Ring Around the Moon/Transcript

Hook
1. EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

EXT. MAIN MISSION

View in through view port. Clifford enters and whispers in Tanya's ear, causing a smile, before walking up to the view port. He places his work box on the ledge with some instruments and opens a small hatch in the ledge.

EXT. MOON SURFACE

Over lunar hills a yellow sphere materialises.

Close shot: In the centre the image of an eye then appears. It pulsates four times.

EXT. MAIN MISSION

Clifford's forehead glows briefly. He shuts the hatch.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Clifford turns and drops his work box. A few heads turn at this. He walks across Main Mission to the computer.

SANDRA: "Paul."

Clifford begins typing on a computer panel.

SANDRA: "What is he doing? He doesn't know anything about a computer."

PAUL: "Kano. Stop him."

DAVID: "Ted, come away from there."

As David comes up Clifford turns and grabs him by the neck. Slowly his feet leave the floor, then Clifford lowers him and tosses him back, to land and slide along the floor by Paul. Paul leaps onto & over a desk. He puts his arm round Clifford's neck, but Clifford takes the arm and forces it back; Paul is thrown back against the computer by Clifford. Sandra goes to Paul's desk.

SANDRA: "Commander Koenig! Commander Koenig!"

Paul goes behind Clifford again and touches his shoulder. Clifford turns to receive Paul's fist across the face. Clifford is unaffected, but grabs Paul by his fist; he holds him, then throws him back to the floor. Koenig runs up but Clifford grabs his neck & holds him against the adjacent computer panel as he resumes typing.Helena runs up behind & tries to release his arm.

HELENA: "Ted! Ted! Sandra, get security!"

SANDRA: " Security to Main Mission. Security to Main Mission."

HELENA (trying to tug hand from Koenig's throat): "Ted... Ted...!"

The typing slowly stops and the hand gradually releases Koenig. Clifford looks at his hand.

CLIFFORD (pathetically): "Help...me..."

He drops to his knees, then forward to lie on the top of the steps. Koenig kneeels by him.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

A yellow beam starts to envelop the Moon.

INT. MAIN MISSION

The room is shaken in a yellow glow.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Beam envelopes Moon.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Shaken roughly in glow.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Beam covers Moon.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Being shaken.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The beam extends from the globe and around the Moon.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Shaking stops. Helena rises, by Clifford's body.

HELENA (looking at Clifford): "John."

KOENIG: "You alright?"

HELENA: "Yes."

KOENIG: "Paul, check out all systems."

PAUL: "This is Main Mission. All sections report. All sections report."

KOENIG: "Switch on the Big Screen. See if we can pick up anything."

-Big Screen (SFX): the sphere.

-Main Mission: Koenig

-Big Screen (SFX):sphere, with the beam projecting to just above camera.

-Main Mission: Koenig walks behind Paul as he returns to his side

-Big Screen (SFX)

-Main Mission: Helena stands & goes to Koenig

-Big Screen (SFX)

-Main Mission:

KOENIG: "You're losing picture."

PAUL: "Picture gone."

-Big Screen (SFX): static

SANDRA: "Sir. Scanner shows that the object is not moving. I do not understand. Look at that monitor. It is still getting closer to us."

KOENIG (walks to screen): "Sandra, are you sure of th- ?" ((beat)) "We're locked in its orbit."

PAUL: "Commander. Transmission coming in."

TRITON (a harsh whisper): "Earthmen." ((Pulsation)) "Do not resist. You are the captives of the planet Triton."

Koenig looks at Helena.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The beam rimming the Moon

FADE OUT:

Act One
EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Beam around Moon, projecting from the sphere. It withdraws.

INT. MAIN MISSION

An orderly pulls a sheet over Clifford's head and pulls the stretcher out.

PAUL: "Commander. Power failures in sections G six, eight and eleven. All transportation -out."

KOENIG: "What about the Main Power Unit?"

PAUL: "I haven't been able to get through to Anderson."

SANDRA: "Commander. I have his report. All Nuclear Generators and Reactors check out but power is operating at only minimum capacity."

PAUL: "Sir, report from Reconnaissance. All but four of our Eagles are damaged. We're defenceless."

KOENIG: "Kano?"

DAVID (comes down from computer): "Computer unable to make any calculations. Insufficient data."

KOENIG: "Try every possible variable."

DAVID: "Yes sir." ((returns to computer as Koenig walks away))

SANDRA: "Why did they not destroy us?"

KOENIG: "Paul. Try to make contact with them. Use sound, light, radio wave patterns, the entire frequency scale. And tell Professor Bergman to come to my office; Doctor..."

