Solar II Screenplay

7/27/2019 Solar II Screenplay

1/24

SOLAR II

Written by

Terry Starker

217 Huskey PlaceGatlinburg, TN37738Home (865) 436-6046Cell (865) 771-0477


2/24

EXT. SPACE

The sun shines bright. Several solar storms are emittingsolar flares into the coldness of space. A large solar bursterupts from the surface of the Sun and heads towards Earth.

A single communications satellite flying above Earth isknocked out of orbit from the shock wave. The satellitebegins to burn up in orbit as it falls to Earth.

Some radio and television signals are interrupted on Earth.

OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE

EXT. AERONAUTICAL COMPANY NORTH DAKOTA - DAY

Three black sedans speed past a business sign heading towards

the main building entrance.

Sign reads - Branson Aeronautical Engineering Company

INT. WORKSHOP - CONTINUOUS

JOHN WINSTON, male, 38, clean shaven, medium height, withbrown hair, wearing nice slacks and a polo shirt. He isworking at a large table with electronic equipment neatlyplaced in various areas. There is a lot of electronicequipment spread out around the room.

With phone to his ear John is talking to his wife SHANNA, 37,homemaker. The television NEWS channel is on and can be heardin the background.

T.V. MALE VOICE (O.C.)Is global warming over? Scientistsare at odds with the weather, andnow the Earth may be cooling downnot warming up.

John reaches up to lower the volume to the television.

T.V. FEMALE VOICE (O.C.)A scientist has discovered thereason some television and radiosignals are...

The conversation continues between John and Shanna.

SHANNA (O.C.)So, when are you coming home?


3/24

JOHNI... I have some things I have todo first. It may take me longerthen I expected.

SHANNA (O.C.)

What things? (Beat) Never mind,John. What do you want me to tellthe kids?

JOHNTell them, Ill see them later, andI am sorry I will miss havingdinner with them.

SHANNA (O.C.)You have a problem, John. The kidsneed a father, and we are about tolose our home.

JOHNYou dont need to remind me aboutmy gambling problem. Just give me alittle more time.

SHANNA (O.C.)Thats all Ive been doing.

JOHNPlease dont make this any harderthen what it is for me Shanna. Ifeel alone at times.

SHANNA (O.C.)You are alone, John.

JOHNCan we just talk about this later?

SHANNA (O.C.)Goodbye, John.

CLICK, Shanna hangs up on John.

JOHNShanna, Shanna.

STEVE, male, 42, a well-groomed, tall thin man, walks intothe room. He overhears part of the phone conversation betweenJohn and Shanna while walking in. John hangs up the receiver.

STEVESo... what are you watching?

2.


4/24

JOHNNothing right now.

Steve is attentively watching the headlines scrolling acrossthe television screen.

STEVEDo you really believe what theseweather forecasters are telling youthese days? All they talk about isthis global warming crap?

JOHNGlobal warming is something we allhave to live with, Steve. However,the way the climate is changinglately, I have a feeling somedaywell be calling it global cooling.

STEVEYou are always trying to outthinkeveryone.(Beat)I see you cant get away from thosedebts you have.

John looks at Steve.

JOHNWhat are you talking about?

STEVE

I heard you talking to Shanna onthe phone again.

MAJOR HICKAM, male, 53, and LIEUTENANT PARRY, male, 24,dressed in Air Force uniforms walk into the workshop, theystop in front of John. Both of them FLASH official militaryidentification cards.

HICKAMAre you, Mr. John Michael Winston?

John carefully nods.

HICKAM (CONTD)Sir, will you come with us please?

Steve tries to move between the two Air Force men and John.

STEVEWhats this all about?

3.


5/24

JOHNSteve, stay out of it.

HICKAMSir, please come with us. I assureyou, it is a matter of national

security.

JOHNI dont understand, why me?

HICKAMBecause, you have a specific skillwe require.

JOHN(Laughs)A skill? Can you elaborate?

