after earth 5.9.12 - wikileaks prime - day 5 kitai running. he must finish first. his size, his...

AFTER EARTH

Story byWill Smith

Written byM. Night Shyamalan and Gary Whitta

Revision byStephen Gaghan

10/26/11

Revision byM. Night Shyamalan

12/6/11

Revision byStephen Gaghan

1/20/12

Shooting Script – 12/6/11

Blue Revisions (on White) – 1/20/12

Pink Revisions - 1/26/12

Yellow Revisions - 3/2/12

Green Revisions - 3/19/12

Goldenrod Revisions - 4/2/12

Buff Revisions - 4/10/12

Salmon Revisions - 5/9/12

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INT. OLD RAIGE APARTMENT - DAY1 1

THE SOUND OF THE AIR RAID ALARM IS REVERBERATING THROUGH THE AIR. NINE-YEAR-OLD KITAI has stopped playing in his room. He moves the hair from his eyes. He looks out and sees the walkway outside. This is an apartment only two floors from the ground.

He sees his sister SENSHI, 19, running along the walkway - moving people hurriedly.

Nine-year-old Kitai sits frightened. Senshi returns to the apartment. She is a young Ranger. She is in uniform, holding a cutlass. She looks to her little brother. *

SENSHIKit, we have to go. Right now.

SUDDENLY THERE IS A LOUD TERRIFYING SCREECHING SOUND - A CREATURE SOUND. Nine-year-old Kitai covers his ears.

KITAIIs that..?

SENSHIThey surprised us. Sent ships. Dropped those things. You’re not afraid, are you?

KITAINo... Yes.

ANOTHER SHRIEK. CLOSER. No way he’s not afraid of that sound.

SENSHIKit, get under the bed.

Nine-year-old Kitai does as his sister says. Senshi’s eyes search her little brother’s room. She sees a rectangular glass box with plants in it. It is covered. She finds a remote on the table. She presses a button. The lid opens and closes.

Senshi straps her cutlass expertly to her back. It magnetically sticks. She pulls all the plants out of the glass case. She pulls the case across the floor and turns it on its side. She shoves it under the bed with Kitai.

SENSHIClimb in here, okay? It won’t be able to smell you.

Nine-year-old Kitai does as he’s told. She hands him the remote. She hands him an extra cutlass from her bag.

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Senshi grabs her little brother’s face. Her beautiful eyes are emotional and dead serious.

SENSHIDon’t come out. No matter what. That’s an order.

Nine-year-old Kitai nods, eyes filling with water.

KITAISens--

ANOTHER SCREECH, THIS TIME MUCH CLOSER.

Senshi hits the remote in Kitai’s hands. The glass box closes. Nine-year-old Kitai watches his sister stand. She pulls the cutlass from her back. Her fingers tap a pattern on the cutlass’s handle that reads, “Cutlass C-6.” The cutlass’s *thousands of steel-like fibers extend on either side into razor-sharp points. The cutlass is now six feet long.

THERE IS A SHADOW THAT PASSES OVER THE OTHER ROOM OF THE APARTMENT.

Senshi moves into the other room. She spins the cutlass in her hand.

Senshi is partially obscured by our view from under the bed.

WE SEE THE CREATURE ENTER OFF THE WALKWAY.

We just get a glimpse of its enormous, six-legged body as it enters the apartment.

We get a glimpse of Senshi nervously moving around in the room, staring at it. Senshi moves forward bravely. Tries to strike it.

Furniture gets thrown in the room. Senshi expertly wields her cutlass. She gets hidden momentarily from our view through the doorway. WE SEE THE CREATURE’S ARM REACH OUT. Senshi parkours off the corner of the room away from it.

And then we see Senshi get struck.

Nine-year-old Kitai’s face contorts in terror.

Senshi is thrown across the room. Senshi is dazed. She tries to stand. She screams as the creature descends on her. She is obscured from sight by its huge body.

Kitai taps a pattern on the handle of the cutlass in his hands. It extends, razor-sharp at the ends.

AFTER EARTH Revised Yellow 2/24/12 2.

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He is terrified as he clutches the weapon. He doesn’t move from his hiding place. Tears stream down Kitai’s face.

The creature POUNCES AGAIN, then it’s on her, and Kitai hears her VOICE, no longer a Ranger, but a girl --

SENSHI (O.S.)Dad...

When the creature moves, we see Senshi’s bloodied, still body in the corner of the room.

There is the movement of people outside on the walkway. The creature strangely grabs Senshi’s lifeless body and holds it up against the window of the apartment. We hear the group outside the apartment start screaming in terror.

The creature looks around and moves after the people outside.

Nine-year-old Kitai stares at the body of his sister. Her mangled face stares back at him.

MATCH TO:

INT. KITAI’S BEDROOM - DAWN2 2

A futuristic alarm goes off.

KITAI RAIGE groggily gets up. He is fourteen years old now. Small for his age.

He rubs his hands over his buzzed short hair. It is still dark outside.

He looks at a holographic picture on his desk. It is a family picture. A nine-year-old Kitai, his father, mother, and the fifteen-year-old Senshi.

Kitai gets up. He touches his hand to the figure of Senshi. His fingers go a little through the hologram.

Kitai starts putting on some kind of futuristic fatigues. It is just becoming light outside the windows.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET - DAY3 3

Thirty sets of legs SPRINTING through the gorgeous red and sandstone terrain. A junior military unit - THE RANGER *CADETS - Thirty-two teenage boys, in four teams of eight, all dressed identically.


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REVEAL: Kitai strides ruggedly at the center of the pack, SMALLER THAN THE OTHERS. For their every one stride, Kitai *has to take two. He’s nearly SPRINTING, just to pace. *

A huge river cuts through a stunning red mountain range. Immediately we notice something strange. There is -

A LARGE PLANET NEARBY and a larger sun eating away at a smaller sun.

Superimpose: NOVA PRIME: Human Settlement

YEAR: 1000 A.E.

We push in close on Kitai running at full gait. SWEATING.

KITAI (V.O.)There were twelve billion people living on Earth on October 23rd, 2071 - the day Mother Earth turned against us.

SMASH CUT TO:

ARCHIVE FOOTAGE. 4 4

Screams. Panic in the streets.

EARTH: 2071

The archive footage is from varying sources. Newsreel, security cameras, amateur cell-phone video as the world's major cities are rocked by:

MASSIVE EARTHQUAKES - TSUNAMIS - FIRE - VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS.

KITAI (V.O.)Sudden and drastic changes in the atmosphere, the water table, and food supply. All becoming lethally toxic. Rendering the planet uninhabitable. Billions perished in the following months. And, by 2077, *Earth’s human population was zero. *

A third-world village - toxic river - cattle, hippos, and other lifeless creatures float ominously downstream. A hazmat team stands on the river's edge.

CUT TO:

AFTER EARTH Revised Salmon 5/9/12 4.

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EXT. NOVA PRIME - DAY5 5

KITAI RUNNING. He must finish first. His size, his family history. Second place feels like death. He’s that determined.

AFTER EARTH Revised Goldenrod 4/2/12 4A.

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The company runs past a GROWING STATION -- a huge, open-fabric structure that shields crops. Kitai pushes through the crowd, BUMPING his way up, nearing the leader - BO - a sixteen-year-old, freakishly perfect physical specimen.

Despite Kitai’s lack of size and strength, he muscles to the *front. Bo sidles up beside him, all seriousness--

BOThis isn’t a race, Cadet! *

But Kitai isn’t listening -- he’s only SPEEDING UP, leaving the company behind, sprinting for a finish line that isn’t there, in fifth gear when everyone else is in second --

CUT TO:

ARCHIVE FOOTAGE: ECU THROUGH THE LENS OF A MICROSCOPE -6 6

Poisoned water. Bacteria multiplying. Russian citizens choke on the air in a rural town. Cars jammed on the 405 FREEWAY. *Humans flee in terror as ACID RAIN blisters their skin. *

KITAI (V.O.) *The founding of the United Ranger *Corps, one thousand years ago, was *a global military effort - an *evacuation of Earth. *

CUT TO:

ARCHIVE FOOTAGE: Members of a multi-national force being led 7 7up ramps into the bellies of MASSIVE, ARK-STYLE SPACESHIPS assembled on an airfield at an Antarctic military base.

KITAI (V.O.)The world's greatest minds united with the single mission... preserve humanity.

CUT TO:

OMIT8 8

OMIT8A 8A*

AFTER EARTH Revised Salmon 5/9/12 5-5A.

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OMIT 9 9*

INT. TESTING BOOTH - MORNING10 10

THE TESTING BOOTH RESEMBLES AN OLD-SCHOOL PICTURE BOOTH. THIS IS FUTURISTIC TEST TAKING. A supersized, picture-booth-like environment. Kitai sits responding to computer-generated questions presented in front of him in HOLOGRAPHIC form.

We realize this is from where Kitai has been speaking.

KITAI (V.O.)The expedition took more than one hundred Earth years.


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ARCHIVE FOOTAGE: An older Asian woman shoots video from a 11 11*spacecraft's window. We see that familiar blue-green marble *as we look back on Earth from space. *

KITAI (V.O.)The Rangers would lead the settlement of mankind's new home... Nova Prime.

WE SEE FOOTAGE OF THE FIRST RANGERS scouting in the alien terrain like a latter-day Lewis & Clark. THERE ARE COCOON SHAPES IN THE SANDSTONE WALLS. LIKE HONEYCOMBS. WE SEE RANGERS PUTTING FABRIC OVER THESE TO MAKE COVERED STRUCTURES.

We see footage of a colony embedded in honeycomb structures in the ridge of a reddish rocky landscape.

CUT TO:


Kitai nervously awaits his next computerized instruction.

HOLOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTOR (O.S.)Section Two. First Contact - 243 A.E.

The holographic imagery changes to:

ARCHIVE: Newsreel and amateur footage of DARK SHADOWS 13 13appearing over the colony. An armada of ALIEN SHIPS looming ominously overhead.

KITAI (V.O.)The enemy made no attempt to *communicate.

SHAKY FOOTAGE OF THE ALIEN FLEET ATTACKING. Laying the human colonies to waste in a massive Pearl Harbor-style attack.

CUT TO:


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EXT. NARROW DESERT CANYON - DAY14 14

Each CADET, with their “training staff,” now dons a special HELMET. They are staring down an ominous narrow rock canyon.

KITAI (V.O.)The Rangers were now called upon solely as warriors.

CADETS *Go! Go! Go! Go!... *

The Cadets march forward, in razor formation. Above them, on *the RIM, are the R.I.’s. They monitor the cadets’ “fear *diamonds” on SMART FABRIC. *

Kitai is in the middle of the pack -- his head on a swivel. *From the corner of his eye, he spots -- *

A FLASH, by a nearby rock. A slight disturbance in the air. *Could be nothing. But to Kitai, it’s everything. *

KITAI *Left! Left! I got it! *

BO *Cadet! Fall back into formation!! *

The rock DE-CAMO’S -- it’s the R.I. Kitai expertly wields his *training staff in battle. Crazy skills. But then -- A SCRIM *HORIZONTALLY SLIDES ACROSS KITAI’S VISION. He’s blinded. *

KITAI *I’m dark! I’m dark!

Heavy breathing; sound dopplering... then -- *

KITAI’S SCRIM RETRACTS -- and standing in front of him is -- *

THE R.I. -- He WHACKS Kitai clean on the noggin with his HIT *PAD. Kitai FALLS BACKWARDS... but then SPRINGS BACK UP WITH *CAT-LIKE AGILITY! It is Kitai that is now landing the blows, *but it’s all a bit too fast and fancy -- his overzealousness *gets him POPPED again. Kitai is down. As the R.I. moves in... *

R.I. *You’re out. You’re out. *

But Kitai refuses to be submitted. He uses all his might to *squirms out of a submission. Then-- *

THE R.I. PUTS HIS FOOT ON KITAI’S NECK. GAME OVER. *

AFTER EARTH Revised Salmon 5/9/12 8-8B.

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R.I. (CONT’D) *YOU. ARE. OUT! *

The rest of Kitai’s team are now surrounded by R.I.’s -- the *result of Kitai breaking formation. *

R.I. (CONT’D) *ALL of you -- out! *

As Kitai pushes to his feet, his fellow cadets click forward *to the next exercise. Kitai gathers himself, follows them. *

CUT TO:

ARCHIVE FOOTAGE: SKREL SHIPS smoking in ruins on a desert 15 15floor. SKREL SHIPS in retreat.

KITAI (V.O.)The enemy created the most vicious *killing machine humanity has ever faced.

CUT TO:

ANOTHER BATTLEFIELD: More shaky-cam footage as what look like 16 16METEORS rain down from the sky, cratering into the earth. Then, emerging from the smoking craters, SAVAGE, SIX-LEGGED ALIEN BEASTS. WE SEE THEM FROM A DISTANCE AS THEY CHARGE TOWARD RANGER INFANTRY POSITIONS.

CUT TO:


CLOSE UP: Kitai. The camera pans around, revealing:

A HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE OF AN URSA.

KITAIThe Ursa was genetically engineered to hunt and kill humans. The enemy *studied us, attempting to discover *a single common denominator held by *all human beings. They determined *it was fear. *

AFTER EARTH Revised Salmon 5/9/12 8C-8D.

(MORE)

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The Ursa is technically blind, but *sees humans based on the pheromones we secrete when frightened. They literally smell our fear. Once an Ursa imprints on an individual, it will hunt that person until death. *

Kitai looks intently at the faceless, six-legged creature.

CUT TO:

ARCHIVE FOOTAGE: RANGERS FLEE ACROSS BATTLEFIELDS. A CAMERA 18 18ON THE GROUND AS THE OPERATOR IS HIT. A TERRIFYING UP-CLOSE FLASH OF THE URSA BEFORE: CRASH! THE CAMERA IS DESTROYED.

KITAI (V.O.)Humankind was again in danger of *extinction. And again, turned to the Rangers for the answer.


Kitai strangely begins to smile. Almost beaming.

KITAIThat answer came in the form of the Prime Commander, Cypher Raige, the *Original Ghost and first human to *single-handedly kill an Ursa. He is *an anomaly. THE URSA CANNOT SEE *HIM. He is believed to be so *completely free from fear, that to *an Ursa... he is invisible. This *phenomena is known as Ghosting. *

As Kitai speaks, we see ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE of the great Cypher *Raige in action, captured by a fellow Ranger’s HELMET-CAM. *

CUT TO:


KITAI (CONT'D)

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ARCHIVE FOOTAGE: THE MUSCULAR CYPHER RAIGE STANDS ATOP A 20 20*BARREN MOUNTAIN RANGE OVERLOOKING AN ENEMY ENCAMPMENT. HE IS *BEING STRAPPED WITH EQUIPMENT FOR BATTLE, LIKE ACHILLES *PREPARING FOR WAR. CYPHER’S EYES SETTLE ON THE PERSON HOLDING *THE CAMERA. HIS EYES, DEEPLY INTELLIGENT, ALSO EMBODY A *NEARLY TRANSCENDENT STATE OF CALM. HIS GAZE IS UNWAVERING. *THE CAMERA LOWERS. *

CUT TO: *


Holographic Cypher and six other Rangers posed heroically.

KITAIToday there are Seven Ghosts. They *are the elite members of the United *Ranger Corps. *

CUT TO:

EXT. ROCK FACE - DAY22 22

ON BO -- strong and agile, expertly climbing the rock face. *He senses something, looks down at -- *

KITAI, gaining on him, fast! He’s FREE CLIMBING. *

BO *Cadet, click into harness! *

KITAI *(as he climbs) *

Slows me down! *

They reach the peak, and Kitai glimpses THE SPOT just below *the top. He’s on a six-inch LEDGE with a FACE that now TILTS out -- more than 90 degrees -- into space. This requires every climber’s biggest fear... COMMITMENT TO THE VOID --

Kitai finds his best right HANDHOLD, and SWINGS OUT, HANGING 500 feet above the canyon below -- He SWINGS AGAIN, and AGAIN *-- with enough MOMENTUM to THROW HIS WEIGHT OVER AND PULL *HIMSELF ONTO THE RIDGE -- *

EXT. NOVA PRIME RIDGE - DAY22A 22A

Kitai exhales. Exhilarated. On top of the world. Kitai smiles, checks his time.

AFTER EARTH Revised Salmon 5/9/12 10-10B.

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BO *That was stupid. *

KITAI *They don’t give statues for being *scared.

BOYeah, but they do give plenty of headstones for being dead!

Kitai’s already hooked onto a futuristic zip-line. He *disappears over the other side of the hill. Bo clips on and follows. *

CUT TO:


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EXT. PLATEAU - DAY23 23

Kitai and Bo ZIP-LINE towards the plateau. Even when zip- *lining, Kitai seems to be racing. We catch glimpses of *beautiful Nova Prime as they ZIP past. Undulating structures *in the canyon; windmill-type towers and waterwheels; an *airfield with ships in the distance. A stunning human *accomplishment. Then -- *

KITAI (V.O.) *Cypher Raige is considered the greatest warrior in the history of the United Rangers Corps. He is *responsible for the first true era of peace in nearly eight hundred *years.

DISSOLVE TO:

OMITTED24 24


KITAIOral history section complete.

TESTING COMPUTERPlease state name.

Beat. We see his eyes blaze with meaning as he says...

KITAIKitai Raige.


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HOLOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTOR (O.S.)Cadet Raige. Fear Simulation and analysis...

CUT TO:

OMIT26 26*

AFTER EARTH Revised Blue (on White) 1/20/12 13.

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OMIT27 27*

CUT TO: *

INT. KITAI’S BEDROOM - NIGHT28 28

Kitai sits on his bed. A well-preserved, ancient book sits in his lap. There is a wind-catching fabric outside his window that moves as the wind shifts direction.

FAIA RAIGE steps into the room and sits in a chair. She is a woman in her forties with eyes that can look right through you. She has clearly come from work. She has dust on her coat.

FAIAA lot of spikes today. We had a lot of orographic uplifts - what are orographic uplifts?

KITAIThe vertical forcing of air by terrain features like mountains or something.

FAIAGood. One day when you’re done running around and shooting things you’ll take over the turbine research division for me.

KITAISure, Mom.

FAIAHow’d the test go?

Kitai looks up.

KITAII’ll find out tomorrow.

Beat.


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KITAIIt’ll be great when I tell the General I got into the Ranger Program on Senshi’s birthday. That’ll be great, right?

FAIANot everyone gets into the Ranger program on their first try.

KITAIYeah, but those guys are bums.

Beat. Faia smiles.

FAIAYes, he’ll be happy.

She sees the book in his hands.

FAIAWhen did you start reading that?

KITAII’m trying to get done before the General gets home. Is he staying here this time?

FAIAIf he wants. *

Kitai smiles. He looks at the book. We see the tattered cover says, “Moby Dick.”

KITAIThere’s lines underlined. Does that mean the General and Senshi liked these parts?

FAIAI don’t know.

KITAIMaybe I should memorize one? Do you think he’d like that?

FAIAI think he’ll like the fact that you’re reading the book.

Beat.

KITAIAre we doing a cake?

AFTER EARTH Revised Pink 1/26/12 15.

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FAIAWe’re not doing a cake. We’ll just be together.

Kitai nods that that makes sense and returns to his book.

FAIAI’m going to wash off all this dust, I’ve been on the ridge all day.

Faia watches him sadly.

CUT TO:

EXT. RANGER ACADEMY QUAD - DAY29 29

Results day: Kitai sits on a bench surrounded by the stone frieze carved in the wall. He sits beneath his father’s image on the wall.

He gets up and moves towards the tube-like elevators that go down into the ground. He joins other cadets that are getting on the elevators.

CUT TO:

INT. RANGER ACADEMY HALLWAY - DAY30 30

We are down in the honeycomb-shaped caverns. Kitai and twenty other cadets, including BO, as focused and present as ever, and RAYNA, a pretty fifteen-year-old, line the hallway standing at attention. Kitai is indeed young and small compared to the others, a full head shorter than Rayna.

BOI heard everyone nailed the history and no one passed the VR.

KITAIWait. You didn’t?

Bo shakes his head.

BOSpiders.

BO/KITAI (SIMUL)I hate spiders.

They bump elbows.


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BOWhat was the point of spiders? What function? I just don’t get it.

RAYNAI heard they captured an Ursa.

Both boys’ heads swivel--

BO/KITAIWhat? No way. Alive? Who?

RAYNAWho do you think. The Ghosts. And they’re going to move it. And study it.

As this sinks in a CADET exits the office of COMMANDER VELAN. He’s got a new cutlass, a C-6 model. We hear... *

COMMANDER VELAN (O.S.)Raige!

Kitai turns sharply and enters.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMANDER VELAN'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON31 31

Kitai stands at attention in front of VELAN'S desk. This man is a no-nonsense military instructor. A set of cutlasses stand on a rack by his desk. A few of the racks are empty from ones he’s given out. COMMANDER VELAN scans through a series of holographic documents.

COMMANDER VELANYour test scores are very impressive.

Kitai looks on nervously.

COMMANDER VELANYou've got a Ranger's mind. No doubt in that.

It takes all Kitai has not to scream for joy. Commander Velan looks at Kitai, considering. There is compassion in the commander’s eyes.


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COMMANDER VELANBut, I'm not advancing you this year.

KITAI CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT HE IS HEARING!

COMMANDER VELANYou take unnecessary risks. You confuse courage with recklessness. You may try again next year.

Kitai is devastated.

COMMANDER VELANDismissed.

Kitai's holographic folder disappears and Commander Velan prepares for the next cadet. KITAI DOES NOT MOVE. Commander Velan looks back up from his desk.

KITAI(nearly hyperventilating)

SIR. PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE COMMANDER, SIR.

VELANDenied.

Commander Velan steadies his eyes on Kitai with a cautionary scowl. Kitai misreads this pause as permission.

KITAISIR, I AM DEDICATED, HAVE STUDIED, AND CONSISTENTLY DISPLAYED CONDUCT BECOMING OF A RANGER, SIR. I *REQUEST THAT THE COMMANDER RECONSIDER HIS ASSESSMENT, SIR.

COMMANDER VELANI understand what it’s like to see someone die, I know what that does to you.

Kitai steadies himself. He is near tears.

KITAISir, my father is returning home tonight. Today’s a special day for our family. I haven’t seen him... And I HAVE to be able to tell him that I have advanced to Phase Two.

(pleading)I have got to be able to tell him that I am a Ranger, sir.


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Commander Velan studies Kitai. Then...

AFTER EARTH Revised Pink 1/26/12 18A.

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COMMANDER VELANYou tell your father that I said, “Welcome Home."

Commander Velan looks down at his work. When he looks up, Kitai is still standing there. Almost belligerently.

COMMANDER VELAN(definitively)

Your lessons in discipline begin right now. You may leave this room with dignity and decorum befitting a cadet.

Kitai is heartbroken. He turns sharply and exits.

CUT TO:

INT. RAIGE LIVING STRUCTURE - KITCHEN - DUSK32 32

The Raige apartment is in one of the curved towers that look out over the beautiful city. From the living room window, we see A STUNNING VIEW OF THE NEARBY PLANET AND STRANGE TWO SUNS.

The table is set for family dinner. Kitai and Faia sit at the table in silence. Kitai is in full Academy formal attire.

Faia turns to the open landing of the apartment.

FAIADid you notice that? The wind shifted.

KITAITo the northwest.

We see the distant smart fabric sails outside the building shifting towards the wind.

THERE IS THE SOUND OF MOVEMENT OUTSIDE. Faia gets to her feet, as does Kitai. He stands at attention.

KITAIHow are my lines?

She looks at his uniform.

FAIAYour lines are perfect. *

(beat) *How are my lines? *


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KITAI *Mom. *

She heads out, into:

LIVING ROOM33 33

Faia opens the front door to reveal CYPHER RAIGE, still in dress uniform and carrying his kit bag. He is handsome with intense eyes, older than in the film footage. For a moment, neither of them say anything.

CYPHERFaia.

AFTER EARTH Revised Yellow 2/24/12 19A.

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FAIAHi.

