The Immunity Syndrome/Transcript

Hook
1. EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon over planet horizon.

HELENA (VO): "Moonbase Alpha Status Report, two thousand, three hundred and ten days after leaving Earth orbit. Doctor Helena Russell recording."

2.EXT. BASE CAMP

Pan over rocks to base camp.

HELENA (VO): "Two days ago we made contact with an Earth type planet in our west quadrant. First reports indicate that it can support our life forms. Our survey team is carrying out a thorough investigation to substantiate this report. Until the tests are complete, Commander Koenig has imposed a strict quarantine on all food, water and minerals. The planet appears to be uninhabited, although word has come through that the survey team has discovered "

3.EXT. STRUCTURE

HELENA (VO): " a mysterious structure."

Alan joins Koenig & Travis by structure.

KOENIG: "Did you check for life signs?"

TRAVIS: "The molecular bonding is pretty sophisticated, Commander. The sensor beams just -bounce off."

KOENIG: "Well, there has got to be a way in."

4.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

A clearing as Tony answers comlock; Lustig in background.

KOENIG (on comlock screen): "Tony."

TONY: "John. I was just about to call in. Oh boy, you should see this place. It's fantastic! There's a valley here that's absolutely perfect for us."

KOENIG: "Hate to spoil the flow, but we've discovered signs of civilization here. Some sort of sealed living area. Tony, head back immediately. I'd like everyone in close until we check it out."

TONY: "Yeah, sure." ((cuts link)) "Here." ((as Lustig comes up, Tony gives him scanner)) "Come on."

5.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

Maya & Helena watch a monitor flashing 'Medical Section'|'Moonbase Alpha'.

MAYA: "Food...water...minerals! The planet's a wonder."

HELENA: "It's raw data. We usually wait until the computer has processed it, Maya."

MAYA: "Yes, but the Computer's so slow!"

HELENA: "Only to a Psychon mind."

MAYA: "Anyway, I wish we were with them."

HELENA: "Why should they have all the fun?"

5A.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Tony leads leads Lustig back. Lustig pauses, operating a sensor. He hears a 'warp' sound.

LUSTIG (cautiously): "Tony."

Tony is too far ahead to hear. Lustig advances through a rock arch. He enters a clearing (sc 6). A dazzling light appears ahead flashing & screeches: Lustig screams.

Tony hears (sc 7)

TONY: "Joe?"

Tony hurries back to the clearing (sc 8) & finds Lustig standing strangely, twitching.

TONY: "Joe!"

Lustig starts to raise his laser. Tony jumps at him & they roll over. Lustig rolls them again to get on top, but is punched off. Tony is on top, his hand in Lustig's face. Lustig raises his gun, but Tony forces his hand so the gun is between them. The gun fires: Lustig is dead.

TONY: "Joe!"

Tony gets up & takes his comlock. But then he sees the flashing light. He grips his head & screams.

FADE OUT

ACT ONE
9.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Tony races through the planet vegetation.

KOENIG: (VO from comlock): "Tony. Tony!"

Tony takes the comlock & sees Koenig's face on the screen. He crushes it in his hands before discarding it. (sc 11)

12.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Lustig's corpse. In show titles over.

ED: "Laser wound."

KOENIG: "How about those bruises?"

ED: "Fight?" ((scans body; they stand)) "I'd say it adds up to a stupid accident. They fell out..the weapon was pulled."

KOENIG: "Maybe. But why did Tony just take off like that?"

ED: "He'd just killed a man."

GUARD (handing comlock): "We found it half a kilometre due west of here."

KOENIG: "West? Heading away from Base Camp."

ED: "The state he was in he couldn't know where he's headed."

KOENIG: "Take care of Lustig. Let's go."

Koenig leaves with the 2 guards.

13.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Tony races along top banks. He hears sounds of monkeys & aims. But then he runs on down the bank & nearly trips over a tree stump. He fires a blue laser beam at the stump. It flares up, & he runs on, leaving it burning.

15.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Koenig finds a scrap of cloth on a branch.

Tony rolls down a bank, gets up & runs on.

14.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

MAYA: "Nothing. They still haven't found Tony."

HELENA: "They'll find him, Maya."

MAYA: "I feel so helpless. I keep thinking about him. Alone, perhaps. Hurt, suffering down there."

HELENA: "John won't give up until he finds them."

MAYA: "Yes...I know."

16.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Alan passes Alibe & a technician (Les Johnson).

