Return to Terra Nova

Episode 2

"Back in business"

EXT. JUNGLE, DAY

A small puddle sits on the jungle floor. Its surface is as still as glass. The stillness does not last long however, and the surface is disturbed when small lizard comes over to it and begins drinking from the puddle. Suddenly, a sound in the jungle causes the lizard to perk its head up, making it cautious of it's surroundings. The source of the sound, a scouting rover, drives into view. The lizard scampers away as the rover barrels towards it. Inside the rover are two soldiers. One is talking into his comm device while the other steers through the jungle. They drive towards a large building jutting out of the side of a massive rock formation.

SOLDIER 1

(Into comm)

...we're coming up on the outpost right now. It looks empty.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Copy that. Move on in and secure it.

SOLDIER 1

(Into comm)

You got it.

They drive up to the perimeter. All of a sudden, an explosion erupts from underneath the rover with enough force to send the rover rolling onto its side. As it rolls, several more blasts come from underneath the rover, bouncing it around like a ragdoll before it finally comes to a stop. The soldiers clamber out of the rover, beaten up and bruised but neither with any injuries too serious. It would appear that the rover took most of the force from the explosions.

SOLDIER2

What was that?!

Soldier 1 looks around their surroundings to see they're surrounded by many small mounds of dirt. Soldier 1 motions for his comrade to stand still before turning on his comm.

SOLDIER1

(Into comm)

Terra Nova come in.

AMANDA

(From comm)

This is Terra Nova, what's going on?

SOLDIER1

(Into comm)

Our rover appears to have ended up in a field of sonic mines outside the outpost. We're stuck here.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Are you hurt?

SOLDIER1

(Into comm)

We're bruised but I don't think we're hurt too badly.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Okay, get inside the outpost, it'll be safer in-

Suddenly, a dart flies into Soldier 2's neck. He goes to pull it out but before he can even get his fingers around it, he drops to the ground, unconscious, or worse.

SOLDIER1

Shit!

Soldier 1 runs over to the rover and uses it for cover, popping off a few shots into the jungle with his rifle.

AMANDA

(From comm)

What's going on?!

SOLDIER1

(Into comm)

Someone's opened fire on us! Carl's been hit, I- I think he might be dead...

AMANDA

(From comm)

Can you see your attackers? Do you know how many there?

SOLDIER1

(Into comm)

Negative. I can't see-

A dart flies into his neck and he befalls the same fate as his partner.

P.O.V. OF ATTACKER

The attacker creeps towards the rover. Amanda can still be heard talking over the comm.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Broderick, are you there? What's going on? Please respond!

EXT. COLONY, 1 HOUR LATER

Greg and Sam are repairing a very dirty and beaten up rover. One of the wheels has been taken off and Sam is tinkering around where it would go while Greg is instructing him on what to do.

GREG

Make sure that bolt is in tight, you don't want the wheel to come off while driving.

SAM

Do you really need my help for this? Can't you just fix it yourself?

GREG

I could, but I'm not the one who stole it and broke it. You owe me. Besides, we need more people around here to help fix all of the broken vehicles scattered around the colony.

SAM

If you say so.

Greg's comm comes to life.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Fraser, come to my office. I need to talk to you about something.

GREG

(Into comm)

Can you be a little more specific? I'm busy right now.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Just get over here.

GREG

(Into comm)

Alright, alright. I'll be right over.

(Turns to Sam)

Wait here and don't break anything. I'll be back in a minute.

Greg walks off.

INT. TAYLOR'S OFFICE

Greg walks inside and finds Amanda sitting at the desk.

GREG

So what is it you called me here for?

AMANDA

A job.

GREG

What kind of job?

AMANDA

I can't go into too much detail about it but what I can tell you is that it will most likely be incredibly dangerous, even more so than your average trip into the jungle. I'm leading an expedition to outpost one, the power plant for Terra Nova, and I need an engineer such as yourself to asses the damage and maybe fix what's wrong over there. If all goes well, we might be able to restore power to the colony.

GREG

So what is it you're not telling me?

She ignores his question.

AMANDA

Are you willing to help me or not?

Greg thinks it over.

GREG

Alright, I suppose I could give you a hand. When do we leave?

AMANDA

In about an hour. Grab any supplies you need and meet me at the front gate.

GREG

Alright, well... I guess I'll get going.

Greg begins walking out of the room.

AMANDA

By the way, has Sam told you about anything... strange going on around here?

GREG

Huh?

AMANDA

Never mind, forget I said anything.

Amanda goes back to whatever she was working on. Greg leaves, a little confused.

EXT. COLONY

Greg walks back to the rover that Sam was working on. Sam is just sitting in the driver's seat, looking really bored.

GREG

Alright, you're free to go, for now. There's a fairly large job that Amanda gave me to do.

SAM

Really? What kind of job?

GREG

Well, let's just say if I'm successful at fixing what I'm supposed to fix, we won't be using chemlights anymore.

SAM

You mean you're going to restore power to the colony?

GREG

Hopefully. It all depends on just how damaged the power plant is.

SAM

Well, do you want me to come along and help out?

GREG

Well if you want to be slasher bait, I guess you can come. You'll have to clear it through Amanda first though.

SAM

Alright. Guess I'll go ask her.

CUT TO

EXT. COLONY GATE

AMANDA

No.

Several group members are loading up a rhino transport with supplies in the background while Amanda talks to Sam.

SAM

No? Why not?

AMANDA

There's really no way you can help us with this. We've already got everyone we need.

SAM

Can't I just come along anyways? I really don't feel like sitting around here and doing nothing.

AMANDA

No, you'd just be a liability. Besides, this mission is going especially dangerous.

Amanda looks around for a second to make sure no one's listening.

AMANDA

(Quietly)

Let's just say some scouts I sent out were attacked by our "friend" from the jungle two nights ago.

SAM

(Quiet)

Jesus. Are they dead?

