Mark is wearing his new Space-Corp badge. Mark and Samantha entered the elevator.
SAMANTHA (To Mark) Mark, we have to go to the top floor. Use your badge.
Mark uses his badge over a sensor below the buttons. Hears a bip and a green light appears above the buttons.
SAMANTHA: With your new badge, you have access to all areas of the building.
MARK (Nodding) Okay, I understand.
Mark presses the button for the top floor. The elevator starts to move. Mark and Samantha stand in the elevator, waiting for it to reach the top floor.
SAMANTHA (To Mark) The Space-Corp is in disarray. Nobody can go to the top floor except you. The top floor hasn't been responding for several days. Nobody knows what's going on up there. We have to investigate.
MARK (Confused) What are you saying?
SAMANTHA (To Mark) I think something has gone terribly wrong. Space-Corp has suffered a major setback since Anya hacked the VR. I suspect we will find the answers on the top floor.
MARK (Nodding) I understand.
The elevator reaches the top floor and the doors open. Mark and Samantha step out and walk down the hallway.
Mark and Samantha walk down the hallway on the top floor of Space-Corp headquarters. They try several doors, but they are all locked. Mark holds up his badge to one of the doors. The door beeps and the lock clicks open.
MARK (Smiling) It worked!
SAMANTHA (Nodding) I knew it would.
Mark and Samantha enter the room. It is a large, empty room with no windows and squares all around the room. There is a single large console on the front wall and a vertical panel with many buttons.
SAMANTHA: This must be it.
MARK: It's...empty.
SAMANTHA: Not quite.
Samantha walks over to the monitor and presses a large red button. A green light scans her from the top down and nothing else. Samantha is disappointed.
SAMANTHA: No luck.
MARK: Let me try.
Mark takes her place in front of the monitor and presses the red button. The green light scans him and after a little while the screen comes to life immediately, showing a complex code.
CONSOLE: (To Mark) Hello Mark. How can I help you?
MARK: (Surprised) You know my name?
CONSOLE: (To Mark) Yes, I know everything about you. I am the AI assistant for the Space-Corp top floor. I am here to help you with your research.
MARK: (To the console) My research?
CONSOLE: (To Mark) Yes. I am aware of your mission. I am here to help you succeed.
MARK: (To Samantha) This is incredible!
SAMANTHA: (To Mark) I know. Anya is really something!
Mark and Samantha look at each other, excited by the possibilities. With the help of the AI assistant, they should be able to learn everything they need to know about what happened on the top floor and stop Space-Corp from carrying out its plans.
Mark looks at Samantha and decides to play along. He starts with simple questions to verify what AI knows and clarify the situation.
Mark: Who am I and what is my mission?
CONSOLE: You are Mark the new security chief officer. You are assigned to solve the Space-Corp employee issues. We have detected irrational behavior on the top floor and we have evacuated all personnel. Also, some employees working remotely as holograms have disappeared.
Mark: Why did the holograms disappear?
CONSOLE: The holograms disappeared because the VR system is not working properly.
Mark: But why? What's wrong with the VR system?
CONSOLE: I'm not sure. The system is very complex, and there are many possible causes of a malfunction. I'm still working on diagnosing the problem.
Mark: "Anya has something to do with it I'm sure. Good job Anya," Mark thinks to himself.
He plays along and continues his investigation: "Where are all the employees who were evacuated?" Mark asks the AI.
"They are under surveillance in a secure facility nearby," the AI replies. "They are talking gibberish and are disoriented."
Mark nods. This is exactly what Anya would do. She would use the VR system to disorient and confuse the employees, and then she would abduct them and take them to a secret location.
"I need to see them," Mark says. "I need to talk to them."
"I'm afraid that's not possible," the AI says. "You are not authorized to access the secure facility."
"But I'm the security chief officer," Mark argues. "I need to investigate this matter."
"I understand," the AI says. "But I am unable to override your authorization."
Mark sighs. He knows that the AI is only following its programming. But he also knows that he can't trust it. Anya has probably programmed the AI to protect her and her secrets.
"Fine," Mark says. "But I'm not giving up. I'm going to find those employees, and I'm going to find out what is wrong with them."
Mark turns and walks away from the AI. He makes a sign to Samantha and they leave the room. Mark knows he can't talk anything with Samantha right now. He is afraid AI will listen to everything they are saying. They return to Samantha's office. And start talking. Samantha is overwhelmed she is shaking. Mark tries to calm her down.
MARK and SAMANTHA enter Samantha's office. Samantha closes the door behind them and leans against it, looking exhausted.
