Copyright © 1998 This screenplay is the property of Byron Hinson. All rights reserved. This screenplay is confidential and may not be disclosed to or copied or reproduced in part or in whole by any unauthorized party. Footprints in the Snow By Byron Hinson Final April 27, 1998 EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE ANTARCTIC – NIGHT A million stars twinkle away in the night sky. Back down on the snowy arctic earth, a man, STEVE GLADSTONE, watches the night sky and stars with a set of powerful binoculars. Steve takes the binoculars away from his eyes for a short moment. He then leans down and picks up a steaming polystyrene cup of coffee that he had left placed securely on the snow. Steve takes a short sip of the coffee and then puts the cup back into the snow. Just as Steve is about to view the sky again with his binoculars, something glowing in the far distance catches his eye. Steve quickly puts the binoculars back over his eyes and takes a look up toward a strange, almost hazy glow, high in the sky. Zooming in on the object with the binoculars, Steve sees what looks like a meteorite heading down towards earth. Before he can get a closer look the meteorite hits the snowy arctic ground about 3-4 miles away. The red glow from the object can still be clearly seen even after it has hit the snow. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – NIGHT The research station is a self-contained community. As well as living and working space for about twenty people who can live there for up to two years, there is a kitchen, a number of workshops, labs, and a small hospital. Below the station is a storage hold, used to keep food crates and any other materials that are too large to be kept inside the station. The station generates its own electricity, and communicates with the outside world using satellite links, phones and all the radios. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LIVING AREA – NIGHT The main living area of the station is a warm but untidy place. Bags, rucksacks and work tools litter the room. There is a large table in the room where various members can sit, eat or just chat. Three members of the Antarctic research crew sit around the table. One of the men BRIAN VOORHEES is writing onto a notepad, the remains of his evening meal lie on a plate on the table. He is a bearded man in his late 40’s. MITCH GREEVES - around 30 years old is sitting at the table, scanning a magazine while he is eating. Next to him is DAVID HATFIELD - in his late 20’s, just sits, he clearly nothing to do. DAVID Anyone got the time? Mitch and Brian both look at one another and shake their heads. David smiles. SARAH BATHORI walks in through a doorway at the back of the room, in her early 20’s and wearing a white hospital uniform. DAVID Great...a scientific workstation and no one can even tell me the time SARAH It’s 11:30 David gets up from the table, picks up his plate and makes his way over to the sink. DAVID Thanks Sarah...Looks like its time from me to hit my bed then David puts his plate into the sink. Brian stops writing on his notepad and places it down onto the table. BRIAN I’ll watch a bit of TV...then I’ll go and check out those specimens with Benton...I’m not really that tired Sarah walks over to the table and sits down. SARAH Who’s out on meteorite watch tonight? DAVID Steve’s out there right this moment David stretches out his arms and then cricks his neck. DAVID Night all SARAH Night David MITCH (Talking while eating) Night mate David walks out through the backdoor towards the sleeping quarters. SARAH Did the satellite show up any possible storms tonight? There doesn’t seem to have been many over the past week for anyone to follow up Mitch looks over at Brian’s notepad. MITCH Not when I last checked...meteorites seem to be hard to find this time of year Mitch picks up a bottle of wine from off of the table. He undoes the top and pours out a small glass for himself. He then offers the bottle to Sarah. MITCH Want some? SARAH No Thanks...I’ve still got some work to finish off...I don’t think that will help me get it finished Mitch puts the top back on the bottle and sits back. MITCH (Joking) Hey...works for me SARAH I’m sure it does Mitch, I’m sure it does Mitch starts to laugh. Sarah scans the room for something. SARAH Has anyone seen Ralph lately? Mitch just shakes his head. BRIAN I believe he’s in the lab with Benton SARAH Oh...right BRIAN He’s decided to actually do some work and take a few photos of the larger meteorites we brought in yesterday MITCH Size shouldn’t matter SARAH At least not in your case The group laugh together. While they are laughing, in walks RALPH DECKER, a photographer who has just joined the group to do an article on the work they do at the research station. He is just over 20 years old, and is a devious looking character. Ralph carries his state of the art camera around his neck and a notepad and pen in his right hand. He walks over to the table and sits down. He starts to write some notes. A few moments later, in walks DEAN BENTON, the stations head scientist. He is black and around 50 years of age. BRIAN Were they good specimens then Benton? BENTON Not bad...Not bad at all Benton takes off his lab coat and hangs it up on a nearby coat rack. RALPH How come meteorites prefer to land on the arctic? Sarah laughs and then waves at the group. The rest of the scientists just smile at Ralph SARAH (Laughing) With that stunning remark...I am going to do a little bit more work RALPH What? What did I say? Sarah opens the door at the back of the room and makes her way to the medical center of the station. BENTON Brian...Do you think you explain to Ralph why there are so many meteorites here on the Antarctic BRIAN (Sarcasm) It would be my pleasure Brian gets up and walks over to one of the many rucksacks littering the station floor. BENTON (To Brian) I’ll show you some of my results in a short while Brian...Meet me in the lab in a few minutes After you have explained everything to Ralph. Brian is rummaging through a rucksack. BRAIN Ok...Talk to you in a minute Benton takes his lab coat off of the coat rack and makes his way back to the lab. Meanwhile...Brian takes out a large rolled up map from the rucksack and brings it over to the dinner table. BRIAN Can you clear this mess up for me? Brian was speaking to no one in particular, but Mitch gets up and takes all the plates that are lying all over the table to the sink and starts to wash up. BRIAN Right take a look at this Brian opens up the large map and lays it down on top of the dinner table. It is a map of the world. Certain parts of the map are covered in white dots. RALPH It’s a map of the world BRIAN (Mystic voice) You’re learning fast my son Brian points to the Antarctic. BRIAN We’re there ok... Notice the amount of dots over that area? RALPH I see em BRIAN This picture shows white dots where many of the more important finds have been made. RALPH Meteorites? BRIAN It's important to note that meteorites don't fall preferentially on Antarctica- they fall randomly all over the globe Ralph looks at Brian confused. RALPH Why do you tend to find so many here in the arctic then? BRIAN Antarctica is just an easy place to find them...One of the more obvious reasons is that it's the perfect place to look for anything falling from the sky, an immense white and blue sheet. RALPH But some of the areas around here have large rock faces...surely some of the stuff you bring in is just plain old rock? BRIAN We can tell a meteorite from a rock. If you go out onto the icesheet, where the nearest rock is almost 3000 meters straight down, any rock you find on the surface almost certainly fell there from outer space RALPH I’m still lost BRIAN If you’re lost after that easy explanation, you always will be Brian starts to roll the map back up. RALPH So do you know where or how far out we’ll be going tomorrow? Brian starts to walk back over to the rucksack to put the map away. BRIAN We’ll have to wait for Steve to get back here Then he’ll be able to tell us if he’s seen anything before a decision is made by all of us Just as Brian finishes off his sentence...there is the loud thud of a door from just outside the room. BRIAN And that will be him now Mitch finishes doing the dishes over at the sink and wipes his hands on a nearby towel. He walks back over to the table and sits down. In walks Steve Gladstone from the side door of the room. He is holding a notepad in one hand. He shakes his hair to get rid of any snow and then starts to remove his outdoor clothes. MITCH So what’s the news? STEVE Big news He then removes his boots and throws them onto the floor. MITCH Big News? STEVE Yeah There was a massive fireball in the sky about 10 minutes ago...it hit about 4 miles from here... We’ll have to check it out...it was still flaming even as a left the lookout RALPH Still flaming? Brian looks over to Steve and then to Ralph. BRIAN Have you two met? RALPH No...I’m Ralph Decker...the photographer assigned to...well...take a few photos and write a few reports here and there Steve reaches over and shakes Ralph’s hand. STEVE Nice to meet you...well you’ll get your chance for some great photos tomorrow...if that fireball was anything to go by BRIAN (Shouting to nowhere in particular) Hey Benton MITCH (To Steve) Got the co-ordinates written down? STEVE Of course Steve hands over his notepad to Mitch. MITCH Thanks How large was the meteor? STEVE Hmmm Steve scratches his head and has a “deep thoughts” look on his face. STEVE (Con’t) I can’t really be sure...But it was definitely big...and I think that’s our main priority at the moment...to find bigger specimens to work with...some of the stuff we have been bringing in recently has been poor in quality Mitch takes a look at the notes that Steve had handed him. STEVE Ok then...looks like it’ll be an early start for all of us...time for bed Finally Benton walks in after being called by Brian a few moments ago. BENTON (Snappy to Brian) What is it now? BRIAN I won’t be in to help tonight...we have to be up early BENTON Was that it? You could have just shouted that to me instead of calling me out here Benton starts to walk back out to the lab. BRIAN (Sarcastic) I’m sooooo sorry Ralph looks around the room and inspects a few areas with his eyes. RALPH So...where am I sleeping? STEVE You’ll be in with the rest of us Steve starts to make his way to the far door. STEVE (Con’t) Come with me Ralph moves picks his rucksack up off of the floor. Steve opens the door. