Afterlight (2025) Movie Script
[no audio]
[poignant music]
[Luna] Babe, babe, come to bed.
[Late Husband] No, I almost got it.
[Luna] There's no
shame in using the clip on.
I've almost got it, okay.
Just, just gimme a minute.
[Luna] Come on. We've
got an early start.
Oh yeah, tomorrow,
important or something?
(pillow thuds)
Oh.
(Luna laughs)
[Luna] This is your last chance
and then you are stuck with me.
[Late Husband] I'll sleep on it.
(Luna laughs)
(sombre music)
Are you recording me?
[Luna] I like to remember these moments.
Well, how about make it a
little bit more memorable, huh?
(app chimes)
(app swooshes)
(sombre music)
[poignant music]
Don't forget to take those things out
before you go to bed, okay.
All right, sleep tight.
(sombre music)
(app clicks)
Sleep tight.
(app clicks)
Sleep tight.
(sombre music)
(phone chimes)
(Luna exhales)
(phone clicks)
(siren wailing)
(lifting music)
(app swooshes)
Whoa.
(app chimes)
Kind of cute. What do you think?
No, you know what? Can't do this.
I just, I don't know how
to talk to anyone else.
(app chimes)
(app chimes)
(bright music)
[Narrator] Introducing Optic Lens two,
the next generation of
Smart Vision technology.
Whether you're working out, in a meeting
or looking for the perfect restaurant,
it's all at a glance.
From real time translation to
virtual reality experiences,
gain an edge in that
important job interview
or effortlessly charm your date
with our new AI powered social cues.
If you're already an Optics Glasses user,
upgrade to smart lenses for free.
The future is in sight.
(gentle music)
(guests chattering)
Hey, Luna.
Hi, oh.
- Oh, you got that?
- Sorry.
Yeah. (Chuckles)
[Anthony] You alright?
Yes.
(Anthony chuckles)
(gentle music)
You look great.
[Luna] Oh, thanks.
(gentle music)
Lovely to meet you.
And you. (Chuckles)
(gentle music)
(guests chattering)
Great choice of bar, by the
way. Have you been here before?
I'll be honest, the app rated it
as the most likely place
we'd have a good evening.
Oh.
Aren't behavioural algorithms romantic?
(both scoffs)
I'd really like to prove it wrong.
Then, I will do my best
to show you a terrible time.
Although I am told there's
an amazing rooftop view.
[Luna] Oh.
Alcohol?
Yes.
Uh, what's your drink?
Uh, usually just the one
with the best name. (Chuckles)
I bet yours is rum something fruity.
Good guess.
Hi, I'm Sam. Are you ready to order?
Uh, I think so.
He'll have a Dark and Stormy
and I'll take a Honey Badger Blitz.
[Waiter] Perfect.
Thank you.
Thanks.
What is in a Honey Badger Blitz?
No idea.
(both chuckles)
So tell me about yourself.
Oh, um, (chuckles)
(gentle music)
Well, I am a digital
journalist, mainly in tech.
Nice. So you get to
review all the new gadgets?
Yeah, when I'm lucky,
but I'm mostly writing
about social media trends.
I'd really like to do more
investigative work though.
I, I love a good story.
Right, your profile said
you are into literature.
Yeah, crime, romance,
any of the page turners.
Yeah, how about you?
A big reader too, I'm
going through all of Kerouac
at the moment.
- Oh.
I mean, I read "On The Road" at school,
but I mean, he's actually written loads of,
loads of great stuff.
Yeah, no, I've read some Kerouac.
I, I found "On The Road"
to be so raw and visceral.
I love the ending.
[Anthony] Yeah, me too.
Oh. (Chuckles)
Yeah, I think it's about
him finally taking the wheel,
you know, no longer being a,
a passenger in his own life.
Yes, and I saw his full collection
is 50% off right now on bookden.com.
Oh, good.
Uh, one Honey Badger Blitz.
Thank you.
And a Dark and Stormy.
Thank you.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
(glass clinks)
So you're in marketing?
Yeah, yeah, I'd like
to say the ethical kind
at least it's none of
that targeted optic crap.
Oh, I had at least four
flashing at me on my way here.
It drove my husband mad. He used to say...
God, sorry.
Don't worry. I saw on your profile.
I'm so sorry and we've,
we've all got our histories.
Thank you.
[Anthony] What did husband say?
Yeah, he used to say that the billboards
knew me better than he did. (Chuckles)
Anyway, I got an ad blocker installed,
but they just, they keep getting through.
So you are using the.
Yeah, yeah, just for, you
know, workouts, gaming,
getting round, casual stuff.
I'm reviewing the new models for work.
Right.
Is that okay?
I'm just finding it
really hard to get used to,
to be honest.
Like whenever I'm talking to someone,
I dunno if they're looking at me
or a video in front of my face.
Sorry, what was that?
Someone just sent me a cat video. (Laughs)
That's, yeah...
I mean, to be fair, you
could be live streaming me
across the internet right now.
It's just me looking at you, I promise.
Should I be concerned that
they're telling you how to seduce me?
(Luna chuckles)
Maybe a little, but don't worry,
I still have some creative control.
Some.
Oh well, how do I know
you're not doing the same?
Well, I mean, I'm obviously
not using smart glasses
and I'm not gonna poke my eyes for you,
but you can, you can take a closer look.
Okay, I believe you. (Chuckles)
And what are the lenses saying about me?
Oh, well, they've
already analysed your smile
and given it a perfect
10 out of 10 (laughs)
And trust me, they're never wrong.
Never?
(Luna laughs)
Well, you may be reading from a script,
but that adorable laugh is all you.
God, stop.
You must get loads of
matches with lines like that.
I mean, it's hard to put off on the app.
Do miss the old fashioned approach.
Yeah, it's just weird to me
any other way these days.
Not that I've been on
many dates, I'm very picky.
Well, I'm honoured I made the cut.
Oh, 97% compatible,
had to give you a chance.
Wonder what the 3% is.
Guess we'll need time to find out.
(Anthony scoffs)
(gentle music)
Is that another hilarious cat video?
Sorry, one sec.
(phone chimes)
I just need to use the bathroom.
Sure.
Would you like another Honey Badger?
Uh, hold that thought. (Chuckles)
(gentle music)
(guests chattering)
(ominous music)
(phone chimes)
(Luna scoffs)
No thanks.
(contacts shutters)
Ah! What?
(eerie music)
[suspenseful music]
(contacts shutters)
(eerie music)
(door bangs)
(contacts shutters)
Ah!
(eerie music)
Who are you? What do you want?
That's not happening.
(eerie music)
I love your dress.
Oh, thanks.
(hand dryer whirring)
You look gorgeous, by the way.
[Guest] Aw, thank you.
Have a lovely evening.
Yeah, and you.
Oh God, oh God, oh, (panting)
(water gushing)
(air rushing)
(Luna panting)
(pixels static)
(Luna panting)
Okay, don't panic, (panting) don't panic.
(pixels static)
You are not getting anything, mate.
I know how these things work like,
I, I just have to wait for my
phone to die in four hours,
four hours.
Shame, I liked him. (Exhales)
(gentle music)
Uh, would you like another?
Hold that thought, thanks.
(gentle music)
(phone chimes)
(light clicking)
(ominous music)
(Luna gasps)
(tense music)
(monster growling)
(tense music)
(sword slashes)
(Luna laughs)
(gentle music)
Nice try, there's nothing
you can do to scare me,
so just stop wasting
your time and piss off.
(tense music)
No, no, not those.
(animation shimmers)
No, stop, stop please,
stop please, stop it.
(text shimmers)
(tense music)
(foot thudding)
(Luna grunting)
(Luna panting)
I knew I should have worn heels.
(phone thudding)
(Luna grunting)
(Luna panting)
No, please, please, let's just talk.
