THREAT LEVEL EARTH

By

Henry Tjernlund

(c) 2015 Henry TjernlundPO Box 240Koppel PA 16136

henrytjernlund@gmail.com724-312-3864

FADE IN

EXT. OFF WORLD RECEIVING CENTER - DAY

Still under construction, the Off-World Receiving Center(OWRC) resembles a small futuristic airport. The Utah SaltFlats, stretch for miles in the distance.

INT. OWRC COMMAND - DAY

The room is thick with people and high tech displays. A NEWSFEED shows on one of several overhead monitors.

A female REPORTER CONNEY (30s) is talking on one monitor asnumerous ticker news items tell of other stories happeningelsewhere.

ANCHOR REPORTER CONNEY (O.S.)(from monitor)

Six years ago, the Guestics, asthey are officially called, thoughsome still use the term"stick-people," arrived on Earthfrom a world around the star TauCeti.

A graphic shows a star chart and a line from Tau Ceti toEarth.

REPORTER CONNEY (CONTD O.S.)(from monitor)

Only 30 Guesticks arrived on ascout ship. Since their arrivalthey have kept to themselves in oneof two established embassies, onein the US and one in China.

A graphic shows a Guestic along side a human form, beingboth of the same height. The Guestic have branch like armsand legs, with a bulb at the top as a head.

REPORTER CONNEY (CONTD O.S.)(from monitor)

In trade for the secret to theirfaster-than-light propulsion andclean energy technologies, theyhave negotiated with the UnitedNations to establish a colony forthousands more of their kind. But,their first ship, is arriving 7months early, catching off-guard

(MORE)(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

REPORTER CONNEY (CONTD O.S.) (contd)the, still under construction, OffWorld Receiving Center.

The news feed changes to JUDY MILLER (30s).

REPORTER JUDY (O.S.)(from monitor)

Thank you Conney. As you said, theReceiving Center is still beingbuilt here at the edge of the UtahSalt Flats. Here with me is DonovanDrake, assistant-controller of thefacility.

DONOVAN DRAKE (late 30s, ruggedly handsome) stands besideReporter Judy, as she engages him with questions, hercameraman transmitting the interview.

A short distance away, BARB TANNER (mid-20s), in an orangejumpsuit, watches Donovan with a hint of affection showingin her smile.

DONOVAN(to Judy)

We do not yet know why the ship isso early. Probably just a simplemis-communication.

REPORTER JUDY(to Donovan)

Have you had any contact with theship, which I understand is alreadybeginning its final approach toEarth?

DONOVAN(to Judy)

As of yet, weve had nocommunication. In an hour, youllbe able to talk to them yourself.

ADAM (mid-20s), sipping his fresh cup of coffee, slides upnext to Barb.

ADAMHey B-T, ready for your big T-Vcloseup, with a BILLION eyeswatching you?

A billion?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

BARBI was until just now.

Adam looks back and forth between Donovan and Barb.

ADAMBefore going on air, roll thattongue back in your mouth, andclean up that drool.

Adam touches his finger to the front of her jumpsuit.Barb looks down, but gets a finger upper cut to her jaw inthe oldest trick in the book.

Barb narrows her eyes and clenches her fist in threat.

BARBHes just my boss.

ADAMSure, sure.

Adam sniffs the air.

ADAM (CONTD)And has nothing to do with using awhole gallon of perfume, huh?

Barb jabs him in the shoulder, sending him scurrying away.REPORTER JUDY

(into the camera)And here is Barb Tanner, the veryfirst of the emergency medical teambeing assembled here at the center.

Barb dons a SMILE as she steps over to the reporter.

REPORTER JUDY(to Barb)

You are the first medic trained inboth human AND Guestic emergencycare, correct?

BARBThe first, and so far, only medichere at the Center.

REPORTER JUDYAnd you started your medic careerin Pittsburgh of all places?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 4.

BARBYes, "go Steelers." (pause) I wasone of several applicants acceptedfor the Center here, and trained atthe Washington DC Guestic Embassy--

OWRC TECH STATIONS

Adam sits at his station with his cup of coffee.

Next to him RAYMOND (20s) sees his coffee.

RAYSo you made that long excursion tothe kitchen, bothered our Barbie onthe way back, and didnt bring meanything.

ADAMShe needed distracting from hernervousness.

Ray laughs.

RAYThink theyll interview us?

ADAMNope, were just equipment thatneeds fed.

Both smirking they return their attentions to their consuls.

On a display another NEWS FEED shows a MALE ANCHOR talkingwith a SCIENTIST (50s).

MALE NEWS ANCHOR (O.S.)(from monitor)

The aliens have still not revealedhow their faster-than-light travelworks.

SCIENTIST (O.S.)(from monitor)

Thats right. The Guestics claimthat they can travel 23 timesfaster than the speed of light--

Ray reaches over and mutes the Newsfeed.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 5.

RAYPicking up a slight drift in theflight path here.

Adam looks at the display, then picks up a phone handsetfrom the consul.

OWRC COMMAND

JUDY--three more medics will be--

Reporter Judy interrupts Barbs answer to listen on herearpiece.

REPORTER JUDY(to the camera)

I have just been informed thatthere as an actual Guestic here, atthe Center, now.

They both look around.

In the windowed controllers office overlooking the room thesenior controller SIMON (40s) talks with Donovan and aGuestic.

OWRC SIMONS OFFICE

TOLK (an elder Guestic) looks like a human-sized verticalwalking-stick insect. A network of short twig-likeappendages allows him to make a human-like face.

SIMON hangs up a handset in the offices center displayconsul.

SIMONWe may have a problem. Your ship isdrifting a little off course. Isthe ship on auto-pilot?

TOLKThere should be one pilot who isnot in hibernation. As with my ownship when we arrived.

SIMONThis surprise arrival already hasseveral nations on military alert.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

TOLKIt is a single ship of one-hundred,plus pilot. As agreed. We are not awarrion species.

SIMONI know. But we are and with itchytrigger fingers.

Tolk turns to Donovan.

TOLKWe have noticed that in yourhistory. Perhaps its yourisolation in the Cosmos. You needto see that aggression is not theonly course of action to somethingnew.

OWRC COMMAND - SIMULTANEOUS

Judy motions to her cameraman to cut the feed. Her and Barblook to the control office.

REPORTER JUDYCan you tell which Guestic it is?

BARBNot at this distance. Cant see thepattern in their bark. ProbablyApan, Epik, or maybe Tolk from theembassy.

REPORTER JUDYThink you can arrange an interviewfor me?

BARBDovovan, is the one to ask.

REPORTER JUDYHow do you tell what pronoun to usewith them?

BARBIts difficult. They cycle throughgenders, so to speak. They can evenself-seed if needed.

REPORTER JUDYIs it true that they have jellybrains?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 7.

BARBWe call it nuero-sap.

Barbs attention is caught by one of the overhead displays.On it shows the ship straying from its planned course.

Reporter Judy looks where Barb is looking.

REPORTER JUDYSo is that them?

BARBYeah.

REPORTER JUDYIts not on the solid line. Is thatthe way its supposed to be?

BARBNo, its not.

Barb turns to a passing technician.

BARBWhats--

Suddenly the room gets quite. Adam is talking over the PAsystem.

ADAM (O.S.)(from PA system)

Guestic Sequoia One. You aredrifting off course.

GUESTIC SEQUOIA ONE (O.S.)(from PA system)

Sequoia One adjusting course.Judy urgently waves to her camera man.

REPORTER JUDY(into the camera)

Conney, there seems to be a problemdeveloping here at the landingsite.

OWRC TECH STATIONS

Adam and Ray watch their monitors. Simon, Donovan, and Tolkstep up behind them.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 8.

ADAMTheyre not aerobraking like theyshould.

SIMON(to Tolk)

Is that usual? We were notinformed.

TOLKAs we can travel faster that we cancommunicate, weve had no contactwith this ship.

OWRC COMMAND

Barb and Judy watch the large display as the blinking dotgoes farther off course.

ADAM (O.S.)(from PA system)

Sequoia One. You are driftingfarther off course.

GUESTIC SEQUOIA ONE(from PA system)

Sequoia One adjusting course.

OWRC TECH STATIONS

SIMON(into radio)

You are overshooting the landingarea.

GUESTIC SEQUOIA ONE(from radio)

Sequoia One adjusting course.Ray looks up to Simon.

RAYIts just an automated response.

The Simon turns to Tolk.

TOLKAll passengers are in hibernation.The pilot is not. I cannot explain.

Simon reaches past Adam to the control panel, flips up acover and presses a button. An ALARM begins to sound.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 9.

SIMON(into mic)

Attention all teams--

OWRC COMMAND

SIMON (O.S.)(from PA system)

--all teams report to yourstations. This is not a drill, nota drill, not a drill.

BARB(to Judy)

I... I gotta go.

Barb turns and works her way through the crowd.

REPORTER JUDY(to camera)

There you have it, an emergencylanding for the first passengership full of aliens...

INT. OWRC - RUNNING THROUGH CROWD

Barb hurries through the crowd.

TECH #1 catches up to Barb.

TECH #1Ramp three.

Barb adjusts her direction with the Tech following.Donovan turns toward Tolk, and subtly nods his head inBarbs direction.

For a giant walking stick, Tolk is able to move quickly infollowing Barb.

SIMONTolk, where you going?

INT. OWRC DOCKING TUNNEL

Tech #1 and Barb run through a transluscent dockingcorridor.

Tolk lags behind.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 10.

BARB(to Tech #1)

Theyre not good runners.

Barbs and Techs radio are on the same channel.

RESCUE TWO PILOT (O.S.)(from radios)

Rescue Two, airborne, en route.

They continue to run.

ADAM (O.S.)(from radios)

Rodger that Rescue Two.

A distant high pitched ENGINE whine gets loud outside as ashadow crosses over the docking corridor. Then the Enginediminishes in the distance.

Barb, Tolk, and Tech #1, turn a bend.

They reach the end of the docking tunnel which is open thethe outside. 50 yards away is Rescue One, a futuristic VTOLaircraft. Its engines growing in pitch as its engines arerevved up.

EXT. OWRC - SALT TARMAC

Barb and Tech#1 sprint toward the aircraft.

Tolk rolls past them having bent himself over into a wheel,looking like a cross between a tire and tumbleweed.

