This is Dr. Agatha Matheson
of the Nightflyer.
We have sustained fatalities,
structural damages.
We...
This is a warning...
Not a distress call.
Do not board this ship.
Do not bring the Nightflyer back to Earth.
BIOWASTE DISPOSAL
Me again.
PRESURIZING AIRLOCK COMPLETE
PURGE INITIATION
No! No!
No!
CREDITS
Hold still.
Any sickness? Sores?
No.
ANALYZING... KARL D'BRANIN - CLEAR
He's clear. Let him through.
Thank you.
Joy?
Hey.
Hey. Everything okay?
Flights have been grounded.
Quarantine zones are back into effect.
They're... they're saying
it might spread north this time.
Hey, we'll be all right.
They've said that before.
What is it?
The funding?
- You got it? - No.
Presentation was horrible.
They... they practically threw tomatoes at me.
Aww.
- Then, what? - Afterwards...
I got a call...
from Roy Eris.
And he's seen all my calculations,
the intercept, the Teke waveforms, all those...
What... what does that have
to do with him building colonies?
He sees the potential in all of this.
He sees what I see.
He... the power...
beyond our comprehension, all of it, he...
He wants me to assemble a team.
A team for... for what?
Eris called me from the deck of the Nightflyer.
He wants to take me there.
I'm going after the volcryn.
Um...
I am...
That... that's incredible.
Hey, um,
I know how hard this is.
But this is everything I've worked for.
I'm happy for you, it's...
It's just, it's...
- It's unexpected. - This mission...
could change everything.
It could save the Earth.
What do we tell her?
You'll be...
gone.
Maybe two years.
Joy, I... I'm sorry,
but if I don't go...
and they pass us by...
I'm gonna come back.
I promise.
I'm scared that you won't.
Daddy?
Hey, honey.
We wake you?
I'm sorry.
Want me to bring you back to bed?
- Yeah. - Okay, come on.
That thing you found in the sky...
it's a ship for people?
It might be.
That's what I'm gonna find out.
And you're going
to go talk to them.
Yeah, I'm gonna try to.
Here.
Give them...
this...
Friendship bracelet...
so we can all be friends.
I think they'd really like that.
- Daddy? - Mm-hmm?
You're my...
- PERSONNEL REQUEST: KARL D'BRANIN - Memory paused.
Go for D'Branin.
Professor, the shuttle has arrived,
and they're prepping the cargo for offload.
How long till we break orbit?
Six hours.
SIX MONTHS LATER
You nervous?
We're going into the Void.
No one's done it before.
Eagle 16 did it.
No one's done that and come back.
Well, we're with Roy Eris.
I think we're in good hands.
Hi. I'm Melantha Jhirl,
- Karl's mission specialist. - Sorry.
Mel, Lommie, this is Dr. Matheson.
Oh, Agatha's fine.
I'm a psychiatrist.
- I'll be looking after Thale. - I'm excited to meet him.
I've never met an L-1 before.
Mel and I planned every aspect
- of this mission together. - Karl was nervous
that a group of scientists wouldn't be able to survive
- out in the Void. - But Mel has been
born and raised for space travel,
so she'll get us through it.
- Won't you? - I'll do my best.
Lommie... Thorne.
It's nice to meet you.
Lommie talks to the ship.
Internal systems, data flow,
- coding. - Neural port?
Yeah.
Wow.
It's not much to look at,
but, uh, it's all they had.
- Oh. - It'll get the job done.
- I think it's great. - Yeah.
Most of them would rather
we weren't on their ship at all.
Right.
We got a special delivery coming in.
I want full security on this one.
Quick and clean.
- The next bin holds an L-1. - A fucking L1?
- God damn it. - Captain Eris wants him
on the ship, so we're bringing him on the ship.
Let's get this done.
Gear up.
Dr. Matheson, you really think your L-1
can communicate with the volcryn?
Karl does.
Yeah, I do.
Look, the Teke energy that comes off telepaths
is the exact same energy we detected
coming off the volcryn.