(Luna panting)
(heart beating)
(animation static)
(gentle music)
Excuse me, can I get the bill please?
Sure.
(sombre music)
[poignant music]
(animation static)
(Luna panting)
(sombre music)
(animation static)
(Luna panting)
(sombre music)
(animation static)
Sleep tight.
(sombre music)
(sombre music continues)
[emotional music]
(sombre music continues)
[Anthony] Oh, hey.
[Luna] Hey.
I thought you bailed.
Is everything all right?
Yeah, I'm really sorry,
do you think we could
maybe, I dunno, start again?
Okay.
Okay, that was just
a trial period before.
[Anthony] Alright.
(Luna laughs)
Okay.
Hey, can I get a GNT please?
[Bartender] Yeah, of course.
No more Honey Badgers?
Mm, it was disgusting. (Laughs)
Hi, I'm Luna.
Nice to meet you Luna. I'm Anthony.
So why don't you tell me about yourself?
[Anthony] That is a
bad question, isn't it?
[Luna] Yeah, (speaks indistinctly).
(eerie music)
(drum beating)
Welcome to the squadron commander.
Thank you, sir.
You're now amongst
the best pilots on Eden.
(dramatic music)
(craft swooshing)
I know you are familiar with my ship.
The Eden Bound.
Finest in the fleet,
but I can think of no
one better to pilot her
than my daughter.
(dramatic music)
(craft whooshing)
(buttons clicking)
(craft engine whirring)
We have strong evidence that the Aurorans
are constructing anti-matter weapons,
posing an existential
threat to our citizens.
As part of the ongoing
special military operation,
the council has authorised
a preemptive strike
on the city of Echoes.
This mission is now entrusted to you.
Eden's survival hangs in the balance.
(dramatic music)
(craft rumbling)
(button clicks)
(alarm beeping)
(explosion booming)
Once your ship clears their lunar blockade,
you will launch a Nova
nuclear strike on the city.
The empire thanks you for your service.
Eden is eternal.
Eden is eternal.
Your mother would be so proud of you.
(laser firing)
(explosion booming)
(craft beeping)
[Computer] Engines
offline, brace for impact.
(craft beeping)
(craft rumbling)
(craft thuds)
Propulsion systems offline,
long range comms, offline,
life support, minimal,
you must follow protocol.
Commander, the inbound is beyond repair.
See, progress.
Position status.
[Computer] We are on
Aurora southern hemisphere
in the city of Echoes.
The ship is deeply embedded in a crater.
You must follow Protocol one.
You give up too easily.
(screen static)
(Kara groans)
It's hot.
[System] Internal cooling is offline.
After sunrise, cockpit temperatures
will exceed 40 degrees.
(craft whooshing)
(Kara grunts)
(Kara panting)
What would you do?
Computer, calculate a fuel exchange
needed to create a shockwave.
[Computer] Hall
integrity is insufficient.
I could get out via the cargo holes
and I could repair the
ship from the outside.
(tense music)
(system buzzing)
Open the door.
[Computer] The cockpit cannot be unlocked
under protocol conditions.
- Open the door.
Open the door.
[Computer] There is a
0% possibility of repairing
the ship externally.
- Let me out.
[Computer] Protocol
one must be maintained.
Protocol One dictates
I know!
Self-destruction. I can
still complete the mission.
(sombre music)
[Computer] I am sorry, Commander.
Eden is eternal.
[Computer] Your
death will not be in vain.
You will deal a great blow to Aurora.
(button clicking)
(engine whooshing)
(alarm beeping)
[Aris] This is the Echo response team.
If you can hear this, we mean you no harm.
We are extracting your craft
and we'll return you to Eden safely.
The crash site is
surrounded, please cooperate.
[Computer] The Eden
Bound must not be acquired
by the enemy.
[Aris] Hello?
Hello.
[Aris] I'm glad you're alive.
I'm Aris. What's your name?
Are you injured?
Just hot.
[Aris] Sit tight. We'll
have you out in no time.
I've never spoken to an Auroran before.
[Aris] I'm sure we could
learn a lot from each other.
We do know what your
ships are capable of though.
There are 40,000 lives in the city.
I just ask that you let us
complete the extraction safely,
then we can talk more, face to face.
My name is Kara.
[Aris] Hello Kara. You're
just in time for sunrise.
[Computer] You have
three minutes until extraction.
This cannot happen.
[Aris] I always wanted to fly a ship.
How long have you been a pilot?
I've trained all my
life for this mission.
[Aris] Not the best start then.
[Computer] Commander, you were surrounded
by hostile combatants.
[Aris] What was it like
growing up on Eden?
[Computer] Commander,
you must enact protocol.
The academy was home.
Taught us to be prepared,
to protect our paradise.
[Aris] Did you enjoy it?
It was far, in another region,
but once, my parents surprised by visiting
and my mom was so proud
seeing me in my uniform.
We spent the day walking
through the Golden Glades
and the night, lying under your moonlight.
And I wondered how something so beautiful
can be so full of hate.
[Aris] I don't hate you.
[Computer] Remember
their war crimes commander.
All Aurorans do.
[Aris] And is that why you're here?
To protect Eden.
[Aris] There is no danger
from anyone right now.
We can resolve this peacefully.
[Computer] An enemy
should is lifting the inbound
out of the crater.
Commander, you must complete
your mission immediately.
I'm sorry.
[Aris] Kara, listen, I'm not
speaking for the government,
or the radicals, it's just you and me.
Please, there are thousands
of children in the city.
Two of them are my own, I only
want them to have a future.
I lost my mother to this
war. She died saving Eden.
[Aris] I'm sorry.
- Neither of us should have to suffer more.
- I'm making sure my people don't.
[Aris] I don't wanna die, Kara.
No one here wants to die, do you?
[Computer] Now commander,
the anti-matter weapons
must be destroyed.
(Aris speaks indistinctly)
[Aris] Kara look
outside, we have nothing.
You will hurt us, we have no choice.
[Aris] Peace is all we want,
we've only ever defended ourselves.
[Computer] Commander.
[Aris] You're nearly out, we
can talk this through please,
just wait one more minute.
(palm thuds)
(explosion booming)
(screen static)
Congratulations, commander.
This was a final test.
You have proven your loyalty to the empire.
Seemed so real.
In some sense, it was.
Based on an operation
from the fifth retaliation,
not is left of the city of Echoes today.
I told you, your mother died saving Eden.
That was her final mission.
I became too emotional, sir.
You did the right thing,
Kara, that's all that matters.
We can erase your
recollection of this exercise
if you so choose and
your true journey begins.
(sombre music)
Eden thanks you.
Eden is eternal.
(sombre music)
(tense music)
(gun crackling)
(Sam panting)
(monster growling)
(monster roaring)
(tense music)
(monster roaring)
[beast's labored breathing]
(monster wheezing)
(ominous music)
(monster roaring)
(ominous music)
(fists banging)
(door clattering)
[Raj] Come in.
[Sam] Anything happen while I was out?
[Raj] Did you, did you see them?
[Sam] See what?
[Raj] Shit.
Did you go outside?
There's something out there.
Damn it, Raj.
Let me see.
Oh, come on.
[Sam] It's worse than this morning.
I'm fine, okay, I just,
I just need some rest
and I'll be fine.
Okay, what, what did
you, did you get anything?
(pills clattering)
Where did you get all this?
There was a car.
[Raj] Oh, abandoned?
Crashed, glacier in
the middle of the road,
it looked quick.
Jesus.
You've been busy.
No, not really, I just
needed to clear my thoughts.
Alright, let's hear 'em.
Okay, okay, everything that we've seen
for the past month, okay,
slices of rock from different biomes,
and your animals that
have been dead for millions,
some billions of years,
my first instinct was that
maybe it was an experiment
gone wrong somewhere.
You think people did this?
No, no, not, not, we
can't, not, not now anyways.