There's a lot of baggage here. Cypher sees Kitai standing at attention. Cypher sets his bag down, looks at his son.

CYPHERYou’ve grown.

KITAISir, Cadet Raige reports.

Cypher does not respond. Nods, as if to say, “Okay let’s do this.” He takes a slow, deliberate three-hundred-and-sixty-degree walk around Kitai. A MILITARY INSPECTION. Cypher closes the distance and stops directly in front of Kitai.

CYPHER(no emotion)

Your collar’s ragged. You have a crease on your right pant leg, but not your left. Fold crease.

Cypher gives Faia a look over this offense. She stares back.

CYPHERYour jacket is improperly fastened. *Before you present yourself for inspection, Cadet, square yourself in the mirror. Is that understood?

KITAIYes, sir.

CYPHERBut... this isn’t an inspection.

Cypher gives Kitai an awkward pat on the back.

CUT TO:

INT. RAIGE LIVING STRUCTURE - MEAL ROOM - NIGHT34 34

Cypher, Faia, and Kitai sit at the table having a silent family meal.

CYPHERSo, how were finals? *

Cypher looks to Faia. *

CYPHER *How were finals? *


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Kitai glances at his mother, then looks down.


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KITAII wasn’t advanced to Ranger.

CYPHERWhere do we look when we speak?

Kitai now makes eye contact with his father.

KITAII was not advanced to Ranger.

CYPHERYou were not advanced to Ranger...

He leans forward listening for the additional --

KITAII was not advanced to Ranger, sir.

CYPHERThat’s all right. You’re young.

KITAII ran the canyon eleven seconds *faster than you did. *

CYPHERWell, if you were ready, Velan *would’ve promoted you. He’s a good man. Knows his stuff. You weren’t ready.

Cypher returns to his food. Faia is actively GLARING at him. Kitai stares at his plate. Then --

KITAII’m not hungry. I’m going to my room.

Cypher’s voice is quiet.

CYPHERAre you asking me or telling me?

KITAIMay I go to my room, sir?

CYPHERDenied. Sit down.

Kitai sits down. Faia can’t believe how mean Cypher is being.

FAIAMay I be excused, General?


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Cypher says nothing. Faia stands and leaves the dining area. Beat. Cypher stares off. Kitai sits there against his will.

CYPHER(to Kitai)

...You’re excused.

Kitai leaves. Cypher is left alone.

CUT TO:

INT. GUEST ROOM - NIGHT35 35

Cypher in the guest room, which is part guest room, part shrine to Senshi. His bag and cutlass are next to him. *Pictures of family move and float on a smart fabric wall.

Cypher leans forward and touches Senshi -- THE FABRIC WALL INSTANTLY FILLS WITH PICTURES OF SENSHI. She is laughing and playing. And the General is watching, armored-up, his eyes *clinical. Some of the pictures have icons with them. He is *not impervious. Cypher reaches up and hits an icon next to a *picture of Senshi in a Ranger uniform...

Her image is in holographic form next to him. At a Ranger cadet ceremony. People are cheering in the background. We hear her name called. She walks forward. PASSES THROUGH *CYPHER. And his ARMOR FALLS and the father is suddenly *vulnerable. And he can’t take it. Momentarily losing it. In *the hologram, she walks forward to a platform, an award is *pinned to her uniform. *

Cypher struggles for control. As he rises find THE GENERAL *reflected in the window, a mirror at night. *

Behind him THE CROWD CHEERS SENSHI. A drill routine with the *cutlass. Senshi is amazing with it. He turns and watches his *beloved daughter. *

CUT TO: *

INT. FAIA’S OFFICE ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT36 36

Faia is hunched over a table with holographic wind turbines. She moves them with her hands and writes down calculations as the holographic turbines spin.

From the pictures and diagrams on the walls of the office we can see Faia is a wind scientist. Cypher enters the room, sits down next to her. She turns, looks into his eyes.


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FAIALook at that... Yep. Cypher’s back. General Raige had him hostage.

She smiles and it’s genuine.

He takes her hand.

CYPHERI have a last mission to Iphitos. Flying tomorrow. And after it’s completed, I’m announcing my retirement.

FAIARetirement?

CYPHERThat’s it. It’s that time.

FAIANo, it is most definitely not that time.

He’s forgotten that she often surprises him and then he’s surprised when she does it again.

He takes her hands again. Looks deeply in her eyes.

CYPHERI want my family back. I want you back.

He takes out a necklace, antique jewelry from old Earth. It’s incredibly rare and symbolic, but she just looks at him.

FAIAThat boy in there is trying to find you. He is... a feeling boy, he’s an intuitive boy, and I... He watched you read that book with Senshi, his entire life. He’s reading that book now. He’s reaching for you... Don’t get me *wrong -- I respect everything that *you’ve done... but you have a son *in there that you do not know. He *is drowning, and he does not need a *Commanding Officer. He needs a *father. *

CYPHER *We fight monsters. And before that, *we learn how to fight them. *


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And before that, we dream about *killing them. That is who we are *and it is my responsibility to *instill that into that boy. *


CYPHER (CONT'D)

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FAIAOh look, the General’s back.

CYPHERYou’re damn right he is.

FAIALet me make a prediction: when the General is old and no longer looks like his statue, the father is going to realize this is the exact moment he lost his son.

He turns and walks out. She sees that he’s left the necklace behind and its cold stones shimmer like distant stars.

CUT TO:

INT. RAIGE LIVING STRUCTURE - KITAI'S ROOM - NIGHT37 37

Kitai sits alone in his bedroom. His uniform is crumpled on the bed. He is in civilian clothes.

Cypher enters the room. Kitai becomes still. Cypher sits across from him. They stare at each other. The silence is uneasy.

The silence is broken as Cypher says:

CYPHERPack your bags. You’re coming with me to Iphitos. We depart at second *sun. *

His face fills with disbelief.

THE ROAR OF FUSION-POWERED ENGINES OVERTAKES US.

CUT TO:

INT. MILITARY MAIN HANGAR - MORNING38 38

Nova Prime's central military hub. The MAIN HANGAR is a huge, cavernous, fabric structure, big enough to house several TRANSPORT SHIPS for loading and unloading.

Kitai is a kid in a candy store. He watches a sleek TRANSPORT SHIP being fueled. A few yards away Cypher stands with Faia. An aide, LT. ALVAREZ, 40s, war-movie handsome, approaches.


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ALVAREZGood morning, General.

(to Faia)Ma'am.

(back to Cypher)Your ship had maintenance issues. We've got you on the Hesper, sir. Runway two-seven. It's only a Class-B Ranger and cargo transport, but if you give me another hour...

CYPHERThat will be fine, Lieutenant.

Alvarez smiles like a kid meeting his favorite rock star.

ALVAREZYes, sir. The boys on board are pretty excited to rub elbows with the O.G. I'll see you on board, sir.

FAIAO.G.?

ALVAREZThe Original Ghost.

Alvarez exits, leaving Cypher and Faia alone. Awkward silence. They watch as Lt. Alvarez approaches and shakes hands with Kitai. Faia and Cypher look back to one another. The silence is broken by:

A LOUD BANG.

Cypher instinctively GRABS FAIA'S WRIST AND PLACES HER BEHIND HIM.

They realize the noise came from someone who had dropped a large, wrench-like metal tool. He gives an apologetic look.

Faia looks down at Cypher's hand on her arm. She smiles as she looks up at Cypher. Always the protector. Cypher gently releases her arm. They look into one another's eyes.

FAIA DELICATELY REMOVES HER SCARF, REVEALING THE ANTIQUE NECKLACE. The significance of the gesture registers in Cypher’s expression. He’s getting a second chance with his wife.

Faia smiles, bittersweet. They embrace.

KITAI'S POINT OF VIEW:


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Kitai watches his parents. He smiles in joyous amazement.

Then, his attention is drawn to an OVERSIZED, ORGANIC-LOOKING POD being carefully loaded into the aft cargo ramp of the Hesper. The pod is large enough to house a Ford Explorer. Kitai is riveted to the procession and is startled by RAYNA.

RAYNAOkay. I’m jealous. I admit it.

KITAI‘Cause I get to do Lightstream *Travel? *

RAYNABecause you get to travel with your dad. He’s completely hot.

KITAIRight -- *

BACK WITH FAIA who catches Cypher watching Kitai and Rayna sharing an easy moment.

CYPHERWho’s that grown-up hitting on our kid?

FAIANow, now.

(beat; then)This was a really good decision. Now go make some good memories together.

Faia is now walking toward Rayna and Kitai. *

RAYNA *So, um, I’ll watch you take off *from the tower, okay? *

Rayna moves off. Faia reaches Kitai and gives him a hug. *

FAIA(sotto)

Take it easy on your father. He's a little rusty.

Kitai heads to his father, backpack slung over his shoulder.

RANGER(O.S.)Stand me up!


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Kitai, Cypher, and Alvarez turn to see a Ranger veteran in a wheelchair being taken to a medical transport ship. He is in a magnetic chair that hovers above the ground. He has two attendants with him. The Ranger veteran stares at Cypher.


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RANGER IN CHAIRGeneral Raige, I was on the Plateau. You saved me and four others. And I just came from seeing my baby girl’s face for the first time.

(to attendants)Stand me up.

CYPHERThat's not necessary, Ranger.

RANGER IN CHAIR(to attendants)

Damn it, stand me up.

The two attendants reluctantly help the Ranger out of his chair. They have to support him. He has one leg amputated. He is shaking, but is held up by the attendants' strong arms. The trembling Ranger raises his hand and smartly salutes. *Cypher snaps to attention and salutes back.

FIND KITAI watching his father, seeing the respect conferred. *And feel Kitai’s longing and need for such a look himself. *

The Ranger's eyes fill with tears. Cypher nods to him that it's okay and then moves to him and helps him back into his chair. Cypher whispers something comforting we can’t hear into the soldier’s ear.

Very moved, Kitai watches as the soldier is led to his *medical transport.

Alvarez punches up data on a SMART FABRIC SCREEN. Cypher and Kitai walk across the hangar to the runway - and, we now realize, the SAME TRANSPORT SHIP we saw the heavy, organic-looking pod being brought aboard earlier. Kitai is intrigued as he watches the pod travel up the ramp and disappear inside the belly of the transport ship.

CUT TO:

EXT. MILITARY STARPORT - DAY39 39

The heavy transport ship Hesper rockets into the sky. It passes over the wind turbines and the fabric structures of Nova Prime's city.

This world of curved, flowing structures and honeycomb-spotted areas of rock recedes into a mist as the ship ascends into orbit.

CUT TO:


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EXT. NOVA PRIME ORBIT - SPACE40 40

The transport ship hurtles past us, headed into the stars, leaving Nova Prime far behind.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP MAIN CABIN - SPACE41 41

A LOW HUM and low light as the ship travels. Kitai looks out the window. Then at his father who is oblivious, scanning a mission dossier.

KITAII’m reading Moby Dick.

Now Cypher looks up, looks at his son.

CYPHERYour mother told me.

(beat, half-hearted) *That’s great. *

This isn’t going to be easy for Cypher. They are interrupted *by the INTERCOM -- *

PILOT (OVER INTERCOM)Nav-Com has us arriving at Iphitos in twenty-two hours.

The cabin lights all DIM. Kitai wants to talk more, but Cypher cuts it off--

CYPHERI’m gonna grab some rack. Recommend you do the same.

He switches off his light and rolls over. Kitai mimics his *father, but as the camera finds him again, he’s WIDE AWAKE, *too excited to even think about sleeping.

Then the camera finds Cypher, awake with his thoughts, too.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE42 42

WE SEE THE TRANSPORT MOVING SMOOTHLY THROUGH A STAR SYSTEM...

CUT TO:


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Everyone is asleep. There is only THE HUM OF THE SHIP. Cypher and Alvarez sleep in their seats.

RANGERS SLEEP ON THEIR BACKS, CUTLASSES ON THEIR CHESTS. *

Kitai quietly unbuckles, rises. He makes his way down the center aisle past row upon row of sleeping soldiers.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP AFT CARGO HOLD - SPACE44 44

Kitai comes out of the bathroom and looks to the rear of the ship. He knows that the large pod he saw earlier is only meters away. He sees a sign that says:

RESTRICTED AREA. DO NOT ENTER. HAZARDOUS CARGO.

Kitai hesitates, looks back to the passenger compartment, then turns and breaches the security area.

Kitai heads ominously down a small flight of metal stairs into the belly of the ship. It's creepy down here. Dark and quiet, nothing but the distant HUM OF THE SHIP. At the end of a narrow walkway a HEAVY MESH FABRIC is drawn, obscuring what lies beyond.

Kitai gingerly makes his way toward it. He pulls back the fabric a little and peeks inside. The ship's cavernous CARGO HOLD is dark and mysterious, all we see are shadowy glimpses of that ORGANIC-LOOKING POD.

As Kitai peers into the darkness he is SUDDENLY GRABBED. The face of a GRUFF MILITARY OFFICER emerging from the shadows, his hand around Kitai's arm.

SECURITY CHIEFCan you read?

Kitai just looks at him, frozen.

SECURITY CHIEFI said, can you read?

KITAI(defiantly)

Yes, sir.


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SECURITY CHIEFThere's a sign back there - “Authorized Personnel Only" - why didn't you read that?

KITAI(looking past him)

What's in there?

Kitai looks over to see some of the pod's SECURITY DETAIL seated around a tabletop, playing A VIRTUAL GAME.

MCQUARRIEMight wanna go easy on him, Sarge. That's the Prime Commander’s son right there.

The Chief looks back at Kitai, surprised.

SECURITY CHIEFYou're Raige's kid?

Kitai sticks his chest out to look tougher. Kitai glances toward the organic-looking pod. Beat.

KITAI(louder)

What's in there?

With a whole new attitude to Kitai, now that he knows who his father is, the Chief steps aside to give him a better look. With a showman's conspiratorial grin, like a carnival barker:

SECURITY CHIEFYou wanna see?

CUT TO:


Cypher has his head leaned against the glass of the window. His eyes slowly open. THE HUM OF THE SHIP CONTINUES. Cypher pulls his head away from the glass. He looks out the window - curious. There is nothing but darkness outside. Cypher puts the back of his hand against the glass.

HIS RING TOUCHES THE REINFORCED GLASS.

WE SEE THE RING VIBRATING ON HIS FINGER CREATING A BARELY AUDIBLE, HIGH-PITCHED TONE.


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Cypher, with a look of a razor-sharp soldier, turns to Kitai's empty seat.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP AFT CARGO HOLD - SPACE46 46

Kitai takes a step toward the rear of the oversized pod, but his nerves get the better of him.

KITAI...an Ursa?

(beat)A dead one?

The Chief just shakes his head. Kitai's eyes go wide.

SECURITY CHIEFThis is one of three we caught. We *keep all three on Iphitos, away from the civilian population. This *one we call Viper. This one’s the *biggest and meanest. *

(beat)You want to see if you can ghost?

Some of the other Rangers look up with interest.

SECURITY CHIEFThe pod is bio-structural organic armor. She’s strapped and suspended in a gel inside there. You don’t need to worry, she ain’t getting *out. *

The Chief nods to the hardened organic pod. Kitai eyes the pod with fascination and fear.

SECURITY CHIEFAll you need to do is step over that red line around the pod. The gel doesn’t allow smells at certain distances, but at that distance it can smell you.

Kitai eyes the pedestrian red line around the crate.

MCQUARRIEYou’re not scared, are you?

Small chuckles can be heard. The Rangers look to Kitai.


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KITAII'm not scared of anything.

The RANGERS reply “UHH RAHH" (THE RANGER WAR CRY) as applause for Kitai's bravado.

MCQUARRIE(laughing)

Don’t worry. Even if it imprints on you, it’s strapped and suspended.

Beat. Kitai nods “Yes.”

SECURITY CHIEF...Ladies and gentlemen, the son of the O.G. is going to try to ghost. Place your bets.

We see Rangers exchange money in the corner.

Kitai makes his way around to the rear of the organic pod. In the shell-like exterior of the pod there are holes so one can see the gel inside. The gel appears to be EMPTY. Kitai stands just outside the red line around the pod.

KITAII don't see anything.

SECURITY CHIEFActive camouflage. Photosensitive skin cells change color and texture to match its surroundings. It un-camouflages so it can frighten you. So you release more pheromones - they’re crafty bastards.

Kitai moves cautiously closer... and closer to the red line.

SECURITY CHIEFGhosting is when you don’t have a trace of fear in you. Good luck doing that. McQuarrie, tell him what it says in the manual.

MCQUARRIE(memorized from a text)

“To Ghost one must be so free from fear that you become invisible to the Ursa. Fear is territorial in your heart. It refuses to share space with any other virtues. You must force fear from your heart and replace it with any other virtue.


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It could be love or happiness or *faith, but the virtue is specific *to the individual and comes from *the deepest part of that person.” *

SECURITY CHIEF(sardonic)

-You get all that, Cadet?(beat)

Your dad wrote that helpful tidbit.

Kitai steps defiantly over the line.

SECURITY CHIEF(whispering)

Try to control your breathing. Your blood is filling with adrenaline right now, whether you know it or not. Your heart’s beating faster. The pores on your skin are opening up and secreting pheromones into the air, an imperceptible amount *seeping into the molecular *structure of the gel.

Kitai stands inches from the crate. His eyes wide.

THERE IS SILENCE. The Rangers look at each other, surprised that nothing is happening. Does the creature not sense him?

AND THEN THE POD EXPLODES WITH VIOLENT SOUNDS AND MOVEMENT. THE ORGANIC POD MOVES UNDER THE TENSION WIRES HOLDING IT.

Kitai sees the whitish skin of the creature UN-CAMOUFLAGE THROUGH ONE OF THE VIEWING HOLES IN THE POD. KITAI JUMPS BACK.

WE HEAR A LARGE PIERCING CREATURE SCREAM. THE SAME SOUND WE HEARD IN THE FLASHBACK UNDER THE BED.

The Chief and the others LAUGH. *

SECURITY CHIEFHe sees you, kid.

The Rangers instantaneously snap to their feet - their cutlasses at attention at their sides when they see CYPHER standing in the doorway.

CYPHERKitai, back in your seat now.

(to Rangers)Rangers, go to Red Con 1!


MCQUARRIE (CONT'D)

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SECURITY CHIEFSecure all cargo.

The Rangers snap to READY POSITION and begin locking down anything that could move.

CUT TO:


Cypher ushers Kitai to his seat.

CYPHERUnder your seat there's a lifesuit. Put it on, now.

Kitai reaches for the lifesuit as his face contorts with concern. “What's going on?"

CYPHERFull harness!

KITAIYes, sir.

Kitai immediately does what he's told. Cypher turns and heads toward the cockpit.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - SPACE48 48

Cypher enters. The PILOT and his NAVIGATOR at the controls become formal and tense.

PILOTGood evening, General.

(Respectfully)Care to take the controls? Feel her out?

Cypher smiles cordially.

CYPHERAppreciate the offer, Captain, but it's been a while since I sat in a cockpit.

The Pilot and Navigator chuckle.


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CYPHER(steely calm)

What's the last known position of the closest asteroid storm?

PILOTWe're plotted well around those storms, sir. Nothing to worry about.

CYPHERI'd like you to check again, Captain.

The Pilot dutifully checks his holographic readouts.

PILOTCategory-4 asteroid formation, two thousand KM to starboard at plus-four-five declination. Bearing one-two-seven mark four.

CYPHERThat's headed in our direction.

NAVIGATORYes, sir, but at that distance-

CYPHERI detected graviton vibrations in the hull. A Cat-4 storm's large enough to generate its own gravitational field, correct?

NAVIGATORYes, sir, but... You detected... How?

CYPHERGraviton build-up could be a precursor to a mass expansion. That storm could be on us in minutes.

PILOTSir, if I may, mass expansion is one in a million.

CYPHERThen let’s just say I don’t like those odds.

The Pilot and Navigator exchange a look.

CUT TO:


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Kitai is strapped in his seat. He is now wearing the orange *lifesuit. Rangers secure cargo throughout the vessel. Kitai *looks nervously into the darkness outside his window. We hear Rangers call out - “LEFT REAR SECURE" - “CARGO HULL CHECK" - “RIGHT ZERO LOCKED," etc.

CUT TO:


On the Holographic Visual Navigation System, we see the unmistakable image of a huge swirling STORM PATTERN. The three men look on with concern.

CYPHERIf we try to navigate out, the pull of our own graviton wake could set the thing off. Just hold course... and let's hope I'm wrong.

BEAT. All eyes on the cockpit readouts. Everything looks stable, for now. But everyone is very tense.

PILOTJust out of interest, sir... how often are you wrong?

CYPHERMy wife would give an interesting answer to that question.

Long, quiet, excruciating silence follows. Only the digital CHIRPING of the computers in the cockpit, and the empty expanse of space beyond the windshield.

NAVIGATOR(off readout)

Graviton count's decreasing. Eight hundred parts per million... Six hundred and fifty....

Finally, the tension seems to ease up. The Pilot exhales, relieved.

PILOTWell, sir, there's a first time-

BOOOOOMMMMM!

Before he can finish his sentence, a terrifying sight suddenly visible in the distant star-field:


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Like a star going supernova, A MASSIVE WAVE OF FRAGMENTS OF ASTEROIDS IS EXPANDING RIGHT TOWARDS THEM. COMING AT THEM SO FAST THERE'S NO TIME TO REACT BEFORE IT ENGULFS THE SHIP, THE IMPACT HITTING IT LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN.

The ship is VIOLENTLY BUFFETED as the rock storm engulfs them, turbulence like you've never imagined.

CUT TO:


The main cabin gets shaken violently. Kitai grabs his seat - his fingers and muscles instantly tense.

CUT TO:


Cypher grabs an overhead handhold to stay on his feet as the Pilot wrestles with the control yoke.

CYPHERTurn into it! Match bearing!

The cockpit instruments are COMPLETELY HAYWIRE, multiple alarms sounding as the ship lists out of control.

SUV-SIZED ASTEROIDS HIT THE SHIP.

COCKPIT COMPUTERCaution. Critical hull damage. Caution. Main power failure.

THE TAIL OF THE SHIP GETS HIT WITH A VIOLENT FORCE. IT SWINGS AROUND.

PILOTShe's a dead stick! Engines One and Two are offline! We're losing her!

Cypher. Calm. Certain. Stern. This is why he's the GENERAL.

CYPHERCan you travel us out of here?

The Pilot looks at Cypher, confused-

PILOTWhere?


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CYPHERThe anchorage on Lycia. It's the closest.

NAVIGATORNEGATIVE, SIR! WE CANNOT WORMHOLE TRAVEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS!

CYPHERDo it.

A SIZEABLE ASTEROID HITS THEM SQUARE. THEY ARE ALL VIOLENTLY JOSTLED.

CUT TO:


Kitai sits TERRIFIED, nearly hyperventilating.

CUT TO:


The Navigator frantically works the holographic controls of his computer, but the instruments are badly on the fritz.

NAVIGATORCoordinates for anchorage at Lycia locked in, but no confirmation signal, sir.

CYPHERTravel us now.

NAVIGATORSir, without confirmation-

Cypher starts pulling the jump seat down.

CYPHERThat's an order.

Cypher sits and pulls the double-strap harness over his shoulder. The Pilot throws open the protective cover of a CONTROL LEVER, puts his hand on it as the ship lists towards another asteroid...

NAVIGATORWe're hot, go, go!


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ANOTHER VIOLENT HIT FROM AN ASTEROID. WE HEAR THE SHIP'S HULL BREAK.

The Pilot throws the lever - WE SEE A DARK SPACE BEGIN TO GROW OUTSIDE. SOME ASTEROIDS DISAPPEAR INTO IT. THE DARK SPACE - IT GROWS LARGER OUTSIDE THE WINDOWS and the ship suddenly ROCKETS FORWARD, pinning them hard back into their seats as we're overtaken by THE MOST UTTER AND COMPLETE DARKNESS. ALL SOUND GOES AWAY...

CUT TO:

EXT. DEEP SPACE55 55

A rich blanket of glimmering stars, silent and serene...

