Transcript of Episode 1: Ghosts of the Past, Scene 1: The Dinner Table

Scene 1: The Dinner Table
(00:00:00,000 - Start) Background ambiance of a quiet, upscale restaurant: muffled conversations, clinking silverware, and soft classical music playing faintly in the background.

Narrator: (00:00:00,000)
"Twenty years can bury the past, but not the memories."

(00:00:06,000)
"Tonight, at a quiet dinner table in the heart of the city, old ghosts resurface for Mr. Stone, known to some as Bulldog. An invitation from a friend stirs memories and confronts him with a choice: face the place he thought he left behind."

(00:00:21,000)
"But when you've fought and survived the unimaginable, sometimes going back is the only way forward."

Dialogue:

Joe Turner (cheerful, trying to keep the mood light):
(00:00:29,000)
(chuckling) "You know, Stone, I’ve got to say… this place does a hell of a steak. You sure you’re not hungry? You’ve barely touched yours."

Mr. Stone (distracted, gravelly):
(00:00:44,000)
(mumbling as he stares at his plate, his fork poking at his food) "Hmm?"

(Joe looks at Stone, noticing his distance and unease. He puts down his fork, watching his old friend closely.)

Joe Turner (more serious, sensing something is wrong):
(00:00:56,000)
"You’ve been quiet all night. Hell, even quieter than usual. What's eating at you, Stone? You’re not even enjoying the food, and I know how much you like a good steak."

Mr. Stone (slowly, still avoiding eye contact):
(00:01:04,000)
"Just… a lot on my mind, I guess."

Joe Turner (teasing, trying to lighten the mood):
(00:01:08,000)
"A lot on your mind, huh? That’s funny. You look more like a man who’s trying to avoid something."

(Stone shifts in his seat, uncomfortable, glancing at Joe briefly before looking away again.)

Mr. Stone (tense, trying to avoid the conversation):
(00:01:13,000)
"It’s nothing."

(Joe leans forward, his tone softening as he probes gently.)

Joe Turner (knowing Stone well):
(00:01:21,000)
"Nothing? Come on, Stone. We’ve known each other long enough for me to tell when something’s off."

(A long pause as Stone shifts in his seat, setting his fork down. The clinking echoes, adding tension to the silence.)

Mr. Stone (gruffly, resigned):
(00:01:30,000)
"Just spit it out, Joe. What's this about?"

(Joe sighs and sits back slightly, his cheerful tone dropping as he clears his throat, hesitating as he searches for the right words.)

Joe Turner (clearing his throat, slightly uncomfortable):
(00:01:35,000)
"GNR has an assignment for you. We’re coming up on the 20th anniversary of the bug incident… on that planet."
(pauses)
"Thought it’d be fitting if you were the one to go back and cover it."

(A silence follows. Stone sets his fork down heavily, visibly disturbed.)

Mr. Stone (voice hardens, low):
(00:01:51,000)
"You know what you're asking me to do."

(Joe leans forward, sensing the tension but pressing forward with purpose.)

Joe Turner (confident, with some regret):
(00:01:54,000)
"I do… Look, Stone, I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it might be… good for you. There’s something about putting old ghosts to rest. It’s time you stop running from that day."

(The background noise fades slightly, amplifying the weight of Joe's words.)

Mr. Stone (bitter):
(00:02:04,000)
"You’ve never stopped running, Joe. What makes you think I want to do any different?"

(Joe exhales slowly, reflecting before continuing.)

Joe Turner (empathetic, soft):
(00:02:11,000)
"That’s why I recruited you, remember? You were lost… back then, you had what? 200 credits to your name? Didn’t even have enough to cover your hotel bill that night."

(Joe pauses, voice becoming reflective as he recalls their first meeting. Stone remains silent, clearly uncomfortable, yet Joe presses on.)

Joe Turner (sincere, reflective):
(00:02:17,000)
"But it wasn’t the credits or the hotel, Stone. That wasn’t what caught my attention. You walked in like a man who had nothing left, but still… there was something there, when we talked…"

(pauses)

"You had this fire, this fight, burning under all that wreckage. I saw a man who wasn’t done, not by a long shot. You didn’t know it then, but you were still ready to take on the world."

