Breakaway/Transcript

Hook
1. EXT. MOON (SFX)

East hemisphere of Moon, sun beyond.

Titles over:

'THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON SEPT 9th 1999'

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Pan over disposal area. Titles over:

'NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL AREA TWO'

A loaded cargo Eagle, with buggy driving beyond barrier.

EXT. NDA 2

Buggy stops outside barrier & Nordstrom uses his comlock: a panel on a barrier column turns from red to green. They drive the buggy off through the posts.

NORDSTROM: "Professor Bergman, it's Jim Nordstrom. We've just passed through the laser barrier and we should "

INT. DEPOT

Buggy on screen as Victor steps back & rests his arm on instruments.

NORDSTROM (VO): " be ready to start Doctor Russell's manual check on the radiation seals in a couple of minutes."

VICTOR: "Alright, Nordstrom. We're watching you closely."

Helena looks at him.

EXT. NDA 2

Nordstrom & Steiner stand by a waste cap. Nordstrom inserts a stick in a hole & holds a meter: a vertical column of green lights is illuminated.

INT. DEPOT

HELENA: "Eagle One Four from Area Two Monitoring Depot. This is Doctor Russell."

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Level angle at Eagle, & 3 canisters moving on a conveyor belt to the hub.

PILOT 14 (VO): "Yes, Doctor?"

HELENA (VO): "When will you finish unloading?"

View down at Eagle, belt & hub: canisters descend into red shaft beneath hub.

PILOT 14 (VO): "Well, the last few canisters are going in now. I should think in about "

CU canister: 'DANGER RADIATION HAZARD'

PILOT 14 (VO): " ten minutes."

INT. DEPOT

HELENA: "Steiner. As soon as the ship lifts off, please begin a manual check on that radiation seal."

STEINER (VO): "Yes, Doctor."

VICTOR: "You're really making a thorough check."

HELENA: "Yes, I am."

Two screens are labelled 'Nordstrom' & 'Steiner', with a dot & line jumping across both screens. Whip pan to the box under Victor's arm, its screen the same & labelled 'Steiner'.

VICTOR: "So far their brain activity's normal."

HELENA: "So far."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle leaves Earth.

PILOT 2 (VO): "Moonbase Alpha from Eagle Two. We'll be arriving on schedule."

Eagle flies on.

PAUL (VO): "Eagle Two from Moonbase Alpha. We copy."

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

A service girl enters from the front, carrying a tray.

PILOT 2 (VO): "Commander Koenig. We'll be landing at Moonbase Alpha at twenty three three five lunar time."

STEWARDESS (offering tray): "Coffee, Commander?"

KOENIG (he takes tray): "Thank you."

PILOT 2 (VO): "I've got Commissioner Simmonds on a video call from Earth, Commander."

KOENIG: "I'll take it."

He puts the tray down & presses a key.

-Screen on the wall shows Simmonds.

SIMMONDS: "Ah, John. Well, you're signed, sealed and approved. The Space Commission's just ratified your appointment as Commander of Moonbase Alpha."

-KOENIG: "What about Commander Gorski?"

-SIMMONDS: "Oh, I, ah, relieved him of his command an hour ago. He's not your problem, John." ((-Koenig)) "No, your job is to put man on Meta."

KOENIG: "Any new information?"

-SIMMONDS: "How do you like this?"

Screen shows small blue planet (SFX)

SIMMONDS: "The first close up shot of the planet Meta, taken from the unmanned Space Farer Nine, just in."

-KOENIG: "An atmosphere."

SIMMONDS: "Well, not only that. We're receiving signals, loud and clear, " ((-screen: wave form)) " relayed from the same probe. There's no doubt about it. Planet Meta could be supporting life " ((-Koenig)) " as we know it." ((-screen)) "John. The Meta Probe astronaut virus infection mustn't be allowed to stop us. We must make a manned landing on Meta. Nothing must stop us. Nothing. Good luck."

-Koenig sits back.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Front view of Eagle, astronaut pilots seen through windows.

PILOT 2 (VO): "We're getting great pictures, Commander, of the Meta Probe launch platform."

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Koenig looks up.

PILOT 2 (VO): "I'll put them up for you."

-Screen: the space dock, revolving Moon & Meta probe floating up.

PILOT 2 (VO): "There's the Probe Ship docking now."

The probe floats nearer.

-Koenig.

KOENIG: "Looks good. But I'd like to see it on its way to Meta."

EXT. NDA 2

The astronauts work on different caps.

STEINER: "That's the lot, Professor. It all checks out."

INT. DEPOT

STEINER (VO): "There's definitely no radiation leakage. We're coming in now."

VICTOR: "Good, Steiner. Thank you."

Helena looks at him. They start to move off, but are interrupted by a high pitched bleeping. The dot & line on Nordstrom's screen shows furious activity.

HELENA: "There's an increase in brain activity. Steiner, get Nordstrom out of there, I think he's in trouble."

EXT. NDA 2

Nordstrom grips his helmet & screams; he backs & falls over a box.

INT. DEPOT

VICTOR: "Security." ((screen shows two guards in suits)) "Get out there and bring Nordstrom in."

GUARD (on screen): "Yes sir."

EXT. NDA 2

Steiner bounces from cap, losing his comlock, to Nordstrom as he gets up.

STEINER: "Doctor. He is in trouble. I need some help out here."

They meet: Steiner is thrown backwards.

NORDSTROM: "I...I...I've got to get out of here!"

INT. DEPOT

HELENA: "Intensive Care Unit, please stand by. We have a casualty."

EXT. NDA 2

Nordstrom bounces up onto & across the buggy.

NORDSTROM: "Got to get out of here! I've got to get out of here!"

He falls over some boxes.

INT. DEPOT

VICTOR: "Decontamination area. Come on."

They move to the door, but stop, hearing-

STEINER (VO): "Professor!"

EXT. NDA 2

The 2 sway together.

STEINER: "He's gone berserk!" ((Nordstrom starts to lift him)) "I can't hold him!" ((Nordstrom lifts him above his head)) "Let go, Nordstrom! Don't.."

Steiner is thrown into the buggy. Nordstrom runs up to the barrier; between the posts four yellow bars of light appear & he is thrown back. He falls on his front, the visor hitting a rock. He rolls onto his back, the visor splintered and hissing. We see one eye, white & glazed.

INT. DEPOT

Helena, shocked.

