Rubikon (2022) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A stranded space crew must choose between protecting its own limited survival system and risking everything to save Earth bunker survivors.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Dangerous Docking

Hannah brings Vesta 1 toward the Rubikon station while Navicon gives contradictory readings. She manually avoids the station's sails and docks, exposing a critical systems failure.

Key Events

• Vesta 1 Approaches Rubikon — Hannah commands Vesta 1 during its approach to the Rubikon space station. Characters: Hannah Wagner Location: Space near Rubikon
• Navicon Gives Conflicting Readings — The automated navigation system displays conflicting distance readings and blocks the crew's view. Characters: Hannah Wagner Location: Vesta 1 cockpit
• Station Appears Too Close — The station suddenly appears dangerously close to the approaching spacecraft. Characters: Hannah Wagner Location: Vesta 1 cockpit
• Manual Docking Maneuver — Hannah ignores the manual-flying warning, avoids the sails, and docks safely. Characters: Hannah Wagner Location: Rubikon station
• Navigation Failure Confirmed — The docking incident reveals that the navigation system is unreliable, and Navicon later stops functioning on Rubikon. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Dimitri Krylow Location: Rubikon station

Silence Across Space

Communications with Earth and other stations fail, while Philipp reports that Vesta 2 is flying blind. The crew attempts emergency signaling and investigates the station's equipment.

Key Events

• Communications Suddenly Fail — Contact with ground control and other stations suddenly disappears. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Tracy Sato Location: Rubikon station
• Vesta 2 Reports Blind Flight — Philipp reports that the Vesta 2 crew is flying blind during its preprogrammed course. Characters: Philipp Jenson, Danilo Krylow Location: Vesta 2
• Atmospheric Entry Without Assistance — Philipp must attempt atmospheric entry without navigation assistance. Characters: Philipp Jenson, Danilo Krylow Location: Vesta 2 flight path
• Emergency Signals Attempted — Hannah, Tracy, and Gavin try to restore contact and transmit emergency signals. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Tracy Sato, Gavin Abbott Location: Rubikon station
• Station Equipment Investigated — Dimitri investigates the station's equipment after communications and navigation systems fail. Characters: Dimitri Krylow Location: Rubikon station

The Poisoned Planet

The crew discovers that a lethal toxic fog has spread across Earth. Sealed systems and limited oxygen are the only protection, while Rubikon's algae system offers uncertain long-term support.

Key Events

• Vesta 2 Entry Report — Danilo reports that Vesta 2 appears on course, but changing parameters could be fatal. Characters: Danilo Krylow, Philipp Jenson Location: Vesta 2 flight path
• Earth Falls Silent — The crew investigates why Earth and other stations no longer respond. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Dimitri Krylow, Tracy Sato Location: Rubikon station
• Toxic Fog Discovered — The crew learns that a lethal toxic fog has spread across Earth. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Dimitri Krylow, Gavin Abbott Location: Earth
• Fog Survival Limits Revealed — Ordinary air-domes cannot protect people; only sealed systems with oxygen supplies can survive. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Dimitri Krylow, Gavin Abbott Location: Rubikon station
• Algae System Offers Hope — The station's algae system can continue producing oxygen, though it was designed for six crew members. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Gavin Abbott Location: Rubikon station

Three Hundred Below

Dimitri locates nearly three hundred survivors in a bunker and identifies possible openings in the fog. Hannah considers transferring the algae system despite the severe risks.

Key Events

• Bunker Survivors Located — Dimitri discovers that nearly three hundred people remain alive in a bunker. Characters: Dimitri Krylow, Hannah Wagner Location: Earth bunker
• Openings In The Fog — Small openings in the fog may make contact with the bunker possible. Characters: Dimitri Krylow, Hannah Wagner, Tracy Sato Location: Earth bunker
• Algae Transfer Proposed — Hannah proposes bringing the algae system down to the bunker through a dangerous manual descent. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Gavin Abbott, Dimitri Krylow Location: Rubikon station

The IKARUS Choice

Gavin challenges Hannah's rescue plan as a crisis threatens the Vesta. Hannah reveals the secret IKARUS mission and considers ejecting its laboratory toward the survivors.

