Rise of The Kek Screenplay
PENNY
I first met Jeremy on a railcar. He was
pretty jumpy back then but he seems to
have calmed down over the years. He's
certainly won the heart of our
illustrious leader.
(whispering to Steve)
They're very close.
She retracts her lower lip and widens an eye, implying a secret relationship between them.
JEREMY
I'm a married man. And so is Cecil.
PENNY
You see. Jumpy little bugger, isn't he?
STEVE
I should know, I grew up with him.
PENNY
I'm sorry guys, but I've got to go.
Penny exits.
JEREMY
Come on Steve, I'll show you the assembly
shop.
INT. ASTEROID CRUSHER ASSEMBLY SHOP - DAY
The shop is buzzing with activity.
Jeremy and Steve enter.
A fully assembled Asteroid Crusher sits in the far corner.
Steve spots it immediately. He glares at it with awe as they approach.
Its three forward gears face them.
A small cockpit is attached to its top.
Pressure tanks on either side are marked "H20."
Oxygen tubes behind them.
The entire rig stands ten feet high.
STEVE
This is the coolest thing I've ever seen.
JEREMY
Now imagine a modified space shuttle
liquid fuel tank attached to its aft.
That's where the ore is separated and
stored.
STEVE
You're right bro, this really is right up
my alley.
EXT. ABOVE AFRICA - DAY
MONTAGE:
The entire continent is visible.
ZOOM IN to West Coast of The Sahara Desert.
Floodgates are opened in huge desalination plants.
Ocean water pours into a large aqueduct toward the desert's interior.
CAMERA FOLLOWS the aqueduct deep into the desert, ahead of the flow.
Thousands of workers are producing cement slabs, extending the aqueduct.
Continue into open desert.
Tanks marked "TREATED SEWAGE" litter the region.
A huge lake of sewage appears.
Water begins trickling into the region.
ACCELERATED TIME LAPSE:
Thousands of workers plant crops in the sewage muck.
Crops grow, fields are harvested.
Livestock is imported.
Buildings are built.
Roads are laid.
Communities emerge.
PULL BACK into HIGH ANGLE.
The Central Sahara is green and habitable.
INT. CECIL'S OFFICE - DAY
Jeremy, Tara, and Steve are waiting. Cecil steps from the elevator and takes his chair.
CECIL
I apologize for making you wait. It's
good to see you, Tara. How was Africa?
TARA
Hot.
CECIL
I can imagine. So, what's up?
STEVE
I thought you called us here.
CECIL
Jeremy told me that he and Tara had an
announcement to make.
STEVE
I was hoping that you called me here to
tell me that I'd been accepted into the
spacer program.
Cecil lights a cigar.
CECIL
You've been here six months and Penny
says you're a hard worker. That's good
enough for me. How about we start your
training next week?
STEVE
That would be awesome. Thank you, Mr.
Millikan.
CECIL
So, what is it that you two wanted to
tell me?
JEREMY
We booked passage on THE HIMALIA.
CECIL
The Himalia? That's three whole years. I
thought that contraption was booked solid
before the first component was launched.
JEREMY
There was a cancellation.
CECIL
Below the Belt Tours. They would love to
beat me out to Jupiter, but they're not
going to. And now, two of my own people
will be onboard when they arrive in
defeat.
STEVE
What's The Himalia?
CECIL
There's a Chinese space agency called
Beyond The Belt Tours; The BBT. They just
completed their first luxury touring
spacecraft; The Himalia. Five hundred
people will get to risk their lives as
they venture out to Jupiter. Eighteen
months out and eighteen months back.
STEVE
You obviously don't like them very much.
CECIL
Let's just say they've been less than
responsive to my various offers of a
limited partnership. As I said, I've
decided to beat them out to Jupiter. I've
got a man scheduled to arrive just days
before The Himalia gets there.
JEREMY
To be honest, I thought you might like to
have me out of your hair for awhile. My
spacer training is complete. All I do
here is watch other people work.
CECIL
You're my lunch partner.
JEREMY
Steve can be your new lunch partner.
STEVE
Is that why you brought me here? To fill
in for you while you take a three year
vacation out to Jupiter?
CECIL
I'm sure Jeremy brought you here because
he knew you were a good machinist. You've
become a valuable asset in the Crusher
shop. I'm sure you'll be just as valuable
as one of my spacers. Actually, I'd like
to get to know the brother of my crystal
star.
STEVE
Crystal star?
Steve looks at Tara.
She shrugs, clearly confused and a little creeped out.
JEREMY
Think about it. I'll have three years to
study the ship. You've got to admit that
when it comes to spacecraft design, I've
got an eye for detail. Maybe I could
bring back some useful information.
STEVE
I've been wondering, Jeremy. You came
into all this money and opportunity just
after Alec disappeared. I'm not buying
the Apollo simulator story. There's
something else going on.
TARA
I never believed that story, either. Why
don't you tell us all the truth, Jeremy.
JEREMY
I've already told you the truth, Tara. I
switched out the data crystal the night
we launched Alec's sub. Where did you
think all the Venus Project data came
from?
STEVE
Come again?
JEREMY
I have Alec's crystal.
STEVE
You stole the crystal that was given to
Alec with the alien engine?
TARA
Wait a minute. You're telling me that
story about the crystal is true?
(to Cecil)
Did you know about this?
CECIL
I didn't have all the details.
STEVE
(to Tara)
Are you implying that you didn't know
anything about this?
TARA
Get off my back, Steve. Jeremy told me
br />
about it but I didn't believe him.
STEVE
Jesus, Jeremy. I can't believe you would
betray Alec like that. And then when I
send Tara down for a visit, you end up
marrying her.
JEREMY
Is there some reason I shouldn't have
married her?
STEVE
She was with me before she came to
Florida. I was just giving her a
vacation.
TARA
I was never with you, Steve.
JEREMY
Have you two slept together?
TARA
We hooked up a few times, but that was
long before I came to Florida.
STEVE
Is that what we're all doing here? We're
here because you stole Alec's crystal,
and then sold it to the highest bidder?
No offense, Cecil.
CECIL
None taken.
JEREMY
I was just trying to safeguard it. I
emailed one of the equations to
Microcore, hoping they could shed some
light on it. One thing led to another.
CECIL
Your brother may have provided the means
to develop a previously unknown form of
spacecraft propulsion.
STEVE
Well I hope it was worth it.
Steve enters the elevator.
Tara slips in just before the door closes.
Jeremy and Cecil stare at each other with great concern.
INT. BBT SHUTTLE - EARTH ORBIT
All SIXTY PASSENGERS wear lightweight, plastic helmets.
Jeremy and Tara sit near the back.
Several small VOMIT VACUUMS are attached to the hull.
The Himalia is visible through a window. Ten passenger rings, each housing two dozen habitation modules, wrap around the Himalia's central drum. Observation bulbs protrude from both the bow and stern of the craft.
The shuttle's airlock engages The Himalia.
INT. HIMALIA - EARTH ORBIT
Jeremy is gazing out a window, holding on to an Observation Cage in The Himalia's Receiving Bay. Star clusters and faint nebulae are visible.