OUR TINY SHIP BURSTS THROUGH A BLACK HOLE IN SPACE. THE TRANSPORT SHIP HURTLES PAST US - WE CAN SEE PARTS OF THE SHIP ARE BADLY DAMAGED. PARTS FLYING OFF OF IT.

CUT TO:


The crew celebrates their safe arrival. The Pilot wrestles with the controls as the Navigator scans fluctuating readouts. The Navigator searches frantically on a HOLOGRAPHIC STAR MAP.

NAVIGATORCan't get a star fix! We are way off the grid.

PILOT(re: Control stick)

I still got nothing here!

COCKPIT COMPUTERCaution, life support failure.

NAVIGATORCabin pressure dropping, heavy damage to outer hull. Breach possible in middle cabin.

CUT TO:


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Rangers scramble to secure the cabin. Kitai struggles to breathe. A Ranger hands Kitai an oxygen mask and exits to the rear. Kitai is physically shaking with fear.

CUT TO:


PILOTFind me something I can land on.

The Navigator continues to work furiously... pulling up a BLUE-GREEN PLANET on the holographic imager.

NAVIGATORI got something! Bearing three-four-zero by nine-five, range eighty-six thousand. Looks like a C-class - nitrogen, oxygen, argon. Can't get a volumetric.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS59 59

The crippled ship careens toward the blue-green planet. Dark smoke pluming from its engines as it passes a small SPACE BUOY that activates in proximity to the passing ship.

CUT TO:


Cypher doesn't seem to notice. His eyes stare at the buoy passing by their window. Cypher unbuckles and reaches to the console past the frantic Pilots and hits a button on the panel. Every speaker in the control section fills with...

BUOY RECORDING (RADIO)Warning. This planet has been declared unfit for human habitation. Placed under Class-1 Quarantine by the Interplanetary Authority. Under penalty of law, do *not attempt to land. Repeat, do not attempt to land.


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As the message repeats on a recorded loop, Cypher looks up ahead to see the familiar blue-green planet approaching. For a moment, he actually looks astonished.

CYPHERIt's not possible...

NAVIGATORThe computer might have defaulted back to a known demarcation point.

CYPHER(calculating)

We can't... Can you travel us again?

PILOTNegative, sir!

(beat)We either land there or we break apart out here.

BEAT. Then Cypher turns back toward the main cabin.

CYPHER(even)

Set her down.

Cypher exits.

PILOTMayday, Mayday, this is Hesper-Two-Niner-Niner heavy in distress! We took heavy damage from an asteroid storm and are going down with bingo power! Request immediate rescue, repeat, request immediate rescue!

The radio gives up nothing but static in response.

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE61 61

WE SEE THE DAMAGED SHIP BREACH THE PLANET'S ATMOSPHERE.

CUT TO:


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The main cabin shudders violently. Cypher steadies himself as he moves down the passenger aisle towards Kitai. The Rangers are all active.

They are helping to reinforce the bulkhead area whose warning lights are flashing above them. They pass the equipment back and forth efficiently and move with great precision. Kitai instinctively unbuckles his double harness when he sees his dad.

A RANGER HANDS CYPHER A RESPIRATOR FACEMASK. Cypher slams Kitai back into his seat.

THEY HEAR A SOUND LIKE A THOUSAND BONES BREAKING. KITAI LOOKS AROUND. SO DO THE OTHER RANGERS. Cypher helps him, locking the belt and harness and pulling it tight. For a moment their eyes meet. Kitai stares at his dad. Cypher finally puts on his own oxygen mask.

THERE IS THE SCARIEST SOUND OF SNAPPING AND SPLINTERING ANYONE HAS EVER HEARD.

KITAI COVERS HIS EARS. AND THEN THE TRANSPORT SHIP, WHERE THE RANGERS ARE SOLDERING AND WORKING, BREAKS IN TWO.

...HIGH-PRESSURE AIR RUSHES INTO THE CABIN. THE TWO HALVES BREAK AWAY FROM EACH OTHER. THE ENTIRE REAR SECTION CAREENS AWAY, TAKING TWENTY RANGERS WITH IT.

WE SEE THE TAIL SECTION OF THE SHIP INCLUDING THE CARGO HOLD SPIN AND HEAD DOWN INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AWAY FROM US...

CYPHER IS SLAMMED INTO THE CORNER OF THE MAIN CABIN OF THE SHIP LIKE A RAG DOLL. IT'S SICKENING TO SEE. KITAI CRIES OUT AFTER HIS DAD AS THE WINDS HOWL AROUND HIM.

THE SEVERED SHIP BEGINS SPINNING. CYPHER GETS WHIPPED TO THE FRONT OF THE SHIP AND DISAPPEARS OUT OF SIGHT. BROKEN PARTS OF THE SHIP FOLLOW HIM. THE SHIP SPINS. KITAI TRIES TO STAY CONSCIOUS. THE G-FORCE RIPPLING HIS FACE PROVES TOO MUCH. KITAI'S EYES SLOWLY ROLL BACK AND SHUT.

WE FADE OUT ON HIS RIPPLING FACE.

CUT TO:


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EXT. ATMOSPHERE - DAY63 63

WE SEE TWO PARTS OF THE SHIP FALL AND ARC AWAY FROM EACH OTHER IN A DAZZLING BLUE SKY... THEY BOTH DISAPPEAR FROM SIGHT.

SLAM TO BLACK:

OVER BLACK: THE GUT-WRENCHING SOUNDS OF A SHIP CRASH.64 64

HOLD ON BLACK.

SILENCE. DARKNESS. THEN:

THE SOUND OF BREATHING. KITAI'S BREATHING. THE SLIGHT HUM OF COMPUTERS. THE DISTANT SOUND OF INSECTS.

FADE IN:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP MAIN CABIN - DAY65 65

Kitai's eyelids slowly open. Everything is slightly slanted. He sees the back of the seats in front of him. Cords hang from the ceiling at angles.

Kitai slowly tries to sit up. He is double-harnessed to the seat. His fingers fumble with the buckles. He gets to his feet, but he is very unsteady, dizzy and groggy.

HE IS IN CLINICAL SHOCK.

A FEW SHAFTS OF DAYLIGHT cut through the passenger windows along the side of the fuselage and through the gaping hole fifty feet away where the ship tore in half. The severed end reveals some kind of cavern outside.

Kitai looks around, trying to get his bearings. His breath fogs up his oxygen mask, making it difficult to see. He pulls it down around his neck and immediately GASPS - FINDING IT DIFFICULT to breathe. A digital readout on the mask blinks - Low Oxygen 15% - Caution.

He brings the mask back up to his face and takes a deep gulp of oxygen. He then tightens his mask and moves into the aisle.

He sees a body tangled between seats in impossible contortions. Kitai stares silently. His eyes huge and terrified. He moves up the aisle - another body crushed under a section of ship.


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He moves to the doors leading to the cockpit. He looks around. Debris from the plane everywhere. THEN:

BEEEEEP! BEEEEP! BANG! BZZZZZZ!

KITAI SPINS STARTLED - THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AS TWO SETS OF AIRLOCK DOORS BEGIN CLOSING IN THE PASSENGER SECTION.

THE BODY OF A DEAD RANGER is pushed by the heavy doors beginning to close. Kitai watches as the lifeless corpse is shoved outside the cabin, but the arm gets stuck in the doors preventing them from closing. There is a tattoo on the man’s hand with the name “Anna” on it. The doors beep and buzz incessantly. He is transfixed and horrified.

A computer voice repeats, “Remove Obstruction.”

Kitai slowly approaches the dead man's arm. Kitai bends down and picks up a cutlass, extends it to full-out, then uses it to shove the hand outside the cabin.

THE DOORS CLOSE WITH A THUD AND A SUCTION SOUND. WE HEAR AIR BEING BLOWN HARD THROUGH VENTS.

Computer Voice: “REPRESSURIZING COMPLETE.”

Kitai removes his respiratory mask as the nerve-racking sound finally stops. Kitai looks around nervously. Peers through an *OPENING in the wall beside him that looks into the adjacent *corridor. THEN: *

HE SEES HIS FATHER'S HAND ON THE GROUND.

Kitai rushes through the opening and lifts the first piece of *debris off of him. Under it, he sees CYPHER lying on the ground. There is a broken section of the ship lying across his legs. Kitai tries to lift it. It doesn't budge.

He looks around. He finds a long metal rod that has fallen from the ceiling. He wedges between the ground and the debris and lifts with all his strength. The broken section of ship lifts off his father's legs. Kitai takes small steps as he lifts the debris until it is vertical and tips over away from his father. IT FALLS WITH A DANGEROUS SLAM. THE SHIP ECHOES WITH THE SOUND AND WEIGHT OF IT.

Kitai kneels next to his father. He can see his father’s mask fogging up the slightest bit with his father's breathing.

KITAI CURLS UP ON THE FLOOR NEXT TO HIS FATHER'S MOTIONLESS *BODY. HE STARES EERILY - INTENTLY WAITING FOR ANY SIGN OF HOPE. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS...HE BEGINS TO CRY. HE STRUGGLES TO MAINTAIN HIS COMPOSURE, BUT HE CANNOT.

AFTER EARTH Revised Green 3/19/12 44.

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FADE TO BLACK.

FADE IN:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP MAIN CABIN - NIGHT66 66

Cypher's eyes slowly open, Kitai still by his side. *

The following plays in REAL TIME, no time-cuts to interrupt *Cypher and Kitai’s introduction to their dire straits. *

Cypher's calm eyes take in the surroundings and land on his son. Seeing Kitai breathing normally without a mask, Cypher *removes his oxygen mask. *

CYPHERLet me see you. Can you stand?

Kitai reluctantly rises.

CYPHER *Evaluate yourself. *

Kitai rolls his wrists, flexes his elbows, rotates his *shoulders and neck. Leans side-to-side, front-to-back, squats *up and down, testing his knees and legs. Fully-functional. *

KITAI *Good to go. *

CYPHERTurn around.

Cypher watches as Kitai turns, inspecting him for damage. No *signs of injury. Cypher pauses. Thinks. *

CYPHERConfirm the Ursa is contained.

KITAI(voice shaking)

It’s gone... The whole back of the *ship is gone.

Cypher shouts into the main cabin.

CYPHERRANGERS! COUNT OFF!

Silence.


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CYPHER(coughing heavily)

RANGERS! COUNT OFF!

KITAIMost of them were in the back when the tail broke off.

AFTER EARTH Revised Green 3/19/12 45A.

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Cypher attempts to stand. It’s immediately clear that he *cannot put weight on either leg. He yells in pain. *

He collapses back to the floor. Struggling to stay focused. He takes a physical assessment of himself. It’s bad.

CYPHERThe cockpit is directly above us. *Go. Now. *

Kitai reluctantly, slowly stands.

CYPHERGo, Kitai.

Kitai heads for the LADDER WELL down the corridor with the *pace of a son certain that his father will save the day. *

Kitai moves into the cockpit. The Navigator and the Pilot have been crushed by a structural beam that has fallen on them in their chairs. Kitai has to lean over the dead crew and the beam to see the control board. He sees emergency lights blinking everywhere. Kitai glances to the open avionics room. Sees much of the equipment still lit up and blinking. Kitai moves to a control panel on the wall there.

CYPHER’S VOICE carries up and through the stairwell-- *

CYPHER (O.S.)Go to the control board. In front *of the left seat. Top row, fourth *from the right. Activate Exterior *Motion Sensors.

Kitai tries to touch the panel. His hands are shaking violently. He clamps his hands together to get them to stop shaking. He tries again. He finally finds the screen for “Exterior Motion Sensors." He hits a button with trembling fingers. “Motion Sensor Activated" appears on the screen.

KITAICheck.

CYPHER (O.S.) *Over your right shoulder. *

Kitai turns, following his father’s directions-- *

CYPHER (O.S.)To the right of the ladder well you *just came through, there is a *utility compartment. Go through it. *There is an emergency beacon. *


(MORE)

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Rounded silver top like a saucer, tapers at the bottom. Nine by three. We need it to send a distress signal. Bring it to me.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMUNICATION RACK - NIGHT67 67

Kitai approaches the communication rack. The rack has been damaged. Kitai finds the emergency beacon, like a small interstellar craft the size of a snowshoe. The bottom of the beacon is crushed. Kitai carries it to Cypher.

Cypher lifts the beacon and inspects the damage to the bottom. He switches it on. The activity light stays off.


CYPHER (O.S.) (CONT'D)

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Cypher detaches and examines the mangled lower section of the beacon.

THE BEACON IS USELESS.

Cypher's face goes white with despair. This is not good.

Kitai watches curiously as Cypher's mind races. Another decision washes over Cypher's face.

CYPHERKitai, my left shoulder is dislocated. Come here.

Cypher lays down on his back. Places Kitai’s left foot on his *shoulder. *

CYPHER(to Kitai)

Take my wrist with both hands. *

KITAI(shaken)

Wait! DAD. Wait!

CYPHER(ignoring him)

You need to pull as hard as you can.

Kitai sits. He reluctantly takes Cypher's wrist. Cypher nods to Kitai “One... Two...!!!” Kitai pulls desperately, his muscles straining.

Cypher screams in agony.

Kitai watches, frightened.

CYPHERWe didn't get it. We didn't get it. ONE MORE! Pull harder, Cadet. I’ve been through worse.

KITAI BRACES HIMSELF, DETERMINED.

CYPHEROne... Two... Three!

KITAI PULLS AGAIN. THE CRACKING SOUND IS AWFUL!

CYPHERAAAAHHHH!


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Kitai looks on in HORROR. Cypher tests his shoulder -- his *range of motion intact, to a point. *

CYPHER(gasping for air)

You got it. You got it.(looking around)

We need to get me into the cockpit.(beat)

There's a cargo loader at the rear.

While Kitai moves for the loader, we watch as Cypher manages *to prop up on his good elbow and assess things: how the ship *is twisted like a double helix; how BLOOD soaks through the *pants on his LEFT LEG and his RIGHT ANKLE can’t be turned *without pain. *

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP MAIN CABIN - NIGHT68 68*

STILL IN REAL-TIME. A flat hydraulic machine with wheels is *lowered next to Cypher. Kitai gets distracted as he notices THE WINDOWS OUTSIDE HAVE FROZEN OVER WITH ICE.

Kitai returns to the loader. It sits on a CARGO ELEVATOR on *the ship’s front bow. There is a small ramp that is flipped *over. It touches the ground. Kitai hits a button and the ramp starts to move like a conveyor belt. Kitai looks at his father who braces his arms at his sides. Kitai comes around. Kitai lifts his father’s leg. Places it on the belt. Kitai *pauses, noticing that even the slightest touch makes Cypher *WINCE. Cypher starts to get dragged. Kitai hurries and lifts *the second leg. Cypher jockeys his upper body until he is on the conveyor belt completely. He is slowly deposited on the top of the flattened loader. THERE IS BLOOD FROM HIS LEGS ON THE RAMP OF THE LOADER.

Kitai’s eyes shift from the BLOOD on his hands -- his *father’s blood -- to Cypher, lying exhausted on the loader. *For the first time, Kitai realizes the statue that is Cypher *Raige can be broken. *

Kitai presses a button and THE ELEVATOR BEGINS TO RISE. He *cranes his neck to watch his father. *

CYPHER *(calling down) *

Inventory up. Full assets. Now. *

CUT TO:


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OMITTED69 69*

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - NIGHT70 70*

Cypher sits in front of the PILOTS’ CONTROL CENTER, occupying *the space where the Navigator once sat. The cargo loader acts *as an adjustable gurney. Cypher's hand moves to the controls on the chair. He slowly raises his upper body and sits himself upright, propping his left leg on the console beside *him. Cypher places his palm on a terminal to activate the *cockpit computers. The initial burst of POWER gives Cypher *some hope. A hologram flashes -- *

IDENTITY VERIFIED: GENERAL CYPHER RAIGE *

And THE COMPUTERS FULLY BOOT UP. The console in front of the *Pilot’s seat is completely destroyed, but the holographic *display in front of Cypher spits out initial READINGS, while *he continues to situate himself: *

* MAIN CABIN BREACH.... SELF-SEALING IN PROGRESS.... *

* TRANSPORT SHIP.... CONDITION CRITICAL.... *

Cypher glances at the cockpit recorder on the other side of *the cockpit. As he speaks, VOICE WAVES undulate on one of the *monitors, indicating that the recorder is doing its job-- *


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CYPHERGeneral Cypher Raige. First quarter *Earth day. Crash landed. *

CUT TO: *

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP HOLD - NIGHT70A 70A*

Kitai pulls the dead Navigator to a hatch that is now open in *the floor. Cold clouds rise from the hatch. A sign on the *floor reads NITRO STORAGE CONTAINER. Kitai pulls the *Navigator until he falls into the container and quickly *closes the hatch. Touching the dead bodies has severely *shaken him. *

CUT TO: *

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - NIGHT70B 70B*

Kitai approaches his father's side, carrying supplies. His *confidence slowly waning. He can see blood dripping from the *edge of Cypher's pant leg onto the floor. Cypher looks to Kitai, assessing his mental condition.

Supplies are stacked nearby, among them six cutlasses. Kitai *places a med-kit and CYPHER’S KIT BAG beside the stack. *

CYPHERI need you to focus right now.

(beat)Assets?

Kitai does not respond. He is lost in his father's injuries.

CYPHER(calmly)

Cadet? I need an accounting of our assets.

Kitai struggles to focus. He looks to the supplies in front of him. Cypher intently probes Kitai's body language. Every facial twitch, every stutter, everything.

KITAIFour bodies, I put them in the nitro compartment. Radio non-operational. Four Ranger packs. Cabin pressure stable. Five- *

(correcting himself) *No-- six functional cutlasses. One *emergency med-kit. And I got your *bag from the troop bay. *


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Cypher manipulates the cockpit controls.

A HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE OF A LANDSCAPE arises over the console.

IT IS FORMED BY THOUSANDS OF WAVY LINES. WE SEE THE CONTOURS OF THE LAND UNDULATING. THERE IS A MARKER BLINKING ON THE HOLOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE.

Cypher stares at the BLINKING MARKER.

His expression becomes grim. He is deciding something... His eyes betray uncharacteristic emotion and struggle. He continues to stare at the BLINKING MARKER. Cypher takes a deep breath. His eyes fill with decisiveness.

CYPHERHand me the med-kit. Ranger pack. *


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Kitai moves across the room and retrieves the two items. Cypher places the med-kit and Ranger pack in his lap. Takes *Kitai’s wrist and turns it over -- activating the NAVI-BAND *on Kitai’s lifesuit. SCORES OF INFORMATION AND DATA LAYER *AROUND KITAI’S WRIST like a holographic bracelet. Kitai’s *never seen anything like this before. *

THE MONITOR TO CYPHER’S RIGHT FILLS WITH NUMBERS AND GRAPHS *THAT MATCH THOSE ON KITAI’S NAVI-BAND. We realize Cypher is *syncing Kitai with the cockpit computers. *

CYPHERCadet. Center yourself.

Kitai does so. He calms. The BALL SHRINKS and MOVES INSIDE THE DIAMOND. Kitai pulls down his shirt and closes his lifesuit. Cypher sits back and stares heavily into Kitai's eyes. The weight of their predicament hangs between them.

Cypher looks to his son. Cypher steadies his own heart and speaks. Kitai hangs riveted on every word.

CYPHERThe emergency beacon you brought me will fire a distress signal deep into space.

Kitai nods with comprehension.

CYPHERBut it’s damaged.

Cypher rapidly runs a scan for SPARE BEACON. He does not like the answer he finds. He steels himself.

CYPHERThere is another one, in the tail *section of our ship.

Kitai studies his father, not sure what he is saying. Cypher brings up THE HOLOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE. It is a stunning visual. Grainy computerized imagery. We can make out mountain ranges, rivers, valleys, forests, deserts, small storm patterns, animals, birds, etc.

THERE IS A BLINKING MARKER.

CYPHER(pointing to the screen)

This is us here. I can’t get an *accurate reading, but the tail is *somewhere in this area, *approximately one hundred kilometers from here.


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He points to DARK AREAS that move like black clouds and cause information to FALL OUT in that region.

We see the tail as a red blinking dot.

CYPHERWe need that beacon.

Slowly the realization of what Cypher is saying begins to wash over Kitai's face. His eyes well with tears. Suddenly, Cypher understands the magnitude of his words. He struggles to be the General, but in this moment he is only a father.

CYPHERKitai, my legs are broken. One very badly. You are going to retrieve *that beacon or we are going to die. *Do you understand?

Kitai nods his head, “Yes." Cypher's eyes begin to well as he beats back his raging emotion. Kitai does not falter. He does not waiver. He simply wipes his eyes and like a true Ranger, awaits his orders, but like Kitai, he can’t help sneaking a glance at the blinking RED DOT as a DARK AREA blots it out.

Kitai pulls his attention from the map. Cypher has opened a small black medical case marked: UNIVERSAL AIR FILTRATION GEL - EMERGENCY USE ONLY. Inside, six vials are lined up. *

CYPHERYou have air filtration inhalers.

Cypher removes one of the vials.

CYPHERYou need to take one now. The fluid will coat your lungs, increase your oxygen extraction, and allow you to breathe comfortably in the atmosphere.

Cypher demonstrates how to use the inhaler. Kitai places the *vial to his lips, presses the release, and inhales deeply.

CYPHER *You have six vials. At your weight, that should be twenty to twenty-four hours each. That's more than enough.

Cypher helps Kitai with his Navi-band. A digital map layout appears as a hologram above Kitai's wrist.


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CYPHERYour lifesuit and backpack are equipped with digital and virtual imaging. So I will be able to see everything you see and what you don't see.

Cypher places the Ranger backpack on Kitai’s back and turns *him around so that his backpack camera is facing Cypher. *Cypher taps a control on the console and a MONITOR in front *of Kitai comes alive -- Kitai can see CYPHER’S FACE on it. A *father looking deep into the heart of his child. *

CYPHER(on the monitor) *

I will guide you. *

Cypher taps the same control to shut down the monitor. Turns *Kitai to face him. *

CYPHER *It will be like I'm right there *with you. *

(beat) *Take my cutlass. *

Cypher holds out his cutlass. Kitai looks at it. His dad passing his weapon brings the reality of the moment home.

CYPHERGo on. Take it. C-40. The full twenty-two configurations.

Kitai holds the weighty cutlass. It looks big in his hands. Father and son stare, knowing full well this may be the last time they ever see one another.

CYPHERThis is not training. The threats you will be facing are REAL. Every single decision you make will be life or death. This is a Class-1 quarantined planet. Everything on this planet has evolved to kill humans.

(beat)Do you know where we are?

KITAINo, sir.

CYPHERThis is Earth, Kitai.


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Cypher allows this reality to sink in on his son.

KITAIThe Ursa? *

The very word sends chills down Kitai's spine.


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CYPHERThere are three possibilities. The first and most likely is that it *died in the crash.

This thought comforts Kitai.

CYPHERThe second and less likely is that it is injured very badly and still contained.

Cypher attempts to calm Kitai with the certainty in his voice.

CYPHERAnd the third and least likely is that it is out.

The two pause thoughtfully.

CYPHERWe will proceed, however, in anticipation of the worst-case scenario. Every movement will be under protocol: Escape and Evade. If he's out there, I will see him long before he gets anywhere near you.

Beat.

CYPHERDon’t get ahead of yourself. Do everything that I say and we will survive. *

Beat. *


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Kitai wraps Cypher in a hug. He can barely get his arm around *his father’s shoulders, but it doesn’t matter. Father and *son hug for what seems like an eternity. He cannot see his father’s face, but we can see Cypher is frightened for his son. A time for the General, but the Father is winning. *

CYPHERTime’s wasting. And we’ve got a lot to do.

Kitai forces himself out of his father’s arms. Does his best *to stand straight and stay tough as he snaps his cutlass onto *his backpack. *

A last look, before Kitai manages a weak military turn and *exits. ON CYPHER -- watching his child walk into the unknown. *

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP AIRLOCK - DAWN71 71

A STARTLING AIR BURST AS - TWO GIANT DOORS HISS AND GRIND AS THEY SLIDE OMINOUSLY OPEN, EXPOSING KITAI TO THE UNKNOWN.