Not now?
But if everything,
everything we've seen so far
has been from the past,
what if, what if some of it isn't,
what if some of what's here
right now is what comes after?
Right?
You saw something?
What?
Outside, you said there
was something out there.
What did you see?
(Raj coughs)
I saw a light, it was red.
I thought maybe it was like
the police or an ambulance,
but I, I tried to approach it
and I thought that first
maybe it was a man,
and then it stood up.
(monster clattering)
[Sam] Animal?
No, no it was human, ish.
Did it see you?
I couldn't, I couldn't tell.
There's too much fog to see it's face,
but I mean, I'm pretty
sure it could see me.
There was all these cables
coming out of his back,
they were all like attached to
these floating rings, right?
And one of them flashed
a red light at me and I just,
I don't remember what happened.
I mean, I was missing a bullet,
I didn't hear anything.
(tense music)
Are you sure you didn't see anything?
Sam?
I saw Sally.
Sally?
What? Like our Sally?
How is that even, how would you even know?
Because it was a juvenile.
Because it died from a
high impact puncture wound
through the chest.
Wait.
Jesus, holy shit.
Yeah.
You did this?
I think it was dying
even before I shot it.
Probably pneumonia like Jim and Casey,
based off of its wheezing.
So whatever's happening on land
must be happening (coughs).
(ominous music)
We need to leave.
What?
If we stay here, we're
only delaying the inevitable.
Where will we go?
[Sam] We head to town.
We don't even know
if there's a town left.
We take our chances.
Jesus, you just said you
ran into Sally minutes ago.
Sally was already dying.
I'm sure it's the same for
every other thing out there.
Oh yeah. What about them?
Whatever it is you saw, it already knows
we're here anyways.
(light clicks)
(ominous music)
(light clicking)
(explosion booming)
(gun cocks)
(monster panting)
(door squeals)
(monster clattering)
(ominous music)
(Raj coughs)
(monster squealing)
(gunshot fires)
(ear drums ringing)
(Sam panting)
Raj, are, you okay? You okay? (Panting)
I'll be right back, okay?
Hang on. (Panting)
(floorboard creaks)
(clock dings)
(clock clattering)
(Raj coughing)
(clock rings)
(clock clattering)
(ominous music)
(Sam panting)
(ominous music)
My name is Dr. Samantha Martin,
head of the university dig here,
just south of the Badlands.
It is June 23rd, about five weeks or so
since this event happened.
Raj had the words time
compression circled in his notes.
Went way past the point of insanity here,
so I figured if I'll make it to the city,
I might as well record the little I know.
(metal structure screeching)
For a year, my team and I
have been excavating the fossilised remains
of a theropods Raj named Sally.
I think I killed her yesterday.
Exit wound through the spine.
Like I say, that doesn't make any sense,
but that was five weeks after my team and I
woke up in the middle of a sulphur bed,
a day before, I buried
Raj next to his home.
(Sam coughs)
(ominous music)
(water splashing)
(ominous music)
(Sam screams)
(Sam panting)
(monsters clattering)
(tense music)
(heart thumping)
(monsters clattering)
(tense music)
(monsters continue clattering)
(tense music continues)
(Sam thuds)
(water rushing)
(ominous music)
I can't help, but think of her.
Sally, she died afraid, confused.
(monster clattering)
There was so much she didn't know.
What I was.
(tense music)
Time I was from.
(tense music)
How could she had known.
(tense music)
(dramatic music)
(aircraft rumbling)
(Cassie exhaling)
(system chimes)
Morning mode.
[AI] Good morning, Cassie.
Connecting to Weston global net.
Loading, loading, loading, loading.
The weather for today,
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2151
will be 32 degrees Celsius and sunny.
(system chiming)
The first item on your calendar is work
from 0600H to 2200H.
There are no other items
on your calendar for today.
Water, cold, 300ml.
[AI] Please confirm your
purchase for three credits.
(water trickling)
Thank you.
(system chimes)
The Blue Line hover train will be arriving
at the new Lincoln Park
Station in five minutes.
Clean.
(system chimes)
[AI] Sterilisation complete,
Work mode, exit.
(system chimes)
[AI] Have a nice day, Cassie.
[Cassie] No, dad, dad.
Mr. Aquino, it's time to go.
Just one second.
[Cassie] Oh please, don't go.
Sir, our shuttle leaves
in two minutes.
- You go to hell.
I know, just one damn second.
Cassie.
- Let me go, let me go.
- Cassie.
Oh, sisi,
listen to you mother.
This isn't right.
Let me go, Izzy.
- Okay, it's time to go, now.
Go, just go.
[Cassie] No.
Secure mode.
(system chimes)
- Cassie, what are you doing?
- Cassie, stop.
Do you wanna get arrested?
If that's what it takes.
Great, break your hand and the paddle.
Mom, they're gonna charge us for.
You know there's a fine for
obstructing a recruitment.
God, you so like one of
those company zombies.
You think we had a choice?
You and Isabelle's
School, Lola's medication,
the roof over our heads are not free.
We owe the company
and the company has the right
to recruit to repay our debt.
Nobody repays it. Isak says it's rigged.
His debt has been gone eight years,
name anybody who whoever repay their debt.
Name anybody who ever came home.
Well, I'm sure some do.
It's in the employee contract.
Screw the contract. I hate the company.
I'm getting dad back.
That's 150 credit.
Deactivate the secure mode, open.
(system chimes)
And a lot of good it does us.
Wait, please don't go.
(sombre music)
I am here for you. I will
always be here for you.
[AI] All supervisor level
annual performance evaluations
must be submitted by Monday.
Failure to complete evaluation
will result (speaks indistinctly).
(grunts) Damn it, stupid piece of shit.
Aquino, section 33B,
subsection six of the
employee contract state
Sir, subsection six
requires all employees
refrain from any language that might offend
or in any other way,
make his or her coworkers
feel uncomfortable.
Good, just remember
that the next time that you...
What is the problem here?
It's a defective board, sir.
The unit's gonna be out of service
until I can get a replacement.
We'll get it fast. Downtime
impacts my performance review.
I can get it faster,
if you would submit a requisition for me.
[AI] Attention, until system
upgrades are completed,
all (indistinct) employees.
- Aquino.
[AI] Are required to work
mandatory extended hours.
Thank you, sir.
(tablet chimes)
Oh, I received a temporary transfer order
for you to Weston Galactic
Station number two.
Really? As in the orbital station?
A maintenance supervisor,
Itsak, Isak Komoroski
has a malfunctioning reclamation unit
and apparently no one can fix it.
How does he even know about you?
You know the anti moonlighting clock.
Frankly, sir, with my seven day a week,
18 hour day schedule,
I do not have the timer
energy to moonlight.
Hmm, he must have found you
in the Weston Global Asset Directory.
(system chimes)
Here's your transfer and pass
for the shuttle tomorrow morning.
Get up there, fix it and get back.
You're scheduled for maintenance
on tank four's control system's
the day after tomorrow.
(phone beeps)
Thank you, sir.
Carry on Aquino.
[AI] Supervisors may
request non-working employees,
work additional hours.
(scene static)
[Cassie] This isn't right.
We do what we must, take
care of your sister with Lola.
My strong babe girl.
(sombre music)
[AI] Thank you for riding
Weston Public Transit.
[Cassie] Thanks for within service, Isak.
I'm sorry about Lola. She
was always really nice to me.
Cassie, what are we gonna do?
We'll be okay. I'll take care of us now.
Here.
I know it's not much,
but my family always eats after a funeral.
It's a way of showing
that life has to go on.
Really?
[Isak] You know me,
I only get the best stuff for my friends.
You gotta tell me how
you do it, how you get stuff.
Trade secret.
Thanks Isak, thanks so much.
Cassie, you should have a piece.
I'm fine. You enjoy it.
