragon Difficulty: Apex Class D Closest Terran Analog: The Dilophosaurus of the Late Jurassic Period These cold-blooded lizard-like creatures stand approximately 5 feet tall, weighing in near 300 pounds, and live in complex family groups led by a single female alpha. Highly dangerous. Approach with caution. Happy hunting! Click the link below for additional information.

We have her now! Take the shot! Perhaps not yet. The Actici's right. Pit dragons pack hunt. The others will be on us before we can defend ourselves. We're far too exposed in this position. Hollow shows a cliff face 60 meters north. If we flush her to the edge, we'll reduce our exposure to the rest of the pack. Might give us a chance for a second trophy. Very wise, my friend. We'll say you out, Hunter.

Yaktisi Chambers and I will take defensive positions as you drive the dragon north. Slowly. Right. I almost have her to the cliff. Ready yourselves. The cliff! There she is. Don't let it bolt. Take your shot, man! On your le- Always got her. It's taking to the air. It's getting away. There goes your trophy.

Fascinating. Did you know they could fly? Did you not complete the report on the pit dragons? I skimmed it, but if you knew, why did you suggest the cliff? I thought you were better shot. Chambers and I downed one of the others. You are hurt, out hunter. The males attacked in unison. One of them got close enough to land a claw...

I'll be alright. The Alpha got away, but you can have her mate here if you wanted. I only take my own trophies, but thank you. Ugh, what the hell? Ground-carrying. They'll strip anything they find of the bone in seconds. Dress your prizes quickly, if you want to keep them. Jamala with nothing. Hume, to the east. Just below that outcropping of rock, I saw a flash of light. Starnes, scope please. Yes, oh, of course. There it is again.

It almost looks like... a ship. Thank you for coming to get us, robot. No problem. I tasked a verifier drone ahead of us. It's definitely a small ship or a landing craft. Drone's not picking up a drive signature. No power readings at all. Whatever it is, thing has been here a while. This is an exciting turn, is it not? What could this be, eh? Almost like the plot of a holodrama.

Could it be a PG ruin? Prime a genitor tech? Impossible. The unique allies are the first thing we scan for during a survey. A PG find is the whole game out here. The alien tech gold rush? It's all a joke. A fool's errand. In 200 years they've found what? Four sites out of how many worlds surveyed? 14,000. But those finds were worth trillions. The only reason humanity is out here at all is because we won the lottery.

Families claim to sponsor surveys for colony rights, but it's really all about that chance for the next find. Who sponsored Jamala? The Musk clan. Ugh, ghastly load of windbags. My great-grandmother was a Musk on her father's side. Here, take us down! Get ready for touchdown! Well, it's definitely human. Looks like the kind of lifeboats we use in my family's fleet. Took a hell of a beating, though. Must have clipped the mountains coming down.

The port booster's gone. And half the tail section. Therefore a sims of lake sleep to her. The jungle growth can do that in a matter of weeks, but I'd say it's been here longer. Years from the oxidation on the hull. Do we search for survivors? What is the protocol for something like this? Let's find the black box first. Whoa, there. What do you see? Something in the trees. Something. I don't know. An animal? No. I don't know.

Perhaps my eyes are playing tricks. All this excitement, you know. Over here. The hatch. Whoa. Someone left the door open. So much growth inside. Fungus. Flora. Something's been through here recently. Probably a nest of vermin. Even the vermin here will kill you. Hello? Is there anyone on board?

Sorry, sorry, my mistake. Be careful firing inside the ship. Reinforce nanoferro. Rovald, pull the black box. Vermin zero, Champress one. I'd check your boot. It's eating through the soul! Here, spray it on yourself. It neutralizes the acid. Fuck you, bugger! These were Ishtarion.

The panel is stuck. Need a sec here. Looks like someone survived the crash.

The hatch didn't open itself and the emergency survival kits are gone. Do you think it's possible they're still alive? The chances aren't good. Not this long. Even with survival kits. Not it. Log the find and upload the black box data to the T-FED authorities. Task the drone. Tell it to visual sweep for signs. Maybe they're remnants of a camp.

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What are you doing out here alone? Checking the field emitters. Old habits. Transmission is sent. The T-Fed will assign an investigator. The black box data confirmed what we already knew. The ship came down six years ago, carrying two survivors from a KBW cruiser. The Lago Drift. Kogan Brody Wasilis.

Our civs back there won't like it. Well, Chambrus at least. He blows the illusion. Tomorrow we'll follow the river range east.