Earth's edge is visible just below the window.
A shuttle can be seen edging away from the ship.
With a jolt, the Earth dips away.
Jeremy suddenly notices Tara in the cage next to him.
JEREMY
How long have you been there?
TARA
The whole time.
They watch the stars roll by.
The Earth breaches the window's upper edge. Migrates downward. Completely covers the row of windows. Eventually drops down out of sight.
JEREMY
It's good to be back in orbit. Did you
ever think you'd be leaving Earth?
TARA
Not in a million years.
JEREMY
I never figured you for a spacer.
TARA
I'm not a spacer!
JEREMY
You know what I mean.
TARA
No I don't. You just called me a spacer.
JEREMY
It's just that I picture you out in the
rain or collecting shells on the beach.
Climbing into an interplanetary
spacecraft for three years to brave the
vacuum of space just doesn't seem like
your style. I was nearly certain that you
would back out at the last minute.
TARA
And throw away ten million dollars? Not
me.
A GREETING OFFICER floats by. He grabs hold of a fixed steel ladder. Pulls himself up through an opening.
GREETING OFFICER
Everyone up deck.
Jeremy pushes off toward the opening.
Tara comes floating up behind him. She gracefully collides with a middle aged man. He is sent into a slow, helpless spin.
After the final passenger slips through the opening, the greeting officer drops the hatch into place.
INT. NAVIGATION STATION - HIMALIA
Jupiter is visible through the window.
Jeremy enters.
A NAVIGATION OFFICER approaches him.
Two other crewmembers are present.
JEREMY
I'm Jeremy Ash. I was asked to report
here.
NAVIGATION OFFICER
The pilot of Microcore's Jovian Racer has
asked to speak with you.
JEREMY
You're in contact with CARLOS? Is he
okay?
NAVIGATION OFFICER
For now. But he apparently missed the
gravity assist that would've returned him
to Earth. There's no way that we, or
anyone else can retrieve him. Would you
like to speak to him?
JEREMY
Please.
The Navigation Officer opens a video channel to Carlos.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
Hey, buddy. How's it going?
CARLOS
Actually, a small rock or something hit
the ship just a few minutes ago.
JEREMY
Did it do any damage?
Carlos laughs, then looks frantically around the cabin. His
face comes forward to fill the screen.
CARLOS
I don't hear any hissing so I guess I'm
still sealed.
JEREMY
You seem to be handling the situation
well.
CARLOS
The external sensors started acting up a
few weeks ago, but Microcore Earth
Command assured me that the problem had
been corrected. I activated the
maneuvering thrusters on time, on target,
and at full capacity, but they never
fired. They're still not sure what went
wrong.
JEREMY
Do you think the calculations were wrong?
CARLOS
I don't know, and at this point, I don't
really care. What's done is done. Life is
too short to play the blame game. Well,
my life is anyway. I knew the risks going
in. I was the first man to reach Jupiter.
I'll live forever.
JEREMY
That's a great attitude to have.
CARLOS
Ironically, by the time my life support
fails, I'll have doubled the distance
record for a manned spaceflight.
JEREMY
I wish there was something I could do.
CARLOS
Actually, there is. Now that we've
verified I won't be returning to Earth,
will you tell me what you did to so
impress Mr. Millikan.
JEREMY
What do you mean?
CARLOS
Everyone at the complex wants to know why
he keeps you so close. Your secret's safe
with me.
JEREMY
I suppose it is.
(to the Navigation Officer)
Sir, is there a way for me to speak
privately to Captain Ruiz without being
monitored or recorded?
The Navigation Officer looks around the room.
He receives several nods from the crew.
He flips a series of switches.
NAVIGATION OFFICER
You may have ten minutes alone with your
friend. Come on gentlemen, let's give
these men some privacy.
The crew exits.
JEREMY
I'm a little nervous about telling you
this story. What if someone is monitoring
&nbs
p; this frequency?
CARLOS
This is a short range channel. No one
cares about our private conversation.
Come on, I'm dying to hear how you won
over the richest man in the world.
JEREMY
Are you ready for the story of your life?
CARLOS
That good, huh?
JEREMY
Oh yeah. Remember the E.T. signal of
2018?
CARLOS
Of course.
JEREMY
It wasn't just the signal that reached
Earth.
INT. JEREMY AND TARA'S HABITATION MODULE - HIMALIA
Jupiter's moon, Europa, is visible through the window.
PILOT (V.O.)
The small body to starboard is Europa.
Although it's the smallest of Jupiter's
Galilean satellites, it's also the
brightest. It's also our best hope of
finding life elsewhere in the solar
system.
The habitation module's wall screen activates.
An animated video of a probe landing on Europa appears.
PILOT (V.O.) (CONT’D)
I'm sure that most of you are aware of
the NASA probe we will be retrieving
today.
The probe drops a canister beneath it.
PILOT (V.O.) (CONT’D)
The Wet Area Sample Procurement, or WASP
Probe, was launched by NASA in 2026, and
successfully landed on Europa two years
later.
The canister melts through the surface ice.
PILOT (V.O.) (CONT’D)
After disengaging from its base and
melting down through sixty miles of ice
and slush, the WASP Probe entered the
Europan sea where it retrieved a sample
of the underground ocean.
The canister collects a sample of the Europan ocean.
PILOT (V.O.) (CONT’D)
The probe then burrowed its way back the
surface where it was launched out of the
moon's gravity well.
The probe rises above Europa.
PILOT (V.O.) (CONT’D)
We will be retrieving it within the hour.
EXT. HIMALIA
The Himalia approaches the probe. Retrieves it.
The Himalia then passes near the moons Io and Ganymede before leaving the system.
INT. MAIN LABORATORY - HIMALIA
FOUR NASA SCIENTISTS are present. NASA patches adorn their lab coats.
The WASP sample is delivered under guard. A data crystal accompanies it.
SCIENTIST #1
This is it, gentlemen.
Scientist #1 removes the housing. Slides out a clear canister.
It is teeming with tiny lifeforms. The scientists gasp.
SCIENTIST #2
Extraterrestrial life in our own solar
system. Incredible. First the signal of
2018 and now this. The universe must be
filled with life.
Scientist #1 places the canister on a scanner.
The scanner detects several thousand organisms.
The readout displays that half of them are dead.
The scientists separate out the dead specimens and quickly freeze them.
They transfer the live ones to a specially designed holding tank.
They run the probe's video from the crystal.
The Europan ocean is very shallow and surprisingly clear.
Several large asteroids rest on the bottom.
Volcanic vents are visible.
A school of large creatures swim by.
Scientist #1 rewinds the video and slows it down.
They watch in awe at the replay.
Scientist #3 retrieves a live specimen from the holding tank.
He runs a preliminary analysis.
SCIENTIST #3
The organism's genetic coding appears
similar to DNA but I detect only three
different nucleotides.
SCIENTIST #4
(re-examining the data)
It appears that each nucleotide is
capable of pairing with either of the
other two. A trinary code?
SCIENTIST #3
How could a triad of potential base
pairings create such complex lifeforms?
The lack of discipline that a trinary
code offers should've thrown these
organisms into chaos a long time ago.
