ACT THREE
26 - INT. MAIN MISSION
[McKinley – Into Commlock]
"Bergman, tell me that was Area Two."
[Bergman – Over Commlock]
"No such luck, Commander. That was Area B7."
[McKinley]
"How are things looking at Area Two ?"
[Bergman]
"The reaction is accelerating rapidly, Commander."[Pause]"Even with the HX-17, we have only three hours before Area Two goes critical."
[McKinley]
"Keep monitoring it, McKinley out."
During the conversation between McKinley and Bergman, Carter left the Engineering station. He has overheard the discussion between the two. Carter looks worried.
[Carter]
"How long does a Level Two evacuation take ?"
[McKinley]
"Too long. Even if we use every Eagle we have and load them to capacity, we would be short."
[Carter]
"Then we need a new plan."
[Kano]
"This is probably a stupid question, but why would this explosion be so bad ? Besides the obvious…"[Pause]"Doc Bergman apparently said something about the moon cracking like an egg. I mean, wouldn't the blast simply cause a nasty crater ?"
[Carter]
"I'm afraid it's not that easy…" [Looks at McKinley, who nods for him to continue]"Tell me, what do you know about the 2012 FTL disaster ?"
[Kano]
"I know that the Mark One FTL-Drive ran on an artificial black hole. Astro Probe Six and Seven engaged their FTL-drives at the very edge of the solar system. Both ships exploded and were consumed by their black holes, which then merged and started crossing the solar system."
[Pauses as she looks at Carter and McKinley, who clearly know more than she does] "So the brass dusted off Astro Probe Five and Astro Probe Four and fitted them with anti-gravity tech. The two ships dissolved the black hole, barely saving Earth."
[McKinley]
"That's the official version. Captain…"
[Carter]
"The ships didn't dissolve the black hole, we captured it instead. Dissolving the black hole was possible, the bad news was that doing so was not a thirty hour procedure. It was more like thirty…YEARS."
[Kano]
"Oh no. Tell me it's not in Section 45, also known as the Top Secret research section at the very bottom of Alpha."
[Carter and McKinley – in unison]
"It's in Section 45."
[Kano]
"And if the process is halted halfway because the rest of Alpha is vaporized ?"
[McKinley]
"Well, it's all theoretical at this point. But our best guess is that there would be some kind of space-time distortion. And that would indeed, crack the moon like an egg."
[Kano]
"I had to ask. So, what's the plan ?"
[Simmons]
"Yes, Commander McKinley, what IS the plan ?"
[McKinley]
"Why aren't you evacuating people ?"[Pause]"Because the plan is to get as many people out of here as possible before that explosion. Also, at this point, any plans to prevent said explosion are welcome. Even the crazy ones."
[Bergman – as he walks in]
"In that case, I have an idea."[Pause] "After the 2012 FTL-disaster, it was decided that any future drives would not be powered by a black hole."
[Kano]
"He's right. The Mark-Two has a matter/anti-matter power core."
[Bergman]
"And right now, it has zero fuel. Which means that, right now, the drive is an inert…"
[Kano]
"…Giant energy sponge. Because the amount of energy required for FTL-travel is massive. It could probably ABSORB the entire explosion and still have only enough power for a fraction of a second." [Pause as she realizes she's just stolen Bergman's thunder]"Sir."
[Bergman – Impressed]
"Excellent briefing."[Turns to McKinley]"The problem is going to be getting the drive in place. The drive is so heavy it will take two Eagles to get it there."
[McKinley]
"Captain, you and Commander Koening are the two best pilots we have."
[Carter]
"Right."[Takes out his Commlock as he heads for the nearest exit]"Joan, meet me at Eagle Bay Three. It's crazy plan time."
[Koenig – over Commlock]
"On my way."
27 - EXT. LUNAR SURFACE
Two Eagles fly above the surface. There is a heavy duty magnet underneath the craft, which is connected to the ship by means of a heavy cable. The ships are headed for Moonbase Beta at top speed.
28 - INT. EAGLE COCKPIT
An advanced cockpit with two chairs. Koenig is doing the flying, while Morrow is in the co-pilot's seat. He is working his console, making sure the Eagle is ready for the upcoming task. Both are wearing flight suits.
[Koenig]
"How are we looking, Paul ?"
[Morrow]
"Ready to do this."
[Koenig]
"Let's see it, then."
[Morrow]
"Right."[Morrow presses several keys and one of the screen changes to show the surface underneath the magnet]"The camera feed is up. Ten seconds to target."
[Koenig]
"Good."[Koenig opens activates the radio]"Koenig to Carter."
[Carter]
"Carter here."
[Koenig]
"How are things going over there ?"
[Carter]
"On schedule. I've got Major Kano in the co-pilot's seat and she's readying the magnet."
The screen shows that they have arrived above the FTL-drive. Koenig brings the Eagle to a stop and nods to Morrow, who presses several keys.
29 - EXT. LUNAR SURFACE
The Eagles are hovering above a silver cylinder, lowering their magnets towards it. The magnets attach and the Eagles lift the FTL-drive off the surface.
30 - INT. EAGLE COCKPIT
[Koenig]
"Eagle One to Main Mission. We have the drive."