AMANDA

I don't know for sure, but they haven't been responding. Listen, I'm grateful that you saved my life and all, but I can't repay you by putting you in a situation like this. If you want something to do around the colony, go talk to Dr. Carmichael. He's the only scientist we brought along and I'm sure he could use some help.

Sam sighs.

SAM

Alright, but you'd better be careful out there.

AMANDA

I'll try.

Sam turns and walks off. On the way out, he passes Greg, who's got a large backpack on.

SAM

(To Greg)

Good luck, you'll need it.

Sam leaves and Greg goes over and loads his pack into the rhino. He turns to Amanda.

GREG

So uh, when are we leaving?

AMANDA

As soon as you're ready.

GREG

Well, let's get going then.

AMANDA

Good. Before we leave though, take this.

She hands Greg a small computer chip.

AMANDA

That's a map of the whole facility.

Greg nods to her and gets into the back of the rhino. Also inside the back are Ramirez, Evans, and two guards. Amanda gets into the passenger seat.

EVANS

Alright, let's go turn the power back on.

AMANDA

Not yet. Before we leave, I need all of you to agree to my terms. If we encounter anything strange over at the outpost, I need you all to swear that you'll keep it quiet and not tell anyone.

EVANS

What qualifies as strange to you?

AMANDA

You'll know it if you see it.

Evans gives her a smug smile.

EVANS

(Smartass tone)

Alright, sure. I swear I can keep it a secret.

Everyone else swears too.

AMANDA

Very well. Keep your promise and we won't have any problems.

(Turns to driver)

Take us away, Broward.

Broward, the driver, puts the rhino in drive and they zoom out of the colony.

EXT. JUNGLE

After driving for a while, they start getting near their destination.

AMANDA

Alright, time to talk about procedure. Broward, I'm going to need you to drop us off a little ways out from the outpost. After we're all out, turn around and drive right back to the colony. As for everyone else, I don't know what we're going to find in and around the outpost, so don't wander off. Everyone stick together and we'll come out of this alive. Are we all ready?

Everyone says yes.

AMANDA

Good.

(To Broward)

Drop us off here.

The car comes to a stop and everyone grabs their stuff and gets out. As instructed, Broward drives away.

EVANS

So what's the reasoning behind instructing our only means of escape to leave without us?

Amanda ignores his question.

AMANDA

The outpost is a little ways North. Follow me everyone.

INT. RESEARCH LABORATORY

A lone man is sorting through a bunch of old jars, plex papers, and devices that have been left around. Sam walks in. The man notices.

SAM

Hi, my name is Sam, and you must be-

MAN

Doctor Carmichael. Yes, that's me.

SAM

Right. Anyways, I was told you might need some help around here.

CARMICHAEL

Yes, that would be correct.

(Points towards table that's covered in miscellaneous jars and plex papers)

Please, help me sort through all this stuff. I need this place to be clean if I'm going to get any work done.

Sam nods and begins walking towards the table.

CARMICHAEL

Don't worry, I'll pay you a couple terras for your work.

SAM

Terras?

Carmichael reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small bronze coin.

CARMICHAEL

The currency that the people of Terra Nova used. I found a whole bunch inside a broken safe that was in my house.

He tosses the coin to Sam, who fails to catch it. It clatters to the floor before Sam quickly picks it back up.

CARMICHAEL

Every civilization needs a currency, and once things get going here, that's what we'll be using.

Sam goes to toss the terra back.

CARMICHAEL

Don't bother, that kind of terra isn't worth much. Help me out though, and you'll get paid much more than that.

Sam nods and pockets the terra.

SAM

So how do you want this stuff sorted?

EXT. OUTPOST PERIMETER

Amanda runs over to a fallen tree and takes cover behind it. She looks around before gesturing for everyone else to come over. Everybody else comes over to the log and takes cover as well. Amanda pulls out her binoculars are looks over the other side of the log.

P.O.V. SHOT

She pans the binoculars around the yard. The overturned rover from earlier sits there, the damaged underside clearly visible. All around the yard are small mounds of dirt.

Amanda puts away her binoculars.

AMANDA

Alright, the perimeter is laced with sonic mines.

GREG

Wait, what? Did you just say mines?

AMANDA

We're going to walk single file towards that rover. Don't step anywhere near those mounds of dirt or else we'll all be dead. Follow me.

She gets up and climbs over the log before starting towards the rover. Everyone else kind of looks at each other in a "Is she serious?" kind of way. Everyone but Greg then gets up and follows Amanda.

GREG

Ah hell.

Greg finally gets up and does the same, joining up with the group as they walk slowly across the yard.

AMANDA

Don't get anywhere within three feet of each mine. You don't need to step right on it for it to go off.

Greg is about to put his foot down at a certain spot, but hesitates when he sees that it's a little too close to a mine. He steps somewhere else. They finally reach the overturned rover, only to find that the bodies of the two soldiers from earlier are missing.

AMANDA

Shit, we're too late.

EVANS

Too late for what?

AMANDA

I sent two soldiers out here to scout the area. Unfortunately, they ran over some of these sonic mines when they got here. Part of the reason we came up here was to rescue them, but it looks like the wildlife got to them before we could.

(Turns towards the door to the outpost)

Let's head inside the outpost.

They all begin walking towards the door, still single file. Once they reach it, they head inside.

INT. OUTPOST

The door creaks as they open it. The sound echoes all throughout the outpost. Everyone in the group steps inside. Amanda turns to Greg.

AMANDA

Any components to this facility that you want to check out first?

Greg looks at the map of the facility on his smartwatch.

GREG

Yeah, there should be a room for controlling the solar panels. We should start there.

Amanda nods and she motions for everyone to follow her and Greg.

INT. SOLAR CONTROL ROOM

The group walks inside. The walls of the room are all covered with wires and computer terminals. Greg walks over to one specific console and wipes the dust off the screen. Underneath the dust, the screen very visibly displays the words "Standby" in green text.

GREG

Looks like the problem isn't here. The solar panels seem to be getting power just fine.

AMANDA

So what do we need to do?

