Return to Terra Nova
Episode 3
"Trapped Like a Rat"
EXT. JUNGLE, DAY
EXTREME CLOSE UP
A centipede crawls up a tree. It appears to be quite large, much like the one from the previous episode. Its true size is revealed, however, when a human hand comes into view, grabbing the branch the bug resides on, forcing the centipede to scatter away to avoid being crushed.
The owner of the hand: Sam, alive and well from his recent encounter. Above Sam, quite a few branches up, is a cluster of some kind of fruit. Sam ascends towards the fruit for a few more branches, before twisting his head back down towards the ground.
SAM
(Yelling)
Remind me why you need this fruit again?
Way down at the base of the tree is Carmichael, who is staring up towards Sam.
CARMICHAEL
(Also yelling)
That kind of fruit has little to no information about it in the colony database! Who knows what useful properties it may have!
Sam rolls his eyes and turns back towards the tree. He begins climbing once again.
SAM
(To himself)
Much bigger tree than what I used to climb in the dome.
Finally, he reaches the top, and proceeds to rip the fruit off the tree and throw it down towards the ground.
CARMICHAEL
(Yells up)
Hey! I'd prefer it if the samples you gave me weren't smashed to bits!
Sam sighs and starts to pocket the fruit instead. Once his pockets are full, he turns his head away from the tree, but sees something in the process. Through a tangle of leaves and branches, Sam sees some kind of tree fort at the top of a different tree, about a hundred yards away. Intrigued, Sam stares at it.
CARMICHAEL
(Yells)
Are you getting all the fruit you can get?
Sam snaps out it, and quits staring at the fort.
SAM
Yeah, I'm going to come back down now.
Sam begins to climb down the tree. After climbing down for a few minutes, he finally reaches the bottom. Sam pulls the fruit out of his pockets and hands them to Carmichael, who proceeds to put them in a large bag. Sam and Carmichael then climb into Carmichael's rover.
SAM
Hey, Carmichael,
CARMICHAEL
Yeah?
SAM
Do you have the coordinates of this spot saved?
CARMICHAEL
Of course, why?
SAM
Just wondering.
Carmichael turns the rover on and they drive off.
FADE
INT. TAYLOR'S OFFICE
Amanda is sitting at the desk, talking to Spunkmeyer, who's standing on the other side of it.
SPUNKMEYER
...other than a few Ovasaurs, the engineers fixing up outpost one haven't really bumped into anything of too much concern.
AMANDA
That's good.
Sam enters the room.
AMANDA
Yes, Taggart?
SAM
I've found something you might want to hear about.
AMANDA
Alright, spit it out.
SAM
I was up in a tree picking some fruit for Doctor Carmichael... and that's when I saw it. In another tree adjacent to me, there was some kind of tree fort. It looked to be quite large.
AMANDA
A tree fort? How old did it look?
SAM
I couldn't really tell, but I figured you might want to check it out.
AMANDA
Where's it located?
SAM
Go talk to Carmichael, he's got the coordinates and everything.
INT. RESEARCH LABORATORY
Carmichael is standing in the lab, alone, loading some of the fruit collected earlier into a freezer. His workspace is quite small, as the carcass of the giant centipede from the last episode is lying on the main table of the room, with about a third of its body hanging off and drooping onto the floor. Amanda enters.
AMANDA
(Looking at the centipede)
Even when it's dead, that thing still creeps me the hell out.
CARMICHAEL
Well I'm sorry to hear that, because I, on the other hand, find it quite fascinating. It appears to be some kind of descendant of an Arthropleura that has adapted its hollow fangs to drain blood from its prey, rather than inject venom. It's really quite remarkable; we've got nothing in the fossi-
Carmichael sees Amanda's face, which clearly says "I didn't come here for a science lesson."
CARMICHAEL
...Anyways, is there something I can do for you?
AMANDA
Yes, there is. I need the coordinates of the place where you got that fruit.
CARMICHAEL
Is there any particular reason?
AMANDA
From what I've heard, you had Taggart climbing around in that jungle. I want to examine what kind of danger you put him in. I don't want to have a science officer who orders members of my team into potential tree darter nests.
CARMICHAEL
Danger? The tree was perfectly safe, I made sure of it beforehand. Besides, the kid offered to climb the tree before I even asked. You've got nothing to worry about, so maybe you shouldn't be going around throwing accusations at people.
AMANDA
Then you've got nothing to hide. Hand over those coordinates.
CARMICHAEL
Ah ah ah, you didn't say the magic word.
Amanda just looks at him angrily.
CARMICHAEL
(Sarcastically)
Well, alright, but only because you asked SO politely.
Carmichael taps on his smartwatch, and the watch on Amanda's arm buzzes in response.
AMANDA
Thanks, Carmichael.
Amanda exits, while Carmichael shakes his head in disgust at her before going back to working on the disgusting corpse of the centipede.
EXT. RESEARCH LABORATORY
Amanda walks out of the building and towards a rover she has parked nearby. Leaning against the rover, waiting for her, is Sam.
SAM
You get those coordinates?
AMANDA
Yes, and I'm going to check them out, alone.
SAM
You sure about that? I mean, do you know the exact spot you need to climb to, and all that?
Amanda sighs.
AMANDA
Fine. Get in.
Sam gives a triumphant grin and climbs into the passenger seat. Amanda puts the rover in drive and they zoom off.
EXT. JUNGLE, DAY
The rover drives through the jungle. Eventually, Amanda stops it right at the base of several trees.
AMANDA
Okay, so which one is it?
Sam points his finger at the trunk of one tree.
SAM
That one.
Sam climbs out of the passenger seat and walks over to the tree.
SAM
C'mon, let's climb it. You'll be able to see the fort from the top.
Amanda gets out of the rover as well. Sam begins to climb the tree. Amanda follows him. Sam makes it up towards the top with relative ease. Amanda isn't too far behind.
SAM
You know, I used to climb up the trees in the dome I lived in all the time when I was a kid. You're not a bad climber either, though. How'd you get so good?
AMANDA
Boot camp taught me.
SAM
Is that so? That's pretty cool. I mean, I'd be dead if I had to do half of the things you guys do in the military, but I...
To Amanda, Sam's voice goes out of focus and trails off as she begins to remember her days in the military.
