Return to Terra Nova
Episode 1: Exodus
PART 1
Seven years have passed since the portal to the past was destroyed. What happened to Terra Nova is unknown to the future.
EXT. CITY STREETS
The future has gotten much worse. The smog is somehow more dense. Rebreathers aren't enough anymore. People roam the streets with tanks of oxygen strapped on. Some people are wearing full blown hazmat type suits. In the background, a digital billboard displays the messages "A family is THREE" and "Overpopulation equals EXTINCTION".
FOCUS
On one single person in the crowd. As they walk, the faint squeaking from their hazmat suit can be heard. They're carrying a briefcase. They turn onto an empty street and the camera tilts up, revealing that the street ends at a door into a massive biodome. The person walks up to the door and types in a code into a keypad next to the door. The door opens and they walk inside.
INT. AIRLOCK
The door leads into a small white room. The door closes behind the person.
SECURITY SYSTEM
Cycling air, please wait.
A loud fan type noise is heard. It lasts for a few seconds.
SECURITY SYSTEM
Beginning decontamination procedure. Please stand still.
The person is blasted with a white gas. The gas is then sucked out seconds later. Just when the procedure seems like it's done, a plate extends from the wall.
SECURITY SYSTEM
Please place thumb here.
The person sighs and unzips their hazmat suit. They climb out of the suit. They're a young man, somewhere around 25 years old. A compartment opens on the wall and they stuff the suit in it. They then place their thumb on the plate. It pricks them with a needle and takes a blood sample. A screen displays their name and info.
SECURITY SYSTEM
Bioscan complete. No contagions detected. Welcome home, Samuel Taggart.
The door unlocks and Sam opens it. He picks up his briefcase and walks through it.
SAM
(Quietly to himself)
Damn decontamination procedures.
INT. BIODOME
The dome is quite large and contains several houses. That's not all though, there's grass covering the ground in many spots and there's even a few trees. Sam follows a stone pathway up to one of the houses. He pulls out a key, unlocks the door, and walks inside.
INT. HOUSE
The house is very clean and luxurious. It obviously belongs to someone with great wealth. Sam walks up a staircase.
INT. BEDROOM
Sam opens a door leading into a bedroom. Laying in the bed is a sick man hooked up to some kind of life support system. There's a nurse tending it. A futuristic television sits on the wall facing the bed. It's displaying the news.
SICK MAN
Ah Sam, you're back.
The man nods to the nurse and she leaves.
SAM
Hey Dad, how have you been?
SAM'S DAD
I've certainly been better.
SAM
No kidding…
Sam sets his briefcase down on a table.
SAM
I've brought your medicine.
He clicks open the briefcase and inside it contains two syringes filled with a dark orange liquid. Sam picks one of them up and walks over to the life support. He injects it into a delivery tube.
SAM'S DAD
Did you hear about how the government removed almost all ethical constraints on scientific research as a last ditch effort to "save" this world?
SAM
No. When'd it happen?
SAM'S DAD
Earlier today. It's a shame too, this should have never needed to happen, but then again, there's a lot of things we shouldn't need to do…
Sam stays silent. The room is quiet, except for the sound of the news talking about a plague spreading in some parts of the country.
SAM'S DAD
You should do yourself a favor and escape this dying world.
SAM
That's not really possible. Besides, who's going to run your company if I'm gone?
SAM'S DAD
Forget about the company, Sam. It's going to be gone a few decades from now anyways. You just need to go somewhere that has a future.
SAM
I would really love to, Dad, but there's just nowhere to go. Mars is barren and all efforts to colonize it have failed, Terra Nova isn't accessible anymore due to the algorithm for the portal being lost. Any hope for a future died in the hope plaza explosion seven years ago!
SAM'S DAD
There's still hope, Sam. You just have to find it, you just have t-
The beeps on the heart rate monitor for Sam's dad begin increasing in frequency and he begins coughing violently.
SAM
Dad? DAD!
Sam begins calling for help. His Dad uses all of his remaining strength to reach into his pocket and pull out a piece of paper. The nurse runs into the room and frantically fiddles with the life support in an effort to keep him alive. He hands the paper to Sam.
SAM'S DAD
P-please
He goes limp. The heart rate monitor flatlines. Sam lowers his head in sadness. He looks at the piece of paper, it has a number on it.
INT. BALCONY
The balcony provides a great view of the interior of the dome. A small wooded area can be seen in the distance, perfectly lit by the artificial sunlight. Sam walks out onto the balcony, phone in hand. He's dialing in the number from the paper. He puts the phone up to his ear. Someone on the other end picks up.
VOICE
Yes?
SAM
Uh, Hello this is Samuel Taggart. My father told me to call this number.
VOICE
Ah yes, your father called us a while ago to reserve a spot for you. So are you going to accept the spot or decline it?
SAM
Depends. What exactly are you offering me?
VOICE
Due to the nature of what we're doing here, I can't tell you. Do you accept or decline our offer?
Sam pauses, thinking over what he was asked. He makes a decision.
SAM
I accept.
Sam's smart watch-like gadget springs to life. It has received a text message of coordinates.
VOICE
Be at that spot in three hours. Bring whatever you need, because you won't be coming back anytime soon.
They hang up.
INT. BEDROOM
Sam is quickly putting stuff in a suitcase. He squeezes it in and zips it closed.
INT. AIRLOCK
Sam runs inside with his suitcase. He sets it down on the floor. He turns around to get one last look at the green biodome. He punches the close button on the door. He then proceeds to put on his hazmat suit. Part of the wall slides away to reveal fresh oxygen tanks. He grabs one and slips it into the holder on his suit. He takes a cord hanging down from his mask and screws it onto the tank. He pushes a button next to the exit door. After a few seconds of delay, the door opens revealing the smog filled city.
SECURITY SYSTEM
Have a very safe day.
Sam picks up his suitcase and walks outside.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN
Sam is sitting in a metro train as it shoots through the city. Sam glances at the person next to him and sees them reading a digital conspiracy article on their plex titled "HOPE PLAZA EXPLOSION NOT CAUSED BY FLAWED EQUIPMENT?! WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW"
CUT
The train comes to a stop and the doors open. Sam steps out with quite a few other people.
EXT. CITY STREETS
Sam reaches the spot he was told to go to. The street is empty. He sits there for a few minutes. Then, two headlights appear, piercing through the smog. A large black vehicle comes to a stop next to where Sam is standing. The passenger seat window rolls down, inside are some people in hazmat suits.
PASSENGER SEAT PERSON
Sam Taggart?
Their voice is muffled by their mask.
SAM
Yes, who are you?
PASSENGER SEAT PERSON
I can tell you once we're somewhere safe.
Another door opens and another person in a hazmat suit steps out. They extend their arms towards Sam.
OTHER HAZMAT PERSON
Your suitcase please.
Sam hands it to him. He grabs it and takes it into the vehicle. He then pulls out some kind of detector and waves it around the suitcase. Sam approaches the vehicle but is stopped by one of the passengers.
OTHER HAZMAT PERSON
Not yet, put this on first.
He tosses a bracelet type thing to Sam. Sam puts it on and then they let him in.
SAM
So what exactly did you just have me put on my wrist?
PASSENGER SEAT PERSON
It's a jammer. We need to be sure you're not transmitting anything that could lead other people to our destination.
SAM
And where is our destination?
PASSENGER SEAT PERSON
You'll see soon enough. Give me your hand.
They pull out another device, this one cylindrical in shape with a little screen on it.
SAM
Um, what's that?
PASSENGER SEAT PERSON
Just another precaution.
SAM
You people sure are thorough.
Sam extends his hand towards them. They grab it and undo his suits glove, exposing his hand. The person then puts the device against the end of Sam's finger. It beeps and the person pulls it away. It took a blood sample from Sam. The screen displays Sam's name and under it the message "Clear". The person gives Sam his glove back and turns to the driver.
PASSENGER SEAT PERSON
He's clear. Let's go.
The vehicle speeds off. They zoom around the city and eventually reach a large power plant.
EXT. POWER PLANT
They roll up to a gate and stop. Sam looks around the plant through the window. The massive smokestacks breathe brown smoke, that blends right into the sky. On the smokestack is the logo for a company called "Raven Corp". A gate guard walks over to the car. The car driver pulls out an id card and hands it to the guard. The guard scans it and hands it back.
GATE GUARD
This is some lovely weather we're having.
The guard sure said it strange, it's almost as if he phrased it as a question. One of the people in the car replies.
