Look mum, the sky is so bright!
What in the world…
Know what it is, Leo?
Northern lights!
Yeah! They happen because of storms on the sun’s surface.
Like storms on the sea!
Right, but...
Granda’ must have an amazing view, maybe we could go visit him and see!
Did you remember to charge the LVAD overnight?
This thing keeps your heart beating, you know?
...I forgot.
What was that?
Probably just a blown fuse, nothing to worry about.
Sorry dear, I think they need me back.
What’s going on with the lights?
Lorraine, do you have a moment?
But the generators are low, so I sent Saoirse down to refill the petrol.
Could you keep an eye on the reception?
Power outage. We’re running on backup.
Sure.
What’s going on? We don’t know, it’s quiet as the grave.
There’s a fire in the power plant!
We’ve got two men with severe burns!
And the other one?
Minor burns, but otherwise okay. He’s had quite a shock.
Any pain, sir?
One has suffered a severe electric shock, third degree burns on his right side, potential internal bleeding.
You were there when the fire started?
He’s stable but unconscious.
Aye... but Liam got the worst of it, ‘had to drag ‘im out.
It happened out of nowhere, every system overloaded.
Charles, James- they were still in there, but I couldn’t...
Really? Well luckily we have backup generators.
Ours are old, but we sent someone down to refill them-
‘Whole thing went up like a Christmas tree.
be without power now.
Wait-wait-wait, while they’re running??
Fire downstairs! We have to evacuate now, assembly point outside!
Here- I’ll help you.
What about him? I’ll come back for him.
There you areMum, what’s happening?
We have to leave. I need my coat! No, we’re leaving NOW.
The exit is straight ahead. stay low. Hold your breath.
Lorraine! Thank god, we have space for your patient here!
What about his friend?
... How’s your LVAD doing?
I’m sorry.
lighthouse must still have power.
Nevermind that, we’re going to your granda’s.
Stay close to me, arite?
…Nation-wide power outage, due to an unprecedented solar flare, which has left the power grid destroyed... (...) repairs may take months…
Ireland is working with European and international partners (...) replacement infrastructure and humanitarian suppor-
(...) calm and avoid unnecessary travel. Repeated; we urge all inhabitants of Donnemare to go to Gyles Quay for-
Listen up! We are sailing to Guyles Quay -
They’re preparing shelters to receive us!
Miss, we’re going to Guyles Quay. Get in line, or stay behind.
Excuse me-
Sorry- sorry-
Please let the elderly and the injured go first!
I need your help, I have to get to the lighthouse!
No, listen! My son needs power, now. Otherwise he-
he could die.
But these people need medical attention too. Get in line, and we’ll take it from there.
There’s a generator there-
But- I’m a doctor! I can help them.
Look Miss, I understand your concern...
If you just take me to the lighthouse, they can stay there for the night-
Some of these people won’t make it to Guyles Quay. You’d rather sail all that way, now, in the dark?
Please.
Change of plans - all boats, follow us to the lighthouse!
We’re sailing ahead! You better be right. Thank you.
Woah, look at that!
He sure is far away from his spaceship, huh?
Do you remember that one summer, the Perseids meteor shower?
When I jumped forward and patted it out, you were so annoyed with me… like I’d interrupted something important.
We sat out in the garden, candles lit on the table.
You were practically glued to the sky, leaning forward, like you could fall into it.
Your sleeve brushed the candle- it started smoking, but you didn’t even notice.
You’ve always been like that.
Can we... go stargazing when we get to the island?
We’re almost there, get ready to disembark!
Lorraine, it’s you?! I was so worried…
Oh, deary. I’m so glad you’re alrite.
Who’s this now!? What’o youse want?!
Who are these people?
Mph, very well. I suppose the house’ll have to do… ‘better to sleep on the floor than with the fishes.
Hello, Seamus.
We’re taking them to shelter here, sir. Town’s not safe.
Right... I’ll help them up there. Granda’!
There you are, son. Oh, I’ve missed you so much.
My, you’ve grown tall, haven’t you! Or else I must’ve shrunk!
Not now, Seamus, we’ve got to-
You’d rather poke me with needles day and night than let an old man have his dignity-
It’s up in the house...
Why, can’t we have a moment? It’s been a while, is all.
Wasn’t sure I’d ever see ‘im again, if I’m honest-
Don’t put that on me, now.
You’re the one who moved out here for the birds to pick you apart.
For Christ’s sake Seamus, his LVAD’s running out!
Where’s your generator!?
It’s there.
She’s an older model, just barely powers the lighthouse rig...
But she gets the job done.
Well yes, I... What’s the matter?
In daytime the light can be off, so I can power the stove, put the kettle on and such...
Are you serious?
Sit down here, darling.
It’s going to be okay, Leo.
What on earth are you doing?!
What about the rest?!
How are they meant to navigate now?
I didn’t know, II thought it could handle both-
We had an agreement!
You promised them safety!
Yes, but- It just has to charge overnight!
Overnight?! You don’t know these waters, they will crash on the rocks! Turn it back on-
No! Please, you can’t do this to me, I can’t let him-
Those people trusted me, and now you want me to leave them to die?!
Yes I do, he’s my son!
You don’t get to make that choice!
This is not about YOU!
son. Do you... know what yer doin’?
.Those people...
Out there…
...Don’t tell her.
‘Course you are. Runs in the family.
It’s not fair...
I want... to see...
Aye. It’s nice out there.
Just stay with this old man a while longer, eh?
Don’t waste your breath, I’ll carry you.
All those stars... When you’re lost at sea… Sometimes you just pick one.
And if you’re lucky, it takes you where you’ve ‘oughta go. ...Home?
Aye. Might not be where you started, but home all the same.
You’ve got one up there, you know.
There. Just above that bright one.
She was runnin’ circles around me from the start.
You know... Some of those stars aren’t even there anymore. Burned out long ago, but they’re not quite gone - their light’s still travellin’.
Guiding people where they need to go. So hold onto that lion, alrite lad?
It’ll take you home.
I’m here Leo! It’s okay, we can fix this!
We’re gonna plug you back in and you’ll be just-
You were supposed to DO something! Anything!
Oh god... I failed.
After everything I did for him! I brought him all the way here, left it all behind just to save him!
I know, dearie.
And it wasn’t enough! He needed me- He needed me, dad. And I failed him.
Finally-
He learned that from someone.
You know. I’ve seen many grown men freeze in the face of duty.
They’re waiting for us.
Choosing to act, even when there’s no good choices left.
Michael @psych_itsmike
Finn @szczurherbacany
Eddie @yumivik
Sarah @sarah.idun
Edda @otterpob
We want to thank Jean-Baptiste Coursaud and Karoline Stjernfelt
For all their help with writing, thumbnails and sketches, and supporting the creative direction we wanted to take.
May 2026
GS Class ‘25
