FW: contact.docenc
AUGUST- 2516. MICRO-SHORT. FW FROM: <jstarling@navy.defense.gan>
You’re gonna love this.
—ORIGINAL MESSAGE—
Hi Jake,
See attached.
—Mike
ATTACHED: contact.docenc (3MB)
CLASSIFIED: TOP SECRET - AUTHORIZED ACCESS ONLY
REPORT FROM USS PERRY TO UNINAVCOM CENTRAL
AT 2520:03:16:18:14:22 NAVIGATIONAL SCANS DETECTED UNKNOWN OBJECT IN THE GJ 1227 SYSTEM.
CLOSE APPROACH REVEALED IT TO BE TECHNOLOGICAL IN NATURE
AT 2520:03:18:11:22:08 USS PERRY MARINES SET FOOT ABOARD.
OBJECT RESPONDED WITH DARK ENERGY WAVE
AT 2520:03:18:14:41:50 MARINES RETURNED FROM DARK ENERGY WAVE COLLAPSE
WITH SAMPLES OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL, SOUND RECORDINGS, AND BURN MARKS ON THEIR ARMOR.
THEIR REPORT DESCRIBED THEIR BEING TRANSPORTED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION
FILLED WITH UNIDENTIFIED LIFEFORMS. THEY ENCOUNTERED AND CLEARED A HOSTILE GROUP.
COMPUTER ANALYSIS CONFIRMS THAT THEIR RECORDINGS REPRESENT UNKNOWN LANGUAGE.
COLLECTED EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THE UN MAY BE THREATENED BY ALIEN POWER.
SPECOPS TAC TEAM T͟A͟N͟G͟O͟ G͟R͟E͟E͟N͟ REMAINS ON SITE.
Sound Dramatic? We think so, and we think it's just kind of drama the
12-23 demographic doesn't know they're desperate for. C͟O͟N͟T͟A͟C͟T͟ is an exciting new episodic
adventure series that blends the best of vintage sci-fi like STAR TREK and 23rd century
space opera with modern mildrama like KINETIC IMPACT. The star team, TANGO GREEN,
have found themselves in a world that is big enough for us to fit almost any drama
imaginable. It is also a world at a tipping point, where a single character's choices
can make all the difference.
T͟H͟E͟ A͟L͟I͟E͟N͟S͟
The galaxy wasn't always under the thumb of the TYREXI IMPERIUM.
These nasty customers were once the footsoldiers of the galaxy's mercantile consortiums,
but decided they liked the violence and riches that came with their work more than they
liked their clients. Now, they traverse the galaxy putting down whatever resistance they
find, and bring back the mightiest of their foes for the brutal gladiatorial pits where
their elders are entertained and their young hone their skills.
We won't see the leaders of the Imperium, not yet. Humanity is far too small and
primitive to attract their notice, for the first season. Instead we might encounter
roving hunting bands and regional governors with furious bloodlust.
The victims of the Tyrexi are a motley bunch, scattered across the stars, first by the
trading economy of the good old days and now by the terror of the Tyrexi. We can't expect
to meet a new, fleshed out species every episode, but for the first few we will on a
regular basis. We have a couple ideas to start out with, but we're leaving the door open
for other writers as they contribute to the series.
The GLAIN'M were once noble warriors and rivals of the Tyrexi. Nowadays most of them
spend their time frozen in pods, awaiting the day the Tyrexi need something more
entertaining than their usual fare. When the Tango Green crew encounter one, it's a
serious threat, but also an opportunity for a useful alliance. Still one is always left
wondering whether their nobility masks more dangerous intentions for when the Tyrexi are
out of the way. They eventually are represented on the team by BRAK'GA, an older Glain'm
who comes to show a more maternal side to her character as she becomes acquainted with
the marines.
The most powerful computers of the Imperium aren't computers at all, but the
imprisoned brain-like ROUTHAIN. Formerly the intellectual titans of galactic
civilization, the Tyrexi have elected to putthem to more practical use implanted into
their systems. The crew will encounter a few Routhain but cannot save them. The first
they encounter with any agency is an individual aboard a spaceship necessary for their
return home (see sample episodes), a purpose for which he willingly aids them. Sometime
in the future, they will learn that he was responsible long ago for genetically
engineering the Tyrexi, and must decide how he must face his culpability.