OTHER HAZMAT PERSON
(Emotionless)
Yes, I find the poisonous air and brown skies to be very nice.
The guard nods and the gate opens. They drive into the plant. Sam gets a look of confusion on his face from the exchange. Before he can even ask about it one of the people answer.
PASSENGER SEAT PERSON
Secret code. It's just a way for them to know we're who we say we are. Because you know, fingerprints can be faked nowadays.
They drive all the way around the plant until they reach an area with a couple of warehouses. They drive into a garage on the side of one of the warehouses.
INT. GARAGE
They all get out and one of the hazmat people walks over to what appears to be controls for the door. They type in a code to the keypad and the garage door closes. Then, a scanner pops out of a hidden panel on one of the walls. It projects a laser on everyone in the room and scans them. Then it turns off and retreats into the wall.
SCANNING SYSTEM
Scan complete. No unauthorized transmitters detected. Beginning decontamination procedure. Please wait.
Everyone is blasted for a few seconds with white gas.
SCANNING SYSTEM
Decontamination complete. Beginning descent.
The floor begins to lower. Sam realizes that the entire room is a secret elevator. They go quite a ways down.
INT. SUBTERRANEAN FACILITY
The elevator comes to a stop. Everyone starts taking off their hazmat suits and Sam is able to see who everyone he's with are. They all seem to be tough, maybe military people who are all around or not much older than him. Sam is somewhat surprised to see that the leader is a woman. Everyone puts their suits in a hidden container that has opened up on the wall.
LEADER
Alright everyone, you know where your places are, back to work.
Everyone leaves the room except for Sam and the group's leader. One of the group members hands Sam his suitcase on the way out. The leader turns her head towards Sam.
LEADER
And you Sam, are going to follow me.
They leave the room and walk all throughout the facility. Pipes line the hallways and all the walls and floors seems to be made of concrete.
SAM
Hold on a second!
LEADER
What?
SAM
What the hell is going on here? You've haven't even told me who you are, what this place is, or why I'm even here!
She laughs.
LEADER
Oh right, I forgot. The name's Amanda, and welcome to our base of operations.
SAM
Operations for what? Why am I here?
AMANDA
Briefing's tomorrow at 3 o'clock. You'll know everything by then.
They arrive at a door. She opens it and it leads to a small room with a cot in it. It almost looks like a prison cell.
AMANDA
Here's where you'll be sleeping for the night. See you tomorrow.
She leaves him.
INT. SLEEPING QUARTERS, NIGHT
Sam sits in his bed, wide awake. He's clearly nervous. He stares at the clock on the wall. It's a little past midnight. Sam sighs and gets out of bed.
SAM
What have I gotten myself into?
Sam notices a grate on the wall.
SAM
Maybe I should find out.
Sam pulls it off the wall and climbs into the vents.
INT. VENTS
Sam crawls around in the metal labyrinth that is the ventilation system of the facility. Eventually he begins to hear some people talking.
FIRST VOICE
Big day tomorrow. Is the equipment ready to go?
SECOND VOICE
It should be. I'm triple checking it right now.
Sam follows the sound of the voices.
FIRST VOICE
Alright, I'll leave you to it.
Sam reaches a grate on the floor of the ventilation system. One of the people below can be heard leaving the room. Sam puts his face up close to the grate to try and get a better look inside the room below. From what he can see, the walls, and floors are concrete. There is some electrical equipment inside the room as well as some pipes and wires on the wall next to them. A lone mechanic works on the equipment. Suddenly, the grate Sam is leaning on gives away.
INT. ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ROOM
Sam falls into the room and grate clangs loudly on the ground. The mechanic jumps and turns around.
MECHANIC
Jesus! You scared the shit out of me!
He looks at the open vent on the ceiling.
MECHANIC
What did you think you were doing crawling around up there?
SAM
Well you see uh, I was just um... I was brought here by Amanda and I uh, couldn't fall asleep and…
MECHANIC
Ah shit, Amanda neglected to show you what's going on here, didn't she? Ugh, fine. Follow me, I'll give you the tour myself.
SAM
Wait, really? Aren't you afraid I'm a spy or something?
MECHANIC
This facility is covered in devices that block any and all transmissions to the surface. So even if you were a spy, you wouldn't be able to do anything.
SAM
Well uh, okay. Thanks.
MECHANIC
Yeah whatever, this isn't the first time someone was misinformed and decided to search for answers on their own. Follow me.
They walk out of the room and walk through the corridors of the facility.
INT. CORRIDOR
MECHANIC
So what's your name?
SAM
Sam, Sam Taggart. And yours?
MECHANIC
Greg. Say, how did you get picked to be here?
SAM
Picked?
GREG
They had to have brought you here for something. We don't take just anybody.
SAM
All I know is that my Dad somehow negotiated for me to be here.
GREG
(Sarcastic)
Well there's the proof you're a spy right there.
Sam and Greg show up at a pair of blast doors.
GREG
Here we are.
Greg pulls out an id card and puts it up to a scanner on the wall. The doors slide open and Sam and Greg walk inside.
INT. PORTAL ROOM
They walk inside the room and don't even bother closing the blast doors. The room is basically a walkway, leading to the center of a slightly smaller particle accelerator than what we've already seen. It's not turned on but Sam is still amazed by it.
SAM
Oh my god, a particle accelerator! Does it work? I thought it wasn't possible to make a working portal because of the algorithm for it was-
VOICE
Lost?
Sam and Greg turn and face the voice. There's a scientist who appears to have walked into the room without them noticing.
SCIENTIST
Yes, after hope plaza was destroyed, the algorithm used to open the time fracture was lost and the scientist who created it went missing. This, coupled with the fear that particle acceleration technology was flawed and could destroy other cities, put a stop to any other efforts to send people through the time fracture.
SAM
Did you know the creator of the algorithm?
The scientist gives Sam a smile.
SCIENTIST
Yes, quite well actually, because I am that scientist.
He extends his hand towards Sam and Sam shakes it.
SCIENTIST
Eric Harper, MIT graduate and quantum physicist.
SAM
You created the algorithm? Why were you in hiding?
ERIC
Hope plaza was taken by an army known as the Phoenix group who had somehow found a way to make the portal go both ways. Their employers planned to drain Terra Nova of it's resources to line their pockets with cash.
Eric looks down at the floor.
ERIC
Many of my colleagues were killed in the takeover. I managed to escape though, and after hope plaza exploded, I took all of my work and went into hiding. I wanted make sure no one could endanger the life of the past. Whatever happened to Terra Nova, I have no idea. I just hope the colonists were able to fend off the Phoenix group members that made it through.
SAM
And here you are.
ERIC
Yes, and I'd still be in hiding if an old friend hadn't found me and told me he planned to make a new accelerator in secret from even his own company. I trusted him enough to-
Eric's smartwatch buzzes, cutting him off. He looks at it.
ERIC
Well it appears I have important business to attend to. Goodbye to the two of you.
Eric leaves the room. Sam turns to Greg.
SAM
Greg, can I ask you a question?
GREG
Sure.
SAM
Is our reason for going through that portal to take back Terra Nova from the Phoenix group?
GREG
I'm pretty sure it's to re-establish contact with the colonists, but if the colony is occupied by the Phoenix group, then yeah.
SAM
Shit. I don't have any experience with fighting or weapons or anything like that. What am I going to do?
GREG
Well, you could learn how to use a gun for starters.
INT. FIRING RANGE
A target sits on a track in a long room. At the opposite end of the range is Sam and Greg. Sam is holding a pistol and is pointing it towards the target that sits about 20 feet away. He fires three shots at it. Greg hits a button after to bring the target up close to get a look at it. All three shots either missed or hit the outer parts of the target.
GREG
(Sarcastic)
Nice marksmanship.
SAM
My aim's pretty bad huh.
GREG
Yeah, but it's your first time using a gun, so don't be too hard on yourself. I mean I'm not much too much better either. I'm just a mechanic. In the month I've been down here I've only come here a few times to practice my shooting.
SAM
So how'd you get contacted to come down here?
GREG
Engineering company I worked for got bought out by Raven Corp, the company owned by Amanda's father. I was then hand picked by a representative of the company and asked if I was willing to work on a top secret project that would require me to "leave my current life behind". I figured what the hell, and accepted their proposal. Next thing I knew they brought me down here.
Greg turns around and looks at a clock on the wall, it's 3 AM.
GREG
Wow it's late. I'd better get going. See you tomorrow.
SAM
Alright, bye.
