End of Eternity/Transcript

Hook
1. EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Asteroid over base.

2.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Asteroid.

3.EXT. ASTEROID SURFACE

Astronaut 6 catches the box thrown at him by astronaut 8, who then bounces up to him.

ASTRONAUT 6: "We're just preparing the charges now."

They kneel by the boxes, take discs & place them against the rock face.

4.EXT. ASTEROID SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle on an inclined surface of the asteroid.

5.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Track Victor carrying readout from front of Eagle to Alan & Koenig, sat by computer. All wear spacesuits, except Alan.

VICTOR: "Extraordinary. But there it is."

KOENIG (studies readout): "It doesn't make sense."

VICTOR: "Nonetheless, there is an atmosphere source, somewhere inside this asteroid."

KOENIG: "Inside?"

PAUL (appearing on computer screen): "Latest figures, Commander. We're three light years away from the nearest star system. If the asteroid's come from there, to get this far at its present velocity, it's been travelling in space for at least a thousand years." ((screen blanks))

BAXTER: "Commander." ((follow them to Baxter, at other screen)) "They're all set."

ASTRONAUT (on screen): "Charges in position, Commander."

KOENIG: "Alright. Trigger it."

7.EXT. ASTEROID SURFACE (SFX)

Rock face explodes with a whistling explosion.

9.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Screen shows a new smooth surface, marked with 3 symbols.

KOENIG: "You were right, Victor."

VICTOR: "Hmm. Yeah. Let's take a look."

Close on symbols on screen.

10.EXT. ASTEROID SURFACE

-Koenig leads astronaut 6 & another through the dust to the door.

-CU Koenig as arrives.

-The other astronauts gather at the door.

-CU Koenig as he beckons them.

-The astronauts gather at the door.

-Victor holds his instrument to the door: it starts to slide open to the left.

FADE OUT

Act One
2.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Asteroid & Moon.

10.EXT. ASTEROID SURFACE

Astronauts start to enter door. Titles over.

11.INT. TUNNEL

-The five astronauts enter the tunnel. The red hexagonal door closes behind them startlingly. A hissing sound makes them stumble.

VICTOR: "An airlock!"

-CU Victor with his instrument as the hissing stops.

VICTOR: "Atmosphere breathable. Could support some other form of life."

-The 5 raise visors. Koenig advances with his laser.

-They go down a tunnel. (sc 12)

-Koenig, Victor & Baxter lead the others to camera.

-View up tributary tunnel as they appear from left at junction. (sc 13)

-POV up tributary to a red door at the end.

-CU Baxter, Koenig & Victor.

-Close on door.

-The walk to the door; close on it as Victor scans it.

VICTOR: "No. It's no use."

KOENIG: "Alright, stand clear, Victor." ((draws laser as Victor backs)) "Visors down." ((he fires a blue beam twice to no effect. He walks back past others to Victor)) "Victor, -excuse me, Jim-, I think we'll need some more explosives."

Baxter wanders up to the door, which suddenly explodes, tossing him back.

-CU Koenig turning

-View from inside door past rubble. They go to Baxter & help him up.

KOENIG: "Baxter, you alright?"

BAXTER: "Yeah, I'm alright, Commander."

They walk up to the door.

KOENIG: "Sure you're alright?"

BAXTER: "Yeah, I think so."

14.INT. CHAMBER

-Music: a plucked harp. They cautiously enter the wrecked room. Victor bends to dust off some painted slabs, as Koenig does beyond. Victor advances, & lifts one slab up, revealing a reddened shape in the rubble..

-CU hand, dashed with blood. It stirs. Music: howling.

-CU bloody bandages covering face of the figure in an emergency casket. A button is pressed on the controls above the head. (sc 17)

ALAN: "He's in a bad way, Commander." ((stands)) "I doubt if he'll make it."

VICTOR: "Yes. That explosion really ripped him apart."

KOENIG: "Still. Let's get him back to Alpha as quickly as we can."

ALAN: "Right. Let's go." ((4 astronauts position themselves round cask)) "Lift."

The lift it & pass Victor & Koenig as they leave.

VICTOR: "Well, John. As far as I can see." ((kneels & puts a rock in a canvas bag)) "There's nothing else here. It's a one room world."

They leave. Koenig pauses to look round. Close on slab.

18.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle flies from asteroid to Moon.

