JamietheBastard
MemberOvomorphMay-01-2015 1:04 PMBy JamietheBastard.
Based on characters and situations created by: Dan O'bannon, Ron Shusett, H.R. Giger and James Cameron.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction and was written purely for my own enjoyment. (and that of those who would have liked a bit more Giger and Alien with their Prometheus).
PROLOGUE
ALPHA MENSAE STELLAR SYSTEM - FOURTH PLANET - LV 416 - WEYLAND/YUTANI DEEP SURVEY MISSION - EXT. GEOLOGICAL CORE DIG SITE - DAY
It is a bright sunny day on a surprisingly Earth like planet, orbiting a Sol like star. Sandy desert, minimal vegetation, Nitrogen/Oxygen atmosphere, though substantially lower in oxygen than Earth, due to the sparser vegetation. Oceanic life exists in abundance, some amphibious alligator like predators prey on primitive primates and reptiles, insectoid life is abundant. Mission Geologist Ralston and Mining Engineer Takamura are running a core sample drill, placing cores into ore sample canisters. Ship's Synthetic Elias is monitoring the seismic scanning equipment. Mission Security Pvt. Vossler is keeping watch for any activity from indigenous predators.
ELIAS. V.O.
The Geiger counter is registering a rise in radiation levels, I'm reading Uranium 234. Looks like quite sizable deposits.
Elias collects a lead lined ore sample container. With long handled tongs he lifts the radioactive cores into the sample case. Vossler's motion tracker beeps, he studies the readout.
VOSSLER. V.O.
I've got movement, coming from the river, 50 metres. Looks like another one of Wally Gator's cousins is getting curious.
Vossler puts down his M-40 Pulse Rifle and picks up a flamethrower resting next to him. He walks toward the threat.
CUT TO:
VOSSLER'S POV - HEADS UP DISPLAY - VISOR, COMBAT SPACESUIT
The predator is outlined in Vossler's HUD, size, range, speed.
CUT TO:
Vossler triggers a burst of the flamethrower toward the advancing beast, the creature retreats from the fire then begins to advance toward them from a new direction. Vossler moves closer and triggers a sustained burst from the flamethrower, advancing toward the creature and forcing it's retreat. It gives up and returns to the water.
VOSSLER. V.O.
So did we score big this time folks?
RALSTON. V.O.
Is cash all you ever think about Jarhead? What about the satisfaction that you have helped humanity push back the boundaries of science just a little bit?
VOSSLER. V.O.
As long as they express their appreciation in monetary terms, I will be very satisfied.
TAKAMURA. V.O.
And in answer to your query, Hell yes we have scored big.The planet is the perfect distance from it's sun, abundant mineral resources, sea life, minimal terraforming required. A potential new Colony. The place has a few drawbacks, It's slightly larger than Earth hence the slightly higher gravity, it'll be a few decades before anything but mountain goats will be able to breathe here. But to the company this place is a potential gold mine, and we've all got guaranteed shares.
CAPTAIN HUNTER. V.O.
Hunter to survey team. Time to wrap it up. Pack up all your equipment., McAndrews is bringing the Rover for pick up. I'm scheduling 4 days R n' R before we hit the freezers and head for our final destination: Zeta II Reticuli. Hunter out.
RALSTON. V.O.
OK let's pack it up people, 1st beer's are on me.
CUT TO:
A starfield fills the screen, one of the stars in the centre appears to get larger and brighter. It's a spaceship coming toward us.
A LEGEND APPEARS ONSCREEN:
Weyland/Yutani Deep Survey Vessel USCSS "KURTZ"
COURSE: Entering Zeta II Reticuli System.
MISSION: Mining/Terraforming survey of planets suitable for commercial exploitation.
CREW: 5 Flght Crew, 4 Survey Crew, 1 Weyland-Yutani Rep, 2 Person Colonial Marine Security Detail.
TIME: November 2116
MISSION TIMETABLE: 5 Years, elapsed time 3 Years 8 Months.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - BRIDGE
CLOSE UP ON:
Computer monitor. The screen flickers to life, a blinking cursor starts to spell out a message: Transmission Intercepted - Co-ord: Asc 29 degrees 2 mins. Dec 30 degrees 8 mins. Acoustical beacon burst transmission, repeats at 12 second intervals.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - GALLEY
Elias, the ship's synthetic is prepping the galley, making coffee, taking food-pacs from storage lockers etc. The Captain, who is revived before the rest of the crew, walks in yawning.
ELIAS.
Morning Captain, coffee?
HUNTER.