GREG

My guess is that something in the lower levels of the facility is broken. Luckily, these kinds of facilities usually have a dedicated storage room for spare parts. If we can find that, we shouldn't have too much of a problem. I think we should check the backup generator first.

AMANDA

Alright, let's split up. Fraser, Ramirez, you're with me. Everyone else, look for a storage room.

Everyone leaves the room.

INT. DARK CORRIDOR

Greg lights a flare, which illuminates the otherwise pitch blackness in the corridor. In front of him, the corridor turns into a staircase, leading into even more darkness.

RAMIREZ

You sure we're going to have enough flares?

GREG

No.

He proceeds down the stairs. Amanda and Ramirez follow behind him.

INT. OTHER CORRIDOR

Evans and the two soldiers are also wandering around some corridors. The corridor they following forks in two different directions in front of them. On the wall between the two directions is a dirtied sign. Evans walks over to it and wipes the dirt away with his hand to reveal the directions.

EVANS

Looks like we've got to take the passage on the right.

SOLDIER1

Are you sure? This place is like a maze.

EVANS

Signs don't lie, kid.

Evans begins walking down the right-hand corridor. The two soldiers quickly follow him, not wanting to be left alone in the dark.

EVANS

So do you two have names?

FIRST SOLDIER

Yeah, I'm Matt,

(points to second soldier)

and he's Jake.

EVANS

So Amanda must trust you two quite a bit to bring you along on this huh?

MATT

Well actually she just-

Suddenly, a strange noise echoes from the darkness in front of them. It sounds like a constant barrage of leaves rustling in the wind. Evans shushes Matt before he can finish his sentence. The sound seems to get closer and closer but it's source remains unseen.

EVANS

(To Matt)

Here, hold the flare.

Matt takes it. Evans brings up his rifle and points it down the hall. He begins to cautiously step forward towards the sound and motions for Matt and Jake to follow him. As they head down the hall, the sound gets louder, until whatever is making it sounds as if it's right in front of them. The three of them brace for whatever is making the sound to appear from the shadows, but nothing comes. Suddenly, the sound stops, and the corridor goes completely quiet. The three of them look around, confused.

JAKE

What happened?

In an answer to his question, the sound starts up again right behind them. They quickly turn around, just to be met with nothing yet again. The sound trails off, as whatever caused it moves further away from them. Soon the corridor becomes silent again. Evans turns on his comm.

EVANS

(Into comm)

Uh guys, I think we might have a problem.

AMANDA

(From comm)

What do you mean?

EVANS

(Into comm)

We're hearing weird noises down here. You guys might want to be careful.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Chances are, it's nothing. We'll keep an eye out though. Have you found the storage room yet?

EVANS

(Into comm)

We're headed towards it now.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Alright, just get in there. We'll tell you which part we need after that.

EVANS

(Into comm)

You got it.

INT. RESEARCH LABORATORY

Carmichael is holding a plex with many things listed on it.

CARMICHAEL

Alright, what about microscopes? The supply manifest says there should be 7 of them.

SAM

I only counted four.

CARMICHAEL

Damn, there sure are a lot of missing supplies.

SAM

Well is it possible they all broke and the colonists just never updated the manifest?

CARMICHAEL

I'm afraid not. The rules in labs like this are very strict and the manifest is frequently checked to make sure the employees aren't stealing expensive equipment. Besides, even if they neglected that rule I find it hard to believe they stole and broke this much stuff. The one other logical explanation is that some people from our group came in and looted the place, but I don't think anyone else in this group has much of a hobby in science.

SAM

So what are you trying to say?

CARMICHAEL

Listen, I know this might be crazy, but I think we might not be as alone here as we previously thought. Maybe there's still some people from the original colony out there who have come back here at some point within the last few years and taken stuff from the colony.

Sam, knowing from experience that he's at least somewhat right, is shocked, but tries to keep it hidden.

SAM

H-how could that be possible though? I mean, I've been out in that jungle and I can tell you that the wildlife are less than friendly.

CARMICHAEL

Oh come on, with the number of people who were living in Terra Nova, at least some of them are bound to have found a way to survive. Plus, a lot of the higher ups and soldiers in the colony were extremely skilled in survival. The colony's leader survived months alone in the jungle for christsakes!

SAM

Alright, what if you're right? Why wouldn't they just come back to live here?

CARMICHAEL

Maybe they thought the colony was no longer safe? I don't know. I'm thinking about rounding up some people to go out and help me look for signs of people out there though.

SAM

That's not a good idea.

CARMICHAEL

Why not?

SAM

We're living in an abandoned, half destroyed colony with absolutely no power and next to no defense from any large dinosaurs that might decide they want a human snack. Everyone's unnerved, and Amanda won't be happy if you start spreading rumors about people out there that could be hell bent on robbing us of our supplies for all we know.

CARMICHAEL

(Sighs)

Alright, fine. But I'm not ignoring any evidence that might come up.

SAM

Fair enough.

Sam turns around and goes back to work.

INT. OUTPOST BASEMENT

The light of the flare reveals many conduits running along the walls. They all lead right to a central point, a large and complex looking electrical box. This, is the backup generator. Greg walks over to the generator and looks it over. He looks at several meters and dials on it. Amanda and Ramirez just watch him.

GREG

It appears to be receiving power but it's not outputting anything. Looks like we've found our problem.

He pops open a panel on it and pulls a small pen light out of his bag. He points the light inside the box and looks around.

GREG

The compression coil seems to be alright. I'm not sure exactly what's... wait a second. The blink converter is missing!

AMANDA

The what?

GREG

The thing that would require me to throw some technical jargon at you to explain what it does. That thing. It's an important part.

AMANDA

What if it just broke off? Maybe it's in the bottom of the generator somewhere.

GREG

No, it's just completely gone.

AMANDA

Alright, hold on.

Amanda turns in her comm.

AMANDA

(Into comm)

Evans, have you made it to the supply room yet?

INT. CORRIDOR END

Evans, Matt, and Jake have finally reached the end of the corridor. On the wall in front of them is a door labeled as "Spare parts storage."

