The Drifter

In an effort to save humanity from a dying Earth, elite soldiers - known as Drifters - are sent out into the cosmos to find a new home. In September of 3031, one such DRIFTER reports a potential match for Earth's climate near Alpha Centauri before disappearing without a trace.

The Drifter awakens on the unknown planet and discovers the air is toxic and he is running low on oxygen cartridges. After ingesting too much of the caustic air, he passes out and has a vivid dream. In it, his YOUNG WIFE claims he must 'find THE ORB'. Upon waking he inserts a fresh oxygen cartridge into his mask and continues walking.

Moving through the vast and empty desert terrain he searches for any sign of life. In the center of a dust storm he discovers a skeleton nailed to a cross. Upon approaching it he is captured by a cannibalistic WILD MAN who built the cross as a trap. The Wild Man ties The Drifter up and takes him to a hidden cave inside of a mountain. Knocked unconscious The Drifter experiences another dream. In it, the supernatural Orb floats above a mountain on the unknown planet. As it floats, his Young Wife is heard saying; 'you can reach the Orb, it will build a new Earth.'

Once awake he realizes he has been strung to a cross at The Wild Man's kill-site. Below, The Wild Man stares into The Drifter's eyes and taunts him, clearly insane. In the light of day it is apparent that The Wild Man has been physically ravaged by years of living in the toxic environment and may once have been a Drifter himself. While the Wild Man goes into his cave to grab a weapon, The Drifter is able to maneuver out of the ropes around his legs. Noticing his prisoner is trying to escape, The Wild Man attacks. Free of his binds, The Drifter wraps his legs tightly around The Wild Man's neck. The two struggle to survive but ultimately The Drifter is able to strangle The Wild Man and save his own life.

Climbing down from his cross he collects what supplies he can from the kill-site, including several fresh oxygen cartridges. With new life he heads off toward the mountains. As he approaches the base of a distant peak, he hears his YOUNG WIFE say; 'go beyond your mind'. Looking up, he sees the Orb above the mountain, just as it was in his dream.