Thank you Mr. Elias
He takes the coffee and drinks.
HUNTER.
What's our status?
ELIAS.
We're entering the Zeta II Reticuli system Captain. The computer has detected an incoming signal, an acoustical burst transmission that repeats at 12 second intervals. The source is a moon orbiting the 3rd planet in the system. The designation is LV 427.
HUNTER.
There are no outposts in this system, no communications relay this far out.
ELIAS.
It does not correspond to any code in the ship's database, registered or unregistered.
HUNTER.
It could be an illegal mining operation, a scrambled signal, an unbroken code.
ELIAS.
the ECIU program is workng on a translation, but we have to allow the possibility that the transmission is of extraterrestrial origin.
HUNTER.
OK let me hear it.
Elias presses controls on a comm panel and the signal is replayed: 12 seconds of very strange noise. A bone chilling, inhuman sound which repeats over and over.
HUNTER.
My God, I've never heard anything like that before. Launch a probe Mr. Elias, let's take a closer look at that moon.
ELIAS.
Aye Sir.
HUNTER.
And wake up the crew, this definitely warrants further investigation.
CLOSE UP ON:
The Captain as he listens to the transmission playback, a concerned expression on his face.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - HYPERSLEEP VAULT.
12 coffin like Hypersleep chambers, one already open and empty.
CLOSE UP ON:
Monitor Screen: The legend: INITIATING CREW RESUSCITATION PROCEDURE.
CUT TO:
The Hypersleep capsules begin to cycle open slowly, machinery whines, the lids open to reveal 10 peole in suspended animation. They slowly begin to awaken.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - GALLEY
The revived crew sit at tables drinking coffee and eating breakfast. A low hum of conversation pervades the galley.
KELLY.
I can't wait to get back to Earth and get me a decent cup of coffee.
McANDREWS.
Fuck the coffee, I'm looking forward to eating real food again. This recycled crap is poison.
BROUSSARD.
Better get used to it, we've still got 16 months before we see Earth again McAndrews.
McANDREWS.
This is our last stop Broussard. Five or six weeks of work, then we're on turnaround. Back to the ol' freezers and sleep the fourteen months back to Earth.
VOSSLER.
Fourteen months in hypersleep dreaming of how I'm gonna spend all the cash i've made. Five years double backpay plus mission bonus and shares, I can afford to retire in luxury. Hell, might even buy myself a piece of real estate on Mars.
VOIGHT.
Yeah I can just see it now, you living right next door to old man Weyland.
The shipwide intercom crackles and people stop to listen.
HUNTER V.O.
OK people finish up ya coffee it's time to go to work. Mission briefing in the hangar bay at 0730. Mr. Krahe and Ms. Broussard report to the bridge please.
VOSSLER..
That arsehole Krahe thinks he's too good to eat with the rest of us. He always goes straight to his cabin the fuckin' corporate narc, what use is he to the mission anyway?
BROUSSARD.
Alright folks you heard the Captain, you've got 20 minutes to finish up and get the galley squared away for landing.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - BRIDGE
Hunter and Elias are monitoring the telemetry from the probe that was launched earlier.
HUNTER.
That's a definite power source.
ELIAS.
And these appear to be artificial structures.
HUNTER.
Not like any structures I've ever seen. They look organic, almost like they've been grown.
Broussard and Krahe enter the bridge.
KRAHE.
What do we have here Captain?
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - HANGAR BAY
The crew is gathered for the mission briefing. Hunter, Broussard and Krahe enter.
HUNTER.
OK people I suppose you're all wondering why we've interrupted your beauty sleep............. Well we've intercepted a transmission. A signal that in all likelihood is extra terrestrial in origin............... We may have finally found evidence of non terrestrial intelligence.
The hangar bay is suddenly in an uproar, everybody talking all at once.
MARTINEZ.
What kind of signal Captain? what's the point of origin?
HUNTER.
It's an acoustical beacon that originates on a moon in the Zeta II Reticuli system, LV 427.
TAYLOR.
Captain we're not equipped or qualified for contact with intelligent alien species, they have special teams trained for just this contigency.
KRAHE.
It would take a team from Earth nearly two years to get here. Company regulations state: Any systematised transmission indicating possible intelligent origin must be investigated. The penalty for non compliance is total forfeiture of all shares and bonuses. We don't go, no payday.
HUNTER.
I know you all have questions, but right now we don't know any more than this: There appear to be structures and some form of power source. As yet the probe hasn't found any evidence of life forms, or living inhabitants and the only radio traffic is the same repeating signal every 12 seconds. We're taking her in. Everyone report to your stations and secure for landing. We're professionals and we have a job to do
TAKAMURA. (under his breath)
This aint the job I signed up for.
