PANDEMIC Episode #38

We wheeled and dealed and got permission to share the first 35 minutes of Beasts Beyond the River, Scott’s intense new horror novel, read by none other than Ray Porter (narrator of PROJECT HAIL MARY, EARTHCORE, MOUNT FITZROY, THE BOBBIVERSE, JOE LEDGER, and more). SYNOPSIS: Amidst the brutality of the French and Indian War, an officer in the legendary Rogers’ Rangers is thrust into a nightmare that will challenge both his leadership and his lifelong quest to leave his father’s heritage behind. Lieutenant Geoffrey Rapelje is tasked with guiding a ranger detachment to his birthplace to preserve a fragile treaty between the British and his father’s people. What Geoffrey finds is not the idyllic village of his youth, but a land—and a tribe—ravaged by a vicious, unknown force. He and his rangers embark on a harrowing journey across a North American wilderness beset by violence, betrayal, and inexplicable terrors. To defeat a genocidal enemy, Geoffrey must embrace a dark truth he has long denied. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced by Steve Riekeberg — Production Assistance by Allie Press — Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment  Even the frontier has a boundary… they just crossed it.  That’s the tagline for the novel, but you can cross the boundary of high prices for a new domain registration by using the GoDaddy Promo Coded CJCFOSSIG3. It slashes 99% off year one of a new, three-year domain. Dot-coms included! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welp, you did it. You listened to all eighty-eight episodes of my Infected Trilogy. That's a lot of carnage, my friend. A lot of carnage. If you haven't already subscribed to my free weekly fiction podcast Scott Sigler Slices, please do so. You can find it in the podcast app you're listening to now -- just search there for "Scott Sigler Slices" -- or find a link to subscribe with your favorite podcast app at scottsigler.com/subscribe. I've also got many other free, full-length fiction podcasts ready for your face. Again, search for "Scott Sigler" in this very podcast app. I also have a website, scottsigler.com, where you can find info about my many books, links on where to get them, buy merch, read my blog posts about things I find interesting, and catch up on my news in general. Hit me up at scottsigler.com.  You spent eighty-eight gloriously gory and gripping episodes with me, and for that, I say "thank you." Time is the currency of life, and the minutes you spend with me are minutes you'll never get back. I am grateful for your time, and I hope I brought joy to your life. You keep listening; I'll keep writing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fire Engine 98 has picked up the survivors of the Chicago Cataclysm and is rumbling toward the extraction point. Helicopters are on the way to rescue Dr. Feely, Clarence Otto, Cooper Mitchell, Bosh, Klimas, and Ramierez, but only if they can survive the final wave of the converted that are hot on their tail. Written by Scott Sigler Performed by Phil Gigante Produced by Empty Set Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fire engine is tearing through the streets of Chicago, hosing down the converted as it does. It’s heading to Tim, Clarence, Cooper, Bosh, and Roth, but will it make it to them before the converted swarm into their store and butcher them all? Meanwhile, a Harley-riding Steve Stanton desperately searches for a way to kill his enemies before his kind is wiped out. Written by Scott Sigler Performed by Phil Gigante Produced by Empty Set Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paulius and Bosh are about to take a road trip to end all road trips straight through the converted. Steve Stanton’s reaction to Paulius ripping through Chicago in a firetruck could determine the fate of the human race. Meanwhile, Tim Feely is guns up for the first time in his life, a life that will soon end if he can’t shoot straight. Written by Scott Sigler Performed by Phil Gigante Produced by Empty Set Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clarence Otto has come to realize the harsh truth about his wife, Margaret Montoya. In this episode, he will face his worst fears. Meanwhile, Paulius Klimas and his soldiers seek out a way to deliver Tim Feely’s bioweapon to the converted, and Murray Longworth is about to step deeper into the nuclear-powered politics of a world gone mad. Written by Scott Sigler Performed by Phil Gigante Produced by Empty Set Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim, Cooper, Paulius, Cooper, and Margaret survived the Battle of Chicago, but their ordeal isn’t over yet. Now Paulius and Tim will present Clarence with an impossible decision. Murray Longworth remains in the White House, in a Washington D.C. that is under siege by the converted and about to fall. Meanwhile, Steve Stanton deals with the fallout of that same battle — his slim victory and a pending air strike leave him with hard choices. Written by Scott Sigler Performed by Phil Gigante Produced by Empty Set Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret Montoya’s attempts to escape have failed. Now one of the converted, Clarence Otto ponders how to save her while Tim Feely has other plans for his former boss. Paulius Klimas is boots on the ground, watching his men die around him. Is there a way to accomplish the mission and keep what’s left of his SEAL Team alive? Written by Scott Sigler Performed by Phil Gigante Produced by Empty Set Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The battle of Chicago is in full swing. Steve Stanton’s forces are swarming in on the Windy City skyscraper that holds Cooper, Clarence, Margaret, Paulius and his SEAL team, and the rangers. Margaret’s time is up: if she’s going to make a move to escape, it has to be now. Can she escape? And if so, at what cost? Written by Scott Sigler Performed by Phil Gigante Produced by Empty Set Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Feely is counting on the blood of Cooper Mitchell to provide a counter to the global pandemic that is on the edge of shattering civilization itself. Will Mitchell’s blood provide the answer Feely needs? Meanwhile, Magaret Montoya is trying to deal with an ever-growing list of threats. And the converted horde finally reaches Chicago’s Park Tower, as well as Cooper, Margaret, Clarence Otto, Paulius Kiimas, the Rangers, and the SEALS — the battle is about to begin. Written by Scott Sigler Performed by Phil Gigante Produced by Empty Set Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices