EXT. SPACE - SIHNON ORBIT

Silence. One third of Sihnon is visible suspended in space for a few seconds, appearing peaceful and serene. A thin antenna with a blinking red light at the end slowly rises into view. The armored observation tower beneath it then rises into view.

Tower continues rising until we see the seemingly endless topside of a ship. Closed ports of various sizes can be seen along its entire length, with observation towers occasionally visible between them. Pivot 180 degrees to see primary Command Tower. It ascends from the rear third of the main body looking much like an armored pyramid. Vertically positioned ports mar its surface as well. Swing view around Command Tower to rear third of ship, also marked with ports.

Vertically pan down port side of ship revealing a red glow stretching end to end within a recessed horizontal trench. Ports also line the full length above and below the trench.

Pan down and beneath the underside, which resembles the upper side, minus the control tower. Closed ports line its surface as do several mammoth anti-grav hemispheres.

INT. ALLIANCE WARSHIP PALADIN - BRIDGE

The Bridge is enormous, split into three levels, connected by low-grade ramps. Two dozen crew sit at various workstations. Three floor-to-ceiling view screens cover the forewall. All areas not covered with electronics are seamlessly padded to soften the crew’s impact during evasive maneuvering. All seats have four-point harnesses suspended from their backs.

A man of medium height dressed in a simple Alliance uniform, minus the hat, mills around the second level, looking over the techs’ shoulders. He is the Captain. A slightly taller, and younger man, Madsen, follows him on his right.

CAPTAIN: One last drill, Madsen. Let’s hope they get it right so we can be done with this business.

Madsen nods.

MADSEN: Initiate attack run Delta.

An alarm sounds, loud at first, then fades into a quiet reminder. The Bridge lights dim to a red ambience. All crew members strap into their s