Try to find Chambris's trophy. That should buy us a little flexibility. East? It can't look like we're steering them. The longer we wait, the higher the chances. I know. I know. We don't tolerate failure, you understand? The royal we, I take it. This endeavor has been costly, and we do not take kindly to wasted investment. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Our benefactor knows as well as anyone the value of a find like this. And the risk? I like you, Hume. I'd rather not have to kill you. Ra's Hume, you stand here today accused by the Wasilets fraternal estate of negligence in your duties as a navigator. The wrongful death of Sion Tors Wasilets. How do you plead? Not guilty, your honor. Miss Fish! Captain?

Hold on, son. Just hold on. No time. The interstellar impact ripped us out of FTL. Shearing force that decels Taurus in half. Computer.

The jury is about to return a verdict in the high-profile trial of war hero Ras Hume, who was involved in the much-publicized death of KBW's stellar tech CEO Torres Wasilets during an uncharted FTL jump one year ago. It looks like they are coming out now.

There's no time. Vins, Vins, Vins, stay here. Don't try to move. Gotta get the thrusters back online. Get us out of this. Spin the computer. Damage report. Incident report. Unknown impact on D-cell burn en route to unregistered system NV422. On whose authority? Thanks for meeting me. I know it's unorthodox, but I want you to hear it from me before it comes out on the feeds.

A guild rep requesting to meet me in a public place. We've known each other how long now? So what? Scared I'd do something rash? Just give it to me. Look, I know this is going to be hard to take after losing Vince, but the Nav Guild is pulling your credentials. I beat the charges. The Black Box had it all on record. Tors Waslet's plotted the jump behind my back and he killed my son. No one else but me could have brought the Ranger home. What do you want me to say?

You've been doing this long enough to know how things work. When a scion dies, someone has to pay. The families always require their parents

There are currently hull breaches resulting in decompression on deck three. PG engine offline. Sublight drives offline. Damage to main reactor. Reactor and autos fold down to prevent containment bottle breach. Lifeboats. Both lifeboats one and two have sustained critical damage. Come on, you! I'm sorry, Father. You always bothered me.

Computer, route emergency life support to sub-light. Hole fracture on deck two. Structural integrity at two percent. Close all emergency bulkheads. This is the captain. All hands to crash positions. Hume, wake up. Wake up! Do out hunters often suffer from night terrors? You were screaming out in your sleep. Seems so real. My apologies if I startled you. I was going to say the same thing to you.

I must admit, I myself had quite an interesting dream tonight. Perhaps the jungle here just has that way of inspiring our subconscious, no? Best return to your tent. Tomorrow will be strenuous. But thank you. Anyone else feel like we should head back to camp and wait for a better turn of weather? You aren't afraid of a little rain, are you, Starnes? It's been almost an hour since we lost the trail.

The downfall washes away the tracks almost instantly. Do you have any suggestions, out hunter? This is allegedly your area of expertise. The water cats emit a pheromone that your hollow can track. Isn't that cheating? Not on a day like today. I'll take any advantage I can get. It worked! I count four unique scents. The trails are heading away from the river. Perhaps you were worth the price tag, Hume.

Entry 13989-898. Species, Jumalin water cat. Difficulty, Apex, Class A. These large feline analogs weigh in over a metric ton and stand over a meter tall. Covered in a crimson coat of razor sharp spines and equipped with a whip-like clawed tail that injects neurotoxin into its prey. Water cats can breathe underwater and make their dens in waterways and lakes.

These solo predators are highly territorial and do not range far from their marked domain. Extremely dangerous. Approach with caution. Happy hunting! That can't be right. Water cats don't work together and they don't range this far from water. It is raining.

One of these scent trails isn't a water cat. So many together. Aren't they quite dangerous? 1500 kilos of crimson furred killing machine. Not to mention the poisonous prehensile tails. Something's off here. The fourth scent it's reading is... It's human. A survivor. Rovald. Boss? Three to pick up. Like hell! I'm going after them. That's a negative. This electrical storm is too dangerous to fly in. I'll warm her up and pull you out as soon as the sky is allowed.

Understood. Should I pack the med kit? Just in case. Hume out. Got the shot. Take it. Hold. If the readings are correct, the survivor may be in that tree. This might be our chance. While the Watercat's attentions are drawn. Set up a firing line and pick your targets. Woo!

We have to. Yum! Strong jaws. Could the sniffer be off? They are roughly simian analogs. Is there a chance it's one of those in that tree? I've still got the shot! Wait!

Hunter's Guide, Entry 12745-123 Species, Jumalan Strongjaw Difficulty, Apex Class B Closest Terran species is the orangutan of Southeast Asia. Key features of the strongjaw are their eight-eyed, gourd-like heads and seven-fingered hands. These simian analogs stand as tall as two meters and possess exceptional strength.

Though non-sentient, they are rudimentarily intelligent and often play games with their prey. Extremely dangerous. Approach with caution. Happy hunting!

