ACT I 2
SCENE I 2
BRIEFING 2
SCENE II 5
SCENE III 11
ACT II 12
SCENE I 12
Meeting the
Nexus Leadership 12
SCENE II 16
[Ryder, Liam
and Cora joins Captain Dunn on the Hyperion bridge as the Hyperion prepares to
dock at the Nexus.]
CAPTAIN
DUNN:
Ryder, good
to see you on your feet. We’re at the Nexus. It’s the forward hub for the
entire Andromeda Initiative. The asari, salarian, and turian arks should be
there, too.
[The Hyperion
is flying toward the Nexus, which can be seen from afar.]
RYDER:
Let’s hope
they’ve had better luck.
LANI:
Starting
our approach now.
LIAM:
It’s almost
as big as the Citadel back home.
LANI:
Nexus
control, this is Ark Hyperion requesting docking clearance.
[The Nexus can
be seen from up close. The Hyperion seems incredibly small compared to it.]
LANI:
Captain,
I’m only getting their automated approach channel, not a live person.
CAPTAIN
DUNN:
Well, like
it or not, we’re here. Take us in.
[They all watch
as the Hyperion docks. The Nexus appears to be under construction, with large
parts of it not built.]
CORA:
Construction
should’ve been finished by now.
LIAM:
Could be
worse…
RYDER:
How?
Habitat 7’s a bust, we might’ve started a war with the first aliens we met, and
our Pathfinder’s dead. This better be
rock bottom.
LANI:
Green
across the board. Docking initiated.
[The Hyperion
finishes docking.]
CAPTAIN
DUNN:
All right.
I got us here. Good luck, Pathfinder.
[Ryder, Cora,
and Liam leave the Bridge.]
CORA:
You going
to be okay, Ryder?
RYDER:
The Captain
just called me "Pathfinder." This is really happening.
LIAM:
Just take a
deep breath.
RYDER:
I still
can't believe Dad's dead. This should've been his moment.
CORA:
But now
it's yours. You just need to decide what you're going to do with it.
RYDER:
Where do I
start? I'm just not sure I'm ready.
LIAM:
We weren't
ready to fall out of the sky on Habitat 7. But we survived that.
RYDER:
Right. So,
always keep a jump-jet handy.
[Ryder, Cora,
and Liam walk away from the bridge. Two crew members are talking in front of a
console.]
CREW 1:
I need
engineering to secure all connections from the ark to the Nexus.
CREW 2:
What's the
priority?
CREW 1:
Start
running power and data links first. Then move to secondary comm traffic.
CREW 2:
Got it.
I'll follow up with their engineers later.
[They reach the
next room.]
CREW 1:
Captain
wants to see a full duty roster.
CREW 2:
I just
updated the charts.
CREW 1:
She'll want
to see crew reassignments first. Start with non-essential personnel.
[They’re close
to the tram. A man is addressing crew members outside. Ryder pauses to listen.]
CREW 1:
Okay folks,
this is what we've been waiting for. Let your teams know that docking
procedures are now in effect. We've got 20.000 colonists still asleep, and
we'll need somewhere to put them when the alarm clock goes off. As soon as we
get clearance from the Nexus, we'll be following statis revival protocols. We
want to avoid any log jams, so it's vital your teams coordinate with each other
and keep people moving. Any questions so far?
CREW 2:
How do we
handle deaths that occurred in transit?
CREW 1:
Right. It's
an unfortunate fact that not everyone will have survived the voyage. We've
already got scattered reports of medical problems from that dark energy cloud
we hit. If somebody didn't make it, check with the medical officer. We'll see
about notifying their next of kin. I'm hoping it's a rare exception. Also, try
to keep it quiet. Andromeda is all about new beginnings, not holding funerals.
[Ryder, Liam,
and Cora board the tram.]
[The tram is on
its way to the Nexus.]
RYDER
(VOICE-OVER):
It'll be
nice to see some friendly faces this time.