SCIENTIST #1
Should we offer a dead one to the girl?
SCIENTIST #2
The Ash girl? Are you crazy? You were
sitting right there when we listened to
the recording of her husband and that
Ruiz fellow. It confirms General Hayes'
suspicions and our mission objectives.
Jeremy Ash and his wife helped Microcore
to genetically engineer an organism from
scratch.
Scientist #2 switches on a monitor.
SCIENTIST #4
Scientists all over the world are
genetically engineering organisms.
SCIENTIST #3
Not from scratch. This guy admitted that
the entire genome was contained on an
alien data crystal. That's probably where
the neutrino equation came from, too.
SCIENTIST #4
You believe that? It was a fish story.
The kid's a screw up.
SCIENTIST #2
It doesn't matter where he got the
crystal. Our job is to locate it. I
realize these little buggers from Europa
take precedence, and I'm just as
surprised and excited about them as you
all are, but let's not forget why we're
really here. It would be foolish to give
them access to this organism.
Scientist #2 begins typing on a keyboard.
SCIENTIST #3
We've already bugged their room. God
forbid that gets discovered. But now
we've got this gem of a confession to the
pilot of a Microcore ship.
A darkened image appears on a monitor.
SCIENTIST #2
We've already transmitted the recording
to General Hayes. There's only so much
more we can do.
SCIENTIST #4
We all know what's at stake here. If we
offer her the specimen, her examination
of it will almost certainly lead to a
discussion concerning the organism they
created at Microcore.
Scientist #2 grimaces at the blurred image on the monitor.
SCIENTIST #1
The wife is a dead ringer for this. We
can easily play on her ego, telling her
that we respect the work she's done with
those...tree huggers.
SCIENTIST #4
The INRC. She also worked on the Ozone
Repair Project and The Sahara Project.
SCIENTIST #1
Just give her the specimen. Play on her
ego. Do whatever it takes to alleviate
any suspicions they might have. Now, if
you'll all excuse me, I've got a real
alien organism to study.
Scientist #1 retrieves a live specimen.
Scientist #4 retrieves a dead specimen and then exits.
Scientist #2 sits down at the monitor.
He manages to clear up the image: a view from the corner of a shower stall.
He taps the keyboard's space bar.
The image switches to a bedroom.
Then to Jeremy and Tara in their kitchenette.
A knock on the door can be heard in Jeremy and Tar
a’s habitation module.
Jeremy moves out of view.
He returns with a small vial.
TARA
Who was that?
JEREMY
You're not going to believe this. There
were lifeforms in the WASP canister.
Apparently, your credentials have earned
you a specimen to study.
TARA
No way!
INT. JEREMY AND TARA'S HABITATION MODULE
Jeremy sets up a video camera. Starts recording.
Tara carefully extracts the dead specimen from the vial.
She pins it to a transparent baseboard.
She then positions the baseboard beneath a projection microscope.
An image displays on the wall screen.
JEREMY
You should scan it first.
TARA
Relax, Jeremy. I intend to.
Tara performs the scan.
A detailed image displays. Pairs of fins both front and back. Saw-toothed antennae protrude from its head. A small proboscis extends out between them. A hard plate bisects the center of its body.
JEREMY
I think we should call it a flipperwilly.
It's got flippers and it gives me the
willies.
TARA
You're a freak, Jeremy.
She pulls back one half of the plate, revealing a bright red sac.
It tears slightly as she completes the maneuver.
JEREMY
Careful.
TARA
Will you please keep quiet. This thing is
like a millimeter long.
JEREMY
Sorry, I'm just a little freaked out.
Suspicious, actually.
TARA
Suspicious of what?
JEREMY
Why would these NASA guys give you one of
these organisms to study? They have to
know we're associated with Microcore and
the government hates Microcore. There's
more here than meets the eye.
TARA
This is about my experience as a
researcher. Our association with
Microcore is irrelevant.
JEREMY
No offense Tara, but I don't think this
is about your experience as a researcher.
They're up to something.
TARA
Maybe they know about the Venus organism.
JEREMY
As far as NASA or the government knows,
The Venus Project was just a bunch of
probes. If they ever found out that
Microcore released trillions of microbes
that were created from information
contained on an alien data crystal,
they'd tear Microcore apart looking for
it, and then lock Cecil and I deep
underground.
INT. MAIN LABORATORY - HIMALIA
Scientist #2 is still observing Jeremy and Tara on the monitor.
SCIENTIST #2
The Venus Project was just a cover to
seed the planet with the microbe's they
created. Open a secure channel to General
Hayes. We may finally have the evidence
he needs to obtain a search warrant for
Microcore.
SCIENTIST #3
I'm on it.
SCIENTIST #2
Someone find me a copy of the article
this kid's brother published about the
signal of 2018. Not that Book of Alec
nonsense, I want the original article.
SCIENTIST #4
I'll take care of that.
EXT. UPPER ATMOSPHERE OF VENUS
MONTAGE:
PULL BACK - CONTINUOUS
CLOSE UP on Venus microbe consuming atmospheric gases.
The microbe expels Carbon Sixty molecules, then divides.
The Carbon Sixty molecules fuse together under the pressure of the atmosphere.
The fused carbon condenses into larger clumps.
The clumps fuse into broad sheets of pure carbon.
The sheets collide and fuse together into darkened patches that blotch the bright clouds of Venus.
The blotches grow more prominent and more abundant.
INT. JEREMY AND TARA'S HABITATION MODULE
Earth's moon is visible outside the window.
Tara is pacing around the module like a rat in a cage.
Jeremy is slouched in a chair, staring blankly at the news.
A NATIONAL NEWSCASTER is reporting.
NATIONAL NEWSCASTER
Astronomers are still puzzled by the
decrease in Venus' albedo. Reflected
sunlight from the planet has dropped
another four percent over the past year.
INT. STUDY - BEACHFRONT MANSION - DAY
Jeremy is talking to Cecil on the wall screen.
CECIL
How was your trip?
JEREMY
Long and grueling.
CECIL
I'm glad you're back safe and sound. You
two needed a long vacation.
JEREMY
Yeah, and I already need another one.
That trip sucked the life out of me. It
did just the opposite to Tara. It's like
she's on speed or something.
CECIL
Come to my office tomorrow morning. I may
have just the thing to re-energize you.
JEREMY
Let's make it early afternoon. I have a
feeling I'll be sleeping in tomorrow.
CECIL
Fair enough. See you then.
Jeremy deactivates the screen.
INT. CECIL'S OFFICE - DAY
Jeremy arrives. He falls wearily into a chair. Cecil lights a cigar.
CECIL
How would you like to add Mars to your
resume?
JEREMY
No thanks. The last thing I need right
now is to be cooped up in another
spacecraft for two more years.
CECIL
You'll only spend six months in the ship.
Three quarters of the mission will take
place on the planet's surface. Open skies
and vast horizons.
JEREMY
Encased in a spacesuit? No thanks.
CECIL
I really need you on this one, Jeremy. My
life support engineer was killed in a
railcar collision.
JEREMY
I'm sorry to hear that. Surely there's a
backup to take his place.
CECIL
Broken arm.