So you'd better hope they speak the same language.
It's a theory, but it's all we've got to go on.
He's not my L-1, by the way.
I've just known him since he was a child.
What's he like?
He's good...
at times.
Here he comes. Get to position;
follow my lead.
- Come on. - Yes, sir. Let's go, guys.
You're doing the right thing.
I hope you're right.
I think he's waking up.
He's under suppression.
Open the pipe.
Coming your way.
Of course.
The fuck was that?
It was psychic feedback.
He wasn't trying to hurt you.
Bad idea bringing one of those things
- onto the ship. - Let's get him to the dome.
Now.
All right, moving.
It's gonna be okay.
They can handle it.
I, uh...
wanna show you something.
Come on.
Everything you see was grown right here
on this ship.
It's beautiful.
I promised you I'd look after Thale.
Captain Eris has agreed to give him two hours
every week down there.
Thale's spent his entire life
locked inside that mountain.
No fresh air.
No sunshine.
Thank you, Karl.
This must be our lion tamer.
I loved your paper
on neuroplasticity in telepaths.
Wild stuff.
This is Rowan, our xenobiologist.
Ah. Nice to meet you.
You, too.
Oh, you must be thrilled.
Chance to make first contact with alien life.
Is that what Karl told you we're doing?
Yeah, Rowan is a little skeptical
- of our mission. - You don't believe
- there's anything out there. - Actually, I do.
That's what concerns me.
Don't let Rowan rattle you.
He thrives on chaos.
Hmm.
Ah, look.
Sunset.
How romantic.
So is it true about the captain?
He never leaves his private deck?
Captain Eris is a very private person.
- You've met him though, right? - Yeah.
Yeah, sure, sort of.
Oy.
Is it true...
you brought an L-1 on board?
Yeah. His name's Thale,
and he's vital to the success of this mission.
He's an L-1, all right? They're murderers.
Murphy, come on, not now. Don't do this.
We didn't sign up for this, all right?
We ain't safe with that thing on board!
He's not a thing.
He's a person.
- A kid. - Tell that to the families
of Luna 71.
Okay, look, you're afraid.
I get it.
You don't think I'm afraid, too?
But we need Thale.
When we get out there, we don't know
what the volcryn are gonna do, and Thale might be
our only way of communicating with them.
A fucking L-1?
Look, our planet is dying.
Guessing that's... that's why you're all on a colony ship?
Why you're all here?
Now, look, the volcryn, they've harnessed
an energy that is vastly superior
to anything we can possibly imagine,
but we don't understand it.
Now, if we can make contact with them
and they can help us understand it,
then maybe...
maybe we can save our home;
save our families.
But they're passing us by, and the Nightflyer
is our once chance... Our only chance...
To make contact...
Before they're out of reach.
Unless the L-1 kills us first.
Anyone not fully dedicated to this mission
is free to disembark before we break orbit
at 1400 hours.
Captain Eris has just informed me
that cowards' contracts will be honored in full.
Let's finish up...
and get to work.
Let's go, Murphy.
That's a lovely speech.
All clear. All clear.
We have clean release for shuttle 7.
Shuttle is detached.
Repeat: Shuttle is on its way
on heading niner zero four zero.
Jump seats.
Unless you know how to operate one of these.
Oh.
No, we don't.
Guess they allow anyone on this bridge now.
Why is he just a projection?
Well, that's one of life's great mysteries.
This mission...
may change the course of human history.
Professor D'Branin and his team
are the Genesis of this pursuit
and guests on board the ship.
Welcome...
on behalf of the Nightflyer.
This journey, however...
is much bigger than a ship.
Or Eris Corp.,
or any of us.
Never before has mankind had the opportunity
and the means...
to make first contact.
If we...
all of us...
can achieve that first...
history will be written.
Ready to break orbit, Augustine?
Systems ready, sir.
60% thrust, please.
Okay, lady.
Here we go.
Waited for this my whole life.