EVANS

(Into comm)

Yeah we just made it there. We're proceeding inside now.

They open the door and walk inside.

INT. STORAGE ROOM

The room is dark, but the faint light from the flare Matt is holding reveals some details. Shelves covered in tons of junk are lined all down the room.

JAKE

Hey, check it out.

Jake walks over to a small rack on the wall near the door that holds a few long cylindrical objects. He takes one of the objects off the wall and bends it. The object begins glowing a bright orange.

EVANS

Good, those chem lights will come in handy.

Evans turns on his comm.

EVANS

(Into comm)

Alright, now that we're here, is there something you need us to get?

INT. OUTPOST BASEMENT

AMANDA

(Into comm)

Yeah could you find a uh...

She looks to Greg for an answer.

GREG

Blink converter.

AMANDA

(Into comm)

...Blink converter. It's a part for the generator.

EVANS

(From comm)

What's that supposed to look like?

Greg just turns on his comm.

GREG

(Into comm)

It's a small metal cylinder that's three inches long. On the side of it there's a small window where you can see the blue liquid inside it.

EVANS

(From comm)

There's a lot of stuff in this room, but we'll look.

INT. STORAGE ROOM

Evans shoulders his rifle.

EVANS

Alright, split up and look for the part. It's gotta be somewhere around here.

They scour the room, and eventually, Evans comes across a shelf section labeled as "Generator power directors and converters." He looks all over the shelves but sees nothing. After not finding it, his head looks up at the top shelf, above his reach. He climbs up the shelf and looks around for the part at the top. Sure enough, there's a single blink converter sitting amongst some other parts on the very top shelf. He grabs it, but once it's in his hand, the shelf begins tipping over. With a loud screech, the shelf falls back on Evans, pinning him to the ground by his thighs. Evans yells in pain as the shelf and various parts crush down on his legs. Jake and Matt come over and pull him out.

EVANS

AGH, JESUS!

They drag him over to a wall.

MATT

Can you walk?

Evans regains his composure slightly.

EVANS

No, no way. My legs are definitely broken. I found the part though. Go run it down to Amanda. I'll just wait here.

JAKE

Hell no, you're not going to sit here alone with legs like that.

(To Matt)

Can you run that part over to the commander and get that medic up here?

MATT

No problem.

Matt takes the part and runs off.

INT. OUTPOST BASEMENT

Greg is looking at the cords leaving the generator while Amanda and Ramirez sit around looking bored out of their minds. Suddenly, their comms come to life.

JAKE

(From comm)

We've just sent Matt towards you guys with that part. Also, Evans is hurt and needs medical attention.

RAMIREZ

Guess that's my cue.

(Into Comm)

Alright, I'll head up there.

Ramirez gets up to leave.

AMANDA

Wait a minute, I've got a bad feeling about you going alone. You're the only medic we have. Just wait for Stoker to get here with that part first.

RAMIREZ

Well… if you say so.

INT. CORRIDOR

Matt runs through the dark with the blink converter in one hand and a chemlight in the other. All of a sudden, he hears it. The rustling noise once again fills the corridor. He stops in his tracks and brings up his chemlight to try and get a look at the source, but like last time, there's nothing. He turns on his comm and draws his pistol.

MATT

(Into comm)

Guys, I hear that sound from earlier again.

Suddenly, the sound picks up in speed and intensity. Matt panics and begins firing blindly into the dark. The sound halts to a stop. Matt cautiously begins walking forward. Eventually he comes to a spot where his bullets have hit the floor. He looks down at the bullet holes, and then pans his head around. A growling noise catches his attention, causing him to look up to the ceiling. Matt screams in horror and whatever was up there pounces on him. The blink converter falls to the floor.

INT. OUTPOST BASEMENT

Matt's screams can be heard over everyone's comms.

AMANDA

Stoker? What is it?! Stoker, are you there?! Please respond!

Matt's screaming stops and the room becomes silent. Greg, Ramirez, and Amanda all look horrified Amanda takes her rifle off her shoulder.

AMANDA

We have to get over there!

The three of them run off.

INT. STORAGE ROOM

Evans sits against a wall in the room, and Jake is just standing there with his hand on his comm. Both of them look horrified.

EVANS

What in god's name was that? Should we go help him?

JAKE

I- I think it might be too late...

The two of them both go silent and stare at the floor in defeat.

INT. CORRIDORS

Amanda, Ramirez, and Greg run through the corridors. Eventually, they see something on the ground in front of them. It looks to be Matt, lying face down on the floor with his arms and legs sprawled out without care. They slow down and cautiously approach him.

AMANDA

Stoker, is that you?

There's no answer. They finally come upon him and roll him over. His skin is pale, and his face is frozen in a look of extreme terror. Amanda and Greg step back in surprise.

GREG

What the hell happened to him?

Ramirez looks him over.

RAMIREZ

Whatever killed him didn't really seem to be very interested in eating him. There's no damage to him other than these two large punctures on his neck.

AMANDA

Punctures? That's strange.

RAMIREZ

It gets stranger. There's no blood, anywhere.

She feels the puncture wounds and a strange clear liquid comes off on her fingers.

RAMIREZ

There's some kind of saliva or something in the wounds though.

GREG

Jesus, now we've got to worry about Dracula or the chupacabra or something.

AMANDA

Dammit Fraser, now's not the time for jokes.

GREG

Can you think of something else that sucks blood?

Amanda turns on her comm.

AMANDA

(Into comm)

Evans, are you there?

EVANS

(From comm)

Yeah. Did you find Matt?

AMANDA

(Into comm)

(Sighs)

Yeah. Let's just say he died of... strange circumstances. We're headed your way.

EVANS

(From comm)

Alright, hurry up though.

Greg looks around in the background.

GREG

Aha! There it is.

On the ground is the blink converter. He picks it up.

GREG

I found that part.

AMANDA

Good.

(Into comm)

Just sit tight, we'll be over in a minute.

Amanda walks over to Matt's body and picks up his legs.

AMANDA

Someone help me carry him.

