Roberts NewWorld

8/3/2019 Roberts NewWorld

1/59

NEW WORLD

"Pilot"

bySam L. Roberts

Sam L. Roberts307 Rose Ave.Venice, CA [email protected]


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ACT ONE

EXT. SPACE - MARS

The Red Planet looms, growing larger and larger as theenigmatic opening chords of Dvoraks New World Symphony,

Movement Two swell. Our TITLE appears, hanging in space:NEW WORLD

A SPACESHIP floats into frame, in orbit, made up of twoApollo-style rockets tethered together -- they spin aroundeach other, providing artificial gravity.

We PUSH THROUGH ONE OF THE SHIPS WINDOWS, into--

INT. SPACESHIP - COCKPIT

A high-tech cockpit, but more Apollo 13 than Star Trek.GEOFFREY GODWIN, 49, distinguished-looking but with ayouthful roguishness, gazes longingly at the planet below.

A BEEP. He looks down at a screen and likes what he sees--

GODWINYes!

He flicks a few switches.

INT. SPACESHIP - BUNK

Two bodies, male and female, lie post-coital in the tinybunk. The man is CAPTAIN JACKSON BELL, 38. Attractive in ahardened way. The woman, MARGOT, 32, is the exact opposite,beautiful but fragile. A P.A. on the wall CRACKLES TO LIFE--

GODWIN (OVER P.A.)This is Godwin. Everyone pleasestrap in and prepare for finalapproach. It could get bumpy.

Bell bolts up.

BELL

What the hell?MARGOT

Dont--

But hes already getting dressed.


3/59

INT. SPACESHIP - SEAT AREA

Passengers get into their seats -- buckles click and strapstighten.

Standing among them with a video camera, journalist TODD

MASON, 25, the type more comfortable documenting life thanliving it. He snags a window seat and aims the camera out,getting a NICE SHOT OF THE PLANET, then turns it on himself.

TODDThis is Todd Mason aboard the Libraspacecraft where CEO GeoffreyGodwin, the man behind the firstsuccessful mission to Mars, isattempting to make history again--

Bell (now clothed) runs by, towards the cockpit.

TODD (CONTD)And theres Captain Jackson Bell,our co-pilot. Apparently runninglate. For the landing.

INT. SPACESHIP - COCKPIT

Bell clambers into the co-pilot seat. Godwin is hittingbuttons, prepping for approach.

BELLYou started without me.

GODWINDust storms clearing up.

BELLWe have confirmation from theground?

GODWINCaptain, these storms can last for

months. We get a window, weresure as hell using it.

BELLThats an enormous risk--

GODWINTheres always risk. Well run outof fuel before we get perfectlanding conditions.

(off Bells glare)Its been six months. Arent youready to stand on solid ground?

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Bell doesnt deny it. Godwin smiles and hits a button.

EXT. SPACE - MARS ORBIT

The Libras TETHERS DETACH, cables retracting.

ONE ROCKET, carrying the passengers, VEERS TOWARDS THEPLANET. The other, now empty, drifts away.

EXT. MARS - VALLES MARINERIS - DAY

CHYRON: Candor Chasma, Valles Marineris, Mars.

Valles Marineris is a massive equatorial trench. Against one wall sits a SQUAT BUILDING made of brick and cement connected

to a LARGE TRANSPARENT DOME. Nearby, TWO HABITAT UNITS.Smaller and cylindrical, these are ships that, upon landing,become bases of operations.

Stenciled on the side of the main building: BRADBURY.

Off to the side, we might notice a small, rudimentary grave.

INT. THE DOME - DAY

The dome is huge, easily the size of a football field, and made of two layers: the inner is pressurized inflatable

plastic, the outer a protective plastic shell. Inside: LONGROWS OF VEGETABLES -- its a greenhouse.

Two ENGINEERS, AMEENA ELAMIN (32, annoyingly uptight) andKATRINA KAT COOPER (28, cute, warm) walk among the plants,checking meters and taking notes on touch screen devices.

Chief Engineer WAYNE QING (pronounced CHING), 35, bursts invia the domes one entrance, which hisses shut behind him.

Waynes a consummate engineer -- detail-oriented, good underpressure. Also, a worrier. He barks into a walkie-talkie--

WAYNEDillard!

Static.

WAYNE (CONTD)Where the hell is Dillard? Hessupposed to be checking the oh-two.

Ameena and Kat look up, and shrug.

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WAYNE (CONTD)And why havent you been answering?Ive been trying you on the comm for the past ten minutes.

KAT

Wayne, slow down. We didnt getanything on the comm.

WAYNETheyre still offline?

AMEENA (bitterly)

Dillard says they should be up in afew days.

WAYNEYouve gotta be kidding me. Godwinis in orbit--

(then, deciding)Ill finish here. Check the oh-twoyourselves.

KATCan do.

Ameena and Kat exit. Wayne gets to work.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Ameena and Kat walk towards the oxygen bay.

AMEENA Hes more neurotic than usual.

KATCut the man some slack. A year anda halfs a long time to spend

without your wife.

AMEENA Other people have families.

KATOur tours up in two weeks.

They get to a door with a printout taped to it: MARVINSCAVE.

INT. OXYGEN BAY - DAY

The majority of the room is taken up by TWO LARGE OXYGENTANKS connected to wires and hoses.

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A hand-painted image of Marvin the Martian adorns the largerof the two, his dog K-9 the smaller.

On the floor, Electrical Engineer J.P. DILLARD (29, scruffy)lies sleeping, head on a pillow--

AMEENA Oh, come on.

KATJ.P.--

AMEENA Dillard.

No response. Ameena kicks him, just harder than necessary--

AMEENA (CONTD)Hey jackass, wake up.

DILLARDWha--?!

Ameena jabs a thumb towards the tank--

AMEENA Youre supposed to be runningdiagnostics.

Dillard stands and rubs his eyes.

DILLARDI checked Marvin. Sall good.

(off Ameenas glare)Its the only warm place in theentire colony.

AMEENA Youre taking a nap? Today?!

KATAmeena. Two weeks.

Ameena relents and LEAVES. Dillard gives Kat an oops look.

She responds by smacking him upside the head.DILLARD

Ow! Whatd I do?

Kat shakes her head, amused.

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INT. THE DOME - DAY

Wayne adjusts a thermostat. Another engineer, BRADLEY SINGH,rushes in--

SINGH

Chief, theyre coming down.WAYNE

What do you mean?

SINGHI have Geoffrey Godwin on theexternal -- he says theyreprepping for landing. I thought he

was waiting for your okay?

WAYNEHes supposed to be.

Wayne hurries out.

INT. AIRLOCK ROOM - DAY

The room has two airlocks, a storage unit for spacesuits andother equipment, and a metal desk.

Wayne enters carrying a high-tech laptop and places it on thedesk. He opens it and presses a few keys -- the computeremits some muted STATIC.

WAYNEGeoff, do you read me? This isWayne.

INT. SPACESHIP - COCKPIT - DAY - INTERCUT

GODWINHows it going, Wayne?

WAYNEWhatre you doing? The weatherconditions arent optimal.

GODWINCheck your computer. Stormscleared.

WAYNEI think you should wait.

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GODWINYou can take off the kid gloves.Its not like I havent trained forthis. Now are you gonna give mecoordinates or would you rather Itake it manual?