FADE OUT

Act One
EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle flies to waxing crescent of Moon.

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Eagle flies down to base, the Earth over.

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Koenig looks up from reading.

PILOT 2: "On final descent, Commander."

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle lands.

INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)

Unit races up.

Unit speeds past.

Unit slows to a stop.

INT. TRAVEL UNIT

Victor, holding his comlock, stands & walks to the door.

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Boarding tube extends to Eagle's port.

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Koenig unbelts and walks to pick up a brief case. He pauses, then walks to the starboard door as the stewardess comes up.

INT. TRAVEL UNIT

Koenig walks out & to Victor, as the stewardess closes the door behind him.

VICTOR: "Well, John."

KOENIG (shaking hand warmly): "Victor! Still here?"

VICTOR (hands Koenig his comlock): "Yes, I, ah, " ((as Koenig closes Unit door with comlock)) " I got caught." ((leads Koenig to chairs)) "Things are far more serious than I suspect you've been told."

KOENIG (sits, concerned): "What do you mean?"

VICTOR: "People are dying up here, John."

KOENIG (glances down, then back at him): "The virus infection?"

VICTOR (after pause): "The virus infection."

The Unit is slowing. They stand & go to the starboard door. It opens for Koenig's comlock to reveal corridor.

INT. CORRIDOR

GORSKI (standing in busy corridor): "Commander Koenig."

KOENIG: "Commander Gorski."

They shake hands.

GORSKI: "I think we both know the situation. I imagine you'd want to be left alone to settle in. You've no doubt had a tedious journey."

KOENIG: "Thank you."

GORSKI: "If you want to talk things over before I leave, I shall be in my quarters. Good luck."

Gorski slaps Koenig on the shoulder as he walks away right. Koenig & Victor look at each other, then walk up the corridor.

KOENIG: "Well, I think he's taking it very well. Considering the abruptness of his suspension."

VICTOR: "Oh, I'm sure he'll survive."

KOENIG: "Oh, I'm sure he will. He's always been very flexible."

VICTOR (amused): "Hmm."

INT. MAIN MISSION

Ouma is walking to the arch by the Big Screen as he meets Koenig & Victor entering.

OUMA: "Commander!"

KOENIG (shaking hands): "Benjamin."

OUMA: "Happy to see you."

KOENIG: "Good to see you."

Ouma walks out & they walk up.

MICHAEL: "Commander. Welcome back."

KOENIG (shaking hand): "Michael. How are you?"

OPERATIVE (sat at desk): "Hello, sir. How are you?"

KOENIG (patting his shoulder): "All right."

TANYA: "Tanya Aleksandr."

KOENIG: "Hello, Tanya."

PAUL (shaking hands): "Welcome back, Commander."

KOENIG: "Paul, it's good to see you."

Koenig looks at Victor, then they walk up to the office doors, Koenig opening one side with his comlock.

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig closes the door behind them & puts his case on the desk.

KOENIG: "All right. No virus. Then what is it?"

VICTOR: "John, I just don't know. It looks very much like radiation, but, um-"

KOENIG: "But what?"

VICTOR: "There is no radiation."

Koenig pauses.

KOENIG: "Victor. You know me well enough to know I am not going to ignore the fact that people are dying up here."

VICTOR (acknowledging): "Oh.."

KOENIG: "But the space flight of the century must not be allowed to slip through our fingers."

VICTOR: "Oh, of course, I understand."

KOENIG: "That planet is passing just close enough to make a landing. There's no margin for error."

VICTOR: "Yes. But the problem here may affect the Meta Probe. Doctor Russell has some interesting ideas."

KOENIG: "Well, Simmonds told me all about Doctor Russell and I-"

VICTOR: "Well, he couldn't have told you all that much. Commander Gorski refused to let her report any of her findings."

KOENIG: "Oh.."

VICTOR: "Look. Why don't you talk to her?"

INT. MEDICAL OFFICE

Helena is sat at her desk, looking at a thermographic plate of a head. Her comlock bleeps & she takes it: Koenig appears on it's screen.

HELENA: "Yes."

KOENIG (on screen): "Doctor Russell?"

Helena stands & the door beyond her opens for Koenig.

KOENIG: "John Koenig."

HELENA: "Commander."

Koenig looks to his left, then right, & points to microscope.

KOENIG: "Donnelmyer, eighteen eighty seven. As used by Louis Pasteur and Madame Curie, right?"

HELENA: "It's a replica. A college prize."

Koenig glances at the floor, then bends to look through it, adjusting the focus wheels.

KOENIG: "Doctor. When will our Meta Probe astronauts recover from this virus?"

HELENA: "It's not a virus. What they have is an unusual form of brain damage. Their condition is critical."

KOENIG (looks up, then stands up): "So they're not going to recover?" ((Helena is silent. He walks to her)) "What about the back up crew? Are they medically cleared to fly this mission?" ((folds arms))

HELENA: "I can say they're as fit as astronauts Warren and Sparkman were before they were affected."

KOENIG: "What's that supposed to mean?"

HELENA: "Commander, I saw the ninth man die this morning. One moment he was fine, the next he lost all control. Here." ((leads his to display panel, with head plate on it)) "It's a thermographic plate. A malignancy erupts, there's immediate disorientation of the kind that's classic in radiation attacks."

KOENIG: "Doctor, you've had eleven cases so far."

HELENA: "Nine deaths."

KOENIG: "Yes, but all of those who died were workers at Nuclear Disposal Area Two. It's inconsistent. The two Meta Probe astronauts never went near that site."

HELENA: "I know. And there're more inconsistencies. No radiation leakage has ever been recorded there. But what is consistent, is that the Probe astronauts, and the back up crews, have lived the same lives, been through the same training programme."

KOENIG: "Are you saying the Meta Probe should not be launched?"

HELENA: "What I am saying is that the back up crew appears to be medically fit, but as a doctor, and because of the unknown factors, I can't guarantee that they won't be affected three days, or three months, out into deep space."

KOENIG: "And you're saying, medically, the risk is unacceptable?"

HELENA: "The risk is great. The decision, of course, is yours."

Koenig glances at the floor.

KOENIG: "Doctor, I'd like to see the men."

INT. CARE UNIT

Helena & Koenig (walking past her) seen looking in through viewports. Sound: pinging & breathing. The two men lie still in the blue light, faces disfigured.

KOENIG: "Eric? Frank? It's John Koenig."

