Defiance

The dreams returned last night.

Stranger, more vivid than ever.

I dreamt of his world, the world that used to be,

before the Votans arrived.

Come on, let's go!

Let's go!

I was born into the world that came after,

after the vessels that carried my people were destroyed,

after the Arkfalls began,

after the terraformers changed his planet forever.

The Earth he once knew was gone.

Dead as the star system my people left behind.

When I was a child, Nolan liked to tell me,

"This world has no natives."

Which means it belongs to everyone.

He says Antarctica will be paradise.

I want to believe him, but I've been disappointed too many times.

I love my father,

but his promises usually turn to shtako.

So, is this the silent treatment

or is this just a little more silent than usual?

Confused. Maybe you could give me a little hint.

You know, a nod, a twitch, breathe?

Yep, yep, yep. Matching approach vector. I see it.

Look, how was I supposed to know she was married?

It's not like they wear rings or anything.

It's all weird alien pheromones

and quite frankly, I wasn't born with a nose for it.

Never again.

I will never again involve you in a compromising situation like that.

I promise.

Projected impact in 20 clicks.

Finally, a guaranteed payday.

Let's see what we can salvage.

We're clear.

Hundreds of years in space, only to die in their sleep.

Come on.

Oh, yeah, look at that terra-spire there, not even a dent.

Looks intact.

You got the whatsit?

Let's see if we can jump-start this sucker.

Bingo.

What's it worth?

Earth Republic pays top jaja for Votan Tech.

Pristine terra-sphere like this,

three million, easy.

So we're rich?

I think we're rich.

We can pay off Varus!

With enough left over for passage to Antarctica.

It's gonna be you and me, kiddo,

lying on a beach from now until the Arks rise again.

Spirit Riders.

You better stay...

At ease, friends.

We don't want trouble.

Little one.

Why do you partner with this human?

Why not ride with your own kind?

Because you people smell like shtako.

[SPIRIT RIDER CHUCKLES, SPEAKS ALIEN LANGUAGE]

Such fire.

You are Irathient to be sure.

She's just this human's pet.

Does he feed you little treats?

We're cannibals.

Why don't you stay for dinner?

Enough!

You.

Outside.

Okay.

Go!

Go!

Easy.

Hey! Hey! Come on, guys. Ah.

Ugh.

Come on, man. Do you know what we went through to get that?

Very nice.

Hey! Hey!

You don't need my roller to survive, do you?

It's a piece of crap anyway.

Lousy mileage.

Heater never worked.

See? Worthless.

Worthless!

Empty your pack.

Good stuff's still inside the Ark.

Empty it.

Empty it.

Irisa! Let's go! Go!

What about our roller?

Forget the roller!

An Irathient to be sure.

Come on, keep moving.

There's things in these woods we don't wanna meet.

Okay, there's a settlement in this direction, all right?

I saw it on the scanner, but I don't know how far.

We should rest.

No, keep going.

Irisa, what's wrong?

I was shot.

Oh, come on!

Now, this is gonna hurt, okay?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

That's my girl. Come on.

All right, big boy. Come on.

Fuck me.

Be gentle with her.

You're safe with us.

Drop the net. We're coming in.

Roger that. Stand by for entry protocol.

That arch?

Is this St. Louis? MAN: Once.

Now we call it "Defiance."

The end of the Pale Wars had a beginning.

We all know the story.

As the fort burned down around them,

members of the human and Votan armies laid down their weapons.

Their various commanding officers ordered them to keep fighting,

but those soldiers, those Defiant Few, refused.

Instead, they banded together to rescue

trapped civilians from the wreckage.

The power of that one seminal event

galvanized the eight races.

Word spread around the globe, others refused to fight.

Fifteen years ago today, armistice was declared and the Pale Wars ended.

In celebration of this event,

I am proud to dedicate this statue

and commence this year's Armistice Day celebration!

[WOMAN CHEERING IN OTHER LANGUAGE]

Now, I have to thank some people.

We all know this is only my third week on the job.

This project was commissioned by my beloved predecessor,

Mayor Nicolette Riordan.

Ex-Mayor! Ex-Mayor!

It took me eight years to quit this lousy job.

You're welcome to it.

I also have to thank two benefactors

whose generous financial support

made today's festivities possible.

On my right, Mr. Datak Tarr,