INT. STORAGE ROOM

Amanda, Greg, and Ramirez enter the room carrying Matt's body. They put it down and Ramirez goes over to check on Evans' leg. Jake walks over to look at the corpse.

JAKE

I didn't know him too well... but I feel bad that we sent him out there alone.

AMANDA

It's not your fault. If you went with him you might've died too.

JAKE

(Pause)

There's an infirmary right near us.

(Shows her the map on his smartwatch)

We should probably get over there.

AMANDA

Right.

As Ramirez and Jake carry Evans out of the room, he notices the puncture wounds on Matt's neck.

INT. OUTPOST MED LAB

Jake and Ramirez carry Evans into the room. They set him down on a medical table. The room is dark but Jake has a chemlight tucked under his arm that provides some light. On the wall there is a window that looks into another room that's filled with various tables and science equipment. Greg and Amanda enter the other room and set Matt's body down on a medical table. After putting him down, Greg and Amanda go to the room where Evans is.

AMANDA

We're going back down to the generator. Ramirez, Holt, will you guys be alright staying here with Evans?

RAMIREZ

Yeah.

JAKE

Yeah, just get the power back on.

Amanda nods and she leaves with Greg. Ramirez grabs a chem light from an emergency shelf on the wall and begins searching various cabinets in the room. Eventually, she finds a bottle full of little pills. She pours some into her hand and walks over to Evans.

EVANS

What are those?

RAMIREZ

Pills that'll help your broken bones mend.

She grabs his hand and drops the pills into it. She then hands him a water flask. He takes the pills and Ramirez walks back over to the cabinets and begins searching for something else. She comes back with a syringe and a small jar containing a clear liquid. She fills the syringe with said liquid.

RAMIREZ

Hold still.

She injects it into Evans' arm.

EVANS

And what was that?

RAMIREZ

Sedative.

Evans passes out.

JAKE

Wow, that was quick. How long's he going to be out?

RAMIREZ

A while.

Ramirez leaves the room and goes to the room on the other side of the window. Jake follows her out.

INT. GENERATOR ROOM

Greg snaps the blink converter into it's place in the generator and then flips a switch on the exterior of the generator. The generator sputters to life, and for a brief moment the lights in the room actually come on. Unfortunately, a loud spark noise is heard and everything in the room goes dark once again.

AMANDA

What just happened?

GREG

Well, if I had to guess I'd say there's a damaged circuit somewhere around here. There should be diagnosis console not too far from here. We should probably head over there. Follow me.

AMANDA

No, I'll go first. We still have some kind of hostile creature here.

INT. MED LAB

Evans begins waking up, and groans as he lifts his head off the medical stretcher. He looks through the window into the laboratory adjacent to the room, only to see that Ramirez is gone, and so is Matt's body.

EVANS

Ramirez? Are you there?

Evans gets confused, but before he can think about what happened, the rustling noise he heard from the corridor earlier begins to echo throughout the room. Evans frantically scans the room searching for the source of the sounds. His vision finally rests upon an open vent on the ceiling. Suddenly, a pale hand grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him to face what's connected to it. Standing over Evans is Matt, roaring in his face with glowing red eyes and vampire fangs. Evans screams in terror.

RAMIREZ

(Muffled)

Evans! Wake up Evans!

Evans wakes up from the nightmare with a jolt.

EVANS

Jesus Christ, what just happened?

RAMIREZ

You were screaming in your sleep. I forgot to mention that those tablets I gave you have some minor hallucinogenic effects.

EVANS

Minor?!

Evans looks down at his legs.

EVANS

So what about my broken bones? Are they healed yet?

RAMIREZ

Of course not, it's only been about an hour. You seem to have a resistance to the sedative. It's probably going to take all day until your legs are healed to the point where you can walk again.

Evans' head cranes to the side to check the ceiling vent that was open in his dream. It's closed just like it was when he was dragged into the room.

EVANS

Alright, you got crutches?

RAMIREZ

Oh no you don't. You've gotta sit here until your legs are healed more.

EVANS

I don't think we're safe here. Please, just get them.

RAMIREZ

(Sighs)

Alright, fine, but only because this place gives me the creeps.

She goes over to a nearby supply closet to look for some crutches. Evans turns on his comm.

INT. CIRCUIT CONTROL ROOM

The room is seemingly like any other in this facility dark, dirty, and full of complex pipes and wiring. Greg and Amanda stand over a computer console reading various diagrams and text boxes on screen. The room is silent, until Amanda's comm turns on.

EVANS

(From comm)

Can you guys hear me?

AMANDA

(Into comm)

Yeah, loud and clear. What do you need?

EVANS

(From comm)

Listen, stay away from vents and grates, especially ones that are on the ceiling.

AMANDA

(Into comm)

What do you mean?

EVANS

(From comm)

Whatever killed Matt, I think it might have attacked from above. You've got to-

Evans doesn't stop talking, but Amanda doesn't hear what he has to say, she's focused on something else, the rustling sound. It echoes all throughout the room, getting closer and closer. Amanda looks up to the ceiling, to find that they're right under an open vent.

AMANDA

Oh Jesus... MOVE!

She shoves Greg away from the computer console and then dives out from under the vent. She hits the ground and twists to look back at the open vent. Nothing jumps out of it like she expected.

GREG

What the hell was that fo-

AMANDA

Quiet!

She starts to get up off the ground, still looking at the vent. Just when she thought that the coast might be clear, something starts coming down from the open vent. At first, it looks like two snakes, hanging down, writhing uncontrollably, seemingly smelling the air in the room. Amanda looks at them in confusion at first, but that confusion would soon turn into horror. As more comes out of the vent, Amanda realizes that those two "snakes" are actually two massive antennae. The creature they belong to begins to fully descend into the room. The green glow of the computer console paints a terrifying silhouette only a few feet away from Greg and Amanda. The many legs of the creature paddle their way through the air as it descends towards the ground. This creature is a gigantic centipede, probably around ten feet long. Amanda hastily grabs Greg and drags him towards the exit to the room before the nightmarish creature fully exits the vent. It hisses at them, acknowledging them that it can see them. Greg gets to his feet and bolts out of the room with Amanda. The centipede pursues them.