Sparkman & Warren do not respond.

INT. CARE UNIT OBSERVATION

Koenig looks at Helena.

INT. TECHNICAL

Koenig enters as Alan & Young hold a circuit card in foreground.

ALAN: "It's fine, Young. How soon can you do it?"

YOUNG: "In about a week."

KOENIG: "Carter."

ALAN (goes to shake Koenig's hand): "Commander. Nice to see you."

KOENIG: "Good to see you." ((thumbs at plan on screen)) "Well, is she ready to go?"

ALAN: "Yeah. We can start the countdown as soon as you give the word."

-View past Koenig to Alan: beyond through window is Eagle hangar (SFX)

ALAN: "Every hours's delay only reduces our chances of success."

-Koenig glances at the floor, then walks to past Alan.

-View as Koenig walks to window (SFX)

KOENIG: "How long to get the back up crew ready?"

ALAN: "Oh, seven days." ((walks to him)) "Back up crew? What do you mean?"

KOENIG: "How long will it take?"

ALAN: "Well, we can't do it. Calculations, coordinates." ((beyond Eagle moves past, followed by technician)) "Hey, come on, Commander, you've got a problem you're not telling me about."

-KOENIG: "Captain, I'm here to get the Meta Probe launched. All I want to know is, crew excepted, you're ready to go."

ALAN: "Yeah. We're ready to go."

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig enters through the doors from Main Mission (Meta signals on the Big Screen). He pauses, then goes to sit at his desk & think. His desk bleeps & he presses a button: Simmonds appears on comms post screen.

SIMMONDS (on screen, seen walking to camera): "Ah, John. Well, how are you? Settling in up there, I hope. I just wanted your first impressions of the situation."

KOENIG (stands & walks to post): "There was another death this morning. At the Nuclear Disposal Area. Doctor Russell talks about a kind of brain damage. Caused by what she thinks is radiation."

SIMMONDS (on screen): "Yes, yes, I've heard all about her theory from Gorski. No, she's a very competent doctor, John, in certain fields of space medicine, but she's wrong about this situation. Dead wrong. So I'm going to send you up a team of top medical people to probe into this problem."

KOENIG: "Hold it. Hold it. Not that settled in. Before we do anything, I'd like to make sure that there's no radiation leak in that disposal area."

SIMMONDS (on screen): "Look here, those two Meta Probe astronauts didn't go anywhere near that area."

KOENIG: "Simmonds. Nine men have died. I want to find out why. Tell you what you can do. Stop sending up any more atomic waste until- "

SIMMONDS (on screen): "Now you know I can't possibly do that. Atomic waste disposal is one of the biggest problems of our time."

KOENIG: "Simmonds, you assigned me up here to clear up this mess, that's what I'm trying to do, now... All right, Commissioner. Let's trade off. You stop sending up the waste. I'll get your Meta Probe launched. Deal?"

SIMMONDS (on screen): "Well... A temporary delay. That's the best I can do. If that's what you need."

KOENIG: "That's what I need." ((Simmonds starts to turn away)) "Simmonds. Why did you lie to me?"

SIMMONDS (on screen): "You mean those men are no better?"

KOENIG: "No. They're no better. They're not going to get any better and you know it."

SIMMONDS (on screen): "All right, just a minute, John. We have to hold that story in. We have to. The International Lunar Finance Committee Meeting on the fifteenth. To discuss the Meta signals and, in particular, our probe. Now, if one word, one hint, of failure leaks out, they'll immediately abandon their support for our whole project. So just remember that."

His finger stabs above camera: screen blanks. Koenig walks away, turns, then walks back & activates the screen to show Paul talking to a dark haired girl.

KOENIG: "Paul."

PAUL: "Commander?"

KOENIG: "I'm going to recheck that Nuclear Disposal Area myself."

PAUL: "Yes, sir."

KOENIG: "I'll need two volunteers."

PAUL: "Very good, Commander."

Koenig blanks the screen.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Orange capped mounds of NDA 1. Small Eagle flies over, passing beyond red flashing beacon.

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

-Koenig presses button buy seat.

-Koenig & Victor watch screen, showing NDA 1 mounds passing below (SFX)

KOENIG: "It's Area One."

-Koenig presses key.

KOENIG: "Collins. We want to go to Area Two."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

COLLINS: "That's where we are going, Commander. We just use Area One as a turning point. Navigation Beacon Delta."

-Eagle viewport (SFX): mounds of NDA 1, beacon, hills & space.

COLLINS: "It's a land mark."

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

VICTOR: "Some land mark."

An idea occurs to Koenig & he unfolds his arms to press the key.

KOENIG: "Collins."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG (VO): "Let's move in closer and take a good look."

COLLINS: "Yes, sir."

He moves the Eagle down.

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

VICTOR: "There's no radiation, John. I've checked it out. Count's normal."

-Screen (SFX)

KOENIG: "That was the first Nuclear Waste Area up here. Has it been used since I left?"

-VICTOR: "No, they've moved on to Area Two. This one hasn't been used for five years."

KOENIG: "In those days we had no synthocrete radiation covers." ((-screen, SFX)) "How's it holding up?"

VICTOR: "All right, according to reports. It's constantly monitored."

-KOENIG: "Alright, Collins. Thank you. Let's move on to Area Two."

COLLINS (VO): "Yes, sir."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Close on Collins as his right eye twitches irritatingly.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle flies over NDA 1 hills.

FADE OUT

Act Two
EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Moonbuggy drives to barrier.

With the bright spotlights of the barrier below, Eagle flies over.

EXT. NDA 2

A camera in foreground watches the astronauts drive the buggy through the silo caps.

EXT. DEPOT LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

View through window to Eagle landing on pad; corner of NDA 2 barrier left.

INT. DEPOT CORRIDOR

Koenig leads Victor & Collins along to a door, opens it with his comlock & enters.

INT. DEPOT

Koenig closes the door after Collins has entered, then joins Victor.

KOENIG: "Okay. Let's go."

EXT. NDA 2

Ellis (astronaut 0) removes a plug from a silo cap panel; Jackson (9) moves the sensor near the hole.

INT. DEPOT

The NDA 2 scene is on the screen, while two other screens are labelled with the names of both men. Victor & Koenig watch.

EXT. NDA 2

Jackson puts the probe stick in the hole: the green lights illuminate on the sensor. Jackson turns here.

JACKSON: "Point One check complete. Radiation normal."

