[SAMUEL HYST] Our galaxy - humankind
colonized space so long ago
that no one remembers which came first - civilization
or the corporations.
But a centuries-old conflict between the Grotto corporation
and our mortal enemy - the mega corporation
known as Helion -
has led to endless wars and broken planets,
making life for most on Grotto planets, known as homeworlds,
a living hell of indentured servitude.
And I was no different.
My only way out was to join Grotto's army - the Reapers.
The Resource Exploration And Procurement Engineer Regiment.
Also known as the Salvage Marines.
Where the hazard pay is high
but the survival rate is low.
[THUNDER CLAP]
♪ ♪ ♪
[SAM] She died saving me.
I would sacrifice myself... for any one of you.
I'd do the same.
Without hesitation.
[TORIN] I'm calling to discuss
that new piece of machinery you got running down your spine.
Because I wouldn't want your "poor family"
burdened with an insurmountable debt now, would I?
[LOUD GUNFIRE, CREATURE ROARING]
I need you to send in a member of Tango Platoon
to detonate the charges manually.
Yeah, copy that. Ain't gonna happen!
Everybody will be killed down here!
Are you refusing a direct order?!
Yes, I am.
Command, activate Protocol 1138,
and send a cor-sec trooper immediately to detonate
those charges!
All his debts will be expunged, as well as his families.
[LOUD GUNFIRE, CREATURE ROARING]
Everyone! Get back to it!
Back away from the pylons, right now!
Back away!
[TENSE MUSIC]
Tak.
Thank you for joining me, Hyst.
Of course, boss.
Just Aiken. It's not boss anymore.
My time in the Reapers has reached its
logical conclusion.
I've satisfied all of my obligations and
those of my family's house.
The House of Indron.
We are Oligarchs but we still must serve.
What did you want to see me about, sir?
I need to speak to you about your actions
down in Deepspire.
I know I disobeyed a direct order but
Tak and Jada, they--
It's precisely because of those actions
that I'm recommending you for promotion.
You went straight back into the line of fire
to save your squad.
Er... I...
I can't imagine any better reason for commendation
or for promotion. Congratulations,
Reaper.
Or, should I say...
Boss Hyst.
Thank you, Sir
Your unit's lucky to have you.
[MARSTERS] "Squad Hyst"...
[CHUCKLES]
It's got a good ring to it!
I won't let you guys down.
We know.
Aiken was right - we're lucky to have you.
Listen, eh... when you guys are done, why don't you
stop by my office?
Got a new assignment for you, and I wanna talk about
your new wage.
Congratulations, Sam.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you.
Congratulations, Boss Hyst.
[DEVICE BEEPS]
[BABBLING TO BABY] Hi!
Oh my goodness!
Guess who's home! [CHUCKLES]
[CHUCKLES AFFECTIONATELY]
What?
I'm just making sure you're all here, and
nothing's missing.
I was lucky this time.
Not everybody was.
-[BABY COOS] -How's Tak?
He's alive
He...
I don't think he's gonna come down
this time.
Wait... He's not coming
down at all?!
Don't think he'll ever be
the same, Sura.
I think you should hold your son
for the first time!
Aw... Oh!
Oh, you're so beautiful!
[BABY COOS, CRIES]
Oh, I'm sorry, yeah! I know, it's scary.
It's been a LONG time!
It has!
[BABY CRYING]
[HE TALKS GENTLY TO BABY]
I can't believe it's been a year!
Oh, it's been a long year!
[CHUCKLES]
Aw! I'm sorry about that.
I'm sorry about that all.
But it's... it's for a better life.
I know.
And it's just for another year.
[BABY CRIES]
Oh yeah,
I know.
I need to talk to you about that.
[SIGHS]
I know... when I signed up,
we both agreed
that I'd only do a standard tour
and not a day longer.
Please don't say what I think
you're going to say.
Wha-- what is this?
It's an invoice for my cybernetic spine.
Healthcare plan from Grotto
doesn't cover it.
And maybe if we had a union,
it would be different but
we don't so we're stuck with it.
Why didn't you tell me?
I'm telling you now.
[SURA] Say, tell me, Sam,
how many people from your platoon
are still alive,
from the 15 you started with?
Nine. Nine.
