Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1 2017

As S.U.M.1 assumes his duties at outpost Cerberus, the weight of his 100-day deployment settles in like the dusty terrain outside. The journey to this desolate outcropping of human resilience is a stark reminder of the fragility of life as refugees stream towards Exilium, fleeing the unknown horrors that lurk beyond the horizon. Upon arrival, S.U.M.1’s tank rolls into position, and he takes his first steps onto the outpost’s cramped quarters.

The initial foray into the housing bunker ends in frustration as the door jams shut, prompting a climb up the sentry tower to establish communication with command. It is here that S.U.M.1 learns of VAX7’s hasty evacuation due to medical reasons and receives reassurance that all is well at the outpost. With the daily access code in hand, he navigates the labyrinthine corridors, finally arriving at his humble abode: a Spartan residence with six bunks and a central table. The space, though unkempt, slowly takes shape as S.U.M.1 arranges his meager provisions and meticulously polishes a glass cup to a radiant sheen.

As the days blend together in a monotony of duty, S.U.M.1’s subconscious whispers visions of carefree children playing against a warm blue backdrop, only to be jolted awake by the daily alarm’s reminder of the dwindling days until his active service expires. Exercise, showers, and brief check-ins become the rhythm of his existence, punctuated by the solitary indulgence of a rationed cigarette.

The constant barrage of audio messages outside beckons surviving humans to seek refuge in Exilium, assuring them of the outpost’s protection from the Nonsuch threat. Meanwhile, S.U.M.1 finds himself drawn into a cycle of maintenance and surveillance, his curiosity piqued by the absence of any visible signs of the Nonsuch. The omnipresent monitoring cameras, situated within individual security rings, cast an unblinking gaze over the outpost’s defenses.

As the days tick by, S.U.M.1 begins to sense that something is amiss at Outpost Cerberus. It starts with a general broadcast reporting the sudden attack on Outpost Lalops, and soon enough, he finds himself standing at the edge of his tower balcony, witnessing the devastation firsthand: explosions rip through the distance, accompanied by the haunting screams of the Nonsuch’s victims. The world outside has grown even darker, and S.U.M.1 can only wonder what secrets lie hidden in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered.

As the isolation begins to take its toll, SUM1 (played by) finds himself succumbing to the crushing weight of loneliness. The abruptness of his communications with superiors only serves to exacerbate the feeling of disconnection, as they continually dismiss his concerns and tell him not to worry. It is amidst this desolate landscape that he forms an unlikely bond with a resident rat, whom he dubs Doc, sharing his meager rations and occasionally his own blood. The loneliness slowly gives way to hallucinations and a growing sense of unease about the true nature of his mission. Despite reporting his experiences and findings, including the discovery of a dog tag on a tree accompanied by a dead bird, his concerns are met with dismissive silence from his commander, further eroding his faith in the mission’s integrity.

As he delves deeper into the depths of the bunker, SUM1 stumbles upon a bloodstain on the wall, which sparks a nagging suspicion that VAX7 may have indeed taken his own life. This revelation prompts him to break into VAX7’s still-locked locker, where he uncovers a sketchbook and a radio. The sketches within include an image of Cerberus and the neighboring defense circle Gram, piquing his interest and fueling his determination to uncover the truth.

SUM1 attempts to make contact with Gram, but the perimeter of his DC activates a painful implant, rendering him unable to proceed. Undeterred, he retreats to a nearby tree, hoping to establish communication through waving and shouting, yet receives no response. Back in the bunker, his frustration reaches a boiling point as he breaks the glass while polishing it, resulting in a deep cut.

As he tends to his wound alongside Doc, SUM1 is suddenly struck by the melodic sounds of music emanating from the radio in VAX7’s locker, followed by the voice of neighboring soldier KER4 calling out for VAX7. Attempting to pass himself off as VAX7, SUM1 is swiftly recognized and rebuffed by the sending soldier, who concludes the unauthorized communication by stating that any further contact would be futile.