FADE
EXT. SMOGGY BOOT CAMP, FLASHBACK
The camp is dark, dirty, and covered in brown smog. The place seems to be devoid of any life, until a single figure comes running through the smog. It's Amanda, wearing combat armor and without a rebreather strapped on. She runs towards a climbing wall and begins to climb up it. She gets about ten feet up before beginning to cough, causing her to slip and fall. She hits the ground with a thud, knocking the wind out of her. She sits dazed on the ground for a second. As she turns her head towards the way she came, she sees the silhouettes of her fellow soldiers running towards her. They do not stop as they get close to her, they only do their best to step around or over Amanda as she lays on the ground. Amanda covers her head as they run over her. They all quickly grab onto the wall and scale it within seconds. When Amanda removes her arms from her face and looks back up, she sees a single figure standing over her.
FIGURE
Need a hand?
The figure holds out their hand towards her. Amanda's vision finally focuses on them. The figure is a handsome young man. He looks tough, but evidently has at least some shred of empathy. Amanda takes his hand and he pulls her to her feet.
AMANDA
Thanks.
MAN
Don't mention it.
Amanda brushes off the dirt from her armor.
AMANDA
I'm Amanda. Amanda Ravenholme.
MAN
Nice to meet you, Amanda, I'm Logan.
Someone starts yelling at them.
PAN
Over in an enclosed bunker off to the side of the course stands a drill sergeant. He can be seen and heard pretty well through the bunker window, yet he still comes outside into the toxic air.
DRILL SERGEANT
Hopper, Ravenholme, what the hell are you two doing!?
The drill sergeant approaches Amanda and Logan.
DRILL SERGEANT
On the battlefield, you two would both be dead! Especially you, Ravenholme!
AMANDA
Sorry sir, it's just difficult to do anything in this toxic air without a rebreather.
DRILL SERGEANT
The air out here is nothing compared to the cities you will be fighting in. What are you going to do there if your rebreather is lost or damaged, give up? No, you keep going until that air finally kills you! Now, hurry up and scale that wall!
AMANDA
Yes... sir...
She begins climbing the wall.
FADE AWAY
EXT. JUNGLE, DAY
Sam and Amanda begin to near the top of the tree. Sam effortlessly makes it to the thinner branches on the top. Amanda takes her time to be as careful as possible, trying to grab the most sturdy branches.
SAM
Don't bother taking it slow, these branches are stronger than they look.
He grabs her by the hand and helps her up. After they get situated at the top, Sam points through a clearing in the leaves
SAM
Over there, do you see it?
Amanda focuses her vision through the opening in the leaves. Sure enough, there's a very worn looking tree fort on another tree nearby.
AMANDA
Looks old, and less than sturdy.
SAM
I say it's worth the risk. There might be something in there that'll tell us what happened within the past few years.
AMANDA
Maybe, but it's too dangerous right now. We'll need extra help and equipment before we can even attempt it.
Amanda looks down towards the base of the tree.
AMANDA
...and we'll have to climb down from here.
INT. RESEARCH LABORATORY
Carmichael pulls a few seeds from the collected fruit with a pair of tweezers and puts them in a small container. After storing the container on a shelf in the lab, he grabs another empty container and his tweezers. He exits the building.
EXT. COLONY
Carmichael walks through the colony with a purpose. His destination: the agricultural district in the center of the colony. From a distance, it doesn't look too great. Through the fence, he can see how wild it has grown. Much of it is blanketed by a bunch of tall grass standing almost four feet into the air. The apple trees planted seven years ago have become scraggly and twisted. Their branches getting intertwined and tangled with each other. He comes up to the fence, and crouches down to see if he can squeeze through underneath.
VOICE
What the hell do you think you're doing?
Carmichael turns around to see Spunkmeyer standing behind him.
CARMICHAEL
Oh, you know, my job.
SPUNKMEYER
The agricultural district is off limits. Commander's orders. Anything could be living in that tall grass.
CARMICHAEL
And how long is Amanda going to keep it off limits, huh? She going to let us all starve to death first?
SPUNKMEYER
Don't be ridiculous. We've got plenty of food rations.
CARMICHAEL
For now, maybe. How long do you think that's going to last?
SPUNKMEYER
It'll last long enough as long as everyone follows orders. Get out of here, Carmichael.
Spunkmeyer shoves Carmichael away from the fence.
CARMICHAEL
Alright, alright, I'm going.
Carmichael walks past Spunkmeyer, bumping him on the shoulder on his walk out. Spunkmeyer takes one last look at the tall grass on the other side of the fence before walking away.
CLOSE
Inside the tall grass, something peeks its eye through, looking inside the colony.
EXT. JUNGLE
A rover carrying several people shows up. Inside are Jake, Ramirez, Greg, and Connor. In front of them is Sam and Amanda, who are both sitting in their parked rover. Jake pulls off to the side and parks.
AMANDA
Did you bring the climbing gear I asked for?
Greg holds up several harnesses and bundles of rope.
GREG
Yup.
Everyone climbs out of the two rovers.
GREG
So, what exactly is going on here?
AMANDA
You'll find out in a second, but as usual, I want you to guys to keep this quiet.
Amanda motions for everyone to follow her as she walks off. She leads everyone to the base of a tree.
GREG
So, uh... we're climbing a tree.
AMANDA
More or less. Whoever climbs up will need to carry up some rope and then throw it down for the rest of us.
SAM
I'll do it.
AMANDA
Well hold on, maybe someon-
Greg just tosses the rope to Sam, who begins climbing the tree immediately. In no time, he disappears into the leaves.
CONNOR
Well, at least he's good at something.
AMANDA
(Up to Sam)
Taggart, are you close?
In response to her question, he chucks a rope down.
SAM
(From above)
You guys need to get up here!
CUT
EXT. OLD TREE FORT
Amanda climbs the rope up to the top. All the way up, is a very old but decently large structure of wooden shelters and bridges. Sam is standing up against one of the walls, as it's the safest spot.
SAM
Watch your step. This place is falling apart.
Amanda carefully steps over to Sam's position. Everyone else begins climbing up.
GREG
Geez, this place looks horrible. If you wanted to die, there's better ways than this.
AMANDA
(To Greg)
This "place" could hold the answers of what happened to the original colonists. This structure is definitely several years old.
Amanda turns to the rest of the group.
AMANDA
(To everyone)
We need to find some places to set up safety lines. Everyone get looking, but be careful.