(Joe's voice grows softer, more intense.)

Joe Turner (intense, reaching out to Stone):
(00:02:33,000)
"I needed someone like that. Someone who could survive hell and still keep moving forward. You had this… instinct. You could adapt, fight back, even when everything else was falling apart."
(pauses)
"That’s what I saw in you. And that’s why I brought you into GNR. Because I knew you weren’t finished yet."

(A heavy silence follows. Stone’s breath deepens, visibly affected by Joe's words.)

Mr. Stone (gruffly, softer):
(00:02:45,000)
"I’m not doing this for you, Joe. I’m not even sure if I’d be doing it at all."

(Joe leans back, his voice calm yet understanding.)

Joe Turner (quietly):
(00:03:00,000)
"I know. You do it for them."

Scene 2: Flashback to the Battle
(Time: 00:03:05,000)
(Sound of a sudden explosion, shouts, and gunfire fill the background. It’s chaotic, with the harsh crackling of static radio transmission and distorted voices shouting commands.)

Lt. Stone (younger, voice sharper and more urgent):
(00:03:05,000)
"Captain! We’re surrounded! We need to fall back—these things aren’t like the others… they’re adapting!"

(The screeching of a bug echoes, louder than the rest of the sounds. The static grows more intense as Stone’s voice fights through the noise.)

Lt. Stone (shouting over the noise):
(00:03:20,000)
"Hold the line! Everyone—hold the—!"

(Another explosion cuts him off. Sounds begin to distort, with the deafening roar of a bug shriek, blending into the background hum and transforming into a high-pitched tinnitus-like ringing. The battlefield fades into silence as we transition back to the present day.)

Scene 3: Present Day Interrupts
(Time: 00:03:36,000)
(The ringing dies down, replaced by the ambient sound of the restaurant. Stone is brought back to the present as a cheerful, oblivious busboy arrives at the table to clear their plates.)

Busboy (cheerful):
(00:03:40,000)
"Excuse me, sir. Are you finished with your plate?"

Mr. Stone (low voice, slightly startled as he snaps back to reality):
(00:03:47,000)
"Yeah, um... yeah... yeah, take it."

(The busboy clears the plates, the sound of dishes clinking. Joe gives an awkward chuckle, breaking the tension.)

Joe Turner:
(00:03:52,000)
*"Old memories… hard to shake, huh?"

Mr. Stone (quiet, almost to himself):
(00:03:54,000)
*"Something like that…"

(The background noise of distant gunfire and explosions, faint and haunting, trails off, adding to the unspoken weight in the air.)

Joe Turner (casual, shifting the mood slightly):
(00:04:00,000)
"Well, that’s why I’m letting you know about it. You’ve got about two weeks to let me know if you want the assignment."
(pauses, chuckling)
"For now, let’s go to that baseball game you’ve dragged me to."

Mr. Stone (sighs, giving a somber chuckle):
(00:04:08,000)
(half-smile) "Yeah, okay."

(Sound of them standing up, chairs scraping back, and the fading noise of restaurant ambiance as they head out together.)

Scene 4: The Voyage
(Time: 00:04:28,000)
(The low hum of a starship engine fills the background, with occasional beeps from the ship’s control systems. The atmosphere is quiet but tense, with a faint, metallic echo indicative of a confined space. Mr. Stone sits, staring into space, lost in thought.)

Starship PA (faint, robotic voice):
(00:04:32,000)
"Approaching planetary orbit. Shuttle departure in T-minus ten minutes. Proceed to your designated shuttle."

(A silence follows as Stone shifts in his seat, exhaling deeply.)

Mr. Stone (internal monologue, reflective):
(00:04:44,000)
(quietly to himself) "Has it really been 20 years? Feels like yesterday…"

(Sounds of footsteps on metal as Stone approaches the shuttle doorway. A sequence of mechanical clicks and hisses indicates passengers strapping into seats and preparing for departure.)

Starship PA (robotic, faint as departure sequence starts):
(00:04:55,000)
"Departure sequence initiated. All personnel, please prepare for launch."