INT. CORRIDOR

Amanda and Greg run through the corridors of the facility as fast as they can. The rustling noise caused by the movement of the many legs of the centipede isn't far behind.

GREG

What the hell is that thing?!

AMANDA

Shut up and keep running!

Greg and Amanda reach a door at the end of the corridor that appears to lead to a stairwell. Greg opens it and runs through it. Amanda gets to the open doorway, turns around, and brings up her rifle, aiming it down the corridor. The rustling gets closer and closer and eventually the centipede comes into view, crawling towards them from the ceiling. Amanda fires several shots but none of the bullets manage to break through the creature's exoskeleton. She brings her rifle down in surprise and backs away through the door. Greg slams the door shut and locks it once she's inside. The two of them step back as the creature bangs against the door, attempting to break it down. Amanda grabs Greg and drags him up the stairwell. As they make it a few floors up, they can very clearly hear the door they came in from get busted off its hinges. Greg and Amanda try to pick up the pace as they run up the stairs. The creature crawls up after them. Greg and Amanda finally reach the top floor, which leads them to yet another corridor. Greg sees a door labeled as "Bridge to Sector 2" and he and Amanda open it and run through it.

EXT. TURBINE BRIDGE, EVENING

The door leads Amanda and Greg outside to a metal bridge that goes over a river 15 feet below it. The sunlight causes Greg and Amanda to squint, having been in the dark for so long. In the river below them are several hydroelectric turbines, spinning as the river rushes through them. Surrounding the bridge is a tube of rusted chain link fencing, covered in vines from years of neglect. The two endpoints of the bridge are doors jutting out of the side of two rock formations that the river cuts between. Greg and Amanda stop to catch their breath.

GREG

(Exhausted)

...what... the... hell... The last thing I expected to happen today was get chased by a giant bug. Is this a nightmare or something? You shot it but the bullets didn't seem to do anything! How are we supposed to kill it?

AMANDA

The colony records make no mention of a creature like this. We might be the first people to have seen something like it. If we're going to kill this thing, we need to come up with a way to do it ourselves.

GREG

You got any ideas on how to do that? I don't think we can exactly squash a bug this large.

AMANDA

Not yet, but-

Their conversation is cut short when a window on the side of the rock wall they came from shatters. Sure enough, the centipede comes out of it. It begins crawling along the wall towards the bridge. Amanda and Greg take off and run to the door on the opposite side. Greg tries turning the handle but it won't budge. He frantically jiggles it, trying to get it to open anyways. The centipede reaches the bridge and starts crawling on the fencing that surrounds the bridge. Amanda pulls Greg aside and gives the door a good kick. It opens right up and the two of them exit through it.

INT. MORE CORRIDORS

Just as before, Amanda and Greg find themselves running through a corridor. They reach a corner and make the turn, only to run into an ovasaur chewing on a cable that's running against the wall. Amanda and Greg jump back in surprise. The ovasaur turns in their direction and hisses at them. Greg and Amanda slowly step backwards. It doesn't take long for the sound of the centipede to show up behind them, prompting them to turn around. The centipede comes around the corner and the ovasaur notices it, hissing even louder at it. The centipede's attention switches from Greg and Amanda to the ovasaur, and it rears up in an act of intimidation. Greg and Amanda, knowing that they're going to get caught between a brutal fight between two prehistoric creatures, look for a way out. To their right is a door with a window on it that appears to lead into a small office room. Having nowhere else to go, Amanda and Greg run into the small room and slam the door behind them. The ovasaur and the centipede take no notice of it however, and continue staring each other down. Finally, the ovasaur decides to charge the centipede. The two beasts get locked in a intense fight, but it doesn't take long for the centipede to bat the ovasaur to the ground. The dinosaur tries to get up but before it can, the centipede torpedoes its head right towards the downed ovasaur and sinks its fangs into it. Amanda and Greg watch the ovasaur attempt to break free from the hold the centipede, before just going limp. The centipede, it's fangs still in the now dead dinosaur, is very clearly draining its victim of its blood.

GREG

(Watching in horror through the window)

Looks like we know without a shadow of a doubt what our Chupacabra is.

Amanda pushes Greg to the side so she can get a look for herself. Once the ovasaur is noticeably more pale than it had been before, the centipede retracts its fangs back into its mouth and crawls away, leaving the carcass of the ovasaur to rot. Once the bug is out of sight, Amanda reaches for the door knob.

GREG

What are you doing?!

Amanda opens the door and pokes her head out.

AMANDA

The coast is clear, let's go.

GREG

Oh no, no way am I going back out there with that thing crawling around.

AMANDA

(Sarcastic)

You're welcome to stay here if you want.

Greg says nothing.

AMANDA

That's what I thought.

She opens the door fully and the two of them exit the small office room.

INT. RESEARCH LABORATORY, NIGHT

Sam places down a chemlight. Behind him are several more, all placed around the room.

SAM

Is that enough light for you?

CARMICHAEL

No, it's still a little too dark.

SAM

Well, that was the last of the chemlights.

CARMICHAEL

Do you mind checking the infirmary? There might be some more in there.

SAM

Yeah, sure.

Sam exits the building.

CUT

INT. INFIRMARY, NIGHT

Sam walks around the dark room holding a single chemlight, scanning all the junk on the tables and floor. Suddenly, he notices some light at the far end of the room and goes to investigate. The screen of the synthesizer from the last episode is on. It casts a bright white-blue glow on Sam as he walks up to it. Sam stares at the screen, perplexed. He hears something behind him. As soon as he turns around, he sees someone lunging at him with a knife! Sam, not having time to think, stumbles backwards and brings up the chemlight to block it. The knife slices right through the chemlight, getting covered with the glowing orange syrup like chemical that was housed inside it. Sam falls to the floor as the attacker, once again a dark silhouette, brings down his glowing knife onto Sam. Sam tries to roll out of the way but isn't quick enough. The knife plunges into Sam's side as he's in the middle of rolling away. Sam screams in pain.

