Outraged by the tragedy, the public demands Layeville's execution. Instead of destroying the device, the tribunal accepts a proposal to rebuild the time machine into a massive, tower-like clock with a giant, transparent glass pendulum [05:39 Opens in a new window ]. Layeville is sealed inside the pendulum's round head and condemned to spend the rest of his life swinging back and forth indefinitely as a public spectacle labeled the "Prisoner of Time" [02:45 Opens in a new window ].
Over time, human onlookers fade away, leaving automated robots to maintain the clock, feed Layeville, and clean his prison [09:41 Opens in a new window ]. Disaster strikes when an invading horde of black, gelatinous alien creatures swoops down and wipes out all human life on Earth [10:19 Opens in a new window ]. Safe inside his sealed glass chamber, Layeville realizes the pendulum—meant to be a punishment—has served as a shelter protecting him from extinction, making him the final survivor on Earth [11:23 Opens in a new window ].
A thousand years later, alien explorers land on the desolate planet [11:57 Opens in a new window ]. They find the robots still maintaining the clock while the pendulum continues its endless arc [12:32 Opens in a new window ]. Inside, they discover Layeville's skeleton, its bare skull fixed in a permanent grin against the glass, having outlived his jailers and ultimately conquered time [13:07 Opens in a new window ].
Before you click play, prepare yourself for an immersive journey beyond the edge of human understanding. DUST Podcast "HORIZONS" is a premier sci-fi audio anthology featuring cinematic soundscapes, star-studded voice performances, and thought-provoking stories about AI, genetic engineering, cosmic dread, and the ultimate future of humanity.
Why You Can’t Stop Listening
Cinematic Sci-Fi Audio Dramas: Rich sound design and original scores make every episode feel like a movie for your ears.
Masterful Storytelling: From genetically modified assassins to artificial intelligence possessing ancient machines, each standalone tale explores the dark, fascinating edges of speculative fiction.
World-Class Voice Talent: Featuring performances by acclaimed actors, including Moira Quirk and Andre Sogliuzzo.
Where to Start?
Start from the Beginning: Dive intoEpisode 1: Genborn—a gripping thriller about an engineered assassin whose routine manhunt uncovers a conspiracy that challenges her very existence.
Explore Short Tales: Looking for a quick, mind-bending story? Check out Episode 2: Pendulum or Episode 3: Sanctity & Targeted Adverts.
Close your eyes, put on your headphones, and press play. The future is calling.
What It Is
Set in a dystopian future, the story follows Nia—a genetically engineered, splice-enhanced soldier created by a ruling faction called the Unity. Designated as an elite, ruthless tracker, Nia views humanity through a lens of cold logic and genetic superiority. When she is deployed alongside a non-engineered "bland-born" officer named Dern to hunt down a fugitive on an alien planet, what seems like a routine mission unravels into a deeper psychological mystery.
What to Expect
A Thought-Provoking Narrative: Explores core sci-Fi themes such as genetic engineering vs. natural humanity, free will, emotional conditioning, and the cost of total control.
Tension and Twists: A suspenseful hunt that shifts from an outer-space manhunt to a confrontation about Nia's true identity, her missing memories, and the dark secrets behind her creation.