BROUSSARD.
You heard the man, landing stations on the double. Dismissed.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - BRIDGE
Hunter, Broussard, Kelly and Elias at their bridge stations.
HUNTER.
All systems are go for landing, take us in.
The crew perform landing procedures.
ELIAS.
Orbital insertion complete.
HUNTER
Launch GPS sats.
Broussard flicks switches.
BROUSSARD.
GPS sats launched.
KELLY.
Vector correction 5 degrees starboard, profile looks good.
The ship is buffeted by turbulence as it enters the atmosphere.
HUNTER.
Find us somewhere to set down close to the signal source.
KELLY.
Can do Captain, we can put down almost on top of it.
HUNTER.
Give me a seismic scan of the area, make sure we've got solid ground to land on.
Elias presses controls and scans the readout.
ELIAS.
We're good Captain. Solid rock down to a depth of 10 kilometers. No subterranean faults detected, computer analysing geological scan data.
HUNTER.
Put us down on Mr. Kelly's co-ordinates.
CUT TO:
EXT. LV 427 - NIGHT
The ship sets down on thundering landing engines.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - BRIDGE
BROUSSARD.
Planetfall achieved, initiating drive engine shutdown.
Hunter addresses the crew over shipwide intercom.
HUNTER.
We're down safe folks. We've still got 2 hours until local sunrise, survey team prep for EVA.
ELIAS.
Atmospheric analysis complete Captain. Nitrogen, Methane, Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen, unbreathable.
BROUSSARD.
Sounds like Los Angeles on a good day.
CUT TO:
EXT. LV 427 - NIGHT
The ship has landed close to a Biomechanoid pyramid like structure, bizarre and Alien.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - SUIT LOCKER
The survey team: Elias, Takamura (Mining Engineer), Martinez (Biologist), Ralston (Geologist), Taylor (Terraforming Engineer), Voight and Vossler (Colonial Marines), are donning spacesuits and checking their hardware.
TAKAMURA.
Does anyone else think we're in over our heads here? We're a survey team what the hell do we know about first contact protocols?
RALSTON.
Do you really think we're going to find anything alive? The probe turned up no trace of life forms.
VOSSLER.
Yeah this place feels like a fuckin' graveyard.
MARTINEZ.
We're on site, we invetsigate. That's standard operating procedure.
TAYLOR.
Once they receive our preliminary report they'll send a full scientific expedition and set up a permanent base.
RALSTON.
I'm a geologist, I don't have a lot of experience in the dead alien civilisation department.
MARTINEZ.
The first evidence of intelligent life we've found in the galaxy, this is the opportunity of a lifetime.
VOIGHT.
And we're first on the scene, think of the bonus money. Guaranteed shares in anything we find here.
VOSSLER.
Fuck yeah Corp. I'm gonna be rich enough to buy Mars when we get back.
RALSTON.
Fucking marines, too stupid to be scared.
VOSSLER.
Bite me, bitch.
Vossler gives Ralston a grin. Despite the insults these two obviously share a connection.
VOIGHT.
C'mon people focus, we've got a job to do. Stay frosty or people could get hurt.
They finish suiting up.
VOIGHT. V.O.
Captain we're ready for EVA, unlock the weapons locker.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - BRIDGE
The Captain presses controls on a console and addresses the computer.
HUNTER.
This is Captain Hunter authorising weapons locker release.
He enters a 10 digit code.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - WEAPONS LOCKER
The locks cycle open. Voight takes out two M40 Pulse Rifles and hands one to Vossler. He opens the ammunition storage recess and takes out two, 5 magazine pacs. He hands one to Vossler who breaks the plastic seal and slams one into his weapon, he puts the rest into a pouch on his combat spacesuit, Voight does likewise.
VOIGHT. V.O.
Alright Captain we're locked and loaded, ready to Rock and Roll.
HUNTER. V.O
Acknowledged Corporal.
Elias activates the airlock controls and the inner hatch opens. They file into the airlock, the inner door closes and the outer hatch cycles open.
EXT. LV 427 - SUNRISE - SURVEY TEAM POV
The rising sun reveals a vast biomechanoid city, glistening wetly in the sickly, yellowish half light of dawn. Obscene shapes, ribbed tubes, bonelike protuberances, alien architecture strangely sexual in nature, coloiurs of a spectrum no human eye has ever seen, it is a scene from a Ketamine induced nightmare delirium.
VOSSLER. V.O.