JEREMY
I know for a fact that you've got dozens
of experienced spacers far more qualified
than me.
CECIL
I know you studied The Hellas specs in
great detail, especially the life support
systems.
JEREMY
I can't leave Tara for two whole years.
CECIL
I'll make sure she's well taken care of.
You'll be back before you know it.
JEREMY
Sorry, Cecil, I'm just not ready for
another extended space flight. Just get
one of your regular spacers to go. Why
are you trying to recruit me, anyway?
CECIL
I can't tell you why. All I can tell you
is that I need you on that ship. Consider
it a personal favor. You're just going to
have to trust me on this.
Cecil produces a stack of manuals. Hands them to Jeremy.
CECIL (CONT’D)
Everything you'll need to know is in
these. Training begins next week.
JEREMY
This
doesn't make any sense.
CECIL
I'll have BART start you off easy.
Jeremy looks wearily at Cecil, then at the manuals.
JEREMY
Okay, Cecil. This sounds really important
to you so I'll look this stuff over. But
no promises.
CECIL
Fair enough. You won't regret it.
JEREMY
I already regret it.
INT. HELLAS TRAINING BAY - DAY
Bart enters with Jeremy.
Bart is a large, powerful man in his early fifties.
They approach WILMA YING, late fifties, tall and muscular. She's wearing a tank top and boxing gloves. A large punching bag swings beside her.
BART
Commander Ying, may I introduce Jeremy
Ash.
Ying grips her right glove's lace with her teeth. Yanks her head back. It unties.
She flings off the glove. Extends her sweaty hand.
Jeremy embraces it. Her strong grip catches him off guard.
YING
So, you're the one we've all been hearing
about. What do you know about spacecraft
life support systems?
JEREMY
Quite a bit, actually. I studied The
Hellas specs in detail three years ago.
YING
A lot can change in three years.
She puts the glove back on. Continues punching the bag.
Bart leads Jeremy across the bay.
They approach TAD ROSEGARDEN, late forties, average build.
He's staring at equations on a computer screen.
BART
This is Colonel Tad Rosegarden. He'll be
Commander Ying's Second Officer.
ROSEGARDEN
(without looking up)
Never much cared for explosive bolts.
BART
Excuse me, sir?
ROSEGARDEN
If the detonations aren't perfectly
synchronized...
(finally looks up)
I'm sorry, Bart. You were introducing me
to this young man?
BART
This is Jeremy Ash. He'll be Acting Life
Support Specialist on the mission.
ROSEGARDEN
Ah, our last minute replacement. Pleased
to meet you, Mr. Ash.
JEREMY
And you, sir.
Rosegarden's gaze drifts back to the equations on the screen.
Bart leads Jeremy toward BIX.
Bix, early thirties, short and stocky, is examining a facsimile of the landing shell.
He spots them approaching.
BIX
Jeremy, is it true that you're our new
Life Support Specialist?
JEREMY
It's true.
BIX
I'm the Shell Pilot for this mission. I
heard you were able to contact Carlos out
near Jupiter.
JEREMY
Yeah. He was actually in pretty good
spirits after the gravity assist failed.
BIX
It's a risky business we're in. Maybe we
can grab a beer after work.
JEREMY
Sounds great. I'll stop by later.
Bix nods and returns to work.
Bart leads Jeremy to another corner of the bay.
SETH PETIMULE and GERT HAWKINS are working together, unfolding an inflatable igloo. They are both in their late twenties.
Bart and Jeremy stop at a white line and wait patiently for them to finish.
Seth spots them. He approaches.
Gert follows.
BART
Jeremy Ash, This is Seth Petimule and
Gert Hawkins. Seth and Gert will be the
Primary Surface Specialists.
GERT
Nice to meet you, Jeremy.
SETH
Welcome to the team.
JEREMY
We use air straight from the atmospheric
processors to inflate the igloos, right?
GERT
Actually, we inflate them with Mars
atmosphere. The carbon dioxide reacts
with the igloos' inner membrane and it
hardens within twenty four hours.
JEREMY
Oh yeah, the carbon seal. I remember now.
GERT
Once we've confirmed that they're
airtight, we replace the igloos'
atmosphere with breathable air from the
processor. Voila, our own little studio
apartments on Mars.
JEREMY
I've studied the design. Pretty cool.
GERT
I hate to be rude, but we've still got
two more of these to unfold.
JEREMY
No problem. I'll see you guys later.
Seth and Gert return to their task.
BART
That's it for the crew. Cecil wanted me
to start you off slowly so if you want to
call it a day, feel free.
JEREMY
Thanks, Bart. I think I'll go back and
visit Bix. See you tomorrow.
BART
See you then.
Bart moves off. Jeremy heads toward Bix.
INT. HELLAS SPACECRAFT - EARTH ORBIT
The crew floats around the ship's cramped bridge, checking the ship's systems.
ROSEGARDEN
Activating habitat wheel.
Rosegarden flips several switches in succession.
EXT. HELLAS SPACECRAFT - EARTH ORBIT
The Hellas is composed of a single habitat ring encircling a variety of supply pods and pressurized tanks.
A small command module is tucked beneath the forward navigation bulb.
The ship passes above the Baja Peninsula.
The habitat wheel begins to rotate slowly.
INSIDE HELLAS
YING
All systems five by five.
ROSEGARDEN
Artificial gravity at twenty percent
Earth normal.
BIX
Debarking Earth orbit in T minus one
minute.
OUTSIDE HELLAS
The Hellas passes above Africa.
INSIDE
ROSEGARDEN
Artificial gravity at thirty eight
percent Earth normal. Standard Mars
surface gravity achieved.
YING
This is it, people. Firing thrusters in
five, four, three...
OUTSIDE
The Hellas' thrusters fire.
It slowly leaves Earth orbit.
The habitat wheel becomes sluggish, jerky. Three quarter smooth rotation, one quarter strained rotation. The cycle repeats with regularity.
INSIDE
The strained rotation ECHOES throughout the ship.
Auditory agony. Earplugs are distributed.
ROSEGARDEN
I think we should shut it down,
Commander.
YING
I agree, Colonel. Disengaging rotary
couplings.
Ying flips switches. Pulls a lever. Nothing happens.
She repeats the procedure. Nothing.
YING (CONT’D)
System not responding. Contact Microcore
Earth Command.
ROSEGARDEN
(into transmitter)
MPV Hellas to Microcore Earth Command.
Please Respond.
MICROCORE EARTH COMMAND (V.O.)
Microcore Earth Command to MPV Hellas.
We've been monitoring the situation.
ROSEGARDEN
Rotary couplings will not disengage.
Please advise.
MICROCORE EARTH COMMAND (V.O.)
I'm sorry, Colonel, we don't have remote
access to tha
t system. Do you believe the
crew is in imminent danger?
ROSEGARDEN
To be honest, I'm not sure.
MICROCORE EARTH COMMAND (V.O.)
Roger that. We'll work on establishing a
link with the rotary system from here. In
the meantime, try to make the best of the
situation. MEC out.
YING
You heard it people, we're just going to
have to deal with the noise and the
variable gravity until we can get this
resolved.