As SUM1 continues his deployment, his mental state begins to deteriorate at an alarming rate. The investigation into strange “coincidences” only serves to fuel his growing distrust of everything. For instance, while reviewing outpost video history, a sudden power outage strikes, and upon restoration, the files he was examining are inexplicably gone. The lack of transparency regarding the expected arrival time of a MAC team, coupled with the risk of Nonsuch, further erodes SUM1’s already tenuous grip on reality.

As the tempestuous storm rages on outside, a sudden arrival in the form of the enigmatic MAC sparks a mix of trepidation and desperation within SUM1. Initially, the newcomer’s presence seems like a welcome respite from the desolate isolation, but SUM1’s wariness soon gives way to hostility as they clash physically, with the MAC inadvertently knocking Doc against the wall. The tension escalates further when the MAC attempts to access the internal camera system and historical archives, prompting SUM1 to brandish a gun in a futile attempt to regain control. Their second confrontation ends in defeat for SUM1, who is forced to listen as the MAC regales him with tales of his past military exploits against the Nonsuch.

As the truth slowly begins to unravel, SUM1 becomes convinced that the MAC’s stories are nothing more than fabrications designed to manipulate and deceive. His growing paranoia fuels a desperate desire for answers, leading him to unlock the bunker’s archives and uncover evidence that VAX7 had indeed succumbed to madness. Fueled by his newfound certainty, SUM1 broadcasts his conspiracy theories to KER4 over the radio, positing that their mission to transport humans to Exilium is merely a ruse to restrict consumption of dwindling natural resources while the wealthy elite enjoy unrestricted access to the remnants.

As SUM1’s conviction grows, he becomes increasingly unhinged, culminating in a brutal act of violence when he murders Doc, his once-loyal companion. Consumed by grief and rage, SUM1 emerges from the bunker stark naked, only to confront a monstrous figure that sparks his long-suppressed fears. Donning antlers scavenged from a nearby tree, SUM1 unleashes a fatal attack on the creature, only to discover its true identity - VAX7, further solidifying his conspiracy theory.

With his mind reeling and his emotions in turmoil, SUM1 returns to the bunker to confront the MAC, revealing his shocking revelations and leveling dire threats against the newcomer. The MAC’s destruction of SUM1’s 4x4 computer serves as a bitter reminder that even the most desperate attempts at truth-seeking can ultimately prove futile.

As SUM1 limps towards the DC perimeter, his pain-racked body forces him to confront an unexpected obstacle: the high-voltage cable. With a Herculean effort, he digs up the buried wire and severs it, triggering a cacophony of alarms that echo through the twilight air. His mission accomplished, SUM1 presses on towards Gram, driven by a growing sense of urgency. Upon arriving at the tower, he’s met with a scene of utter devastation: debris litters the floor, and KER4 is nowhere to be found. The stench of blood wafts through the air, its metallic tang a grim reminder that the Nonsuch threat is all too real.

As SUM1 surveys the damage, his gaze falls upon the shattered windows, beyond which a chaotic landscape unfolds. Vehicles, driven by unknown forces, converge on the tower in a maelstrom of steel and fire. The DC’s downfall, coupled with Gram’s silence, has left the Nonsuch unhindered in their advance. Just as all hope seems lost, the MAC returns to SUM1’s aid, only to be intercepted and hijacked by a cunning Nonsuch operative.

SUM1 watches in horror as his trusty vehicle is commandeered, its fate sealed alongside that of its former occupant. The Nonsuch closes in, their cold, calculating eyes fixed on their next victim. In desperation, SUM1 makes a break for his bunker, but the usual daily code refuses to yield, thanks to his wrist computer’s destruction. After three agonizing attempts, he finally gains entry, only to be reassured by the automated system that evacuation is underway.

However, this fleeting sense of relief proves short-lived, as the bunker’s defenses prove no match for the Nonsuch onslaught. As the walls begin to crumble, SUM1 realizes his sanctuary has become a death trap. The film concludes with a lone Nonsuch breaching the bunker’s perimeter, its cold, calculating gaze fixed on its prey. SUM1 fires blindly towards the alien’s mouthparts, his shots falling flat against the unforgiving steel…