LES: "It's a hundred per cent safe." ((puts fig in mouth))

ALIBE: "Maybe. But orders are to touch nothing. At least until the quarantine period has elapsed."

17.EXT. STRUCTURE

Thermal lance cuts into rock.

TRAVIS: "Alright. Kill it."

The green beam stops. Alan comes up.

ALAN: "Any luck?"

TRAVIS: "We're not going to force our way in, that's for sure. How about Tony?"

ALAN: "What about him?"

TRAVIS: "Is it true? You know, that he's cracked up?"

ALAN: "Well, I don't know: ask a doctor. Let's hope they find him...if he's still alive. Come on, let's see if we can burn away some of this rock."

18.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

They find the charred tree stump.

KOENIG: "He can't be far ahead. Let's go. Spread out, go that way." ((they run on, up to a bank))

Tony runs on, & falls flat on his face. He raises his head weakly.

KOENIG: "This way." ((they appear behind Tony: he rolls into vegetation)) "There he is."

GUARD: "I'll take him, Commander."

KOENIG: "No. Head that way, make sure he doesn't double back."

GUARD 2: "He's armed, Commander."

KOENIG: "I know. But I don't think he'll use it on me. Go ahead."

19.EXT. STRUCTURE

Alan tears away rock fragments & reveals a control panel. He pushes its buttons.

TRAVIS: "Entry mechanism?"

ALAN: "Uh huh. But no power."

Alan notices the round cells adjacent to the door are pulsing weakly. He passes his hand over them & looks up.

20.EXT. PLANET SKY (SFX)

POV: sun.

21.EXT. STRUCTURE

ALAN: "Umm. Solar cells." ((tears off rock to expose more)) "Mm. And there's a lot more of them."

22.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Koenig moves cautiously through the vegetation. His comlock bleaps & he answers it.

KOENIG: "Koenig."

ALAN (VO): "John. I think we've just found our way into the alien structure."

KOENIG: "Good."

EXT. STRUCTURE

ALAN: "Yeah, it seems to be powered by solar radiation cells. If we're right, once they're charged we should be in."

22.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

KOENIG: "Okay. Let Travis handle it. We've found Tony."

23.EXT. STRUCTURE

ALAN: "Oh, that is good news."

KOENIG (VO): "Yes, but we don't have him yet."

ALAN: "What, then you don't know his condition?"

24.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

KOENIG: "No, but we will soon. Alan, you and Spencer pick us up."

Tony staggers on. His hand hits a rock & leaves blood on it.

25.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

2 Eagles in clearing.

26.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan & Ed enter the Survey Eagle 4 cabin & sit.

27.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

The survey Eagle lifts off.

28.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Koenig sees blood on the rock. He continues on.

Tony hides behind a tree, shaking, his laser on kill. Koenig is beyond.

KOENIG: "Tony. Tony, it's alright."

Tony fires a blue laser at Koenig, who darts behind a rock. Tony advances & kicks the laser Koenig dropped out of the way. Koenig lands a flying kick from behind him, then rises to hold him in a neck lock.

KOENIG: "Tony, Tony, easy, easy."

Tony elbows Koenig in the stomach & throws him over him. He then picks up the laser, but Koenig's legs catch & twist his own, throwing him down. Tony is seemingly unconscious as Koenig gets up & tries to pull him face up.

KOENIG: "Tony. Tony."

Tony grabs his neck & holds up the laser. With a kick he rolls Koenig off him, & rises weakly. He tries to aim at Koenig (POV: bad focus on Koenig).

KOENIG: "No, Tony. Tony, no. Tony."

Koenig rolls out of the way as the laser fires at him. Tony drops the laser, moans pathetically & falls. Koenig turns him face up.

FADE OUT

ACT TWO
29.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Combat Eagle in clearing.

30.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Guards run up with a stretcher as Ed scans Tony.

ED: "He's lapsing into deep coma."

KOENIG: "Is there anything we can do?"

ED: "I've given him a shot to stop him sinking any further, but, ah, without proper medical facilities there could be brain damage."

KOENIG (stands): "Alright. Let's get him back to Alpha."

Tony is lowered on the stretcher & the two guards carry him off, followed by Ed & Koenig.

31.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Ext door looking in: door opens for Alan. The stretcher party enters. The door closes.

Inside, Alan looks at Tony on the bed, then Koenig goes to him & they walk up forward.

32.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig & Alan enter, sit & start the engines.

33.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle lifts off.

34.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Maya. We've found Tony. Tell Helena we're bringing him in."