Welcome to Hell.
FADE OUT
INT. USCSS KURTZ - BRIDGE
On the large viewscreen we see the same view as the survey team. On a smaller monitor split into seven frames we see the views from the survey teams helmet cams.
HUNTER.
My God. Do we really want to meet whatever finds this a pleasant place to live?
BROUSSARD.
Captain I think this place is dead. still no life readings, nothing on the motion trackers, zip on infra red. Only one faint power source detected in that pyramid structure.
KELLY.
And that fucking transmission.
Onscreen the survey team are heading for the pyramid, about one kilometre away from the Kurtz. They approach what appears to be an entrance.
VOIGHT. V.O.
We're about to enter the structure Captain.
They enter the Pyramid.
BROUSSARD.
Hold up, the probe's picking up another signal.
She manipulates controls on her console.
BROUSSARD.
Captain you're not going to believe this, we're picking up a distress signal from an Earth vessel. Location is.............It's only two klicks from here. The transmitter must be nearly out of power, the signal's not strong enough to penetrate the cloud cover and something seems to be blocking us from picking it up.
She manipulates more controls and the signal is patched in, at first it is very faint and unintelligible.
HUNTER.
Can you boost the gain?
Broussard does this and the distress signal comes through at a higher volume.
CAPTAIN VOLKER. V.O.
Mayday, Mayday, This is Captain Hans Volker of the exploratory vessel USC Leviathan. We landed on LV 427 to investigate a signal we intercepted. My crew went out to explore and never returned, only myself and my First Officer Taniko Shima are still alive. We tried to find the crew but were unable to locate any trace of them, by now their oxygen will have been depleted and they are surely dead. Navigation Computer has crashed, cannot program Auto Pilot for Earth return trajectory. My First Officer and I will place ourselves in Hypersleep to await rescue........................Mayday, Mayday, This is Captain Hans Volker of the exploratory vessel USC Leviathan. We landed on LV 427 to investigate a signal we intercepted. My crew went out to explore and never returned, only myself and my First Officer Taniko Shima are still alive............................
The transmission on a loop repeats over until it fades out entirely in static, something is interfering with the signal.
KELLY.
Got it Captain. According to the ships database, The USC Leviathan was listed as missing with all hands 41 years ago.
HUNTER.
41 years, what are the chances that they are still alive? Could their Hypersleep capsules still have power?
BROUSSARD.
It's possible Captain, they would have reserved most of their power for the capsules. Depending on what state their reactor is in, I'd say the chances are pretty good.
CLOSE UP ON:
Hunter deep in thought, contemplating this new development.
HUNTER.
OK, Broussard we're going out there. Suit up and meet me at the airlock in 15. If they're still alive McAndrews can bring the Rover to pick 'em up.
BROUSSARD.
Couldn't we just take the Rover now?
HUNTER.
No. I want it on hand here in case the survey team need it in a hurry. We'll only use it if we have to.
BROUSSARD.
Aye Sir.
She exits the bridge.
KRAHE.
Do you think this is a good idea Captain? If anything happens to you could we still get home?
HUNTER.
Elias, Kelly and McAndrews could manage it without us, it would be difficult but they could do it. You really should be more concerned about whether anything happens to Mr. Elias. He's more essential than I am.
KELLY.
Company regulations are also pretty strict on the issue of going to the aid of any vessel in distress, as much so as they are on investigating alien signals.
HUNTER.
So, good idea or not Krahe, we're going out to see if they are still alive. That vessel is definitely in distress.. Mr. Kelly you have the bridge.
He leaves to get suited up.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - ENTRANCE CHAMBER
A massive Chamber with three groups of three orifice like tunnel entrances spaced around it. The Chamber walls are skeletal in appearance, with ribbed organic tubes running into floor and ceiling and bizzare growths sprouting everywhere. It has the feeling of being inside a living organism that is being eaten away by a cancerous disease. The survey team are in awe of the sheer size and alien quality of the structure.
VOIGHT V.O.
Vossler are you getting anything on the motion tracker?
VOSSLER. V.O.
Nothing Corp, but the signal cuts out intermittently, getting a bit of break up.
VOIGHT. V.O.
Probably getting some interference from the structure.
MARTINEZ. V.O.
Nothing showing up on infra red.
He manipulates controls on his scanner and scans each tunnel orifice in turn.
MARTINEZ V.O.
I'm getting a reading on the power source from the tunnel in the middle.
RALSTON. V.O.
This fucking place gives me the creeps.
VOIGHT.
