This episode may contain content that is not suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion
is advised, especially for those under the age of thirteen. Welcome to end
to the night. I'm Nari, your guide on today's excursion down a twisted
path. Be careful not to get lost. Be it dark or light,
it's easy to lose your way. Are you ready, then let's begin.
What goes around comes around. A cool breeze blew through the tall pines,
and the smell of a distant campfire wafted in the air. The night was
peaceful, and only a few animals stirred in this late hour In the Penellenial
Mountains of Arizona. An owl hooted in the pines. Coyotes yapped from the
next ridge over. A black bear lumbered through the nearby campground, where tourists
left food scraps and fishheads behind in their haste to pack. Occasionally, an
unlucky hiker ran into a bear that no longer feared people. But by and
large, the wild life peacefully coexisted with the relatively small number of people who
visited the peaks as a tourist destination. The Coronado National Forest provided relief from
the heat and crowded streets of Tucson and Phoenix, but scientists were also drawn
there. The clear air and the lack of light pollution made the observatory a
perfect spot to star gaze and watch the heavens. The twinkling stars in the
sky above the telescope tonight kept watch over a world that had been kept in
the dark. Exhaustion clouded Avery Pierce's vision, but he shook his head and
wiped a cold, damp cloth across the face. Now was not the time
to lose focus. Not that it makes much difference, I don't suppose,
but I have to see this for myself. Avery's career in the astronomy department
had turned him into a night owl. Long ago, he became accustomed to
staying up all night. Weeks of sleep deprivation were to blame for his current
state of exhaustion. However, Ever, since his discovery a month ago,
he'd slept for no more than an hour or two at a time. Avery
double checked the settings on the primary telescope, stretched and rubbed his face with
his hands. He walked downstairs to the exit, pushed the door open,
and took a deep breath. He peered at the full moon that hung overhead,
and then looked to the outline of the mountains against the skyline. The
owl hooted a mournful call. In the trees, and in the undergrowth,
some small night creatures scampered through the dry leaves. The mountains were a part
of who Avery Pierce was. As he scanned the horizon, his mind drifted
to the many good men he had at this place. I practically grew up
here. Mom, Dad, Chris, and I camped and fished in these
mountains every chance we had. We probably hiked every trail on Mount Graham.
When we were teenagers, Chris and I would compete in the annual archery shoot.
Dad started us in archery when we were barely old enough to hold a
bow. I'll never forget when Chris won his first shoot. Dad was so
proud he put the story that ran in the newspaper on the bulletin board in
his office. He'd grown up and saffered a new Mount Graham like the back
of his hand, and it meant the world to him that his boys also
enjoyed the area. Avery chuckled the stories Dad told about Grandpa and him when
he was a boy, especially the one where he thought he saw sasquatch,
gave us years of good natured teasing of him. He took it all in
stride. I think if Dad was still alive that he'd have been happy to
know I'm here tonight. In fact, I know I'm to be here tonight.
It only makes sense. When Avery was a boy, he was so
enamored of the outdoors that he thought he wanted to be a biologist or a
conservation agent. To this day, he could name any tree, plant,
insect, or animal that called the Penellanial's home. A decision to take an
astronomy class as an elective his senior year in high school changed his plans.
It was then he knew he had to become an astronomer. You realize you
have better luck getting a job as a conservation agent, don't you, his
high school counselor had advised him. Yes, Miss Strait, I realize there's
not a huge market out there for astronomers, but this is what I want
to do with my life. Avery, I just hate to see you waste
money and a degree on something that most likely won't lead to a job in
the future. That was the moment Avery knew he'd never again ask her for
any advice. Thanks for your time, miss Straight, but I think I
know what's best for me, and I'll fill out this financial aid packet on
my own. I don't need the help of someone who doesn't believe in me.
With that, he picked up his folder and walked out of the office.
He never forgot that conversation. Her words, instead of discouraging him from
the career he wanted, actually fueled his drive to work harder and try more
to reach his goal. She may not have supported his decision, but Avery
was very fortunate to have a family that did. Mom, Dad, and
Chris believed in me. I believed in myself. That's all I needed.
After high school, Avery went to the University of Arizona. Not only was
Tucson home to him, but the astronomy department had a good reputation, not
just nationally but around the world. During his undergraduate years, he lived with
his parents at home on Benton Avenue. To save money, he rode the
Sun trained public bus to campus every day. He got on at the intersection
of Swan and Fifth. It dropped him off on Campbell Avenue and from there
he went past the stadium and across the sprawling campus. Once I got to
the mall and saw Old Maine on the other end, it reminded me that
I was making my dreams come true. That grand old building was like a
beacon for me. On breaks between classes, he studied on the lawn of
the campus mall, where the east end of the old Main commanded the view.