CORA
(VOICE-OVER):
The Nexus
runs a support crew. Just enough to finish building the station and provide
safe harbor for the arks.
[Inside the
tram, Cora and Liam are on either side of the tram’s door. Cora is using her
omni-tool.]
RYDER:
Means we
can start waking our people up.
LIAM:
They built
a bar, right? Gotta have champagne for the welcome party.
RYDER:
You're
expecting one?
LIAM:
After what
we've been through, I could use a buzz.
RYDER:
We all
could.
LIAM:
Yeah. Rough
ride so far.
CORA:
We'll
bounce back. Real food and a shower are just ahead.
[The tram stops
and the door opens to the Nexus’ Common Area.]
CORA:
Here we
are.
[They step out
of the tram and enter the Common Area. It’s dark and appears empty.]
LIAM:
Uh... I
don't see any champagne.
RYDER:
Where is
everybody? Well, this can't be right.
CORA:
It's like
everything's on standby.
LIAM:
If it's a
surprise party, they're doing an awfully good job of it.
[Plants are in
the middle of the area in a sublevel platform. In front of them is Avina, an
asari-looking VI emitting a faint blue light.]
RYDER:
Plants are
still alive.
CORA:
We could
see what the VI has to say.
[Ryder
activates Avina.]
AVINA:
Welcome to
the Nexus, gateway to Andromeda. I'm Avina, a virtual intelligence designed to
assist you with immigration.
LIAM:
Can you
tell us where the welcome party is hiding?
AVINA:
I'm sorry.
My code is limited to information and simple interaction simulations. Please
select from the following pre-programmed responses.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Immigration
-Andromeda Galaxy
-The Nexus
-Living arrangements
-Current year
RYDER:
How does
the immigration process work?
AVINA:
We ask that
you submit to a brief medical exam to ensure your health and well-being after
making such a long journey. Once you've been cleared, our colonization experts
will assist you in finding your new home. Please be mindful of the queue:
thousands of eager colonists like you are waiting to begin their new life in
Andromeda!
LIAM:
Uh...
where? Place is deserted.
RYDER -
Investigate dialogues options:
-Immigration
-Andromeda Galaxy
-The Nexus
-Living arrangements
-Current year
RYDER:
What can
you tell me about the Andromeda Galaxy?
AVINA:
Here in Andromeda, you are over two million-light years away from the Milky Way Galaxy. This is the furthest any lifeform has ever traveled outside our home system, making you a brave pioneer, indeed. The Nexus itself is located in a region known as the Heleus Cluster. Here, you and thousands of your fellow colonists will fulfill your dreams of settling a new home. Fortune awaits!
RYDER -
Investigate dialogues options:
-Immigration
-Andromeda
Galaxy
-The Nexus
-Living arrangements
-Current year
RYDER:
What is the
Nexus?
AVINA:
The Nexus
serves as the central hub for the Andromeda Initiative's colonization efforts.
It is the first destination for all colonists upon their arrival in the new
galaxy. Please enjoy the many venues the Nexus has to offer. As the station expands, it will one day serve as
the seat of government for Milky Way colonists. Providing a safe, stable and
prosperous environment is our primary goal.
CORA:
Not from
the looks of it.
RYDER -
Investigate dialogues options:
-Immigration
-Andromeda
Galaxy
-The Nexus
-Living arrangements
-Current year
RYDER:
Where do
colonists live?
AVINA:
Once you've
cleared immigration, our helpful staff will assist you in choosing the
homeworld of your dreams. Will it be the tropical paradise of Habitat 7? The
gentle rolling hills of Habitat 3? Or perhaps the mysterious twilight world of
Habitat 5? Whichever you choose, rest assured our Pathfinders have carefully
vetted all colony worlds to ensure your security and prosperity.
RYDER:
Oh, boy.
LIAM:
Habitat 7?
That's where we landed. She's way out of date.
RYDER -
Investigate dialogues options:
-Immigration
-Andromeda
Galaxy
-The Nexus
-Living arrangements
-Current year
RYDER:
What year
is it?