Everyone scatters off in different directions as cautiously as they can be, shimmying along the walls and gripping anything they can that looks sturdy.
CUT
Sam wanders into an enclosed room. Inside are several sheets with drawings and writing on them. One of them is very clearly a map of the area. Sam creaks over to it and brushes the dirt off. On the map is a green picture of the tree fort labeled with text saying "current home." Also on the map is a red circled location labeled as "potential new dwellings." The red circled location is actually pretty close, at least according to the map. It appears to be a cave at a nearby rock formation. Sam excitedly pokes his head out of the doorway to the room.
SAM
Amanda! Amanda get over here I found something!
Amanda hears him, and carefully steps over to and inside the room Sam is in. She sees the map.
SAM
Potential new dwellings, right there! Look how close it is to us right now, it's only a few clicks or whatever you call it away. We could hop in the rover and check it out in no time!
Amanda looks at a smartwatch on her wrist.
AMANDA
I don't know, we've only got two hours before it gets dark out.
SAM
Two hours? We could check the place out in less than 30 minutes!
AMANDA
No way, we can't just waltz in there, we would need to carefully sneak our way over there from a distance, just to make sure it's all clear.
SAM
But what if-
AMANDA
No. If that's the home of your "friend" from a few nights ago who almost killed you with a knife, then your fate will be a lot worse than a night on a medical table. Is that what you want?
SAM
Well… no… but if that ends up being the home of my attacker, then we can actually find something out about what's going on if we could catch him or something. I think that's worth the risk. We'll never truly be able to defend the colony until we know exactly who we're up against.
Amanda stays quiet, thinking over what Sam is proposing.
SAM
I mean, I could always just spill the beans to everyone else about what we've seen so far.
Amanda get visibly angry, but before she can reply, Greg shows up and interrupts her.
GREG
(Jokingly)
Beans? What kind of beans would you guys happen to be talking about?
AMANDA
It's none of your concern, Fraser.
GREG
I mean, are you sure?
AMANDA
Fraser, just shut up and get those safety lines set up.
Amanda turns to Sam.
AMANDA
(Still to Greg)
As for me and Taggart, we're going on a quick scouting mission.
Sam grins but Amanda grabs him and drags him out of the room. They descend down to the rovers, get into the one that belongs to Amanda, and drive off without uttering a single word.
EXT. JUNGLE
After several minutes of driving, Amanda speaks up.
AMANDA
Taggart?
SAM
Yes?
AMANDA
You've been a real liability to this entire mission. You may have saved my life that first night, but what you're forcing me to do is probably going to end up getting me killed today. In my book, that makes you a real son of a bitch.
Sam isn't able to come up with any kind of reply, so he kind of just sits there starts staring out of the rover in silence.
EXT. ROCK FORMATION
Eventually, the rover begins to near the location of the cave. Amanda starts going really slow with the rover, keeping an eye out for more potential land mines. As Amanda pays close attention to the ground, a loud pop followed by sparks emanating from the hood of the rover makes her jump. It only takes a second for her to realize the cause: gunfire. Suddenly, more gunshots begin to come from the jungle, many of them hitting the rover.
AMANDA
Damn it, Taggart! What the hell did I tell you!
SAM
Yeah! I was wrong, you were right! Just get us out of here!
Amanda puts the rover in reverse and flies backward, before turning the wheel. As she swings the car around to the other direction, Sam holds on for dear life. Another gunshot is heard halfway through the swerve. Time seems to slow down for a second as the bullet hits Sam in the side, causing him to lose his grip and slide out of the rover, the momentum flinging him several feet outside.
AMANDA
Taggart!
Amanda finishes the swerve, and has to make a split-second decision, retreat, or die trying to save Sam. Not knowing what to do, she just presses down on the gas and zooms the car away. The gunfire stops and Amanda makes it a decent distance away when she realizes what she just did, prompting her to slam on the brakes and turn around. She speeds back to where Sam fell out of the rover, only to find that he is missing. She looks up through the canopy of trees to see that the sun is setting. Having no choice, she turns around and leaves once again.
EXT. JUNGLE, EVENING
Above the canopy of trees, the sky glows a brilliant orange as the sun is dragged beneath the horizon. Beneath the trees, Amanda races through the darkening jungle, flipping on her headlights.
AMANDA
(Into Comm)
Ramirez, Fraser, whoever's at the tree fort, get down here! We've got a situation!
EXT. TREE FORT BASE
At the base of the tree fort, Greg, Ramirez, Jake, and Connor are all gearing up and checking their weapons. Amanda pulls up to them from out of the jungle. Amanda motions for them to quickly get in.
AMANDA
Come on! We've got to hurry before it gets completely dark!
GREG
Hey, where's Sam?
AMANDA
Why do you think I need you guys to hurry up and get in here?
GREG
He's in danger again? Shit!
Everyone quickly runs over and climbs into Amanda's rover. Amanda hits the gas just as everyone climbs in and the rover speeds off into the jungle again.
INT. CAVE HIDEOUT
FADE IN FROM BLACK
Sam wakes up in a dark, cold cave to the sound of metal scraping against stone. Sam, evidently having been knocked out from his fall out of the rover, is slightly out of it. He tries to look around and get an idea of his current situation. Immediately, he can feel his hands tied up above his head. Craning his neck, he sees old scratchy rope tied around his wrists, and looped through a small alcove of rock on the wall. He tugs at it but it only digs into his skin. Wincing from the friction, he looks around the cave for the source of the scraping noise. It doesn't take long for him to see the silhouette of a person sitting on a makeshift seat, back turned to him, and sharpening a knife on a rock. The figure turns its head towards Sam. Without being able to see the figure's face or anything, Sam can still feel the person grinning at him with sadistic glee.
CAPTOR
Aha, you're finally awake!
The figure sets the rock down and picks up a lantern off the ground near the base of the seat. They pull out a lighter and ignite the inside of the lamp. The light causes Sam to squint, and the person picks the lamp up and puts it in front of their face before they get up and walk over to Sam. As the person approaches, Sam tries to make out their face. Eventually, they lower the lantern as they get close and Sam is able to see his captor.
CLOSE
The person's face is grimy and covered in dirt. Sam notices several things right away. First, are the person's eyes, which are crazed and sadistic looking, like a kid who just got a new toy to play with. Second, is the yellowed teeth within the person's grinning mouth. Thirdly, is a massive scar across the person's forehead, which is only slightly obscured by very unkempt hair.