MAYA (on screen): "Yes, Commander. Commander."

35.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

MAYA: "How is he?"

KOENIG (on screen): "Sick. Very sick."

She puts her hand to her mouth in fear.

39.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Travis walks to 2 men, standing by a rock face with a small rivulet running down it.

TRAVIS: "It's okay to drink, the quarantine period's over."

Travis leaves. The men put their cups in the rivulet & drink.

36.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Eagle rises over clouds.

Sun (sc 37)

40.EXT. STRUCTURE

The 2 drinkers pass Travis working.

DRINKER: "How's it going?"

TRAVIS: "Another couple of hours should do it." ((he looks up at sun))

Then Travis hears a moan & the sound of the men falling. He runs up to them & finds their bodies. He feels the neck of one, then takes his comlock.

41.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

TRAVIS (on screen): "Moonbase Alpha from planet survey team."

MAYA: "Go ahead."

TRAVIS: "Raise the Commander quick. Tell him.." ((crackling))

MAYA: "Jerry...Jerry.."

42.EXT. STRUCTURE

TRAVIS: "My men, they're dead.." ((comlock explodes in his hands))

43.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

MAYA: "Commander. Jerry Travis just called in."

44.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

MAYA (on screen): "Something happened at the alien structure. The communications malfunctioned.." ((console explodes))

KOENIG: "Stabilisers gone. Switching to back up."

45.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Ed looks up from Tony.

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Eagle flies.

46.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "We're holding."

KOENIG: "Yeah. Long enough to get to Alpha?"

ALAN: "I wouldn't bet on it."

They fly for a moment, then Koenig takes his comlock.

KOENIG: "Maya. We're having trouble with the survey Eagle."

47.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

KOENIG (on screen): "Malfunctions."

MAYA: "Can you correct?"

KOENIG (on screen): "We'll try, but if negative we'll head back to Base Camp and "

48.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG (as comlock explodes): " switch to Eagle One."

50.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

MAYA: "Moonbase Alpha to Survey Eagle. Moonbase Alpha to Survey Eagle, come in. Moonbase Alpha to Survey Eagle."

HELENA (entering): "What's wrong?"

MAYA: "The survey Eagle's malfunctioning, they're checking out the circuits."

HELENA: "Are they in danger?"

MAYA: "I don't think so...only.."

HELENA: "Only Tony is, if they don't get him to Medical Centre. Let's hope they do so soon."

MAYA: "I don't know. We've lost contact, not only with the Commander, but the Base Camp communications are affected as well." ((watches monitor. She reacts)) "Something's happening to that planet, Helena. The atmosphere readings have changed drastically."

49.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Eagle in level flight.

51.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Maintain present altitude. I'd better check these circuits before we set course for Alpha." ((pulls out panel rack & a circuit card: it is corroded)) "Alan. All the metal's corroded. Let's get back to Base Camp, quick."

52.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Eagle turns to descend.

53.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

MAYA (surprise): "They're heading back to the planet."

54.EXT. BASE CAMP

TRAVIS (running in): "What's wrong?"

ALIBE (tending Les's body on the ground): "He's dead. Poisoned. It must have been the fruit."

TRAVIS: "That makes three. Two of my men drank water from the rockpool back there."

ALIBE: "I don't understand. The food and water checked out safe."

TRAVIS: "And now they're pure poison."

56.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

-Eagle viewport (SFX): view of surface closing.

-Pilots (sc 56)

ALAN: "Base camp coming up."

Panel 'Back Up system' bleeps.

57.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

MAYA: "They're on touch down approach." ((Tense beat)) "All systems holding."

58.EXT. BASE CAMP

Travis & the others look up from Les's body.

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Eagle descends.

60.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan takes the throttle level: it breaks off in his hand. Astonishment.

ALAN: "John."

They look in horror at it.

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Eagle descends.

59.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Boxes rock around them as Ed straps Tony into the stretcher.

60.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

An explosion between them: they use the extinguisher.

62.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

CU command module, smoking.

61.EXT. BASE CAMP

Alphans react.

63.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

MAYA: "Temperature increase." ((more typing)) "Helena. The ship's on fire."

64.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Chaos. Koenig is spraying the fires with an extinguisher.

66.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Sways from side to side as it plummets out of control.

65.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Being rocked about by the motion.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

More explosions.

ALAN: "John, she's going down."

62.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

CU command module, smoking.