TECH #1I didnt know they could do that.

BARBMe neither.

TECH #1Thought you were an expert.

BARBSo did I.

Tolk unfolds in mid-roll, and springs into the open hatch,unassisted by crewmen who are uncertain what to do for him.

CREWMAN #1 leans out of Rescue Ones open middle hatch,urgently beckoning to Barb.

Tech #1 slows to a stop.

11.

Barb speeds up.

INT. RESCUE ONE

Barb leaps into the opening and is caught by two of thecrewmen.

CREWMAN #1(shouting into his radio)

She on, go, go, go!

The ground falls away as the VTOL craft takes flight.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radios)

Rescue One, airborne.

Everyone grabs onto supports as Rescue One, having attainedenough altitude to clear the buildings, accelerateshorizontally.

BARB(yelling to Tolk above thedin)

Were going to do everything wecan.

TOLKI trust in you fully Bar-bar-ah.

Within moments they are moving at high speed into the SaltFlats.

Barb looks out a window and presses her face to it, lookingup.

BARBI see it!

High in the sky the Guestic ship creates a white vapor trailas it heads straight for the ground, miles away.

BARB(to herself)

Oh my God.

Fighting back tears she leans in close to CrewMan #1.

BARB (CONTD)(to CrewMan #1)

Theres a hundred of them and onlyone of me. I dont know what Imgoing to do.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 12.

CREWMAN #1(to Barb)

Youre going to do your best. Likewe all will.

Barb nods, wiping away a tear.

TOLKBar-bar-ah, my kind is not assusceptible to g-forces as isyours. Not as easy to break.

Barb looks out the window again. On the ground, drivingparallel to them, are two black cars, which Rescue One isovertaking and passing.

BARBWho in the hells that?

CrewMan #1 looks through the window.

CREWMAN #1No markings. Homeland would be myguess.

BARBWho invited them?

Barb looks forward again. The building sized alien ship isstreaking toward the ground.

CREWMAN #1Looks like its slowing.

BARBBut not enough.

It impacts, bouncing, flipping, and hits down again. A dustcloud envelopes the craft. Pieces having been flung in theair, rain down.

DONOVAN (O.S.)(from radios)

Rescue Two, flank left and hold.One, go straight in.

They all grab onto holds as the craft begins slowing down.

DONOVAN (O.S.)(Barbs radio only)

I have you on private Barb. How youdoing?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 13.

BARB(into radio)

Were all going to do our best,sir.

DONOVAN (O.S.)(Barbs radio only)

Thats my girl.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radios)

Rescue One arriving on scene.

Barb looks over the rescue packs.

BARB(to CrewMan #1)

Take this one.(to CrewMan #2)

You, that one.

She grabs a pack for herself.

Outside the ground comes within a few feet.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radios)

Hovering, go, go, go.

Barb leads the two men in a jump and run from the Rescuecraft.

EXT. CRASH SITE - CONTINUOUS

The air is filled with dust. Smoke vents from several partsof the alien ship only a hundred yards away.

Tolk follows them in the same tire-roll manner.

Barb runs straight for the craft. When she gets up to it shestops, looking over the outer hull.

CREWMAN #1What about toxic gasses orradiation?

TOLKNo radiation, we use protium-boronpower cells.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 14.

BARBTheres the emergency hatch.

Barb points to some markings on the side of the ship.

Barb quickly scrambles up a mangled landing gear. Shebrushes dust off a handle. She turns to the others.

BARBGet clear.

As the others move aside, she makes sure she is out of thehazard markings. She grabs the circular handle, turns it,puts her free arm over her face as she huddles down, andpulls.

BOOM, the panels spring open on their hinges, the doorsslamming against the hull next to her.

Lowering her protective arm, she glances around, then to theothers.

BARBCome on!

She climbs inside.

INT. ALIEN SHIP - CONTINUOUS

The floor is tilted, but the air is clear, except for dustfiltering in from outside. Four levels of 25 berthcompartment doors fill the cylindrical space. All havepulsing green lights.

BARB(to herself)

Flashing green. Theyre all intact.

She lets out a laugh of relief.

The others climb in behind her.

CREWMAN #1Not a single unit damaged. Amazing.

BARB(into radio)

All the Guestic hyber-units are allgreen-lit.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 15.

SIMON (O.S.)(from radio)

Rodger that. A great bit of news.

TOLKBar-bar-ah, we must check on thepilot.

EXT. CRASH SITE - SIMULTANEOUS

The unmarked black ground cars pull up to near the ship. TWOBLACK SUITED MEN emerge from each vehicle.

INT. ALIEN SHIP

CrewMan #2 looks out the hatch.

CREWMAN #2Ah, looks like the M-I-Bs are here.

CrewMan #2 sets his medic pack down and climbs down to theground.

EXT. CRASH SITE

Two Suited Men from each car approaches the ship. Theystop as several rescue personnel form a line between themand the ship.

INT. ALIEN SHIP

CrewMan #1 watches from the hatch.

CREWMAN #1Id better go out and help. Lookslike the suits mean business.

CrewMan #1 also drops his pack to the floor and climbs out.

TOLKBar-bar-ah, you should check on thepilot.

BARBWait, I just want to check just oneunit, make sure.

Barb goes over to the nearest green-indicator blinking unit.Turning a handle she pulls. The seal breaks with anair-sucking WHOOSH.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 16.

Inside an Guestic alien body lies motionless. The body isgray and dry.

BARBThis doesnt look right.

She touches a spindly arm and it crumbles.

Barb GASPS.

BARBIm so sorry!

Overcoming her shock, she examines the body more closely.

BARB(to Tolk)

This ones been dead a long time.

Immediately she opens the next unit. Inside is another driedalien body. Same with a third. She looks around at the other97 units in horror.

BARBI dont understand.

TOLKMaybe the pilot can explain.Perhaps something happened inflight. Bar-bar-ah, we should--

Quickly Barb opens the interior hatch and begins to ascend aspiral ramp upward.

ALIEN PILOT CABIN

Surrounded by controls and indicators a Guestic lays wrappedin a supportive webbing structure. Barb touches the alien.It does not crumble like the others had.

BARBThe pilots alive. A she I think.

Tolk comes up into the cabin behind her.

TOLKIt is good that we checked.

Barb begins to examine the alien for injuries.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 17.

BARB(to the alien)

Hello, I am Barb Tanner, a humantrained in Guestic emergency care.Are you able to respond?

Suddenly two branch arms grab Barb around the back of herhead and pulls her to a mouth like opening in its headbulb.

BARBMmmph!

Barb grabs at the aliens spindly arms, trying to get herselfloose. She wave one hand urgently to Tolk.

BARB(Mmmph-ing)

Help me!

Tolk reaches forward, grabbing Barb wrists and pulls herarms an a sharp angle behind her, rendering her helpless.

What are you doing? Barb MMMPHS struggling against Tolkshold. She makes CHOKING sounds as her eyes widen in fearand shock.

Barbs struggles subside. Tolk lets go her wrists. After amoment, the alien pilot lets go of her head, its armsfalling to its sides, limp.

Pulling herself away, Barb licks thick sap still on herlips. With Tolks help she stands, and looks at him.

KAMINYA/BARBThe transfer worked. I am in herenow.

Kaminya/Barb looks at and flexes her fingers.

KAMINYA/BARB (CONTD)Strange sensations.

TOLKWhat is so--

She looks down her body, lightly touching from her hips toher chest.

KAMINYA/BARBFemale.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 18.

TOLKIts all we had available.

She touches her fingers to her cheek.

KAMINYA/BARBIts skin is so soft and smooth.

She SNIFFS the fingers that touched her face.

KAMINYA/BARBSmells like flowers.

TOLKKaminya, have you finished yourinventory?

She gives her full attention to Tolk.

TOLK (CONTD)What is so urgent as to change theschedule? The humans are alarmed.

Kaminya/Barb looks away.

KAMINYA/BARBThe most dire of news. The Intshave returned and are winning. Wewill be lucky to transport only afew ships here.

TOLKThen its worse than we thought.The Ints are already here on Earthas well.

Kaminya/Barb looks to Tolk wide-eyed.

KAMINYA/BARBThen what will we do? Theres nowhere else we can go. All the otherworlds are infested.

TOLKThe Ints are moving cautiouslyhere. We think the Humans have someresistance to them.

KAMINYA/BARBThen we chose them well as ourallies.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 19.

TOLKHowever, the humans are easilycorrupted. Theres a hive somewherehere on this continent.

KAMINYA/BARBWe need to relocate the embassy.

TOLKPerhaps not. I have a plan ifwe can find the hive. Somethingwed never risked trying on our ownworld, but here we might--

Her eyes flutter and there is a moment of convulsing.

BARBWhat the hell happened? Whatsgoing on? Tolk, whyd you--

Barbs eyes flutter again.

KAMINYA/BARBThis one is strong willed. Shefights to regain control. Is theembassy far?

TOLKWe will get you to a different safehaven instead. It is safer andcloser in the next territory to theNorth-East. A place called Wy--

There is a CRACKLE as Tolks head BURSTS open in flames.

KAMINYA/BARBTOLK!

Tolk logs over. Behind him, partway up the ramp into thepilots cabin is one of the Suited Men. His alien weaponstip still glowing hot.

Barbs body jerks.BARB

(screaming)WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?

Barb looks at the suited man. Her body jerks again.Kaminya/Barb slams her hand on a button. A heavy metal doorslams shut, blocking the suited mans way into the cabin.She pushes another button causing another door to close infront of the other.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 20.

KAMINYA/BARBWe must get out of here.

Barbs body jerks.BARB

What? Who are "we?"

She jerks again.Kaminya/Barb opens a compartment where she takes out severalsmall alien devices and stuffs them in pockets.

Pushing her old Guestic body aside, she fits herself ontothe webbing as it wraps protectively around her. She pushesa button and ALARMS begin to sound. A handle pops out from apanel beside the webbing.

She reaches for it but stops.

BARBWhat am I doing? What are youdoing? Who are you? How are you...

Barb grits her teeth.

KAMINYA/BARBYou must let my stay in control orwe may both die. Please.

Kaminya/Barb grabs the handle. She pulls.

BOOM, the pilots cabin is ejected from the rest of theship.

EXT. CRASH SITE - CONTINUOUS

The cabin module jettisons away from the main ship, bouncingand rolling as it hits the ground. It stops a distance fromone of the black cars.