(The shuttle door opens with a mechanical hiss, and the soundscape shifts to the windy, bustling atmosphere outside. As the shuttle descends, distant city life and machinery hum blend with the fading sounds of the shuttle engines powering down.)

(The shuttle lands softly with a thud. The hatch opens with a hiss as Stone steps out, greeted by a city skyline under a dimly lit sky.)

Scene 5: The Ride to the Hotel
(Time: 00:05:16,000)
(Stone is greeted by a sleek, futuristic hover car waiting to transport him. The engine hums softly as he steps in, setting his duffel bag beside him.)

Driver (friendly, breaking the silence):
(00:05:20,000)
"Welcome back, sir. Been a while since you’ve visited this planet, hasn’t it?"

Mr. Stone (gruff, keeping it short):
(00:05:26,000)
"Yeah. A long time."

Driver (curious, though he tries not to pry):
(00:05:30,000)
"I heard about the anniversary. People say it’s a pretty big deal, especially around here. Must’ve been something, what you and the others went through."

Mr. Stone (distant, reflective):
(00:05:37,000)
"Yeah… something like that."

(The hover car glides smoothly through the streets, other vehicles passing by with a low hum. The driver senses Stone’s reluctance and refrains from further questions. After a few moments, they arrive at the hotel.)

Scene 6: Checking In at the Astroview Hotel
(Time: 00:06:01,000)
(Stone steps into the lobby of the Astroview Hotel, with dark metallic accents, clean lines, and minimalist decor. His footsteps echo as he approaches the check-in counter.)

Receptionist (polite, professional):
(00:06:07,000)
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to the Astroview Hotel. We’ve prepared your room as requested. Everything is set for your stay. Shall I have a bellboy assist you with your luggage and equipment?"

Mr. Stone (curt, polite):
(00:06:16,000)
"That works, thanks."

(A young bellboy arrives, taking Stone’s bags and guiding him to the elevator. The soft whoosh of the doors closing signals their ascent. The bellboy attempts to make conversation.)

Bellboy (trying to be friendly, cheerful):
(00:06:24,000)
"Heading here for business or pleasure, sir?"

Mr. Stone (gruff, detached):
(00:06:28,000)
"Business."

(Sensing Stone’s reluctance, the bellboy remains quiet. The elevator opens with a soft ding, and they arrive at Stone’s room—a spacious suite with a large desk set up for communication equipment.)

Bellboy (as he finishes helping with the setup):
(00:06:38,000)
"If you need anything else, just give us a call, sir."

(The bellboy leaves, closing the door softly behind him. Stone moves to the communication setup, activating the equipment. The faint hum of machinery fills the room.)

Mr. Stone (on comms, professional tone):
(00:06:50,000)
"GNR, this is Stone. Equipment’s set. I’m checking in."

GNR Operator (business-like, slightly static voice):
(00:06:55,000)
"Roger that, Stone. We’re receiving you loud and clear. All systems operational?"

Mr. Stone (concise):
(00:07:02,000)
"Yeah, everything’s fine. I’ll check in tomorrow. Until then, Bulldog out."

(The faint hum of equipment fades as Stone finishes setup. He takes a deep breath, considering his surroundings. The soft knock on the door signals the bellboy's return.)

Bellboy (curious, almost awestruck):
(00:07:14,000)
"Excuse me, sir… Are you… the Bulldog?"

Mr. Stone (dryly):
(00:07:18,000)
"That’s what they call me."

Bellboy (trying to remain calm):
(00:07:22,000)
"The real Bulldog… not in a million years would I have…"

Mr. Stone (interrupting, mildly amused):
(00:07:25,000)
"Any good bars around here?"

Bellboy (pauses, excited):
(00:07:30,000)
"If you’re looking to relax after your travels, there’s a place nearby I’d recommend. They call it Steel Horizon. Bit of a legend around here. Old-fashioned drinks, good company… rugged, but cozy. It’s just a few blocks north of here!"

(Stone looks thoughtful as the name stirs memories.)

Mr. Stone (quiet, reflective):
(00:07:42,000)
"Steel Horizon, huh? Sounds familiar."

Bellboy (grinning):
(00:07:47,000)
"Yeah, it’s a bit of a staple around here, especially with off-duty soldiers. A lot of stories about what went down before the war, if you’re into that sort of thing."