Greg leaves.
INT. SLEEPING QUARTERS, MORNING
An alarm goes off on Sam's smartwatch, it's 7:30 AM, although you wouldn't be able to tell anyways because of the lack of sunlight. Sam gets up and turns it off. He gets ready and leaves the room.
INT. PORTAL ROOM
Sam walks into the portal room carrying his suitcase with tons of other people doing the same. Everyone is walking over to a large trailer cart type thing and throwing their bags and suitcases in it. Sam chucks his bag into the cart and then proceeds to stand with the crowd in front of a type of makeshift stand with a podium on it. All sorts of murmuring can be heard throughout the crowd. Greg shows up next to Sam.
GREG
You ready?
SAM
Ready as I'll ever be.
Amanda comes into the room and climbs onto the stand. She walks up the the podium and adjusts the mic on it.
AMANDA
Alright, the day we've been preparing for is finally upon us, we have a working portal and we're going through to check on Terra Nova. Before we get started, I'm going to give you all some information. First and foremost, the air in the past is much more clean and oxygen rich than what we're used to breathing. Take slow, deep breaths.
A rhino class transport car just like the one's we've seen in season 1 rolls into the room pulling two carts behind it. Amanda points at it.
Amanda
The two carts being carried by this car contain equipment vital to the success of our mission. The first cart contains the parts for a portal terminus. Once we establish contact with the colony, we're going to construct it. Three days from now, the portal is going to be reopened for a short period of time. If we don't have the terminus constructed by then, we don't get to contact 2156. The second cart, well... just have a look for yourselves.
Everyone walks over to the cart and looks inside. It's full of stacked cases. One person pulls out a case and opens it up. It contains body armor, a comm device, electronic binoculars, and a gun.
AMANDA
Those items could be difference between life and death on the other side of that portal. There should be enough for everyone.
Everyone takes a case and puts their new armor on on. Once the equipment cart is empty some of the facility employees unclip the empty cart and replace it with the suitcase cart.
AMANDA
Alright, for those of you who have never used a gun, for the love of god, keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot and don't wave it around like a dumbass. Is everyone ready?
The crowd says yes for the most part. Amanda looks up through the windows of the command room at the top of the portal chamber. She gives them a thumbs up.
INT. COMMAND ROOM
The room is filled with complex looking computer consoles and equipment. Holograms of stuff are projected from several consoles. There are several people in the room watching screens or fiddling around with the equipment. Eric stands at the window, looking down at the group. Next to him, stands the equipments operator.
OPERATOR
We're clear to go. Open up the portal.
Several people flip switches and press buttons.
COMPUTER GUY
Starting particle accelerator. Drawing power from power plant.
INT. PORTAL ROOM
Energy surges to the accelerator. The rings of it light up and begin turning.
INT. COMMAND ROOM
The operator looks into the portal room through the window.
COMPUTER GUY
Inputting algorithm. Beginning portal dilation.
INT. PORTAL ROOM
A bright blue flash accompanied by a loud electronic crack comes from the accelerator.
EXT. POWER PLANT
The lights in all the buildings go out.
INT. PORTAL ROOM
For a brief moment, the bright blue portal is the only thing lighting the room. The room's lights finally come back on.
ERIC
(Over speaker)
Good luck everyone. Now get out there and ensure the future of the human race.
Amanda steps down from the podium and begins walking towards the portal.
AMANDA
Everyone, behind me.
Everyone does as she says and they begin following her. The front of the group begins going through the portal, Sam is in the very back. Eventually Sam reaches the portal, he hesitates for a second, but then proceeds through it.
EXT. JUNGLE, DAY
Sam is blinded by the bright sunlight. He trips on a tree root and falls flat on the ground. The air is making him dizzy. He's able to pick his head up and look around with distorted vision. The other members of the group don't seem to be doing much better. Greg and a couple of other people are throwing up in some bushes, a lot of people are coughing, even Amanda isn't doing too well, leaning against a tree with her hand on her head like she's got a huge headache. Suddenly, the rhino begins coming through the portal. Sam rolls out of the way just in time to not get run over. Sam drops his head to the ground once again in exhaustion.
CUT
It takes a few minutes for the disorientation to pass. Amanda walks over to a group member.
AMANDA
Spunkmeyer, can you pinpoint our location in relationship to Terra Nova?
SPUNKMEYER
Yeah sure, just give me a sec.
He pulls out a plex from his backpack and turns it on. He taps a few things on it.
SPUNKMEYER
We appear to be about... three clicks away.
AMANDA
Well then, it looks like we should start walking.
(To the rest of the group)
Alright everyone, let's get going.
They trek through the dense jungle, swatting every bug that even gets close. The rhino and the two carts attached to it slowly roll through the jungle, with guards on every side of it scanning the nearby jungle. Sam struggles through the muddy terrain.
SAM
How much longer until we get out of this jungle?
GREG
I don't know.
Greg turns his head towards Amanda.
GREG
(Jokingly)
Hey Amanda, are we there yet? Are we there yet?
AMANDA
Keep that up and I might have to use you as a meatshield if we encounter and Phoenix group members.
Greg chuckles.
FADE
CLOSE UP OF PLEX
The plex displays a map with a point labeled Terra Nova. They're really close.
AMANDA
Alright, everyone stop for a second.
Everyone does as she says.
AMANDA
We're right at the edge of Terra Nova's perimeter, but we can't just barge in yet.
She looks at Spunkmeyer.
AMANDA
Can you give me a visual of the colony?
SPUNKMEYER
Yeah sure. Follow me.
Amanda and him walk off from the group.
EXT. COLONY PERIMETER
Amanda and Spunkmeyer proceed to the edge of the jungle. Spunkmeyer pulls out some binoculars and puts them up to his eyes. He looks through an opening in the brush and sees the colony.
SPUNKMEYER
Oh my god…
AMANDA
What is it?
SPUNKMEYER
Have a look for yourself.
He hands her the binoculars and she looks through it.
EXT. JUNGLE
The group stands in the forest, waiting for word from Amanda. Some group members start doing their own things. One group member walks over to a tree root to collect some samples of something, another member takes a pack off their back and puts it on the ground. They kneel down and unzip it. Inside is tons of guns, some futuristic, others look like ones from the 21st century. The owner begins digging through them.
RANDOM GROUP MEMBER
Jesus, Evans, you bring enough guns?
EVANS
Hey! Some of these are antiques! I couldn't bear to leave them to rot in 2156.
He picks one out and looks through the sight.
EVANS
Plus, I'd like to kill some of those Phoenix group soldiers I've been hearing so much about. Am I right Ramirez?
He slaps the shoulder of a group member next to him.
RAMIREZ
(sarcastic)
Whatever you say Evans.
EVANS
I bet you guys 300 bucks I could take on that entire army alone.
RANDOM GROUP MEMBER
300 bucks, a million bucks, money isn't worth anything here idiot.
Ramirez laughs. Evans glares at her. Suddenly, something can be heard moving through the foliage towards the group. Everyone goes quiet. It's Amanda and Spunkmeyer.
AMANDA
The colony is um... clear. Everyone follow me.
Everyone notices how she said that, clearly something's up. They follow her out of the jungle.
EXT. COLONY PERIMETER
The group proceeds towards the colony. It can be seen in the distance. The closer they get, the more they notice about it. They come to a stop within 100 yards of the front gate.
RANDOM GROUP MEMBER
Jesus christ…
The colony is completely vacant and looks to have been uninhabited for years. Much of it is damaged. The prehistoric landscape has begun to retake the area; vines and other foliage are growing on and inside the colony. Several buildings have caved in on themselves, Taylor's wooden building being one such example. Nervous murmuring can be heard within the group.
RANDOM GROUP MEMBER
What the hell happened in the last seven years?
OTHER GROUP MEMBER
...Phoenix group must've done this…
ANOTHER GROUP MEMBER
...shit, there goes our mission.
YET ANOTHER GROUP MEMBER
Now what are we supposed to do?
Amanda, turns around, just as shocked as everyone else.
AMANDA
Okay um... first things first, we need to find a way inside.
Amanda turns back towards the colony and scans for an opening. She sees an area where the fence has broken down
INT. COLONY
Everyone's crawling through the hole in the fence. Amanda's waiting on the other side.
AMANDA
Everyone pair off in twos and search the colony. Maybe we'll get an idea of what happened here.
Sam goes with Greg. They walk around the colony, looking around for clues as to what happened. They see overturned cars, wrecked houses, cracked and weedy walkways.