The thing that stood out the most to Sam, was that under the dirt of the person's incredibly worn out clothes, is a small patch that reads "Phoenix."
CAPTOR
I was beginning to think I'd never get to talk to any of you newcomers, heh heh…
SAM
Wha- who are you?
CAPTOR
A ghost, forced to rot out here in this hellhole by that bastard Taylor and his damn deputy, Shannon.
Sam just kind of looks at his captor, confused. The captor smiles and laughs in response.
CAPTOR
But if you want, you can call me Dennis.
Dennis laughs once again like a psychopath. Sam eyes the combat knife in Dennis' hand. Dennis takes notice, and stops laughing. He holds the knife up to Sam's face.
DENNIS
Like the knife? I do too… well, not as much as the one I stabbed in your side the other night. Speaking of which, you didn't happen to bring that with you when we kidnapped you, did you?
SAM
You, you're the one who was in the med lab the other night?
DENNIS
Heh. Yep, that was me. Really surprised you survived getting stabbed, especially with that chem fluid that got in your bloodstream; but I guess your buddies got the power up again in time to save you.
SAM
Why? Why did you attack the colony and kidnap me?
DENNIS
Colony? What colony? Are you talking about that heaping pile of junk, slowly being eaten away by the surrounding environment?
Dennis crouches down to meet Sam at eye level.
DENNIS
As for why we kidnapped you, well… my boss wants some information from someone from the group of newcomers.
Dennis stands back up.
DENNIS
He said I'm not allowed to outright kill you, unfortunately.
Dennis slaps the blade of the knife onto the palm of his hand.
DENNIS (CONT'D)
At least, not until I've extracted every last bit of information I can out of you.
Dennis brings his knife and puts it up against Sam's neck, causing Sam to lean back in an attempt to avoid getting cut.
DENNIS
(Crazed grin)
So, how's about we get started?
EXT. COLONY, DUSK
With the cloak of darkness falling upon the colony, people are starting to go inside their houses. The few who must remain outside, are all guarding their posts, but not all of them are exactly doing their jobs well.
CUT
Guarding the supply carts inside the colony, are Adams and Bailey, the same guards as the first night. Bailey is slouched against the side of a supply cart, eating protein squares, while Adams looks at him with disgust.
ADAMS
You've been eating protein squares every night since we got these jobs when you're not supposed to! You're such a pig!
BAILEY
Hey! I'm only half pig!
ADAMS
(rolling his eyes)
Stop it or we're both going to get in trouble!
BAILEY
I don't tell you how to live your life!
ADAMS
What?
BAILEY
It's just a few protein squares, we're not going to run out of food just because I eat a few!
ADAMS
Three packs of squares every night is a bit more than a few!
Meanwhile, some kind of creature is creeping through the colony.
P.O.V. OF CREATURE
While hiding behind a bush that's erupted from the cracked walkway on the ground, the mysterious creature sets its eyes right on the supply cart.
CUT
BAILEY
I beg to differ!
Adams gets angry and runs over to Bailey, trying to snatch the protein square package out of Bailey's hands. Bailey steps back and runs off. Adams chases after him.
ADAMS
You can't have all the food you fat slob!
P.O.V. OF CREATURE
With the two guards gone, the creature gives a slight yelp and runs over to the cart, climbing up it and into the back where the rations are kept.
CUT
Adams and Bailey are wrestling over the package of protein squares. Adams manages to rip them out of Bailey's hands and runs off, back to the cart. Bailey picks himself up off the ground and runs after him.
CUT
Adams runs back over to the cart, only to hear a strange crackling coming from the other end of the cart. He waits for a second. Bailey catches up and stops next to Adams. He snatches the protein package away again but before he can run off again, Adams grabs him by the arm.
ADAMS
Hey, do you hear that?
BAILEY
What?
Adams points and Bailey cranes his neck to try and see the spot on the other end of the cart that Adams is pointing at.
BAILEY
Yeah, what is it?
ADAMS
I don't know, but I don't like it.
Adams draws his pistol and brings it up in front of him as he and Bailey slowly walk towards the end of the cart. They turn the corner, only to find a bunch of Gallusaurs eating all the food in the cart. Bailey drops the package in his hands, and as it hits the ground, Adams opens fire. The dinosaurs panic and run off, back towards the agricultural district in the colony where they came from. Adams looks into the cart to see the damage, only to find they ate or contaminated pretty much all the food in the cart.
ADAMS
(To Bailey)
Guess you were wrong, we are going to run out of food…
EXT. JUNGLE
AMANDA races along through the jungle as everyone in the rover holds on for dear life.
GREG
Where are we going? Is this where you lost Sam?
AMANDA
He fell out of the rover around here, but I've got a hunch he's inside the cave we were headed to investigate.
GREG
Sam just fell out of the rover and you couldn't pick him up right away? What aren't you telling us?
Amanda sighs, and stops the rover.
AMANDA
Everyone, get out. We're almost there anyways.
Amanda gets out of the driver's seat, with a somber mood. Everyone else hurriedly jumps out of their seats, eager to see what she has to say.
AMANDA
I might as well tell you all the truth, as it was bound to come out sometime.
She pauses and looks down, taking a deep breath before looking back up at everyone else.
AMANDA
We're not alone out here.
GREG
What?
AMANDA
There's people living out here in this jungle, and they've shown hostility towards us several times. That first night when I went out into the jungle wasn't some sporadic scouting mission, as many of you in the colony probably suspected, it was a hunt to find a person that Taggart spotted outside the colony.
CONNOR
Jesus, I knew something was up.
Everyone stays quiet, thinking the same thing that Connor just said. All the suspicious happenings and orders over their time here, could all be attributed to the existence of outsiders.
AMANDA
Taggart and I had a few encounters out in the jungle that almost ended with us dying. We wanted to come to this previously inhabited cave to look for clues as to who we're up against, but on the drive over, we were ambushed. Sam took a bullet and fell out of the car. It all happened so fast, but he was gone by the time I came back around to get him, probably dragged off by whoever lives out here.
RAMIREZ
Where'd the bullet hit him? Is he at risk of bleeding out?
CONNOR
Yeah! Why should we risk our lives to save him when there's a good chance he's already dead?