INT. NAVIGATION BULB - HELLAS SPACECRAFT
Mars is visible through a large window.
Jeremy and Bix are there alone.
Their conversation is timed between the cycles of strained rotation.
JEREMY
What's going on, Bix? I can hardly get
the time of day from anyone around here.
BIX
You're going to find out soon enough, so
I may as well tell you. NASA satellites
detected an object moving straight away
from Earth at near light speed. They were
able to track it back to its point of
origin.
JEREMY
Where did it come from?
BIX
Microcore. The object is moving toward
the constellation Eridanus. That's where
the E.T. signal came from back in 2018.
The government believes that Cecil is in
contact with those aliens.
JEREMY
That's ridiculous.
BIX
Is it? There were at least five similar
incidents detected between 2018 and 2021.
They may have been exchanging information
or technology during that time.
JEREMY
Why are you telling me this?
BIX
Colonel Rosegarden and Commander Ying
think that you're involved somehow.
They've learned that your brother has
been assigned to the Orbital Receiving
Platform and that your wife is at CRATER
COVE on the moon. They find it suspicious
that she would be at the NASA site
instead of Underworld.
Bix leans in close to Jeremy.
BIX (CONT’D)
Tell me about The Venus Project. You were
one of a handful of people in that
department. Why was it so super secret?
JEREMY
What does the Venus Project have to do
with any of this?
BIX
There's a rumor that Cecil is
terraforming Venus for the aliens.
JEREMY
That's the most ludicrous thing I've ever
heard. Do you actually believe that?
BIX
I don't know what to believe. They think
your brother's article is just a cover.
You must admit, The Book of Alec very
conveniently explains away the incidents
observed between 2018 to 2021. And now
you're all chummy with Cecil. I must
admit, it looks like you're involved up
to your neck.
JEREMY
Cecil's innocent.
Jeremy exits.
EXT. MICROCORE - DAY
Military helicopters and ground vehicles swarm just outside the complex.
Search warrants are presented at each entrance.
The vehicles enter en masse.
INT. CECIL'S OFFICE - DAY
General Hayes tosses a search warrant on Cecil's desk.
COLONEL BRODEN stands behind him.
HAYES
We have evidence that you are in
possession of foreign technology that
endangers the national security of this
country. Under the Anti-Terrorism Act of
2015, we are authorized to-
CECIL
I'm aware of the law, General.
HAYES
That probe you launched last month was
quite impressive. Tell me, Mr. Millikan,
how is it that you suddenly discovered a
means of propulsion that accelerates a
spacecraft to near light speed?
CECIL
Spacecraft are my business, General.
HAYES
Where is Jeremy Ash? His wife? His
brother?
CECIL
Let's see. Jeremy is on Mars, his wife is
on the moon, and his brother is on my
Receiving Platform in orbit.
HAYES
How convenient. The Ash household is
being searched as we speak.
CECIL
This matters to me because...?
HAYES
You test my patience, sir. We're going to
find this data crystal one way or
another, and then try you for treason.
CECIL
Treason? You're way out of line, General.
HAYES
We'll see about that. Search the office.
BRODEN
Yes sir.
The General exits. Broden begins searching Cecil's desk.
INT. HELLAS LANDING SHELL - MARS ORBIT
The crew enters the landing shell.
Bix seals the hatch.
The sound of the straining habitat wheel is subdued.
BIX
Disengaging landing shell.
Bix pulls down a lever.
EXT. HELLAS SPACECRAFT - MARS ORBIT
EXPLOSIVE BOLTS FIRE.
The landing shell disengages from the main spacecraft.
INSIDE LANDING SHELL
Rosegarden is visibly relieved. Pure silence ensues. The strained rotation of the habitat wheel is visible through a portal. No one dares speak. They bask in the silence as the landing shell inches away from the main spacecraft.
INT. THE OVAL OFFICE - WASHINGTON D.C. - DAY
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON is on a videophone.
He is speaking to BI ZHEN HAN, the Chairman of the People's Republic of China.
BI ZHEN HAN
I thought we had an agreement.
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
I'm telling you, we didn't find the data
crystal.
BI ZHEN HAN
Do not lie to me, Mr. President. We know
that you conducted a military operation
at Microcore headquarters. You must have
found this data crystal, or at least
determined the technology that was used
to launch this most unusual spacecraft.
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
We found no such crystal. Nor did we find
any data concerning the spacecraft.
BI ZHEN HAN
We consider the technology behind this
spacecraft to be a potential weapon
against the people of China. It would be
impossible to defend against something
traveling at that speed. Did you at least
talk to the boy?
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
The boy, his wife, and his brother were
all offworld when we conducted the
search. We weren't able to question any
of them.
BI ZHEN HAN
That is unfortunate. You do realize that
it was the cooperation of our people
aboard The Himalia who made this
information accessible to your
government, yes?
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
I realize that.
BI ZHEN HAN
We detected the signal of 2018 too, Mr.
President. We are aware that your so-
called Super Spiders match the image from
the alien transm
ission. Have you been
able to eliminate that threat?
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
We're dealing with the situation.
BI ZHEN HAN
From the reports I've read, only one has
actually been killed.
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
There may have only been one.
BI ZHEN HAN
Their webs continue to be discovered. Why
do you continue to anger me with your
lies, Mr. President?
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
As I told you-
BI ZHEN HAN
No more excuses. We know you possess this
alien technology. Your country has been
infiltrated by hostile beings from
another world.
He picks up a red phone.
BI ZHEN HAN (CONT’D)
I see no other choice. The threat posed
by the United States must be eliminated
once and for all. Your reign of power
ends today. Explain this to your people.
He speaks into the phone.
BI ZHEN HAN (CONT’D)
Launch all weapons targeted for the
United States.
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
Are you insane? We'll have no choice but
to launch a counter-strike.
BI ZHEN HAN
We can shoot down your missiles. Can you
shoot down ours?
The President severs the link.
He picks up a red phone to NORAD.
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
What's the situation down there?
NORAD (V.O.)
We've got multiple launch detections from
inside China, Mr. President. Just a
moment...North Korea is also launching
missiles. China actual approaching
ninety. North Korea actual at seventeen,
eighteen... The Red List confirms that
nukes are among them. Do you authorize a
counter-strike, Mr. President?
PRESIDENT SILVERSPOON
It looks like we have no choice. Launch
everything that's pointed at China and
North Korea.
NORAD
Yes, Mr. President. Transmitting Priority
Alpha Code to all stations. Authorize
full scale China, full scale North Korea,
and Defense Batteries active.
EXT. AMERICAN SOUTHWEST - DAY
Missile silo doors open. ICBM's thunder skyward.
EXT. WESTERN ALASKA - DAY
Eight ICBM's approach from the north.
A satellite-based laser destroys one of them.
Interceptor missiles from a distant ship destroy two more.
Land-based interceptor missiles launch by the hundreds.
Another ICBM is destroyed.
Four ICBM's slip through.
One of them races south.
The other three race in a southeast direction.
EXT. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DAY
A group of friends are drinking from a bottle atop the famous HOLLYWOOD sign.
A brilliant flash of light fades to a mushroom cloud rising from downtown L.A.