21.INT. CORRIDOR

-Helena, Bob & 2 nurses wait outside the Travel Tube. The door opens & the crew emerge with the stretcher.

KOENIG: "Bob, I want you to check Baxter out."

BOB: "Right."

-They race along the corridor, Helena speaking (unheard) to her nurses.

-The party passes a door marked 'Auxiliary Services'.

23.EXT.-INT. MEDICAL

They turn right to come up corridor, then turn right (sc 22,track through wall) into Medical (sc 23).

BOB (to male nurse): "You run a check on Baxter."

The medics take the stretcher to the other side of the room. On this side Victor has found a TV monitor.

VICTOR: "John."

The two pilots who helped move the gurney leave. The others gather round to watch monitor: overhead view of medics around body.

BOB: "Alright, Doctor Russell."

Close on screen.

HELENA: "Oxygen supply?"

-Alan, Victor & Koenig watch screen.

NURSE: "He's registering stable."

HELENA: "Vital signs?"

-Screen.

BOB (frustrated): "Erratic."

HELENA: "Switch on."

A dot starts to cross the bottom of the screen, with a bleeping.

-Alan, Victor & Koenig.

HELENA: "Dressing cutters?"

-Screen:

BOB: "Hold it."

Dot crosses screen without movement.

BOB: "He's dead." ((screen blanks))

-Koenig, Alan & Victor.

-Helena comes up to them, with a sigh.

HELENA: "I'm sorry."

KOENIG: "Well, you tried. What now?"

HELENA: "An autopsy, I suppose."

Koenig leaves. Bob is left alone, & pulls a sheet over the alien's head. Music: harp.

24.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig stands before viewports, Baxter in foreground left, out of focus.

KOENIG: "As I understand it, Mike, the blast hit you harder than it hit the rest of us." ((focus on Baxter)) "Now, Medical seems to think that -there might be some damage." ((Koenig walks to him))

BAXTER: "Uh-huh..if I'm grounded I want to know why. No bull about it."

KOENIG: "Mike. Just give them a chance to check you out, as soon as you're clear I'm sure you'll be able to fly again. As far as I'm concerned, there's no problem. Alright?"

BAXTER: "Yeah. If you say so."

INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

-A nurse in plastic overalls enters the door of the isolation room, carrying an instrument tray. View through observation window as she joins Helena & others as they unwrap the alien's face dressings. Close on face as it is revealed: it is unmarked. Medics are shocked.

-CU Helena (still view through window). She bends to the alien's chest to listen, then speaks to Bob (unheard). She rushes out through the door & takes her comlock.

HELENA: "John!"

-CU Koenig in observation, with Helena. (sc 25)

KOENIG: "Just a little while ago that man was severely injured. He was mutilated beyond description. I happen to know because I dressed his wounds myself."

HELENA: "Yes, when you brought him here, he was severely injured. And then everything indicated that he had died. Well. Now he's alive. And what's more, we can't find any sign of injury, internal or external: he is completely healed."

Bob comes out of the isolation room behind them holding a readout.

BOB: "Doctor."

She studies the readout.

HELENA: "Have you checked this?"

BOB: "No mistake."

KOENIG: "What is it?"

HELENA: "Well these figures indicate the rate of the alien's cell replacement process. His body is regenerating cells so fast..they don't have time to decay." ((she walks to tables before window)) "There's no cell decay. John, his body..is being held in some sort of stasis. Bob. Speed up the rest of the figures, will you, please?"

BOB: "Right." ((goes back into isolation))

KOENIG: "Helena. Helena. That asteroid's been out in space for..maybe a thousand years. Now is it conceivable...is it possible that he's been out there all that time?"

HELENA: "Well. These figures are just early indications. But, if they're leading us where I think they are,..anything is possible."

KOENIG (indicating): "I'm going to put two security men outside that door. Noone is to have access to this room unless I give permission."

Koenig leaves. Close on window & alien.

26.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

-CU stone on a stand.

VICTOR (picking it up): "This is a rock sample, from the asteroid. From the atmosphere chamber." ((Koenig takes it & examines it)) "And, uh, I bombarded it with antimatter to try and break down its molecular structure. So that, to all intents and purposes, it should have ceased to exist. Like this."

Victor puts it on the stand & places a glass cover over it. Close on it. The interior reddens & we see the opaque disc in the cover through it.

VICTOR: "But I switch off the disintegrator." ((arm passes in front of camera)) "And now look."