SAM
So what do you think happened here?
GREG
I have no idea, if the Phoenix group had taken the colony, why would they leave it? Surviving in the jungle has got to be a lot harder than staying here.
Suddenly they hear someone shouting from across the colony.
GROUP MEMBER
EVERYONE, COME LOOK AT THIS!
Sam and Greg follow the voice to it's source. What they find horrifies them. Amanda and everyone else show up too.
AMANDA
Louis, what have you fou-
She sees what he wanted them to see. Several skeletons, piled up at the edge of the fence.
RANDOM GROUP MEMBER
Holy hell…
Amanda averts her eyes from the sight.
AMANDA
Louis, what happened here?
LOUIS
From what I can tell, they were trying to get out, but someone or something picked them off while they were trying to climb over the fence.
Ramirez walks out of the crowd and gets up close to one of the skeletons.
RAMIREZ
Judging by the state of the bodies, they've been dead for years, although you could probably already tell that. Whatever or whoever did this is probably long gone.
AMANDA
I don't want to take any chances. We're going to have to closely watch the colony's perimeter tonight. Has anyone else found anything while walking around?
One group member raises their hand. Amanda nods to them.
AMANDA
What have you found, Alex?
ALEX
The colony appears to have been shelled at some point according to some fragments I found in several spots, but the colony seemed to be in the middle of repairing these damages. It's possible the Phoenix group attacked but were defeated. Although that raises the question of what else was able to take out an entire colony, since most of the wildlife around here would have a hard time mounting an attack like this.
Amanda sighs.
AMANDA
Alright everyone, go ahead and pick a house to live in. Just be back here in a few hours.
Everyone walks off. Amanda takes another quick look at the skeletons before leaving too.
CUT TO
Sam walks up to a random house in the colony, carrying his suitcase. The house seems to be relatively undamaged. He opens up the door and walks inside.
INT. HOUSE
It's incredibly dusty, as expected. Sam walks around, seeing what things the previous owners left behind. It's nothing Sam finds too interesting, a guitar, a potted fly trap type plant that's long dead, an old child's drawing of what Sam assumes is the child's family. He walks back into the main area. That's when he notices something on a table, a plex. As Sam picks it up, tons of dust falls off of it. Sam hits a few buttons on it to try and turn it on but as expected, nothing happens. Sam then hears someone knocking on his door. He answers it. It's Greg
GREG
How's the new place?
SAM
Dusty, really really dusty.
GREG
Lucky, mine's got a hole in the roof that rain's been pouring through for years.
Greg notices the plex in Sam's hand.
GREG
Where'd you get that plex?
SAM
It was just laying inside here on a table. You don't think there's any information about what happened here do you?
GREG
Well, I suppose there could be. It doesn't work does it?
SAM
No, it doesn't turn on.
GREG
Give it to Amanda, she'll probably be able to pull something from its storage chip.
(Jokingly)
If the information's valuable she might even give you a kiss.
Sam smiles at the joke.
SAM
Looks like I'd better give it to her right away then.
INT. TAYLOR'S OFFICE
Sam hands the plex to Amanda. The inside of the hut is incredibly damaged. The ceiling is caved in at one spot.
SAM
I thought there might be some potentially useful information in the storage chip of this plex. At the very least we might find out what happened to the Phoenix group.
AMANDA
Alright, I'll take a look at it in a bit. I'll let you know if I find anything interesting on it.
Sam nods and starts towards the door.
AMANDA
And Taggart…
Sam stops.
AMANDA
Thanks.
Sam shrugs.
SAM
Just doing my part.
He resumes walking towards the door.
SAM
(Quietly to himself)
Whatever my part is…
He exits. Amanda's comm comes to life.
RAMIREZ
(from comm)
Amanda, I've been searching the infirmary for supplies.
AMANDA
(Into comm)
Yeah, you find anything?
RAMIREZ
(FROM COMM)
Well... I found something. I'd like you to come take a look at.
AMANDA
(INTO COMM)
Alright, I'll be there in a second.
EXT. INFIRMARY
Amanda comes up to the front doors to the place. Ramirez is standing near the door, waiting for her.
RAMIREZ
Follow me.
She turns around and walks inside. Amanda follows.
INT. INFIRMARY
The place is very messy. Tables are overturned, medicine and bottles are strewn across the floor, one of the medical beds is stained with dried blood. Ramirez wades through the junk on the floor and goes towards the back of the infirmary. Amanda follows her.
EXT. COLONY, DUSK
Sam is walking back to his house. Suddenly, a branch falls right in front of him. He jumps from such an unexpected thing happening. After getting startled, he looks up to find the source of the mysterious falling branch. A brachiosaur stands on the outside of the colony, it's long neck extending way over the fence. Sam stares in amazement at the sight of the creature. The sun is beginning to sink towards the treeline and Sam takes a quick look at the edge of the jungle in the distance. Out of the corner of his eye he sees something. He focuses his vision on it and it looks to be the figure of a... person.
INT. INFIRMARY
Ramirez leads Amanda to the back of the infirmary. Amanda notices what Ramirez is trying to show her. There's a large machine sitting against the wall. The strange thing is that it's turned on. Amanda is confused.
AMANDA
Ramirez, what is this and how is it turned on?
RAMIREZ
It's a synthesizer. Usually used to make synthetic versions of certain materials found in the wild. It's very helpful when it comes to creating medicine. I found it in sleep mode when I walked in here.
AMANDA
How is it working when the colony power grid's offline?
RAMIREZ
It classifies as med tech, so it's capable of running off a battery…
Ramirez checks the battery slot.
RAMIREZ
...which this one appears to be.
Amanda just stares at the synthesizer, thinking.
RAMIREZ
That's not all though. I checked the logs on it. Apparently it was used only two days ago.
AMANDA
Two days ago? How is that possible?
RAMIREZ
Only thing I can think of is that we're not alone here.
Amanda pauses for a few seconds, looking at the synthesizer.
AMANDA
What was that thing used to make?
RAMIREZ
A poisonous substance called Salucine.
Amanda is disturbed by this news.
AMANDA
Keep this quiet. Tell no one but me. I'm going to go check on some engineers really quick. See what else you can find.
EXT. COLONY, DUSK
Sam continues to stare at the figure in the jungle. They're too far to make out many details, but it's definitely a person.
SAM
What in the…
The figure in the distance turns around and walks into the treeline, disappearing from view. Sam stands there for a moment, contemplating what he just saw, before turning and running back towards Taylor's building.
PART 2
INT. TAYLOR'S OFFICE, DUSK
Sam barges in. It appears to be empty.
SAM
Amanda?
Sam looks around, wondering where she could have gone. He turns around and runs back outside.
EXT. TAYLOR'S OFFICE, DUSK
Sam runs down the steps, looking around frantically. He notices an open door on the base of the building and runs over to it.
INT. EYE ROOM
The seven years of neglect hasn't done too much to the room other than making it dusty, due to the fact it's practically been sealed off. Several engineers are looking over panels in the wall and stuff. Amanda is in the room, listening to what one of the engineers have to say to her.
MECHANIC
...the eye's storage is undamaged though. If you could get the power grid online again it'd…
Sam rushes into the room, gasping for air.
SAM
Amanda?!
His unexpected entrance gets everyone's attention.
SAM
Amanda, I need to talk to you about something.
AMANDA
Yes?
Sam looks around at all the mechanics in the room, before focusing on Amanda again.
SAM
I'd prefer if we could speak in private.
AMANDA
Well, I can't do that right now. I'm going to be having that meeting soon. Wait outside and come talk to me after.
SAM
But…
AMANDA
Just do it Taggart.
Sam turns around and walks out of the room, defeated.
EXT. TAYLOR'S OFFICE, DUSK
Sam walks out of the door on the base of the building and goes around to the front. Much of the group stands there, waiting for the meeting to start. Sam goes and stands in the back of the crowd. Eventually, Amanda exits the room containing the eye and walks up the stairs to the balcony. She turns and looks over the entire crowd.
AMANDA
I know a lot of you are a little on edge to say the least. The colony being completely empty and well... destroyed, wasn't something I think any of us expected. But we're here now, and we have no way back to 2156, so here's the plan. First, we have to get this colony in defensible shape. Until that happens, we're going to need to guard every single entrance to this colony. Once we get situated here, we can construct the terminus and await further orders from 2156. Now, everyone find somewhere to guard. Two people a spot. And find someone to take your spot after your shift ends, unless you'd rather stay out all night. Get going everyone.