The cats are turning towards us. I'm taking my shot. Hold. Both species seem to have made us the focus of their attentions. Rovald, get that damn flitter in the air for emergency extract. Now. Okay, copy. Twenty minutes out. Out Hunter, what is going on here? Have you ever seen strong jaws and water cats working together? Get ready to run. Head west towards the camp. I'll cover you and draw them towards the river. Hell.

Put me down! Put me down! Hume's plan... appears to have worked. Revolt, where are you, fine sir? You can very much use that lift. In route now. Still ten out. Revolt, we got separated from Hume. Chambress has been mauled and... we'll need medical attention. What's his condition? Fucking piss is my condition! Stance administered aid. He is stable but... sustained major damage to his right arm and thigh, limiting our mobility.

We appear to be safe for now. Where's Hume? I haven't been able to raise him on comms. We seem to be having a small animal problem. The out hunter made his way back towards the river with three water cats in pursuit. His comm may have been damaged when the animals attacked. Head east and see if you can spot him from the air. Fuck that! Pick me up first! All of those things... Everyone down! Are they searching for us? They must be able to first scent.

See? They missed us. They communicated with each other. Robalt? I need pickup. ASAP. I lost my blaster and pack. I'm down to my vibroblade. Could really use some backup. Robalt? Do you read? Starnes? Yaktisi, can you hear me? Do you read me? Anyone? Fucking calm. I'm not sure what the hell's going on here.

If you think I'm your next meal, you got another thing coming. Come on, you feline bastard. What's wrong with you? Attack me! Computer, route emergency life support to sub-light. Hole fracture on deck two. Structural integrity at two percent. Close all emergency bulkheads. This is the captain.

All hands to crash positions. Structural integrity at 1%. Come on. Main reactor is back online. There you go. Jump. If I jump, you die. You have all power to sublight. Gravitational shear force exceeding tolerances. You break apart. You have to jump. I can jump now.

Come on. Come on, old man. You're going to live. Get it up and out. That cat had your number. It's lucky that I found your pack and gun. That tail venom packs quite the wallop. I'd say you have about a minute before, you know, death. Gun. Uh-uh. I'll just keep holding on to this.

A legendary Ross Hume. Almost killed by an overgrown house cat. What would the feed say? Medpack. Bag. This? In the arm. Quickly. Quickly! Who are you? Let's not play that game, Ross. You're the survivor from the crass lifeboat. The Largo Drift. But how? Elise Brody. That's the name you want me to say, isn't it?

But Jamala has shown me I am so much more. I hope you enjoyed our presentation of Star Hunter Part 1.

If you liked today's episode, please check out our after show produced live by our partner F and Funny Productions on their Twitch channel the night each episode releases. The podcast version of the after show will then be released on this feed. Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook under the handle at CM Anthology or check us out online for more information at www.curiousmatterpodcast.com.

This episode was dramatized, directed, and edited by Meteor host Jonathan Pezza. Casting assistance was provided by Sandeep Parikh, Anand Shah, and Jeff Winkler. Assistant editing by Francis Pezza and Mohamed Moiz Riaz. Tonight's episode starred Colin Ferguson as Ross Hume, Tiffany Smith as Elise Brody,

and co-starred Jack Bowman as Starnes, Sri Swara as Yaktisi, John Edelman as Chambris, Gavin Loudon as Rovald,

and Bly the Renee as the Hunter's Guide. Our talented ensemble also includes the voices of E.J. Barois, Philip Gray, Tien Nguyen, Jeremy Pezza, Jonathan Pezza, Scott Pezza, and Melissa Starr. AI voice performances were provided by Play.ht. The score was provided by Epidemic Music and featured the talent of Grant Newman, Vaughn Fields, Bonnie Grace, Hampus Neselius,

Kikuru, Trailer Works, Splasher, The Bright Arm Orchestra, Curved Mirror, Max Anson, and Kenzo Almond. Starhunter is a work in the public domain and was produced in accordance with U.S. copyright law. Curious Matter Anthology is produced by the Knightsville Workshop in association with FNFunny Productions, distributed by Realm Media. Copyright Knightsville Workshop 2022. All rights reserved.

We'll see you right back here next episode for Star Hunter Part 2, Strange Companions. I'm your host, Jonathan Pezza. And of course, as always, thank you for listening. The Fable & Folly Network, where fiction producers flourish. In the alley, the scent is stronger, overpowering. As I watch, the overhead lamps flicker and wink out one by one. God damn it. No.

The girl appears briefly under the last streetlight, the headphones snug against her ears, the Walkman clasped to her hip. She's oblivious as she walks, lost in her own world. "Hey, stop! I need to talk to you!" Then she's swallowed up by the darkness again. "Helen, wait a second!" It strikes her in the gloom so fast she barely has time to scream. She falls into the edge of the lamplight and lies there, bleeding, motionless. The man's skin is scaly, flaking, and there are patches of soot on his cheeks.

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