INT. DEPOT

JACKSON (VO): "No leakage. We're going on to Point Forty Eight."

KOENIG: "Fine, Jackson."

EXT. NDA 2

Jackson moves off, followed by Ellis.

INT. DEPOT

KOENIG: "Well, it seems alright."

VICTOR: "Hmm. So far."

Collins' gloved hand, foreground flexes uncomfortably. It goes to his right eye.

EXT. NDA 2

Jackson holds the sensor & dipstick by cap 48.

INT. DEPOT

Collins' hand wipes his face & moves to his right eye again.

EXT. NDA 2

Ellis holds the dipstick up & gives a thumbs up to Jackson.

INT. DEPOT

Collins rubs his sweating face, hand moving to his left eye.

EXT. NDA 2

JACKSON (walking forward): "Commander."

INT. DEPOT

JACKSON (on screen): "Point Forty Eight check complete. Radiation normal. No leakage. That's it, sir. All okay out here."

KOENIG: "Alright, Jackson. Thanks. Now get out of there as fast as you can."

Victor turns away, folding his arms and putting thumb to lips.

EXT. NDA 2

Ellis & Jackson bounce to the buggy.

INT. DEPOT

VICTOR: "That seems to prove the radiation count here's within safe limits."

KOENIG: "So much for Doctor Russell's theory."

VICTOR: "Hmm."

KOENIG: "Whatever affected the two Probe astronauts and killed the other nine men was not radiation."

VICTOR: "Seems not."

KOENIG: "Damn it."

COLLINS (n/s): "Commander, I've got to get out of here."

KOENIG (not looking at him): "Alright, Collins, we're leaving right now."

COLLINS: "Now...now..." ((they look at him; his right eye is glazed white)) "Now!.. Move aside, Commander, I'm getting out of here!"

His arm sweeps Victor against a chair by the door, as he propels forward, swinging his helmet up & sending Koenig reeling to the floor. He looks round, then moves..

EXT. DEPOT

View through window into depot as Collins stumbles up & swings his helmet into the glass: zoom into radial fracture.

INT. DEPOT

KOENIG (getting up): "Don't do that, Collins, you'll kill us all!"

Collins swings his helmet twice, then Koenig grabs his arm & the helmet drops. Collins turns & pushes Koenig back, before picking the helmet up with both hands & hitting the glass again. Koenig & Victor each grab an arm. They bend then rise violently; Victor falls off, then Koenig is swung round into some instruments on stands. But Koenig hangs on & Victor returns. This time Collins swings them around, then both are thrown off towards the door. Collins stumbles back to the window as Koenig jumps on his back.

A guard is seen running up through the door window, but as he enters Koenig is thrown back into him: the guard drops his laser.

VICTOR (sitting up): "Stun him!"

Koenig takes the laser & fires: Collins has the helmet in the air as he is shot, then falls onto his front. The guard & Koenig run up to grab a leg each.

EXT. DEPOT

View through window into depot as they drag Collins back to the door.

INT. DEPOT CORRIDOR

They drag Collins through the door. Koenig closes it with his comlock: the door shuts. View through door window at the cracked window beyond.

EXT. DEPOT

Window: the glass explodes out.

INT. DEPOT

View through door window to ruffled Koenig & Victor, standing shocked in the corridor & looking in.

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Earth is waxing crescent over base.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Koenig enters & goes to Ouma at Computer.

KOENIG: "Ouma." ((they walk along side of computer)) "I want a breakdown of all the coded information on the training flights of the Probe astronauts. I'd like them checked against the Eagle shuttle flights flown by Collins. Search for any correlation between them, any what so ever."

OUMA (going off): "Immediately, Commander."

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

Koenig enters & closes the section of the office doors with his comlock. He looks pensively at his desk, then sits & activates the screen. It shows a wall.

KOENIG: "Doctor Russell?"

BOB (walking onto screen): "Commander. Doctor Mathias here."

KOENIG: "What's the latest report on the condition of the Meta Probe astronauts?"

BOB (on screen): "Frank Warren died at thirteen twenty eight."

Koenig looks uncomfortable.

KOENIG: "And Eric Sparkman?"

BOB (on screen): "Doctor Russell is with him now."

Koenig cuts the link.

INT. CARE UNIT OBSERVATION

Sparkman's face is seen through the viewport. Below is a screen showing his head & jumping dots & lines superimposed over. Helena's reflection is in a corner of the screen.

Holding up her comlock, she turns to the comms post.

HELENA: "Computer. Please verify that last report."

COMPUTER (as text appears on screen):

"Stage 5

Mutation Complete.

All Brain Activity

Stopped.

Cell life maintained by

artificial life support

systems only.

Conclusion:

Astronaut

Eric

Sparkman

Deceased."

Helena walks back to look through the viewports at Sparkman & the empty seat by him. She presses some buttons: the lines on the screen straighten & the bleeping ends.

INT. TECHNICAL

ALAN: "They've died? Eric? Frank? Of what?" ((walks to Koenig)) "I mean I was told-"

KOENIG: "You were told lies. They died of an illness noone can understand. Earth Command wanted you to think it was a temporary set back."

ALAN: "But the Meta Probe?"

Koenig walks to the screen showing the probe plan & presses a key: the screen blanks.

KOENIG: "Forget the Probe, Carter." ((walks back)) "Before we do anything more I'm going to find out why those two men died."

INT. LIVING QUARTERS

Pan from viewports to a screen showing the Meta signals, & Koenig sitting in a chair.

SIMMONDS (VO recalled): "There's no doubt about it. Planet Meta could be supporting life, as we know it."

VICTOR (VO recalled): "Yes, but the problem here may affect the Meta Probe."

SIMMONDS (VO recalled): "We must make a manned landing on Meta. Nothing must stop us. Nothing."

HELENA (VO recalled): "I can't guarantee that they won't be affected three days, or three months, out into deep space."

SIMMONDS (VO recalled): "Now, your job is to put man on Meta."

Koenig turns in his seat & sips from his mug.

KOENIG (VO): "A giant leap for mankind. It's beginning to look like a stumble in the dark."

INT. MAIN MISSION

CU Screen showing signals. Ouma & Koenig watch it.

OUMA: "This is a replay of the flight recorder from the Eagle flown by Eric and Frank on their last training run. The flight was recording perfectly, when suddenly the thing went blank, for two minutes, just like that." ((as does)) "Then just as suddenly it all started again. Perfectly."