So many dead.
And that doesn't include your spine, Tak's face,
Jada's lung.
Who knows what other replacements
the others have had!
There's a reason that there aren't
that many retired Reapers.
You'll just get in deeper.
At my current rate, I can pay off your
life bond and Orion's,
and both your expatriation fees.
You guys can leave Baen 6
and start a new life out of the Grotto.
How? From what I've seen, it's gonna take years
to pay that off with your current salary.
Well, first off... I got promoted.
Really?
I'm gonna be commanding my own squad.
Standard 15% pay raise.
Hey! That's a start! But... it's still
not enough.
And we have to get a divorce.
J-just on paper.
So my debt is mine, and they can't dump it
on you or Orion.
A divorce?
What about your death benefit?
Um... they have ways of making you forfeit that, and I'm not
willing to take that chance.
[BABY WHIMPERS]
I almost did something really stupid
on this last tour...
that could have jeopardized it.
I tried to go off-mission
to save my friends.
Jada.
Not just Jada.
We don't have to talk about it.
We all get lonely, Sam.
[BABY WHIMPERS]
Nothing happened.
As long as that's not the reason
you want the divorce.
You'd tell me, right?
Of course. And it's not. I promise.
I love you
I love you.
[AIRCRAFT WHIRRING]
[TENSE MUSIC]
[SURA] You realize where we are, right?
[SAM] Of course. How could I forget?
[SURA] Okay.
Perfect!
Can't wait to put that one
with the original.
The first time I saw you!
Hopefully not the last.
Oh! Don't joke around!
Still sleeping!
So cute! [CHUCKLES]
I heard some good news today.
Hmm?
Several more combat deployments
with bonus hazard pay
came in this morning, just like
the Vorhold campaign.
And what's the bad news?
They cut my leave short.
But if these pan out, we can be together,
for good.
Then I can join you and Orion
on the space station.
"Space station?"
What space station? What are you
talking about?
The one at the edge of the system,
Pier 13, where... I just leased you
a place?
What? I don't understand!
Um, this isn't your standard venture.
It was privately funded by one of the major Grotto Houses.
It came with a huge signing bonus.
I was able to pay off your expat fees.
I should be upset you took this job without telling me.
It's so dangerous, they're willing to pay you so much!
Do I even wanna know?
Move to the station.
When the money comes in from one of these missions,
take Orion, go to Longstride.
Get that cabin we always dreamt about.
I'll find you there.
You better!
[MAN OVER INTERCOM] Stand by. VTOL approaching.
Jada.
Sam. Or should I say, Boss Sam.
You most definitely should not!
Boss Prybar?
I think 'Boss Hyst' in front of the troops.
You got it, boss.
[LAUGHS]
I'm sorry! It's just all
so exciting.
Plus, I've... been going a little stir crazy up here
the past few weeks.
Yeah. How is he?
I'm not gonna lie to you, Sam. He's not the same guy you knew.
But I think a little action will do him some good.
It's funny... You start to miss it.
The rush...
the camaraderie.
Yeah. We're a sick lot, as Tak would say!
Yeah, he would.
But I wouldn't have it any other way.
See you at briefing.
At ease. It's just me!
Yeah, but you're the big man now, boss.
Still the same old grunt you always knew.
How is he?
This lying in bed all alone...
You actually Ben Takeda?
I'm not sure, Sam.
You tell me.
Tak, I'm sorry. I don't...
know what to say.
You remember when we signed up?
When...
..you didn't have anything with you.
You said...
"Just as long as I still got you
to kick around!"
That was a long time ago, Sam.
It's only about a year ago.
Yeah.
[SCOFFS]
Look at me now.
The information you are about to receive
is highly classified
so let me remind you
that ANY breach
of the non-disclosure agreement that you have signed
will be dealt with severely.
Now, with that being said...
it is my great honour to present to you
the Anointed Actuary himself,
Kelkis Morturi.
Grotto salutes you. Thank your for being here.
I'm talking today about the Ellisian Line.
People, this is a point in space
where the laws of physics literally break down
and become somewhat fluid.
This, in terms of exploration, has been a disaster -
it has made things difficult, sometimes ultimately futile.
It's not been good. There's been a puzzlement.