AMANDA
Because it's our duty. We don't leave people behind!
CONNOR
Yeah, sure we don't, which is why we've gotta' go save your boyfriend, huh?
Amanda gets pissed at Connor for his remark. Without thinking, she punches him right across the face, causing him to stumble backwards. Connor puts his hand over his now bleeding nose, and looks up in disbelief at Amanda.
CONNOR
Christ, you've gone insane!
Everyone's eyes are on Amanda, as she realizes what she's just done. Amanda looks down at her hands, seeing that Connor's blood is on the one that hit him. Without looking up, she responds.
AMANDA
(Insecure)
All of you, get in the rover and leave before any of the wildlife smells the blood. I'll handle this on my own.
GREG
You sure?
AMANDA
Yeah, yeah, just go.
Connor turns around and gets in the rover, fed up. Ramirez turns to follow him, not approving of either his or Amanda's actions, but knowing she has a patient to look after. Greg and Jake turn and walk over to the rover hesitantly. They all get in, and they hesitate once again, before turning on the rover the driving off into the night. Amanda stands and watches the headlights fade into the darkness.
INT. CAVE HIDEOUT
Sam screams in pain as Dennis slices him with his knife, leaving gashes all along his arms and legs. Dennis is obviously enjoying torturing the hell out of Sam.
DENNIS
What's wrong, boy? It's nothing your fancy supply of future medicine can't fix!
Dennis sees Sam bleeding all over.
DENNIS
Don't worry though, you won't bleed out here, I won't let you.
Dennis walks over to a pile of supplies in the corner, and grabs a bag made out of some kind of dinosaur hide. He reaches inside and pulls out some kind of powder.
DENNIS
You see this powder? It's naturally occurring and highly flammable. I don't know if you've ever had to get a wound cauterized before, but… I can tell you it's quite the experience!
Dennis chuckles and rubs the powder all in Sam's wounds. He then pulls out the lighter from earlier and ignites the powder. Sam's cries of pain bounce all throughout the cave.
EXT. JUNGLE
Amanda washes her hands off in a tiny creek, and rubs mud and stink leaves all over her clothes and skin, until she's satisfied that her scent has been sufficiently masked. She looks down into the creek, and the running water surfaces a memory she had.
FADE
INT. MILITARY RECREATION ROOMS, FLASHBACK
Amanda is standing in a medium sized room, staring at a fish tank that's leaning against the wall. Around the room, are bookshelves, and seats for people to read in. The room is very quiet, until a voice breaks the silence.
LOGAN
We're given some time to loosen up and have fun before the operation, and you pick the most boring room to spend your time in?
Amanda turns around, startled by the sudden noise.
AMANDA
Jesus, Logan, you scared the hell out of me.
LOGAN
Heh, sorry. What're you doing in here? Wouldn't you rather spend time in the sports room playing volleyball or something?
Amanda smiles, and turns back around towards the fish tank.
AMANDA
No, I'd rather get some time away from everyone else.
LOGAN
(Smiling)
Well, if that's the case, I'll just head back to the arcade room and stop bothering you.
Logan begins to slowly walk out of the room.
AMANDA
Actually, can you stay for a bit?
Logan stops, and walks back over to Amanda.
LOGAN
(Playfully)
Well, if you really want me to.
He stands right next to her and watches the fish tank just a she does.
AMANDA
Back in the day, before Earth was like it is today, people apparently used to go out and catch fish using worms and stuff as bait. People would do it all the time, just for fun. Sometimes though, people would eat the fish they caught, since they weren't filled with chemicals.
LOGAN
Well, it's a shame I'll never get to be a fisherman myself. I hear it was pretty manly, back then.
AMANDA
There's another thing people used to do sometimes after catching fish, for luck.
LOGAN
What?
Amanda kisses Logan on the lips. He's surprised at first, but quickly eases into the situation and embraces it. They finish kissing, and the both of them smile.
AMANDA
For luck…
FADE
EXT. JUNGLE
Amanda snaps back to reality, and picks up her rifle. She heads off into the jungle, with a purpose. After a short time, she finds the entrance to the cave she was looking for. She enters it, vanishing into the darkness.
INT. CAVE
Sam is weak from all the torture, unable to even lift his head up from the dangling position it is in. Dennis just smiles like a madman.
DENNIS
Now, tell me, how'd you all make it back to the past if the portal was destroyed? The word around town, at least back when that bastard Shannon snuck through the terminus, was that hope plaza was blown to smithereens. So, did the good folks in the future rebuild the portal or something? You all couldn't bear to live in that dirty old future, could you?
Dennis wipes at the scar on his forehead.
DENNIS
Well, lucky for you guys. I would do anything to get back. I've got a fortune from all my mercenary jobs over the years sitting back home. Can't exactly spend it out here, can I?
Dennis stops talking when he hears some kind of scraping noise coming from the entrance of the cave. Sam perks his head up, hoping that it's Amanda, coming to rescue him.
CUT
Amanda cautiously peeks her way around corners as she makes her way deeper into the cave. Rifle raised, finger on the trigger.
CUT
Dennis, deciding to go investigate. Gets up and draws a pistol that was in his holster. He walks towards the source of the noise. Turning the corner and going out of sight from Sam.
CUT
Amanda is deep into the cave. The light from the entrance is almost completely gone. She puts on a pair of night vision goggles that were strapped to her utility belt. As she gets further into the cave, she begins to hear scuffling in front of her. She reaches another turn, and gets up against the corner, before the turn.
CUT
Dennis also reaches a corner that makes him weary. He also backs up against a corner. He prepares himself to turn around it, ready to fire.
CUT
Amanda takes a deep breath, and finally turns the corner. Instead of being met with the barrel of a gun, or another human being, for that matter, she is met with the carcass of some dead dinosaur. The noise in front of her, was caused by many small chicken sized dinosaurs, who are feasting upon the carcass. Behind the corpse is a dead end. This isn't the cave where Sam is being held captive.
INT. RESEARCH LABORATORY
Carmichael is once again looking at the corpse of the dead centipede, scanning it with some kind of futuristic device he's holding. He is clearly trying to concentrate, but some shouting coming from outside is getting in his way. Carmichael gets fed up, and drops the device he was holding and storms outside to see what all the shouting is about.
EXT. COLONY
Outside, Spunkmeyer is yelling at Adams and Bailey.