Everyone runs off in various directions. Sam is left alone. Amanda stares at him for a second before turning around and walking inside the building. Sam follows her inside.
INT. TAYLOR'S OFFICE
Amanda sits down at Taylor's old Allosaur skull desk.
AMANDA
So, what is it you wanted to tell me?
SAM
Well... I saw something... beyond the fence.
AMANDA
Well, what was it?
SAM
You're not going to believe this, but…
Sam pauses
AMANDA
What?
SAM
It looked like... a person. There was someone staring at me from the jungle.
AMANDA
A person? Are you sure?
SAM
I'm positive.
AMANDA
It's not possible... but I can't see any reason for you to lie…
Amanda turns on her comm.
AMANDA (into comm)
Everyone who's on guard duty, if you see anything... strange, don't hesitate to tell me.
She turns the comm off and turns towards Sam.
AMANDA
Alright Taggart, if they see anything, you'll be the first to know, after me of course.
SAM
So what are you going to do if the guards do see something?
AMANDA
I'm not sure yet.
Sam sighs and leaves Amanda.
EXT. TAYLOR'S BUILDING, NIGHT
Sam walks down the steps and goes towards his house.
GREG
Hey there!
Sam jumps. Greg came seemingly out of nowhere.
SAM
Jesus! Aren't you supposed to be on guard duty?
GREG
Every spot was already guarded, I won't be guarding anything until the next shift at least. Anyways, I need your help with something.
SAM
What kind of thing?
EXT. COLONY, NIGHT
Sam and Greg are standing over an old, overturned colony rover.
SAM
A car? You're going to fix this car? Hasn't it been sitting here for like, seven years?
GREG
Yeah…
Greg walks over to it and feels the metal it's made out of.
GREG
...but these puppies were built to last years in harsh environments like this jungle we have here. Just about everything on it is specially sealed to keep it from getting damaged. All I've probably got to do to get it working again is tinker with it's engine a little, recharge it, and jack the starter. So, you gonna help me flip this thing over?
SAM
(Unenthusiastic)
Sure, why not?
GREG
Alright, wait right here.
Greg runs off. He comes back with some rope and ties it around part of the rover. He grabs onto part of it and pulls to test the knot.
GREG
Alright, it's ready.
Sam also grabs onto the rope.
GREG
Alright, on three. One... two... THREE…
They try their best to pull the rover back to an upright position but to no avail. They give up, gasping for air.
SAM
We're going to need... a lot more people.
GREG
Yeah, I'm not sure I want Amanda to know about it yet though. She'll probably just use it for scouting missions and stuff like that. I wouldn't get to use it.
SAM
Well you're not going to be able to use it at all if you can't get it upright.
GREG
Well if you got a plan I'm all ears.
Sam looks outside the fence and sees that there's still a brachiosaur eating a tree right outside.
SAM
You got a knife or something capable of cutting the rope?
GREG
Yeah, why?
Sam picks up the rope and drags it over to the fence. He puts it down and climbs all the way to the top of the fence and down the other side. He puts his hand through the fence.
SAM
Hand me the rope.
Greg picks it up and puts it in his hand. Sam walks over to the brachiosaur's legs.
SAM
(quietly)
Please don't squash me, please don't squash me.
He ties the rope around one of the legs. He steps back and turns towards Greg.
SAM
Get ready to cut that rope!
Sam pulls out his pistol and fires a couple shots into the air. The brachiosaur, startled by the noise, begins to run away. The line goes tight and the rover gets pulled upright. Greg cuts the rope just in time to keep it from getting pulled into the fence. Sam climbs back into the colony. Greg smiles.
GREG
You crazy son of a bitch! I can't believe that worked!
SAM
Yeah. So how do you plan to use it without anyone seeing?
The grin on Greg's face slowly fades. Suddenly, Greg and Sam's comms come to life.
AMANDA
(From comm)
What the hell is going on? I heard gunfire.
Greg pauses for a second, before turning on his comm.
GREG
(To comm)
Just doing some target practice.
AMANDA
(From comm)
Well stop it. We're all on edge as is.
As soon as the comm goes silent, Greg climbs into the rover's driver seat fiddles with the controls. He manages to put it in neutral. He then climbs out and gets on the back of the rover.
GREG
Help me push this thing back to my house.
SAM
Alright, but we better not get caught for this.
Sam and Greg slowly push it through the colony.
EXT. GREG'S HOUSE, NIGHT
They finally push the rover to Greg's house.
GREG
Follow me inside for a second.
Greg walks through the front door of the house and Sam follows.
INT. GREG'S HOUSE
The place is a mess. Cabinets are broken, doors have fallen off their hinges, and the aforementioned hole in the ceiling has ruined the floor under it.
SAM
There's tons of houses in the colony, why pick this one? It's a dump.
GREG
I got stuff to do with a house like this. I like to fix stuff.
SAM
Whatever floats your boat.
Greg goes off into another room and comes back with two tool boxes.
GREG
Carry one of these.
He hands it to Sam and walks out the door. Sam lugs the box out after him.
EXT. GREG'S HOUSE, NIGHT
Greg walks over to the rover and puts his box down. Sam comes up behind him and practically drops his toolbox to the ground. Greg pulls a lever near the hood of the rover and the seal can be heard releasing. The hood pops and Greg opens it up and looks inside.
GREG
Ah, just as I thought. Engine's fine, although I'll have to mess around with it to get it working good after being untouched for years. The only real problem is the empty battery, but I can probably snatch an extra one from our supply cart.
Greg extends his arm towards Sam.
GREG
Hand me a wrench.
Sam opens up the toolbox. It's got tons of similar looking tools inside. Sam begins to dig around in it.
EXT. GUARD TOWER, NIGHT
Two guards sit at the top of the tower. One of them is scanning the perimeter with their electronic binoculars while the other is leaning against the railing, swatting at the prehistoric mosquitoes.
GUARD1
Ugh, of all the things we brought with us to this place, nobody thought it'd be a good idea to bring some bug spray.
GUARD2
Tell me about it. We bring tons of supplies but nothing for these damn bugs.
He brings down the binoculars to swat a bug on his neck.
GUARD2
Someone in 2156 needs to be fired.
GUARD1
Our shift should be over in an hour or two. You seeing anything out there?
GUARD2
I'm seeing a whole lot of nothing.
GUARD1
Mind if I take a look?
GUARD2
Sure, knock yourself out.
Guard2 hands the binoculars to Guard1. Guard1 puts them up to his eyes. He scans the jungle around the colony with the thermal vision mode of the binoculars.
GUARD1
Nothing, nothing, nothi-
He notices something off in the jungle. The thermal outline of what he sees appears to be a person, and they're looking right back at him with their own binoculars.
EXT. GREG'S HOUSE
Sam is trying to hand a wrench to Greg.
GREG
That isn't the right size wrench!
SAM
Could you be a little more specific? I've handed you five wrenches already and none of them were the right size!
Suddenly, Sam's comm comes to life.
AMANDA
(From comm)
Taggart, I need you at the main gate, and hurry.
Sam drops the wrench and runs off, leaving Greg to work on the rover.
GREG
Hey! Where are you going?
EXT. COLONY GATE
Sam reaches the gate. Amanda is waiting there with the guards from the previous scene. They are all carrying rifles.
AMANDA
Ah, you're here Taggart.
SAM
What's this about?
AMANDA
Well, Woods here just told me he saw something while on guard duty. A person. Meaning you were telling the truth earlier
SAM
So who are they and what do you plan to do about them?
AMANDA
We don't know, but me, Woods, and Johnson are going to take the car and go after them. You're staying here, and I expect you to keep your mouth shut about this.
SAM
But…
AMANDA
A civie like yourself wouldn't last five minutes in that jungle. You're staying here.
SAM
Well... what are you going to tell everyone else?
Amanda turns on her comm.
AMANDA
(To comm)
Everyone, I'm going to be going on a short scouting mission. While I'm gone, Spunkmeyer is in charge. Also, I need everyone who isn't on guard duty to find a way to raise the colony gate. After that, I want those supply carts pulled inside the colony.
Amanda turns her head towards Woods and Johnson.
AMANDA
Alright, let's get going.
The three of them leave Sam at the gate.
EXT. COLONY PERIMETER, NIGHT
The three climb through an opening in the fence and walk over to the rhino, parked right outside the colony gate. They unhitch the supply carts from it.
AMANDA
Woods, you saw them, you know which direction to go, you're driving.