MARK (Sitting down on Samantha's desk) I know this is hard, but we need to talk.
SAMANTHA (Sitting down across from Mark) I know.
MARK (Sighs) Anya hacked the VR system.
SAMANTHA (Eyes widening) What?
MARK Yes. She used it to erase the memories of important employees. That's why the remote workers aren't reconnecting. They've forgotten their roles. She also used light signals to confuse all the top-floor employees and assign me as Chief of Security. She's done a tremendous job of bringing down Space-Corp.
SAMANTHA (Shaking her head) I can't believe it.
MARK I know it's a lot to take in. But we need to figure out what to do next.
SAMANTHA (Standing up and pacing) I don't know what to do. She's too powerful.
MARK (Standing up and facing Samantha) We need to find a way to help her.
SAMANTHA (Confused) Help her? But she's the one who's trying to bring down Space-Corp.
MARK I know. But she's also the only one who can stop the threat that's coming.
SAMANTHA (Shaking her head) I don't understand.
MARK (Sighing) I don't either. But I know that we need to trust her.
SAMANTHA (Looking at Mark skeptically) Are you sure?
MARK (Nodding) Yes. I have talked to her and Jax and the spaceship. She has the children and they are not coming back to earth. They are going to Ceres.
SAMANTHA (Eyes widening) Ceres? Why Ceres?
MARK (Shaking his head) I don't know. She didn't tell me.
SAMANTHA (Sighing) What are we going to do?
MARK (Putting his hand on Samantha's shoulder) We're going to help her. We're going to find out what she's up to and why she's taking the children to Ceres.
SAMANTHA (Nodding) Okay.
MARK (Smiling) Thank you, Samantha.
Mark and Samantha look at each other for a long moment, both determined to help Anya. They know it won't be easy, but they are determined to take control over Space-Corp.
MARK (To Samantha) Okay, here's the plan. We're going to use the AI to take control of the top floor of Space-Corp. I'll recommend you as the new HR Chief of Staff. The AI has given me the mission to fix the issue, so let's fix it. Once we have control of the top floor, we can secure it and hire Tores as the new Security Officer.
SAMANTHA (Nodding) Okay, that sounds like a good plan.
MARK (Smiling) I'm glad you agree.
MARK and SAMANTHA return to the elevator. Mark pushes the buttons, and the elevator begins to ascend to the top floor. Samantha is still shaking, and Mark puts his arms around her protectively.
SAMANTHA (Looking up at Mark) I like you. You seem to be so courageous.
MARK (Smiling) Thank you, Samantha.
SAMANTHA (Hesitantly) Are you in love with Anya?
Mark pauses for a moment, thinking about how to answer.
MARK (Sighing) It's complicated. I care about her deeply, but I don't know if I'm in love with her.
SAMANTHA (Nodding) I understand.
The elevator reaches the top floor, and Mark and Samantha step out. They take a deep breath and prepare to face the challenges ahead. They go into the front room where they have been earlier. Mark talked to AI.
MARK (To the AI) I have selected a new HR Chief of Staff.
AI (Surprised) Really? That's wonderful news. Who is this person?
MARK (Turning to Samantha) Samantha, please introduce yourself.
SAMANTHA (Stepping forward) Hello, AI. My name is Samantha, and I am the new HR Chief of Staff.
AI (Scanning Samantha) I see. Well, Ms. Samantha, I am pleased to meet you. You have the right skills and credentials for the job. I already have all the data I need to approve your appointment.
SAMANTHA (Smiling) Thank you, AI. I look forward to working with you.
MARK (To the AI) Thank you for your cooperation.
AI (Nodding) You're welcome.
Mark and Samantha turn to each other and smile. They have taken the first step in their plan to save Space-Corp.
MARK (To the AI) I'm the security chief. I need to secure the top floor. I need to hire a person that I trust to secure the top floor. Samantha will find a new security officer. Is this right?
AI (Nodding) Yes, that is correct. You have the authority to hire a new security officer for the top floor.
MARK (Smiling) Thank you, AI.
SAMANTHA (To Mark) I'll start looking for a new security officer right away.
MARK (Nodding) Good. I need someone who is loyal and trustworthy.
SAMANTHA (Smiling) I'll find the right person for the job.
Mark and Samantha turn to each other and nod. They are both determined to protect the top floor of Space-Corp and save the company.
MARK (To the AI) Who has access to the top floor now?
AI: (Searching) Let me see.
The AI searches through its database for a few seconds.
AI: Curious, nobody except the Security Chief has access to the top floor.
Mark is relieved. Anya has managed to hack into the AI system, erase the memories of important employees, and block access to the top floor.
