[♪♪]
[ELECTRONIC BEEPING]
We've cleared the orbit of Las Venus.
Setting course for Earth.
No sign of pursuit, Xander.
Or should I call you "captain" here?
That won't be necessary, Greg.
You're no longer a part of EarthCom.
I'm suppose I'm not part of anything anymore.
Maybe I should've stayed behind on Las Venus with Lt. Collins.
I think your destiny is ahead of you, Greg.
Lt. Collins had a lot to atone for, and he knew it.
Maybe helping those fighters gain their freedom on Las Venus
will help him quiet his demons.
And Ralen, what about his demons?
JETT: I'm so sorry for what happened to you.
I only wanted to help.
After everything that went down between us last year,
you died as one of my best...
my only friend.
[SCREAMS]
JETT: Oh, my God!
Looks like Ralen's back in the land of the living.
You didn't tell Jett, did you?
Must have slipped my mind.
[STAMMERS]
Very kind words, Jett, but most unnecessary.
-You were-- you were-- -Dead?
-Yeah! -Yeah, I very much was.
It's a small quirk of Zatarian biology.
We can slow our heartbeat and breathing down to almost undetectable levels.
Many species on Earth have the same ability.
Not humans, of course.
Yeah, that's hilarious. You could have told me!
Well, we needed the game master to believe that I was truly deceased,
otherwise, the plan would not have worked.
Now, if you would not mind,
please, could you grab uniform?
I would prefer not to walk around naked.
-[RUMBLING] -What was that?
Beats me.
Apparently, no one tells me anything anyway.
Doesn't sound good though.
We need to get to the bridge.
[♪♪]
-What is it, Captain? -It's Sumi marauders.
Reports say they've been harassing cargo ships for months
despite the recent Earth blockades in this sector.
So, why are they attacking us?
Well, we're small, tasty, vulnerable.
Strap in, everybody. This is gonna get bumpy.
Shields falling, 30 percent... 20 percent.
Yeah, looks like you should have stayed in Las Venus after all, Greg.
Now you tell me.
Are there any EarthCom ships nearby that can help us?
I am unable to send a distress call. The Sumi are jamming our comms.
[CRASHING]
Oh, not good. So not good.
-Greg, how is your spatial geometry? -Let's find out.
[BEEPING]
[♪♪]
Alright, we're too close in range for their torpedoes to lock in.
We can't possibly stay this close to their ships without crashing into one.
We won't have to.
[♪♪]
They're firing their torpedoes.
You let me know when those weapons are armed.
Four thousand meters, 3000, 2000 meters.
-[ELECTRONIC BEEPING] -Torpedoes are armed, sir!
-Five seconds to impact! -Greg, on my mark, fire the retro thrusters!
Wait, what?! That will take you right into the path of their torpedoes!
Exactly. And... mark!
[ALL STRAINING]
[♪♪]
Hold on, gentlemen.
[ALL GRUNT]
-You're gonna ram 'em! -XANDER: Not quite.
Now, Ralen! Punch it!
[♪♪]
[ALARM BLARES]
[JETT PANTING]
[RELIEVED LAUGHTER]
Oh, my God, you did it!
I don't know how, but we're still here!
[ALL GROAN]
Yeah, maybe not for much longer.
We're losing power fast.
Brace yourselves! This is gonna be a bumpy landing!
-[ALL GRUNTING] -Oh, my God! I hate flying!
You're gonna hate crashing even more!
[ALL SCREAMING]
[♪♪]
won't fly without some extensive repairs.
Comms are down. Engines are off-line.
Any idea where the hell we are?
[ELECTRONIC BEEPING]
Well, this lovely bit of nothing is Aluna 4.
A mining colony on the Outer Rim,
known for its rich deposits of Thulium.
-Thulium? What's that? -It's an element.
It's extraordinarily rare on Earth. It's more expensive than gold.
It's also critical in the production of energy weapons like slycrs.
There's a mining colony about 20 klicks southwest of here. Maybe they can help us.
Good. Gear up, then, everybody.
We're going for a stroll.