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig leads her in.

KOENIG: "Helena, I want an autopsy on Ted Clifford, I want to know exactly what killed him."

HELENA: "That might not be possible."

KOENIG: "Make it possible. I want to know what we're up against."

Victor enters.

KOENIG: "What do you know about the planet Triton?"

VICTOR: "Nothing. You know their warning was transmitted over every monitor on the base? I've been to Central Computer. It's memory cells have no record of any such planet. Course I haven't checked my own charts yet. But if only we could speak to them."

KOENIG (shouting through to Main Mission): "Paul! Any contact?"

PAUL: "No response, sir."

KOENIG (to Victor): "They must be receiving. Ted Clifford wasn't transmitting classified information for nothing. Well, if they won't talk to us, we'll just have to pay them a visit."

VICTOR: "I don't think it'll be a surprise. I've got a nasty feeling we're being watched."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Sphere, pulsates four times as eye reappears. A flash.

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Various coloured lights twinkle in darkness. A light screen forms: it show Koenig walking down an Alphan corridor.

INT. MEDICAL

BOB: "We've actually seen it, Commander. At the base of the brain, in the cerebellum."

HELENA: "Yes. A ball of orange light. Very weak. Pulsating. And then it died out. There was very little brain tissue left to examine. Most of it had..melted."

KOENIG: "Melted?"

HELENA: "The analysis shows that the cerebrum, which regulates speech, hearing, and most important in this case, vision, had expanded to three times its normal size. An the neuronal system, which transmits information to the body through the nerves, was functioning at perhaps a thousand times its normal speed. Together, they somehow enabled Ted Clifford to see, and act, as though he were a computer."

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Screen shows Helena speaking silently to Koenig.

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig puts his comlock on his desk and goes down to Alan.

KOENIG: "Alan. I want a thorough survey. Two zero altitude. See if a landing's possible. You can get closer if you can, but under no circumstances are you to touch down."

ALAN: "These Tritonians, they might not appreciate our looking them over, Commander. I don't think we should wait for them to make the next move."

KOENIG: "We're taking a look, that's the next move."

ALAN: "Huh, well it's the wrong one, Commander. They've already killed Ted Clifford."

KOENIG (walks to desk): "Those are your orders, Carter. Is that clear?"

ALAN (resignation): "Yeah. Perfectly clear, Commander."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan secures his seatbelt by Donovan. He nords at his copilot.

ALAN: "Eagle Three to Main Mission, ready for lift off."

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle 3 launches.

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Screen shows launch.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Eagle Three to Alpha."

KOENIG (VO): "Koenig here."

ALAN: "All systems A-okay."

DONOVAN: "Range one zero five and closing."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan & Donovan

-Eagle viewport (SFX): sphere in distance

-Alan & Donovan

ALAN: "I can see a...kind of a surface."

INT. MAIN MISSION

ALAN (VO): "No sign of activity."

DONOVAN (VO): "Range eight five. Still closing."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle flies to sphere.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Commander, there's a..a beam of light "

-Eagle viewport (SFX): beam approaches.

ALAN (VO): "being projected from the sphere."

INT. MAIN MISSION

SANDRA: "Sir. Scanner confirms."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Beam projects from sphere.

Ray widens to engulf Eagle.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN (in yellow glow): "Commander, I'm going for a ninety degree turn!"

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle moves slightly starboard, but is pulled back along the beam.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "It's no go, Commander. I can't get away from the "

INT. MAIN MISSION

ALAN (VO cont): " light."

KOENIG: "What's their range?"

PAUL: "Three five."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG (VO): "Alan. Switch bunk." ((garbled))

ALAN: "Can't hear you, Commander!"

-Eagle viewport (SFX): glare fills screen

DONOVAN (calmly): "Range two zero and holding."

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "Switch to automatic, Alan!"

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "The glare..is increasing!"

-Eagle viewport (SFX): glare

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "You're heading into a force field."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Visibility zero!"

-Eagle viewport (SFX)

-Alan & Donovan

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle in beam. Beam expands.

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "Carter! Carter, answer me!"

DAVID: "It's no use, sir."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Light retracts to the sphere.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan & Donovan, overcome.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle tumbles back head over heels to Moon.

INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "They're on a collision course. They're on manual! I can't bring them in."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan and Donovan unconscious.

INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Should land close by, about seven hundred metres."

KOENIG: "Rescue and Medical Units stand by."

PAUL: "Sir, there's no way to get to him."

KOENIG: "We'll walk."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle belly flops on the lunar surface, ploughing up dust.