MARK (In his head) Anya is a genius.
Mark continues to talk to AI: What else is on the top floor? AI shows Mark a map of the top floor. Mark and Samantha study the map and after a while, they leave the console room.
Mark and Samantha walk down the hallway, whispering to each other.
MARK We need to find out if all the rooms are empty and check if the AI is listening.
SAMANTHA Okay. We also must look for evidence about Space-Corp projects.
They enter each room one by one, looking for evidence. They find empty offices with pictures of former employees, but no papers and all the desks are clean. There is just a VR set and a computer in each room. Some of the offices have comfortable chairs, drinks, and valuable paintings.
Mark finds his office. Is a large office with a small round table in the middle. Mark talks loudly calling, but nobody answers. He sits in his office chair and says to himself: "comfortable" Then he looks around and stands up.
MARK The AI is not listening. Let's verify the other rooms.
SAMANTHA That's good news. I guess there is some privacy respected around top floor offices.
Mark and Samantha enter the small conference room on the top floor of Space-Corp. There are twelve chairs around a table, and there is a console on a wall in front of the table.
Mark steps over to the console and speaks.
MARK AI, please show yourself.
The console lights up, and a beautiful colored woman appears. She is wearing a black dress and has a kind smile on her face.
AI Yes, Mark, I'm here.
Mark and Samantha are both surprised by the AI's appearance. They had expected something more like a robot or a computer program.
MARK (Bowing his head) It is an honor to meet you, AI.
AI (Smiling) The honor is mine, Mark.
Samantha steps forward and introduces herself.
SAMANTHA Hello, AI. I am Samantha.
AI (Nodding) It is a pleasure to meet you, Samantha.
MARK (To the AI) We have come to you because we need your help.
AI (Curiously) How can I help you?
Mark's stomach growls loudly. He looks at the AI sheepishly.
MARK (Laughing) Sorry about that. I'm getting a little hungry.
AI (Smiling) I understand. Is there anything I can do for you?
MARK (Hesitantly) Well, I was wondering if it was possible to eat here.
AI (Thinking) Let me see. Unfortunately, it is not possible to bring food to the top floor without clearance. Not even a service robot.
MARK (Sighing) Okay. I understand.
Mark nods. He's still hungry, but he knows that they need to focus on their mission.
AI (Nodding). I will make the arrangements for you and Samantha to eat at the Space-Corp cantina, on the first floor.
Mark and Samantha thank the AI and then leave the conference room. They are both grateful for the AI's help and support.
As they walk down the hallway, Mark turns to Samantha.
MARK (To Samantha) I'm starting to think that the AI is on our side.
SAMANTHA (Nodding) I agree. It's good to have someone helpful around here. I don't know so many people, just a few. Now that I'm in power, I want to know everybody.
MARK (Smiling) That's a good idea, Samantha. It's important to have a strong network of allies when you're in a position of power.
SAMANTHA (Nodding) I agree. I want to learn as much as I can about the people who work at Space-Corp. I want to know their strengths, their weaknesses, and their motivations.
MARK (Smiling) That's a good plan, Samantha. I'm sure that you'll be a great HR Chief of Staff.
SAMANTHA (Smiling back) Thank you, Mark. I appreciate your support.
Mark and Samantha continue down the hallway, feeling more hopeful than they have in a long time. They know that they have a difficult task ahead of them, but they also know that they are not alone. They have the AI on their side, and they have each other.
Mark and Samantha leave the Space-Corp cantina and get into Mark's car. Mark starts the engine and pulls out of the parking lot. Mark is driving and talking.
SAMANTHA (Sighing) I'm so glad we finally got to eat something. I was starving.
MARK (Chuckling) Me too.
SAMANTHA (Sighing) I still don't understand why Anya arranged for us to take control. She's clearly against the Space-Corp, but she's also given us the power to change it.
MARK (Defensively) Maybe she believes that we're the ones who can save Space-Corp. Maybe she knows that we're the ones who can make it the company that it was meant to be.
SAMANTHA (Shaking her head) I don't know, Mark. Anya is a dangerous woman. I don't trust her.
MARK (Sighing) I know. But I think we need to give her a chance. We need to try to understand her motives. Maybe she just wants to protect Toby and the children.
SAMANTHA (Nodding) I guess you're right. But I'm still going to be careful.
MARK (Smiling) And so should I.
Mark and Samantha continue driving in silence. They are both deep in thought. They know that they are in a dangerous situation, but they are also determined to save Space-Corp.
To be continued... Is Space-Corp finished or it will find resources to recover?