P.O.V.

Sam, with his vision beginning to blur, turns back towards his attacker and sees them quickly pull the battery from the synthesizer and escape through the front door.

CUT

Carmichael walks into the room, finding Sam bleeding on the ground with a glowing knife stuck in his side.

CARMICHAEL

Jesus christ, what happened to you?!

Carmichael runs over to Sam.

SAM

Intruder... with knife...

Carmichael pulls the knife out of Sam, causing him to wail in pain. Carmichael then gets some bandages from a nearby drawer and puts them on Sam's wound. Carmichael then turns on his comm.

INT. CORRIDOR

Greg and Amanda cautiously navigate the corridors once again. All is quiet. Suddenly, Amanda's comm beeps, startling the both of them. Amanda answers. The room is quiet enough to where Greg can hear the person talking to Amanda.

CARMICHAEL

(From comm)

Amanda, are you there?

AMANDA

(Into comm)

Yeah? What's going on?

CARMICHAEL

(From comm)

We've got a bit of a situation over here. This kid named Sam who was helping me out, I found him in the medical department with a knife in his side. He's saying something about having been attacked by an intruder. I'm not exactly sure what he's talking about but he's in pretty bad shape. It looks like some chemfluid got inside his wound, if we don't get that out of his blood stream, it's going to be bad news.

AMANDA

(Into comm)

Oh god... Ar-Are there any batteries nearby? Medical equipment should be able to run off batteries... and-and there should some medics around the colony that can...

CARMICHAEL

(From comm)

I can call over one of the medics but I don't know if there are any fully charged batteries around here. It's probably not a good idea to be in the middle of a blood transfusion and have the table's life support go out.

Greg, upon hearing that his friend is in danger begins to run off.

AMANDA

(To Greg)

Hey! Where are you going?

GREG

I can still get the power back on!

AMANDA

Dammit, Fraser.

(Into comm)

Just... keep him alive.

CARMICHAEL

(From comm)

I'll try, but I'm a science doctor, not a medical doctor.

Amanda turns her comm off and runs after Greg.

CUT

Ramirez, Jake, and Evans are also headed through some corridors. Ramirez's comm comes on.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Ramirez, are you there?

RAMIREZ

(Into comm)

Yeah, we're here.

AMANDA

(From comm)

Where are you guys?

RAMIREZ

(Into comm)

Headed back towards the entrance of the outpost. Evans seems to think we're in danger if we stay put.

AMANDA

(From comm)

He's right. Listen, I'm going to call someone to come and pick you guys up.

RAMIREZ

(Into comm)

Alright, you headed back here?

AMANDA

(From comm)

Not now. Leave without us if we don't show up in time.

Ramirez looks at Evans and Jake.

RAMIREZ

(Into comm)

If you say so...

CUT

INT. CIRCUIT CONTROL ROOM

The computer monitor is still on, just as Greg had left it. He walks over to it and furiously begins typing.

GREG

This will only take me a few more seconds. Just watch the vent above me.

AMANDA

You better hope that thing is full from draining that ovasaur.

She points her rifle up at the vent. After a few seconds, the computer beeps and Greg stops typing.

GREG

Alright, the diagnostic data is coming in.

The screen of the monitor changes to a display of the facility. The maze of corridors and rooms on screen are mostly green, except for a few red spots. Greg begins typing again and the screen selects one of the red spots, making the spot flash.

GREG

Alright, if we fix this particular circuit, we'll be able to bring basic power to the colony.

AMANDA

Are you sure?

GREG

Yeah, but we have to hurry. C'mon.

They exit the room.

INT. CORRIDOR

This corridor is once again the same as the others, except for one difference, there's a cable running along the wall with the end of it cut off from the rest of the cable. Sparks pop off of the cut end every few seconds. Sam and Amanda walk in.

GREG

Oh thank god, this'll be an easy fix.

He takes his pack off of his back and begins rummaging through it. He pulls out a pair of rubber gloves, puts them on, and then pulls out two more things from the pack: a welder type device and two semi-cylinder shaped objects. Greg proceeds to grab the two broken cable ends, put them together, and clip the two semi-cylinders together around them. He then grabs the welder device and uses it around the cracks of the objects and cords. After properly connecting the cables, the lights in the room come on and stay on. Greg turns towards Amanda with a triumphant grin on his face.

INT. MED BAY, NIGHT

Sam sits on a medical table, only semi-conscious. Standing around him is a group of medics, who are manually checking his pulse and applying pressure around his wound. Also standing next to Sam is Carmichael, who is assisting the medics.

CARMICHAEL

Don't die on me, kid.

Suddenly, the lights in the room come on, and all the medical equipment whirrs to life. Everyone looks around, somewhat amazed, before focusing back on Sam.

RANDOM MEDIC

Power's back on,

(gestures towards Sam)

hook him up to the table.

The other medics do so and hook Sam up. The table displays a hologram of Sam' s anatomy, as well as his vitals.

TABLE VOICE

Dangerous blood toxicity levels detected! Would you like to run the blood cleansing procedure?

A "yes" and "no" box appears on the hologram. One medic taps "yes".

CARMICHAEL

(Down to Sam)

Hang in there, kid, we'll have you back in shape in no time.

Sam mumbles incoherently, before fading into complete unconsciousness.

FADE INTO:

INT. DIMLY LIT OFFICE, FLASHBACK TO 5 YEARS AGO

The office is very messy. Against a wall is a desk with a very futuristic hologram projector on it, being the only thing able to stay above an ocean of papers and other junk. Sitting at the desk is Sam's father, looking very healthy compared to how he was before dying. He is looking intently at the holograms displayed by the computer, which show a blueprint of some kind of complex piece of machinery. There's lots of text labeling various things on the blueprints. One thing about the blueprints stands out though: none of the text on it is English, only Russian and Chinese.

Sam enters the room, but his father does not notice. Sam catches a quick glimpse of the holograms.