It slides to a halt.

INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "They're down."

Sandra smiles.

INT. AIRLOCK

Five astronauts, led by Koenig and Helena, leave the airlock (a gravity tower beyond), and the door shuts behind them.

EXT. MOON SURFACE

The astronauts bounce down a rocky slope. Their boots kick up lunar dust.

PAUL (VO): "Commander, this is Morrow."

KOENIG: "Yes, Paul."

PAUL: "I've got their exact location. North east six hundred metres."

KOENIG: "Mathias?"

INT. MEDICAL

Bob looks at a monitor screen, showing in split screen Donovan and Alan. He then walks to pick up his comlock.

BOB: "Donovan is dead, Commander. Carter is still alive."

INT. MAIN MISSION

SANDRA (curiously): "Paul. Malfunction in scanner systems." ((he goes to her)) "They've all gone dead!"

DAVID: "It's no accident, Paul."

PAUL: "An attack. Commander."

EXT. MOON SURFACE

KOENIG (stops): "Yes, Paul."

PAUL (VO): "They've jammed the scanner systems. They're up to something. It might be a missile attack. You'd better get back here."

KOENIG: "We're more than half way there. We'll go on to Carter's ship. I don't want to risk getting caught in the open. Alright, let's go."

They run off.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Sphere materialises with a pulsation over the lunar hills.

EXT. MOON SURFACE

HELENA (uneasily, pointing): "John."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Sphere over lunar hills.

EXT. MOON SURFACE

KOENIG: "Take cover!"

They race up a low mound at the foot of a gravity tower. Helena, last of the group, is struck by the light, and a yellow glow forms around here. The others drop to the ground. Koenig then bounds back.

KOENIG: "Helena! Stop! Helena!"

The light swallows her, and Koenig is thrown back by an explosive sound. The others run to Koenig, on the ground, and roll him onto his back.

FADE OUT

Act Two
INT. TRITON SPHERE

A bright light forms and Helena materialises from it. The light fades from her forehead. She is now in a gold robe.

TRITON: "Do not be afraid, Doctor Russell. Enter."

Coloured lights twinkle around her.

INT. MEDICAL

KOENIG (suddenly sitting up in bed): "Helena!"

INT. TRITON SPHERE

HALF SECOND CUT: Helena in darkness.

INT. MEDICAL

VICTOR: "It's alright. John. It's alright. Alright."

BOB: "Easy, Commander. You'll be okay."

Koenig (uniformed) puts his face in his hand. Victor walks to the end of the bed.

VICTOR: "John...ah... They've taken Helena."

INT. TRITON SPHERE

HALF SECOND CUT: Helena in darkness.

INT. MEDICAL

Koenig uncovers his eyes and walks to the central length of shelves, knocking something over. Victor walks up behind.

KOENIG: "Do we have power?"

VICTOR: "Yes, all systems are working now."

KOENIG: "We've got to get through their forcefield somehow."

VICTOR: "What, without knowing their energy source?"

KOENIG: "What if we -modify one of our Eagles? Double the power of our anti gravity shields. Triple it, whatever the hell it takes."

VICTOR: "I don't know, it might work, I couldn't give any guarantees."

KOENIG: "Work on it, Victor."

VICTOR: "Alright."

KOENIG: "What about Carter?"

BOB: "He'll make it."

KOENIG: Good. And the copilot, Donovan?"

BOB: "Dead."

VICTOR: "Now, they planned it, John. They just wanted to get Helena out there alone."

KOENIG: "No. I don't think so. Why take Clifford? There's no connection."

BOB: "Maybe Doctor Russell is their hostage."

KOENIG: "For what reason? The way they killed Clifford. That shockwave, -locking us in orbit. No. Whatever they want from us in return...they could simply...just come and get it."

INT. TRITON SPHERE

HELENA: "Who are you?"

TRITON: "We are of the planet Triton."

HELENA: "I am from the planet Earth."

TRITON: "We know."

HELENA: "Then you know we mean you no harm. We need your help."

TRITON (as Helena seen from all angles): "No, Doctor Russell. It is you who shall help us. We are the eyes of the planet Triton. Everything that is, has been and will be, is recorded by us. For this purpose, you are to be our servant."

INT. MEDICAL

KOENIG: "Alan?" ((Alan wakes in bed)) "How d'you feel?"

ALAN: "Oh, fantastic."

KOENIG: "What about your instruments? Did they indicate anything?"

ALAN: "No, not a thing. Just the light. It just -kept getting brighter. Sounds crazy. A force field, made of light."