-CU stand from top. The rock materialises.

-CU Koenig as glass is taken off in foreground. Pull back as he holds the rock up.

VICTOR: "Yep. That's the same piece of rock. Somehow.. reformed, reintegrated, regenerated. Just like the cell structure of the alien, when his injuries healed."

27.INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

-CU computer screen; track down to alien's head, wired with electrodes. His eyes open.

28.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

-CU the rock on the Command Desk. Koenig, sitting, picks it up. Victor walks to sit under the comms post.

VICTOR: "Mind you. It's a long shot. 'Cause, uh,..it's something I haven't really come across before. But, my guess is, that it's not really a rock at all. But a living organism. You can burn it, scrape it, blast it, bombard it with antimatter, and somehow it will regenerate itself."

27.INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

The alien rips off the electrodes & looks at them. He sits & looks at the computer panels behind him.

28.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig is still at his desk, Victor seated below.

KOENIG: "The question is. Is it organic matter? Or was it created for some specific purpose?"

27.INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

The aliens stands looking at the monitor on the right of his bed. He walks to the window & knocks into it with his head. He puts his gloved hands to the glass, looking out.

28.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

VICTOR (standing & walking up): "Of course, it's, uh, it's possible that it's something like the..shell of a tortoise, " ((leans on desk)) " designed to..protect the man inside, prevent people like us from getting in."

-Koenig leans back in his chair.

KOENIG: "Or to prevent him from getting out."

29.INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

The alien forces open the isolation door & walks through to the main double doors.

They slide open, to the surprise of the 2 guards either side. Balor walks out. The guards grab his arms to restrain him, but he tosses them away. One returns & is tossed into Medical. The other is lifted & thrown back. The first returns & is pushed off, then picked up & used to knock the second guard away before being flung into Medical. The second is picked up by the neck, held up, then lifted, lowered & tossed backwards into Medical. Balor looks at the two bodies, then forces the doors closed.

30.INT. CORRIDOR

Tracking shot of Balor striding along corridor. He comes to a comms post & feels it, studying the technology.

FADE OUT

Act Two
30.INT. CORRIDOR

Balor walks along the corridor. He comes to a door & touches the control panel, then carries on. At the end of the corridor is a double door marked 'Auxiliary Services'.

He brushes his hand past a comms post, & turns left.

31.INT. MEDICAL

-Helena holds a pen light in Baxter's eye.

BAXTER: "How do I look?"

HELENA: "Fine. You can sit up now."

-BAXTER: "So. When do I get back to flying?"

HELENA: "Well, we'll have to check the tests first."

-BAXTER: "Checks, checks, checks." ((he sighs with a smile))

Helena leaves him. Baxter leaps off the chair, almost losing his balance as he lands. -Helena notices.

-BAXTER: "Goodbye, Doctor. It was a pleasure."

Helena watches him. Baxter opens the door with his comlock & leaves. Helena goes to the comms post.

33.INT. LIVING QUARTERS

-Baxter holds a model red biplane.

BAXTER: "Grounded?" ((he puts it down)) "For good?" ((he walks round the shelves to Koenig))

KOENIG: "I know what this means to you, Mike."

BAXTER: "Well. What's the story?"

-KOENIG: "Your optic nerve. It's been severely damaged." ((Baxter reacts)) "I'm sorry."

Koenig bows his head.

-BAXTER: "Leave me alone. Leave me alone."

KOENIG: "Yep." ((he leaves))

Baxter walks round the shelves to touch a mounted silver monoplane.

34.INT. CORRIDOR

Two girls, one Main Mission, one a medic, walk up, passing unnoticed Balor, backed into the side of an alcove. He looks after them, then down the corridor. He walks off.

35.INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

The double doors open for Bob. He hurries to the groaning bodies of the guards, then goes to the observation window to look through. He takes his comlock.

BOB: "Commander!"

36.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig goes quickly to his desk as it bleeps & activates the screen. -CU screen, showing Bob.

BOB (on screen): "The alien's escaped from security."

37.INT. CORRIDOR

-Beyond a travel tube terminal, Balor goes to a door. He tries to open it using the control panel, but then forces it open.

-Balor emerges slowly passing an Alpha map, & approaches a service girl writing at her desk. His hand stretches to touch the back of her neck. She smiles at the touch & turns to look: she screams.

38.INT. MAIN MISSION

DAVID: "He's in Assembly Area D."