KOENIG: "Where did the blank out occur?"

OUMA: "Navigation Beacon Delta, on the far side."

KOENIG: "Waste Disposal Area One. Paul." ((walks to him)) "Check out all the figures on Area One for the past ten days."

Paul,stood at his desk, types & Sandra appears on screen beyond.

PAUL: "Sandra. Check ten on Area One, please, and bring it in."

SANDRA: "Yes, Paul."

KOENIG: "Shuttle pilot Collins took us over Area One on his way to Area Two. Does he always fly that route?"

PAUL: "Four or six times a week."

KOENIG: "It's a turning point, right?"

PAUL: "It's one of the few constructions on the dark side. It's a clear land mark for going to Area Two."

KOENIG: "And the Probe astronauts?"

PAUL: "Well, they do their training flights over the dark side away from Alpha traffic."

KOENIG: "But they fly over there regularly?"

PAUL: "But there is a minimum altitude regulation."

KOENIG: "Yeah."

OUMA: "And that's where their flight recorder blanked out, on their last training flight."

KOENIG: "I had Collins fly low over that Area this morning to get a good close look."

SANDRA: "Paul." ((she walks in to them, holding readout slip)) "Commander. There is a steep rise in heat levels in Disposal Area One. This is impossible." ((Koenig takes readout from her)) "All indications show that the radiation level is normal but the heat continues to rise."

Koenig takes his comlock: it's screen shows Victor.

KOENIG: "Victor, I think we've got a connection, a correlation."

VICTOR (on screen): "Right. I'll be with you."

KOENIG (lowers comlock): "Bring in Area One on video."

-Big Screen (SFX): lightning arcs between mounds. Sandra in foreground.

SANDRA: "It is incredible heat. But still no radiation."

-KOENIG: "It's incomprehensible."

-Big Screen (SFX):

KOENIG: "Heat without atomic activity."

VICTOR: "Here."

-Victor walks up.

VICTOR: "Let's have a look at that."

Koenig hands him the readout & Sandra hands him another. He looks up at the screen.

-Big Screen (SFX): red hues as lightning arcs.

-Main Mission: Victor glances at the readouts & up at the screens.

-Big Screen (SFX): lightning concentrates on the screen & it blanks.

SANDRA: "Burn out. Camera gone."

-Main Mission:

PAUL: "Second camera please."

Sandra types.

-Big Screen (SFX): a new view of mounds. Lightning again fills screen & it blanks.

SANDRA: "All visual contact lost."

KOENIG: "Paul. I want an Eagle on the pad for immediate lift off."

-Main Mission:

KOENIG: "We've gotta see what's going on out there."

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Small Eagle flies to horizon. Over the hills the sky flashes black, then white. A red light (a beacon) on horizon.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG (suited, visor up): "Approaching Area One. Check data systems ready."

INT. MAIN MISSION

OUMA: "Data systems functioning."

-Big Screen (SFX): Paul types as beyond the screen shows flashing sky.

-Main Mission: Paul, Helena, Sandra, Victor & Tanya watch.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Small Eagle flies over mounds, as lightning twice strikes up by it.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Vibration.

KOENIG: "It's getting more active. I'm increasing altitude."

He makes the Eagle rise.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle rises over mounds towards hills, left. Lightning forks either side of it.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "I'm in trouble. Still getting data?"

INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR (goes to Paul): "The magnetic field's expanding. We can't measure it. Get him away from there quickly."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

PAUL (VO): "Hang on, Commander. We're going to try and blast you out of there."

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle flies from hills as lightning strikes behind it.

INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Switch to on board back up systems, Commander. We're losing you."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Back ups failing. All systems out."

He shuts his visor.

INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Rescue ship move in."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle descends over slope, a white glow seen beyond the hill knickpoint.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

CU Koenig.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle descends.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Helena walks behind Paul.

KOENIG (VO): "Heading four nine. Altitude three five."

-Big Screen (SFX): Koenig's POV of lunar hills, from an angle.

KOENIG (VO): "Switching on rescue locator beams now. Impact ten seconds."

-Main Mission: scan round Victor.

-Big Screen (SFX): Koenig's POV of lunar hills, tilting sideways.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle impacts into lunar dust.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig is shaken.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle ploughs through dust.

Eagle slews sideways to a halt.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig, his head bowed.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Lightning arcs from mounds, then explosions consume area.

Battered Eagle lies on ground as white glow grows, then subsides over the hills beyond.

FADE OUT

Act Three
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Crescent Earth above base.

INT. MEDICAL

Bob removes electrodes from Koenig.

KOENIG: "Well?"

HELENA: "Shock. Minor physical shock. We can't find anything else so far."

BOB: "That's it, Commander." ((he leaves))

KOENIG (rises from seat): "Well, I told you there was nothing wrong with me, I walked away form it, there's no damage." ((walking away))

HELENA: "Commander." ((he turns back; she walks to him)) "That is not the kind of damage I'm looking for." ((he looks at her)) "You knew that that Area was suspect. You knew that it had already affected the two Probe astronauts and the Eagle shuttle pilot in some way. And yet you went right out there yourself. We're looking for answers, Commander. Not heroes." ((she turns back))

KOENIG: "I didn't know you cared."

She looks back to him, & he walks out, opening the door with his comlock.

INT. TECHNICAL

VICTOR: "Hmm. Look at this." ((carries circuit card to Paul & Alan)) "It's a monitoring device from the old Area One. It was used to record the magnetic output from the artificial gravity system there." ((Alan takes card)) "When the Area was closed down it had nothing to record for five years, but now look at it."

ALAN: "A twenty fold increase in the magnetic field."

VICTOR: "Hmm. And that's before it burnt out. We've been obsessed with radiation. Wrong."

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

VICTOR (taps circuit): "This instrument's given me a lead." ((walks to Helena & Koenig)) "I think we're facing a new effect, arising from the atomic waste deposited here over the years. Magnetic energy outputs of unprecedented violence."

KOENIG: "Magnetic energy responsible for the flare up at Area One?"

HELENA: "Magnetic energy causing brain damage?"

VICTOR: "Something we didn't even think to check for, but I believe it was a sudden surge in the magnetic field that wrecked your navigation system and blanked out the astronauts' flight recorder."

KOENIG: "The Probe astronauts flew over there daily. As did..Collins in the shuttle."