Time to start earning some of that back-pay ladies and gentlemen. Vossler you're on point I've got the rear, let's move 'em out.
VOSSLER. V.O. (SINGS)
Keep rolling, rolling, rolling.
VOIGHT. V.O.
Vossler,shut up. Voight to Kurtz, we have a reading on the power source, we are moving out to investigate.
KELLY. V.O.
Copy that Corporal, check in at 15 minute intervals. Kurtz out.
The team move toward the tunnel orifice.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - MAIN AIRLOCK
Broussard and Hunter are suited up. Hunter takes a Flamethrower from the weapons locker and hands it to Broussard. He then takes a Pulse Rifle and ammo for himself.
BROUSSARD. V.O.
What's with the hardware Boss? you expecting trouble?
HUNTER. V.O.
Better safe than sorry. We've got a downed ship with a dead crew, in an unknown situation. It's best not to take chances. The probe hasn't turned up any nasty indigenous predators, but they could just be really good at hiding.
They enter the airlock and the inner hatch closes behind them.
CUT TO:
EXT. LV 427 - DAY
The sunlight refracted and diffused by the heavy cloud cover provides only a faint illumination. The planet exists in a state of semi darkness during daylight hours, the sickly yellow colour of the greasy, polluted clouds bathes the surface in a nauseous hue.
Hunter and Broussard move out in the direction of the USC Leviathan's final resting place.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - TUNNEL
The team are part way along the tunnel when it takes a sharp turn. Until now the team were still in sight of the Entrance Chamber.
CUT TO:
INT. USCSS KURTZ - BRIDGE
CLOSE UP ON:
HELMET CAM MONITOR
Suddenly the helmet cam feed goes black.
KELLY.
Shit, I've lost their suit telemetry, all feeds are dead.
He punches buttons on the comm panel.
KELLY.
Kurtz to Voight are you reading me?........................Kurtz to survey team is any body reading me?................. Goddamn it. Kelly to survey team please respond............................................................................................
The radio is dead, only static can be heard.
KRAHE
Could it be the structure blocking the signal?
KELLY.
Kurtz to Hunter, Captain we've lost contact with the survey team, all feeds are down................................Kelly to Hunter respond.............................Jesus we've lost the Captain too.
STATIC
CLOSE UP ON:
MONITOR SCREEN
The legend COMMS DOWN - TELEMETRY DOWN - VIDEO FEED DOWN flashes on and off insistently.
CUT TO:
EXT. LV 427 - BIOMECHANOID CITY - DAY
Hunter and Broussard are overwhelmed by the strangeness of the City. As they head towards the USC Leviathan they are experiencing culture shock at the hideous architecture of a strange alien Biomech society. Organic looking receptacles, connected with Biomechanical tubes and pipes, leaking sickly looking fluids, obscene echoes of human sexuality, run between the structures. One such structure ahead resembles a giant bone in the shape of the letter U laying flat on the surface. As they approach, the structure towers above them and they stop to inspect it.
BROUSSARD V.O.
What the hell do you think this is? Looks like 3 entrances into it, what do you think is inside it?
Hunter looks at the structure with disgust. A cancerous like alien fungal blight is encroaching on the structure. Also on many others.
HUNTER. V.O.
I don't know. Who can say that it's anything we could even understand, our terms of reference bear no relationship whatsoever to a truly Alien society. Let's keep going, we're not far off the Leviathan.
He checks the reading on his GPS unit and they move on.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - INNER CHAMBER ONE
Another large Chamber. The same skeletal internal structure as the first. Three groups of three tunnel orifices in the Chamber walls.
Elias taps on his wrist control pad.
ELIAS. V.O.
Corporal I've got no reading on my GPS unit.
Voight checks his unit.
VOIGHT. V.O.
Shit, GPS is down. Voight to Kurtz we have lost GPS signal, acknowledge............................................ Survey team to Kurtz respond.............................................Looks like comms are down too. We can still read each other so we still have line of sight comms. It must be the structure blocking our signal to the ship. Martinez how far is the power source?
Martinez scans the orifices and re-locates the signal.
MARTINEZ V.O.
About eight hundred metres.
VOIGHT V.O.
OK, we've come this far, we're going on. I don't want Krahe bitching that we didn't do a thorough job. Takamura, Ralston it's your lucky day. Head back to the entrance Chamber and report back to the ship. Tell the Captain we're going on to check out the power source.
TAKAMURA V.O.
Thank Christ for that.
VOIGHT V.O.
Saddle up people, keep it tight, two metre spread. I don't want anybody getting lost. Vossler three hour marking flares every fifty metres, move out.