Thanks.
Seriously, if you two
ever need anything.
(door beeps)
Cassie Isabel Aquino.
What the hell is he doing here?
I can handle it.
Do you want me to- - [Cassie]
Don't, no, I, just go home for now.
We are authorised to enter
this company owned residence.
Message me later.
(system chimes)
(tense music)
Cassie, I don't like this.
It'll be okay.
Cassie Aquino.
Yes.
Ms. Aquino, we're here to
You can't recruit me. I'm 18.
You can't recruit the
sole guardian of a minor.
Ms. Aquino, we're not
here to recruit you.
You're not?
No, but as you can
see, you have insufficient
credits nor employment to
assume the role of guardian.
But my grandmother gets
A retirement allocation
is nontransferable.
But both her parents
work for the company.
All debt restitution, employment credits
after deduction of employee living expenses
are applied to repayment of the principal
and interest of the debt
for which the employee was recruited.
What are you saying?
This company owned residence
is being reallocated.
We're just here to
relocate you and your sister.
Relocate?
Isabella Aquino your
deemed award to the company
will be relocated to
an appropriate facility
for your well being.
Award for the company?
No, you can't do that.
Stop, I'll get a job, I
can take care of her.
Cassie Aquino, based
on your aptitude test scores,
the company will fund your
ongoing training and housing
as well as provide
employment upon completion,
your belongings will be
collected and forwarded to you.
Listen to me, we are all we have.
We need to stick together.
Please come with us. Gentlemen,
Run Izzy, no, no, no, no.
Ow!
(Izzy screams)
(both screaming)
According to section
22A, subsection nine,
we're authorised to relocate you.
If you resist, we can restrain
you by whatever nonlethal,
noninvasive means we deem necessary.
The company knows what it's doing.
You'll see. This is for the best.
[AI] Next stop, New Lincoln Park Station.
The doors will open on your right.
(system chimes)
New Lincoln Park Station.
Thank you for riding Weston Public Transit.
Check it out, it's a techie.
(thug chuckles)
What the hell?
[Thug] You guys
spare credit there, techie?
(thugs cheering)
[Thug] Yeah!
[Thug] Come on techie, techie, techie.
[Thug] Haha, yeah.
Come on, you look like a
smart girl, a smart techie girl
and that means you got creds.
I don't. I just have a few.
Huh, okay, then prove it.
- Yeah.
- Show us.
Show us.
(thug chuckles)
- Oh, no, no, no, no.
- Oh yeah.
[Thug] Gimme the glass.
[Thug] Here.
Show us.
(thug chuckles)
(glass chimes)
(thug gasps)
Damn, we hit the lotto one this one.
No way, no recruits got
that many creds all right.
This stinks of management.
Yeah, she's company
security. This is set up.
Relax, okay.
You're not narc or an exec, are you?
No,
I didn't think so.
Then how you got so many creds?
I don't know. How many do I have?
(glass chimes)
Super nova.
(light shutters)
(thugs screaming)
(punch swooshes)
(thugs groaning)
[Thug] Ah, drop it.
(punch thudding)
(thugs speaking indistinctly)
Bitch!
(dramatic music)
(kick thuds)
[Thug] Stop her!
[Thug] Come here. (Groans)
I'm gonna tear you apart and
download every cred you got.
Well, before you do, there's
something you should know.
[Thug] Where to send your body?
I have been saving up for
10 years to find my family.
Oh, does baby want her mommy?
But I didn't save
everything, I spent a few.
On what? On diapers.
Self-defense classes.
Oh.
Come on, kick her ass.
(punches thudding)
(thug groans)
(punch thudding)
Come on, get her.
(punches thudding)
(punches swooshing)
(kick thuds)
(thug groans)
(Cassie groans)
(punches thudding)
(Cassie groaning)
(Cassie panting)
[AI] New Lincoln Park Station.
(ominous music)
(knife clangs)
(thug laughs)
(palm slaps)
(brooding music)
[AI] Welcome home, Cassie.
(Cassie groans)
Water, cold, 300ml.
[AI] Please note the price has changed.
Do you wish to proceed?
No. Change request.
150ml, room temp.
[AI] Please confirm your
purchase for, thank you.
(water trickling)
You have one new message.
[Cassie] View message.
Meet me at the spaceport
in three hours. Gate four.
[AI] End of message.
(craft swooshes)
[AI] Weston Galactic Orbital Shuttle
to space station number 2 is
now boarding on platform A.
Executive passengers should proceed
to the boarding area now.
(air swooshing)
Well?
All business, no hospitality.
You see this is why you
don't have any friends.
I don't need them, I have you.
So Izzy's on space station number two?
You're gonna have to
travel a lot farther than that.
How far?
Ganymede.
Jupiter's moon? How the hell
am I supposed to get there?
Oh, ye of little faith.
Remember, I can get you anything.
With enough creds, here.
Keep it. I called in a favour
to get you up on the station.
Once you're there, talk to Fitzpatrick,
engineering pod four.
About 50,000 credits should
get you everything you need
to get to Ganymede.
Okay, but what about your cut?
It's fine.
Thanks.
(Cassie smooches)
[AI] West Galactic Orbital Shuttle
to space station number two,
is now forwarding on platform A.
Executive passenger should
proceed to the boarding area now.
(romantic music)
[AI] Ground crew
Don't miss your shuttle. Get going.
Cassie, bring her home.
(system beeping)
[AI] Prepare for departure,
secure all equipment in proper safe zones.
Thank you for flying Weston Galactic.
(aircraft swooshing)
(bright music)
[Interviewer] Everything's ready?
[Interviewer] Yes, everyone
from the institute is here.
She's coming.
(astronaut speaks indistinctly)
[Interviewer] Professor.
(gentle music)
[Interviewer] You can start.
(recorder clangs)
So my name is Elizabeth Esther,
professor and astronaut,
one of five astronauts
selected to be part of the Life Mission.
After many failures in
colonising a habitable place,
this mission was about finding a new home
for the human species.
A place where life is possible,
but this time further.
(sanguine music)
(astronaut speaks indistinctly)
2098, this is where my story begins.
First day in the space station.
(astronaut speaks indistinctly)
I was 28, the youngest astronaut in space,
leaving earth for a long, solitary journey.
(sanguine music)
A dive into the void, into the nothing.
Beginning of the artificial
sleep for three years.
(sanguine music)
We arrived by Saturn, flew over it,
following its equator line,
we were supposed to find a wormhole,
allowing us to do the big
jump out of our solar system,
out of our galaxy.
(gentle music)
We did it.
(space rumbling)
(gentle music)
We were now on the other side,
light years from earth,
exploring, weeks became months,
months became years.
We slept, five years,
10 years,
15 years.
During this time on earth, trees grew,
people loved, people
died, people were born.
Humanity persevered. We were
in the dark until this moment.
The wall.
(sanguine music)
(bright sanguine music)
[Interviewer] How big was it?
Our devices said it
was a few light years,
we didn't really know.
[Interviewer] What did you do?
(bright sanguine music)
We went in.
(bright sanguine music)
It wasn't a wall, but
another space filled with light,
more light than we were prepared for.
It's, it's all right, I still close my eyes
when I face the sun.
It looked like our universe,
but with its own stars.
We travelled through it
until we found the other one.
(bright sanguine music)
This is where we found
what we were looking for.
This is where we found life.
(camera shuttering)
(bright sanguine music)
[Interviewer] How's your
life going since you're back?
Any cardiac issue?
No, nothing.
How was the contact
with your friends and family
when you came back?
Any problem with talking or to be sociable?
Not really.
I enjoyed meeting the
children of my friends.
With my mom, we bought
flowers and visited my dad.
[Interviewer] Any regret for spending
a major part of your life in space?
No, nothing.
[Interviewer] Any additional thought
or regret about this mission?
No, nothing.