AVINA:
The current
year is 2819. After spending 600 years in stasis, it's normal to feel
disoriented or confused upon arrival. Our helpful medical staff can assist with
any physical or psychological aftereffects you may be experiencing.
CORA:
Well, she's
got the date right, at least.
RYDER:
So where is
everyone?
[Ryder logs
off.]
RYDER:
That's all.
AVINA:
It has been
my pleasure. Please see one of our helpful immigration staff for further
assistance. And welcome to our new home in Andromeda, where the brightest star
is you! Current wait time for immigration processing is: UNKNOWN ERROR.
CORA:
Right. That
was helpful.
[Ryder, Cora
and Liam stare at the area.]
CORA:
It's like
they didn't finish building it.
LIAM:
Hello?
RYDER:
This place
should be packed with people.
[They walk down
to reach the sub-platform. That’s when they see a Nexus construction worker.]
LIAM:
There's a guy. Maybe he's got champagne.
CORA:
Let's talk to that worker.
[They walk over
to him.]
RYDER:
Hi, there.
[The
construction worker gets up and turns around.]
RYDER:
We're from Ark Hyperion. And wondering where everybody
went...?
[The
construction worker looks shocked. He opens his mouth but no sounds come out.
Ryder and Liam look at each other.]
LIAM:
Did he hear you?
WORKER:
Did you say an "ark"?
RYDER - dialogues options:
CASUAL -Is that a problem?
PROFESSIONAL -I did.
RYDER:
Yeah, we
just got in.
CORA:
And for what
it's worth, your VI over there could use an update.
WORKER:
But... we
thought you were all dead!
[Cora looks
shocked.]
CORA:
What?
WORKER:
Or
captured. Or lost in dark space, or... But you're here. You have no idea how
much this means.
KANDROS:
I don't
believe it...
[Kandros, a
turian, walks toward them.]
KANDROS:
I'm Tiran Kandros. I lead our militia on the Nexus.
[Ryder and
Kandros shake hands.]
RYDER:
I'm Scott Ryder. This is Cora Harper and Liam Kosta,
part of the Pathfinder team.
KANDROS:
I'm sorry for the confusion. Our sensors told us an
ark had arrived, but Heleus is notorious for scrambling equipment. We thought
you were just another malfuction.
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -We're definitely here.
LOGICAL -Why is that?
RYDER:
But aren't
you expecting us?
KANDROS:
You're the
first ark we've seen. After a year of waiting and no sign of the others, we
shuttered this area and stopped looking.
LIAM:
You've been
stranded for a whole year?
KANDROS:
Longer.
I'll fill you in on the way to Ops Center.
[Kandros walks
toward the tram. The Pathfinder team follows him.]
KANDROS:
Everything that could go wrong with our plan, has. We
arrived fourteen months ago. Right away we hit a band of dark energy that
knocked us off course.
RYDER:
We're familiar with it.
KANDROS:
Then you'll know why we call it the
"Scourge." We lost whole sections of the station. A lot of people
died. No power, no food... the chaos went on for months. It finally led to
armed rebellion. When order was restored, the insurgents were banished.
"Exiles," we call them.
CORA:
Are things back to normal?
KANDROS:
Not even close. But you're here now, so maybe the
worst is over. Ryder, we should get to
the tram. A lot of people will want to see you.
[Ryder, Liam,
Cora, and Kandros use the tram to reach Nexus Operations.]
CORA:
No word from other Pathfinders?
KANDROS:
No word from anyone, period.
LIAM:
Any threats from the locals?
KANDROS:
So far, we've stayed hidden. We're in no shape to deal
with an attack.
RYDER:
We had a first contact situation on Habitat 7. Whole
thing went south. They tried to kill us.
KANDROS:
That wasn't first contact—we know about them. Those
aliens are going to be a real problem.
CORA:
This day just keeps getting better.
KANDROS:
We're here.
