ASCENSION 1.01 – Houston: We have a lie

We begin with a death at the beach which is not a beach. In fact, we aren’t even on Earth. Nothing is as it seems my friends. The Space Race of the Sixties was far more ambitious than anyone could have ever imagined. We are on the Orion Class Spacecraft, Ascension 51 years into their 100 year journey. Our arrival comes just in time for their Launch Day Party which is cut short by the murder of Lorelei. This is significant in that is the first murder on Ascension.

Executive Officer, Aaron Gault, doesn’t believe Lorelei’s death is an accident and is reluctantly recruited by Captain Denninger to uncover the truth. The XO’s suspicions were correct when Dr. Bryce discovers a wound inside Lorelei’s mouth revealing a bullet in her brain.

The Captain decides to take immediate action in search for the weapon, however Gault convinces Denninger to keep things under wraps for now so as not to panic the other citizens of Ascension. And, this life on Ascension must be difficult indeed. Choice for the following generations that came is lost. Life in a fishbowl would be difficult for anyone. Imagine how frustrating it would be to discover your destiny has been preordained in a decision made by your grandparents. Your life is not your own, it is a part of the greater good. This knowledge, coupled with the fact that your generation will most likely never see their destination Proxima, is a mind trip from hell. In my opinion, it’s a miracle no one was killed sooner. Lorelei was right. For the middle generation, Ascension is a trap most cruel.

Viondra Dillinger is trouble with a capital T. Her marriage/arrangement with the Captain is troubled at best, and the affair with Councilman Rose feels ever so icky. It is difficult to tell at this point which man’s side she is on, but one thing is crystal when it comes to Viondra, no matter what happens with the leadership of Ascension she plans to remain firmly on top. Her interactions with Rose made that abundantly clear.

On Earth, Mark Hayes thinks he has uncovered a truth of his own. A secret mission called Ascension and is equally determined to discover the truth as well. His investigation leads him Harris who claims no knowledge of his fathers work with the government in the Sixties. Red flags start going up immediately when it is revealed Harris, not only knows about Ascension, but is actively working on hiding it’s existence from the world. What trickery is this?

Back on the ship, Gault’s investigation uncovers unrest among those on the lower decks. The lower deck residents don’t feel adequately represented by those in higher stations. To that end, a possible plot is revealed involving the sabotage of Asension in an effort to force it’s return to Earth. Curiouser and curiouser.

Things continue down the rabbit hole as the very ship itself appears to intervene in hampering any clue to the truth. The sudden appearance of radiation storms arrives much too timely to be mere cincidence. Our suspicions are further complicated by the appearance of Haz-Mat guy as observed by the already weird Christa Valis. What is it about Christa that allows the girl to see what others have not? Sometimes the answer may be so simple that it takes the eyes of a child to perceive an ultimate truth.

These strange coincidences are further complicated when through more unexplained ship movements, the main suspect, Stokes, takes Nora hostage. The ensuing conflict resulting in his accidental‘spacing’ is terrifying and we are all pulled out the air lock with him to experience the nightmare together right up until a larger horror is revealed. IT IS ALL A LIE.

That truth is much more terrifying than any murder could ever be. Ascension is a lie. It is in fact, a misguided century long human experiment, but to what end? What would this deception possibly prove? Why? Three little letters that demand an explanation.

Welcome to Ascension my friends. With such a mind blowing deception revealed to us early on, what larger secrets have yet to be revealed? I can’t wait to find out!