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – SLEEPING QUARTERS The sleeping quarters are cramped and dimly lit, there is barely enough room to move. On each side of the room are bunk beds just long enough to hold a single person. Steve and Ralph have entered the room through the door. They stop next to one of the bunk beds. RALPH It’s a bit smaller than I expected STEVE I’m sorry...were you expecting the Hilton hotel? Ralph lets out a small sarcastic muffled laugh and then lays his rucksack out on the nearby top bunk. STEVE Woah there Steve takes Ralph’s rucksack off of the top bunk and hands it back to him. STEVE (Con’t) You’re sleeping over there Steve points to a small, dirty looking mattress that is lying at the far end of the sleeping quarters. Ralph looks back at Steve flabbergasted. RALPH You’re kidding me right...Right? STEVE I don’t kid people Steve walks back up to the door and then turns around. STEVE Sleep tight We’ll all be in here in a few minutes to keep you cozy RALPH I can’t wait Steve opens the door and walks out...Ralph walks slowly over to the mattress and throws his rucksack down beside it. RALPH (To himself) Great...just great...i better get the Pulitzer for this INT. ANTARCTIC STATION 5 – TECH AREA – EARLY NEXT MORNING The Tech area is large enough to hold the latest gadgets like modems and computers as well as having workspace for at least 5-8 people. Steve and Brian are getting setup for the journey out to the meteor crash site. Brian is sitting in front of a computer. Steve is standing up, packing meteorite collection kits into a bag. STEVE Have you sent a message to Outpost 14, telling them of the co-ordinates? BRIAN Sure did...i sent it late last night just before we all went to bed...i assume they got it...although they never replied STEVE Ahhhh they were probably all too drunk last night to notice it BRIAN Shame we weren’t Steve finishes packing the kits and starts to do up the bag. STEVE I’ve packed the collection kits...so I guess that’s it BRIAN Ok then...are the others awake? STEVE Everyone apart from Ralph...i told Mitch to get him up A short chime comes from the computers sound system. There is now an e-mail notification on the monitor. INT. ANTARCTIC STATION 5 – LIVING AREA Mitch is back sitting at the table, his rucksack is in front of him. The table also has various drinks and food on it. David walks in with Ralph from the sleeping quarters. Ralph is clearly still tired. RALPH (Yawning) Why do we have to get up so early? Ralph wanders over to the table and pours out some milk. David meanwhile starts to get dressed up for the outdoors. DAVID We’re usually up at this time...there is a lot of work to get through in a day RALPH Yeah...but 6am...the meteorites ain’t gonna be flying back off into space Ralph scans the table and notices all the food. RALPH Where does all the food come from? MITCH We have a large food store underneath the station...keeps it all nice and cool under there Before Ralph gets to ask anymore questions, in walk Steve and Brian. Steve is holding a print out in his hand. STEVE Ok...listen up David moves over to the table and sits next to Ralph, they sit upright and listen to what Steve has to say. STEVE We have to work a bit quicker than we had hoped today Everyone looks over as Sarah comes in through the medical door yawning. She has clearly just got up. SARAH Ignore me She walks over to the sink area and pours out some juice and starts to drink STEVE As I was saying We have to work quicker than we had first planned today...there is a large storm sweeping in from the east and it’s due to hit here later today RALPH (Anxious) What kind of storm? MITCH Snowstorm you ass Ralph turns around and looks at Mitch while smiling and shrugging his shoulders RALPH How was I supposed to know? MITCH We’re in the arctic...Let’s not hit on the obvious DAVID (To Steve) How much later in the day is it likely to hit? BRIAN The reports I’ve got through have narrowed it down to the early afternoon STEVE We’ll be back here in good time to make sure everything’s safe RALPH Do you get these storms often? MITCH Often enough to know what to do when one comes RALPH Which is? MITCH Hide Brian laughs. BRIAN You’ll be ok...don’t worry...we get these all the time...there’s nothing to worry about STEVE Right...lets get this show on the road Everyone scatters about getting their rucksacks and outdoor gear on. Ralph picks up his rucksack and takes out his camera. He puts it around his neck. He sits next to a pile of Arctic outdoor clothes that are lying on the floor near his rucksack. RALPH I assume this gear is mine? STEVE Yes...make sure you wear all of it RALPH How am I supposed to take photos and notes wearing all this stuff? MITCH Well it’s either that or freezing to death...It’s you’re choice of course Steve walks over to Ralph and hands him some gloves. STEVE (To Ralph) A few rules you have to obey when your out there with us... 1...You stick with us...you don’t go off anywhere on your own 2...For the moment we don’t want many questions...we have a shit load of work to do today...and not much time to do it 3...when checking out the area that we stop at...if you find anything of any note...tell us...don’t just take photos for yourself... Ralph stands still, taking in all what Steve has said. STEVE Got it? RALPH Sure...I’ve got it STEVE If you run into any problems when you’re out there...you come to me...no one else Ralph is clearly getting fed up of all the rules he is going to have to follow. RALPH Ok...ok...i get the picture STEVE You stray from any of these...you’ll be back here in an instant...and on the LC- 130 back to Christchurch tomorrow Mitch walks over to Steve and Ralph, everyone is now fully dressed in all their outdoor gear. MITCH (To Ralph) You ever rode a Skidoo before? EXT. SOMEWHERE OUT IN THE ARCTIC – DAY The arctic is, as you would expect, a white sheet as far as the eye can see. Steve, Mitch, Brian and David all sit on their Skidoo’s waiting for something. They look back over their shoulders and in the distance a skidoo can be seen heading towards them. MITCH Jesus...he wasn’t wrong STEVE About what? MITCH Never being on a Skidoo before DAVID I hope you know how expensive one of those is BRIAN And how dangerous MITCH He’ll be ok Ralph finally catches up with the rest of the group. He slows the skidoo down just in time to stop next to Mitch, he then takes off his goggles. RALPH Thanks for leaving me back there...i thought you were going to keep an eye on me? MITCH I was...just a distant one Steve takes out a map from his backpack and opens it up. Ralph and Mitch both take a look. STEVE Right Steve points to a place on the map. STEVE (Con’t) It landed somewhere around this area. Steve stops looking at the map and scans the vast horizon around him...everything is white. MITCH Perhaps if we split up and form a line we will have more luck finding out where it landed? Steve starts to fold the map up. STEVE Let’s spread out about 40 meters apart from each other Steve places the map back into his backpack. STEVE Do you all have your walky-talkies? Mitch, David and Brian all check their pockets. MITCH Of course Ralph checks his pockets and then rubs his eyes. RALPH I don’t have one STEVE And you’re not going to have one either...if you find anything...just call out...or signal to us RALPH Will you see me? STEVE Sure we will...40 meters apart...it’s not that far you know RALPH (Sighs) Ok then STEVE Go no further than that RALPH I get the picture The group put back on their goggles to shield their eyes. Ralph struggles to get them over his eyes. STEVE Ok then...spread out Steve, Mitch, Brian and David all speed off on their skidoo’s. Ralph is still fumbling around with his goggles, by the time he gets them on the others are quite far in the distance. RALPH (Shouting) Hey...wait for me INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – TECH AREA – DAY The Computer’s monitor is showing another e-mail notification message on the main screen. The computer makes loud chimes every few seconds. In walks Sarah, she takes a look and the computer screen and looks confused. SARAH (Shouting) Benton...what does this mean Benton comes into the room a few moments later and takes a look at the screen. BENTON It’s just an e-mail message...probably from Outpost 14 about the storm Benton double clicks on the “You Have Mail” icon and opens the e-mail. EXT. SOMEWHERE OUT IN THE ARCTIC – DAY Steve, Mitch, Brian and David are all split into their set 40-meter line, they are moving across the snow at a reasonably slow speed. On the distant left of the group is Ralph, he is way off course and has started to slow down. Steve stops and signals the rest of the group to come to a halt. He takes out his walkie-talkie. STEVE (Into Walkie-talkie) Found anything yet? Over DAVID (Through Walkie-talkie) Nothing, Nothing at all...not even any signs of impact which is strange...Over STEVE Ok...Let’s go find Ralph and then start another search up Over and out The group starts to speed over towards Ralph. Ralph is situated in an area, which sharply dips down. EXT. ARCTIC - EDGE OF THE RIDGE Ralph stands waving his arms toward the rest of the group as they slowly approach him. He turns and looks down the sharp dip in the snow and shakes his head, his expression is total amazement. The snow around the ridge has pieces of what looks like dirt and metal in it. Some of the area has clearly felt an impact recently. Ralph faces the dip and holds his camera up. He starts to take photos at fast regular intervals. RALPH I don’t believe it...I’m going to be rich INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – TECH AREA – DAY Benton is now on the radio, Sarah looks scared beside him. The message on the computer screen reads “We need help urgently”. BENTON Come in outpost 14...this is Dr. Dean Benton from Station 5...over Benton gives up on the radio and turns to Sarah. BENTON There’s no answer SARAH When are the others due back? BENTON It could be hours...perhaps I better go and check on this...it will only take me an hour or so to get there SARAH Aren’t you forgetting the snowstorm is on the way? BENTON I’ll be back in time...if not I can just stay with the other outpost until it passes over SARAH Are you sure this message is to do with the storm? BENTON I’m positive...either that or it’s another one of their stupid jokes...but it’s best to find out Benton closes the e-mail message on the computer and then picks up the radio and tries to call outpost 14 again. BENTON My guess is that they need help getting their defense’s up for the storm...i wont be gone long...don’t worry EXT. ARCTIC – EDGE OF THE RIDGE – DAY Ralph continues to take photos of the surrounding area as the rest of the group finally arrives. Steve is the first member to get to Ralph first. He takes off his goggles and walks over to him. RALPH You won’t believe what I’ve found STEVE I thought we told you to stick with us...this is further than 40-meters Steve notices the black snow around the ridge and picks up a piece of metal. STEVE What have you broken? Ralph still looks over the edge of the ridge and takes photos. RALPH Nothing...i said...you won’t believe what I’ve found Ralph points to something over the edge of the ridge where he is standing. RALPH Take a look at this Steve walks over to the edge of the ridge and looks over. STEVE Oh my god RALPH I told you...I told you EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – DAY Standing just outside the research station is Sarah, sitting on a skidoo just a few yards away is Benton, he is now fully dressed in his Arctic clothes. SARAH (Hugging herself to keep warm) You better not be too long BENTON I won’t be long. I’ll probably be back before the others SARAH Make sure you radio me if anything is wrong Benton starts up the Skidoo. BENTON I will do Benton speeds away fast from the research station and fades into the distance. EXT. ARCTIC – OVER THE RIDGE Looking over the edge of the icy ridge reveals a large crater. The crater is about 200-250 meters deep and 300 meters wide. Small puffs of smoke rise from the bottom of the crater and evaporate quickly in the cold arctic air. At the bottom of the crater is a large shiny, metallic alien craft, the craft is about 150 meters wide and has been split up into separate pieces after the heavy impact of the crash. RALPH Hard to believe...huh? STEVE What do you think? RALPH I think I have my story The others members of the team, Mitch, Brian and David arrive on their skidoos and start to take off