KOENIG: "Security. Assembly Area D."

39.INT. CORRIDOR

Security men run down the corridor; klaxons sound & red alert screens flash.

40.INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "Alan." ((he & Alan leave))

41.INT. CORRIDOR

-Assembly Area D is crowded, & the bewildered Balor is surrounded by screaming Alphans. He moves for the service girl as she crawls away. The Alphans scatter, leaving a red-sleeved man unable to get past. He circles, as Balor turns, his arms out passively.

-The guards pass 'Auxiliary Services'.

-Balor clutches his ears from the alarms. He sees two guards running up as the other Alphans retreat in panic. They slow to approach him. One moves to grab him but is caught by the neck; the others is also grabbed. Balor lifts his knee to throw the second guard over it to the floor. He tosses the other back as two more guards arrive. One is thrown back, the other is struck down by his arm. A fifth guard launches off the back of the previous, is caught, lifted and thrown into another guard.

-Alan & Koenig run along the corridor.

-Two guards rise and are caught by Balor and he slams their backs together, then throws them away. Another guard is lifted & thrown into two more at Koenig & Alan's feet. Alan takes a laser from the guard & fires a yellow beam at Balor. Balor does not react.

KOENIG: "Use the kill ray."

Alan fires a blue beam. Balor is not affected.

BALOR (desperately): "No! Please! Please, I must..!.." ((gently)) ".talk to you..?"

-Koenig reacts.

42.INT. MAIN MISSION

BALOR: "My name..is Balor. I am a citizen of the planet Progron."

Koenig walks round Tanya, Alan, Paul, Victor, Helena, Sandra, Baxter & the back of Balor.

KOENIG: "Why did you attack our people?"

BALOR: "Commander, please believe me. I mean your people no harm."

HELENA: "Balor. We brought you here because you were injured. To help you."

BALOR: "I understand that now. But when you blasted your way into the asteroid, I was hurt, disorientated. I asked myself what is happening? Why should people do this to me? What is this nightmare? Then I am attacked by your guards. I defend myself. And then weapons are drawn." ((goes to Koenig)) "Now...is the time to stop. To talk. To try to understand each other. Yes."

KOENIG: "It was fear that made our people react as they did."

BALOR: "Commander. Please do not misunderstand me. You have done me a great service. A service which leaves me deeply in your debt." ((he bows his head))

ALAN: "I have a question. I used a full blast kill laser on you. I don't understand why you're not dead." ((moves forward))

BALOR: "Of course you don't. My powers are no accident of evolution. Once,..a long time ago.., we were mortal, as you are. Our scientists began to experiment with the ..forces of life and death. They found first ..a means to eliminate the ageing process in ..living tissue. From there they went on. Until they achieved total mastery of cell regeneration. Until finally ..they realised that death was defeated. That immortality itself ..was possible."

VICTOR: "Your people ..achieved immortality?"

BALOR: "Yes. My body, huh, is immortal. And I have lived for over a thousand of your years."

KOENIG (walks to him): "Balor. That asteroid was out in space a very long time. Why were you inside it?"

BALOR: "I will tell you what happened on my world. And then perhaps you will ..begin to understand. Our people accepted the gift of eternal life offered to them by science. With nothing to strive for, our people became ..apathetic, ..corrupt. Our civilisation decayed, lost its purpose, became negative. Some of us realised what was happening. We tried to reverse the process. We tried to instil in the minds of our people the thought that only death gives a purpose to life, that a full response to life can only be -measured against a fear of death. But how can you value life, if you do not fear death? In any event, my efforts failed. How can you teach immortals to feel like mortals? Our world was in chaos. Our leaders lacked vision. They could not accept the philosophy, my philosophy, which offered a way out: a means to ..transcend the limitations of the human spirit. I persisted. But in the end they turned on me. I was the enemy...the cause of all their misfortune. A prison was constructed out of living rock. And I was shut in. And cast out. To suffer eternal solitude for what were considered my crimes."

Koenig walks to him.

KOENIG: "Is there something we can do for you?"

BALOR: "I belong nowhere. To noone. My need is sanctuary."

KOENIG: "You're welcome to stay with us. At least for the present. We'd like you to be our guest. Paul. Show Balor to my quarters."

PAUL: "Yes, sir."

BALOR: "Thank you all."

Koenig watches him leave.

KOENIG: "Victor. Helena."

