Wormholes
Page 8
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONTROL ROOM
General Stewart uses his good arm to sweep the debris from a control console. He turns to Lieutenant Irvine.
STEWART
Do you have communication established with the raptor squadron?
The Lieutenant checks his monitor. A digital map shows several jet icons closing in on a large icon of the Ringship.
IRVINE
Yes, sir.
STEWART
Order them in for a strike.
INT. RINGSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
A display shows the Earth's surface falling away. Weung looks on with satisfaction.
AELLA
Ten thousand feet and climbing.
WEUNG
Once we reach a hundred thousand feet, we will fire the Omega weapon.
VOAM
It's not necessary.
WEUNG
The humans will attack with their primitive aircraft.
VOAM
Our gravity field will destroy their warheads.
WEUNG
And if they use nuclear weapons?
Voam just frowns and offers no answer.
WEUNG
Finish energizing the weapon.
EAMAX
Yes, sir.
INT. RINGSHIP - CARGO BAY
A digital readout on the Omega bomb resumes counting down.
EXT. EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE - 30,000 FEET
A dozen jets move in for the attack.
INT. FIGHTER JET
The FIGHTER PILOT locks on to the Ringship with his fire control system.
FIGHTER PILOT
I've got a lock.
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONTROL ROOM
General Stewart listens to the pilot's report over loud speakers.
FIGHTER PILOT
Request permission to fire.
STEWART
Open fire. Take it down.
Back outside the Ringship, the squadron of jets let loose a broadside of missiles. Three of the missiles penetrate far enough to damage the hull of the giant alien craft.
INT. RINGSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
ALARMS start sounding. Red indicators flash.
VOAM
Can't we climb any faster?
EAMAX
Lifting this mountain? We are lucky to be climbing at all.
A status indicator in front of Aella changes from red to green.
AELLA
Omega bomb fully charged.
WEUNG
When we reach one hundred thousand feet, fire the weapon.
VOAM
No!
Outside, the attacking jets fire another volley of missiles.
Inside the Ringship, explosions rock the control room.
WEUNG
They're tearing us apart!
VOAM
We just need a few more seconds.
Weung turns to Eamax.
WEUNG
Ready Omega bomb for launch.
VOAM
Counter-man that. Stand down.
WEUNG
You don't have the authority.
VOAM
I'm taking the authority! Crewman, weapons stand down.
Eamax looks at Weung and back at Voam. He turns back to his control panel.
EAMAX
Weapons stand down.
An indicator in front of him changes from green to red.
WEUNG
(to Voam)
You will pay for this.
Weung looks around the control room. None of the crew will make eye contact.
WEUNG
You will all pay for this!
He stomps out of the room.
VOAM
(to Eamax)
How long until we are out of range of those missiles?
EAMAX
Just about there now.
Patricia slips out of the control room unnoticed and follows Weung at a distance.
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONTROL ROOM
General Stewart kicks a nearby rack of equipment.
STEWART
Damn it! Is it still climbing?
IRVINE
She's slowed, but still going up. All our missiles have been fired.
STEWART
Not all of them.
EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - WHITE HOUSE
Establishing.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - OVAL OFFICE
The PRESIDENT, Caucasian man, early sixties, stares wide-eyed at a black box that is handcuffed to an Air Force officer.
Nearby, is a FOUR STAR GENERAL.
PRESIDENT
General Stewart thinks this is the best course?
FOUR STAR GENERAL
Yes, Mister President. We have a Pegasus missile available with a nuclear warhead.
The President shakes his head.
PRESIDENT
No.
FOUR STAR GENERAL
Sir?
PRESIDENT
We've done enough to them.
FOUR STAR GENERAL
But, sir. They kept this installation hidden for who knows how long. It could only be a threat.
PRESIDENT
Or, it could be that we are the threat. Have they struck back at our tanks, or jets?
FOUR STAR GENERAL
Not, directly. That mothership caused a lot of damage.
PRESIDENT
Their technology must be incredibly advanced. I have a feeling they could have taken us out whenever they wanted. It's time for us to stop shooting our spears and arrows at them.
EXT. HD38529 - NEAR STAR SURFACE
Titanic explosions spread across the surface of the yellow alien star. The surface thrusts outward until it's ten times larger.
EXT. HD38529 - MOPELIA
Hundreds of space stations in various configurations circle the globe of Mopelia. The furthest station from the planet begins to glow yellow. Air escapes from a dozen holes in the hull. The entire station EXPLODES.
Closer to the planet, a city-sized platform is embedded in countless tons of orange-glowing ore.
INT. BEAM PLATFORM - CONTROL COMPLEX
The impressive figure of Gohoth stands in the center of a large complex. A hundred other aliens sit before various controls and visual displays.
GOHOTH
The time has come. Initiate wormhole!
EXT. HD38529 - BEAM PLATFORM
Rays of energy shoot out from the edges of the orbiting city and extend into space ahead of the planet. The beams converge and a point of intense light explodes outward.