Malfunction, thruster four.
Stand by.
- Is this normal? - Getting error codes, chief.
Malfunction on thruster two.
And three.
Misfire, Captain.
They're rolling us over.
- Murphy, report? - Multiple errors, Captain.
Bypass it now. We need manual control.
Misfire on one!
I have no control!
I got this, Chief.
We're approaching atmosphere, Captain.
She's heating up!
I got this!
Manual override engaged.
- We need to break orbit. - I'm on it.
Stand by.
Get us loose, Auggie.
Hold on!
Now!
Who else could have messed with the launch?
Shh.
Piece of shit.
Hey.
Careful.
You see him?
- Did you see him? - No, no, no.
Fucker.
What's he... What the fuck is that?
I don't know.
Stand by.
The fucker hung himself.
Huh?
He hung himself.
Boo!
Doryen?
You two are sneaky boys, innit ya?
Now, that... that's naughty.
Oh, you, uh, come to check up on me
after the, uh... The bumpy start, have you?
- That's very nice. - You fucking animal.
- Thank you very much. - Fucking animal!
You fucking animal!
Oy, oy, oy! Where you going?
Oy, come back! I've got a candle-lit dinner
for three laid out in here!
Well, four, really.
Hold on, I know you.
You're the one that likes to wear
their mommy's panties, innit?
I've seen it. It was very nice.
I thought it suited you, personally.
It was a good look for you.
- This isn't over! - Come on, then, brother.
I'm fucking standing right here.
Come on, then, brother! Come on, then!
So Murphy's in stable condition in regen.
This had nothing to do with Thale.
He can't cause a mechanical malfunction.
I know that, but the crew doesn't.
Well, maybe it was one of the crew.
You know, trying to frame him. Get him kicked off the ship.
Well, that's why you need to talk to him
and get all the information we can.
You best get control of that thing.
I'll handle this.
- You sure? - Yeah.
Okay.
Thale, damn it, stop that.
Morning, Agatha.
- You look nice. - You're being immature.
Those images are private.
They're mine.
Well, I like it when you share.
Sharing indicates I gave you permission.
You know, I like the air here.
It's cleaner than back at home.
- When can I go in the garden? - In time.
There was a malfunction during the launch.
They seem to think that it wasn't an accident;
that someone on board might be behind it.
Did you see any flashes?
Any images?
Flashes.
Images.
I don't know.
Would you let me watch you in the shower if I did?
This isn't a game, Thale.
A man was very badly hurt.
Yeah.
That's not why you're here, is it?
Ah, you wanna know if it was me.
Peek-a-boo.
Jesus.
Something's different there.
Ah, you changed the dose.
Didn't you?
- Trust is a two-way street. - Yeah.
I can't find any source for the malfunction
- during the launch. - That's not good enough.
We need to prove it wasn't Thale.
- What if was? - L-1s can't penetrate systems
- and machines. - Found something else.
Here's our current trajectory,
and here is the volcryn ship.
- They shifted course. - Yes.
Further into the Void.
What's the result to our mission time?
At least five extra months,
- all of it deep in the Void. - No, run the calculations.
I need a precise intercept.
And when you're done, I need you to wipe the data.
What's wrong?
You seem...
off.
There's some problems on board.
Telepath.
VIDEO CALL
You knew it was a risk.
Yeah, it's gonna be okay.
Agatha's got a handle on it. It'll be fine.
Of course she does.
I've been thinking about Skye a lot.
I really miss her.
She would be proud of you.
Just like me.
It's really hard to think of you
- in that house alone. - I'm not alone.
I know you're up there...
looking down on me.
Karl..
I love you.
COMM-LINK TERMINATED
Try and catch me.
What did you get from Thale?
Just looking at these sketches.
I don't see anything relating to Murphy's accident.
No wonder the crew's afraid of him.
He draws what he sees.
Those images come from the people on this ship,
the ones calling him a monster.
- Do you know who that is? - Yeah, my daughter.
Skye.