KOENIG: "That's exactly what it was."

ALAN: "Lucky for me Morrow brought us in."

KOENIG: "Morrow, he..?" ((pause)) "You switched on to manual. He didn't land your ship for you. You were at the controls."

ALAN: "Me? No, no, I was in never never land."

KOENIG: "Get some rest, Alan."

ALAN: "Yeah, Commander." ((as Koenig leaving)) "Where's Donovan?"

Koenig shakes his head and leaves.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon and sphere.

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig looks out view port. Victor walks down steps behind him.

VICTOR: "Oh, John. The anti gravity screen will neutralise the force field. It'll make a sort of tunnel, or a corridor, that will allow you to pass through and land. John?"

KOENIG (still looking out): "I heard you. But when we hit that light barrier anything can happen."

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Boarding tube retracts from Eagle. (Low view)

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG (as he sits): "All set, Parks?" ((Alan turns his head to Koenig)) "I assigned Parks to this mission."

ALAN: "Yeah. Well, we changed places. Besides, Commander, I already know the way."

INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR (coming down steps from Office): "Have they gone?"

PAUL: "Just lifting off now."

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle launches.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Eagle anti gravity shields fifty per cent power." ((presses button))

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle flies on.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor watches over the shoulder of a woman at her desk.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Range one zero zero."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor watches girl working.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "We're gonna stay on manual, Paul."

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor looks up from the girl and walks to Paul. Beat.

PAUL: "Very good, sir."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle and sphere.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Scanner reading?"

PAUL (VO): "You're clear, Commander."

They hear a new sound.

KOENIG: "Anti gravity shield full power."

VICTOR (VO): "It's too soon, John."

KOENIG: "Full power."

Koenig presses a button.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

A blue cone forms around the Eagle nose cone.

INT. MAIN MISSION

-Big Screen (SFX): Eagle, with blue cone on nose, travels to sphere.

-Main Mission: Victor hears computer bleeping & goes up to David at the computer.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Velocity seven point five. Range."

-Eagle viewport (SFX): sphere approaching.

ALAN (VO): "Five Zero."

-Koenig looks round.

ALAN: "Range...three five. Velocity eight point three. Velocity eight point five. Vee..eight point seven."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle travels on.

Sphere fires ray.

Beam forks off in two as it hits the Eagle nose cone force field.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor watches David type into computer & take a readout.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Sphere projects beam.

Eagle field splits the beam.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN (under strain): "Vee...nine point one."

KOENIG: "Victor, -it's working! We're getting "

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG (VO cont): " through!"

Victor pats David on the shoulder & leaves.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle splits beam.

Sphere projects beam.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The beam retracts from the Eagle.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

The strain suddenly increases on Koenig.

KOENIG (with effort): "They've -reversed...the force field... Carter...Cut the engine!...Cut the engines!"

Alan stretches to the switch.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Sphere as beam retracts to it.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "You've got to switch it...to automatic!"

Alan stretches from his seat, his fingers over the buttons.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Carter..cut the engines!" ((Alan strains forward)) "Alan."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Small Eagle.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor with Paul, looking at each other tensely.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan is suddenly flung back in his seat.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Small Eagle travels on.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig reaches forward.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Small Eagle speeds on

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig reaches forward & touches the button; he suddenly relaxes.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The Eagle flies over the small sphere, its speed abated.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan unconscious; Koenig unconscious.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle returns to Moon ((clip from 'Breakaway'))

INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR: "Sandra. Anything?"

SANDRA: "No visual or audio contact."

VICTOR: "How long now?"

PAUL: "Minute five."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle travels towards revolving Moon horizon.

INT. MAIN MISSION

SANDRA (as bleeping starts): "They are coming back."

VICTOR (leaving screens under Big Screen): "Any audio?"

TANYA: "No sir."

PAUL: "Commander Koenig. Commander."

VICTOR: "Have you still got them on automatic?"

PAUL: "Yes."

VICTOR: "Can you get them down?"

PAUL: "I'm switching them over to the remote control system." ((he types))

DAVID (pulling out readout from computer as Victor joins him): "Eagle One under Main Mission control."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig and Alan unconscious.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul sits. Pan over faces of Tanya & Sandra to screens, bleeping.

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle lands.

INT. MAIN MISSION

DAVID (rips off readout; to Victor by him): "Eagle One touch down."

Sandra relaxes; Tanya smiles at Paul. Paul stands & walks up to computer. A buzzing starts.

SANDRA: "Paul, -quick!" ((Paul goes to her)) "The scanner is picking up another object."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Small globe approaches Moon horizon.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul looks at Sandra's desk, then heads back to his own, passing Victor.