PARRYNot at this time.

JOHNOkay, then I will entertain thisidea of national security.(Beat)You guys can leave.

Hickam and Parry are not amused and stand in front of Johnwithout an expression on their face.

HICKAM

Sir, I am afraid you have no choicein the matter.

JOHNI am being forced to go with you?

HICKAMI prefer to think that I amsuggesting you come with us.

John motions his hand towards the exit.

JOHN(Smirks)Well, lead the way.

EXT. U.S. HEADQUARTERS INTERNATIONAL SPACE ORGANIZATION - DAY

The same three black sedans speed through a guarded gate infront of the International Space Organization. An Air Forceguard salutes as they drive by.

4.


6/24

INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY

John enters a bleak looking room with a few military pictureson the wall. There are several Air Force personnel sitting inthe room quietly talking.

TECHNICAL SERGEANT HOOPER, male, 22, head shaven, bony cheekswith a smug look, watches John walk in. TECHNICAL SERGEANTALLEN, male, 25, husky build with a flattop, nods his headand elbows Hooper.

HOOPERHey, who brought the new civi in?

COLONEL MCLEARY, male, 45, short black hair with grayhighlights, looks over at Hooper.

MCLEARYDo you have a problem with a

civilian on this mission, Sergeant?

Hooper leans back in his chair trying to keep his composure.

HOOPERNo, sir.

MAJOR ROLKOV, male, 37, staunch looking with dark eyes, leansover towards Mcleary.

ROLKOVDo you have any idea what thismission is all about, Colonel?

MCLEARYI havent heard anything yet,Major.

ROLKOVThe upper chain of command has beenkeeping pretty quiet lately.

MCLEARYI know.

ROLKOVI dont like it when I am not incontrol.

MCLEARYIm just glad to have you back onmy team again Major.

5.


7/24

FIRST LIEUTENANT DANSIG, male, 38, wears small round glassesand has dark brown hair, leans forward from the table behindMcLeary and Rolkov.

DANSIGIts odd to see the two ranking

officers of any mission, not knowanything about what we are about todo.

MCLEARYI would suggest for right now, youkeep your opinions to yourself,Lieutenant.

DANSIG(Firm)I wouldnt think about anythingelse, Colonel.

MCLEARYMy apologies Lieutenant.

DANSIGNo offense taken, sir.

TECHNICAL SERGEANT THORP, female, 35, average built withshort dark hair, sitting quietly, notices Major Hickam walkinto the briefing room. She immediately stands at attention.

THORPAttention!

Everyone in uniform stands at attention. John finds an emptyseat near Thorp and sits down.

HICKAMHave a seat, and good morningeveryone. I cannot stress enoughhow secret this mission is. Fromnow on, nothing will be discussedoutside this room. If you have anyproblems, then I suggest you speakup now.

Hickam waits a few seconds. Nobody says a word.

HICKAM (CONTD)Good, now well get down tobusiness.

Behind Hickam a projector screen is lowered. Hickamintroduces a slide show about the mission. Several slidesshow the spaceship Astrum Navis, and the Sun.

6.


8/24

HICKAM (CONTD)Ladies and gentlemen, you all havebeen carefully selected for thismission known as Solar II.

FIRST LIEUTENANT COURT, male, 25, short stature, young

looking in his features, sitting attentively at the tablebehind John.

COURTWhat the hell is this Solar IIthingy.

TECHNICAL SERGEANT SMITH, male, 24, thin and scrawny, withshort blonde hair, hears Courts comment.

SMITHIf you will allow the Major tofinish his brief then maybe youll

know.

HICKAMThank you.

Smith stands slightly from his chair.

SMITHNo problem, sir.

ALLEN(Whispers)I cant believe the people they let

into the military these days.

Rolkov turns to face Allen.

ROLKOVIts a sign of a better way of lifefor us all. Wouldnt you agreeSergeant?