I think Thale is making me see things.
Hear things on the ship.
Well, very powerful L-1s can do that,
but not under suppression.
Okay, 'cause I'm seeing things.
Heard her voice.
What are you suggesting?
Just wondering if you really have
your patient under control.
Captain Eris?
I know you're watching me.
Where are you?
Where I always am:
Somewhere below your feet.
Do you watch everyone?
I don't find everyone fascinating.
We've never had a cadet from the genetic program onboard.
A lot of people have been enhanced, Captain.
I'm sure some of your crew have had gene modifications.
Oh, enhancement is not the same as engineering.
You, Melantha, were genetically designed
for space travel from birth.
Tell me something: What if you went through
all that training only to end up hating
being in space? I guess I'd be miserable
like the rest of them down there.
Are most people unhappy on Earth?
- You've never been? - The Nightflyer
suits my needs just fine.
Of course it does.
Plenty of captive targets
for you to watch.
You tell me something:
Where else do you watch me?
When I'm sleeping?
Maybe...
while I'm in the shower?
I'm not looking for that.
I can see flesh any time I want.
But intimacy...
truth...
a glimpse of someone's soul.
Is that why you watch me?
Captain Eris?
You still here?
Entre.
Hey, Rowan, you got a minute?
A million of them.
Okay good, 'cause, uh, we have a problem.
Agatha...
I'm beginning to doubt that she has the ability
to keep Thale contained.
Hmm.
That's controversial.
What happens if we lose Thale?
Well, you know how I feel.
I'm merely one of the hundred-million people
who think this mission
that you've concocted isn't exactly the
wisest move
for our species.
Yeah, that's exactly why I'm asking you
for your annoying opinion.
We've been bombarding them for years
with radio and light waves
in every language we know,
every formula that's ever been devised.
What have we got back?
- Nothing. - I doubt they're having
trouble understanding us.
Most likely scenario is...
they don't want to talk.
Rowan, what's your point?
My point is that any beings
that intelligent...
would see the human race for what we are.
We're a virus
that has killed its host
and is looking for a new host to infect.
That is an incredibly pessimistic view
of humankind.
Realistic.
Look at Earth
through a biological prism.
We are the disease.
If we lose Thale...
can we still communicate with the volcryn or not?
What's the point?
They're probably going to exterminate us.
If you think we're so doomed,
why'd you agree to come on this mission?
Well, I've spent my entire life wondering
what form alien life might take.
I wanna see what they look like.
Error.
Tank malfunction.
Error.
Tank malfunction.
Oxygen 40%.
Oxygen 30%.
Oxygen 15%.
Oxygen 10%.
Warning: Oxygen level critical.
Warning: Oxygen depleted.
System override.
Emergency drain sequence initiated.
Mel!
The ground.
It's cold.
I like it.
Can you smell the fennel?
It's kind of a licorice smell.
They have voices.
Who?
Trees.
Plants.
Those bees over there.
You know,
Captain Eris and his crew...
they're worried.
So are you.
You can't trust the psychic kid.
He's unsafe. He's unstable.
Same shit they said when they took me away
- from my family. - Thale, I know...
No, L-1s are treated like shit.
No, we could do so much more if they'd just...
I need you to tell me the truth about something.
Have you been putting thoughts in Dr. D'Branin's head?
- You mean that little girl? - That's his daughter, Thale.
Was his daughter. She's dead.
And no, I didn't,
Agatha.
- Karl? - I need Thale.
Captain Eris wants to see him.
We just wanna talk to you.
No, you don't.
They want to put me to sleep and they wanna keep me asleep.
There was another accident.
Mel was nearly killed.
Hey, you wanna tell them to back off?
Look, we just want to talk to you.
That's bullshit.
Thale.
Agatha, tell him to stop.
Tell them to back down.
Thale!
Don't do this, Thale!
Thale!
You understand why we had to do this.
Where are you?
I can't feel your thoughts.
I'm right here...
- with you. - Thale, I can't keep you safe
if you don't tell me the truth.