FADE OUT

Act Three
43.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig stands at the top of the steps to the big doors, his hands on his hips. He walks down to Victor & Helena.

KOENIG: "What do you think, Victor?"

VICTOR: "Well. I'm inclined to believe him."

KOENIG (after short pause; grimly): "Why?"

VICTOR: "Well, what we know about the asteroid and how long it's been out there in space. It adds up."

KOENIG: "Does it? Helena?"

HELENA: "Well, it makes sense. We know immortality is possible."

VICTOR: "If we'd been offered immortality ..would we have chosen differently?"

KOENIG: "No. But if we found out we made a mistake, as the Progrons did, would we punish the man who offered us a way out?"

HELENA: "What are you trying to say?"

KOENIG: "I don't know. I don't know. But why would such a civilised people punish a man in such a diabolical way? And what about the paintings inside the asteroid? How do they fit in."

43.INT. CHAMBER

Inserts: various paintings ((soundtrack: screams))

Screaming woman holding up hands, stigmata.

People flee burning city.

Screaming men

A screaming man, long thorns in his head, wild hair

A thin, horrified face

Repeat of 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4

43.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

VICTOR: "Terror. Destruction. Torture."

KOENIG: "Right. Maybe that was Balor's solution. Maybe that's what he offered his people."

HELENA: "Can we assume that from those paintings? He was in that asteroid for a long time. Maybe he painted them himself."

KOENIG: "Or maybe they were put there to remind him of something. Something he hasn't told us about." ((goes to comms post)) "Kano. I want you to run a constant computer check on Balor's whereabouts."

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

44.INT. LIVING QUARTERS

Baxter holds the red biplane, deep in thought. The door beyond bleeps. He opens it for Balor.

BAXTER: "What do you want?"

BALOR: "I can understand you resenting me."

BAXTER (distastefully): "Can you?"

Balor takes the biplane & studies it. Close on Balor.

BALOR (as if to child): "You take your flying.. very seriously, don't you?"

BAXTER: "Come on, what is it?"

BALOR: "And your.. minor disability has taken the joy of flying away from you."

BAXTER: "What do you want with me?"

BALOR: "Perhaps I can help you." ((turns from plane to Baxter, smiling))

45.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

The comms post shows a panning shot of Alpha. Koenig goes to it: it shows David.

DAVID (on screen): "Commander. Computer reports that Balor has just entered Mike Baxter's quarters."

KOENIG: "Baxter? Thanks, Kano."

INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)

Travel Unit speeds on.

Unit slows to a stop.

47.INT. CORRIDOR

Koenig walks to a door & opens it with his comlock.

48.INT. LIVING QUARTERS

Koenig enters. Baxter's back is to him, humming as he turns his biplane in the air.

KOENIG: "Well, I'm glad to see you're feeling better about things, Mike. Balor was here. What did he want?"

Baxter turns to Koenig, smiling. He hums, turns, stops, smiles. Then slams the biplane into Koenig's face. As Koenig bends, Baxter swings the plane round & strikes him repeatedly, humming madly ((subjective camera follows plane)).

At last Baxter screams, bends over backwards onto the floor, his hands open & palm up by his contorted face. He freezes in his death position.

Balor forces open the door & looks at Baxter at his feet (sc 50). He goes to Koenig's bloodied hand, by the dropped model. The plane is kicked away & Balor takes his hand, bowing his forehead to touch it. The hand stirs. Balor smiles.

The model is on the floor by a large wiped smear of blood, Track feet moving left to Baxter's body, still frozen in the same position as he is lifted onto a stretcher. (sc 51).

KOENIG: "Baxter got the jump on me. He went completely berserk. I never stood a chance, he was ..crazy, violent. He was still battering me when I...I passed out. And yet look at me now. There isn't a mark on me. I don't know what the hell's going on."

HELENA: "Bob. I want a report on what caused his death."

BOB (as lifts stretcher): "Yes, we'll rush an autopsy through straight away."

Camera rises to them.

VICTOR: "John. That expression, that ..attitude of the hands. Where have we seen that before."

KOENIG: "Inside the asteroid. Those pictures on the walls."

Victor nods.

HELENA: "Balor could have regenerated your injuries. But why? What's he up to?"

VICTOR: "He's trying to take over. What other reason could there be?"

HELENA: "Then why didn't he kill you? It doesn't make sense."

KOENIG: "No. But it's beginning to." ((activates comms post)) "Paul. Locate Balor. Have him come to my office."

