TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. ALPHA CENTAURI – CAPITOL CITY – PUBLIC SQUARE
We see a large public square, not unlike the Roman Forum, with an elevated stage area set in front of a large neo-classical governmental building. An ORATOR stands in front of a podium with a microphone, surrounded by several others in business suits. A large crowd has gathered to listen to the speech already in progress, which we can vaguely hear over the loudspeakers. We SLOWLY ZOOM IN, and the words of the orator become clearer.
ORATOR
Tragically, it appears that they don't even seem to be aware how oppressive their tyrannical rule is to us or to any of the other colonies. I literally cannot comprehend how a government formed on democratic principles can even entertain the idea of using military force to replace an elected government in an illegal coup.
We finally get close enough to see who the orator is, GOVERNOR DWIGHT FRANKLIN, the governor United Earth had appointed as governor of Alpha Centauri.
GOVERNOR FRANKLIN (CONT’D)
It is obvious now that United Earth has lost touch and that our interests are no longer their interests. We are all Humans, but we are different from the Humans born on Earth, or on Mars, or anywhere else in the galaxy; we are Centaurians, and as such, we have the right of self-determination separate from Earth.
(beat)
It is our duty to declare independence from Earth, and our responsibility, for our children's future, to make our way in the universe free from Earth rule!
A voice comes from the crowd, but without a loudspeaker, we strain to hear him.
DISSENTER’S VOICE
And what good will that do? We tried to do that once, and they sent the military to install you! Why should we even trust you? You work for them!
GOVERNOR FRANKLIN
My appointment as governor is proof of how out of touch United Earth is!
(scornful)
They saw me as simply another in a long line of failures, as simply another rank-and-file senator who would toe the party line! They thought that my Centaurian heritage would help pacify my fellow colonials.
DISSENTER’S VOICE
So what’s to keep them from just sending the military again to install another governor?
GOVERNOR FRANKLIN
They’ll send the military, of that I have little doubt, but we also have our own military.
DISSENTER’S VOICE
The Colonial Guard would be no match for the United Earth Military, even if you could guarantee that they’d fight, and Earth knows it. Even if they did stand a chance, do you honestly expect anything other than more death and hardship to come from firing on them?
GOVERNOR FRANKLIN
History has shown that there are times when it is necessary to go to war for the greater good, and this is no different…
EXT. SPACE – CLOSE ORBIT OF ALPHA CENTAURI
A large ship of unfamiliar design slowly makes its way into our shot of the pristine planet below. A shuttlebay door opens and a sizable shuttle leaves the interior of the ship, making a bee-line to the planet. We focus on the shuttle as it hits the atmosphere, becoming engulfed in flame, and leaving a bright red trail behind it as it descends to the large city we can see in the distance.
EXT. ALPHA CENTAURI – CAPITOL CITY – PUBLIC SQUARE
GOVERNOR FRANKLIN (CONT’D)
…I understand you’re worried about the possibility of war, and our young sons and daughters dying in vain, but if all goes according to plan, we won’t need to fire a shot.
Suddenly, we hear a distinctive “pop-pop” of a high altitude sonic boom from the shuttle entering the atmosphere at high speed our location. Governor Franklin smiles heartily and looks skyward with the crowd and his bodyguards.
GOVERNOR FRANKLIN (CONT’D)
This time, we aren’t alone.
The shuttle flies into view among the city’s skyscrapers; several people in the crowd point up at the shuttle as it approaches. The shuttle quiets as it slows down on its final approach, deftly maneuvering into the open space of the square until it stops in a perfect hover over the stage. The shuttle is practically silent as it hovers, reminiscent of UFO stories of old, drawing murmurs from the crowd. Governor Franklin motions for his bodyguards to clear the rear portion of the stage. This seems to be what the shuttle was waiting for, as it slowly lowers itself until it has set down on the stage. The doors open, and a squad of black-clad soldiers quickly pours out of the shuttle and forms up on the stage, as if for inspection, drawing more murmurs from the crowd. Finally, one last black-clad figure leisurely steps out onto the stage. Unlike the others a helmet does not obstruct his head, and his porcine features stand out proudly in the sunlight as he walks up to Governor Franklin and extends his hand. Governor Franklin smiles and accepts it, generously shaking his hand before turning back to his podium.
GOVERNOR FRANKLIN
My fellow Centaurians, allow me to introduce our new friends.
Governor Franklin steps to the side and motions for ADMIRAL KRAV to take a turn at the podium. He clears his throat briefly before speaking.
ADMIRAL KRAV
I, Admiral Krav, hereby swear the support of the Tellarite Conglomerate for your independence.
(beat)
Nothing the Earth military has can harm us; our mere presence is enough to achieve victory.
Governor Franklin leans over to the microphone.
GOVERNOR FRANKLIN
Earth will have no choice now but to grant us our independence.
At first the crowd is silent, making Governor Franklin smile nervously, the way any politician who thinks they just put their foot in their mouth does. Just when he starts to seriously rethink his position a few people in the crowd start to clap, and it builds exponentially until the entire crowd is clapping and cheering. We PAN to look among the crowd, and though it’s difficult at first, we can see one sole member of the crowd who is silent. We ZOOM IN to get a closer look at him, and see that it is the sole dissenter who had challenged Governor Franklin, a man named TITUS CHEET.
TITUS
(softly)
It looks like history might repeat itself again…
Titus looks bleakly at the stage as Governor Franklin and Admiral Krav raise their hands in celebration of their new friendship as we…
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
Continue to Act One