Moments later, a shock wave obliterates the Hollywood sign.
EXT. STATUE OF LIBERTY - NEW YORK - DAY
A Chinese family is snapping pictures from the statue's crown.
A brilliant flash of light blinds them before the statue is obliterated.
EXT. THE WHITE HOUSE - WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY
The President of the United States comes running out onto the south lawn, looking skyward in horror.
A brilliant flash of light blinds him before The White House is obliterated.
EXT. CAPE CANAVERAL - DAY
A readied space plane sits upright on the launchpad.
A brilliant flash of light envelopes the area.
EXT. MICROCORE - DAY
Conventional missiles rain down.
A mushroom cloud can be seen rising far to the north.
EXT. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DAY
The city is completely destroyed. Days-old fires smolder amid the ruins.
Hundreds of Kek are picking through the rubble, retrieving, cocooning, and then stacking human corpses into piles.
EXT. MARS - DAY
The crew is assembled outside the landing shell.
YING
I just got off the link with Microcore
Earth Command.
ROSEGARDEN
It's about time. Did they forget we were
out here?
YING
I've got good news and terrible news. The
good news is that the habitat wheel has
been repaired.
ROSEGARDEN
And the terrible news?
YING
The United States has been attacked.
GERT
Oh my god.
YING
China and North Korea launched a nuclear
strike against the United States eighteen
months ago. That's why we lost contact as
soon as we arrived.
SETH
How bad?
YING
American casualties are estimated at
fifty million.
BIX
Were we able to retaliate?
YING
The U.S. counterstrike killed an
estimated two hundred million Chinese and
North Koreans.
ROSEGARDEN
You're telling us that while we've been
toiling away on Mars, a nuclear war broke
out on Earth that's killed a quarter
billion people? Are you serious?
YING
I'm afraid I am, Colonel. Most of the
nukes were intercepted but we lost New
York, L.A., D.C., and Cape Canaveral.
ROSEGARDEN
Any other breaking news, Commander?
YING
Unfortunately, yes. Apparently, the
Chinese are firing on all ships
descending into North American airspace.
Also, they've been jamming all signals to
and from the moon and Mars. That's why we
haven't been able to pick up so much as a
radio station out here. If the situation
hasn't been diffused by the time we get
home, we may have to wait it out on THE
PURGATORY.
SETH
Well, if you're going to be stuck in
Earth orbit, that's the place to be. At
least they've got a bar and a pool.
BIX
The Purgatory is a retirement community.
Why wouldn't they send us to Underworld?
YING
Underworld is currently under quarantine.
I don't know any more than that. We'll
just have to see what happens when we
arrive back in Earth space.
The crew begins packing up equipment, preparing for the journey back to Earth.
EXT. MSS PURGATORY - EARTH ORBIT
The Microcore Space Station Purgatory is a haphazard assemblage of modules and solar panels of various shapes and sizes. Numerous antennae and receiving dishes protrude from the station's outer fringes.
The Hellas docks with the station.
INT. COMMAND CENTER - MSS PURGATORY
A red light turns to green beside an airlock.
The airlock hatch opens.
The entire Hellas crew is inside. They enter the command center.
CAPTAIN PAUL AVERY introduces himself to Commander Ying. He grimaces at Jeremy's name tag.
AVERY
Mr. Jeremy Ash himself. Cecil's new
mystery man, returning from Mars just as
one of these so-called Super Spiders
crawls through my goddamne
d window. What
an amazing coincidence. I should have
known your presence would bring nothing
but sorrow to my station.
JEREMY
Pretty harsh words for someone you've
never met, sir.
AVERY
Oh I know you. I know that you were part
of the super secret Venus Project. I
understand it was a terraforming
operation. I've even read your brother's
sacred Book of Alec.
JEREMY
My brother didn't write that book.
AVERY
Right. Why don't we start with the
creature that just came into my cargo
hold.
YING
Are you saying there's a Super Spider
aboard this station? What exactly is the
situation, Captain?
AVERY
I've got exactly one monster loose on my
station, Commander. It entered, then
exited The MSS Purgatory cargo hold at
04:15 hours, 3 October, 2033. We were
unable to seal the cargo hold before said
intruder could be contained.
Avery plays a security video showing the Kek cutting open a portal with its claws and entering the cargo hold.
AVERY (CONT’D)
There was no loss of pressure. It had
woven a protective shell around itself
while outside the station- an airlock of
sorts. It came through just as The Hellas
docked.
JEREMY
How could I possibly have anything to do
with this?
AVERY
Why else would it be here?
JEREMY
Maybe there's something onboard that it
wants or needs.
AVERY
Can you imagine how difficult it must
have been for this creature to steal a
ride into orbit without being detected?
We're 22,000 miles in space for Christ's
sake. And if it didn't come from Earth,
and these creatures are arriving in Earth
orbit from some other place, god help us
all.
The Kek bursts through an air duct.
Avery slaps a large red button on the wall.
Jeremy slips out of the command center just before all the hatches seal shut.
INT. CORRIDOR A - MSS PURGATORY
Jeremy is alone outside the command center.
Screams can be heard through the hatch.
A station-wide alarm sounds.
An automated voice instructs The Purgatory's residents to proceed to THE RUNNER BAY.
Jeremy finds his way to the bay.
INT. RUNNER BAY - MSS PURGATORY
A neglected emergency escape craft occupies the small bay. On its hull is printed RUNNER SERIES A-2.
Residents are trickling into the bay.
Jeremy helps an elderly couple board the craft.
EXT. MSS PURGATORY
A missile approaches from Earth. It clips The Hellas.
The Hellas heaves sideways, tearing itself away from The Purgatory.
Several bodies, including the Kek, tumble out of the exposed command center into space.
The Kek is flailing.
INT. RUNNER BAY - MSS PURGATORY
The Purgatory heaves from the missile striking The Hellas.
A red light flashes in the bay.
The Runner's hatch automatically slams shut.
A large space door opens in front of The Runner.
Residents approaching The Runner are thrown out into space.
INT. RUNNER
Jeremy climbs into the pilot's seat. He examines the cockpit controls.
He manages to release the Runner's docking clamps, start its engines, and ease the craft out of the bay.
He programs a course to the moon.
A side view mirror displays a missile striking and destroying The Purgatory behind them.
No one in the cabin is aware of The Purgatory's destruction.
Most of them are just grumbling about the inconvenience.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN to the Runner's cabin.
The aisle is overflowing with two days worth of emptied emergency ration packets.
Nerves are frayed. Tensions are high.
Jeremy's voice comes over the intercom.
JEREMY (V.O.)
Attention passengers. I know it's been a
long trip but we are currently in lunar
orbit and will be arriving at Crater Cove
within the hour.
EXT. NASA CRATER COVE LUNAR COMPLEX - DAY
Habitat modules wrap around a pair of double domed arboretums.
A runway extends between them.
The Runner lands on the runway.
INT. RECEIVING CENTER - CRATER COVE - DAY
Jeremy enters. A UNIFORMED MAN hands him a plastic card.
JEREMY
What's this?