ALLEN(Nodding)Yes, sir.

A few giggles are heard in the room. Hickam waits for theroom to quiet again and continues.

HICKAMSeveral years ago, scientistsdiscovered the sun was beginning torun out of fuel. It was doing this,by expelling its reserve energy inthe way of solar bursts.

7.

(MORE)


9/24

Now, youre probably askingyourself, what the hell a solarburst is?

HOOPERI know I am.

CAPTAIN REYNOLDS, male, 37, sports silver rimmed glassessmirks.

REYNOLDSA solar burst is expelled energyfrom the sun on a large scale.

HICKAMPrecisely, though our magneticsphere around the Earth keeps ussafe, these solar bursts aregetting stronger. The

reintroduction of the elementcarbon is believed, well, mightreinstate the suns natural cycle.

JOHNA catalyst.

THORPA what?

Hickam stops his lecture when he hears John speak up.

HICKAM

Do you have something to add to mylecture, Mr. Winston?

JOHNYes. In simple terms, carbon isconsidered a catalyst that allowsthe elements inside the sun to burnefficiently.

HICKAMQuite correct. Five years ago theworld space agencies came together

as a collective, now, known as theInternational Space Organization orISO. Several nations launchedmissiles at the sun with theintention to introduce a payload ofcondensed carbon.

8.

HICKAM (CONT'D)


10/24

JOHN(Whispers)The missiles didnt make it to theSun.

HICKAM

As you all can guess, the firstmission failed. The next mission,is planned to be manned by the tenindividuals in this room.

Various protests are heard in the room.

JOHNWhat?

HOOPER(Shaking head)No... no...

HICKAMAll right. Lets settle down.(Beat)I know you all didnt sign up forthis mission. I wont tell you, itwill be an easy one either, becauseit wont. If this mission fails, asthe first one did, then none of uswill have to worry about living onthis planet much longer.

SMITH

Why, what happens?

COURTArent you listening to anythingthe Major is saying, knuckle brain?

SMITHHey, Im listening.

JOHNThe Earth will be destroyed.

HICKAMYes, Mr. Winston. If this missionfails, the Earth will be destroyed.

McLeary raises his hand.

HICKAM (CONTD)Yes, Colonel McLeary.

9.


11/24

MCLEARYI want to know more about thisspaceship, the Astrum Navis.

HICKAMThe Astrum Navis is a missile

platform, designed to carry fiftyIntercontinental Ballistic Missilesto the sun. We need assistance withthe guidance systems onboard, andthe shield designs. This is whereMr. Winston comes in.

JOHNMe? What about somebody else?

HICKAMThere is no time to train anyoneelse on the intricate systems you

have been working with.

JOHNIll train them. It wont takelong.

HICKAMAs I said, there is no time. Ifthere is nothing further, you areall dismissed for your assignments.

Hickam nods to the airmen in the room. The room clears

quietly. John walks up to Hickam.

HICKAM (CONTD)Is there something you want out ofme, Mr. Winston.

JOHNI really am the only one who knowsanything about the systems I havebeen working on.

HICKAM

Yes, this is the very reason whyyou are needed on this mission. Icannot stress to you how many livesare at stake.

John slams his fists on the table next to him.

JOHNI cannot stress how terrified Iam....

10.


12/24

HICKAMYou stick with the senior militaryon the mission and they will assistyou.

JOHN

I want my family taken care of.

HICKAMIts already being done as wespeak.

JOHNWhat next?

HICKAMWhen in doubt, Mr. Winston, followthe military in your team. Theywill lead you to the medical

facility and make sure you areready.

JOHNI want to make a call.

HICKAMYou are not authorized to talk toanyone outside this facility.

John stares at Hickam as he turns around and heads towardsthe door with the everyone else. Hickam turns and looks atJohn.

HICKAM (CONTD)This way, Mr. Winston.