Wayne seethes, then types some commands on his keyboard.

WAYNECoordinates uploading.

Godwin smiles, hits a few buttons.

GODWINReceived. Here we go.

EXT. SPACESHIP - DAY

The rocket shifts, and enters the Martian atmosphere. Theair is thinner than Earths but the drag and resulting heatare still intense.

INT. SPACESHIP - SEAT AREA - DAY

The strapped-in passengers are jerked around -- anxietyripples through the deck. They exchange a few worriedglances; some people grab their arm rests.


Wayne watches some graphics.

WAYNEYoure coming in two clicks off-course. Make that three.

Hes focused, but this sort of course correction is routine.

INT. SPACESHIP - COCKPIT - DAY

Godwin presses a button.

BELL

Shes pulling to starboard.GODWIN

Check your gauges. Forty-eightknot windsll do that.

Bell self-consciously checks the gauges.

BELLThis is why we wait--

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GODWINI dont think you understand,Captain -- these are goodconditions.

BELL

Dont patronize me.Godwin glances at Bell. Then--

GODWINDeploy shell.

BELL(begrudgingly)

Yes, sir.

Bell flicks a switch.


An inflatable shell bursts out of the rockets nose,transforming the sleek rocket into something resembling a

mushroom. The rocket jerks violently.


The strapped-in passengers are thrown against theirseatbelts. Todd, nauseated, shuts the camera off, turns tothe passenger next to him, SUSIE VAN ZANDT (30s)--

TODDThis is normal, right?

Susies an adventurer, the sort of person who is mostcomfortable when she is completely out of her element.

SUSIEYou know how many times theyvetried to put a man on Mars?

TODDThree--

SUSIEFirst time was the U.S., the shipburned up in atmo. Then theChinese. They crash-landed.

TODDAnd the third was our engineers--

SUSIETwo out of three...

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10/59

She pats Todd hard on the shoulder.

SUSIE (CONTD)Normal is we all die.

TODD

But... our...Susie grins--

SUSIEIm messing with you, kid -- Its astatistically insignificant sample.That few attempts, there is nonormal. Exciting, right?

Todd studies her face -- who is this woman?


BELLShell deployed.


WAYNEGeoff, Youre drifting again.Adjust course one click--

EXT. MARTIAN SKY - DAY

A swirl of dust and pebbles blows through. FAST.


CLOSE ON THE INFLATABLE SHELL as a few pebbles HIT IT LIKEBULLETS. The bottom section of the shell BURSTS!

The ship SHAKES WILDLY and veers upwards, parallel to thesurface.


This time, people are really thrown around, but the seatbelts

hold. Todd holds onto his armrest, terrified and ill.INT. SPACESHIP - COCKPIT - DAY

A shitload of lights blink red on the console.

GODWINDammit!

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11/59

INT. AIRLOCK ROOM - DAY - INTERCUT AS NECESSARY

WAYNEWhat the hells going on up there?!

BELL

Weve got a burst shell section--WAYNE

Oh god.

GODWINSwitch to manual.

BELLLet me take over--

GODWINIve got this.

BELLYou werent prepped for thisscenario.

GODWINNeither were you!

He grabs two joysticks.

GODWIN (CONTD)(to Bell)

Engage manual controls--

WAYNEGeoff. My wife is on that ship.

His words hang in the air for a moment.

GODWINWe are crash-landing. Give me thegoddamn manual controls!

Bell begrudgingly hits a button and the joysticks unlock.Godwin immediately pushes the joysticks forward.


The ship, still being battered by dust, tilts slightlytowards the ground. Its not enough.


Godwin moves the joysticks in opposite directions.

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12/59


The ship BARREL ROLLS, so it is now flying parallel to theground with the burst section on its left. It beginsSPINNING CLOCKWISE AROUND THE SHELL -- like a helicopterthats lost its tail rotor -- still falling, but slowing.


Godwin, focused on maneuvering, checks his display.

GODWINWayne, how long until Im back inthe proper position?


Wayne looks at a GPS-type map.

WAYNEEight seconds--


GODWINOn my mark, cut all thrusters.

BELLYoure insane.

GODWIN(counting in his head)

Now.

Bell flips a switch. Godwin PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT.


The ships thrusters abruptly TURN OFF -- it rolls and thenDROPS INTO A NOSE DIVE.


Godwin fights the unbalanced drag from the burst shell.

GODWINDetach the shell, then max retros.

Bell doesnt argue anymore. He hits a button.


The pieces of the shell fall away from the rocket. Therocket hurtles towards the landing site next to the colony.

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13/59

The retro thrusters sputter back to life, then raise to fullpower.


Todd and the other passengers jerk forward violently.


Ameena, Kat, Dillard, and Singh enter, see Wayne fixated onthe screen and walk over to watch.

KATTheyre gonna pancake.

Wayne just watches the screen.


GODWINWayne, hows my heading?


Wayne cant even respond. Ameena cuts in, grabs the mic--

AMEENA Youre coming in far too fast.


GODWIN(gritted teeth)

I noticed.

EXT. MARS SURFACE - DAY

The ship rapidly approaches the rocky ground below.


BELLDeploying landing gear.

GODWINRoger that.


Landing legs deploy from behind panels.


Over the P.A.:

12.


14/59

GODWIN (OVER P.A.)Were coming in for a landing, butit wont be smooth. Sit tight.

People do not take the news well -- SHRIEKING, CRYING.


Everyone watches the screen silently, terrified.


CLOSE ON Godwins face, intense.


The ship LANDS HARD. Dust sprays. The landing legs GROANunder the pressure, digging into the soil, but they hold.

Amazingly, the ship is more or less right on target.


People are tossed around. Shouting. Someone hits his headon the headrest. Todd PUKES.


WAYNEGeoff?!

INT. SPACESHIP - COCKPIT -DAY

Godwin and Bell sit, recovering.

GODWINYeah, Wayne. Were okay.

(to Bell)Ill handle the shutdown checklist.

BELLDamn right you will.

He takes off his seatbelt and CLIMBS OUT OF THE COCKPIT.

Once hes gone, Godwin slumps in his chair and finallyexhales, allowing himself to feel the weight of it all.

INT. AIRLOCK - DAY

A bridge extends from the colonys airlock, attaching to theship and creating a pressurized path between the two.

The spacecrafts hatch opens downward, becoming stairs, andpassengers begin disembarking.

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First off is DR. REBECCA SIEGEL, 29, sexy, aloof. Shes inaction mode, helping another PASSENGER down the stairs--

REBECCA Youre fine. Its just a bruise.

The passenger keeps walking, but Wayne intercepts her--WAYNE

Wayne Qing, chief engineer.

REBECCA Dr. Rebecca Siegel.

They shake.

WAYNEGood to have a real doctor again--

Shes already on to the next passenger -- Todd. Not only hashe vomited on himself, hes also sustained a head wound.

REBECCA Come here.

TODDIm fine--

REBECCA Your heads bleeding.

Todd puts his hand to his head and then looks at his bloodyfingers -- Oh . His knees go wobbly.

BACK AT THE HATCH

A SHAKING HAND grabs the railing -- Margot (last seensleeping with Bell) steps out and STUMBLES. Wayne runsforward to grab her. Yes, SHES WAYNES WIFE. She burstsinto tears -- they hold each other tighter than ever before.

