Project Connection: A planetary operation to build two machines in our planet's orbit.
Known simple as Machine I and Machine II.
Objective: To form a link with the nearest planet believed to have intelligent life.
The mission:
60 years ago Machine II was sent across our galaxy towards the chosen planet.
The unmanned voyage across 20 light years of space was completely autonomous.
Once Machine II arrives in orbit the machines will connect...
...enabling instant transport between the two planets.
Today is connection day.
Flight A: An unmanned probe successfully tested the connection and gathered basic data.
Flight B:
Next a manned mission will orbit the planet twice and reconnoiter before returning.
We are just checking the last data packet.
We've confirmed those trajectories, we just have one more maneuver to issue.
Recommending one more correction of 24.0 and 3.5 degrees.
Confirmed.
Twenty-four degrees positive pitch plus red 3.5.
Correct.
Okay, begin burn on my count.
On five, four, ignition ready...
...two, one, begin.
Burning.
Eighty-six...
...87...
...89...
...93...
...97...
...101...
...105...
...107...
...109...
Great, we can confirm you have a lock with entrance.
Ten second countdown to machine engagement on my mark.
Mark.
Eight, seven...
...six, five...
...four, three...
...two, one.
What's happening, is there a problem?
Is there a problem?
Negative, the link is being confirmed, and we are clear for transit.
Okay, we have received your final package and cleared you for control.
Launch when ready.
Captain James to Com 1.
First transmission from E581.
There was a problem on arrival and I've crash-landed on the planet.
From what I've seen so far, it isn't what we expected...
...it's barren and there's no sign of intelligent life.
I have enough food and water to last me five days.
With the communications delay, I expect to hear from you within three hours.
Shit!
Fucking hell!
For...
Come on, where are you?
Captain James to Com 1.
I've been on E581 now for almost 24 hours...
...and I've still had no communications from you.
Hopefully, it's a problem with my equipment...
...and you've already got a rescue on the way.
I have lost my water supply...
...so today I have to find another source...
...or there will be no one to rescue.
I will continue to send my reports.
Water.
They're hunting.
Shit.
No one's coming for me.
James to Com 1.
Things are looking a bit desperate down here.
I've had no contact from you, and I'm down to three rations.
I've had to start thinking about a backup plan.
I have seen that there is intelligent life here...
...and they have machines.
And if they have machines, then maybe they can get me back into orbit.
Right now they're my only hope of getting home.
I get it, you want this.
Captain James to Com 1.
I've found something, some kind of a container.
The entire thing is covered in alien language.
They moved underground.
We need to find your owners.
Where the fuck are you going?
He's going home.
Captain James to Com 1.
The surface of this planet has suffered from a devastating war.
I believe the machines are serving their creators...
...who are sheltering beneath the surface.
I hope soon to make contact...
...and with a little luck...
...make use of them and their technology to get me home.
Let's see where you're going to take me.
Why have we stopped?
Are we here?
Nah, this ain't it.
Get in here! Get in here now!
Fuck!
Damn it!
Come on!
Trapped.
Com 1 to Captain James.
We have received your transmissions...
...but we are having communication issues...
...it appears the Machine insertion orbit is highly irregular...
...and we are having trouble locking on.
We would like to get you back up there as soon as possible.
Is your situation still the same?
We are not able to send a rescue party...
...until we can determine the cause of the problems.
Hang in there.
Attention.
Automatic systems override.
Warning. Chemical weapon detected.
Attention.
Automatic systems override.
They're all dead.
How do I get home now?
What did you do?
Why?
Why did you do it?
Com 1 to Captain James.
One other thing, it seems that there was a big calculation error...
...at our end which means the machine arrived much too early.
It's been there for five solar orbits.
No.
You had it all wrong.
It can't be, you're kidding me.
I've just got to get on.
There's no going back now.