Kitai stands in the hallway, between two airlock doors. The ice on the windows is melting as the FIRST LIGHT STARTS PENETRATING THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE. *

Kitai turns over his wrist, activating his Navi-band and its *many holographic layers. *

KITAICan you hear me, Dad? Over.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Copy.

Kitai stares into the shadows. He looks to his cutlass gleaming in its retracted state. He taps a combination on the handle. IT INSTANTLY FORMS A CURVED BLADE THAT IF NOT FOR THE PROTECTIVE LIFESUIT WOULD HAVE SLICED HIS ARM. He stares at the near miss. Retracts it. He taps another pattern. THE FIBERS EXTEND TO SIX FEET LONG - razor-sharp at the ends.

Reveal a rock cavern. KITAI HEARS THE SOUND OF SMALL STONES FALLING. He exits the torn end of the ship. He breathes heavily as the large doors close behind him, cutlass ready.

He jumps down - sees A FEW BODIES OF RANGERS HANGING DEAD FROM THE STRAPS OF THEIR SEATS. THEY ARE DANGLING. KITAI IS FRIGHTENED. HE BACKS AWAY.


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CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Kitai, take a knee.

Kitai kneels down on one knee as he’s told.


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CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)I want you to take your time. Acclimate yourself to the environment. Tell me any and everything. No matter how inconsequential it may seem. Everything you see, hear, smell, how you feel. Over.

KITAI CAN SEE DAYLIGHT ABOVE HIM.

KITAI(breathing heavily)

My body feels heavier.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Very good. The gravitational pull on this planet is slightly different than at home.

Kitai calms. He looks up.

KITAIIt's about ten meters to the top.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Okay. Get going.

KITAIRoger.

Kitai stands and moves cautiously to the wall of the ravine the ship is in. He begins climbing. He carefully places each hand and foot. This is a standard rock climbing wall. He's done this a thousand times. He nears the top. He secures his left hand then looks back to his right and sees:

A HUGE MULTI-COLORED TARANTULA SITS ON HIS RIGHT HAND.

KITAI FREAKS.

KITAIAhhhhh!

He slings the creature from his hand - losing his balance and slipping three feet until he catches himself with his left hand.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)KITAI! What happened?

Kitai hangs by a thread. He stabilizes himself and regains his grip.


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KITAIYou didn’t see that? I thought-

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)What’s your SitRep? Your vitals spiked.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - DAWN72 72

Cypher watches the monitor as Kitai's vitals spike into the RED.

CYPHERI say again. What is your Situation *Report? What happened? *

CUT TO:

EXT. CAVERN - DAWN73 73

Kitai’s face changes. He settles back into control.

KITAI(embarrassed)

No change. I slipped. I’m good to go.

(lying)There's condensation on the stones. I'm fine.

Kitai continues and successfully completes his ascent. He wearily reaches the top of the crater and pulls himself onto an elevated plateau.

REVEAL: EARTH - DAWN

The beautiful purple, orange, and fuchsia colors of the earthly sunrise. Plants and animals waking up to melodic morning calls of eagles majestically soaring overhead.

Miles and miles of visibility. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of evolved buffalo roam a quarter mile away. The sounds of life ring symphonically. IT IS BREATHTAKING. Kitai is dumbstruck.

The night frost gives way to vibrant colors and scents.


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CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)There is an escarpment where two *Earth continents collided. Looks *like it could be a waterfall. It's *at about forty-five kilometers. We'll call that our midway checkpoint. There’s no way you can return after that point. We'll assess rations and reevaluate when you get there. But let’s break it into sections.

CUT TO:


Cypher looks at the monitor. We see an icon for Kitai and to the north a huge grouping of trees. Cypher draws a line from Kitai to the trees.

CYPHERFirst leg is twenty kilometers to the mouth of the north forest.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLATEAU - DAWN75 75

Kitai looks to his Navi-band on his wrist. The holographic imagery matches what Cypher saw in the cockpit.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Let’s take it easy. Set chronometer for one hundred eighty minutes. Over.

KITAIOne hundred eighty minutes? That’s *not right. I can do 10K in fifty *minutes. You’ll see. *

Kitai looks to his Navi-band and begins a light jog.

CUT TO:


Cypher takes this as a disobeyed command. He sits back in his seat, contemplatively.


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KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)I might even do it in under forty minutes. Over.

Cypher does not respond.

CUT TO:


Kitai slows down.

KITAIDad, do you copy? Over.

Kitai comes to a stop.

KITAI(concerned)

Dad, do you read me?! Over.

Still nothing.

KITAI (panicked)

DAD, DO YOU COPY? ARE YOU THERE?

Kitai turns and runs back toward the ship. He is in complete terror.

KITAIDad, I'm coming back.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)No need. You just go ahead.

Kitai comes to stop.

KITAIHuh?

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Seems to me that you're in charge of this mission. And in my limited military experience, when two people are in command, everybody dies. So I will defer to your leadership, Cadet.

KITAIDad, I was just saying...


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CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)What is my name?

Kitai confused - hesitates.

KITAI I don't know what you mean...

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)WHAT IS MY NAME?!

Kitai is shaken.

KITAIGeneral Cypher Raige.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)And who am I?

KITAIPrime Commander of the Rangers. *

CUT TO:


Cypher stares at the holograms.

CYPHERYOU'RE GODDAMNED RIGHT! AND FROM THIS SECOND FORWARD, YOU WILL REFER TO ME AS SIR, COMMANDER, OR GENERAL! YOU WILL FOLLOW MY EVERY COMMAND WITHOUT QUESTION OR HESITATION. AM I CRYSTAL CLEAR, CADET?

CUT TO:


Kitai's head is spinning. His father has never been this angry with him before. Kitai snaps to attention.

KITAISIR, YES, SIR!

CUT TO:


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Cypher sits calmly. (There was a bit of military performance in Cypher's words) He's seen many men in combat. He knows exactly what they need and exactly when they need it.

CYPHERNow at H plus one eighty I need you *at that forest. Set your chronometer.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)SIR, YES, SIR!

Cypher sits back, allowing himself a small smile.

Cypher reaches out and turns on the COCKPIT RECORDER.

CYPHERGeneral Cypher Raige. Earth time 6:24. Beginning probe search to confirm Ursa is not released.

CUT TO:


Kitai sets his chronometer and begins to walk.

CUT TO:

EXT. TRANSPORT SHIP MAIN CABIN - MORNING82 82

We see the front section of the ship wedged into the cavern. SUDDENLY SOMETHING SHOOTS FROM THE TOP OF THE TRANSPORT SHIP.

CUT TO:

EXT. ATMOSPHERE - CONTINUOUS83 83

A PROJECTILE RISES OUT OF THE CAVERN AND INTO THE SKY. RISING HIGHER AND HIGHER INTO THE ATMOSPHERIC CANOPY. At the APEX OF ITS ARC, it EXPLODES --

From the EXPLOSION, DOZENS OF PROBES APPEAR, slowly VECTORING back toward EARTH, GREAT DISTANCES APART.

CUT TO:


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INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - MORNING84 84

Cypher’s monitors fill with PROBE IMAGES: THE CURVE OF THE EARTH. TOPOGRAPHY. IONIC CLOUDS DRIFTING, WHICH APPEAR AS FLOATING WHITE NOISE, ZAPPING THE IMAGERY. ANOTHER CAMERA SLAMS INTO AN OCEAN, SENDING DATA ON UNDERSEA LIFE. ANOTHER BURROWS INTO THE EARTH, REVEALING SOIL, WEATHER, EROSION DATA. ANOTHER CRASHING IN TREES, GOING TO BLACK. ANOTHER FLOATING OVER PACKS OF ANIMALS, THOUSANDS OF THEM.

Cypher flips through the images of the different cameras. We see the descriptions, “PROBE 3, PROBE 11, PROBE 24” written under each of the corresponding images... He manipulates the cameras. They can hover, swim, and burrow.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - LATER85 85

WE SEE THE POINT OF VIEW OF KITAI moving along a horizon of pastures that seem to go on forever.

WE SEE KITAI’S VIEW along a ridge that looks down into a lush valley with a profusion of wildflowers and greens.

Cypher studies numbers floating over the control board.

CYPHERI estimate H plus four days to reach the tail. Use your Navi-band. Stay on azimuth. The temperatures on this planet fluctuate dramatically daily and most of the planet freezes over at night.

WE SEE THE LANDSCAPE SCROLL BY IN HOLOGRAPHIC FORM. WE SEE AREAS DEMARCATED BY DEEP RED LINES.

CYPHERThere are hot spots, geothermal nodes between here and the tail that will keep you warm during the freeze-over. You must reach one of these nodes each evening before nightfall. Over.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Copy.

WE SEE KITAI’S POINT OF VIEW LOOK UP TO HIS SIDES.

SHADOWS OF CLOUDS MOVE OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND FIELDS LIKE SPIRITS.


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CYPHERStandard operating procedure till I give you further instructions.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Copy.

Cypher looks down at his legs. THE FLOOR IS COVERED IN HIS BLOOD. HE CAN SEE HIS PANT LEG DRIPPING FRESH BLOOD.

Cypher reaches for the med-kit. Hits controls on the console. The “Medical Analysis” holographic screen comes up.

Cypher pulls a flat box out of the med-kit. He turns it on, runs it over his legs. LIGHT FALLS OVER HIS LEG AS IT SCANS.

The holographic screen over the console erupts with information.

“...CODE 5 TRAUMA TO LEFT LEG

...SITUATION CRITICAL *

... ARTERIAL SHUNT RECOMMENDED” *

Cypher takes in the news somberly.

He touches the words, ARTERIAL SHUNT, over the console. *

THE HOLOGRAPHIC SCREEN SHOWS A 3-D OUTLINE OF A HUMAN BODY, a *bit too similar to a chalk outline on concrete. The *holographic screen ZOOMS IN to the LEFT THIGH -- ZOOMS IN TO *SHOW ARTERIES AND VEINS. ONE HAS BEEN SEVERED AND SEPARATED. *

The words, ARTERIAL SHUNT - EXPLANATION OF PROCEDURE, appear *on the screen, followed by a coldly mechanical HOLOGRAPHIC *ANIMATION: *

A SCALPEL appears on the screen. A DOTTED LINE extends from *the blade to a spot LOW on the thigh; *

The scalpel PLUNGES INTO THE ANIMATED THIGH -- *

We don’t see the rest. Only Cypher’s single blink and slight *shift, accepting the painful reality to come. *

Cypher looks in the med-kit. Sees a cylinder marked *“Narcotic.” Looks at the side-effects on the cylinder’s side. *He reads the words, “Impaired vision, dizziness, drowsiness.” *

Cypher looks at the screen of Kitai’s moving POV. He puts the *narcotic cylinder back in the med-kit untouched. *

A wave of pain engulfs Cypher. *


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KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Hey Dad, you there?

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK: EXT. NOVA PRIME BATTLEFIELD TRENCH86 86

Cypher is in military gear. He is in a battlefield trench. There are other soldiers with him. There is a moment of peace. Senshi appears on his navi-band. He moves it into the shadows to see her better. In the background we see she is in the old Raige apartment. A young Kitai is playing in the background.

SENSHI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Dad, you there?


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In the background we see she is in the old Raige apartment. A young Kitai is playing in the background.

SENSHI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Dad, you there?


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Cypher smiles.

CYPHERI’m here.

She holds up the old copy of Moby Dick.

SENSHI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)A boy I know had this. It’s a real book, from a museum. It’s Moby Dick.

Cypher not fully paying attention.

CYPHERMm hmm...

SENSHIHe said I could even hold on to it.

That gets his attention --

CYPHERHold on to what --?

SENSHIThe book, Dad.

She laughs at her dad’s expression. And he laughs, too. She has that effect on him. Cypher stares at his daughter, so full of life and possibility, the future personified.

SENSHIDid they really kill these whales?

CYPHERWe, Senshi. For their oil. And they almost disappeared. Just before The Age of Carbon Fuels...

CUT TO:

PRESENT: INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - MORNING87 87

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Dad, you there? Over.

Cypher recovers from the pain, clears his throat, collects *himself before he speaks.

CYPHERCopy.


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Cypher turns his eyes to holographic displays.


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CYPHERCadet, the Earth's rotational cycle is shorter than back home. You have six hours to reach the first *geothermal site. Over.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Roger.

CUT TO:

EXT. RIFT VALLEY - DAY88 88

Kitai moves along a jagged fissure in the ground. Rocks jut up from the darkness below as if someone cracked the surface of the Earth like an egg. The sun is INTENSELY STRONG.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Let's stay in the shade as much as possible. Direct sunlight is intensely carcinogenic. You must limit exposure. Over.

KITAI Roger that.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)The rain used to be acidic, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem now.

Green slopes away on either side of the fissure in the earth. Kitai is making good progress.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - DAY89 89

Cypher checks IMAGES FROM THE PROBE CAMERAS. #11 is KNOCKED AS A LARGE ANIMAL BRUSHES PAST -- A HUGE EVOLVED GIRAFFE.

The animal now looks into the camera. The giraffe rears up on two legs. The computer sends Cypher information -- GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS.. GIRAFFE.

Cypher looks at the LIVE IMAGE OF THE GIRAFFE with awe. It is like seeing a live dinosaur.

Then the giraffe swats at the camera. The camera evades.

Cypher hits the cockpit recorder.


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CYPHERProbe cameras unable to detect signs of Ursa in the wild.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST LANDSCAPE - DAY90 90

Kitai arrives at the mouth of the forest. A gorgeous view of endless thick valleys of forest.

KITAI(checking his Navi-band)

Twenty kilometers, one hundred eighty-four minutes. Request breather, Da...

(catching himself)SIR.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Negative.

(beat)You've got three hours to reach the hot spot. That's plenty of time. Hydrate now and keep moving.

Kitai flips up a hydration tube from his backpack and drinks as he moves deeper into the forest.

Kitai swallows his irritation and moves into the forest.

CUT TO:

EXT. REDWOOD FOREST - DAY91 91

Kitai is in a profound forest. The trees are gigantic - twenty feet in diameter - three hundred feet high. Kitai moves carefully through the many shadows in the forest. He peers cautiously into the foliage all around him.

Kitai suddenly looks down and notices his lifesuit has become JET BLACK. ITS SURFACE HAS TURNED HARDER AND HAS BUMPS LIKE AN ARMOR. Kitai instantly stops walking and becomes steeled.

KITAIMy suit’s become black. I like it *but I think it’s something bad. *Over. *

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Your suit’s made of smart fabric. It has motion sensors.


(MORE)

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I’m tracking a lifeform moving near you from the west.


CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)

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KITAI The Ursa? Over.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Negative. It's smaller. Bio signs read only a meter-and-a-half long.

Kitai stands motionless.

KITAI(are you kidding me?)

I'm a meter-and-a-half long! Over.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)It's closing rapidly from the west. DO NOT MOVE! It is what it is. Relax. Go ready. Try to give me visual. Creatures on this planet have evolved from the ones we have on record because of radiation bursts.

Beat.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)It's at fifty meters, forty, thirty...

Kitai is breathing erratically.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)It's slowing down. Twenty

(long pause)Ten...

Kitai stands at the ready. HE CAN HEAR PLANTS BEING SNAPPED!

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)(whispering)

It's right there, Kitai.

Kitai in a panicked whisper.

KITAII don't see it! I don't see anything.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR) *Relax, Cadet. Recognize your power. This will be your creation.

Slowly from the forest - a small evolved baboon creature. Its face is hauntingly human, but it walks on all fours.


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At least it would if it hadn't lost one of its appendages in what looks like might have been a fight.

CUT TO:

AFTER EARTH Revised Blue (on White) 1/20/12 67A.

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Cypher gets a visual from Kitai's lifesuit camera and on the screen comes a full description of the creature.

CYPHERIt's fine, Kitai. Be still. Let it *pass. Do not startle it. *

CUT TO:

EXT. DENSE FOREST - DAY93 93

Kitai PICKS UP A ROCK and threatens. Sound is dopplering, his *vision tunneling. *

KITAIBACK UP!

The creature reacts with loud screech.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR) *Don’t do anything! *

CUT TO:


Cypher is pissed!

CYPHERKitai, NO!

CUT TO:


Kitai continues to threaten with the rock. *

KITAIGET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Kitai, STOP! Over. *

Kitai THROWS THE ROCK, glancing off the baboon. The baboon *just turns and leaves. Kitai almost hyperventilating. *

CUT TO: *


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Cypher looks at the holographic readout. Kitai's vitals are spiking.


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CYPHERYou are creating this situation! Be still. Over.

Suddenly on the monitor FIFTEEN DOTS begin moving rapidly towards Kitai.

CYPHER(to himself)

Damn it!(beat)

Cadet, get control of yourself! Listen to my instructions!

CUT TO:


Kitai feeling like his way was working, the Way of the Rock, *when SIX of the CREATURES blast through the foliage, *screeching a bloodcurdling war cry. They surround Kitai.

Kitai taps a pattern into the handle of the cutlass. The fibers retract into the handle and disappear. This is not what Kitai wanted. He looks up panicked He taps another pattern. The handle separates into two parts. The fibers flatten out at the ends, making two batons. Kitai swings his new weapons in every direction. The creatures begin charging and jumping back, mimicking Kitai's moves. They study Kitai and all begin to pick up sticks and clubs, mimicking the two ends of the cutlass.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)To your rear, Cadet! OUT TO YOUR REAR!

KITAI LOOKS TO HIS REAR SEES THE OPENING AND TAKES OFF INTO THE FOREST. THE CREATURES GIVE CHASE. KITAI SLASHES AND DARTS WILDLY.

CUT TO:


Cypher gets the chilling firsthand camera view. He watches helplessly as Kitai attempts to evade the raging creatures.

WE SEE FROM THE CAMERA ON KITAI’S BACK - THE CREATURES GETTING CLOSER.

CUT TO:


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Kitai is really fast. He leaps off of rocks and sprints through the dense forest.

THE CREATURES IN PURSUIT TAKE TO THE TREES AND BEGIN TO OVERTAKE KITAI. THEY BEGIN SNATCHING BRANCHES AND LARGE PINE CONES FROM THE TREES AND HURLING THEM AT KITAI.

TEN - TWENTY - NOW FIFTY CREATURES FILL THE TREES. SWINGING AND JUMPING. ALL THROWING HUGE PROJECTILES. KITAI, MIRACULOUSLY, IS NOT HIT. THEN:

KITAI IS STRUCK IN THE CENTER OF HIS BACK. HE COMPLETES A FORWARD ROLL WITH THE FLUIDITY OF A GYMNAST. INSTANTLY HE IS BACK TO HIS FEET.

CUT TO:


Cypher sits in steely calm.

CYPHERCross the river, Cadet! I repeat, cross the river!

CUT TO:

EXT. RAGING RIVER - DAY101 101

KITAI COMES TO THE BANK OF A RAGING RIVER. HE LOOKS BACK. HE CAN HEAR THE CREATURES COMING. HE SECURES HIS CUTLASS AND *DIVES INTO THE RIVER.

FIFTY CREATURES CONTINUE A RELENTLESS BARRAGE OF THE BRANCHES AND LARGE PINE CONES. THE RIVER EXPLODES WITH THE UNYIELDING VOLLEY.

CUT TO:


Cypher watches the underwater view in all its glorious terror as Kitai goes up and down. Bobbing underwater and above.

Kitai looks back, giving Cypher the clear view that the creatures are not following.


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CYPHERCadet, they are no longer in pursuit.

CUT TO:

EXT. RAGING RIVER - DAY103 103

Kitai is not registering his father's words. He exits the river on the other side and continues to flee frantically. His lifesuit has returned to orange. *

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)(calmly)

I say again, they are not following you. Over.

Kitai sprints wildly.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Cadet, you are not being followed! Take a knee. Over!

Kitai slows when he reaches a clearing and again takes out the cutlass He makes a three-hundred-sixty degree turn, prepared to fight anything in his vicinity.

CYPHERPut my damn cutlass away.

CUT TO:


Cypher watches the maddening 360-degree pivot.

CYPHERTake a knee, Cadet.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST CLEARING - DAY105 105

Kitai kneels on one knee. His eyes are large and frantic.

He tries to settle his breathing. Seems to calm himself.

CUT TO:


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Cypher watches his son.

CYPHER *If you want to die today that’s *fine, but you are not going to kill *me today. You are not out here by *yourself. Everything you do affects *me. I see right now that you do not *have the intelligence to think for *yourself, so I will be your brain. *You DO NOT think. *

Cypher rubs his eyes. THEN: *

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP...

Cypher looks to Kitai's vital sign readout.

CYPHER(concerned)

Kitai, I need you to do a physical assessment. I'm showing rapid blood contamination. Are you cut?

CUT TO:


Kitai does not respond. He is shell-shocked. He doesn’t seem like a cadet right now. He seems like a child. His lifesuit has turned yellow.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)(sternly)

KITAI, I NEED YOU TO DO A PHYSICAL EVALUATION! ARE YOU BLEEDING? OVER.

Slowly, Kitai regains himself and begins to check his body. He tries to stand, but is suddenly unsteady and off-balance.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Kitai?

KITAII'm dizzy.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Check yourself.


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Kitai looks at his hands. On his right wrist he spots an EVOLVED LEECH-LIKE PARASITE. He pulls it off. It tears his skin.

A NASTY RASH quickly blossoms across his skin on his wrist.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)(ultra calm)

Open your med-kit, Kitai.

Kitai reaches for his belt. His face anxious now.


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KITAI(groggy)

I can't stand up.

Kitai opens the med-kit. Cypher takes his vocal tones into complete certainty and calm. He knows that he cannot betray even a hint of tension.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)(measured and comforting)

You have to administer the antitoxin in sequence. Inject yourself with the clear liquid first. Do it now!

Kitai takes the first hypodermic from the med-kit, pops off the protective cap. His hands are trembling.

KITAIDad. I can't see.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)The poison is affecting your nervous system. Relax. Stay even.

Kitai fumbles twice with the needle. He stops, looks up, looks around, his eyes dilated and swelling closed. His panic deepening. The veins of his right hand are turning black.

KITAIDad, please come help me. I can't see! Please come help me!

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Stay even! Inject yourself directly into the heart with the first stage now!

Kitai takes a deep breath, grimacing as he removes the top of his lifesuit and sticks himself in the chest with the hypodermic, presses the plunger. WE HEAR A DISCHARGE SOUND.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Now the second stage. Hurry.

Kitai snatches his backpack off and fumbles around blindly in the med-kit.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Your left, to your left!

Kitai finds the second hypodermic. HIS EYES NOW COMPLETELY SWOLLEN CLOSED. His hands shaking badly, he just about manages to remove the protective cap.


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He sticks himself with the second hypodermic, but his thumb just hovers over the plunger, unable to move.

KITAII can't feel my hands! I can't...

Kitai's eyes roll back, flickering. On the verge of losing consciousness. He falls to his knees.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Press it into the ground! Kitai, roll over on it and press it into the ground!

With a final effort, Kitai throws himself forward, the plunger depressing against the ground as he slumps over. Kitai's limp body lies motionless.

CUT TO:


Cypher watches as Kitai's blood contamination levels begin to slowly decrease. The red beeping lights turn to yellow, signaling a slow return of Kitai's vital signs to normal.

CYPHERGreat work, Cadet. Now you’re going *to have to lie there. *

CUT TO:


Kitai's body. Hauntingly still. Alone.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)The parasite that stung you has a paralyzing agent in its venom. You're just going to have to lie there for a little bit while the antitoxin does its job.

CUT TO:


Cypher is precise, but Kitai's backpack camera brutally captures Kitai's swollen face. A single tear rolls from a lifeless eye.