[Interviewer] Thank you.
[music]
[poignant music]
[Luna] Babe, babe, come to bed.
[Late Husband] No, I almost got it.
[Luna] There's no
shame in using the clip on.
I've almost got it, okay.
Just, just gimme a minute.
[Luna] Come on. We've
got an early start.
Oh yeah, tomorrow,
important or something?
(pillow thuds)
Oh.
(Luna laughs)
[Luna] This is your last chance
and then you are stuck with me.
[Late Husband] I'll sleep on it.
(Luna laughs)
(sombre music)
Are you recording me?
[Luna] I like to remember these moments.
Well, how about make it a
little bit more memorable, huh?
(app chimes)
(app swooshes)
(sombre music)
[poignant music]
Don't forget to take those things out
before you go to bed, okay.
All right, sleep tight.
(sombre music)
(app clicks)
Sleep tight.
(app clicks)
Sleep tight.
(sombre music)
(phone chimes)
(Luna exhales)
(phone clicks)
(siren wailing)
(lifting music)
(app swooshes)
Whoa.
(app chimes)
Kind of cute. What do you think?
No, you know what? Can't do this.
I just, I don't know how
to talk to anyone else.
(app chimes)
(app chimes)
(bright music)
[Narrator] Introducing Optic Lens two,
the next generation of
Smart Vision technology.
Whether you're working out, in a meeting
or looking for the perfect restaurant,
it's all at a glance.
From real time translation to
virtual reality experiences,
gain an edge in that
important job interview
or effortlessly charm your date
with our new AI powered social cues.
If you're already an Optics Glasses user,
upgrade to smart lenses for free.
The future is in sight.
(gentle music)
(guests chattering)
Hey, Luna.
Hi, oh.
- Oh, you got that?
- Sorry.
Yeah. (Chuckles)
[Anthony] You alright?
Yes.
(Anthony chuckles)
(gentle music)
You look great.
[Luna] Oh, thanks.
(gentle music)
Lovely to meet you.
And you. (Chuckles)
(gentle music)
(guests chattering)
Great choice of bar, by the
way. Have you been here before?
I'll be honest, the app rated it
as the most likely place
we'd have a good evening.
Oh.
Aren't behavioural algorithms romantic?
(both scoffs)
I'd really like to prove it wrong.
Then, I will do my best
to show you a terrible time.
Although I am told there's
an amazing rooftop view.
[Luna] Oh.
Alcohol?
Yes.
Uh, what's your drink?
Uh, usually just the one
with the best name. (Chuckles)
I bet yours is rum something fruity.
Good guess.
Hi, I'm Sam. Are you ready to order?
Uh, I think so.
He'll have a Dark and Stormy
and I'll take a Honey Badger Blitz.
[Waiter] Perfect.
Thank you.
Thanks.
What is in a Honey Badger Blitz?
No idea.
(both chuckles)
So tell me about yourself.
Oh, um, (chuckles)
(gentle music)
Well, I am a digital
journalist, mainly in tech.
Nice. So you get to
review all the new gadgets?
Yeah, when I'm lucky,
but I'm mostly writing
about social media trends.
I'd really like to do more
investigative work though.
I, I love a good story.
Right, your profile said
you are into literature.
Yeah, crime, romance,
any of the page turners.
Yeah, how about you?
A big reader too, I'm
going through all of Kerouac
at the moment.
- Oh.
I mean, I read "On The Road" at school,
but I mean, he's actually written loads of,
loads of great stuff.
Yeah, no, I've read some Kerouac.
I, I found "On The Road"
to be so raw and visceral.
I love the ending.
[Anthony] Yeah, me too.
Oh. (Chuckles)
Yeah, I think it's about
him finally taking the wheel,
you know, no longer being a,
a passenger in his own life.
Yes, and I saw his full collection
is 50% off right now on bookden.com.
Oh, good.
Uh, one Honey Badger Blitz.
Thank you.
And a Dark and Stormy.
Thank you.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
(glass clinks)
So you're in marketing?
Yeah, yeah, I'd like
to say the ethical kind
at least it's none of
that targeted optic crap.
Oh, I had at least four
flashing at me on my way here.
It drove my husband mad. He used to say...
God, sorry.
Don't worry. I saw on your profile.
I'm so sorry and we've,
we've all got our histories.
Thank you.
[Anthony] What did husband say?
Yeah, he used to say that the billboards
knew me better than he did. (Chuckles)
Anyway, I got an ad blocker installed,
but they just, they keep getting through.
So you are using the.
Yeah, yeah, just for, you
know, workouts, gaming,
getting round, casual stuff.
I'm reviewing the new models for work.
Right.
Is that okay?
I'm just finding it
really hard to get used to,
to be honest.
Like whenever I'm talking to someone,
I dunno if they're looking at me
or a video in front of my face.
Sorry, what was that?
Someone just sent me a cat video. (Laughs)
That's, yeah...
I mean, to be fair, you
could be live streaming me
across the internet right now.
It's just me looking at you, I promise.
Should I be concerned that
they're telling you how to seduce me?
(Luna chuckles)
Maybe a little, but don't worry,
I still have some creative control.
Some.
Oh well, how do I know
you're not doing the same?
Well, I mean, I'm obviously
not using smart glasses
and I'm not gonna poke my eyes for you,
but you can, you can take a closer look.
Okay, I believe you. (Chuckles)
And what are the lenses saying about me?
Oh, well, they've
already analysed your smile
and given it a perfect
10 out of 10 (laughs)
And trust me, they're never wrong.
Never?
(Luna laughs)
Well, you may be reading from a script,
but that adorable laugh is all you.
God, stop.
You must get loads of
matches with lines like that.
I mean, it's hard to put off on the app.
Do miss the old fashioned approach.
Yeah, it's just weird to me
any other way these days.
Not that I've been on
many dates, I'm very picky.
Well, I'm honoured I made the cut.
Oh, 97% compatible,
had to give you a chance.
Wonder what the 3% is.
Guess we'll need time to find out.
(Anthony scoffs)
(gentle music)
Is that another hilarious cat video?
Sorry, one sec.
(phone chimes)
I just need to use the bathroom.
Sure.
Would you like another Honey Badger?
Uh, hold that thought. (Chuckles)
(gentle music)
(guests chattering)
(ominous music)
(phone chimes)
(Luna scoffs)
No thanks.
(contacts shutters)
Ah! What?
(eerie music)
[suspenseful music]
(contacts shutters)
(eerie music)
(door bangs)
(contacts shutters)
Ah!
(eerie music)
Who are you? What do you want?
That's not happening.
(eerie music)
I love your dress.
Oh, thanks.
(hand dryer whirring)
You look gorgeous, by the way.
[Guest] Aw, thank you.
Have a lovely evening.
Yeah, and you.
Oh God, oh God, oh, (panting)
(water gushing)
(air rushing)
(Luna panting)
(pixels static)
(Luna panting)
Okay, don't panic, (panting) don't panic.
(pixels static)
You are not getting anything, mate.
I know how these things work like,
I, I just have to wait for my
phone to die in four hours,
four hours.
Shame, I liked him. (Exhales)
(gentle music)
Uh, would you like another?
Hold that thought, thanks.
(gentle music)
(phone chimes)
(light clicking)
(ominous music)
(Luna gasps)
(tense music)
(monster growling)
(tense music)
(sword slashes)
(Luna laughs)
(gentle music)
Nice try, there's nothing
you can do to scare me,
so just stop wasting
your time and piss off.
(tense music)
No, no, not those.
(animation shimmers)
No, stop, stop please,
stop please, stop it.
(text shimmers)
(tense music)
(foot thudding)
(Luna grunting)
(Luna panting)
I knew I should have worn heels.
(phone thudding)
(Luna grunting)
(Luna panting)
No, please, please, let's just talk.
