Graphic: Warning! A cow is being led into a pen containing a captive two meter Arachnid Warrior, multiple eyes, cutting mouthparts and claws.

Official Voice: Every school kid knows that Arachnids are dangerous.

Wary scientists keep their distance as it eats the cow. A "Censored" sign is placed over the viewers' screen.

A prefab township settlement of 300 sits on the shores of a tranquil alien bay.

Official Voice: However, Mormon extremists disregarded Federal warnings and established Port Joe Smith deep inside the Arachnid Quarantine Zone. . . Too late, they realized that Dantana had already been chosen by other colonists -- Arachnids.

Now body parts litter the ruined streets of Port Joe Smith.

Official Voice: Would you like to know more?

Camp Currie, parade ground:

Cadets: One, two, three, four!

Sergeant Zim is 40, astoundingly fit, and like all drill instructors, he carries a small baton. He addresses sixty recruits.

Zim: Most of you will not live to be in the Mobile Infantry. The trouble is, you are not good enough the way you are.

Johnny stands in formation with his squad, among them: Breckinridge, 18, Djana'd, 19, Katrina McIntire, 18, Ace Levy, 18, Shujumi, 18, and Kitten Smith, 18. Zim slaps Johnny's hand with his baton.

Zim: Hands at your side!

Zim shoves his baton under Katrina's chin.

Zim: Chin up! . . . I am your senior drill instructor, Career Sergeant Zim.

He whacks Ace in the stomach with his baton.

Zim: Suck in that gut!

He hits Shujumi on the leg, Shujumi grimaces in pain.

Zim: Feet together! . . . To think this had to happen to me! What a bunch of apes. No, strike that! You don't rate that good! Never in my life have I seen . . .

Zim gives Kitten Smith the hairy eyeball. Smith cracks up.

Zim: Do you think I'm funny? Do I make you laugh? Do you think I'm a comedian, son?

Kitten: I'm sorry.

Zim: The first words and last words out of your stinking holes will be "sir".

Kitten can't stifle his chuckling. Zim head-butts Kitten.

Zim: Do you get me?

Kitten: Sir, yes, sir!

Zim: See that armory? Run around it!

Kitten Smith squints. Out in the distance, a tiny building. Zim smacks him on the leg with his baton.

Kitten: YEOW!

Zim: Run, I said! Run! Run! Run! Bronski, keep pace! Move!

Kitten Smith runs. Big Corporal Bronski, 28, takes out after him.

Zim: Any time you think I'm being too tough, any time you think I'm being unfair, any time you miss your mommy, quit! You sign form 1240-A, you grab your gear, you take a stroll down Washout Lane. Do you get me?

Cadets: Sir, yes, sir!

Zim: Pathetic! I wonder if there's a handful of guts in the whole bunch of you. Now, who here thinks they got what it takes to knock me down?

Breckinridge, a big guy from a farm planet, raises his hand.

Breckinridge: Sir, I guess maybe I do, sir!

Zim crooks a finger at him. Breckinridge charges. Zim knocks him flat. Bone snaps. Breckinridge holds his arm, twisted now.

Breckinridge (groaning): Ah, God!

Zim: You alright, son?

Breckinridge: Sir, yes, sir. It's my arm. I reckon it's broken, sir.

Zim: MEDIC!

Two medic charge up, they tend to Breckinridge.

Zim: Pain is in your mind! Who's next?

A recruit trots up. Johnny stares, surprised. It's Dizzy.

Dizzy: Sir, recruit Flores, reporting for duty , sir.

She hands him her orders. Dizzy grins self-consciously at Johnny.

Zim: You specifically requested transfer from Fort Cronkite to this training unit?

Dizzy: Sir, I heard it was the best, sir!

Zim: It is the best. . . But what makes you think you're good enough?

Dizzy drops her gear, takes off her jacket, and assumes a fighting stance. Zim looks her over. There's not not much to her.

Katrina: Now, that's the kingd of gal who makes squad leader.

Ace: That's my job you're talking about.

The recruits check Ace out. Dizzy attacks Zim, counters his counter, dances out of range, block his punch, and wallops him on the chin. Zim sweeps Dizzy's legs and puts a knee in her throat. She is close to passing out.

Mess Hall: the recruits line up for mess piled four-square together on a single plate.

Ace: You know, I'd like to kill that Sergeant Zim.

Katrina: Whoa! Improper Attitude! They'll kick you out for talking like that.

Kitten: Bye-bye. There you go, down Washout Lane.

Ace cuts into the front off the mess line.

Ace: Yup. Either you got what it takes, or you don't.

Shujimi: Hey, there is a line!

Djana'D: Wait your turn, Ace.

Ace: Hey. At ease, little soldier. It's all the same muck.

Johnny: Get in line like everyone else.

Silence. There could be a fight. Zim, standing nearby, watches with interest. Ace opens his hand.

Ace (laughs): You got some guts for a rich kid. I guess you and me could be buddies. What do you say?

Johnny: I'm honored.

Ace: Hey, of course you are! Everyone should have a friend like me.

Ace plops some food on Johnny's plate. Breckinridge steps in, shoving Ace back in place of the line.

Breckinridge: Come on, Ace! Back of the line, man.

Shujimi: Back, back, back, back!

Now everyone's laughing, pushing Ace to the back of the line.

Breckinridge: What a jerk, man.

Shujimi: Tough guy.

Johnny has his grub. Dizzy comes up with her tray.

Dizzy: Hey Rico. Want to sit together?

Johnny: No thanks, Diz.

Dizzy: What's your malfunction, Rico?

Johnny: You are. I joined up to get out on my own. And you had to tag along.

Dizzy: You think I joined the Mobile Infantry because of you?

Johnny: You saying you didn't?

Dizzy turns away, hurt. Ace shows up and sits with Johnny.

Ace (grinning ear to ear): Hi.