VICTOR: "What is it?"

PAUL: "No idea."

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Small globe approaches & hangs over Alpha.

INT. AIRLOCK

Astronaut waits as door opens. It reveals Helena standing outside in her suit, head glowing in a yellow aura.

FADE OUT

Act Three
INT. MEDICAL

Bob wears a headband light as he looks in Helena's eye.

HELENA: "I feel fine, Bob. Really I do."

BOB (stands): "I'm sure you do."

KOENIG: "Why do doctors make the worst patients? Hm?"

HELENA (standing): "Probably because we know too much."

BOB: "Blood pressure's normal, eight over a hundred and twenty. Bone marrow count. Sugar. Everything checks out."

Helena starts to walk, but falters, swaying. Koenig goes to hold her shoulders.

KOENIG: "You alright?"

HELENA: "I...I just..felt faint for a moment. My equilibrium's off, did you, ah, check my middle ear?"

BOB: "Yes, it's perfect."

HELENA: "Wait a minute."

She goes to the central shelf unit. Koenig glances at Bob, then follows. She takes three pens: yellow, red and blue. She places them alongside each other and raises the central red one.

BOB: "How many do you see?"

HELENA: "Two." ((she raises it again & looks at Koenig)) "I should see four." ((to Bob)) "Did you check my optic nerve? Come on, Bob, tell me."

BOB: "Well, I can't explain it. But from all indications..you're blind."

Beat.

KOENIG: "Well, obviously she's not blind."

BOB: "Obviously."

Beat.

KOENIG: "Do you have any explanation?"

HELENA: "Only one. Ted Clifford."

INT. BERGMAN'S QUARTERS (LQ12)

VICTOR (chewing as moves round his room): "Ah, another interesting account. In the Pyramid Texts of the Old Kingdom. But here they're called 'the eyes of heaven'. Seems our friends got about a bit."

HELENA (seated, feeling head strangely): "I talked to them. I told them...we meant them no harm and that we needed their help."

KOENIG: "You saw them?"

HELENA: "No. I only spoke to them. To a voice anyway."

VICTOR: "We know one thing about them. They can decompose atoms. Reduce an object to its atomical components, pure energy, transport it through space and reassemble it in another place. That's how they got you from here to there."

KOENIG: "Back on Earth they've been working on that process for over fifty years."

HELENA: "With machines. They do it with light."

VICTOR: "Yes, but what sort of light? And how?"

HELENA: "When I was in the sphere I wasn't wearing my space suit."

VICTOR: "Oxygen!"

KOENIG: "The Tritonians might just be humanoid."

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Flashing lights.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Sphere. Eye appears. A light forms in it & flashes.

INT. BERGMAN'S QUARTERS (LQ12)

Victor screws up a piece of paper and turns. Koenig is leaning over a table.

VICTOR: "John."

Koenig turns to see Helena staring blankly forward. A pulsation is heard & a yellow aura forms over her head.She turns & starts to the door. Koenig throws the paper ball at her: it explodes into flames. Helena continues on: the yellow glow strengthens, then is gone, with Helena. Koenig steps forward, hesitates, them opens the door with his comlock. He looks out & then back at Victor.

VICTOR: "They've activated her like Clifford. She must be going to Computer."

KOENIG: "Notify Paul. Noone's to try to stop her." ((leaves))

VICTOR (activates comlock on his belt): "Paul? Bergman here."

INT. CORRIDOR

Comms post screens flash 'Red Alert'. Helena walks past. Koenig follows. Track both of them on, passing comms posts.

PAUL (VO): "This is Main Mission Control to all sections Alpha. Attention all personnel. Do not approach Doctor Russell. Repeat. Do not approach Doctor Russell."

A guard backs to the other side of a comms post as she passes. He starts to follow her, but Koenig puts his hand in front of him to indicate he stop. Helena walks up to a Travel Tube and evaporates before it.

Helena appears in an aura before a door. She passes a service man.

INT. MAIN MISSION

A guard is by the closed Command Office doors. An aura appears and from it Helena materialises. The guard starts to her, but Koenig enters through the office doors.

KOENIG: "Don't touch her! Nobody touch her!"

Helena walks to the Computer.

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Screen shows Helena typing.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Helena types.

KOENIG: "What's the Computer transmitting?"

David walks to the Computer and takes a readout.

DAVID: "Memory Cell Three Seven One classified, the complete breakdown of our life support system."

KOENIG: "Can't you stop it?"