65.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

The black guard is thrown into the rear door as the other guard & Ed slump over Tony, boxes falling on them.

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Eagle.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Okay. I've got this one, Alan."

ALAN: "John."

KOENIG (throwing him extinguisher): "Here. I'll take over."

ALAN: "Right."

67.EXT. BASE CAMP

Travis looks up.

68.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Smoking Eagle dives over trees.

67.EXT. BASE CAMP

Favour Alibe, reaction. Favour girl, reaction.

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

View under smoking Eagle to approaching surface.

69.EXT. BASE CAMP

TRAVIS: "Come on, move it."

They run off.

68.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Eagle sweeps over trees.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan.

70.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle smashes down twice between trees.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig.

70.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle rears up between the trees.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig.

70.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle ploughs into earth & explodes.

71.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Base Camp Alphans running; they stop in horror.

73.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Smoking Eagle crash, with more small explosions.

72.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

MAYA: "They didn't make it, Helena. Their controls disintegrated before touchdown."

75.EXT. BASE CAMP

The Base Camp Alphans help as Alan & Travis carry Koenig along in a stretcher, with Tony following on the next stretcher & both guards limping after. They walk through the vegetation to the camp. Alan starts to move off.

ED: "Where are you going?"

ALAN: "To check on Eagle One. We have to get them back to Alpha."

ED: "Okay, but you need checking too, so hurry back."

ALAN: "Sure."

ED: "Alibe. The Medical kit."

76.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

Both women are tense & emotionally highly strung.

HELENA: "Maya. How close were they before their controls broke up?"

MAYA: "Close."

HELENA: "Close enough for them to have survived impact?"

MAYA: "I can't be precise."

HELENA: "Well, you can predict, can't you?"

MAYA: "I can tell you want we both want to hear!" ((gently)) "There's a chance."

HELENA: "Have the results of the computer's scan come through yet?"

MAYA: "I'm analysing the data now."

77.EXT. BASE CAMP

Koenig stirs & opens his eyes. He focuses on Alibe.

ALIBE: "Alan?" ((Alan moves into his field of vision))

KOENIG: "Some landing."

ALAN: "Yeah. I have to admit it wasn't one of my best."

KOENIG: "Phew." ((recalls & sits up)) "Tony!"

ED: "He's alive."

KOENIG: "We've got to get him back."

ED: "Easy, Commander. No-one's going anywhere. We're..um..stranded."

KOENIG: "Stranded? What about Eagle One?"

ALAN: "You can forget Eagle One. It will fall apart if we try to use it. All the metal is corroded." ((holds up component & snaps it))

TRAVIS: "There's something else. Three of the Survey Team. They're dead."

KOENIG: "Dead?"

TRAVIS: "Poisoned. They sampled food and water which was classified safe. It killed them."

KOENIG: "What about Tony? What got to him?"

ED: "He's got a few bruises on him. Probably the result of his scramble with Lustig. Nothing that could have affected him."

KOENIG: "Well, something flipped him."

ED: "I examined Lustig. It was the laser beam that killed him. But I've found evidence of brain cell expansion. The kind of pressure that can first drive a man mad..then kill him." ((beat))

KOENIG: "What caused the pressure?"

ED: "I don't know."

KOENIG: "Is..is Tony suffering..from the same kind of pressure?"

ED: "I have a hunch that that's what I'd find upon further examination."

KOENIG: "Well, if you do, can you help him?"

ED: "I don't know. I wish we had him on Alpha."

KOENIG: "Yeah. But by now Alpha knows we're in trouble."

ALAN: "Yep. And if they try to help us..their Eagles will be torn apart the minute they enter the atmosphere."

FADE OUT

ACT THREE
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Close on base.

78.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

Monitor displays text: 'Computer Scan

KX7-492-Y

Analysis Complete'.

HELENA: "What is it?"

MAYA: "The planet.. It's an ecological disaster. The computer registers a massive build up in poisonous elements."

HELENA: "Wait a minute, that's not possible. We checked..we double checked, before our people went down there."

MAYA: "I know. It was safe. It started to change when they landed."

HELENA: "You mean their arrival is the cause for this damage?"

MAYA: "Well, if the computer is correct, that's exactly what I mean."

79.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Gutted & corroded.

ALAN: "Well, every circuit element's perished. Metals have just disintegrated."

KOENIG (lifts hose): "The plastics are holding up."

ALAN: "Oh great. We can't build a communicator out of plastic."