52.INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig enters the dark office. Balor is standing by the comms post, unseen as Koenig walks down. Balor steps out & Koenig turns.

BALOR: "You wanted to see me, Commander?"

KOENIG: "Yes. Did you visit one of our people, a man called Baxter? He's now dead."

BALOR (walks down steps): "Is he?"

KOENIG: "What did you do to him? Now look, Balor. I happen to know you went to Baxter's quarters. And you did something to his mind that made him attack me viciously. And then you waited until he thrashed me within an inch of my life. And then you came back and healed my wounds. Correct?"

Balor walks away, then turns, wearing an expression of contented self satisfaction.

BALOR: "Yes, everything that you say is absolutely correct."

KOENIG: "Why?"

BALOR: "A demonstration, Commander. A foretaste of what is to come."

KOENIG: "You're not sane, Balor."

BALOR: "Who are you to judge what is sane and what is not? I .. failed with my own people because ..they were like myself. Immortals. But here, it will be different. Here I have found..the perfect models, geared for my precise purpose. Only one change. You will follow my way. My philosophy will prevail here now. You see, Koenig, I have plans here. When you released me from my isolation you ..left something there very precious to me. My paintings. Of course you noticed them. Scenes of terror, torture.. chaos...destruction."

KOENIG: "Yes. I know now that they were put there to remind you of what you did to your own people."

BALOR: "Right again, Koenig. And a thousand years of reflection have convinced me...I was right. And now I have found a golden opportunity to prove it! Will you...accept the challenge, Koenig?! Surrender to the exquisite forces of pain and suffering, and you.. will.. transcend your limitations!"

KOENIG: "You're evil, Balor. And what you offer is evil. We will resist you. And what you stand for."

BALOR (moves to strike him; he restrains himself): "Ugh.. Oh, please, don't make me kill you. I have to be careful with mortals. You have the release of death. Baxter was too lucky. No. I want you alive. You, Alpha, your people. You belong to me. And I will do with you as I wish. And you will come to accept what I have to offer. You'll see."

KOENIG: "No."

BALOR: "How will you stop me? Kill me?"

KOENIG: "We'll find a way. Somehow."

BALOR: "So you will not do as I command?"

KOENIG (shakes head): "You'll have to kill me first."

Balor walks up to the big doors. He glances back to Koenig, then throws them apart.

53.INT. MAIN MISSION

The staff look round. Balor walks down & round the desks, the Alphans scattering from him. Tanya falls, & is bodily dragged to her feet by Alan. Koenig runs to the top of the steps. Balor stops behind Kano's desk. Close on Koenig. Close on Balor. Koenig.

BALOR: "I offered your Commander a choice. He refused."

Koenig. Balor bends to grip David's desk. He lifts the desk, causing sparks. The staff react. Balor holds the desk above his head & walks forward. Balor tosses the upside down desk near to Koenig.

BALOR: "There will be death and destruction on this base. Until he agrees."

Balor leaves. Koenig moves forward.

INT. CORRIDOR

Technicians scatter. Balor walks past a comms post flashing 'Red Alert'. He follows after them.

FADE OUT

Act Four
53.INT. MAIN MISSION

View from stairs: Koenig has his foot on the first step.

KOENIG: "A killer who can't be killed." ((slaps the banister, then goes along top of steps; sc 55)) "He's insane! He can do what he wants with us and he knows it."

PAUL: "Commander. Damage reports are coming in. Balor is tearing Alpha apart."

KOENIG: "But he wants Alpha, Paul. He won't destroy us, at least not yet."

PAUL: "Well, can't we do something?"

KOENIG: "Yes, hold out. Until we come up with something. We've got to find some way to fight him. Or we're finished. Victor."

Koenig leaves for his office, & Victor follows.

56.INT. MEDICAL

Helena, Bob & nurses attend a man in pyjamas sleeping in a chair.

HELENA: "That's good, Bob. Nice and easy. Okay."

Balor enters. They freeze as he approaches, knocking away a monitor.

BALOR: "Doctor Russell. You have heard of my powers of healing? Your medical functions here are now obsolete."

HELENA: "I am in control of this unit. And I shall determine whether or not my function is obsolete."

BALOR: "Believe me...you are. This equipment, though has ..possibilities. Possibilities that will amaze you. And may even...interest you."

HELENA: "Get out of here."