Vossler marks the tunnel they came through with a flare.
They enter the next tunnel orifice.
Ralston stands at the tunnel orifice that leads back to the entrance chamber.
RALSTON. V.O.
Come on let's get the hell out of here.
They enter the tunnel.
CUT TO:
EXT. LV 427 - BIOMECHANOID CITY - USC LEVIATHAN - DAY
Hunter and Broussard have reached the USC Leviathan. The alien fungoid blight is encroaching on the exploratory vessel. Broussard scans the ship.
BROUSSARD. V.O.
I'm reading a low level power source, the reactor is still functioning. Minmal life support detected.
Hunter presses the airlock controls. The airlock outer door opens halfway and stops.
BROUSSARD. V.O.
The power's failed, if they're still alive we better get them out ASAP or they'll suffocate in their hypersleep capsules.
They enter the airlock. Hunter opens the panel which houses the manual airlock controls and cranks the outer door closed, then he cranks the inner door open. Emergency battery powered lights illuminate the ship's interior. Hunter taps controls on his wrist display and calls up the ship schematics he downloaded from the Kurtz' database.
HUNTER. V.O.
The hypersleep vault is this way.
He indicates the direction and they head towards the vault.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - TUNNEL
Ralston and Takamura are halfway back to the entance chamber, where the tunnel takes a sharp turn, they fail to notice that the tunnel they are following continues on further into the pyramid. The tunnel has branched in two. As the 2nd tunnel is offset from the main tunnel and it's entrance is disguised by an optical illusion, the lines of the tunnel opening blend right in with the skeletal internal structure of the pyramid, the 2nd tunnel enrance is almost invisible to anyone travelling into the pyramids inner chambers, as is the tunnel leading back to the entrance chamber now unseen as they travel back the other way. The illusion can be seen through if the tunnel is well lit and the party is moving slowly, but Ralston and Takamura are only focused on getting back to the ship and continue unkowingly further into the pyramid.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - INNER CHAMBER TWO
A scene of ancient carnage. Giant corpses, yellow, bipedal, two armed, fourteen feet in length, skeletal, elephantine proboscis. Mingled in with black corpses vaguely insectoid, nine feet in length, bipedal two armed, elongated, eyeless heads, exoskeletal, long tails. All the remains show evidence of brutal combat. Limbs and heads ripped off, skulls smashed.
The survey team wander amongst the destruction, awed by a sight no human has ever before witnessed.
ELIAS. V.O.
Gotterdammerung, Twilight of the Gods. Ragnarok.
MARTINEZ. V.O.
Whose Gods compadre?
TAYLOR. V.O.
I'm glad I'm an atheist.
MARTINEZ. V.O.
C14 scans indicate these corpses are approximately three thousand years old.
VOSSLER. V.O.
About the same age as your last girlfriend Corp. These guys are better looking though.
VOIGHT. V.O.
There's only one exit from this chamber, it looks like this was a last stand to protect whatever the power source is supplying. OK let's go see what the hell these things died to protect. Don't worry private, if we find one alive we'll set you up on a date.
VOSSLER. V.O.
C'mon Corp, you know I only date your Mama.
VOIGHT. V.O.
She told me you couldn't get it up, move out wiseguy.
They enter the last tunnel.
CUT TO:
INT. USC LEVIATHAN - HYPERSLEEP VAULT
Hunter and Broussard stand before two occupied hypersleep capsules. They are unable to see the occupants inside. Hunter starts rummaging through storage compartments until he finds what he was looking for: a long handled device for manually opening the hypersleep capsules. He fits this into it's receptacle.
HUNTER V.O.
Help me crank these things open, they don't have much time left.
Hunter and Broussard strain at turning the manual lever, with a screech of metal on metal the crank begins to turn, slowly raisng the capsule lids inch by inch. Breathing hard from the effort they inspect the now open capsules.
HUNTER. V.O. (Breathing fast from exertion)
Oh God no...............Fuck me...............
CLOSE UP ON:
The open hypersleep capsules. The sight of what they contain is horrific and sickening: An unholy mass of semi translucent, protoplasmic fungoid nightmare, a hideous fusion with something that had once been a human being. Within the pulsating, undulating, fungal horror, certain details would become visible briefly then fade back into the palpitating mass: Organic tubes and skeletal details strangely reminiscent of the architecture of the Biomechanoid city outside, seem to stretch out the semi opaque skin, then fade away. Suddenly Hunter could discern what vaguely looked like a partial human face with a closed eye. A shiver of pure primal, animal fear, that feels like fingers of cold steel, rakes down his back as suddenly, the eye opens and looks directly at him. Insanity stares into his eyes and threatens to drag him under it's black, oily surface.