KOENIG: "Wait a minute." ((takes laser rifle & breaks in half, exposing fibres))

ALAN: "Hey, metaline fibres."

KOENIG: "Yeah. And uncorroded. Plastic, but one of the best conductors of energy we have."

ALAN: "Yeah, they'll conduct energy, but what energy? We don't have any source of power."

KOENIG: "Oh yes we do. Solar cells. There's a whole cluster of them around that alien structure."

80.EXT. STRUCTURE

The equipment is rigged up.

TRAVIS: "One set of solar cells. Origin unknown."

KOENIG: "One induction unit. Performance...doubtful."

ALAN: "And likewise one transmitter."

81.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

Maya is typing on the computer banks.

HELENA: "Alright, Maya. Let's reconsider. Maybe it is the result of natural causes."

MAYA: "No. Indications lead to a different conclusion."

HELENA: "Intelligent life?"

MAYA (reluctantly speculative): "Intelligent. Hostile. Powerful enough to mobilise the natural forces of the planet to destroy our people."

HELENA: "All right then. Where is it and why doesn't it register on our instruments?"

MAYA: "I don't know. Unless it's so unfamiliar it's presence can't register."

HELENA: "Maybe it's hidden by that structure." ((bleeps over))

MAYA: "Yes, that's possible."

KOENIG (VO in static): "Koenig to Alpha. John Koenig to Moonbase Alpha."

HELENA: "John!" ((presses buttons)) "We're receiving you."

MAYA: "How's Tony?"

KOENIG: "..we can transmit but cannot receive. Our situation is serious. We are without ships and equipment."

82.EXT. STRUCTURE

KOENIG: "Three more of our party have died, and the condition of Chief Security Officer Verdeschi.."

83.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

KOENIG (VO): " remains grave. We now know that this planet is overwhelmingly hostile to our life forms."

84.EXT. STRUCTURE

KOENIG: "We will strive to effect counter measures. Until we do, I expressly forbid any attempt at rescue."

85.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

KOENIG (VO): "Repeat. No Eagles are to come down here. Repeat. No Eagles are to come down here. Should they try..."

EXT. STRUCTURE

Koenig looks back at the induction unit, smoking.

KOENIG: " their metals...their metals will disintegrate on contact with this planet's atmosphere. It was this phenomenon that caused the crash of.."

Induction unit explodes.

85.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

Helena & Maya react.

86.EXT. STRUCTURE

KOENIG: "Well, let's hope some of it got through."

87.INT. COMMAND CENTRE

MAYA (studying monitor): "The atmosphere will soon become impossible to breathe. They won't have time for any effective counter measures."

HELENA: "I have to go down there, Maya. The problem is how. We can't use the Eagles."

MAYA: "The glider. The reentry glider."

HELENA: "Reentry glider?"

MAYA: "Yes, it's made of carbon fibre. We can replace the metal seals on our spacesuits.."

HELENA: "Right." ((cautions:)) "It has no power unit. It would be a one way trip, Maya."

MAYA: "I know. For two passengers."

HELENA: "For two passengers."

88.EXT. STRUCTURE

Travis works near the flashing solar cells. He looks up.

89.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Sun.

90.EXT. STRUCTURE

Travis looks down, then notices the centre of the door is glowing green. He runs off.

91.EXT. BASE CAMP

KOENIG (hand touching Tony's head): "He's cold."

ED: "Yes, Commander."

KOENIG: "What are his chances?"

ED: "He might not get through the night."

TRAVIS (runs up): "Commander. We're in."

KOENIG: "Good." ((to Alibe)) "Alert Carter." ((looks down at Tony, then runs off))

92.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle & glider rises on pad to surface.

Another angle of same.

INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)

Tube travels on.

Tube stops.

92.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Boarding tube extends to starboard of Eagle (Moonbase in background)

94.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Fraser, Maya & Helena enter the port door of Eagle 3, all wearing spacesuits. Fraser goes forward as the girls sit.

95.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle launches.

96.EXT. STRUCTURE

They all reach the door. Koenig touches the control. It opens, & Koenig, Alan & Travis enter.

97.INT. STRUCTURE

The 3 cautiously walk down a ramp & into a room; it lights up as they enter. Pan over two beds to a desk & the back of a chair- the chair is occupied. Koenig raises his laser & approaches. His spins the chair. Sound over: scream. A skeleton.

98.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle leaves Moon horizon.

99.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

HELENA (checking medical scanners): "Have you worked out our launch position?"

MAYA: "I've tried to assess all the relevant factors."