HELENA: "Then we've all been exposed to it. We've all been to Area Two and to get there we turn over Area One. It could be a cumulative effect that hasn't as yet-"

VICTOR: "There's an even bigger problem I see looming up. Area One burnt itself out in a magnetic sub surface fire storm. What worries me now is that the same thing could happen in Area Two."

KOENIG: "How much time do we have?"

VICTOR: "We need solid data on magnetic levels."

HELENA: "I won't be responsible for any more men out on the surface in these conditions."

KOENIG: "Neither will I. We equip an Eagle to monitor magnetic levels and do it by remote control."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle flies up (view from underneath)

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

The control sticks move in the empty cabin. INT. MAIN MISSION

-Big Screen (SFX): Eagle flies to NDA 2.

KOENIG: "Straight ahead. Easy."

-Main Mission: Ouma walks past the panels under the screen & Victor, stood looking up.

KOENIG: "Straight as you go." ((Ouma walks up)) "Good." ((Ouma joins the others at the desks)) "That's good, Paul. Hold that, Paul."

-Big Screen (SFX): Eagle hovers over two barrier posts. Koenig foreground, Victor under screen.

KOENIG: "Sensor readings."

-Main Mission: Sandra, with Ouma behind.

SANDRA: "The radiation count normal. Magnetic field zero."

KOENIG: "Okay, Paul, set her down."

PAUL: "Right, Commander."

Paul moves one control stick forward, the other back.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Control sticks moving.

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Eagle descends between caps, disturbing dust.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Staff watch anxiously.

KOENIG: "Easy does it."

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Eagle lowers, now at height of barrier posts.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor & panels. Suddenly a screen shows pulses grow, accompanied by quickening bleeps.

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Eagle starts to sway as it descends.

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "Blast her out of there, Paul!"

Paul starts typing.

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Eagle drifts erratically over caps.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Swaying shot of cabin.

-Eagle viewport (SFX): caps and barrier sweep round below.

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Eagle sways towards barriers.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul moves the control sticks urgently.

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Eagle sways, turning.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Screen shows large pulsing wave.

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Eagle ploughs head first into lunar dust between caps.

INT. MAIN MISSION

The pulse on the screen declines. Victor is looking at it.

VICTOR: "A surge." ((turns round)) "A magnetic surge."

Koenig pauses.

KOENIG: "Paul. Contact Commissioner Simmonds immediately. Pass Emergency Code Alpha One."

PAUL: "Yes, sir." ((walks off & Helena moves up))

KOENIG: "You were right, Doctor. It was radiation. Magnetic radiation. Now we're sitting on the biggest bomb man's ever made."

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Waxing crescent Earth over, as small Eagle flies in.

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle, with red pod, lands.

INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)

Unit comes to a halt.

INT. TRAVEL UNIT

Koenig walks up to the unit doors and opens them with his comlock. Simmonds walks up, pauses as they stare at each other, then enters. Koenig offers the comlock to him.

KOENIG: "Commissioner."

SIMMONDS: "Commander." ((Simmonds looks down & takes the comlock)) "My office tried to query you about your Emergency Code Alpha One. You didn't seem to be available."

KOENIG: "I am now."

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

-Wall screen shows wreck of Eagle in NDA 2 (SFX)

VICTOR: "Commissioner, "

-Koenig is at his desk; Helena & Victor looking at screen.

VICTOR: " the heat is starting to rise on the interior of Area Two as well." ((he goes to Simmonds)) "Now it contains one hundred and forty times the amount of waste in Area One. With quantities like that there could be a chain reaction."

SIMMONDS: "What are the chances it could burn itself out, like Area One?"

KOENIG: "Simmonds." ((comes down steps)) "You don't seem to understand. We're sitting on top of it, there is no chance."

SIMMONDS (uncertain): "Well, what's to be done?"

Helena looks at the screen. Koenig looks at Victor.

VICTOR: "Oh, try and break the pile apart, rip up the bomb, destroy the mass: if we could disperse the mass over a wider area-"

SIMMONDS: "Alright, come on, let's do it."

VICTOR: "We do have limited time."

Simmonds looks at screen.

-Screen, showing crashed Eagle.

INT. EAGLE HANGAR (SFX)

Transporter Eagle is moved along hangar.

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Cargo Eagle rises to surface.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Suited astronauts, as copilot presses key.

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Cargo Eagle launches & rises rapidly.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Pilot takes control stick.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Cargo Eagle in flight, lowering winch.

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Another Cargo Eagle brought to surface.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

Four Eagles fly over lunar hills (toward camera).

The flight fly on (from camera)

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Two Cargo Eagles in flight.

Another view of 2 Eagles.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

3 Cargo Eagles fly over lunar hills (from side)

INT. COMMAND OFFICE

PAUL (appearing on comms post): "Commander Koenig."

KOENIG (looking up from desk): "Yes, Paul?"

PAUL: "Conversion of the first six Eagles completed, Commander. They're moving into the area now."

KOENIG: "Alright, Paul. I'll be right with you."

Koenig turns in his chair to face the doors & presses a key: the doors slide open to reveal Main Mission. Simmonds is stood at the top of the steps.

KOENIG: "Alright, Paul. Let's see it."

INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Yes, sir."

-Big Screen (SFX): a clamp drags a cap along the surface, revealing canisters in the silo.

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Eagle backs, dragging cap from cans below.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

-Pilot pulls lever.

-CU console screen (SFX): clamp moves to open silo and attaches to a can.

-Pilot & copilot.

-CU console screen (SFX): clamp rises, lifting can out, and moves off.

-Pilot & copilot.

PILOT 14 (VO): "Paul, this is Eagle One Four."

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

2 Cargo Eagles, carrying cans over NDA 2.

PILOT 14 (VO): "We're getting a bit of flicker on the navigation system."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Another Eagle cabin.

PAUL (VO): "We'll check it out for you."

INT. MAIN MISSION

Full of activity, radio messages. Koenig walks down to Ouma, interrupting his talk with another black man.

KOENIG: "Ouma. I want Central Computer updated with everything possible. Constantly."

PAUL: "Number twenty six."

-Big Screen (SFX): Paul foreground as Eagle shown carrying can from NDA 2.

PAUL: "Disperse to grid C nine."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Copilot looks at pilot.

PAUL (VO): "Repeat, disperse to grid C nine."

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

CU clamp descending into darkness of silo, the top layer now gone.