HUNTER. V.O.
Broussard give me the flamethrower and wait for me by the airlock.
She stumbles out in a state of shock. Hunter backs up to the entrance of the hypersleep vault and sprays the capsules with a sustained burst from his flamethrower.
CLOSE UP ON:
Hunter, face set in grim determination as he hoses the capsules with fire again.
CLOSE UP ON:
The capsules, burning fiercely, the obscene things within writhe in agony as they are incinerated.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - EGG MUTATION CHAMBER
Ralston and Takamura enter a vast chamber.
TAKAMURA. V.O.
Nice going Ralston we're lost, this isn't the entrance chamber
RALSTON.V.O.
Holy Shit.
The chamber walls contain hundreds of niches housing biomechanoid monstrosities. Ovoid shapes some three feet tall. Ribbed tubes emanating from bizarre organic machinery set above the egglike pods, are inserted into the semi translucent yellowish green ovoids, some leaking noxious looking liquids.All the niches are covered by a curtain of blue mist, she pushes her hand through the mist but nothing happens. Ralston approaches a niche that contains something different to the ovoid pods. Shining her torch on the abomination within, it appears to be the remains of a human being. Coccooned in a sitting position, knees drawn up to it's chest, it's limbs are fused together. Cancerous growths cover the sickly yellow/grey/green translucent outer skin. The tubes that were inserted into this cocoon are all untethered.
RALSTON. V.O.
Look at this, Sweet Jesus this thing was human once.
TAKAMURA. V.O.
I think I'm gonna be sick, we have to get the fuck out of here now.
Takamura stumbles and falls to his knees retching. He staggers to his feet and runs blindly into a tunnel.
RALSTON. V.O.
Hiroshi wait up, you're gonna break a leg and I can't carry you back to the ship.
She goes after him.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - HIBERNATION CHAMBER
A vast chamber containing row upon row of sixteen foot long biomechanoid sarcophagi. Fed by tubes and organic pipes, each sarcophagus contains one of the fourteen foot tall hollow eyed, elephantine exoskeletons.
TAYLOR. V.O.
The Tomb of The Elder Gods.
Elias scans the "coffins" and stops in front of one.
ELIAS. V.O.
This is the power source. I believe that this is a suspended animation facility.
MARTINEZ. V.O.
I'm getting readings that indicate organic functions, this thing is still alive. All the others are dead.
TAYLOR. V.O.
Could it be some form of hibernation suit?
VOSSLER. V.O.
Yeah and fuckin' Santa Claus is inside it.
MARTINEZ. V.O.
No. It's definitely an exoskeleton. The X-Ray scanner shows internal organs, there's no underlying skeletal structure. Hard shell, soft interior.
ELIAS. V.O.
Not Gods then. Only mere mortals after all.
MARTINEZ. V.O.
Corporal I'm reading a slight increase in power levels, I think this thing might be waking up.
VOIGHT. V.O.
Maybe we tripped some sort of alarm clock when we entered the chamber. We've discharged our responsibilities to the company, time to head back to the ship. I don't wanta be around if this thing wakes up in a bad mood.
Elias seems fascinated by the creature. He places his hand on an indentation in the sarcophagus lid, obviously made for hand much larger and differently shaped than a human hand. suddenly he stiffens as if transfixed and topples over.
VOIGHT. V.O.
Jesus, what the hell was that? Is he dead?
Martinez scans the android.
MARTINEZ. V.O.
No he's still functioning, I'm reading electrical activity in his CPU. Some sort of short circuit maybe.
TAYLOR V.O.
We can't leave him here, do you know what these things cost? There goes our bonuses.
MARTINEZ. V.O.
Hold up, neural activity is increasing. He's waking up.
Elias begins to stir, he slowly rises to his knees and then stands up.
ELIAS. V.O.
My positronic neural net suffered a massive overload. It is designed to shut down in such circumstances to prevent damage. All normal functions appear to be resumed, though I will require a full systems diagnostic to be 100 percent certain.
VOIGHT. V.O
Thank God for that, you gave us quite a scare pal. Alright back to base. I'll take point Vossler bring up the rear, let's move.
They head back the way they came.
CUT TO:
EXT. LV 427 - BIOMECHANOID CITY - DAY
Hunter and Broussard are returning to the Kurtz, As they come in sight of the ship Hunter contacts the bridge.
HUNTER. V.O.
Hunter to Kurtz, we are returning to the ship, our ETA is ten minutes.