HELENA: "It's a big planet, Maya. A small error could put us hundreds of miles from base camp."

MAYA: "Well then we'll discover the joys of walking, won't we?"

98.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle heads to planet.

100.INT. STRUCTURE

Koenig takes a stick from the skeleton's hand. He removes its cap. A small disk drops & Alan picks it up. Koenig takes it, giving Alan the tube. Alan looks inside it.

ALAN: "There are more of those here."

Koenig puts it in a recess in the desk. A large wall becomes a screen.

KOENIG: "It's a holographic recording."

ZORAN: "The end has come. Only I, Zoran, the leader of this expedition, survive. But soon I too will be dead. To you who come, as we did, to search for this promised land, cease your struggle. There is only one way out of this pitiless world. Death."

101.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle & Moon over planet horizon.

102.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

FRASER: "Doctor Russell, atmosphere perimeter coming up."

103.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

A ladder descends. They close visors. The women go to climb it.

HELENA: "Activate airlock."

104.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Close on Eagle: pan up from pod to glider aloft.

105.EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

CU as the seats raise the girls upright.

106.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

FRASER: "Approaching extremity of atmosphere. Stand by to launch."

MAYA (VO): "Standing by."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Close on glider.

107.EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

HELENA: "A hundred and twenty nine thousand feet. A hundred and ten thousand feet. Launch."

MAYA: "Bill, there's a fault. We haven't got release."

108.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

FRASER: "That's because I haven't released you. I'm taking you closer."

109.EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

HELENA: "Release us, Bill. The Eagle will break up. You're risking your life."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

FRASER: "That makes three of us."

110.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Eagle & glider in dark blue sky, stars speeding past.

111.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

FRASER: "Malfunction." ((presses button)) "You're on your own, girls. Good luck."

112.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

CU as rear bracket releases glider.

Glider rises from roof of Eagle.

113.EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

MAYA: "Stand by for reentry."

HELENA: "Standing by."

114.INT. STRUCTURE

ZORAN (healthy): "Survey reports indicate that this planet is ideal. Our people have rejoiced in the good fortune that has guided us to this hospitable land."

((screen fades; Koenig puts in a new disc)) "..but as yet we have not located our mining party. A further complication is the inexplicable breakdown of our most vital equipment." ((distracted by something offstage & image fades))

ALAN: "Let's try another disc."

KOENIG (as image returns): "Wait. He was interrupted. He's coming back."

ZORAN: "The natural resources of this planet have turned poisonous. Half our number have perished. Our own supplies are dwindling. We are facing disaster."

115.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Glider.

118.EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

MAYA: "Twenty five thousand feet, stand by for turbulence."

119.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Glider enters cloud.

POV through front window: flashing sky. (sc 117)

124.EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

MAYA: "We've got to get out of this turbulence."

HELENA: "We'll miss the Base Camp."

MAYA: "That's right."

121.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Glider in lightning.

EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Glider.

EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Lightning strikes glider.

126.EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

Window explodes before them.

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Lightning strikes again; explosion in rear of glider.

EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Glider flies on.

120.INT. STRUCTURE

ZORAN: "Yesterday the survivors of the mining party were found, in deep coma, and suffering with a mysterious form of brain damage. They regained consciousness shortly before death, and were lucid enough to describe to us what had happened." ((sc 126:)) "We are being destroyed by an immortal creature of awesome power. A solitary being which yearns for contact with other forms of intelligent life. It did not seek to deliberately destroy our mining party: it wanted to communicate, to talk, to express the joy it felt at discovering a form of life other than itself." ((Ed in)) "But the means it chose..inflicted insanity and violent death. We must find a way to communicate with it. We must make it understand." ((screen fades))

ED: "Commander. Tony's come round."

ALAN: "They regain consciousness just before death."

KOENIG: "Yeah. Alan. Go through the records again. Maybe we missed something. Let's go." ((Travis, Ed & Koenig leave))

128.EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

MAYA: "Landing site?"

HELENA: "Yes. Get us down quickly."

EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

POV of clouds.

HELENA (VO): " or we'll hit those trees."

EXT. GLIDER COCKPIT

131.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Glider hits sandy beach.

Glider ploughs along.

Glider ploughs along.

Glider ploughs into trees.

FADE OUT

ACT FOUR
139.EXT. BASE CAMP

TONY (weakly): "..John.."

KOENIG: "Hello, Tony."

TONY: "How... are we doing?"