(Stone gives a slight nod, then heads out the door, the hotel ambiance fading as he exits.)

(End of Scene 6)

Scene 7: Arrival at Steel Horizon
(Time: 00:08:02,000)
(Ambient sound shifts to the bustling noise of the city at night as Stone walks down the street. His boots echo on the pavement, and he approaches a rustic neon sign that flickers: "Steel Horizon." The faint hum of the neon light mixes with low, muffled conversations and music filtering from inside the bar.)

(Stone pauses for a moment, looking up at the sign as if in silent reverence, before opening the door. The bar’s interior atmosphere—chatter, clinking glasses, and the strum of live music—grows louder as he steps inside. The door shuts behind him with a heavy thud, and he’s greeted by a familiar voice from behind the counter.)

First Sergeant (gruff but welcoming):
(00:08:20,000)
"Well, I’ll be damned. If it isn’t Bulldog himself."

Mr. Stone (small chuckle, reflective):
(00:08:25,000)
"Didn’t think you’d still be here, Sergeant."

First Sergeant (pouring a drink, smirking):
(00:08:30,000)
"Oh yeah. After I retired, I came back to this planet searching for something… but what I found was our favorite bar for sale!"

(The sound of liquid pouring into a glass fills the pause as the Sergeant slides a drink toward Stone, who lifts it in silent appreciation.)

Mr. Stone (reflective, taking a sip):
(00:08:36,000)
"Guess you can’t outrun everything."

(He takes a sip, savoring it for a moment before setting the glass down.)

Mr. Stone (curious, examining his drink):
(00:08:40,000)
"Is that… an Ironwood?"

First Sergeant (grinning):
(00:08:44,000)
"Hell yeah! Only the best for the best." (leans forward, tone lowering) "How’s it been going? And more importantly, what’s the famous Bulldog of GNR-107 doing here?"*

(Before Stone can respond, a group of loud young men enters the bar, breaking the calm atmosphere. They laugh and jostle each other, clearly trying to get attention.)

Scene 8: Confrontation with the Rowdy Patrons
(Time: 00:08:52,000)
(The background noise dims slightly as the young men’s mocking voices cut through.)

Loud Guy #1 (mocking tone):
(00:08:55,000)
"Hey, old man! We’d like some drinks!"

Loud Guy #2 (recognizing Stone, voice tinged with sarcasm):
(00:08:58,000)
"Is that the hero we’ve heard about?"

Loud Guy #1 (entitled, almost sneering):
(00:09:02,000)
"Didn’t you used to be in the service? What happened—got scared and quit?"

(The Sergeant’s tone turns cold as he reaches under the bar, a mechanical clink signaling he’s armed himself.)

First Sergeant (calm but with a dangerous edge):
(00:09:10,000)
"You’ve got till I finish loading this… to get out."

(Stone chuckles softly, clearly entertained by the Sergeant’s protective instincts.)

Mr. Stone (amused, grinning):
(00:09:14,000)
"A little harsh, don’t you think? And isn’t that…"

First Sergeant (grinning back):
(00:09:18,000)
"It’s just rubber bullets. Won’t kill ‘em, but a few broken ribs might make ‘em think twice. And, well, it’s not the first time they’ve started acting stupid."

(The rowdy patrons eye the weapon nervously, their laughter dying down as they quietly back out of the bar. The door shuts, and the familiar bar ambiance returns as things settle down.)

Scene 9: Young Soldiers Approach Stone
(Time: 00:09:35,000)
(A few younger soldiers, noticing Stone, approach with a mix of reverence and excitement. Their tones are low and respectful.)

Soldier #1 (hesitant, almost awestruck):
(00:09:39,000)
"Excuse me, sir… are you… Bulldog? The Bulldog?"

(Stone finishes his drink before responding, turning to face them.)

Mr. Stone (gruff but approachable):
(00:09:45,000)
"Yeah… that’s what they called me."

Soldier #2 (enthusiastic):
(00:09:49,000)
"We’ve heard so many stories about you! The way you held off those bugs… everyone talks about it."

Soldier #3 (curious, leaning in):
(00:09:52,000)
"Can you tell us about Halloween? That week… what really happened?"