WAYNEIts okay. Ive got you.

ALL OVER THE ROOM, similar situations:-- BELL, helping a CRYING PASSENGER, looks over at Margot --

-- ANOTHER PASSENGER kneels and mouths a prayer of thanks --

-- SUSIE collapses, laughing, ecstatic to be alive --

Finally, Godwin appears in the doorway. He clambers down thestairs, staggering slightly before regaining his balance.

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Wayne SEES HIM, lets go of Margot, crosses the room. Godwinsmiles, until he realizes the man is FURIOUS.

WAYNE (CONTD)You arrogant bastard...

Before Godwin can react, Wayne PUNCHES HIM square in the jaw.Godwin falls backwards.

WAYNE (CONTD)From now on leave my wife out ofyour suicide attempts -- or so help

me God I will kill you myself.

He begins to walk away, then turns back--

WAYNE (CONTD)Oh yeah, welcome to Mars.

Godwin wipes the blood from his lip, watching him go...

END OF ACT ONE

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ACT TWO

INT. QING QUARTERS - DAY

The quarters are tiny: two twin beds (barely more than cots)pushed together, nightstand with reading light, a desk, and a

rack of cubbies. A small window gives a view of the redlandscape outside.

But Wayne and Margot couldnt care less about the austeredecor. The metal door SLAMS and theyre moving across theroom -- kissing and undressing like its life or death.

Wayne lifts Margot up and onto the desk as she wraps her legsaround his waist.

WAYNEI missed you so much.

More kisses -- he moves to her neck.

MARGOTYou didnt need to do that. Punchhim.

WAYNENobody messes with my wife.

A flash of concern on Margots face. But she stifles it ashe comes up to face her.

WAYNE (CONTD)You know, on the hard days, thethought of you being here was theonly thing that kept me going.When the ship was coming down -- ifit had crashed -- I dont know whatI wouldve done...

MARGOTI love you.

Despite what weve seen, right now she really means it. Theykiss deeply. As they fall off-screen--

KAT (PRE-LAP)And this is where the magichappens.

INT. DEUTERIUM PROCESSING ROOM - DAY

Kat leads a group into the machinery-filled room. In thegroup: Godwin, Susie, and several new COLONISTS.

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18/59

KATOr will happen, at least, once weget our deuterium mining program upand running.

One colonist raises a hand--

COLONISTDeuterium?

Susie rolls her eyes--

SUSIE(duh)

The heavy isotope of hydrogen?Marss number one cash crop?

(to Kat, honestly asking)Were processing it locally?

KATYep. Some will be used to powerBradburys nuclear reactors. Therest will be shipped back to Earthand sold for substantial profit --Right, Mr. Godwin?

GODWIN(jokey)

I hope so. Or Ill have some veryangry investors on my hands.

Nobodys amused.

GODWIN (CONTD)How about a hand for Kat and therest of our engineers for puttingthis whole place together?

Polite applause. Behind the group, Bell ENTERS the room andapproaches Godwin--

BELLGodwin -- a word?

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Godwin and Bell step into the corridor--

GODWINWhat can I do for you, Captain?

BELLYour behavior on the ship this

morning was reckless.

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GODWINId prefer to call it bold.

BELL(ignoring that)

As your security chief, Im in

charge of keeping everyone heresafe -- when you gamble withpeoples lives you interfere with

my ability to do my job.

GODWINThe job I hired you to do? Maybeyouve forgotten how chain ofcommand works since you left the

military -- you answer to me.

BELLYou pay my salary, but I have aresponsibility to this entirecolony, and so do you.

GODWINMy responsibility is to make surethis project is successful. This

morning we were in orbit; now wereon Mars. Nobody was seriouslyinjured. I call that a success.

BELLWe got lucky and you know it.

GODWINYou think I beat NASA to Mars byluck? There are risks in everysituation. Ive built my career ontaking the right risks--

BELLI dont give a damn about yourcareer. Youre not playing withinvestors money anymore. Theseare peoples lives. You cant buythe right to put them on the line --

That has to be earned.A tense beat.

GODWINThey all knew what they weresigning up for.

The tour group spills out into the corridor.

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20/59

KATIf youll follow me to the dome--

GODWIN(to Bell)

Im missing my tour.

Godwin hustles back to the group. Off Bells glare--

INT. THE DOME - DAY

The tour continues--

KATThe plants provide both additionaloxygen and a source of freshproduce, which -- trust me -- makeslife out here a lot better...

Susie lags behind, close to the wall of the dome. She looksout at the desolate Martian landscape.

Behind her, Ameena enters and notices her--

AMEENA Not so beautiful from this angle--

Susie turns, eyes Ameena, then looks back to the window--

SUSIEAre you kidding? I feel like a kid-- I just want to go out and see

whats on the other side of thehill, yknow?

AMEENA Dirt. Dirt and rocks and a wholelot of nothing.

Susie laughs.

AMEENA (CONTD)That wasnt a joke.

SUSIEI know -- Im the geologist. Ilove rocks.

Ameena eyes the grave on the other side of the plexiglass.

AMEENA Theyre all yours.

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INT. MEDICAL BAY - DAY

Todd sits on a table while Rebecca deals with his injury. Hetries unsuccessfully to put up a brave front.

TODD

Sorry about the...He gestures to the vomit on his shirt. Rebecca doesntrespond. She pulls out a needle and thread. Todd eyes theneedle nervously and focuses on her--

TODD (CONTD)So how does it feel to be on Mars?

REBECCA You tell me.

TODDBut I mean, you were thereplacement doctor, right?

Rebecca sticks the needle in--

TODD (CONTD)Ow!

She begins to stitch up the cut.

REBECCA You have the pain threshold of aneight-year-old.

TODDAnyone ever tell you your bedside

manner could use some work?

Rebecca glances at him, then resumes stitching.

TODD (CONTD)Mustve been an emotional rollercoaster. Think youre sitting thisone out, then suddenly the firstchoice doctors got the flu and you

have one day to say all of yourgood-byes?

She finishes sewing--

REBECCA Done.

TODDOh thank God.

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He jumps off the table.

TODD (CONTD)And thank you, Doctor.

Rebecca packs up her tools.

TODD (CONTD)Okay. Well, maybe Ill see youaround.

REBECCA Probably. There are like thirtypeople here.

TODDRight. Im gonna go change.

He leaves, embarrassed and confused.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Dillard walks down the hallway. Coming the other way, Ameenaand Kat.

DILLARDHey guys?

AMEENA What is it now?

DILLARDThe primary sensor array went allred and blinky.

AMEENA What did you do?

DILLARDNothing! I was runningdiagnostics.

AMEENA Ill handle it.

DILLARDAwesome -- I was hoping youd saythat. Ive kinda got my hands full

with the comm system.

AMEENA Of course you do.

Kat glares at Ameena, then turns to Dillard--

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KATDont worry -- we got your back.

INT. SHIP - COCKPIT - DAY

Kat examines the underside of the control panel with a

flashlight. Ameena stands, watching anxiously as Kat works.KAT

Looks like the signal booster.Mustve happened in the crash.

AMEENA Can we repair it?

Kat slides out from under the control panel.

KATDude. Its toasted.

AMEENA (grasping at straws)

But she can fly without one...