their goggles and move over to Steve and Ralph. Mitch picks up part of the debris lying around the crater. MITCH So what did he break? STEVE (Distant) He didn’t break a thing MITCH So where did all this come from? Mitch walks over to the edge of the crater and takes a glance down to the bottom. MITCH Holy mother of Jesus Ralph starts to take pictures of the whole team and the surrounding area. BRIAN What is it? Brian and David walk over to the edge and also look over the top and see the craft. DAVID (Hesitant) Oh boy...this is way out of our field...way out STEVE It’s way out of most people fields DAVID We better get back and radio the outpost...as soon as possible BRIAN Let’s look around a bit more first...this could be our one chance to become famous for something other than meteorites DAVID What’s wrong with meteorites Mitch starts to walk down the jaggedly edge of the crater. He stops after a few steps and continues to look down. MITCH That must have been some impact STEVE If it was what I saw last night...it was RALPH How big do you think this thing is...or was? Brian takes a step back and studies the craft layout. BRIAN Possibly 125 meters wide Brian picks up a piece of the metallic debris from the side of the crater. BRIAN (Con’t) I don’t recognize the metal structure, but for an impact on this scale...the craft looks like it did well to stay intact RALPH (Confused) But it’s in about 3 pieces...i don’t really call that intact MITCH I think what Brian’s trying to say is...the craft was falling so fast towards the earth last night that if it was one of our space shuttles...it would have been destroyed before it even hit the snow Mitch looks over to Brian. MITCH (Con’t) Correct? BRIAN Correct RALPH So even from looking at that piece of metal Ralph points to the metallic debris in Brian’s hand. RALPH (Con’t) You can pretty much tell that this ship is more advanced than ours are? BRIAN Not necessarily...just because the metallic outer shell looks like it’s advanced doesn’t mean the rest of it is DAVID I think we should call it in now...don’t forget the storm is on the way STEVE We can’t just leave it here without taking a closer look...by this time tomorrow the snow storm would have most likely covered it Ralph moves closer in towards Steve and starts to take more photos. STEVE (Annoyed) Will you quit it? RALPH Hey...I’m sorry...but I don’t usually come across stories as good as this in my line of work BRIAN I think we should take a closer look STEVE I agree...this could be all gone soon DAVID I’ll wait up here MITCH Come on David...this is what we all dream about DAVID I have a bad feeling about this STEVE You have bad feelings about ice cream...now come on...if we find anything we can bring back to the base...then we’ll need help carrying it back The group starts to make their way slowly down the side of the crater. EXT. ARCTIC – BOTTOM OF THE CRATER The bottom of the crater reveals more debris of the alien craft. The craft is round but broken into 3 separate pieces from the crash. The color of the metallic outer layer of the craft is now clearly silver. Ralph is the first member of the team to reach the craft, he snaps away with his camera until it runs out of film. RALPH God damn it Ralph removes his backpack and rummages through it to find another film. Steve, Mitch and Brian are next to reach the bottom of the crater...David lags someway behind the rest. Brian scans the wreckage of the alien craft and picks up some of the debris that is strewn across the snow covered floor. STEVE (Joking) Well I guess we can rule out this being one of ours MITCH Look at it...it’s fantastic in design Ralph finds a new camera film and loads it into his camera. RALPH Do you think we can find a way in? David comes stumbling down the side of the crater. DAVID Not a good idea RALPH We made it down here...it would be stupid not to check inside Brian walks back over to Steve and Mitch. BRIAN It would be too dangerous to climb over the structure...the chances of it falling apart are high MITCH There must be an entrance of some sort somewhere here Mitch starts to make his way around the side of the crater. As he walks around it, he scans the side of the alien craft for any sign of an entrance. STEVE Somewhere DAVID They might use some code to open it...it’s not worth the hassle of finding it...let’s head back now STEVE We just got here Dave...give us a break DAVID It’s your funeral Mitch spots something over on the other side of the alien ship. MITCH (Shouting) Over here Ralph runs over to Mitch, he is very eager to find out what he has discovered. BRIAN What is it? David takes a look at his watch and then up to the sky. DAVID The storm is due in 2 hours time STEVE David...we will be back in good time Ralph reaches Mitch and moves in closer to the alien craft. Mitch directs Ralph to a certain part of the outer-rim of the craft. BRIAN Well? RALPH It’s a doorway of some sort STEVE Is it open? RALPH No Mitch moves towards the doorway. MITCH It has a pad by the side though Steve and Brian make their way over to Mitch and Ralph on the other side of the craft. David decides to stay where he is. BRIAN Give me a second and I’ll check it out DAVID I’ll stay here if you don’t mind EXT. ARCTIC – OUTER DOORWAY OF ALIEN CRAFT The metallic doorway is dented from the crash but still resembles an elevator door. There is a slat down the middle of the door that is slightly ajar. Steve and Brian reach the opposite side of the craft, as they carefully walk over to the doorway Ralph spots something toward the side of the door and walks up to it. Brian puts his hands into the slat of the door and makes a weak attempt at opening it. BRIAN It won’t budge MITCH Maybe we should knock STEVE Hey Mitch...got anything that will fit in this gap that we could use? MITCH No Nothing at all Ralph is peering at some sort of panel a few yards from the door. He places his hand on the panel. STEVE (To Ralph) Hey...don’t... Suddenly there is a hissing sound coming from the door. A few seconds later the door shakes and then gradually starts to slide open. The door doesn’t manage to open fully, but there is now enough room for people to get through. STEVE (Con’t) Touch anything BRIAN (Smiling wildly) Great...who’s coming with me? Brian walks through the gap in the doorway and into the unknown. Ralph takes his hand off of the panel and walks over to door. RALPH I’m coming Steve walks in front of the door and bars Ralph from getting through. STEVE (Stern voice) You’ll go after me RALPH Ok...Ok STEVE And next time you touch something...I’ll kick your ass Steve walks through the gap and into the alien craft. Ralph turns and looks at Mitch. Mitch smiles at Ralph and then wiggles his ass. MITCH (Steve mimic) I’m the boss STEVE (Echoed from inside of alien craft) I’ll kick your ass too INT. ALIEN CRAFT – WHITE ROOM The inside of the craft is not as badly damaged as the outside, there are few wires hanging down from the ceiling but little else has been disturbed. The look of this area of the craft resembles a hospital it is sharp white in color and is very clean. Towards the center of the room is a large rectangular table about 2 meters in length, the table has white armrests on the side. On the opposite side of the room is another doorway this also has a panel similar to the one on the outside of the craft but red in color. Brian ignores everything in this room and heads straight for the other door, he puts his hand on the panel and it opens up for him to walk through. STEVE Brian...wait up for us MITCH He’s like a kid with a new toy STEVE That’s what I’m afraid of Ralph walks up the shiny white table and runs his hands across it. RALPH It’s freezing cold STEVE We’re in the arctic and this...thing was buried in the snow...think about it Mitch laughs. MITCH What do you think this place is used for? It looks like some kind of hospital STEVE Could be RALPH There are no instruments though. Nothing that even resembles surgical equipment either Mitch walks over to the table and looks underneath it. MITCH Weird, there is no way this table can be moved from this position RALPH What do you think it’s for? MITCH Looks like it’s used to hold something. Least it has armrests Ralph starts to take photos of the room. STEVE How many more pictures can you take? RALPH I think I have another pack of film left yet Mitch stops staring at the bottom of the table. MITCH He’s probably used up his supply for the week already RALPH Damn right BRIAN (Shouting from the other room) Hey...take a look at the stuff in here INT. ALIEN CRAFT – MAIN AREA The main area of the alien craft is full of technology. There is a massive view screen on one of the walls of the room that looks out at the icy crater in which the alien ship is lying. Just below the view screen are various keyboard controls that resemble nothing anyone has ever seen before, the buttons on the keyboard are larger than you would normally find on a computer and completely flat. In front of the view screen are two stalls each of which are about two meters apart. They have keypads, buttons and lights on them, one of the stalls has what looks like a joystick on it. Each stall looks as if it could have a person or alien could stand behind and control the craft. On one of the walls is another door. In walk Steve, Mitch and Ralph. Ralph has currently stopped taking photos. Brian is standing next to one of the stalls, inspecting the control mechanism. BRIAN Look at this stuff. I’ve never seen anything like it. The keyboard controls are completely different to the ones we use...they are just touch pads MITCH (Jokes) A kid with new toys STEVE Look...let’s just agree not to fiddle around with anything here. Who knows what it will do if we mess with it. BRIAN Well I can tell these buttons don’t control the ship. The ones over there do Brian points to the other stall a couple of meters away. STEVE How can you tell? BRIAN That one’s got a flight stick on it...i think STEVE You think? MITCH He guessed you mean. It could be anything for all you know BRIAN Are you worried I’ll fly us out of here or something? Mitch laughs. BRIAN (Con’t) The craft is in pieces. It’s not going anywhere As Brian finishes his sentence he reaches down to one of the buttons and presses it. The view screen flickers and then the right-hand side of the screen goes black. A few moments later the black screen starts to show basic digital images of the earth and forms of humans and aliens. BRIAN That must be what they look like STEVE Yeah. But why are we on there RALPH We are? STEVE Not us specifically you idiot...humans BRIAN Perhaps they have been studying us MITCH Maybe this time they got a little to close to what they were studying. Brian walks up to the view screen and points to the digital version of the earth. BRIAN They must have known about us for years going by this information. Steve moves over to the images of humans and aliens. STEVE Jesus...even our internal organs are on this thing BRIAN It’s all correct too RALPH Creepy Ralph takes out his camera and starts to snap a few photos of the stalls. He takes one photo of the stall and then suddenly light from the flash triggers one of the buttons. Steve spins round and looks directly at Ralph. STEVE (Angry) What did you press? RALPH Nothing, I didn’t touch a thing. I took a photo of this stand. Ralph points to the same stand that Brian pressed a button on. RALPH (Con’t) It just lit up MITCH I think the camera triggered it BRIAN The flash? The view screen that was previously showing