DAVID: "Only if you stop her."

VICTOR: "The Computer's not transmitting. Helena is."

Koenig walks up to watch Helena's typing. She stops, and staggers back against an adjacent computer bank, looking confused.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Sphere with eye pulsing.

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

VICTOR (leaning back in chair): "Now, as it is, she has a hundred and thirty two hours, that's five and a half days. That gives us some time."

KOENIG (seated): "They exhaust the memory cells? What then? They won't need any of us."

VICTOR: "They don't need any of us now."

KOENIG: "Then why don't they just come and get it over with?"

VICTOR: "Perhaps...they can't leave their sphere."

KOENIG: "That's it. Something's preventing them."

VICTOR: "They're limited in some way. A weakness."

KOENIG: "Everything they've done has only shown their advanced intelligence. No-one's actually seen them. I mean not even Helena."

VICTOR: "No, but we've been thinking of them as people. What if they're not? What if they're simply an intelligence with no physical form? They're just as trapped as we are."

KOENIG: "No. More so. We can still move. We can still get to them."

VICTOR: "We can't blast our way through their force field."

KOENIG: "No, but maybe we can bend it a little."

INT. MEDICAL

Close on thermographic plate, marked 'Dr Russell'. Bob lowers it.

BOB: "There it is, Commander. That ball of light. Just like Ted Clifford, except it's stronger, more alive. The same with her cerebrum and her optic nerve. Now, once Doctor Russell is activated this ball of light enables her to see...well, like a high speed camera."

KOENIG: "They needed her there to implant it. That's why it didn't work on Clifford."

VICTOR: "It's their link!" ((Koenig goes to him)) "Through Helena, they're connected to our Computer."

KOENIG (looks at Helena, asleep in bed): "A human conductor."

BOB: "Commander. She can't take much more."

Koenig looks at her.

FADE OUT

==Act Four=-

INT. BERGMAN'S QUARTERS (LQ12)

VICTOR (adjusts glass sphere): "Now what do they want from us really? Information. Our knowledge, that's all. They're a sort of -reconnaissance team, sent out into space to gather information and then transmit it back to Triton. That's all. We did it ourselves with our deep space probe ships."

KOENIG: "Then Triton does exist?"

VICTOR: "Mm. Did exist. No, this - position of this mythological planet does correspond to our - galaxy charts and I've checked it myself a dozen times, even through computer. But, Triton is dead, John. Blew up. Disintegrated."

KOENIG: "So it's possible whoever programmed Helena and killed Ted Clifford doesn't know their planet no longer exists. If I can convince them their mission is obsolete they might release her."

VICTOR: "Unfortunately we're running out of time. I mean Helena's been activated six times in the last twenty four hours. She's not going to survive another five and a half days. No. They've miscalculated on their weakest link."

KOENIG: "She's not their weakest link, Victor." ((On a glass board draws a circle -the Moon- and a smaller circle right -the Triton sphere-. Draws a line from sphere to Moon)) "The circuit runs from their computers, -to the force field, -around us, " ((circles Moon & returns to sphere. Then a line from field to a small circle in Moon)) " - to Helena, " ((another small circle)) " -to Kano." ((returns line to sphere))

VICTOR: "And back to their computers. Right! So it's all up to Kano -to jam Computer. We can't touch Helena, but we can break the chain."

Victor pulls a lead on the glass sphere & it explodes with a pop.

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG (entering with David & Victor): "You tested it?"

DAVID: "Only once, but it worked. When I jammed Computer the force field was turned off for three point two seconds."

VICTOR: "Listen. You won't even get off the ground."

KOENIG(walks on up stairs): "I'll need at least fifteen minutes."

DAVID: "Thirteen minutes ten seconds from lift off to getting through the force field, which of course won't be there."

KOENIG: "You get me the thirteen minutes?"

DAVID: "Plus ten seconds. It's easy. Like jamming a typewriter."

INT. MEDICAL

KOENIG (to Helena, sat on bed): "Three keys locked together is not the same as locking them all. When Kano was experimenting, he only jammed one circuit. Now he's set up enough memory cells to cause an overload in twenty five key circuits. It'll take computer thirty two seconds to clear each of those circuits. Which will give us the time we need. Thirteen minutes. When the Computer jams, the force field will shut down just long enough for me to get through, with a few seconds from launching."

HELENA: "Even if it works, what can you do when you get there? How will you get inside the sphere?"

KOENIG: "The same way you did. Helena. I don't think they know their planet no longer exists. If I can convince them of that..they may release you."

HELENA: "But there's no time pattern, I'm activated at random."