A panel pops open. Kaminya/Barb climbs out, shaken.

KAMINYA/BARBI didnt know how liquid yourbodies are.

As she struggles to stand, a black suited man runs towardher from the ship.

Kaminya/Barb tries to roll tire like toward the car but endsup landing hard on her back. Oof!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 21.

KAMINYA/BARB (CONTD)And you dont roll.

The man closes on them, alien weapon in hand.

Kaminya/Barb pulls out her own weapon and fires. The manexplodes at the waist, falling in two pieces.

She runs for the car and gets in.

INT. STOLEN BLACK CAR

BARBWhat did you do? You killed him!

KAMINYA/BARBHe wasnt human.

Kaminya/Barb looks at the car controls with uncertainty. Shemanages to start the vehicle and looks at the pedals.Slamming her foot on the one the wheels spin, the tires grabtraction and the car begins accelerating, kicking up dust.The car swerves wildly until she grabs the steering wheel.

EXT. CRASH SITE

The top half, of the shot suited man reaches out, aiming aweapon at the stolen black car, and fires. The groundexplodes in front of the car, which still swerves wildly.

INT. STOLEN BLACK CAR

KAMINYA/BARB (CONTD)I dont have time to explain. Wemust get out of here.

BACK WITH THE RESCUE CREW

CREWMAN #1What the hell?

The three other suited men run for their remaining vehicle.They get in and start out, kicking up their own dust.

22.

INT./EXT. INTERCUT - CAR CHASE

KAMINYA/BARBI cannot operate this vehicle withprecision. You must drive.

Barb lets her foot up off the accelerator.

BARBI need to know whats going on.

Kaminya/Bard slams on the pedal again.

KAMINYA/BARBI will tell you all, but we mustget out of here first.

Barb lets up on the pedal again.

BARBI need to talk to them.

Kaminya/Barb hits the accelerator again.

KAMINYA/BARBIf they catch us, they will crackopen your skull to get to me. Youwill die. As will I.

BARBWhy would they do that?

One of the suited men leans out a car window and fires hisweapon.

The ground explodes again ahead of the stolen car.

Barb stomps the accelerator to the floor. She steers toavoid the hole in the ground.

BARBWhere are we going?

KAMINYA/BARBSomewhere North-East. Wy-something.

BARBWyoming?

BARBWere going the wrong way.

Barb turns as tight as she can without overturning the canat their high speed.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 23.

The other black car turns as well.

Barb watches in the mirror as the other car gains on them.

BARBIf theyre not human, what arethey?

KAMINYA/BARBThey are mostly machine.

BARBMostly?

KAMINYA/BARBDo not worry about hurting them.

A Suited Man fires again out the car window.

The ground explodes right beside the stolen car throwingbits of ground onto Barb through the window.

BARBAre they missing us on purpose?

KAMINYA/BARBThey want me intact. At least fornow.

BARBTime for the old "bootlegsurprise." Our one E-M-S driverused to show me this. Hold on.

Barb tightens her seat belt. She puts her hand on theemergency brake, turns the wheel hard while braking at thesome time. Quickly she puts spins the steering wheel. Theyare now facing backwards. She punches the gas pedal.

The other car is now heading right for them.

The other car steers so frantically to avoid collision, thatit overturns, rolling several times.

INT./EXT. STOLEN BLACK CAR

Barb looks in the mirror as the other car rolls in a cloudof dust.

BARBIt worked!

Barb brakes to a stop.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 24.

Barb takes a breath before starting out, turning to go thecorrect direction. She accelerates more carefully now.

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bar-ah, well done.

BARBFirst, cut the "Bar-bar-ahhhh".Just call me "Barb."

KAMINYA/BARBVery well Bar-bah.

BARB(sigh)

Close enough.

Barb steadily accelerates to the cars maximum speed.

BARBSo, how are you... in... me?

KAMINYA/BARBThrough the soft tissue in yourthroat.

Barb swallows hard.

BARBSo thats what that french-kiss wasall about.

KAMINYA/BARBYes.

BARBCant you you just communicatetelepathically with me instead ofhaving to switch control?

KAMINYA/BARBOur neurons are intertwined, butnot directly linked, except at yourmotor control.

BARBThats how you control my body.

KAMINYA/BARBFor moments at a time. Actually Iam in only two of your brains.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 25.

BARBBrains?

KAMINYA/BARBAre you not aware that you havefour brains?

BARBYou mean, like the lobes?

KAMINYA/BARBYes. My kind has only 2 brainnetworks. One for the body, one themind. Your kind has 4. Thus I canonly manage two of them. One bodylobe, one mind lobe.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radio)

Barb, can you read me?

BARB(into radio)

I can read you.

Outside the stolen car Rescue One flies up parallel above.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radio)

Pull over and stop.

KAMINYA/BARBWe know not who to trust.

BARB(into radio)

Im sorry I cant.

Barb takes out her radio. She activates a setting.

BARB (CONTD)(into radio)

Go private.

There is a pause.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radio)

Okay, just us now. Whats up?BARB

(into radio)I found something inside the ship.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 26.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radio)

Does it have anything to do withall the aliens being dead?

BARB(into radio)

Yeah. Something strange is goingon. I cant risk going back to thecenter.

There is a pause.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radio)

Why not?

BARB(into radio)

I dont understand myself. Butthose men werent human.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radio)

Yeah, saw that.

BARB (CONTD)(into radio)

We... I mean Ive got to get offthe flats here, and onto a road.Can you help me?

The communication is silent.

BARB (CONTD)(into radio)

Please.

EXT. SALT FLATS CHASE

The flying craft changes its course by several degrees,moving away from the stolen car.

INT. STOLEN BLACK CAR

KAMINYA/BARBHes not going to help.

BARBYes he is, hes showing us the way.

Barb steers to stay parallel with the flying craft.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 27.

RESCUE ONE PILOT (O.S.)(from radio)

Going back to the main frequency.(pause)

Rescue One low on fuel. Cantpursue car. Returning.

The flying craft turns sharply away.

BARB(into radio)

Thank you.

They drive in silence for a moment.

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah, I have been awake for manydays during the approach to yourplanet. I am exhausted. I mustrest. Please continue on Bar-bah.It is vital to the survival of bothof us and our two species.

EXT. SALT FLATS - DAY

The car reaches the edge of the expanse of salt flats. Itdrives up the grade of an access road and onto a paved roadat the top.

INT./EXT. STOLEN BLACK CAR

BARBKaminya, you there?

Nothing happens.

BARB (CONTD)Great, now I want to talk to you.

EXT. ROAD

The stolen car drives along the road, toward the mountainsin the distance.

BARB (CONTD)(to herself)

Im going to have to changeclothes. I, we, whatever, stand outlike a sore orange thumb.

As she drives, Barb searches her pockets.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 28.

The first item is the weapon that had cut the Suited Man inhalf. As she handles the object, she touches somethingcausing a HIGH PITCH SOUND to increase in intensity.

BARB (CONTD)Oh shit.

Her attention divided between weapon and her driving, a carBLARS its HORN as it passes the other direction.

Barb manages to get the weapon to power down. She SIGHS inrelief. She sets it on the passenger seat.

Two more objects have no apparent function. Carefully sheset them on the seat as well.

The last one is a short metal cylinder. The top opens on ahinge. She weighs the cylinder in her hand.

BARBYoure awfully heavy.

A distraction in the road causes her to drop the cylinder onthe passenger seat where it bounces tossing several gleaminggolden coin sized disks onto the seat.

After getting control of the car again, she picks up a disk.The are no marking in the shinny golden object.

BARB(to herself)

I wonder if this really works.

After several uncertain attempts, she puts the disk partwayinto mouth, bites down. She takes it out and looks at itsteeth marked surface with wide eyes.

BARB(to herself)

Okay, clothes, car, I think I knowjust the place.

EXT. ALANS ALIEN ARTIFACTS SHOP - DAY

The stolen car pulls off the road into the empty gravel lotof a small isolated store. The sign reading "Alans AlienArtifacts, and other oddball collectibles."

29.

INT. STOLEN BLACK CAR

Barb pours all the coins from the cylinder onto the seat.She puts the bite marked one back in first. Then the restleaving one out.

Barb gets out of the car and heads to the store.

EXT. ALANS ALIEN ARTIFACTS SHOP

Looking through the store window she spys ALLAN (30s), thenerdish owner, at the register.

She opens her jumpsuit top part way and slips the coin intoher bra cup. She shows some cleavage leaving her top open.

She goes in.

INT. ALANS ALIEN ARTIFACTS SHOP

Barb is surrounded by a sea of tee-shirt racks. To one theside there is a rack marked "Half Off" all sportinggray-alien artworks. The rest of the shirt racks havefeature the Guestic stick-people aliens in various humorousposses and slogans.

One shirt in front of a stack has "NERD ABCs: A IS FORALTAIR, B IS FOR BETELGEUSE..."

BARBCute.

On one wall are hung shirts, hats, and handbags all sportingthe same art of a Guestic giving a Vulcan "live long andprosper" sign with the text "Gort, Klaatu Burada Nikto."

The walls are lined with merchandise, glass cases brim withmore.

Alan watches a ceiling mounted television. He wears one ofhis own tee-shirts.

ALANBe with you in a moment.

The television news shows footage of the Guestic crash fromconsiderable distance. Reporter Conney provides voice overas more footage is shown.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 30.

REPORTER JUDY(from television)

There is still no official wordabout what happened here today. Butwe do know, the alien Guestic spacecraft, the first to ferry a hundrednew--

The volume dies down as Alan works the televisions remote.The image on the screen shows a picture of Barb with thetext "Person of Interest."

Alan smiles at Barb. His eyes pop open and he laughs.

ALANWow. You cos-players waste no timeat all. Perfect outfit, and youreally look...

Smiling, Alan looks back and forth between her and thetelevision picture of her. His smile fades. Quickly he looksback and forth several more times. His mouth drops open.

BARBYeah, thats me.

She SHRUGS.

BARB (CONTD)I was in here once when I wasbeginning my job at the center.

Alan, mouth still open, shrugs and shakes his head silently,then swallows.

ALANDid you buy anything?

BARBNo just looked around

ALANWell then I wont remember you.

BARB (CONTD)Anyway...