That's a bit rich coming from you,
innit, sweetheart?
You tell the good Captain the truth about our mission?
Oh.
Go on, tell them about the course shift.
What's he talking about?
We detected a change in the alien ship's course.
As did my nav team two days ago.
I've already reprogrammed the ship for the new intercept.
What does that mean?
Karl?
- Five extra months onboard. - No.
No, I... I can't...
We're not going back without making contact.
The Nightflyer can handle the journey.
- The unknown is Thale. - Well, listen, if I wanted
to hurt your little ship, you'd know about it.
The only way to know for sure is to take Thale offline
- so I can run diagnostics. - Offline?
Suspend his brain function completely,
or I will have him removed from my ship.
Do it now.
If we don't do this...
the crew will kill him.
I'm so sorry.
Go on.
ENTRY REQUEST
Hey.
How are you?
Come in.
What did you see?
I saw, uh...
something.
Do you think it was Thale?
I don't know. I mean...
how could he get into the system?
L-1s don't... They don't engage with data.
I know what they say.
But he could have gotten inside your head, too.
Yeah.
I don't know. Maybe.
I've never felt that before.
What?
Helpless.
You saved my life.
Um...
I'm sorry.
I'm not very good at...
this.
Help me to feel something else.
D'Branin. Initiate memory playback.
Daddy, look.
Come on!
Try and catch me!
Stop memory playback.
Can you find me?
I see you.
Peek-a-boo.
Stop playback. That's not how it happened.
Daddy?
Stop playback! This is not how it happened!
Daddy?
You disobeyed a direct order and didn't medicate him!
It is not Thale.
He's using my memories against me!
Do you hear yourself? You're paranoid.
And you're blind. What is it with you and these...
- This L-1 kid? - There's the Karl I remember.
No, no, this isn't about us.
- This is about the mission. - No, you've always had
a problem with my work.
Your work is why you're here.
Then I'm asking you to trust me.
I need you to trust me.
Thale is unconscious.
Show me.
Someone's been here.
Thale.
We checked on him less than an hour ago.
He was right here, out cold.
How could he just wake up?
Well, someone would have to turn off his medication,
- unlock the door. - Well, I doubt any
- of Eris' crew is gonna do that. - He's scared, Karl.
L-1s hurt people when they feel threatened.
You should get to your quarters.
A search of the ship is under way.
You said you've got cameras everywhere.
- How is this possible? - My vid feeds are dark.
Someone breached the system.
Well, it wasn't Thale.
He can't turn off cameras and unlock doors.
My security team will find him and take
- the appropriate action. - He'll know you're coming.
If you corner him...
your crew will walk into a bloodbath.
Please proceed to your assigned stations.
Now we have a bit of privacy.
So, we need to find Thale before Eris' men do.
Can you access the ship's vid feeds?
I've never been able to get past the firewalls.
I need you to try harder. If Thale starts killing
Eris' crew, they're gonna turn on us next.
I'm ready.
Stand down. Stand down.
Easy.
Hey, Murph.
Listen, you'd better get back to your quarters.
That L-1 is somewhere on the loose.
I need to get down to the access panel.
Eris needs his feeds restored.
Here. Take that...
Just in case.
What's going on?
Okay, we need to take her out...
No, no, no, you can't.
If you disconnect the tether while she's still inside,
- she'll be gone. - Gone?
Gone where?
In there.
Forever.
WARNING CONDUCTIVE FLUID FLAMMABLE
Okay, somebody do something.
Lommie. Lommie, can you hear me?
Lommie. Hey, hey.
Hey.
Get out.
Get...
out.
Get...
out.
Get out!
Hey.
What the fuck was that?
- Don't touch me. - Lommie?
Hey, Lommie.
What did you see in there? Lommie?
Lommie.
Lommie!
Bollocks.
You fucking little freak.
Lommie!
Error.
Firewall breached.
Lommie!
Hey! Hey!
Here you go.
CREDITS