KOENIG: "Helena, please. Victor and Kano have worked out the details. All we need now is for you to go through with it."

Beat.

HELENA: "I don't have any choice, do I?"

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle raised to surface pad, by a moonbuggy.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig secures his seatbelt & presses a key.

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Four guards sit.

KOENIG (VO): "Stand by. The moment Doctor Russell is reactivated, we lift off."

INT. MAIN MISSION

Sandra taps her yellow pen on her desk nervously. Victor & Paul look up at the screen.

-Big Screen (SFX): the sphere, with a dark patch where the eye would appear

-Main Mission: David, taking a readout from the clock panel, looks up at the screen and back to them.

-Big Screen (SFX): the sphere as the eye appears, then the light in the pupil

INT. CORRIDOR

Helena walks along, round a corner.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The light increases from the sphere.

INT. CORRIDOR

Helena stops & looks forward blankly. The yellow aura forms on her.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor is musing by the office doors as an aura forms. David pulls him out of the way before Helena materialises.

PAUL: "Commander. Doctor Russell's been reactivated."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig & Alan.

PAUL (VO): "Lift off."

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle launches (starboard to tube).

INT. MAIN MISSION

Two screens under the Big Screen show the Eagle launch (port to tube). Paul & Victor look at each other. Helena types.

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Screen shows Helena typing, Victor beyond.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig & Alan pilot.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle travels to sphere.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

They start to be shaken.

-Eagle viewport (SFX): the sphere.

-Alan & Koenig.

ALAN: "Force field eight zero. Seven zero. Six zero."

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor is by David, studying a readout from the clock panel. Victor then starts up towards Helena.

ALAN (VO): "Force field four zero. Three zero."

KOENIG (VO): "Kano, how are we on time?"

DAVID: "Any moment now."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Favour Koenig.

-Eagle viewport (SFX): Triton sphere fills the port.

Favour: Alan, Koenig, Alan, Koenig shielding his eyes, Alan shielding his face from glare.

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG (VO): "Now! Kano, now!"

David activates.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan & Koenig in glare: it dies.

-Eagle viewport (SFX): the sphere fills screen.

INT. MAIN MISSION

The computer lights die & Helena staggers; Victor catches her.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The Eagle moves close to the horizon of the sphere & disappears into it.

INT. MAIN MISSION

The screens under the Big Screen are filled with static.

PAUL: "Visual contact lost. Commander Koenig. Commander."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig's arm still covers his face. The cabin suddenly darkens.

INT. SPHERE (SFX)

Eagle flies in darkness, navigation lights lit.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig uncovers his face & looks out.

INT. MAIN MISSION

The screens still show static.

PAUL: "This is Main Mission, come in, Commander Koenig."

Helena & Victor are sat hand in hand on the steps to Computer.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig & Alan look at each other.

INT. TRITON SPHERE (SFX)

Eagle descends & lands in complete blackness: no surface is visible.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Eagle One here. We're inside the sphere."

INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "They're through."

DAVID (removing circuit board from computer): "Naturally."

HELENA (quietly to Victor): "Is it over?"

VICTOR: "Not yet. You'll be reactivated in a few minutes. But,..for the last time."

DAVID (putting circuit back): "Paul. Information on Triton is in place. Doctor Russell. Now you can only transmit what we want them to know."

KOENIG (VO): "Computer's all set?"

PAUL: "All set, sir."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Right. Stand by." ((cuts link & releases seat belt)) "Well, I was never one to turn down an invitation."

ALAN: "Neither was I."

KOENIG: "No, Carter. You stay with the ship. If we're not back in ten minutes, fifteen at the most, you blast out of here." ((leaves))

ALAN (resettling in seat): "Right, sir." ((takes seatbelt again))

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Koenig enters to find the four guards assembled. One is taking a helmet, named 'Quinton'.

KOENIG: "You won't need that." ((leads them to door)) "Alright."

Door opens & they walk down the steps into the blackness. The door shuts.

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Their stun guns drawn they advance, Koenig leading, his arm out, feeling the way forward.

INT. MAIN MISSION

DAVID: "Get ready."

Victor stands by Helena. The Computer lights come back on. The aura forms from Helena's head and she rises and walks up to Computer to start typing again.

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Koenig feels their way forward. Three pulsations and a ring of light forms around Koenig. With a crackling the guards disappear. Realising he can do nothing he walks on. He sees the screen, showing Helena typing, and Victor walking up beyond. He extends his hand, but cannot touch the screen. He looks behind him, but when he turns back the screen is gone. He advances.