She takes a step closer and puts on a sultry look.

BARB (CONTD)I need your help.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 31.

ALANYoure not serious. Cant be. Canyou? Are you? Are you serious?

Barb nods.

BARBAnd I have an alien inside me now.

Alan looks down at Barbs chest.

ALANIts not going to burst out orsomething, is it?

BARBNo, its a friendly alien, and itsup here.

Barb points to her head.

BARBAnd we need your help.

ALANOookay... how can I help?

BARBI need to get out of these closes.

ALANSssure...

BARBAnd change into something else.

ALANOh.

Alan motions to all the racks of clothing.

BARBI need something plain. Somethingthat doesnt stand out.

Alan goes deep into thought, then his expression brightens.

ALANI have a box of regular tees thatthey wouldnt take back.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 32.

BARBOkay, how about bottoms.

ALANOver there, those Alien Genesjeans, get it?

Barb smiles and nods.

ALANAnyway, they look normal, verysmall logos. I guess thats part ofthe joke.

BARBOkay, Ill take a couple of eachplease.

Alan turns to get the merchandise, stops, then turns back.

ALANCash or credit?

Barb takes a step toward him.

BARBI dont have any cash. But I havethis on me.

She reaches into her bra and takes out the small gold coin,and hands it to Alan.

Alan takes it carefully, his eyes glimmering at where itcame from, then he looks a the disk.

ALAN(snickering)

Its warm.

Alan turns the disk over in his fingers, studying hisreflection in the shiny gold surface.

ALAN (CONDD)Is this really... gold?

BARBNot only gold, but gold from out ofthis world.

ALANYou mean, "space gold?"

Barb nods.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 33.

BARBI do in fact mean.

ALANWooooowwwwww.

Alan puts the disk up to his mouth, after a couple uncertaintries, he bites the coin and bends it.

ALANCertainly seems real enough. Illget the shirts.

Barb goes over to the rack of jeans. She looks over thesizes and picks out 2 pair.

Alan comes back with 4 plain shirts in various colors.

BARBDo you have a changing room?

ALANYes, back there.

Barb takes the one of the pants and a shirt to the door heindicated.

As soon as the door closes, Alan goes behind the counter andtakes out a small set of weight scales. Carefully sweepingsome cannabis seeds into a small plastic bag, he carefullyweighs the disk.

Going to his computer, he looks up the price of gold.

CHANGING ROOM

Barb unloads her pockets of their various devices andremoves her own harness and its own devices. Removing herboots she strips to her underwear and changes clothes.

She looks at herself in the mirror on the back of the door,and slap her butt.

BARB(to herself)

Never looked better, girl.

34.

ALANS ALIEN ARTIFACTS SHOP

Barb opens the door.

On the television the news anchor and politician is talkingon a news show.

POLITICIAN(on television)

... and the only reason we arebeing nice to these... stickcreatures, is for their advancedtechnologies.

Alan doesnt see her as he is paying attention to thetelevision screen, with his cell phone in his hand.

Below the speaking politician is a hotline phone number.

Barb steps back into the rest room.

REST ROOM

Barb chews her lip in thought. She takes a deep breath andsteps out, this time making noise.

INT. ALANS ALIEN ARTIFACTS SHOP

Alan quick pockets his cell phone. Then he mutes thenewscast.

Barb walks to him with the jumpsuit bundle and places itupon the counter.

BARBGot a bag for this?

Alan takes out a bag from behind the counter.

Barb sorts the bundle into two piles. The one with herjumpsuit and harness she leaves, while putting the otherthings in the bag, including the extra shirt and jeans.

BARB (CONTD)You can have these.

She indicates the jumpsuit pile.BARB (CONTD)

Next time a hot cosplay chick comesin, you can make an authentic dealwith her.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 35.

ALANBut, isnt that, like governmentproperty, and big fine if you--

BARBYoure right.

Barb begins to trying to fit the jumpsuit into the bag.ALAN

No wait. If its contraband, I canget even more for it. Maybe even aspecial deal from a hot chick, likeyou said, if you know what I mean.

Alan grins oddly for a moment but seeing no reaction fromBarb, he drops the smile.

Barb puts the jumpsuit back onto the table.BARB

Oh, and I need a car. Any chance Icould trade you something for acar?

ALANI have an old clunker back in thegarage.

BARBDoes it run?

ALANI think so.

EXT. ALANS ALIEN ARTIFACTS SHOP - DAY

They walk to the garage behind the shop, with her bag ofstuff. Alans own car is parked behind the shop, but he goesto the garage and opens the doors.

Alan pulls a tarp off the old car. He gets in. It starts up.He pulls it out of the garage. The engine needs some work.

Alan gets out.

ALANItll need some gas. And that willbe 2 more of those space coins. Ilooked up the price of gold.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 36.

BARBBut their "space coins" as you say.One should be worth more than itsweight in gold.

ALANYou know. Ive been thinking. Ibelieve the coins are gold, and allthat. But I dont know that theyre"space gold." I think you MIGHT bethe girl on the news, but dontKNOW that you are.

Barb takes the weapon out of her pocket and holds it, herarm cocked, so that the weapon points upward.

BARBWant proof? Ever see anything likethis before? Want to see what itdoes?

Looking uncertain, Alan nods slightly.

Barb points the weapon at a tree.

Suddenly her arm jerks up.KAMINYA/BARB

No Bar-bah. That is a living being.

BARBOh, now you show up.

KAMINYA/BARBI woke when you slapped yourself onthe buttock in that small room.

ALANYou did what?

BARB(to Alan)

Shut up.

ALANAre you the alien in her?

KAMINYA/BARBYes, I am Kaminya.

ALANHi... Im... Alan.

Alan waves his fingers in greeting.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 37.

KAMINYA/BARBPlease to meet you--

BARBUgh, we dont have time for this.

Barb points the weapon at the tire on Alans vehicle. Shetriggers the weapon and the tire blows out catching on fire.

ALANWhatd ya do that for?

BARBTo prove that this was a space-gun.

ALANWell, you could have shot a rock,or the dirt, or something.

BARB (CONTD)Im sorry but I saw you on the cellphone. Weve got to go and I canttake any chances of you followingus while phoning it in.

Barb gets in the old car, tossing the bag onto the passengerseat.

ALANHey, are you really going to showus how to travel 20 time fasterthan light?

KAMINYA/BARBTwenty-three times faster. "e tothe power pi", in complexspace-time.

Barb pockets the weapon, punches the gas pedal, and drivesaway as gravel is kicked up and dust blows off the car.

ALANWait, "e to what?" Complex what?

With his car tire burning behind him, he watches them go.

ALANWooowww, I think an alien just toldme the secret to star travel.

Suddenly he slaps his hand to his head.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 38.

ALAN (CONDD)Oh, my chick magnet bomber jacketsstill in there.

INT./EXT. OLD CAR - MINUTES LATER

Barb looks at the gas level.

BARBQuarter tank. And I forgot to getsome cash from his register.

KAMINYA/BARBMaybe we should have negotiated forthe better vehicle?

BARBIt looked too new. Might have atracking service in it. This onesold, should be safe.

KAMINYA/BARBHave you been using the Aurumisotope energy discs for trade?They are very explosive.

The old car comes to a SCREECHING halt.

Barb looks back down the road behind them.

BARBWe gotta go back.

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah. I attempted a joke.

Barb SIGHS. She begins moving the car forward again.

Barb looks out at the sun, low on the horizon.

BARB (CONTD)No money for a motel. I dont thinka space gold coin would be wisethere. After a couple more miles,well find someplace to pull overfor the night.

Barb glances at the empty back seat.

BARB (CONTD)Looks comfortable enough.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 39.

KAMINYA/BARBDont we need to put more distancebetween us and the store?

BARBIm hoping thats exactly whattheyll expect.

EXT. ROAD - DUSK

The old car slows as it approaches a turn off onto a smallerdirt road. The way is blocked with a chain andnearly rusted away "KEEP OUT" sign.

Barb gets out of the car. Examining the chain she finds aplace where it is held together by old rusty wire with extralength sticking out. Unable to untangle the wire, she shootsthe chain breaking it.

Getting back in the car, she drives through the open waynow.

She goes out and works a length of old wire back and forthto break it. With the wire she fastens the chain backtogether again.

INT./EXT. OLD CAR

Getting back in, she drives far enough down the way so thatthe car cant be seen from the road.

Turning on a small flashlight she climbs into the back seat.

BARBWhats this?

She picks up a leather jacked from behind the front seat.Checking the pockets she finds some money and a bandana.

BARB (CONTD)Not enough for a motel, but enoughfor breakfast and gas.

Kaminya/Barb rolls the coat material in her hand, listeningto the gratifying CREEK of leather.

KAMINYA/BARBThis isnt cloth or plastic.

She INHALES the alluring aroma.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 40.

BARBOutside its leather, inside fleece.Both from animals, and very warm.

Barb lays back on the seat pulling the coat on top.

EXT. ALANS ALIEN ARTIFACTS SHOP - DUSK

A black car pulls into the parking lot of Alans store andparks next to the stolen one.

Three Suited Men get out. One looks over the car as theother two go inside.

INT. ALANS ALIEN ARTIFACTS SHOP

Alan, is working a calculator. Above him the televisionNEWSCAST plays.

NEWS ANCHOR(from television)

There are conflicting reports fromthe alien crash site. Some sayingthat all the Guestic passengerswere killed. Others saying thatthey are all safely in hibernation.

The calculator displays "23.1407."

ALAN(to himself)

Twenty-three point one four ohseven, "e to the power of pi." Iwonder why. Hey, that rhymes.

Alan glances at the Suited Men and mutes the television.

ALANOh wow. M-I-Bs. Is there aconvention in town that I didntknow about? (pause) Cause, Ihavent had a customer all day.

One Suited Man looks at the number on the calculator, thento the other.

41.

EXT. SALT FLATS CRASH SITE - DUSK

An ENGINEER (50s) with hardhat and harness climbs out fromunder the crashed ship. He shakes his head as he waves tosomeone to hand him a radio.

ENGINEER(into radio)

The propulsion unit is toast.

INT. INTERCUT - CRASH SITE AND OWRC COMMAND

Adam and Ray are at their stations. Simon talks over theradio next to them.

ENGINEERNot sure theres much to reverseengineer, but well try.