Now, I want to draw your attention
to the astrophysicist Dorian Ellis.
Now Dorian, in the time he lived,
he claimed he caught a glimpse...
of a planet on the other side of the Ellisian Line.
And he became so obsessed with this phenomenon,
he devoted his whole life to the study of that phenomenon -
needless to say he was manipulating reality
in the process.
He claimed that an ancient civilization
had created this planet,
had cultivated it.
Well, sadly, h-he never saw the planet again.
Tragic.
As to why I'm standing here right now -
because Dorian's elusive planet...
'UK-1326,' it has reappeared.
It's back.
And you, marines... [LAUGHING]
you're gonna make history. [LAUGHING]
Go and look for some good hunting.
Have at it. Good hunting.
Thank you.
Grotto salutes you.
Now... between the strong electromagnetic fields,
and an unusual electrical interference
which we have yet to explain,
the atmospheric conditions
are not particularly well suited to a reconnaissance probe.
These are some of the images we managed to capture.
An ancient derelict city, with no apparent signs of life
exists on the surface.
Or that is what we believe.
We sent in a legion of prisoner troops -
sent in to determine the value of this unprecedented salvage.
Not one of them returned.
This is the only footage we managed to recover.
Now these creatures...
may have been built,
quite literally perhaps for their... stealth
and lightning fast-attack,
rather than a protracted assault.
As such...
we believe Reapers will fare far better.
You might not know all the Reapers on
either side of you
but you're here
because of your superb service records
and proven loyalty.
This necropolis
might well be the greatest salvage in history!
We arrive
at UK-1326 in less than two weeks.
So be prepared to make history, Reapers.
Dismissed.
Do they really expect us to buy into
that "loyalty" bullshit?
The fact our hazard pay and bonuses combined
still don't equal the cost of hiring elites
shows you EXACTLY where we are on the pay scale.
"When war is stripped of its ideology,
all that remains is the simple reality
that it is nothing more, and nothing less,
than the violent redistribution of wealth.
Anyone that says different is just trying to lower your rate."
Boss?
Sorry. It's just...
something someone said to me once.
Everyone on both sides is only in it
for the money.
Treat them like they treat us. It's the closest to equality
you'll ever get.
-But are we ACTUALLY at war. -When aren't we, Bianca?
Is that the same Prybar?
Same Prybar,
just realising his potential.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[WHISPERS] I can't believe
you got me doing this.
Sneaking around the tug, looking over my shoulder.
[GENTLY] Hey.
You realise how much trouble
this could stir up?
Stirring things up is the point, buddy.
We gotta watch each other's backs.
We both know Grotto isn't going to.
We volunteered for this!
Everyone signed a release, you and me included.
No, no. I'm talking about Vorhold.
We're being pushed into something
we didn't sign up for.
Maybe that's why Aiken left after just one tour of duty.
Look, I get it.
I really do.
And there's not one of us that came out of those tunnels
the same person. Alright?
What you're talking about is establishing a labor union.
That's too much.
That is the only way of forcing Grotto
to listen to us.
To take us seriously.
Who else is involved?
I don't know. Listen, listen.
A lot of us are in this.
if we keep it decentralized, and one of us talks,
we'll all get lined up on the bulkhead and shot.
Look, we've got a plan.
It's a good plan.
But if YOU'RE not in it, I'M not in it, okay?
I need you, brother.
Alright. I'm with YOU.
Let's go eat! Meal plan?
Meal plan!
[TENSE MUSIC]
[INDISTINCT SPEECH OVER P.A. SYSTEM]
[DEVICE BEEPS]
We may have a developing issue with the rank and file.
The rumors of a unionisation may well be true.
Hey...
these negotiations with Helion are at a standstill.
And we don't need a goddam trade war.
So get your house in order!
Don't worry. I will.
[DOOR LOCK BEEPS]
[HAROLD] Come on!
What's with all this sneaking around, reaper?
Look, every time Grotto finds a valuable resource,
our lives become even less valuable
than they already are.
What's new, kid?
I - myself and others - we want to change that.
Okay, cowboy, how you gonna do that?
You know who my family is. You know we have money.
Yeah. I mean real money.
What's your point?
My point... is using my resources,
I may have found a way to get some real, tangible
leverage on Grotto.