TRITON: "Welcome, Commander Koenig."

KOENIG: "Who are you?!"

TRITON: "We regret the deaths of your people, Clifford and Donovan."

KOENIG: "I'm sure you do. Why don't you show yourselves?"

TRITON (as eye appears): "We -are -here."

KOENIG: "Surely I'm no threat to you."

TRITON: "That is correct, Commander."

KOENIG: "You knew we would jam our computer."

TRITON: "That is correct, Commander. We have been watching Earthmen for many of your Earth centuries. We rank them a very primitive intelligence. We could easily have prevented you from leaving your base."

KOENIG: "Except you need me. Doctor Russell will not live long enough. I am to replace her."

TRITON: "The death of Doctor Russell is also regrettable, but necessary."

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor leaves Helena, going to the desks.

KOENIG (VO): "If we're of such primitive intelligence why do you seek our knowledge?"

TRITON (VO): "For when Earthmen "

INT. TRITON SPHERE

TRITON (cont): " decide to invade our planet."

KOENIG: "Triton is two million light years away!"

TRITON: "Time is an illusion, Commander Koenig."

KOENIG: "Not to us, and not to you. Because your planet no longer exists. I can prove it."

INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR (reaching Paul): "Right, stand by."

INT. TRITON SPHERE

TRITON: "We do not wish to destroy your men, Commander, or you. We will, if it is necessary."

KOENIG: "It won't be necessary. Because I can prove to you that Triton no longer exists." ((uses comlock on belt)) "Victor?"

INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR: "She's setting the computations now."

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Starfield appears on screen.

KOENIG: "This is Triton's galaxy. You acknowledge?"

Pause.

TRITON: "We acknowledge."

KOENIG: "This is Triton's star system."

Starfield appears on screen.

TRITON: "We acknowledge."

KOENIG: "This is Triton's Universe."

Starfield appears on screen.

TRITON: "We acknowledge."

KOENIG: "This is Triton's sun."

Starfield appears on screen.

TRITON: "We acknowledge."

KOENIG: "Calculations and confirmation you're receiving now are coming through Doctor Russell. You can check them." ((a rumbling begins)) "They will prove beyond a doubt -"

TRITON: "No...no.."

KOENIG: "-that your sun exploded, that Triton, and the other planets in your solar system, have been destroyed. Triton no longer exists. Your function is discontinued. And release Doctor Russell and my men!"

TRITON (twinkling sounds increase): "..no longer...functional.."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan (camera pulls back & in).

INT. TRITON SPHERE

Much irregular flashing.

TRITON: "...Destroy...dest-troy...Destroy...des-des-try...des-des-des-troy."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Part of surface of sphere explodes.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan.

INT. TRITON SPHERE

A blue ring forms around Koenig & the guards reappear.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Explosion on surface of sphere.

INT. TRITON SPHERE

KOENIG: "Follow me, this way!"

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Explosion in blackness (inside or in space?)

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Door opens as they run up.

KOENIG: "Come on, what are you waiting for? Come on!" ((they race in)) "Strap in. Ready for lift off."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Another explosion in space.

Bubbling chemicals.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig jumps in his seat.

KOENIG: "Let's get out of here! Move it!"

ALAN: "Right!" ((another explosion heard))

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Another explosion in space.

Reacting red chemicals.

More surface explosions on sphere.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Helena rolls away from computer.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Another surface explosion.

INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR (going to Helena): "So far so good. You alright?"

HELENA: "Yes. John?"

VICTOR: "We don't know if he got out."

PAUL: "The instruments show the sphere is breaking up."

VICTOR: "What about the force field?"

PAUL: "It's lost it's power."

SANDRA: "Visual contact."

-Big Screen (SFX): surface explosions (silent)

-Main Mission: they watch.

-Big Screen (SFX): more explosions.

-Main Mission: Helena.

-Big Screen (SFX): Eagle appears & flies from sphere. Explosion behind it.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Whole sphere explodes.

FADE OUT

Epilogue
INT. MEDICAL

BOB (looking into Helena's eye): "I just want to satisfy my curiosity. Hmm."

HELENA (lying on bed): "What is it?"

BOB: "You have a lovely optic nerve, Doctor Russell!"

HELENA: "Thank you, Doctor Mathias." ((he bows))

Koenig & Victor walk aside to shelves.

KOENIG: "Why so pensive, Victor?"

VICTOR: "Oh, I was just thinking about that planet, Triton. All that knowledge. And yet- . Perhaps knowledge isn't the answer after all."

KOENIG: "Then what is?"

FREEZE FRAME