SIMONHow about the passengers? Barbaraat first said that they were okay.

ENGINEERThe readouts say theyre okay, butthat cant be right. Somethingmighty fishy going on.

SIMONThanks Joe.

Simon hands Adam the hand set to hang up on the panel. Helooks at a muted NEWSFEED.

SIMONTurn that up.

NEWS REPORTER (O.S.)(from monitor)

It looks like people are collectinghere at the D.C. Guestic embassy.

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. GUESTIC EMBASSY - SIMULTANEOUS

The embassy visible over her shoulder, the Reporter talks tothe camera.

NEWS REPORTER(to camera)

It looks to be a protest mobforming.

42.

A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY

A Suited Man watches the mob assemble.

BACK TO THE REPORTER

NEWS REPORTER(into camera)

You can feel the tension in the airrising.

EXT. OLD ROAD - NIGHT

A police car slows as it nears the chain gate. A searchlight from the car shines on the chain, then it shines alongthe road.

EXT. DIRT ROAD - SIMULTANEOUS

Light shines through bushes and trees from the police car,but the old car is well hidden.

INT. OLD CAR - CONTINUOUS

The patrol car speeds up down the road.

The moonlight shines on the car through the branches.

LATER

Moonlight bathes the area. A passing car SWOOSHES past onthe distant highway.

Kaminya/Barbs eyes blink open. She slowly leans up enoughto look outside. Laying back down, she brings her hands upin front of her and examines them flexing the fingers.

Carefully she reaches down under the coat blanket. A zipperUNZIPS. She moves under the coat.

Her eyes droop for a moment as the hands find their places.She COOS lightly. Her breathing steadily increases in rateand depth. Her movement become more busy.

BREATHS become GASPS. She begins roll her hips in time withher touch.

The motion becomes nearly violent.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 43.

BARB(waking)

Oh my God, what are you doing?

KAMINYA/BARB(gasping)

This, and I cant seem to stop.

Suddenly she is writhing, arching her back, letting outGUTTURAL sounds.

She falls back onto the seat. Barb pulls her hands away fromwhere they were.

KAMINYA/BARB(shaky)

Ive never experienced anything sointense...

Barb ZIPS up her pants, tucks her shirt in.

BARBYoure not supposed to do that.

KAMINYA/BARB(shaky)

How do you not do that all thetime?

Barbs breathing relaxes. She blows out a long breath.

BARBPlease dont do that anymore. Ihave to sleep too. Can you do that?

KAMINYA/BARBYes, I think.

BARBWell, keep my hands to yourself fornow on.

KAMINYA/BARBYes. Bar-bah. I feel I need to restagain after that.

Barbs eyes close again. They both sleep.

44.

INT. OWRC COMMAND - NIGHT

The Center is devoid of reporters and visitors. Onlytechnicians man the consuls.

SIMONAny sign of her?

ADAMNone yet.

SIMONHow bout the car?

RAYNot a sign.

SIMONIf asked, do we go with the diseasestory, or the malfunction one?

Simon and Donovan walk away from the techs at their consuls.

DONOVANHowd the Guestic embassy take thenews about Tolk?

SIMONThey expressed their regrets, butnothing Id call emotional.

DONOVANDid they even ask questions?

SIMONNo.

DONOVANHow about the pilot, did they askabout her?

SIMONWhat makes you think it was a"her?"

DONOVANOh, I never know which pronoun touse so I just alternate.

Simon gives Donovan a smirk.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 45.

SIMONWere still waiting for reports ofcauses of deaths?

DONOVANWhat about those two black cars andagents?

SIMONNo ones claiming them.

DONOVANMy guess is with Homeland. Didntyou have a run-in with the directorat one time?

The Simon furrows his brow in thought.

SIMONRescue pilot and crew reportedseeing something strange.

DOVOVANIt was dusty and they justwitnessed a tragedy.

Simon leads Donovan into his office overlooking the Center.

OWRC SIMONS OFFICE

SIMONI think we might have more than onealien situation.

DONOVANWhat makes you think that?

SIMONRumors mostly?

DONOVANNow you sound like Ray.

Simon smirks.

SIMONThis is more official informationthan what Ray sees.

DONOVANDont be so sure about that. He hassome surprising connections.

46.

OWRC TECH STATIONS - LATER

Adam and Ray work at their stations.

RAYSo have you heard?

ADAMNo, havent had time to read theconspiracy gazette. But, pray, dotell.

RAYAbout "the bug."

ADAMComputer virus?

RAYNope. New insectoid. Never beforeseen. At least, not until lastyear.

Adam only half pays attention.

ADAMAnd whats so new about it?

RAYWell the big "buzz," get it?Insect, buzz. Anyway, Homelandseems veeeerrrrry interested in it.

ADAMHow so?

RAYSeems every time someone announcesthat they have one, M-I-Bs show upto confiscate it.

ADAMDo they erase their memories too?

RAYDont know. Cant recall.

47.

EXT. OLD ROAD - MORNING

Kaminya/Barb watches a line of ants carrying leaves. Thenshe turns her face into the morning sun.

KAMINYA/BARBIm going to miss photosynthesis.

She walks over to caress the bark of a tree. Suddenly shejerks nearly stumbling, GASPING outloud.

BARBAhh!

She holds onto a nearby tree for balance.

BARB (CONTD)Oh, so weird to wake alreadystanding up.

Steady now, she looks around.

KAMINYA/BARBYou have such rich and diverse lifehere.

BARBYesterday, Tolk said somethingabout "them being already here."

KAMINYA/BARBYes. Much of my message was to warnthose here that "they" might be ontheir way. But my message waswasted effort.

BARBWho are "they?"

Kaminya/Barb walks over the the line of ants and kneelsdown.

BARB (CONTD)Insects?

KAMINYA/BARBOf a sorts. They have a hive mind.Communicate telepathically.

BARBTelepathic? Really?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 48.

KAMINYA/BARBYes. Their range is a couplethousand miles.

BARBMakes sense. A hive per continent.

The Ants march in their line carrying twigs, leaves, andeggs.

KAMINYA/BARBThese look like theyre movingtheir hive.

BARBFor ants, we call them hills.

BARB (CONTD)So how are they a threat?

KAMINYA/BARBThey burrow inside us.

BARBLike you did me?

KAMINYA/BARBNo, different. They control us.

BARBLike you do me?

Kaminya/Barb screws up her face in frustration.

KAMINYA/BARBYou were meant to be a volunteer.But there wasnt time for the wayit was planned.

A moment passes as the ants march their leaves along theground.

KAMINYA/BARB (CONTD)Do you wish me to leave youBar-bah?

BARBWhat if you did?

KAMINYA/BARBI would cease to be.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 49.

BARBKaminya, I do not wish you to ceaseto be.

KAMINYA/BARBI do not wish to cease either. ButI do not wish to do this againstyour will.

BARBDo "they" make you do thingsagainst your will?

KAMINYA/BARBBuild ships. Take them places.Spread like a disease.

Barb SIGHS.

BARBCome on, Im famished. Lets checkout the cars trunk.

EXT. OLD CAR - MINUTES LATER

Barb uses the key to open the cars trunk.

Theres a spare tire, jack with lug wrench.BARB

Nothing? My car trunk is ascluttered as my purse. Anyway,where we going again?

KAMINYA/BARBWyoming.

BARBWyoming is a big place. Can you bemore specific.

KAMINYA/BARBId need to see a map.

BARBWell, we can buy one now.

Barb takes the handkerchief and ties it over her hair,before closing the trunk.

50.

EXT. OLD ROAD - MINUTES LATER

The old car pulls up to the chain. Without getting out, Barbshoots the chain with the weapon. She drives onto the roadwithout stopping to restore it.

INT. OLD CAR

KAMINYA/BARBShould we not repair the barrier.

BARBNope. I want them to waste theirsearching there.

INT. OWRC - MORNING

Simon steps out of his office. Someone hands him a cup ofcoffee.

SIMONAnything?

DONOVANNo sign of her. No sign of the car.Something on the CDC feed. A littlesouvenir shop owner, just off thesalt flats, was rushed to thehospital with encephalitis.

SIMONGet someone over there and check itout.

DONOVANAnd this...

Donovan turns on the television monitor to a NEWSFEED.

NEWS ANCHOR(from television)

Protests have started this morningoutside the Washington DC AlienEmbassy.

51.

EXT. FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH - DAY

The old car is in line at a fast-food drive through.

INT./EXT. OLD CAR

The car pulls up to the order station.

BARBBurger combo, please.

ORDER STATION VOICE (O.S.)Pay at the first window, please.

They drive a car length in line.

KAMINYA/BARBThat was easy.

BARBI usually dont eat burgers or anymeat. But I didnt want anythingthat would take too long.

The car reaches the pickup window.

PICKUP WINDOW GIRLHeres your burger and fires, anddrink. (pause) Hey, you know, youkinda look like that woman on thenews.

BARB(laughing)

Oh my God, Ive been getting thateverywhere I go.

The car pulls away, towards the road.

BARBSee, now we cant eat in theparking lot. Have to go somewhereelse.

EXT. DOWN THE ROAD

The car drives down the street for a ways and pulls into ashopping center parking lot. They park.

52.

INT. OLD CAR

Barb tears open the bag on the passenger seat. She unfoldsthe wrapper for the burger, and spills the fries in the tornopen paper bag. She takes a long swig of drink from thestraw.

KAMINYA/BARBUm, sugar and carbon dioxide.

BARBWe dont really use the C-O-2.

Barb takes a bite of the burger.

Kaminya/Barb pauses in chewing, then shrugs.

Barb chews again and swallows.

Kaminya/Barb looks at the fries.

KAMINYA/BARBIn a way, those resemble smallversions of my kind.

BARBDont worry. Theyre potatoes, bigand round.

KAMINYA/BARBBut theyre still plants, yes?

BARBYes.

KAMINYA/BARBWhy cant you keep to eating yourown kind of life form.

BARBYou mean animals? Meat?

KAMINYA/BARBYes. You animals eat each other. Weplants do not. We synthesize foodfrom the sun, air, and soil.

BARBAnd to think at one time I wasgoing to become a vegetarian. Okay,Ill pitch the fries.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 53.

KAMINYA/BARBNo, Bar-bah. Your body needsnutrition. I will adapt my mind toyour situation. You should eat thefries. I wont watch.