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*

This is excruciating. Cypher, unable to aid his son, struggles for control in an uncontrollable situation. *

CUT TO:


From a distance we see how small Kitai is in this huge cruel forest. The sun perilously slipping beyond its apex. *

CUT TO:


Cypher glances at the timer. His lifeless son. *

We pan around Cypher to a full-frame view of Kitai - seemingly close, yet so far. He stares at his son. *

CUT TO: *


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EXT. FOREST CLEARING - DUSK113 113

The sun is now treacherously low in the sky, threatening to drop. A chilly breeze begins to blow through the retreating forest. Plants begin to close in anticipation of the brutal night freeze.

Kitai still lies motionless. The swelling is gone from his face but his eyes are still closed. His lifesuit is orange. *

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Kitai.

No response.

A gentle dusting of frost begins to form on and around Kitai's weakened frame. Cypher grows increasingly distressed. The wind howls with ferocious intention.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Kitai, it's time to get up.

Kitai's eyes give no sign of life.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - DUSK114 114

Cypher looks at his son’s beautiful face, praying for any muscle twitch or flicker of life.

CYPHERKitai, I want you to blink your eyes.

Still nothing. There is a long beat. We vaguely hear Kitai breathing. A tiny hint of ice shows on his left eyebrow.

CYPHER(deeply concerned)

Son, I need you to please blink your eyes.

Slowly... and ever so slightly... Kitai opens his eyes.

KITAI (FACE ON THE SCREEN)(raspy voice)

Hey, Dad.


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Kitai still looks directly into his backpack camera speaking to Cypher. We see a full-frame image of Kitai. Cypher stares at the monitors and the bio-readings and exhales profoundly.

KITAI (FACE ON THE SCREEN)(weakly)

That sucked.

Kitai awkwardly begins to stand and gather his gear.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)The temperature is dropping five degrees every ten minutes. You've got twelve kilometers to the hot spot. *

CUT TO:


Kitai's vitals are stable. He has gathered his gear and is ready to go. Cypher returns to General mode.

CYPHERLet's see that “Ten kilometers in fifty minutes" that you spoke about earlier, Cadet.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST CLEARING - DUSK116 116

Kitai sets his Navi-band and turns to the north.

KITAI(still weak)

Sir, yes, sir.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST LANDSCAPES - DUSK117 117

Kitai sprints ruggedly over the vicious terrain. Signs of the DEEP FREEZE are prominent and extreme. Animals scramble underground. IT BEGINS TO LIGHTLY SNOW.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)SitRep?


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KITAITen Mikes out. Good. All good. *

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT -DUSK118 118

The words “Arterial Shunt” stare back at Cypher from the med *screen. He pulls a long, narrow tubing from the med-kit and a *thin surgical knife. *

He opens an arm on the flat box and locks it to his chair. *The box is now positioned over his left thigh. He rips the *side of his uniform, exposing the side of the leg. We see a *nasty gash on the side of his leg. *

THE HOLOGRAPHIC SCREEN SHOWS CYPHER’S ARTERIES AND VEINS IN A *GRAPHIC. ONE HAS BEEN SEVERED AND SEPARATED. The reality is *far worse than any animation could ever be. *

Cypher casts a quick glance to KITAI’S VIEW, as he sprints *through the snowy landscape. A reminder of what’s at stake. *

Without fanfare, Cypher plunges the thin knife into the side *of his leg. *

His face and demeanor tighten under the strain. *

ON THE HOLOGRAPHIC SCREEN WE SEE THE SCALPEL CUT INTO THE *FLESH REACHING THE END OF THE SEVERED ARTERY. *

After reaching it, he pulls the knife out. *

Cypher takes a few preparing breaths, focusing his eyes on *KITAI’S VIEW of the passing nature, before doing it again, *higher on the thigh. The knife again cuts through his thick *muscle. WE SEE IT REACH THE OTHER SEVERED END. *

Cypher recovers the knife. Cypher is shaking uncontrollably *for a moment. He stares at a point in the distance and *regains his composure. *

He inserts the tubing in one of the incisions in his leg. WE *WATCH THE HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE OF THE TUBE MOVE TOWARD THE *ARTERY. IT SLIPS INTO THE ARTERY. WE WATCH THE ARTERY CLOSE *AROUND IT. *

A tear from effort and pain falls down Cypher’s cheek. He *looks around wildly, like a wolf caught in a trap. He screams *and turns toward LENS, then looks again. As the camera finds *THE GENERAL calmly watching him. *


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THE GENERAL *I got this. *

Cypher’s face becomes emotionless. He removes all reaction *from his face. He grabs the thin tubing from the med-kit. *

Cypher is shaking again as he grabs the other end of the tube *and inserts it into the second incision. This end slips into *the ragged end of the severed artery. The fit is less *perfect. Cypher wiggles it, almost passing out from pain. *

READOUT: ARTERIAL SHUNT 87% EFFECTIVE. *

Cypher looks down and sees what we see. Blood starts flowing *through the sagging tube hanging out of his leg. The artery *begins flowing again. Good enough for now. *

The words, “Arterial Shunt” disappear from the screen. *

Cypher’s head hits the back of the loader. *

Blood continues to flow through the tube. Cypher stares at *the screen of his son’s POV. He strains to stay conscious. *

We hear Kitai’s voice over the computer as he runs.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Five Mikes out. *

(feeling his oats)Who wasn’t advanced to Ranger? Who was it? Watch him go. Watch him go.


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Cypher stares, on the verge of unconsciousness. His eyes close. His eyes open. His eyes close.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK: INT. MILITARY SHIP - NIGHT119 119

A drop captain yells.

DROP CAPTAINFive Mikes out! *

He yells this to the Rangers waiting in the ship. Cypher holds a piece of 12x15 smart fabric in his hands. This is like a future iPad that can be rolled or folded.

On the fabric is the face of Senshi. She sits at a table with a birthday cake in front of her. There are nineteen candles. Faia and a nine-year-old Kitai sit together.

Senshi waves the Moby Dick book at the camera.

SENSHI (VOICE FROM SCREEN)There’s this character, the savage. He has a shrunken head. So cool! He’s my favorite character.

CYPHER(distracted)

He’s a good character. Something interesting happens to him later.

She holds up the cake toward her father.

SENSHIDad, you help me.

CYPHERNo Senshi, you go ahead. You blow.


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SENSHI (VOICE FROM SCREEN)Come on, Dad. Blow. *

Cypher glances at the Rangers watching him.

CYPHERNow, you know there’s no way I can actually do that from here. *

SENSHINo, I think you can. *

CYPHERFaia, why don’t you step in here and help the girl?

Faia comes into frame --

FAIAYou can do it.

SENSHII know you can.

Cypher shoots a glance over his shoulder. A RANGER stands there, stone-faced.

Cypher looks at the cake. Senshi’s expectant face. He leans forward quickly and blows --

THE CANDLES BLOW OUT as by magic.

Then Kitai’s face leans into the frame, laughing. He blew out the candles. Cypher’s family laughing.

CYPHERHappy nineteenth birthday, Senshi.

AN ALARM GOES OFF IN THE SHIP. ALL RANGERS LOOKING AT CYPHER.

CYPHERI have to go.

Cypher taps the smart fabric in his hands. It turns off. He tucks it away. All the Rangers in the ship stand. They strap on their gear. They look to their leader.

The back of the ship begins to open. Cypher stares at it as it opens.

CYPHERRangers! In formation! Move! *

CUT TO:


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EXT. GEOTHERMAL NODE - DUSK120 120

An elevated volcanic area. STEAM RISES FROM THE GROUND. Lush overripe fallen trees, rich decay everywhere.

KITAIHot Spot One arrival.

(checks)H plus forty-eight minutes!

Outside the geothermal zone, THE FOREST IN ALL DIRECTIONS IS IN A RAPID FREEZE. ENTIRE FOREST OF GIANT TREES TURNS TO ICE.

Kitai begins to cough.

KITAISir. I made it. I’m here. *

CUT TO:


Cypher pulls out of his reverie, still recovering from his efforts. *


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He IGNORES his own condition, checking his SON’S SITUATION. *He sees the GEOTHERMAL SURROUNDS. Sees his SON’S VITALS SCROLLING.

CYPHERMake sure you have everything. Take your next inhaler. Your oxygen extraction is bottoming.

CUT TO:

EXT. GEOTHERMAL NODE - DUSK122 122

Kitai opens the med-kit. Kitai’s face changes. We see of the five remaining vials,

TWO HAVE BEEN BROKEN. *

Kitai quickly closes the case, hiding the contents from Cypher's view. Kitai’s face blanches at the realization. He doesn’t have enough breathing fluid.

Kitai is devastated.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Use the next dose of breathing fluid.

KITAI(straining not to cough)

I'm good, Dad. I don't need it right now. *

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - EARLY EVENING123 123

Cypher looks at his son. The general radiates stillness. *

CYPHER *Okay. *

And he continues to stoically watch Kitai. *

CUT TO:


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EXT. GEOTHERMAL NODE - EARLY EVENING124 124

Kitai pauses. The weight of the world crashing down on him. His struggle for breath increases. He coughs. His chest makes a hollow wheezing sound.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - EARLY EVENING124A 124A

Still Cypher says nothing. Just waiting. He watches stoically as Kitai’s struggles amplify. His coughing more brutal. The impossibility of life on earth without oxygen supplementation again becomes vividly clear.

The medical computer compounds things -- telling Cypher: *“ARTERIAL SHUNT 70% EFFECTIVE.” Cypher’s pallor is grey. *

He quickly realizes the SHUNT IS SLIPPING on the ragged end. *He sees FRESH BLOOD running down to the floor. *

THE MEDICAL COMPUTER is telling him to COMMENCE TRANSFUSION. *Cypher needs FOUR UNITS OF O POSITIVE. *

But all he cares about, all he can hear, is Kitai’s coughing. *More brutal, now. The impossibility of life on earth without *oxygen supplementation again becomes vividly clear. *

Kitai’s face contorts with pain on the holographic screen. *

CUT TO:

OMITTED124B 124B*

OMITTED125 125*

FLASHBACK: INT. OLD RAIGE APARTMENT - NIGHT126 126

Three year-old Kitai marches around in pj’s and his father’s huge boots, struggling to hold Cypher’s cutlass.

CYPHERThose lines are tight, son.

Kitai beams with pride.

Faia’s “CAPTURING” the home movie-- Kitai safe in his pj’s hugs his father.


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CYPHERAnd now it’s time for one junior officer to head off to bed.

KITAINoooo--

CYPHERThat’s a direct order from a superior officer, son.

The little boy straightens up and gives a salute. Cypher leans down and talks seriously to his son.

CYPHERWe never disobey an order. Not at home, not when deployed.

KITAIYes, sir!

CYPHERAnd give your mother a kiss, tell her you love her.

Cypher looks over at Faia. *

CYPHER *One day I’m just going to be *‘Kitai’s dad.’ *

AFTER EARTH Revised Yellow 2/24/12 81B.

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EXT. GEOTHERMAL NODE - EARLY EVENING126A 126A*

Kitai slowly breaking down. Finally, reluctantly, he TAKES THE SECOND VIAL OF BREATHING FLUID. Rapidly, his oxygen needs are met, his chest slows.

KITAISecond dose of breathing fluid complete. Over.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Count off remaining so you can keep track. Over.

Kitai takes a long pause. His face flushed with shame.

KITAI(a painful lie)

Four vials remain, sir.

As A PACK OF WOLVES slinks past, finding a spot. Nearby DEER lie down to sleep. Magnificent BISON side by side with RESTING TIGERS. Kitai REALIZES ALL MANNER OF BEAST AND INSECT HAS SOUGHT THE SAME REFUGE as if in some kind of survival accord. At night, while the earth is frozen, it’s GAME OFF.

Kitai stares at MONKEYS WITH BIOLUMINESCENT EYES.

He ducks further back into the musty hollow of a rotting tree and the SKY OPENS with a downpour of biblical proportions, unlike anything we've ever imagined. Kitai is miserable.

CUT TO:


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INT. GEOTHERMAL NODE - NIGHT127 127*

Kitai looks up from his shelter under the giant fallen trees. He’s watching a BEE that has a leg caught in a SPIDER WEB.

The bee TUGS, pulling the gossamer thread, which sends a MESSAGE down the line...


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A SPIDER, big as a fist, emerges, rushing down to the bee. The spider darts in, laying another line. The bee tries to STING. The spider backs up.

AS THE SKY STROBES, Kitai watches this battle, rapt.

The BEE FIGHTS against the binding thread, which also seems to ALERT THE SPIDER exactly to the bee’s location and strength. As THE BEE TIRES, the SPIDER CIRCLES CLOSER.

The BEE STOPS BUZZING its wings. And the spider backs up, seemingly BLIND without the frantic thrashing of its prey.

Kitai’s face lit up, even more rapt, through the web. As the spider begins carefully testing each thread for its tension -- when the spider comes upon the thread upon which the bee rests, he makes ANOTHER ASSAULT --

The BEE AGAIN FLAILS WILDLY, pulling against its bond. The spider comes in low, its own venomous fangs visible.

The bee goes still again, ceasing to fight, and again the spider seems to become confused, backing up, testing the tension on the lines until it locates the bee again.

The SEEMINGLY HELPLESS, EXHAUSTED BEE barely struggles, tracking the spider circling across its web. Then the HUGE *SPIDER CHARGES for the “kill.”

The bee snaps to life, BUZZING UP, snapping the silky thread, flying up and OVER THE SPIDER, sinking its STINGER into the SOFT, EXPOSED BACK of the spider. Stinging AGAIN AND AGAIN then flying up and away, still held by a thread stuck to its leg as if tethered...

The POISONED SPIDER moves slowly, sluggishly, drunkenly to the middle of its web. The bee, which cannot get away and cannot land, is slowly exhausted, and DIES hanging from the thread.

Kitai is in a kind of awe that exists beyond pity.

KITAIDad..? Dad --

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - NIGHT128 128

Cypher rouses from semi-consciousness. Cypher may not be sure if he himself is awake or in the past.


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CYPHERI’m here. SitRep?

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)How did you beat it? How did you first ghost? Tell me how you did *it. *

Cypher stares at his son, so young in the eerie light. Cypher *begins matter-of-factly. *

CYPHER *I was at the original Nova Sea of *Serenity, The Settlements. Everyone *had gotten off safely. I was just *out walking, I was taking a walk -- *something you are never supposed to *do -- and you know there’s those *Novian centipedes... One dropped on *my neck. I... I don’t like *centipedes. At all. It startled me. *Right at that moment an Ursa de- *camo’s not more than five feet *away. Looked like the canyon wall, *if the canyon wall suddenly grabbed *you and jumped really high in the *air, I mean it was just Daydream. *Centipede. Air. Then we’re in the *river, we’re rolling over and over *underwater as it tries to crush me. *Finally settling on the bottom. *

(beat) *We don’t know much about Ursa at *this point. Does it breathe oxygen? *Can it swim? It’s on top of me and *I can’t move. And everything just *slows down. I see sunlight coming *down through the water and I see my *blood bubbling up. And I think *that’s really pretty. And I think *of Faia. She was pregnant with you, *and close, too. Half-moon’s cycle *away, maybe 23 days. She was so *beautiful. *

(beat) *And suddenly I knew one thing with *perfect clarity and it obliterated *all other thoughts: there was no *way I was gonna die before I’d met *my son, before I met you. *

(beat) *And I realize it’s let go of me. *And more than that I can tell it *can’t find me. *


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It doesn’t even know where to *look... See, I think we’re all just *telling ourselves a story. And mine *changed. *

CUT TO:

EXT. GEOTHERMAL NODE - NIGHT129 129

Kitai, deeply moved by what his father has just said, takes in the majesty of the geothermal safe zone. Animals all resting in close proximity to one another.

Kitai, though exhausted, will not sleep this night.

FADE TO BLACK.

FADE IN:

EXT. GEOTHERMAL NODE - DAWN130 130

THE SINGLE SUN OF EARTH IS RISING SOMEWHERE. Kitai, eyes fighting sleep, watches the sun crack the horizon. As soon as the light is up, so is Kitai. He takes his gear.


CYPHER (CONT'D)

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CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Fourteen kilometers from the falls. That’s our halfway checkpoint. Over.

KITAIReading you.

Kitai begins his day’s trek, slow and steady, feeling the weight of the immense sleep-deprived distance he must cover.

CUT TO:


The lake of blood around Cypher is quickly becoming a crimson *sea. *

ON THE HOLOGRAPHIC SCREEN: ARTERIAL SHUNT - 58%... TRANSFUSION CRITICAL. 7 UNITS NEEDED.

Cypher TURNS OFF the screen with no emotion, ignoring the pain, ignoring the lake of blood around him. Turning again to his son’s POV.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST TERRAIN - DAY132 132

Kitai has been hacking his way with his cutlass. He pauses, very tired. Takes a swig of water. Eats a nutrition bar from his pack.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Seven kilometers from the falls.

KITAIRoger.

He balls up the paper, throws it on the ground. He begins to exit, then stops. He goes back for the wrapper. Which BLOWS ON A GUST OF WIND. He almost gets it as ANOTHER GUST carries it through THICK VEGETATION.

He brushes into the darker terrain, finally LUNGING -- Getting the PESKY PAPER. Then slowly LOOKING UP --

EXT. TRAMPLED FOREST - DAY133 133

REVEAL: TREES HAVE BEEN RIPPED DOWN. DOZENS OF BABOONS SLAUGHTERED. A VIOLENT CONFRONTATION HAS TAKEN PLACE.


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Kitai sees some of the creatures torn in two. A bloody battle that is more of a “CRIME SCENE."

KITAIWhat could do this?

CUT TO:


Cypher reads the hideous sights.

CYPHERDouble-time it. We need to make it to the falls. Hurry!

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST LANDSCAPE - AFTERNOON135 135

Kitai walks quickly and cautiously under the eerie forest canopy.

BOOOOMMMMM!

Kitai ducks, his cutlass at the ready. In the distance:

A VOLCANO ERUPTS SPEWING ROCK AND SULFUR MILES INTO THE AIR.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - AFTERNOON136 136

Cypher frantically checks his instruments.

CYPHERVolcanic eruption. Twenty kilometers east. There are volcanoes all over the planet now. You’re fine. Keep moving.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST LANDSCAPE - AFTERNOON137 137*

Kitai settles himself and moves on.

CUT TO:


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Cypher focuses intently on the screen.

CROSS FADE TO:

EXT. STEEP FOREST HILL - AFTERNOON139 139

Kitai carefully and methodically taps a combination into his cutlass. The handle separates. THE CUTLASS FIBERS FORM TWO *PICKS - A FOOT-AND-A-HALF LONG. He begins to use the picks to scale the steep hill.

CUT TO:


Cypher holds his breath as Kitai climbs. He can tell how tired Kitai is, his breathing heavy.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Is there anything behind me? Over.

CYPHERNegative.

CUT TO:

EXT. STEEP FOREST HILL - AFTERNOON141 141

SUDDENLY: KITAI FREEZES

He cocks his head in the listening position. The moment is tense.

A SOUND. IT'S LIKE STATIC IN THE DISTANCE.

KITAII hear something.

(listening)I think it's water. A lot of it.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)You're close. Keep hustling.

Kitai climbs faster, digging further into energy reserves.

CUT TO:


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EXT. THE CONTINENTAL SHELF - AFTERNOON142 142

Kitai steps out of the thickness of the foliage. He pushes the last of the leaves with his hands. He emerges onto a rocky ledge. He connects the cutlass together. It contracts *back to just the handle. He snaps it to his back. It sticks magnetically.

THE SOUND AROUND KITAI IS DEAFENING. Kitai's face registers the preternatural beauty before him.

A WATERFALL - “THE ETERNAL FALLS" - THE LENGTH OF THE GRAND CANYON, STRETCHES OUT ON EITHER SIDE OF HIM AS FAR AS HE CAN SEE. IT FALLS A THOUSAND FEET TO THE LANDMASS BELOW. AN UNCOUNTABLE NUMBER OF BIRDS CIRCLE IN FLOCKS.

WE NOW REALIZE THIS IS WHERE TWO CONTINENTS OF EARTH HAVE SMASHED INTO EACH OTHER.

Kitai stares at the lower mass of land. Its greenness disappears into a mist in the distance.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Inventory your remaining.

Kitai slowly begins unloading his gear.

KITAIRoger. Food rations - half available... Flares - full... Med-kit - half available... breathing fluid-

Kitai hesitates. Is he going to lie?

KITAIBreathing fluid four vials available.

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Why aren’t you showing me the case? -Let me see it.

KITAIWhat?

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Let me see the breathing fluid case. Over.

KITAIWhy?


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CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Cadet, let me see the case.

Beat. Kitai holds the case up. TWO VIALS REMAIN. SILENCE. Kitai waits for Cypher's response.

KITAISir?

A long beat. Finally --

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)You’re going to have to come back to the ship.

KITAIWhat? Why?!

CYPHER *You lied to me! *

KITAI *I was scared! I thought you would *think I was stupid! *

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)I told you to stop thinking! You’ve *reached abort criteria. You need a minimum of three inhalers to make it to the tail. You’ve exhausted your resources. Abort mission.

Kitai hangs his head. He looks out at The Falls. *

KITAII’ve got eighty percent. I could sky it --

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Come back to the ship, Cadet.

KITAIYou said we would both die if I didn’t make it to the tail.

CUT TO:


Cypher is seriously weakened, but he fights upright.


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CYPHERAn error in strategy on my part. I take full responsibility. Now, I gave you a direct order.

CUT TO:


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EXT. CONTINENTAL SHELF - AFTERNOON144 144

Kitai begins pacing back and forth, very emotional --

KITAIAn error in strategy? What error is that? Trusting me? Depending on me? Taking me with you? That error in strategy--

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Take a knee, Cadet.

His pacing takes him closer to the edge.

KITAII remember you happy. I remember being happy. And then, and then she’s gone, and you’re never going to be happy again, never gonna be my dad again --

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Take a knee, Cadet!

Kitai has gotten right up to the edge of the falls. The mist, the birds, the incredible ROAR of the water far, far below.

KITAII didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know. I... I... What did you want me to do?

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Nothing, you did the right thing. Now come back.

Kitai whirling, yelling at his father, the heavens --

KITAIWHAT DID YOU WANT ME TO DO!!??

CYPHERCadet --

KITAIWHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO!!??

LOSING IT, Kitai starts to cry, YELLING LOUDER --

KITAISHE GAVE ME AN ORDER! SHE TOLD ME NO MATTER WHAT.


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SHE WAS A RANGER AND MY SISTER AND I NEVER LISTEN AND SHE GAVE ME AN ORDER... WAS I SUPPOSED TO COME OUT AND DIE, TOO?

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - AFTERNOON144A 144A

And we see the House of Cypher split in two. In his delirium, the two sides of his nature are in stark battle.

GENERALTell him the truth.

FATHERNo.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)WAS I SUPPOSED TO DIE?

GENERALTell him the truth!

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)WAS I?

(beat)ANSWER ME!!

CYPHER(softly)

Yes.

What Kitai has dreaded most, this truth.

CYPHER *YES--!!

And Cypher is now SNAPPING --

CYPHER/GENERALBECAUSE WE FIGHT AND WE DIE, BUT WE DON’T HIDE AND WATCH WHILE OUR FAMILY IS KILLED. SO YES YOU SHOULD HAVE COME OUT AND YES YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED --

CUT TO:


KITAI (CONT'D)

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EXT. CONTINENTAL SHELF - AFTERNOON144B 144B

Kitai has heard said what he was most afraid of and it didn’t kill him. And now he can say it --

KITAIAnd where were you?

(beat)Where were you when my sister was killed? She called out for you. She called out your name, Dad. She called and you weren’t there... Because you’re never there.

CUT TO:


A sledgehammer blow back at Cypher. From his own son. No one’s ever said THAT out loud to him, the thing he was thinking, but could never say, his own great guilt and shame and he’s reeling and we’re slowly PUSHING on him as...

CYPHER/FATHERHe was only nine--

(General)He is a Raige!

(father)A child-- What could he have done?

(General)Fight!

Exhaustion, pain, etched on Cypher’s entire being.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Because somewhere there was something more important... What was it? You’ve never told me.