INT. MEDICAL FACILITY - CONTINUOUS

John follows Hickam and catch up to the rest of the crewsitting in chairs along the wall. Each person is pulled intoa separate room one at a time. A MALE DOCTOR looks at John.

MALE DOCTOR

Youre next.

John walks into the small plain white room with two chairsand a table. He sits done in one of the chairs.

MALE DOCTOR (CONTD)John Winston, engineer?

11.


13/24

JOHNUm, what I specialize in is sort ofclassified.

MALE DOCTORYes, or no.

JOHN(Hesitates)Yes.

MALE DOCTORGood. You may go.

JOHNWhat?(Beat)Am I getting a physical?

MALE DOCTOREverything has already been takencare of. You may go.

The doctor leaves the room through the door leaving Johnsitting by himself.

INT. MISSION PREP ROOM - NEXT DAY

John stands in line half behind the rest of the crew. Severalscientists are assisting with monitoring equipment. Everyonewho was in the briefing room, except Hickam, is half dressed

waiting to be hooked up to the equipment.

JOHNWhats this room?

MCLEARYThis is where we go to sleep.

Each member lie down on bed looking similar to a coffin witha curved glass top locking them in. John hesitates when hesees the glass lock shut.

JOHN(Shaking head)Im not going in there.

HICKAMIts all right Mr. Winston. Thereis a large glass top so you can seeout. There is nothing to fear.

12.


14/24

JOHNNo, Im afraid-

HICKAMI know. Ive read your file.

JOHNDont tell me, the government-

HICKAMHas a file on you, yes. We haveaddressed the fears ofclaustrophobia with the large glasscanopy. Please, take your timegetting in.

John nods his head in agreement. He then takes a deep breath,then lies down on the bed. The top of the canopy closes andlocks with a SWOOSH.

HICKAM (CONTD)Knock him out before he changes hismind. Were leaving sooner then weplanned.

SCIENTISTWhen?

HICKAMNow.

EXT. SPACE

THE SPACESHIP ASTRUM NAVIS FLIES THROUGH SPACE.

Subtitle: SOLAR II mission, 90 daysfrom Earth.

INT. SPACESHIP

POV person walking in spacesuit, he is looking at the names

on the sleeping chambers. BREATHING can be heard from thespacesuit. When the person reaches the last sleeping chamberhe looks at the man sleeping inside.

The person in the suit, pulls up a small pad showing theidentification of the person in the chamber. The name on thepad is different then on the chamber. The small pad shows theman in the chamber is a U.S. Marshal.

13.


15/24

The person in the spacesuit takes a small spike and slowlyshoves it through the seal around the chamber the U.S.Marshal is in. The sound of air escaping the chamber causesthe marshal to wake.

DANSIG

(Gasping for air, muffled voice)What are you doing? Stop! Help... Iknow... who... you...

VOICE (O.C.)(Raspy)You alone cannot stop me.

INT. SPACESHIP - LATER

John wakes up screaming. His sleeping chamber opens upimmediately, John is helped out by McLeary and Hooper. John

goes down to his knees and vomits on the deck.

HOOPEROh man, that's freakin cool.

THORPShut up, Hooper.

JOHN(Catching his breath)Whats going on?

MCLEARY

Youre a little delirious from theextended sleep in the chamber.

ROLKOVYou might be a little space sick.

John looks over to a body lying on the deck surrounded bySmith and Court.

JOHNWhat happened to him? Where are we?

ROLKOVYou might experience some loss ofyour temporary memory. It will comeback.

HOOPERYeah, soon.

14.


16/24

MCLEARYRight now, we are not sure whathappened. Looks like the sealsurrounding Dansigs sleepingchamber must have failed. I justhope he didnt suffer long.

HOOPER(Laughs)Failed? Man, what a way to go. Oneminute you are happy and breathing,the next, dead as a door nail.

Court walks up behind McLeary when she hears Hooper'scomments.

COURTShut up, Hooper. Youre such anass.

