TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - AN EMPTY EXPANSE
We open with a shot of a glittering starfield devoid of planets or nearby stars. In the far distance, we can see the faint colors of a nebula. As we PAN, the shifting of the stars is the only indication that we are actually moving.
SUDDENLY, an incandescent beam of energy flashes by the camera view, narrowly missing "us". A pair of J-Type cargo ships lumber into view, both damaged and slowly leaking warp plasma from their nacelles. As we PUSH IN toward one of the cargo ships, we can see the Earth Cargo Authority logo prominently displayed across the ship's outer hull; underneath the logo is the name of the ship:
ECS ENKIDU
Closer we draw toward the viewport as another burst of fire flashes through the void and slams into the ship.
INT. ENKIDU - "BRIDGE"
Fear is strong on the command deck of the small ship. Shattered consoles and small electrical fires can be seen as the PILOT feverishly struggles with his controls. Blood covering half of her face, the CAPTAIN clutches the side of a panel to keep from falling as the ENGINEER works on his own board.
PILOT
Maneuvering thrusters are out!
The Captain shoots a desperate look at her Engineer.
CAPTAIN
Get those thrusters back!
ENGINEER
I'm trying!
The ship rocks again and sparks explode around them.
PILOT
The Gilgamesh is going to warp!
EXT. SPACE
The other ship, still leaking warp plasma, suddenly surges forward and disappears in a flash of light, leaving the Enkidu behind.
INT. ENKIDU - "BRIDGE"
The Captain stares in horror at the empty starfield now being displayed on her viewscreen. She turns to her Engineer who immediately speaks.
ENGINEER
Warp drive is nonfunctional.
The Captain's expression falls and she turns her attention back to the viewscreen.
EXT. SPACE
As the Enkidu continues to slow, we PAN to reveal their pursuers: more cargo ships. They draw closer, no longer firing.
INT. ENKIDU - "BRIDGE"
Expressions of abject defeat are on the faces of the three crewmembers as a beep sounds. Reaching across the Pilot's shoulder, the Captain hits a button and the viewscreen changes to the image of a dark-skinned human with a grim expression on his face.
DARK-SKINNED MAN
Stand down and prepare to be boarded.
Fury flickers across the Captain's face as she glares at the image.
CAPTAIN
I'll see you dead for this, Mayweather!
Even as she speaks, the image blinks out, returning to a view of space. An older cargo ship, now bristling with modified weapon emplacements, appears in the viewer and we can see the name of the ship emblazoned upon the hull:
ECS HORIZON
And with that, we
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
Continue to Act One