KELLY. V.O.
Captain we've lost contact with the survey team, and I couldn't raise you either.
HUNTER. V.O.
The Alien structures block our radio signals, If they haven't returned in an hour I'll go in after them Hunter out.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - EGG HATCHERY
Ralston and Takamura enter another large chamber, out of breath from Takamura's panicked flight. The entrance is also covered by a curtain of blue mist.
RALSTON V.O.
Hiroshi for fucks sake stop. Panicking aint gonna help, we're totally lost now.
As she regains her breath after chasing Takamura she inspects the chamber. It contains leathery, ovoid organic urns, they are empty, with four flaps folded down. They are arranged about the chambers walls where more dessicated human corpses are cocooned. Their chests all have gaping wounds with broken, protruding ribs. It's like they exploded from within. Littered around their feet are hundreds of dessicated, insectoid remains, very reminiscent of dead spiders, legs drawn up and in toward the abdomen.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - EGG MUTATION CHAMBER
The ovoid Egg mutation in the niche where Ralston disturbed the blue mist, begins to quiver and palpitate in it's niche. The feeding tubes all violently detach, spraying vile liquid. A loud, wet ripping noise is heard as the Egg membrane tears open. A creature about the size of a very large crab, pulls itself free and lands on the floor with a wet thump. Eight fingerlike jointed legs, a torso complete with a long upcurving segmented tail, tipped with a wicked six inch stinger. It rights itself and almost appears to be scenting the air with it's first pair of fingerlike legs raised like antennae waving back and forth. Suddenly they stop and the creature scuttles off into the tunnel Ralston and Takamura went into.
CUT TO:
INT. LV 427 - PYRAMID - EGG HATCHERY
Ralston and Takamura are standing near the tunnel orifice where they entered the chamber. Ralston diverts Takamiura's attention from the coccooned corpses in the shadows on the far side of the chamber.
RALSTON. V.O.
OK now you've chilled out, we can try and get back to the entrance chamber. If we head back to the last chamber, I can find the tunnel we came in. Then all we gotta do is retrace our steps slowly until we find where we took a wrong turn. We'll be back at the ship in no time. Whatta ya say amigo?
TAKAMURA. V.O.
I'll be alright. Those things in that room freaked the shit out of me. Do you think more of them had people in them? Where did they come from?
RALSTON. V.O.
I don't know Hiroshi, but we just gotta stay frosty as Voight would put it. We keep our heads we'll get out of here. I'm scared shitless too you know.
TAKAMURA. V.O.
I know, I'm sorry I lost it. Let's just get back to the ship, I puked in my suit and it stinks bad.
CLOSE UP ON:
On the far side of the chamber there is still one unhatched Egg. With a slithering sound the four flaps peel back, and two probing yellow fingers appear over the rim of the Egg.
Ralston and Takamura are getting ready to try and find their way back. Using the empty Eggs as cover the Facehugger is sneaking up on them.
TAKAMURA. V.O.
Did you see that? I thought I saw something move.
She looks in the direction he is indicating
RALSTON. V.O.
I don't see anything, It's just your nerves. Let's go.
Suddenly the creature launches itself onto Ralston's helmet, her visor starts hissing and smoking. She grabs the creature by it's tail and tries to dislodge it, but the thing has a vicelike grip.
RALSTON. V.O
Get it off, get it off, it's melting through my fucking visor.
She starts coughing and choking.
Takamura tries to grab the creature's tail and help her pull it off, but suddenly he has his own crisis to deal with: the Scorpion Facehugger has followed them, and it starts to climb his spacesuit leg.
TAKAMURA. V.O.
Oh fuck, oh fuck get it off me get it fucking off meeee.........
The Scorpion reaches his waist and jabs it's stinger deep into his stomach. It then drops off and scuttles away. Takamura crumples to his knees clutching his stomach.
SUIT COMPUTER. V.O.
WARNING. SUIT INTEGRITY COMPROMISED. OXYGEN DEPLETION IN T MINUS 15 MINUTES.
Struggling against the effects of the alien venom, Takamura removes a Tempseal patch from a pouch and slaps it over the hole in his spacesuit. The instagrip bond fuses and his suit integrity is restored. He tries to stand up and falls to the ground unconscious.
CLOSE UP ON:
Ralston lying unmoving on the ground. A smoking hole in her visor, the creature covering her face. It undulates in time with her breathing.
FADE OUT
Join the discussion! Sign in using your Scified Account to add your say!
New to the site? You can create your own profile in seconds!
* Signing in also removes ads *