The stately old building was the original site of the university. Now it
remains as a crown jewel for Arizona Wildcats. Those were the good days.
A seminar at the U of A allowed him to meet the man who would
become his mentor. A shy graduate student at the time, he made his
way to the front of the lecture hall. After the presentation, Doctor kincaid,
you were incredible. You probably hear this all the time, but you've
just changed my life. The prominent scientist looked at the eager young man and
smiled. You know, you remind me of myself when I was about your
age, I met someone who changed the course of my career as well.
How would you like to join me for dinner and we can talk about what
you want to do in astronomy, Avery was dumbstruck. Are you sure?
Really? Yes? Really, here's my card with my cell number. I've
been to Tucson before, but not enough to get to know anyone. My
wife couldn't come along on this trip, so I wouldn't mind having a conversation
with someone as excited about near Earth objects as I am. Doctor Kincaid.
I can't thank you enough for this, no need to thank me. I
hope someday you will do the same for another young astronomer. At seven o'clock,
the two men met at one of the Mexican restaurants that showcased Tucson's local
cuisine. One thing I always enjoyed when I came to the Old Pueblo is
the food. This restaurant is one of my wife's favorite places. Doctor Kinkaid
gestured for Avery to sit across from him in the booth as the hostess took
them to their table. Over the course of the evening, Doctor king Kaid
told Avery about the man who first interested him in the search for comets and
asteroids that could impact Earth. Jean had a connection with the U of A.
You know, Avery's eyes lit up. He did. He and his
good friend David Levy discovered the comet that struck Jupiter years ago. I liked
to lecture here every year or so to pay homage to the two of them.
Avery stopped chewing and swallowed hard. You mean your mentor was Eugene Shoemaker,
the Eugene Shoemaker of Shoemaker Levy nine, the one and only. He
was amazing. He was my friend, my mentor, and my father figure.
His eyes became misty. I miss him. I'm sorry, I heard
about the tragic accident. He's a legend, So are you, Doctor Kincaid,
call me Sutton. After that meeting, Avery Pierce became a research assistant
for Sutton Kincaid. Through the years, they worked on several projects, and
sometimes Sutton and Avery traveled the world giving presentations. With the renowned astronomer's backing,
Avery moved up the ranks in his field. Soon he was in charge
of the INEO project through the U of A and more specifically, at the
telescope on Mount Graham in the southeastern Mountains of Arizona. The fact that he
was living the life he wanted in the place he loved made Avery certain he
was a lucky man. Tonight, in the still of this pre dawn morning,
he thought of all the wonderful experiences he'd had. His thoughts went back
to the fateful night a month ago. That was the night he first discovered
what astronomers hoped no one would actually ever find. He'd detected a celestial killer.
His first phone call after he verified the numbers was to Sutton Kincaid.
At first, nothing but stunned silence met him on the other end of the
line. His first phone call after he verified the numbers was to Sutton Kincaid.
At first, nothing but stunned silence met him on the other end of
the line. Sutton, I'm sorry. I know you're still dealing with Lucy
Merrily. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But no Avery,
you did the right thing calling me. I'll fly out there in the
morning at Sutton expected. His protege was right. They calculated and recalculated the
results, but the truth was irrefutable. Nothing would stop it. We'd been
blissfully ignorant, and now that we knew, we were powerless. The government
kept the news quiet. There was no sense telling the public the bad news.
World leaders believed the people of Earth deserved to live out their last days
peacefully. Riots and mayhem would change nothing and would only make the end more
horrific. Instead, life would go on as normal, until life would go
on no more. Hours before the colors of sunrise peeked over the ridge,
Avery stood scanning the horizon. He'd discovered the killer here, so it was
fitting this was where Avery chose to die. I know where Sutton Kincaid is.
He's sitting on his balcony in Serenity Beach watching. He's enjoying one more
marvelous sunrise on schedule as dawn broke, asteroid N two six five for nine
arrived over the coast of Florida. Thank you for joining me for this episode
of the Into the Night Anthology podcast. Written by Caroline Giamanco, narrated by
Nari Quok. Theme music by Nico Rodriguez, all other original music, sound
design and editing by Omenhawk Studios. You can find our links in the show
notes. Into the Night is on your favorite podcatcher, so make sure to
like, subscribe and leave a five star review to help other excursionists to join
us. I'll see you next time, and remember, whether in the shadows
or in the daylight, all twisted paths lead You Into the Night. Into
the Night Anthology is a creative Typo entertainment production