It's been over three months since the One
Day War. I assumed hostilities were over.
CECIL
No one knows what's going on inside
China's borders. Even space based
observations have provided little detail.
We'll talk more when you get here.
EXT. EARTH ORBIT
The medical transport ship arrives in Earth orbit.
A monstrous hurricane looms above Florida.
The ship plunges into the hurricane's eye.
EXT. FLORIDA EVERGLADES - DAY
The ship arrives above the everglades.
The weather is eerily calm, surrounded by wicked storm clouds and distant lightning.
A large impact crater passes beneath the vehicle.
Microcore approaches. The complex is heavily damaged.
The vehicle lands on a patchwork runway.
It enters a STORM HANGAR just as the wind picks up and rain begins to fall.
Within moments, the hurricane is audibly battering the hangar.
INT. STORM HANGAR - DAY
Jeremy is led to a singlecar by A MAN WITH A RADIO.
Jeremy boards the singlecar.
It moves through a small opening and out into the storm.
EXT. MICROCORE MAIN TARMAC - DAY
The wind pushes forcibly on the singlecar as it glides toward the base of Cecil's office tower.
Dangerous debris flies past.
The singlecar enters the base of the tower.
INT. CECIL'S OFFICE - DAY
The elevator door opens. Jeremy steps into the office and takes a seat.
JEREMY
You have no idea how good it is to be
back on Earth.
CECIL
I'm glad you think so, considering there
are four radioactive hot zones around the
country. A lot of people would rather be
offworld.
JEREMY
Where is Steve these days?
Cecil lights a cigar. Offers one to Jeremy. Jeremy politely
refuses.
CECIL
I'm not sure how to tell you this so I'll
just come right out and say it. Tara
killed Steve at Crater Cove. His body was
aboard the medical ship that brought you
back. There was a witness who identified
you at the scene. That's why I had to get
you out of there. That would've been the
perfect excuse for the government to
detain you.
JEREMY
That was Steve on the hallway floor?
CECIL
I'm so sorry, Jeremy. He left the
Receiving Platform to move in with Tara
last year. I'm afraid the news gets
worse. Tara committed suicide shortly
afterward.
Jeremy paces the office. Fights tears.
