I never figured you for a spacer.
TARA
I'm not a spacer!
JEREMY
You know what I mean.
TARA
No I don't. You just called me a spacer.
JEREMY
It's just that I picture you out in the
rain or collecting shells on the beach.
Climbing into an interplanetary
spacecraft for three years to brave the
vacuum of space just doesn't seem like
your style. I was nearly certain that you
would back out at the last minute.
TARA
And throw away ten million dollars? Not
me.
A GREETING OFFICER floats by. He grabs hold of a fixed steel ladder. Pulls himself up through an opening.
GREETING OFFICER
Everyone up deck.
Jeremy pushes off toward the opening.
Tara comes floating up behind him. She gracefully collides with a middle aged man. He is sent into a slow, helpless spin.
After the final passenger slips through the opening, the greeting officer drops the hatch into place.
INT. NAVIGATION STATION - HIMALIA
Jupiter is visible through the window.
Jeremy enters.
A NAVIGATION OFFICER approaches him.
Two other crewmembers are present.
JEREMY
I'm Jeremy Ash. I was asked to report
here.
NAVIGATION OFFICER
The pilot of Microcore's Jovian Racer has
asked to speak with you.
JEREMY
You're in contact with CARLOS? Is he
okay?
NAVIGATION OFFICER
For now. But he apparently missed the
gravity assist that would've returned him
to Earth. There's no way that we, or
anyone else can retrieve him. Would you
like to speak to him?
JEREMY
Please.
The Navigation Officer opens a video channel to Carlos.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
Hey, buddy. How's it going?
CARLOS
Actually, a small rock or something hit
the ship just a few minutes ago.
JEREMY
Did it do any damage?
Carlos laughs, then looks frantically around the cabin. His
face comes forward to fill the screen.
CARLOS
I don't hear any hissing so I guess I'm
still sealed.
JEREMY
You seem to be handling the situation
well.
CARLOS
The external sensors started acting up a
few weeks ago, but Microcore Earth
Command assured me that the problem had
been corrected. I activated the
maneuvering thrusters on time, on target,
and at full capacity, but they never
fired. They're still not sure what went