[Bergman – Over Eagle radio]
"Glad to hear that. The team in the Area Two dome just reported that we have roughly half an hour before detonation."
[Koenig]
"Alan, are you hearing this ?"
[Carter]
"Yes. Even at maximum speed, it's going to take ten minutes to get the drive in place."
Morrow works the controls and the screen is showing the FTL-Drive changes to show a countdown. Above the countdown is the lunar time. The countdown will hit zero at 20.15 lunar time.
[Koenig]
"Then we'd better hurry."
31 - INT. MAIN MISSION
McKinley is working his console. Russell and Bergman are at the science console. Simmons is pacing in the background.
[McKinley]
"How are we doing on the evacuation ?"
[Bergman]
"Six-hundred and eleven people to get out. Even with eight passengers per Eagle, it's a slow process."
[Russell]
"On the bright side, we're loading the last wounded now."
[McKinley]
"Good. What about the Infirmary ?"
[Russell]
"My staff is on their way back. Just in case this goes south for the winter. There probably won't be much to do…"
[McKinley]
"I'll take what I can get, doctor."[Presses several buttons and activates the radio]"McKinley to Koenig. How are things going ?"
[Koenig]
"We're on schedule and on course. But the long-range sensors are saying that the radiation levels are beginning to spike."
[McKinley]
"Send the telemetry through, Commander."[The main screen of his console lights up]"Bloody Hell…"[McKinley presses several keys]"Jones, evacuate the observation dome, NOW !"
[Jones]
"But the readings…
[McKinley]
"Screw the readings ! Take your team and evac ! McKinley out." [Turns his chair and looks at Simmons]"And why are you still here, Commissioner Useless ?"
[Simmons]
"I tried to evacuate, but apparently I am not important enough to leave."
McKinley rolls his eyes in reply. He turns his chair back to his station, clearly annoying Simmons. The Commissioner stops pacing and walked to the Commander's station.
[Simmons]
"You do realize that even if this long-shot works, your career is over ?"
[McKinley]
"I don't care."
[Simmons]
"We'll see about that."
32 - EXT. LUNAR SURFACE
The two Eagles have arrived at Nuclear Waste Disposal Area Two. They are lowering the FTL-Drive to the border of the area.
33 - INT. EAGLE COCKPIT
[Kano]
"That's it, the drive is in place."
[Carter]
"Now we have to make sure it's properly calibrated. Otherwise all we'll get is FTL-Drive Cajun style."
[Kano]
"And we only have fifteen minutes to get it done. Otherwise WE'LL end up Cajun style when Area Two blows."
[Carter]
"Then we'd better hurry."
Carter and Kano get up and head for the rear compartment.
34 – INT. MAIN MISSION
Bergman and McKinley are at the science console. Simmons is still watching. Russell is talking into his Commlock.
[Russell]
"I'll be right there, Jennifer. Russell out."[Russell turns to McKinley]"I have to go."
[McKinley]
"Good luck, doctor."
[Simmons]
"You realize that the chances of this plan working are astronomical. The FTL-Drive isn't designed for this kind of use."
[Bergman – Annoyed]
"I know what the Mark Two and cannot do."[Bergman presses two buttons to open a channel]"Bergman to Koenig. How is the calibration going ?"
[Koenig]
"We're working on it. But the modifications are slow going."
[McKinley]
"Understood."[Turns to Bergman]"Are all the other Eagles secured ?"
[Bergman]
"Yes, they are all locked down in the bays. And Bay Two is ready to receive the last two Eagles. It'll be a tight fit, but we'll get them in there."
[McKinley]
"Good."[Presses several keys on the console]"All hands, this is Base Commander McKinley, Collision Protocol Five. I repeat, Collision Protocol Five. Main Mission out."
[Simmons]
"You really think a couple of closed blast doors will safe this base ?"
[McKinley]
"I'll take whatever I can get."[Turns to the Engineer on duty]"Lock Main Mission down."
[Engineer]
"Yes, Commander. Locking down Main Mission."
The Engineer pushes two buttons on his console. Blast doors seal the entrances to the room, while shutters come down over the windows.
[Bergman]
"You've done everything you can, Zachary. It's up to Koenig and Carter now."
[McKinley]
"I just hope it's enough."
35 – INT. EAGLE COCKPIT
Koenig and Morrow enter the cockpit and sit down behind the craft's controls. On the screen, the clock says 20.10 and the countdown is at five minutes. Koenig activates the Eagle's radio.
[Koenig]
"Eagle One to Eagle Two. Are you aboard, Alan ?"
[Carter]
"We're strapping in now, Joan."
[Koenig]
"Good, preparing for take-off now. Carter out."
[Morrow]
"Even at full speed, this is going to be close."
[Koenig]
"I know, so prepare for a rough ride and no throwing up, please."
[Morrow]
"No promises."
36 – EXT. LUNAR SURFACE
Both Eagles take off and fire their main engines at full. The Eagles clear Area Two, which is now glowing brightly with heat and energy.
An explosion rips through Area Two, starting a chain of explosions. The observation dome is vaporized. Seconds after this, there is a massive explosion. This explosion sends out blinding light that follows and then swallows both of the Eagles.
END OF ACT THREE