[ELECTRICITY ZAPPING]
[BELL TOLLING]
[ZAZIE LAUGHS]
Well, that was, um...
quite an experience for an ordinary sophomore like me.
Yeah, well, I owe you.
You totally saved me from those Sumi Secret Police.
-What do you think they wanted when they abducted you anyway? -Who knows?
I'm just glad you and Aleka were there for me when I needed you.
Jax, it was your princess plaything who did most of the saving.
She's just a friend, Zaz, nothing more.
[CHUCKLES] Yeah. A friend with some serious benefits.
[BOTH LAUGH]
But what is he doing here?
SHRAL: Cadet Zhou.
A word, please.
That very important assignment we discussed, where is it?
I'm sorry. I don't recall--
The one about your family tree,
involving your uncle.
I'll need it today by 1600 hours. Got it?
Yes, the family tree.
Family tree. The family--
I will do that. Water it. Get it all done.
-SHRAL: Good day, cadet. -Okay.
-I'm so sorry, Zaz. I gotta go. I'll catch you later, okay? -It's okay.
-ZAZIE: Bye. -Okay.
[♪♪]
[HAWK CRIES]
[DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE]
This can't be good.
Let's go.
[HAWK CRIES]
Are these original Earth colonists who settled this world
-during the Great Migration? -No.
Thulium was discovered here about 100 years ago,
and EarthCom annexed the whole planet.
Both the Sumis and the Zatarians still lay claim,
but so far, we've managed to hold on.
-Looks deserted. -Yet, it is not.
How many do you make?
At least five, possibly more.
-I don't see anyone. -Don't look.
There's two on that roof there.
Another at your three o'clock. Another at seven o'clock.
On my mark, we make a run for that building,
and you do not stop until you get inside.
Oh, this is not good.
Now.
[GUNFIRE]
[♪♪]
[KUBRICK CREW SHOUTING]
-[ALL PANTING] -JETT: Man, that was close!
[GUN RACKS]
Drop your weapons.
I said, drop your weapons.
We mean you no harm.
My father will be the judge of that.
In the meantime,
why don't you all just relax?
Look, we're not your enemy.
Did I tell you to talk?
[GRUNTS]
XANDER: I'm sorry.
Like I said,
we mean you no harm.
-[GUN CLICKS] -Is that right?
Stay right where you are.
Are you okay?
My name is Captain Xander Duvall of EarthCom.
Our ship was shot down by Sumi pirates.
-We need your help. -You need our help?
We've been waiting for help from EarthCom for months now.
Guess you're not it, huh?
Look, I don't know what's going on here,
but I'm willing to listen. Maybe we can help each other.
How's that?
We have weapons, supplies on our downed ship.
Things that I'm willing to bet that you need out here on the Outer Rim.
Look...
hear us out?
Name's Gorch.
You already met my daughter, Rachel.
Uh, not formally.
She held a gun on you, boy.
Around here, you're practically engaged.
Papa!
[COUGHING]
Oh, that's smooth. Yeah.
You said you were shot down by the Sumis?
That don't surprise me much.
We've been under siege by the Sumi pirates for a while now.
Knocked out our comms.
Took our Thulium and stole all our energy weapons.
[COUGHS] Yeah. I was wondering about the antiques.
EarthCom used to send freighters to pick up our ore and bring supplies,
but they haven't in months.
And ever since EarthCom's blockade,
we've not received any food, weapons or medical supplies.
I'm a doctor.
-Pre-med, actually. -Better than pre-law.
If you guys here are in need medical support, I'd be happy to help.
Well, that'd be very much appreciated, pre-med.
Thanks, Ralen.
Look, if you can help us get back to Earth,
then I can take this up with the Confederacy.
Get you the help that you need.
What guarantee do we have you'll do what you say?
Well, you have my word, Mr. Gorch.
If that's not enough then...
just shoot us.
[♪♪]
You're late.
Yeah, well, you keep showing up at the lounge like that,
and Zazie's gonna get suspicious.
Not to mention, it took me 50 minutes standing outside of your office
to figure out what you meant by "family tree".
SHRAL: The data cube you obtained from Princess Aleka
contains a crypto-cipher.