CYPHER *(almost to himself) *My oath... *

And suddenly it all just goes out of him and he’s spent -- *

CYPHER *Come back to the ship. I’m sorry. *

Nothing from Kitai. *


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EXT. THE ETERNAL FALLS - AFTERNOON146 146

Kitai standing there, hyperventilating from the emotion. CAMERA CIRCLING as he hears his father speak --

CYPHER(VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR) *I gave you an order, Cadet.

KITAI(beat)

My name is Kitai! And this is my *oath. *

He turns, TAKES TWO STEPS AND DIVES OFF THE CLIFF! Ground disappearing from under him in a DIZZYING MOVE--

And CYPHER MAY NOT EVEN REALIZE HE’S YELLING OUT --

CYPHER (VOICE THROUGH COMMUNICATOR)Kitai... NO --!!

FOR A MOMENT - SUBLIME PEACE. Arms outstretched, body floating in the air--

SUDDENLY HIS LIFESUIT RELEASES FABRIC FROM HIS LEGS TO HIS OUTSTRETCHED ARMS -- AND HE SOARS DOWNWARD--

PAST THE WATERFALLS, HE CHANGES DIRECTIONS LIKE A KITE OVER THE RIVER TOWARDS THE LUSH LANDSCAPE BELOW-- HIS LIFESUIT TURNS BLACK.

He flies in a free-fall dive, INSANELY FAST PAST ROCK WALLS, OVER LEDGES -- OUT OVER THE DAPPLING RIVER BELOW, his face rippling from the force of the wind -- IT’S AWESOME-- THEN SUDDENLY SOMETHING STRIKES HIM IN THE AIR --

CUT TO:


Cypher sees something that we do not.


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CYPHERKITAI, WATCH OUT!

CUT TO:

EXT. ETERNAL FALLS - AFTERNOON148 148

KITAI'S POV - OUR FIRST GLIMPSE -- A MASSIVE BIRD-LIKE CREATURE - A DESCENDENT OF A CONDOR.

THE CONDOR-LIKE CREATURE CIRCLES AROUND FOR ANOTHER ATTACK.

CUT TO:


CYPHER GETS A FULL VIEW FROM KITAI'S LIFESUIT-CAM. A HUGE BIRD, SKILLED HUNTER, BANKS EFFORTLESSLY AND TAKES AIM AT KITAI.

CUT TO:

EXT. ETERNAL FALLS - AFTERNOON150 150

KITAI PULLS HIS ARMS TO HIS SIDES AND LEGS STRAIGHT AS ARROWS, A TORPEDO EFFECT AS HE SLICES THROUGH THE AIR.

THEN CRACK - THE CREATURE STRIKES AT KITAI AGAIN, HIS RAZOR-SHARP TALONS JUST MISSING KITAI'S FACE. KITAI FREE-FALLS AWKWARDLY. WE CAN'T TELL, BUT HE MAY BE UNCONSCIOUS.

CUT TO:


CYPHER WATCHES AS THE VICIOUS AIRBORNE PREDATOR MAKES A THIRD ATTEMPT ON HIS SON'S LIFE. ON SCREEN, THE CREATURE APPEARS TO BE COMING STRAIGHT TOWARD CYPHER.

CLOSER. CLOSER. CLOSER.

Cypher tries to get out of his seat. CYPHER SCREAMS AND IS FORCED BACK DOWN. He winces through his terror and agony and stares at the screen.

ON THE SCREEN THE CREATURE LETS OUT BLOOD-CHILLING SCREECH.

THEN: STRAIGHT INTO CAMERA - BAAAAMMMM!


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SLAM TO BLACK.

INT. RAIGE LIVING STRUCTURE - DAY151A 151A*

WE ARE IN NOVA PRIME IN THE RAIGE LIVING STRUCTURE. *

Two official-looking men knock on the door. Faia answers. *They say something and step inside. *

WE DO NOT HEAR WHAT THEY SAY AS THEY SPEAK TO FAIA. She *begins screaming. They bow their heads as she screams in *despair. *

The two official-looking men continue to look away as Faia *cries. *

FADE TO BLACK: *

FADE IN:

INT. NEST OF CREATURE - AFTERNOON152 152

Kitai slowly comes to. He feels SOMETHING. A soft PECKING at his cheek. He brushes at it with a hand. His eyes open TO FIND he’s looking at a NEWBORN BABY BIRD, easily three feet tall, NUZZLING AT HIM from an INCH AWAY.

Kitai jumps back. Realizes he’s covered in something. It is clear and liquidy. He belches for breath and begins wiping it off. The first thing he can make out is the PATCHWORK OF LIGHT AROUND HIM. THERE ARE PATTERNS OF LIGHT MADE BY THE GAPS BETWEEN THE INTERTWINED BRANCHES ALL AROUND HIM. The baby bird is making an I’m hungry sound to him.

He slowly turns, noticing there are FOUR-FOOT EGG-LIKE SHAPES IN THE STRUCTURE WITH HIM. And THEY HAVE ALL BEGUN TO CRACK. More DARK-LOOKING NEWBORN CREATURES - THEIR SLICK WINGS OPENING AND FOLDING INTO THE AIR.

Kitai looks down. He can see through the bottom of the structure through the gaps in the branches - WHOA - HERDS OF ANIMALS... EVOLVED RHINOS AND EVOLVED ELEPHANTS IN A VALLEY BENEATH US... ONE-HUNDRED-AND-FIFTY FEET BELOW!

There is an opening in the structure of branches. Kitai can see an enormous tree branch extending back to an enormous tree. On the branch at the base of the tree limb is a MASSIVE BIRD-LIKE CREATURE. THE DESCENDANT OF A CONDOR - IT STANDS OVER SIX FEET TALL. WHEN IT OPENS ITS WINGS, ITS WINGSPAN IS OVER FIFTEEN FEET. ITS BEAK IS RAZOR-SHARP. IT STANDS GUARD AT THE END OF THE BRANCH.


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Kitai takes in everything. Eyes darting around.

Kitai looks around and sees his backpack torn in the corner. Clipped to it is his cutlass.

Kitai starts moving slowly towards his cutlass. The newborn creatures in the egg-shapes start breaking free of their eggs. Kitai reaches the gear.

Kitai looks down below and sees a DARK SHAPE MOVING UP THE TRUNK OF THE TREE. He can’t make out what it is.

One of the NEWBORN CREATURES MOVES TOWARDS HIM. Kitai pushes it away with his foot. It falls on its side, almost comically.

SOMETHING DARK DROPS FROM HIGH ABOVE ONTO THE ENORMOUS BRANCH.

He unclips the cutlass with trembling hands. HE TAPS IN A COMBINATION ON THE HANDLE. IT EXTENDS TO ITS SIX-FOOT LENGTH. ONE END HAS A SHARP SPEAR POINT. THE OTHER A FLAT BLADE.


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THE LIMB SUDDENLY SHAKES VIOLENTLY.

He sees through the opening in the structure THE MASSIVE CONDOR-LIKE CREATURE FIGHTING WITH A GREY LEOPARD-LIKE BEAST. Kitai can see glimpses of them attacking each other outside.

This is Kitai’s moment. He has a clear shot to jump to the branch below and escape.

But just then, Kitai senses A SHADOW. THE BRANCH SHAKES. LEOPARD-LIKE CREATURES APPEAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BRANCH-ENTWINED STRUCTURE. KITAI CAN SEE THERE ARE OTHER LEOPARD-LIKE CREATURES SCALING THE BOTTOM OF THE STRUCTURE.

Kitai looks back at the newborns in the corner of the nest. They SQUAWK at him. Beat. Kitai moves back into the nest and stands in front of them.

A HUGE LEOPARD CREATURE’S FOREARM BURSTS BETWEEN THE BRANCHES AND JUST MISSES KITAI.

CREATURES’ PAWS REACH THROUGH THE BRANCHES EVERYWHERE. ONE OF THE NEWBORN CONDOR-LIKE CREATURES GETS STRUCK.

THE BRANCHES BEGIN TO TEAR APART. KITAI STABS THROUGH THE BRANCHES AT ONE OF THE LEOPARD-LIKE CREATURES. IT CRIES OUT AS THE POINT OF THE CUTLASS PIERCES ITS FUR. *

SUDDENLY AN ENTIRE SECTION OF THE BRANCH STRUCTURE BREAKS APART. A HUGE LEOPARD-LIKE CREATURE CRAWLING ON THE SECTION FALLS WITH IT TO THE GROUND BELOW.

OTHER SECTIONS OF THE STRUCTURE CRACK OFF. ALL THAT’S LEFT IS THE BOWL OF THE STRUCTURE.

ONE OF THE LEOPARD-LIKE CREATURES CRAWLS OVER THE EDGE AND SINKS ITS CLAWS INTO ONE OF THE NEWBORN CONDOR-LIKE CREATURES.

KITAI STABS THE LEOPARD-LIKE CREATURE’S ARM WITH HIS CUTLASS *IT REELS BACK IN PAIN AND CLIMBS BACK OVER THE EDGE.

MORE LEOPARD CREATURES TRY TO CRAWL IN. KITAI SPINS HIS CUTLASS, SLICING ONE OF THE CREATURES’ PAWS. *

KITAILeave them alone!

THE MASSIVE CONDOR ON THE LIMB SUDDENLY CLUTCHES THE LEOPARD CREATURE BY A HIND LEG, FLAPPING HER BROAD WINGS, DRAGS IT STRUGGLING OFF THE BRANCH AND INTO THE AIR. THEN DROPPING IT-- THE HUGE CREATURE FALLING, TURNING IN THE AIR, UNTIL IT THUDS INTO THE EARTH FAR BELOW.


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THE MASSIVE CONDOR-LIKE CREATURE SWOOPS IN AND SNATCHES ANOTHER LEOPARD FROM BEHIND, DRAGGING IT AWAY FROM THE TREE, INTO THE AIR, BEFORE RELEASING IT TO THE DEATH OF GRAVITY.

A LEOPARD CREATURE REACHES ANOTHER NEWBORN. STARTS MAULING IT. KITAI RUSHES FORWARD AND SKEWERS THE CAT-LIKE CREATURE IN ITS SIDE. IT WRITHES BACK IN PAIN, STILL CLUTCHING THE NEWBORN. BOTH FALL OVER THE EDGE AND PLUMMET DOWN.

KITAI AND THE MASSIVE CONDOR-LIKE CREATURE THAT BROUGHT HIM HERE FIGHT OFF THE LAST BEASTS CRAWLING UNDERNEATH THE STRUCTURE. A FINAL CREATURE FALLS TO ITS DEATH.

KITAI TURNS AND SEES THAT NONE OF THE NEWBORNS REMAIN IN THE NEST. ONLY SHATTERED SHELLS REMAIN.

THE MASSIVE CONDOR DIVES OFF THE EDGE OF THE STRUCTURE.

Kitai is unable to unclench his hands from the cutlass. *

CUT TO:

EXT. MASSIVE TREE IN JUNGLE - AFTERNOON153 153

Kitai climbs down the tree trunk. He carries his gear and cutlass on his back. *

He lands on the ground and sees in the foliage the massive condor-like creature hovered over the bodies of a few of her newborns. The massive condor-like creature raises its head and SCREAMS FEROCIOUSLY.

THE UNHOLY SOUND RIPS THROUGH THE FOREST. AS THE CONDOR-LIKE *CREATURE TOUCHES ITS HEAD TO ITS LIFELESS NEWBORNS AND THEN RAISES ITS HEAD AND SCREAMS AGAIN, Kitai looks at the *creature again, and we see something SHIFTING IN HIM. He *recognizes that sound, that loss. Kitai backs up into the *jungle and slips away.

CUT TO:

EXT. DENSE JUNGLE - AFTERNOON 154 154

Kitai checks his Navi-band. His countenance changes --

HE PRESSES THE BAND FRANTICALLY. NOTHING. THERE IS A HOLE WHERE A LEOPARD CREATURE SLASHED AT HIS WRIST.

KITAICome on, no!


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Kitai looks around, PANICKED. All alone. His lifesuit has *turned orange. He RUNS through the dense jungle, speeding up, *scrambling, CRASHING THROUGH, trying to GAIN ALTITUDE to CATCH THE SUN before it VANISHES.


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CAMERA CLOSE on his shoulder as he BREAKS PASSES THROUGH A WALL ONTO A STRANGE PLATEAU-- TRIES TO STOP -- SLIDING --

CUT TO:

EXT. ANCIENT RUINS - AFTERNOON155 155

FINALLY SKIDDING TO A STOP.

Kitai looks up and sees the RUINS OF A DAM. The sight is confusing to him.

A SHADOW PASSES OVER HIM. *

Kitai looks up and sees the DESCENDANT OF A CONDOR CLIPPING *THE TOPS OF TREES, FLYING RECKLESSLY, ANGRILY. It’s scary, *but could also be a form of self-flagellation, of guilt and *sadness over the loss of its chicks. Then it ROCKETS straight *up TOWARD THE SUN. Its every movement displaying ANGER over *its loss. *

Kitai can see his breath; the temperature is dropping *rapidly. He also sees in the bird’s recklessness in the *aftermath of grief an echo of his own youth. He steadies *himself, GETS CONTROL, a NEW KITAI emerging, one who is now *angriest that he didn’t get the lesson sooner. *

Tired, and lost, he begins running in the same direction as *the giant bird.

CUT TO:

EXT. JUNGLE TERRAIN - DUSK156 156

Kitai sprinting raggedly, looking for shelter. The sun drops like a stone in the sky.

CUT TO:


Cypher, in pain and physical exhaustion, driven only by concern for his son, works ALL OF THE PROBE CAMERAS SIMULTANEOUSLY. Images BLASTING AT HIM.

CYPHERCome on. Where are you?

ALL MANNER OF EARTH TERRAIN, SCANNED IN BLINKS OF AN EYE.

CUT TO:


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EXT. JUNGLE - DUSK158 158

THE PLANTS BEGIN TO CLOSE. The night frost is upon us. Kitai looks left, then right. Nothing. We feel his doom.

Then he sees A SMALL HOG-LIKE CREATURE running along. Kitai notices the hog-like creature seems neither worried nor lost. So he FOLLOWS it, using all his agility and quickness, under bushes, over piles of rocks, around tree trunks --

He sees it burrow into a hole in the ground as THREE SMALLER HOG-LIKE CREATURES follow it into the hole.

As a WALL OF ICY NIGHT CRACKS ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE TOWARD HIM, Kitai doesn’t hesitate at all. He follows them.

CUT TO:

EXT. JUNGLE TERRAIN - EARLY EVENING159 159

Kitai, frost forming over his body, uses a flat stone he has found to dig. He digs frantically at the hole the hog just entered. Finally he is able to slide his body into it.

CUT TO:

INT. HOG HOLE - EARLY EVENING160 160

Kitai slides thirty feet down to a soft grassy surface. PITCH BLACK. Kitai hits an area on his lifesuit. A LIGHT ON HIS LIFESUIT ILLUMINATES THE DARKNESS. IT IS ON HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. THE FABRIC THERE ACTUALLY GLOWING.

KITAI sees this hog hole is actually a cave of smooth stone walls. Kitai moves between the narrow walls. THE LIGHT FROM HIS SUIT ILLUMINATES THE WALLS REVEALING BEAUTIFUL HUED CAVE PAINTINGS.

THERE ARE HERDS OF BISON SHOWN ON ONE WALL. FLOCKS OF BIRDS ON ANOTHER. THESE ARE THIRTY-THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD PAINTINGS OF ANIMALS. THERE IS A FIGURE OF A MAN SLEEPING, SURROUNDED BY VARIOUS ANIMALS IN NATURE.

Despite the crudeness there is a beauty and majesty to this place. Kitai takes in all the paintings as he tries to catch his breath.

DOWN BELOW, A TINY RIVULET OF LAVA CAN BE SEEN MOVING IN THE DARKNESS BENEATH THIS SLANTED POCKET IN THE EARTH.

KITAI HEARS A NOISE.


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A SNAKE EMERGES FROM A SEAM IN THE WALL OF THE CAVE. THE SNAKE SPREADS ITS SKIN ON EITHER SIDE OF ITS BODY INTO WHAT APPEARS AS WINGS. IT FLOATS THROUGH THE CAVERNOUS SPACE. KITAI MOVES AWAY, FRIGHTENED. HE WATCHES THE FLYING SNAKE LAND ON A RODENT THAT WAS SCURRYING IN THE DARKNESS. IT COILS ITSELF AROUND THE RODENT. HOLDS IT FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN FLIES AWAY WITH THE LIMP CARCASS.

Kitai moves closer toward the warmth of the tiny rivulet of lava. He finds a good spot, cutlass at the ready, ever watchful. Kitai tries to settle his mind, but can’t. He is shaking. Gradually the light of the lifesuit dims and goes out.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - NIGHT161 161

Delirious, Cypher searches for Kitai. Rapidly scrolling PROBE IMAGES. Nothing. Nothing. Cypher wants nothing but to find his son. PROBE after PROBE is empty. He thinks he sees him on a screen. NO. An apparition in his mind. He’s lost his son, LOST HIM. And he breaks. Just breaks from the weight of it. Both of his children sacrificed to the Raige altar. And he hears the voice of the GENERAL seemingly behind him --

GENERAL’S VOICEStop it.

Cypher’s crying. Can’t control his shaking.

GENERAL’S VOICESTOP IT!

Cypher can’t or won’t stop it. His tear-streaked, loss-wracked face turns and for a moment he sees that stern image of himself, of the General and they STARE AT EACH OTHER a beat until the General disappears and Cypher, the father, turns back to the search for his boy.

CYPHERCome on, come on! Where are you?

Cypher slowly hits the cockpit recorder. *


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CYPHERGeneral Cypher Raige. The mission with Cadet Kitai Raige was a failure.

Beat. Cypher looks down. When he looks up he is no longer The General.

CYPHERThis is a message for my wife. Faia, it’s Cypher. Our son’s alive out there. I can’t find him.

(beat)I don’t know what to do.

Cypher’s eyes, the eyes of a father, begin to fill with tears.

CUT TO:

INT. CAVE OF PAINTINGS - MORNING162 162

Kitai’s cutlass sits on the ground. The camera slow pans *across his gear. WE SEE ONLY ONE VIAL OF BREATHING FLUID REMAINS. We hear a sort of scratching sound. It stops.

REVEAL: Kitai has been inspired by the cave paintings. He has drawn a huge map of his own... His entire journey. Complete with labels. “DAD” - “BABOONS” - “RIVER” - “WATERFALLS” - “NEST” - “I AM HERE, I THINK.” The words “TAIL SOMEWHERE HERE” are marked by a huge area on the left side of the map. He’s working out a plan.

Kitai gets distracted as he sees the hog family starting to leave the cave. Kitai quickly gathers his things and follows them out.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOG HOLE - MORNING163 163

Kitai comes to the surface and emerges.

The mother pig looks back as if to say “you’re welcome.” A huge shadow falls over him. The DESCENDANT OF A CONDOR circles overhead. Kitai clutches his cutlass, looks to the *dangerous bird above, and begins walking south. We see dark circles under his eyes.


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The CONDOR CIRCLES OVERHEAD. Kitai checks his cutlass and *begins walking south, NAVIGATING BY A TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURE he also sketched in the Cave of Man’s Prehistory.

CUT TO:

EXT. DENSE JUNGLE - AFTERNOON 164 164

Kitai hurrying best he can, now looking like one of those Ultra-Marathoners at the end of a three-day race. He glances up and barely catches the STREAKING FIGURE OF THE DESCENDANT OF A CONDOR SWOOPING BEHIND A CLUSTER OF TREES.

He holds up his cutlass wearily and ducks behind some thicker *trees to stay hidden as he moves.

KITAILeave me alone!

CUT TO:

EXT. CLUSTER OF TREES - AFTERNOON 165 165

Kitai lumbering along, all former spryness exhausted, comes to a dead stop. Sitting on a branch up in the canopy of trees is THE MASSIVE CONDOR-LIKE CREATURE. The creature is obscured by branches, but it is unmistakably watching him. It is also *unmistakably LISTLESS. Moving rapidly through the cycles of *grief, the descendant of the condor is in DEPRESSION. *

Kitai holds his cutlass and walks by calmly. It stares down *eerily. As Kitai passes, he starts to run. Then slows.

CUT TO:

EXT. JUNGLE TERRAIN - AFTERNOON166 166

Kitai walks painfully. He is very tired and clearly fading. THEN THE GROUND BEGINS TO SHAKE. Kitai looks around, confused.

THE SOUND - LIKE BOULDERS RUSHING TOWARDS HIM - GROWS LOUDER. THE GROUND SHAKES VIOLENTLY. HIS SUIT HAS TURNED BLACK WITH BUMPS IN ITS TEXTURE.

THEN A HERD OF SIX-FOOT CREATURES BURSTS THROUGH THE PLANTS. THEY ARE LIKE SOME EVOLVED TYPE OF LLAMAS WITH SHAGGY HAIR.

KITAI DEFTLY AVOIDS THE FIRST CREATURE, BUT IS INSTANTLY CAUGHT IN THE STAMPEDE.


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HE IS HIT BY THE BODIES OF TWO FRANTICALLY CHARGING CREATURES. HE IS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND. POWERFUL TRAMPLING HOOVES ALMOST CRUSH HIM.


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HE LOSES HIS FATHER’S CUTLASS. IT GETS CRUSHED AND BROKEN UNDER THE HOOVES OF THE CREATURES.

THE SOUND IS DEAFENING. KITAI BARELY MAKES IT TO HIS FEET.

HE IS HIT AGAIN. HE FALLS AMONG THEIR TRAMPLING HOOVES.

HE IS ABOUT TO BE CRUSHED WHEN SUDDENLY HE FEELS HIMSELF BEING JERKED INTO THE AIR.

HE IS RISING ABOVE THE EVOLVED LLAMA CREATURES. HE KEEPS RISING AND SEES THE ENTIRE STAMPEDE CHARGING THROUGH THE FIELD OF MASSIVE PLANTS. HE RISES HIGH ENOUGH TO SEE THE DAZZLING LANDSCAPE OF LUSH GREENERY.

KITAI FEELS HIMSELF SAFE ABOVE THE STAMPEDE.

KITAI SEES SOMETHING METAL GLINT IN THE FAR DISTANCE. THE SUN CATCHES SOMETHING MAN-MADE IN THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE... KITAI REGISTERS THIS JUST AS HE BEGINS TO PLUMMET BACK TO THE GROUND.

HE FALLS TOWARD THE GROUND AT A SHARP ANGLE. THE GROUND RUSHES UP AT AN ALARMING RATE. KITAI MEETS THE EARTH AND ROLLS HARD INTO AN OPENING BETWEEN COLOSSAL TREES. HE COMES TO A STOP AND IS DAZED. HE MAKES IT TO HIS FEET. HE LOOKS AROUND, NOT KNOWING WHAT JUST HAPPENED.

His eyes catch movement in the trees. He sees the DESCENDANT OF A CONDOR CLOSE ITS WINGS AS IT PERCHES BACK ON A LIMB IN THE TREES FAR ABOVE HIM.

Kitai stares up at it, eyes still wild with adrenaline. He moves his neck from side to side to alleviate the pain from the fall. THE MASSIVE CONDOR CREATURE MOVES ITS NECK FROM SIDE TO SIDE.

Kitai becomes still. Stares at the creature above him. He moves his head again side-to-side - this time intentionally. THE CONDOR CREATURE MIMICS HIM AGAIN. Kitai nods his thanks and it’s clear, whether he’s aware of it or not, that Kitai is growing, changing, interacting very differently.

He backpedals slowly into the jungle, turns, and hurries on.

CUT TO:

EXT. JUNGLE TERRAIN - LATE AFTERNOON167 167

Kitai approaches the banks of a river. His lifesuit is *orange. He immediately dumps his gear in exhaustion. He *fumbles with his breathing fluid case. Almost passes out.


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Then stares at the LAST VIAL. Finally, he takes the last fluid that allows his survival.


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Kitai sits for a moment. He’s so tired. He could just give up. So easily. Then he sees a log floating by in the river. He stares at it. He sees a group of fallen trees by the river’s edge. He struggles to his feet and starts cutting long vines that are hanging from the trees.