Balor takes the back of a nurse's neck. She screams & collapses. -Helena quickly kneels by her. Balor takes Helena's arm to stand her up.

BALOR: "Every time that I ask for your help, and you deny it, I will inflict pain. And it will get worse." ((whispers)) "But I will not kill you."

He leaves.

57.INT. MAIN MISSION

Koenig & Victor go down the steps to Paul.

KOENIG: "Paul. Situation?"

PAUL: "All our communications hardware in section C is wrecked. There's damage to the labs in the Research Area. Do you want me to go on?"

ALAN: "He's just destroying everything, Commander."

HELENA (appears on screen): "John." ((Koenig goes to screen)) "He was just here."

KOENIG: "Go on."

HELENA (on screen): "One of our orderlies... Balor is a cold blooded killer."

Koenig looks at Kano, by him.

KOENIG: "Evacuate the medical centre and get over here right away." ((screen blanks; Koenig returns to others)) "Where is he now?"

PAUL: "Last reported heading towards Area B."

KOENIG: "Get all our people out of there."

ALAN (stopping Paul): "Wait a minute, Paul. Balor's gonna hear that."

PAUL: "You're right. I'll put it through the comlocks." ((types)) "Main Mission to Area B."

VICTOR: "I think there's a way we could slow him up."

KOENIG: "How?"

VICTOR: "We'll soon be able to isolate him in one of the Alpha sections, and then we could depressurise and turn the whole area into a vacuum."

-Koenig considers. -Alan looks at Paul. -Koenig walks to the front, then returns.

KOENIG: "Better still. Get him off Alpha. Out into space."

VICTOR: "He'll never go near an airlock. Not now."

KOENIG: "Not unless we forced him to. Paul, get him on the screen."

58.INT. CORRIDOR

Balor passes a Travel Unit door. Koenig appears on the comms post.

KOENIG (on screen): "Balor."

Balor goes to the comms post.

BALOR: "You agree to my terms?"

KOENIG (on screen): "No psychopath is going to dictate terms to us, Balor."

BALOR (seizing with anger): "You "

59.INT. MAIN MISSION

BALOR (on Big Screen): " will show me respect, Koenig. I will.."

Koenig blanks the screen.

58.INT. CORRIDOR

Balor looks angrily at the test cards on the screens, then leaves.

59.INT. MAIN MISSION

Koenig goes to Paul.

KOENIG: "Now, is B section clear yet?"

PAUL: "Yes, sir."

KOENIG: "Alright. I'm going in there. I want you to seal all doors behind me. As soon as I'm clear, depressurise."

ALAN: "Are you crazy? He'll tear you to pieces, you can't fight him.."

KOENIG: "Alan, I know that. What do you want me to do, invite him to leave? You know what to do." ((he leaves))

ALAN: "He'll kill him, Victor."

VICTOR: "I know."

INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)

Travel Unit comes to a stop.

60.INT. CORRIDOR

Koenig comes out of the Travel Unit & passes a security comms post.

64.INT. MAIN MISSION

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

-Big Screen (SFX): Koenig walking along corridor.

ALAN: "He's gone in there to take Balor. Alone."

61.INT. CORRIDOR

-Balor opens travel unit doors & emerges, looking round. He walks out and the doors close behind him. He looks back, then walks on.

-Koenig opens some double doors, looks round, then goes back in.

-Balor comes through some doors. They close behind him. He notices. (sc 63)

64.INT. MAIN MISSION

-Big Screen (SFX): Balor. (continuation of above)

65.INT. AIRLOCK

Koenig arrives at the inner door. He takes the inspection papers & chips the corner of the Airlock sticker.

INT. CORRIDOR

Balor passes through some double doors (as sc 61), which close behind him.

66.INT. AIRLOCK

Koenig peels off the sticker & aims his comlock at the control panel.

INT. CORRIDOR

Balor enters some doors, which close behind him.

66.INT. AIRLOCK

Koenig enters the outer airlock with the papers, & takes the papers there to chip at the sticker before peeling it off the red outer door.

INT. MAIN MISSION

They watch.

66.INT. AIRLOCK

Koenig puts the stickers & papers behind the reports hung by the door. He goes to the inner door & takes his comlock.

KOENIG: "Ready here, Paul."

67.INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Check, Commander."

INT. AIRLOCK

Koenig leans against the wall, waiting.

INT. MAIN MISSION

They wait.