SPUNKMEYER
(yelling)
What do you mean they snuck up on the cart? You're supposed to be out here guarding it!
Carmichael walks over, seeing the source of the shouting.
CARMICHAEL
Hey!
Everyone stops arguing and looks over at him.
CARMICHAEL
What's going on over here? I'm trying to do some important research!
SPUNKMEYER
Get over here and have a look for yourself.
Spunkmeyer points at the food compartment of the cart. Carmichael walks over to the cart, and sees the damage to the food rations.
CARMICHAEL
(Smartass tone)
Oh, I understand now. The non-renewable supply of food ran out prematurely. Yes, this is quite the issue.
SPUNKMEYER
Oh, don't give me that shit right now. I need to find a way to fix this. What I don't need, is for you to be telling me that "you told me so."
CARMICHAEL
Look, all you have to do, is go get some food from the one place around here where there's plenty of free food: the agricultural district.
SPUNKMEYER
Oh no no. That place is almost as wild as the jungles outside the colony. There's a decent chance those infernal lizards came from there in the first place.
CARMICHAEL
Well, it's your choice. I'm not going to sit here and tell you how to run your colony, even if, you know, the one thing you can pay your employees with has been depleted.
Carmichael starts to walk off, and Spunkmeyer looks down at the ground, conflicted from what he's been told.
SPUNKMEYER
Alright, Carmichael, we'll do this your way. We're going into the agricultural district, tonight.
Carmichael stops and turns around, smiling.
CARMICHAEL
Splendid! Let me just grab a few things first.
Carmichael runs off.
SPUNKMEYER
Adams, Bailey, come with me. You two got us all into this mess in the first place.
The three of them run after Carmichael.
INT. CAVE HIDEOUT
While Dennis is gone, Sam tries to pull his hands free of the rope tying him to the wall, but the rope only digs into his wrists. Despite the pain, Sam keeps trying. Footsteps can be heard returning into the room. Dennis enters.
DENNIS
(Looking away from Sam)
I'll admit that the idea of your buddies looking for you has made me a bit jumpy. I go to investigate a noise coming from the entrance to the cave, only to find it's from some leaves that the wind carried in.
Dennis looks over at Sam, seeing him trying to pull himself free of the rope. Dennis chuckles at the futile effort.
DENNIS
Heh heh, trying to escape, little doggy? Go ahead, you're only going to add more pain into this torture experience.
Dennis pulls his knife back out and walks over to Sam, putting it up to Sam's throat.
DENNIS
Now, let's get back to business. Who sent you back in time? Who's that commander of yours, you know, the pretty one?
SAM
She's someone who's going to find me, and you can bet she's going to put a bullet in your brain when she does.
Dennis laughs.
DENNIS
(Sarcastic)
Oh yeah, sure, she'll find you, just like how she found her way back that first night you guys were here. Yep, she's real good at surviving nights in the jungle. Yeah, you've got nothing to worry about, she'll find you in no time.
EXT. JUNGLE
Amanda exits the cave she was just in, and decides to sit down and rest outside the entrance. She looks out at the stars in the sky.
FADE
EXT. CHINESE MILITARY LAB BUILDING, FLASHBACK
The stars in the sky are mostly obscured by smog. Only a few of the brightest are able to peek through.
PAN DOWN
We see a large concrete building with two floors in the center of a massive complex. Around the complex is a massive fence, with guard towers and searchlights at every corner. On the roof of the building is a helipad, and surrounding the edges of the roof are some concrete railings. Suddenly, a grappling hook flies up and catches on the railing.
ANGLE DOWN
On the ground is a squad of soldiers, all clad in dark stealth uniforms. One of them is holding the grappling gun that the hook is attached to via a wire. Commanding the squad is Amanda, and by her side is Logan.
AMANDA
Secure the escape line.
The person holding the grappling gun ties the wire down to a post, making the line taught, and detaches the grappling gun from the wire. Amanda reaches into her pocket and pulls out a data storage card.
AMANDA
Brierley, take the intel and ascend to the roof first.
The person who set up the grappling hook, takes the card and puts an ascension device around the wire. Pressing on, the soldier slides up the wire to the roof. Amanda begins telling others in her squad to do the same, until only her and Logan are left on the ground.
LOGAN
Pretty clean getaway, huh?
Suddenly, alarms start going off all around the complex.
LOGAN
Guess I spoke too soon.
AMANDA
Logan, get up to the roof. I'll be right behind you.
Logan looks up the wire, and then back to Amanda.
LOGAN
Nah, ladies first. I'll cover you.
AMANDA
Suit yourself.
Amanda attaches her ascension tool, and begins to climb the wire. Logan starts to open up his ascender, but is interrupted by screaming coming from across the complex. Logan looks behind, seeing that several base guards have found their position.
LOGAN
Shit.
The guards begin running towards him. Logan un-shoulders his rifle, just in time for the guards to begin firing. Several bullets fly at Amanda as she ascends up the building, but she manages to wiggle out of the way just in time. Logan returns fire at the guards. The evac helicopter for Amanda's squad arrives, and hovers over the roof of the building. Amanda reaches the top and looks over the railing, down at Logan.
AMANDA
Logan, hurry and get up here!
Logan quickly shoulders his rifle and attaches his ascender to the wire. He begins to slide up the building, bullets still flying at him. He makes it about halfway up, before one of the bullets manages to hit him right in the head, flying right through his helmet and killing him instantly. He goes limp and drops fifty feet to the ground. His ascender climbs to the top without him on it.
AMANDA
Logan! NO!
The guards now focus all of their fire at Amanda, forcing her to duck behind the concrete railing for cover. She crawls her way over to the helicopter and boards it, next to the rest of her squad. The helicopter takes off, flying over the compound. Amanda looks as the building shrinks into the distance, tears in her eyes.
FADE
EXT. JUNGLE
Amanda looks down from the stars, and buries her face in her arms, stricken with grief and regret.
EXT. RESEARCH LABORATORY
Outside the door to the lab, Spunkmeyer waits with Adams and Bailey. Finally, after several minutes, Carmichael comes back out with a headlamp on and a satchel strapped to his side.
CARMICHAEL
Alright, I'm ready, but what about you?
SPUNKMEYER
We're all ready, let's get going before anyone realizes the food is gone.
