Elysium

In 2113, a team of scientists travels to Antarctica to study unusual seismic activity. Near the epicenter, they uncover massive land markings resembling Peru’s Nazca glyphs-and beneath them, a vast underground cavern. At the bottom, a fragment of an enormous tower protrudes from the earth. Using advanced cameras, the team sends their findings back to Command Center. One explorer copies a star chart carved into the tower’s surface. Suddenly, the tower emits a haunting howl, as if filled with malevolent energy. The expedition members collapse in agony and die. Observers at Command Center can do nothing as the same high-frequency noise floods their facility, killing them too. Later analysis reveals the sound was a beacon aimed at Elysium, a planet beyond Earth’s solar system. Van, an 18-year-old pizza delivery boy in Manhattan, is the story’s reluctant hero. He competes in turbo jai alai racing, the 22nd century’s most popular-and deadly-sport, which blends high-speed competition with virtual reality. He’s deeply in love with Lydia, a gifted ballerina. In their chaotic, polluted city, they cling to each other and their dreams. Hoping to win tickets to a galactic resort where Lydia can audition for the Jupiter Ballet, Van enters a dangerous race despite the risks. Elsewhere, Earth’s deep space vessel, the Odyssey, monitors the planet’s orbit when it encounters an advanced alien fleet from Elysium. The human crew, awestruck, prepares to greet the Elysian ambassador, Yaspe. Without warning, the Odyssey’s weapons malfunction, firing on and destroying Yaspe’s ship. The tragic mistake sparks a brutal retaliation-the Elysian fleet annihilates the Odyssey and launches a full-scale assault on Earth. Van’s race turns deadly as the stadium is struck by Elysian attacks. Fighting through the chaos on his turbo-cycle, he races to save Lydia from the collapsing stands. Cities worldwide burn under the alien barrage. Van and Lydia flee through Manhattan’s burning streets, narrowly escaping danger before finding shelter in a cramped fallout bunker.