INT. CORRIDOR

Balor walks on.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor and Helena; Paul; Tanya and Alan.

INT. AIRLOCK

Balor passes the inner chamber & stops, seeing Koenig.

INT. MAIN MISSION

They watch.

-Big Screen (SFX): Balor enters inner chamber.

-Helena and Victor.

-Big Screen (SFX)/ Main Mission:

PAUL: "Door." ((the door shuts behind Balor))

INT. AIRLOCK

Balor looks back at the door, then walks up to Koenig.

INT. MAIN MISSION

They watch.

-Big Screen (SFX): Balor enters outer door.

68.INT. AIRLOCK

Balor stops, noticing the door behind him doesn't close. He walks up to Koenig.

BALOR: "What are you doing here, Koenig?"

KOENIG: "Thinking."

BALOR: "Thinking about accepting my offer?"

KOENIG: "Maybe. But I need more time, Balor."

Koenig tries to walk past him, but Balor stops him and pushes him back to the wall.

BALOR: "You haven't got any more time, Koenig."

Balor puts his hand to Koenig's chin, giving him an electric shock.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Helena & Victor; Paul. Balor's fiendish little laugh over.

68.INT. AIRLOCK

KOENIG: "Look, Balor, I need a little more time."

BALOR: "I'm going to make you suffer, Koenig." ((touches him again))

KOENIG: "I need more time, Balor."

Balor moves his hand up again, but Koenig tries to move from it.

BALOR (as moves hand near): "Uh...uh..alright, Koenig, alright."

Both go to the door. Balor gestures Koenig go first.

INT. MAIN MISSION

-Paul tenses.

-CU his finger over a button marked 'Vacuum'.

-Big Screen (SFX): Koenig steps through door.

-Paul hits the button.

68.INT. AIRLOCK

Balor catches the door as it closes.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul watches.

INT. AIRLOCK

Balor pushes open the door

BALOR: "Time's up, Koenig."

INT. MAIN MISSION

They watch.

INT. AIRLOCK

Balor grabs Koenig by the neck & pushes him back into the airlock.

BALOR: "I've already waited..a thousand years!"

Koenig looks at the outer airlock doors. Balor goes to him.

BALOR: "I want your decision ..now, Koenig!"

69.INT. MAIN MISSION

HELENA: "He's gonna kill him!"

VICTOR (stopping Alan): "Alan! You can't help."

INT. AIRLOCK

Figures fighting in outer chamber (we see only shadows through inner door)

INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul.

INT. AIRLOCK

Koenig hits a wall. Balor grabs him.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Helena.

INT. AIRLOCK

Balor throws Koenig against the door frame. Koenig looks at the control panel.

INT. MAIN MISSION

INT. AIRLOCK

BALOR: "Is this helping you to think, Koenig? I'm trying not to kill you, Koenig. I need you on Alpha."

KOENIG: "Never, Balor!"

Koenig punches Balor in the face. Balor's restraint is gone: he strikes Koenig, who flies backwards into the inner chamber, leaving Balor in the outer chamber.

75.INT. MAIN MISSION

ALAN: "Now!"

CU Paul pressing 'Vacuum' button

77.INT. AIRLOCK

Balor steps forward as the door closes on him.

CU his fingers trying to grip the wall panels.

Balor falls backwards down the airlock into space.

INT. MAIN MISSION

They watch. Sighs of relief.

PAUL: "Are you alright, Commander?"

78.INT. AIRLOCK

Koenig leans against the wall, comlock in hand.

KOENIG: "Yes, Paul."

79.EXT. SPACE

Balor falling through space.

FADE OUT

Epilogue
80.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon foreground as Eagle approaches asteroid.

INT. MAIN MISSION

The staff watch.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Front view of Eagle, with pilots seen in viewports. Moon top right.

ALAN (VO): "Ranging now."

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "In your own time, Alan."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle fires thin yellow beam.

Asteroid blows up.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Koenig wanders to the arch; Victor & Helena join him.

VICTOR: "Well. We're lucky we survived."

KOENIG: "It was our fault. We unleashed him."

HELENA: "We meddled. We interfered with another people's justice. We must learn to leave some things alone."

VICTOR: "Of course he could have given us immortality."

KOENIG: "No. The price was too high." ((they walk off; Koenig returns to the staff)) "Alright. Let's get this place into shape. Let's go."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Asteroid reappears.

FREEZE FRAME