WOODS
Alright.
Woods climbs into the driver seat and turns it on. Amanda and Johnson also climb in.
AMANDA
What are you waiting for?
Woods pushes down on the pedal and the rhino drives off into the night.
EXT. JUNGLE, NIGHT
Woods drives the rhino to one specific spot at the edge of the jungle.
WOODS
This is where I saw that person standing.
AMANDA
Alright just give me a second.
Amanda pulls out her binoculars and scans the jungle with thermal vision. She sees a trail of footprints comprised of residual heat. She points at them.
AMANDA
Looks like we've got a trail to follow.
Woods pulls out his own thermal binoculars and clips them to his helmet, before pulling them down over his eyes. He sees the footprints and steps on the pedal. The rhino speeds through the jungle after the person who left them.
CUT
Woods, Johnson, and Amanda follow the footprints for several minutes, and begin to catch up with the source of the prints. A thermal outline of a person running begins to fade in through the jungle.
AMANDA
Well, well, well. Looks like we've found our mystery person. Step on it. I would like to ask them a few questions.
Woods presses the pedal down even harder to catch up with them. The stranger weaves their way through the trees, trying to lose the rhino that is gaining on them. Woods dodges the tree trunks in his way and manages to keep on the tail of the stranger. The person takes a turn between two trees, forcing Woods to drive around them. Out of seemingly nowhere, an Ovasaur jumps right in front of the car, forcing Woods to makes a sharp turn to the left. The turn sends the rhino down a unseen slope and into a tree. Everything goes black.
FADE IN FROM BLACK
Amanda wakes up, bruised but not seriously hurt. She looks over to Woods. He's dead, impaled by a low hanging tree branch that managed to punch its way through the metal grate windows of the rhino. She looks into the backseat. Johnson is alive but still unconscious.
AMANDA
Johnson. Johnson!
She shakes him by the shoulder and he groggily wakes up.
JOHNSON
Ow... my head.
He puts his hand on his head and looks around the inside of the rhino. His eyes focus on Woods.
JOHNSON
Holy shit... Woods…
AMANDA
Johnson, we have t-
JOHNSON
(In shock)
No this isn't happening. This isn't happening man!
She grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him to face her. He focuses on Amanda again.
AMANDA
Johnson, we have to get out of here, or else we'll wind up dead too.
Johnson seems to understand her. Amanda grabs her rifle, opens her door, and climbs out.
AMANDA
We have to leave and find somewhere safe before any predators show up.
Johnson climbs out of the rhino, he's shaking. Amanda takes a quick look around the jungle. She turns on her comm.
EXT. GREG'S HOUSE, NIGHT
Greg is still working on the rover. Footsteps can be heard approaching him. Greg looks away from the engine of the rover for a second and turns his head to see the source of the sounds. It's Sam, carrying a backpack.
GREG
Hey you're back.
Greg looks at the backpack.
GREG
What's in the pack?
Sam opens it and reaches inside. He pulls out a battery.
SAM
This.
GREG
Nice. You snatch this from the supply cart.
SAM
Yeah. Nobody was looking and I figured I'd save you the trouble of getting it yourself.
He hands the battery to Greg.
SAM
(sarcastic)
In fact, the worst part was having to walk back to my house first for the pack.
GREG
Well, let's see if this works.
He puts the battery into a slot under the hood and then closes it. He proceeds to get into the driver's seat and turn the rover on. The rover comes to life without a problem. Both Sam and Greg start cheering at their own accomplishment. They're unfortunately cut short by their comm units turning on.
AMANDA
(From comm)
Terra Nova do you read me?
Greg turns off the rover. Another voice comes on over the comm.
SPUNKMEYER
(From comm)
Yes we read you.
There is a few seconds of silence. Amanda comes back on.
AMANDA
(From comm)
Me and Johnson seem to have gotten ourselves into a situation here. Our rhino crashed into a ditch. Woods is dead. We're trapped in the jungle.
She pauses.
AMANDA
(From comm)
Do not come to get me under any circumstances. Getting stuck out here is entirely my fault and I don't want anyone else to die because of it. If I come back, it'll be tomorrow morning.
SPUNKMEYER
(From comm)
Understood.
Sam immediately tries to get into the rover. He attempts to push Greg over into the passenger seat.
SAM
Move over.
GREG
Hey! What do you think you're doing?
SAM
We have to get her, she'll die out there!
GREG
Did you listen to that transmission she sent five seconds ago? The one that said "Don't come and get me under any circumstances"?
SAM
She's the only one who knows what I'm here for!
GREG
Neither of us are particularly experienced in firearms, survival tactics, or stealth, 3 categories needed to survive a place like that jungle out there. Do you really believe we'd make it out alive?
Sam stops and sighs.
GREG
Come on, let's just go to the bar here. A few guys over there have found a couple bottles of wine and stuff.
SAM
Alright... just meet me over there. I've got to drop some stuff off at my place.
It's pretty obvious Sam just wants Greg to leave so he can take the rover.
GREG
It's okay, I'll go with you.
Greg knows what Sam's trying to do. Sam pauses for a second, trying to find a way for him to be alone with the car.
SAM
On second thought, let's just go now.
GREG
Alright, lead the way.
Sam begins walking.
INT. BOYLAN'S BAR
Sam and Greg enter the bar. Like seemingly every other building in the colony, it's in terrible shape, tables and various other things have either been tipped over or broken. Some tables have been tipped upright again, and now seat members from the group, who are either talking, playing cards, or drinking. The place is noisy and it's the first time Sam has seen anyone in the group relaxed. Chem lights have been placed on tables or tied up in certain spots, painting the room with a dim, but warm orange glow. Sam and Greg flip one of the overturned tables to an upright position and Sam sits in it. Greg walks off and goes behind the bar. He digs around before pulling out an old bottle with a dirtied outside. He comes back over to the table with it and sits across from Sam. Sam points at the bottle.
SAM
That doesn't look like wine.
GREG
No, it doesn't.
Greg uncorks the bottle and takes a swig. Afterwards, he hands the bottle to Sam. Sam takes a quick sip but almost immediately spits it out and starts coughing. Greg laughs at him.
SAM
Jesus! How can you drink something that strong?
GREG
My dad owned a bar in Detroit. Me and a couple buddies would go over there quite often, have drinking contests, that kind of thing.
Greg grabs the bottle and takes another swig.
GREG
I always won.
Sam is about to say something else before he gets cut off by Evans, who was just walking by.
EVANS
A drinking contest eh? I bet I could beat you. What do you say?
GREG
Well, I don't know about right now…
EVANS
Come on, you some kind of chicken?
GREG
(jokingly)
Well, hypothetically if I were a chicken I'd be quite valuable, being the last of my kind and all.
EVANS
(Unamused)
Are we going to drink or not?
GREG
Yes, yes we are.
Sam gets up and let's Evans take his spot. Evans calls out to a group member across the room.
EVANS
Hey Connor, get us some drinks over here! We're having a contest!
Connor grabs a couple of bottles and two dirty glasses from beneath the bar table and brings them over to Greg's table. Connor fills both glasses and gives them to Greg and Evans. Greg looks at the dirty glass in his hand.
GREG
(sarcastic)
These sure look sanitary.
EVANS
You gonna forfeit?
People begin crowding around Greg and Evans.
GREG
Nope.
Greg empties the glass into his mouth and slams it down on the table. Evans promptly does the same, before slamming the table twice, letting Connor know it's time for a refill. This repeats several times. When both Evans and Greg are noticeably drunk, and the crowd around them is large enough, Sam slips away.
EXT. COLONY GATE, NIGHT
Two guards are examining the supply cart. One of them opens up a side compartment and looks at it. Inside are a bunch of slots, all with batteries slid perfectly into them, except for one empty slot.
FIRST GUARD
Hey Bailey, we have a problem over here.
BAILEY
What is it?
FIRST GUARD
Well, it appears one of the spare batteries is gone.
BAILEY
Stolen cargo huh?
FIRST GUARD
Uh, yeah?
Bailey comes over and opens another compartment next to the battery compartment and reaches inside. He pulls out some kind snack and begins unwrapping it.
FIRST GUARD
What the hell do you think you're doing? We have very specific rations and-
BAILEY
Oh come on Adams, we're not going to starve to death if we lose a few protein squares. Let's just say they were stolen by whoever stole the battery.
Adams opens his mouth to say something else but is interrupted by a quiet humming noise. He turns in the direction of it and then turns back towards Bailey.