A long pause. Finally--

KATYou know theres no way theyreletting her off the ground withoutsensors. Im sorry.

Off Ameena, crushed.

INT. REC ROOM - DAY

The rec room is austere, part cafeteria, part lounge. Godwinsits alone at a table with a tray of untouched food -- a mixof surprisingly-appetizing prepackaged food and freshvegetables.

He watches a group of COLONISTS at a nearby table talking,occasionally glancing his way. Theyre clearly talking abouthim.

Susie walks to Godwins table and stands over him--SUSIE

Mind if I sit here?

Godwin shrugs and she sits. Godwin looks at her, trying toremember her name--

GODWINSusan, right?

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SUSIESusie. But good effort. So tell

me, Mr. Godwin--

GODWINGeoff.

Susie smiles.

SUSIETell me, Geoff, whats a gal gottado to get clearance for a walk onthe surface?

GODWINSomething urgent out there?

SUSIEBesides Mars?

GODWINIts not going anywhere.

SUSIEFine, wanna know what Im reallyexcited about?

She leans in, conspiratorial.

SUSIE (CONTD)Do you remember the Hutton lander?

GODWINThe NASA one that malfunctionedright after it landed? I was what--eight when that happened?Surprised youve even heard of it.

SUSIEIt was supposed to collect data ona chasm a few miles from here.

GODWINRight. The geological record.

SUSIEExactly. I want to go get it.

GODWINWhat do you want with a brokenlander?

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SUSIEThey lost communication with it,but that doesnt mean its broken.What if its been silentlycollecting data the whole time?

GODWIN(joking)Whatre you hoping to find? Lifeon mars?

Susie gives him a significant look, then shrugs--

SUSIEProbably just geological data. So,do I get clearance?

GODWINThats more Waynes department.

SUSIEI thought you were the boss.

Shes joking but it bears the sting of truth. Godwin glancesat the other table, then looks at Susie, decides something.

GODWINCan I ask you a question? Brutalhonesty.

SUSIEShoot.

GODWINWhat are people saying about me?

SUSIE(no hesitation)

They think youre playing spaceman.

GODWINIs that what you think?

SUSIE

Are you?(then)I mean, I get it. You know Im nothere for the paycheck. But theyre

wondering if you can fix things orjust break them -- not that I thinkyou were wrong to go for it--

GODWINWhat are you talking about?

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26/59

SUSIEThe Libra? Didnt you hear? Needsa new signal booster or something.

GODWINNo, I hadnt heard that. Thanks.

He abruptly stands and walks out.


Dillard, wearing a headset, stares at a laptop. THE REVERSEANGLE reveals that hes watching baseball.

ANNOUNCER (FROM HEADPHONES)(filtered)

...One out, Cubs have a man onthird...

Godwin enters the airlock room, carrying a metal briefcase with a shoulder strap.

GODWINHi.

Startled, Dillard hits a button and a programming environmentcomes up. He keeps his headphones in, pretending to be busydebugging lines of code--

DILLARDSup?

GODWINIm taking a pressure suit.

DILLARDWhat for?

GODWIN(dry)

I need to get some air.

Dillard actually looks up for the first time, sees Godwinsface, and immediately pulls out his headphones.

DILLARDOh-- Of course. Go right ahead.

(pointing to the nearbycloset)

Suit three should fit you.

Godwin walks to the suit closet.

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27/59

DILLARD (CONTD)Goodbye bonus.

Dillard puts his headphones back on, but before he can clickback to the game he notices something in the comm system code-- a bug -- and starts typing.

EXT. MARS SURFACE - SUNSET

Godwin, in a space suit, bounds up a hill, aided by the lowgravity. He carries a metal case slung over his shoulder.

He reaches the top and watches the MAGNIFICENT ALIEN SUNSET.And yet, Godwin doesnt feel impressive.

He turns and looks down at a narrow CHASM, obviously the oneSusie was talking about earlier. He clicks on his helmet-

mounted flashlight and trudges toward it.

INT. REC ROOM - NIGHT

Kat and Ameena sit at a table. Ameena is morose, but Katremains cheerful. Kat drinks a near-beer in a plastic cup;Ameena drinks water.

AMEENA Sometimes I wish I drank alcohol.

KATThis trash? Barely qualifies.

(then)Well tell Earth and theyll have asignal booster in the next drop.

AMEENA Six months from now. I dont thinkI can do it.

KATYknow-- nevermind.

AMEENA What?

KATNothing.

AMEENA Katrina--

KATThe comm system has a signalbooster, but you couldnt--

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AMEENA (realizing)

We could. Its not like its working right.

KAT

What, youre gonna nerf Bradburyslong-range comms so we can get homea little sooner? I know youreupset, but think about everyone

whos staying here.

AMEENA Right. Youre right.

KATIm sorry I even mentioned it.

(yawning)I need some shuteye.

(standing)You okay?

AMEENA Im fine.

KATGood.

Kat exits. Ameena sips her water, wheels turning in her head.

EXT. MARS SURFACE - CHASM - NIGHT

Godwin peers over the edge of the chasm -- ten feet down, aLEDGE large enough for a person. Below that, dark depths.

He kneels, and opens his metal case. Inside: cable,carabiners, pulleys, rods.

IN A SERIES OF SHOTS: Godwin constructs a TRIPOD, pulley atthe vertex -- threads cable through the pulley -- attacheslines to a carabiner on his suit.

Godwin HOPS DOWN TO THE LEDGE and examines the nearby rock wall -- beautiful STRIATIONS. He looks downward -- the floor

is considerably deeper. He moves his flashlight beam arounduntil it catches something metallic -- THE HUTTON LANDER.

Godwin eases off the ledge, and BELAYS HIMSELF DOWN. Hetouches ground right next to the lander. Its roughly thesize of a dog, metal, solar panels on top, NASA logo on itsside. It appears to be in good shape.

Godwin detaches a carabiner from his suit and gets to work.

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INT. QING QUARTERS - NIGHT

Margot lies awake in bed next to Wayne, who is fast asleep --something is clearly on her mind. She climbs out of bed.

INT. THE DOME - NIGHT

Margot wanders among the plants. Bell appears behind her--

BELLYou look lost.

MARGOT(without turning)

Im not.

Bell draws closer. He spins Margot and kisses herpassionately. She kisses him back, equally passionate -- butthen pulls away--

MARGOT (CONTD)We cant do this. Not here.

BELLLets go somewhere more private.

MARGOTI mean -- here. On Mars. Its notfair to Wayne.

BELLIt was never fair. You knew thatfrom the beginning.

Off Margot, stung and conflicted--

EXT. MARS SURFACE - CHASM - NIGHT

Godwin, at the lip of the chasm, leans back, pulling on tautcable. The lander hangs on the cable, in midair.

Nearby, one of the tripod legs shifts slightly, thenDISLODGES FROM THE GROUND.

THE LANDER LURCHES DOWNWARD, swinging, and Godwin is pulledfirst upwards, then down into the chasm. As he falls, thelander swings back up. It COLLIDES WITH HIS FACEPLATE and heis thrown against the chasm wall.

As Godwin hangs from the tether, a few feet off the ground,swaying slightly...

END OF ACT TWO

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ACT THREE

INT. AIRLOCK ROOM - DAWN

Wayne strolls into the room, a different man now that Margothas arrived safely. Ameena, already in the room, moves to

greet him -- she clearly didnt get any sleep.WAYNE

Were you working all night?