Barb devours the fries. She finishes with the drink.

KAMINYA/BARBWe should get more sugar. My kindmakes sugar.

BARBSo do some animals.

KAMINYA/BARBYes, Ive heard. Honey. Id like totry that if we can.

BARBNext time we eat, Ill ask for someif they have it.

Barb rolls up the wrappers into a ball.

BARB (CONTD)When we get to the embassy orsafe-haven, as Tolk said. Theylltake you out of me right? Youllhave a plant body again, right?

KAMINYA/BARBI dont think there are any of mykind here that are not alreadyoccupied by a mind.

BARBWell, I have a mind, how do youexist in me?

KAMINYA/BARBYour brains are so rich withmaterial. It is easy to interspersemyself in your tissue. Several ofus could fit.

BARBI feel like an apartment buildingnow. Anyway, so, how long will yoube in me.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 54.

KAMINYA/BARBI will last two more days.

BARBLast? You dont mean...

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah. You were selected forcompatibility. But it is temporary.

BARBThen what?

KAMINYA/BARBI will cease, and your immunesystem will consume what is left.

Barb tears up.

BARBOh Kaminya, I didnt know.

KAMINYA/BARBBut I did know. It is adeath-mission for which Ivolunteered.

Barb begins to tear.

KAMINYA/BARB (CONTD)Do not despair Bar-bah. The safehaven might be able to help. Imight be able to transfer tosomeone, or something else thatmight also be able to sustain me.Perhaps even better.

BARBYoure just saying that now to makebe feel better.

Kaminya does not answer the statement.

BARB (CONTD)Well, lets not waste any time.

EXT. ROAD

They start the car up and drive back onto the road. A blackcar pulls out of a parking spot and trails them a couplecars behind.

55.

EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Donovan pulls into a parking spot. He gets out of the carand looks around.

INT. HOSPITAL ICU - DAY

Donovan talks to a doctor. Through a window Alan is in a bedwith several IVs in his arm, machines monitor his condition.

DOCTORIve talked to CDC, Homeland, StatePolice. As far is I know, this isan isolated case. So just who areyou?

Donovan shows the doctor his ID.Donovan

Im with the Off-World ReceivingCenter.

DOCTORYou think this might have somethingto do with that crashed spaceship?

DONOVANWe dont know. Were following allleads.

DOCTORIf theres any chance at all ofsome kind of disease from it...

DONOVANWell, Ill put it this way. One ofour people might have had contactwith your guy here.

DOCTORYou mean the rogue medic for thealiens?

The Donovan admits to it with a nods.

DOCTOR (CONTD)Well, Im still writing up myreport for the CDC, and the twinsfrom Homeland seemed a coupleidiots that watch too muchtelevision. So, Ill give you thescoop first.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 56.

DONOVANThanks.

DOCTORThere is an injury to his rightear, and scans show several smallforeign bodies in his righthemisphere.

DONOVANAnd thats what caused the brainswelling.

DOCTORAnti-inflammatory drugs seem to beworking well, along withantibiotics.

DONOVANAre they moving or anything.

DOCTORNot that weve seen. His fever iscoming down.

DONOVANCan I talk to him?

DOCTOROnly if Im with.

ALANS ROOM

The Doctor approaches Alans bed, with Donovan following.

DOCTOR(to Alan)

Alan, someone wants to talk to you.

Alan opens his eyes part way and turns his head in theirdirection.

Donovan holds up a photo of Barb.

Alan shakes his head.

DONOVANAlan, Im her boss. I need to knowif shes okay.

Alan looks at the Doctor, who nods. Alan look back atDonovan.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 57.

ALANShe came into my shop.

DOCTORShe do this to you?

ALANNo, no. She was nice. Her and Kamy.

DONOVAN"Kamy?"

ALANSaid she had an alien inside her.

The Donovan glances at the doctor.

DONOVANAlan, tell me everything thathappened.

The doctor pulls two chairs next to Alans bed. Both he andDonovan sit.

INT. OLD CAR - DAY

As Barb drives, she glances at the rear view mirror.

BARBI think we have a tail.

KAMINYA/BARBHumans dont have tails. Monkeyshave tails. You are closer to apeswho dont.

BARBI mean were being followed. Itlooks like one of those blackHomeland cars.

KAMINYA/BARBCan this car out race them?

BARBDoubt it. But tell you what, forHomeland theyre not very bright.Persistent, but not bright.

KAMINYA/BARBPrecisely Bar-bah. Thats whatconfounds us about the Ints. Twice

(MORE)(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 58.

KAMINYA/BARB (contd)we thought we rid ourselves ofthem. Time passes, and a newinfestation begins.

BARBSounds like 17-year locus.

Barb watches the black car behind them.

KAMINYA/BARBNo. They do not go away on theirown. They stay, or try to. Butsomehow they always return.

BARBLike they make a hidden nest, buildup their numbers, then emergeagain?

KAMINYA/BARBSomewhat. But they do not get toonumerous either. They keep theirnumbers limited, perhaps to keep alow profile.

BARBWe have disease outbreaks likethat. Too aggressive and it getsquickly spotted. Action taken.

KAMINYA/BARBThe Ints take control of leaders.Many follow without questioning.

BARBYeah, I know how that works.

INT. OWRC - DAY

Donovan stands looking at Simon, who paces.

SIMONSo, seems like there might be thatsecond species after all.

DOVOVANIf theyre out there, well have todeal with them sooner or later.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 59.

SIMONAnd theres this.

Simon tosses a report sliding across the table towardDonovan.

SIMON (CONTD)The Guestic bodies in the ship. Notonly where they all dead, but hadbeen thouroughly irradiated.

DONOVANAs if to sterilize them of anycontamination.

SIMONSo it looks like only the pilot hadbeen alive the entire trip.

DONOVANAny idea why?

SIMONYour guess is as good as mine.

DONOVANAny analysis on the pilots body?

SIMONNone. The Guestic Embassy stronglyrequested that the pilots body besent to them, pronto.

EXT. ROAD - STATE LINE - DAY

The old car drives past a sign "Welcome to Wyoming." Severalmoments later the black car follows.

INT. OLD CAR

Barb looks in the rear view mirror. The black car is stillbehind them.

BARBTheyre really pissing me off.

KAMINYA/BARBAs I said, theyre persistence istheir strength. Is there somewherewe can go that they cannot?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 60.

BARBSpeaking of "go." Where are WEgoing?

KAMINYA/BARBI am uncertain. We have yet toattain a map.

BARBIm not sure what our tail will doif we stop for a map, gas, or food.

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah, perhaps we should changeour plan.

BARBHow so?

KAMINYA/BARBMy purpose for coming here is nolonger relevant. We need to get youto safety.

BARBIts still the same problem.

KAMINYA/BARBNo it is not. We can turn ourselvesin to other authorities.

BARBNo.

KAMINYA/BARBIf we do it to the right people,ones we can trust, they will takecare of you.

BARBNo. Tolk seemed to indicate thatthere was a chance, at this"safe-haven" place.

KAMINYA/BARBTolk was an optimist among even us.He once proposed the notion ofpeaceful coexistance with the Ints.But they dont even have thepresences of mind for negotiation.

Barb looks in the rear-view mirror. The black car is closer,accelerating.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 61.

BARBOh oh, I think their making theirmove.

KAMINYA/BARBOdd behavior for them. Unless--

BARB--theyre running low on gas too.

Barb accelerates.

EXT. ROAD

The two cars both speed up in a chase. Then the black carbegins slowing down, slower and slower until it pulls offthe road to a stop.

INT./EXT. OLD CAR

Barb checks the mirror.

BARBTheyre out of gas! Yeah!

At their high speed, the old cars engine COUGHS, belchingan oily black puff of smoke from under the hood.

BARB (CONTD)Oh shit! I jinxed us.

Their car coasts to a stop on the side of the road.

INT. OLD CAR

Barb slams her hand on the steering wheel.

KAMINYA/BARBDoes that help?

BARBYes.

Barb grabs the back pack and hurries out the door.

62.

EXT. ROAD

Barb looks down the road as the two suited men are runningtheir direction.

Barb begins running as well.

She looks over her shoulder seeing that the two men aregaining.

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah. They are machines. Theywill not tire as you will.

Behind them another car comes down the road.

BARBWe might be in luck.

As the car approaches, Barb waves them down. The car slows,but continues drifting past. It has 2 young guys in it.

GUY #1 IN CARHey, you know your being chased?

BARBTell me something I dont know. Canyou give us, I mean me, a ride?

GUY #2 IN CARThey look like Feds.

GUY #1 IN CARHey, thats the hot chick on thenews. Shes infected or something.Get going man.

The car speeds up down the road.

BARBFUCK!

KAMINYA/BARBMaybe you should have offered themsex.

BARBOh shut up?

The men continue to close on Barb.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 63.

BARB (CONTD)I cant outrun them on the flat.Have to try loosing them in thewoods.

Barb picks a place to head into the woods.

BRUSH

Barb runs through the brush. She almost trips once, butregains her balance. Reaching the tree line she hides behindone of the larger trees. Breathing hard she looks back.

BARBWait. The gun. I almost forgot.

Barb digs in the pack and finds the weapon. Kaminya/Barblooks it over.

KAMINYA/BARBTheres charge left for no morethan one firing, maybe.

BARBWhat?

KAMINYA/BARBIt was not made for sustainedcombat.

Barb watches as the men stop on the road.

Another black car pulls up to the men. A suited man gets outof the car to join the other two.

BARBAw, come on.

The car pulls away as the three men work their way into thebrush.

Barb begins working her way deeper into the woods.

KAMINYA/BARBDoes it help to get farther fromthe road?

BARBI dont know. Maybe if we can hide,we can get back to the road andmaybe get a ride.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 64.

Barb looks around and spots an outcrop of rock with a darkarea underneath in a tangle of vines.

BARBWait, maybe there.

Barb works her way under the outcrop of rock.

She sits trying to control her breath.

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah. Is this a cave?

Barb looks around. The brush does continue into the darknessunder the rock.

KAMINYA/BARB (CONTD)Maybe we should go in--

At movement outside the brush, Barb clamps her hand over herown mouth.

A Suited Man begins examining the area around the rock andbrush.

There is a deep SNORT from within the cave.