One that your uncle can now use to
intercept and translate all confidential Sumi communications traffic.
So that's what that was.
In analyzing the Sumi transmissions so far,
it would appear that Princess Aleka's claim
that the Sumi royal houses are covertly supporting
the pirates in the Outer Rim
-has a great deal of validity. -I don't understand.
What would the Sumi have to gain by harassing Earth's outer colonies?
Well, the more the pirates create havoc,
the more the colonies resent EarthCom
for their failure in protecting them.
Pretty sneaky.
Now, we just need to know how... and who on Earth is aiding them.
Okay, if this is another mission, I'm already failing two classes--
Not... a mission.
A favor.
You want a favor from me?
It's about your mother.
Lucas has her locked up.
From what we hear, Eve isn't telling them a damn thing.
-And what does my mother have to do with the Sumi? -Nothing.
But if I could talk to Tierney,
I think I might be able to convince her
to share the device she created to open portals.
Even if Tierney were willing to help,
which I highly doubt, why would we need those?
Well, a portal would allow Osborn to travel freely,
without fear of being arrested by Lucas.
[SCOFFS] So, not only do you want me to interrogate my own mother,
you want me to get her to help you.
"Us," Jax.
Help us.
We know we're asking a lot.
But need I remind you what's at stake here?
I think it'd be rather difficult to convince the Ancients
that we can all live together in peace if the entire galaxy is at war.
These people, most of their families have been here for generations.
Hard-working, salt of the Earth types.
What about you, Gorch? Where are you from?
Me? I'm like you.
Wore the uniform.
But I got sick of politicians
sending kids off to fight and die
over dried up hunks of rock... like these.
EarthCom exists to protect humanity.
To further science and exploration.
And forge friendships with a diverse array of alien species.
Friendships, huh?
A lot of friends of mine died fighting these Zits.
Now, we're all supposed to just get along?
Not me.
Sorry. No offense.
None taken.
You know, Mr. Gorch.
I grew up on a world just like this one.
We had nothing. No future.
EarthCom gave me a home.
They believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself.
So, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it, okay?
[AIRCRAFT APPROACHING]
Looks like we're gonna have company.
Sumi marauders.
Looking for us, no doubt.
I wonder what they'll give us for you.
We can't turn them over to the Sumi, Papa.
Sweetie, if it'll get them to leave us in peace--
If I thought it would buy you peace...
I would turn myself over.
But you can't trust the Sumi.
Maybe I can offer a solution then?
I'm all ears.
[♪♪]
Looking for me?
[SPEAKING SUMI LANGUAGE]
What do you want?
Of course.
Same place as always.
[GRUNTS]
It so happens I might.
[WHISTLES]
Captain Xander Duvall, at your service.
Hero of Earth.
Defender of the cosmos.
Handsome devil.
Yeah, sorry about that.
It was an accident?
I stand with them.
Where?
-[GUNFIRE] -[GRUNTS]
[ALL GRUNTING]
Sorry, sorry, sorry! [GRUNTS]
[GROANING]
Nice!
-Nice moves. -I owed you that much.
Tie them up. Throw them in the mines till we figure out what to do with them.
Okay, Captain.
You did your part, now I'll do mine.
Well, the first priority is to get comms up and running. Jett, go with him.
Once the Sumi realize that their scout ship hasn't returned,
they'll send more marauders.
That's right. So, we can't leave.
Well, we can't stay either, Greg. There's only four of us.
We're more than that, captain. A lot more.
[♪♪]
Rachel, we can't ask your people to risk so much.
You don't need to ask. We're volunteering.
These people need our help.
EarthCom's abandoned you once.
We can't let that happen again.
Agreed.
What if the Sumi return and board Kubrick?
Don't you worry, son.
We got a stealth shield
we can put over your ship.
It should conceal it from the air,
if they don't look too carefully.
And what if they do look too carefully?
Well... that'll be a problem.
Hello.
I was wondering when you'd finally pay me a visit.
-How's school? -"How's school"?
That's what you're gonna say to me after everything that's happened?
Well, I know you always wanted to go to the Academy.
So, you're lucky I'm not asking about your dating life, Jax.