SAM

What're those blueprints for?

Sam's dad, startled from unexpectedly hearing his son's voice, quickly closes the blueprints.

SAM'S DAD

It's nothing important. What's going on with you?

SAM

My plex is acting up and my boss needs me to email the final draft of my article to him tomorrow. Would you mind if I used your computer for a sec?

SAM'S DAD

Yeah, go right ahead. Just let me-

Sam's dad breaks into a violent fit of coughing before he can finish his sentence. Sam goes over to him to see what's wrong.

SAM

Are you alright?

The coughing comes to a stop.

SAM'S DAD

I'm... fine... I've just had a scratchy throat since this morning.

SAM

You sure?

SAM'S DAD

I said I'm fine.

FADE OUT.

INT. OUTPOST, NIGHT

Greg and Amanda walk up a staircase. Greg is zipping up his backpack, while Amanda holds a chemlight, even though it's not necessary since the lights are on.

AMANDA

Just got confirmation that the power at the colony is on. Our job here is done. This staircase is the way to the entrance right?

GREG

Yep.

The staircase deposits them at the upper floor, but the lights are out at this floor for some reason.

AMANDA

Ugh, why are all the lights off up here?

GREG

Circuitry of the outpost must be weird on this floor.

The two of them proceed forward, cautiously. As they walk, some glass cracks underneath Amanda's boots. She stops and looks down at the shards glass littered all over the floor. She then looks upwards to see where the glass came from. On the ceiling is a smashed light fixture. Before she can question it, Amanda notices a dark shape clinging to the ceiling next to it: the centipede.

AMANDA

Oh god... RUN!

Amanda and Greg bolt underneath the creature while it snaps it's head at them, trying to sink it's fangs into them.

EXT. OUTPOST, NIGHT

Ramirez, Jake, and Evans sit outside on the steps leading to the outposts front door. The sounds of the prehistoric jungle on the other side of the yard is very loud.

EVANS

The sounds here sure are different than what I'm used to back in the city.

RAMIREZ

You got that right.

Suddenly, a different noise can be heard, a quick stomping, coming from inside the outpost.

EVANS

Do you hear that?

Ramirez and Jake get up and help Evans to his feet as well. The sound gets louder and louder until finally, the front door busts outwards. Out runs Greg and Amanda, with the centipede right behind them. Jake and Ramirez dodge out of the way with Evans in tow. Amanda jumps off the steps and hits the ground running. Greg tries to do the same but trips and tumbles down the steps. He hits the ground on his back, giving him a good view of the centipede as it comes upon him. Before it can sink it's fangs into him, Amanda un-shoulders her rifle and begins firing at the creature. Her bullets hit it in the head but they just bounce off its exoskeleton like last time. The centipede gets pissed off and decides to kill Amanda instead. It's front half plops back to the ground and begins crawling towards her. With nowhere else to go, Amanda runs out into the minefield. With just the chemlight to illuminate the mounds on the ground, she moves as quickly as she can while still being careful. The centipede runs out onto the field, weaving around the mines. Amanda twists around to see it gaining on her. She tries to shoot one of the mines near it but her gun is out of bullets. She tries to reload while still navigating the field. She loads the gun about ten feet away from the downed rover, when she spins back towards the centipede, it's only eight feet away. Now or never. She brings up her rifle.

GREG

AMANDA NO!

She fires the shot, hitting a mine right between the centipede and her. Her and the creature are sent flying in two opposite directions. Amanda is thrown at the base of the destroyed rover, while the creature is thrown onto more mines. The resulting explosions bounce centipede around like a volleyball until it eventually is tossed back to Greg's side of the field. It's lands belly up. Jake and Greg both go over to it, with guns drawn.

JAKE

Is it dead?

In an answer to his question, a gratuitous amount of blood begins to leak and sputter from the creature's mouth. Everyone sighs in relief, before noticing Amanda laying face down at the destroyed rover. With a path cleared through the mines, everyone runs over to her.

GREG

Amanda!?

She begins to pick herself off the ground.

AMANDA

I'm alright.

Everyone begins to ease down. Greg helps her up off the ground.

FADE

A few minutes later, two lights appear from the jungle, belonging to a rhino. The driver pulls it over to a stop.

BROWARD

You called for an evac?

AMANDA

Yes, thank you.

Everyone begins to load into the back. After everyone's in, the rhino gets going.

EVANS

(To Amanda)

So, what was it that you wanted us to keep quiet about?

Amanda quickly thinks up an answer.

AMANDA

The existence of such a big bug. We've got a couple people in our group with big bug phobias.

Amanda cringes a bit from not being able to come up with a better lie.

EVANS

(Disappointed)

Really? That's it?

(Pauses)

So are you going to pay us to keep quiet about it?

AMANDA

Sure, Evans. Sure.

EXT. COLONY PERIMETER

Broward drives the rhino up towards the colony, and for the first time in years, the front gates open, ready to greet them.

INT. MED BAY

Amanda, Greg, and Ramirez walk into the med bay to see several medics working on Sam. They approach him, only to see him unconscious.

AMANDA

(To a medic)

How's he holding up?

MEDIC

So far so good. We'll have to wait a while to be 100% sure though.

AMANDA

Very well.

Ramirez goes to help the medics. Greg approaches Amanda.

GREG

Are we going back?

AMANDA

What?

GREG

All we turned on was the reserve generator. There's still other stuff over there that needs fixing.

AMANDA

That won't be necessary. I can get another team to go over there. They'll fix that place up, retrieve the carcass of that bug for Carmichael to look at, and do whatever else needs to be done over there.

GREG

I thought you said you wanted to keep that bug a secret?

AMANDA

(Pause)

You've done some good work today, Greg. Go get some rest, you deserve it.

GREG

Well... alright.

Greg leaves. Amanda looks back towards Sam, with a worried expression on her face.

EXT. COLONY PERIMETER, NIGHT

P.O.V. SHOT

From the cover of the jungle outside the colony, someone watches the guards through a pair of nightvision binoculars; a stolen pair of binoculars.