AMEENA I dont know if Katrina told you,but the ships signal booster wasdamaged in the landing.

WAYNENo--

AMEENA I repaired it.

WAYNEOh. Good work.

(looking her over)You should get some sleep--

AMEENA --Im fine--

WAYNEThen coffee. Weve got more testsand repairs this afternoon. Illneed you functional.

Ameena nods. She walks past Wayne and starts to leave.

WAYNE (CONTD)Ameena--

She turns--

WAYNE (CONTD)Wheres pressure suit three?

EXT. MARS SURFACE - CHASM - DAY

Godwin opens his eyes, seeing stars, a painful-looking bruiseon his forehead. His blurry vision resolves and he findshimself staring at the lander. Oh yeah.

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Godwin looks down -- hes hanging a few feet off the ground.He shifts his weight, trying to get back to the ground, butthe lander is wedged between the walls of the chasm and wontbudge.

Godwin SWINGS HIMSELF TOWARDS THE WALL OF THE CHASM, but he

cant get a good grip. He grabs the cable and PULLS HIMSELFUPWARDS to create some slack. He DETACHES THE CARABINER andFALLS to the ground.

The lander, no longer counterweighted, also FALLS... ANDLANDS ON GODWINS LEG. He GROANS in pain, then shoves the

machine off him.

He tries to stand, but his leg gives out and he falls backdown. He sits, breathing heavily, and checks his oxygengauge -- its in the red zone. Dammit.

He activates his comm--

GODWINHello? This is Godwin -- Cananyone hear me?

Static.


Wayne and Ameena look at a computer screen.

WAYNENothing on the comm.

Wayne pulls up a MAP OF THE SURROUNDING AREA on the screen.

WAYNE (CONTD)The GPS places it two miles away,but thats from hours ago. Whatsit doing out there?

Dillard hurries in--

DILLARDSorry Im late--

WAYNEWhy arent the damn comms up yet?

DILLARD(surprised)

Wha--? They should be. I spentall afternoon getting them working.

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WAYNETheyre not.

A flicker of guilt on Ameenas face.

DILLARD

Whats going on?WAYNE

Do you have any idea whos inpressure suit three?

DILLARDNo. Wait. How longs it been out?

WAYNEAll night.

DILLARDOh crap.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Wayne and Ameena walk, with Bell, filling him in--

AMEENA Dillard should have known betterthan to let him--

BELLStop talking.

(turning to Wayne)There are two things I need toknow: What are the chances hesalive and what are we doing tobring him in?

WAYNEThese suits have backup airsupplies for situations like this.There are always variables -- size,heart rate--

BELL

Give me the bottom line.WAYNE

Realistically? He has an hour ortwo. Three max.

BELLThen we need to find him right now.

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34/59

Off her surprise--

INT. COMPUTER BAY - DAY

Dillard checks the connections between wires. Kat sitsnearby, looking at code on a laptop.

DILLARDThanks for giving the code a once-over -- Im starting to freak out.

KATNo prob.

DILLARDIts just -- Im really feeling thepressure from Wayne seeing as ourCEOs life kinda hangs in thebalance. But Im sure I had it upand running.

KATWell find the problem.

DILLARDLemme ask you this -- yesterday it

was the internal comms that were malfunctioning, right?

KATMmhmm.

DILLARDBut today its the external comms.Those are completely differentsystems. Assuming I didnt kickout the master plug -- whichdoesnt exist, by the way -- howcould that possibly be my fault?

KAT(realizing)

Did you check the signal booster?

DILLARDThe signal booster? No, why?

Dillard crosses the room and opens a metal case. He seessomething that shocks him.

DILLARD (CONTD)What the--? Its...

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KATToasted?

DILLARDThats the word. Howd you know?

Off Kat, pissed.INT. AIRLOCK ROOM - DAY

With Waynes supervision, Susie and Bell are suiting up.

WAYNEIm putting his last coordinatesinto the rover. And youll need anextra oxygen tank. If you find him--

BELL--When we find him--

WAYNE--Its unlikely hell have enoughoxygen to get back. You know howto change a tank outside?

Bell looks uncertain, but--

SUSIEYeah.

WAYNEThe thing to remember with changingthe tank -- you have more time thanyou think. Dont rush it.


Godwin sits at the bottom of the chasm. He closes his eyes,accepting his fate. Then, through chapped lips--

GODWINNo.

He opens his eyes, filled with a renewed fire.

GODWIN (CONTD)Youre Geoffrey Godwin and yourenot going to die at the bottom ofsome pit.

He stands, shakily, and hobbles towards the chasm wall. Hegrabs a hand-hold and BEGINS TO CLIMB.

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Ameena works at a computer with one of the NEW ENGINEERS --theyre looking at diagnostic reports for the Libra. AnotherNEW ENGINEER and Singh (the fourth member of Waynes originalteam) pass in and out of the ship, making repairs.

Kat storms into the room, furious. She grabs Ameenas arm and pulls her aside.

KATWanna hear something funny?

AMEENA Ive got things I could be--

KATDillard was really upset this

morning.

AMEENA So?

KATI guess he spent all yesterdayfixing the comm system. Only todayits down again.

AMEENA (dismissive)

Its Dillard--

KATThe signal booster. You swappedit.

(off Ameenas silence)Should I check the serial numbers?

AMEENA I cant do it. I cant stay here.I dont want to die out there.

She gestures outside, towards the grave she was looking atearlier. Kat catches her meaning.

KATYoure not thinking straight. Whathappened to Howard was... If thehigher-ups find out about this,youll lose your pension. Not to

mention possible jail time.

AMEENA This is jail time.

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KAT(softening)

Im trying to help you out here.Just switch em back.

AMEENA

Yeah, how? Dillards working onthe sensors. Ill never be able toget in there without him noticing.

KATPlease. Its Dillard.


Godwin climbs towards the ledge. Its a tremendous effort.He looks up -- hes getting close. Gritting his teeth, hepushes onward. Finally, his hand grasps the lip of theledge. He exerts the last of his strength--

AND HES ON THE LEDGE. He tries to catch his breath, but hisairs gone. He checks his oxygen gauge -- hes seeing spots,but he can tell its flat.

He PASSES OUT.


The rover rumbles over the uneven terrain. Susie pokes Belland then moves her hand across her throat -- kill it.

Bell pulls the rover to a stop.

SUSIE (THROUGH HEADSET)This is the spot.

Bell pulls out a set of binoculars and looks around -- butthere are no clues to Godwins whereabouts. Besides the HILLin the distance, the area is flat.

BELL (THROUGH HEADSET)Hes not here. And the windsruined any tracks. Which direction

was he moving?

Susie points towards the HILL in the distance.

SUSIEThink he went up that hill?

BELLIf he did, he kept going.

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SUSIEWait a sec--

She manipulates her map, narrows her eyes.

SUSIE (CONTD)

Son of a--! I know where he is.INT. AIRLOCK ROOM - DAY

The engineers are still at work. Margot ENTERS, nervous,scanning the room.

Kat notices her and crosses the room--

MARGOTExcuse me. Is Wayne around?

KATSorry. I could let him know you

were looking for him--

MARGOTIll wait. Its-- Its important.