Okay. Let's hear it. Let's hear this masterplan.
It's encrypted body camera.
-What are we gonna do with that? -It's simple.
We convince one of the bosses to replace their camera
with the encrypted one.
Then, next time Tyrol or Grotto
orders us to do something non-salvage related,
they cost us needless lives,
we'll have the audio and video files
to prove it!
Alright. What do we do
with those files?
We hack them into the Grotto Homeworld,
live broadcast.
How are we gonna do that?
I told you - money. A lot of money.
So after these live feeds go out
and they're broadcast,
then what?
We use them.
It forces Grotto to listen to us,
to take us seriously,
to give us a proper union.
Slummin' it with the Salvage Marines
wasn't enough for you!
You wanna risk the noose with unionising?
It doesn't matter! It doesn't matter
where I come from.
It doesn't matter what I have.
What matters is what I'm doing.
I'm doing what's right.
I'm doing what's good.
Fair enough.
Okay.
Say I'm on board, what do you need me to do?
You're the only one that can convince Boss Prybar
to wear that camera.
Talk to him.
Well... I... I could try.
Don't try. Do this.
Okay. Be careful.
The legionnaires served their purpose,
and they served it well.
We have the intel we need
for the invasion.
So that's all they were - cannon fodder?
According to the Grotto, that's all we all are.
And you're alright with this?
No, I'm not.
But like the legionnaires, we knew
what we signed up for.
Or did you forget that during the little pep talk
you gave the tango platoon?
It's not my job to believe everything
I tell my subordinates.
There's hope for you yet, Sam.
Now get your head on straight.
We're planetside in three hours.
And given our experience at Vorhold,
I would say that we're...
uniquely qualified to succeed.
This is the job.
Sure.
They've analyzed the footage, and modified the invasion plan
after the legion's failed engagement.
So what are our chances?
Boss. Shoot straight
with us.
I think Marsters is right -
only Tango Platoon made it past the Basin Gate
on Vorhold.
That's why we stand the best chance
at seizing the central pyramid
and defending it.
Mutants, Gun Spiders, Stalkers, Bone Worms...
this never ends, does it?
Nothing Tango can't handle.
[SAM] I'm not gonna lie to you.
Reapers will die today so let's do our best
to keep Tango Platoon off that ledger
as much as possible.
Dismissed!
Good to have you back, brother.
Boss?
You don't have to call me that. And I dismissed you guys.
Okay, Prybar! [CHUCKLES]
It's just... I haven't really had a chance to talk to you
since you've been back.
I've been busy.
I missed you.
I missed you too.
[COMMUNICATIONS HUB SWITCHES ON]
Hey honey. I was just about
to call you.
I didn't want to miss you before your mission.
Hello, Mrs Hyst.
Hello, Jada.
Well, I'll leave you two alone.
I need to go gear up anyways.
Good luck today.
How are you?
[SURA] As well as can be expected.
How's our boy?
He reminds me so much of his father!
[MARSTERS] Tango approaching surface now.
I am detecting some unusual magnetic activity.
My instruments seem to be off calibration.
Uh... might come in a little rough.
[COMPUTERIZED VOICE] Warning: electromagnetic atmosphere
may cause communication interference and malfunction.
Mission objective: locate and seize control
of energy source within central pyramid.
Beware: Gun Spider, Droid and unknown hostiles.
Where possible, remain in platoon unit.
[MARSTERS] Squad Hyst, cut left.
We go right, sweep in clear.
[SAM] Copy that. Move out.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[SAM] Tactical, everybody. Tactical.
[FOOTSEPS ADVANCING CAUTIOUSLY]
[SAM] Keep eyes out.
[SAM] Keep lookin' out.
They could be anywhere.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[TAKEDA] Yeah... don't recognise any of those symbols.
We're not on Baen 6 anymore.
On me! Keep your eyes open!
[SAM] Don't go into the light,
Carol Anne.
Marsters? Status report. What do you see there?
[TYROL] Status report, Marsters?
[MARSTERS] Funny you should ask.
Why is that?
Some kind of fog,
less than a metre of visibility.
Well, is there any movement in the fog?
No can't see squat, can't hear squat.
Scanners are useless
Look, Reaper, we don't know much about this planet
so please stay sharp down there.