the earth and images of the human and alien forms has changed. The images on the screen are now showing what looks like a combining of the human and alien forms. The digital image of the human starts to move over the alien form, this causes the two combined images to flicker. A few seconds later the only image that is left onscreen is the human being. RALPH What’s that smell? Ralph starts to scan the surrounding area. Mitch raises his hands. MITCH It was I RALPH Not that smell...over here. Can’t you smell it? Mitch makes his way over to where Ralph is standing and inhales deeply. He starts to cough and splutter. MITCH (Coughing) Jesus Christ...that’s noxious STEVE Where’s it coming from? Ralph takes in short, small breaths and tries to follow the smell...it leads him up to the closed doorway on the other side of the room. RALPH It’s coming from behind this door Ralph gets his camera ready to take a photo of the doorway. As he takes the picture, the flash again triggers something, this time it is the doorway button. The door slides open...a large creature, about 6-7 feet in size falls through the doorway and on top of Ralph. RALPH (Screaming like a baby) Jesus...get it off me...get it off me Ralph’s face is pressed up against the alien’s neck. The alien is in a state of deterioration. The impact of the crash has caused the alien to die and become damaged and decayed. Mitch is the first person to Ralph’s side. Mitch covers up his mouth and nose as he reaches the alien. MITCH God that reeks Ralph struggles to lift the dead alien off of his body. Steve and Brian walk slowly over to Ralph and just stare at the dead alien. RALPH (Still Screaming) Just get it off me STEVE Will you shut up...this is your fault Steve directs Mitch and Brian around the alien. RALPH My fault...My fault...Jesus...he fell on me, not the other way round STEVE Mitch, you lift its legs. Brian lift if from the side BRIAN Ok Steve, Mitch and Brian get into position around the alien and then start to lift it off of Ralph. STEVE Careful...i have a feeling someone might want to see this MITCH Where shall we put it? RALPH Who cares, just get it off of me BRIAN Lets put it on the table in the other room for the moment They lift the dead alien up off of Ralph and make their way slowly into the other room of the craft. Ralph gets to his feet and starts to sniff his clothes. He picks his camera up from off of the floor and hangs it back round his neck. INT. ALIEN CRAFT – WHITE ROOM The dead alien is now lying on the white table in the middle of the room. Steve, Brian and Mitch are examining the body. Ralph walks in, still shaken from the incident a few moments earlier. STEVE (Laughing) Hey, Ralph. You can take a few photos of it now RALPH Ha ha Ralph gets ready to take a picture of the dead alien, he clicks the camera, nothing happens. RALPH Damn it. Give me a second or two Ralph searches his rucksack for another piece of camera film to use. BRIAN You know what’s weird here? MITCH Apart from you? BRIAN I’m not joking. Take a look at the scars on the skin here Brian points to a place on the alien’s chest that seems to have been dilapidated. Steve and Brian take a closer look at the body. STEVE What about it? BRIAN That doesn’t seem to have been caused recently...certainly not in the last twenty four hours MITCH Couldn’t their skin react in different ways to ours though? BRIAN Of course, in theory, but this doesn’t seem to be the type of injury caused from any impact. The cut just isn’t right STEVE Perhaps it died earlier...that could be the reason it crashed MITCH No one to pilot the craft? BRIAN Could be I guess MITCH That door it fell through...the room behind it was pretty small...perhaps it was hiding from something? Ralph gives up his search for anymore film. RALPH Err...I’m out of film STEVE Already...now what are we going to do? BRIAN This place will be covered in snow in the next few hours...there’s no way anyone will find this place then Steve removes his rucksack and takes out the map. He points to a spot on the map. STEVE I think we’re here Steve takes a pen out of his rucksack and circles the location. MITCH It’ll still be too hard to find once the snow covers it STEVE Well we can’t do much else apart from radio it in when we get back BRIAN I’ll be taking this back though Brian nods his head towards the alien corpse. RALPH Oh now come on...I’m not sleeping with that thing near me MITCH (Joking) Hey...she’s been on top of you once already...give another one of us a chance RALPH You know what I mean STEVE Are you sure that’s wise? RALPH Yeah...what about catching some kind of alien virus BRIAN If there was even the slightest chance of that happening...i think we would all have been infected by now anyway. I’ll keep it in the lab until someone from the outpost can get word out about our findings. RALPH Well you can carry the damn thing INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – TECH AREA – DAY The room is empty, only the computers are making any noise...suddenly the radio crackles into life. BENTON (From Radio) This is Benton, come in. Over INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LIVING AREA Sarah is sitting at the table eating when she hears the radio in the other room. BENTON (From Radio, angry voice) This is Benton, come in Sarah...Over Sarah gets up from the table and makes her way into the tech room. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – TECH AREA Sarah walks into the room and picks up the radio receiver. SARAH (Into Radio) Hey Benton. How are they there? BENTON (Nervous and stammers) Fine...they are all fine SARAH What was the problem then? BENTON Oh nothing really SARAH Nothing? So they called you out there for no reason? BENTON (Angry) There are no problems...everything here is fine SARAH Hey, don’t get pissed with me just because of them...when are you heading back? BENTON (Calm) I’m sorry. I’m leaving now...my job here is done SARAH Ok I’ll see you... The radio reception suddenly dies. SARAH (Con’t) Soon Sarah puts down the radio receiver. SARAH Love you too EXT. ARCTIC – OVER THE RIDGE Steven and Brian are carrying the alien body up from the side of the crater, Ralph and Mitch lag a few paces behind with their rucksacks. At the top of the ridge is David, he looks nervous and scared. DAVID I tell you...this is a bad idea STEVE Just shut up and help us here DAVID I’m not going to touch it STEVE I never said you had to touch it...bring my Skidoo over here and get me the big bags from your rucksack David walks over to Steve’s skidoo and brings it over to Steve and Brian. David takes off his rucksack and removes a bag from within. Steve and Brian reach the top of the ridge, a few moments later Ralph and Mitch get there too. STEVE Ok...now open up the bag and lay it on the floor David opens up the bag and lays it on the snow. The bag is big enough to hold the alien corpse. He then stands well clear. BRIAN David...hold the damn thing open DAVID I’m not touching it Mitch walks over to the bag. MITCH For Christ sake...I’ll do it. Mitch holds the bag open. STEVE Ok...lets put it in their...then take it back to the lab Steve and Brian get into place and slowly place the body of the alien into the large bag. STEVE Right Steve looks up at the sky and notices the clouds coming in. STEVE (Con’t) Looks like we better be heading back DAVID I said that a while ago RALPH (Concerned) Who’s gonna be carrying it back then? BRIAN I will...i don’t want some klutz destroying it Mitch looks directly over at Ralph. MITCH Mentioning no names of course BRIAN Of course not EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – DAY In the far distance the snowstorm can be seen coming in. Steve, Mitch, Brian, David and Ralph arrive back at the research station on their skidoos. Brian stops outside the entrance to the Research Station and drags the bag containing the alien corpse off of the skidoo and up to the main door of the research station. Steve gets off his skidoo and walks up to the main door, he opens it for Brian to drag the corpse in to the station. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LIVING AREA The door opens, Steve and Brian walk in carrying the alien corpse in the plastic bag. They walk straight through to the lab. Ralph, Mitch and David come through the door into the Living area they head straight for the table to sit down. Sarah walks in through the doorway at the back of the room. SARAH (Slight disappointment) Oh...i thought it was Benton DAVID Benton? Where did he go? SARAH We got a distress call from Outpost 14 and he went to check it out. I got a call from him a while ago, he said he was on his way back. I’ve heard nothing since MITCH He’s probably decided to stay there until the storm blows over. I have to radio them anyway, I’ll ask Mitch gets up from the table and makes his way to the tech room to radio Outpost 14. SARAH Where’s Steve and Brian? DAVID In the lab SARAH So you found the meteor...get any good specimens? RALPH Not exactly SARAH Not exactly? What do you mean, you must have brought back something DAVID Oh we brought something back all right INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LAB The lab is clean and tidy, examination tools litter the room and high tech lighting is all around. In the center of the room is a large examination table, usually used for the studying of meteors. Lying on the examination table in the center of the lab is the body of the dead alien. Surrounding the table are Steve, Brian and Ralph. Sarah is also in the room looking directly down at the corpse. Brian is closely examining the alien, he is wearing rubber gloves and a lab coat. SARAH (Drawn out voice) Oh my god RALPH See. Not exactly a meteor is it? Sarah looks over to Steve. SARAH So this is what you saw last night? Brian turns the alien onto its side and then lays it down on its front. STEVE We found a craft buried deep in the snow about 4 miles from here...it was about the same size as the err meteor I thought I saw last night SARAH Have you radioed it in yet? STEVE Mitch said he’d do it SARAH Did you mark it down on the map? STEVE Of course, but with the incoming storm it’ll be buried before anyone else gets to see it, that’s the main reason we decided to bring this back Mitch walks into the room and stands by the door, out of the way of Brian’s examination. MITCH There’s no answer from the outpost...the storm must have reached them already STEVE Ok...we’ll call them once it passes over SARAH What about Benton...any sign? Brian stops his examination and looks up at Sarah. BRIAN What’s the matter with Benton? SARAH We got a distress call from the Outpost. He went to check it out MITCH I wouldn’t worry...he knows what he’s doing. He most likely stayed there. Brian gets back down to examining the alien corpse. STEVE What problem did they have? SARAH Benton didn’t say. When he radioed me from the outpost, he just said he would be leaving very soon STEVE Mitch is probably right, knowing Benton he wouldn’t risk heading back here in this weather Brian looks up. BRIAN I think I’ve found out why our friend here smells so much MITCH You mean Ralph? RALPH Ho ho, you’re so damn funny BRIAN No our alien buddy here RALPH Why? BRIAN He has no excretion systems that I can find RALPH You mean they can’t take a shit? Steve punches Ralph on the shoulder and gives him a dead arm. RALPH What? MITCH Subtle, very subtle BRIAN Well he can...err...shit as you say...it seems like they do it though their pores unlike us humans do SARAH Well I’ve had a long day...I’ll leave you guys to it Just as Sarah finishes her sentence, David rushes into the room, his expression is of worry as usual. DAVID Come quick...its Benton EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – NIGHT Outside of the research station the snowstorm has arrived. Lying out in the snow, next to his skidoo is Benton. Steve, Mitch and David come rushing out into the cold and run over to where Benton is lying. STEVE (To David) Why didn’t you bring him in? DAVID I didn’t think I would be able to MITCH Does he have a pulse? STEVE He’s got too much gear on to check...lets get him inside MITCH On the count of 3 Steve and Mitch stand at each end of Benton and get ready to carry him inside. MITCH 1...2...3...Lift They carry him into the research station. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL Benton can be seen through a window lying in a hospital bed. The bed is situated in cubicle, in a separate area of the hospital used to keep patient(s) in quarantine in cases of emergency. He has a few cuts to the head and his face is pale in color. On the far side of the hospital, close to the cubicle is a window that shows the outside world. Just outside the room are Steve, Mitch and Sarah. MITCH Do you think he’ll be ok? SARAH I’ll be keeping him in quarantine for the time being, until I know exactly what is wrong with him...he has a fever, slight cuts to the head and is unconscious. MITCH But will he be ok? SARAH I can’t be sure at the moment...I’ll know more tomorrow STEVE Any ideas what caused it? SARAH None...The cuts to his head could have been made at the outpost when he was helping out there...as for the fever... Sarah shrugs her shoulders. SARAH (Con’t) He may have contracted that while he was here...and being out in this weather could have just made it much, much worse MITCH I’ll try and contact the outpost again...find out what happened there STEVE Leave it until the morning...there’s no point at the moment with this storm...If we get no reply then...we’ll go over there and check it out ourselves INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LIVING AREA Ralph and David are sitting at the dinner table eating. RALPH What was wrong with him? DAVID I have no idea Steve and Mitch walk into the room. DAVID Is he ok? STEVE He should be ok...no thanks to you Steve and Mitch sit down at the table. DAVID Hey...he could have broken something...what would you have said if I had tried to drag him in and then I made his injuries worse STEVE Asshole Sarah walks into the room from the hospital area and walks over to the sink to wash her hands. RALPH How long will this storm last? MITCH Until early morning I believe RALPH Great...just great...well I think I’ll hit the hay Ralph gets up from the table and makes his way towards the sleeping quarters of the station. RALPH Night SARAH Night Ralph walks out of the room. Sarah comes over to the table and takes the place of Ralph. SARAH I just noticed that Benton’s temperature is lowering slowly STEVE Is that good or bad? SARAH Good...it means he’s coming out of the fever MITCH That’s kind of fast isn’t it? SARAH Yeah...but I’m not going to complain INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL Benson’s body is lying still on the hospital bed...there are cracks starting to appear on the side of his head and blood seeps slowly through. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LIVING AREA Steve, Mitch, David and Sarah are still sitting at the dinner table talking. DAVID Well I’m going to get to bed too MITCH Same here SARAH Do I smell or something? You all seem to be leaving as I arrive Mitch laughs. MITCH No way...I’m shattered after everything that has happened today and really need some sleep SARAH Ok then...I’ll forgive you MITCH (Sarcastic) Thanks mom Mitch and David walk out of the living area and through to the sleeping quarters. SARAH I’ll keep an eye on Benton every couple of hours or so through the night...if I run into any problems I’ll call you Steve rubs his eyes. He’s now starting to look pale and weary. SARAH I’m not expecting any problems though STEVE Ok then...i guess I better get to bed SARAH Is Brian going to be up for a while? STEVE Yeah...he’s still doing his examination SARAH Can you ask him to check on Benton in an hour or so...i really need some sleep STEVE Sure...I’ll tell him Steve gets up from the table SARAH Just tell him to check his breathing and temperature...his cuts will take sometime to heal Steve starts to walk over to the lab door. STEVE No problem...Night SARAH Night INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LAB – NIGHT Brian is still doing his rather thorough examination of the alien corpse they found at the craft. Brian is writing down a few notes on a clipboard as Steve enters the room. STEVE Hey BRIAN Hi STEVE Find anything else out about this guy? BRIAN Quite a lot actually, these injuries do almost certainly seem to have been caused earlier than the crash STEVE Any idea how? BRIAN Some of the indentations on the side look like they were cause by something sharp, the cuts are quite deep STEVE Like a knife? BRIAN Yeah...but a knife is unlikely, perhaps it was in a fight, or sustained the injuries before it traveled here Steve rubs his eyes and shakes his head. STEVE This is far too much for me to take in at the moment...talk to me in the morning...I’m sure I’ll be at least half awake then Brian gives off a slight laugh. BRIAN Yeah...i guess I better be heading off to bed soon, once the outpost hear about this one in the morning...they’ll be on us like wildfire STEVE (Joking) We could keep it all a secret...we’d make millions from books and photos BRIAN And be personally assassinated in the process for not doing our work Steve walks slowly towards the door to get to bed. STEVE Can you check up on Benton in an hour? BRIAN Sure...not a problem...what do I need to check though? STEVE Check his breathing and temperature, if there are any problems...call Sarah straight away BRIAN Understood STEVE See you in the morning INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL – NIGHT Benton’s body is now covered in what looks like dark green goo. The blood that was seeping from his face and neck has stopped. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – MORNING The snowstorm has now blown over. The stars are now visible in the night sky. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LIVING AREA – MORNING Brian walks into the living area of the station from the lab, he walks over to the sink and washes his hands. He finishes washing his hands and walks over to the dinner table. He sits down, picks up a magazine and starts to read. Brian suddenly puts down the magazine and looks up as if he has remembered something he has to do, Brian gets up and makes his way to check on Benton at the hospital. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL – MORNING Brian walks into the hospital area of the station and stretches out his arms while yawning. He glances around the area and then sniffs something in the air. BRIAN (To himself) Jesus Brian looks over to the cubicle where Benton is being kept. He starts to walk over to one of the windows. Brian reaches Benton’s cubicle, he takes a step forward and looks through the window. Brian’s turns pale and a stunned look fills his face. He turns to the hospital door that leads back to the living areas. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – SLEEPING QUARTERS BRIAN (Shouting at the top of his voice from the hospital) Steve...Sara The sound of Brian’s voice wakes Steve who was sleeping on his bunk bed. BRIAN (V.O) Steve...you better come and look at this Steve slowly sits up and then jumps off of the bunk bed clearly still half-asleep. STEVE (Moody Shouting) Ok...Ok...I’m coming Steve’s voice wakes Sara and Ralph up, David and Mitch are still fast asleep. RALPH (Sleepy) What’s up? STEVE Give me a damn chance and I’ll check Steve walks through the doorway and heads off towards the hospital. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL – EARLY MORNING Brian is still standing, looking through the cubicle window. Steve walks into the room, closely followed by Ralph. STEVE (Puzzled) What is it? BRIAN Come and look at this Brian beckons Steve over to the cubicle window. Steve walks over and looks through the window. Inside the cubicle, lying on the bed, is a dark green cocoon that was once Benton. STEVE Ralph...call the others now RALPH Why...what’s the problem? Ralph walks up to the window and looks in. RALPH (Hesitant) Oh my god STEVE Just do it RALPH What is that? STEVE If I knew...i would tell you...now get the others Ralph runs out of the room to get Sarah, David and Mitch. STEVE Time to call this one in INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LIVING AREA Mitch, Brian, David and Ralph are all sitting around the dinner table drinking coffee and tea. RALPH What do you think happened to him? MITCH I have no idea BRIAN Well he wasn’t with us on the expedition yesterday, so this didn’t happen to him at the crash site DAVID I think we ought to lock this place up tight and burn the damn thing MITCH Really? In what order RALPH Perhaps he ran into something when he was at the outpost or on the way back from there? Steve walks into the room from the technical area. DAVID So what did they say? STEVE They didn’t DAVID They didn’t...what? STEVE They didn’t say anything...the signal to the outpost is down...I’m going to check it out RALPH I’ll come with you STEVE No...You’ll stay here...David you’re coming with me DAVID Err...I don’t think so...I’ll stay here...i knew this was trouble from the start STEVE Your coming with me and that’s the end of it...get your stuff together Steve and David go off to pack their gear. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – MORNING Steve and David are dressed in their outdoor gear and ready for their trip to the outpost, outside with them are Mitch and Ralph. They all walk over to where the Skidoo’s are kept, David gets on one, while Steve stands next to his. STEVE (To Mitch) Lock this place up tight...we’ll be back in a few hours...if there are any problems...use the chopper in the shed to get out of here MITCH We can’t use the helicopter...it’s almost out of fuel...it won’t get us very far STEVE Perhaps we should stay...see if we can get the radios working? MITCH It will be alright...trust me STEVE Ok...well just make sure everywhere is secure MITCH Have you got a gun? David overhears what Mitch says and looks concerned. STEVE No...There’s one my rucksack by my bed if you need one, there are also some flares and a flare gun in there. MITCH Ok...see you soon STEVE Cya Steve gets on his Skidoo and starts it up. As Mitch walks back into the station and closes the door tight behind him, Steve and David speed off into the distance. