"Pilot"

Synopsis:

The ultimate mind game, "Harsh Realm" explores a virtual reality world created by the military -- where anything is possible. After seeing the horrors of war in Sarajevo, Lt. Thomas Hobbes is finally ready to settle down with his fiance Sophie. But the military has one last assignment: test out the newest in military combat training -- a top secret computer simulation code-named "Harsh Realm". Once inside the game, Hobbes immediately finds himself fighting for his life, and struggling to comprehend what is real and what is not. Trapped in a dangerous world with no rules and no mercy, he forms an uneasy alliance with Mike Pinocchio, another soldier who is less than enthusiastic about helping out a "rookie" player. But a mysterious figure named Florence believes Hobbes is not just another soldier -- that he will be the one to save all the "virtual characters" who live in the Realm. Hobbes soon realizes that the only way out of the Realm is to complete his "mission" -- beating the high-scoring player, Omar Santiago, a man who reigns over the Realm with an iron fist and possesses the secret of how to return to the real world. Unwilling to give up his kingdom, Santiago sends his forces to capture Hobbes. Hobbes is shocked to learn that Santiago's commanding officer is none other than Major Mel Waters, who was Hobbes' best friend in the real world. Potentially even more dangerous to Hobbes is Inga Fossa, Santiago's shadowy associate who is able to pass in and out of the game at will.

Written by Chris Carter

Directed by Daniel Sackheim

Guest Cast:

Lance Henriksen as Army Colonel

Gillian Anderson as Voiceover Narrator