(Luna panting)
(heart beating)
(animation static)
(gentle music)
Excuse me, can I get the bill please?
Sure.
(sombre music)
[poignant music]
(animation static)
(Luna panting)
(sombre music)
(animation static)
(Luna panting)
(sombre music)
(animation static)
Sleep tight.
(sombre music)
(sombre music continues)
[emotional music]
(sombre music continues)
[Anthony] Oh, hey.
[Luna] Hey.
I thought you bailed.
Is everything all right?
Yeah, I'm really sorry,
do you think we could
maybe, I dunno, start again?
Okay.
Okay, that was just
a trial period before.
[Anthony] Alright.
(Luna laughs)
Okay.
Hey, can I get a GNT please?
[Bartender] Yeah, of course.
No more Honey Badgers?
Mm, it was disgusting. (Laughs)
Hi, I'm Luna.
Nice to meet you Luna. I'm Anthony.
So why don't you tell me about yourself?
[Anthony] That is a
bad question, isn't it?
[Luna] Yeah, (speaks indistinctly).
(eerie music)
(drum beating)
Welcome to the squadron commander.
Thank you, sir.
You're now amongst
the best pilots on Eden.
(dramatic music)
(craft swooshing)
I know you are familiar with my ship.
The Eden Bound.
Finest in the fleet,
but I can think of no
one better to pilot her
than my daughter.
(dramatic music)
(craft whooshing)
(buttons clicking)
(craft engine whirring)
We have strong evidence that the Aurorans
are constructing anti-matter weapons,
posing an existential
threat to our citizens.
As part of the ongoing
special military operation,
the council has authorised
a preemptive strike
on the city of Echoes.
This mission is now entrusted to you.
Eden's survival hangs in the balance.
(dramatic music)
(craft rumbling)
(button clicks)
(alarm beeping)
(explosion booming)
Once your ship clears their lunar blockade,
you will launch a Nova
nuclear strike on the city.
The empire thanks you for your service.
Eden is eternal.
Eden is eternal.
Your mother would be so proud of you.
(laser firing)
(explosion booming)
(craft beeping)
[Computer] Engines
offline, brace for impact.
(craft beeping)
(craft rumbling)
(craft thuds)
Propulsion systems offline,
long range comms, offline,
life support, minimal,
you must follow protocol.
Commander, the inbound is beyond repair.
See, progress.
Position status.
[Computer] We are on
Aurora southern hemisphere
in the city of Echoes.
The ship is deeply embedded in a crater.
You must follow Protocol one.
You give up too easily.
(screen static)
(Kara groans)
It's hot.
[System] Internal cooling is offline.
After sunrise, cockpit temperatures
will exceed 40 degrees.
(craft whooshing)
(Kara grunts)
(Kara panting)
What would you do?
Computer, calculate a fuel exchange
needed to create a shockwave.
[Computer] Hall
integrity is insufficient.
I could get out via the cargo holes
and I could repair the
ship from the outside.
(tense music)
(system buzzing)
Open the door.
[Computer] The cockpit cannot be unlocked
under protocol conditions.
- Open the door.
Open the door.
[Computer] There is a
0% possibility of repairing
the ship externally.
- Let me out.
[Computer] Protocol
one must be maintained.
Protocol One dictates
I know!
Self-destruction. I can
still complete the mission.
(sombre music)
[Computer] I am sorry, Commander.
Eden is eternal.
[Computer] Your
death will not be in vain.
You will deal a great blow to Aurora.
(button clicking)
(engine whooshing)
(alarm beeping)
[Aris] This is the Echo response team.
If you can hear this, we mean you no harm.
We are extracting your craft
and we'll return you to Eden safely.
The crash site is
surrounded, please cooperate.
[Computer] The Eden
Bound must not be acquired
by the enemy.
[Aris] Hello?
Hello.
[Aris] I'm glad you're alive.
I'm Aris. What's your name?
Are you injured?
Just hot.
[Aris] Sit tight. We'll
have you out in no time.
I've never spoken to an Auroran before.
[Aris] I'm sure we could
learn a lot from each other.
We do know what your
ships are capable of though.
There are 40,000 lives in the city.
I just ask that you let us
complete the extraction safely,
then we can talk more, face to face.
My name is Kara.
[Aris] Hello Kara. You're
just in time for sunrise.
[Computer] You have
three minutes until extraction.
This cannot happen.
[Aris] I always wanted to fly a ship.
How long have you been a pilot?
I've trained all my
life for this mission.
[Aris] Not the best start then.
[Computer] Commander, you were surrounded
by hostile combatants.
[Aris] What was it like
growing up on Eden?
[Computer] Commander,
you must enact protocol.
The academy was home.
Taught us to be prepared,
to protect our paradise.
[Aris] Did you enjoy it?
It was far, in another region,
but once, my parents surprised by visiting
and my mom was so proud
seeing me in my uniform.
We spent the day walking
through the Golden Glades
and the night, lying under your moonlight.
And I wondered how something so beautiful
can be so full of hate.
[Aris] I don't hate you.
[Computer] Remember
their war crimes commander.
All Aurorans do.
[Aris] And is that why you're here?
To protect Eden.
[Aris] There is no danger
from anyone right now.
We can resolve this peacefully.
[Computer] An enemy
should is lifting the inbound
out of the crater.
Commander, you must complete
your mission immediately.
I'm sorry.
[Aris] Kara, listen, I'm not
speaking for the government,
or the radicals, it's just you and me.
Please, there are thousands
of children in the city.
Two of them are my own, I only
want them to have a future.
I lost my mother to this
war. She died saving Eden.
[Aris] I'm sorry.
- Neither of us should have to suffer more.
- I'm making sure my people don't.
[Aris] I don't wanna die, Kara.
No one here wants to die, do you?
[Computer] Now commander,
the anti-matter weapons
must be destroyed.
(Aris speaks indistinctly)
[Aris] Kara look
outside, we have nothing.
You will hurt us, we have no choice.
[Aris] Peace is all we want,
we've only ever defended ourselves.
[Computer] Commander.
[Aris] You're nearly out, we
can talk this through please,
just wait one more minute.
(palm thuds)
(explosion booming)
(screen static)
Congratulations, commander.
This was a final test.
You have proven your loyalty to the empire.
Seemed so real.
In some sense, it was.
Based on an operation
from the fifth retaliation,
not is left of the city of Echoes today.
I told you, your mother died saving Eden.
That was her final mission.
I became too emotional, sir.
You did the right thing,
Kara, that's all that matters.
We can erase your
recollection of this exercise
if you so choose and
your true journey begins.
(sombre music)
Eden thanks you.
Eden is eternal.
(sombre music)
(tense music)
(gun crackling)
(Sam panting)
(monster growling)
(monster roaring)
(tense music)
(monster roaring)
[beast's labored breathing]
(monster wheezing)
(ominous music)
(monster roaring)
(ominous music)
(fists banging)
(door clattering)
[Raj] Come in.
[Sam] Anything happen while I was out?
[Raj] Did you, did you see them?
[Sam] See what?
[Raj] Shit.
Did you go outside?
There's something out there.
Damn it, Raj.
Let me see.
Oh, come on.
[Sam] It's worse than this morning.
I'm fine, okay, I just,
I just need some rest
and I'll be fine.
Okay, what, what did
you, did you get anything?
(pills clattering)
Where did you get all this?
There was a car.
[Raj] Oh, abandoned?
Crashed, glacier in
the middle of the road,
it looked quick.
Jesus.
You've been busy.
No, not really, I just
needed to clear my thoughts.
Alright, let's hear 'em.
Okay, okay, everything that we've seen
for the past month, okay,
slices of rock from different biomes,
and your animals that
have been dead for millions,
some billions of years,
my first instinct was that
maybe it was an experiment
gone wrong somewhere.
You think people did this?
No, no, not, not, we
can't, not, not now anyways.
Not now?