A swirling vortex of black masks the stars behind it. Mopelia moves closer. The black opening quickly expands. The satellites in orbit are the first to enter, vanishing in an instant.
The planet draws near. Seen edge on, the sphere of Mopelia approaches a flat, black line in space. It merges into the line, its shape smoothly goes from full to half circle, as if it were being erased from existence.
EXT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - RUNWAY - EVENING
Fueling tubes and communication cables connect to the Eagle Eye 767. General Stewart starts up a mobile staircase as Colonel Dotson looks on from the tarmac.
DOTSON
I'm not so sure this is a good idea.
The General turns back to him.
STEWART
Laser light is made of photons. They have zero rest mass. The beam should be able to penetrate that gravity shield.
DOTSON
What I meant was, the President has called off the attack.
STEWART
The President refused to authorize a nuclear strike. He said nothing about a cease fire.
Stewart bounds up the steps and enters the jet.
INT. RINGSHIP - LOADING DOCK
Weung twists a hand-held tool connected to the Omega bomb. A chain of green lights fire up on the bomb surface. A robot carries the bomb over to a metallic arch.
Weung secures the bomb so that it dangles beneath the arch.
PATRICIA (o.S.)
>
That's the bomb, isn't it?
Startled, Weung jerks his head around.
WEUNG
Yes it is, insect.
PATRICIA
Do you want to kill millions of people?
WEUNG
I don't explain myself to humans.
PATRICIA
You can explain yourself to Voam.
She turns on her heal and heads for the open cargo bay hatch. Weung squats down and leaps across the room. He grabs her and effortlessly tosses her against a bulkhead.
Weung slams the hatch shut and keys a combination into a wall-mounted keypad. The alien looks back at Patricia sprawled out on the floor.
WEUNG
Stupid and weak. You humans aren't much better than primordial slime.
Patricia struggles to her feet.
PATRICIA
The rest of your people don't think so.
WEUNG
You'd be surprised how many Mopelians share my view.
He moves back to the bomb and changes settings on an embedded panel as he speaks.
WEUNG
When they realize I was the one responsible for saving our world, the council will rally behind me instead of that old fool, Gohoth.
PATRICIA
That's what this is all about? A power grab!?
He changes a final setting and straightens back up. A digital display on the bomb reads 90.
WEUNG
Just enough time to reach your friends below.
PATRICIA
(a realization)
Sandy...
EXT. EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE
The Eagle Eye jet punches through a cloud layer into crystal clear blue sky. The nose cone panel opens to reveal the business end of its high-powered laser.
INT. EAGLE EYE 767 - MAIN CABIN
Light from the laser's crystal cylinder reflects in General Stewart's eyes. He turns to a LASER TECHNICIAN.
STEWART
Increase power to one hundred percent.
LASER TECHNICIAN
It's never been tested at maximum power!
STEWART
I don't give a shit. Full Power!
LASER TECHNICIAN
Yes, sir.
Inside the cylinder, the captive light intensity turns blue-white. It emits a HIGH-PITCHED WINE.
LASER TECHNICIAN
Target is locked, sir.
STEWART
(to himself)
I'm going to be the one to stop these aliens.
INT. RINGSHIP - LOADING DOCK
The robot stands motionless as Weung activates a control. The floor plate under the bomb slides away. Two transparent sheets of energy separate it from the open sky below.
INT. RINGSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
A warning light starts blinking on Eamax's panel.
EAMAX
Sir, I'm registering the Omega bomb's radiation signature. It's been reactivated.
VOAM
Weung.
(beat)
Shut it down.
Eamax hits a few softkey controls.
EAMAX
I can't. It must be on local control.
INT. EAGLE EYE 767 - MAIN CABIN
General Stewart clutches the back of the Laser technician's chair.
STEWART
Fire!
Outside, in front of the jet's nose, an intense beam of energy angles upward from the disk under the nose cone.
EXT. EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE - 100,000 FEET
The Ringship with it's mountaintop of hafnium ore rises toward the edge of space. A blue-white beam of light from below hits the shimmering gravity shield. The beam distorts, but the energy penetrates and reaches the broad central base of the ship, above the captive ore.
INT. RINGSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Sparks start flying. Warning ALARMS sound.
AELLA
We are under attack!
INT. RINGSHIP - CARGO BAY
The room shakes violently. Weung is thrown off his feet. Patricia rushes the bomb. She pushes against the metallic arch. The bomb rotates away from the drop chute.
Weung knocks her out of the way and shoves the bomb back into position.
WEUNG
You fools are playing into my hands. The council will see why the bomb was necessary.
Patricia stares at the motionless robot several feet away. She closes her eyes and clenches her fists.
INT. PATRICIA'S BRAIN
Deep within the two hemispheres of Patricia's brain, pulses of light flash outward from the alien chip implant into nearby neural connections.
Back in the loading dock, Weung starts the timer on the Omega bomb. The onboard counter starts counting down from 90 seconds. Weung reaches for a release handle.
The robot springs forward. Its arms dissolve into a hundred flying shards of metal that slice into Weung and the Omega bomb.