HOOPERMan, why is everyone telling me toshut up? Im just saying-

MCLEARYThats enough. Let me remind youthis could have been any one of us.

JOHNWhat? We could have suffocated inthese chambers?

MCLEARYNo, not exactly. The ship maintainsthe sleeping chambers to the properoxygen content. The rest of theship is depressurized for the firstpart of this voyage.

THORPUntil we are woke up.

JOHNShip?

ALLENYeah, remember, we are on a ship.

ROLKOVDon't worry. Your memory willslowly return. You've been sleepingfor three months.

15.


17/24

MCLEARYLets get freshened up, I dont wantto keep smelling any of you.

HOOPERYeah, you all smell like-

MCLEARYZip it, Hooper.(Beat)Get something to eat. We should begetting close to Venus in a fewhours.

INT. DINING HALL - LATER

The entire crew is sitting around a table with various platesof food and drinks. Different conversations unrelated to the

mission can be heard.

The ship rumbles. A glass half full of water falls off of thetable and smashes on the deck with a CRASH.

SMITHWhat the hell was that?

HOOPER(Sarcastic)Must be gas.

McLeary looks at Hooper.

HOOPER (CONTD)I know, shut up, Hooper.

ALLENWow, I thought I was going to haveto say that this time.

JOHNI think you have just experienced asmall sample of a solar burst.

MCLEARYThis far from the Sun? I suggestyou clarify your statement, Mr.Winston.

JOHNIt's possible. Remember, this shipis just a small seed flying throughspace.

16.

(MORE)


18/24

Unlike the planets in our solarsystem, we don't have a magneticfield and therefore don't have theability to deflect larger solarbursts away from the ship.

MCLEARYWhat can we do?

JOHNHope there is no burst that's toobig for us to handle?

HOOPERYou mean we're gonna die?

THORPShut the hell up, Hooper!

HOOPERMaybe you want to die out here, butI don't.

Rolkov moves in front of Hooper.

ROLKOVYou will maintain yourself,Sergeant Hooper. We don't need theextra drama onboard this ship.

HOOPERWhy are you getting after me for?

I'm just stating the facts.

ALLENYour facts are a little skewed.

Grumbles are heard from the rest of the crew.

MCLEARYOkay, that's enough from everyone.We will be making our approacharound Venus in order to make ourslingshot maneuver soon. I want all

stations prepped and ready.

Various acknowledgements are heard from the crew. John slowlyturns to walk away without saying anything.

MCLEARY (CONTD)Mr. Winston, may I have a word withyou for a moment?

John stops and turns to face McLeary.

17.

JOHN (CONT'D)


19/24

JOHNIs there something you need?

MCLEARYJust one thing. I have served witha few of these men and women before

being assigned on this mission.They are military and I know howthey work. While you are under thiscommand, I am in charge. Is thatclear?

JOHNDid I do something to offend you?

MCLEARYI just wanted to make my positionclear to you, Mr. Winston.

McLeary turns around and leaves John standing alone.

JOHN(Whispers)Yes, Colonel.

INT. CONTROL ROOM

Mcleary sits in the middle of the control room LOOKING at allof the equipment and controls. Allen and Thorp are checkingthe readings at their stations.

MCLEARYReport.

ROLKOVEverything seems to be working upto specifications Colonel.

MCLEARYVery well.

John walks into the control room. McLeary looks in hisdirection.

MCLEARY (CONTD)Mr. Rolkov, you have the con. Iwill be in my stateroom if I amneeded.(Beat)Mr. Winston, will you join me?

18.


20/24

McLeary makes a motion with his hand towards the door of thecontrol room. John smirks in Thorps direction and thenfollows McLeary.

INT. MCLEARYS STATEROOM

McLeary holds up a bottle of Vodka and motions to John whileholding two glasses in his other hand.

MCLEARYDrink?

JOHNNo, thanks. Ive quit drinking.

MCLEARYNobody ever quits drinking.

McLeary pours two glasses of Vodka.