KOENIG: "Still a long way from home."

TONY (realisation): "Lustig..."

KOENIG: "Easy, easy."

TONY: "I..I didn't kill Lustig."

KOENIG: "We'll talk about it later."

TONY: "No..no, now. Listen to me.. We got separated...I heard a shout...I went back.."

8.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX) ((Flashback))

Shot: Lustig standing, twitching.

TONY (VO): "..he was crazy.."

Shot: Tony & Lustig rolling over in fight.

TONY (VO): "..tried to kill me.."

139.EXT. BASE CAMP

KOENIG: "You tried to disarm him. The laser went off. Then what?"

TONY: "I was about..to call in..and..I heard..something...weird, weird noise.."

8.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX) ((Flashback))

Shot: Tony holds comlock as sees light.

139.EXT. BASE CAMP

TONY: "..it seemed to be all around me.."

KOENIG: "Go on."

TONY: "..A noise..it was... eating up my mind..I.."

8.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX) ((Flashback))

Brief shot: Tony in flashing light.

139.EXT. BASE CAMP

TONY: "..I tried to run..to get away..and I turned.."

8.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX) ((Flashback))

Brief shot: Tony clutches head in glare of flashing light.

TONY (VO): "..I saw it.."

139.EXT. BASE CAMP

KOENIG: "Did it have a form, a shape?"

TONY: "No, just light.."

8.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX) ((Flashback))

Shot: the light.

TONY (VO): "..intense patterns of energy.."

139.EXT. BASE CAMP

TONY: "...forming...changing..for a second I..I thought it would..take on a..definite form.."

8.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX) ((Flashback))

Shot: light

TONY (VO): "..it seemed to being trying to converse.."

139.EXT. BASE CAMP

TONY: "..but it didn't.."

KOENIG: "That's all?"

TONY: "Yeah.. something hit me..my mind, it just burned up.."

KOENIG: "It confirms what we know already, Tony."

Tony has drifted back into unconsciousness.

ALIBE: "Hey! Look!" ((sc 140))

Maya & Helena arrive, wearing jumpsuits (red & black respectively)

KOENIG: "Helena! Maya!"

HELENA (embraces): "John."

KOENIG: "How'd you get here?"

HELENA: "Glider."

KOENIG: "Glider?"

HELENA: "I'll tell you later."

MAYA: "Tony?"

KOENIG: "He'll want to see you. Come on."

They go to Tony (sc 141). Helena scans him.

HELENA: "There's no permanent brain damage. No other real damage."

ED: "Massive shock."

HELENA: "It's..almost as if the will to live has been destroyed."

ED: "It's following the pattern. First the madness. Then the clear, lucid head. Shortly followed by death."

Beat. Maya & Tony.

TONY: "Maya."

KOENIG: "Do what you can for him."

TRAVIS (arriving; to Koenig): "We've found another disc. It might help."

Koenig touches Maya's shoulder. Maya, Travis & Koenig leave.

142.INT. STRUCTURE

ZORAN: "My attempt to communicate with the being has proved fatal. Yesterday, I finally confronted it. I was protected with a suit which was specially designed to block it's destructive powers. The suit was flawed. A simple error in the eye section. I looked at it and I was lost,..insane. Now I follow in the path of the others. I am lucid. I record these details knowing that I am soon to die." ((image fades; skull in foreground))

ALAN: "While you were away we found this."

Puts his outstretched hand onto a panel by the entrance. The panel slides open to reveal the suit.

ALAN: "There it is."

Koenig takes the helmet & touches the ear section: a clicking.

KOENIG: "It's still active."

ALAN (holds up small unit): "So is this. Must be a communicator."

KOENIG: "If we increase the protection around the eyes..it's Tony's only chance."

ALAN: "And ours."

143.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Koenig wears suit.

KOENIG: "That's where Lustig was found, right through that arch. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to make contact with the being in that clearing."

HELENA: "Well, don't press your luck, John. Please: be careful. And no matter what, don't take off this helmet."

ALAN: "Hey. You'd better memorise the approach."

KOENIG: "Yeah." ((looks forward, then Helena puts on his helmet))

MAYA: "Commander. Do you read me?"

KOENIG (radio): "Loud and clear."

MAYA: "How do you feel?"

KOENIG (radio): "Like I'm in a hole a million feet deep. I wish I could see out of this thing."

ALAN: "Yeah, well, you know the only certain protection, John, is to completely shield your eyes."

MAYA: "You've memorised the path?"