Oh, come on. That was funny.
Jax, you're gonna have to trust me.
-We want the same thing, believe me. -JAX: Really?
And what is that?
To save the universe from destruction.
Oh, you've spoken to them, haven't you, the Ancients.
What did you learn?
They're disappointed in us.
They think of us as this failed experiment
that they just want to eradicate.
Well, what did you tell them?
I got them to grant us a temporary reprieve.
Good, good. You've done well.
No! I didn't do well.
It's not temporary. It's not permanent.
Why are you really here, Jax?
[CLEARS THROAT]
I need to talk to Tierney.
What, and you think I can help?
I mean... I'm stuck in a cage.
What can I do? Hmm?
I'm sure you could figure something out.
Why would I do that?
Because your daughter is asking you to.
And if you care about me half as much as you say you do,
then you'll do this thing for me.
Please.
I'll speak with her.
Okay.
It was good to see you, Jax.
It gets lonely in here and...
I miss you.
Do you think it will ever be possible
-for me to live a normal life again? -[EVE GROANS]
Why are you asking questions like that?!
Why do you want to be normal when you can be extraordinary?
Like you?
Like me.
You know...
[SCOFFS]
...even after everything that you've done,
I still love you.
I really wish I didn't.
But I do.
One day, you're gonna have a child of your own,
and that's when you'll understand.
You would do anything to protect that child.
Anything.
There are things that you don't yet understand,
but you will.
[SIGHS] So, what now?
We need a show of force.
We have to fool the Sumi into believing this colony is heavily guarded,
full of soldiers... fighters.
Give them a bloody nose and force a retreat,
before they realize the truth.
Agreed.
I can see three defensible positions.
If we can't deal with them when they make planetfall,
then we will lure some of them to the mines,
and deal with them here.
Any Sumi left,
we fall back to the town,
and we pick them off one by one.
If we pull this off correctly, we can send a clear message to the Sumi
that Aluna 4 is not for the taking.
Captain...
you need to see this.
These weapons that the pirates were using,
they weren't manufactured by the Sumi.
If not the Sumi, then who?
They were made by Parallax Galactic.
[♪♪]
[BABY CRIES]
How do you know Parallax made it?
Only Parallax weapons
still use high-quality Sheng Solenoid coils
in their slycr chambers.
It was a matter of pride for Harlan Fried.
He'd only use the highest quality materials,
even when cheaper alternatives were available.
Could they be black market? Part of a hijacked shipment?
Military-grade weapons have tracker chips installed.
If these weapons were stolen,
they would show up on this scanner.
These were sold to the Sumis.
Why would Parallax sell weapons to the Sumi pirates?
I don't know.
But let's hope we live long enough to find out.
We're going to need as many weapons as you can find.
And as many people who can use them.
Gorch, take Ralen to the mines.
Start setting up some explosive charges.
Greg, I think it's best
if you start setting up a triage unit here.
There are families here.
Then let's hope we don't need it.
Come on, baby.
Daddy needs a working spaceship.
-[CLICKING SOUND] -[SIGHS]
Okay, come on. Alright.
-[POWERING UP] -Alright, let's go get 'em.
-[POWERING DOWN] -[GROANS]
Come on, come on! Come on, come on, play nice.
So, how are we gonna turn this place into a field hospital?
-You don't have any medical supplies. -Well...
we have, uh...
bandages...
and... disinfectant.
And painkillers.
-Alcohol's a twofer. -Mmm.
Um...
splints.
RACHEL: Yeah. You catch on quick.
You think your friends can stop the Sumis?
One thing I've learnt about Xander is...
never underestimate him.
You're good friends?
More like... competitors.
What does that mean?
[HEAVY SIGH]
We were both in love with the same girl.
What happened?
He got the girl.
I didn't.
Was she special?
I thought she was the one.
Oh.
You're still in love with her.
Actually, no.
No, truly I'm not, um...
I'm a different person now,
and I think she might be too.
The man I was died, and...
I've spent the last year trying to figure out who I am.
What do you mean?
We both believed in the future.
Optimists. Glass-half-full types.
