The negative space between the legs of the stylized capital A formed the domed head of a Sentinel mech, while the space at the A’s center contained a lidded cyclopean eye, which I knew was meant to represent Moon Base Alpha, the secret Earth Defense Alliance installation on the far side of the moon. I wondered why the real EDA had chosen to include Moon Base Alpha in the crest, since the base itself obviously couldn’t be real. Then I reminded myself—just a few hours ago, I’d thought the same exact thing about the EDA itself. The EDA crest faded, and ominous music swelled on the soundtrack. It was the opening track of the orchestral score for Armada, composed by none other than John Williams. When the London Symphony Orchestra’s string section kicked in, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I reminded myself that this was real life. I reminded myself to keep breathing. On the screen, an early NASA probe drifted into the shot, hurtling through the starry void.
