Ep 8. Under the Red Sky

In Pandora season 1 episode 8, titled "Under the Red Sky," the crew of the Earth Space Training Academy (ESTA) find themselves on a mission to retrieve stolen military technology. As they journey through a remote and treacherous planet, they discover that their enemy, Zatarian, has a new and dangerous weapon that could put their lives in jeopardy.

The episode opens with Jax, Xander, and Ralen receiving orders from Professor Osborn to retrieve a stolen shield generator from a Zatarian facility on the planet Sampson-9. The team is briefed on the dangerous nature of the mission and given a brief rundown of the planet's climate. The desert planet is inhospitable, with dangerous dust storms and extreme temperatures that can reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

As they prepare for their mission, Ralen confides in Jax about his deepening feelings for her. However, their flirtation is cut short as they prepare to board their shuttle and embark on their mission.

Upon landing on the planet, the crew quickly learns that they are not alone. They encounter a group of scavengers who ask for their help in retrieving medical supplies for their community. Jax, Xander, and Ralen agree to assist the scavengers in their mission, as it aligns with their own goals of retrieving stolen technology.

As they journey through the planet's treacherous landscape, the team encounters a dangerous dust storm. The storm separates Jax from the rest of the crew, leaving her alone with the scavenger leader, Tahir. Jax and Tahir bond over their shared experiences growing up as orphans and their desire to make a better life for themselves and their communities.

Meanwhile, Xander and Ralen continue their mission to retrieve the shield generator from the Zatarian facility. They are successful in their mission but soon discover that the facility is housing a new weapon that could prove disastrous in the wrong hands. Xander and Ralen work together to destroy the weapon and secure their mission's objective.

In the final moments of the episode, Jax and Tahir reunite with the rest of the crew, but their celebratory mood is cut short as they are ambushed by Zatarian soldiers. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as the crew is left to fight for their lives against overwhelming odds.

"Under the Red Sky" is a thrilling episode that showcases the dynamic relationships between the crew members and their ability to work together to achieve their goals. The planet Sampson-9 provides an atmospheric backdrop for the action, adding to the tension and excitement of the mission. Viewers are left on the edge of their seats as they watch the team face seemingly insurmountable challenges and are left wondering what the future holds for the ESTA crew.