I think that's part of what we saw in each other.
But something changed?
Yeah, I...
I realized that people aren't inherently good,
or bad,
and that, as much as we'd like to think so,
things don't always work out for the best.
It's only fools who think that they can help people.
Oh, well.
Then I guess I'm the biggest fool you've ever met.
No, I--I didn't mean it like that.
Maybe it is only fools who actually help people.
[LAUGHING] Don't worry. It's fine.
Let's, um...
Let's rip some bandages, yeah?
Because...
whether you think you can help or not,
people are still going to need you.
[♪♪]
I saw the way you fought against the Sumis.
Most impressive.
Just protecting my folk.
Interesting technique.
You fight like a Zatarian,
not like a veteran EarthCom soldier.
Retired heroes of EarthCom
don't come to a place like this for peace and quiet,
especially with a young daughter.
What are you trying to say, Zit?
I don't believe you are who you claim to be.
That's too bad.
And why is that?
Because now I'll have to kill you.
[♪♪]
I'm so sorry about earlier.
It's alright. You finish your assignment for Professor Shral?
All done.
Now, we can finally...
What is it?
Don't tell me. It's him again, isn't it?
[SIGHS]
What is it now?
We have a problem. Osborn used the cipher to translate
some recent Sumi transmissions.
Apparently...
Sumi pirates have shot down an Earth ship over Aluna 4,
one of the mining colonies on the Outer Rim.
Earth ship?
Kubrick.
Who was on it?
-Xander? -Mm-hmm.
Ralen?
-Well, are they alive? -I don't know for sure, but apparently,
the pirates are sending in a fleet of ships to investigate.
We're gonna have to help them, right now.
I wish we could,
but your uncle has no power to do anything. He's still a fugitive.
Okay, so, I'll speak to Meredith Lucas.
No. Even if she were to listen,
there's no way she'd be able to get a ship out to the Outer Rim in time.
Not to mention, she would demand to know where your intel came from.
So, you're just suggesting we let them die out there?
No.
I just thought you should know.
That's all, Jax.
Well, I don't know about you, professor,
but I'm not leaving them behind.
We have to find a way to save them.
Good.
I thought you might say that.
[♪♪]
[GRUNTING]
Give me one good reason why I should not snap your neck right now.
Rachel.
I did it for Rachel, alright?
Gorch is the name of a soldier whose identity papers I swiped.
I'm not an EarthCom soldier.
I'm a criminal, a smuggler and a thief.
So was my wife.
Why are you here?
My daughter.
That much is true.
My wife and I, we grew up in that life.
Don't want that for Rachel.
[SIGHS]
Came here to hide.
Hellholes like this,
a man could disappear, no questions asked.
You can't tell that to anyone.
R--Rachel... she doesn't know
about my old life or my wife's.
I just lost my wife.
She made a sacrifice that might save us all.
I will carry the pain of her loss with me forever.
I'm sorry.
I've been mad at the universe ever since.
Self-destructive.
But I was wrong.
This is my second chance.
You and your daughter, you deserve a second chance.
I will keep your secret,
and I will fight to my very last breath
to drive the Sumis from your home.
-Got your message. -[RACKS GUN]
Seriously?
How's the professor doing?
I hear he fought the law and the law won.
Gets to see how the other half lives now, I suppose.
So, tell me what Osborn wants from me, Shral,
and why I shouldn't turn you both in for immunity.
He's asked me to tell you that he might have access to something that you want.
In exchange, you have something that he needs.
Mmm. I imagine being able to create portals
-would be quite helpful now that he's a wanted fugitive. -Hmm.
Of course, that still doesn't explain
what exactly Osborn has
that I could possibly want in exchange.
Let's just say, he might be able to find
one of those Protector anti-matter plasma weapons
you and Eve seem so anxious to get your hands on.
An intriguing proposition.
But if that's true,
why give it to me?
Why indeed? It could be a very powerful and deadly weapon
in the wrong hands... like yours.
We'd want to know what you need it for first.
You can tell Osborn
what I need it for
is to destroy the Ancients,
before they can destroy us.