But if everything,
everything we've seen so far
has been from the past,
what if, what if some of it isn't,
what if some of what's here
right now is what comes after?
Right?
You saw something?
What?
Outside, you said there
was something out there.
What did you see?
(Raj coughs)
I saw a light, it was red.
I thought maybe it was like
the police or an ambulance,
but I, I tried to approach it
and I thought that first
maybe it was a man,
and then it stood up.
(monster clattering)
[Sam] Animal?
No, no it was human, ish.
Did it see you?
I couldn't, I couldn't tell.
There's too much fog to see it's face,
but I mean, I'm pretty
sure it could see me.
There was all these cables
coming out of his back,
they were all like attached to
these floating rings, right?
And one of them flashed
a red light at me and I just,
I don't remember what happened.
I mean, I was missing a bullet,
I didn't hear anything.
(tense music)
Are you sure you didn't see anything?
Sam?
I saw Sally.
Sally?
What? Like our Sally?
How is that even, how would you even know?
Because it was a juvenile.
Because it died from a
high impact puncture wound
through the chest.
Wait.
Jesus, holy shit.
Yeah.
You did this?
I think it was dying
even before I shot it.
Probably pneumonia like Jim and Casey,
based off of its wheezing.
So whatever's happening on land
must be happening (coughs).
(ominous music)
We need to leave.
What?
If we stay here, we're
only delaying the inevitable.
Where will we go?
[Sam] We head to town.
We don't even know
if there's a town left.
We take our chances.
Jesus, you just said you
ran into Sally minutes ago.
Sally was already dying.
I'm sure it's the same for
every other thing out there.
Oh yeah. What about them?
Whatever it is you saw, it already knows
we're here anyways.
(light clicks)
(ominous music)
(light clicking)
(explosion booming)
(gun cocks)
(monster panting)
(door squeals)
(monster clattering)
(ominous music)
(Raj coughs)
(monster squealing)
(gunshot fires)
(ear drums ringing)
(Sam panting)
Raj, are, you okay? You okay? (Panting)
I'll be right back, okay?
Hang on. (Panting)
(floorboard creaks)
(clock dings)
(clock clattering)
(Raj coughing)
(clock rings)
(clock clattering)
(ominous music)
(Sam panting)
(ominous music)
My name is Dr. Samantha Martin,
head of the university dig here,
just south of the Badlands.
It is June 23rd, about five weeks or so
since this event happened.
Raj had the words time
compression circled in his notes.
Went way past the point of insanity here,
so I figured if I'll make it to the city,
I might as well record the little I know.
(metal structure screeching)
For a year, my team and I
have been excavating the fossilised remains
of a theropods Raj named Sally.
I think I killed her yesterday.
Exit wound through the spine.
Like I say, that doesn't make any sense,
but that was five weeks after my team and I
woke up in the middle of a sulphur bed,
a day before, I buried
Raj next to his home.
(Sam coughs)
(ominous music)
(water splashing)
(ominous music)
(Sam screams)
(Sam panting)
(monsters clattering)
(tense music)
(heart thumping)
(monsters clattering)
(tense music)
(monsters continue clattering)
(tense music continues)
(Sam thuds)
(water rushing)
(ominous music)
I can't help, but think of her.
Sally, she died afraid, confused.
(monster clattering)
There was so much she didn't know.
What I was.
(tense music)
Time I was from.
(tense music)
How could she had known.
(tense music)
(dramatic music)
(aircraft rumbling)
(Cassie exhaling)
(system chimes)
Morning mode.
[AI] Good morning, Cassie.
Connecting to Weston global net.
Loading, loading, loading, loading.
The weather for today,
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2151
will be 32 degrees Celsius and sunny.
(system chiming)
The first item on your calendar is work
from 0600H to 2200H.
There are no other items
on your calendar for today.
Water, cold, 300ml.
[AI] Please confirm your
purchase for three credits.
(water trickling)
Thank you.
(system chimes)
The Blue Line hover train will be arriving
at the new Lincoln Park
Station in five minutes.
Clean.
(system chimes)
[AI] Sterilisation complete,
Work mode, exit.
(system chimes)
[AI] Have a nice day, Cassie.
[Cassie] No, dad, dad.
Mr. Aquino, it's time to go.
Just one second.
[Cassie] Oh please, don't go.
Sir, our shuttle leaves
in two minutes.
- You go to hell.
I know, just one damn second.
Cassie.
- Let me go, let me go.
- Cassie.
Oh, sisi,
listen to you mother.
This isn't right.
Let me go, Izzy.
- Okay, it's time to go, now.
Go, just go.
[Cassie] No.
Secure mode.
(system chimes)
- Cassie, what are you doing?
- Cassie, stop.
Do you wanna get arrested?
If that's what it takes.
Great, break your hand and the paddle.
Mom, they're gonna charge us for.
You know there's a fine for
obstructing a recruitment.
God, you so like one of
those company zombies.
You think we had a choice?
You and Isabelle's
School, Lola's medication,
the roof over our heads are not free.
We owe the company
and the company has the right
to recruit to repay our debt.
Nobody repays it. Isak says it's rigged.
His debt has been gone eight years,
name anybody who whoever repay their debt.
Name anybody who ever came home.
Well, I'm sure some do.
It's in the employee contract.
Screw the contract. I hate the company.
I'm getting dad back.
That's 150 credit.
Deactivate the secure mode, open.
(system chimes)
And a lot of good it does us.
Wait, please don't go.
(sombre music)
I am here for you. I will
always be here for you.
[AI] All supervisor level
annual performance evaluations
must be submitted by Monday.
Failure to complete evaluation
will result (speaks indistinctly).
(grunts) Damn it, stupid piece of shit.
Aquino, section 33B,
subsection six of the
employee contract state
Sir, subsection six
requires all employees
refrain from any language that might offend
or in any other way,
make his or her coworkers
feel uncomfortable.
Good, just remember
that the next time that you...
What is the problem here?
It's a defective board, sir.
The unit's gonna be out of service
until I can get a replacement.
We'll get it fast. Downtime
impacts my performance review.
I can get it faster,
if you would submit a requisition for me.
[AI] Attention, until system
upgrades are completed,
all (indistinct) employees.
- Aquino.
[AI] Are required to work
mandatory extended hours.
Thank you, sir.
(tablet chimes)
Oh, I received a temporary transfer order
for you to Weston Galactic
Station number two.
Really? As in the orbital station?
A maintenance supervisor,
Itsak, Isak Komoroski
has a malfunctioning reclamation unit
and apparently no one can fix it.
How does he even know about you?
You know the anti moonlighting clock.
Frankly, sir, with my seven day a week,
18 hour day schedule,
I do not have the timer
energy to moonlight.
Hmm, he must have found you
in the Weston Global Asset Directory.
(system chimes)
Here's your transfer and pass
for the shuttle tomorrow morning.
Get up there, fix it and get back.
You're scheduled for maintenance
on tank four's control system's
the day after tomorrow.
(phone beeps)
Thank you, sir.
Carry on Aquino.
[AI] Supervisors may
request non-working employees,
work additional hours.
(scene static)
[Cassie] This isn't right.
We do what we must, take
care of your sister with Lola.
My strong babe girl.
(sombre music)
[AI] Thank you for riding
Weston Public Transit.
[Cassie] Thanks for within service, Isak.
I'm sorry about Lola. She
was always really nice to me.
Cassie, what are we gonna do?
We'll be okay. I'll take care of us now.
Here.
I know it's not much,
but my family always eats after a funeral.
It's a way of showing
that life has to go on.
Really?
[Isak] You know me,
I only get the best stuff for my friends.
You gotta tell me how
you do it, how you get stuff.
Trade secret.
Thanks Isak, thanks so much.
Cassie, you should have a piece.
I'm fine. You enjoy it.
Thanks.