[Ryder, Liam,
Cora, and Kandros exit the tram. Liam walks ahead.]
LIAM:
You guys go ahead. I'll check out the security
situation.
[Kandros leads
Cora and Ryder to the left. They walk up a ramp the next floor.]
KANDROS:
You should know our command structure has been
fractured. Some of us are filling in for leaders who died.
[Two crew
members rush past them.]
CREW 1:
Is it true?
CREW 2:
They said drop everything and report for duty.
[They keep
walking.]
KANDROS:
... and no one was expecting an ark to finally show
up.
[On the bridge,
which can be reached by walking up some stairs, several crew members are
standing in front of consoles.]
CREW:
Docking procedures are green across the board.
CREW 2:
Stand by to merge Hyperion power into the grid.
[As Kandros
leads Cora and Ryder to the bridge, everyone stops working and stares. Three
figures are seen closer than the others: a female human, a male salarian, and a
female krogan. The male salarian walks toward them, watched by the human and
the krogan.]
DIRECTOR TANN:
The crew of the Hyperion...
KANDROS:
Good luck.
[Kandros pats
Ryder on the shoulder and leaves. Director Tann is now facing Ryder and Cora.]
DIRECTOR TANN:
I'm Jarun Tann, Director of the Initiative. You have
no idea how much your arrival means to us.
[As he talks,
the human woman who had been standing with Tann joins him.]
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -It means more to us.
LOGICAL -We’re here to
assist.
RYDER:
We've heard
about what happened, and we're ready to help.
ADDISON:
We could
use any supplies you have—food, water—we're short on everything.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
This is
Foster Addison. She oversees Colonial Affairs.
[Tann looks at
them, a bit surprised.]
DIRECTOR TANN:
Where's the Pathfinder?
RYDER:
You're looking at him.
DIRECTOR TANN:
You're not Alec Ryder.
RYDER:
My father's dead. He made me his successor.
[Ryder looks
sad. Addison looks sad as well.]
ADDISON:
Alec... is dead?
[Ryder lowers
his eyes.]
ADDISON:
Please understand: the entire Initiative is at risk.
[She directs
the entire group to look at a screen full of data.]
ADDISON:
None of the golden worlds have panned out. They're a
bust. And there's been no word from the other arks.
CORA:
What happened to them?
DIRECTOR TANN:
Unknown. Our supplies are nearly depleted. Rationing
bought us some time, but even that's running out.
ADDISON:
We need to find more resources. But that takes people,
and we can't wake them up—
RYDER:
—until they have somewhere to live. A golden world.
ADDISON:
Now more than ever, we need a Pathfinder.
DIRECTOR TANN:
It now falls to you, Ryder. Are you up to the task?
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -I am.
LOGICAL -My father
thought so.
CASUAL -Let’s hope so.
PROFESSIONAL -You don’t have a choice.
RYDER:
My father
believed I am. If you trusted him with the job, you'll have to trust his
judgment.
ADDISON:
Your father
won't be around to fix things if you fail.
KESH:
That's no
way to treat a guest.
[The female
krogan from before joins the group.]
RYDER:
My father
believed I am. If you trusted him with the job, you'll have to trust his
judgment.
ADDISON:
Your father
won't be around to fix things if you fail.
KESH:
I'm Nakmor
Kesh, superintendent of this station. I hope they haven't scared you off
already.
ADDISON:
It's
nothing personal. But now isn't the time for on-the-job training.
KESH:
At least
the Pathfinder here seems willing to try. We could use a fresh perspective.
[Addison and
Kesh face each other.]
ADDISON:
You've
heard my concerns. I'll leave you to it.
[Addison
brushes past Kesh who looks at her leaving.]
DIRECTOR TANN:
We're all feeling the pressure. Let's have a private
word in my office, Ryder. We'll discuss giving you a scout ship. I'm happy to
work out the details with your associate?
[Tann points to
Cora and leaves. Cora gives Ryder a pointed look before joining Tann. Kesh and
Ryder are now alone.]