JOHNWhy did you call me here Colonel?

McLeary clenches his lips together with a short pause.Swallows one drink of Vodka before answering John.

MCLEARYMr. Winston, I believe that it ismy responsibility to inform youthat the death of LieutenantDansing may have not been an

accident.

JOHNHas the rest of the crew beeninformed?

MCLEARYNo.

JOHNThen why tell me?(Beat)

Wait, you think-

MCLEARYNothing of the like. Right now youare the anomaly of this crewbecause you are the only civilianonboard.

JOHNIt may be a blessing.

19.


21/24

MCLEARYIve read your file and know whereyou have been. I dont believe youare a killer anymore then I reallybelieve you want to die.

John sits down in a nearby chair. He reaches over for thedrink McLeary offered him earlier. He downs a large portionof the Vodka and coughs.

JOHNSmooth.(Beat)So, you read my file. It doesntmean I am a threat.

MCLEARYOh, I know this or you wouldnt behere.

JOHNOkay, then back to my originalquestion. Why are you telling me?

McLeary leans over and hands a file to John.

MCLEARYThis file was in the safe when Icame to my stateroom.

John opens the file and shuffles through the pages.

MCLEARY (CONTD)You can see inside it discusses thefact that Dansing was not who wethought he was. In fact for somereason he is or rather was a U.S.Marshal.

JOHNStill, why involve me?

MCLEARYSimple. I may be the superior

officer onboard this ship, howeverthese men and women always followmy commands. You on the otherhand...

JOHNA civilian who doesnt fall underthe jurisdiction of the military.

20.


22/24

MCLEARYSomething like that. I just wantyou to keep an eye out and reportto me anything that may besuspicious.

The ship vibrates violently back and forth.

MCLEARY (CONTD)Another one of your solar bursts?

JOHNYes, but this one seems to be alittle more violent.

INT. CONTROL ROOM - LATER

Control room LIGHTS FLASHING on several control panels.

McLeary makes his way past Allen and Thorp who are manningthe flight sensors station.

MCLEARYWhat do we see out there Thorp?

THORPNothing but planet, sir.

MCLEARYFantastic, just the way I like it.

ALLEN

We are about to enter the planetsmagnetic sphere.

The ship SHUDDERS violently without warning. McLeary fallsagainst his chair.

MCLEARYReport!

ALLENI don't know what the hell justhappened.

MCLEARYCould it have been the magneticsphere?

John runs into the control room to relieve Allen from hisstation. Allen runs out of the control room and heads for thescience pod.

21.


23/24

ROLKOVColonel, we are in the planetsgravity. We're gaining speed.

John stares at the control panel at his station. He noticesseveral red lights on a panel that reads - HULL PRESSURE.

Another warning light reads - PERIMETER ALERT.

JOHN(Whispers)Holy crap.

MCLEARYExplain your scientific comment,Mr. Winston.

The ship shakes under the gravity. The ship moves fastertowards Venus.

JOHNMcLeary, we need to maneuver theship two degrees off this course.The hull is taking on tremendouspressure.

MCLEARYWe stay on our heading.

John makes his way over to McLeary.

JOHNYou don't understand. If we don't

turn the ship we will run rightinto the surface of the planet.

MCLEARYWe stay on course.

JOHNIf we do, we will die right here.

McLeary stares into the eyes of John for a good long time.

JOHN (CONTD)

Colonel!

MCLEARYYou better be right, Mr. Winston.

ALARMS sound all over the control room. John is back at hisstation sitting next to Thorp. Thorp is staring at a viewscreen.

22.


24/24

THORPWhat the hell is that?

JOHNColonel, we may have a biggerproblem then I previously thought.

MCLEARYNot right now, Mr. Winston. We'vealready altered the course as yousuggested.

JOHNThis could be a little worse. Thereis a massive solar burst headingour way at a high rate of speed.

23.

Documents

Solar II Screenplay