[♪♪]
[GUN CHAMBER CLICKING]
[GUNS RACKING]
[♪♪]
[GRUNTING SOUNDS]
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
Fall back!
Everybody, fall back!
GORCH: Help! Help me!
[ALL GRUNTING]
[GROANS]
[♪♪]
You're welcome.
[AIRCRAFT DEPARTS]
[♪♪]
[SLOW MOTION GUNFIRE]
[GRUNTS]
Captain, cover me.
You!
Papa!
[GROANS]
[GUNFIRE OUTSIDE CONTINUES]
Xander, what do we do? There's too many of them.
We hold them off until we can't anymore.
Come on!
Papa?
It's okay, sweetie.
It doesn't hurt.
I never deserved you.
[SOBS] No.
I wish...
Papa?
[WAILS]
[PANTING]
[HEAVY SIGH]
Wait, wait! Stop, stop!
They're not returning fire.
What the hell are they playing at?
[♪♪]
Who the hell might you be?
Captain Duvall, I presume?
Princess Aleka of the Sumi Empire.
First wife of Prince Oren of the Clan Sumix.
It seems we have a mutual friend.
Jax Zhou?
She told me you were in trouble.
Asked for my help.
Your help?
I don't understand.
Go home, Captain.
Live to fight another day.
The planet is safe. You have my word.
The pirates will heed the wishes of Prince Oren.
Are you saying that the pirates won't operate
without the sanctions of the Sumi royal families?
If that's the case, then why not put a stop to these pirate raids for good?
Just be glad they will no longer threaten these people.
I will see to that for as long as I draw breath.
I still don't understand why you're helping us.
I imagine you already know.
Humor me.
Because, like you,
I would do anything Jax Zhou asked of me.
I showed her my back...
and we are sisters.
[♪♪]
I'm so sorry about your father.
He was a good man. A man of honor.
You could come back with us to Earth, if you like.
No.
My place is here.
I still think we can make this planet into something...
in time.
I'm a glass-is-half-full kind of girl.
Well, we'll see to it that EarthCom resumes its provisioning here.
Until then... take care.
You ready, Greg?
Uh, actually, I'm not going either.
Are you sure?
This place needs a doctor,
and I think I could do some good around here.
Besides, I think this place has kind of grown on me.
Guess I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy after all.
[SIGHS] Um...
Give this to Jax when you see her, please.
I owe her an explanation at least.
Well... goodbye, Greg.
What are you doing?
Goodbye, my friend.
Stay out of trouble.
That I sincerely doubt.
You acquitted yourself admirably, captain.
We took far too many losses.
We made a difference.
You reminded me that I could make a difference.
For that, I thank you.
-No, thank you, Ralen. -For what?
For a long time, I didn't think I had what it takes to make the tough calls.
Didn't think I was ready for command.
I realize how much it pains you
to lose people under your watch,
but a true leader understands
that sacrifices must be made for the greater good.
I know that now.
-Doesn't get any easier, does it? -No.
It certainly does not.
But you, you have become your own man.
You have stepped away from Donovan Osborn's shadow.
You're a true leader.
I'll follow you anywhere, captain.
Well, that's good,
because we have somewhere to be right now.
Earth?
No.
We need to find proof
that Parallax is working with the Sumi empire
to arm the pirates.
We need to put an end to all this,
once and for all.
[DOOR WHOOSHES OPEN]
Well, you took your time.
-Are we ready? -Yes.
Are you sure you still want to go through with this?
Of course. There's no other choice.
You know Jax will never forgive you.
Yes, I know,
but like I said, we have no other choice.
So get me the hell out of this box now.
We have work to do.
Pandora:
She said I'm pregnant.
The child is not Captain Duvall's.
You know I'm the best long distance hauler you got.
They're all clones.
Your cargo is people, Roy.
I would never transport slaves!
[GASPING]
Hey. Hey, Zion! Zion!
Zion, it's me. It's Xander.
You were my brother.
Where is the commander?
This child could be the next Pandora.
[GASPS] Okay.
-On your feet, soldier. -Yes, commander.
Kill him now.
[♪♪]
Kill, Ubu, kill.
Good fish.