KATFair enough.

Dillard walks up to Kat--

DILLARDIm powering her up. I wanna testthe sensor array.

KATSounds good.

DILLARD(into his headset)

Do it to it.

LOUD NOISES as the ship comes online. Something soundsdistinctly WRONG. Dillard glances at Kat -- weird . Then--

KA-KOOM!! An EXPLOSION from inside the ship--KAT

Get down!

She dives to the floor as A MASSIVE PLUME OF FIRE ANDSHRAPNEL SHOOTS OUT OF THE SHIPS DOORWAY AND INTO THE ROOM!

END OF ACT THREE

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ACT FOUR

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Rebecca hangs a MEZUZAH in her doorway and steps back to lookat her handiwork -- its odd, juxtaposed with the industrial-

strength cement walls -- a reminder that this inhospitableplace is now HOME.

THOOM--! The muffled sound of an explosion, from thedirection of the airlock room.

Rebecca sprints towards the explosion, pushing past a fewconfused and curious COLONISTS. As she rounds the corner,she sees Todd, running in the same direction.


They get to the doorway and stop short -- the room is like a warzone. Debris litters the ground; thick smoke hangs in the

air -- glimpses of Singh performing CPR on one of the newengineers and Ameena, staggering, coughing, a few minor cuts.

TODDJesus.

Then--

KATHelp!

--And Rebeccas in motion. She gets to Singh and pauses--

REBECCA You know what youre doing?

SINGHIm trained in first aid.

Rebecca nods and continues onward to Kat, unharmed, kneelingnext to Margot and Dillard. Both are unconscious, butMargots wounds are more serious. Rebecca crouches--

REBECCA

Stand back.She starts to examine Dillard. As she does--

REBECCA (CONTD)What happened?

KATThere was an explosion on the ship.

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Rebecca decides Dillards okay and shifts her attention toMargot -- she doesnt like what she sees.

REBECCA She caught a lot of shrapnel.

KATShould we move her to the medicalbay?

REBECCA Are you insane? Shes not goinganywhere until Ive stopped some ofthe bleeding.

She looks back at Dillard and makes a snap assessment--

REBECCA (CONTD)(shouting to Ameena)

Hey!

Ameena looks over, clearly in shock.

REBECCA (CONTD)Come here.

She wanders over, sees Dillard and Margot--

AMEENA Oh my...

REBECCA Hey -- focus!

Nothing. Rebecca SMACKS HER IN THE FACE--

REBECCA (CONTD)Pull yourself together.

(re: Dillard)I need you two to help him to the

medical bay. Can you do that?

AMEENA Can I--? Yes. I can do that.

REBECCA (indicating Margot)

Im gonna stay with her. This isimportant -- I need you to bring me

my kit. Her life depends on it.

Kat and Ameena hoist Dillard onto their shoulders and headout. Rebecca looks over and sees Todd, with his videocamera, recording the whole thing.

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REBECCA (CONTD)Oh, no way.


The rover sends up a spray of dust as Bell pulls it to a halt

in front of the chasm.Bell and Susie climb out of the rover and walk to the edge.They look down and see Godwin, lying on the ledge.

BELL (VIA COMM)Mr. Godwin--

Nothing. Susie pulls a tether from the rover and clips it toa carabiner on her suit. She crouches by the lip of thechasm and LOWERS HERSELF IN.

She looks at Godwins oxygen gauge.

SUSIECould take that spare.

Bell retrieves the tank from the rover. He walks to the lip,passes the tank to Susie, and then drops down himself.

In one motion, Susie removes the empty tank and tries toattach the new one to Godwins suit. But she moves too fast,and some oxygen escapes from the tank before its sealed.Its half a second but its enough--

THE OXYGEN TANK SHOOTS THROUGH THE AIR, BOUNCES OFF THE CHASMWALL, AND FALLS TO THE BOTTOM.

SUSIE (CONTD)Dammit. Im going down!

BELLWait--!

Susie JUMPS OFF THE LEDGE. Bell stands there, stunned.

A moment later, Susie climbs back onto the ledge with theoxygen tank in one hand.

BELL (CONTD)I said nothing flashy.

He grabs the tank and CAREFULLY attaches it to Godwins suit.He checks the oxygen gauge -- its low but itll do for now.

Godwin takes a few breaths and coughs. Susie grins.

40.


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BELL (CONTD)Great, lets haul him up.

Susie glances into the chasm.

SUSIE

Not yet--INT. MEDICAL BAY - DAY

Kat and Ameena help Dillard onto a bed. Kat stands by thebed while Ameena begins to gather Rebeccas tools.

AMEENA (nodding at Dillard)

I assume youre done defending him?

Kat looks towards Ameena. As she does, Dillards eyes open.Hes conscious in time to hear--

KAT(sadly)

Yeah. You were right about him the whole time.

Just then, Wayne ENTERS THE ROOM--

WAYNEI heard a commotion -- What thehells going on?

Kat and Ameena, taken by surprise, glance at each other andthen at Wayne -- neither wants to be the one to tell him.

DILLARD (O.S.)(weakly)

Im sorry, Chief.

The three spin to face him--

DILLARD (CONTD)Its all my fault.


Rebecca shouts to Todd--

REBECCA What are you doing?!

TODDMy job?

41.


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REBECCA Cmere--!

She glances at Singh, whos resuscitated the other engineer--

REBECCA (CONTD)

Get him to the medical bay and thenstay there.

Singh nods and leaves. Todd arrives at Rebeccas side.

REBECCA (CONTD)Put down the camera and help me.

She continues to work as they talk--

TODDIm not a doctor. Ill do moregood by documenting--

REBECCA Cut the j-school bullshit! This

woman is dying.

Todd looks at Margot -- that wobbly feeling comes back.

TODDI-- I dont think--

REBECCA You can take pictures of her butyou cant help me save her life?

Todd looks at her, ashamed--

TODDOkay... what do I do?

REBECCA I need you to apply pressure here--

Just then, WAYNE RUSHES INTO THE ROOM -- Ameena chases him,carrying Rebeccas kit.

AMEENA I couldnt stop him--

Wayne sees Margot--

WAYNEMargot!

He runs towards her. Rebecca sees him -- she stands up andgets in his way--

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REBECCA You cant be in here.

WAYNEShes my wife!

REBECCA I dont care!(to Ameena)

Bring the kit over here.(back to Wayne)

Im trying to save her and youregetting in my way.

They face off for a beat. Todd steps in.

TODD(calming)

Chief Qing, listen to me. Nobodystrying to keep you away from your

wife. Just-- right now, theres not much you can do to help.

Wayne gets it and steps back.

WAYNESorry. Of course.

Rebecca glances at Todd, appreciative but incapable ofshowing it. She returns to Margot and starts digging throughher kit. Todd turns to Wayne--

TODDShes in good hands.

He kneels next to Rebeccas side to help. Wayne watches,concerned.

EXT. MARS SURFACE - BRADBURY - DAY

Bell, Susie, and Godwin (awake, color returning to his face)ride in the rover, heading back towards Bradbury. The HuttonLander is strapped the back of the rover. As they approach,they see THICK SMOKE surr.

SUSIEOh my god.

Susie hits a few buttons.

BELLCall Qing.

43.


45/59

SUSIEAlready on it.

All they get is STATIC.

