October 1st 2004

Silver Leaf, Nebraska

Weyland Industries, T.D.R.S Receiving Station

INT. T. D. R. S Receiving Station

Third Person POV

Inside, the whir of air conditioning. The distinctive logo of WEYLAND INDUSTRIES is everywhere. A handful of bored technicians and scientists monitor the data from dozens of satellites orbiting the Earth. You get the feeling nothing happens here.

''Lunch.'' the lunch deliverer says.

A technician watching an old movie (''Frankenstein meets the Wolfman'') on a portable TV finally notices a flashing light on the console behind him.

''Hey. Hey, hey. Come here. Take a look at this.'' A scientist says.

''What is it?'' a female scientist asks.

''It's a data stream from PS12.'' The male scientist says.

''Big Bird? Where is she?'' the female asks.

''Right above sector 14.'' the male says.

''There isn't anything in sector 14.'' the female says.

''There is now.'' the male says.

''Wake them up.'' his supervisor says.

''Who?'' he asks.

''Everyone.'' she says.

Lho La Ice Fall, Nepal

October 8th 2004

Lexa Woods POV

I'm climbing up a mountain when my phone suddenly rings.

''Hello?'' I ask.

''Miss Woods. Pleasure to speak to you.'' the mystery man says.

''Who is this?'' I ask.

''My name's Maxwell Stafford. I represent Weyland Industries.'' Stafford says.

''Let me guess. He's suing us again?'' I ask.

''You misunderstand. Mr. Weyland has offered to fund your foundation for a year if you'll meet with him.'' Stafford says.

''When?'' I ask.

''Tomorrow.'' Stafford says.

''Tomorrow's gonna be a problem. It takes me a week to get back to the world.'' I say.

''Yes, I told Mr. Weyland that.'' Stafford says.

''He said he didn't have a week.'' Stafford says.

Teotihuacan, Mexico

Sebastian de Rosa POV

''We must be right on top of it.'' I say.

''What is it, Sebastian?'' Sam asks.

I hold up a Pepsi bottle top.

''Hmph. Early 1950's I'd say.'' Juan says.

''Hey, Juan. We're almost there.'' I say.

''According to you, the Teotihuacan's last gift to their dying King was a pepsi.'' Juan says.

''Come on Juan. Give me one more month, please.'' I ask.

''No.'' Juan says.

''Please?'' I ask.

''I'll bring in another team.'' Juan says and leaves.

''What?'' Thomas asks.

''The burial chamber is here. I know it. We are gonna find it.'' I say.

''I know it too but without a crew and a permit we're out of business.'' Tom says.

''Hold the team together for two days. I'll go to Mexico City and I'll talk to the bank. I'll get us more money.'' I say.

''Right.'' Tom says.

''I might be able to help you accomplish that Professor.'' who I will come to know as Stafford says.

''Do I know you?'' I ask.

''In exchange for a little of your time.'' he says.

October 9th 2004

Miller POV

Helicopter

I take photos for my sons so they don't think I am boring and accidentally wake the woman up.

''Oh, I'm sorry. I should've switched the flash off. There's your magazine. Excuse me.'' I say.

''That's okay.'' the beautiful woman says.

''I'm documenting the trip for my boys. This is them. Jacob and Scotty.'' I say.

''Would you mind just taking a picture? Thank you.'' I say.

''Sure.'' she says.

''Just wanna show them that their dad wasn't always so boring.'' I say.

''Smile.'' the woman says as she holds the camera.

''Okay.'' I say and look out the window as she takes my picture.

''There you go.'' she says.

''Thank you.'' I say.

''I'm Graeme Miller. I'm a chemical engineer.'' I say.

''Alexa Woods, environmental technician and guide.'' the woman says.

''Do you work for Weyland?'' I ask.

''Oh, no. No, I split my time between working for a small environmental group and taking scientists on expeditions on the ice.'' Lex says.

''Lex. You and your friend buckle up. We're gonna hit some turbulence.'' the helicopter pilot says.

''Thanks Jack.'' Lex says.

''Is he a friend of yours?'' I ask.

''Of my dad's. He trained most of the pilots here.'' Lex says.

''Just passed the PSR.'' Jack says.

''Oh damn. I wish I'd got a picture.'' I say.

''Of what?'' Lex asks

''The PSR. I wish he'd called it out before we passed it.'' I say.

''The PSR is the point of safe return. It means we've used up half our fuel, so we can't turn back.'' Lex says.

''Right but if something went wrong, we could land, presumably.'' I say.

''We could ditch.'' Lex says.

''Yeah. Ditch.'' I say.

''But the temperature of the water would kill us in three minutes.'' Lex says.

Piper Maru

Alexandra Cassandra Weyland POV

I hear Sebastian wants to take the check and split afterwards. Dad doesn't deserve that no matter what. I still don't know why he has little Aurora here.

She's only three-years-old and shouldn't go anywhere potentially dangerous. Why am I the only one with a working brain?