The Verse: Episode 1- New Arrivals

Chapter 2: Takeoff

[The hover car zooms through traffic effortlessly as the metropolis below them goes about its business. The view of the entire colony plus the distant Earth makes the scenery mystic and foreign. It suddenly begins to rain. Harik activates the laser wipers to sweep the rain off of the windshield.]

Harik: I hate artificial weather. Really messes with my senses. [His antennae twitch slightly.]

[Kat stares out her window as the rain smacks against it. She seems almost in a trance.]

Harik: So... are you a local?

Kat: [snaps out of her trance] Hm?

Harik: Are you local?

[The car zooms to the left and joins a fleet of hover cars that bear the same markings.]

Kat: Yep. Lived here all my life.

Harik: I don't know how you people handle living in a bubble all your lives.

Kat: You get used to it. Also [looks out the window and sees the entire city below her along with Earth looming in the back.] look at that view.

Harik: Eh, I'd still prefer a planet with an atmosphere and natural weather.

[The hover car soars around a skyscraper and the Luna Spaceport comes into view. The huge, sprawling complex has dozens of transports and ships docking and leaving port. The car lands on a landing zone and falls silent.]

Harik: Make your way past the checkpoint and teleport to Sector C, Docking bay 22. Your transport will be docked at Loading Dock 22-3.

Kat: Got it. Thank you.

[Kat gets out and grabs her bag. The trunk automatically slams shut and locks. The hover car then starts up again and takes off into the air and away from the spaceport, disappearing from view. Kat slowly makes her way to the first checkpoint, observing the dock workers and visitors of various species going about their business. She makes it inside, only to be greeted by an Ethereal standing behind a desk with a teleport pad in front. The door shuts behind her as she steps in.]

Ethereal: [in a raspy voice] Step on the pad, please.

[Kat complies and stands on the pad, which begins to pulsate with a purple glow. A monitor pops up in front of the Ethereal. Kats dossier is seen on screen.]

Ethereal: Katherine Lee Mayor. Age: 18. Destination: Archon Military Training Facility. [Shuts the monitor off and looks at Kat with its four insect-like eyes]. Hold on to your belongings, ma'am.

[Kat looks at him with a brief confusion just before the teleporters glow intensifies and she disappears in a flash of purple light. Cuts to Docking Bay 22. The teleporter there begins to glow and suddenly flashes, revealing a disoriented Kat. Her hair is a mess as she steps off. She quickly fixes it.]

Kat: [mutters] Damn teleporters...

[Kat maneuvers through the crowded terminal as she observes the signs to find her way. After a while of pushing and shoving she finds 22-3. A few fellow recruits are seen waiting in line with their luggage. An Ethereal is seen behind a desk. Behind him is a huge monitor with the flight numbers and destinations displayed. The Ethereal then gets on the intercom.]

Ethereal: 22-3 now boarding. 22-3 now boarding.

[The recruits begin to pour into the doorway and down the docking platform towards the shuttles entrance. Kat joins them. She hurriedly walks down the platform until she sees the full view of the shuttle. She stops to look in awe. The shuttle looms over them and casts a dark shadow. The lights emitting from the cockpit and windows create an omnious scene. Kat steps forward and places her hand on the glass.]