CARMICHAEL
Oh no you're not. All you guys have are handguns. We're going to need a lot more firepower than that.
SPUNKMEYER
Well, I guess that's true.
EXT. RANDOM COLONY HOUSE
Spunkmeyer knocks on the door to a house. Someone answers. It's Evans, with a flashlight in hand and looking seriously tired.
EVANS
(Groggily)
What do you people want at this ungodly hour? I've already done my guard duty shift. Leave me alone.
SPUNKMEYER
Sorry to disturb you, but you're the weapons expert we brought along from 2156, and well… we need to borrow some weapons.
EVANS
Yeah, no, I'm not giving any weapons away at this hour, especially not when it's on some random whim like this, a random whim I won't be supervising my weapons on.
CARMICHAEL
Well, guess you're going to have to come along if you don't want people to use your weapons without supervision.
EVANS
Yeah, no thanks. I'd rather get a good night's sleep for once in my-
Evans turns around, shining the flashlight into his house. The light reveals a foot-long prehistoric cockroach in the house. Evans screams in surprise, and the roach retreats underneath a moldy couch. Evans turns back to Spunkmeyer and Carmichael.
EVANS
You know what, I think I could use some fresh air anyways. Let me just grab my weapons really quick.
Evans runs inside and quickly runs back out with a bag of guns and some ammo. He passes guns out to Spunkmeyer, Adams, and Bailey, before taking one for himself. Everyone begins to walk away, and Evans follows them out.
EVANS
I hate bugs.
EXT. COLONY, NIGHT
Spunkmeyer, Carmichael, Adams, Bailey, and Evans all gather outside the fence to the agricultural district; headlamps on, and weapons loaded. Spunkmeyer unsheathes a large machete.
SPUNKMEYER
So, you're saying we should be checking out the apple orchard first, right?
CARMICHAEL
It's the easiest thing to find out in that tangle of tall grass. Everything else is probably buried in weeds at this point in time.
Carmichael crawls through a hole in the fence into the tall grass on the other side.
CARMICHAEL
Besides, I could go for some apple pie right about now.
Everyone follows Carmichael into the tall grass.
EXT. AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT, NIGHT
The ragtag group makes their way through the tall grass. Spunkmeyer chops away with the machete he brought along, clearing a bit of a path in the tall grass. Behind him, Adams and Bailey shiver with fear.
BAILEY
Oh god, this is it, the dinosaurs are going to pick us off one by one, just like in the movies!
ADAMS
Qu-quit crying, you co- coward. You got us into this mess, in the fir- first place.
Over the dark horizon, the dark silhouettes of the unruly apple trees get closer.
SPUNKMEYER
Almost there, everyone.
The sound of rustling grass can be heard in the distance occasionally, making everyone tense. Finally, after a very unnerving walk, they all reach the apple trees. Carmichael takes some samples, and pulls some apples off the branches, while everyone else keeps watch.
CARMICHAEL
Well, we're in luck, the apples are in perfect shape. Kept safe from predatory insects by a species of beetle that the colonists introduced over here.
EVANS
Ugh, bugs.
SPUNKMEYER
So, is that all? We're just going to have to survive off apples for the duration of our time here?
CARMICHAEL
Of course not, there's other food growing out here underneath all this grass. We'll have to get people to uncover it all later.
The grass around the trees starts to rustle, as several things move around in it, circling the group.
EVANS
Shit, looks like we're going to have company.
Bailey and Adams shakily raise their guns, as does everyone else. Something bursts out of the grass, and everyone opens fire.
INT. CAVE HIDEOUT
Dennis punches Sam across the face.
DENNIS
Give up, boy, you're never getting out of here! Just tell me what I want to know and I'll give you a merciful end!
Sam still says nothing.
DENNIS
What's it going to take, kid? Do I need to get some of your buddies in here too? Huh?! I'll gut them too if you don't want to give me any answers!
Sam struggles against the rope, and miraculously, it snaps off his wrists, letting Sam free. Dennis' eyes widen in surprise, but he isn't able to react quick enough to stop Sam from tackling him to the ground. Sam begins to punch at him in pure rage, but it doesn't take long for Dennis to regain his composure and fight back. Sam, even when fighting off of pure rage, isn't good enough to fight an experienced soldier like Dennis, who quickly overpowers Sam and flips the pin on him, placing his knee firmly on Sam's throat, choking him. Running low on air, Sam notices the pistol holstered at Dennis' side, and quickly makes a grab for it. Dennis notices and also tries to grab it, but not before Sam does. Sam fires a shot, but Dennis slaps it away in time for the shot to miss. The gun flies out of Sam's hand, and lands on the ground several feet away.
EXT. JUNGLE
Outside, Amanda hears a gunshot echo through the jungle, and lifts her head up from her arms. She picks up her rifle and makes her way in the direction the sound came from.
INT. CAVE HIDEOUT
Sam and Dennis' ears are both ringing, and Dennis loses balance, allowing Sam to shove him off. Dennis falls to the ground on his back, and Sam dives for the gun. Dennis gets back up as Sam grabs the gun and points it at him. Dennis stops in his tracks.
DENNIS
My my, looks like you've managed to turn the tables on me.
SAM
That's right, you bastard. This is how it's going to go: I'm taking you prisoner back to the colony, so you can get a taste of your own sick medicine.
DENNIS
That's a very bold threat, kid, but the threat assumes that you'll be able to take me alive!
Dennis takes off running out towards the entrance to the cave. Sam shoots at him but misses every shot. Wanting to salvage the situation, Sam gives chase.
EXT. CAVE HIDEOUT, NIGHT
Dennis runs out of the cave, with Sam right behind him, firing off several shots.
DENNIS
Run, run, as fast as you can! Hahahaha!
Sam keeps right on Dennis' tail.
EXT. JUNGLE
Amanda makes her way through the foliage, when all of a sudden, she hears more gunshots. She takes cover behind a tree trunk, and peeks around at where it came from. She hears someone running towards her. A few seconds later, Dennis bursts through the foliage, running right past her before she can even react. She walks out from behind the trunk, staring at where Dennis went after running past her. All of a sudden, she hears more running, and turns around. Sam comes bounding out of the foliage, and knocks Amanda over, but keeps running. Amanda looks up to see Sam as he runs past her too.
AMANDA
Sam!
She gets back up and chases after him.