The Suited Man is attracted by the sound and beginsinvestigating the brush only several yards away.

Suddenly a BEAR charges from the cave, and pounces on theMan, tearing at him. The Man fights, but makes no sound.

Barb leaps from the brush and runs from the cave. Sheglances back seeing that the Bear is ripping the man apart.

Just as she looks forward she collides with another SuitedMan running her direction. Both are knocked to the ground.Both their weapons are knocked out of their hands.

They get up at the same time. The Mans weapon is closer toher than her own, which is closer to the Man yet.

The Man grabs her weapon before she can reach the other.

Barb eases her hands up. She looks over at where the Bear isstill tearing apart the other man.

BARBArent you going to go help him?

The Suited Man glances at the other, and then back to Barb.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 65.

BARB (CONTD)Guess not.

KAMINYA/BARBThey do not care about each otheranymore than you grieve for theloss of a single drop of blood.

MANKaminya. Come with us, and we willnot harm your host.

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah, the weapon he has isempty.

Barb dives for the other weapon. Grabbing it she rolls,aims, and fires.

The Mans shoulder blows off his body.

KAMINYA/BARB (CONTD)Run, Bar-bah.

Barb runs. A small tree near her EXPLODES and timbers overCRASHING.

KAMINYA/BARBAh! He killed it.

BARBI thought you said his gun wasempty!

KAMINYA/BARBHe lied, so I lied. I took achance. Besides, they need youalive to get to me.

The Man tries to fire again, but the weapon fails to fire.

BARB (CONTD)At least we have the full gun.

KAMINYA/BARBHow do you know its full?

BARBI dont know. I just figured itwas.

66.

INT. OWRC - DAY

Adam hurries up to Simon and Donovan.

ADAMThis just came over the WyomingState Police feed. Someone reportedseeing someone that looked likeBarb along a road just their sideof the border.

DONOVANFinally some good news.

ADAMThey also set it looked like shewas being chased by two feds.

DONOVANNot so good news.

SIMONLets get the bureau on the line.

ADAMTts not them. Rays been checkinghis contacts.

DONOVANHomeland or N-S-A then.

ADAMRay has a bud at the N-S-A. Hedoesnt think it them either.

SIMONThat puts us right back "Home"again.

ADAM(joking)

Could be the other aliens.

Simon and Donovan give Adam a long hard look making Adamdrop his smile. He CLEARS HIS THROAT.

ADAMWell, thats what Ray said.

67.

A FEW MINUTES LATER

Ray, looking guilty of something, stands beside Adam in theoffice.

RAYIts just low level chatter andspeculations.

SIMONGo on.

RAYWell, theres been buzz--

Ray looks at Adam for a moment who gives him a stop-jokingglare.

RAY (CONTD)about some new insect, and theHome-boys showing up every time itgets reported.

SIMONWhat kind of bug? Spider, fly,caterpillar?

RAYA small beetle is what seems tohave shown up on the entomologicalradar.

SIMONHow big?

RAYSmall, like a ladybug.

SIMONThanks. Thatll be all.

Ray and Adam look at each other and leave the office.

SIMONYou said that this guy in thehospital may have some of these inhis head?

DONOVANIts what the doc said.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 68.

SIMONTell them not to report it, and seeif theyll remove one for us totake a look at.

Donovan nods.

SIMONAnd if you can, fetch us a bugexpert.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

Barb works her way carefully thought the brush.

BARBIf each of those androids ispiloted by a handful of Ints, thenif the bear eats them, what willhappen?

KAMINYA/BARBProbably nothing, excetp for maybea stomach ache. Your inner acidsjust digest them.

BARBThink maybe thats why theircautious about us, as Tolk said?

KAMINYA/BARBDoubt it. They do have some of theelement arsenic in them. That inturn doesnt affect my kind much.

BARBIt does mine. Come on, lets see ifwe can get back to a road.

INT. HOSPITAL O.R. - DAY

The Doctor is on the phone. Behind him in an operating room,Alan is being worked on by a surgical team.

DOCTOR(into phone)

Yes, we were taking them all outanyway. Somekind of toxin.

The surgeon supervises a precision operating robot device.On a screen it is carefully extracting the last of theforeign items.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 69.

A small robot pincer removes the bug. The doctor takes thebug and adds with the others in a metal tray.

DOCTOR(into phone)

Yes, we can toss one your way. Andyes, Ive already sent my report tothe CDC.

INT. OWRC - DAY

DONOVAN(into phone)

Im on my way. And if Homelandshows up, stall them.

Donovan passes the Tech Stations.

DONOVAN(to Adam)

Youre with me.

Adam gives Donovan a surprised look, then Ray a smile.

RAY(to himself)

Lucky slime.

EXT. HOSPITAL PARKING LOT - DAY

Donovans car pulls up. He and Adam get out.

As they walk they see an ominous black car parked.

Donovan turns to Adam.

DONOVANIn the glove box, is a tracker.

Donovan indicates the black car.

Adam heads back to their car.

Donovan continues on into the hospital.

70.

INT. DONOVANS CAR

Adam opens the passenger side door, then the glove box.Checking several objects, he finds the tracking device, asmall black box the size of a cell phone.

INT. HOSPITAL O.R.

Donovan walks in.

The Doctor shakes his head.

DOCTORThey were just hear. Flashed IDsand Badges. Took them all.

Donovan scowls in anger.

The Doctor takes two small package from his pocket. Heoffers one to the Donovan down low.

Donovan looks at the one not being offered.

DOCTOR (CONTD)(hushed voice)

Ones for the CDC.

Donovan nods slightly as the Doctor then puts the secondpackage back in his pocket.

Stealthily taking the first package, Donovan pockets it.

DONOVANThats a mighty shame, Doc. Guesswell have to wait for the nexttime.

They nod at each other, as they part, Donovan turning towardthe door.

EXT. HOSPITAL PARKING LOT

Adam works his way to the black car. He crouches down, peelsa sticky protector off, and adheres the device under awheel-well.

Hearing footsteps coming, he undoes his shoelace, and beginsretying it.

A Suited Man, carrying a case, walks up to him and stops.

Adam looks up. Then at the car.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 71.

ADAMSorry.

He finishes tying his shoelace, stands and gets out of theSuited Mans way, who gets in the car.

MOMENTS LATER

In the parking lot the black car is gone from its spot.

Donovan walks to his car where Adam waits.

DONOVANDone?

ADAMDone.

Donovan tosses Adam his car keys as he goes to the passengerdoor.

A little surprized, Adam gets in to drive.

INT. DONOVANS CAR

Donovan takes the small case from his pocket and slides openthe package. Inside, another smaller clear container holdsan odd looking beetle.

Adam glances from driving.

ADAMThat it?

Sliding the outer package shut, he pockets it.

DONOVANYup.

Adam gives a triumphant smirk.

Donovan then takes out a small pillbox Opening it, itcontains small dark lozenges. He puts one in his mouth.

ADAMThose mints?

DONOVANNot quite.

Donovan holds the pillbox to offer one to Adam, who takesone.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 72.

Adam gets an odd look on his face.

ADAMLike chocolate and maple.

DONOVANIts an acquired taste, theyreforgein.

EXT. WOODS - NEAR DUSK

Barb works her way through the brush, stopping to listen andlook. Down a hillside is a dirt road.

BARBIts going to be dark soon.Navigating this brush is wearing medown.

Reaching the road she looks both ways.

BARB (CONTD)Now for the classic question.

KAMINYA/BARBWe were traveling East. So, do wenot continue that direction?

Barb picks the direction opposite the setting sun.

KAMINYA/BARBThe trees are wonderful here. Somuch life, so many. Yet sounnervingly still.

BARBIts interesting. One world ofanimals, and one of plants.

KAMINYA/BARBNo, Bar-bah. One of animals, manyof plants.

BARBOh? Youve been to other worlds,ones with plants?

KAMINYA/BARBYes.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 73.

BARBHow many others?

KAMINYA/BARBA dozen, as you say, but only afew, currently have life.

BARBWell, what are they like?

KAMINYA/BARBOne water world has intelligent seapods. Another has a giant sentientmoss that stretches for thousandsof miles underground.

BARBSentient moss?

KAMINYA/BARBYes, but all its interested is inpoetry. The life on many of theseworlds will never achievespace-flight. Not like us and theLeague.

BARBLeague?

KAMINYA/BARBI should not have spoken of them.

BARBWhy, are they bad?

KAMINYA/BARBNot at all. They are why we havestar travel.

BARBAnd they are plants too?

KAMINYA/BARBYes. Hedera, of a sort.

BARBHedera? You mean an Ivy?

Barb waits throught the pause.

BARB (CONTD)And you say we are the onlyanimals.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 74.

KAMINYA/BARBThere are insects. Friendly goodones.

BARBBut, no animals, mammals like me?

KAMINYA/BARBNo, mammals like you. Not evenvertebrates.

BARBFunny, all this time weve imaginedmaking contact with other creatureslike us, bi-pedal, feet, hands,faces, and so on.

KAMINYA/BARBThe life on your world is...unique.

BARBWell youre basing this on just afew worlds.

KAMINYA/BARBIn the archives of the League wehave found records of others.

BARB"Found."

KAMINYA/BARBWe found a derelict League shipdrifting in our solar system.

BARBWhat happened to this "League?"War? What?

There is silence from Kaminya.

BARBYou mean the Ints? All thoseworlds?

KAMINYA/BARBPerhaps.

BARBIs that where YOU got the Ints?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 75.

KAMINYA/BARBNo. We got them from exploringanother world, A world, where thetrees, once vibrant and active, arenow as still and quiet as these.

BARBOh, Kaminya. Im so sorry. I hopethat we, I mean my kind, can help.

KAMINYA/BARBAs do we. You seem to have someresistance to them, but theirpersistence might still find avulnerability. They do not give up.

At the SOUND of a CAR coming up the road, Barb turns.

BARBShoot.

Barb begins to run as the black car speeds up. She pulls theweapon from her pocket. Turns, but the weapon does not fire.

BARBWhat the hell?

KAMINYA/BARBI am not familiar with theirweapons. Perhaps there is abiometric safety.

Barb resumes running but the car has closed the distance.Another black car comes at her from the other direction,forcing her to pause in uncertainty.

Above is a tree with low brances.

She jumps up as the black cars collide underneath her. Shedrops down onto the hood of one, then to the ground.