UNIFORMED MAN
Five hundred credits, sir. The staff at
Crater Cove regrets the loss of The
Purgatory and those who went down with
her. We hope this small token will make
your transition less stressful.
JEREMY
Thank you.
The man continues handing out cards to the Runner's arriving passengers.
Jeremy wanders into one of the corridors.
A sleazy holographic woman leads Jeremy into The Sierra Twilight Club, feeling him up all the way.
INT. SIERRA TWILIGHT CLUB - CRATER COVE - DAY
Jeremy sits at the bar. He spots Tara. She's sitting atop an empty beer keg, slouched over a small steel table. She is very drunk.
An OLD MAN approaches her from behind.
He smiles with rotting teeth behind her back.
He places a plastic card on the table in front of her.
He begins kissing her neck.
He places a hand on her breast.
Jeremy walks up and shoves him aside.
The old man punches Jeremy in the face.
Jeremy falls to the ground.
The old man stands there with clenched fists.
OLD MAN
She's mine, boy. I suggest you find
yourself another.
Jeremy scrambles to his feet.
He grabs Tara and pulls her toward the exit.
He is forced to peel her fingers from the door frame on the way out.
The bar fills with laughter.
INT. ARBORETUM - CRATER COVE - DAY
Jeremy pulls Tara into the arboretum.
She starts kicking and screaming.
TARA
Let go of me!
JEREMY
What's the matter with you? I'm trying to
help you.
TARA
I don't want your help. That man was
about to give me a thousand credits.
JEREMY
For what? Sex?
TARA
What's it to you?
JEREMY
Jesus, Tara, is this what I think it is?
I can't believe you would do that.
TARA
Jeremy?
JEREMY
You mean you didn't even recognize me?
TARA
I haven't seen you in two years. You ran
off to Mars so I came to the moon. Then
the Chinese attacked and I got stuck up
here. I ran out of money so...
JEREMY
So you became a prostitute? You're still
my wife.
She tries to slap him.
He grabs her wrist.
She knees him in the groin.
He falls back against the vine covered wall.
His pain is transformed into rage. He throws her hard against the
wall.
She falls to the ground. Screams hysterically.
JEREMY (CONT’D)
Tara, I didn't mean-
Her screams grow louder.
Jeremy panics.
He runs across the arboretum and slips into a long glass hallway.
He arrives at a luxurious intersection. Long couches circumvent its perimeter.
An OLD WOMAN is sleeping on one of the couches.
Jeremy sees Tara coming up the hallway.
He hides behind a large potted plant.
Tara moves through the intersection and down another hallway.
TARA (O.S.)
(pounding on a door)
Come out of there you bastard! You want
to know what I've been doing at night?
Jeremy moves to look down the hallway.
Tara runs right into him.
They both hit the floor.
Tara gets up and stumbles back toward the arboretum.
Jeremy gets up.
A bloody knife is on the floor.
He picks it up.
The woman on the couch opens her eyes. She gapes at Jeremy in horror.
OLD WOMAN
Please don't hurt me.
Jeremy drops the knife. Looks down the hallway.
A body is lying face down at the far end. Blood soaks the carpeting beneath it.
The old woman carefully peers down the hallway.
Jeremy runs toward the arboretum.
OLD WOMAN (CONT’D)
Murderer!
INT. SIERRA TWILIGHT CLUB - NIGHT
Jeremy sits in a dark corner.
Four empty shot glasses and a half pitcher of beer sit on his table.
Behind him, a black light subtly illuminates a tacky painting of two spiral galaxies colliding.
A huge BALD MAN approaches.
His thick leather jacket CREAKS as he leans forward.
He rests his knuckles on the table. Brings his face down to Jeremy's.
BALD MAN
You're the troublemaker that everyone's
been talking about.
Jeremy presses back in his seat. Avoids eye contact.
JEREMY
What do you mean?
BALD MAN
You stole Al's whore. And now you have
the nerve to come back here.
JEREMY
That whore is my wife.
BALD MAN
Your wife? Tara?
The bald man straightens. Begins laughing.
He turns and walks away.
His laughter grows louder, catching the attention of several people.
A SECURITY OFFICER approaches the table.
SECURITY OFFICER
Please come with me, sir.
JEREMY
What did I do?
SECURITY OFFICER
Just come with me, sir.
He takes Jeremy to a small medical transport ship.
INT. MEDICAL TRANSPORT SHIP
The security officer is piloting the ship.
Jeremy sits beside him.
A coffin sized crate is nestled behind them.
They are approaching Earth.
The security officer places a call on the ship's videophone.
Cecil answers.
The officer reaches over and activates the screen in front of Jeremy.
Jeremy grins, relieved.
JEREMY
Cecil, old friend. It's great to see your
face. I can't believe you got me out of
there.
CECIL
I apologize for the accommodations. The
Chinese are still firing on American
ships. Medical transports are the only
exception to the blockade.
JEREMY
It's been over three months since the One
Day War. I assumed hostilities were over.
CECIL
No one knows what's going on inside
China's borders. Even space based
observations have provided little detail.
We'll talk more when you get here.
EXT. EARTH ORBIT
The medical transport ship arrives in Earth orbit.
A monstrous hurricane looms above Florida.
The ship plunges into the hurricane's eye.
EXT. FLORIDA EVERGLADES - DAY
The ship arrives above the everglades.
The weather is eerily calm, surrounded by wicked storm clouds and distant lightning.
A large impact crater passes beneath the vehicle.
Microcore approaches. The complex is heavily damaged.
The vehicle lands on a patchwork runway.
It enters a STORM HANGAR just as the wind picks up and rain begins to fall.
Within moments, the hurricane is audibly battering the hangar.
INT. STORM HANGAR - DAY
Jeremy is led to a singlecar by A MAN WITH A RADIO.
Jeremy boards the singlecar.
It moves through a small opening and out into the storm.
EXT. MICROCORE MAIN TARMAC - DAY
The wind pushes forcibly on the singlecar as it glides toward the base of Cecil's office tower.
Dangerous debris flies past.
The singlecar enters the base of the tower.
INT. CECIL'S OFFICE - DAY
The elevator door opens. Jeremy steps into the office and takes a seat.
JEREMY
You have no idea how good it is to be
back on Earth.
CECIL
I'm glad you think so, considering there
are four radioactive hot zones around the
country. A lot of people would rather be
offworld.
JEREMY
Where is Steve these days?
Cecil lights a cigar. Offers one to Jeremy. Jeremy politely
refuses.
CECIL
I'm not sure how to tell you this so I'll
just come right out and say it. Tara
killed Steve at Crater Cove. His body was
aboard the medical ship that brought you
back. There was a witness who identified
you at the scene. That's why I had to get
you out of there. That would've been the
perfect excuse for the government to
detain you.
JEREMY
That was Steve on the hallway floor?
CECIL
I'm so sorry, Jeremy. He left the
Receiving Platform to move in with Tara
last year. I'm afraid the news gets
worse. Tara committed suicide shortly
afterward.
Jeremy paces the office. Fights tears.
He finally collects himself and sits back down.
CECIL (CONT’D)
I won't even pretend to understand your
pain. I lost Gwen in the attack, along
with many good friends.