ADAMS
Do you hear that?
The humming increases in volume until the source comes into view. It's Sam, speeding through the colony with the rover. It flies towards Adams and Bailey before Sam swerves it around them and speeds out of the colony through the open gate. Adams and Bailey sort of stumble after it for a short ways before it disappears from view. They stop and just stare at each other in disbelief.
EXT. JUNGLE, NIGHT
Sam drives through tons of foliage, dodging trees and rocks. He turns on his comm.
CUT TO
Amanda and Johnson move through the foliage, guns drawn. Johnson is shaking with fear.
JOHNSON
Can't we just climb into any of these trees? We're sitting ducks out here!
AMANDA
No! These kind of trees could have tree-darters in them. Climb into a nest of those and you'll be a dead man.
Suddenly, Amanda's comm comes on.
SAM
(from comm)
Alright, I'm coming to get you. Do you have a spot you want me to pick you up at?
AMANDA
(Into comm)
Taggart? What the hell do you think you're doing? I gave everyone a direct order to not-
SAM
(from comm)
I'm already out here and I have a car. Do you want me to get you or not?
Amanda silently curses under her breath.
AMANDA
(into comm)
Alright fine.
CUT TO
A small screen comes to life next to the dashboard. It displays a map of the surrounding area, and a red point that shows where Amanda is located.
AMANDA
(from comm)
And hurry up. We've been lucky so far, but even I'm starting to get nervous.
SAM
(into comm)
Got it.
Sam speeds off through the foliage.
CUT TO
Amanda and Johnson walk into a small clearing and look around at their surroundings. It's pitch black all around them. Their flashlights don't reveal anything other than leaves, tree trunks, and vines. Johnson tries to peer through a hole in the foliage, only to find the eye of a slasher looking right back at him. The eye dilates and Johnson starts screaming. He brings up his gun and opens fire on the dinosaur. The bullets seem to hit it and it runs off, screeching in annoyance. Amanda and Johnson twist their heads, trying to get a full view of their surroundings. Some more bushes shake. Johnson fires blindly into the foliage at whatever shook them. Johnson's gun runs out of ammo.
JOHNSON
Shit!
He pulls out another clip and tries to reload. As he's occupied, a slasher jumps out of the foliage and swings it's tail at him. It effortlessly takes his head off. His body plops to the ground.
AMANDA
No!
Amanda turns her gun towards the slasher and opens fire. It runs off into the jungle. Amanda spins her head around the clearing, trying her best to get a 360 degree view of her surroundings. Another slasher jumps out and swings it's tail at her. She drops to the floor just in time to dodge it. She fires her gun at the slasher and it backs off a few steps. Another slasher comes out of the bushes while she's focused on the first one. It raises its tail and starts to bring it down on her. Amanda tries to roll out of the way but is not quick enough. The edge of the tail manages to hit her leg and leaves a deep cut. Amanda screams in pain as the slasher looms over her, ready to eat her alive. Suddenly, two lights cut through the jungle and into the clearing. The slashers turn their heads towards the light. The source of the lights, the rover, comes crashing through the foliage. The slashers scatter away from it. Sam brings it to a stop and Amanda uses all her strength to get up and limp to it. She climbs inside. The slashers, regaining their courage, start to come closer to the rover.
SAM
Hang on!
Sam presses the gas and drives the rover out of the clearing. The slashers chase after it. Amanda ties a piece of ripped clothing above her leg wound. She turns her head and sees the slashers gaining on the rover. She picks up her gun and shoots at them. It keeps them back a ways but doesn't get rid of them. Suddenly, another slasher comes from the side and hits one of the rover tires with its tail. The tire breaks and the car begins to swerve around. Sam directs it to the right but is stopped by a rock. He gets out of the rover and drags Amanda out of the back seat. His head spins, looking for somewhere to go. He hears rushing water, and him and Amanda limp towards it.
They break through the foliage and find themselves on the end of a ledge overlooking a river that rushes by 20 feet below them. They turn around back towards the jungle. The slashers can be heard getting closer. Sam turns back towards the river and hesitates, before jumping in with Amanda in tow.
EXT. RUSHING RIVER, NIGHT
The river is stronger than Sam anticipated. It pulls him downstream incredibly fast. Sam and Amanda struggle to stay at the surface, let alone hold onto each other. He sees a tree root jutting out of the side of the river wall. He manages to grab it. He looks down the river for somewhere to go. The walls on the river sides seem to eventually get lower and lower until they end at a shoreline.
SAM
Amanda, look! A shoreline!
She sees it.
SAM
We've got to swim to it!
AMANDA
Alright, I'll try.
The tree root begins to give away. Sam lets go of it. Him and Amanda are pulled down river a bit. The root falls off the wall and into the river. It floats towards them at an alarming speed. It gets closer and closer.
AMANDA
Duck!
Sam and Amanda submerge themselves below the water. The root passes effortlessly over Sam but partially hits Amanda in the shoulder, tearing her out of Sam's grip. Sam goes back up to the surface. Amanda has come up too, but has been knocked about ten feet away. To make matters worse, she's headed right for a large rock jutting out in the middle of the river. She frantically paddles towards Sam, and Sam tries to get closer to her.
SAM
Grab my hand!
She extends her hand towards Sam and he reaches for it. He just barely grabs her hand and is able to pull her out of the way of the rock. The current begins to slow down after that and they are able to swim to shore. Sam crawls up onto the shore with Amanda and lays down on the sand.
SAM
I'm never... swimming in a river... again.
Sam feels his ear for his comm, but finds nothing.
SAM
Shit, my comm is gone.
Amanda feels for her comm unit too, and it is also gone.
AMANDA
Dammit, mine's gone too. We're even more alone now.
Amanda gets up and limps towards the jungle, but falls the ground in pain. Sam gets up and helps her to her feet.
AMANDA
We can't stay here. We have to find a spot the we can hold out the night at.
SAM
Guess we should start looking then.
FADE
EXT. MAKESHIFT CAMP, NIGHT
The "camp" sits at the base of a cliff. Sam puts a couple of logs in a makeshift fireplace. Amanda takes out some flint and strikes her knife against it. The sparks ignite the materials in the fireplace.
SAM
Okay, so what do we need to do now?
AMANDA
Did you make enough of those wooden spikes and put them around the perimeter like I told you?
SAM
Yeah we should be good. Do we need to do anything else?
AMANDA
Well, if you can find some stink leaves, we would be more hidden from predators.
SAM
Stink leaves?
AMANDA
Yep…
Amanda pulls out her gun and unloads two bullets. She then takes the bullets and pulls them out of their casings. She dumps the gunpowder into her leg wound, already wincing in pain.
SAM
What are you doing?
AMANDA
I've got to cauterize my leg wound, get it to stop bleeding.
She picks up her knife and the flint once again. She hesitates for a second, but then hits them together near her wound. The sparks fly right into the powder, igniting it in a quick fiery flash. Amanda screams in pain and sits there for a few seconds until the pain passes.
SAM
Jesus, are you okay?
AMANDA
I'll be fine, as long as no more slashers show up.
SAM
You sure seem to know quite a bit about wildlife and survival out here. How is that?
AMANDA
Back when Terra Nova was still a thing, the colonists would send data back to the future by tightbeam. You know, stuff about the wildlife, fauna, environment, all sorts of stuff. Anyways, that data was publicly available and I started studying it as soon as I found out my father was attempting to build another particle accelerator.
SAM
So your Dad managed to keep the construction of that a secret?
AMANDA
Yeah. He used the power plant as a cover, not even the other board members of his company knew about it's real purpose. Anyways, my father managed to track down Eric, that physicist. Apparently they used to be good friends or something.
SAM
Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something ever since I got here. Why am I here? Everyone in group seems to have skills that would be useful in this situation, yet here I am, a journalist, with no training in any of the skills that would be useful out here. Was my dad a friend of yours or something?
AMANDA
I'm sorry to tell you this but I don't have much of an answer for you. My father told me that we might be bringing you with because your father had done a great deed for him, and he wanted to repay him for it. That's all I know. I'm not sure what the "deed" was but it must have been pretty significant.
SAM
So that's it? You were never told any of the specifics?
AMANDA
Never.
Sam goes quiet and stares into the fire.
AMANDA
Initially, I argued against bringing you with, but my father said we had to. I told him you'd be an obligation.
Sam smiles a bit.
SAM
And do you still see me as an obligation?
Amanda smiles too.
AMANDA
A bit.