Weung SCREAMS and falls backward. The countdown timer starts running faster. Patricia tries to shove the bomb out of the way again.
WEUNG
There's no time! You'll kill us all.
PATRICIA
My daughter's down there, you maniac!
Weung jumps back up and heaves what's left of the robot out of the way. Then, he dives for a release switch. Patricia jumps up and tries to kick him out of the way.
It's too late.
Their bodies get tangled up as Weung's outstretched arm hits the release. The bomb drops through the shimmering light, followed by Weung and Patricia.
EXT. RINGSHIP - BELOW LOADING DOCK
The Omega bomb drops through a second shimmering light curtain and falls free.
Back in the loading dock, Weung hangs inside the drop chute airlock. One claw-like hand scratches at the smooth metal. The other hand clutches at Patricia's ankle.
Patricia holds on for all she is worth to the metal arch, but it's a losing battle. Her arms give way and open up. Both human and alien fall.
Back outside the Ringship, Weung breaks through the outer light field and falls SCREAMING into the open air.
Now, it's Patricia dangling in the drop chute. She looks upwards to see Voam grasping her arm.
EXT. RINGSHIP
The laser beam punches completely through a section of the central complex. Explosions and metal fragments swirl inside the confined gravity field.
Thirty thousand feet below, the Omega bomb hurtles toward the ground. The time on the damaged bomb face races quickly to zero.
The bomb detonates. A burst of intense light is followed by a spreading wave of energy.
The wave travels upward to engulf a falling Weung. The alien grabs his head. Blood squirts out of his eyes and nose. His body jerks and goes limp.
The wave spreads downward as well, striking the Eagle Eye 767.
INT. EAGLE EYE 767 - COCKPIT
The pilot and copilot grab their heads and scream in pain.
INT. EAGLE EYE 767 - MAIN CABIN
The crewmen writhe in agony. General Stewart's body goes into spasm. Blood flows from his eyes, nose and ears. He collapses on top of the laser.
Outside, the aircraft rolls over and nose dives for the ground.
INT. RINGSHIP - LOADING DOCK
Voam pulls Patricia inside.
Outside, the Omega blast wave smacks into the already damaged ship.
Inside, Voam covers Patricia with his body as the concussion hits. Twisting metal GROANS and sparks fly from short circuits.
Patricia clasps her hands to her ears and SCREAMS.
INT. PATRICIA'S BRAIN
The alien chip inside her head glows red and dissolves.
Back in the loading dock, Patricia's POV. The room is a blur of color. Everything goes black.
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONTROL ROOM
The wave of destruction hits. Sparks shoot out from dozens of electronics systems. Colonel Dotson and the control room staff are tossed about. Several people grab their heads in pain.
Then, it's over. Men and women pick themselves
up. Dotson has a nose bleed. Lieutenant Irvine stumbles over to one of the few working systems.
IRVINE
EM pulse. This system is radiation hardened.
DOTSON
What's left?
IRVINE
The pulse wiped out all the local circuits. Looks like it was too high up in the atmosphere to be fatal.
DOTSON
I guess the Eagle Eye wasn't a good idea after all.
EXT. ALASKA - GLACIER
The Eagle Eye 767 slams into a glacier and EXPLODES in an enormous fireball.
EXT. SPACE - EARTH ORBIT
The Ringship with its mountaintop of Hafnium ore drifts in a cloud of debris.
INT. RINGSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
POV Patricia. Fuzzy alien forms move against a blurred background.
AELLA
(muffled)
The main drive is out. All we have is auxiliary power.
Patricia blinks her eyes and rocks her head slowly back and forth. The control room comes into focus.
VOAM
Are you alright?
PATRICIA
I think so. Did the bomb..?
She grabs her head.
VOAM
Just take it slow. The bomb detonated before it could kill anyone on the ground.
The control room is a wreck. Busted electronics. Cables dangling from the ceiling.
EAMAX
(to Voam)
We can maintain orbit, but there's no chance of reaching the emergent point.
PATRICIA
We can't create the wormhole opening?
VOAM
Your General Stewart and our power-mad councilman have seen to that.
Patricia looks at a monitor. Chunks of wreckage twist and turn outside the ship. Two pieces of metal seem locked in an odd embrace and rotate around each other.
VOAM
Mopelia is doomed, along with billions of humans.
EXT. PLANETWIDE WORMHOLE
Absent its illuminating sun, the darkened planet Mopelia hurtles through a transparent wormhole. Artificial lights stretch across the globe.
Thousands of space stations cling to their mother world in close orbit. Outside the wormhole, the light from hundreds of stars streak past. Inside, the light of Mopelia rushes onward in the opposite direction.
The tunnel narrows. A satellite makes contact with the wormhole wall and is instantly obliterated.
Out in front of the planet, in the center of the wormhole, is the beam platform. Its payload of orange ore is gone.
INT. BEAM PLATFORM - CONTROL COMPLEX
Gohoth stares into a monitor that shows the path ahead. The center is completely dark.
GOHOTH
There should be a radiant point at the center.