Solar Attack

A SNEL solar probe is deployed to gather data, but a massive CME erupts, obliterating the probe and taking down the crewed Galileo. The disaster triggers a cascade of crises as satellites are knocked out of orbit and debris becomes a dangerous threat to space operations. The incident leads investigators to blame defective Russian equipment, igniting a broader geopolitical strain.

CMEs shove satellites out of their orbits and turn debris into flight hazards around the globe. Communication networks falter as key systems fail and space infrastructure becomes a liability. The cascading space crisis foreshadows a planet-wide disruption.

One flare reaches New Zealand, turning vast areas into molten landscapes and signaling the global reach of Earth's climate crisis. The event demonstrates that the planetary problem is no longer confined to forecasts. It catalyzes a sense of urgency among leaders and scientists.

Lucas Foster reveals Earth's atmosphere has become methane-rich, about 5 percent. He urges action, but many colleagues remain skeptical, including his ex-wife Joanna Parks. The tension between caution and urgency sets the stage for radical steps to come.

Experts propose firing 25-megaton missiles at the North Pole to release vapor that could extinguish methane flares. Foster believes time is running out and pushes the plan forward despite heavy skepticism. The plan's feasibility and risks divide leaders across borders.

Foster reaches out to a Russian Navy submarine captain who reluctantly agrees to assist. With surface communications severed by the disaster, the submarine coordinates using a transatlantic telegraph cable located at 800 meters depth, keeping the mission alive.

The Russian submarine captain and crew dive to 800 meters, sustaining some damage but staying seaworthy enough to carry out the mission. The deep-sea leg of the plan tests their resilience as they lock onto the North Pole strike coordinates.

A conversation between the submarine leadership and Russian President Yuri Ilyushin confirms permission to proceed. The authorization from Moscow reinforces the seriousness of the plan and its acceptance beyond the immediate team.

In parallel, the U.S. President Ryan Gordon is briefed and aligns with the extraordinary plan. The cross-border consensus signals a rare moment of unity as nations commit to a risky, last-resort action.

The Russian submarine detects an American sub, triggering a tense confrontation in the Atlantic. A lieutenant threatens the Russian captain, prompting Foster to intervene and seize control of a weapon. The standoff escalates as the American sub fires torpedoes and the Russians deploy countermeasures.

Amid the chaos, Foster reaches the American sub via short-wave radio and negotiates a fragile stand-down in exchange for the Russians’ surrender. The uneasy agreement threads the needle between war and mission success, buying time for the plan to run its course.

The 25-megaton missiles reach their North Pole target, releasing vapor to dampen the methane flares. The atmosphere begins to stabilize as the desperate plan succeeds, averting a planetary suffocation scenario.

Foster is brought back to the United States aboard an American naval vessel. He is warmly reunited with Joanna Parks and his longtime friend Jim Leeburg, underscoring the film’s message that collaboration and perseverance can steer humanity away from disaster.