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
Commander Eva Rostova
supporting
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.”