(A heavy silence fills the bar as Stone considers the question, the weight of his memories evident.)

Mr. Stone (quiet, contemplative):
(00:09:58,000)
"You’ve heard the stories. What more do you want to know?" (pauses, looking back at his drink)

Soldier #1 (eagerly):
(00:10:02,000)
"We’ve only heard bits and pieces… third-hand stories. We want to hear it from you."

Mr. Stone (dryly, raising his glass):
(00:10:06,000)
"Well, now that you put it like that… no."

(The soldiers chuckle awkwardly, a bit disappointed. Stone’s dismissive attitude only adds to his mystique.)

(The First Sergeant steps in with a chuckle, deciding to share his side of the story.)

First Sergeant (chuckling):
(00:10:12,000)
"Hey, kids… I’ll take a stab at it. I mean, I was there too."

Soldier #2 (excited):
(00:10:16,000)
"Really? We’d really like that!"

(The bar settles into a calm murmur as the Sergeant prepares to regale the young soldiers with his own tales, his voice fading out as the scene ends.)

End of Episode 1: Teaser for Episode 2
(Time: 00:10:45,000)
(The background sound fades out, replaced by ominous, foreboding music as the episode comes to a close. The narrator's voice breaks through, setting up the suspense for the next episode.)

Narrator (teaser for the next episode, ominous tone):
(00:10:50,000)
"Next time, on Halloween Offensive: Bulldog revisits the days leading up to the terrifying discovery of the invisible enemy that changed everything. A world where duty collides with love, and a name that would echo in legend."

(A brief sound clip plays, echoing scenes from the upcoming episode: the intense roar of bugs, shouts of soldiers, and Lt. Stone’s voice shouting commands in the thick of battle.)

Lt. Stone (voice raised, urgent):
(00:11:00,000)
"Recon Team, report! What do you see out there?"

(The sound fades, and a final explosion echoes into silence as the teaser ends.)

End Credits
(Time: 00:11:10,000)
(Soft, haunting instrumental music plays as the end credits roll. A calm, serious voice lists the cast.)

Narrator (calm, formal):
(00:11:12,000)
"This episode of Halloween Offensive was brought to life by an incredible cast."

(Each credit follows, with a slight pause between each name.)

Mr. Stone, ‘Bulldog’ – Played by Umbriel
Joe Turner – Played by Grant Peevyhouse
Busboy / First Sergeant / Driver – Played by Brady Flanagan
Loud Guy #1 / Loud Guy #2 / Bellboy – Played by Matt Rukstar
Soldier #1 – Played by Grant Peevyhouse
Soldier #2 / GNR Operator – Played by Ashley P
Soldier #3 – Played by Dwarven_don
Receptionist – Played by Kat
(The end music fades slightly, replaced by a final message.)

Narrator (reflective tone):
(00:12:00,000)
"Special thanks to all the voice actors and production team who brought this story to life, and a heartfelt thank you to our listeners. Stay tuned for the next episode of Halloween Offensive, where we delve deeper into the mystery and courage of those who faced the unimaginable."

(The music fades out completely as the episode ends.)

Closing Theme and Legal Acknowledgment
(Time: 00:12:20,000)
(The episode's closing theme music begins—a haunting, melodic tune with hints of somber piano and soft strings, setting a reflective tone.)

Narrator (calm, with a note of finality):
(00:12:25,000)
"This show, Helldivers Radio, is a PV production. All music and sounds not original to the podcast are licensed and attributed appropriately to the podcast."

(The theme music continues, creating a quiet ambiance as the narrator continues the final acknowledgment.)

Narrator (informative tone):
(00:12:35,000)
"We kindly request that you reach out to us at HelldiverRadio@gmail.com if you wish to use any sounds or music from this podcast for commercial purposes."

(The theme music begins to fade, creating a sense of finality.)

Narrator (warm, concluding tone):
(00:12:45,000)
"Thank you for joining us on this journey. Stay tuned for more episodes as we continue to explore the stories and lives within the Helldivers universe. Until next time… keep the courage alive, Helldivers."

(The music fades out completely, leaving a moment of silence before the podcast closes.)