A Suited Man, steps out. He points a regular taser at her,and fires. Barb GRUNTS as she is shocked unconcious.

INT. BLACK CAR TRUNK - DUSK

The car trunk is opened. Barb is dumped inside. The trunk isclosed.

76.

EXT. DIRT ROAD

The less damaged of the two cars pulls away from the otherand turns around. It drives away.

INT. OWRC OFF WORLD RECEIVING CENTER - SIMULTANEOUS

Adam, watching a display, snaps upright.

ADAMShit.

Ray takes notice.

ADAM (CONTD)We just lost the tracker.

RAYThey found it?

ADAMDont think so. The car was inmotion when the signal ended.

Ray looks at Adams display.

RAYThat a back road.

Adam overlays a track onto the map.

ADAMThey were driving around, back andforth in this area.

Ray picks up a phone.

RAY(into phone)

Donovan?

EXT. DIRT ROAD - NIGHT

A police car pulls up to the abandoned black car. COP #1 andCOP #2 get out.

They approach the car with flashlights.

COP #1Hold up.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 77.

He shines the flashlight on some footprints and marks indirt.

COP #2Looks like a scuffle, maybe someonedragged. Call it in.

Cop #1 heads back to the police car.

INT. OFF WORLD RECEIVING CENTER LAB - NIGHT

DR. CARDILL (40s) puts the bettle in an electron microscope,and activates the machine. After a few adjustments, an imagecomes up on the screen.

DR. CARDILLNot anything Ive seen or heard of.

He changes the settings to examine other parts ofthe beetle.

DR. CARDILL (CONTD)Cant say its alien, as novelterrestrials are still found thatdefy classification. Yet it doesntlook home grown either.

SIMONAny way to tell for sure?

DR. CARDILLAmino acids, DNA, spectoscopy. Hardnumbers.

SIMONDo you have what you need here?

Dr. Cardill looks around at the equipment.

DR. CARDILLItll do.

SIMONHow long.

DR. CARDILLShould have some first results inseveral hours.

SIMON(to himself)

Hours.

78.

INT./EXT. BLACK CAR TRUNK - NIGHT

Barb GASPS as she wakes. Red light filters in from thetaillight fixtures.

KAMINYA/BARBThere you are.

BARBHow long have I...

KAMINYA/BARBAn hour.

Barb checks herself over.

BARBHave you been awake all this time?

KAMINYA/BARBI am not as sensitive to electriccurrents, but I did pretend tobe unconscious.

BARBIm suprised Im not tied up orsomething.

KAMINYA/BARBI understand that some humans gainpleasure from--

BARBStop it. Ever since you... Wait.Did you?

KAMINYA/BARBNo, you forbid me.

BARBWell in this situation I might

KAMINYA/BARBDo you want to begin?

BARBNoooo. We have to plan.

KAMINYA/BARBIf I did have a last wish, it wouldbe to experience full human sex.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 79.

BARBIf we get out of this, Illsee what I can do.

Barb looks around.

BARB (CONTD)Anything in here of use?

KAMINYA/BARBThe compartment is totally empty,except for us.

BARBLets see. An hour. We could be 50miles away from where we were. WishI knew which direction.

KAMINYA/BARBEast.

BARBHow do you know?

KAMINYA/BARBI can tell.

BARBWhy didnt you say you could do sobefore?

KAMINYA/BARBDidnt need to.

Barb listens to the change in sound from outside.

BARBWere in a tunnel, or something.

KAMINYA/BARBAnd now starting to go down hill.Besides slowing down. And nowstopping.

BARBThat I can tell. When they open thetrunk. We run for it.

THe trunk pops open, but it is surrounded by 4 Suited Men.

BARB (CONTD)Get ready and--

As she leaps she is shocked with the taser again.

80.

INT. OWRC - NIGHT

Dr. Cardill enteres the control center. Simon turns as heapproaches.

DR. CARDILLWell, theyre alien. They havedifferent amino acids thanterestrial life.

The two watch him waiting for him to contintue.

SIMONAnything else more useful to us?

DR. CARDILLTheyre hard bodied, so they cantbe crushed easily. Immune to toxinscontaining arsenic, selenium...

SIMONUseful, doctor, useful.

DR. CARDILLI have one sample, and its dead.Not much I can conclude from that.Get me a live one and Ill dobetter.

INT. MISSILE SILO CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

A wall sparkles with the movement of many small beetles.

The room has few reminats of its old missile launch panels,some missing dials, buttons, and lights. Two suited menstand on guard.

Barb is seated in an old heavy wooden chair. Black leathercuffs secure her wrists behind her. A large strap is aroundher waist, pinning her to the chair. A black leather posturecollar is around her neck minimizing movement of her head.

Barb SHUDDERS violently as she wakes.

BARB--Jump now!

The bindings keep her from moving.

BARBHuh?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 81.

Hardly able to move her head, Barb eyes and yanks at thebindings.

BARBWhat the hell! You guys from planetS-and-M or something?

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah. Is this technically beingtied-up, or tied-down?

Barb rolls her eyes and SIGHS in answer.

BARBWhere are we?

Barb eyes moves from the old missile launch panels, thennotices the wall that sparkles.

BARB (CONTD)Whats that?

KAMINYA/BARBThem.

BARBYou mean... them, them?

KAMINYA/BARBYes, them, the Ints.

BARBThere must be thousands.

KAMINYA/BARBThe wall is about 10 by 15 feet. Bymy estimate, half a million.

BARBCould this be?

KAMINYA/BARBTheir hive, yes I believe it is.

Barb shivers.

BARBIck.

The suited man pushes a cart up next to the chair. It hassurgical instruments, several empty metal pans, an electricdrill with a large hole bore bit, and a circular blade saw.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 82.

BARBOh fuck.

Barb shivers violently.

Another suited man comes from the sparklingwall with a pan full of moving beetles.

Barbs eyes go wide.

BARBWe gotta, we gotta, we gotta get...

KAMINYA/BARBYour fear is overtaking yourintellegence centeres.

BARB...get, get, get, outta...

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah. You must control your--

BARBTheyre going to open my head andwhat? What? Take out my whole brainand put it in the pan? Or, or, justdrill a hole and pour them in myhead. And then what of my hair.Whatll happen with that?

KAMINYA/BARBMy guess is--

BARBI dont want to know. Yes, yes Ido. No, no, I dont. Yes, no.

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah. You are hysterical.

BARB(sobbing)

Yes, yes, no, yes.(squeaky crying)

My hair.

The suited men take positions near the cart.

BARB(whispering)

Kaminya, If you can get us out ofher, I promise, all the sex youwant, every way you want.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 83.

KAMINYA/BARBA very nice sentiment, but Imafraid I dont have any ideas.

A BUZZING sounds comes from the bettle wall. The soundschange until it forms HUMAN VOCAL SOUNDS.

HIVE VOICEHuman.

Unable to turn her head Barb eyes the wall.

HIVE VOICE (CONTD)We only wish to extract the plant.Then human, you shall be free.

BARBShe is my friend. Im happy withher in me. Besides--

Barb strains her eyes at the drills and saws.

BARB (CONTD)You cant do it anyway withoutkilling me.

HIVE VOICEYou have more brains than you need.

BARB(to herself)

Sounds like my boyfriends.

HIVE VOICEWe will remove only the one brainthat contains the mind of theparasite.

BARBWhat the hell kind of a "we wonthurt you" deal is that?

Kaminya/Barb looks around. Though many of the control panelswitches and buttons are gone, some of the labels remain.One reads EXPLOSIVE BOLTS. A thoughtful look takes hold.

KAMINYA/BARBBarbara, it is time.

BARBNo. I dont wanta be lobectomized.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 84.

KAMINYA/BARBI mean, time to use the weapon.

Barb glance her eyes down to her empty pockets.

KAMINYA/BARB (CONTD)No, the weapon I brought withinside me. You know. Theexplosive gel I have with me.

Suddenly, Barb gets it.

BARBYes. The protium hydroxide andferric globulin detonator.

She glances her eye to the wall.

BARB (CONTD)Is the hive close enough?

KAMINYA/BARBWe have it well within blast range.The room walls will confine andintensify the explosion.

BARBLets exterminate these vermin.

KAMINYA/BARBBar-bah. It was good to meet you.Our sacrafice will benefit both ourspecies.

HIVE VOICEExplain.

KAMINYA/BARBIll begin the voice activationsequence. Kaminya Gort KlaatuBurada Nikto. Now Barb, completeit.

HIVE VOICEWait.

BARBBarbara. Ah...

Barb pauses as she tries to think.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 85.

BARB (CONTD)"A" is for Altair, "B" is for--

Her eyes go wide as a suited man produces a ball with aleather strap through it.

BARB (CONTD)--ballgag?

The other holds up out a taser wand.

HIVE VOICEWe do not wish to hurt you human.We have nogotioned with othershumans such as yourself. Thoseothers have been content with ourdeals.

INT. OWRC - DAY

Adam walks up to Simon.

ADAMDirector of Homeland Security onthe phone for you.

Simon grabs a phone and hits a button.

SIMONHows the Home, home on the range?

DIRECTOR HSDoing better once we corral yourfilly.

SIMONYou mean the one in the brightorange jumpsuit whos evaded awhole platoon of your thugs?

DIRECTOR HSDont worry well get her, if wehavent already.

SIMONSo tell me whats really BUGGINGyou?

DIRECTOR HSIf you have what I think you have,you dont want it. Keep in mind,youre a tiny little organization.And I have some new resources.

86.

MONTAGE

-- Two Suited Men walk through the D.C. capitol.

-- One Suited Man watches children play in a park. Iinflated ball hits him. He simple watches as a nervous childpicks up the ball and darts away with it.

-- Two Suited Men watch the protest outside the alienembassy.

END MONTAGE

DIRECTOR HSSo just watch where you treed in"my" Home. In fact Ill berecommending that youre littleoperation be put under my umbrella.

CLICK. The line goes dead.

INT. MISSILE SILO HALLWAY - MINUTES LATER

The hallway is lined with contrete, overhead pipes andconduits run down the center of the ceiling.

A limp Barb is carried over a suited mans shoulder. Herarms dangle down his backside. The other suited man followsclose behind. Though unfettered, the ballgag is in hermouth.

Suddenl