KOENIG: "Right. Just point me."

MAYA: "Good luck, John." ((he walks off)) "Bear right." ((walks to arch)) "Straight." ((nears arch)) "Duck."

144.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Koenig enters the clearing. The light starts to flash (camera pulls violently back & forward on Koenig) (sc 116). Koenig tries to speak.

KOENIG: "I am not your enemy! I am not your enemy! I don't want to harm you!"

VOICE: "I am not your enemy! I don't want to harm you!"

147.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Helena, Maya & Helena listen.

KOENIG (radio): "I have no weapons!"

148.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

VOICE: "I have no weapons."

KOENIG (on knees): "Please! I've got to talk to you! We've got to communicate! We've got to try and communicate."

VOICE: "Please! I've got to talk to you! Communicate!" ((calms)) "Communicate. Communicate. Communicate." ((violently camera closes stop))

KOENIG (standing again): "Yes, please."

VOICE: "I have found the key."

149.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

The 3 listen.

VOICE: "We are in communication."

KOENIG (radio): "Who are you?"

150.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

KOENIG: "What are you?"

VOICE: "I am I. Who are you? What are you?"

KOENIG: "A man! John Koenig!" ((spotlight passes over him))

VOICE: "You are a voice."

151.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

The 3 listen.

KOENIG: "I am a living being, like you."

VOICE: "There is none but I."

152.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

VOICE: "And I am I."

KOENIG: "No. You are one among many."

VOICE: "You are more than a voice."

KOENIG: "Yes."

VOICE: "Reveal that which is John Koenig."

EXT. PLANET SURFACE

3 listen.

KOENIG: "Why?"

VOICE: "To know that you are more than a voice."

KOENIG: "What about the others who looked at you?"

VOICE: "Others?"

152.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

KOENIG: "The others who looked at you and went insane? You don't know the power you possess."

VOICE: "You can look at me, John Koenig. Reveal that which is you."

HELENA (VO): "No, John."

153.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

The 3 are shocked.

HELENA: "No!"

ALAN: "He's crazy if he removes that mask."

MAYA: "Don't remove your helmet."

154.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

KOENIG (lowers mask): "I trust you." ((spotlight passes over him))

VOICE: "There is truly more than I."

KOENIG: "Yes. You are one among many, as I am. May I show you?"

VOICE: "Yes. Yes."

KOENIG: "Helena! Maya!"

EXT. PLANET SURFACE

The 3 listen.

KOENIG: "Alan! Show yourselves!"

They cautiously walk to the arch.

VOICE: "But, John Koenig, if I am not I, "

154.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

VOICE: " then what?"

KOENIG: "That is for each of us to discover."

VOICE: "How is this done, John Koenig?" ((as 3 enter))

KOENIG: "I speak for myself, though I am one of many. If we understand others, in time, I believe, we come to understand ourselves."

Spotlights passes over the faces of Alan, Maya, Koenig & Helena.

VOICE: "I sense death in your minds. What is death?"

HELENA: "That which we humans fear most: the end of life."

VOICE: "Then I have caused death?"

HELENA: "Yes. Because you were unaware of life other than your own."

VOICE: "You have brought me understanding. And death was your reward. I cannot support this grief that I feel."

KOENIG: "Will you help us?"

VOICE: "Yes. All will be well. I, that am I, is no more. I that will be has much to regret." ((sc 156))

FADE OUT

EPILOGUE
157.EXT. BASE CAMP

Koenig, Helena, Maya & Alan find the camp deserted.

KOENIG: "There's noone here, the camp's deserted."

ALAN: "Somebody's taken all our gear."

KOENIG (as Fraser appears in spacesuit): "Bill, what are you doing here?"

FRASER: "The corrosive elements in the atmosphere have evaporated and Alpha gave me the all clear and I came in. Everyone's in the Eagle waiting to lift off. We haven't got much time, the Moon's moving out of range."

158.EXT. PLANET ATMOSPHERE (SFX)

Moon in sky.

159.EXT. BASE CAMP

HELENA: "Just when we find what could be a lovely home..we can't stay."

KOENIG: "I know. Bill, lead the way."

They leave.

160.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

They enter & Maya goes to Koenig.

MAYA: "Tony."

TONY (smiles at her): "Maya." ((they smile))

ALAN: "Ready to go home?"

TONY: "Huh..I really didn't think we were going to make it this time."

KOENIG: "We had a little help, Tony."

HELENA: "From a friend."

FREEZE FRAME