CUT
Sam catches up with Dennis again, and starts to open fire. The shots all miss, except for the last one, which hits Dennis right in the leg, causing him to trip and fall. Sam runs over to him and pins him to the ground with his foot. With a gun pointed right at his head, Dennis smiles.
DENNIS
Come on, kid, we both know you won't pull that trigger. You don't have the balls.
Sam pulls the trigger, only for the gun to click, empty. Dennis tries to wrestle Sam off, but Amanda runs into the scene, killing his hope of escape.
AMANDA
Oh my god, you're alive Taggart!
(Looking at Dennis)
Who's he?
SAM
The bastard who's been torturing me for the past few hours. He's one of the outsiders.
AMANDA
An outsider?!
She looks at Dennis, and walks over to him and Sam.
AMANDA
Looks like we'll have to take him in then.
Amanda hits Dennis across the face with the butt of her rifle, knocking him out. Sam takes his foot off Dennis and stumbles over to a nearby tree. Leaning against the trunk, Sam starts to puke. Amanda goes over to check on him.
SAM
Oh god, I was so ready to kill him, and I would've if the gun hadn't been empty.
Sam tosses the gun to the ground.
SAM
He put me through so much pain...
AMANDA
Don't worry, it's all over now. I'll call a rover to come pick us up. We'll be back in no time, Sam.
Amanda gives Sam a smile.
FADE
EXT. TERRA NOVA PRISON
A rover pulls up, driven by a random guard. In the other seats of the car, sits Amanda and Sam, who have Dennis in cuffs. They escort him into the building.
INT. TERRA NOVA PRISON
They throw Dennis into a cell, and shut the door. Dennis gets up and bangs against the window on the door, screaming.
DENNIS
Don't celebrate just yet! My buddies will be here to break me out in no time! You'll see!
Amanda and Sam exit.
EXT. COLONY
Sam limps and Amanda helps him walk.
AMANDA
You're in pretty bad shape. Let's get you to the infirmary.
As they walk, they notice Spunkmeyer, Evans, Adams, and Bailey dragging some dead Gallusaurs into the colony, with Carmichael walking along behind them, dragging nothing and with a smirk on his face.
AMANDA
Spunkmeyer, what's going on here?
SPUNKMEYER
Well… we had a bit of an issue involving food shortages and Gallusaurs, but I think we've got that all sorted out, thanks to doctor Carmichael.
AMANDA
Well, I expect you to give me a full report, tomorrow.
SPUNKMEYER
Yes ma'am.
Amanda and Sam leave and continue on their way to the infirmary.
EXT. INFIRMARY
Amanda and Sam enter the infirmary through the front doors.
FADE
Several hours pass, and night turns into day. Sam exits the infirmary, alone, only to see tons of people walking around outside towards Taylor's building. Sam stops one person.
SAM
(To person)
Hey, where's everyone going?
PERSON
Didn't you hear? The commander has a very big announcement to make. It's supposed to start soon, and she told almost everyone to come hear it.
The person walks off, and Sam follows the crowds.
EXT. TAYLOR'S BUILDING, DAY
A large group has gathered outside the building, waiting for the mystery announcement to start. Sam finds a spot to stand just in time, as Amanda opens the door and walks out onto the balcony, grim faced and nervous. She begins speaking after a long hesitant pause.
AMANDA
All of you have been doing your duties these past few days, and for that, I am extremely grateful. You have done all that I've asked, and then some. Yet, I have not been the best commander I can be, and I have not been as truthful with all of you as I would have hoped. Please, take this news with the greatest understanding that you can, knowing that I only kept it hidden to dissuade potential panic from within all of you. Today, however, the truth comes out.
Amanda takes a deep breath.
AMANDA
(Cont'd)
This whole time we've been living out here, we have not been alone. Out in that jungle, are other people, people that are hostile to us and our mission. From the first night, they have worked to sabotage what we mean to rebuild.
The crowd erupts with tons of whispers and mutterings, before getting quiet again once Amanda begins to continue.
AMANDA
This disturbing news isn't all bad, however, as I am pleased to announce that we have finally captured one of these hostiles, and will soon begin interrogations to find out what's going on here, and what we're up against.
The crowd begins talking once again. Within the commotion, nobody notices a single soldier, standing still as a statue. On the soldier's armor are some dried bloodstains that appear to be several days old.
CLOSE
The soldier begins to move, unclipping a gas grenade from their belt.
AMANDA
(Cont'd)
Through this captive, we may finally know what happened to the colony. We may finally find out where the original colonists failed, and where we can succeed!
CLOSE
The soldier pulls the pin on the grenade, and tosses it into the crowd.
WIDE SHOT
The crowd erupts in screams of surprise as the grenade explodes, blanketing the meeting with a dark green gas. People start coughing and everyone tries to get away. People push and shove each other, as many people collapse to the ground, getting knocked out by the gas. Amanda jolts backwards and tries to cover her mouth and nose. She looks out at the crowd, her eyes stinging from the gas. She notices someone running out of the crowd, another grenade in hand. Amanda falls to the ground, and turns on her comm. She tries to choke out a message through it.
AMANDA
(Into comm)
Prison guards… look… out… someone… coming…
Amanda crawls out of the gas, and around to the stairs. She goes down them, and just lays on the ground once she reaches the bottom. After partially regaining her strength, she gets up, and waddles drunkenly out into the colony. Sam, having been decently far from where the gas grenade went off, is in decent shape and sees her. He runs over to her, and helps her out.
SAM
Hey! Take it easy!
AMANDA
The prison, we've got to get to the prison!
SAM
What? Why?
INT. TERRA NOVA PRISON
Sam and Amanda enter, only to find that the place has been ransacked. Both the guards stationed by Amanda are dead, with bullet holes in their heads. The door to the cell Dennis was being held in is wide open, and Dennis is nowhere to be found. Sam and Amanda exit the building.
EXT. TERRA NOVA PRISON
Making their way outside, Dennis is still nowhere to be found. Sam and Amanda just sit down on the ground in defeat, staring out at the colony fence, and the jungle beyond. They were so close to getting the answers they wanted, only for their only chance to have been swept away so easily. Amanda and Sam's comms both turn on, as they begin to receive a voice message.
DENNIS
(From comms)
Nice try, kid. We'll meet again.
Sam and Amanda look outwards into the jungle, swearing they can see several figures staring at them from the foliage.
THE END