Key Events

• Gavin Opposes The Mission — Gavin opposes the mission, arguing that his responsibility is to protect the remaining crew. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Gavin Abbott Location: Rubikon station
• Vesta Crisis Escalates — During a tank crisis, Gavin enters a dangerous section while the Vesta begins to break apart. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Gavin Abbott Location: Vesta
• Hannah Acts Under Pressure — Hannah is forced to act as the spacecraft begins to break apart during the crisis. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Gavin Abbott Location: Vesta
• IKARUS Mission Revealed — Hannah reveals that IKARUS aimed to recover a functioning algae culture and deliver its laboratory to Earth. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Dimitri Krylow, Gavin Abbott Location: Rubikon station
• Laboratory Ejection Plan — The laboratory can be ejected separately, creating a possible but highly dangerous route to the survivors. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Dimitri Krylow, Gavin Abbott Location: Rubikon station
• Survival Hangs In Balance — The crew faces an uncertain survival choice involving oxygen production, manual descent, and the bunker survivors. Characters: Hannah Wagner, Dimitri Krylow, Gavin Abbott, Tracy Sato Location: Rubikon station and Earth bunker

Story Breakdown

• Failed Navigation — The mission begins with a dangerous approach and exposes the unreliability of automated navigation.
  • Conflicting Distance Readings — Navicon gives incompatible readings and prevents the crew from seeing the station.
  • Manual Docking Gamble — Hannah takes manual control, avoids the station's sails, and docks safely.
• Fleet Communications Collapse — The Rubikon crew loses contact with Earth while the Vesta 2 continues without navigational assistance.
  • Blind Vesta 2 Flight — Philipp reports that the Vesta 2 crew is flying blind.
  • Emergency Signals — Hannah, Tracy, and Gavin attempt to restore contact and transmit warnings.
• Earth Becomes Toxic — The silence from Earth is explained by a lethal fog that makes ordinary protective systems useless.
  • Lethal Atmospheric Fog — The crew learns that toxic fog has spread across the planet.
  • Sealed Survival Systems — Only sealed systems with finite oxygen supplies can withstand the fog.
• Station Oxygen Dilemma — Rubikon can produce oxygen through algae, but the system's capacity creates a difficult survival calculation.
  • Limited Algae Capacity — The algae system was designed for six crew members, making long-term survival uncertain.
  • Crew Protection Debate — Gavin prioritizes protecting the remaining crew from further danger.
• Bunker Survivors Found — Dimitri discovers a large surviving population and a possible opening through the toxic atmosphere.
  • Nearly Three Hundred Alive — A bunker contains nearly three hundred people who have survived the disaster.
  • Openings In The Fog — Small gaps in the fog may permit contact with the bunker.
• Rescue Mission Disputed — Hannah proposes a dangerous descent to deliver the algae system, creating a direct conflict over mission priorities.
  • Manual Descent Proposal — Hannah suggests bringing the algae system down without Navicon.
  • Gavin's Opposition — Gavin rejects the plan because it threatens the remaining crew.
• Vesta Breakup Crisis — A tank emergency forces immediate action as the Vesta begins to break apart.
  • Dangerous Section Entry — Gavin enters a hazardous section during the tank crisis.
  • Hannah Takes Action — Hannah responds while the spacecraft begins to break apart.
• IKARUS Final Option — Hannah reveals the hidden algae-recovery mission and identifies the laboratory as a possible delivery vehicle.
  • Secret Mission Revealed — IKARUS was intended to recover a functioning algae culture for Earth.
  • Separate Laboratory Ejection — The laboratory can be ejected separately toward the survivors, though the plan is extremely dangerous.

Directed by

Magdalena Lauritsch

Key Cast

• Julia Franz Richter — Hannah Wagner
• Mark Ivanir — Dimitri Krylow
• George Blagden — Gavin Abbott
• Nicholas Monu — Philipp Jenson
• Daniela Kong — Tracy Sato