CUT TO:

EXT. RIVER’S EDGE - LATE AFTERNOON 168 168

Kitai pulls a small raft tied by vines to the edge of the river. He pushes it in and quickly jumps on it.

EXT. SERPENTINE RIVER - LATE AFTERNOON 169 169

Kitai is lying on his back on the raft made of several logs. The river is teeming with life. Kitai stands in the center of the makeshift raft, using a long branch as an oar. THEN:

A FORTY-FOOT ANACONDA SWIMS ALONGSIDE THE RAFT.

Kitai holds his breath for what seems like forever. The snake quietly passes. There is thick, lush jungle on either side. It bends and reaches out over the river.

Kitai relaxes into this gentle moment of calm. He lies down on his back. The tiny poetic figure of Kitai floating south through the breathtaking landscape.

Kitai is completely drained and fatigued. He takes this opportunity to close his eyes for the first time in nearly twenty-four hours. A symphony of the sounds of life act as a haunting lullaby as Kitai...

DRIFTS OFF TO SLEEP.

A hand reaches out and touches him.

GIRL’S VOICE (O.S.)Wake up.

Kitai opens his eyes. Senshi sits on the raft with him. Her hair hangs to one side. She strokes his face gently. He looks up and smiles at his big sister.

SENSHIIt’s time for you to wake up.

KITAIHey.

He stares at her.


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KITAII was just about to come out that day.

SENSHINo you weren’t. But you did the right thing.

KITAIDad says I should have tried.

SENSHIHe’s just mad at himself. That’s all.

KITAIWhy couldn’t you ghost?

She stares down at him. She touches his face again.

SENSHIYou’re close right now.

KITAII am?

SENSHIAre you scared?

KITAINo. I’m tired.

SENSHIThat’s good. You filled your heart with something else. Now you’ve got to get up.

He looks up at her.

KITAII memorized some of Moby Dick.

SENSHIKitai, get up.

KITAI“All that most maddens and torments; all that stirs up the lees of things;” --

SENSHIKitai wake up. It’s time for you to wake up.


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Kitai covers his ears a little bit --

KITAI“All truth with malice in it --”

SENSHIKitai, wake up --

KITAI“All that cracks the sinews and cakes the brain;”

Senshi looks down, resigned. Her hair covers her face. When she looks up suddenly, HER FACE IS MANGLED AND BLEEDING FROM THE ATTACK.

SHE YELLS THROUGH HER MUTILATED FACE.

SENSHIWAKE UP!

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EXT. JUNGLE TERRAIN - DUSK170 170

KITAI SNAPS AWAKE, DISORIENTED. THE FREEZE-OVER IS IN EFFECT. THE RIVER IS HALF-FROZEN. The raft is up against a riverbank.

The jungle is turning gray. The rough gray undersides of the plants become a carapace against the cold.

Kitai looks around. He has lost a deadly amount of time.

CUT TO:

EXT. JUNGLE TERRAIN - DUSK 171 171

Kitai sprints madly. FROST FORMS ON HIS UPPER LIP AND ATOP HIS HEAD. HIS LIFESUIT IS YELLOW. *

ICE FORMS ON THE PLANTS AND TREES AROUND HIM.

Kitai struggles to keep moving... ICE IS FORMING ON HIS LIFESUIT.

UP AHEAD, BRANCHES BEGIN SNAPPING. SHRUBBERY FALLING TO THE GROUND. Kitai is shivering violently, his arms wrapped around himself.

Up ahead... THE DESCENDENT OF A CONDOR IS HIGH IN THE TREES, SHAKING AND VIOLENTLY BREAKING OFF LEAFY BRANCHES THAT TUMBLE FIFTY FEET TO THE GROUND.


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The jungle floor begins to freeze. Kitai collapses to his knees. His face hits the hard, cold ground. ICE FORMS ON HIS EYELIDS. HIS FACE TURNING BLUE. His vision failing.

SERIES OF SURREAL, BLURRY, BARELY VISIBLE IMAGES.

-KITAI SEES CLAWS DIGGING AT THE EARTH.

-THE ENTIRE JUNGLE TURNS TO ICE.

-KITAI’S LIFESUIT HAS TURNED BLACK. *

SUDDENLY, THE CONDOR CREATURE ATTACKS.

SLAM TO BLACK:

FADE IN:

EXT. JUNGLE TERRAIN - MORNING 172 172

DARKNESS. WE HEAR BREATHING.

A RAY OF SUNLIGHT FLASHES ACROSS THE SCREEN, BLINDING US.

KITAI WAKES UP IN A NIGHTMARE. HE IS BURIED - TRAPPED UNDER SOMETHING. HIS LIFESUIT IS ORANGE. HE STRUGGLES TO MOVE. THE *LIGHT IS PAINFUL. KITAI COVERS HIS EYES AND CRAWLS TOWARD THE LIGHT. HE FORCES HIS WAY OUT OF A LEAF-COVERED DITCH. HE SPILLS OUT ONTO THE OPEN GROUND. A CLOUD-FILLED SKY, BUT IT IS UNQUESTIONABLY MORNING. THE ICE IS BEGINNING TO MELT. IT IS STILL QUITE COLD.

Kitai gets to his feet. He looks around bewildered. Turns.

HE SEES THE CONDOR-LIKE CREATURE LYING OVER THE MAKESHIFT NEST HE WAS IN. HE REALIZES THE MOTHER CONDOR HAS KEPT HIM WARM THROUGH THE NIGHT. HE TAPS HER.

KITAIHey.

(tapping her again)Thanks.

But she does not move. Kitai realizes that:

She has frozen to death.

Kitai stands silently. Staring. Unable to move. Moments of heavy silence, then he turns and moves solemnly into the jungle.

CUT TO:


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OMIT 173 173*

OMIT174 174*

EXT. WATERING HOLE - DAY174A 174A*

The subtle trail Kitai has been on has led to water. He *emerges from the foliage, clearly at one with nature. He goes *to the EDGE OF THE POOL, leans down, cups his hands, and *drinks steadily... *

Kitai glances over and SLOWLY WIDEN TO REVEAL a GROUP OF *OKAPI drinking their fill. Kitai silently acknowledges their *mutual rights. And as WE WIDEN FURTHER, REVEAL to the other *side a LIONESS and CUBS at the water. *

KITAI IS AT ONE WITH HIS SURROUNDINGS. In the water’s *reflection, Kitai catches his NEW VISAGE, and what he sees is *SELF-KNOWLEDGE looking back at him, a new creature himself. *

EXT. JUNGLE TERRAIN - DAY175 175

Kitai searches the terrain. He is looking for something. He does not find it and continues on. He is experiencing labored breathing.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRASSLAND - DAY176 176*

Kitai moves through tall grass. He clears his throat. His *breathing fluid is wearing off. A slight cough. Then worse. *It comes on suddenly, escalating rapidly as the remaining *breathing fluid wears off from his system. *

He has real trouble catching his breath. It gets worse still. *He DROPS TO HIS KNEES. *

And at that moment, SOMETHING catches his eye, something *SHINY. He crawls toward it -- *

A JAGGED PIECE OF OFF-WHITE. NUMBERS STENCILED ON IT. The word, “Hesper” appears.

Kitai reaches down and picks up the foot-and-a-half piece of ship. Kitai runs excitedly forward.

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EXT. JUNGLE TERRAIN - DAY177 177

Kitai runs as well as he can with his dwindling oxygen. It’s *like he’s being squeezed inside invisible plastic wrap as his *lungs fight for air. His coughing is very frequent now. He *passes ANOTHER PIECE OF SHIP and ANOTHER...

He comes to a wiry, strange-looking tree. He climbs *aggressively. He makes his way to the top and peers out over the dense jungle shrubbery and sees:

THE ENORMOUS TAIL OF THE CARGO SHIP. *

JUST VISIBLE UP A HILL. ITS REFLECTIVE SURFACE SHIMMERING IN *THE SUN.


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The tail section has scorched an open flat of jungle terrain. *

Kitai leaps from the tree.

CUT TO:

EXT. OPEN JUNGLE FLAT - DAY178 178

Kitai struggles forward UP THE HILL FOR THE TAIL. He is *coughing and wheezing uncontrollably. With every step the *BEAUTIFUL STRUCTURE becomes MORE VISIBLE. But he STUMBLES, *FALLING to the ground. He’s ONE HUNDRED YARDS from the tail. *He clutches his chest. He is choking. He uses his sleeve to cover his mouth as he stands and moves toward the tail.

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP TAIL SECTION - DAY179 179

Kitai is dizzy. His breath coming in torn strips. His face *red, his chest heaving... as he desperately RUMMAGES through *debris. He goes to where the MED-KIT should be -- IT’S NOT *THERE. He’s about to LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS. Whirling, light and *dark MERGING -- *

His EYE CATCHES -- in the chaos and clutter -- A MED-KIT, *half-shredded. He falls beside it, feebly tearing into it, *searching, FINALLY FINDING -- *

AN ENTIRE PACK OF BREATHING FLUID. He fumbles and awkwardly *ingests an inhaler. Pauses. Catches his breath. Then immediately ingests a second inhaler. Falls onto his back. His chest HEAVING FOR AS MUCH PRECIOUS OXYGEN AS IT CAN GET.

CUT TO:

OMIT180 180*

OMIT181 181*


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INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - DAY182 182*

Cypher is slumped in his chair. His skin is gray. He moves *his head in delirium. His eyes are half-closed. *

SLOWLY REVEAL a MASSIVE AMOUNT OF BLOOD LOSS. All around him. *

We see on the MED-SCREEN THAT ALL OF CYPHER’S BLOOD LEVELS *ARE IN THE DANGER RANGE. HIS POTASSIUM, CREATININE, BLOOD UREA NITROGEN AND MYOGLOBIN LEVELS ARE OFF THE CHARTS.

The ARTERIAL SHUNT has FAILED PERMANENTLY. The COMPUTER can *do nothing but RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TRANSPORT. *

He glances at this message. IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TRANSPORT. *

Given the extreme unlikelihood of this coming to pass, Cypher *is out of options. He continues to live by sheer willpower *alone. *

CUT TO:


Kitai has located the second beacon. He places it in position *and we hear THE HEARTWARMING WHIR OF THE BEACON CYCLING AND SIGNALING A READY ALERT.

Kitai sees a set of Cutlass C-40s locked against a wall in a *storage compartment. He moves towards it.

CUT TO:


Cypher writhes in his chair. Sweat and blood and delirium.

THEN A RHYTHMIC BEEPING FILLS THE SHIP. Cypher stares at the screen with Kitai’s vitals on it. THE LINES ARE MOVING. HIS SON’S HEARTBEAT IN RHYTHMIC PEAKS AND VALLEYS.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Dad... are you there?

Cypher eyes are hazy and bewildered. Breathing is shallow and labored. His mind slips deeper into rambling and delirium.

ONE OF THE SCREENS COMES TO LIFE. KITAI’S GRAINY BACKPACK-CAM IMAGE COMES IN BLURRED ON THE SCREEN. THE IMAGE IS SHAKY. THIS IS NOT A CLEAR CONNECTION.


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Kitai is holding his backpack. He faces the lens toward himself. Cypher smiles longingly seeing Kitai’s face.


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THE IMAGE OF KITAI’S FACE FILLS THE MONITOR.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Dad?...

CUT TO:


Kitai stares into the backpack camera.

KITAI Dad, I made it to the tail. Over.

CUT TO:


BEAT. Cypher just gazes at the monitor. Cypher looks around to make sure he is not hallucinating. He looks back at the screen. Kitai is still there. Beat. Cypher clears his throat.

CYPHER -Are...

(beat)Are you okay? Over.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Dad? Are you there? Over.

CYPHER(confused)

Kitai...

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Dad I made it to the tail. Are you there?

CYPHERI’m here!

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)Dad, please copy.

CYPHERI copy.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)It’s Kitai. I made it.


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CYPHERThere’s something wrong with the signal, Kitai.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)...Dad.

Kitai’s face fills with doubt and panic.

KITAI (VOICE THROUGH COMPUTER)...Dad, you’re still there, right? Can you hear me? Over.

CYPHER(emotional)

Kitai! I swear to you I’m here!

Kitai looks down, desperation washing over him.

KITAIDad, please-

Cypher gathers his strength and slams the console. But the mere fact of his son’s survival has added time for Cypher.

CUT TO:


Kitai sits in the tail section of the transport ship Hesper. He makes a decision and puts on his backpack.

CUT TO:

EXT. TRANSPORT SHIP TAIL SECTION - DAY188 188

Kitai approaches the crate from the storage hold. It now sits in jungle foliage on its side. Kitai holds a cutlass out *protectively at its six-foot length. As he comes around, he sees that THE POD THE URSA WAS IN HAS BEEN SHATTERED. THERE IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF GEL ON THE GROUND. HALF OF THE POD SITS EMPTY. THERE ARE BINDING STRAPS ON THE GROUND.

Kitai backs away from the broken pod. He moves in front of the crashed tail. He holds the beacon up above his head. He takes a deep breath and fires... AND NOTHING HAPPENS.

Beat. His expression changes. He pulls it down and looks at it. The SCREEN OF THE BEACON reads, ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE.

CUT TO:


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Cypher’s face as he realizes the beacon isn’t working.

CYPHER BRINGS UP THE HOLOGRAPHIC MAP. THE THOUSANDS OF WAVY LINES RISE INTO A MOUNTAIN SHAPE JUST PAST THE BLINKING DOT.

Cypher watches as Kitai throws his backpack. He starts going crazy, losing it in frustration and anger. He pulls his cutlass and begins DESTROYING THE SHIP WITH IT. SCREAMING IN *RAGE.

CYPHER(whispers)

...Take a knee, Cadet.

CUT TO:


The CUTLASS SLICES pieces of SHIP away. Kitai WHIRLING, *SCREAMING, RAGING AT THE SKY, his cutlass whipping through an *ELECTRONIC PANEL that EXPLODES AND SPARKS FEEBLY IN LOW OXYGEN. Kitai is exhausting himself in ANGER. Finally he slams the ship a few more times and then stops.

And SLOWLY HE PULLS HIMSELF TOGETHER. And... ON HIS OWN... HE TAKES A KNEE.

CUT TO:


Cypher sees his son kneeling on one knee and nods to himself.

CUT TO:


Kitai tries to think. He doesn’t know what to do. He wipes away tears.

CUT TO:


Cypher gets emotional staring at his son.


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CYPHER...There is an ionic layer in the atmosphere above your current position. It creates electrical interference. That’s why the beacon isn’t firing.

(beat)You must be above the ionic layer before you fire the beacon, Kitai.

Beat. We watch Kitai on the monitor look at the beacon in his hand. He stares at it, then looks up at the cloud layer above him.

CYPHER...That’s it. You got it.

(beat)You should see a black mountain in the distance, directly to the north. The mountain’s peak is above the ionic layer. Fire the emergency beacon there.

(beat)Please see it... the top of the mountain... to your north.

Kitai looks around. He stops when he sees the mountain in the distance. He stands.

Cypher wipes the tears from his eyes.

CYPHERGood boy... Good boy...

CUT TO:

EXT. FLAT JUNGLE TERRAIN - DAY194 194

We pick up Kitai sprinting through the jungle heading towards the volcanic mountain.

He stops frightened when his path is blocked by THE BODY OF A DEAD LEOPARD. THE LEOPARD IS HANGING IN THE TREES.

Kitai hesitates and keeps running.

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EXT. FLAT JUNGLE TERRAIN - DAY195 195

Kitai’s face goes pale. He slows as he finds himself in a clearing where AN ENTIRE PACK OF HYENAS ARE HANGING IN A TREE LINE. Kitai looks around nervously and keep running.

CUT TO:


Cypher continues speaking futilely to his son.

CYPHERIt left them for you. It’s built to scare humans, Kitai. Keep moving. There’s nothing on the monitors...

CUT TO:

EXT. BASE OF THE BLACK MOUNTAIN - AFTERNOON 197 197

A magnificent visual spectacle. A coal-black mountain with hundreds of tiny lava rivers charging down the ebony slopes.

Kitai moves through the last of jungle before the mountain.

Kitai looks into the jungle. Kitai thinks he hears something. He looks around behind him . He turns and bursts out of the jungle and starts running up the black slope of the mountain.

CUT TO:


Cypher watches from the prison of his chair. He watches as Kitai navigates the tiny lava tributaries.

CYPHERGo left Kitai. You’ll save time. You’ll have a straight shot without having to go through any tunnels.

He watches as Kitai goes right instead.

CYPHERDamn it.

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EXT. SLOPE OF THE BLACK MOUNTAIN - AFTERNOON199 199

Kitai bolts up the slope. He is fast and fluid. Kitai is swallowed in the IONIC CLOUD THAT CONSUMES THE MOUNTAIN AT THIS ALTITUDE.

CUT TO:


THE MOTION SENSOR SCREEN GOES OFF.

There is A DOT moving on the landscape towards KITAI’S BLINKING DOT. Cypher stares at it. His face filling with foreboding.

CYPHERI have something moving toward you from the west... It’s found you.

CUT TO:

EXT. IONIC LAYER OF MOUNTAIN - AFTERNOON 201 201

Kitai looks down and sees his suit has turned black with a bumpy texture. Kitai freaks as he looks in the dense mist around him. He can hear SCUTTLING -- something approaching *from the darkness of the ionic layer. He brandishes his *weapon out. He backs up and finds himself at the entrance to a cave in the mountain. Kitai looks around.

KITAI-Dad?

CUT TO:


Cypher watches THE DOT OF THE URSA get closer TO THE BLINKING DOT OF KITAI.

CYPHERCopy. I’m here.

Cypher looks at his son’s vitals fluctuating. He stares at Kitai’s view of the cave. THE DOT GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER TO KITAI. This is a father’s nightmare.

Cypher activates two “GHOST DIAMONDS,” his and his son’s. Cypher’s “BALL” is inside the diamond. Kitai’s IS NOT.

AFTER EARTH Revised Buff 4/10/12 116.

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He watches as Kitai moves hurriedly into the TUNNEL.

CUT TO:

INT. CAVE OF DIAMONDS - AFTERNOON 203 203

The cave is all onyx. Stalactites and stalagmites clutter the cave. They appear to be made of diamonds. Kitai runs into the depths of the cave. He doesn’t know if the Ursa is in front *of him or behind him. All that matters is that it is after *him. His eyes range left and right -- LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT. *

There -- A SHAFT OF LIGHT comes down from the ceiling. *

Just as he’s about to follow the light to the top, to the end- *

HE HEARS THAT TERRIFYING CREATURE SCREAM.

BEAT.

KITAI HEARS CLAWS AGAINST ROCKS GETTING CLOSER OUTSIDE.

Kitai moves deeper into the cave.

Kitai gingerly makes his way around spear-sharp diamond stalagmites. His movement is hampered by the precarious terrain.

ANOTHER SCREAM FILLS THE CAVE.

CUT TO:


THE DOT representing the URSA has almost reached Kitai.

SUDDENLY: CYPHER’S IMAGES FLICKER, FLUTTER THEN: BLACK.

Kitai’s GHOST DIAMOND disappears.

CYPHER(whispered)

Kitai...

NOTHING. CYPHER CAN SEE NOTHING. HE SITS BACK - A FATHER IN AGONY. He has tears in his eyes. Cypher’s pheromone levels are accelerating rapidly. The ball moving out of Ghost range.

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INT. CAVE OF DIAMONDS - AFTERNOON205 205

Kitai runs into the depths of the cave and extends his *cutlass. He ducks behind a couple of stalagmites and watches *the entrance. Always keeping one eye on that pindrop of light *shooting out from the ceiling. His way out. *

KITAI HIDES BEHIND ONE OF THE DIAMOND STALAGMITES. *

THERE IS A DISPERSION OF MIST AT THE CAVE CEILING AS IF *SOMETHING LARGE MOVED THROUGH IT. THEN -- *

HIGH AND ABOVE KITAI, ON THE CAVE CEILING, UNBEKNOWNST TO HIM- *

AFTER EARTH Revised Buff 4/10/12 117A.

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THE URSA UN-CAMOUFLAGES AND REVEALS ITSELF HANGING UPSIDE- *DOWN FROM THE CEILING OF THE CAVE. IT HAS SIX LIMBS. ITS *MOVEMENTS ARE INTENTIONALLY SLOW - ALIEN IN ITS EXTREME FLUIDITY. THE URSA’S CARAPACE SUDDENLY CHANGES TO MATCH THE *TEXTURE OF THE CAVE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETECT AS IT *SKITTERS AWAY -- WAITING FOR THE BEST MOMENT TO STRIKE. *

KITAI HOLDS HIS BREATH AS HE SCRAMBLES LOW BETWEEN *STALAGMITES. THE URSA TRAILS HIM FROM ABOVE, NOT MAKING A *SOUND. GETTING CLOSER TO MAKING ITS MOVE. *

A LARGE CRYSTAL HAS FALLEN ACROSS TWO ROCKS, CREATING A *MAKESHIFT BRIDGE. AS KITAI MOVES UNDER IT, EYES ALIVE -- *

DUST DROPS FROM ABOVE. KITAI TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS UP JUST *IN TIME -- THE URSA REVEALS ITSELF TEN FEET ABOVE AS IT LEAPS *DOWN ONTO KITAI, CRUSHING DOWN ON THE FALLEN CRYSTAL. *

KITAI COVERS UP BENEATH THE FALLEN CRYSTAL, WHICH FRACTURES *ON IMPACT. HE LOSES HIS CUTLASS. THE DIAMOND STALAGMITES *PIERCE THE URSA IN TWO PLACES. FOR A MOMENT, THE URSA IS IMMOBILIZED, SKEWERED BY THE CAVE. KITAI’S FOOT IS LODGED *UNDER A SHATTERED SECTION OF THE CRYSTAL -- *

KITAI IS STUCK. *

IT’S A STRUGGLE FOR THEM BOTH. THE URSA IS TRYING TO DISLODGE *ITSELF FROM THE STALAGMITES WITH ONE HAND, USING ITS OTHER TO *PUSH DOWN ON THE PART OF THE CRYSTAL THAT HAS KITAI PINNED -- *

KITAI’S DOING HIS BEST TO LEVERAGE HIMSELF FREE BUT NOTHING’S *WORKING AND THE UNOCCUPIED URSA CLAWS ARE DANGEROUSLY CLOSE *TO SLICING OFF HIS FACE -- *

BUT THE URSA NEEDS ANOTHER HAND TO FREE ITSELF. IT STOPS *PUSHING ON THE CRYSTAL LONG ENOUGH FOR KITAI TO SCRAMBLE UP, *SQUIRM OUT AND OFF OF HIS BACK. *

Kitai retrieves his cutlass and whips around, Cutlass at the *ready -- and his Cutlass takes the brunt of the punishment as- *

THE URSA SMACKS KITAI, LAUNCHING HIM TEN FEET INTO AN OUTCROP *OF ROCKS. Kitai comes out of his daze to see -- *

THE URSA USES ITS HOOKED CLAWS AND PUSHES ITSELF UP AND OFF THE TWO STALAGMITES THAT SKEWER IT. THE CREATURE SHOWS INCREDIBLE STRENGTH BY DOING THIS.