GODWIN

We need to get closer.INT. AIRLOCK ROOM - DAY

Rebecca works to stabilize Margot on the floor, Todd helpingas best he can -- hes hanging in there. Wayne arrives from the other side of the room.

WAYNEIve sealed off the airlock to theLibra. Is she--?

REBECCA Im working on it.

(coughing)You cant do anything about thesmoke?

WAYNEWed have to flush the whole room --and I cant do that with you inhere.

Rebecca finishes applying a bandage.

REBECCA Then I guess nows as good a timeas any.

(looking up)Tell me we have a stretcher.


Rebecca, Todd, and Wayne rush in, the men carrying Margot ona stretcher.

Kat stands next to Dillard, recovering with a cup of water.Singh is with the new engineer, arm now in a sling.

REBECCA Everyone out. Now.

She looks at Dillard--

REBECCA (CONTD)You good?

(before he can respond)Then you too.

44.


46/59

Singh starts to leave but she bars his way with her arm.

REBECCA (CONTD)Youre my new surgical assistant.Congratulations. Get some gloves.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Wayne, Kat, Todd and Dillard spill into the hallway. Theyrea bit shaken up, especially Wayne. But Todd is energized.

TODD--when I saw what had happened, Iput down my camera and ran to help--

Theres something disconcerting about the ease with which helies. Kat clocks it and gives him a sideways glance. Butbefore she can call him on it, AMEENA RUNS UP TO THEM.

AMEENA Wayne -- Godwins trying to get youon the comm.

It takes a moment for this to register. Godwins alive!

WAYNEThey actually found him...

(then)Ill deal with that. Ameena, youflush the airlock room -- use the Bvents so we dont pelt the Libra

with shrapnel. And then I want adamage assessment. Cooper, youhelp her. I need to know if theairlocks are still secure.

Ameena and Kat nod.

TODDIs there anything I can do?

But the engineers are already splitting up.

TODD (CONTD)

Okay, then. Ill just wait here.He looks down at his video camera--

INT. REC ROOM - DAY

Wayne and Dillard rush in. Wayne carries a laptop, which heplaces on a table and opens.

45.


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WAYNEGeoff--?

GODWIN (VIA COMM)(heavy static)

Wayne, whats going on?

WAYNEThere was an explosion on theLibra.

EXT. MARS SURFACE - DAY - INTERCUT

Godwin sits in the rover with Bell and Susie.

GODWINThe airlocks--?

WAYNEI have people checking them as wespeak. For now, I want you to getto the habitat unit.

Godwin looks to the two nearby capsules, one of which is thehabitat unit--

GODWINWe can do that.

WAYNEGeoff, Margot-- She...

He pauses.

GODWINWhat--?

WAYNEIts bad.

Bell, listening, takes this news like a sucker-punch, butcomposes himself before anyone can notice.

GODWIN

Im sorry.WAYNE

Get to the hab. Ill call you whenI know more about the airlock.

Off Godwin, wishing he could do more.

46.


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Rebecca sticks a needle in Margots arm. Singh standsnearby, awaiting instructions.

Margot stirs--

MARGOTWayne... I have to tell--

REBECCA Shh... Im just taking some blood.

(to Singh)Were going to need to put herunder. Get me some propofol.

Singh nods, goes to it.

Rebecca takes the blood and puts it in a centrifuge. The machine spits out some data on a screen. She looks at the

result, looks surprised--

SINGHIs something wrong?

REBECCA Nothing to worry about.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Wayne paces outside the medical bay, anxious and overwhelmed.


In a SERIES OF SHOTS: Rebecca, intense, operates on Margot.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Wayne sits against a wall. Rebecca STEPS INTO THE CORRIDOR.He looks up at her expectantly.

REBECCA Your wife is stable.

WAYNECan I talk to her?

REBECCA Theres no good way to say this --shes in a coma. Im sorry.

The color drains from Waynes face--

47.


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WAYNEOh. So what does that mean--?

REBECCA Its impossible to tell. She could

wake up tomorrow or, well...

She stops, not wanting to finish the dark thought.

WAYNEThank you, doctor.

But Rebecca just stands there, looking at her shoes. Waynecan tell theres something else--

WAYNE (CONTD)What is it?

REBECCA Shes two months pregnant.

Off Wayne, shocked, betrayed, and struggling to process allof this information...

END OF ACT FOUR

48.


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ACT FIVE

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Rebecca walks down the corridor, barely holding it together.She stops at her quarters and stands in the door jamb. She

HITS THE WALL with her fists. It doesnt help.Coming down the hall, Todd sees her--

TODDHey, I was looking for you--

(noticing)Are you alright?

REBECCA Im fine.

She quickly opens her door and tries to step through.

TODD(genial)

You dont get off that easy--

He grabs her shoulder and she turns to face him.

REBECCA What do you want from me?!

TODDWha--? Nothing. I just thoughtyou might need someone to talk to.

REBECCA You know what I need?

Then shes KISSING HIM. Hes shocked, but not opposed.

INT. REBECCAS QUARTERS - DAY

Todd falls back on Rebeccas bed as she closes her door. Shecrosses the room and climbs on top of him.

TODD

Rebecca--Rebecca puts her hand on his mouth.

REBECCA Shut up.

49.


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EXT. MARS SURFACE - HABITAT UNIT - DAY

The rover comes to a halt in front of the two cylindricalhabitat units. Godwin, Bell, and Susie get out of the roverand walk over to one of the units airlock -- Bell and Susiecarry the lander. They pull a lever and the airlock opens.

One by one, they step into the opening.IN THE BACKGROUND, smoke shoots out of a vent above Bradburyas Ameena and Kat flush the airlock room.

INT. HABITAT UNIT - DAY

The inner airlock door opens. Godwin, Bell, and Susie stepinto the habitat and remove their helmets. Theyre in acommon area -- a kitchen table and a counter along the far

wall for food preparation. The room is clearly well-used--

BELLThis place is a mess.

GODWINThey lived in here -- Wayne and histeam. For a year while they builtBradbury.

Its the first time theyve really thought about how hard it must have been for the group.

SUSIEDamn.

The room suddenly feels claustrophobic.

INT. CORRIDOR - DAY

Outside the airlock room, Ameena looks at a screen next tothe door. Something blinks green -- which is all she needsto see. She hits the screen and the door whooshes open.


Ameena rushes into the room, with Kat close behind. Thefloor is still covered with debris, but the air is smoke-

free. Ameena urgently crosses the room to the airlock hatchthat leads to the Libra.

KATYou cant go in there--

AMEENA I need to know.

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KATAmeena -- look outside.

Ameena walks to the nearby window and looks out at thespaceship. Its heavily damaged -- the thing is clearly notgoing anywhere, nor is it safe to enter. Ameena just stares.

Kat looks at the screen next to the other airlock and thentaps her headset--

KAT (CONTD)Wayne, weve got extensive damageto the Libra, but the rooms gotpressure and airlock two is fine.You can tell Godwin to come on in.

She turns to Ameena, who is starting to cry--

AMEENA Were not going home for a longtime, are we?

She falls into Kats arms -- Kat embraces her.

KATWell get through this. Its goingto be okay.

INT. HABITAT UNIT - DAY

Bell prowls the room, then WALKS UPSTAIRS. Godwin and Susiesit at the table. She glares at him.