KESH:
Welcome to the Nexus.
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -Thanks for
helping.
LOGICAL -It’s a mess.
RYDER:
Thank you for standing up for me there.
KESH:
Hope's in short supply here. What little we can find
should have a chance to bloom.
[A crew member
interrupts them.]
CREW:
Ma'am, the Hyperion's core is now online.
[Kesh looks at
Ryder.]
KESH:
Let me show you something.
[Kesh leads
Ryder to the bridge’s central console.]
KESH:
An hour ago, that was all dark. But with the power
from your ship—you're keeping the lights on. You have my vote.
[As she talks,
lights appear on the bridge through the large windows which are no longer
covered. It illuminates Ryder’s face, who watches, pensive. After a second, he
turns to Kesh.]
RYDER:
And when the power runs out?
KESH:
You'd best go talk to Director Tann. Make sure that
doesn't happen.
[She leaves,
still talking to Ryder.]
KESH:
And don't be shy—come see me when you have a chance.
[The windows of
the bridge are fully uncovered. Through them, Ryder can see the rest of the
Nexus, still under construction. He’s at the center of the bridge, facing
away.]
[Ryder heads to
Tann’s office. Cora is there talking to Tann. Both are watching data from a
console in front of them.]
CORA:
...This is the planet where we landed, Habitat 7. It
wasn't even close to livable.
DIRECTOR TANN:
That's been true of every world we've found.
[Tann notices
Ryder, who stands in front of the console on the opposite side from Tann and
Cora.]
DIRECTOR TANN:
Ryder—we were discussing your next expedition.
RYDER - dialogues options:
CASUAL -About time.
PROFESSIONAL -You
trust me now?
RYDER:
I thought I
didn't measure up as Pathfinder.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Director
Addison keeps her own counsel, I keep mine.
RYDER:
And when
you disagree?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
I oversee
the entire Initiative, and I've decided to give you a chance to prove yourself.
To that end, the Scourge dealt us a serious blow. Whatever it is, our
scientists theorize it's not natural.
CORA:
An
artificial energy cloud?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
It wasn't
here when we left the Milky Way. Yet it rendered all the golden worlds
unlivable. Then there's the aliens you ran into—"the kett." They're
obsessed with alien structures we've found scattered around the cluster.
They'll do anything to prevent others from accessing them. It seems murder
isn't exclusive to the Milky Way.
[Tann touches
the console.]
DIRECTOR
TANN:
And now the
challenge is to settle a world in spite of all that. This one
here—"Eos."
[A projection
of Eos appears above the console.]
RYDER:
How?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
You need to
increase the viability of the planet so we can establish an outpost. Then we
can bring more colonists out of stasis. The more colonists we have, the more
resources we can gather to support the Nexus. Everything depends on it. There
are six worlds we hope to settle.
RYDER:
Okay... but
you said every planet you found is unlivable. So, how do I...
DIRECTOR
TANN:
A good
Pathfinder would relish the challenge of solving it.
CORA:
Right. I
think I should... go check on things.
[Cora leaves
Tann’s office.]
RYDER:
And if I
fail, I guess it's no sweat off your back, right? You'll just look for another
Pathfinder?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Placing
bets on people is part of my job. Some of them pay off. Others...
RYDER - dialogues options:
CASUAL -Don’t play games with me.
PROFESSIONAL -Just
point the way.
RYDER:
Just point
me to my ship, and I'll be out of here.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
They're
prepping it now, in the docking bay. The coordinates for Eos will be in the
computer. And when you have a moment, we should discuss the missing arks.
RYDER:
I was
wondering about tha—
[Ryder hears a
piercing noise, which makes him grunt in discomfort.]
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Something
wrong?
SAM
(PRIVATE):
Ryder,
please see me in SAM Node on the Hyperion. Your implant needs attention, and we
need to discuss a confidential matter.
[Ryder listens
to SAM without saying anything, then raises his hand in reply to Tann.]
RYDER:
No... I'm
fine.