T͟H͟E͟ ͟T͟A͟N͟G͟O͟ ͟G͟R͟E͟E͟N͟ ͟C͟R͟E͟W͟
These are our heroes, and a better band of internationalists you'll never meet.
COLONEL WINTERS: One hell of a Marine. Winters has earned enough accolades over years
of service (with enough darkness in that past) to know that war is not something to strive
towards. Nonetheless, he cannot possibly be mistaken for someone unwilling to use force
when necessary. He commands the loyalty of his team with bravado, guile, and unwavering
confidence.
CAPTAIN CRAIG: Synth Second-In Command, A boxy, tall combat frame. Stark, unflappable,
natural leader. This is the persona he projects to shield his deep insecurities regarding
his donor brain- who he knows comes from a notoriously narcissistic talk radio host of the
Maybe War era. He does all he can to distance himself from that shadow, but even in
his best moments he wonders if he goes above and beyond for his teammates or for himself.
STAFF SERGEANT CARRADINE: The team's old-as-dirt corpsman, and Winter's personal mentor
through much of his career. It was her wisdom learned in the Maybe War that set him on
the right path, and he still trusts her beyond anyone else in the worlds. Her warmth and
affection can be the glue that keeps the team together, but in a crisis she also shows a
coldly practical side that can only come from far too many nights in the triage center.
LIEUTENANT ABAZI: Quick-witted, adaptable tech specialist. The team knows they can rely
on him in a pinch, but haven't ever managed to get him to open up personally.
What he doesn't want anyone to know is that he joined the marines under a false identity
after defecting from Minervan service for personal reasons. As they become more a factor
in the plot, he becomes even more isolated, until he reaches his breaking point and must
decide where he stands.
LIEUTENANT BARREAU: The baby of the group, she descends from a centuries-old military
family and wants nothing more than to prove herself worthy of that lineage.
Winters's occasionally harsh tutelage has only hardened that resolve, much to his
chagrin. Come a worthy fight, she'll be the first one in and the last one out if given
the chance.
S͟A͟M͟P͟L͟E͟ ͟E͟P͟I͟S͟O͟D͟E͟S͟
PILOT: A good bit of it we described at the beginning of this document; we're finding out
alien life exists and a lot of it wants to blow us up. This episode will live and die on ]
the effects and the sense of mystery - we want people wondering what else could
be out there. By the end they'll know there are good aliens and bad ones, and
how important it is to get this sorted. We finish it off with a big kaboom and
a cliffhanger: the portal is blown up, USS Perry destroyed, and Tango Green alone on
the wrong side of space.
ONLY ONE WAY: Alone on the far side of the galaxy, Tango Green gets the lay of the land
in time to commandeer a Tyrexi ship to take the first step towards home and warning
humanity.
TEST OF MIGHT: Impressed by Colonel Winters' prowess, the Tyrexi commander Sekat
(from the pilot) lays a trap to kidnap him and bring him to the gladiator pits,
where he meets and is trained by Brak'Ga. Meanwhile, the rest of Tango Green rally
to save their leader.
Could make a good two-parter.
THE WAR AT HOME: Tango Green finally arrives back at GJ 1227. There's only one problem:
The Minervans got there first.
FOREVER VENGEANCE: Season finale. Sekat has seen disgrace and humiliation all season long,
and is now isolated from his own kind. The Imperium offers him one final option, take a
weapon capable of devastating humanity into our space. There he will kill Colonel Winters,
or die trying.
With the expansive production design and variety of aliens and soldiers,
we believe CONTACT could meet its maximum potential as a multi-season storyline
with a big marketing and merch push. We want our designs to be iconic and can
easily imagine them filling the toy aisles for Christmas 2520. Continuing
the story for multiple seasons will also offset much of the up-front expenses for sets
and special effects. However, the minimum viable version of CONTACT can be achieved
with a single season run.What do you think? Bit hokey, and I think the title’s already taken, but it could definitely help with recruitment if done right. One thing’s for sure though, if it is gonna be done right, they’re gonna need our help. Just look at that thing. Juicy stuff.
V/R,
Jake
Hey guys. April Fools!
More importantly, though, wishing you all a fruitful Holy Week and a joyful Easter (or a blessed Pascha for our Easterners).
Thanks for journeying with us so far on WAYBOUND, and stay tuned for RED CHECKS OVER RHODES: PART 2. It’s well underway, and while nj’s taking a break for a bit on it, it should be here pretty soon.
—Kirk & nj