Colony Zero: Colony Zero
The first human colony on Mars faces an existential crisis when they discover the planet already has inhabitants — microscopic organisms that are evolving at an alarming rate.
The first human colony on Mars makes a startling discovery: microscopic organisms exist on the planet and are rapidly evolving. This revelation throws the colony into a state of existential crisis as they grapple with the implications of not being alone and the potential threat these organisms pose.
Characters
Dr. Aris Thorne
supporting
Dr. Aris Thorne is a dedicated but somewhat disheveled scientist working in a colony dome on an alien planet. He is the one who discovers the rapidly evolving microscopic organisms in the soil. Visually, he's a middle-aged man with a slightly receding hairline and short, dark brown hair. He has concerned, hazel eyes and a light skin tone. He often wears a standard white lab coat, slightly rumpled, over a simple blue shirt and dark pants. He has a permanent worried expression etched on his face and carries a tablet for his research.
Commander Eva Rostova
supporting
Commander Eva Rostova is the strong and decisive leader of the human colony. She is responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone within the domes. She is a woman in her late thirties, with short, practical, dark blonde hair pulled back from her face. She has piercing blue eyes and a fair skin tone. She typically wears a dark blue military-style uniform with the colony's insignia on the shoulder. When facing potential threats, she dons a white protective suit with a clear visor. She has a stern, commanding presence.
Page 1
Panel 1: Wide shot of the Martian landscape. The colony, a cluster of interconnected domes, is visible in the distance. A rover kicks up red dust as it travels across the barren terrain.
Panel 2: Close-up on the rover's robotic arm collecting a soil sample. The arm deposits the sample into a sealed container.
Panel 3: Interior of a lab inside one of the colony domes. A scientist, Dr. Aris Thorne, is hunched over a microscope, examining the soil sample. He wears a white lab coat and has a concerned expression.
“Dr. Aris Thorne: (muttering) Nothing but rock and dust... or so I thought.”
Panel 4: Extreme close-up through the microscope lens. We see microscopic organisms, glowing with a faint green bioluminescence, moving within the soil sample.
Page 2
Panel 1: Dr. Aris Thorne recoils from the microscope, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. He knocks over a beaker.
“Dr. Aris Thorne: What... what is this?”
Panel 2: Close-up on the spilled beaker. The liquid has seeped onto the lab table, and the green bioluminescence from the microscopic organisms is now visible to the naked eye as a faint glow.
Panel 3: Dr. Aris Thorne frantically grabs a nearby tablet and begins typing, his face etched with worry.
“Dr. Aris Thorne: I have to report this... immediately.”
Panel 4: Split panel. On the left, Dr. Aris Thorne is speaking into a comms device. On the right, we see the colony's commander, Commander Eva Rostova, listening intently in her office.
“Dr. Aris Thorne: Commander Rostova, I've found something... something incredible. And potentially dangerous.”
Page 3
Panel 1: Commander Eva Rostova's office. She's sitting at her desk, listening to Dr. Thorne with a serious expression. The colony domes are visible through the window behind her.
“Commander Eva Rostova: Dangerous how, Doctor? Explain yourself.”
Panel 2: Back in the lab, Dr. Aris Thorne shows Commander Eva Rostova the microscopic organisms on the tablet screen. The green glow is more prominent now.
“Dr. Aris Thorne: Microscopic organisms, Commander. Alive. And... they seem to be evolving at an alarming rate. I've never seen anything like it.”
Panel 3: Commander Eva Rostova stands next to Dr. Aris Thorne looking at the tablet, a look of concern growing on her face.
“Commander Eva Rostova: Evolving? How fast?”
Panel 4: Close up of the tablet screen showing the microscopic organisms. Some are noticeably larger and more complex than before.
Page 4
Panel 1: Wide shot of the colony. Lights are flashing red in several of the domes. People are running around in a panic.
“Alarm System: Colony-wide quarantine initiated. Threat level: Critical.”
Panel 2: Commander Eva Rostova, in a protective suit, addresses the colony through a public address system. Her face is grim.
“Commander Eva Rostova: This is Commander Rostova. I know you're scared, but we need to remain calm. We're facing an unprecedented situation.”
Panel 3: Close-up on a crack in the floor of one of the domes. A faint green glow emanates from the crack.
Panel 4: Dr. Aris Thorne stares out a window at the Martian landscape, his face filled with dread. The horizon seems to shimmer with a faint green light.
“Dr. Aris Thorne: (to himself) This is just the beginning.”