Seriously, if you two
ever need anything.
(door beeps)
Cassie Isabel Aquino.
What the hell is he doing here?
I can handle it.
Do you want me to- - [Cassie]
Don't, no, I, just go home for now.
We are authorised to enter
this company owned residence.
Message me later.
(system chimes)
(tense music)
Cassie, I don't like this.
It'll be okay.
Cassie Aquino.
Yes.
Ms. Aquino, we're here to
You can't recruit me. I'm 18.
You can't recruit the
sole guardian of a minor.
Ms. Aquino, we're not
here to recruit you.
You're not?
No, but as you can
see, you have insufficient
credits nor employment to
assume the role of guardian.
But my grandmother gets
A retirement allocation
is nontransferable.
But both her parents
work for the company.
All debt restitution, employment credits
after deduction of employee living expenses
are applied to repayment of the principal
and interest of the debt
for which the employee was recruited.
What are you saying?
This company owned residence
is being reallocated.
We're just here to
relocate you and your sister.
Relocate?
Isabella Aquino your
deemed award to the company
will be relocated to
an appropriate facility
for your well being.
Award for the company?
No, you can't do that.
Stop, I'll get a job, I
can take care of her.
Cassie Aquino, based
on your aptitude test scores,
the company will fund your
ongoing training and housing
as well as provide
employment upon completion,
your belongings will be
collected and forwarded to you.
Listen to me, we are all we have.
We need to stick together.
Please come with us. Gentlemen,
Run Izzy, no, no, no, no.
Ow!
(Izzy screams)
(both screaming)
According to section
22A, subsection nine,
we're authorised to relocate you.
If you resist, we can restrain
you by whatever nonlethal,
noninvasive means we deem necessary.
The company knows what it's doing.
You'll see. This is for the best.
[AI] Next stop, New Lincoln Park Station.
The doors will open on your right.
(system chimes)
New Lincoln Park Station.
Thank you for riding Weston Public Transit.
Check it out, it's a techie.
(thug chuckles)
What the hell?
[Thug] You guys
spare credit there, techie?
(thugs cheering)
[Thug] Yeah!
[Thug] Come on techie, techie, techie.
[Thug] Haha, yeah.
Come on, you look like a
smart girl, a smart techie girl
and that means you got creds.
I don't. I just have a few.
Huh, okay, then prove it.
- Yeah.
- Show us.
Show us.
(thug chuckles)
- Oh, no, no, no, no.
- Oh yeah.
[Thug] Gimme the glass.
[Thug] Here.
Show us.
(thug chuckles)
(glass chimes)
(thug gasps)
Damn, we hit the lotto one this one.
No way, no recruits got
that many creds all right.
This stinks of management.
Yeah, she's company
security. This is set up.
Relax, okay.
You're not narc or an exec, are you?
No,
I didn't think so.
Then how you got so many creds?
I don't know. How many do I have?
(glass chimes)
Super nova.
(light shutters)
(thugs screaming)
(punch swooshes)
(thugs groaning)
[Thug] Ah, drop it.
(punch thudding)
(thugs speaking indistinctly)
Bitch!
(dramatic music)
(kick thuds)
[Thug] Stop her!
[Thug] Come here. (Groans)
I'm gonna tear you apart and
download every cred you got.
Well, before you do, there's
something you should know.
[Thug] Where to send your body?
I have been saving up for
10 years to find my family.
Oh, does baby want her mommy?
But I didn't save
everything, I spent a few.
On what? On diapers.
Self-defense classes.
Oh.
Come on, kick her ass.
(punches thudding)
(thug groans)
(punch thudding)
Come on, get her.
(punches thudding)
(punches swooshing)
(kick thuds)
(thug groans)
(Cassie groans)
(punches thudding)
(Cassie groaning)
(Cassie panting)
[AI] New Lincoln Park Station.
(ominous music)
(knife clangs)
(thug laughs)
(palm slaps)
(brooding music)
[AI] Welcome home, Cassie.
(Cassie groans)
Water, cold, 300ml.
[AI] Please note the price has changed.
Do you wish to proceed?
No. Change request.
150ml, room temp.
[AI] Please confirm your
purchase for, thank you.
(water trickling)
You have one new message.
[Cassie] View message.
Meet me at the spaceport
in three hours. Gate four.
[AI] End of message.
(craft swooshes)
[AI] Weston Galactic Orbital Shuttle
to space station number 2 is
now boarding on platform A.
Executive passengers should proceed
to the boarding area now.
(air swooshing)
Well?
All business, no hospitality.
You see this is why you
don't have any friends.
I don't need them, I have you.
So Izzy's on space station number two?
You're gonna have to
travel a lot farther than that.
How far?
Ganymede.
Jupiter's moon? How the hell
am I supposed to get there?
Oh, ye of little faith.
Remember, I can get you anything.
With enough creds, here.
Keep it. I called in a favour
to get you up on the station.
Once you're there, talk to Fitzpatrick,
engineering pod four.
About 50,000 credits should
get you everything you need
to get to Ganymede.
Okay, but what about your cut?
It's fine.
Thanks.
(Cassie smooches)
[AI] West Galactic Orbital Shuttle
to space station number two,
is now forwarding on platform A.
Executive passenger should
proceed to the boarding area now.
(romantic music)
[AI] Ground crew
Don't miss your shuttle. Get going.
Cassie, bring her home.
(system beeping)
[AI] Prepare for departure,
secure all equipment in proper safe zones.
Thank you for flying Weston Galactic.
(aircraft swooshing)
(bright music)
[Interviewer] Everything's ready?
[Interviewer] Yes, everyone
from the institute is here.
She's coming.
(astronaut speaks indistinctly)
[Interviewer] Professor.
(gentle music)
[Interviewer] You can start.
(recorder clangs)
So my name is Elizabeth Esther,
professor and astronaut,
one of five astronauts
selected to be part of the Life Mission.
After many failures in
colonising a habitable place,
this mission was about finding a new home
for the human species.
A place where life is possible,
but this time further.
(sanguine music)
(astronaut speaks indistinctly)
2098, this is where my story begins.
First day in the space station.
(astronaut speaks indistinctly)
I was 28, the youngest astronaut in space,
leaving earth for a long, solitary journey.
(sanguine music)
A dive into the void, into the nothing.
Beginning of the artificial
sleep for three years.
(sanguine music)
We arrived by Saturn, flew over it,
following its equator line,
we were supposed to find a wormhole,
allowing us to do the big
jump out of our solar system,
out of our galaxy.
(gentle music)
We did it.
(space rumbling)
(gentle music)
We were now on the other side,
light years from earth,
exploring, weeks became months,
months became years.
We slept, five years,
10 years,
15 years.
During this time on earth, trees grew,
people loved, people
died, people were born.
Humanity persevered. We were
in the dark until this moment.
The wall.
(sanguine music)
(bright sanguine music)
[Interviewer] How big was it?
Our devices said it
was a few light years,
we didn't really know.
[Interviewer] What did you do?
(bright sanguine music)
We went in.
(bright sanguine music)
It wasn't a wall, but
another space filled with light,
more light than we were prepared for.
It's, it's all right, I still close my eyes
when I face the sun.
It looked like our universe,
but with its own stars.
We travelled through it
until we found the other one.
(bright sanguine music)
This is where we found
what we were looking for.
This is where we found life.
(camera shuttering)
(bright sanguine music)
[Interviewer] How's your
life going since you're back?
Any cardiac issue?
No, nothing.
How was the contact
with your friends and family
when you came back?
Any problem with talking or to be sociable?
Not really.
I enjoyed meeting the
children of my friends.
With my mom, we bought
flowers and visited my dad.
[Interviewer] Any regret for spending
a major part of your life in space?
No, nothing.
[Interviewer] Any additional thought
or regret about this mission?
No, nothing.
[Interviewer] Thank you.
[music]