JEREMY
A quarter billion people were killed in a
single day. They were victims of The One
Day War like millions of other people.
CECIL
I suppose they were.
JEREMY
How are you holding up?
CECIL
You know me, always another asteroid to
crush. I don't mean to be insensitive,
but you do still have the crystal, right?
JEREMY
It never leaves my person.
Jeremy rubs the crystal through his pocket.
CECIL
I'm glad to hear that. Are you aware that
the NASA scientists aboard The Himalia
recorded your conversation with Carlos,
and that they bugged your room?
JEREMY
No. How could you know that?
CECIL
I have spies, too. Actually, that's why I
insisted on getting you, Tara, and Steve
/> offworld. I knew that a search warrant
was inevitable.
JEREMY
What would a search warrant for Microcore
have to do with Tara or Steve?
CECIL
The government's got their eye on you,
and they'll go through Tara, Steve, or
anyone else to learn the nature of your
association with me. I had to make all
three of you inaccessible.
JEREMY
That explains your insistence on sending
me to Mars.
CECIL
I also had to destroy all the Venus
Project data and the schematics for the
neutrino engine prototype.
JEREMY
So you did launch a neutrino engine.
CECIL
Yes. Professor Klein finally deciphered
the eighty pages of schematics. It was a
blueprint for building the engine. Since
I knew the government was trying to
obtain a search warrant for Microcore, I
thought I'd better test the prototype
while I still had the chance.
JEREMY
Everyone was pretty freaked out when it
started heading for Eridanus. They
thought you were working with the aliens.
CECIL
It seemed as good a destination as any. I
guess I didn't think it through. But
since you still have the crystal, we can
reassemble the data.
JEREMY
Oh my god! Captain Avery was right. That
Super Spider aboard The Purgatory was
after the crystal. I think they're more
intelligent than most people think.
CECIL
Actually, they're alien creatures called
Kek.
JEREMY
How do you know that?
CECIL
The signal of 2018 was actually a
warning. The transmission contained an
image of a Kek.
JEREMY
Actually, I'm not surprised they're
aliens, considering the whole Alec thing.
CECIL
I was pretty sure that you knew.
JEREMY
Did the signal offer any clues on how to
kill them? The one aboard The Purgatory
survived exposure to space outside the
station.
CECIL
I can't speak to that but I do know they
can't swim, and will drown if submerged
for more than a few minutes. In fact,
they're so terrified of water that they
won't even board boats.
JEREMY
That's certainly good to know but we need
a way to exterminate all of them at once.
CECIL
I've got a team at Underworld working on
a virus to infect them, but every
simulation so far has indicated that
humans will die right alongside the Kek.
I figured the moon was the safest place
to keep any pathogens contained.
JEREMY
I figured you had a good reason to
quarantine Underworld. Is the government
still hassling you?
CECIL
The federal government is in shambles.
They don't have the resources to hassle
me these days.
JEREMY
With the feds out of the way, we can
further develop the neutrino engine
technology.
CECIL
I suppose we can. You still manage to
surprise me, Jeremy.
JEREMY
I've got to keep you interested in me
somehow.
MONTAGE:
Cecil and Jeremy study the neutrino engine schematics.
They assemble neutrino driven interstellar probes.
They launch the probes to nearby stars.
A computerized star chart indicates the targeted stars.
HOUSE IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DAY:
The letters "HOLLYW" rise from the foothills beyond.
A group of men herd a Kek into a backyard swimming pool with shovels and hoes.
The Kek thrashes helplessly as the men keep it from escaping. It drowns.
The men retrieve it. Cut it into sides and steaks.
A community barbeque feeds injured and displaced locals.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY:
The Capitol building is being rebuilt.
The original Washington Monument is being raised into place.
Men in radiation suits spray the area with a white powder.
Potential politicians rant behind tables piled with flyers.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN to fully rebuilt Washington, D.C.
MANHATTAN ISLAND, NEW YORK - DAY:
The Island is modernized and partially submerged.
It is isolated from the mainland by water on all sides.
No bridges remain.
Hordes of Kek patrol the mainland.
MICROCORE - DAY:
The complex is fully modernized.
A hurricane rages.
Levees keep the rising coastline at bay.
INSIDE CECIL'S OFFICE - DAY:
CAPTION: EARTH YEAR 2065
Jeremy, now 65 years old, is sleeping before a bank of monitors.
One of the monitors shows Cecil, now 85 years old, boarding a small spacecraft.
The spacecraft is pulled into the sky by unseen forces
EXT. CIDEBA ORBIT
CAPTION: EARTH YEAR 2065 remains.
Alec's solo submarine enters the system.
It zips past several Kek ships lingering about.
INT. SCOUTSHIP - CIDEBA ORBIT
A cockpit display indicates that the scoutship is cloaked.
A green light begins flashing.
The main monitor switches to an image of Alec's sub approaching the planet.
Piren trades glances between the monitor and a nearby Kek ship visible through a portal.
EXT. CIDEBA ORBIT
Alec's sub circles Cideba and heads back out into space.
Two Kek ships follow the sub.
EXT. SOLO SUBMARINE
The sub heads straight for a distant yellow star.
The star rapidly grows larger and brighter.
Saturn becomes visible off in the distance.
A hazy moon approaches. It is TITAN.
A huge platform hovers just above it.
Dozens of large holding tanks are attached to various sections of the platform.
Several long hoses protrude from the platform's underside and extend down into Titan's hazy atmosphere.
Two sizeable spacecraft are docked on opposite sides of the platform.
The sub speeds past.
Jupiter moves into view.
Europa slips beneath the sub.
A massive octagonal structure sits on Europa’s ice covered surface.
The Himalia is in orbit directly above the structure.
Jupiter's Great Red Spot rounds the horizon as the sub scoots past the planet.
Random asteroids pass on all sides.
Several modernized Asteroid Crushers swarm a mountain-sized rock that spins end-over-end as it hurls past.
The sub passes just a few miles above Mars' surface.
Large processors billow thick smoke into Mars’ atmosphere.
A number of small settlements snake away from a variety of pilfered spacecraft.
Greenery borders the fringes of the south polar cap.
Earth approaches.
The moon passes beneath the sub.
A sprawling lunar spaceport is receiving a battered cargo vessel.
A large dome can be seen off in the distance. A gaping hole is
broken through it.
The scoutship leaves the lunar realm as Earth grows larger.
A broad platform drifts by.
Its surface is littered with small spacecraft and cargo containers.
A large furnace at its center burns brightly.
Scorch patterns outline visible damage along its length.
The sub enters Earth's atmosphere above China.
Sections of The Great Wall are heavily damaged.
A barrage of tracer rounds fire upon the ship to no avail.
The Korean peninsula approaches. Its northern half bears many impact craters.
The sub passes above a large flotilla of barges and small boats on The Pacific Ocean.
The California coastline passes beneath.
Huge levees brace the coast against large, pounding waves.
The American desert passes.
Vast wind and solar farms spread across the landscape.
A herd of Kek THUNDER across the plains.
The sub plunges toward a field of corn.
INT. BRIEFING ROOM - FORT MCCOY, S