Wing of NDA 2 beyond, as 2 Eagles carry cans over surface; one drops its can by several others discarded in the dust.

PILOT 14 (VO): "Grid D is full now, Paul."

Clamp pulls cap away from silo.

PILOT 14 (VO): "We're moving over to E now."

INT. MAIN MISSION

-Big Screen (SFX): 2 Cargo Eagles fly from wing of NDA 2.

ZEBRA (VO): "Area Station Zebra here. Eagle Six, switch to channel eight."

-Main Mission: Koenig walks to Paul.

KOENIG: "Well?"

PAUL: "We've had navigational failures "

-Big Screen (SFX): Cargo Eagle flies to wing of NDA 2; Paul & Koenig foreground.

PAUL: " on two of the ships. They've returned to base for replacements."

-Main Mission: Victor & Helena.

VICTOR: "The magnetic field must be expanding."

KOENIG: "Tell them to increase altitude."

PAUL: "Right." ((Koenig walks off)) "Main Mission to all Eagles."

KOENIG (passing behind Tanya): "Carter."

PAUL: "Increase altitude by ten."

KOENIG (walks to Alan, by Sandra): "Do you have an extra ship?"

ALAN: "No, sir. They're all committed."

KOENIG (glances at Simmonds): "Well then take the Commissioner's Eagle into orbit. Report on how things look from up there."

ALAN: "Right." ((leaves))

KOENIG (leans on Sandra's desk): "Readings?"

SANDRA: "Heat level holding, magnetic field fluctuating."

VICTOR: "That's what worries me."

Simmonds watches them.

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

CU clamp pulling can out of deep silo.

Cargo Eagle moves over caps with can.

CU clamp descending into dark silo.

PILOT 14 (VO): "I think we should go up another hundred, Commander."

EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

The Eagle with red pod launches.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan presses a key.

ALAN: "Eagle One to Alpha."

PAUL (VO): "Go ahead, One."

ALAN: "Lift off complete, trajectory computed and programmed. I will be in orbit in four minutes."

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Eagle rises over base.

FADE OUT

Act Four
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Crescent Earth over base.

INT. MAIN MISSION

-Big Screen (SFX): cap starts to be dragged away; Main Mission & Simmonds & Koenig watching foreground.

SIMMONDS: "All levels are holding steady. Do you think we have it under control, John?"

KOENIG: "Too early to tell."

-Main Mission:

SIMMONDS: "Well, I must say it does look pretty promising to me." ((steps forward before Koenig)) "Well done. Now, I have to issue a communique sooner or later. Well, it'll give us more time to consider our next move. You see, John,-"

KOENIG: "I see men risking their lives to avert disaster ..total disaster. Now, wake up, Commissioner. If this goes wrong there won't be anybody to issue a communique. There will be no survivors."

PAUL: "Commander! It's going up!"

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Dust drifts over the caps as one fires lightning.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Cargo Eagle carrying can as lightning strikes it.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Fast close past pilot to copilot as they reel.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle explodes, nose cone falling away.

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG (goes down to Paul): "Abort. Abort the mission."

PAUL: "Main Mission to all Eagles. Return to base immediately. Repeat, return to base immediately."

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

The cap fires lightning away, then explosions erupt behind the cap.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Rear of Eagle as explosion below reaches it, & its side explodes.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Copilot seen rocking.

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

The depot on raised mound, with pad left, as explosions erupt behind it before it explodes itself.

EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)

A slope left as many explosions erupt. (closing on camera)

EXT. NDA 2 (SFX)

Full NDA 2, as it explodes in multiple explosions (again, closing on camera)

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

-Eagle viewport (SFX): NW horizon of Moon as brilliant flare grows over it.

-Alan shields his eyes.

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

A massive white glow rises over the hills beyond the base.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Staff thrown about.

GIRL: "Nooo!"

PAUL: "Seal off all sections-"

GIRL: "Noo!"

Victor thrown back against panels.

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Explosion between buildings.

INT. TECHNICAL

Man thrown through window from Technical.

INT. CORRIDOR

Girl thrown to comms post.

INT. MEDICAL

A medic is thrown back into a ladder, knocking it over.

INT. MAIN MISSION

An operative is thrown into the stairs. Simmonds falls, his head hitting the wall.

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Fiery explosion between buildings.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Panels under Big Screen explode as Ouma thrown to floor. Confused scenes as staff fall about, sparks flying.

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Base drops from Earth.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Helena lands on the floor, but then cannot rise. Victor is also on the floor.

HELENA: "I can't move..!"

Sandra lies against the steps, near Victor.

VICTOR: "G force...we're moving..!"

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

The space dock spins, drifting away from Moon.

INT. MAIN MISSION

The staff are all flattened on the floor in dark Main Mission.

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Small Eagle spins away from space dock in one direction as the Meta probe spins off in the other. The space dock explodes.

Moon drifts from Earth, as Eagle flies from top right after it.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Alpha, can you hear me? Alpha, do you copy? Alpha, I'm not receiving you. Now maybe you're receiving me."

-Eagle viewport (SFX): Moon

ALAN: "The Moon is going out of the Earth's orbit. That explosion."

INT. MAIN MISSION

ALAN (VO): "It has pushed us out of the Earth's orbit."

Koenig tries to crawl flat along the floor to the desks.

ALAN (VO): "Alpha, can you hear me? I repeat. Alpha, are you okay?"

Ouma raises his head, with effort. Victor also raises his head to look. Koenig inches forward.

ALAN (VO): "Alpha, do you copy? I am not receiving you."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

North west of Moon rolls as left the full Earth gradually recedes.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Koenig crawls on.

ALAN (VO): "Alpha! Alpha, what's happening to you down there?" ((straining, Simmonds looks up, blood on his forehead)) "We've lost contact." ((Koenig grabs a desk leg & hauls himself to it)) "Can you hear me, Alpha?" ((Koenig lifts himself up to desk)) "Alpha, I'm open on all channels. Now, if you're alright, send out a radio red, anything."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon recedes.

INT. MAIN MISSION

Sandra & Victor lie by steps.

ALAN (VO): "Alpha!" ((Paul; Simmonds)) "We are moving away from Earth!" ((Helena; Koenig heaves himself onto desk)) "Alpha, do you copy? Alpha!"

KOENIG (weakly): "Carter... Can you hear me..?"

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Commander. Thank god you're okay. What's happening down there?"

