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