WE SEE IT IS OOZING GRAYISH BODILY FLUID FROM THE TWO WOUNDS. IT DRIPS THIS ONTO THE FLOOR WHERE IT STANDS. A CHASE ENSUES-- *

Kitai runs and deftly Parkours his way through the slanted *stalagmite crystals in the cave. *


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Gaining some space every time the Ursa has to BREAK THROUGH *CRYSTALS to get through, no reverence for Nature. *

Kitai dives into a small crevice that’s too tight for the *Ursa. It SCREECHES at him, sending him reeling and running *away, but it’s no matter -- the Ursa CRASHES through the *crystals and is back on Kitai in mere seconds. *

Kitai Parkours over another fallen crystal but the Ursa CLIPS *HIS LEG and Kitai goes ROLLING but he’s up quickly -- *

Traversing through a progressively TIGHTER section-- *

The Ursa is making up ground, DESTROYING the crystals as it *does so. Kitai slides into a small crevice in the cave, two *feet in depth. Too small for the beast. *

Kitai looks out at the cave from his sliver of a view. Out at *the Ursa. It’s just standing there, and then... IT BACKS *AWAY. Intelligence. *

Kitai watches as THE URSA PUTS ONE HAND ON CRYSTALS AND THE *OTHER ON THE ROCK WALL, ITS TEXTURE CHANGING TO EQUAL PARTS *OF EACH SURFACE AS IT CAMOUFLAGES RIGHT IN FRONT OF KITAI. *

He can’t see where the Ursa is. *

One look at the stalagmites and we see why Kitai chose to *HIDE here. It seems safe -- and a space two feet back seems *even safer. Kitai crawls back there -- and, for the briefest *moment, takes his eyes off the spot where the Ursa was. *

Sheer SILENCE, for a beat. Only Kitai’s EYES, staring out *through the stalagmites. Looking. Waiting. *

QUICK FLASH

CUT TO:

Nine-year-old Kitai is under the bed.

CUT TO:

Kitai is in the same position under the rock. He has terror in his eyes. Then he hears it -- *

Drip. Drip. Drip. *

BLOOD DRIPS TO THE FLOOR, SEEMINGLY OUT OF THIN AIR. *

SUDDENLY THE URSA REVEALS ITSELF UPSIDE-DOWN AT THE MOUTH OF *THE CREVICE KITAI IS HIDING IN -- CLOSER TO KITAI, NOW. *


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IT TRIES TO REACH IN WITH ITS CLAWS. THEY ALMOST REACH HIM. KITAI USES HIS CUTLASS TO WARD OFF THE ATTACKS AS HE SHIMMIES *EVEN DEEPER INTO THE CREVICE. *

THE URSA SPITS BLACK GLOBULES AT KITAI. THEY JUST MISS HIS FACE AS HE MOVES HIS HEAD OUT OF THE WAY. THE BLACK GLOBULES STICK TO THE BACK OF THE CREVICE.

KITAI GETS HIT WITH A BLACK GLOBULE. THEY SEAR HIS SUIT AND *DO THE SAME TO HIS SKIN. HE SCREAMS. THE FORCE OF THE *GLOBULE’S IMPACT SENDS KITAI BACK DOWN THE CREVICE. *

It slants downward. THE URSA MOVES WITH HIM. MATCHING HIM EVERY TIME HE MOVES. THE URSA IS ABLE TO GET DEEPER WITH *EVERY MOVEMENT; THE CLAWS ARE JUST MISSING HIS FACE. MORE BLACK SPIT SHOOTS AT HIM. A SECOND GLOBULE POPS KITAI -- *

THIS IMPACT SENDS KITAI SLIDING DOWN THE CREVICE. KITAI FALLS *TWO METERS STRAIGHT DOWN AND -- *

-- WHAP -- *

GETS CLIPPED AND FLIPPED BY A ROCK AND SPUN OVER AND FINDS *HIMSELF FALLING AGAIN, FARTHER, INTO A POOL OF UNDERGROUND *WATER.

CUT TO:

INT. UNDERGROUND LAKE - AFTERNOON 206 206

WE HEAR MOVEMENT UNDERWATER BUT ALL WE SEE IS BLACK. AND THEN KITAI’S SUIT LIGHTS UP AROUND HIS SHOULDER.

We see Kitai underwater. He can see only five to six feet in any direction. He sees ANOTHER SHAFT OF LIGHT -- another shot *at completing the mission -- and starts swimming toward it. *

For a while -- too long -- it’s quiet. We get the sense that *Kitai has gotten away, but that can’t be right... *

He’s looking back between strokes, searching for the Ursa but *not seeing it. Then -- *

HIS SUIT ILLUMINATES THE WATER AND REVEALS STRANGE-LOOKING FISH WITH NO EYES THAT TRY TO BITE AT KITAI. MORE AND MORE FISH MATERIALIZE OUT OF THE DARKNESS. THEY START TEARING AWAY HIS LIFESUIT.

SUDDENLY THERE ARE LOUD MOVEMENT SOUNDS UNDERWATER AND THE *EYELESS FISH SCATTER AND DISAPPEAR. KITAI TURNS TO LOOK *BEHIND HIM AND OUT OF THE DARKNESS THE FISH LEFT BEHIND COMES *THE LONG CLAWS OF THE URSA BEHIND HIM. THE LAST DIRECTION WE *EXPECTED THE URSA TO COME FROM. *


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THE BODY OF THE URSA IS COVERED BY THE INKY DARKNESS OF THE WATER.

Kitai turns and swims hard. He is swimming for his life in a hell of darkness. Swimming for that shaft of light -- *

Kitai looks back. THE URSA IS NOW VISIBLE BEHIND HIM. *

Kitai is running out of breath. He swims with a desperation.

UP AHEAD IN THE DARKNESS THERE IS A SHAFT OF LIGHT PENETRATING THE WATER.

Kitai spots it and swims for it with all his strength. *KITAI’S SUIT IS IN SHREDS. *

Kitai clocks an UNUSUALLY BEAUTIFUL GROUP OF STALACTITES *AHEAD. It’s a straight, unimpeded line to the shaft of light - *- but straight and unimpeded gives the Ursa an advantage. *

Kitai VEERS OFF AND SWIMS THROUGH THE STALACTITES. Using each *one to PROPEL HIMSELF FORWARD and gain valuable space. *Turning around when he can to check the Ursa’s progress. This *frenzy and the adrenaline rush have Kitai disoriented -- *

And he finds that HE NO LONGER KNOWS WHICH WAY IS UP. He’s *spinning, lost, a sitting duck. BUBBLES blowing out of his *mouth what could possibly be his last breath -- *

We realize THE BUBBLES ARE GOING DOWN. How--? *

Kitai’s training kicks in -- follow the bubbles to the top. *

He FOLLOWS THE BUBBLES as THE CAMERA RE-ORIENTS ITSELF and we *realize we were upside-down and now we’re right-side up and *Kitai has managed to reach the light. *

He swims fast up towards the light. *

CUT TO: *


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*

INT. NARROW VERTICAL STONE PASSAGEWAY - AFTERNOON207 207

Kitai emerges, desperate for air. He finds himself at the bottom of a vertical shaft in the rock. Seventy-five feet above him is DAYLIGHT.

Kitai pulls himself up on a jagged piece of rock and pulls himself out of the water. He uses his feet on either side of the shaft of rock to brace himself. He pushes his hands outward on the shaft of the rock and readjusts his feet higher.

THE URSA ERUPTS FROM THE WATER. ITS CLAWS SNAG KITAI’S LEGS.

THE URSA CAN’T FIT THROUGH THE OPENING TO THE VERTICAL SHAFT. IT TRIES TO PULL KITAI DOWN.

Kitai looks upward and SCREAMS. THE CLAWS OF THE URSA BEGIN DRAGGING DOWN HIS THIGHS, CUTTING HIM. KITAI KEEPS SCREAMING AND RISING UPWARD. THE URSA’S CLAWS LOSE THEIR HOLD ON KITAI. THE URSA FALLS DOWN INTO THE WATER. KITAI IS RELEASED AND RISES UP THE SHAFT.

THE URSA LEAPS OUT OF THE WATER AGAIN. ITS LONG CLAWS UNABLE TO REACH KITAI. IT FALLS BACK DOWN.

KITAI PUSHES HIMSELF UP THE SHAFT. HE IS SCREAMING IN ANGER. HE IS SCREAMING IN PAIN. HE IS SCREAMING IN FEAR. HE USES ALL HIS STRENGTH TO MOVE UP THE VERTICAL PASSAGEWAY IN THE ROCK. HIS SCREAMS ECHO AND FALL DOWN TO THE URSA BELOW, WHO DISAPPEARS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SHAFT.

Kitai’s anger pushes him. He rises skillfully up the seventy-five feet of narrow rock towards the daylight.

CUT TO:

EXT. BLACK MOUNTAIN IONIC LAYER - AFTERNOON208 208

Kitai’s hands grab the top edge of the passageway. He pulls himself up and over the lip onto the upper level of the mountain. He moves to his feet, his skin glistens with wetness.


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THE IONIC LAYER IS DISSIPATING UP HERE.

Kitai looks around. THERE IS GRAY ASH FALLING EVERYWHERE FROM AN ERUPTION NEAR THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. There is nowhere to *go from here -- other than over the edge of a cliff. *

CUT TO:


Cypher eyes are crazed. He holds a SILVER ROUND OBJECT IN HIS HANDS. The computers are making a warning sound. On one of the holographic screens are the words... “Remote detonation armed.” He holds the futuristic grenade in his hands. His thumb over the detonation button.

THE SOUNDS OF BEEPING FILL THE SHIP. Cypher’s eyes move to his screens as Kitai’s vitals pop back on line. His “FEAR DIAMOND” SCREAMING.

The screen of KITAI’S POINT OF VIEW BLOOMS. WE SEE THE MOUNTAINTOP. Cypher tries to focus on what he’s seeing.

CUT TO:


Kitai looks to the HOLE he just came through -- the top of *the passageway. He can see ROCKS COLLAPSING INTO THE HOLE. He *knows the Ursa is coming. He knows he has no time. *

Kitai rushes to bring out the beacon. This is it -- he’s *ACTIVATING IT, READY TO SEND THE RESCUE SIGNAL -- *

ONE OF THE URSA’S HANDS REACHES UP AND OUT OF THE HOLE AND *GRABS KITAI -- PULLING HIS LEGS OUT FROM UNDER HIM AND *SLAMMING HIM FACE-FIRST INTO THE GROUND. THE BEACON GOES ONE *WAY, THE CUTLASS ANOTHER. A DEVASTATING BLOW. *

Before Kitai can even react, THE URSA SMACKS KITAI INTO *ANOTHER ROCK AND THROWS HIM AWAY LIKE A RAGDOLL. *

Kitai hits the ground, limp. Nose bleeding, neck maybe *broken. This is it. He’s dead. Oblivious to the fact that -- *

The HOLE IS BECOMING BIGGER. The Ursa is clawing more *frantically now, knowing a kill when it smells one. *

It is only a matter of time before the Ursa breaks through *and finishes off Kitai. *


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HIS CUTLASS LIES NEAR THE EDGE IN A SHOWER OF ASH.

CUT TO: *


Cypher stares at the POINT OF VIEW OF THE MOUNTAINSIDE. HE STARES INTENSELY AT HIS SON’S POINT OF VIEW.

CYPHER(soft)

When you die, I die.

Cypher flicks back the clear cover over the button on the detonation device in his hands.


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The computer reads, “Safety off.” THE WARNING SOUND GETS LOUDER...

CUT TO:


Kitai lies on his back. A dying snow angel. His crimson blood *mixing with the snow’s clear white. Absentmindedly reaching *for cutlass on his back, but coming up with air. *

He lets his arm fall. He looks down at the skin of his arm as *GRAY ASH STICKS TO HIS WET SKIN. That’s really pretty... *

FLASH - THE FOREST213 213

The BABOON looking into his eyes --

FLASH - OLD RAIGE APARTMENT214 214

His sister’s LOVING EYES as she LEANS CLOSE --

FLASH - OUTSIDE THE HOG HOLE 215 215

The pigs seeming to nod at him --


His sister’s LOVING EYES as she turns from the GLASS BOX --

FLASH - CONDOR’S NEST217 217

The mother Condor fighting to protect her babies --

FLASH - DIAMOND CAVE218 218

The URSA LEAPING --


The URSA LEAPING at SENSHI from KITAI’S POV --


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FLASH - GEOTHERMAL NODE 220 220

The BEE JOUSTING THE SPIDER in a LIGHTNING FLASH --

FLASH - RAFT DREAM OF SENSHI221 221

She’s leaning close to WHISPER SOMETHING IN HIS EAR --

FLASH - JUNGLE TERRAIN 222 222

Crawling from under the BODY OF THE CONDOR --

FLASH - GEOTHERMAL NODE223 223

The BEE CEASING TO STRUGGLE, then BREAKING ITS BONDS --

CYPHER (V.O.)No way... not before I’d met my son.

FLASH - UNDERWATER224 224

Kitai swimming in a SHAFT OF LIGHT --

FLASH - RAFT DREAM OF SENSHI225 225

Her lips at his ear, about to WHISPER THE SECRET --

SENSHI (V.O.)Love...

CUT TO:

INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - AFTERNOON 226 226

Cypher hears HIS SON’S BREATHING SLOWING. He watches KITAI’S VITALS BEGIN TO STEADY.

KITAI’S GHOST DIAMOND STEADIES, THE “FEAR” RECEDING INTO PERFECT CENTER --

CYPHER’S BALL INSIDE HIS DIAMOND BURSTS ITS EDGES.

CUT TO:


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EXT. MOUNTAIN ABOVE IONIC LAYER - AFTERNOON 227 227

Kitai stares at the gray ash that lightly coats his arm. Realization enters his fourteen-year-old eyes. *

The ash sticks to his wet skin and hair... He becomes completely covered, a gray version of himself.

He watches as plumes of ash fall on the field. THEN THE SOUND OF THE URSA... NEARBY... BREAKING THROUGH THE HOLE AND *FINALLY CLAWING ITS WAY TO THE SURFACE. KITAI DOES NOT PANIC. *He’s in an entirely different space. *

THEN A SHAPE EMERGES TWENTY FEET AWAY. THE URSA STEPS INTO A SHOWER OF ASH AND GETS COVERED AND REVEALED.

SEE ITS MASSIVE SHAPE CLEARLY -- IT CAN NO LONGER CAMOUFLAGE.

CUT TO:


Cypher takes in everything he’s seeing.

CYPHER(an incantation)

There is, one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath.

(beat)You are not alone.

Cypher’s own diamond moves to center. He lowers the detonation device in his hand.

CUT TO:

EXT. ERUPTION OF ASH - AFTERNOON 229 229*


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WE SEE THE URSA IN THE SHOWER OF ASH, GRAY FLUID DRIPPING FROM ITS TWO WOUNDS. MOVING FORWARD FOR THE KILL -- BUT THEN *IT STOPS. IT MOVES AROUND WHERE IT STANDS. IT MOVES AROUND IN *ALL DIRECTIONS. IT HAS LOST KITAI’S SCENT.

Kitai calmly pushes up to one knee. Finally finds his way to *his feet. HIS BACK IS TO THE URSA but that’s of no concern. *

CUT TO:


Cypher stares at his son’s vitals. HE WATCHES ALL THE MEASUREMENTS MOVE TO AN EVEN BASELINE.

Cypher’s eyes fill with emotion and tears.

He turns off the detonation device...

CUT TO:

EXT. ERUPTION OF ASH - AFTERNOON 231 231

Kitai opens his eyes. It’s almost surreal, how things may *have slowed down; how Kitai is here but he isn’t, locked into *an entirely different plane. *

KITAI WALKS UP TO THE URSA. *

WALKS RIGHT BY THE URSA TO PICK UP HIS CUTLASS. *

THE URSA CANNOT SEE KITAI. *

He stands defiantly staring at the Ursa facing him. Feeling *the ASH falling on his face. Completely in the moment. *

Kitai puts both hands on his cutlass - taps in a combination. THE CUTLASS SPLITS AND BECOMES TWO BLADES.

He holds them out on either side of himself and begins running.

Kitai moves like a gray ghost - an apparition seemingly floating across the black rock of the mountain.

THE URSA TURNS, SEARCHING. HE SUDDENLY SENSES KITAI, BUT IT IS TOO LATE. KITAI DOES A FANTASTIC PARKOUR LEAP FROM THE GROUND FIVE FEET FROM THE ALIEN HUNTING CREATURE.

KITAI LANDS ON THE URSA’S BACK AND SINKS THE TWO BLADES INTO THE TWO OPEN WOUNDS ON THE SIDE AND TOP OF THE URSA.


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THE URSA RELEASES A FRIGHTENING SCREAM. IT BEGINS VIOLENTLY SPINNING AND WRITHING...

KITAI HOLDS ON TO THE ENDS OF THE CUTLASS WITH EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH. KITAI GETS SLAMMED AGAINST THE URSA’S BACK.

KITAI ALMOST FALLS OFF THE THRASHING URSA THREE TIMES. KITAI HOLDS TIGHT TO THE HANDLES OF THE CUTLASS WE SEE HIS FINGERS TAP A PATTERN INTO THE HANDLES.


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THE CREATURE SCREAMS.

WE SEE THE SPEAR END OF ONE OF THE CUTLASS EMERGE FROM THE WOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE URSA AS THE CUTLASS EXTENDS.

KITAI TAPS ANOTHER PATTERN INTO THE HANDLE... THE SPEAR TIP RETRACTS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CREATURE.

THE CREATURE SCREAMS AS WE SEE THE SICKLE-LIKE SHAPE OF THE CUTLASS EMERGE FROM INSIDE THE URSA’S MOUTH.

KITAI IS GUTTING IT FROM THE INSIDE...

Kitai holds on for his life. He taps another pattern into the handle. THE URSA SCREAMS. THE URSA FALTERS.

THE URSA PRESSES FORWARD FOR THE CLIFF FACE. TRYING TO TAKE *KITAI OVER THE EDGE WITH IT AND KILL THEM BOTH -- *

Kitai taps another combination... The massive alien creature slows in its movements. Kitai re-grips the ends of the cutlass. Taps another pattern into his cutlass.

THE CREATURE LOWERS TO THE GROUND NOT TWO FEET FROM THE CLIFF- *

CUT TO:


Cypher is staring at Kitai’s point-of-view monitor. THE CAMERA IS LYING ON THE GROUND. IT LOOKS AT A CANTED ANGLE OF KITAI ON THE BACK OF THE URSA.

CYPHER SEES THE GRAINY IMAGE OF THE URSA AS ITS LEGS GIVE WAY AND IT DROPS TO THE GROUND.

CYPHER SEES HIS SON ON THE BACK OF THE URSA. WHEN IT STOPS MOVING, KITAI TURNS IT OVER. KITAI IS YELLING WITH STRAIN AS HE DOES THIS.

THE FINAL IMAGE WE SEE IS KITAI PULLING HIS CUTLASS IN THE SHAPE OF TWO SICKLE SWORDS OUT AND STANDING ATOP THE DEAD URSA. KITAI LOOKS DOWN AT THE BEAST, DARING IT TO MOVE.

THE CHILL OF THIS IMAGE TRAVELS THROUGH HIS FATHER’S HALF-LIFELESS EYES.

CUT TO:


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EXT. ERUPTION OF ASH - AFTERNOON233 233

Kitai stands. His arms low and back at his sides; the two curved swords of the cutlass still and waiting. His lifesuit turns orange.


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Kitai’s calm eyes stare down at the dead Ursa. There is no joy, there is no fear. He just stares.

Beat. Kitai brings the swords together and snaps the ends of the cutlass back into one piece.

Kitai gets off the creature and walks to the backpack. He picks it up.

CUT TO:

EXT. PEAK OF THE BLACK MOUNTAIN - LATER234 234

Kitai’s feet hit rhythmically with agility and strength. His strides exude inspiration and grace. At this altitude, the freeze is fully upon us. Kitai trudges through a foot of snow. He appears unaffected.

Kitai reaches the very peak of the black mountain. His hands retrieve the transponder beacon. He switches the power on.

HE RAISES THE BEACON WITH ONE HAND - LOOKS UP INTO THE SKY AND SLAMS THE BUTTON ON THE SIDE OF THE TRANSPONDER. A MAJESTIC WHITE BEAM SLICES TRIUMPHANTLY INTO THE NIGHT SKY. THE BEAM RISES AND RISES...

CUT TO:

EXT. SPACE - SAME TIME 235 235

THE THIN WHITE BEAM PIERCES THE ATMOSPHERE AND SUDDENLY ERUPTS HORIZONTALLY IN ALL DIRECTIONS INTO SPACE. IT ECHOES OUT INTO SPACE, LIKE RIPPLES ON A POND.

FADE TO BLACK.


DARKNESS.

WE SEE SPARKS. THE SPARKS MOVE IN A VERTICAL LINE. THEN THEY MOVE HORIZONTALLY. A DOOR IS CUT IN THE DARKNESS. IT IS FORCED OPEN, REVEALING A PORTABLE SILVER FABRIC TUNNEL.

THREE MEN IN RANGER LIFESUITS STAND SILHOUETTED IN THE BRIGHT *LIGHT.

FADE TO BLACK:


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INT. TRANSPORT SHIP COCKPIT - MORNING 237 237

THE RANGERS AIM A BEAM OF LIGHT FROM THEIR RANGER ARMBANDS. *THE LIGHTS CRISSCROSS THE DAMAGED SHIP. ONE OF THE BEAMS FINDS CYPHER - HALF-ALIVE - BATTERED.

FADE TO BLACK:


A Ranger kneels down at the base of the control ship console *and removes a SILVER BOX FROM THE CHEST OF THE CONTROL PANEL. It is carried out.

FADE TO BLACK:

INT. PORTABLE TUNNEL - MORNING 239 239

Cypher is being carried on a transport stretcher through the portable tunnel that has been attached to the crashed control section of the ship. They move through the portable tunnel into another ship.

FADE TO BLACK:

INT. HALLWAY OF RESCUE SHIP - MORNING 240 240

Kitai emerges from a room in the rescue ship. He is in new clothes. He runs into the main hall of the ship. He looks around, sees crew members preparing to take off.

The technician who took the SILVER BOX from the crashed ship, sits in front of a monitor hooked up to the box. THE IMAGE OF AN UNAWARE URSA IS ON THE SCREEN. IT IS CLEAR THE URSA DOESN’T KNOW WHERE KITAI IS.

The technician turns to look at Kitai as he passes, staring in awe at the FOURTEEN YEAR-OLD GHOST walking by him.

Kitai moves into the hall adjacent to the control room where his father lies on a medical cot, two MEDICS with him.

Cypher sees his son approaching.

CYPHER (to the medics)

...Stand me up.

Cypher’s legs are in braces. The medics look at Cypher.


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HEAD MEDIC General-

CYPHER I said, stand me up!

Cypher starts to sit up. The medics quickly rush to him. They help him swing the braces to the ground. They carry him under each arm as he rises off the medical cot. His bandaged feet touching the floor of the ship is painful to watch. The medics bear as much of Cypher’s weight as they can.

Cypher straightens up and stares at his son. Cypher brings his hand up and salutes his son.

Father and son stare deeply. Kitai salutes back. Profound connection rages between them. Kitai approaches and gently hugs his father. Kitai whispers in his ear.

KITAI(whisper)

Dad...

CYPHERYes.

KITAI(whispers)

I wanna work with Mom.

Cypher chuckles a little.

Neither wants to let go, but the medics respectfully separate them and lower Cypher back to the cot.

CUT TO:

EXT. RESCUE SHIP - MORNING 241 241

It is raining outside. THE RAIN HITS THE EXTERIOR OF THE RESCUE SHIP.

THE RESCUE SHIP RISES FROM THE GROUND IN THIS RAIN STORM. IT RISES HIGHER AND HIGHER INTO THE AIR.

CUT TO:

EXT. JUNGLE - MORNING 242 242

WE ARE IN THE BREATHTAKING JUNGLE. THERE IS LUSH GREENERY EVERYWHERE. WE HEAR ANIMAL SOUNDS IN THE DISTANCE.


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THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS CALLING TO EACH OTHER. IT IS LIKE MUSIC. WE SEE THE SHIP MOVING ACROSS THE SKY, OUT OF THE RAIN CLOUDS.

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EXT. OCEAN - MORNING 243 243

WE ARE OVER THE OCEAN. WE SEE THE TAIL OF A HUGE WHALE-LIKE CREATURE WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE DISAPPEAR INTO THE WATERS OF THE PRISTINE BLUE OCEAN.

THE RANGER RESCUE SHIP BECOMES A TINY DOT AND THEN VANISHES *UP INTO SPACE.

THE END.


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after earth 5.9.12 - wikileaks prime - day 5 kitai running. he must finish first. his size, his...

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