GODWINI see you got your lander.

SUSIEShould I thank you? For poaching

my project and nearly gettingyourself killed?

(then, realizing)Please tell me this isnt about

what I said in the cafeteria.

GODWINI thought we might be able tosalvage its signal booster.

SUSIEYou didnt have to gone alone.

GODWINIt was my problem to fix.

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SUSIEYknow -- you asked me the wrongquestion before.

GODWINOh yeah?

SUSIEIt doesnt matter what they thinkabout you. Sure, they all havejobs. But were on Mars. Theyneed more than that -- somethingonly you can give them. A purpose.

Godwin digests this. He glances at the lander on the floor.

GODWINThe laboratorys in the other hab.What dyou say we open that thingup and see whats inside?

Bell re-enters the room--

BELLDont even think about it. Thatlanders property of the U.S.Government.

SUSIEYoure no fun.

BELLIts treason. Besides, I justheard from Qing. Were good to go.

Susie takes one last look at the lander. She turns, but theCAMERA LINGERS ON THE MACHINE for another moment -- whateversecrets it holds will have to wait.


Godwin, Bell, and Susie step into the airlock room and beginto remove their suits. Wayne and Dillard greet them.

GODWINWayne, I need--

WAYNEA damage report: the Libra isheavily damaged -- likely beyondrepair, though we can probablysalvage a lot of her parts.

52.


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GODWINWayne--

WAYNEIn terms of personnel -- nocasualties, a few minor injuries.

Lopez has a broken arm, Dillard--DILLARD

Im good.

WAYNEAnd then Margot...

But he cant say it. And Dillard takes advantage of thesilence, cuts in--

DILLARDMr. Godwin, I need to apologize. I

was working on the sensor array andtried to power the ship up--

GODWIN(cutting him off)

Well worry about placing blamelater.

WAYNEI plan to personally oversee--

GODWINWayne. I wasnt asking for areport. Im sure you have thatunder control. You can launch yourinvestigation tomorrow.

Wayne looks at him, confused.

GODWIN (CONTD)Can you gather everyone together?

INT. REBECCAS QUARTERS - DAY

Rebecca stands, getting dressed, utterly closed down again.

Todd lies in her bed, baffled.TODD

Not that Im complaining, but areyou gonna tell me what this wasreally about?

Rebecca glances at him -- nope.

Before Todd can press the issue, THE P.A. SYSTEM ACTIVATES--

53.


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WAYNE (OVER P.A.)Everyone please report to the recroom. This is mandatory.

INT. REC ROOM - DAY

All of the colonists -- about thirty people altogether --gather in the room and sit at the cafeteria tables. Theresa lot of chatter -- word of the explosion is spreadingthrough the colony. Finally, Godwin limps into the room andeveryone quiets down. He stands in front of the group.

GODWINHeres the deal -- There was anexplosion aboard the Libra. Theship is, for all intents andpurposes, totaled.

In the audience, Dillard bows his head, blaming himself.

GODWIN (CONTD)Furthermore--

(looking to Wayne)--Our external communicationsystems are down and its unlikelythat we will be able to repair them until the next supply drop.

--And now its Ameenas turn to feel guilty.

GODWIN (CONTD)We have no contact with Earth. Weare on our own.

Murmurs ripple through the group. Colonists turn to eachother in fear.

GODWIN (CONTD)Today was a bad day. I wish Icould tell you that the worst isover, but I cant. There will be

more bad days. But the worst daysare when its most important toremember why were here -- its not

the deuterium. Thats a means toan end. No, were here because wehave been given a rare opportunity -- the chance to create a new world,a better world, for ourselves--

PAN TO Wayne--

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GODWIN (CONTD)--And for those who will follow inour footsteps. As weve all beenreminded today, it will not beeasy. The challenge is too greatfor any of us to tackle alone.

Were going to have to worktogether, now more than ever. If we do that, we will succeed and --

one day -- prosper.

He pauses.

GODWIN (CONTD)All nonessential tasks can be puton hold. Tonight, take a breather.Most of us are new here and it

would be good to get our feetfirmly on the ground. Tomorrow, wego back to work.

(then)Thats all.

Nobody really knows what to make of this impromptu speech.And before they make up their minds, Godwin walks out. Onhis way, he glances at Susie, who smiles. He nods -- Thatmore like it?

INT. QING QUARTERS - NIGHT

Wayne sits in his chair, looking out the tiny window. A KNOCK ON THE DOOR -- he ignores it.

Godwin opens the door and ENTERS. He crosses the room andsits on the desk.

GODWINYou did a great job with thisplace.

WAYNEThanks.

Its clear that all is forgiven between these two old

friends. Finally--WAYNE (CONTD)

Shes pregnant--

GODWINI had no idea--

55.


57/59

WAYNE--I guess Im supposed to feelbetrayed, but I look at her lyingthere and... I cant do it.

GODWIN

There arent rules for this stuff.WAYNE

Is it my fault? If I hadnt cometo Mars...

GODWINYou cant blame yourself. She madeher own choices.

WAYNEI just wish I could talk to her.So she could explain it to me.

A beat. Theres nothing Godwin can say.

WAYNE (CONTD)Sorry I punched you.

GODWINIt happens.

INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Godwin and Bell walk towards each other.

GODWINCaptain -- I owe you an apology.

BELLNo need--

GODWINNo. I was wrong about you. Thanksfor coming after me.

BELLIts my job.

Godwin smirks, then looks around cautiously--

GODWINCan we talk somewhere more private?

INT. THE DOME - NIGHT

The two walk near the wall of the dome, looking at the still-smoking remains of the Libra.

56.


58/59

BELLWhat is it?

GODWINThe explosion. Im not convincedit was an accident.

BELLYou suspect sabotage?

Godwins look says enough. Bell thinks it through.

GODWINWill you look into it for me?

BELLIll get started immediately.

GODWINGood.

Godwin heads for the exit, pauses--

GODWIN (CONTD)I came to you with this because Itrust you. Be discrete.

BELLOf course.

Godwin exits. Bell watches him leave, concerned.

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT

Kat walks down the hallway, whistling. She is GRABBED andpulled into--

INT. MEDICAL BAY - NIGHT

The hand belongs to BELL. Kat shakes her arm free--

KATJust the man I was looking for--

Bell closes the door--BELL

Godwin thinks the explosion wassabotage. Why would he think that?

KATBecause it was?

57.


59/59

BELL(lowering his voice)

What?

KATI saw an opening and I took it.

Sorry I didnt give you the heads-up -- there wasnt time. But Ihave to say it worked out prettydamn well. The colonys totallyisolated and that idiot Dillardstaking the fall for it.

She jokily sticks out her hands for handcuffs--

KAT (CONTD)Unless you plan to turn me in.

Bell looks over at Margot, comatose in the bed--

BELLThis was supposed to be bloodless.

KATNothings perfect.

Bell struggles to maintain his cool--

BELLTell me this, lieutenant: how are

we supposed to contact HQ withcommunications down?

KATWere not. Brass already gave meour marching orders. The nextphase of Operation Take Over ThisGodforsaken Rock and Plant anAmerican Flag On Top? Youre gonnalike this--

(grinning)Take down Geoffrey Godwin.

Off Bell, confused and conflicted...

END OF EPISODE

58.

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Roberts NewWorld