KOENIG (VO): "We've got tremendous G forces.."

-Big Screen (SFX): Moon.

KOENIG (VO): "We can..hardly move..."

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "Wait a minute... We seem to be..decelerating."

Paul looks round. Simmonds lifts himself up, closes his eyes, and sits against the wall. The staff rise & the lights return, Simmonds touching his forehead & looking at the blood on his hands. Koenig helps Paul to his desk.

PAUL: "You alright?"

KOENIG: "Yeah.."

VICTOR: "We're down to three G's! We're compensating." ((walks from panels)) "You see, the whole Disposal Area has been acting like a gigantic rocket motor, pushing us out of orbit. But if it's stopped fissioning, then we shan't be accelerating any more. Carter might have a chance."

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG (VO): "Carter. Do you read me?"

ALAN: "Yeah, I read you loud and clear."

KOENIG (VO): "Can you make it back to base?"

ALAN: "Yeah. I can make it."

-Eagle viewport (SFX): rolling lunar horizon.

ALAN: "I'm closing now. I can make it."

KOENIG (VO): "Good, Captain."

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "Check out the base."

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

SECURITY (VO): "Security Section. We have audio contact. Video systems gone."

SERVICE (VO): "Service Section. Lost all power. Operating on emergency systems."

Helena tends staff.

INT. MEDICAL

Bob goes to post, showing Paul's face.

BOB: "Medical Section, Paul. Explosive decompression in two compartments. Areas sealed off. No leaks. Sufficiently operational to accept casualties."

Bob goes back to pick up a fallen medicine rack.

INT. MAIN MISSION

A stretcher is wheeled in to Helena by a technician on the floor.

HELENA (to nurse): "Gloria, help Lew please." ((indicating orderly helping operative on stairs))

Helena goes to the desk corner with the other staff.

PAUL: "I'm getting a long range video picture from the Mars satellite."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Moon approaches, small Earth beyond.

INT. MAIN MISSION

The staff watch.

-Big Screen (SFX): pull out to staff watch Moon approaching, leaving the small Earth.

-Main Mission: Koenig's eyes wander.

PAUL (quietly): "Can we make it back to Earth?"

KOENIG: "Ouma. Consult the Master Computer. I want a readout on contingency plan Exodus."

OUMA: "Yes, sir."

KOENIG (looking round): "Punch it up on the Big Screen, Paul. It affects all of us here, all of us."

COMPUTER: "Emergency Operation Exodus."

-Big Screen (SFX): green lettering on black.

COMPUTER:

"Indefinite Factors.

1. Moon on Unknown

Trajectory

2. Constantly Changing

G Forces Due To

Moon's Movement

Away From Earth

3. Insufficient Data

To Compute

Flight Plan"

((screen clears))

"All Factors In Memory Bank

Relating To

Operation Exodus

Inapplicable"

((clears))

"Insufficient Data

Available Under Prevailing

Circumstances

((Clears))

Human

Decision

Required"

Reactions. Koenig turns to look at Simmonds, standing with bloody forehead. He walks up the steps. Alan enters. Koenig goes to stand at his desk. Victor turns to Alan & gives him a thumbs up; Alan returns it. Koenig stands at his desk & presses a key.

KOENIG: "Attention all sections Alpha."

INT. CORRIDOR

Alphans gather by comms post.

KOENIG (on screen): "This is Commander John Koenig."

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "As you know, our Moon has been blasted out of orbit. We have been completely cut off from planet Earth. As we are, we have power, environment, and therefore, the possibility of survival. If we should try to improvise a return to Earth, without travel plots,"

INT. MEDICAL

Pull back from Koenig on comms post as Bob tends a man on a stretcher.

KOENIG (on screen): " without full resources, it is my belief that we would fail."

INT. MAIN MISSION

KOENIG: "Therefore, in my judgement, we do not try."

Staff reactions: Helena, Paul, Victor, Simmonds, Koenig looking down.

FADE OUT

Epilogue
INT. NEWS ROOM

NEWSCASTER: "The totally unforeseen accident on the lunar surface has caused very serious repercussions here on Earth. The gravity disruption, the earthquakes in the United States along the San Andres fault, and in Yugoslavia, as well as Southern France, has caused enormous damage to life and property. The International Lunar Commission, with it's new chairman, is in executive conference at this moment,"

INT. MAIN MISSION

-Big Screen (SFX): pull back from newscaster as static starts to cross picture.

NEWSCASTER: " deciding what steps might be taken to rescue the three hundred and eleven men and women on Moonbase Alpha. Little hope is held, however, that there are any survivors. For a short time it was thought a rescue might have been attempted " ((Paul types to clear static)) " from the Space Dock," ((-Screen)) " until that too was hurled out of orbit." ((-Simmonds; Paul types)) " It has now been established that the Moon's acceleration away from Earth" ((-Screen)) " has put it beyond the reach of any Earth launch-" ((screen buried in interference as Paul types))

KOENIG: "Paul, scan all frequencies for any signal from Earth, anything."

-Big Screen (SFX): bleached.

-Main Mission: Helena, Paul, Victor.

-Big Screen (SFX)

-Main Mission: Koenig, as Paul types.

-Big Screen (SFX)

-Main Mission: Helena looks down; Koenig turns away

-Big Screen (SFX): a repetitive bleeping heard.

-Main Mission: Paul & Ouma look up curiously.

-Big Screen (SFX): still static, but bleeping stronger.

-Main Mission: Koenig turns back

KOENIG: "Hold that."

Simmonds & Ouma look up.

-Big Screen (SFX)

-Main Mission: Victor goes to Koenig, nodding.

VICTOR: "It's Meta."

-Big Screen (SFX): the ring wave is seen through the static.

-Main Mission: Helena

-Big Screen (SFX): picture clears, showing ring

-Main Mission: Koenig looks up.

KOENIG (whispering): "Maybe that's where our future lies. Maybe there."

Paul looks at Ouma with a slight smile. They look up.

-Big Screen (SFX): Meta signals.

EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Rise from base to stars.

KOENIG (VO): "September thirteen, nineteen ninety nine. Meta signals increasing. Yes, maybe there."

FREEZE FRAME

Trivia
Original pilot script: "Zero G" by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson Pilot script "The Void Ahead" by George Bellack Pilot script "Turning Point" by Chris Penfold (uncredited) Retitled "Breakaway" 22nd November 1973