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL – MORNING Sarah is peering through the window into the cubicle now holding the cocoon that was once Benton. Sarah continues to write down notes on her clipboard as Brian walks into the room and up to the cubicle window. BRIAN Any ideas as to if he’s still alive in there? SARAH There’s a faint beat from inside the cocoon, but I have no chance of knowing if he’s still alive or if it’s even Benton in there BRIAN What do you think could happen if we cut it open? SARAH For a start that’s not really an option, if Benton’s alive in there any attempt at opening up the shell could kill him BRIAN How long will it take for you to get the x-rays developed? Sarah removes 4 x-ray photos from her clipboard. SARAH There Sarah hands the 4 photos over to Brian to look over. Brian takes a few quick glances at each photo. BRIAN These don’t show much up inside do they? They don’t even show Benton’s bone structure SARAH No, that’s right...Hardly anything at all...take a look at this though Sarah points out a large, almost circular blob in the center of the x-ray to Brian. BRIAN (Bemused) Clue me in? SARAH Well you see this part? Sarah moves her pen around the outer shell of the cocoon on the x-ray. SARAH (Con’t) That’s the shell of the cocoon...this bit here though... This time Sarah points back to the circular blob on the center of the x-ray. SARAH (Con’t) Well Sarah shrugs her shoulders. SARAH (Con’t) It looks like another cocoon BRIAN (Still slightly puzzled) So your saying that there is a cocoon, within this cocoon? SARAH Yes...and the x-ray won’t penetrate that shell to see what’s inside BRIAN But it’s not Benton? SARAH Only if he’s shrunk to half his usual size BRIAN I guess that’s a no then SARAH (Smiling) With a cocoon that small...I’m guessing we have quite a while before anything hatches BRIAN Well until we know what’s inside it, we better have someone monitor this thing around the clock until the others get back SARAH Every 15 minutes will be fine EXT. OUTPOST 14 – OUT IN THE ARCTIC – DAY In the middle of the snow and ice is the large base camp, Outpost 14. Snowmobiles, Skidoos and small trucks surround the Outpost. There is no sign of any activity and all vehicles on the outside are deserted. Steve and David dismount their skidoos and look around the outpost for any sign of life. DAVID I don’t like this Steve, they should all be out here working Steve takes a few steps forward and looks over at the outpost. Light shines through one of the outpost windows. STEVE The lights are on...someone must be there Steve and David walk closer to the outpost, something catches David’s eye. DAVID Hey Steve...there’s a door open over there The door swings side to side from the force of the arctic winds. There are wooden steps that lead up to the door. STEVE Let’s get over there then EXT. OUTPOST 14 – STEPS TO THE DOORWAY As Steve and David reach the bottom of the steps that lead to the door, it becomes clear that something is wrong, the door is actually swinging off its hinges, broken and battered. DAVID Now there’s no way that was caused by the storm, it wasn’t that strong Steve starts to make his ways slowly up the steps towards the doorway. DAVID (Worried) Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all STEVE Shut up and follow me for Christ sake INT. OUTPOST 14 – STORAGE HOLD The storage hold is vast in size. A small light swings side to side on the ceiling roof thanks to the wind blowing in from the doorway. Towards the far end of the room is a large doorway that leads to the main areas of the outpost. Lining each side of the room are crates and small boxes, mainly holding food and working materials. Steve walks in through the doorway, David follows closely behind. STEVE (Shouting) Hello...anyone home? Steve walks slowly forward, heading towards to doorway at the end of the room. David meanwhile, decides to take his own root, he goes off to the left to check around the edges of the room for anything of interest. DAVID (Timid shout) Hello? As David walks around the side, he notices some kind of mark on one of the crates. DAVID Hey Steve...Come look at this David walks up to the crate, crouches down and inspects the mark. The mark resembles blood. Steve walks over. STEVE What is it now? DAVID Blood David points out the blood splatter to Steve. STEVE There’s no telling if that’s blood or not, something could have leaked from these crates DAVID Yeah right Steve continues his trek to the other doorway as David gets back to his feet. David follows on behind. INT. OUTPOST 14 – STORAGE HOLD – FAR DOOR Steve and David reach the door, Steve attempts to open it up, and it won’t open because something is blocking it. STEVE Give me a hand here will you? David doesn’t reply, but he does walk up to the door and helps push it. As it opens, whatever was blocking the door is pushed out of the way. The doorway reveals another room, the room is dark and there are no lights on. It is very difficult to see what is ahead. DAVID (Pointing the way) After you Steve walks through the doorway and into the next room, David follows. INT. OUTPOST 14 – LIVING AREA – DARK The room is silent and dark it is impossible to see anything ahead. STEVE See if you can find a light Steve walks a short way forward and stumbles over something lying on the floor. As Steve stumbles, David finds the light switch and flicks it on, revealing... The whole living area covered with the bloody corpses of the outpost crew. David turns away and covers his mouth at the sickening sight. The living area is larger than the one back on the research station, but the layout is almost the same. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL – DAY Sarah, Brian and Ralph are talking over by the doorway, no one else is in the room or near the cocoon. SARAH ...There’s been no change at all INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL CUBICLE The cocoon is making some slight movements, nothing that would alert anyone’s attentions though... RALPH (V.O) I hope the others come back here soon, this is freaking me out BRIAN (V.O) I am sure they won’t be long, they’re probably radioing for help right now The cocoon starts to crack slowly open. BRIAN (Con’t) There’s nothing to get freaked out about INT. OUTPOST 14 – LIVING AREA – LIGHT Steve and David scour through the bodies looking for any sign of life. The room is silent, the only sounds that can be heard are the footsteps made by Steve and David and the wind blowing in through a large hole in the wall. DAVID Are you sure whatever did this isn’t here anymore? STEVE It could have been Benton. We better get back DAVID One man could cause this much bloodshed? I don’t think so STEVE Let’s go As Steve and David make their way out of the Living area and back towards the exit, one of the bodies lying on the ground catches Steve’s eye. STEVE Wait a minute...look Steve points out the body to David. The body is Benton’s, his chest is cut and neck is broken. DAVID (Slight stutter) I don’t believe it...but...but...who was that back at the Station? STEVE I’m not sure. But without try to state the obvious...I’d say it wasn’t Benton DAVID We better get back...We have to warn the others STEVE Do you know where they keep the radio here? Just as Steve finishes his sentence, loud, large footsteps can be heard running over the top of the outpost roof towards the other end of the Outpost. DAVID Forget the radio...what was that? STEVE I’m not sure A loud roar can be heard outside of the outpost...like nothing anyone has heard before. DAVID Ok...let’s get the hell out of here Steve reaches into his coat pocket and draws out a gun. STEVE Agreed...As soon as we get out of the door...make a run for the skidoo’s...no looking back DAVID You said you wouldn’t need a gun STEVE I lied Steve and David walk out of the Living area and back into the large Storage room. INT. OUTPOST 14 – STORAGE HOLD As they enter the storage hold, another loud roar can be heard outside of the outpost. A second later and something makes a thud on top of the roof. STEVE Do they keep petrol here? DAVID Of course they do...it’s over there David points out some large barrels to Steve. DAVID (Con’t) Why? STEVE Our only hope of getting everyone out of here safely is via the helicopter back at the station DAVID There’s no way we can carry that size barrel back on our skidoo’s STEVE No...But if we can find something to carry a reasonable amount back...then that should be enough David walks over to the barrels. DAVID Here...we can use these David shows Steve a couple of small empty containers that are lying near the petroleum barrels. STEVE Ok then...fill them up...and hurry Whatever is on the roof of the outpost is walking around again. The footsteps it’s making are slower than they previously were, it stops by the doorway that leads back outside. David gets up and walks over to Steve with the 2 small containers. DAVID Here you go STEVE Thanks...don’t spill it David walks towards the door that leads outside. DAVID As if I would As David says that...the creature that was on the roof comes smashing through the ceiling...grabbing David by the neck and pulling him up through the roof. The creature is large, its arms are long and the fingers are sharp. Its face is as far from human as you can get. DAVID (Screaming, choking) Help me...help me Steve scampers around looking for something to use to help David...Nothing. Steve points his gun up towards the creature and pulls the trigger...bang...a clean hit...The creature doesn’t even flinch as green blood drops from the bullet wound. STEVE (Stunned) Oh come on The creature pulls David through the hole it has made in the ceiling and onto the roof...all that can be heard are screams and the tearing of flesh...Blood drips through the hole in the ceiling. Steve starts to run towards the door...the creatures smashes through the ceiling and onto the Storage room floor and looks directly at Steve. STEVE Great...now what Steve has to think fast...he runs over towards the petroleum barrels and topples one over...the petrol splatters the wooden floor... The creature starts its chase...its fast, faster than Steve in fact and starts to catch up...Steve runs towards the Living area door... Steve reaches the living area door and opens it up...he slams it shut...locks it...the creature comes ramming into it, making a large dent in the process. INT. OUTPOST 14 – LIVING AREA Steve stands around just looking for a few seconds...he notices the hole in the wall...he can just fit through. Steve runs up to the hole and crawls through carefully so not to spill the petrol, to the outside of the outpost. INT. OUTPOST 14 – STORAGE HOLD – LIVING AREA DOOR The creature continues to batter itself up against the door, trying as hard as possible to smash it open. It is gradually forcing a crack open. EXT. OUTPOST 14 – ROUND THE SIDE Steve runs past the side of the outpost and towards the front steps that lead up to the storage hold. EXT. OUTPOST 14 – STEPS TO THE DOORWAY Steve reaches the foot of the stairs that lead to the storage room. He walks slowly up the steps as to not make any noise. As he reaches the door he slowly opens it up...Steve can see the creature still attempting to smash through to the living area. STEVE (Shouting) Hey...over here The creature stops what its doing and turns around...it looks at Steve...it starts to make its move towards him...fast. Steve points his gun towards the petrol spill...he pulls the trigger...flames start to rise...one of the petrol cans explodes just as Steve slams shut the door and starts to run from the outpost. Steve runs towards his skidoo, petrol container in hand, he places his gun back into his coat pocket and turns to take one last look at the outpost as it bursts into flames. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – DAY Steve returns to the station as fast as possible on his Skidoo. As he arrives just outside the station’s main doorway he jumps off his skidoo and runs for the main door. Steve opens the door to the station and walks in. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LIVING AREA Steve enters the living area of the station and looks around the room, the whole area is wreaked, the table is on its side, books lay strewn across the floor and equipment is smashed. Steve stands still, looking worried. STEVE Have a party without me? STEVE (Shouting) Sarah...Mitch...anyone All that can be heard is the sound of the wind outside. Steve walks slowly around the room looking side to side for any signs of the others. A loud smash can be heard coming from the hospital area of the station...Steve rushes out of the lab. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL The hospital is in a worse condition than anywhere else is on the station. The window on the far wall is smashed, wood and glass lay scattered across the floor. The cubicle that once held the cocooned body of Benton is shattered to bits, the cocoon has hatched, and whatever was inside it has left its mark. Steve walks over to the smashed window, he notices blood stains on the glass. He looks round... STEVE (Remorse) Damn it...i knew I should have stayed Just as Steve finishes...Something underneath the station in the storage hold makes a loud bang, as if something has been knocked over. Steve puts the petrol can onto the floor and then gets onto his knees and starts to bang, hard on the floorboards. STEVE Sarah...Mitch...Hello? He keeps banging and then stops and goes silent. A few moments later he can hear slight voices. STEVE I’m coming to the front of the storage hold...unlock it Steve gets back onto his feet and makes his way to the outside of the station. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – OUTSIDE STORAGE HOLD The entrance to the storage hold leads deep into the arctic ice, there is a main doorway that leads to a set of stairs. Steve runs around the corner of the station and stops at the door. Steve makes an attempt to open the storage hold door...no luck, its been locked up tight...Steve bangs hard on the door. STEVE (Shouting) Open up...its me INT. STORAGE HOLD The storage hold is buried deep under the ice, it is quite spacious considering all the crates and food that are lying about. Sarah, Mitch and Ralph are the remaining members of the team left in the hold. Sarah and Mitch hear Steve’s voice at the top of the stairs outside the door. SARAH I think its Steve MITCH Pass me that plank of wood over there Ralph Mitch points to a large plank of wood with a sharp, pointed, broken edge. Ralph walks over to it. RALPH Why do you need it? Its Steve out there Ralph picks up the plank of wood and walks over to Mitch. MITCH After seeing what happened to Benton, I’m not taking any chances. Ralph passes the plank of wood over to Mitch. Mitch starts to walk over to the stairs. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – OUTSIDE STORAGE HOLD Outside of the storage hold, Steve is still banging away at the door. STEVE Come on you guys...open up Suddenly...there is a large, loud roar, exactly like the one that came from the creature at the outpost a few moments earlier. Steve turns around and scans the area...he can see nothing unusual...The roar gets louder...Steve bangs harder on the door. STEVE (Flustered) Can you hurry it up please? INT. STORAGE HOLD Mitch walks up the stairs and reaches halfway. Steve can be heard banging on the door. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – OUTSIDE STORAGE HOLD Another roar can be heard, this time is it very close to Steve...he turns round and behind him, about 400 yards away is another creature...this time the creature is a larger, and more well built than the one seen at the outpost. Steve turns back around and faces the door, he starts to bang against it as hard as possible. STEVE (Shouting) Open the door Steve turns around as the creature starts to make its run towards him. The creature is fast, despite the snow and ice. STEVE For Christ sake, open the damn door The creature is now only about 200 yards away, and still running. Click...The door can be heard unlocking...Mitch opens the door and lets Steve inside...Mitch closes the door and locks it...The creature collides into the metal door. STEVE It’s about time INT. STORAGE HOLD Mitch and Steve come running down the stairs, they stop close by Sarah and Ralph. SARAH Where’s David? Did you bring any help? Each remaining member of the team looks at Steve awaiting his answer. STEVE There was nothing we could do...everyone was dead before we got there MITCH But what about David? STEVE He was caught by one of those things outside Steve points to the door at the top of the stairs. STEVE (Con’t) There was nothing I could do...That thing which became a cocoon here...it wasn’t Benton...we found his body up at the outpost, he had been killed by the same creature RALPH So they can mimic or copy our exact looks? Where did they come from? STEVE I haven’t a clue...but there could be more of them MITCH The only thing I can think of is that Alien we brought back, but that thing was harmless, it could never have done any of this RALPH Wait a minute...didn't we see a holding area on that ship...and it had armrests that could hold someone or something down? MITCH Yeah so? It was empty RALPH Exactly...perhaps there was something else on that ship...not just the creature we brought back MITCH No way...We would have seen, or noticed something when we were on the wreak of that ship STEVE Wait...he might have a point...Maybe we did see something...that alien was injured, or perhaps killed before it’s ship crashed...think about it...they could have been holding something on board when it got loose SARAH ...All I know is that we need to get out of here as fast as possible Suddenly there is a knock at the door from the top of the stairs...each member of the team looks up worried. MITCH I’ll go STEVE I will...I’ve got the gun Mitch stands back...Steve makes his way up the stairs to the door. STEVE (Shouting at the door) Who’s there? No answer, but there is another hard knock at the door...Steve unlocks the door and opens it...It’s Brian, he stands shivering from the cold for a few moments, his face is slightly cut. Mitch comes running up the stairs. STEVE Are you ok? What happened? Steve guides Brian down the stairs towards Mitch and the others. MITCH (To Brian) I thought you were dead when you got caught up in the hospital with it...you understand why we left you?...Right? BRIAN It’s ok...I’m fine...Just a little shock up RALPH What happened up there? BRIAN I can’t remember much...I just remember it hatching and then coming after me...nothing else STEVE Check him out would you Sarah? SARAH Sure...no problem Sarah walks over to Brian. BRIAN (Slightly angry) It’s ok...I’m fine as I said before Sarah backs away. SARAH Only trying to help Brian walks away and then sits down...looking dazed and confused. MITCH (To Steve) Well what do we do now? STEVE I brought back some petrol...it should be enough to get the helicopter going quite a distance Mitch looks over Steve. MITCH Where is the petrol? Steve looks towards his right hand. STEVE Right...Shit...i left it in the station MITCH Great...now that plan’s out of action...what do we do now? STEVE I’ll have to go back inside and get it SARAH Don’t be stupid...it’s waiting out there for us STEVE We have to go out there sometime, especially if we expect to fly out of here RALPH He’s right. We can’t expect to stay down here forever, in the hope that someone might find us Steve starts to prepare to go back outside the storage hold. STEVE That’s settled then...I’ll go back out there...get the petrol...fill up the helicopter...and come back for you SARAH Be careful MITCH If you run into any trouble...shout STEVE Scream you mean MITCH Whatever takes your fancy STEVE Do have any flares left over? MITCH There’s some over here Mitch walks over to a backpack, removes some flares and the flare gun then hands a few of them over to Steve. STEVE Keep some of them...you might need them...I’ll be back soon...Don’t open the door to anyone other than me Steve packs the flares into his coat pockets. RALPH Other than you, there’s just a creature trying to kill us...i don’t think we’ll be opening the door anytime soon EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – OUTSIDE STORAGE HOLD The outer storage door lock clicks and then opens up. Steve walks slowly out of the hold, gun in hand, Mitch shuts up the door behind him. Steve observes the area that surrounds the station, looking out for any signs of the creature that was out there a few moments earlier...there is no sign of the creature at all. The area that surrounds the station is deserted. INT. STORAGE HOLD Brian is still sitting away from the others, his eyes are now shut, and he is in a deep sleep...Slowly his body starts to shake...no one else notices. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 Steve reaches the outside of the main station entrance door. There are no signs of the creature around, apart from footprints in the deep snow. Steve crouches down onto the snow and examines the footprints, they lead into the station...Steve stands back up and makes his way slowly towards the station door. Carefully opening the door, he walks into the station. INT. STORAGE HOLD Brian’s face is now completely pale, almost as if he has died...his body has stopped shaking, but his body is now doing slow sharp pumping movements. MITCH Ok lets get some stuff ready for the ride back SARAH Brian...are you ok? Brian doesn’t reply...Sarah walks over to him to check what’s wrong. SARAH He’s not breathing Both Mitch and Ralph run over to see if they can help. Sarah lays Brian down on the floor, face up. She checks inside his mouth and then starts mouth to mouth exercises. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 Steve is now inside the living area of the station, he looks around for the petrol can, there is no sign of it around this area. STEVE (To himself) Where the hell did I put it? Steve stands and thinks to himself for a moment. STEVE The hospital Steve walks through to the hospital area of the station... INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – HOSPITAL The can of petrol is lying in the middle of the hospital floor where Steve left it earlier...he walks over and picks it up... Just as he is about to make his way back to the others in the storage hold, he hears something on the roof of the station, its one of the creatures again. STEVE Not again The sound of close to the front of the station...Steve decides to take his chances through the lab INT. STORAGE HOLD Brian is still unconscious on the floor of the storage hold...Sarah, Mitch and Ralph continue their efforts to revive him. MITCH He’s got no pulse Sarah continues to do mouth to mouth...Mitch carefully pulls her away from Brian. MITCH Leave it Sarah...He’s gone...you did what you could Sarah starts to cry INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – LAB The lab is almost completely destroyed, the alien corpse has been ripped apart, and blood lines the wall, floor and lab table. As Steve walks into the lab, he draws his gun from his pocket and looks carefully around...lying over towards the side of the room is the body of Brian. STEVE (Sarcastic) Great...Just great The creature can still be heard on the roof, it gives out one large roar before going silent. Steve decides to make a diversion so he can get out of the Station and back to the others. Steve picks up a large piece of debris from the wreak of the lab and hurls it with all his strength against the ceiling of the room...as soon as it hits the ceiling, Steve starts to make a run towards the front main exit of the station. The creature hears the bang on the roof and makes its way towards that area, fast. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 – MAIN LIVING AREA Steve runs through to this room. Just as he sprints through he turns his head round as...a loud smash can be heard back in the lab...the creature has reached that room... Steve runs even faster out of the room and through the exit. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 Steve comes running through the door, petrol in hand...he runs as fast as possible around the corner and heads towards the storage hold. Just as he runs round the corner...the creature comes smashing through the main door of the station and out onto the snow...it looks around for signs of Steve... The creature catches a quick glimpse of Steve running round the side of the station, and makes chase. EXT. STORAGE HOLD Steve reaches the storage hold door and bangs it as hard as he possibly can. STEVE (Screaming) Open the door...Hurry The creature runs around the corner, just as it is about to strike...Mitch opens the door and Steve runs into the storage hold...Mitch slams the door behind him. INT. STORAGE HOLD Steve stops on the steps of the stairs for a moment to catch his breath. STEVE Jesus that was closer than I wanted it to be...we have to get out of here MITCH Well there’s one less of us to get out now...Brian’s dead STEVE Where’s his body? Sarah and Ralph walk over to the foot of the stairs and start to slowly walk up to Mitch and Steve. MITCH It’s over there Mitch points to where Brian’s body is laying. STEVE We have to get out of here fast...it wasn’t Brian...its another one of those things MITCH What are you talking about? It was him...we saw him die with our own eyes STEVE Then why is he lying upstairs in the lab all cut up? RALPH What can we do...The creature is right outside the door STEVE It won’t stay in one place for long and if we stay here much longer...we’ll have one inside this room Just as Steve says that...The creature can be heard moving away from the storage room door. MITCH How far away is the chopper? STEVE About a 2-minute run from here, but then we need to fill it up and get it started MITCH I’ll create a diversion to give you time to get to the chopper, fill it up and get it started SARAH Isn’t that a bit risky...we all know how fast that thing is? STEVE She’s right...it’s too risky MITCH Got any better ideas? Mitch looks round at everyone...they all look back at him and shake their heads. MITCH That’s settled then...pass me your flares Steve starts to hand the flares and flare gun he had kept in his pocket, back over to Mitch. The body that is lying on the floor of the storage room starts to move and shake, blood starts to seep out of cracks in the skin...Ralph turns and looks at the body RALPH Err guys...i think it’s about time we got going STEVE Shit...ok lets do this fast...ready? MITCH Ready STEVE Sarah, Ralph you follow me...run as fast as you can...let’s go Steve unlocks the storage room door, and gradually opens it...Mitch runs through it and out onto the snow... Next through the door are Sarah, Ralph and then Steve...Steve slams the door behind him The body on the floor starts to split open and a smaller version of the creature appears from under the skin. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 Mitch sprints out of the storage hold and runs out onto the snowy wastelands around the research station, close behind him are Sarah, Ralph and Steve. Mitch runs off away from the others and towards the main entrance of the research station...Steve, Sarah and Ralph run off towards the helicopter...As Steve and the others run towards the helicopter...the storage hold door rips open...and the other creature comes running out after them. Mitch turns around while running and sees the creature chasing after them, he reaches into his pocket and takes out one of the flares. MITCH Damn it Mitch stops and looks in the direction of the creature and shouts out... MITCH Over here As he shouts to the creature, he lights up one of the flares...the creature changes its direction and heads towards Mitch...Mitch drops the flare onto the snow and runs as fast as he can towards the research station. EXT. HELICOPTER Steve, Sarah and Ralph reach the helicopter, it is covered in snow and looks a complete wreak... STEVE Ralph...get in helicopter and be ready to start it up as soon as I say so RALPH Ok STEVE And fast...Sarah you get in there and get ready to leave Sarah follows Ralph into the helicopter...Steve opens up the gas tank and starts to slowly pour in the petrol. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 Mitch reaches the outside of the station and stops to take a breath...the creature has stopped by the flare and is curious as to what it is... The flare fades out, and the creature’s attention turns back to Mitch, it starts its run towards him again...Mitch looks into his pocket and pulls out the flare gun, he makes sure it is loaded with a flare. Mitch points the flare gun directly at the incoming creature...it comes almost right up to Mitch just as he pulls the trigger...the impact of the flare into the head of the creature causes it to fall to the ground, the flare has killed it. Mitch has a wry smile on his face as he watches the flare still flame in the creatures shattered head...he walks backward towards the station door... Unknown the Mitch, the other creature comes silently from behind the door and pounces onto him...Mitch screams... INT. HELICOPTER Sarah is now sitting in the helicopter waiting for it to launch, Ralph is fumbling around in the front. SARAH How long does it take him...there wasn’t much petrol to put in RALPH Shouldn’t be long now...but we have to wait for Mitch Ralph looks out towards the station in the distance, he notices something running through the snow towards the helicopter. Ralph bangs on the side windows of the helicopter to get Steve’s attention...Steve looks up at Ralph...Ralph signals to the creature running through the snow. RALPH You better hurry EXT. HELICOPTER Steve drops the petrol can and makes sure that the tank it closed...he runs round the side of the helicopter INT. HELICOPTER Steve opens the door and gets in and straight away starts up the engine. SARAH What about Mitch? STEVE I don’t think he’s coming The creature can be seen close by as the propellers start to spin on top of the helicopter. RALPH Hurry...it’s getting close STEVE I’m trying The propeller gains momentum and Steve starts to lift off the ground. STEVE Right...lets go The Helicopter gets a few feet off the ground...Steve, Sarah and Ralph all smile at each other, thinking that its all over... Suddenly one side of the helicopter leans over...the creature has grabbed onto the bottom of the chopper and it clinging on with them. Ralph looks out of the windows as the helicopter starts to fly higher into the sky. RALPH Shit...Its hanging on SARAH It’s pulling us down STEVE It’s not heavy enough to pull us back down to the ground...we’ll have to try and knock it off Steve changes the course of the helicopter, he turns it to face the research station... RALPH Your gonna to try and hit it against the top of the station...Are you crazy? STEVE Do you want to get outside and try and push it off then? Ralph doesn’t reply, just looks back at Steve in a dumb way. STEVE Exactly...So shut up and hold tight Steve steers the chopper towards the station and lowers the altitude...As they reach the station, Steve lowers it even further...it is now nearly level with the roof of the station... RALPH That’s too low...were going to hit it STEVE It’s fine EXT. HELICOPTER Steve guides the chopper in...The bottom of the helicopter smashes against the roof of the station...the creature collides full on against the side of the station and falls off of the chopper... INT. HELICOPTER The helicopter gets caught in the roof of the station and won’t move any further... RALPH I told you STEVE Damn it...get out...quick EXT. HELICOPTER – STATION ROOF The side doors of the helicopter open up, Steve, Mitch and Sarah all jump out onto the roof of the station...they look around for any sign of the creature... STEVE We must have knocked it off with the impact Just as Steve says that...the creature roars from down below the roof...it then starts to jump onto the roof of the station a few meters from the others... STEVE Run Steve, Ralph and Sarah all scatter around on the roof...Each of them in turn, jump off the roof and land onto the ice and snow... EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 They land next to the body of Mitch, his body still has the flare gun in its hand...Steve reaches down and picks it, and a few flares up... STEVE Inside...now Steve, Sarah and Ralph race into the station...closing the door behind them. INT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 They all stand in the living area wondering what to do. SARAH What now...there’s no way out of here STEVE We’re gonna to have lure it into here somehow RALPH Then what, Kill it? We don’t know how STEVE Well I burned the other one to death at the outpost...and Mitch obviously killed one of them outside RALPH Burning this place down would take us ages SARAH What about the petrol left in the helicopter, couldn’t we use that? STEVE We could...but whose going to go up there and get it out There is silence for a few moments. RALPH I’ll do it...you better distract it for a while EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 Steve carefully opens up the door and looks out onto the snow...he pulls out the flare gun and aims a flare high up into the air and away in the distance... The creature jumps off of the roof and follows the flight of the flare... STEVE Now...Go Ralph runs out of the station and climbs up onto the roof of the building... EXT. HELICOPTER Ralph runs over to the chopper and starts to undo the tank. EXT. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION 5 The creature stops suddenly without warning and turns around...it sees Ralph on the roof and makes it run towards him... Steve closes the door of the station slightly, leaving it open just enough to view what is going on outside... STEVE Damn SARAH What STEVE It’s going after him SARAH Can’t you distract it again? EXT. HELICOPTER Ralph finally undoes the tank on the helicopter. RALPH (To himself) Great...now what? The creature jumps onto the roof of the station a few yards away from Ralph...Ralph runs around the side of the chopper, opens the door and gets inside. INT. HELICOPTER The creature slowly walks over to the helicopter’s side window...it looks in and sees Ralph... EXT. HELICOPTER Just as the creature is about to pounce on Ralph, Steve climbs up onto the station roof, flare gun in hand...The creature turns to face Steve STEVE (Shouting) Ralph...Get out Ralph jumps out of the side door and then jumps off the roof onto the snow below...this in turn, causes the creature to turn to where Ralph was sitting in the chopper... Steve points the flare gun at the helicopters gas tank...Fires off a shot...it hits the gas tank...a massive explosion ensues... The ferocity of the explosion causes part of the roof around the helicopter to collapse...the creature and the burning helicopter crash through the roof...flames rise from inside the station... Steve jumps off the station roof before it collapses entirely. EXT. OUT ON THE ICE – A FEW MINUTES LATER Steve, Ralph and Sarah sit on the snow, the burning research station can be seen in the distance... SARAH What do we do now? STEVE We wait THE END