Her smile falters.
AMANDA
But, as I'm sure you know, I'd be dead right now if you didn't show up, so I guess that means I owe you one.
They both stay silent for a few seconds.
AMANDA
Coming out here was a stupid idea. I should've stayed back with the colony, waited until we were better established before trying to go after whoever that was in the jungle.
SAM
We all make mistakes.
AMANDA
This was a bit worse than a simple 'mistake'. I was right about what I told my father, I'm not good enough to lead this endeavor.
Without anything to say to comfort her, Sam looks down at the fire, it's beginning to die down.
SAM
I'm going to get some more firewood.
Sam gets up and walks into the jungle.
EXT. JUNGLE, NIGHT
Sam reaches a tree that looks decent and pulls his knife out of it's holster. He brings back the knife to swing it but hesitates when he sees something on the ground. There's a boot print embedded in the muddy jungle floor, belonging to neither Sam or Amanda. Whoever left it was standing at a perfect spot to spy on them without them knowing. Sam holsters his knife and quickly walks back to camp.
EXT. MAKESHIFT CAMP, NIGHT
Sam comes back to the fire, very clearly disturbed. Amanda notices.
SAM
(quietly)
We have to leave, right now.
Amanda nods and he helps her up. They limp off into the jungle.
EXT. JUNGLE, NIGHT
Sam and Amanda limp through the jungle as fast as they can. They make it pretty far from their camp.
AMANDA
Wait a second!
Sam comes to a stop.
SAM
What is it?
Amanda points at a small bush covered in green leaves at the base of a tree.
AMANDA
Those are stink leaves, we could use those.
Sam sets her down and walks over to the bush.
SAM
Um... what exactly do we need to do with it
AMANDA
Just take some leaves and bring them over here.
Sam promptly rips a couple leaves off and brings them over to Amanda. She takes them and proceeds to rip them to shreds, throw them on the ground, and mix it with some mud. She then takes the mix and puts it all over her arms, legs, face, everywhere. Sam takes some of the mud too and also puts it on.
SAM
So this is supposed to mask our scents or something?
AMANDA
Yeah. We should be safe as long as no predators see us.
SAM
And if they do? What do we do then?
AMANDA
Run like hell.
SAM
Yeah? Good luck with-
Out of nowhere, something flies past Sam's head and into a nearby tree trunk. He looks at it, and pulls it out of the trunk. It's some kind of blow dart.
SAM
What the hell?
Another one flies towards Sam. It barely misses him.
SAM
Shit.
Sam quickly grabs Amanda and they run off. Amanda tries her best to speed up their escape, but she still has to rely on Sam's weight. Every step she takes with her injured leg causes her to wince in pain. Behind them, they can clearly hear the sound of their attacker or attackers crashing through the jungle, chasing them. Every few seconds, the sound of blow darts being fired at them can be heard. Sam draws his gun and blindly fires into the jungle behind him. Sam and Amanda, too focused on getting away, fail to notice how to the jungle floor below them eventually turns into a steep slope. They slip down it and roll into something sitting at the bottom. The impact knocks the wind out of the both of them. Sam looks up at the top of the slope in time to see their attacker come to a stop right before the slope. It's too dark to make anything out other than their silhouette. Sam pulls out his gun and aims it right at them. Suddenly, the object that Sam and Amanda rolled into begins to move. The attacker runs off when he sees it. The object is a carnotaurus, and they just woke it up by falling into it. It groggily begins to get up. A look of sheer terror forms on Sam's face. Amanda grabs him by the collar of his armor and drags him to a nearby banyan tree with an opening in it's roots. They both squeeze into the cage of tree roots in time to get out of the view of the carno. It gets up and looks around for what disturbed its slumber. Amanda puts her finger up to her mouth to tell Sam to be quiet. The carnotaur sniffs the air, catching a faint smell of them. The smell leads it right to the tree that Sam and Amanda are hiding in. It sticks its snout right up to an opening in the roots to smell better. It then removes its snout and puts its eye up to the opening. It's growls and it's warm, smelly breath fills the inside of the tree. Sam is shaking with fear. Amanda also looks terrified. The carnotaur growls one more time, before giving up on its investigation and walking away, its thunderous footsteps getting quieter and quieter as it moves further and further away. Sam and Amanda both pass out from exhaustion.
INT. BOYLAN'S BAR, MORNING
Greg wakes up from the table he was drinking at the night before. He looks horrible. The table he's at is littered with empty cups. He is completely alone.
GREG
Ow, my head.
He gets up and leaves the bar.
EXT. COLONY, MORNING
Greg wanders through the colony and goes up to a guard tower. Connor and someone else are on top of it. Connor notices Greg walking up to them.
CONNOR
Jesus, you're awake! We weren't sure whether you were alive or not after you passed out last night.
GREG
Well, I still beat Evans didn't I? Anyways, what's been going on while I was out?
CONNOR
The new guy took a car and went out into the jungle to presumably save Amanda or something. Pretty foolish if you ask me.
GREG
Wait, what?
CONNOR
Yeah, we haven't heard anything since that last transmission from Amanda, which you were awake to hear. Yeah, they're probably dead.
(points to jungle)
After all, it's apparently pretty easy to die out there.
The other guard looks out into the jungle and then looks back at Greg before doing a double take.
OTHER GUARD
Oh my god... look!
Connor and Greg look out at the jungle.
CONNOR
Holy shit…
Amanda and Sam come limping out of the jungle towards the colony. Connor turns on his comm.
CONNOR
(into comm)
Attention everyone, the commander has returned.
Many group members come out of their new homes to get a look for themselves. Sam and Amanda come in through the front gates. Ramirez comes up to them and helps Sam carry Amanda. Sam gestures to Amanda's leg gash.
SAM
We need to go to the infirmary.
RAMIREZ
Alright.
They carry Amanda there.
INT. INFIRMARY
They come in and set Amanda down on one of the med tables. Ramirez begins to walk away.
SAM
Where are you going?
RAMIREZ
To find some stuff to help her.
Ramirez leaves them momentarily. Sam looks back at Amanda.
SAM
How are you feeling?
AMANDA
I'm good.
She pauses.
AMANDA
Sam, I can't thank you enough for what you did.
SAM
Don't mention it.
Ramirez returns with some futuristic devices.
RAMIREZ
Alright, I can take it from here.
SAM
You sure? Is that all you need to fix her up?
RAMIREZ
I've fixed injuries worse than this.
Sam looks to Amanda.
AMANDA
I'll be alright, go ahead.
Sam nods and begins walking out of the infirmary. He stops when he notices a med table near the door that's covered in long dried blood. There's also two used bullets sitting on top of it. It almost has a strange aura to it. Sam takes his eyes off it and leaves.
INT. SAM'S HOUSE
Sam walks into his house and goes straight to the bedroom. He jumps onto the bed and passes out, exhausted.
FADE
Hours later, he is woken up by someone knocking at his door. He gets up and opens it. Spunkmeyer is standing outside.
SPUNKMEYER
Follow me, Taggart. Amanda wants to talk to you.
Sam does as he says and they leave.
INT. TAYLOR'S OFFICE
Sam and Spunkmeyer walk into the office to find Amanda sitting at the Allosaur skull desk. She's holding a plex.
AMANDA
Remember that plex you gave me?
SAM
Yeah?
AMANDA
I finally got around to taking out its storage unit and putting it inside a plex that actually functions. By doing this, I managed to find something: an unsent video message, recorded 7 years ago. Have a look for yourself.
She hands the plex to Sam, who plays the video.
The screen comes to life, displaying the face of Elizabeth Shannon. She looks nervous and worried.
ELIZABETH
Hello, this is Elizabeth Shannon. I'm sending you this message to let you know that I will not be coming to work tomorrow as I feel that I cannot adequately perform my job as of right now.
(Pause)
It's just... I'm too worried about Jim. I mean I know why he's out there... and if him and the commander didn't do anything about the Phoenix group we could get attacked again, but... I'm just so worried and it's been days since…
She is interrupted, by the sound of gunshots and screaming coming from outside. She turns her head in confusion. The front door can be heard opening and the voice of Maddy Shannon also comes on.
MADDY
Mom, we have to get out of here as quickly as possible. Grab Zoe and let's go.
ELIZABETH
What? Why? What's going on?
MADDY
There's no time for questions! We have to go!
More screaming can be heard from outside. Elizabeth does as she says and they leave. The camera turns off after several minutes later of detecting no movement.
CUT TO CREDITS