Episode 10: The Orion

"The Orion" is the tenth episode of the Project Infinity web series.

Plot Summary
At the site of Princess Annabelle's failed execution, Octavia is seen in a Fighter bot going to face the large, unknown ship named "Orion." The crew of this ship asks their leader if they should engage in battle to which she says no for it isn't the time or place for fighting. Apparently having tagged one of the Rebel fighters with a tracking device, the Orion abruptly takes off in pursuit of the Rebels. Octavia tries to follow the large ship, but it proves to be too fast. Flying above a forested area, Octavia encounters another small, unknown ship. She shoots at it, but her bullets are deflected back at her causing her Fighter to spiral out of control.

At Acland Academy, the students are watching Moselle on television addressing reporters about the situation. She assures them everything is under control. Conner leaves the room in silence, and Lettie watches him in concern.

At Union headquarters in Royal City, Val's followers realize there could be an uprising if they don't mend the situation quickly. Harrison displays paranoiac behavior over the risk of the Rebel numbers multiplying and overtaking them. Val interrupts the conversation and expresses his disappointment in them claiming "they lose faith so easily." He says they should be ashamed. He goes on to emphasize the importance of keeping the world from falling back into chaos. He then excuses himself to go and consider their next move.

Meanwhile on the Adonais, the Rebels stand outside a room in concern where they can hear an upset Gun throwing objects. Morris and LIA watch as Gun struggles to comprehend the fact that Val is his father, and he programmed LIA to protect him. It confuses him as to why Val wants him alive. He wonders if he's a consolation prize. He also shouts that he'd rather die than be Val's son. Morris tries to console Gun by reminding him what he told Josephine about being his own person. Gun somberly rejects this idea claiming she is different, and he doesn't know if he's evil or not. Princess Annabelle suddenly enters the room and asks if Gun's arm is okay. He assures her it is only a strain. She then asks to speak with the entire team. Morris begins acting flustered around her.

In the next room, Annabelle speaks to the team about how grateful she is to them. However, she reminds them Val is very intelligent and won't make the same mistake twice. Still, she believes they can find a way. She politely asks for official help on beginning a movement to restore the Kingdom of Earth to which they cheer.

The Adonais closes in on a remote island in the South Pacific. They decide to use it as a base. Then, they notice the large ship from the execution is following them. They connect with their video and are able to speak with their leader who claims Morris is an old friend, and they should work together.

In Val's private office, Moselle talks with Val about the situation. She reminds him the public will think they are losing control if they do not act quickly. Val admits he underestimated the Rebels. He tells Moselle he will give a speech saying they killed the Princess. Moselle agrees this is a good plan but wonders why he still looks so troubled. She says they have been dear friends for most of their lives and wants to help him if she can. He reveals he saw someone he thought was dead - Calanthe Lambton. Moselle is shocked. She asks Val exactly what Calanthe had been working on that frightened him so much, but Val doesn't offer a direct answer and just presses the importance of stopping her. He also talks about how he was reunited with Gun and told him he was his father. Moselle worries the other Rebels could use this information to destroy Val, and Val insists this is why it is important to kill the other Rebels. He knows Gun hates him but hopes he will abide by his warning and leave the Rebels.

At the new Rebel base in the South Pacific, the Rebels board the Orion and are greeted by a woman named Panthea Thorald. They learn they have been building their ship for years as part of their plan to overthrow the Union themselves. They are also developing a super fighter called Gallagher. Morris explains to the others that he and Panthea fought together in the Great World War. They are both happy to see each other doing well. The others laugh when they learn Morris's first named is Hershel. Annabelle tells Panthea her plan is to begin a movement and grow their numbers at a rapid pace. The team cheers with excitement.

At Acland Academy, Conner talks with Harrison via video chat. Harrison tells Conner about the failed execution and how Val will be giving a speech to extinguish the public's concerns. He also says with Josephine gone, Conner is sadly all he has left. Lettie then knocks and opens his dorm door. It is clear she needs to speak with him. They sit on his bed as she asks Conner if she has done something wrong. She points out the fact that Josephine and several others started disappearing after she found the earpiece and gave it to Conner. She's afraid the Rebels are going to attack them. Conner assures her everything is under control and not to worry. She trusts him and rests her head on his shoulder.

Back at the Rebel base, Panthea and Morris are having a conversation inside the Adonais. She calls the Adonais quaint, and Morris defends it claiming "it may not be much, but it's all I have." She then asks him about Gun and if he is as serious as he looks. Morris chuckles at this definition and calls him a train wreck. He also notes how Gun reminds him of himself when he was young. Then, he tells Panthea that Gun could be the pilot for the super fighter Gallagher due to his natural talent. She expresses her excitement and mentions a test flight that will be taking place soon.

In the next room, Gun is seen lying down on his stomach in a depressed state. LIA suggests he join the others outside in the sunlight. He turns her down and says he just wants to stay here. LIA will not leave his side. She asks him if he will abandon his Rebel status, but Gun refuses.

Under some trees near the beach, Princess Annabelle is relaxing with Violet and Josephine. She tells them she can't remember the last time she spoke to girls her age. Her caretaker in prison, Trinity, was the only person she previously had to talk to. However, she says she was her best friend and misses her very much. Josephine says they could possibly rescue her later. Annabelle then asks Violet if Gun is her boyfriend. After Violet explains that he is simply her childhood friend, Annabelle then assumes he must be Josephine's boyfriend. Josephine becomes very flustered and tells Annabelle they have never dated. They have a "relationship of respect." Then, Elise calls for them to report to the Orion.

On the Orion, Milo informs everyone about a plan he has of interrupting the channel Val's speech will be broadcast on and replacing it with something else. They realize this could be their opportunity to really send a strong message to the public.

In Royal City, Val begins to give a speech claiming that Princess Annabelle has been killed and several Rebels have already been captured. The crowd gasps in shock when Annabelle suddenly appears on the large screen above him. She assures the public she is not dead. She tells them their leader is a murderer who wants to strip them of their rights and individuality. She announces she is beginning a movement to restore the Kingdom of Earth and declares war on the Union.

Important Events

 * Panthea Thorald appears for the first time.
 * Princess Annabelle officially asks the Rebels to help her take back the Kingdom of Earth.
 * The Rebels set up base on an island in the South Pacific and begin working with Panthea's team.
 * The super fighter Gallagher is introduced.
 * It is revealed Morris's first name is Hershel.
 * Val tells Moselle Calanthe is alive, and he was able to reunited with Gun.
 * Milo uses his skills to have Princess Annabelle interrupt Val's speech claiming she had been killed.
 * Princess Annabelle declares war on the Union.

Trivia

 * The Orion set is the largest set with the most pieces MLA has produced to date.
 * There is small carousel in Val's office that spins for the entire duration of the scene. It had to be wound between takes.
 * Lettie's voice actress, CavaticaVA, recorded all of her remaining lines for the series in one session.