[CHUCKLES] So now you care about us lowly Reapers? That's sweet!
Of course I care for you.
I mean, I'm not just a cold-hearted bastard, am I?
Yeah, you could have fooled us on Vorhold.
Look, I do what's best for Grotto,
and Grotto does what's best for the people.
This is the job. Right, guys?
[TYROL] Oh, it's always a job, Marsters.
Keep me informed of your position.
And please...
be careful.
Yeah, sure. Will do. Tango out.
Yeah, that guy doesn't give a squat about us.
Not in the least.
[HAROLD] Party on, dudes.
[MARSTERS] Alright, Reapers, stay frosty!
[SAM] Check your back shadows
and your dead corners!
This is definitely creepy.
Plus, my jaw is tingling.
Yeah, it's not the photo they sent us
in the brochure.
"Brave new worlds", "Life of adventures",
they said.
So did you, Sam.
Boss Marsters? This is Hyst.
Come in.
[MARSTERS] Boss Hyst, come in!
Co-- [INTERFERENCE] Do you--
I repeat, do you... [INTERFERENCE] ..Reaper?
Boss Marsters, I did not copy.
There must be something interfering with the com.
Maybe it's the fog.
See the static in the air?
Yeah, I see it.
[RADIO CRACKLES]
[MARSTERS] Beware of.. [interference]
I repeat... beware of large... [interference] ..spiders
Boss Marsters? I did not copy
your order!
Did he just say spiders?
-[radio interference continues] -Marsters? Marsters?
Boss Marsters, do you copy?
Squad Hyst? Ulanti? Anyone?
Damn it!
Something is blocking our transmissions.
I don't care how you do it but you better break through
that interference.
Does anyone have a visual?
[TYROL OVER RADIO] Hyst? Ulanti? Anyone?
I can't see shit! Keep your eyes peeled.
-[LOUD RUMBLING] -[REAPER YELLS IN PANIC]
-[LOUD SCREAM] -[TENSE MUSIC]
[SAM] Marsters, get back here!
You see that? They're picking us off
one by one, Sam.
Get to the tunnel! Really?
[NERVOUS] This place is... just all kinds of wrong,
Sam! It ain't right.
[TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES]
[LOUD GUNFIRE]
[STRUGGLING NOISES]
[SAM] Aim for the joint
to the legs!
[LOUD GUNFIRE AND EFFORT NOISES CONTINUE]
Tango, Tango. If you're copying
and you come in contact with one of these... spiders,
..aim for the joint of the legs.
It'll take 'em down.
[MARSTERS] Copy that, Hyst.
I really hope they figure that shit out, Sam.
Let's keep moving.
Copy to that.
There's one there!
[TAKEDA] Now they got guns too?!
You take out the gun! I'll take out
the joints!
[SPIDER SPARKS AND HISSES]
[TENSE MUSIC BUILDS]
[ANGRILY] This is ridiculous!
Where are my cam feeds?
Can we at least have a deep thermo scan?
So I can see if anyone is still ALIVE down there!
What the hell is that, Sam?
I have no idea.
It's, eh... kind of huge.
Yeah.
[TAKEDA] Comms still down?
Yep. So, eh...
..no back-up, huh?
No.
We got too old for this.
I've been cashing the Grotto cheques.
Fair is fair, I mean.
So we're going in.
I did promise you I'd watch your back
out there.
Alright.
[TENSE MUSIC BUILDS]
Careful, Sam.
[CONCERNED] Sam?
What are you... What are you doing, Sam?
He might know where the prison troops are.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[TAKEDA, NERVOUSLY] Don't, don't do that. Sam!
Sam! Sam, don't touch him!
[DISTRAUGHT] No, no, no, no, no,
NO, SAM!
[EMOTIONAL] You son of a bitch!
[TENSE MUSIC]
Mission Control, contact the other Tugs
and ask for reinforcements.
[LOUD GUNFIRE]
[TAKEDA WAILING WITH EFFORT]
I don't like this planet!
Shoot at the eyes!
[HUMANOID GROANS]
Go down, you dirty son of a bitch!
[GUNFIRE ENDS]
[DOLEFUL MUSIC]
[SIRENS WAILING]
[TENSE, DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS]